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Published: March 13th 2008
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Kebob's
Authentic Turkish Kebobs just around the corner from the apartment Hey Everyone! This week seemed particularly long. The kids weren't exactly on their best behavior anymore and so I've had some (minor) behavior problems. One child, Monica, has been very sad and cries as she rubs her tummy. I think that she is so shy that she is getting stressed out being in school (especially since I don't speak Korean) and it's giving her tummy aches. A few of the other students saw the attention I would give to her, and began to rub their bellies and say "Teacher, I sick, I sick". While I know that there is a good chance they are just attention starved, I must still be concerned, since I cannot really communicate with them to find out exactly what's wrong. On top of that, the last few days some of the students really HAVE been sick (and I mean
hospital sick) and yet their parents continue to bring them to school. I don't understand! Poor Shayne slept the
entire day today on his desk and was just as bad yesterday and Jenny had to go to the hospital to have fluids injected because she has severe diarrhea... and yet they continue to show up for school!
Cutie
Dan and I walkin down a road in Seoul I feel so bad for them. I wonder if their parents put that much emphasis on school that they must go, under all circumstances.
Well, other than that I don't have too much to report. I'm feeling a little bit sick myself, so I've been drinking Airborne and going to sleep early, hoping to keep it away. So here is the first installation of my series "Fun Things I Have Noticed About Korea/Koreans".
-Koreans drive on the right, but walk on the left.
-Very little is handicapped accessible. Only the newer train stations have elevators or escalators. It breaks my heart to see the very old or disabled trying to get up and down several flights of very long stairs.
-When you go to a restaurant you are only given one menu unless you flag someone down and ask for another- I wonder if it is customary for one person to order for the whole table.
-I have noticed women holding their right forearm with the left hand when they hand something to you like a receipt, or change. Also, they bow when they do so.
-Girls walk hand in hand or arm in arm.
-Men have no
Street Vendor
These little vendors are everywhere. You can step inside and eat fried meats and breads. Some have stools and most have little TV's the vendor can watch. sideburns (they cannot grow facial hair), so they grow their hair in a very Beatles like style
-Koreans are very obsessed with garbage separation. We have to put compost-type foods into a little yellow back that is put into a community trash can. Then all papers and cardboard must be flattened and put in one bag. All bottles and plastics into another bag. Cans and tin go into another bag. All other garbage goes into a special bag that must be purchased from a local store. If you are caught disposing of trash improperly you can be fined 1,000,000 won (about $1,000).
-Everyone has a new and fancy cell phone and they all have charms that dangle. I have seen little letters, hamburgers, cartoon characters, flowers, and hearts.
-Converse shoes are huge here. It seems even the older people wear them too, which is funny because the old school converse remind me of the early 90's.
Well, there's more to the list, but that's good for now (don't want to bore). My second session of classes begins in a few minutes and I need to prepare. xoxo -Erin
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Jennefer
non-member comment
Wow,,,
Those poor little babies. They want their children to work hard and have good lives I suppose but they are going a bit too far. Each culture has very drastic differences in practices. The United States seems pretty laizze faire when it comes to most things. I really love reading your blogs Erin!! I hope all is well with you and Dan. Take advantage of being there and love every minute! Miss you! <3