Charles...

Dalia Teacher: Charles where are your Intensive Reading articles????!!!???

Charles: (looking frantically in his bag as papers start to fly out everywhere) SHIT SHIT SHIT!!!

Dalia Teacher: Charles why are you saying those words? We don't say that in this classroom!!

Charles: Teacher I am saying this because it is the required vocabulary for this situation...

Turns out he had brought the wrong unit to class....hahahahahahahaha.

You know you have been in Korea too long when...

- a taxi driver mistakes you for a Korean person

I got into the taxi and said my usual "sam deok soe bang so kajuseyo" (meaning take me to the sam deok fire station please, its right by the main downtown strip). He answered with the usual "ne" and we were on our merry way. Then my phone rang and I answered, it was my friend Charmonica, whom I was meeting for dinner that night. Of course we had a quick chat all in English. When I got off the phone the taxi driver turned around with a shocked look on his face and told me he thought I was Korean when I got in the taxi and was surprised that I was a waegookin (foreigner). This, of course, is all speculation as I don't actually know that much Korean, but I got the main words: Korean person, foreigner, Korean, English and so on...

- it is perfectly acceptable to wear leggings and hightop sneaker to work and the kids compliment you on your cool outfit, because members of a popular boy band wear the same kind of shoes

- you sleep, eat, and go to the bathroom with your cell phone in your pocket, because there is no way that you could possibly be separated from your phone for more than a second and it is no longer vibrate but maner mode

- when asked what you did this weekend, it is very cool to say that you went to the stationary store

- sentences such as :

"Teacher, we thinks their pronounce is crazy."

"Teacher my think?"

"Teacher I am detention"

all make perfect sense and are not corrected

Corrections anyways:

"Teacher we think that the women on the CD are difficult to understand"

"Teacher, should I give my opinion?"

"Teacher I have detention today"

(my apologies for the long absence...but I'm back!)

Feeling Greatful

At Hapkido we have made a friend. Her name is Yu Rim. She is 19 years old and just finished highschool. She didn't do very well on her entrance exam for University so she was taking 9 months to study to take the exam again in November. Unfortunately, her mom got sick and was in the hospital.

The thing about Korean hospitals is that there is no extra care provided. No food no nothing just medical care. It is up to the families to care for their loved ones while they are at the hospital. In the case of Yu Rim, her brother is in the military and her dad works, so the caregiving fell on her shoulders. Everyday she went to the hospital, then to hapkido and then back to hospital.

The language barrier faced in Korea can be as daungting as the Berlin wall sometimes or other times it goes unnoticed. With Yu Rim it was a constant hurdling over words and expressions as we tried our best to communicate. Her English is quite good but she is shy as most Koreans are and sometimes we spoke too fast :) However, over the course of the year we became quick friends, her odler sisters (as an older friend is considered to be here).

Her mother, sadly, passed away from cancer. As we visited Yu Rim and her family we couldn't help but feel a deep sadness and sense of helplessness for our dear friend. There are no words that could comfort and even fewer words when it comes to the language barrier we faced. All we could do was hug her as we wiped away our own tears.

The deep impact that this had on me is beyond explanation. I feel so greatful to have my friends and family (even across the world). I thank God everyday for another healthy day and feel blessed by everything I have. My heart breaks when I think of this 19 year old girl who has just begun to realize how important a mother is. Having realized myself in the last few years the value of a mother at this time in our lives, I hope that she stands strong and continues to achieve her goals. She hasn't come back to Hapkido yet, we miss her, but she is cramming for the exam.

I wish you luck Yu Rim-a. Lots of love from your older sister!

Thailand: A trip to remember...

Well I have just gotten back from my second trip to Thailand and all I can say is that it gets better and better. This trip was a little bit more eventful than last and of course with my partner in crime, the lovely Cassandra, we tore up the city, relaxed on the beach, and adventured (new verb) in Thailand, like no body's businazzz.

We arrived in Bangkok, checked in to the guest house (recommended by the lovely Brit, Kirstn) and hit up the restaurant for some Thai goodness and some cold beers. Khaosan Rd in Thailand is a backpackers heaven a place to rejoin civilization after spending time traveling, roughing it as they might. You can get everything from Starbucks to McDonalds, enjoy some shopping, get some ink, watch TV and re-energize as it is definitely a travel hub. You meet people from all over the world just sitting outside drinking a bucket.

Bucket:
- 1 small bottle of your alcohol of choice (vodka for me please)
- your favorite mix (why not make it a Long Island Iced Tea)
- mix with ice in a small bucket, often used by children as beach toys (who knew that at that young tender age one could be playing with a deadly weapon)

We met a couple from Holland. The man from Holland bought 10 roses from the little girls on the street. Unfortunately for him (but fortunately for the little girls) not by choice. They are clever little business women and will trick you into buying. They often play games and say if you win they will buy a rose, the trick however is that somehow they always manage to win. However, they are cute and you don't feel bad paying for the roses. He was very much a gentleman and handed them around to all the girls!

Games to watch for:
- rock, scissors, paper
- thumb war
- any other activity that begins with: If I win you buy a rose, if you win I give you a rose...

