A Vacation Already?

Well, one month in Korea is over. I could put in more reflective words here, but I'm just going to say I'll do that later and talk about my upcoming vacation.

Do I need a vacation after one month of work? Not really. Am I going to take one? Yes, most definitely. It seems like a good time to go anyway because they started demolishing this place across the street from me so I hear just a little bit too much broken glass and destruction at 7:00 in the morning. Side comment: these people never wear hard hats.

For anybody who doesn't know, I'm going to Thailand. I actually leave today and have to catch a bus in three hours. From there, I have a small layover in Taiwan, and then it's off to Bangkok. I have packed very very lightly. Just six days of clothes, toiletries, a few books, hat, sunglasses, sandals, camera, and MP3 player. Luckily it all nestles snugly into my backpack.

I don't have the itinerary set yet, but my possibly to do list includes:

The Grand Palace (located very close to my hotel)

Suan Lum Night Bazaar

Chatuchak Market

Chinatown

Ayuthaya ancient ruins

Vimanek Mansion

Thai River Cruise

Marble Temple

A Day at a beach somewhere

Whatever random things I find

I am traveling alone, mostly due to the fact that no other teacher's vacation aligned with mine. There are three teachers headed to Phuket, Thailand and will be in Bangkok one of the nights I'm there so I'm planning to meet with them. I can deal with traveling alone, though, because I like the aspects of sticking to my own schedule, seeing the attractions I want to see, and being forced to meet new people.

I have also heard that pickpockets might be a problem. I recently read, though, that the Thai government has really cracked down on it because they value tourism. I'm not sure what to think, because this could be an elaborate scheme by a federation of pickpockets who want people to lower their guard. Anyway, I made a necklace passport/credit card holder out of three index cards, a shoelace, and some duct tape, so I'm pretty sure I'll be safe.

This is going to be my last blog post for a week, so I'm going to leave you with a few current chart toppers from Korea to pass the time. Enjoy:

A Painting

So I figured I would just go ahead and post this here, even though its mostly a travel experience blog and I finished it about two weeks ago. Anyway, I made this painting of a bird flying into the sky on a piece of real heavyweight paper that manages to resist warping pretty well.

As seen from the pencil drawing, it's just a combination of squares for the clouds, triangles for the bird, and rectangles for the sky. I've been going through a phase where I like to do a mosaic style of tiny triangles. Not really sure why.

I think the coloring really pulls this piece together from the bare pencil sketch. This painting is somewhat inspired by the fact that I live (at least in the same time zone) as the land of the rising sun.

It's my first painting in Korea. Like it? Hate it? Want to buy it?

Mascots Ep. III: Revenge of the Mascots

Well we all know the story by now. Brad comes to Korea, loves the advertising genius of using the suicidal mascots, takes pictures, makes up captions, yada yada yada. Here we are, back by popular demand, Mascots Episode III: Revenge of the Mascots.

"Come and watch me drink beer out of a mug with a beak! A damn beak!"

"Most people can't even understand how offensive I am!"

"Once you go black beer......"

"You don't even want to know how this happened!"

"Oh God! I'm a shoe, aren't I?"

"I keep telling the wife, open your eyes when you're pounding the dough, but nooooooo. Last week she nailed some clown in the nose."

"That's right, there is no where in the world you can get away from me."

A Little Seoul

I'm finally getting to write about this a little late, but better late than never. Anyway, last weekend (seriously feels like a month ago) I went to Seoul with a new friend Lisa from the UK, where we met another foreigner from the UK named Paul. Our plan was to go to the Seoul Arts Center, which is basically a large art museum. The trip to Seoul is easy, only costing about seven dollars and lasting a little over an hour and half. Of course, both Lisa and I were going on about four hours of sleep and hung over so that was the only difficult part. She got shushed by a Korean woman in front of us which she found really annoying and I found a little funny, it must have happened to her before.

