Nomads Land

2008-02-28T01:04:00.003+09:00

The Bill 101 Debate

Quebec is know for being the little french haven of the North American continent. Growing up and going to all french schools, you kinda tend to think that English is unimportant because all the school system teaches you to say in English is hello and you get to learn your colours. YAAAA!!! Nevertheless fortunately I didn't get stuck in the all Franco way.

Jump to present day where I'm a fully functioning allophone, but somehow my Montreal accent is too Anglo and where the girl who barely speaks English somehow manages no problem. I was dealing with someone who surprisingly in his LAC-ST-JEAN accent said you speak very well but I can sense too much Anglo in your accent. Meanwhile my co-worker can barely string two words together in English. But that's OK cause in Quebec you can get a job only speaking French and never in a million years get if you speak French with too much of an accent. People wonder why everyone runs away to Toronto or Van, well because there's a lot less bullshit and it pays better. In Quebece most people peak at least 2 languages, have a University degree, have travelled and meanwhile they'll still be serving you coffee.

2008-02-20T11:54:00.001+09:00

V-Day

Is an evil evil holiday. Who's got 2 thumbs, brown hair and got broken up with on Valentine's Day???? ME!!!!

2008-02-02T11:51:00.000+09:00

It's a Small World After All

Here's a run down of what happened wednesday night.

Location: Cock n' Bull Pub
Time: sometime after 10pm.
Company: Fred, Steph, Larissa, Steve and me

me: hey guys this is Steve
Steve: nice to meet you.

10 minutes later Steve leans over and this is how it goes:

Steve: I think I know that girl, what's her name again?
Me: Larissa, i've known her for years, she's a creative writting Grad Student at Concordia.
Steve: hmmmm she from Montreal?
Me: um nope I think she's from the States originally.
Steve: Hmmmmmm cause um I think I may have gone on a date with her?
Me: really? a date?
Steve: um well not exactly but I think I kinda slept with her. Actually I ran into here and brought her home.
Fred: Hey!! I totally know you from somewhere!!!!!! Where do I know you from?

Why is the English community so small in Montreal??????

2008-01-31T08:27:00.000+09:00

She Who Does Not Cook

Right before we start, let me just say that if you know me, you know that my cooking skills are very sub-par. So you can imagine my panic when He who's toilet I broke, suggested I have him over for dinner. I spent Sunday night scrolling through pages of various recipes putting aside the ones I thought I would remotely have a change at not fucking up and the ones I knew were way to complicated. So Monday night, I spent my after work chill out time going grocery shopping and such. I got home to have a sanity coffee and cigarette and read the last of my book. Steve came over while I was in full cooking mode and graciously poured me a large glass of wine and gave me a hand in the kitchen. Good news no one dies or was sick. Even better news, I got a lift to work, and since it was -10 and really windy I was happy not to have to wait for the bus.

Soon month no. 2 of working at the bank... Every day I'm there, I feel more and more as part of the problem and definitely not part of the solution. People accept what I say to them, no argument or contest. They take my word and accept the options I give them as good solutions. But every once in a while I feel guilty, I feel like I'm not doing enough. When I was in Korea I loved it, I actually felt useful and as a valued part of society. Working in Ireland at hostels, I felt like a part of the traveller (backpacker for Cormac) community. Actually being helpful and discussing things I cared about and felt were interesting. I feel that now I talk about all the things I DID and not the things I'm DOING or will DO. I'm thinking about a new project for next year but I don't know what yet. The funds will be limited but they always were. I think next year will be time for a new continent and more meaningful experience.

2008-01-15T09:59:00.000+09:00

The bill for Samgypsal and 2 beers each. Don't forget +15% tip.

It makes running outside hard.

MMMM Smithwicks, my favorite beer from when I lived in Ireland.

HAHAHA typical Quebec French politics. Scratch out the English and Korea .... both are equally as offensive!!!!

It was good, kinda like in Korea.

Soju 20$- Used to be 1$ in Korea.

2008-01-15T09:44:00.000+09:00

Sometimes I wonder WHY!!!

