Song Time

Hello, everyone! It's been a long time!!
Right now I'm on vacation :D

Summer camp was fun, but I'm happy to relax~

This blog post is going to be dedicated to a song, though.
I was looking up the lyrics so that I could sing along when I found a site that had them in Korean and English. But the translation just seemed so off.. So, like any curious and slightly over-confident person, I attempted to translate them myself.

I know my Korean skills are a little lacking, though, so if you have corrections, pleeeease share :) There are a few lines that could use some help.

..And I must admit that those few lines baffled me quite completely. One being the title of this beautiful, mysterious, and slightly sad song: 그 어떤 말로도. I've seen it translated as 'I have no words', but I knew that wasn't quite right... So I asked my boyfriend :3

So without any further rambling, the lyrics (followed by the song):

 그 어떤 말로도 by Vodka Rain (보드카레인) ft. Jang YoonJu (장윤주)

그렇게도 빛나던 그대..

So too do you shine...

어디론가 떠난 밤
A night to leave for somewhere

모든 걸 잃은 하루는 지고...
The day you lost everything ends...

창가에는 어둠도 빛들도 사라진 채
At the window, the darkness and the lights have vanished

난 아무것도 보이지 않아
I don't see anything

난 아무것도 보이지 않아

I don't see anything

그 어떤 말로도..
I can't convey it with words...

어둠 속으로 세상지고
Beneath the darkness the world falls

눈물로도 어떤 수 많은 기도로도
And even with tears and a great number of prayers

다시 볼 수 없는 사람
Again I'm blind    (or: The person I can't see again?)

여기있어요 나 여기있어요
Here, I am here

이렇게 그대곁으로 찾아왔어요
To be there for you, I came to find you like this

볼수없나요 너무추워요
Can't you see? It's too cold

시린하늘이 싫어 옆에 왔는데
I hate the cold sky. I came to your side

짐작조차도 할 수 없나요
I can't even guess

이렇게 보는건 그대 아닌가요
How you can't see anything this way

울지말아요 미안해요 그대...
Don't cry. I'm sorry. You...

아무것도 보이지 않아 ...
Don't see anything

 그 어떤 말로도 by Vodka Rain (보드카레인) ft. Jang YoonJu (장윤주)

There :)

Again, just my best stab at it. I'm by no means proficient...
Let me know if you fancy the song as much as I do!
Or even if you don't care for it at all, I guess...

I just wanted to see what I am capable of... But againagainagain please share your corrections with me if you have them. Different translations or interpretations, too! :D



Take care, all! xoxox

Ad Theory

So I'm standing here on the subway next to a plastic surgery ad featuring some sad, average looking male who was transformed into a dashing Prince Charming. My thoughts that were sparked after viewing the gigantic ad earlier which featured a female with a terribly long chin have hence continued. And so I now have a theory which I am about to share with you.

Have you ever wondered if maybe the people in the before pictures didn't really look that bad? Let's keep our strict judgement of beauty intact, and merely hypothesize about whether or not they could have been made to look worse off than they actually were. The recent Korean beauty pageant has shown us, if nothing else, the power of Photoshop. So here is where I will share my theory:

Photoshop has a hand in the transformation. Yes, the plastic surgery here is fully capable of turning you into a different person, but after how many times? After how many years? And so my theory is that maybe some photos are edited to make the before less fortunate looking than they actually were. And then, after all desired surgeries have been performed and have healed, the beauty of make-up and photoshop is yet again introduced.

Now, I know this is a bit of a stretch. A big mishap was created in China when a woman produced children who looked nothing like her. Unfortunately for her hideous children, the gorgeous woman had undergone extensive plastic surgery. So yet another example of the scary power of plastic surgery.

But what is the likelihood that each of these people featured in such ads went through so much?

I guess this post is more of my thought rambling, but I'm curious to hear other opinions on the matter. Not so much on the validity of getting plastic surgery or your belief in whether it is right or wrong, but more on the advertisement of plastic surgery. Do you think it's all because of a skilled team of surgeons, or could photoshop in the before and after images play a bigger part?

Food for thought.

Though, maybe for those times you've nothing better to think about. Like when you're riding the subway home facing a silly ad.

Trip to Muuido

Muuido is an island off of Incheon here in South Korea. You travel the same way, by bus, as if you're going to Incheon International Airport. It was my first time to the island! And I'm glad I went there the way I did.

I went on Thursday with the other teachers from my school. From Incheon our bus got onto a ferry. We all got out of the bus to go to the top of the ferry, where the flock of seagulls that permanently swarm around the ferry would eat shrimp crackers RIGHT OUT OF YOUR HAND. Or, if you were as terrified of that as most people should be, you could throw the cracker into the air, and they would catch it. Like a well-trained dog. This song from Scamper the Penguin kept playing in my head:

You can find the entire movie on YouTube, by the way...


