Osaka, Part Two: Something Right, Something Wrong With This Country

James and I conquered more of Japan today.

We first went to a famous Buddhist temple, just to check out its architecture, one of the oldest in Japan and built by the famous Prince Shitoku. Well, since I do not know who Prince Shitoku, so he is not famous.

Unfortunately, some of the sights we tried to visit were closed today, but the weather was really good to us, so walking was not as a major pain, which was great.

James made an excellent choice for a tourist site today: the Nagai Botanical Gardens. Located in southern Osaka, it was the most beautiful day to go. Hardly anyone was there. Located right behind a major sports complex, the walk to the Gardens was very scenic and the summer breeze felt great.

The flowers and the water lilies were a joy to see. The Rose Garden, with no one there, was tranquil, and I really felt God in that moment. There is nothing more evident of God`s existence than His creation. See, I have not seen a garden/forest in months, because I live in a city where vegetation is hard to find. The people who were there were Japanese who seemed very active and enjoyed the outdoors. There old women taking strolls with one another, mothers and children walking side by side, old Japanese ajoshi having chats on park benches, and a couple of artists painting the beautiful scenery. It was a moment, well I am not going to say bliss because its sort of associated with Buddhism, but it was a moment of peace.

Tonight, James and I went to dinner, and we went to the World Trade Center in southwest Osaka. We went all the way to the top floor and surveyed the entire city. It was amazing. Man`s accomplishment, well, I give him credit for building such a city, but the ability to build and build more is only given by God.

However tonight, as I walking in the streets of this city before heading home, I noticed something wrong. Even though I admire the country for many aspects of it, there is something that bothers me nonetheless. I see lostness in the face of the youth.

Many of the young people dress up in ways that are straight up outrageous. Many young women cake make up to the extreme, and the young men dress in goofy ways.

In this society, Japan is a whopping 1% Christian statistic. With hardly a backdrop of strong morals and family life anymore, and no God to give a purpose to these young peoples lives, you can easily tell that many of these people are losing direction.

At least in South Korea, many people are religious, and even though not all faith is genuine in all people, the given moral backdrop does help the society function on a more even keel.

One grave example of the lost youth of Japan are the rising amount of juvenile crime. Today, one 22-year old confessed in a trial in Tokyo that he drowned his sister, and dismembered her body. Its her sister! These subtle acts of sin cause a pain inside me, but people today do not admit that it is a problem of the heart, but just a mental issue. With Japan a rich nation and big in status, the biggest issue is that many a child will forget morals and values and go for their own pleasure, which produces pride.

A lost society produces lost children...and lost lives. The real casualty is not only those who commit the crime and the victim, but that they did not have the chance to know the true God who can give them life.

Japan, Osaka Part One

Yeah, James and I arrived safely here in Osaka. We got here around 2:30PM last night (Sunday).

Again, the excitement in being in a new Asian country rubbed me all over. What blew my mind initially was the fact that here are some more Asians, but this time something different is coming out of their mouth, Japanese.

We are staying in the center part of Osaka, called Dotonbori, a huge entertainment and shopping district. Osaka is famous for its cuisine, and James and I already tried some udon noodles, which came to our liking.

I spent most of the night yesterday exploring Dotonbori and taking lots of photos. To sum it up, Japan feels like Korea in many regards, but fast-foward the action x3. Lots of lights, advertisements, gawdy fashion statements (in many ways, bad fashion statements), consumerism, and Asian flashiness. In other words, it is everything I expected of Japan.

What is different totally are the Japanese people: they are in many regards inherently built different from their Korean counterparts. Many people who are not knowledgeable about the intricate workings of Asian nations think that all Asians look the same, act the same. After travelling to this nation, even after one day, I found the previous statement totally false.

For one, I concluded that Japanese people are a very reserved people. Subways, streets, and alleways, even though they scream a loud and vibrant city life here in Osaka, the Japanese have a sense of restraint and control to their lives. In Korea, Koreans are a passionate, lively folk. Talking about life, from its deepest issues to the most miniscule details such as what you are going to eat, Koreans can chat it up with a fiery disposition.