I promised myself that when I left Korea I would drink a lot less. I'm afraid I might be starting to fall off the wagon but I'm sure I can do it!!!! Thursday night I ended up going to the Irish Embassy, apparently the new Concordia Uni bar. I went with Steve ( the dude who's toilet I broke...) and it was the meeting the friends to size me up night, or so I felt like that's what it was. I of course felt I had to order many many pints of Swithwicks to give my best impression. It turned out that all I did was drink a lot and blab on and on and on about Korea. I ended up going to bed at 4 am and stumbling into work the next morning though I woke up not at my house but somehow managed to squeeze some work clothes in my bag. Friday was dinner and wine at Fred and Steph's. Matt and Claire joined us. I'm so happy Claire still smokes- cause that means I never feel guilty going outside. And well drank more wine and with the lack of sleep I took a mini nap on their couch at one point. Saturday ugh... Ended up going to the SAQ to purchase vodka and rum. Shruti and Carlos came buy and after 24 beers and a lot of liquor, I decided it was best to keep drinking into Sunday. Cause that's what I do.

It's been officially 9 weeks that I've been back and so far so good. I started actually working my job job and I have to admit sometimes people still surprise me. Really!!! Is it that hard to balance a checkbook? Must you really write a bad cheque why why whyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!And soon enough when my bank account recovers from my rent/ phone bill/Internet bill/ Visa bill, I'll be hitting the gym again. I'm actually excited to start running, biking and whatever else. I though maybe I'd just do the outdoors thing but really I had running when it's freaking freezing outside. I appreciate all those brave people that go out in -20 degree weather.

That's the exciting update.... Still enjoying my massive 2 bedroom apartment all to myself...

2008-01-07T01:56:00.000+09:00

There was actually a second and a third date. Next time I was over I noticed the part that I had broken. It was actually attached to a bigger part that had been replaced. Turned out ok though.

2007-12-30T15:52:00.000+09:00

The Date, The Job and Family

It's the holidays again. With that I left my comfy quiet apartment to spend 2 days with my parents. Funny how even when we grow up we will still be little kids in the eyes of our parents. Needless to say my mother has been overly maternal since my return, I appreciate it and all, it's just that after having been away for so long, I know how to take care of myself. But I forget that in Korea most parents do everything for their kids. Those days when a seven year old couldn't dress himself. When my kiddies were unable to tie their shoe laces or function in almost every way possible without my assistance and well me doing everything or them. Or so they would have liked.

But now I work at a bank. No kiddies tearing around, no arguments with my boss as to what I'm entitled to have ( breach of contract ladies and gents). Now everything is nice and clean, all the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed. Frankly it's a little boring and I find myself missing my Korean experience more and more. I miss my Korean friends, a few in particular but such is life for the moment. Apparently according to Steph.... It took six months to get back in the groove of things.

And well I just wouldn't be me if I didn't go on a date where I made an ass of myself through my clumsiness. So last night I went out to Brutopia on Crecsent ( south of St-Catherine), we had a few beers chatted, got along fairly well all that stuff. Closing time was approaching so since he didn't live to far we decided to keep drinking at his place. At one point I decide to go to the bathroom and lo and behold, the toilet won't flush. I take of the cap and peer inside to see what the hold-up is. So I start fiddling and I broke it!!!! Yup something snapped and cracked and before you know it I had to walk right back in there and announce that I had just broken his toilet. All that and a bag of chips.

So that's the big update.

2007-12-07T12:35:00.000+09:00

So I Was On the Subway...

Day 2 of work: I work for a bank.

20:43

Location: subway cart- green line- Angrignon direction.

So I was talking to Matt about my new job and how it's times like these that I want to renew my passport in 24 hours, go to the airport and fly off to Korea.

Matt- 26 years old- project co-coordinator. We were chatting and so I blurt out, I wanna go back to Korea, it isn't so BORING!! Matt reminds me that a) I'm 26 so getting over the hill and also getting to old to go off and travel for another year when I should be concentrating on getting my career together. ( He also turned 26 like 2 weeks ago) b) That working for the bank offers so many career opportunities. c) Oh ya that at 26, I'm old.

When did 26 become the new 50? When???!!!!!

Also all my friends are getting married and starting to have kids. When did this happen? I leave for 2 1/2 years and this happens?

Sorry guys, had to have a little rant... going through a return to western civilization thing. It's been catching me off guard when I least expect it.

Up side, I move into my new apartment tomorrow- 15 minutes bus ride to downtown, 2 bedrooms, a living room, a bathroom with a nice deep bath and a kitchen, like 152 times bigger than my Korean kitchen. ( A STOVE!!!)

I'll just stop right here now.

2007-12-05T13:04:00.000+09:00

WITH 2007 COMING TO AN END. . .