After landing on Muuido we took a few group photos and went on an hour and a half long hike! Here are some photographs from the hike:

I say I'm glad I went this way, because I think people (foreigners?) usually just go to Muuido for the beach. They have huts to rent if you'd like to stay on the beach overnight, and you can grill meat while you're there, too! I'll have that adventure for our celebration for the 4th of July, though ;)


After our hike, we got back on the ferry to Incheon and ate at a close restaurant. We had raw, sashimi-style fish, as well as other seafood. There was conch, live octopus, that orange funny-looking thing I can never remember the name of (you know it- it's spiky), shrimp, oysters, various cooked fish, fish stew, and other things I don't know the name of. It was very delicious!

The dinner was also a really great time to get to see the other teachers! This year we had a huuuge incoming of new teachers at our school, and since the English room is fairly isolated from other classrooms we haven't had much of a chance to interact with the new teachers. Because of that, this trip was so nice!!

On the way back to school, different teachers sang karaoke on the bus! At several points, there was dancing up and down the isle. At one point, I was laughing so hard that I cried... We returned to the school safe and sound, but as it was 9:00, I declined joining for the second round.

If it were a Friday....


Haha, maybe next time!

But it was a great trip, and I would recommend doing more than just laying on the beach for anyone who plans to visit the island :)

Relationships

As mentioned in my earlier post, I'm going to talk a little about what I've seen and understood about relationships in Korea.

This should be considered as opinion, as I am an American living in Korea, and there's only so much I understand. As always, if you have anything to add, share, or enlighten me about, please leave a comment or shoot me a message :)


So... Anyone who has walked down the streets or watched a Korean drama has probably seen couples in matching clothes. Sometimes it's the same colors, sometimes it's the same shirt and same type of pants. HOWEVER. I have seen couples with the same hair color, shirt, pants, and shoes. No longer a 'we belong to each other' statement, but more of a 'we are each other' statement, haha. When I first came to Korea and saw this, I thought it was absurd. Same type of jacket- okay. Same color- if you must. Same outfit in all of its entirety- WHY?! But now I think it's kind of cute. Not the 'we are each other' couples so much, but the matchy-matchy shirts.

Have I ever donned couple clothes? Nope. Will I ever don couple clothes? I can't imagine it. I think I'd be blushing constantly. I mean, as an American child, my friends and I would mock the old, married couples with their matching patriotic sweaters. How could I become that?! Not to mention that if I ever did wear matchy-matchy clothing, my sister would probably laugh till she cried, and my best friend would be rolling in a fit of laughter. At least their hearts would be happy.

But that's just one thing. Relationships here are less stifled, at least between the couple. American guys have this macho, nacho, tough-guy, bro-knows-no-feelings thing to live up to as the standard, and that doesn't exist here. From what I've seen, even outside of relationships, people here are much more honest with their feelings in general. You won't see someone telling off their boss, but you probably won't end up wondering what your friend is thinking.

This carries over into relationships. They'll get as mushy as they please, and as angry as they please. For me, though, it's a little different. My boyfriend and I do not speak the same language. How can you get your point across if you're yelling angrily? The opposite party won't understand. I mean, it's creepy if you yell slowly. I also tend to turn into a bit of a human dictionary when I'm miffed.

But it's nice, though... This idea and practice of being honest with your feelings.

Another part of dating and relationships is celebrating your time together! Here in Korea, there are many opportunities to do so. Many, many, many opportunities. So many, that I'll make a list. Here we go:

Big Deals:

Feb 14, Valentine's Day: Girl, go get your man and give him some chocolate

Mar 14, White Day: Fellas- If you like her, treat her to something sweet back

Apr 14, Black Day: Don't worry, singles! There's a day for you, too. Go eat noodles in a black sauce with your other single friends. (You gotta admit that it's better than crying and eating way too much ice cream.)

Nov 11, Peppero Day: Buy and give Peppero (Japan makes something similar- pocky)


Not-so-Big Deals:

Jan 14, Diary Day: Exchange planners with all your special days marked inside~

May 14, Rose Day: Give 'em a rose!

Jun 14, Kiss Day: You should be able to kiss those you love.

Jul 14, Silver Day: Couple exchange rings or silver things as a promise

Aug 14, Green Day: Couples play with nature, and singles down soju (the bottle's green)

Sept 14, Photo Day: Let's go someplace romantic and capture it on camera!

Oct 14, Wine Day: October is a good time to drink wine, I think.

Nov 14, Movie Day: Walk hand-in-hand to that cinema and watch something bad/cute/scary?

