No Taiwan or Jeju entry yet

Sorry, I'm afraid I haven't had the time nor the motivation to post anything significant yet. I caught a little bug in Taiwan, and have been sick since I arrived to Korea. I think I felt the worst of it today... hopefully. It is 10:30pm here, and I am hoping to go to bed within the next half hour. Last night I went to bed by 10:30 and slept like a rock the entire night, that's how exhausted and sick I was. So once I feel less under the weather I will post up the promised entries. Until then, keep checking back!

-AALA

Quick Update and a Promise

So this will be a short entry.

In less than 24 hours I will land in Taiwan, and officially start my summer vacation. It was badly needed as work was starting to get to me. It's been 5 months since I moved to Korea. Crazy. By the time it's by birthday next month, I'll have been here for half a year. That means I'll be halfway through my contract already! How time flies. Oh, and I'll be 23. I'm old. Jeez.

Oh, also, I will thankfully not be alone in Taiwan. I found out a guy I went to high school with had recently moved to Taiwan, and he does not start work for a while. He also happens to be in a hostel that is within walking distance from the hostel I'm staying at. He and I will be travel buddies (and he's nice enough to come and pick me up at the airport), so that worked out nicely!

I promise to post up pictures of my trip to Jeju Island when I come back from Taiwan. And of course I'll have a Taiwan entry at some point. Although I do need to put a disclaimer that the Jeju pictures will include pictures of Love Land (a sex-themed sculpture park). The sculptures are VERY risque, so if you're at work and reading this I will suggest that when you get to the Jeju entry you wait to look at the pictures when you get home or something.

Happy travels!

-AALA

K-pop Part 2 (and some other songs)

As I've said, I've been getting into the K-pop scene. I've also got a few non-Korean foreign songs on my iPod (stuff I heard in the clubs and that I wanted for myself. But first to the K-pop!

Yelena was talking about a dance that she liked by a boy band called Super Junior. The song is called Sorry Sorry. She liked to dance to it in the clubs. There are a few videos circulating for this song (I guess the group made a few for the same song), but below is the one I like by far. I think it is very well done, and showcases the group's dancing talents. Big kudos to the choreographer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAWqnA8PdcY

This next song is by a Korean named Rain. Now, I didn't specifically say "singer" for Rain because Rain happens to be a multi-facted performer. He's a big movie star and singer in Korea, among other things. He's also pretty well known internationally. I'll let his Wikipedia page do the talking here.
But anyway, I heard this song a few times in different eating establishments, and after obsessively trying to find it I found "Hip Song." If you have any knowledge of music whatsoever you will somewhat recognize the melody that permeates the song; I've heard the original song it's ripped off from in commercials. I know it's an extremely old song (for some reason Wagner keeps popping up in my head, even though I'm sure it's wrong), but I just can't put my finger on it! If you know it tell me so I can stop obsessing! Anyway, here it is (note that it's not the music video as I can't find one, but just the audio):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1cndDkRb5o&feature=related

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Now, to the non-Korean songs I got into. The first one is a Russian song that I hear a lot in the club, and Yelena (being Russian) was able to send it to me. It's called "Volna" by DJ Smash.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7hSoYt10cM&feature=related

The second is one that I somewhat regret liking, but it's just so damn catchy. I also heard it in the club. It's called "Iran Iran" by Arash. From what I read it's dedicated to the Iranian soccer team. I definitely feel like dancing when I hear it (and the Iranians at the club go absolutely NUTS for this song). I have heard 2 slightly different versions. The other also has DJ Alligator, and it actually has the word "football" put into the song. This version with DJ Alligator is the one I have on my iPod. However, I could not find that version so, alas, you will have to be content with the one sans DJ Alligator and the word "football."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_1maePHaZk

Enjoy!

-AALA

Miscellaneous Update

I received the notice from the Foreign Service. As expected I did not pass, but I have already faxed the company that administers the test so I can receive details on how I did on each section. I should be prepared next year.

