Hey guys:
Sorry for the long time, long wait policy when it comes to this blog. Two major factors have prevented me to make meaningful entries: 1. I have been busy at work/school, no joke. Classes to do, lessons to plan, and an English club to do has kept me on my toes alot. And 2. the Incheon Metropolitan School Board, or least some unknown entity, has blocked blogger.com from its domain. I can't bypass it, it sucks.
In fact, the IMSB has blocked three websites, two recently. When I started, they blocked YouTube.com, which I can see why because they do not want students to be watching videos when they should be studying. But, they blocked this website (I don't know why), and they blocked one very important website that is universal now: en.wikipedia.org. Wikipedia is one of the best websites out on the Internet, because it is a user-made online encyclopedia which is for the most part reliable in reading very user-friendly catalogs of information about almost anything, and now I cannot use it for the information I need for reference.
As for blogger.com, this means my blogging will be infrequent, but I will try to update as much as possible on a computer that is free from these dumb censorship things. Yet for now, I will update what is going on so far in my tenure as the English Language Instructor at Yeonsu Boys' High School:
1. Teaching. I teach 22 hours a week, and I teach only Freshmen classes. The classes are not that bad, and the Lord has been teaching me wisdom about how to be firm, yet fair, and also how to bring enthusiasm to the room when things are out of hand. Sometimes there are classes where I learn some lessons from my mistakes, and then there are classes that go really well because I learn from those mistakes (such as how to make a language activity game more interactive, and how to deal with students who keep talking). I have 15 different homeroom sections to teach (from 1-1 to 1-15), so I have at least 8-9 co-teachers whom I work with. Chemistry is important, and depending on the teacher, I usually get different results. With Mrs. Ha, my original co-teacher, she is helpful that she explains alot in Korean what I say, but her class tends to be out of control just because we have a class of some misfits. Then, Mrs. Gina's classes are the more fun classes because I have kids who are more smarter and interested in English. Then, working with the younger female teachers like Su-jong and Hyun-mi can sometimes be a hassle because the students think they do not have to listen to both of us because of our youth. However, its been an enjoyable experience, with some funny moments in between.
2. Teachers' classes: I have been teaching Teachers' Classes, which are more of a discussion than teaching them. Most of the Korean-English Teachers are fluent in English and speak at a really, really high level, in other words, you can meet them and have an English conversation for hours with them. Then, there are a few who are not confident in their conversation skills just yet, so they tend to be quiet. The way I do these classes is simple: we talk about just a current issue in the world today, using a handout, and we talk about American contemporary issues as a way for them to see my world and hence the English-speaking world at a more deeper level. My philosophy is that they should start grasping more cultural themes of America as a way to enhance their worldview of English, and perhaps take that to the classroom.
3. Other weekend activities: as another ESL teacher told me one time: "To make the most of your time in Korea and to escape school antics, you GOTTA do alot of stuff on the weekend." That statement is true. There is no point in staying where you live on the weekend, which most likely has nothing much to do. Most ESL teachers like myself go to Seoul on the weekends, the bumping city. I go to a weekly Korean class at Sookmyung Women's University, a huge university in the center of Seoul. I am in a Level 4 Korean class (the highest), where I struggle to speak the language. They placed me in Level 4 because I took one year of Korean language at Maryland. However, let me tell ya, Korean is a difficult language. This is simply because its difficult to understand a language that is the opposite of English and the other languages we got to learn in high school. Also, its vice versa for Korean students when they learn English, especially when it comes to speaking, because Asian languages emphasize tone. So, I understand how my students feel when they look at me like an idiot when I'm blasting them with an English bomb of phrases that is flying over their head like a C++ lecture in a room full of blondes. But, the class is fun and it gives me a humbling experience of re-learning this language over again, because I felt my Maryland classes did not immerse real life Korean in our curriculum.
Also, I hit up my aunt's house in Anyang City, which is right below Seoul. She lives in a really nice condo, with her 25 year old son and 26 year old daughter. Her house is conveniently located right on Line 4 of the Seoul subway, which is a good entry point to the major locations of Seoul such as my university Korean classes. Also on the weekends, I hit up major shopping spots of Seoul such as Yongsan, which is the largest electronics market, in my opinion, in the world. They have every electronic device your heart desires, and for really cheap. Electrono/videogame/DVD philes beware, your pockets full of gold will be sold to these merchants. Also, I have been hitting up Myeong-dong, which is the hip shopping center where EVERYONE goes on the weekends, it is an endless crowd of people that does not stop. I just go to look because the prices are too rich for my blood!
4. Co-workers: I have great co-workers, which is a blessing. They are all kind to me, especially the Korean-English teachers, who ably talk to me frequently. The other non-English teachers are also nice, even though many are shy to talk to me because of their limited English, yet me knowing some Korean helps break that. We had a huge Friday night "New Teachers' Party," and I got to meet some really nice new co-workers, and again, my limited knowledge of Korean helps me to at least introduce myself and get to know them somewhat.
5. The students: I am a celebrity. As an ESL teacher, you are the closest they get to know a Westernized person, so give it all you got. However, I now see how celebrities feel sometime! I walk through the hallways, and I get "Hi teacher!" 10000 times. I don't mind it, but the enthusiasm from these students can get a little overbearing: 'HI! HOW ARE YOU!?', then when I try to speak to them in English, they run off giggling...and this is a boys' high school. But, the Freshmen classes have at least some admiration for me, as I try to bring the energy and make the class at least worth their while.
For the most part, the students are on auto-pilot in-between periods, and they more disciplined, way more disciplined, than American students. They study all day, from 7:45AM to 4:30PM, then from 4:45PM to 5:00PM they clean the school...that's right, they clean the school. They clean my classroom every day, and they do a great job of it too. Then, they head back for self-study in their homerooms from 5-6PM, then they have a dinner break from 6 to 6:50PM, where they can go anywhere to eat, then they have to be back in their classrooms by 7PM for study until 9PM. That, ladies and gentlemen, is the Korean high school life, study, study, and more study. For the seniors, its worse because they have to prepare for the College Exams, which are very rigorous and life-threatening. More on that later.
The student body is a bunch of hard working kids who try their best at studying, but just like any high school in the world, there are those who care less about school, but that is a minimum problem in most schools in Korea because parents pressure their kids to succeed, lest they get the axe.
So, that's pretty much up to date for now. More on the intricate details in part two of the "Filling You In...," but now I'm trying to adjust to a new groove of learning to be a teacher and learn how to be these guys' mentor, because not only I'm in it just for a job, but I'm here to touch lives. These guys, and my co-teachers, are placed in my life for a reason, because God wants me to share the Gospel with them, albeit any way possible. Let my light shine before God, so that all men may look to Him.
