Back America

I'm home for two weeks. Flying home was interesting, and not just because I traveled with Liz, another ETA. Our flight from Seoul to Tokyo was only supposed to be 2 hours. It turned out to be 6 hours, because wind shears prevented us from landing at our airport in Tokyo. As we were descending, we hit a big bump of turbulence, and those of us in the back of the plane flew out of our seats a little. The plane sped up, ascended, and the pilot decided to go to another airport, refuel, and then return. So we landed safely, but missed our connection to America and had to spend a night in a Tokyo airport hotel. The traveling was extended by a day and so my sleep schedule is pretty messed up. Almost as bad as when I had to get up for ROTC in college.

So... America... it hasn't changed too much. Being abroad in South Korea has also let me stay in touch really easily. The high speed internet, IM, Skype, and email means the only thing between me and friends and family is the time difference.

Notes on America:
New England isn't that cold right now.
I think I might have broken my pinky finger last night playing basketball (typing sucks right now).
I really did miss cheese, chips and salsa, and cranberry juice.
I saw Syriana today, and while it's good to think about some of the themes brought up in the movie, I didn't think it was a good movie.
The Pistons really are that good.

I wish I was better at putting into words the differences between Korea and America. That can be one of my goals for next semester. In addition to getting serious about learning Korean. Oh who are we kidding I'm just there to teach English.

I go to DC/Northern Virginia tomorrow to visit the college friends. I'm excited! Happy New Year!

Loving it

One of the best pictures I've been part of in a long time. Yes, Korea, yes. Thanks to Annie for this picture.

Happy Holidays Card

It's just for you!

For the past couple years, I've toyed with the idea of making Christmas cards (or holiday cards or whatever you want to call them). Obviously it's a nice way to keep in touch with people. I really haven't ever been too busy, but I finally got around to it. So here is the first Bennett Baldwin Holiday Winter Solstice Christmas Kwanzaa Hanukkah New Year Full Moon Greeting Card. Oh sorry, too long for you? Seriously though, Happy Holidays!

And then there's always this: maybe... I just wanted to play with photoshop. I haven't used photoshop in a while... but I'd like to think I still got it.

Checking Out Early

Off to Gwangju tonight for a little English speaking get together with some other ETAs. I had been planning to spend the weekend with my host family, but the kids have school tomorrow, and last night I learned that it's my host parents' anniversary this weekend, so they're not going to be here anyway. Good to know. And I'm babysitting tomorrow night! (I think)

But I'm going back to America next Thursday! That means:
1. Only 3 more days of teaching!
2. I'll see family and friends AND be able to communicate really well with them!
3. I can leave my shoes on in the house.
4. My real mom won't remake my bed everyday.
5. Fixed showerhead!
6. Applesauce and Mexican food
7. Basketball!

This week teaching has been nice - I tell the kids about Christmas cards, give them a piece of paper, and then all I have to do is walk around. I make sure they're not writing in Korean, not making fun of the girls who should be in a special education center on their card, and not giving Santa private parts. And I play Christmas music. I've never listened to this much Christmas music before in my life. And I love it.

It's been fun Korea... and it'll be even better next semester.

The Gammby

You need to read this. If you know my roommate from college, Gammby, or even if you don't know him, it's hilarious.

Not crazy, just from New England

Like many schools in South Korea, my school doesn't have central heating. Not a problem for me, because the teacher's offices, classrooms, and cafeteria are all heated. I can deal with a cool walk whenever I have to go anywhere.

I think the teachers are worried though, because some have asked me if I'm cold. They point to my button down shirts (the same shirts I was wearing when it was very hot) and make hand signals to indicate how thin they are and how thick their jacket is. I tell them, yes, I do own a jacket, but I'm just not cold right now. I appreciate the concern, but the teacher's office is really hot, and if I kept my jacket on in there I might pass out. We could have a tropical Jeju island party in here. I'm surprised some of the Soju loving male teachers haven't thought of this before.

What do you anticipate?

Have I mentioned that (most people in) South Korea is(are) a little(extremely) image conscious?

I was doing a fun lesson that involved playing the song "You can't hurry love" (a hit with most classes) and having the kids put mixed up lyrics in the right order. I taught the word 'anticipate' because it's in the song, and had the kids make up sentences. Many answers were along the lines of 'I am anticipating Christmas (or winter vacation).' But here different kinds of answers:

1. I am anticipating losing weight. (She really doesn't need to.)
2. Moo Hyun is anticipating plastic surgery. (Don't know who Moo Hyun is, but you're in middle school, kids)

Snow in South Korea

Today/last night was our first snowfall of the season! My host mom told me to look outside when I woke up. That's the view from our apartment. Lots of concrete, exciting.

In other news, I only have to teach 8 hours (I think) this week! Which will be nice after teaching a lot last week. And I get to plan for the winter camp I have to teach in January.

Thanks to Mathiew's suggestion, I now have found a great place to take language classes in Seoul in February. So (maybe) after that my Korean will be good enough to get back conversationally. I sure hope so, I elected to stay in Gyeryong this weekend, and since the kids had to study for tests, I was pretty bored...

My host mom was worried when I told her I would find a hasukjip (small study room/apartment popular with college students), and asked if I wanted one... haha, I think I'll be fine on my own for a month in Seoul... MAYBE (as we like to say in South Korea), even more than fine.

If you're an NBA fan...

Then you'll love this article by Bill Simmons. I know there aren't many NBA fans out there, but it's good. Here's one of my favorite parts:

Every year, Duncan and the Spurs fly to Boston and beat the absolute crap out of the Celtics. And every year, my Dad comes home from the game, calls me and says, "They toyed with us, they absolutely toyed with us. What a great team. I remember when we used to toy with teams like that."

Spam attack

I got this email in my inbox, found it hilarious, and compared it to some of the unusual sentences my students write. I bolded my favorite parts, so enjoy.

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Babur Nishimoto