1. Have you had any relationships this year?3 ( I think)
2. Have you had your birthday yet?yes
3. Kissed two people in the same night?no
4. Been on a diet? on a gimbap and shinramyun diet yes
5. Pulled an all nighter?yes tons when one lived in Ansan all weekends were all nighters.
6. Drank Starbucks?like 3 times. I hate North American starbucks
7. Went camping? Secret Island camping- Yellow Sea
8. Bought something(s)?yuppers
9. Met someone special/who changed your life? Changed my perspective about certain things.
10. Been out of province?And out of continent
11. What are you thinking about?I start work tomorow
12. Hugged someone?tons and tons and tons
13. Slept in someone else's bed?yes oh yes
14. Got a job? Yes
15. Loaned out money?definetly
16. Gotten in a car accident ?nope, but quite a few near misses
17. Gone over your mobile phone bill?hugely
18. Been called a bitch? yes but only by friends in a funny way.
19. Done something you regret?no maybe regretted something I should have done sooner.

LAST:

Last person you hugged?Matt
Last person to call you? Steph
When was the last time you felt stupid?yesterday
What was the last thing you yelled? can't remember yelling

TEN FACTS:

1. Living? Montreal
2. Natural Hair Colour? Brown
3. Initials? SSK
4. Hair style? Long and straight
5. Eye colour? brown
6. Height?5'7
7. Pets? nope not for me
8. Mood?tired, trying to get organized
9. Where would you rather be?In my apartment that I get to move into in 2 days.
10. What was the last thing you drank? water

THINGS ABOUT YOUR LOVE LIFE:

1. Have you ever been in love?yup
2. Do you believe in love?you bet
3. Why did your LAST relationship fail? I left the country
4. Have you ever been heartbroken?ya!
5. Have you ever broken someone's heart?ya!
6. Have you ever fallen for you best friend? never
7. Have you ever loved someone but never told them? no
8. Are you afraid of commitment?not as much as i used to be... still get my nervous moments, but they pass
9. Have you had more than 5 different serious relationships in your life?nope at 4 though

EMOTIONS:
1. Are you missing someone right now?ya, i guess
2. Are you happy?I am content

2007-11-26T06:46:00.001+09:00

I miss smoking in bars.

I know it's bad for you and makes you stink but I really do enjoy smoking. Now that I'm home it's illegal to smoke in bars and restaurants. Montreal was always coffee and cigarettes country. Friday night I was at Saint-Sulpice terrace and there I was all alone with the other rejects smoking a cig outside in -10 degree weather and tons of snow and slush.

I have to quit smoking.

Also does anyone have info on how long it will take Canadians to go through this whole new process for getting E2 visas? I tried getting info online no help there.

2007-11-25T02:06:00.000+09:00

3 Interviews and a Reunion

Apparently a lot can happen in just 2 days. Thursday I got up bright and early at 6:30 AM to prep for my interviews of the day. It was dark out, snowing ( I say snow cause in reality it was more like tiny ice pellets wishing through the air.) and freaking cold. I think the weatherman claimed it was only 0 degrees outside but I think our weatherman is crazy and probably meant to say it was -10 degrees. So I put on my nice boots and trekked downtown to meet my recruiter. It was so much simpler, after a quick chit chat I went for my second interview for a online shareholder trading company thingy. Can't say more. So I passed their Analytical test and according to them I had the highest score ever. Of all their employees, I was apparently the only person to score 100%. I think we have a big problem if that's the case, if you know me then you know that no.1 Math isn't my strong point and 2. neither is logic.

After my grueling interview of What would you do in this situation. I.E. If you lost 500,000$ of your clients money due to a mistake on your part, what would you do? Well I think I would try not to loose 500,000$ and ya know be careful.

That aside after 3 hours I was free to go to my 3 rd interview of the day. I jumped on the metro and an hour later I was in Cote-Vertu for the staffing consultant position. The interview lasted an hour and was approached by what is now known as all the standard interview questions. I expressed my desire to work downtown and with that we concluded.

Since the pedophile incident in Thailand Koreans are going through this whole craze of stricter visa controls and health checks and background checks and such. Truth is this sort of thing doesn't guarantee that the person you're hiring will or will not be screwed up. Most of the times an interview (lengthy and reasonably probing) may help in figuring out who's a little nuts and who isn't. I remember interviewing a guy for Wonderland and just after talking to him for all of 15 minutes I knew that he was creepy. Another example is a teacher I worked with who got fired. I remember meeting him and knowing something was off. When my boss met him he seemed to provide a less than stellar first impression, she was also kinda creeped out by him. Point is even if he had been health checked and background checked, I'm pretty sure he would have seemed like the ideal candidate. But if all the questions you ask is are you in good health, how old are you and when can you come? Well.... can't guarantee you know who you're hiring.

