Bows + Beads + Buddhism= 108

This weekend, Kirst, Jo, Ashley and myself headed off to Geumsansa temple in Gyeonggi-do province with Adventure Korea ( and 26 other curious foreigners) to experience first-hand the life of a monk for a night and two days.

We had to meet in Seoul at Hongkik University subway stop at 9am for a 4 hour journey into the heart of Korean country land-away from the hustle and bustle that the bug city exudes!

We arrived around 2pm and were given our garb for the weekend- Monk's clothing- a tan coloured jacket and pants. Fortunately, we were allowed to wear a few layers underneath otherwise we may well have just frozen! Off to our room for the weekend we were asked to change before receiving a briefing on the rules of the temple and given a crash course in meditation, bowing and the correct stance for walking.

Then, onto making of Lotus Lanterns. We regarded ourselves as experts, as we had been there done that at the Lantern fest in Seoul in May, when we had made lotus flowers. Nevertheless, second time round- it was just as enjoyable if not more, as this time the leaves were alredy folded and stuck and we all agreed that was the most tricky part the previous time. We were given a selection of colours-pink, red, yellow and green to decorate as we saw fit. The great designs and patterns that emerged were wonderful! :) 2 hours later we all hung up our lanterns and moved onto gonging of the bell-by which this stage it was almost dark. The bell is gonged to wake up the land, sea and sky creatures. Everyone did this with much gusto as one of the monk's counted methodically " han, deul, set, net, daseot, yoseot, ilgop (GONG)!

Off then to have dinner in silence. :) Yes, silence. This was especially difficult for the Americans (kidding) and we were told that you eat all you serve yourself. There is no wasting in a Buddhist temple. Kimchi, kimchi flavoured pineapple, beans, some sweet potatoe ( all veggie stuff)! :) It was suprisingly delicious! And then bakc in the freezing cold to witness a chanting session with the monks in the main temple.

The tranquility and serenity engulfed this temple-it was wonderful to be there with no other tourists maddly flashing their cameras. This is what a temple should always be like I decided.
Then, a question session with the monk, who's name directly transalted to STONE HEAD, we all thought this was funny and so did he! :) happiness and contentedness surrounded him like a bubble. He seemed very at peace. We were given free -reign at asking any questions we wished. And found out some interesting things: one needs to study for 15 years to be a monk, you shave your head so that you have no desire to be beautiful, that our monk had a cellphone and thingks Steven Jobs is the coolest guy ever. :) This was served with green tea and some pear and red bean treats.

Then, bed time baby at 9:30 for what was going to be a busy and exhausting next day. :)

UP AT 3AM, after sweating profusely from the jolly hot underfloor heating, we padded up-now 7 layers I counted. As Oros men we shuffled all the way to the main temple to do some chanting and 108 bows. We were explained the night before that 108 derives from the ears, eyes, nose, mouth, body and mind (all the sufferings in the world ) . So 6X6=36 in the past, present and future (x3)= 108! And let me just tell you-I never know how painful it was to do so many. My legs and bum are cramping today because of it. Then, a traditional breakfast ceremony followed. This took 2, 5 hours and was a meticulous process of bowl sorting and cleaning and water pouring and food serving and eating of all the morcels, so that there was nothing left (all done in silence). The funniest moment occured when one boy opposite me was given a hot pepper from the soup and the monk said he was required to eat it. He couldn't possibly as even one little nibble made his eyes water. The lovely tour guide Mia then quickly came aroudn with a tissue and while the monk was facing away, she wrapped it up and disposed of it. We were all in fits of giggles-silent ones! By this time it was only about 7am.

