I remember when I was a little girl in Elementary school.   My mom showed me her Hanbok (Korean traditional dress) and helped me put it on.  It was beautiful.   The dress was a nearly iridescent shade of white with colorful flowers and designs sewn into it.   Since I was little, it didn’t quite fit properly.  I remember taking the  jeogori (the upper part of the hanbok) to school for show and tell.   What makes the jeogori is the otgoreum, which is the ribbon that ties it together.   There is a certain way to tie it.  I remember my mom trying to show me how to tie it.   Sadly, the day I showed it to my classmates, I could not tie it.   Nevertheless, my classmates were still interested in it.

Flash forward years later when I was fully grown.   I once again tried on the hanbok, but my shoulders were too broad.   I could no longer wear it.   Since then, I longed for a hanbok of my own.   I remember researching websites where hanboks were sold.   I had no idea I would ever visit South Korea, so my only option was online shopping.

The prices were expensive.   The cheapest hanboks ran for $250.00.  The most expensive ones were being sold for $500.00.   I then realized that it would take me years to buy a hanbok of my own.

Two and a half years ago I moved to South Korea to teach English.   Where I lived there were stores selling hanboks.    I remember my first day in Incheon.   My co-teacher and principal took me out to buy bedding.   Where we went to was a small indoor market that sold not only bedding, but hanboks as well.   I wanted to stop and look.   They were all very beautiful with wonderful vivid colors.    Time passed by and I never bought one.

My mother told me to wait until someday she visits me to buy a hanbok.    I waited and waited patiently.    The time never came properly.   It was okay though.  I knew I was going to stay here for a good amount of time and there were plenty of times where my mother could visit.

I did, however, had the opportunity to wear hanboks that were not my own during my first year of living in South Korea.

At the Bupyeong Festival trying on a hanbok for the first time in South Korea. Oh and yes, this is a picture of a picture since I don't have a scanner~ haha... (Spring, 2009)

My first Korean Lunar New Years was spent in Yeosu with my mother’s family.   My mother’s family knew how much I wanted to wear a hanbok.   My eldest Aunt lent me one of her’s (or maybe it was one that belonged to one of her daughters).   That was the first time I officially wore a hanbok.

Wearing a hanbok for the Lunar New Years. I was on my way to my grandmother's house. My eldest Aunt lent me the hanbok. (Lunar New Years, 2010)

After the Lunar New Years, I went out with my cousin and my eldest Aunt to try on hanboks.   I told the both of them I was only wanted to look and not buy.   We spent some time at the hanbok store.  My eldest Aunt spoke to the hankbok seamstress/owner.   After a short while, I tried one on.   The skirt spread out a lot wider than the one above.  For the first time, I felt really pretty wearing a hanbok.   Sadly,  hanboks in Korea are also quite expensive.  I once again told myself to keep waiting.

Around the summer time my best friend, Miranda, and I went to Insadong to buy traditional Korean gifts for our families back home.   We past a place where you could get your picture taken wearing hanboks.   It was very appealing, so we went for it.   There were two sets of hanboks.  Miranda wore the one for a queen and I wore the one worn by a princess.

Miranda and I wearing haboks in Insadong (Summer, 2010)

February 2011 rolled around.   It was graduation time for the students here in South Korea.   My cousin, Miseon, was graduating for the Foreign Language High School here in Incheon.   I met with my Aunt Bongcha, and my Uncle who are Miseon’s parents.   We drove to Miseon’s high school and watched her graduate via a TV in her classroom.  Afterwards Miseon and her classmates came to the classroom to be congratulated by their friends and families.   We did no stay very long, because we were going to see mine and Miseon’s Aunt in Bucheon.  Our Aunt wanted to give Miseon a very nice gift from the store she works at, which turned out to be one of many expensive clothing stores here in South Korea.

I don’t know how the subject came up or how it even started.   My Aunt Bongcha started to talk to my Uncle about hanboks.   She first told him she wanted to give one of her’s to me as a gift.   I was very surprised and happy at the same time.  All I could say to my Aunt was, “Thank you.”   Not too long after that, my Aunt and Uncle changed their minds and decided to take me to a hanbok store instead.   Mine and Miseon’s Aunt knew of one not too far.   My family then decided to go over there after lunch.

The store was small, but on along the wall were many hanboks hung up.   My cousin and I were given a book with pictures of different hanboks.   We looked through each page trying to decide which ones were the prettiest.   The one we both agreed on was a hanbok that had bright spring colors.  The top part of the hanbok was a pale yellow.  The sleeves were shades of pinks, yellow, blue, and purple.   It was gorgeous.   Miseon and I especially loved the skirt.   The color was a darker pink and the decoration of the skirt was at the bottom.  There were tiny triangular openings that showed a different design.  The design’s color was a purplish pink adorned with flowers sewn in.  To top off the opening was a single butterfly.   Once Miseon and I spotted the design we knew it was the one for me.    After choosing the hanbok my Aunt and Uncle expressed their wishes to buy it for me.   Okay, so given a hanbok that is passed down from a family member is truly sentimental and I would have been more happy with just that.   Now my Aunt and Uncle scratched that idea and wanted to buy a hanbok for me.   I didn’t knew what to think.   I felt nearly speechless for the rest of the day.

After trying on a similar hanbok and getting my measurements taken the wait process began.

Two weeks later I received my hanbok, which was delivered by the seamstress herself.

