You know, usually I just delete all forwards that end up in my email inbox unless they come from Ali, my mom or someone that just doesn't send them often. Today I got one from my friend Sonya (Shawanda... to those of you who know her alter-ego) and it really touched me... if you didn't get a forward from me or you deleted it... please check it out here. It's good stuff.
http://cjcphoto.com/can/
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
It's just like riding a bicycle...
Oh it is, is it?! I don't know what you are thinking (dear reader), but I am talking about bicycles for real. Today, I decided that I was going to get one so that I can leisurely ride along the riverside near my house. I thought it would be a great way to get a little sun, "fresh" air and excercise all rolled into one. Let me tell you about how you go about getting a bicycle in Korea.
First of all, I mentioned it to those here who already have bikes. I asked them questions about where to get one for a decent price because all I needed was something that goes... no fancy-shmancy things... just wheels, a seat, and a frame holding it all together. So I got the word that Lotte Mart had some... now, those of you who have never been to the Lotte Mart in Chamsil cannot appreciate what an outing this can be, so let me paint the picture for you.
First of all, I drove, thinking that this would be the best way to get the bike home (I live about 10 minutes drive away). So, after ripping along the rode (at the rate that traffic would allow), I made a U-turn (totally legal at almost ALL intersections in Korea) and got in line to enter the parking lot under the Lotte World Hotel and shopping space. This is an entire city block, squared. Of course I had to be waved in by a man with white gloves... he made motions that would confuse the most amazing of all third base coaches and catchers in baseball and underground I went. Where I was greeted by a woman in white gloves who chattered at me in Korean, waved her hand in equally an exciting way as the man and then handed me my parking ticket. Yes, that's right, in Korea you don't lean out the window to press a button, you simply open your window and a worker in white gloves hands it to you.... although, just because some of you have dirty minds, please be sure that they were wearing other clothes as well, not just the white gloves. Okay... so then you spiral closer to the centre of the earth to find a parking spot and then take an elevator up into the bowels of the shopping centre.
Once you are in the shopping centre, aka the maze, you must find your location and there are few with the English skills to truly help you. First I was told that bicycles are sold on the first floor of Lotte Mart, but there seemed only to be make-up... so I went to B1, where I had to wander through all the food aisles and do a little charades to help the staff know that I wanted to buy a bike. Of course this caused endless amusement for the Korean shoppers and brought the PMS me to near tears... but then I just had to laugh. I knew how ridiculous I did look... so then the staff of B1 told me to go to the 4th floor... no, the 5th floor... no, no, the 2nd floor... no, no, no... wait! It was indeed on the 1st floor but because of the new good weather, it was outside the front doors near the "parking station" to quote the staff.
So, feeling spun around like a top, I found the escalator and made my way to the ground floor again. Out the doors I went to face the scared looking bicycle sales staff. The smiled... turned red and pushed the one with the most English at me. I found a bike that was in my price range, didn't look too hokey and that the salesman said was good. I purchased said bike with my credit card (don't tell my mom... I've been so good lately about using it... hahaha, yea right!!) and then told the guy I'd be back with my car. He smiled, nodded and said "see you lata"
So back through the bowels of the shopping centre, down the elevator to the earth's core and into my car. Since I had the receipt I didn't need to pay the exhorbitant fee for parking there and pulled my car around to where the bikes were. Trouble is that at the "parking station" there are no parking spots - they are all roped off for the sales, and so I illegally parked in a cross-walk and ran to find my helper guy. He smiled... wheeled my bike around and stopped short when he say my little car (it is a 4 door sedan, but not built to carry a mountain bike). At first he thought it was going to be impossible but then a light went on, his finger shot into the air and he said "one moment, puh-lease-uh." I smiled and said "okay-uh!" He scurried away and came back later carrying a wad of ribbon. With this he put my bike mostly in the trunk, strapped it down with ribbon and with a flourish, tied down the trunk... I was delighted and scared as hell to drive away like that...
So back onto the big road... trying not to sail over the bumps and home I went... needless to say, the bike and I arrived in one piece.
Now I just gotta ride it!!! Wish me luck.... hehehe
First of all, I mentioned it to those here who already have bikes. I asked them questions about where to get one for a decent price because all I needed was something that goes... no fancy-shmancy things... just wheels, a seat, and a frame holding it all together. So I got the word that Lotte Mart had some... now, those of you who have never been to the Lotte Mart in Chamsil cannot appreciate what an outing this can be, so let me paint the picture for you.
First of all, I drove, thinking that this would be the best way to get the bike home (I live about 10 minutes drive away). So, after ripping along the rode (at the rate that traffic would allow), I made a U-turn (totally legal at almost ALL intersections in Korea) and got in line to enter the parking lot under the Lotte World Hotel and shopping space. This is an entire city block, squared. Of course I had to be waved in by a man with white gloves... he made motions that would confuse the most amazing of all third base coaches and catchers in baseball and underground I went. Where I was greeted by a woman in white gloves who chattered at me in Korean, waved her hand in equally an exciting way as the man and then handed me my parking ticket. Yes, that's right, in Korea you don't lean out the window to press a button, you simply open your window and a worker in white gloves hands it to you.... although, just because some of you have dirty minds, please be sure that they were wearing other clothes as well, not just the white gloves. Okay... so then you spiral closer to the centre of the earth to find a parking spot and then take an elevator up into the bowels of the shopping centre.
Once you are in the shopping centre, aka the maze, you must find your location and there are few with the English skills to truly help you. First I was told that bicycles are sold on the first floor of Lotte Mart, but there seemed only to be make-up... so I went to B1, where I had to wander through all the food aisles and do a little charades to help the staff know that I wanted to buy a bike. Of course this caused endless amusement for the Korean shoppers and brought the PMS me to near tears... but then I just had to laugh. I knew how ridiculous I did look... so then the staff of B1 told me to go to the 4th floor... no, the 5th floor... no, no, the 2nd floor... no, no, no... wait! It was indeed on the 1st floor but because of the new good weather, it was outside the front doors near the "parking station" to quote the staff.
