Monday, March 5, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Jenn Philosophy and Life Wisdom in Korea
1.Silent Night - I am finding that a full night of silence after work is amazing. Children make you appreciate the quiet of your thoughts.
2. READ - When working in a foreign country, especially when you are around Non-Native English speaking people daily, READ a lot… or you will surely lose to the brain’s ability to naturally adapt to a culture’s way of speaking English. Enter Exhibit A: Jenn - when she first arrived in Korea.
3. The Way Things Are - Give up the search for reasonably priced peanut butter. It ain’t happenin’ Jenn.
4. Libraries : Face it, libraries are for the ‘University Kids’, that’s why they lock them up on campuses and the ordinary people just go to bookstores. Korea – Library Extinction = Jenn Homeless
5. Button Mystery : I don’t know about everyone else, but growing up I remember on many separate occasions when I used to stumble upon lost buttons - a lot - maybe even more often than the average person! They were in parking lots, in the booths at restaurants, even at the park in the grass. I always wondered…How does one go about losing a button? – I swear I am going somewhere with this. Ok, One morning I don my favorite sweater and head out to work. I deviate from the normal route by taking a detour through some parked vehicles and then… it happened. My sweater was caught in a button snatching and the button was pulled from the sweater! Where it fell I cannot say, but that, my friends, is how one loses a button. Mystery revealed and I was ecstatic! Haha. C’est la vie!
6. Volunteer in foreign countries –volunteering to do dishes for your housemate doesn’t count, in case you were wondering – Change some lives. You meet the best people.
7. Korea’s Winter Season – necessity- thermal socks, trust me.
8. The Solve All : drink wine by candlelight while reading a book in bed – remedy for everything.
9. Face the facts: Kids like anything with sound effects and the elderly will always find something wrong with you. Last, but not least, Moms and Dads can be wrong about many things.
10. Learn the Language and the Culture – It’s fun to be able to say more than Kimchi and Gimbap.
More to come and stay tuned.
Love you all,
Jenn
Saturday, February 11, 2012
One day, Creative met Informative
Where shall I begin?
Wonderful comrades! Ode to thee! Too much?
How about this I have class in about OH let’s say 7 minutes and I am trying to see how much wit I can get out before I have to leave. Ultimately to erase this, only to start over later and really let you know the true story about what I have been up to here, on this peninsula, across the ocean, far, far… far… ok… far away.
WELL?
Deep breath.
I have been writing extensively on my book and reading like a maniac. I might as well have sensors on my fingertips, because my brain has been on overdrive absorbing everything in its path…kind of like a juggernaut?
Who says that?
*taking a moment inside Jenn’s brain* The echo of the question ‘Who says that?’ hits the direct line to the brain cells and the uniform regime takes a tally to see if Jenn is to actually agree to the terms of admitting that she says stuff like this or not. “Brain cells, all in favor stand up” and a lowly brain cell stands, out numbered by the rest. “Sit down soldier!”
So, by unanimous vote, no I don’t say stuff like that. **smiles**
I have been thinking as of late about where I want to be this next up coming year, but the conclusion to this whole agenda eludes me. The answer seems further the more I try to think on it; my white rabbit? Alice, where are you when I need you! Do I really want to catch the beast that is driving my search into the unknown? Now that’s a thinker. Winnie the Pooh would love me, as I would sit on that log right next to him, THINK. THINK. THINK.
Alright, down to business, haha, I hope you enjoyed that lovely introduction and I swear my sanity hasn’t left me—today was just an “overly creative” day; no, that is not a euphemism.
I have been having a great time with my volunteer group here called Mannam. I attended a few functions and have met oodles of people. They are truly a nonprofit organization and by saying this I mean, they have absolutely no funding from corporate sponsors and they are fully funded by the people. Personally, I think this to be a triumph. The people that attend these events are from all walks of life. I have to say in the past few days, I have laughed more than I have in a long while. They are all genuinely good hearted and people of real substance. This upcoming Saturday I am going to help families who lost their homes to fire in a small village outside of Gangnam called Guryong. There are at least 20-30 families with no homes, living out in the cold right now—the cold in Korea at the moment is record breaking. Mannam is going to bring coal briquettes, blankets and clothes to these families, who because of disenfranchisement cannot rebuild their homes. I will let you guys know how this goes. I am happy to be donating my time to such an endeavor.