Then we did some community worked and swept all the leaves from around the courtyard adn then swept the main temple area too. I was delighting in the monk's optimism and enjoyment of this task-he was refreshing. Then, some Korean tradtional bang ( bread ) with red bean inside. (YUM!!!) My favourite! ANd then lastly my favourite the bead-making. We were instructed to make a necklace of 108 beads by bowing. After each bow we had to string a bead onto the string. This exercise took about 45minutes and we were allowed to position ourselves anywhere in any temple in Geumsansa. I found a little removed temple and positioned myself in the sunlight alongside a chanting monk. It was quite the scene-this very solemn Korean monk chanting and gonging his instrument, while this white girl bowed and strung beads on her string. This white girl thourougly enjoyed the experience and decided each bead would represent somehtign to me- I prayed for people, gave thanks, repented and sent up prayers of wishes to whoever was listening. I now have a necklace filled with beads of memories.

Exhausted we had lunch and finally set off at 1pm back into the hub of everyday life. When bakc on the subway, some elderly folk were having a fat discussion about our lanterns and decided Jo's was the best, mine second and then Ashley's. He was very concenred about something and was pointing and motioning to an elderly women about it. She was just giggling while he continued to mumble and grumble. Sometimes I really wish I understood the language better!

And today, I woke up to a world covered in natural icing sugar! Yes, we have had our first proper snowfall in Chuncheon and I am as happy as Larry! The intrigue and novelty of snow will never grow old for a South African child. Tonight, I will head back to Seoul for a concert of Jonsi with Chung! Emma introduced me to Sigur ros and he is the main guy! I am so very excited indeed! What a wonderufl start to the week: cramping legs and bum, snow-covered everything and a concert! And now, a robots and alien game with my boys for revision before their exams!

Adios
JO-teacher-monk wannabe-snow lover-Jonsi-groupie!

Phillipines baby: No problem!

The phrase in Phillipines was " No problem"! And so for my blog post for this trip I am taking the easy way out and just going to do a pictorial account! Forgive me for my laziness! :)

Japan: It's all about Fs

After being back in South Korea for over 5 months and having Lisa already visit me from Japan, I have finally got round to write about my adventures in JAPAN!!!!

My wonderful friend of 15 years Lissy Lau has given a day-to-day account of our adventures in Tokyo
http://becoming-reesa.blogspot.com/2010/10/meeting-up-of-old-farts.html


and Kyoto and Osaka,
http://becoming-reesa.blogspot.com/2010/10/kyoto-and-little-bit-of-osaka.html

which are impeccably written and can be found on her blog. Check them out!

AS for me, I am going to give you an overview of my experience as best as possible!

Somehow for whatever reason- I found Japan very similar to France! :) Maybe because I love France and LOVED Japan. Nevertheless, I will now with my love too for Alliterations describe my Japan experience with a giant big "F"!

Fast trains- Never in my life have I felt so overwhelmed my efficient public transport to the point that it is just petrifying! EISH! Lisa's poor iphone could not take the pace-it was just as intimidated by the cacophony of railway lines as we were! :) Nevertheless the high-speed trains were impeccable when we were able to eventually locate the correct platforms!

Fashion- Everyone in Japan is not necessarily stylish-but everyone definitely spends a great deal of time and effort on their particular fashionable outfits! Compared to Korea this was insane-dressing to have others stare was more the norm than not, and it wasnt uncommon to see one person wearing leather boots, fur, stripes and floral on the same outfit. But just as the French,they definitely exuded a sense of flair about it! I thin what I loved most was the daily wearing of kimonos around the street. The women looked absolutely beautiful. Lis and I found out that it definitely wasn't all that pleasant an experience with several layers of clothing plus ropes so that your breath is sucked out of you!

Fun at heart! For a nation with such a horrific history of war, the Japanese sure know how to have fun and relax! My favourite experience of this was in Hirajuku Park where everyone is merely enjoying themselves: either playing guitar or in a drum-circle, reciting some poetry, playing badminton or even better playing with a giant bubble machine! WHAT FUN!

FOOD! The Japanese just like the French love food-but only the best! Along with a nifty little price! EEEK! I loved the ookonomiyaki and bean filled Yatsuhashi! :) One day in Sendai, I treated myself to a gustatory overload! It was tremendous! I paid about R300 for 6or so small little bits of everything! I sat at the train station exit and critiqued every morsel- smell, presentation and of course taste! :) Was such fun!

