Monday, November 17, 2008

Nov 17th's Thoughts

Me and my homie Bonnie



Me and my co teachers. And my friend joe from Australia


Me and another co teacher at school. One out of 7 males that teach at the school


ALL MY VA Homies... I GOT LOVE FOR VA AND THE BURG! lol...Some more of my CO teachers Soo Jin and Kristin lol


It has been a minute since I have last posted! I apologize for not staying on top of my posts. When I first thought about coming out here I wanted to know everything! I would read blogs of people that were already out here! It sparked my interest as well as valuable information before making the ultimate step. None the less it keeps me sane and keeps my thoughts organized. I never know who is reading but as I always say its for my sanity. Excuse me for grammatical errors and literary devices. I just want to vibe out without worrying about all of that! So just follow me. Im gonna vibe out.

It has been almost two months since I first arrived here in South Korea. Time fly's doesnt it! I am still in that phase of excitement. No two days are alike like a snowflake. I am always on my toes. I could be walking to get something to eat in my city and get a phone call and be on the bus/train to Seoul to meet up with some friends! I wanted to get settled in before starting to really emerge myself in the language. I have picked up phrases and words here and there but nothing extensive. It is very easy to let a year go by without learning the language you can get by just fine by sticking to English and not even trying. However I am not one of those people I feel like if your in their country least respect them by trying to learn there language instead of always coming out speaking English. That is what I do. I greet them in korean and try to pronounce what I am trying to ask. Once that fails hahah i HAVE no choice but to go to English but the thing is im trying. The people here are extremly nice they will bend over backwards to help you in anyway they can. Lol funny story I was having a minor problem with my Internet and I called the company and told the guy i was having problems. By time i hung up the phone he was knocking at my door cheezin lol hahah I just laughed....The customer service is great out here im not even gonna lie like I said they will bend over backwards to make sure you get what you need!

It also has been tight getting to meet people from all over the world. I love it! I thrive on it really. First of all I like to talk actually I love to talk my favorite subject was Lunch due to all the socializing! Nah im kidding but for real. I love meeting people from all over the world and that is exactly what I have done....Here is the run down on the people that I have met thus far...Australians, South Africans, New Zealand, Canadians, And of course Americans. I often find myself laughing when my friend joe talks because things are named different in Australia for example

I call it a socket or outlet he calls it a POWERPOINT so when he said where is your PowerPoint lol I said its on the computer. I said I am going to Mcd's he says he is going MACKERS? lol i said what is that he said u know McDonald's...I say whats good...he says what up mate...I say good look when thanking someone he says chose mate....I say yeah this is "tight" or that joint is tight...he says man this is hectic....lol so in other words its always funny how even in the english language there are variations from place to place

Now even though I am having a great time out here in Korea Imma keep it real with things that irritate me that I have to get used to! Here is my 10 irritations in no order!

1. When it rains riding on the subway or bus! I would literally empty out my bank account and pay for a pocket of fresh air!

2. Smoke! people smoke everywhere here. It is almost as worse as Turkey! they smoke like chimnys over here.

3. My school planning social outings for me! Lol last week I came to school they said "jered on wedensday your gonna go to the movies and then to dinner ok? Is that asking me or telling me lol I mean i didnt mind going to watch 007 and dinner afterwards but its not so cool when its gonna be something I dont like to do! So ask me don't tell me!

4. Drying my clothes on the floor! No Dryer! Laundry is basically a day event lol. however dry cleaning here is rather cheap! so it evens out!

5. Pushing a button to turn on my hot water heater! America we just go in the shower and turn the hot water knob without thinking. In Korea I have to turn the heater on before taking a hot shower!

6. People coughing without covering their mouths!

7. KIMCHI!! - Sorry everyone says u will get used to it!! Not I. I will never like kimchi! So this is def on the list...For those of you that don't know what Kimchi is look it up!

8. Coins! lol haha I got so many coins the highest note out here is 10,000 Won which is like USD 10 dollar bill...Imagine in the states if that was our highest note!

9. IF you want to teach in Korea you have to be able to deal with change of plans!!! lol hahah man plans and things change here on the drop of a dime lol what you thought you were doing could vanish like a fart in the wind lol....gotta be able to adapt and roll with the flow this should actually be RANKED 1. lol

10. Taking my shoes off at school!!!! and having to walk around in sandals in the winter!!!
+ my school having the windows open!! the school is concrete the insulation is horrible they be stingy with the heat!!

SAD DAYS so Far and SOOn to come

Missing D's wedding
My DAD and Brotha's Bday
THANKSGIVING!
XMAS
SISTER BDAY
MOM BDAY
START OF EMU' BBALL SEASON WE 2-0 THO HOLLA BACK!
EMU GRADUATION
SENIOR NIGHT

I have a creative way at looking at things that made it possible for me to make this journey. First of all I love to travel so that played a factor into my decision into coming. Also I didnt feel like being married to a 9 to 5 behind a desk. I dont mind the hours and working hard. I just didnt want to feel like I had to go to work everyday to pay bills. I wanted to enjoy waking up every morning early and feel like I have accomplished something...For this job I feel that way. Every morning that I wake up and I get to school and see the kids cheezin saying "Helllo misster lyyyooon" It makes you feel important. Imma keep it real with everyone. Im not gonna front living out here. I kinda feel like a mini Rock star sort of. I go on the subway little kids wave and say hello. Parents nod and are obviously intrigued wondering what I am doing in Korea because clearly I am not in the military (Military guys are usually well always cleaned shaved and much bigger than I am. But the fresh shave and haircut give it away). When I go to lunch the kids scream and yell my name all wanting hand shakes and autographs in English cursive. It would be very easy for someone to come over here and think very highly of themselves and get big headed...However I vow never to get like that because Honestly everyday I put on my shoes my jacket and I head for the door to school Im being me! Im not changing for no being on this earth. Day in Day out im gonna be me! Take it or leave it. I love life. i DONT act or put on a facade. Some people say I joke to much or dont take things seriously well there is a time and place for everything. I believe some people travel abroad and try to make up this make believe life that they have back home and sometimes I can sense it sometimes I cant. When people ask me where I am from I say MARYLAND not DC...DC IS DC and Maryland is Maryland...some people back home have a severe case of this lol ! Yes we are close to DC but just cause you live near DC doesn't make you from there..Its not about where your from its about where your at!...I said all that to say...A year is a long time! However time does fly. Its kind of Bittersweet! Some say man Jered you could change in a year...yeah very true I could. Some ways I will because I am being exposed to a different lifestyle and culture but one thing for sure I will NEVER NEVER NEVER CHANGE THIS IS J EVERYDAY. until then remember folks....LIVE. LAUGH. LOVE......lifess gooodd holllllllllllllllaaaaaaaaaaaaa attttttttttttttt yaaaaaaaaaaa boiiiiiiiii

1 comment:

A said...

woowww. like the blog. so why korea??