Watching the Japanese people however, they seem more calmer in demeanor. I would not say quiet, but a sense of stoicism. "Samurai like?" Maybe.

Also, contrary to popular belief, Japanese people do look different than their Asian counterparts. In my opinion, Japanese people for the most part tend to have stronger features to their eyes, nose, and face shape. More refined than their Korean counterparts. In more detail, Japanese men have longer faces than their Korean rivals, and Japanese women tend to have a more rounder, bolder look to their facial features, whereas Korean women have a more softer facial regime. Of course, I am Asian, so I know some of you will not get what I am talking about because I grew up around many Asian folk, but take what I say with some consideration, we do not all look "look alike," even though Chris Tucker from Rush Hour 2 might say so! Also, many Japanese boys and girls are DARK! Especially in the summer, many walk around with really dark skin, so I fit in really easy! I even had one Japanese ajumma ask me directions on the subway, and I was like, "Foo! I am not Japanese!" I could easily fit in here, and I can see why some of my Korean students confused me for Japanese.

So, James and I spent yesterday and today exploring a great amount of Osaka. It is just another major metropolitan city, but the Asian quality and the many old tourist sites are very attractive plus to visit. We visited Osaka Castle, the Osaka Museum of History, the Kaiyukan Aquarium, took a tour of Osaka Bay, and visited the Umeda District, which is one of the biggest shopping districts in downtown Osaka. Tomorrow, we hope to conquer more museums and visit some old temples to check out architecture.

Vacation rocks. I am trying to enjoy every moment in this place, but to be aware not to take a "break" from my spiritual walk with Jesus Christ either. Life goes on in every facet of life, and vacation becomes more stronger and more relaxing when I maintain that spiritual life line with the Lord, the ultimate reviving medicine.

So tomorrow is another full day in this city, and I am out until the next time we find another PC Cafe here in Japan.

"O yasumi nasai," - good night in Japanese.

Vacation/Mrs. Ha is Gone

Yo,

I finished two weeks of Yeonsu High School summer camps. First week for first-level students, second week for the second lev homies.

Let me tell you, I never had a relaxing two weeks of school in my life. I come into work at 9AM as usual, but I don't have classes till 2PM. So I go in, eat breakfast (usually bread), go work out in our school's little gym that we have, then take a fresh shower in our remodeled teachers bathroom. Come back, sit on the Internet for a few hours, prepare lesson plans, and chill till the kids come to the classroom.

Camp was easy and fun. I played lots of games with them and taught them about the cultures of England and America. My goal for camp was not to teach them anything related to English: just get them to try their English. In other words, camp was more about coaxing them to spit some words together.

The second week with the second "lev" kids was even more fun because of the fact that most of the kids in there I did not even know at all. That means new personalities. There was one kid in particular, named Na Hang-mook, who was eager to try his English and really did a good job of getting involved in the games and activities that I had planned. Then two of my Garbages attended camp: Kevin and Handsome Man. Handsome Man deemed himself that name because, he believed he is handsome. The kids around him gave him a booing of a lifetime (or as the British say, "Gave him stick.")

My co-teachers, Mrs. Ha nad Mrs. Jina, were tight. They are helpful with every activity I have. Having 12-15 students instead of the usual platoon of 40 was a blessing too: I had no disciplining problems whatsoever.

Speaking of Mrs. Ha, unforunately she will be leaving Yeonsu High School in August. She is going on an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel to the United States for English studies at Concordia University. I am really happy for her and her two daughters (her husband can't go), because they will all get the education of a lifetime.

I gave her and her family during dinner a brief cultural outline of what American life is like: such as how Americans are more outgoing, are more about individuality and private life/freedom, and the American Dream. I really hope and pray for the best of blessings on their year long excursion. It was good that she and I got along well to the point that we shared some things with one another, and not just have the usual platonic relationship as fellow co-workers.

As for me, I'm going on my vacation of a lifetime: Japan. Seriously, this is a dream come true, one of the places "I wanted to see before I die kinda thing." Throwing out the whole infamous WWII atrocities and war mongering Japan-era, Japan is a very enchanting land for me. Growing up on videogames, Japanese-influenced anime and cartoons, Samurai culture, its internal struggles and history (which coincides alot with our Korea), its a land that I am very curious about.