Fine living at a fine price! Nothing in Japan comes cheaply! I mean nothing-eventually i stopped even converting it was just too depressing! But high price means high quality! Everything in Japan is of the best standard- even weddings which we were lucky to stumble upon! WHOOPPPEEE! Here is a glimpse of fine dining( R75 for a piece of cake), a very cool art exhibition at the Mori Art Museum, the golden pavillion and the castle in Osaka!

Fabulous fun in Japan!

Thanks to my dearest friend Lissy Lau and her friend Lami-for an unforgettable experience!

(arigatogozaimatz!)

Love you Lissy Lau

Finally I am done with this post,

JO-explorer

xxx

Happy Pepero Day teacher!

Today, I received about 30 packets of pepero! :) I felt very special! Pepero Day is a very commercial thing like most holidays now. It is supposed to be about buying these special pretzel like biscuits covered in chocolate or almond and chocolate if you are going high budget! :)

I had no idea they meant anything as I have been nibbling away at them all year! It supposed be given to someone you like or as a friendship token to say I appreciate your friendship.

So last night I toodled off to Emart to buy some pepero to take to school to give to my teachers and was awe-struck at the crazy selection available- tall ones, small fat cute ones, prettily wrapped ones and crazily shaped ones! I bought my standard box I always do and was chuffed with my cultural awareness of this holiday and joy it would surely bring my teachers.

Needless to say in my haste to make the bus this morning-i forgot them neatly positioned on my table! ARGH!!!

It did however go unnoticed as I was showered in pepero sticks all day long and so were my teachers. Felt real special! :) The cutest was one of my naughtiest students-Ho tae- who shyly stumbled up to me and said -"Teacher this is for you. I like you." It was so so endearing! I just wanted to grab him and give him a huge hug but of course this would have been humiliating for a 5th grade boy, so I didn't and instead I just smiled and said "Wow, Ho-Tae. Thank you so much!"

I wonder if the G20 planned especially to have their conference in Seoul starting today?! Hmmm, well that was a nice thought anyway... :)

Here's to World Friendship!

The good, the bad and the ugly of the Korean Education System

GOOD

Only fifty odd years ago this country was one of the poorest in the world after the Korean War. Nevertheless, in half a century South Korea has managed to completely turn things around. I would argue that the Education system here has played a major role in the country’s turn-around. The Education system of South Korea is not flawless; however I would like to comment on aspects that I believe South Africa could learn from. These aspects include: getting the basics right, instilling a mind-set of learning and using technology better.

1.) The basics are in order

In its simplest form South Korea has functioning classrooms, effective resources and well-trained teachers. Is this not the ideal atmosphere for learning?!

Each classroom is equipped with the most lavish things wrt resources. No fuss about the school exterior-my boys school is filthy and gross, but every classroom is fitted with a flat-screen tv. In my elementary school there is so many resoruces it is almost scary! Books, games, educational workbooks, toys- it is remarkable!

Teaching in Korea is regarded as one of the most respected professions- it is seen as a stable job with a great income! To give one an idea of the demand for teacher positions- my one teacher was the only 1 out of 40 from her class that graduated to be given a position at a public school! The competition is insane! A huge test is written at the end of one's teaching degree and this determines your placement. It is regarded as a highly esteemed position to receive a public school post and new trained teachers are often posted to the most rural areas to build up the systems there. Teachers are awarded points on a point system according to conferences attended and extra training completed-this allows them to eventually move into cities. Teachers are also rotated every 3 years and one is required to go where the department places you! A great deal of admin for the Education department, but it ensures the level of Education remains high througout the country regardless if you are in the middle of no-where!

The wonderfully privileged schools I attended were the same in some regard (minus the flat screen tvs)-it had all these things. However, the current situation in disadvantaged communities remains tragic in South Africa. A system where classrooms are not always functional, resources are badly managed or ineffectively used and teachers are ill-equipped for dealing with curriculum and educating. The Education system needs to build upon or enhance these basic structures, if a lasting effect is to be maintained. What this translates into practically is the question?