Now, finally.. months later I am happy to show you my hanbok.   There were many parts of it.   I have only worn all of the parts that came with the hanbok once, which was when the seamstress helped me put it on.    Someday, I want to get professional pictures taken or go out with one of my friends to a park and take pictures together.    Maybe I will wear it for the Lunar New Years coming up next year.   Either way, until then I can only show you each piece individually.

shoes, purse, and accessory

The inner skirt

The outer skirt (Chima)

The details my cousin and I fell in love with

The inner jacket

The outer jacket (Jeogori). The purple ribbon is the Otgoreum. Yes, this is a funny angle, because I accidently took the picture with the jacket laying upside down. I should have turned the box around~ haha

It came with socks! ^_^

^_^ ❤

As you know I absolutely love Korean pop music (k-pop).   I have listened to a lot since I was about a sophomore in college.   The first group I listened to was Super Junior.  Super Junior, at least back then, consists of 13 male members.   Their happy/upbeat songs and great looks captivated my heart.  I was hooked and to this day they hold the number one place in my heart when it comes to k-pop.    There was also another group which consists of only nine members, but all female.  They were cute and bubbly and even now they are still cute and bubbly.  In fact, when I meet a Korean male I sometimes ask him, “Who is your favorite group?”  He will then answer, “Girls Generation!” or “SNSD!”  When I asked why it was always because of how each member was so cute.   At first, I was fond of SNSD and listened to their music, but after living in South Korea for a year I was introduced to a group with so much power and energy… 2ne1.  Move over SNSD… things just got a lot more fierce.

2ne1 is a group of four members:

CL

Park Bom

San Dara

Minzy (pronounced Minjy)

CL is the group leader and right behind her is Minzy, who is the youngest of the members.   CL and Minzy are like the equivalent of   G-Dragon and T.O.P of Big Bang.   Both CL and Minzy can both rap and sing, but are mostly known for their rapping skills.  Park Bom is the vocalist of the group and San Dara is that nice added touch of flair which is what 2ne1 needs to be completed with.   San Dara is the cute/bubbly one of the group but is still fierce just like the other three members.

What makes 2ne1 apart from the rest is how powerful their songs are.  I’m not just talking about the music, but the meaning in their songs.    The songs are about relationships and break-ups, but the girls always over power the break-ups and come out on top.   They sing about how strong they are, which I think inspires a lot of young adults.

2ne1 has come out with two albums, but they have just released their third.   This is not a full album though.  It is a mini album consisting of only six songs:

내가 제일 잘나가 (I am the Best)

UGLY

Lonely

Don’t Cry

Hate You

Don’t Stop the Music

What’s interesting about this album, and something have never seen done before, is that there is a music video already out for each song.

Let’s start chronologically with the first being “Don’t Stop the Music.”

Already you can tell this is an upbeat song meant for dancing.  After looking up the English translations (and I don’t think I really needed those after reading the translation) it is exactly a song meant for getting up and dancing.   When I first heard this song that is all I wanted to do.   To be honest, because of this song’s beats and meaning I fell in love with 2ne1 even though they have come out with other songs and videos before this one.

“Don’t Cry” ~ Park Bom

As I said before, Park Bom is the vocalist in this group.  Before this song she also sang “You and I” which was also turned into a beautiful music video.   This song captures the feeling of hurt and grief, but in the song Park Bom continually says, “Baby, please don’t cry, even though you are hurt.”   In the video it shows her boyfriend disappearing, but I think that represents the end of their relationship together and even though Park Bom is the one shedding the tear, she wishes for her boyfriend to not cry even though things are over and it’s time to move on.

I love the meaning behind this song and I love Park Bom’s voice, but it took me a while to get used to the music track.   The song sounds like it could be a ballad, but with the music track it still keeps true to 2ne1’s sound: dance.

“Lonely”

Oh my goodness I absolutely love the guitar in this song, but that’s just the guitarist in me (looks up guitar tabs).  This is a pretty sad song, to be honest, and one can already guess that just by listening to the English lyrics.    2ne1 is pretty much saying, “No matter what I do, or what happens, I always end up alone or feel lonely.”  Hmm… usually 2ne1 sing songs about confidence and power, but this song adds balance to the rest of the album, which is very upbeat.   I really do like this song and shows how diverse 2ne1 can be.

“I’m the Best”

Yes!!!  2ne1 is the best!  This song is amazing and empowering.   The lyrics and music go along very, very well.   One could listen to this song for days on repeat.   I know I did.   This song is filled with so much confidence proving to everyone that 2ne1 is the best.   Even in the lyrics they say, “Are you better than me?  No, you’re not.”    Don’t take it the wrong way though, I don’t think 2ne1 is trying to say that they are better than everyone.  This song is to help yourself to feel confident and not  let others get you down.   Always think positive about yourself and not look down on others. ^_^

“Hate You”

First of all the music video is very original.   I have not watched an animated music video since the days of H.O.T.   The music video has  a good story line to it as well.  The girls are hunting down, who I’m guessing, a man who has a connection to Sandara (the one with brown hair).   In the beginning of the video CL is saying, “You suck and the world is filled with guys like you.   I have no reason to see you.”  This is a song dedicated to girls who have been in really bad relationships with guys who do nothing but lie and cheat.    I can relate to this song pretty well actually… haha.   I really do like this song especially when CL sings, “I’m fine living without you.”  because it’s true!

“Ugly”

Sometime in the future, 2ne1 will debut in the US with the help of Will.I.Am.   Some people think 2ne1 won’t make it.   Remember BoA trying to debut and barely getting two hits out of her album?  What about Se7en?  He only got to shoot one music video and I honestly don’t think it became a hit.  Now we have The Wonder Girls touring America and trying to produce thier American CD.   Sure, they toured with the Jones Brothers, but will they be as big as them someday?