I leave for Jeju Island this weekend. I am very excited to get to the beach. I heard it is very beautiful. This will be only my second time taking a trip outside of the Seoul metro area for more than a few hours. And in about 2.5 weeks I have my summer vacation in Taiwan! I found out a former high school classmate just moved there, so now I have someone to at least hang out with for even just a bit. I am much more at ease now. And yesterday I bought tickets to the Philippines for my vacation in September for the Chuseok holiday. It was amazing that I even was able to find the tickets at the price I found them; I swear that every Korean and their grandmother is leaving Korea for the holiday. Koreans get so few actual vacation days, and they always work long hours, that when they get the chance to not go to work they take full advantage. Even European packages were sold out for that holiday. However, cheaper plane tickets came at a price: I am arriving to Manila 2 days into my vacation. I will only have about 4 days in the Philippines. However, upon my research I will probably fly from Manila to the Filipino island of Palawan as soon as I arrive due to there being many things to see on Palawan (especially in the nature department). I think I'll make my last day in the Philippines in Manila for some shopping and site seeing.

There is something else I want to talk about; I know that I said in my very first entry on the site that I wasn't going to make this blog personal; rather, this was meant to be an insight into the different cultures and countries I would be in. With that said, there is something I want to share that may be a bit personal, but I think it serves as something to be learned from, not just for myself but for anyone traveling. This is especially important, as I am going to be talking about dating.

As I mentioned a couple of months ago I went on a date with an Iranian. For a while it went well, but things took a turn when he told me he had to make a last-minute trip to Iran to sort out family business. After a week of supposedly being in Iran he completely stopped contacting me. We had been dating roughly a month by this point. I was taking things slow (especially in the emotional department), but at the same time I care about people I get to know, so naturally I was worried. About a month and a half later I went clubbing with Yelena and we ran into some of his friends. After noticing some suspicious chatter and body language I found out that what I thought I knew of the Iranian turned out to not be so true. Without going into details all I will divulge is that I was lied to on multiple levels. As this information was being given to me, it is also important for me to note that many of his friends did not hesitate to hit on me, and one even proclaimed his love for me that very night. After I discussed the matter with some other friends who are more knowledgeable in the ways of Persians, I think perhaps the men of that culture clash with me. As one of my friends said, "Look at their literature. Many themes are centered on deception."

That is not to say that every Iranian is deceitful or a bad person. Indeed, what I went through could have happened with any man from any culture. I do not judge someone based solely on their background/ethnicity/heritage. That was why I dated the Iranian in the first place, despite the hysteria of my own conservative mother. However, to any person reading this, I just want you to be wary of dating someone from a completely different culture, especially if you're a woman and you're anything like me as far as being independent and having big ambitions: that is, the likeliness of it working out is slim. Don't hesitate to try it because it's a good experience, and in the end a good life lesson, but be wary and be cautious; you never know if the person you want to have a relationship with ends up playing you.

-AALA

Argentina vs Korea

So it seems I had nothing to worry about. Argentina thoroughly clobbered South Korea 4-1 (although one of Argentina's goals was an accidental self-goal by one of the Korean players). I went to a place called Batman Bar to watch the game with co-workers. Just as a side note, the bar is not in any way associated with anyone or any company that owns "Batman." Korea doesn't really have copyright laws (and if they do, they're not enforced), so you end up with things like Batman Bar, and tons of knock-off clothes with brands like "Pink" (from Victoria's Secret, although most of the time in Korea it's not actually the VS brand).

I really hyped up the game to my kindergartners, and their parents were eager for it. I had written in my weekly reports last week to the parents of my kindergartners about the "bet" I made with their children, presenting it in a way that it could be taken as a joke (in case the parents didn't want to actually take part in it). Well, more than one parent decided to take me up on it, a few of them writing in their responses to me on the reports things such as:

"Fighting Korea [and a Korean flag drawn next to it]. You will buy a pizza :) "
"...Katie was talking about the bet. :) It sure sounds fun! If Argentina wins we will bring pizza on Friday okay!!... I hope Korea wins..."
"...Argentina soccer team is very strong. Team manager Maradona is a very famous player, as "Hand of God." It's a joke!... Thank you for your pizza!"
"You and our children's week seemed like to be happy and beneficial."
"...For your hope, Korea wons over Greece! Tony also was very excited. I look forward to "bet" about soccer..."