As far as the sights that I have been going to, the most recent was the Gyeongbok Palace. So grand in its structure and everything you would hope for in an epic Korean palace. The elegance, history, and tier system of the soldiers was both intriguing and gives off a slight romance with the bright colors, chambers, and art.
My cousin and I walked around with a volunteer guide, who divulged the special nature of each building, marker, statue and even the very stone paths had a purpose in their intricacies and placement. The palace colors, she told us, were colors only to be used by the king and queen—forbidding any other buildings to have them. For protection the king had not only his soldiers, but the twelve legendary animals (Chinese Zodiac) dispersed throughout the palace grounds and atop buildings. The most profound piece of mastery, I found, was a painting, which is always sitting behind the thrones of the king and queen. It’s of two circles, red and white resembling the Sun and Moon, king and queen. Beneath the Sun and Moon, there are the mountains resembling the 5 great peaks of Korea, (this ties into Korean Mahayana Buddhism which was linked with Shamanism – a belief that all things had a spirit including mountains). Beneath the great peaks were the trees resembling the great advisors to the king. The colors were so vibrant, my eyes did not seem wide enough to absorb them…my brain felt like an overly saturated paper towel.
We moseyed around the palace grounds and saw an area where only the king and queen were allowed to go. Surrounded by water and one footbridge across, no one else was allowed to cross. Our guide pointed out a great hall, which was the only two-story building. This was where all of the grand parties and gatherings were held. Amy, our guide, also pointed out that Korea had a king that liked to throw grand parties and never liked to work –there is one in every culture, isn’t there? It was a wonderful tour and ended with smiles and iphone snapshots with our guide, Amy. It was an awesome experience.
After we left Amy, we witnessed the changing of the guards. Their stoic appearances were a tiny bit intimidating, but I took pictures with them anyhow, that’s just me.
Here are some pictures! Enjoy <3
Walking into Gyeongbok Palace
These were the posts for the soldiers to stand next to showing their rank (closer the post to the palace, the higher the rank of the officer)
This was where the king boarded his carriage that was man-powered. That's right who wants to walk when you can have a man carry you. pshh...
These were the legendary animals that protected the king and queen and they were located on the corners of most of the buildings.
This was the picture I was describing in this post about the Sun & Moon, 5 peaks, and trees.
This was the great hall where all the parties and festivities were held. (two-stories)
This was the private "island" surrounded by water in which only the king and queen were allowed to go.
The guards--my favorite part :)
Until I write again ^^
Wonderful comrades! Ode to thee! Too much?
How about this I have class in about OH let’s say 7 minutes and I am trying to see how much wit I can get out before I have to leave. Ultimately to erase this, only to start over later and really let you know the true story about what I have been up to here, on this peninsula, across the ocean, far, far… far… ok… far away.
WELL?
Deep breath.
I have been writing extensively on my book and reading like a maniac. I might as well have sensors on my fingertips, because my brain has been on overdrive absorbing everything in its path…kind of like a juggernaut?
Who says that?
*taking a moment inside Jenn’s brain* The echo of the question ‘Who says that?’ hits the direct line to the brain cells and the uniform regime takes a tally to see if Jenn is to actually agree to the terms of admitting that she says stuff like this or not. “Brain cells, all in favor stand up” and a lowly brain cell stands, out numbered by the rest. “Sit down soldier!”
So, by unanimous vote, no I don’t say stuff like that. **smiles**
I have been thinking as of late about where I want to be this next up coming year, but the conclusion to this whole agenda eludes me. The answer seems further the more I try to think on it; my white rabbit? Alice, where are you when I need you! Do I really want to catch the beast that is driving my search into the unknown? Now that’s a thinker. Winnie the Pooh would love me, as I would sit on that log right next to him, THINK. THINK. THINK.