• Our schools need revamps or at least the basics-chairs, tables and books
• Teaching training and status needs drastic improvement. Increased numbers is a neccesity!
• More teacher support with admin to ensure our curriculum and teaching is the teacher's main priority.

2.) A mind-set focused on learning

South Korea has a nation-wide mentality that Education is the only way to lead a successful life-to the point of obsession in my opinion. However, it is this obsession that drives students to work hard, puts pressure on schools and teachers to perform and ensures parents are an active part of their children’s learning.

Now, instilling such a mindset in South Africa is difficult when the outcome of 12 years of education does not necessarily mean employment, let alone a better life.
But, I do believe we need stay positive and encourage learning whenever possible. We need to get serious about giving tertiary education advice. Parents need to somehow be included more in our processes.

3.) Technology

Being in South Korea where every classroom has a flat screen TV and every street has a wireless connection, it is evident that technology plays a major role in learning. Students receive a message from the goverment every morning promoting "kindness or love for your family" (rather Mao-like, I know, but still effective). They are taught by foreigners over conference calls, teachers exchange materials and resources over the internet, and lessons are filled with real life examples as one can explain something using a You-Tube video at the touch of a button.

Now, this all may seem far away from our South African circumstances, however I think the lesson is important: “technology can revolutionize the way we teach and it enables us to work smarter rather than harder”. The trick is accessing the skilled individuals and costly equipment to make it happen. Just imagine a former model C school in Bishops conducts a lesson from their classroom and it broadcasts to 20, or 50 schools across Cape Town during school hours or having curriculum online that is printable and ready to use, or students register online from computer centres to improve their English on the numerous websites available out there. We need to be able to embrace technology and look how it can be used to our advantage.

BAD

I don't think there is an ideal education system in this world, nor will there ever be one, but I think it is important to take note of what is working and what more importantly is not working. I believe here are some shortfalls of the current ROK system.

1. More education is better!

There is a strange belief that more education means better- as if quality denotes quantity. One only needs to walk around any urban neighbourhood to realise this, as every street corner is littered with hagwons-aka after-school academies. As if school from 8:30 to 3:30 and after school classes at school from 5:30 to 7:30 isn't enough, then there are these institutions which are the dread of Korean children's lives and the reason for holes in Korean parents's pockets. They operate at ungoldy hours from early sessions in the morning before school to late night classes until 11pm sometimes midnight. They are privately run and and intended to supplement usual school classes. However, as the govermnet is realising these institutions are beginning to jeopardize and undermine the public schooling system. Why? Because public school is free up until middle school for all Korean students, but parents pay for Hagwons (exorbetant costs I may add- at least 100 000 won (R800) per student per month per subject-that means some parents pay 300 000won (R2400) if kids are doing maths, Korean and English. It gets really bad if you are living in Seoul apparently and some parents pay up to 2million won a month per high school child-thats R16000 a month). The pressure on students and the hagwon teachers is ridiculous as parents want to see results. The only result I am able to observe in my classes are exhausted students. All they want to do is sleep! And can I really blame them, when they are studying over 10 hours a day? What baffles me, is that the work done in hagwons is not to extension for bright students but rather more and more repetition of classwork until I am certain you could stop any child in the street and say "how are you?" and they would respond "So-so" (this believe it or not is a phrase in the textbook). This emphasis on rote-memory learning leads to my second point.

