I'd do him
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Coffee Shop Girls
God I love em. Every race creed and color, I love em. I know they're paid to be nice and accomodating, but there's something about that pony-tail and that shy smile. They will one day be the death of me I'm sure.
See You on the Dark Side
See You on the Dark Side
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Diplomacy
Damn it.
3 weeks in and I've already managed to befriend the two teachers who, out of nowhere, have developed an intense and fiery hatred for each other. Consequently, I managed to have my first "Leave Me The Hell Out Of It" conversation. This has presented it's own set of difficulties in a culture where politeness and the semblance of agreement is prized more than honesty. You see, in the States I could use such choice vocabulary as, oh, say... "Leave Me The Hell Out Of It", but the combination of the fact that I share an "office" with both of them and the aforementioned affinity for face-saving prevents me from being as efficient as I would like. So, I learn a new skill: The Art of the Honeyed Tongue (minds out of the gutter my lesbies :p), by which I mean careful diplomatic treading of the estrogen minefield that is my work environment.
As for work, things are much better since I gritted my teeth and surrendered my sense of self-importance. A painful process as those of you who've actually met me can attest. So for now, all's well on all but maybe the Northern Fronts.
See you on the Dark Side
3 weeks in and I've already managed to befriend the two teachers who, out of nowhere, have developed an intense and fiery hatred for each other. Consequently, I managed to have my first "Leave Me The Hell Out Of It" conversation. This has presented it's own set of difficulties in a culture where politeness and the semblance of agreement is prized more than honesty. You see, in the States I could use such choice vocabulary as, oh, say... "Leave Me The Hell Out Of It", but the combination of the fact that I share an "office" with both of them and the aforementioned affinity for face-saving prevents me from being as efficient as I would like. So, I learn a new skill: The Art of the Honeyed Tongue (minds out of the gutter my lesbies :p), by which I mean careful diplomatic treading of the estrogen minefield that is my work environment.
As for work, things are much better since I gritted my teeth and surrendered my sense of self-importance. A painful process as those of you who've actually met me can attest. So for now, all's well on all but maybe the Northern Fronts.
See you on the Dark Side
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Back In The Shackles Again...
Vacations over kiddos.
Yup, I couldn't figure a way out of it, so I finally had to get a cell phone. Hopefully I can keep this somewhat under wraps and I won't have to deal too much with the unnecessary calling and texting and calling and texting and weeping and gnashing of teeth when I don't call or text back. I don't think this place is ready for my no nonsense personal cell phone policies.
You see, a cell phone is not a necessity, it is a convenience. My convenience. Not yours. I am not at your beck and call. I have a job, and I shower, and I sleep, and I listen to music, and I go to the movies, and I have OTHER FRIENDS, but most importantly SOMETIMES I LIKE TO BE ALONE. Actually most of the time I like being alone, but I'm making a concerted effort to meet new people because imaginary friends are not as much fun to blow off.
On the up side, I've made some breakthroughs on the teaching front. I was hesitant to use this particular trick of the trade because it makes me feel like I'm not doing my job, but with this class I had no other viable option. I pawned them off on each other. And it worked! They're at least an order of magnitude more talkative with each other than they are when they're talking to me. I guess whatever gets them to practice their spoken English is my job, so I can take this one as a win, even when I feel like I'm just standing around soaking up cash.
See You on the Dark Side.
Yup, I couldn't figure a way out of it, so I finally had to get a cell phone. Hopefully I can keep this somewhat under wraps and I won't have to deal too much with the unnecessary calling and texting and calling and texting and weeping and gnashing of teeth when I don't call or text back. I don't think this place is ready for my no nonsense personal cell phone policies.
You see, a cell phone is not a necessity, it is a convenience. My convenience. Not yours. I am not at your beck and call. I have a job, and I shower, and I sleep, and I listen to music, and I go to the movies, and I have OTHER FRIENDS, but most importantly SOMETIMES I LIKE TO BE ALONE. Actually most of the time I like being alone, but I'm making a concerted effort to meet new people because imaginary friends are not as much fun to blow off.