Its going to be one interesting excursion to see the sights and see the minute similarities and differences between two East Asian giants. I am excited to get lost, to get language befuddled all over again (but willing to try to speak their language), and see some new culture.

So pray for me as I embark to the Land of the Rising Sun, as I leave the Land of the Morning Calm tomorrow morning from Incheon International Airport and travel to Kansai International Airport in Osaka.

Sayonara! Ja! Nihon-ae kaimas!

Summer Daze

Yo,


Its the middle of summer here in Incheon. You might thinking, "ahh yea, Mark's on his summer break." Sike!


I'm still teaching. In fact, most of the kids here in Yeonsu High School are still learning, even though the semester is over. This sounds ridiculous, but they take "summer classes." Not because all 1300 students failed classes, they just have to. Or in the words of my co-teacher Mrs. Park, "they are encouraged to, by us and their parents." Let me translate: "to succeed on a ridiculously difficult college exam that is dooming on them, they are forced to take classes that do not count for a grade, and they forced to take these classes not by their parents, but by their mothers." (Remember, the Korean mother is the supreme being in a child's educational policy, the Korean father is the breadwinner)



So, I too am teaching classes, in the form of "English Camps." I am teaching two consecutive English camps, one for freshmen and one for juniors in consecutive weeks. Everyday, from 2-5PM, which by my count, is kind of a cool deal. I get into work around 9AM, and I have four hours to chill out and prepare lesson plans, or sleep. Sike. I spend most of my mornings usually working out in our little gym downstairs, then get a nice hot shower, and come back to relax.



For camp, I am teaching them alot of goofy games to get them to practice their English. Games like "Simon Says," "Build a Group Sentence," and I actually pulled off a mini-version of the "Price is Right," with me as Bob Barker and my co-teacher as my model assistant to hold up the items. I taught lessons on the nations of England and America, and for my last day, I'm going to top it off with a film called "Freedom Writers" with Hilary Swank, to teach them the importance of diversity and the struggle us Americans have to go through to get along as colored people.



Other than that...where's my vacation? The kids are going to get at least two weeks off where they can go home and do nothing, but as for me, where is little Mr. Mark going to do for his first summer vacation outside of college?



Japan.


Yes!


After some ambitious planning, my friend James and I are going to head to the Land of the Rising Sun. We're both excited to trek to this mysterious land of haunted history and renowned innovation. Japan, even though infamous in East Asia and America for its role in World War 2, has risen up to be one of the top economic powers in the world today. Creating and innovating new products for world export, their renowned work ethics and imagination have taken the world by storm. Not just on an economic level, where they produced the best in automobiles, electronics, and most recently, robotics (their androids are amazing! Go to youtube.com and type "Japan androids") But on an entertainment and cultural level, Japan's infuence is everywhere: food, anime, Samurai culture, cartoons, house design, and language.


So one of our goals on this trip is to compare the differences between Japanese and Korean societies. Korea and Japan are right next to each other, so their influence on one another, even though they are intense rivals in many respects and don't like to admit their influence on each other, are at times mutual. Korea was the conduit for Japan's exposure to Chinese culture in the olden days, and Korean celadon pottery and architecture were direct influences on Japanese culture.


In turn, Japan has had an influence on Korea jumpstarted its economy after the disastrous Korean war, where Korea adopted some measures of how the Japanese government maintained close business ties with the private companies (Korean, "Chaebol," in Japanese, "Zaibatsu), to provide them contracts and fundings to keep their industries afloat.

But our main goal is to answe the question: "Are Japanese different from the Koreans?" Their societies are similar, but we know the answer is, "yes, they are different." Our main question is then..."how?"

So for one week, my friend James and I are going to explore the Kansai region, which consists of two major cities in the area: Osaka and Kyoto. Osaka is the third biggest city in Japan, and Kyoto is the old imperial capital of old.

I can't wait.

Soni Finishes the First Semester

"Soni Finishes the First Semester"
KP News

22-year old Mark Soni finished the first semester of his tenure as a rookie ESL teacher at Incheon's renowned Yeonsu High School in South Korea. Now, he enters the summer break with lessons learned and a renewed confidence in the teaching profession.