Whatever grammatical mistakes you read was not an error of my typing, but what the parents actually wrote. Also, I want to also highlight that some of the things that have been marketed for the team and the World Cup to Korea have been the slogans "Fighting Korea" and "Shouting Korea." There is one commercial in particular where you see Korean players on the field with another team (there is no logo on their jersey, but they are conspicuously wearing the unique Argentine design of white and sky blue vertical stripes), and those other players can't concentrate because of all the Koreans shouting, thus allowing the Korean team to score. I did not like this commercial, mostly because of their use of stand-in Argentine players. I have seen 3 such commercials with these un-named players wearing the Argentine colors and design.

Anyway, the parents seemed a bit hyped up about the bet, too. I decided to make it as fun as possible by sometimes antagonizing my kids so that they would start shouting "Korea! Korea!" I also taped some written reminders to their folders on Wednesday reminding them to wear the colors of their favorite team. Despite two of my kids voicing an interest in cheering for Argentina, I knew that their parents would have the final say on what they wore (these kids are, after all, only 6 years old). Sure enough they ALL wore red; all 10 of them (at first it was only 9 of them because one of my children, Sara, forgot about it and clearly her mom didn't care, but once Sara came to school and saw that everyone in class was wearing red except for her, she had her mom take her out and change her into a red shirt, and then she came back to school).

They were the only class to all wear red. It was sooo adorable!!! During lunch, when all the classes were sitting in single file lines in the big gym, I knew my class just from a glance because they were the only all-red line. I received many comments from other teachers about it. Here is picture of myself as the lone Argentine wearing my national pride in my class of ultra-Koreans:




I would also like to point out that all of the American teachers at my school wore Korean/red shirts, and all of the Korean supervisors (with one exception) also wore red. I was literally the lone Argentine. All of the other children in the other classes kept pointing at me when they saw me in the halls, and they would ask their respective teachers, "Carla Teacher, Argentina?" with somewhat disbelief. One of my supervisors pointed out, "Carla, you realize how alone you are right now, right? We're all wearing red..." I said, "I know, I noticed. This will make victory all the sweeter." And it did!

I was bit nervous about the game and the bet due to Korea's performance against Greece last week, as well as Argentina's. I felt Korea was going to be a formidable opponent, and I was panicking briefly due to my immense pride. But thankfully Yelena convinced me to watch the game with friends, and to just enjoy things. Things turned out well.

On Friday we had a pizza party per the terms of the bet.

The parents brought the pizza, cups, juice and plates. Here I set everything up while the kids were doing their lunchtime activities.

They all enjoyed a slice of delicious victorious pizza.

Korean pizza is interesting in that they tend to combine things you wouldn't normally combine in a pizza, like here we had potatoes, ham, mushroom, onion and some sort of ricotta cheese or something of that nature.

A good day, indeed.

-AALA

Accomodation, the Foreign Service exam, and the World Cup

I have reserved my spot in a hostel in Taiwan. I went online and after reading some reviews and checking out prices I settled on the Eight Elephants hostel. I have also downloaded maybe 10 free iPod Touch apps that had anything to do with speaking Mandarin. My hope is one of them at some point can help me.

I took the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) on Friday. I felt pretty good about it until the essay portion. I can't go into details, but I was very much not prepared for the essay. Apparently if one doesn't get a passing score on the essay then the rest of the test is not graded. Well, I don't expect to pass then. I wouldn't have given myself a passing score, that's for sure. It was an abysmal essay. Ah well, I was prepared for this anyway. I now know better for next year. I did fairly well with the Job Knowledge (where you are asked questions on geography, history, etc) and the English Expressions (where you are tested in your knowledge of the written English language) portions, but the Biography Questionnaire didn't go as well as I would have wanted, and I've already mentioned the essay.

World Cup South Africa 2010 is now in full swing. I have caught most of the games so far, but this is because most of the games has had someone I was interested in seeing. The first game was on Friday and it was Mexico vs. South Africa. It ended in a draw, with both teams scoring 1 goal. I am a fan of Mexico. Then later that night came Uruguay and France. I don't care for either team, although I was rooting more so for Uruguay as I'm not a fan of France. That ended in a draw with neither team scoring.

