6000 of my closest friends (that look at me funny. and dont understand me. and laugh)

Saturday I went for a hike at Gyeryong-san National Park. I went alone in hopes of gaining the perspective that being alone in the woods (decidedly not the city) during the height of autumn might lend a person. And it was beautiful, and perspective lending, and, i might add, quite a rigorous hike. It was almost everything I had hoped for in a Saturday away (deliciously, blissfully away) from the city. To be sure, the one thing I wasnt on that trip was alone.

When I got off the bus, I thought I had misread the guidebook and the careful instructions of my friend. I must be at the circus. There are balloons here. And lines. It smells like elephant ears. But no, I was at the park. For the first mile or so of the "hike" (quotations used at this point to emphasize the fact that there were women in stilettos and men in suits so it can most definitely not be a quotation-less hike), there were stalls peddling sweet cakes and assorted chachkes lining either side of the path.

Videographic proof that it was, in fact, crowded:


Gyeryong-san Mob Scene from ali on Vimeo.


However, after that first mile or so the path did diverge and I selected the one with lighter traffic (very Robert Frost of me, I know). It was absolutely beautiful as the fall colors were at their prime. I dont think I could have picked a better time to go.

sorry about the lens flare on that one.

In other news, given my recent inability to sleep, I have been able to do some surprising things. My marble floors are smelling deliciously of pine-sol. I have read the New York Times, the Korea Herald, and the less boring parts of the Wall Street Journal. I have caught up on celebrity gossip (which I dont even like) and what is going on in the blogging world (fascinating). I have seen what the 8 am sun looks like reflecting off the Rodeo Town (pronounced ro-day-oh like the snobby californians would) windows opposite mine. I have taken pictures of my feet:

This may be what your foot would look like, say, if it got stomped on by a high heel at a dance club (except maybe not as fat as mine).

In my inability to sleep, I have not, however, been able to do the following:
the dishes
send the mail I have been meaning to for two weeks
sleep, obviously
prep for my classes
stop thinking about the two boxes of presents hidden under my bed (I know theyre there. they are taunting me)

youve come a long way baby

"Wouldn't the two Koreas reach a step closer to unification if we have similar eating habits?" Choi said. "I'm just hoping this will pave the way for inter-Korean peace."

profound.

check it. (that means click here)

Lucky you

My my, are you lucky. No posts for a week and then three in one day. I realized I didnt post any pictures the entire month of October. So, happy November!

floats at the lantern festival, but it was pouring

bondagee, or cooked bugs. they are sold to be eaten but smell terrible.


the waterside where I run

fountain outside the art gallery

flawed like me

As I have mentioned before, the parents in this country are crazy for education. The school where I teach is of the afternoon variety, which means that students go to their normal schools all day before getting their 3-hour dose of English from me. They are typically here twice a week, but go to a variety of other hogwons, or extra-curricular academies such as mine. English, math, science, orchestra--their structured learning does not cease when they exit their primary school.

Its insane the pressure these kids are under to succeed! I have students burst into tears if they get a B+ on their review test. "My mom will kill me," they whimper. They are constantly being pushed, to do better, to study harder, to work more.

Their mothers extend that pressure onto us, the teachers. I was not two weeks into school before a few mothers complained that I wasnt giving enough homework. A week after that, the complaint was that I didnt call on their student enough. Now, in my defense, they have the same complaints for every teacher, and the complaints come in the same order during the same weeks of the semester. It is as though there is some secret parent meeting where they decide what they are going to do next. (and for the record, I assign the same homework as everyone else and I call on every student).

Anyway, the most recent complaint is one that, I must say, took me by surprise. A parent called saying that her child is coming home from school and using the word like too much. As I am an American, they had to have learned this from me.

I admit that I do inadvertently insert this word into inappropriate locations in my everyday speech. However, I try very hard not to use casual language in my classroom. Furthermore, I have these students one day a week. I scarcely think that is enough time to pick up on my bad habits. Nevertheless, my boss mentioned that I may want to pay attention to such "trash language" in the future. I agree, and Im trying.

At the same time, though, I kind of like knowing that theres actually someone paying attention.

get fired up

So, I have recently discovered a website that will allow me to embed any video that I take onto this website. As a result, you may now be able to see in real time some of the things only offered to you photographically. Obviously, Im still partial to photos, both because the quality is better and then I dont have to hear my own voice (that always is awkward, no?). Its not like Ive been doing a stellar job uploading photos for you anyway, but that isnt quite the point. At any rate, I will start taking more blog-friendly videos. Here is your first installment...its a video of my beloved Daejeon Citizens scoring a goal off a header. They lost in the second round of the playoffs, but I love them anyway. Careful, because it gets a bit loud.

Header goal from ali on Vimeo.