"This is my first teaching gig ever, and it has been an humbling, but awesome experience," said the first-year teacher out of Waldorf, MD. "Now I am in the off-season with work still on my hands, and time to re-group and polish my young teaching skills. I want to become a better teacher, and starting from the bottom, the only direction is up."

Soni began teaching for Yeonsu this past March 2007, signing a one-year deal to teach conversational English to the Yeonsu High School Celtics, which is located in the Yeonsu District in central Incheon, South Korea. After facing a rough few weeks of getting used to his new team, his new surroundings, and learning about Korean students' way and methods, he feels that he can own up to the new challenges that lay ahead for next term.

"The kids in Korea are a different sort compared to America. American students, especially those who I have taught back in my church program back in Maryland, are more about interaction, discussion, and individual growth. The kids here in Korea learn through groupthink and group effort, especially since I teach a language that most kids, despite years of learning it, have a hard time understanding. My biggest challenge was controlling 40 kids in a classroom while trying to make the class as interesting and fun as possible."

So far, he has received approval from his teammates, who all have said that they enjoyed Soni's teaching style, despite his inexperience. Some teachers have quoted his style as "passionate, energetic," even though the students may not be the most interested in English at times.

However, Soni also realized that learning from mistakes and other Korean cultural nuances play a major effect to his growth as an English teacher. "For example, I stopped calling out individual students who could not speak that well. It hurts their confidence easily, because the other 39 squad mates are right there to pounce on them. Also, I quickly learned to never play an ESL game that only involves 10 out of the 40 students...30 bored boys equals 30 rough boys. Also, boy students are visual learners and compared to girl students, not as focused and mature at this stage in their lives. Its important to grab their attention from the start and run with it," added the rookie out of the University of Maryland.

For the off-season, Soni plans to run two summer mini-camps for Yeonsu students: one for freshmen classes and one for junior classes. "Its an opportunity for them to practice their English throughout the summer and keep their heads in the English game. I believe English is the most important language in the world, not because they do not need to replace their own language with ours, but we need more leaders in the workforce who will recognize the need that English is the lingua franca of our time."

Just like footballers (soccer players), rest is a rare commodity for ESL teachers here in Korea. Korea is recognized as the ESL mecca of the world, who pays handsomely for even the most inexperienced teachers to come here not just for the lucrative contracts and to teach English, but for a cultural experience of a lifetime. Korean public school programs always try to keep their ESL players busy with summer camps, seminars, training, and planning for future terms.

Fortunately, Soni will get some rest at the end of the month when he will take holiday in the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan. A much needed trip to this stoic, yet mysterious nation will revive the soon to be 23-year old individual from America. "I'm definitely looking forward to the holiday. To chill out in a traditional tatami room, to try Japanese food, to tour the beautiful yet mysterious sites, and to compare cultures of Korea and Japan, I can't wait for the flight."

Soni will return on August 5th to begin another extra summer camp, this time at a middle school. "It'll be an opportunity to work with a younger crowd and gain more experience."

Then, its back to work on August 20th. The kids will be returning to the halls of Yeonsu, and Soni will be ready than ever to provide the cultural lessons, games, and English practice they will need to be proficient in this language.

As for a contract extension? "I have not even started thinking about that yet. I have yet to talk to my Agent (God) about that. He alone holds the answers to my future with this club and country," says Soni. Mark has the opportunity to exercise his option on his one-year deal with Yeonsu High, barring that the school decides to release him from the program. But with this potential to become a major player in the ESL field, especially through the help of his trainer and guide, the Holy Spirit, Soni has alot to show for when it comes to his job and mentorship of young peoples' lives.

Soni has mentioned that even though all options are on the on table, he will not be discussing any future contract decisions until the turn of next year.

"We're just getting into the fun part of my contract year, and you guys are already talking about extensions and other stuff? I'm just getting started! However, depending on how this year finishes, all options will be left open, and that's all I will say on that. I will leave it up to The Agent's hands."