Your prayers are much needed. Also, if you want to see pictures of my new life, go to www.myspace.com/markos24. That is the easiest way to see pics right now, because I can't translate the Korean writing on this page (its all in Korean).
One,
Mark
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Friday, March 16, 2007
Introducing the Cast to My Korean Story
Here is the cast to my story, if I were directing this film: "The Untouchable Mr. Soni"
Setting: Yeonsu-dong ("dong" means neighborhood), Yeonsu-gu (district), Incheon City, South Korea, which is right next to Seoul, the capital.
Mark Soni - 22-year old half Indian/half Korean fool who goes to Korea to search his roots and touch more lives for the cause of Christ. An eclectic music lover, his passions are foreign languages, cultures, and Jesus Christ. Has a dual personality of enjoying being alone, yet enjoying the company of new and old friends alike. He is on an one-year contract with the Incheon Public School system, and is teaching English at Yeonsu Public High School.
Mrs. Ha - Mark's mentor and head teacher. She is responsible for Mark's adjustment to school life and work, as well as his living adjustment to the Motherland. A very soft-spoken older woman who tries her hardest at humor in English, but does not impress Mark at all, yet she means well and is kind to Mark.
Mrs. Elizabeth - an older teacher who works with Mark, as well asking him for assistance on her English TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language) graduate work. Very considerate, kind, and endearing mentor to Mark.
Mr. Charles - Korean name unknown, he is a social studies teacher of senior tenure at Yeonsu High School. As soon as Mark finished his opening speech at the first teachers' meeting, Mr. Charles befriended Mark and inquired about his background. Mr. Charles always enjoys a good conversation with our hero, desiring to be proficient in English, even though his English is top-notch for a non-English teacher.
Ms. Kimmie - a younger English teacher who has a cute sense of humor and accent. "Ramyeon" is "lamyeon" and "rice" is "lice." She explains the intricate details of Korean culture to Mark from time to time.
The American Friends - Rich, Bethany, Josh, and Alex. Four fellow Americans who live in Yeonsu-dong, Incheon, in the same vicinity as Mark, but teach at different schools, in particular, "hagwons." They are respectively from Washington, Minnesota, Indiana, and Texas, with Mark hailing from the East in Maryland. They represent all corners of the wonderful United States, bringing different personalities and experiences from their states. Mark hangs out with them occasionally.
The Principle - name unknown, whom Mark met once. A stern man with a mysterious cloud over him, he is rarely see in the school.
The Vice Principles - the overlords of Yeonsu High School, they are courteous to Mark and his needs, with one VP being an English major at university and talking to Mark now and then.
Mrs. Gi-Na, aka Gina: A tenured English teacher at YHS, she is a kind woman who has worked with the previous international teacher, Walter Byron. She gives Mark helpful advice on how to teach and pick up where Byron left off, and is going to hook Mark up with a phone soon.
Walter Byron: Even though not here at YHS anymore, he is the talked about previous foreign teacher who taught Conversational English. He is a British man, who ended up resigning from his contract earlier than expected because he married a Korean woman and went back to the UK to take over his mom's business. Evidence? He left all of his documents and resignation letters on the hard drive. Real smooth, genius.
Destroyer: He is a 2nd-level high school student who is arguably the best English speaker of the school. He wanted Mark to call him "Destroyer" only because he hurts his fellow classmates, and he insists on calling his friends "Garbage-ee," because of their inability to speak English. He's the only student who knows Mark's true half-Korean identity. His good English ability comes from the fact that he used to live near American bases in Seoul.
T.H.: Kim Tae-hwa is a smart student who wants to participate in the English speech contest in Incheon. Regularly speaks with Mark on a daily basis for practice.
Sang-jin: A 3rd-level student (a senior, basically), who wants to improve his English skills.
The Freshmen: this is the majority of whom Mark teaches. They are still in that middle school immature phase, most are going through puberty, but all are pretty exuberant of meeting Mr. Mark as their ESL teacher.
Lee Su-jong: The only other young teacher at YHS, she is a 23-year old who just graduated from uni as a ESL certified teacher. Teaches Freshmen and is a co-teacher of Mark's. Freshmen insist on hooking up Su-jong with Marky. Survey says: "no."
Pak Hyun-mi: Another young English teacher, very cute face, who works with our hero. In her class as in Su-nong's, the Freshmen keep asking Mr. Mark about his opinion of their attractive teacher, and Mark denies the opposition of the answer that they want.
Kevin, Allen, Ricardo: Three random Korean students whom Mark named with English names.
Mrs. Soni's family: All live in the Incheon/Seoul area, interdispersed. Mrs. Soni has two sisters and two brothers, one who passed away in 2002. All of Mark's cousins are generally older than he is, except for one, and they gladly take him under his wing as he struggles to learn Korean and the Korean Way.
President Roh Moo-hyun: the unpopular president of South Korea. This year, there will be a new race for president and his party has taken a beating for scandals and the nuclear issue with North Korea.
Dictator Kim Jong-il: the rogue dictator of North Korea, he is wanted dead or alive for crimes against his people. Is the only reason why Korea is not unified, and Mark might just pull a "V for Vendetta" against him sometime soon.
Pak Geun-hae: the daughter of former president Park Chung-hee, she is the leader of the Grand National Party, the conservatives. She is very popular among Koreans, including Mark's mother.
Trey and Becky Egan: two missionary friends of Mark who are coming to Korea to serve God. Great mentors to the young man.
Kim Bi-na: Mark's former TA at University of Maryland's Korean program, she is now a Yonsei University student who lives in Seoul. They still keep in contact.
More characters will follow as the plot progresses.
Setting: Yeonsu-dong ("dong" means neighborhood), Yeonsu-gu (district), Incheon City, South Korea, which is right next to Seoul, the capital.
Mark Soni - 22-year old half Indian/half Korean fool who goes to Korea to search his roots and touch more lives for the cause of Christ. An eclectic music lover, his passions are foreign languages, cultures, and Jesus Christ. Has a dual personality of enjoying being alone, yet enjoying the company of new and old friends alike. He is on an one-year contract with the Incheon Public School system, and is teaching English at Yeonsu Public High School.
Mrs. Ha - Mark's mentor and head teacher. She is responsible for Mark's adjustment to school life and work, as well as his living adjustment to the Motherland. A very soft-spoken older woman who tries her hardest at humor in English, but does not impress Mark at all, yet she means well and is kind to Mark.
