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Published: January 22nd 2009
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I've completed a month on Jeju Island in South Korea and I'm taking away more than I brought. What have really Learned here? a few things.
I've learned that I'm a good teacher, that watching a child understand something you've presented is a very rewarding thing. I've learned that Koreans are poud of everything. I've learned how to read and write hanguel, korean. I've learned that Goonies never die and Marty McFly hasn't stoped time traveling even if he doesn't translate the same. I've learned that grabing a teachers choad, chonch, abc or taint is not off limits to bad korean boys. I've learned that ice and snow suck and that cold weather is the world saying "you may never go outside again!" I've learned that when you are in between two teachers with horrible illnesses you're probably going to get that illness.
I've learned that I deserve more than I give myself and I'm better than I think. I've learned that you shouldn't let your kids have a pizza/chicken party without camp permission. I've learned that I still have many more life long friends to meet. I've learned that you should not wear your camp shirt to a
Noribang (Karoke room) then wrap the lyrics "Gimme some weed, gimme some weed, gimme some weed, gimme some weed, some motha-fuckin weed" I've learned that you should not post a video of that rap on the internet. I've learned that the camp director will also ask you perform a kid friendly version of the rap to an auditorium if he deems it necessary. I've learned that kids think I'm a rap star. I've learned that teaching english grammer is harder than you'd think but not really that hard, if you have smart kids. I've learned that kimchi is an amazing laxative.
I've learned that people other than hollywood nobodys work thirteen hours a day. I've learned that I'm a self-starter. I've learned that Cass and Hite (Ass and Shit) the major Korean beers have those nicknames for a reason. I've learned that my korean name Hong Jong Hun 핳 장 훈 is a "Very sexy name".
I've learned that I can say Hello over four hundred times a day. I've learned that no matter how sick or tired I am a korean kid can make me laugh. I've learned that soju is your friend and your enemy. I've
learned that 'Nobody Nobody but you' clap clap, clap, is the most popular song ever in Korea and noone will ever grow tired of it for some reason. I've learned that some Korean flings die quickly and others live forever. I've learned that a jimjubang (Korean bathhouse) is an amazing place and not at all as gay as you would think. I've learned that koreans have never seen a fire crotch before. I've learned that I'm okay without having a full head of hair. I've learned that if you say one inapropriate comment it will never be forgotten. I've learned that the way to a Korean heart is with a Happy Sticker or a Happy Sicker, depending on the class. "Teacher! Give me One Happy Sticker! Now! Yes!"
I've learned that teaching an acting class to a bunch of kids that don't speak english is really tough. I've learned that snow soccer is a blast. I've learned that locking the doors at 1am is a myth. I've learned that I am addicted to Korean BBQ and the games that go with it. I've learned that if you volunteer to work at a bar you get a discount. I've learned
that I hate blood sausage (ehhhh). I've learned that I can eat Korean cafeteria food everyday and be okay, except blood sausage day. I've learned that trips to E Mart are considered an outing.
I've learned that Jeju isn't such a big island but not too small either. I've learned that culture is what drives me. I've learned that I love learning and will never stop collecting hobbies and exploring. I've learned that it's hard to be an action star in Japan. I've learned that it doesn't matter how hard it is. I've learned that I am going to write an amazing action movie. I've learned that Koreans use steam dryers. I've learned that steam dryers shrink your clothes. I've learned that the korean Magpie mesmerizes me.
I've learned that many things make me smile. I've learned that encouragement is one of the best drugs I've ever taken or given. I've learned that tai chi is very hard to remember especially when put on the spot. I've learned that capoiera is even hard to do especially when put on the spot. I've learned that it is possible to change any airline ticket to anywhere in the world you
just have to contact Ms Choi, who happens to be amazing as long as she doesn't catch your kids at an after hour pizza/chicken party.
I've learned that the worst kid in camp/ the fattest kid in the camp is my favorite kid in the camp. I've learned that I can remember a hundred made up generic english names and ten korean names. I've learned that I can name Korean kids with english names very well, it's a skill. I've learned that most Koreans wear glasses, sometimes it dictates the name choice. I've learned that taxis will not take five people anywhere no matter how nice you ask. I've learned that I'm okay at HORSE. I've learned that I shouldn't be taken to a Noribang after 3am, it's trouble.
I've learned that following my dreams is what is important to me. I've learned that priorities change and that's not a flaw but a gift. I've learned that no matter how many happy stickers(sickers) you take away kids still love me. I've learned that I love where I've been and where I'm going. I've learned that helping people is a lot more fun that not. I've learned that my
hollywood jobs have clouded my creativity. I've learned that I speak pretty good english. I've learned that I speak okay spanish. I've learned that I speak alright french. I've learned that I speak pretty bad korean.
I've learned that sunrise peak is beautiful at other times than sunrise. I've learned that two hour lectures on Korean metal works and art after a thirteen hour day are beeter left skipped, especially when the speaker says "You sir in deep meditation, what do you think?" Sir I think it's boring, I apologize. I've learned that the Very Important Golden Lions of Jeju-do from Space are the best unit in the history of the camp. I've learned that Koreans are one year older than everyone else in the world.
I've learned that I'm a living being like that Korean Magpie and when I swoop down I always catch something. I've learned that the 500 won always lands heron side up or so science tellls me? I've learned that I couldn't be here, without everything I've done in the past without everyone that has listened to me ramble, without my family, without everyone I've listened to. I've learned that I am very
lucky and very grateful to be alive.
I've learned that I am sad when my tiny Korean friends get on a bus and go to the airport. I will miss all of them.
more photos to come, slow internet.
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shannon
non-member comment
rusty you totally have me laughing, i love this entry have fun on your travels