2007-11-20T06:21:00.000+09:00

So I've been home a couple of weeks, well almost and I have yet to find a job. I've been kinda a hermit only going out drinking a couple of times cause well I seem to be going through my money a lot faster than I thought I would. No really I think I have a hole in my pocket it's just not right. But then again things are mighty expensive.

Saturday I went to good ol PJ's with Trish and a few others and well we got a few pitchers and all that. I went back to Trish's place where we got a 6 pack of Alexander Keith's, considering all I had paid for that day was a pitcher of beer and a coffee I decided to splurge and take a taxi home. It was cold (below 0) maybe about -5, windy and late. Had I walked it would have taken me about 30 minutes or so same distance as Jungang station to my place in Ansan except not quite as linear. Cost in Korea 2$, cost in Canada 12$ I was shocked the taxi kept going and so did the meter. 12$ for a 5minute ride!!!!!

But I have yet another job interview on Thursday hopefully it won't suck and good news the job is downtown woohoo.

I went for an interview on Thursday at Bombardier for a position as an Engineer assistant. Basically running around doing peoples bidding and all that. It's Monday and still no answer. I was told that those jobs can take a while but I am impatient to start working!!!!!! I'm getting bored and restless.

Also I have not yet gotten a new passport or applications for it. Apparently the Government of Canada needs to hire a lot more people... cause I need to talk to someone.

2007-11-15T13:40:00.000+09:00

I know it's dumb but...

Today I bought Nutella and Honey Nut Cheerios, my 2 favorite things ever.

Still a little reverse culture schocked but hopefully some saturday night partying will help clear it all up. Possibly a night at PJ's cheap beer and a 7$ cab ride night. oooh ya!!

2007-11-14T02:34:00.000+09:00

The next time someone asks me if I've been in North Korea for the last year gets smacked. Really? Seriously? Kim Jong Il ?

2007-11-14T01:56:00.000+09:00

Back To The Great White North

As most of you know I'm home again now, I've left my Korean experience behind to now engage into becoming a full fledged productive member of society. I've just spent a month in Europe doing not much else aside from relaxing, seeing the sites and visiting a few friends. When I first left Korea I had weird withdrawal symptoms. I missed my friends, my little apartment and strangely the thing I sometimes miss the most is the ability to not understand what the people around me are saying. I remember being in London Fresh of the plane from Korea standing in line at the dep waiting to buy an overpriced pack of Benson and Hedges thinking how strange it was that I was hearing, listening, understanding the conversation the two people behind me were having. Completely odd, but you do get used to certain things in Asia and the return to western culture seems so strange in certain ways. I was at the supermarket yesterday looking around for the tofu, assuming that A) there would be an aisle of nothing but tofu and B) I would have an assorted selection. Well I was wrong and after wandering around for 20 minutes I found the tofu but decided it didn't quite look right.

Since coming back things are already different I haven't been out drinking yet, smoking is almost non-existant and soon I'll be in the gym. Things that in Korea seemed to be a little too common and a bit too convenient.

That being said I am also unemployed. I've started the ever tedious task of job applications and let's see so far I've seen HR jobs that wouldn't be so bad if only they paid a little more and well I've seen daycare jobs but if only they weren't so far out of the city. Every morning I contemplate what I'll be happy with that day and to be honest the reality of finding a job in Quebec is much more difficult than most places in Canada. In Quebec I've seen job postings that required you to be fluently bilingual ( no problem), have a University diploma (no problem) Minimum 5 years of experience ( kinda a problem) and then agree to pay you 11$ an hour which after tax doesn't come out to much. Yes I know I have the option to move out West but I really don't want to and so I take that and as a Montrealer would do accept the differences that come from living in Quebec.

When I was younger it never dawned on me that Quebec was different, being bilingual never phased me and I never considered it being a problem but it seems the Quebec government is getting a little ridiculous and the so called language police are pushing the limits of what people will tolerate.

2007-10-09T06:14:00.000+09:00

Why We All LOVE Nathan!!!

Nathan the ultimate Kiwi. Stefan was kind enough to put together a great compilation of all things Nathan:

http://picasaweb.google.com/stefanthomson/AllThingsNathan

I think we all need a good giggle and a little love for the kiwi and the canuk.