Mrs. Elizabeth - an older teacher who works with Mark, as well asking him for assistance on her English TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language) graduate work. Very considerate, kind, and endearing mentor to Mark.
Mr. Charles - Korean name unknown, he is a social studies teacher of senior tenure at Yeonsu High School. As soon as Mark finished his opening speech at the first teachers' meeting, Mr. Charles befriended Mark and inquired about his background. Mr. Charles always enjoys a good conversation with our hero, desiring to be proficient in English, even though his English is top-notch for a non-English teacher.
Ms. Kimmie - a younger English teacher who has a cute sense of humor and accent. "Ramyeon" is "lamyeon" and "rice" is "lice." She explains the intricate details of Korean culture to Mark from time to time.
The American Friends - Rich, Bethany, Josh, and Alex. Four fellow Americans who live in Yeonsu-dong, Incheon, in the same vicinity as Mark, but teach at different schools, in particular, "hagwons." They are respectively from Washington, Minnesota, Indiana, and Texas, with Mark hailing from the East in Maryland. They represent all corners of the wonderful United States, bringing different personalities and experiences from their states. Mark hangs out with them occasionally.
The Principle - name unknown, whom Mark met once. A stern man with a mysterious cloud over him, he is rarely see in the school.
The Vice Principles - the overlords of Yeonsu High School, they are courteous to Mark and his needs, with one VP being an English major at university and talking to Mark now and then.
Mrs. Gi-Na, aka Gina: A tenured English teacher at YHS, she is a kind woman who has worked with the previous international teacher, Walter Byron. She gives Mark helpful advice on how to teach and pick up where Byron left off, and is going to hook Mark up with a phone soon.
Walter Byron: Even though not here at YHS anymore, he is the talked about previous foreign teacher who taught Conversational English. He is a British man, who ended up resigning from his contract earlier than expected because he married a Korean woman and went back to the UK to take over his mom's business. Evidence? He left all of his documents and resignation letters on the hard drive. Real smooth, genius.
Destroyer: He is a 2nd-level high school student who is arguably the best English speaker of the school. He wanted Mark to call him "Destroyer" only because he hurts his fellow classmates, and he insists on calling his friends "Garbage-ee," because of their inability to speak English. He's the only student who knows Mark's true half-Korean identity. His good English ability comes from the fact that he used to live near American bases in Seoul.
T.H.: Kim Tae-hwa is a smart student who wants to participate in the English speech contest in Incheon. Regularly speaks with Mark on a daily basis for practice.
Sang-jin: A 3rd-level student (a senior, basically), who wants to improve his English skills.
The Freshmen: this is the majority of whom Mark teaches. They are still in that middle school immature phase, most are going through puberty, but all are pretty exuberant of meeting Mr. Mark as their ESL teacher.
Lee Su-jong: The only other young teacher at YHS, she is a 23-year old who just graduated from uni as a ESL certified teacher. Teaches Freshmen and is a co-teacher of Mark's. Freshmen insist on hooking up Su-jong with Marky. Survey says: "no."
Pak Hyun-mi: Another young English teacher, very cute face, who works with our hero. In her class as in Su-nong's, the Freshmen keep asking Mr. Mark about his opinion of their attractive teacher, and Mark denies the opposition of the answer that they want.
Kevin, Allen, Ricardo: Three random Korean students whom Mark named with English names.
Mrs. Soni's family: All live in the Incheon/Seoul area, interdispersed. Mrs. Soni has two sisters and two brothers, one who passed away in 2002. All of Mark's cousins are generally older than he is, except for one, and they gladly take him under his wing as he struggles to learn Korean and the Korean Way.
President Roh Moo-hyun: the unpopular president of South Korea. This year, there will be a new race for president and his party has taken a beating for scandals and the nuclear issue with North Korea.
Dictator Kim Jong-il: the rogue dictator of North Korea, he is wanted dead or alive for crimes against his people. Is the only reason why Korea is not unified, and Mark might just pull a "V for Vendetta" against him sometime soon.
Pak Geun-hae: the daughter of former president Park Chung-hee, she is the leader of the Grand National Party, the conservatives. She is very popular among Koreans, including Mark's mother.
Trey and Becky Egan: two missionary friends of Mark who are coming to Korea to serve God. Great mentors to the young man.
Kim Bi-na: Mark's former TA at University of Maryland's Korean program, she is now a Yonsei University student who lives in Seoul. They still keep in contact.
More characters will follow as the plot progresses.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
First Days of Teaching/Attack of the "Hanguk Ajumma!"
I started teaching this past week, and after adjusting to teaching now, let's say, about 300 kids, I am trying to get into this groove of learning to be firm yet fair with my students. This week's activity was real simple and easy: I introduced myself, and made all of them fill out an information page with their name (In English), two favorite "stuff" (like food, subject, or actress/actor), and their goal for English. It was a quick way for me to figure out who has more English writing skills then others, though not a clear indicator. Then, we played a group question game where groups of five and six would ask me questions outside my age, my salary, or adult lingo (one class group asked me if I watch porn, but I told them "NO!" and I told them they should not either!) Overall result of my first classes: I got progressively better over the week, and God is the reason who gave me...WISDOM, just like He gave Soloman, to take charge of the classroom and how to make things happen for my benefit and theirs.
My first few classes were rough because I was just overwhelmed of how to do things, and even though I tried my best, I learned new things from the head teachers on things to do and not do. Such as: don't turn your back when you are writing on the board, or be firm and have a set discipline policy for those who overstep their boundaries, or impose yourself as a teacher and speak loud. Yet it was God who gave me this advice through my teachers throughout the week, and it culminated into a great series of classes on Thursday and Friday, and the kids were really fun and they really enjoyed having me, and same with me to them. You'll be surprised, Korean students know their English grammar and they know how to read it very well, way better than alot of American students who are lazy. There are particularly some smart-alec boys who will test me, but alot of them are sincere and try to talk to me in English.
The funny thing is my identity as an American. They see me as a true American because of the way I speak, because I try to mold my voice after Dallas Mavericks head coach Avery Johnson, because he is small in stature like me, but he has a stern yet powerful voice that commands respect. In fact, I watched an NBA video of an in-depth look of how he became successful in the league, and now, as a head coach, and its inspiring to have a role model who is both short like me but makes sure you do work for him...or else. So my first goal to establish myself as the English teacher was to make myself American, and finding the right voice and tone was key.