Yet for now, we get to see an emerging star in The Land of the Morning Calm, who remains calm after weathering the first semester storm of life after college.

Transformers the Movie (2007) Review

As my blog is ably called "Mark the Transformer: More Than Meets the Eye," I thought I should go back to my 80's roots and see the transformation of a classic cartoon series to this new adaptation that blends eye-defying CGI and special effects with the old-skool plot of robotronic good vs. evil. As it was directed by Michael Bay, I knew this film was going to sacrifice story for bombs/explosions, and the result was a film of pure fun and action, but it could have been "more than meets the eye" in some respects.

See, my brother and I grew up on Transformers while were kids growing up in Oklahoma/Germany. Heck, even my mom remembers a few names among the dynamic robot factions who clash for supremacy. My parents still hold some of our toys intact back at home.

Basic storyline of the film: as adapted from the original, there is a battle on earth between two warring sides for the ultimate prize: the "all-charge cube," which grants unlimited power to breathe life into electronic/mechanic nouns. Pit some humans into the mix, and you got yourself a 2 hour plus film of Michael Bay goodness. Action, explosions, and a few pick-up lines for the gorgeous ladies who grace the screen. Oh, you have a plot somewhere too.

What do I mean about Michael Bay? He is known for creating films that usually have plots that are massive in scale, but he simplifies them to a point for the audience where they follow only one sub-plot until the end. Watch Bay's "Pearl Harbor," which is supposed to document our abrupt involvement into World War II, but turns up to be a love triangle film between Josh Hartnett, Ben Affleck, and Kate Beckinsale. "Armaggedon" pits Ben Affleck and Bruce Willis in saving the world from a giant rock, but turns into a story of sacrifice and love with Liv Tyler playing the tragic love victim of a father's love (Willis) and her lover's sacrfice (Affleck).

So with Transformers, it was utter happiness to see my favorite heroes on screen again: the Autobots. Optimus Prime (with Peter Cullen bringing back his vocal chords once more to bring him back to life) brings the heat with his old pals Bumblebee, hip-hop style Jazz (one of my favorites when I was a kid), Ratchet, and Ironhide. They are out to stop the Decepticons, whose intention is to get the all-charge, dominate earth, and then, the universe.

The main character is Sam, a luckless in love high school kid who lands his first car...which happens to be Bumblebee. After run-ins with a Decepticon cop car, Sam becomes the focal point from all sides because his grandfather's glasses contain the discovery of the location of the all-charge cube. Both factions need his father's glasses to pinpoint the location of the cube.

That's where the story stops, and for me, unfortunately stops. Even though Transformers is a Good v. Evil story from the 80's generation of kids, Bay again takes one huge plot and minimalizes it into one sub-plot: Sam to destroy the all-charge cube and get his girl Mickaela (played by Megan Fox), and oh yeah, there are huge robots to help him or stop him along the way.

Massive explosions, eye-jarring action, and chaotic mettalic pounding: Bay-style. The plot at times focuses more on the human characters than the Autobots/Decepticons themselves. We get to meet the cynical machines and the good Transformers, but we don't get to know about the old-skool Jazz (the little Autobot who keeps it real, voiced by Darius McCrary) and the hard-pressed Starscream (Decepticon).

Throw in a few soldiers (one played by Tyrese, who was pretty cool in the film), an Aussie, blonde bombshell hacker (like that's real), Sam's hippie parents, and a Secretary of Defense who turns from a serious politician to a cowboy (Jon Voight), you got Michael Bay running the game.

So for the money I paid, I enjoyed it and it was cool to see the fun back in movies again this summer. Yet I sorely missed the opportunity they had to bring back some of the plot and glue to keep this movie going. Where's Hot Rod? Ultra Magnus? What's in it for the Autobots? Why did the Decepticons betray Cybertron in the first place? Was there a filibuster in the Cybertron Congress?

But, in retrospect, seeing this film brought back what this cartoon did for my brother and I when we were kids: it brought wonder. Robots transforming into bigger things and for the Autobots, keeping the peace. For the Decepticons, it was domination and control. That's why I named this journal the way I named it: I do believe in transformation for a higher purpose, and that "all-charge" cube comes in the energon super-human form of Jesus Christ, who uses his Holy Spirit to charge us up for our original purpose: to become in the image of the machine maker, God.