2. A lack of creativity

I worry so often about my students, as I feel the creativity is sucked from their souls, as the countless words and phrases are drummed into them. So many people are against the South African system of OBE that aims at reaching certain objectives rather than knowing lots of stuff and being unable to apply it. The Korean system demonstrates this. I was walking home and passed a group of my students yesterday. I always encourage them to speak English to me and so I asked : "Where are you going?" to which the brightest girl responded " I am from Sindong Elementary school." This is great, except she clearly had misunderstood me, as her brain registered where and immediately reminded her of the sentence " where do you go to school?" and so without comprehending this difference she confidently responded in parrot fashion! The most surprising is my animation students which are clearly quite talented and creative kids, but when asked to think out of the box they panic and don't know what to do! Once they catch on, they love it and so making superheroes, monsters and Halloween characters has really entertained them, as I left it up to their imaginations. There needs to be a culture where creativity is encouraged. As Einstein said: "I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination.Imagination is more important than knowledge.Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world. "

2. Being a scholar is the only way

I heard recently that an E-mart (equivalent to Pick 'n Pay or Checkers) cashier is now required to have a university degree. My travel agent has a degree in Biomechanical Engineering. The lady working at the post office has a masters degree in Economics. Now all these jobs are not bad ones-but people besides from being way over-qualified are doing things that are outside their field of study completely! I make this point to show that only maths or science or business degrees are seen as anything valuable and worth studying for. Maths and science are pushed from an early age and the arts, vocational subjects and languages are side-lined (except for English, which is merely regarded as a measure of hard-work and not seen as a useful skill in our global world). High-schools are divided according to point-ranking. SO all the amazingly bright kids go to Science or Maths High schools, then some go to Language schools and then comes the agricultural and vocational high schools which are regarded as the worst schools. They end up with kids who hate learning and teachers who are demotivated as kids are not learning as hard as their counterparts across the road. Unfortunately, such school are never ones that creative bright kids aspire to go to, as they are seen as the "stupid schools".

Korea is a global leader in the technology field and the push for the sciences makes sense, but surely not at te expense of other talents this country possesses. The art scene is way behind that of Japan and sports is only an endeavour that you follow if you are Yuna Kim (best figure-skater the world has ever known)or Park Tae Hwan (famous swimmer and gold medalist at olympics). I fear that such an emphasis on academic subjects hinders the growth of famous artists, musicians, social workers or sportsmen that could have been great too.

I also worry about the middle and high school students that never engage in sports activities after school or sing in the choir or are part of the pottery club. Some girls hated getting 3 signatures a week at Girls High, thereby forcing them to do after-school activites, as it seemed so unfair. Little did we know that the lack of any such activity would be detrimental to our growing up- I would argue. I hated running around in hockey, but learnt so much about commitment to a task, confidence, decision-making and team work. These social skills that are really only taught once outside of the classroom are vital for an all-encompassing education in my opinion.

UGLY

And now, for the ugly, which is really probably the worst thing to end on, but it needs to be said. In my city alone (only 250 000 people) from the top 2 most prestigious high schools in town -Chuncheon Girls and Chuncheon Boys High school- four students have committed suicide over the past 6 months alone. The pressure and expectations placed upon them must have been too much. How can one justify it otherwise when a student is getting marks above 80% but this is still seen as not quite good enough. Sure competition is good, but pushing students to the point where life seems not worth living is ridiculous! Korea needs to realise there is more too life than a four-walled room and a book. I am the biggest supporter of education, but when it deprives one from running around the park or watching a sitcom on TV or reading a good book because you want to, or chatting to your friend about a far-off country you want to go see, then what is the point. Childhood is precious- once you are grown-up you will have enough time to work and perfect it. As Mark twain best put it- "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education."


Just some thoughts, some ideas from this very novice teacher.

Anyeonghegaseyo
JO-seonsangnim!

Heart-wrenching and thought-provoking!

Native commissioner by Shaun Johnson

I have just finished it-never in my life have I felt so moved by a book. It came to the climax of the book and I just broke down...I couldn't in fact finish reading the last 30 pages.

I just cried. I sobbed for about 2 hours until eventually I fell asleep.

I cried for all the wrong-doings of the world, all injustice and unfairness, our country's past and future, the pain people endure everywhere-poverty, starvation, death, violence, abuse, sadness, discrimination and disrespect...The troubles still in our modern times and the suffering and meaninglessness in life sometimes.