From that tangent, the kids are probably wondering which race I am because I'm not white-American. Some kids think I'm Japanese, some kids think I'm Hispanic, but none have guessed Korean, which oddly, is kind of a blessing. One firm rule my head teacher told me was do not speak Korean to the kids, because if they find out if you do, they will only want to speak that in class. Only one kid, whom I'll introduce to you later, knows MY IDENTITY (like I'm some sorta superhero), and that I can speak a little Korean, yet he is trustworthy with my secret because he's the most open-minded of my students and he speaks the English the best of all the students.
Today is March 16, a Friday. Something funny happened today. One frustrating thing I noticed about Korean co-workers is that they usually tend to tell me things LAST MINUTE. So, walking in today with my fave Puma kicks, armed with a shirt and tie, but no jacket, I found out in the morning that we had a Parent-Teacher Ceremony, which is an annual event at the last minute. The teachers introduce themselves to the parents, and the curriculum is set forth to the parents. Basically, a formal PTA meeting.
So, I'm kind of disappointed that I found out another event in the last minute (I won't disclose the others, because they were not that important), but this was inconvenient because if I knew yesterday if they were coming, then I would have worn better shoes and a suit jacket. Nonetheless, the ceremony was one of the most heart-renching so far in my experience at Yeonsu High School. Why? Enter: the "Hanguk Ajumma/Omoni!"
Since the ceremony was held during the day, no men can't attend because of work, and so its all the students' MOTHERS who attend. In Korean, "omoni" means mother, and "ajumma" means "middle-aged woman." Note: never call my mother "ajumma," if you do, you will die by her hands, and I will destroy you myself. Calling a person you don't know well an "ajumma" is saying she is 40 to 50 years old, but I can safely call these women who attended "ajumma," because they fit that mold. As I am writing this blog, there are hundreds of ajumma running through our school like orcs bent on destroying Middle-earth, and they are yacking it up trying to find their sons' homeroom classes for meetings. Scary, but funny.
So, I introduced myself with the "Research Department" of the school, going in front on a stage in front a horde of Korean ajumma and bowing when they introduced me, "Miguk-eso, Mak-u Soni Sonsaengnim." ("From the United States, this is English teacher Mark P. Soni, pimp extraordinaire") I never felt so nervous in my life! LOL. I bowed, smiled, and walked off the stage with the other teachers in my department. You should have seen of the curious looks of these women as I walked off, "who's this cat?" "What a goofy looking foreigner, is he Asian, is Japanese, is he a dork?" If I get to meet these ajumma, Ima showem I is a good English speeker. (You can notice the irony in that last statement right there)
So, as we speak, our school has been invaded by the cornerstone of Korean families: the Korean mother. They rule the homes, they make the financial decision, and they do all the commanding, which is not a bad thing. This group includes my mother. In most Asian societies, women are seen as inferior, but I think that is changing in the East Asian belt because of Westernization. Today, Korean moms are the law in the home, and children must respect that. My mother always emphasized a strong work ethic, spiritual correctness with the Lord (which makes my mom the best Korean mom and made her stand apart from other mothers, including American mothers), health and food, relationships, and of course, education! Education is prime in a Korean boys' and their daughters' life, including mine, and these ajumma/omoni are here to make sure we are doing in the right way, lest we take the highway.
As we speak, these ajumma are speaking Korean as they walk around the school but to me, it sounds like this: "Meow!" A cat that meows at their kittens to become lions. That's how my mom raised me, by "meowing" at me to do my best. In fact, if you ever catch a Korean drama (which I know you will do tonight on a wonderful Friday night in America), one of the most special aspects of these shows is the dynamic relationship between the protagonist-male and his Korean mom. Disobeying your Korean mom is the epitome of disobedience, it was almost voted in by Congress to be a felony to disrespect and disobey your Korean mother, and during K-Dramas, if you ever see a moment where the son yells at her mother or runs off with a woman that she disapproves of, it usually brings gasps from the audience.
With that said, I just met one ajumma, and she was nice and also happened to be an English teacher at a public middle school. BTW, I'm just teasing if I seem like these Ajumma are clones from outer space, its all in fun, and they really do hold down the family fort with efficiency and effectiveness.
Yours,
Markus Sonius
My first few classes were rough because I was just overwhelmed of how to do things, and even though I tried my best, I learned new things from the head teachers on things to do and not do. Such as: don't turn your back when you are writing on the board, or be firm and have a set discipline policy for those who overstep their boundaries, or impose yourself as a teacher and speak loud. Yet it was God who gave me this advice through my teachers throughout the week, and it culminated into a great series of classes on Thursday and Friday, and the kids were really fun and they really enjoyed having me, and same with me to them. You'll be surprised, Korean students know their English grammar and they know how to read it very well, way better than alot of American students who are lazy. There are particularly some smart-alec boys who will test me, but alot of them are sincere and try to talk to me in English.
The funny thing is my identity as an American. They see me as a true American because of the way I speak, because I try to mold my voice after Dallas Mavericks head coach Avery Johnson, because he is small in stature like me, but he has a stern yet powerful voice that commands respect. In fact, I watched an NBA video of an in-depth look of how he became successful in the league, and now, as a head coach, and its inspiring to have a role model who is both short like me but makes sure you do work for him...or else. So my first goal to establish myself as the English teacher was to make myself American, and finding the right voice and tone was key.
From that tangent, the kids are probably wondering which race I am because I'm not white-American. Some kids think I'm Japanese, some kids think I'm Hispanic, but none have guessed Korean, which oddly, is kind of a blessing. One firm rule my head teacher told me was do not speak Korean to the kids, because if they find out if you do, they will only want to speak that in class. Only one kid, whom I'll introduce to you later, knows MY IDENTITY (like I'm some sorta superhero), and that I can speak a little Korean, yet he is trustworthy with my secret because he's the most open-minded of my students and he speaks the English the best of all the students.
Today is March 16, a Friday. Something funny happened today. One frustrating thing I noticed about Korean co-workers is that they usually tend to tell me things LAST MINUTE. So, walking in today with my fave Puma kicks, armed with a shirt and tie, but no jacket, I found out in the morning that we had a Parent-Teacher Ceremony, which is an annual event at the last minute. The teachers introduce themselves to the parents, and the curriculum is set forth to the parents. Basically, a formal PTA meeting.
So, I'm kind of disappointed that I found out another event in the last minute (I won't disclose the others, because they were not that important), but this was inconvenient because if I knew yesterday if they were coming, then I would have worn better shoes and a suit jacket. Nonetheless, the ceremony was one of the most heart-renching so far in my experience at Yeonsu High School. Why? Enter: the "Hanguk Ajumma/Omoni!"