Playing with those toys, I would envision scenarios for myself during play time of who would win the universe. Too bad most of my toys were Decepticons. But hey, Starscream was one bad dude...

What Is Teaching Like?

Ever since I got to Korea and kept up with this blog, I have pretty much tried to keep you up to date with my activities. I told you about sightseeing, meeting family, God's working in my life, and some personal struggles in the "Land of the Morning Calm."

However, I have been lacking in "describing my job" part. I told you about the "Garbage Boys" from the earlier days, but they have dissoluted as the year wore on. "Destroyer" has not come to the office in a long time, and he even told me that he has been really busy with life and school, which in this country, school is your life. I have seen him less and less. So that early excitement of having curious fans coming into my office and talking to me was awesome, but now they moved on and concentrated on their own ways. I guess my "foreign novelty sticker" has worn off.

My actual students, well my classes are not too bad, as we wrap up semester one. Like I said, class 1-9 is the only pain, and class 1-13 is just loud, but I really can't complain about my job at all. Its the best job I have had, and it beats my Census Bureau internship by a foot, which I will explain in another blog.

What do I teach? You are probably been wondering that since day one.

Well, its not an easy answer. See, the Korean-English teachers do all the teaching, on their own. They teach English as a sole academic subject everyday, six days a week. The kids go in their classrooms, sit down, and listen to Ms./Mrs./Mr. Kim/Lee/Park (these three surnames make up 1/3 of all last names in Korea), explain the intricacies of the English language while the Korean kids, learning Korean style (which means they sit, listen, and never ask questions), write notes and take it all in. So what's the point of learning about a language that is important in commerce, business, education, and friendships worldwide when you don't use it? Enter the Dragon.

I'm the English talking cat that they imported from Waldorf, Maryland for this purpose. I am an "English Language Instructor" by title. In reality, I'm a spitting-English slot machine, "ching ching ching ching ching!" You pull the lever, random English words composed in beautiful sentence structure come flying out. You got the English jackpot.

Sike, all kidding aside, I taught them things such as (from my previous lesson plans):

1. Meeting and greeting Western people for the first time, how is it different in Korea vs. the West. I actually demonstrated with several students how its done back in the West. Always look eye, strong handshake, and good posture.

2. Restaurant English - what phrases go down in the English-speaking world and the culture surrounding it when you order a burger.

3. Phone English - using PowerPoint, I pulled off a lesson on how to speak over the phone.

4. Dialog Makers - I let the classes perform their own dialogs and compete against each other for prizes (chocolate).

5. The Hines Ward Lesson - in my opinion, my most important lesson up to date, I tried to get the idea across to them that life is more than just Korean skin. I tried to teach them about the power of diversity. For those who don't know who Hines is, he is the Pittsburgh Steeler who won the Super Bowl MVP. He is half-Korean, half-black who got Koreans to start re-thinking about the idea of what is "pure race" in the Korean bloodline, Confucian thinking mindset.

6. Hip-hop English - I tried to use hip-hop music as an avenue to learn speaking English in rhythm. Koreans have no rhythm, but they got the idea. They got to see me beatbox though.

So you see, I was given liberty to do my own lesson plans. Some lesson plans were straight up awful, some were pretty successful. My own personal guideline for success is that the kids had fun and paid attention for the most part. My guideline for lesson failure is that they are bored. Pure and simple.

Unfortunately, no one at my schooll has given me a pure "mission statement" goal for my job. I do what I please, but I really have no standard to attain to according to the school's plans. In reality, most ESL teachers like me in Korea are here for one purpose: to bring foreign exposure to the kids. Most of these kids will never meet foreigners on a daily basis, much less have a chance to use their English language skills, so they bring us in. I believe it is a noble purpose, especially if the ESL native teacher has the right attitude towards the job.

Most people like myself do not have degrees in teaching. In a strict "teaching sense," I'm not qualified for this job. I do have teaching experience from many Bible camps, College and Career teaching back at home, and many community service programs from the past. But teaching 40 Korean boys about a language they hardly use, much less won't get a grade for in my class? Good luck.