While there I got to revisit some of my favorite American foods. We made stops at a Subway, a Starbucks, a Mexican restaurant, and a Coldstone Creamery. There is this section of Seoul called Itaewon loaded with foreigners and you can find almost anything American there. The Subway was a little disappointing, mostly because I love the $5 footlong deal. I ended up paying 9k Won for a footlong turkey sub and a softdrink. Subway, here's a thought: All you have to do is write a catchy song just like in the USA.

A suggestion:

Five

Five thousand

Five thousand Won quarter meter!

I think it is almost as catchy as the US version, so you know, think about it.

I might as well just go to the photos then.

We were in a large shopping district near the arts center. The streets were pretty crowded here, and if you look closely you can see Lisa taking a photo as well as Paul in the red shirt.

This is the Seoul Arts Center, which was pretty great. The exhibits were a little pricey where you had to pay 8k Won for each small exhibit. We only did two: one with sculpture and one about photography. I'll just say that the photography one really blew and we were out of there in about 6 minutes. The next photos are from the sculpture and art section.

This is some cool fireman thing I really liked. It's life-size.

The exhibit running was all about superstars and icons, and art which captures them. Fittingly, here are the three major icons in America, at least I'm pretty sure they have each appeared on plates more than anybody else. These are made out of some paint and then the darker areas are actually fly paper where bugs were allowed to stick to it and form the image.

This was one of my favorites. Some artist paints trees that also look like superstars, featuring one of Jesus and an icon pictured here. I'll let you guess who it is.

I sniped this photo of Mr. Lazy (see t-shirt) at this area where you could act like you were getting press photos of yourself.

Since this was about icons, of course there is Mr. Jackson. I can faintly hear him going "He he he" while doing this crotch grab.

Near the entrance of the building are these giant wicker type figures. I found this cool angle where it's like he's inviting you in. Or trying to pick you up and eat you. Whatever.

Overall the trip was really fun, but a little short. Lisa wasn't feeling well due to getting very little sleep and the fact that the pollution can get bad in Seoul. Her sinuses may or may not have been about to explode. I liked the limited areas of Seoul I was able to see, and it's interesting to see how many foreigners are there. They are basically on every street corner. It is a very expensive city, though. I spent that 9k on Subway, about 20k for my chimichanga which wasn't very good, and 7k at Coldstone.

I do have to mention one more thing. The art exhibit about icons and superstars gave us a translated tour page which some very interesting interpretations of the art. I find this translated interpretation of the abstract art works extremely fascinating. Here are a select few:

"The general public have their own icons in mind. They compare themselves with the icons. It is kind of longing and wishes. This symptom spreads through people. The public are often satisfied with some aspects of stars which they don't have."

"Zou Cao confines his subject matter as a star within the frame of a fingerprint. Remember the fact the fingerprint is the one of the middle finger. He intends to reveal his sardonic laugh at idols and capital. This work shows and artist's creed to confront against the awe of a star."

"A Certain Silence: Who is the star?

As we are indulged in a star and intoxicated with luxury goods, we cannot be aware of the one who is opposite them. Or we just don't want to know. The public's devotion for stars is vain and fruitless. Aren't all of us the one who waits for Godot? [they might have meant God there] People surprisingly intend not to confront the reality. We turn away our eyes in front of the subject that should be treated as a superstar for good reason."

"Seeing Lee Jong Gu's cow, we come to confront the truth. Fields and farmers that still exist as clear as crystal have been obscured under the cloak of modernization. Nonetheless, who can deny that a cow gazing at us with its big eyes and farmers taking a rest to cool down deserve the name as a star? What is the point to wear the farmer a Hermes watch on his wrist who comes from the earth and wishes to go back to it."

"There are so many stars around us. We take courage and find new hopes from them. And sometimes we become depressed in spirit and despair because of them...........What should be recognized here is the elaboration and creativeness of the artists who drag a star into their subject matters. I hope you can find the pleasure of reading works of art and experience of self-reflection as well."

