Diary Topic: After learning about past and present world leaders, pretend that Abraham Lincoln was still alive. What would you ask him or what would you say to him?
Dear Abraham Lincoln,
I respect you. You are handsome and honesty. I think you are so great, man. But mostly, you are soooooo handsome!! Especially, you are so tall. I want to be tall too so I will be more handsome like you. You are a good people because you delete slavery. What is your height?
- Owen, grade 6
Being tall in Korea is collectively understood as a virtuous characteristic that can ostensibly distinguish between attractive and unattractive persons. To Westerners, this vain outlook on appearance is something we are not exactly used to but can easily draw parallels to our "need to be skinny" culture. Appearance and prosperity are far more important to Koreans when looking for a mate or significant other. Ofcourse I wouldn't disregard those two features as completely irrelevant. Growing up with Jewish parents, I was reminded almost daily that my future husband must be 4 things: Jewish, rich, does not drive a motorcylce and is without piercings or tattoos. However, my personal feelings differ.
Just last week my boss took the foriegn teachers and I out for lunch. The car ride to the restaurant is always a bit awkward mainly because of the small space and the language barrier, but nevertheless the 4 of us managed to make small conversation. Our boss then proceeded to ask us all about our love life (or lack of) which kind of took me off guard. In Korea, relationships are praised and envied by others. Stores around the city sell "couple sets" which are matching outfits for couples, head to toe. There are also restaurant "couple set menus" where for one price, you can order a meal for two and various cafes set up with tables of two in a seemingly romantic environment (one coffee chain is even called The Twosome Place). So it is clear the country cators (or trys to cator) to youthful, sexless...uhh i mean unseasoned couples.
Tieing the knot at a young age is highly desireable in Korea. I'm sure I've mentioned before that Korean's overall, live with their parents until they marry and since most live in apartments rather than houses, sharing rooms with family members is extremely common. Yes, there are "love motels" all over the country, and various other arenas of the sort, it still doesn't leave many options for young lovers to spend time alone together. Anyways, my boss asking me that question would seem bizarre or even a little inappropriate back in Canada, however in Korea, it is merely a question of pride. I mean, if wearing a (planned out) matching outfit, walking hand in hand with your boyfriend/girlfriend isn't a sign of pride or confidence, I don't know what is? As we pulled up to the restaurant, my boss made mention that ofcourse, he loves his wife, but the two main characteristics he looked for in a mate were, "money and face".
Moreover, I still find it amusing when my female students, right in the middle of class, where we could be discussing Terry Fox's battle with cancer or homeless people in America, will still pull out a hair comb and a "Beauty and the Beast" mirror (you know those hand held mirrors that look like the mirror from Beauty and the Beast) and start "fixing themselves" in class! I'll usually make a comment or just stop talking completely, starring at them in disbelief until everyone feels uncomfotable, but I think the worst I have done when this situation occurs (and trust me, it happens regularly) is walk up to the culprit as soon as she's finished beautifying herself and mess up her hair as viciously and spitefully as I possibly can. Yes, I know, I am probably 13 years older than them but...COME ON!
Well last weekend I decided to treat myself to a pedicure with 2 girlfriends. This wasn't just your average pedicure...it was far more tickleish and slimy. We went for a "fish pedicure" where you dip your feet into a communal tub and hundreds of tiny fish with baby teeth attack your feet like bees to a hive. It was a very strange feeling, almost overwelming at first, but we eventually got used to it and at least all my dead skin was enjoyed as an afternoon snack.
So on a different topic (sorry if that grossed you out) my Korean seems to be improving a little, however I find myself learning more from my mistakes than from actually being taught the language. My grade 2's are just learning English and therefore end up speaking Korean in class more than I should allow. The other day one student yelled from the back of the class, "Teacher!!! PEE!!!!" Pointing to his leg under the desk, I figured I was about to be dealing with a pour embarassed student who just peed his pants. The other students in the class starting saying words in Korean which by their reations, probably went something like, "eww, gross, etc, etc. Feeling terrible for this little boy, I walked over to him and he then pointed to his leg where there was nothing but a tiny cut and some blood. I later was informed that "Pee" in Korean means "blood". Go figure.
Lastly, and probably most embarassing for me, is my consistent mispronunciation of Korean words. I still sometimes get into taxis, say the name of my neighbourhood in Korean and am given a blank stare in response. Once the taxi driver finally understands my desired location, I am still unable to point out the difference in both of our articulations. Apparently one sound, or a single letter can mean a completely different idea. For example, if students are misbehaving in class we are told to threaten them with sending the mischievious child to the principals office. However, in Korea, they obviously don't refer to it as "the principals office" rather, "Hwa Jung Shil" is what might connote feelings of panic and fear for the students. For 10.5 months now, I have been using this korean term when threatening or simply scaring a child into doing what I want of them, and maybe 7 out of 10 times I have 2 or 3 children chuckling at their desk. I mostly disregard the laughs because Korean students, for some reason or another, absolutely love getting eachother in trouble. "Teacher, Harry spoke Korean!!" or "Teacher, he's cunning!!" (cunning=cheating), nevertheless, I did't associate the laughs with my doing. I was TERRIBLY mistaken. The Korean word for "bathroom" happens to be exceptionally close to "Principals office" and is prunounced "Wong jung Shil". Unknowingly, I have been constantly interchanging the two and didn't even have a clue! So, when attempting to discipline my students, I immediately lose all credability when my threats go something like,
"If you speak Korean in class one more time, I'm sending you to the washroom!!!!" or "Don't use your cell phone in class. I am bringing your cell phone to the bathroom and you will have to explain why it's in there!" or "Teacher, I didn't do my homework." With a response of, "Thats the third time, go to the washroom for the rest of class!" "But teacher..." "GO!"
And on the other side, I now understand the reason for the blatent stares when I ask a server at a restaurant where I can find the directors office???
10.5 months in and I'm still learning something new everyday.
I have a meeting tomorrow to discuss my final day of work. It won't be in a bathroom.
Miss you all.
Write more soon!
Signing off,
Gillian Teacha
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