However, there is one standard I attain by, and that is Jesus Christ. As a Christian, I have to keep reminding myself why I am here. Just like being a mentor to my youth group back at home, I know that I am more than just a talking English slot-machine, "ding ding ding ding!" I'm a mentor. I can't help but to be a friend to these stressed-out students, because the relationship between teachers and Korean students here in Korea is very platonic, very respectful.

I have the advantage of taking it to the next level and I can be someone that they can talk to, if they want. The youth years, as I remember it, are years or searching for truth and reason, and these boys are doing the same as they do in America. As a Christian, as Christ touched my life, He is working through me to maintain an attitude that these boys are not just numbers on a record book, they are lives that He created for His purpose. My job is to show that I am an example of His purpose.

So to sum it up, my teaching gig is not so much I teach them "the English language." I just know how to use it. My job is teach "how to use this language" properly. Heck, the Korean-English teachers could school me bad in a game of English Grammar Attack. But I have one thing over them that cannot get: I grew up in the English-language culture, and have much traveled experience. The more the students drill from my cultural-experience rigs, the more they get rich off of it.

From Korea,

Mr. Soni

P.S. Mrs. Ha, my supervising co-teacher, is going to America to experience study abroad for a year. She will be getting a cultural lesson for a lifetime.

The "Yakuza" Cat

On Tuesday, James and I went to the Incheon Immigration Office to pick up our multi-entry visa stamps so we can take future trips to other places in Asia. Since we're in Asia, why not take the opportunity to make the most of it while we're here and travel to a few places? We just might.

So we fight through bureaucratic heck to get it. This place is the equivalent to the Maryland Vehicles Administration, and if any of you have ever been to the MVA, it sucks. Don't get me started on that mess. However, we finally get in line, only to be told to fill out a form to be turned in, pay 50,000 Won for stamps (to get the Visas ratified), and go back in the line again. So we had to pick up another ticket number. So, after facing pain in 2005 at the MVA (don't get me started), I said, "screw this, I'm going back up there." So with my foreign super powers, I "waygoogin" punched my way back in line, and the lady acceptedly took our forms and got us out of there in half the time. Phew. In fact afterwards, I asked James if I could pick up a form for an F-4 Visa so I can fill it out for the future, and James gives me an answer to my F-4 Inquiry: "Eff that."

So we travel to Incheon Station, then back to the city of Incheon's China Town to have a look. Every part of the world has its own China Town. Its not as big or bumping like the China Towns in San Francisco or New York, but its a neat part of town that is authentically Chinese. We even had Mandu for a snack, 3,000 for 3 "Wang Mandu," a Chinese-style steamed bun. "Nomu mashissoyo." ("Very tasty" in Korean)

Anyway, we were walking around town when we saw this really BIG cat. It was a normal-bred stray cat, but it was really big, like a small wildcat. And this cat looked like it has had a hard life. We (James and I) were remarking that is one huge cat. In my mind after meeting the Korean Gangster a month ago, I dubbed this konquering kitty "Yakuza Cat." So this cat is strolling down the street, while there is this old ajoshi ("older man" in Korean) sitting on the side of the road with this huge rotweiler dog. It was the biggest dog we have seen in South Korea since we got here, because most owned dogs are small due to lack of space. So this cat is about to walk towards this dog...you see where I'm going with this.

Mark: "That cat is about to run into that dog, let's see what happens."

So the cat stops, looks at the dog, and the dog looks back. It was like a Western shootout, two rivals facing off, like Japan vs. Korea. Then, the cat walks around the man and the ajoshi, who were both sitting near this Chinese restaurant. All of a sudden, the doggie in rage rushes towards the cat, and the cat smoothly scurries away, like it was like, "I'm too cool for you, dumb dog." But the ajoshi stopped the dog in time so the rugged "koyangi" ("Cat" in Korean) could make his escape.

Bobby's explanation today at our July 4th Dinner at TGIFriday's? "The cat is rough looking because it had to fight off all those people trying to eat him!" Bad joke.

The "Yakuza Cat" fights to live another day.