2007-10-09T03:23:00.000+09:00

50 Litres Is All You Need

Saturday evening 6:30 I left Korea, it wasn't a day of relief or extreme happiness. It just felt like another day. Though things in Korea will at times drive me crazy I keep getting this feeling that I am more than willing to go back. I landed in London and after going through customs I realized how unprepared I was for this journey back to the western world. People were nice in London, everyone has been friendly and helpful but for example yesterday I was walking down Grovestone road and after not seeing anyone for 5 minutes I spotted a girl on the other side of the street. My first impulse was '' Wow another wayguk???!!!!'' Silly Simona- what can I say I was still in Korea mode. While I was on my 22 hour flight I really started missing my friends and I felt more homesick leaving Korea than I had leaving Montreal. I still check my bag to see if anyone has texted me - of course not, I have no phone-, I wonder what the gang is doing- probably drinking- . London is great I spent two days walking around because no.1 I am too cheap to spend money on certain things and no.2 London is bloody expensive.

I got to walk from Piccadilly Circus to Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace- Tower of London the London Dungeons which was a wicked blast and all other touristy things. I got to take loads of pictures and chat with a few folk. So far a bit uneventful and I have yet to have my first pint in over a year. Some people are just tooooooooo tired to go for a beer. I spoke to a few foreigners to see what they thought of the place and well for the most part they didn't like London anymore. Either they had been here long enough and were bored or they just simply didn't like it. Most people who emigrate to another country always feel a yearning for their home country- Even if it's a poverty stricken 3rd world country- There is always that link that keeps us tied to our home.

It's bed time now for me, I'm much too tired after my walking around London, my feet hurt, it's kinda cold over here and I no longer like MTV.

Bonne Nuit

2007-09-30T23:09:00.000+09:00

The Last Day

Today is the last day in my apartment. For the last year it has been my tiny home. Even though I don't have an actual shower ( just a shower head over the sink) I will miss it. Today I packed up the rest of my stuff, took down all my pictures and emptied all my cabinets. Tomorrow I move to Nathan's place in Sanbon, it's also my last day at work, I don't feel ready to say goodbye to all my children and I'm not ready to say goodbye to all my friends. I will those who have always been so close and kind to me... Stefan, Nathan, Samantha and David. All these people who have been so kind and loving in my home away from home. I say Thanks and Get it Down ya! (kkkkk)

Korea has become my second home I bow at inanimate objects, always take my shoes off and try to be as curteous as possible. I am used to the bathrooms (trust me it takes a while to get used to it) I know how to bargain and I am a force to be reckoned with amongst the adjumma population... Trust me the elbows come out with no mercy. Korea has been great and I will miss it... truly deeply. I've had so many great opportunities that I'm not ready to leave yet. I wish I could stay for a bit longer... sometimes I think maybe just another 6 months, sometimes a year and at times well maybe longer. I've been travelling since I graduated from Uni, first Europe now Asia and I feel that there are a couple more continents that need my attention. The North American continent is obviously my home and Quebec... is Quebec always different, always unique... I know that being from Quebec will always make me a bit different... Language, culture... Everything basically.

I started the post a week ago and that week has come and gone. Monday was heart wrenching and baby class didn't quite understand that I was gone but apparently they were looking for me on Tuesday wondering where I had was and why I was not teaching them that morning. The week turned out to be busier than expected between lunches dinners and parties all of a sudden it was Saturday. Nathan was kind enough to let me stay at his place and even brought me to the airport. Friday was his adjumma adjoshi party and we cleaned bought tons of food and drinks and Stefan was kind enough to come over early and help with the party T. J. and David also cooked up so good food. So again thank you to everyone who has made this year so great without all of you well I would have been really bored.

2007-09-22T12:33:00.000+09:00

Last weekend David and I went exploring Seoul. We got off at Sookmyung Station and decided to walk to Yongsan station. Unfortunately we got a little lost and somehow ended up here of all places. Korean ghetto A la max. It was interesting to see the less than pristine version of Korea we always see. Everyday I see girls in high heels perfectly manicured, flawless hair and rarely do you see how the other half lives. Next to the impressively classy high rise buildings people were crammed together in tiny homes using their kitchen as their main living area. Some had outside shared bathrooms ( port-o-potties). But everyone was out and about in the alley enjoying BB Q's and soju. Recently Seoul was voted one of the most expensive cities to live in. Obviously it's based on the average family income but as a foreigner Seoul is extremely affordable.

Here's David looking scared. Somehow we ended up on the wrong side of the tracks. Behind Yongsan Station.