Since the ceremony was held during the day, no men can't attend because of work, and so its all the students' MOTHERS who attend. In Korean, "omoni" means mother, and "ajumma" means "middle-aged woman." Note: never call my mother "ajumma," if you do, you will die by her hands, and I will destroy you myself. Calling a person you don't know well an "ajumma" is saying she is 40 to 50 years old, but I can safely call these women who attended "ajumma," because they fit that mold. As I am writing this blog, there are hundreds of ajumma running through our school like orcs bent on destroying Middle-earth, and they are yacking it up trying to find their sons' homeroom classes for meetings. Scary, but funny.
So, I introduced myself with the "Research Department" of the school, going in front on a stage in front a horde of Korean ajumma and bowing when they introduced me, "Miguk-eso, Mak-u Soni Sonsaengnim." ("From the United States, this is English teacher Mark P. Soni, pimp extraordinaire") I never felt so nervous in my life! LOL. I bowed, smiled, and walked off the stage with the other teachers in my department. You should have seen of the curious looks of these women as I walked off, "who's this cat?" "What a goofy looking foreigner, is he Asian, is Japanese, is he a dork?" If I get to meet these ajumma, Ima showem I is a good English speeker. (You can notice the irony in that last statement right there)
So, as we speak, our school has been invaded by the cornerstone of Korean families: the Korean mother. They rule the homes, they make the financial decision, and they do all the commanding, which is not a bad thing. This group includes my mother. In most Asian societies, women are seen as inferior, but I think that is changing in the East Asian belt because of Westernization. Today, Korean moms are the law in the home, and children must respect that. My mother always emphasized a strong work ethic, spiritual correctness with the Lord (which makes my mom the best Korean mom and made her stand apart from other mothers, including American mothers), health and food, relationships, and of course, education! Education is prime in a Korean boys' and their daughters' life, including mine, and these ajumma/omoni are here to make sure we are doing in the right way, lest we take the highway.
As we speak, these ajumma are speaking Korean as they walk around the school but to me, it sounds like this: "Meow!" A cat that meows at their kittens to become lions. That's how my mom raised me, by "meowing" at me to do my best. In fact, if you ever catch a Korean drama (which I know you will do tonight on a wonderful Friday night in America), one of the most special aspects of these shows is the dynamic relationship between the protagonist-male and his Korean mom. Disobeying your Korean mom is the epitome of disobedience, it was almost voted in by Congress to be a felony to disrespect and disobey your Korean mother, and during K-Dramas, if you ever see a moment where the son yells at her mother or runs off with a woman that she disapproves of, it usually brings gasps from the audience.
With that said, I just met one ajumma, and she was nice and also happened to be an English teacher at a public middle school. BTW, I'm just teasing if I seem like these Ajumma are clones from outer space, its all in fun, and they really do hold down the family fort with efficiency and effectiveness.
Yours,
Markus Sonius
Friday, March 9, 2007
Hanging Out With My First "Foreign" Friends
Yo:
Last night was pretty fun. I met up with some other foreign English teachers in the area last night, all Americans, and we went to all of places in Korea...an Outback Steakhouse. Yup, I come to Korea to try all the delicious foods that they have to offer, and I go to an Outback, yes, I'm a loser. Sike, I have been eating all sorts of Korean food all week at school and at home, and its all tasty, healthy, and good. However, for one night, you got to have your American fix. I got the Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo, and it says "good."
But, after spending time all week with Koreans, it was also kind of cool to hang out with these Americans, and they were all pretty nice people. We all work in different schools, so we swapped stories of what our schools are like, me being the only one who works at a public high school, the others work at "hagwons," or private institutions. What's unique about this group (four people, three guys and a girl), is that they are all from different parts of the US: one was from Indiana, another from Minnesota, another from Texas, and me from Maryland, so we represent all areas of the US. Its cool that in this foreign environment that we can swap stories of culture shock and what not and give advice on how to fight it.
What makes me unique is that I'm an Asian foreigner, but these are white foreigners, so they get stares from children and other people, especially in public, and they play along by saying "hi" to these people who stare at them. I don't get that fun luxury because I "blend" in somewhat, even though I'm not full-Korean, but I still get surprises from people because I speak like an American.
But, the highlight of the night was that these new friends took me to a "norae-bang," aka a Karaoke zone, which are all over Korean towns. You go in a private room, and from a zillion songs to choose from, you can break the screen with your wonderful voice. It has Korean songs, and of course, songs from all over the world. I did a pretty funny rendition of Jay-Z/Linkin Park's "Numb/Encore," which was pretty fun because the musical rendition is not the same as the CD's. It was hilarious watching some of the guys make goofs of themselves.
The funniest part is that it gives you a "score" against your opponent, which is randomly generated. So, it was hilarious to watch one of the guys lose to "nobody" because he was singing solo.
So, it was really special to finally meet some other Americans, share stories, and speak English! Yet, I must realize that it will not be good to rely on them for all of my memories: my mission is to continue to learn Korean and its culture. The foreign friends that I will make will be just a treat when I get homesick and when I need something to discuss on a deeper level. But I hope to continue to improve in Korean and learn to adapt to this fast-paced life. Yet, it will be cool to perhaps, as I planned with one of the guys in the group, to take a trip outside Incheon/Seoul together because we can enjoy the sights and have some understanding of one another.
Take care.
P.S. The kids next to me in this PC Bang are "cussing" up a storm. They are saying all sorts of bad words in Korean while playing StarCraft, and the funny thing is, I don't think they are bad words because I never used them (even though I won't). Kids in Korea think the "f-word" is not as bad, yet we know that the F-word is the pinnacle of curses. Words are powerful, and its our society that makes these words bad but as Christians, we rise above these words to speak words of truth and love.
Last night was pretty fun. I met up with some other foreign English teachers in the area last night, all Americans, and we went to all of places in Korea...an Outback Steakhouse. Yup, I come to Korea to try all the delicious foods that they have to offer, and I go to an Outback, yes, I'm a loser. Sike, I have been eating all sorts of Korean food all week at school and at home, and its all tasty, healthy, and good. However, for one night, you got to have your American fix. I got the Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo, and it says "good."
But, after spending time all week with Koreans, it was also kind of cool to hang out with these Americans, and they were all pretty nice people. We all work in different schools, so we swapped stories of what our schools are like, me being the only one who works at a public high school, the others work at "hagwons," or private institutions. What's unique about this group (four people, three guys and a girl), is that they are all from different parts of the US: one was from Indiana, another from Minnesota, another from Texas, and me from Maryland, so we represent all areas of the US. Its cool that in this foreign environment that we can swap stories of culture shock and what not and give advice on how to fight it.