YG Entertainment is amazing.   Not only did they produce a group of four amazing female singers, but three out of four of those singers can speak English fluently with little to no accent.   When it comes to Korean singers singing in English, it makes a huge difference.   Not only did YG produce 2ne1, but they have an amazing producer named, Teddy.  He was the one who wrote “Ugly.”  He was the one who added the chorus to the song.   The chorus is entirely in perfect English.   The best part, CL sings it and she is the best English speaker out of the rest of the group.  This song alone proves 2ne1 has a higher chance of becoming big in the US compared to other singers and groups.

No onto the song..

Ugly doesn’t just mean what’s on the outside.  It also means on the inside as well.  Some people think their personality is not what other people want to see.   That also includes their attitude.  I think what this song is trying to say is, “You don’t like me.  You prefer that beautiful girl you are with.   I’m beautiful too, but maybe her personality is better than mine.  Maybe I’m doing something wrong.  Maybe you think I’m ugly.  I want to be pretty.   Don’t like to me when you say I’m pretty and you’re with another girl.   That just makes me feel ugly.”   Does that make sense?

What happened to the confident, empowering, 2ne1?   Remember, 2ne1 is very diverse.

Overall I love this album.   This album came out this summer and it is a great summer album to listen to while you’re in the car or walking to meet up with someone.   It is also fun to dance to.   I actually love it when my gym plays songs sang by 2ne1.  I feel more energetic.   My trainer notices it too and  I finish my exercise reps a lot quicker without any pauses.

If you get the chance, watch the videos and enjoy the greatness that is 2ne1.

Thank  you, YG, for producing great music.

When I first decided to work and live in South Korea, I wanted to be single.  I didn’t want to have a boyfriend waiting for me back in America.  I made that mistake two months before I left for South Korea.   At least a year later, I’m single and ready to date!   However, there is a small problem… A lot of Korean men date western women for the wrong reasons, or are too shy to make the first move.   What’s funny is that before moving to South Korea (and being in a relationship) many of my close friends told me I would end up with a Korean man.   Funny how that hasn’t happened yet.  I have been on a few dates and have been on casual meetings.  They were great and wonderful, but nothing happened after that.

Difference between Korean men and American men (at least from my experience):

When I first started teaching I met my then male co-teacher.   He was very kind.   The first thing he said to me was not, “Hello!  How are you?”.  It was, “You’re so beautiful!”.  Excuse me, what?   After that I have had store clerks, owners of singing rooms, and small restaurant owners tell me how beautiful I am.   I never heard the words, “You are so beautiful!” spoken from any man I met in America or in Germany upon meeting them for the first time.

Thanks to Korean men and their honesty (and Korean women.. at least the older generation), I have felt more beautiful here in South Korea.   I have embraced my Korean features and fair skin and I’m really loving every single moment of it.  So why is it that Korean men find me beautiful (and my best friend beautiful as well), but still don’ t have the courage to take me (or my friend) out on a date?  If they do find the courage to do so, why isn’t there ever a second date?

On Dating:

Blind dates:  I have been on two blind dates here in South Korea.   The first one was set up by my adult student.  I taught adults at my last school and one of the older Korean mothers knew I was ready to start dating again and I was interested in Korean men.  She told me about her son.  I agreed to the date and her son took me out to see a movie and then dinner.   It was great.  I think he even rented a new car, because he told me he normally takes the bus or subway.   He was a nice guy, in his early 30’s, and had an alright job.   He dressed up really nice, which is something none of the guys I have dated in the past ever did.   I didn’t dress up the nines, but I also didn’t doll up that much.    It felt casual, but after the date.. I could tell my adult student’s son wasn’t what I was looking for.

The second blind date was set up by a good Korean friend of mine.  It went a lot better than the first.   We went to have dinner at Mr. Pizza and ended up talking for three hours straight!   I was so happy and told him I wanted to see him again.  He felt the same.  We did see each other again, but after that we didn’t.   Sadly he lived in Seoul and took quite a while to come to Incheon.  We haven’t met since.

Those were all last year.   I have not been on a blind date at all this year.

Language exchanges:

I have been on several language exchanges.  I have heard that sometimes the Korean man is looking for a western woman to date.   So far I have met none of those and only met guys who want to teach me Korean.  That is fine by me.   Meeting a Korean man through a language exchange is so far the least sketchiest way to meet someone you could possibly date in the future.

The men I have met only comes with the tutoring mind set.   I find it a bit uncomfortable being taught one-on-one by a male.   A good friend of mine (who is male) told me to tell my language partners that I’m only looking for friendship and not a male Korean tutor.   This will hopefully let the guy know that I just want to be friends and he will loosen up a bit and also possibly date in the future.

“So, we’re just friends, but why do you always pay?”

I have a friend who paid 90% of the time when we hung out.   He would pay for dinner and then whatever activity afterwards (usually cafe).   I did pay a few times, but I had to let him know I would pay or snatch the check before he did.   He never once asked me to pay.    Usually if  guy pays all of the time he is usually interested in you, right?   Well I asked my friend why he always paid and he thinks it’s because of the Korean culture.    Now my best friend and I are very confused about this.   This happens a lot on language exchanges when it is crystal clear the meeting is not a date.  So, why, oh why, Korean men… why do you pay?

Clubs, bars, and other related social areas:

This is not the best way to meet a guy in my opinion.  Recently I met a Korean man at a bar.  He asked for my number and he took me out on a date.  He payed for everything and was a complete gentleman.   However, his English level was low…  Not a bad thing, but it did make things harder.

I also met another guy from a really big club here in South Korea.  He too took me out on a date, but was a complete jerk to the waitress at my favorite Italian restaurant.    I eventually told him to stop calling me.   If you can’t be kind to other people, then I’m not going to give you the time or day to see me.

Clubs and bars are great to socialize and practice your English or Korean, but not an ideal place to meet a guy with whom you want to date.

Is it always going to be like this?