Also I have 2 days of work left. I can't believe I have finally finished my year in Korea. After this it's Europe for a month and finally home. 2 1/2 years later I'm going to be living in Montreal again. A lot of expats have warned me about reverse culture shock, where after being out of the country for so long it will be hard to readjust to the normal pace of life.

2007-09-21T18:34:00.000+09:00

Leaving the Pennisula

Monday I will celebrate my one year anniversary in Korea. The last year has provided me with an amazing chance to grow and really experience something different, at times exciting and at other times a little bland. But no matter the ups and downs I have enjoyed my entire time here. Every last second of it. I have met truly amazing people like Stefan, Nathan and Samantha and some very strange people... I know my time in Korea was such a positive experience because of the friendships I have made. Nathan and Stefan always willing to talk and offer constructive and useful advice. Always a sympathetic and kind ear. Yes I will miss the children and my tiny apartment and I'm not sure what will happen in Montreal. Maybe I will fall in love with the city again or maybe I will feel the need to travel some more. Only time will tell.

The kids have been the main source of joy for me, especially my 5 year old. I will miss every single kid I ever taught even the ones who drove me a little crazy. Korea has been a country of extremes. Though people can be very kind and polite face to face. Koreans often need to get to where there going and if you are in their path unfortunately you will get a rude comment or a simple push or shove. I think most foreigners here can feel a little persecuted or picked on but what I've come to realize is in Korea they also do it to themselves. Some may think they are being taken advantage of because they are round eyed and white but the truth is it probably is applicable to many Koreans. They don't see it as being taken advantage of but sometimes it's a case of not being clever enough. Sometimes you gotta push a little to get a little and if you don't ask no one going to give you anything. This being said I've grown accustomed to this and have become a lot less shy more assured and I am no longer afraid of the adjumma or the adjoshi yelling at me. This week I get 5 days off because of Chusok ( Korean Thanksgiving) What am I doing? Packing up the contents of my apartment... I started on Friday and I've filled up 2 boxes of things I hope will be useful I still have at least one box, maybe 2 but I'm hoping it won't go past 3 boxes. Today is going to be spent cleaning out the rest of my apartment and hopefully I'll have everything ready and packed up for the big move this weekend. After that I have a week to explore Seoul and spend time with friends, my boss asked me to renew my contract but I had to politely deny because well I need to go home!!!!!!

Needless to say I am procrastinating and should go back to packing. I'll be in good old Europe for a month and I think what freaks me out the most is having to ride The Tube in London. Yes I've managed to navigate in Hong Kong, Thailand and Taiwan but London freaks me out. Go Figure.

2007-09-13T17:56:00.001+09:00

The Newbies!

I would just like to say that I love my new co-workers, Samantha and David. LOVE!

2007-08-13T01:18:00.000+09:00

Back at work

This week was my first week back from Vacation.... I was not a happy camper it's hard going from lying on the beach in Thailand to having to work again. I saw the little kiddies again and was actually really happy to get to see them after being away for 10 ten days. I was not so impressed when Sue decided to wipe the snot from her nose onto my skirt but well she's 5 and so darn cute. How can one possibly get mad? The thing about teaching is I often don't feel like I know what the hell I'm doing. Baby class can be a bit of a challenge because they're attention spans are so short that after 10 minutes they kinda loose interest in the tall round eye standing at the front of the class making them repeat playing and cleaning. I think they are also resenting me a bit for making them learn to write the alphabet. In class this week Sue comes up to me after having written the letter G five times and motions to her arm and says OUCH!!! She also motions that having written for all of 5 minutes has given her an arm ache. Well that's unfortunate but I tell her she's a big girl and she can do it and when we finish the exercise then we can color. The kiddies get excited at the prospect of coloring that they hurry and work away frantically. What they didn't know was that there was only 4 minutes till lunchtime and by the time they were done it was time to go wash out hands. Sometimes I am a little evil but they catch on pretty quickly. One of my pet peeves is when the kids take FOREVER to eat lunch. I have to serve them lunch so it cuts into my unpaid break. I have to eat with them and then clean their little lunch trays to take back home. All the kids have these little trays that they bring in every day along with their chopsticks and spoons. Olivia is a bit of a princess and never wants to get her utensils from her cubby so I usually have to wait 5 minutes for her to get all her stuff and Dana well she thinks she's always forgotten them at home. After all that I get 20 minutes to relax before attempting to entertain them again. Sometimes I fail and they get bored of me so I end up whisking them away to the playroom where they can use the slide, play house or just run around while I chase them around the room. The afternoon kids are cool and pretty fun and always entertaining to talk to. I get along well with some of my afternoon kids so we usually do the coursework for about 30 minutes and chat for the last ten minutes of class. One of my students Rose has a Grandmother that lives in North Korea and this weekend she was going to visit her in the DMZ apparently her family has special status. She told me today that she lives in a house ( that's a big deal in Korea since most people live in high rise apartment blocks that all look the same) and her father works in an office. So apparently she has some special status that she gets to visit grandma. I asked her then why does your grandmother live there if your parents live in the south then can she come here. Rose informs that despite everything her home is there and she can never leave her home. To be honest I think her grandmother lives on the border in a particularly dangerous area surrounded by mine fields and has to be careful of where she treads. At least that's what I understood from the map she drew me. Of course she has no pictures to show of her visit and as of yet I have not made it to the DMZ but I'm working on it!!!!