Alright, down to business, haha, I hope you enjoyed that lovely introduction and I swear my sanity hasn’t left me—today was just an “overly creative” day; no, that is not a euphemism.
I have been having a great time with my volunteer group here called Mannam. I attended a few functions and have met oodles of people. They are truly a nonprofit organization and by saying this I mean, they have absolutely no funding from corporate sponsors and they are fully funded by the people. Personally, I think this to be a triumph. The people that attend these events are from all walks of life. I have to say in the past few days, I have laughed more than I have in a long while. They are all genuinely good hearted and people of real substance. This upcoming Saturday I am going to help families who lost their homes to fire in a small village outside of Gangnam called Guryong. There are at least 20-30 families with no homes, living out in the cold right now—the cold in Korea at the moment is record breaking. Mannam is going to bring coal briquettes, blankets and clothes to these families, who because of disenfranchisement cannot rebuild their homes. I will let you guys know how this goes. I am happy to be donating my time to such an endeavor.
As far as the sights that I have been going to, the most recent was the Gyeongbok Palace. So grand in its structure and everything you would hope for in an epic Korean palace. The elegance, history, and tier system of the soldiers was both intriguing and gives off a slight romance with the bright colors, chambers, and art.
My cousin and I walked around with a volunteer guide, who divulged the special nature of each building, marker, statue and even the very stone paths had a purpose in their intricacies and placement. The palace colors, she told us, were colors only to be used by the king and queen—forbidding any other buildings to have them. For protection the king had not only his soldiers, but the twelve legendary animals (Chinese Zodiac) dispersed throughout the palace grounds and atop buildings. The most profound piece of mastery, I found, was a painting, which is always sitting behind the thrones of the king and queen. It’s of two circles, red and white resembling the Sun and Moon, king and queen. Beneath the Sun and Moon, there are the mountains resembling the 5 great peaks of Korea, (this ties into Korean Mahayana Buddhism which was linked with Shamanism – a belief that all things had a spirit including mountains). Beneath the great peaks were the trees resembling the great advisors to the king. The colors were so vibrant, my eyes did not seem wide enough to absorb them…my brain felt like an overly saturated paper towel.
We moseyed around the palace grounds and saw an area where only the king and queen were allowed to go. Surrounded by water and one footbridge across, no one else was allowed to cross. Our guide pointed out a great hall, which was the only two-story building. This was where all of the grand parties and gatherings were held. Amy, our guide, also pointed out that Korea had a king that liked to throw grand parties and never liked to work –there is one in every culture, isn’t there? It was a wonderful tour and ended with smiles and iphone snapshots with our guide, Amy. It was an awesome experience.
After we left Amy, we witnessed the changing of the guards. Their stoic appearances were a tiny bit intimidating, but I took pictures with them anyhow, that’s just me.
Here are some pictures! Enjoy <3
Walking into Gyeongbok Palace
These were the posts for the soldiers to stand next to showing their rank (closer the post to the palace, the higher the rank of the officer)
This was where the king boarded his carriage that was man-powered. That's right who wants to walk when you can have a man carry you. pshh...
These were the legendary animals that protected the king and queen and they were located on the corners of most of the buildings.
This was the picture I was describing in this post about the Sun & Moon, 5 peaks, and trees.
This was the great hall where all the parties and festivities were held. (two-stories)
This was the private "island" surrounded by water in which only the king and queen were allowed to go.
The guards--my favorite part :)
Until I write again ^^
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Fighting fire with Tornadoes
I just had the most challenging few classes of my entire existence. I am not talking of a University class where you can disappear in the back of a classroom only to hope that the professor won’t see you if you slouch low enough. In my case, I am the Professor and I am calling on you, sleepy, in the back.