What makes me unique is that I'm an Asian foreigner, but these are white foreigners, so they get stares from children and other people, especially in public, and they play along by saying "hi" to these people who stare at them. I don't get that fun luxury because I "blend" in somewhat, even though I'm not full-Korean, but I still get surprises from people because I speak like an American.
But, the highlight of the night was that these new friends took me to a "norae-bang," aka a Karaoke zone, which are all over Korean towns. You go in a private room, and from a zillion songs to choose from, you can break the screen with your wonderful voice. It has Korean songs, and of course, songs from all over the world. I did a pretty funny rendition of Jay-Z/Linkin Park's "Numb/Encore," which was pretty fun because the musical rendition is not the same as the CD's. It was hilarious watching some of the guys make goofs of themselves.
The funniest part is that it gives you a "score" against your opponent, which is randomly generated. So, it was hilarious to watch one of the guys lose to "nobody" because he was singing solo.
So, it was really special to finally meet some other Americans, share stories, and speak English! Yet, I must realize that it will not be good to rely on them for all of my memories: my mission is to continue to learn Korean and its culture. The foreign friends that I will make will be just a treat when I get homesick and when I need something to discuss on a deeper level. But I hope to continue to improve in Korean and learn to adapt to this fast-paced life. Yet, it will be cool to perhaps, as I planned with one of the guys in the group, to take a trip outside Incheon/Seoul together because we can enjoy the sights and have some understanding of one another.
Take care.
P.S. The kids next to me in this PC Bang are "cussing" up a storm. They are saying all sorts of bad words in Korean while playing StarCraft, and the funny thing is, I don't think they are bad words because I never used them (even though I won't). Kids in Korea think the "f-word" is not as bad, yet we know that the F-word is the pinnacle of curses. Words are powerful, and its our society that makes these words bad but as Christians, we rise above these words to speak words of truth and love.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Work/Things I Noticed about Koreans
Word. Just got back from shopping in town, had to restock on some groceries. I cooked my first meal tonight: egg fried rice. Not that bad actually. I just sliced some eggs, some tofu, and mixed it with some leftover rice, and bam, dinner. Not bad at all.
Today was a good day at work: I met some of the senior staff at the school, whom I had lunch with today, and they gave me permission to go to their office upstairs if I needed anything, literally: food, textbooks, and even a zone to take a nap! F'real, they have this area where you can sit in a lazy chair and take a nap, now that's what I'm talking about. They gave me a tour of the area, and allowed me to just chill there if I wanted to.
See the thing is, the senior staff at the school are all men who have experienced tenure. They were very nice to me, and once they found out my mom is Korean and that I'm trying to make an honest effort to learn Korean, they decided to take me under their wing, and they even let me call them "Hyong-nim," which is an honorific term for "brother." That's a compliment and grand gesture of goodwill. I was very happy indeed to have this kind of help. Also, the fact that they are all men, they probably don't see too many young men walk through their halls, so its cool for them to have someone many years their junior in their school.
On another topic, tonight I was strolling through new parts of my town, and for me, it takes time to get adjusted to how people behave in this society, and here are some of interesting things I have found out about Koreans, especially in the city:
1. They are very impersonal to one another, lack common courtesy to others: for example tonight, I had to go to the bank to update my bank book. I was walking towards the door, and a woman was walking toward the same door, so naturally I'm the nice guy; I open the door for her, and I even gesture for her to come in, you know, "ladies first." Instead of a thank you, she gave me a weird look of like, "what are you doing?" I was like, "what is your problem foo!? You rather me plant this glass door on your face!?" In America, people do it all the time, just a common courtesy that runs through our veins, except in places like DC or New York. Well, one new cultural lesson today.
2. Koreans go out of their way to help you: on the flip side from the door incident, a Korean, especially if you are a foreigner, will go out of their way to help you. Tonight, I needed to use the John pretty badly, so I walked into a department store, and I asked one of the guys who worked there where the bathroom was in Korean, and we're both on the escalator. Instead of just telling me and pointing, like I would do at Best Buy, he tugs at me and pulls me towards the direction of the bathroom, I was like...thanks! This also happened on the subway when I was figuring out which subway line was the quickest to my aunt's house, and each Korean I met was kind enough, more kinder than usual, to show me the way.
3. Koreans are a extremely loyal and caring people, if you are in their circle: like today with the senior staff, or with my cousins and family. If you are part of their circle, expect them to go out of their way to accomodate you, and if you read my blog about "God's Grace," you'll know what I mean. So, if I can make an effort to learn their language and accept their way of living, I know I can make some good friendships this year.
So, that's what I for so far. It's been real nice so far, yes, there have been some challenges of cultural barriers and what not, but over in due time, I can learn to adjust big time. Just continue to pray for me that I am a strong witness of Christ, especially with these cultural barriers in the way. I will still continue to open doors for people in this country, because I think these people need to see a different kind of "nice," which can open the way to more relationships. Also, pray for my development of learning the language, I want to get into a habit of speaking the language more and more, and absorb more grammar as I go along. And finally, pray for my actual first week of teaching, which begins next week.
Peace from Incheon.
Today was a good day at work: I met some of the senior staff at the school, whom I had lunch with today, and they gave me permission to go to their office upstairs if I needed anything, literally: food, textbooks, and even a zone to take a nap! F'real, they have this area where you can sit in a lazy chair and take a nap, now that's what I'm talking about. They gave me a tour of the area, and allowed me to just chill there if I wanted to.
See the thing is, the senior staff at the school are all men who have experienced tenure. They were very nice to me, and once they found out my mom is Korean and that I'm trying to make an honest effort to learn Korean, they decided to take me under their wing, and they even let me call them "Hyong-nim," which is an honorific term for "brother." That's a compliment and grand gesture of goodwill. I was very happy indeed to have this kind of help. Also, the fact that they are all men, they probably don't see too many young men walk through their halls, so its cool for them to have someone many years their junior in their school.
On another topic, tonight I was strolling through new parts of my town, and for me, it takes time to get adjusted to how people behave in this society, and here are some of interesting things I have found out about Koreans, especially in the city:
1. They are very impersonal to one another, lack common courtesy to others: for example tonight, I had to go to the bank to update my bank book. I was walking towards the door, and a woman was walking toward the same door, so naturally I'm the nice guy; I open the door for her, and I even gesture for her to come in, you know, "ladies first." Instead of a thank you, she gave me a weird look of like, "what are you doing?" I was like, "what is your problem foo!? You rather me plant this glass door on your face!?" In America, people do it all the time, just a common courtesy that runs through our veins, except in places like DC or New York. Well, one new cultural lesson today.
