A typhoon hit Korea a few days ago and raged through the night. I woke up around 4am unable to force myself to sleep any longer. Instead, I contemplated the apartment collapsing around me and being stuck in the downpour in measly PJs. Unable to bear such circumstance, I got up, took a shower, and put on some sturdier jeans. As the hours passed, schools were delayed or closed. Munhak Stadium’s rooftop took on $8 million in damages, which I witnessed firsthand when travelling back and forth from the postal office. Trees were UNROOTED from the ground. I’m talking large trees knocked over with gnarled roots curling in the air. Large leaves and branches were strewn everywhere. One of my coworkers described her bus ride to work. Only a few stops from school and one of ... read more

The rain has been pouring since the predicted typhoon hit a few days ago. It's a bit strange to hear someone say, as if in afterthought, "Oh, and there will be a typhoon later tonight." As my contract in Incheon draws to a close within 21 days, my place has turned into a chaotic mess of documents, work, clothes, and boxes. It's not so much that I've doubled-up on my belongings since first arriving or that packing has driven me insane, but more that I like to throw everything out into the open. When everything's packed up, I feel satisfied knowing I'm onto the next place and next adventure. With the humidity and summertime, the air swells with the cry of the cicadae. Though their song is an annoyance to many, I have always loved the ... read more

During a friend’s wedding, I met a friend of a friend, a cute and charming guy who, at a later date, asked me what I wanted to see in Korea. I replied Jeju-do, Jeollanam-do, and Suwon Village. Since the first two are at opposite ends of the peninsula, he asked me on a date to Suwon Village. I confess that because of the mixed elation and nerves for my date, my view of Suwon Village may be biased. He (I’ll refer to him as GY) picked me up early Saturday morning and we headed East. On my own, I doubt I would have ever made it out to Suwon because my weekends fill up quickly trying to have fun with friends before I leave in September. Fortunately, good timing intervened and I found myself inside a ... read more

After countless palaces and temples in S Korea, Japan, and Thailand, I wanted to see something different. After some research, I found Seodaemun Prison. This historical location was built during the Japanese occupation to control Korean activists. My research also suggested against younger visitors as it holds some gruesome reenactments of what happened during 1908-1945. I was meeting three friends in different areas of Incheon and Korea, so we had a few stops along the way. As a tip for anyone living in Incheon and wanting to get to Seoul quickly using the subway, get yourself to Bupyeong. From Bupyeong, you can grab an EXPRESS BUS to Yongsan. You go up to the Yongsan tracks and choose the side that has the electronic sign reading 급헹 (Express) 용산 (Yongsan). From Yongsan, we made a few transfers ... read more

In Korean public schools, teachers are required to do at least one "Open Class" where teachers from other schools and government officials attend your class to evaluate your performance. Sometimes you are also videotaped, which I was today. In fact, I have yet to understand where the tape will be put to use, but I shove it aside as "one of those Korean things." The Open Class followed weeks of preparation. I had to create a perfect lesson plan that felt more like a classroom advertisement. Then I dealt with rising tensions between me and my co-teacher. We had differing preferences. She wanted to rehearse the open class. Many schools do this in order to present perfect students who know all the answers and don't cause ruckus. I felt this would make the class superficial and ... read more