I have been assigned to teach the elementary school level classes for intensive courses which last from the end of December to the end of February. Intensive courses are the courses that students take at the hagwon (a school they normally attend after their regular schooling), but since they are out of their regular school during these months, they come to the hagwons for additional schooling- Korea, a very overachieving country. I mean no disrespect, afterall, I am half “overachiever” myself; a quarter passion, a tenth gullible, and the rest - mystery. Is there a place for us, halfies? What a world, dare I say - hemispheres? –As I digress, speaking of halves and hemispheres, I was assigned to the wonderment that is the elementary-level students and trying to explain the hemispheres of the Earth. Simple enough, one might think, and think twice as it was the most “unearthing”, mind-splittingly complicated concept to teach a low level ESL student. They are wonderfully smart, brilliant, and energized students that I have the utmost respect for, however, the concept was colossal and the students staring into the abyss that held only the darkness with no explaining light.
A tour guide with a dinky flashlight.
In front of the class with dry erase marker in hand, “What are the four hemispheres?” I ask. – blank stares across the faces of children- not a good sign.
“Look in your reading, Paragraph 2”- and a glimmer of hope is born.
The students flipping pages in the maddening silence – “Teacher! Hemisphere is half Earth!” I look toward the student with a smile and “yes, that’s right”
We fast-forward through 25 minutes of explanation and repeating terms. “Now what are the four hemispheres?” – it was like a bad sequel “Revenge of the blank stares 2.” The end of class wasn’t the most fruitful as almost all days are, but I think all of my students touched the concept of the hemispheres lightly. I am sure the topic will come up again and like the phantom of a white stag that vanishes from the corner of your eye the instant you think you caught a glimpse…we will be ready for you!
By the way, Happy New Year!
I have been assigned to teach the elementary school level classes for intensive courses which last from the end of December to the end of February. Intensive courses are the courses that students take at the hagwon (a school they normally attend after their regular schooling), but since they are out of their regular school during these months, they come to the hagwons for additional schooling- Korea, a very overachieving country. I mean no disrespect, afterall, I am half “overachiever” myself; a quarter passion, a tenth gullible, and the rest - mystery. Is there a place for us, halfies? What a world, dare I say - hemispheres? –As I digress, speaking of halves and hemispheres, I was assigned to the wonderment that is the elementary-level students and trying to explain the hemispheres of the Earth. Simple enough, one might think, and think twice as it was the most “unearthing”, mind-splittingly complicated concept to teach a low level ESL student. They are wonderfully smart, brilliant, and energized students that I have the utmost respect for, however, the concept was colossal and the students staring into the abyss that held only the darkness with no explaining light.
A tour guide with a dinky flashlight.
In front of the class with dry erase marker in hand, “What are the four hemispheres?” I ask. – blank stares across the faces of children- not a good sign.
“Look in your reading, Paragraph 2”- and a glimmer of hope is born.
The students flipping pages in the maddening silence – “Teacher! Hemisphere is half Earth!” I look toward the student with a smile and “yes, that’s right”
We fast-forward through 25 minutes of explanation and repeating terms. “Now what are the four hemispheres?” – it was like a bad sequel “Revenge of the blank stares 2.” The end of class wasn’t the most fruitful as almost all days are, but I think all of my students touched the concept of the hemispheres lightly. I am sure the topic will come up again and like the phantom of a white stag that vanishes from the corner of your eye the instant you think you caught a glimpse…we will be ready for you!
By the way, Happy New Year!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Merrappy Histolidaymas!
"If you make only one resolution this year, let it be to live boldly" -some living person
The first if only Christmas without my family…
As I am writing this, it is almost 1 in the morning in Seattle on Christmas Day. I remember as a kid back when I lived in a small green house in Virginia on a familiar hill. Sleigh riding with my sisters and playing in the powdery snow until our noses and cheeks were rosy. Tradition, my little sister and I would sleep right next to the Christmas tree on the eve. Back then, the tree was always real, and I could smell the pine in my dreams. The colorful changing of the lights on the tree would put my sister and I to sleep.
What did I do this Christmas?
