What's in a Name?

Since our students are in an English academy, they all get to choose an English name to use while they're in school. If they opt not to choose an English name they get to hear us butcher their Korean name. There are a lot of Lucys, Janes, Johns, and Sams. We get names of all sorts, some typical and others not so much. They can really choose anything they want. We have some boys names Lion, Tiger, Marine and Star. We have some girls named George, Tinie, Byeonce, Clana and Latisha. Recently Jordan had a 15yr old boy who requested that his name be 'Jane'. Jordan, in a casual sort of way, suggested that they change the 'N' in Jane to an 'M' and then add an 'S'....doesn't that sounds just a little 'cooler' for a boys name? :).....crisis averted.

Open Door Policy

There are many things you have to learn to forgo when living in a foreign country....but I never thought that privacy would be one of those things. Over the past year and a bit we've really learned to take ourselves lightly.
When we first got here we had to do a medical check to prove that we were fit and not diseased. We went from station to station checking eyesight, weight/height, hearing, blood test and even an xray. Our boss came with us every step of the way. And when the results came back they went straight to him and whoever else happened to be in the office. All this seemed to be standard procedure.
Our boss also has a key to our apartment and occasionally comes to fix something at our apartment while we are at school. It is strange to come home after a days work and realize someone has been in your house.
Also, when we receive packages from home, there is usually a declaration paper on top saying what is in the package. Our boss makes sure to read that as I think he's curious as to what we might be getting from the US.
This past week our AC wasn't working properly. We told our boss and he tried to fix it but to no avail. He called a repairman but the only time the repairman could come was while we were at work on Friday. Our boss said he could go and meet the repairman at our apartment....this was probably for the best as we don't speak much Korean. :) Jordan started late on Friday and as he was leaving our boss showed up with the repairman. As Jordan opened the door a little wider to let them in two little heads popped around the door. Our boss said "oh, these are my students" as though it were perfectly normal he was bringing them along to see the foreigners house. :)
All these things and more remind us to hold our privacy loosely. It also makes us stop and think that maybe it's not all that important anyway....just a little embarrassing at times. Our boss shows up in a lot of these examples but really he's fantastic and incredibly helpful whenever we have an issue we need help with. There's just a different way of doing things in Korea. :)

Success!

We finally found Jordan a new pair of shoes...this is a big deal because this is actually the fourth pair of shoes we've bought since we've been here and for one reason or another they haven't worked out. This in itself makes it blog-worthy. They're called Adidas "Dragon".....an added bonus! :)

Teacher, it's my.....

Sometimes in our classes our students our students have a chance to get creative. Here's a sample of their artwork.

ROKetship comics

It is common for Korean people, particularly women, to use an umbrella in the sunshine. This protects them from getting too tan. It is common belief over here that if you get too much sun, you will look like a farmer from the country and therefore look "poor". Here's a funny comic about it. ROKetship comics are done by a foreigner living in Korea. This fellow does a great job depicting common situations that foreigners run into here.



http://roketship.tumblr.com/

Jessi's Korean Adventure

We had a great week with Jessi here! We did lots of stuff and she did even more while we were at work. :) Here are some pictures from our adventures....
WARNING there is a picture of dog meat in this slideshow...continue at your own risk.

Jessi's in town

Jessi (Kyla's sister)is in town and we've been out and about all weekend trying new things. Here is just one fun thing we've done....letting little fish bite our feet....more to come. :)

The squatter....dun dun dun.....

This post will probably be more than you need to know but as it's part of Korean culture I think you should be informed. :)

The predominant toilet option in Korea is a squatter. Western style toilets are becoming more popular but are far from being "common", especially outside of the cities. In fact our contract specifically stipulates that our school is required to provide us with a western style toilet in our apartment.

The Korean sewer system also leaves much to be desired and as a result you are not supposed to put TP in the toilet, in most places you are supposed to toss it in the trash can. When we first got here and did some traveling around we forgot this and accidentally clogged the toilet at a hotel by tossing tissue into the toilet.....oops :) It was horribly embarrassing going down the front desk and playing a game of charades, as we tried to explain what happened.

Without going into more detail, I think you get the jist....learning to use a squatter is important when traveling in Korea....as well as in many other parts of world. I am happy to say, we have successfully mastered the art..... :)




This is the Korean version of an outhouse.