So many inter-dating couples are always like this: foreign man with a Korean woman.   Very rarely will you see the other way around.  Last week  I was out with my friend.  A Korean man asked me if my father was American and my mother was Korean, because I told him I was half and half.   My friend, who was with me, asked, “Can’t it be the other way?  Why can’t they assume it’s a Korean man with a foreign woman?”  Good question.

It’s sad how a lot of Korean men want to date foreign woman for the experience and nothing past that.    I think it really leads the woman on.   A Korean man can spend a good amount of time with a foreign woman, tell her he loves her, but in the end breaks up with her.   Is it always going to be this way though?  Some foreign women are lucky and find a very open Korean man with an open-minded family.    Another friend of mine has a Korean boyfriend and are very happy together.  I just hope it lasts and he isn’t like the Korean men my best friend and I have met.

There’s someone out there for everyone:

The best thing to do right now is to stay positive and bask in the thousands of compliments I get based off of my individual beauty.   It’s nice when  a Korean man meets me and says, “Oh, you are so beautiful!”, or, “You are very pretty!”    There is someone out there.   I know there is.  It’s just taking him a very long time to come and find me.   I really am interested in dating a Korean man, but he has to be open-minded.  I’m just happy I’m meeting men with very good jobs and educational backgrounds.   This is very different than the experience I had back in Germany and in America.   I really do look forward to the day I meet someone who I end up dating and hopefully going into a relationship with.  It will just take some time.  Luckily I’m pretty patient.

It’s been a while… let’s start posting again and back-blogging!

…for K-pop!

At the end of last year and the beginning of this year it has been all about YG and Big Bang.  First YG held a concert in Seoul showcasing Big Bang, 2NE1, Gummi, Se7en, and Psy.   It was the most amazing concert, featuring various artists, I have ever attended.   Then in December G-Dragon and T.O.P, from Big Bang, came out with their collab album.   It was basically the start of a huge comeback from Big Bang since they were away for a long time and haven’t made an album for their Korean fans in a couple of years.    After than came the release of Sungri’s, who is also from Big Bang, solo album.  If I were to rank him amongst the other Big Bang members, he would come in last.   He’s a great singer, but I never really paid much attention to him while he performed.   I’m not looking down on him, in fact since the release of his album… I like him a lot more now than before.  His album and his music videos blew me away.  I could not stop listening to it.  Lastly, and finally, Big Bang made a comeback with their 4th Mini Album.   A couple of days after Big Bang had their “Big Show” concert.  I, sadly, could not go due to stomach problems.   Despite all of that, I still listened to their album and still do… Wow.. I’m sounding like one huge Big Bang fan.   Honestly, Big Bang is my second favorite K-pop group here in South Korea.  The first one is Super Junior.

With all of these comebacks, I wonder how many concerts will go on this year.   There’s always Dream Concert, but I wonder if Super Junior will have another “Super Show” or if CNBlue will put on another concert since coming out with their first full fledged album.   I also hope YG will have another YG Family concert.  Either way, I look forward to going to concerts this year.  I’m very excited and what better way to spend time with my bestie, Miranda?  Okay, every time I’m with Miranda is fun… but it’s also a lot of fun going fan-girl crazy with her~ haha ^_^

I would like to show you my favorite songs from this year so far.  These are also the songs I look forward to the most being performed live.

Number 1~ “What is Right” by Big Bang

This is my favorite song on Big Bang’s 4th Mini Album.  I think a lot of it has to do with Taeyang.  He is an amazing singer and performer.  I loved his solo album and his Solar Concert.   I’m so glad he gets a lot of chances to sing in this song.   Also~ this song has a pretty cool beat and feel to it.

Number 2 ~ “0330” by U-Kiss

I don’t really listen to a lot of U-Kiss.  Whenever I do, it’s usually a really catchy-up beat song with lots of powerful dance moves and vocals.   Some of their songs will involve rapping, but this is the first time I have heard  rapping mixed in with a ballad by U-Kiss.   This song is like any Korean ballad.  It’s about a young man who misses a young woman he used to be with.   It’s the typical story for a ballad, but what makes it different is that it is so simple.  Usually a ballad would go knee deep into the plot and something hugely dramatic will happen.   U-Kiss just sings about how much the young man misses who he used to be with.   The simplicity of it is why I love this song so much.

Number 3 ~ 직감 [Title Song] by CNBLUE

I’ve been listening to a lot of rock music lately.  A lot of it has to do with the fact that I am starting to play the guitar again.  Nonetheless, I love CNBlue and their sound.  I saw them in concert last … November?  It was great and spectacular.  It was the best sit down rock concert I have ever seen.   Sadly, Miranda and I were sitting on the third floor.  I wish the crowd got into the performance and eventually everyone stood up, but alas no.   I hope CNBlue has another concert and this time Miranda and I are on the ground floor where everyone stands up to have fun and rock out along with CNBlue.

This is their comeback song and compared to their other songs, I think this one has a lot more guitar and more of a rock feel.  The overall album is great and very eclectic with the mix of ballads.

I wish all of these groups the best of luck in 2011 and in the future.   I honestly cannot wait to see what else is in store for K-pop this year.   Now please excuse me for a bit… I must buy U-Kiss’ new album~ ㅋㅋ

No, it is not Christmas time and no, I’m not crazy.  haha~ you’ll know why I used that title soon enough.  Keep reading ^_^

It has been a long time since I posted something on this blog.  I said I was going to write a series of blogs about my last few weeks at school and certain memories.   This is the second in the series.  I thought long and hard about what I wanted to write.