Pool Day

I'm pretty sure everybody who reads this blog has been thinking "why is it taking so long to finally see some of the kids?" Well, for everyone who was thinking this, you're day has arrived. Wednesday this week was a pool day where we take all of the kindergarten kids, pack them into a few vans, and take them to a pool about 30km away on top of a hotel. It's really nice for the teachers because instead of having to yell "quiet" at loud kindergarten children every few minutes we just let them go at it.

Before they swim, they have to do a series of warm up exercises.

Now they line up around the pool and kick their legs.

This is Catherine coming down the water slide.

General mischief happening. Every kid has their own tube, which is nice.

After swimming we all sat down for lunch. These two boys from one of my classes are named Thomas and Gilbert.

This is Isabel. She is a sweet little girl but requires nonstop attention.

Joo and Joseph, who looks like he is up to something.

More of the boys from my class.

This girl is Euris, and I'm not really sure what is happening here. It is, however, hilarious.

Girly Pizza

I got around to having pizza for my first time since in Korea, having gone three weeks without. Thinking back, I'm pretty sure that is my longest stretch ever without eating pizza. I went with two Korean friends and we ordered this really great pie with a white sauce, spinach, chicken, and ranch sauce on top. Add to that, sweet potato stuffing in the crust. Now THAT is something they should export to the states. Oh, the pizza did cost 32,000 Korean Wan (ouch). I don't even want to convert that total to dollars.

My favorite part, though, this take home bag:

Mr. Pizza's slogan is 'Love for Women.' Why? I don't know.

Speaking of very girly things, behold, my bed:

It doesn't get any more sissy than a pink mattress cover, purple pillows, and a white, light blue, and pink bedspread.

Brown Town

This isn't completely intentional, but today this blog is taking a turn for the brown. It happened, though, so I have to write about it.

Last saturday I was out around town trying to explore more of Seosan. I walked toward this large green hill which borders one side of the city (actually called a mountain here). This was extremely scenic, the hillside is lush with green trees and plant life. As soon as I was a good portion of the way up the hill, I felt this rumble in my stomach. I think we all know this rumble, the one where you know your bowels are a ticking time bomb of disaster, and I knew I had about 7 minutes. Luckily, I was near the town hall and cultural center, and I knew of at least one public toilet around.I didn't have to walk far to find this little oasis, a lifesaver. I was really about to try to find a secluded area on the hillside to do the deed and wipe up with money from my pocket.

Once inside, it wasn't all good news. I encountered this little porcelain hole in the ground, lovingly called a "squatter" by some fellow foreigners. Well, long story short, I managed to get it done and come out of this situation clean.

Now, I was free to explore this hillside complete with cultural center and park. This statue is an entrance leading up to a shrine.

This shrine is for the founder of Korea. I managed to scare the crap out of some guy who was peacefully walking around this courtyard when he came around a corner and saw me.

This is a sign outside of that shrine telling about the (real?) history of the Korean nation. It's a little hard to make out on this website picture, but it says:

"Enshrined in this shrine at the foot of Puch'un-san Mountain are the portrait and memorial tablet of Tangun, the founder of the Korean nation.

According to Samguk Yusa (The Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms) by Buddhist Monk Iryon, Tangum was born of Hwanung, the son of Hwanin, the heavenly god, and a woman transformed from bear in 2333 B.C. Tangun founded Tangun Choson and ruled it for two millennia. Asadal (now Pyongyang) was the capital of the first Korean nation."

The park also had this nice pathway which led to a rock rotunda where it looked like a water fountain show happens along with a nice workout park.

This area also provides a nice view of the city from above. It's really great to live in a part of Korea where its not just mile after mile of city streets (Seoul) and I can get a little bit of nature. The beaches are also pretty close so I'm going to check them out soon.

Mascot Crazy, Part Deux!

Well, sitting here at home from my lunch break with nothing to do, popularity of the first installment, and trying to uplift from my somewhat depressing last post is a perfect time for.......wait for it......MASCOT CRAZY, PART DEUX. I probably have enough material for two more posts after this, and then I might have to make a special trip to Seoul.