Dec 14, Hug Day: "Baby, it's cold outside~", so let's hug ^^


And there you have it. The 14th of every month can be a special, fun day for a couple!

Now, if you notice June 14th, you'll see the word, 'ring'. Yes. They buy and wear matching rings, and no, it's not a proposal. This is something I could never imagine happening in an American relationship. Asking a man to wear a matching ring with me would send him running away faster than Wile E chasing Road Runner. But here, it's something cute. It's a promise.

Some couples give these rings on other days, too. Maybe Valentine's day or your 100th day.

In America, we count the months. "Jan! We've been together for SIX MONTHS. We're totally getting married!" (I made my boyfriend come over on our six month-iversary to cook him dinner. No shame.)

But here in Korea they celebrate days. 100 days, 200 days, 300 days, 1000 days... It's a cute way to mark milestones, I think. I guess on your 100 days, people give you 100 won (ten cents?), 200 won on your 200 days... And so on.

Today is my 200! Haha :)

There is more to a relationship than this, but it's difficult for me to try and sum up something like how an entire culture is in general. There are good things, bad things, whatever things... But it's your relationship, so make it yours. Celebrate what you want, wear what you want, say what you want.

There's chicken in the other room, so I need to go now. But I'd like to do a part two somewhere down the road.

Till next time~

Don't You Dare, Dragon

"Don't worry! Just watch me twirl!"

Right now we are teaching the song version of the book Don't You Dare, Dragon. It's really cute!

I realize it's been over a month since I've posted. I'm so sorry! ㅠ ㅠ

Since I've posted, quite a bit has happened...

My art class is going well- the number of students who come each week is growing, and the art they make is really cool! I also like them as people, and it's so nice to be able to talk with them without so much of a language barrier (as opposed to my third and sixth graders). :D

May 3rd was Sports Day. Usually there is only a small sports day in the spring, but since the principal wanted to do a talent show in the fall again this year, our Sports Day was a little bigger. It was so much fun to watch! I took pictures of the students and the events. I got some really great ones! I'd love to share them on here, but they're young and I don't want to post pictures of their faces on the internet, especially without consent.

Every grade was split into two, creating the White Team and the Blue Team. Each grade competed in activities and races, winning points for their team. This year, the White Team won! Congrats ;)


May seems to be a big month for special days... May 5th was Children's Day, May 8th was Parent's Day, May 14th was Rose Day, and yesterday, May 15th, was Teacher's Day.

May 14th was also the day of my final exam for the 2A level in Korean at Sogang University. I forgot some things on the written exam, and as always, I totally forgot any answers I wrote down in response to the interview questions during the actual interview. But it seems to have gone well, though! I'll learn the results from both exams next week.

Now, Teacher's Day was super cute! I received quite a few letters, notes, food, and a flower! Some of our students from last year who moved on to middle school came back to visit, too! As well as some students who left this school before I came... It's fun to see how they've changed! Even the third grade students from last year are SO MUCH taller this year, already! It's kind of crazy to watch how quickly children develop.

Today the current third graders are going on a picnic! So, I won't be teaching today~
I will, however, head into Seoul to gander at some turpentine and linseed oil. Because tomorrow is Buddha's birthday, everyone is off from school! (Hahaha, and you thought I listed all of the holidays! Or forgot about Buddha, but that wouldn't happen...) So this weekend is threeeewhooooledays!

A lot of people vacation during this break, but since I want to save up money for summer and winter travels, I'm going to keep it local. :)

Also, today is my 200 days ^^
So, I think it is a good time to write about Korean relationships~
Maybe I'll do that later today ;)


Take care
xox

Threats of North Korea

I've been seeing a fair number of posts on Facebook and I've been asked about the situation by my family, so I thought I would write a little blurb about what's been happening with North Korea.

This won't turn into some advertisement for living in South Korea, nor should it by any means be read like I have a degree in some form of international relations. But because I'm living here in South Korea, and because I've been reading articles posted by Korea, Canada, England, and America I do want to share my thoughts.

The world is not going to end.

South Koreans have become numb and deaf to the threats of the North for the most part. Threats are a preferred strategy for North Korea in order to get other countries into negotiations with them, as they are in constant need of more food and money.

But with the young, new leader, who many think is incompetent and being controlled by men behind the scenes, as well as the types of threats being made, and the form of rhetoric being used, there are some who do worry. Kim Jong-un did not have the training his father had. He wasn't even known to the world until shortly before the death of his father. Will he do something stupid? Will he go too far? Does he want to assert himself as a leader to be taken seriously, or even feared? These are questions that even I myself wonder.