I miss my middle school so much.   I knew I was going to miss it, but I didn’t think I would think about it everyday.  A lot has to do with the fact that I don’t teach a lot nowadays.  I teach elementary school students whose English is very low level.   It is very difficult for me to explain something to them in English.   I honestly don’t know how teachers working in after school English academies do it.   Those teachers are supposed to teach students as young as Kindergarten!   I have no idea how they do that everyday.  Anyway, the point is I don’t teach as much anymore.  I teach maybe 30 or 40%  class time in most of my classes except maybe 6th grade.   At least the 6th grade students understand me and I can teach maybe 50 or 60%  class time.    It honestly feels weird not having 90 to 100% control of my class.   Yes, it is a nice break.  However after teaching for two years, you get used to it and start to like it.   I feel like I can’t make a difference with my students sometimes.  I feel like none of them will come up to me and say, “Thank you teacher.  You have helped me excel in English.”   Okay, maybe the student won’t use the word “excel” but it will be along those lines.

Before moving to South Korea my Aunt told me something along the lines of if I can make a difference in one student’s academic life, then that in itself can feel very, very rewarding.   I believed her and it happened!   I know I made a difference in a lot of students’ lives and some even broke out of their shyness towards the end of my contract at my former middle school.  I was very happy and very proud.   There was one student in particular who showed her gratitude through a letter not once, but twice.   The first time she wrote to me, “I hope you will leave next year.”  This meant I was still in my first year and she didn’t want me to leave just yet and wanted me to wait until after she finished middle school.   I was very happy to hear that from her.   Before leaving to go home to Germany last year in 2010, she wrote to me again.   This time her kind words blew me away and I wanted to cry.  I want to share with you what she wrote to me and she is one of the reasons why I love teaching so much.

The letter my student, SeoJin, wrote to me last December~

It’s a little hard to read, so here it is… the exact words she said to me in the letter.   Also, please remember she is a learning English as a foreign language.  She is very high level for the middle school she attended.   The way English is taught here is not the same as in America, so please do not mind the spelling and grammar mistakes… Thank you~ ^^

“DEAR : ) Coleen~~

Hallow~ Coleen~ I’m Seo-jin!! Maybe this letter is the second one for you ^^Coleen~ First, I’m very appreicate to you Because, when I first entrance into a school,  My personality changed to be shamed.  So, I can’t participate in class, lesson, well.  But when you come here, My personality changed to be active Because you made me feeling at ease ^^  So, not only changed my personality but also my English grade and conversation level was became high because of your help~  Originally, I was going to buy a little present or to prepare the better things,, but I was very busy, thesedays for choosing high school.  So, I prepared only this little thing,, Sorry.  This letter can’t fit a lot of your help,, but please recieve my real mind that thanks to you ^^  I hope and believe you can teach other school’s students too.  I’ll pray for you, always.  I wan to ask for you, Don’t forget me!!! ^^  I’ll miss you so much ~  I’ll often message you ~ ♥  Then, good bye, and again, I’ll think you was my best English teacher~ !!!

God bless you ♥♥ DongHye ♥ Coleen*

Thank you for teaching me~~~~

From : ) Seo-jin (Renee)”

*DongHye ♥ Coleen = My middle school knew I really love “DongHye” (usual spelling is “Donghae”, but it’s okay that Seo-jin spelled it differently ^_^).   He is a member of a Korean pop group called, Super Junior.  I honestly can’t believe she remembered since I didn’t express my feelings about Donghae a lot in her classes with me.  Haha~~

That is what she wrote to me~~ I absolutely love it and am so thankful for her kindness and words.   Because of her and other students I taught in middle school, I want to keep teaching and keep trying my best to make a difference in many students’ lives.   I will work even harder because of her and other students I have taught in the past.

This blog will be a short series.  I will write about my reflections on the past two years teaching at Gajeong Girls’ Middle School, my life outside of school, and what is to come.  I will also post special memories.

Part 1~

Last week I received my documents for contract renewal.  On one of the papers I was required to write about my past year experience teaching here in Incheon.  I think I was only supposed to write maybe one page, but I went a little over.  ㅋㅋㅋ  As I wrote about my feelings and experiences, I felt like what I was writing was not a chore, but something I had to do for myself.   It was something I had to write to help look back on things.  Here is what I wrote:

Two years ago I was told teaching English in South Korea was going to be the easiest job I have ever held. Two years later, I still do not believe that. Teaching is difficult for all teachers and especially Korean English teachers. As a guest English teacher, one would think the work load would be a lot less. Some days it is a lot less and some days you are given last minute work to do or piles and piles of work to complete in a short time period, which is difficult if you are studying TESOL or Korean at the same time. Of course, all of the work given is for the benefit of the students of whom you teach. This may be a difficult job, but if one loves teaching and is passionate and motivated to teach foreign language speakers English, then it is well worth it and can be very rewarding. Teaching at the same school for two years will not be the same for both years. There will be differences and they will both be good and bad. The three main differences this year were discipline, motivation, and relationships.

Last year went a lot smoother than this year. The students were just getting to know me and find out what kind of a teacher I am. I was nice. I didn’t scream or shout. Whenever I had to scold them, I would remain calm and tell them what they did wrong. This year was much more different and I raised my voice quite a few times to the less disciplined classes. I never liked doing that and I learned it doesn’t really help in the end. As a guest English teacher, you have a harder time due to the language barrier. In the end, I resorted back to what I did last year: remain calm and tell them what the students did wrong. Despite all of that, I still enjoyed teaching.