On the up side, I've made some breakthroughs on the teaching front. I was hesitant to use this particular trick of the trade because it makes me feel like I'm not doing my job, but with this class I had no other viable option. I pawned them off on each other. And it worked! They're at least an order of magnitude more talkative with each other than they are when they're talking to me. I guess whatever gets them to practice their spoken English is my job, so I can take this one as a win, even when I feel like I'm just standing around soaking up cash.
See You on the Dark Side.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Attitude Check
I suck at blogging.
Truth be told it stems from a lack of ability to express myself in the manner in which other bloggers seem to have such skill. And yes, I am comparing myself to other bloggers, some of which have actually been trained in writing (thpppt).
"But Whiskey," you say, "Why should you care how others write? It's your blog and you should write it however you please and bugger all of those people who may or may not judge you for your vocabulary and grammatical accuracy."
Well, I do, so nyah. Call me insecure if you must, but forgive me for actually wanting to use the verbal skill that I know I have but can't seem to bring to bear in an actual spoken conversation due to a deep-seated fear of tripping over my own words in real time.
Also I'm kind of lazy.
That's all the self-deprecation you get from me.
I would say it's been a busy week for me, but that wouldn't necessarily be true. I actually spend an inordinate amount of time sifting through the various movies and crime dramas on television.
"But Whiskey," you say, "You're in another country with a whole new culture to explore and people to meet and sites to see. Why are you sitting in your room watching TV?"
You would be absolutely correct. I don't like the fact that I'm reduced to that most insidious of time-wasters. As a matter of fact, I hate it. However, seeing as I spent my last two months in the States unemployed and Korea is more expensive than my last residence and my first paycheck doesn't come for another month and every available remaining penny is in a secluded place here in country, I have to be sparing with my cash. This is unfortunate due to the fact that there are a lot of holidays in May offering several opportunities for me to go out and do some super cool things. I have managed pretty well so far though. I went to Seoul last weekend with ImNoPicasso (I would link her blog, but I haven't figured out the html linky thing-a-ma-jig yet) to see the lantern festival parade which was a fantastic cultural experience. Meandering around and getting lost in Seoul is everything I expected it to be.
On a more professional note, I'm beginning to lose my patience with one of my classes. I can feel it. I know I shouldn't, especially as a teacher and especially this early on, but there it is. I understand that speaking another language is intimidating, I really do. But these are not children and they have demonstrated the ability to do so repeatedly and with reasonable proficiency in class with their peers present, but never without me singling them out and forcing them to do so. I teach adult classes, so I know it's not teenage awkwardness, and they're choosing to spend their own money to come every day so I know it's not that they don't want to be there. I try to be as encouraging as humanly possible on the odd occasion that one does voluntarily choose to speak, but to no avail. I really want to help them learn, but I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to do in my one CONVERSATIONAL English class that chooses not to converse. Thankfully none of my bosses have been on my back about it yet, so I guess there've been no complaints, which is good.
Whatever, I'll figure it out or get over it.
Sorry about the bitchin'
See you on the Dark Side
Truth be told it stems from a lack of ability to express myself in the manner in which other bloggers seem to have such skill. And yes, I am comparing myself to other bloggers, some of which have actually been trained in writing (thpppt).
"But Whiskey," you say, "Why should you care how others write? It's your blog and you should write it however you please and bugger all of those people who may or may not judge you for your vocabulary and grammatical accuracy."
Well, I do, so nyah. Call me insecure if you must, but forgive me for actually wanting to use the verbal skill that I know I have but can't seem to bring to bear in an actual spoken conversation due to a deep-seated fear of tripping over my own words in real time.
Also I'm kind of lazy.
That's all the self-deprecation you get from me.
I would say it's been a busy week for me, but that wouldn't necessarily be true. I actually spend an inordinate amount of time sifting through the various movies and crime dramas on television.
"But Whiskey," you say, "You're in another country with a whole new culture to explore and people to meet and sites to see. Why are you sitting in your room watching TV?"