Yesterday was a big day. The night started out with Korea playing Greece. The Greek team was really not that good and Korea won 2-0. It was funny hearing the Koreans around me shouting and screaming, although I don't think Korean fans have anything of the loudness and spirit of Latin American fans, such as Argentines and Mexicans. Half an hour after that match was finished came Argentina vs. Nigeria. In a spirited game Argentina was able to win 1-0, but it made me uneasy for next week's match against Korea. Korea pretty much dominated Greece, however (as I've said) Greece was really not that good. And the reason why Argentina was not able to win by more against Nigeria was because their goalkeeper really put everything of himself to stop another goal, even when the Argentine offense easily broke through the Nigerian defense many times. Korea and Argentina easily lead their group. Thursday's match will prove interesting when these two meet. Korea beating Argentina would certainly be an upset because of the powerhouse that is La Seleccion, but I am uneasy. I made a bet with a few of my classes that if Argentina won my students would have to bring me food, but if Korea won I'd have to bring them food. I'm not as assured as I was when I made that bet...

Then, at 3:30am Korea time, came the highly anticipated game between USA and England. I wanted to beat England badly not so much because I'm a fan of the US, but because I have a huge dislike for the English team and for English fans. The game ended in a draw with each team scoring 1 goal (although English fans, and even some American fans, call it lucky that the American goal slipped through the English goalkeeper's hands in a fatal blunder). The goal in question I think is well deserved. The US was playing superbly against a team that, quite frankly, was a bore despite all the hype of its players and talent. On forums I kept seeing "Wayne ROONEY!!!! Rooney will win this," blah blah blah. Rooney was barely a player. He is supposed to be one of the best players in the world and I saw none of it during last night's match. It is clear to me that England very much underestimated the US, and I am happy with the way the team played against another supposed powerhouse. I would rather have a draw than England winning, that's for sure.

Tonight Slovenia plays against Algeria, then Serbia vs. Ghana, and finally Germany vs. Australia. Slovenia and Algeria are in the same group as USA and England, so this is definitely a game I (and my fellow Americans) should be keeping an eye on.

VIVA ARGENTINA!
VAMOS MEXICO!
GO USA!

-AALA

Taiwan-Bound!

Today I bought my airplane tickets to Taipei. I am so excited! Also slightly terrified because I am going by myself, and I know nothing about Taiwan; I don't even know how to say "Hi" in Mandarin and/or Taiwanese (both are spoken in Taiwan). Guess I will have to learn. It's also a bit scary because it's not like I am staying with a friend. I have traveled a lot, but I usually had a friend/family member I was always with, or I was staying with a friend who could give me suggestions and their house served as my home base, etc. This time I have nothing of the sort. The good thing is that a high school friend from back home used to live in Taiwan and she still has friends there. She is going to give me their contact information so that in case I ever need help or anything happens I have someone to contact. I am grateful for this. I also have a college friend who goes to medical school in Singapore, and his girlfriend is Taiwanese, so he's been helping me out, too.

This Friday I will be taking the Foreign Service exam. I received permission from work to leave at noon to take the test in Seoul (I have to be there by 1:30pm, and it will take me roughly an hour to arrive to the site. I would like to have time for a quick lunch in Seoul before such a long and arduous test). It is estimated about 80% of people do not pass their first time. I do not expect to pass, but I see this as a way to see what my strengths and weaknesses are so that when I take the test again next year I am prepared. I joined a Yahoo study group and it is funny how much people are stressing, and want to know every minute detail about the test. It reminds me of college: these are the major overachievers. But not overachievers in a good way; they are the annoying ones. It gets a little irritating when my inbox is inundated with "I just took the test. This section went smoothly, but the other one I should have answered this way..." or "I'm sure I did well. I know I'm going to go on to the next step" blah blah blah; as in they give no useful information, and actually think we all care how they did. Not to sound mean, but I don't know these people, and I could care less whether they think they passed or not. It is me I am most concerned about. This test and this career are super competitive. Thankfully, I have my job in Korea to fall back on for a while should it take me a while to pass the test.

Alright, time to get back to work. There is so much to be done before the weekend!

-AALA