"The second craziest thing here is the low prices!"

"Letters, Letters, LETTERS, KILL!....I mean...letters."

"My best meat is in the rump...wait, why did I just say that?"

"I guarantee this finger has NEVER been anywhere unsanitary!"

"Angry meat is best meat!"

"Gee, I sure hope a certain company never sees this add!"

This isn't really a mascot, but suddenly I want Domino's Pizza.

Isn't That A...

One strange item I have noticed on the streets of Korea is surprisingly, the swastika. I think everybody in the West knows this symbol from WWII, Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler, killing, etc. I have seen this item in a few places:

See that in the background? (this is really close to my house)

Seems like a nice place?

Killer seat covers!

Some minor research tells me that in Japan, this symbol is used to mark a Buddhist temple on a map as well as used in signage on Buddhist temples. I imagine that the same use applies in Korea, where a swastika may just show that one practices Buddhism. In this east this symbol really takes on more of a meaning of peace and love. Still, it's pretty hard to get Nazi connotations of the swastika out of my mind.

On a semi-related note (really?), I picked this up from a guy who sells hats on the street on my way to work. Suicidal Tendencies is a metal band from the late 80's/early 90's, and somehow this semi-obscure band's hat ended up in a market in Korea. Who knows how or why, but now I own it (I wear it ironically). The guy's first price was 10k Won, and I replied 8k. He said 10k again, I said OK.

Here is Suicidal Tendencies' hit, 'Institutionalized,' in case anybody is curious. It was in guitar hero.

In the Headlines Today...

I was ordering takeout and happened to browse through a newspaper. Look what I found, one of my favorite baseball players. Prince Fielder jacking a 500 foot dinger.

And in case you wanted to know how to throw a knuckleball....

Lastly, Go Brewers!

A Few Thoughts

Well, I've now been in Korea for two weeks. Two full weeks of classes down, many new people met, and one new city explored where I've been stared at by an estimated 10,000 people. So far I don't feel exhausted at all, really more energized. I really look forward to every day where I might get to see some new sights, meet new people, and eat strange food.

I was speaking with my boss Jay this week while at the hospital for my medical examination. We saw another American from Indiana in a waiting room, and he remarked later this individual "seems very untrustworthy and nervous." I asked him why, and he told me that it was primarily due to the fact that the guy, about the same age as me, had facial hair. Jay told me I look very kind and honest, unlike him. I then remembered my interview process with Jay, where he had asked me about two questions before he decided to hire me. I really did wonder at the time what kind of criteria this guy had for hiring me, knowing almost nothing about me, and now I know its my looks. At least they got me somewhere. Oh, below is the picture he saw on my resume:

One strange thing I realized while living here is that when I cross a congested street, I wait for an old lady. Nope, not to help her across. It's because I have some trouble picking a gap to cross and I know that the drivers would never hit an old lady. The streets aren't really dangerous, cars are good about yielding to pedestrians. I just have a little bit of trouble picking my spot. For the record I haven't been even close to getting hit by a car here in Korea, while I did have the experience of falling onto the hood of a car as it stopped which was driven by a girl on her cell phone. On her stupid cell phone.

The craziest thing I have seen here may just be the rain. There have been two days where it has rained to the point where I'm almost afraid of going outside. You know in 'Forest Gump' when he talks about sideways rain in Vietnam? They get that same sideways rain here in Korea. It's sideways because there is an immense amount of water falling coupled with intense, crippling winds. The wind will blow in any direction at any time, so there's no way to stay dry if you're under an umbrella.

A funny aspect of Korea is the music. It appears that there are only about three popular artists at this time, each with ridiculously overproduced swill that I'm far too snobby to admit I like. Like this song, "Lollipop" by a group called Big Bang. I catch students singing this song regularly, and it can be heard almost everywhere. Well, it is a little bit catchy.