You would be absolutely correct. I don't like the fact that I'm reduced to that most insidious of time-wasters. As a matter of fact, I hate it. However, seeing as I spent my last two months in the States unemployed and Korea is more expensive than my last residence and my first paycheck doesn't come for another month and every available remaining penny is in a secluded place here in country, I have to be sparing with my cash. This is unfortunate due to the fact that there are a lot of holidays in May offering several opportunities for me to go out and do some super cool things. I have managed pretty well so far though. I went to Seoul last weekend with ImNoPicasso (I would link her blog, but I haven't figured out the html linky thing-a-ma-jig yet) to see the lantern festival parade which was a fantastic cultural experience. Meandering around and getting lost in Seoul is everything I expected it to be.
On a more professional note, I'm beginning to lose my patience with one of my classes. I can feel it. I know I shouldn't, especially as a teacher and especially this early on, but there it is. I understand that speaking another language is intimidating, I really do. But these are not children and they have demonstrated the ability to do so repeatedly and with reasonable proficiency in class with their peers present, but never without me singling them out and forcing them to do so. I teach adult classes, so I know it's not teenage awkwardness, and they're choosing to spend their own money to come every day so I know it's not that they don't want to be there. I try to be as encouraging as humanly possible on the odd occasion that one does voluntarily choose to speak, but to no avail. I really want to help them learn, but I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to do in my one CONVERSATIONAL English class that chooses not to converse. Thankfully none of my bosses have been on my back about it yet, so I guess there've been no complaints, which is good.
Whatever, I'll figure it out or get over it.
Sorry about the bitchin'
See you on the Dark Side
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Le Weep...
My God...
I found it...
It was so beautiful.
And Homeplus is my new best friend.
Tucked away in a corner amidst bottle after bottle of unrefined swill, I struck the motherload. A glittering treasure trove of maroon boxes with smooth gold lettering spelling out hours of pure sipping bliss was a stash of Macallen 12 year scotch. At a mere 89,000 won ($90 or so US) which I am more than willing to pay for the luxury of having a steady supply at my fingertips. It wll be a more occasional treat than it used to be, but it's there, which is of endless comfort to me.
I cried a little.
See you on the Dark Side
I found it...
It was so beautiful.
And Homeplus is my new best friend.
Tucked away in a corner amidst bottle after bottle of unrefined swill, I struck the motherload. A glittering treasure trove of maroon boxes with smooth gold lettering spelling out hours of pure sipping bliss was a stash of Macallen 12 year scotch. At a mere 89,000 won ($90 or so US) which I am more than willing to pay for the luxury of having a steady supply at my fingertips. It wll be a more occasional treat than it used to be, but it's there, which is of endless comfort to me.
I cried a little.
See you on the Dark Side
Monday, May 10, 2010
This place is awesome!
I swear there is a reason that it's been a while since I've posted. I've been getting used to my environment. Finding my way around town, getting the stuff I need to get in and out of Seoul, figuring out how to spend my money so I don't run out before I get paid, and generally getting into the Rhythm of this place has been pretty time and energy consuming.
It seems that this town has become quickly comfortable, even though much of it is alien and difficult. Going it alone has presented both challenges and payoffs in the last week or so. I've had a lot of low moments where I've questioned my decision to come here and do this job wth no training and little if any guidance in terms of how to find a social niche, and those times have been particularly poignant when it's 3am in the States and all of the people I would have talked to about it are asleep. However, those moments have been completely offset by fantastic encounters and experiences that would have been impossible had I not made this leap. From being welcomed to Korea by a smiling Buddhist monk on the street who didn't speak a word of English to meeting up with Internet people who go ridiculously and quite literally out of their way to be helpful (thanks Liz, I had a blast!), to my first drag show experience outside of the station (which I will post as soon as I upload it), to a last minute day trip into Seoul to a beautiful park and a crushingly crowded shopping district full of Waegookin of all races.
I have to give a shout out to the expat community here who have been my lifeline and have been more helpful than I could possibly have hoped as well as the immensely friendly Koreans who have endless patience with my fumbling about. You don't really think about the simple things that you don't know, like how to find a restaurant that will let you eat alone, or where you go to get groceries or how to operate your washing machine which is, of course, completely labeled in Korean until you're starving and have no clean underwear.
I've adopted a new idea for myself: Born Lucky. I have no idea how I managed to stumble into a situation where many of the hardships other teachers have faced have completely passed me by, but I'm taking it as a confirmation from the universe that this is in fact a good road for me to be on, and while I miss my friends and family terribly, I'm very happy here which is a new experience for me.