2. Koreans go out of their way to help you: on the flip side from the door incident, a Korean, especially if you are a foreigner, will go out of their way to help you. Tonight, I needed to use the John pretty badly, so I walked into a department store, and I asked one of the guys who worked there where the bathroom was in Korean, and we're both on the escalator. Instead of just telling me and pointing, like I would do at Best Buy, he tugs at me and pulls me towards the direction of the bathroom, I was like...thanks! This also happened on the subway when I was figuring out which subway line was the quickest to my aunt's house, and each Korean I met was kind enough, more kinder than usual, to show me the way.
3. Koreans are a extremely loyal and caring people, if you are in their circle: like today with the senior staff, or with my cousins and family. If you are part of their circle, expect them to go out of their way to accomodate you, and if you read my blog about "God's Grace," you'll know what I mean. So, if I can make an effort to learn their language and accept their way of living, I know I can make some good friendships this year.
So, that's what I for so far. It's been real nice so far, yes, there have been some challenges of cultural barriers and what not, but over in due time, I can learn to adjust big time. Just continue to pray for me that I am a strong witness of Christ, especially with these cultural barriers in the way. I will still continue to open doors for people in this country, because I think these people need to see a different kind of "nice," which can open the way to more relationships. Also, pray for my development of learning the language, I want to get into a habit of speaking the language more and more, and absorb more grammar as I go along. And finally, pray for my actual first week of teaching, which begins next week.
Peace from Incheon.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
God's Grace
So, I started work finally. I started Monday, and I had to give a presentation, in English of course, to the staff at Yeonsu Public High School. I thought it would be intimidating, but it was not that bad at all, and the staff, including the big wigs, were nice to me.
However the thing is, I won't be actually teaching this week, but next week. I don't know what's their logic behind it, but its okay in the fact that I can prepare for lessons next week, however, if you guys know me well, I don't like to sit at work and have nothing to do. Surfing the net is okay, but they kinda just put me in the "English Zone" section of the school and left me there. So for the past two days I've been chilling in my new office/classroom with not much to do except look at textbooks and conjure up ideas. At least I got a good idea of my first lesson.
However today was really exceptionally long. It just felt like it. I didn't get enough sleep last night, and I was getting frustrated with some of the kinks with my apartment (its somewhat dirty, the sinks are dirty, and my bathroom is too small to maneuver in), and then I had to go to the immigration office today (I never thought I would have to say that in my life, going to immigration), which I had to wait in a long line with my co-teacher. Basically, all foreign workers must register with the Immigration Office to get an Alien Registration Card (the equivalent of a green card, but try telling the illegals in our country to go do that!) Being tired today, I had an attitude problem, and I was starting to get a feeling of homesickness. That's natural for someone who lives far away after the feeling of excitement goes away. But, the Lord kept me going with verses, especially this one verse I read today from Revelations in which it said: "The Lord makes all things new." I felt renewed when I was at a point of being really tired. Before, I wasn't really in the mood of talking to my co-teacher on the ride up to the immigration office, and she could sense it in my eyes, but after remembering that verse, I had the opportunity to share my life and why I live it for God. It's a good starter for her to know that I live for a different purpose and with a desire to please God.
Later, so she wouldn't have to go all the way back to the school because its not on her way home, so she dropped me at the local subway station in Incheon, but was miles away from my home. So, I had to travel through an underground subway station, and the ride was home difficult. For one, when you are a foreigner in a land where you are not familiar with the language or not have too many friends, it can be mentally hard because its tough to watch all these Korean school children on the subway laughing and chatting the whole time while you are just the odd foreigner in the area. Then, I had to stop at Bupyeong Station, which is the center of Incheon, to find voltage adapters, and finally found some after much waiting. Then, after waiting for a long time at the immigration office, and finding what I needed, I could go home...
On the way home, I spontaneously started talking to this girl next to me on the subway who was studying an English book. I was reading my NBA mag, so just being friendly I sparked a conversation with her about her English studying, and I told her I was an American teaching English. Keep in mind, what I'm doing is way out of the norm in Korean life. Koreans are naturally an inward-centered culture, so that means if you are not part of their lives, its difficult to make any penetrations. Most friendships are naturally made in their childhood years, so people in Korea tend to make those their friendships for life. But in America, and especially as born-again Christians, brotherhood and sisterhood/friendships can be always an option. So, talking to this Korean lady was fun, because it gave me a chance to practice my Korean speech, which is hard getting used to because I always to speak English, and sometimes I jumble the two languages together.
Then, the unthinkable happened, more like it, God's Grace happened. Remember when I wrote about being frustrated with the kinks of my apartment? Well, when I got home, being exhausted as I am, and frustrated about today's "workload," my apartment look strangely different. Well first, my doorway light was working. I thought it was quite odd because it went out this morning, and I didn't ask anyone to fix it! Two, the room was strangely clean...everything was in order and the bed looked very nice. Three, there were extra dishes and appliances all about! I was like, "what happened!? This is the opposite of a robbery!" There was even a new rice pot with rice in it, and food in the fridge! Then, I found a note from my cousin and aunt.
My cousin wrote it in English, and bless his heart the grammar and spelling were off, but the message spoke more than an essay about Edgar Allan Poe: he basically wrote that he and his aunt stopped by and cleaned everything, and gave me all this stuff to use. He told me to work hard, and to do this: "Mark! Fighting!" In Korea, there is a phrase people use to get ready for a huge challenge ahead, and they say, "Paiting!" Koreans naturally cannot say the "ff" sound, so they say "paiting!," instead of "fighting!" See, my cousin knew that I was afraid of my job situation before it began, because I didn't know what I would be getting into, and he gave me encouragment to rock their world. It was really touching. He also told me he stopped smoking that weekend, because I was telling him about the dangers of cancer and how America has a huge problem with smoking, even though we made major advances in the fight against nicotine. Korea...hasn't.
So, I immediately prayed to God and thanked Him for His grace. After a long day, but persevearing through it, coming home exhausted, God gave me one of the best gifts a person could have: family. No doubt, extended family, whom I haven't known since my entire life, coming out of nowhere and giving the things I need to survive and cleaning my room...wow. I couldn't believe it, that's love for you.