I believe my motivation to teach went up a lot this year. Last year I had surgery and my friend passed away. I was also taking monthly treatment at the hospital for my endometriosis (I don’t do that anymore thank goodness). Everything happened all at once and I became more and more tired. Things did change though. At the end of last year I realized I wanted to teach long term, so this year was quite different. It is hard to teach a class that is unmotivated and has a bad attitude. I would still try to smile to the students and show English can be fun through songs and games. I played a lot more games with them this year than last. Sure, it was always crazy trying to control thirty plus students in the middle of a game, but it was fun and it boosted everyone’s motivation to speak English. I saw more smiles on their faces this way. Through games and more interactions with the students, they truly showed me how to be happier even when life gets you down. With that in mind, my relationships with the students and co-teachers changed as well.

Lastly, I want to talk about the relationships I had. Mainly there were two kinds of relationships that stood out: the relationship with my 1st graders and with my main co-teacher. My 1st graders were amazing. There were many high level students among them. Also, they were the most active. My 1st graders truly enjoyed learning English. Before and after class some of the students would come up and talk to me. Normally that will happen only in the first semester while the students are getting to know you. This happened all year. Even sometimes in the hallways the students would stop and talk to me. We always played around and had a good time. I absolutely adore them and never want to leave them. The second kind of relationship that changed was with my main co-teacher. Last year I think we were trying to figure out how our teaching styles would work together. For other co-teachers things clicked and worked out fine. With my main co-teacher it took a while. After a year of teaching with each other, things became smoother and we became a lot closer. She is more like a friend to me now than before. We understand each other’s wants and needs at school and are there for each other. I’m very happy with the changes that occurred this year.

A lot has changed, but I still have my life outside of school. Life outside of school with friends and family makes a good balance. This year I made many friends. I didn’t have a lot last year (I had only two). The time spent with friends and building new relationships among them and my school has made my current year in Incheon special. This year had it’s ups and down with school, friends, and co-teachers, but in the end everything worked. To be honest, despite the low points, this year was truly amazing. I am truly happy to be working and living here in Incheon.

I wrote quite a bit, but I’m proud of it and I’m proud of the work I accomplished here.   This is only part of what I felt the past two years.   There is much more I could write about.  I will leave that for the next blog…

Since I have moved here to South Korea quite a few of my friends back home have gotten married.   Sadly, I was unable to attend their weddings.  One of my friends was actually my best friend from elementary/middle school.  It was a shame to miss her’s, but at least she was thoughtful enough to send me an invitation to my home address here in South Korea.

I have never attended a wedding for any of my friends.   I’m never around it seems…  with that in mind.. it made me wonder if I would ever go to a wedding.   Two years ago I went to my very first Korean wedding.   It was not a traditional Korean wedding, but a Korean version of the western traditional wedding.   Now that I think of it, it would be wonderful to see an actual tradition Korean wedding.

 

Traditional Korean wedding clothes (hanbok)

Even though weddings are done western styled here in South Korea, there are slight differences.  Let’s start by pointing out the similarities first.

1.   A Korean bride wears the traditional white wedding dress.

2.  A Korean groom will wear a tuxedo.

3.  A Korean bride wears tons and tons of make up to make herself look 100 times more beautiful.  Seriously… Korean brides are the most beautiful in my opinion.

4.  A Korean bride will carry a bouquet of flowers as she walks down the aisle.

5.  She will also be given away by her father to her husband-to-be.

6.  The traditional wedding march may be played while the bride and her father walks down the aisle.

7.  There will be a pastor marrying the bride and groom.

8.  There is a wedding cake present.

9.  At the end, the bride tosses the bouquet for someone to catch.

10.  Pictures are taken with the bride, groom, family, and friends.

11.  There is food!

Now for the differences:

1.  Koreans have their weddings in Wedding Halls.   Wedding halls are in huge buildings where multiple couples get married at different times throughout the day.  Sometimes two or three weddings can go on at the same time, but in different halls.   I have been to four wedding halls.  Two  of them were nice, one was beautiful, and one was not as impressive as the first three mentioned.

2.  As far as I know, and from what I saw at the last Korean wedding I attended, the groom does get to see the bride before getting married to each other.  They take dozens of professional pictures in a separate room.  The first wedding I attended, the bride was alone and then went off to get married.  I didn’t see the groom until the ceremony.

3.  There is food.  I guess you could call it a “reception.”  Basically you are in a huge dining room with other guests attending other weddings eating the same buffet.   First you must gift the bride and groom 30,000 Won (about $25.00 maybe) and then receive a ticket to go into the buffet hall.   You can eat before or after the wedding.

4.  When the ceremony begins, it can be very “flashy.”  When I say “flashy” I mean when the groom walks down the aisle (more like struts…)  fog starts to appear.  This  happened on one account.  Also, the aisle can light up as well.

5.  There is a pastor or someone who has a license to marry couples.  However out of two of the three weddings I  have attended my school principal married the couple.   Yes, they were both for teachers at my school.

6.  Correct me if I am wrong, but in America the bride stands on the left and the groom on the right.   Here in South Korea, it is the opposite.

7.  Bridesmaids?  Groomsmen?  Not here in South Korea.   That is at least I have not witnessed any.

6.  There is cake!  Well at least the top layer is real cake and the bottom two are fake.   When it is time to cut the cake, the couple first blows out two candles and then cuts the cake.  Then a helper takes it away.  Yes, the married couple does not even get to eat it.

7.  Speaking of helpers, they are everywhere.  There is a helper for the bride at all times.  She is constantly making sure the train of the dress looks perfect and helps the bride move around.  I guess you could count her as a “bridesmaid.”

8.  There is also a photographer at all times.  He is taking the couple’s picture constantly throughout the ceremony.

9.  Sometimes the bride and groom invite more guest than there are seats.  That means a lot of people are standing and watching in the back and on the sides.   Also with a lot of people, that means there are many on their phones talking or texting.  I don’t talk on my phone nor text during a wedding.

