Sprunging

It isn't official or anything, that is, aside from the banner I hung from my window and the parade I organized for Saturday, but the Korean spring is definitely making itself known. Here and there, springlike things are happening. The perverted version of soccer that includes headless mannequin torsos as goals that we foreigners play in the middle of the night has resumed, indeed I already have one goal under my 2008 belt; the Daejeon "professional" team has resumed play with an awe inspiring 2-0 loss yesterday, although the cheering section's new Daejeon Citizens (insert - Korean usage leads the team name to be most often pronounced "Daejeon Shitizens") song to the tune of "Karma Chameleon" somehow made up for it; the weather is projected at 60+ degrees this week; yellow dust from the desertification of China and Mongolia has begun its annual springtime assault on Korea, resulting in stuffy noses, aching sinuses, and, of course, a hoarse voice. We are also now finished with the third week of the spring term at CDI (realtime pronunciation by unknowing Korean students- "Shitty I"). My classes are much more difficult this term, as I am working with the higher-level students. It makes things much more enjoyable for me, but at the same time it also means a lot more work.

I have a ton of pictures of the past few weeks to post, but I'm too lazy to do it right now. Sorry.

Flashback

I know that items exist as memory markers for all of us; there are select sensory triggers that put us squarely back to some point in our life history. It's universal, and I recognize that. Somehow, however, they seem stronger to me here. Perhaps it is the simple fact that so much is foreign, or at least it was, that it is the unusual experience to encounter something that sucks me back more than seven months. The bread is sweet, the pizza has corn and sweet potatoes, and the coffee is instant with sugar and cream pre-mixed. There isn't much like that that reminds me of home.

The Daejeon Costco just began carrying Honey Nut Cheerios, or, at least, I just noticed they carry them. I have found that it is impossible to eat them without being in the house at 24 Aberdeen Road at 7:30 in the morning begging, from the bottom of the stairs, for my parents to get out of bed and entertain me because Katy is watching TV so hard she hasn't blinked in twenty minutes. It's funny where things take us.

serving fresh culture with quasi-frequency

Boriam Temple - Namhae-do from ali on Vimeo.

Not too long ago I found myself at a Buddhist temple on the top of a mountain on an island in southern Korea. The intricacies of the temples, palaces, gates and other traditional architecture here are stunning, especially when one stops to think about the treacherous trek builders would have had to make in order to construct such masterpieces. This particular temple also had a very large and heavy looking bell. In addition to such traditional items, the site now features a side, drive-up exit. I must say it was a bit of a blow to finally make it, sweaty and panting, to the top only to see families in their lunar new year best running around and making a general ruckus. (sorry the video isnt the best. my camera is a camera, not a video recorder. who knew?)


Looking for a quieter location from which to view the scene, we chanced upon this rock covered with both leftover ice and tons of small statues. Perhaps it is indecent of me, but I couldn't help but think that these few below look like they are drowning. (note also that the lifeguard buddha has Lennon glasses).

A Lookout

Today marks the first day of my third semester of teaching in Korea; I am officially half-way though my contract. Although I have been here over six months, I actually began teaching 26 weeks ago. It's strange how it feels so long, and yet no time at all. I am already a veteran teacher, and new teachers are coming in droves as our branch expands like crazy. At the same time, I feel so new. This half marker symbolizes nothing, yet it technically is the beginning of the back nine, the walk back to the lodge and the locker room. They say once you're over the hill it's all downhill. I beg to differ, and the view is nice.

where you be?

you may have noticed ive been absent lately. not for a lack of wanting to share my life with you, but because ive been wrapped up with the details of ordinary, everyday happenings. things such as:

students wearing masks,


bridges,


fishing villages,



rice growing on hillsides,


beaches,


rock formations,


temples on mountaintops,

views,

more bridges,

koreans,

big cities,

karaoke,


hats,


palaces,


and a few people i just happened to bump into.

its all been very mundane and normal, you know, the tedious bits of life that pop up when you are busy worrying about more important things. ill try not to let it happen again, although you know how these things can show up out of nowhere.