So I thanked my cousin via a payphone (I can't get a cell phone until I get my "Green Card" back from immigration), and told him I will do my best at everything. Then I walked around for the rest of the night with joy in my heart, running through the streets of Incheon and did some window shopping.
What a day, what an adventure. After experiencing for the first time lonliness, frustration, and homesickness, I come home to find that I have...a home.
P.S. Let me tell you something on a side note...Korean shopping can be weird but an interesting experience. I went to a Puma store, my favorite brand, and the two sales ladies greeted me as is standard procedure of all retail worldwide. I thought that would be it, and I could just look and do my thing, browing the various items at the store. But, the whole time I was there they followed me and stood next to me, watching me and waiting to see if I would try to pick a shoe or jacket or something and then wait on me immediately. I felt so odd, I had to get out of there! Yet they said to come back. Even when I went into a McDonald's just to use the bathroom, the front lady yells her greetings to me, and even as I leave, not even buying anything, she yells at me "goodbye and come back!" in Korean. Really funny, but I admire their honest work ethics and their spirit.
However the thing is, I won't be actually teaching this week, but next week. I don't know what's their logic behind it, but its okay in the fact that I can prepare for lessons next week, however, if you guys know me well, I don't like to sit at work and have nothing to do. Surfing the net is okay, but they kinda just put me in the "English Zone" section of the school and left me there. So for the past two days I've been chilling in my new office/classroom with not much to do except look at textbooks and conjure up ideas. At least I got a good idea of my first lesson.
However today was really exceptionally long. It just felt like it. I didn't get enough sleep last night, and I was getting frustrated with some of the kinks with my apartment (its somewhat dirty, the sinks are dirty, and my bathroom is too small to maneuver in), and then I had to go to the immigration office today (I never thought I would have to say that in my life, going to immigration), which I had to wait in a long line with my co-teacher. Basically, all foreign workers must register with the Immigration Office to get an Alien Registration Card (the equivalent of a green card, but try telling the illegals in our country to go do that!) Being tired today, I had an attitude problem, and I was starting to get a feeling of homesickness. That's natural for someone who lives far away after the feeling of excitement goes away. But, the Lord kept me going with verses, especially this one verse I read today from Revelations in which it said: "The Lord makes all things new." I felt renewed when I was at a point of being really tired. Before, I wasn't really in the mood of talking to my co-teacher on the ride up to the immigration office, and she could sense it in my eyes, but after remembering that verse, I had the opportunity to share my life and why I live it for God. It's a good starter for her to know that I live for a different purpose and with a desire to please God.
Later, so she wouldn't have to go all the way back to the school because its not on her way home, so she dropped me at the local subway station in Incheon, but was miles away from my home. So, I had to travel through an underground subway station, and the ride was home difficult. For one, when you are a foreigner in a land where you are not familiar with the language or not have too many friends, it can be mentally hard because its tough to watch all these Korean school children on the subway laughing and chatting the whole time while you are just the odd foreigner in the area. Then, I had to stop at Bupyeong Station, which is the center of Incheon, to find voltage adapters, and finally found some after much waiting. Then, after waiting for a long time at the immigration office, and finding what I needed, I could go home...
On the way home, I spontaneously started talking to this girl next to me on the subway who was studying an English book. I was reading my NBA mag, so just being friendly I sparked a conversation with her about her English studying, and I told her I was an American teaching English. Keep in mind, what I'm doing is way out of the norm in Korean life. Koreans are naturally an inward-centered culture, so that means if you are not part of their lives, its difficult to make any penetrations. Most friendships are naturally made in their childhood years, so people in Korea tend to make those their friendships for life. But in America, and especially as born-again Christians, brotherhood and sisterhood/friendships can be always an option. So, talking to this Korean lady was fun, because it gave me a chance to practice my Korean speech, which is hard getting used to because I always to speak English, and sometimes I jumble the two languages together.
Then, the unthinkable happened, more like it, God's Grace happened. Remember when I wrote about being frustrated with the kinks of my apartment? Well, when I got home, being exhausted as I am, and frustrated about today's "workload," my apartment look strangely different. Well first, my doorway light was working. I thought it was quite odd because it went out this morning, and I didn't ask anyone to fix it! Two, the room was strangely clean...everything was in order and the bed looked very nice. Three, there were extra dishes and appliances all about! I was like, "what happened!? This is the opposite of a robbery!" There was even a new rice pot with rice in it, and food in the fridge! Then, I found a note from my cousin and aunt.
My cousin wrote it in English, and bless his heart the grammar and spelling were off, but the message spoke more than an essay about Edgar Allan Poe: he basically wrote that he and his aunt stopped by and cleaned everything, and gave me all this stuff to use. He told me to work hard, and to do this: "Mark! Fighting!" In Korea, there is a phrase people use to get ready for a huge challenge ahead, and they say, "Paiting!" Koreans naturally cannot say the "ff" sound, so they say "paiting!," instead of "fighting!" See, my cousin knew that I was afraid of my job situation before it began, because I didn't know what I would be getting into, and he gave me encouragment to rock their world. It was really touching. He also told me he stopped smoking that weekend, because I was telling him about the dangers of cancer and how America has a huge problem with smoking, even though we made major advances in the fight against nicotine. Korea...hasn't.
So, I immediately prayed to God and thanked Him for His grace. After a long day, but persevearing through it, coming home exhausted, God gave me one of the best gifts a person could have: family. No doubt, extended family, whom I haven't known since my entire life, coming out of nowhere and giving the things I need to survive and cleaning my room...wow. I couldn't believe it, that's love for you.
So I thanked my cousin via a payphone (I can't get a cell phone until I get my "Green Card" back from immigration), and told him I will do my best at everything. Then I walked around for the rest of the night with joy in my heart, running through the streets of Incheon and did some window shopping.
What a day, what an adventure. After experiencing for the first time lonliness, frustration, and homesickness, I come home to find that I have...a home.
P.S. Let me tell you something on a side note...Korean shopping can be weird but an interesting experience. I went to a Puma store, my favorite brand, and the two sales ladies greeted me as is standard procedure of all retail worldwide. I thought that would be it, and I could just look and do my thing, browing the various items at the store. But, the whole time I was there they followed me and stood next to me, watching me and waiting to see if I would try to pick a shoe or jacket or something and then wait on me immediately. I felt so odd, I had to get out of there! Yet they said to come back. Even when I went into a McDonald's just to use the bathroom, the front lady yells her greetings to me, and even as I leave, not even buying anything, she yells at me "goodbye and come back!" in Korean. Really funny, but I admire their honest work ethics and their spirit.
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2010: The Year of the Soni Tiger