2007-08-07T20:34:00.000+09:00

When Did Prostitution Stop Being a Big Deal?

Friday July 27 th Julie and I arrived in Bangkok, Thailand. We got picked up at the airport and went directly to Pattaya, a beach town about 2 hours away from Bangkok. We arrived at our hotel, checked in, showered. All the normal vacation stuff. After a relaxing dinner we decided to head out to Walking Street:the center of Pattaya and well city center is a loose term. On our walk over we saw all the girlie bars that the news always likes to show in their undercover reports. But we got to Walking Street and the bar scene exploded I had heard about it and no matter how I explain it, you need to see it to believe it. The main road was lined with open air girlie-bars basically it's a bunch of little bars lit by pink neon lights. Sometimes you'll have a small boxing ring in the middle with Muai Thai fighters or a big screen TV showing various Pride fights. Girls beer and fighting everything you need for a good time. The side streets are host to various brothels, go-go bars and dancers and any kind of activity. People on the street hand out pamphlets for Ping-Pong shows ( not 2 girls playing ping-pong) Girls using ping-pongs as projectiles from .... well you get the idea. We sat down at a girlie-bar to do some people watching and the '' gentleman'' beside us decided to stick his hand down his '' girlfriends'' breast and fondle her. Front row seats ladies and gents. The funny thing about prostitution in Korea is that yes there's a lot of it but it isn't as open as it is in Thailand However it is largely accepted as a male way of life. For example everyday I come home and I have tons of little business cards stuck in my door advertising '' coffee shops'', massage parlors or escort services. The Ministry estimated that prostitution in Korea counts for 4% of the national GDP that is 22 billion dollars a year and the 5th largest industry. Rarely do you see just see girls on the street. Generally it's room salons where you buy a certain number of fake drinks and girls come and talk to you. Later you can make an arrangement if they wish to come home with you or more often the case rent a motel room. Room salons are popular amongst business men which after having gone for a business dinner complete with plenty of soju, stage 2 is a karaoke bar and generally last stage of the night is a room salon. Yes, prostitution is illegal but highly tolerated. The biggest red light district is located in Suwon, conveniently the American Army base is located in ... Suwon! Also very conveniently police stations are often located next to said red light districts, it is a normal part of culture and after having been here a while I don't bat an eyelash. For the last 10 months the Dabang (coffee shop/ delivery services- hot girls deliver coffee to your house- obviously the coffee is a front) has been busy and bustling but recently it has shut down. The constant stream of cars and people double parked has diminished considerable. Also it has helped with a reduction in dirty looks from the neighbors who assume we are Russian prostitutes.

Here are a few facts about Thai prostitution :Surprisingly prostitution in Thailand accounts for an estimated 3% of the Thai economy as opposed to 4% in the Korean economy. I am still a little sceptical about that.