10.  Pictures are taken at the end of the ceremony.  First with parents, then family, and lastly friends.

11. While pictures are being taken with friends the bouquet toss also takes place.   For this part, only one friend of the bride is chosen to catch the bouquet (where is the fun in that?).   Of course the photographer catches this moment.

12.  After the main festivities are over in the wedding hall, the bride, groom, and family go and have a small traditional wedding with hanbok and all.   This takes place in another separate room that I believe is only for family.   People can peer through the door a little and get a good look at the beautiful bride though. ^_^

It is all very interesting and can be quite entertaining.   If you are a teacher, your students may come to sing and perform for you.   I have enjoyed the four weddings I have attended.  I have no idea when the next one will be, but hopefully it will be just as nice and interesting.  Also, it is not that bad to have to eat with many people in a huge buffet hall.  Sure, it can be crowded, but the food is really good most of the time.

Here are some pictures from the weddings I have attended~ Enjoy!

 

A nice picture of the bride and groom with each of their parents (March 2010)

Group photo! (teachers and friends) ~ March 2010

My favorite picture of Susan (main co-teacher), me, and Hye Jung (former co-teacher)

The last wedding I attended~~

My main co-teacher, Susan, and her husband-to-be taking photos before the wedding.

Susan's homeroom students came to sing! ^_^

Nice blue undertone for the wedding

Our school principal with the bride and groom

Yay! I got to see Ye Jin teacher (school music teacher)! She left our school for maternity leave and I have not seen her for months now ^_^ (Harry, my other co-teacher, is also in the background).

Susan and I after the wedding ceremony

My friend, Heesun, and I after the wedding ceremony

YG and BIG BANG!!

Last weekend was the most exciting concert weekend ever.  I have been to numerous concerts this year since I met my friends Allison, Andre, and Miranda.   We all love K-pop and most of the times cannot get enough of it.  Last weekend was the YG Family concert in Seoul.  There were three showings and my friend, Miranda, and I were crazy enough to go to two of the three.

The first night was Saturday night at 7 p.m.  The concert was at Olympic Park Stadium.  Just the location is exciting, because many huge K-pop groups have performed there before, which includes Big Bang and Super Junior.   Miranda and I got to the concert area around 4 P.M.  There was a long line to buy concert goods, so we skipped out on that and instead went across the street to eat something.  We had a good 2 hours before we had to line up to get into our area.   Our tickets were for the ground floor standing, so it was crucial to be in line an hour before the show started.   Miranda and I went to a cafe and just hung out there.   Before we did that though, we had to get our pictures with life size cut outs of our favorite singers of course. ^^

 

blowing Taeyang kisses

Met him once in person, but this is probably the closest I'll get to having a picture taken with him.

6 P.M rolled around and Miranda and I were waiting in line for the longest time.  After we were finally let in, we found out we were going to be pretty close to the stage.  We figured we could push our way even more during the concert and the way the arena was set up.. there were little sections for the audience on the ground floor, so basically it was one huge stage where the singers and dancers could move around everywhere.

7 P.M. arrived and no artists came out yet.   Miranda and I had to wait for a while by watching G-Dragon’s G-Market advertisement a million times.  We figured G-Dragon was being a diva and was no where near ready to perform yet.   Finally after sometime, it started.

2NE1 was first to perform with Fire, Go Away, and I Don’t Care.   It was amazing.  Even Minzy, one of the members for 2NE1 came towards our part of the stage to wave at me, Miranda, and the rest of the people there.  It was crazy.

Next was Se7en.  Oh. My. Goodness.  It was nothing short of amazing.   He sang Better Together, I’m Going Crazy, and Passion.   Passion is my favorite Se7en song, so I was really excited to see Se7en performing it.

After Se7en, was Gummi.   Miranda and I were not too familiar with her music, except we knew that she had an amazing voice.  She sang three of her songs.  They were slow ballads, but a nice break from up beat dancing and singing.

Finally Big Bang appeared on stage.  They started out with Gara Gara Go!.  It was funny because on the subway ride to Olympic Park I mentioned to Miranda how cool it would be if Big Bang performed that song.  It is one of their Japanese singles from a while back, so it didn’t seem likely.   When Big Bang started off with that… not only was in amazing, but surprising in a good way.  Also Seungri came over to me and Miranda and waved at us. ^^

Big Bang sang two more songs (Last Good-bye and Hands Up) before the guest performer, Psy took the stage for four of his songs.  All I have to say is that Psy is an amazing rapper.  Why have I not heard his music before?  The music was so upbeat and moving.

Right after Psy was Daesung’s and Sungri’s (Big Bang) solo performances.   Sungri was absolutely hilarious.  He parodied a different Korean singer from I’m guessing the 90’s.    As soon as those performances were over there were a lot of collabs between Big Bang, Gummi, 2NE1, and Se7en.  All were greatness.  2NE1 also got to perform their hit, It Hurts.  I am in love with that song, so it was exciting to see it performed live.

As soon as the collabs were over,   Se7en came back out and sang Come Back To Me.   In the music video he is wearing shoes with single wheels on the bottom, so at the concert he did the same and went around the stage with those kinds of shoes on.   After Come Back to Me was Se7en’s and T.O.P’s performance of Digital Bounce.  All I can say is wow.  Miranda and I have gone to a couple of concerts to see Se7en and he would always sing this song, but not with T.O.P like in the album.   Se7en also sang La La La and while he was singing it, there was a point where he came over to mine and Miranda’s side of the stage and he pointed at us.  For a brief second I thought he could have possibly recognized me since he has seen me and Miranda before at a concert and me at a fan signing.  It was still cool to be singled out by him though.