I'll talk more about some of these things later, but this has gotten long enough and I have to sleep so I can get up at 530 am.
See you on the Dark Side
It seems that this town has become quickly comfortable, even though much of it is alien and difficult. Going it alone has presented both challenges and payoffs in the last week or so. I've had a lot of low moments where I've questioned my decision to come here and do this job wth no training and little if any guidance in terms of how to find a social niche, and those times have been particularly poignant when it's 3am in the States and all of the people I would have talked to about it are asleep. However, those moments have been completely offset by fantastic encounters and experiences that would have been impossible had I not made this leap. From being welcomed to Korea by a smiling Buddhist monk on the street who didn't speak a word of English to meeting up with Internet people who go ridiculously and quite literally out of their way to be helpful (thanks Liz, I had a blast!), to my first drag show experience outside of the station (which I will post as soon as I upload it), to a last minute day trip into Seoul to a beautiful park and a crushingly crowded shopping district full of Waegookin of all races.
I have to give a shout out to the expat community here who have been my lifeline and have been more helpful than I could possibly have hoped as well as the immensely friendly Koreans who have endless patience with my fumbling about. You don't really think about the simple things that you don't know, like how to find a restaurant that will let you eat alone, or where you go to get groceries or how to operate your washing machine which is, of course, completely labeled in Korean until you're starving and have no clean underwear.
I've adopted a new idea for myself: Born Lucky. I have no idea how I managed to stumble into a situation where many of the hardships other teachers have faced have completely passed me by, but I'm taking it as a confirmation from the universe that this is in fact a good road for me to be on, and while I miss my friends and family terribly, I'm very happy here which is a new experience for me.
I'll talk more about some of these things later, but this has gotten long enough and I have to sleep so I can get up at 530 am.
See you on the Dark Side
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Why do I hate myself?
One would think that in all of my research over the last many moons, I would be better prepared for the social scene here. One would be wrong though.
As I mentioned earlier, I went out with some of the other teachers the other night where I experienced the full force of native peer pressure. We went to this really cool little bar with kind of a middle eastern theme and had some finger food and beer, after which we went to another bar and met up with another of the teachers and one of her friends. It was here that I really should have stopped. I don't drink tequila, unless apparently there are five koreans shoving it in my hand and demanding I drink it. But I did, just for the sake of politeness.
Now, I mentioned I should have stopped. But as you can probably deduce by this point stopping was not, it would seem, an option. I was next taken to an "expat" club which is a giant screaming pulsating blinking multicultural monstrosity that never ceases to suck unfortunate passersby into it's gaping maw of dance and doom. Needless to say I had a blast. But all of that fun comes at a price, and I have once again decided it is a price I am unwilling to pay. After having spent an entire day lying around making unsuccessful attempts to keep something in my stomach, I have a new mission and I need your help.
If any of you kids out there enjoy a nip every now and then, but not to excess, I need to know how you go out with people here and have some fun while maintaining your general sobriety and not causing offense. Help a brother out, yo!
See you on the Dark Side
As I mentioned earlier, I went out with some of the other teachers the other night where I experienced the full force of native peer pressure. We went to this really cool little bar with kind of a middle eastern theme and had some finger food and beer, after which we went to another bar and met up with another of the teachers and one of her friends. It was here that I really should have stopped. I don't drink tequila, unless apparently there are five koreans shoving it in my hand and demanding I drink it. But I did, just for the sake of politeness.
Now, I mentioned I should have stopped. But as you can probably deduce by this point stopping was not, it would seem, an option. I was next taken to an "expat" club which is a giant screaming pulsating blinking multicultural monstrosity that never ceases to suck unfortunate passersby into it's gaping maw of dance and doom. Needless to say I had a blast. But all of that fun comes at a price, and I have once again decided it is a price I am unwilling to pay. After having spent an entire day lying around making unsuccessful attempts to keep something in my stomach, I have a new mission and I need your help.
If any of you kids out there enjoy a nip every now and then, but not to excess, I need to know how you go out with people here and have some fun while maintaining your general sobriety and not causing offense. Help a brother out, yo!
See you on the Dark Side
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