My mom suggested I read this book as it would give an insight into her world growing up in apartheid South Africa. I think I was so overwhelmed by it, because of so many things resonated with me in my life. So many little things reminded me of things my mom or gran would have said. And places I recalled- the hospital in Lynnwood (my home in Pretoria), or the drabness of Witbank and the beauty of Zululand...

George Jameson is the native commisioner (which makes me laugh as this title seems so ridiculous and bizarre) in various cities and dorpies where the system feels his services will be beneficial. But the apartheid system, harsh as it was, disrespected so many- no matter what their colour - and this book captivates that remarkably.

Despite his turmoil and confusion of his role and place, George is passionate about Africa and its people. He has a constant struggle about being an English white South African-so out of place yet knowing no other home, but Africa.

Two words of advice:
1. read these lines below and feel something
2. read the book and you won't regret it

There were so many great lines but here are a few that really touched me:

"You cannot deal with a man unless he has pride in himself, his race, his traditions-and you yourself have sincere respect for that pride" -pg 186

"Perhaps there is no solution to South Africa's problems. But, he says, perhaps problems cause creativity. Nations can become lethargic when they think they have solved all their problems-perhaps The Problem, the challenge, is a talking point, a catalyst for thought, even a reason for our existing?" -pg186

Although said during apartheid, these lines can still be regarded relevant today in our country that is riddled with AIDs, violence and crime. There is still rampant growth of poverty and the improved state of education and health care in our 16 years after democracy for some is still questionable.

I love this line:

"...what can we do to help our country, and every single person in it who calls it their country, grow and prosper and achieve their own human potential?" -pg187

He responds honestly to his question:

"Again, I am afraid I do not have a glib answer, but I am sure I am right in saying that it is the question we need to be asking"

He begs the question: " By what means should the problems of South Africa be tackled? Educate, protect, lead." -pg188

I could not agree anymore! :) Teaching in South Africa here we come!

READ IT!!!!

Bisous
JO

xxx

History and Culture with a backdrop of autumn colours!

Today, I went with my dear friend, Sun (my korean teacher/ more of a friend than that rather impersonal title) and her friend (and now my friend-Sora) on a cultural and historical adventure in the heart of Korea, a.k.a "the middle of no-where". It required an early morning start, meeting at the bus station at 6:30am. Then a connecting bus to Wonju and a transfer to Yeonju where we met up with Sora (who is Sun's friend from her days in India). After some bargaining with the taxi driver we were finally on the way to Seosuwon at about 11am.

Seosusuwon- an intellectuals' paradise-an old scholarly village where the elite were sent during the Joseon dynasty (built in the 15th century) to further their quest for knowledge. Located in the beautiful paradise that happens to be Sun's mom's hometown, one can just imagine the ideas and thoughts floating in the minds of these young men who were lucky, privileged and rich enough to attend such an institution. Old Korean style buildings were sporadically dispersed specially designed for poetry recital, reading philosophy, story-telling, painting and singing ancient folksongs. There were also sleeping quarters with traditional Korean heating systems, stoves, kimchi fridges and soju ceramic pots. With a peaceful stream weaving it's way through the village added to the magnificent autumn colours all around, I was certain that these scholars were in a location that rivalled the steps and view from Jameson plaza at UCT.