Life here is normal, though. No one is stocking up on food or emptying their bank accounts. People still laugh and go to movies, bars, and shopping malls. I haven't been instructed to locate any shelters near my house. The situation with North Korea has not impacted daily life.

But there is some cause for concern. Not in the vastly out of proportion way you can find  in any American article where fear is a top seller for news, but in a more honest, suspenseful way. As I was talking to my co-teacher about all of this, she pointed out how South Koreans should be more aware of North Korea. That being numb to their threats isn't really such a good thing. To paraphrase her, 'North Korea is the biggest threat to South Korea.' The situation isn't dire and no one is afraid for their life, but if something can hurt South Korea, it's probably the North.

The North has cut the military hotline that runs between North and South Korea, but it's not the first time. And the line for air-traffic between the two Koreas is still open, so not ALL communication has been cut-off. However, just this week the North has blocked South Korean entrance into the Kaesong complex, a joint industrial zone (this happened before in 2009). Still, I think this is a bit of a bigger deal because this zone makes so much money for the North. How much further will it escalate?

Hopefully not much more.

China is telling everyone to calm down. Russia is sending warnings. America is on stand-by waiting to "defend its ally". But still, I think this is a war no one wants, and that the hope is that it doesn't happen. If Korea went to war, there would be casualties- mostly Korean. And, after it ended, Kim Jong-un would likely lose everything. Is that something he would risk? I really don't think so.
(However, it has been pointed out that if the Koreas ever did reconcile, that the natural resources, products made, and work ethics here, when combined, would make Korea into quite a wealthy country. But who wants to lose power right now?)

So, everyone... Yes. There are threats. And, yes, North Korea is able to inflict a bit of damage if it decides to do so. But the consensus on this matter seems to be that it's unlikely. There is a bit of uneasiness when I think about the situation, but I'm not afraid. A little worried and anxious for the outcome, but I think I worried more about what score I was going to get back from my final exam at Sogang University last semester.

If you want to follow news on North Korea with BBC, here is the link, but please don't fret too much. If the situation becomes dire, the embassies will contact all of the foreigners here. Although, there are many reasons I hope that phone call never comes. I don't want to leave yet, and I don't want my Korean friends to be in danger or dragged into a war. But, again, it's unlikely.

Kim Jong-un, whatcha gonna do~?


I don't know if this helped, or will help, but this is how I feel. I can't put you at ease, and it's nonsensical to hype you up. But I can tell you not to freak out. Seriously, don't. All anyone can do now is wait and see what happens.

Have any thoughts? Comment or let me know :)

AAAHHHHHHH...hooray?

Good afternoon. Morning. Night. Evening.

Hello. :)

The weather is finally started to get nicer! It was beautiful for a while, but then the cold kicked in. In Korea, this pre-spring cold is called '꽃샘추위' (ggoht-saem-chu-oui). So basically, here's the story:

As spring begins to come to Korea, the weather gets jealous (샘) of the beautiful flowers (꽃) that start to appear and because of this jealousy, the weather turns cold (추위) to smite the beautiful flowers.

Interesting, yeah?

From what I've seen and heard, it looks like the weather has been jealous of more countries than just Korea! I noticed that Detroit has been having just about the same weather as us... (See, it's kind of like we're still together!)

And so, March comes to a cold end. Will April be different? I sure hope so. I've been wearing the same friggin' coat since November.

Speaking of April, April 1st is a Monday... Should I message my friends and say that we don't have to go in to work that day? Maybe say I saw an article or got a call from my co-teacher? That might be mean, though... And I'd feel terrible if they actually skipped because of me. Not that any of my friends would believe me, anyway.

Right now my co-teacher is actually in Gyeongju. I went there a little while ago... It was nice! I even wrote a blog on it. ;) But, she's there with all ~120some sixth graders, so I don't know how it's really going. The nice thing is that I have no classes tomorrow! I still have to go in to work, but I don't teach since Fridays are when we teach sixth grade.

I won't just be desk warming, though! I've taken on an after-school position at a high school in Bucheon (my city). Wednesday and Friday evenings I'll be teaching art!! HOORAAAAYYYYYY!! :D So, tomorrow will be spent making demos and powerpoints for as far ahead as I am capable of doing. With Monday mornings dedicated to teaching the school different songs, I also need to prep for that...

Busy, busy.

And Korean is starting to become difficult, too. Man, I really hate grammar. Hate. Why do you use so many different attachments in one sentence, Koreans?! One or two, okay. Three or four, I've lost. I can understand it, but I seriously feel like I'll never be able to just make a sentence like that. 아이고. But it's still the beginning! Keep on truckin'.

Ha, I hate trucks more than I hate grammar.


Keep on groovin'. I like grooving.


Keep on groovin', everyone! Don't let the cold or grammar keep you down! ;)