So, feeling spun around like a top, I found the escalator and made my way to the ground floor again. Out the doors I went to face the scared looking bicycle sales staff. The smiled... turned red and pushed the one with the most English at me. I found a bike that was in my price range, didn't look too hokey and that the salesman said was good. I purchased said bike with my credit card (don't tell my mom... I've been so good lately about using it... hahaha, yea right!!) and then told the guy I'd be back with my car. He smiled, nodded and said "see you lata"
So back through the bowels of the shopping centre, down the elevator to the earth's core and into my car. Since I had the receipt I didn't need to pay the exhorbitant fee for parking there and pulled my car around to where the bikes were. Trouble is that at the "parking station" there are no parking spots - they are all roped off for the sales, and so I illegally parked in a cross-walk and ran to find my helper guy. He smiled... wheeled my bike around and stopped short when he say my little car (it is a 4 door sedan, but not built to carry a mountain bike). At first he thought it was going to be impossible but then a light went on, his finger shot into the air and he said "one moment, puh-lease-uh." I smiled and said "okay-uh!" He scurried away and came back later carrying a wad of ribbon. With this he put my bike mostly in the trunk, strapped it down with ribbon and with a flourish, tied down the trunk... I was delighted and scared as hell to drive away like that...
So back onto the big road... trying not to sail over the bumps and home I went... needless to say, the bike and I arrived in one piece.
Now I just gotta ride it!!! Wish me luck.... hehehe
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
update on angst
Many of you have either posted a comment here or emailed me about the angst issue. It's good to know that you support my lack of angst. In fact, I was speaking to the other person in the relationship via chat today and it came to me... I have no expectations for the relationship (and that is by design - so that things take their natural course without my or his pushing or pressuring) and neither does he and that is why there is no angst. We are happily getting to know each other as people and so the distance doesn't affect that. So yea... no angst, no worries, no overanalyzing... *sigh* seems simple, doesn't it? I like it... and the best part is that my partner in crime (hahaha, I am sure he'll love that) is on the same page. So thanks supporters!! hehehe
Spring Fever
Yup, it's that time again where it doesn't matter what kind of work I have to do, all I want to do is be outside, enjoying the spring weather. Spring is finally peaking its face out and Korea is getting prettier by the day. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the plum blossoms too, and the magnolias have gone through one set of blooms and look ready to do it again. The trees are all sporting new green leaves and shrubs are blooming too. This is my favorite time in Korea, and my favorite time in the classroom.
Finally, all my students (well, ALMOST all) are independent and can be trusted to follow instructions and complete tasks on their own. It is so gratifying to see that 8 months of hard work, planning, blood, sweat and tears has paid off.
Recently I have been compiling their scores etc for my action study project so that I can track the success of my students and their achievements under the program I have begun to use and I was blown away. We are ahead of the other classes in the materials and outcomes covered and the kids can actually discuss themselves as students. They know their strengths and weaknesses and are learning ways to cope. It is amazing to see. Their parents were equally amazed when they saw them during student-led conferences. Which, by the way, you need to try if you are a teacher of young children. It is priceless!!!
Finally, all my students (well, ALMOST all) are independent and can be trusted to follow instructions and complete tasks on their own. It is so gratifying to see that 8 months of hard work, planning, blood, sweat and tears has paid off.
Recently I have been compiling their scores etc for my action study project so that I can track the success of my students and their achievements under the program I have begun to use and I was blown away. We are ahead of the other classes in the materials and outcomes covered and the kids can actually discuss themselves as students. They know their strengths and weaknesses and are learning ways to cope. It is amazing to see. Their parents were equally amazed when they saw them during student-led conferences. Which, by the way, you need to try if you are a teacher of young children. It is priceless!!!
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Long time and long distance...
Okay... it has been ages since I last really wrote on here. I guess I've been trying to journal in the real world instead of in cyberspace... but I like both. How to strike a balance? Hm... food for thought, that is.... the other part of this article is to seek advice or opinions about long distance relationships... I think I've found myself in one and I don't feel all the angst that people say I should... so am I really in the relationship then? I've been asked out by other guys though since I started the relationship and that doesn' t interest me... so... hm... more food for thought. Anyway... that's all the rambling I have for now
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Bali Hali
This is one of the gates near our resort... how cool looking is that?
More gate/pond thingy...
Super sunburned me... hot, huh?
My travelling co-horts...
Aw... so cute... but they are unpredictable.
The view from our hotel...Sunday, April 01, 2007
Crazy Signs in Tokyo
Really this is the parking exit sign... but I think it is just telling people to pout... so... do it!!
Dunno what this is all about, but we saw it in Harajuku and I had to get a snap.
This might be my favourite sign from my time in Tokyo... how cute is that?!
So, if you haven't figured it out yet, I went to Tokyo. A couple of weeks ago, my friend Raymond and I went to a conference on Differentiation in Yokohama, which is just 40 minutes outside Tokyo. We made use of all our free time to hit the streets of Tokyo. We went to Shibuya (made famous in that movie, Lost in Translation), Shinjuku (very cool and loads of shopping), Harajuku (famous for their harajuku girls - made famous by Gwen Stefani - and all the crazy shopping there), and Asakusa (my favourite... lots of street markets, the temple, and little boutiques). Are you seeing a theme here? SHOPPING!!! hehehe. Tokyo is a blast, but I'm not sure I could live there...
Next entry? My trip to Bali and Singapore... yes, yes, I know.... you all hate me!! I can live with that. *^^*
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