By this stage, I was ravenous!!! Luckily, after another short bus-ride, we landed up at Buseoksa temple- along with another 2million Koreans! We quickly found a seat at the nearest Shikdang(restaurant) and were not able to order anything other than the Bibimbap, as they were too busy apparently to conceive of making any other dish, and so I could picture the poor chefs in the kitchen churning out the fried eggs, veggies and rice repeatedly for 5 hours that are needed for the delectable bibimbap (one of the only dishes in Korea I might add that is vegetarian). Monks are supposedly veggies which is hard to believe in such a carnivorous nation. We were also treated with a potato pancake and a delectable soy sauce, chilli concoction that I couldn't keep my hands off. Then, the trek began! Little did I realise we were on one, but luckily the beautiful yellow-golden, burnt-orange and crimson-red leaves kept me distracted. The scrumptious apples and the adjumas selling them under brightly coloured umbrellas was also a scene to behold. We tried them on the way back down-indeed delicious. So, the temple that we eventually got to after climbing through a series of four large gates, was magnificent-something you imagine when you think of_the FAR EAST! Just so idyllic with a backdrop of warm vibrant colours. The Buddhist pagoda was erected in the Silla Dynasty in the 7th century and the Temple (being the oldest, wooden temple in Korea) was built in the 13th century in the Goryeon Dynasty. With her wealth of knowledge, Sun informed Sora and myself that this temple was unique in Buddhist culture as the temple and pagoda were misaligned. The temple was facing the west supposedly towards the more enlightened Buddha in the west (India) who believes that all humans are capable of becoming a buddha in their own right. We then walked up to the temple right at the top of the mountain showing Uinsang-the monk who founded the temple. The story goes that he stuck his cane into the soil and it turned into a bush that is now encaged in a mancky chicken coop. The temple's name is called Busoeksa named after the floating rock that is mysteriously ledged alongside.

After that, we managed to dodge the ever-gorwing number of tourists and head to dinner in a neighbouring town. Sun treated us to a feast for kings of beef, and about 25 side dishes with everything from fried ginseng to mash potatoes, to lovely leafy veggies. We had an interesting dicussion about the conventions of Korean life still especially with regards to men and their expectations of women. I passed out on the bus ride home after a very enjoyable day filled with joyous autumn leaves, stories and a refreshed sense of "oh right I am living in Asia"-the asian exploration.

Bisous
JO

Feeling free in FALL!

I am gliding through things liek the leaves falling all around the city! It is absolutely beautiful! :) My darn sd card won't fit into my computer! I guess that's what happens when you try and do personal things at school. But I figured I have done my lesson plan for next week-so what the hell! Besides I need to comment on all the goings-on! I will shortly upload some of the magnificent photos I have been snapping of the golden trees aroudn Chuncheon. They are absolutely stunning! It is as if someone has painted the town gold and it is glimmering everywhere! Nevertheless, it is super chilly already adn I have a sneaky feeling it will be gone soon -so trying to enjoy it while I can!

Here is a pic of me on my scooter and my new Zara down coat! I absolutely love it! My scooter has given me such a ticket of independence it is just wonderful. The other day after class and before Korean class I decided to just scoot around and take in the city. It might not be completely roadworthy considering the speedometer doesn't work, the mileage is still on 1069.8km , the tyres are worn, only the right brake works, the key doesn't start the engine so I need to jump start it everytime, and lastly the lights are temperamental! EISH! I am alive when I am on it-and occasionally have broken out in full song including "Summer Holiday", "man I feel like a woman" by Shania Twain, and "SHout to the Lord" from primary school days! :) I absolutely love it! And besides my helmet looking rather unfashionably large according to my students they still think I am cool! :)

So, the reason for extreme overexcitement is that fro teh next 2 months I am pretty much fully booked full of things to do! This weekend I am heading with my Korean teacher Sun to a temple and the oldest Korean school near Wonju! We need to head off early at 6:30am to beat the crowds! EISH! I am looking forward to it! Then, next weekend is Chuncg's birthday and will hang around Chuncheon. The weekend of the 20th November I am off to Seoul to party it up wiht my dearest friend Lisa Lau as she comes to paint Korea red. The weekend after that I am off to a temple stay (Buddhist retreat) where we are woken up at 3am to do meditation and have lectures on life-totally my thing! :) That Monday I am back in Seoul for THE JONSI CONCERT (for one night only) -he is the lead singer of the group Siguros-so excited!! That music makes me want to jump up and down! Back in Seoul on 4 December for the Fourtet concert with Kirst. The following weekend I am going with one of my students and her family for a skiing expedition in the mountains in Gangwondo! EEEK! And then My parents and bros arrive!!! YIPPEEE! WE have finalised our trip (lucky I have been given time off by my school to take with them)! WE are going to tour Seoul, doing a trip to the DMZ, then Gyeongju and will have Christmas with them in Busan probably eating some delectable fish for Christmas dinner! The final week of the year will be spent teaching my boys for winter camp and then bring on 2011!!!!