We also met some Polish people...hmmm oh the Polish people...they were expats living in Thailand, they love to party and drink. Inevitably we ended up at The Club (whats the name of the club? The Club. No, but whats the name of it? The Club.)

After the Polish episode we had to catch an early taxi + flight + bus + ferry combo, needless to say we were not happy that morning, but I am happy to report that hangovers do eventually go away...

Koh Phagnang was beautiful, an island off the east coast of Thailand. Known for it's full moon parties and laid back atmosphere, it was a perfect getaway. We had just missed the full moon party (not really our scene) but not too worry cause there are half moon parties, shiva moon parties, or really any other kind of moon party (any excuse to party is welcomed). These parties include, buckets, hookahs and fire dancing.

There was a surprisingly high number of Israelis on this island. We wondered why. So we asked our friend Gustavo (a half Israeli half Italian traveling for a month)...his answer was clear and simple:

"Our country is in very bad condition, too much stress and too much to worry about, it's very dangerous. Also it is cheap for us to come here."

Here we have another thing to be thankful for. Peace of mind everyday, whether it is in Korea or in Canada.

After a wonderful stay on the island we headed back to the city, finished our shopping, ate more spring rolls and had one last bucket!

Sights Visited on this Trip (not necessarily in order)

• Tiger Temple
• Floating Market
• River Khwae
• Royal Palace and Emerald Buddha Temple
• Khaosan Road
• Surat Thani
• Koh Phagnang
  

Modes of Transportation Used on this Trip

• Tuk Tuk
• Taxi
• Bus
• Van
• Ferry
• Train
• Airplane
• Small boat

Ahhh Daegu, how I've missed you!

Well its been just over a month since my return to Korea and I must say it's good to be back! Yeah I miss the comforts of home and of course the fam fam, but it's nice to be back to my mini apartment and my freedom and independence!

I'm enjoying the new job. Having to travel to different schools and really getting to know more of Daegu than what I'm used to. The kids behave because they don't know me and by the time they figure out that I'm an easy teacher it's time for me to leave, hehehe!

Everything else in life has fallen back into place almost like I never left!

Since coming back I have added a new member of my small Korean family and my much larger Canadian family. His name is Henry and he is a one year old cocker spaniel, who has really stolen my heart in just a short week.

He is a rescue dog and is very happy and energetic. I didn't realize how much I already loved him, until today. I'm leaving to go on a small one week vacation again (back to Thailand I go!!) and my friend Kat has kindly offered her services as Henry's temporary mom. I went to drop him off and I was so sad to leave him. I must have told Kat a thousand and one things about him and what do ifs. Cass kindly commented..."Ahh you have become a mommy!"... a doggy mommy but a mom none the less!

Anywho I must depart to catch my bus to the airport. New Thailand update and pics to come!

Henry

GOOD NEWS FOLKS

Visa and ticket in hand, bags packed...I'm ready to go!!!! Called this morning refused to get off the phone till they game me more info and sure enough my visa was ready. Dropped everything right then and there and drove to the Consulate to pick it up. Now I'm just waiting for my ticket from the travel agent but my estimated time of departure is tomorrow morning at 10 am.

See you soon for those in Korea. Thanks for the good times during the last month to those I'm leaving behind in Canada. Let the second year adventure begin!!!!


p.s. happy travels to Melinda and Sharifa who will be joining the Moonkkang crew very soon too!!

WHERE IS DALIA?!?!?!

The question of the hour in Korea is "Where is Dalia?" Why is the question being asked??? Well because I was supposed to be back in Korea and ready to start work August 1st, and well, its August 11th and I'm writing this all the way from my sister's room (because I don't have a room in my parent's house) in Kitchener, Ontario, CANADA.

So why am I still here and not there? Well here it goes, the whole once upon a time style saga.

So I arrived in Canada Saturday June 28th. My first step to getting my visa application started was getting the police record check. So after some research I decided that my fasted course of action was a private company in Hamilton. The man was very pleasant and assured me that I would have my police check in about 7 days. And true to his word I had all my papers ready to go. Next, I made an appointment with a lawyer to get a copy of the police check notarized. I then drove to the Korean Consulate in Toronto. Apparently I didn't have everything they needed BUT after 6 hrs a couple trips back and forth from a lawyer in Toronto and some fighting words with the Consulate officer they finally stamped my documents.

The next day first thing I sent everything off to Lynn. She received the documents and sent me back my Visa Issuance number a few days later. I then gathered all my documents and sent off my visa application. It arrived in Toronto a day and a half later, the date was July 28th.

The visa should take 5-10 days and in the past it usually takes 5 days. I didn't book my ticket right away just to make sure I had the visa in hand before. Good thing I didn't because I still don't have a visa. I have called so many times I know have the Consulate number memorized (if anyone wants to call and inquire about my visa you can call 1-416-920-3809 then press 2 for service in English and the Visa department ext. is 243...haha). I leave countless messages and NOTHING. I received a call back last week Thursday and she said either Friday or Monday. Well it is now Monday night and NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I called today again left a message, called back spoke to a receptionist who kindly told me to wait.

So here I am ready to go, my bags mostly packed, ticket waiting to be reserved. Unfortunately with no passport or visa in hand I shall sit here and wait, cross my fingers and pray.