Many more songs were sung for the rest of the concert, and a lot of singers and dancers came to our side of the stage.  Miranda was beaming with happiness when T.O.P from Big Bang came over and just stood there.  Haha ^^  The big surprise was G-Dragon’s and T.O.P’s collab of a new song off of their CD coming out December 24th.  It’s called Knocking Out and it is really good.   They performed it at the MAMA’s so you could say Miranda and I were happy to see it at the YG Concert.

The last bit of the concert was great too.  It was 4 hours long for the first night, but totally worth it.  Miranda and I didn’t get home until 1 A.M. the next day and were going to do it all over again in 12 hours.   Ah~ also as Miranda and I were leaving, there was a camera man and we totally made it on TV. ^^

Day 2~

Day 2 of the concert was pretty much the same, but there were slight differences.  First of all, I was finally able to buy Se7en’s light stick which is basically a green “7.”  I always wanted one, so I was excited.  I also bought a YG Entertainment hat and a signed CD of 2NE1’s album.  Miranda bought the YG sweatshirt and a Big Bang tumbler. ㅋㅋ

Our merch sans "7" and signed CDs

Before Miranda and I went to get our concert wrist bands, we took pictures with our signs and even got interviewed for a K-pop segment for the Discovery Channel.  I don’t think it will air in the states, but I hope to see it soon.  The interview was done in English and it was pretty much about mine and Miranda’s opinion about Big Bang, and K-Pop in general.  It was really, really awesome.

“Eye Love”~~~  Yes, the concert was pretty much the same as the night before, but this one started at 2 P.M.  Also, Miranda and I were singled out a lot by dancers and singers.   First of all, Seungri kept coming over to our side of the stage again (yes, we were standing once again) and he kept looking at Miranda.  ㅋㅋ   Se7en also made his way and pointed right at us, which is greatness.   They were for brief moments, but come on… Seungri coming over three times?   He has to have a thing for Miranda.  ^^

The best part, at least for me, was while Psy was performing he came over and glanced around mine and Miranda’s area.  He stopped and looked right at me for a whole 5 seconds.  You could really tell he was looking at me.  It was absolutely amazing.  Okay, so he is like 35 years old, but if he wasn’t and if he was my age.. I might have a secret crush on him.  ^^  Taeyang also came over to our side of the stage twice, but barely made any eye contact, which made me sad.  Daesung came over though to wave at all of us, which is awesome because I think he is gorgeous.

Here are some more pictures~

 

Miranda and T.O.P ~ Me and 태양

나만 바라봐! (Only look at me!)

Miranda wants to be T.O.P's English teacher ㅋㅋㅋ ^^

Like I said, it was an A-MAZING concert.  I absolutely love YG Entertainment and they did really well with planning out the concert.  I wish Psy performed more, but he was only a guest.   Ah well~~

Next stop… BIG SHOW! FEBRUARY 2011!!

It has been a while since I wrote my last blog.  I am sorry for those who actually read this.  I’m pretty sure everyone, including family and friends, have all been very busy these past couple of months.   I have been equally busy with life at school and outside of school.

Gym/Hot Yoga~  I started to take a hot yoga class at ANF Fitness.  It is this gym not too far from me.  It is a couple of subway stops away.   The yoga class is expensive for only three months, but is totally worth it.  I have become more balanced and it is very relaxing.  While I am there I only think about my well-being and healing my body from last year’s surgery.  I also think about my horrible back and hoping for one day for my spine to become straight once again.   The room is very hot, but it does not bother me one bit.  It is a nice comfortable heat.  It is hot enough for my muscles to relax and for me to breathe.   I also made a friend who teaches at an elementary school.   She is a Korean homeroom teacher, but her English is good.   We became friends since my first yoga class and have hung out with each other once.   She also does fitness training, so we see each other sometimes at the gym.

Ah yes~ the gym.  I do weight lifting and crunches/sit ups.   I have been working out for a couple of weeks now and can already feel the difference.  My trainer compliments me on my balance and that it is good I’m doing yoga at the same time.  Also, he believes if I keep up with my weight training, my back will become straighter.   He is a good trainer.   He speaks a little English, but we have fun.  I enjoy going to the gym these days now.  I go 3 times a week and the other 2 times is yoga.

*~*~*~*

Concerts~  How many concerts have I seen?  Too many… haha.  I’m going to another one this weekend.  It is for YG family, which is a very popular entertainment company here in South Korea.  I will see Big Bang, Se7en, 2ne1, and some other YG artists who I am unfamiliar with.  My friend, Miranda, and I scored great standing tickets.  We are right next to the stage.   The concert is a huge arena and the ground floor is just one big stage with smaller sections for the audience.  It will be a long, but fun, concert.  Miranda and I are completely excited.   Two weeks later we will see CNBLUE ~~ yes, we are crazy… but we love k-pop.

*~*~*~*

Language Exchange ~  I’m doing a language exchange program now.  Basically my friend showed me a website where Koreans and foreigners make profiles and eventually contact each other through e-mail.  The point of it is to help each other with learning other languages.   I have met one person so far through this.  He is living in Seoul, but came to Incheon to meet me.  He is Korean, but can speak English.  He is very nice and is a university student.   I hope he and I can meet again.  He really wants to teach me Korean, so I am quite excited.   Tonight, I have another language exchange.  This time it is with a female.  She lives here in Incheon and is studying German, English, and Japanese.  I contacted her mainly because she mentioned about learning German.   So far we get along great online.   I hope we can practice our German together.

*~*~*~*

I really feel like I’m making more and more Korean friends these days and I’m happy about that.  I do miss my other friends though (native teachers) and hope to spend more time with them next year.

That is all for now though~~ oh and new blog will soon come about Korean weddings.

❤ I’ll write more often… soon… after TESOL is finished.. haha