JUST GREAT! Now, I am off to badminton! Have a fabulous weekend everyone!

I need to tell you about my wonderful classes this week about South African public holidays and apartheid! They were a great hit! Sending all my positive energy into this world!

Bisous

JO

xxx

Point, porte-bras, and arabesque: Yepayo (beautiful!)!

Yesterday, I started ballet class! I was enthralled by the absolute passion it evoked in me. Just as Degas' paintings show (my favourite above), ballet is elegant, graceful and passionate, but added to that his texture and sometimes harsh strokes demonstrate the absolute agony and pain ballerinas need to endure to produce that final product!

I was reminded of this again, as I assembled with a few other odd-bods (some middle-aged women, some children with bandy, skinny legs ) for our class. Being the tallest and fattest in my class, I chuckled remiscing about the days when I was the short and skinny one: ideal to play all the girl parts in plays. If we were to put on a show now, I thought I would have to take on the boy part for sure. Jeanne and Caryn would laugh at this idea, as they always hated being the tall ones! :) Nevertheless, donned in my baggy gym 3/4 pants and a pink cheap Korean t-shirt,I embraced the next 40minutes of pure pleasure(well sort of)! Entranced in the idea of doing ballet again, I realised I was rather disillusioned about how good I thought I was and I began to question how good I ever really was. The petite little figures dressed in pink tutus, leotards and stockings across the room at the other barre looked all clumsy and awkward and perhaps I was that bad too when I was little. I discarded this idea and consoled myself on the fact that these little girls had only ever done taekwondo as a form of exercise and hence their rather unballetic style. :) HAHA!

Needless to say I was shocking too, but I loved it! The dubbed music on the cd player tinkered melodically across the room, as our elegant, beautiful teacher seemed to glide like a swan on a lake, across the dance floor. The points, the plies, the grand plies, eleves, the jumps and the arabesques were wonderful! I always loved porte-bras the most, and decided I still did. :) At one point, when we doing our arabesques I went completely cock-eyed and almost went hurtling into a small innocent Korean child. How I laughed! Also being the only foreigner I was given a lot of attention, as the teacher would shout out various english words every now and then just to make me feel welcome, which I thought was kind. Although, I was impressed with my understanding of "yepayo" (beautiful) and "han, deul, set, net"(counting) and "shija"(start)!

It was magical. At one point I even had to hold back a tear that was forming. Silly isn't it? But sometimes, there are just things you love doing and are passionate about for reaosns that are inexplicable.

I cannot wait for next week, when my ballet shoes will arrive (size 245)! Here's to hoping they have my size! And until then, I will try and get rid of these awful cramps I have!

I absolutely love bomb games!!!!

BOMB GAMES!

So there is this great invention called Microsoft powerpoint! I did not know the countless things it could do up until this year! It fills my classes with joy until it bubbles over with squeals and screams! I am certain that this excitement over bomb games that makes other teams lose their points, or change points or get 5, 6, 7, 3 or double points is fuelled by the competitive streak of Korean children. In this kind of environment it is so welcoming. Children screaming out the answers to questions to see if they will be ahead or behind of the other groups makes a teacher's heart glow! Today, to my delight my grade 6 class ended in squeals as the final round of the Simpson bomb game (specially designed for lesson 13: "that's too bad" describing all different ailments or symptoms) ended with a twist in the tale. Group 1 doubled to 44, group 2 then came along and got a "change points", so obvoisuly they swopped with group 1, and group 3 to much delight with only 21 originally, also got a change points and ended up winning by swopping with group 2!! I was rather stoked as I always seem to support the underdog! It is great to see the snotty brats that all go to afterschool academy go down! HAHA! This time they all seemed to be in group 2! It makes for great entertainment as a teacher. :)

Oh, these joys in life delight me! :)