Pattaya, after the Vietnam war US soldiers went to this quiet fishing village to relax and recuperate. Pattaya's Adult playground stems from this period, as it became a more popular tourist destination, the main industry is the sex industry. boy, girl, lady boy whatever you're looking for , you can find in Pattaya. Like Korea little of it is street walking, for the most part it takes place in girlie-bars, go-go bars, massage parlors and karaoke rooms. Usually when a girl is working at a bar you're required to by her a drink after that if you would like to go with her for ''a short-time'' you can by paying a bar fee. The bar fee is about 200 baht ( 10$) and you're required to pay the girl anywhere from 500 baht to 1000 baht ( 17$-35$) for the night. Most girls work at bars chat with customers or with they're friends trying to get someone who will pay for their night. My friend Matt lived in Thailand for 4 years and explained that most of the prostitution is like dating. If a foreigner is in town for lets say a week she will try to get a date. A date meaning he will usually pay for dinner, drinks at her bar and then pay her fee on top of it. most girls will get about 3 or 4 dates a week during high season and 1- 2 dates a week during low season. If a girl charges 1000 baht a date that 3 or 4 thousand baht a week. The alternative would be working in construction or in a factory where the average workers salary is about 4000 baht ( 140$) a month. So basically you're making a months salary in a week during high season. Thailand is still a melting pot for child prostitution and exploitation. The International Labour Organization estimates that 12, 000 children are being traffic in S-E Asia with the majority going to Thailand. Many other countries have these women imported to work in various salons under atrocious living conditions. Women from neighboring Laos and Cambodia sneak into Thailand or are sold into the sex industry as well women from Easter Europe mainly Russia who have been tricked into the Thai sex industry. The police force is so underpaid and overworked that though prostitution is illegal it is difficult to control and police the entire industry.

2007-07-23T21:19:00.000+09:00

Seongbongdo- Korea Beach and Amazon Women

This last weekend we ended up going to a secret island location for some fun in the sun and bon fire boozing. We headed down to Incheon ( where the airport is) Friday night so we could grab the ferry early Saturday morning. A small crew of us had left Ansan and 3 hours later on the subway we arrived at out little love motel across form the Ferry. All 6 of us crowded into a room 5 girls and Nathan, we knew from the start things were going to be good when we noticed the porn box next to the T.V. for 2$ you can get an hour of porn. Not Korean porn but Western porn, we assume the moans were English moans... Anyway it was a little too hardcore for our tastes ( the girls were making gagging sounds) but an interesting start to our little Secret Island trip. Saturday morning we all headed down to the Ferry hopping the boys had not gotten too drunk the night before and were going to make the 8: 30 meet. Everyone was on time. It turns out though Chad had not slept all night and had gotten home at 6AM showered and hopped on the subway to meet us. Waiting for the Ferry we witnessed and interesting argument between an Adjumma and an Adjossi. The Adjumma was selling Gimbap for 2$ a roll which is double the normal amount and for some reason she got into a fight with the local Adjossi. They were screaming and yelling on a sidewalk in front of the Terminals main entrance. The old man kept trying to push her away and walk away but she was having none of it. She kept running after him and hitting him... In his defence he did push her away a couple of times only because A. She was really going at him and B. She was actually much bigger than him. If they had gotten into an actual fist fight I would put my money down on the Grandma, she was the superior force no doubt about it. He was obviously not going to start a fight he was going to loose. After the fight heated up Adjossi Man knocked over her knife and cutting board and kicked her bowl of gimbap... Gimpab everywhere on the side walk. Finally the Adjumma gave up and went to collect her Gimbap sprawled on the dirty sidewalks of Incheon.

Once we got to the Secret Island it was all relaxation and fun. We had lunch chilled on the beach and went for a walk. some of the group decided to hit the rocks and climb but Jane, Jen, Julie, Danielle and I all decided there was an easier way. So we cut through the forest and before we knew it we found a road. We followed it to the end of the island and 20 minutes later we arrived at our destination. We sat and waited for the others and a WHILE later we finally saw them moving ever so slowly around the rocky coast. Chad had found a flag of sorts and staged a coup to colonize our side of the island we rebuffed them and offered peace offerings to which they attacked us with little fireworks in the shape of miniature planes. OK so they don't go very far and if they hit they only burn your clothing but really a small fiery object going at you isn't fun. After the negotiations ended and we accepted these refugees we all headed back to our room. We had a great Samgypsal bbq dinner and headed back down to the beach for a bonfire. We had gotten hold of crackers and marshmallows but all 3 stores on the island did not sell any chocolate. boohoo no smores! The next day we got up early an headed down to the beach... 2nd time on a beach in a month that's a record! We finally headed home... the worst part of a trip is going home a 2 hour ferry and 2 hours on the subway.. Julie, Nathan and I were so lazy we even had McDonalds. It was nice though I've only had Mcd's a handfull of times and Burger King 3 times. Now I have about 60 mosquito bites on my feet and they're driving me nuts and just want to scratch the little buggers away but yes I know... That makes it worse. I'm leaving for Thailand on Friday. I am so excited 3 more days of works and then a 10 day vacation. Life is just about perfect right now.