I had breakfast among good people this morning. Omelets, a sweet potato concoction that can only be described as a goulash made by my wonderful neighbor, Karen; fresh fruit, almonds, and some cranberry mystery bread with strawberry jam. Great conversations and wit flying across the breakfast picnic we ate, cross-legged in her kitchen floor with the sun bursting through fogged windows. Afterward, three cups of hot chocolate, some more laughs laced with goodbyes. Sinatra playing in the background with his merrily pleasant and whirling vocals, I met my slippers at the door and said farewell to my neighbor; Merry Christmas. My cousin and I then went back to my apartment and shut the door.
Discovering a cute café 1.2.3 steps away from my apartment. Café 123 is it’s name and how quaint and cutesy! However, I think if I lived in a storybook life, say like Little BoPeep, her sheep, or Little Miss Muffet and her gosh-darn spider and dare I say…Alice with her epic wonderland? The decorative taste was a bit too busy for me. The walls were all white with what looked like the Muppet babies, Disney, and Aesop’s tales fornicated and gave birth to a caffeinated cutesy monster…3 steps away from my house! YEAH! My cousin and I had a blueberry muffin each and coffee then walked around exploring my neighborhood until our legs went numb up to our knees. We found a stationary shop that was open –HALLELUJAH!- and bought some stationary for letters. So those of you, who gave me your address, look to the west in 7 days and then check your mailbox (that was my odd attempt to mimic Gandalf, nerd, I know...haha). So now that I have caught you up to speed on how my lovely, calm, and uneventful Christmas went, I hope you all have a wonderfully charmed Christmas Day. Seeing as how it will be happening soon.
Now, I am going ice-skating in Olympic Park, right by my apartment…the Olympics were apparently there in 1988. HA! Who knew.
Happy Holidays with love,
Jenn
P.S. I drew this on my chalkboard at work. haha.
The first if only Christmas without my family…
As I am writing this, it is almost 1 in the morning in Seattle on Christmas Day. I remember as a kid back when I lived in a small green house in Virginia on a familiar hill. Sleigh riding with my sisters and playing in the powdery snow until our noses and cheeks were rosy. Tradition, my little sister and I would sleep right next to the Christmas tree on the eve. Back then, the tree was always real, and I could smell the pine in my dreams. The colorful changing of the lights on the tree would put my sister and I to sleep.
What did I do this Christmas?
I had breakfast among good people this morning. Omelets, a sweet potato concoction that can only be described as a goulash made by my wonderful neighbor, Karen; fresh fruit, almonds, and some cranberry mystery bread with strawberry jam. Great conversations and wit flying across the breakfast picnic we ate, cross-legged in her kitchen floor with the sun bursting through fogged windows. Afterward, three cups of hot chocolate, some more laughs laced with goodbyes. Sinatra playing in the background with his merrily pleasant and whirling vocals, I met my slippers at the door and said farewell to my neighbor; Merry Christmas. My cousin and I then went back to my apartment and shut the door.
Discovering a cute café 1.2.3 steps away from my apartment. Café 123 is it’s name and how quaint and cutesy! However, I think if I lived in a storybook life, say like Little BoPeep, her sheep, or Little Miss Muffet and her gosh-darn spider and dare I say…Alice with her epic wonderland? The decorative taste was a bit too busy for me. The walls were all white with what looked like the Muppet babies, Disney, and Aesop’s tales fornicated and gave birth to a caffeinated cutesy monster…3 steps away from my house! YEAH! My cousin and I had a blueberry muffin each and coffee then walked around exploring my neighborhood until our legs went numb up to our knees. We found a stationary shop that was open –HALLELUJAH!- and bought some stationary for letters. So those of you, who gave me your address, look to the west in 7 days and then check your mailbox (that was my odd attempt to mimic Gandalf, nerd, I know...haha). So now that I have caught you up to speed on how my lovely, calm, and uneventful Christmas went, I hope you all have a wonderfully charmed Christmas Day. Seeing as how it will be happening soon.
Now, I am going ice-skating in Olympic Park, right by my apartment…the Olympics were apparently there in 1988. HA! Who knew.
Happy Holidays with love,
Jenn
P.S. I drew this on my chalkboard at work. haha.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
7 minutes you will never see again...
Oh and I cut my hair myself. Let me know what you think.
Love,
Jenn
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)