archery!

Today I joined a group of about twenty-five ETAs in an amazing archery lesson. We had the opportunity to practice at the same archery field that the Korean Olympic team practiced on and receive instruction from the coach who led the Korean archery team to a gold medal at the Olympics. There was a little bit of excitement.....

We began the afternoon by learning the basic posture in holding a bow and arrow. I found it slightly different that I have to stand at a ninety degree angle from my target. Also, the bows that we were using had a sight about three inches up from the arrow. After everyone was fairly comfortable with the stance we got to practice shooting a target approximately ten meters (39 feet) away. Three or four people were shooting at the same target, and we would shoot six arrows before stopping to retrieve them. The first person to strike yellow (the center circle, worth ten points) got a free T-shirt. I was not that person. Amidst the laughs and encouragement, we had a great time and learned how to shoot. I hit paper every time and made it into the inner circle for several shots-I even had a couple of shots within an inch of the exact center :). I cannot imagine how to hit the Olympic distance targets-I think they were 70 meters away! Archery is an entertaining sport and I would love to come back to this range to practice or watch a tournament.

After archery a couple of us walked into town and went to a kimbap restaurant. Kimbap is kind of like sushi rolls without the fish. It is cheap and really yummy!

 Alanna and I wandering around before we began archery.

Lined up for practicing the positions.

The instructor and I.

The target after my group's best round.

Jinhee (my roommate) and I.

reality check

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!

This past week has been stressful and a slight emotional roller coaster. I occasionally feel as though I am working though the Dr. Seuss book, Oh! The Places You'll Go. Orientation began with an excess of excitement.

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And You are the guy who'll decide where to go.

 But being with seventy-two other highly talented individuals comes with more than just excitement. I have a tendency to compare myself with others--and not in a healthy way. I do not understand why, but I have this desire to be at the top of everything I try. There is an enormous difference between trying my best and trying to be the best. Why can't I be the fastest at learning Korean, the most skilled at Taekwondo, create and execute the best lesson plans, and be the greatest musician of the group?

You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed.
You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you’ll be best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Except when you don’t.
Because, sometimes, you won’t.

Reality Check: This week, I did not perform as well as I hoped on my language quiz, I misread a schedule and wrote a lesson plan for the wrong subject, the lesson plan that I rewrote did not go as I had anticipated, and I did not wake up to my alarm for my responsibilities on Saturday. I am not the fastest student at learning Korean, I do not know the most about Taekwondo, my lesson plans and teaching still need work and there are other wonderful, more-talented musicians in this group of people.  And this reality is okay.

 Living is not about measuring up against someone else, and trying to live on an ever-sliding scale of competition is neither beneficial nor godly. Once again, I must wrestle with the fact that God is perfect and I am not. My worth is not determined by how I compare with those around me or how I perform in certain aspects of life. My value comes from the actuality that I am a fearfully and wonderfully made creation of the Everlasting God. Instead of comparing myself with others I will focus on living in the love of my Father.

calligraphy

During orientation, I have the opportunity to take a calligraphy class. Today was our third session. The first week, we explored the history of both Korean and Chinese calligraphy as well as the instruments used in this art. Last week, we started on Korean calligraphy, practicing different types of strokes and writing a few words. Tonight, we worked on a Korean piece and a Chinese piece. Korean phrases are written top to bottom, right to left, and the alphabet is almost identical to what I have been studying in language school. Chinese characters are completely different. It is relaxing to sit and work on calligraphy, but it is difficult to distinguish between "good" and "bad" attempts. Sometimes the instructor's wife (who comes and assists in the class) will hold on to my arm and direct my strokes for a whole project. It was rather weird at first, but now I like seeing how the calligraphy is supposed to be done. It was amusing in class today when I painted a Chinese phrase and the instructor came and exclaimed (through the help of a translator) that it was very fashionable Chinese writing. i am still not quite sure what to make of that.....Overall, the class is refreshingly different from the rest of my day and I am with many great people to talk to.

songnisan

Twelve kilometers!! With approximately one third of the hike straight up the mountain! Well, maybe I am exaggerating a little, but it sure felt as though I were trying to walk straight up a mountain.

Let's go back to the beginning. This Sunday morning, I boarded a bus with sixteen other eager adventurers to hike in Songnisan National Park. After our hour-long journey, we opted to climb to the peak Munjangdae, 5.8 kilometers away and 3,300 feet up. 5.8k is not too far of a hike....only 3.6 miles.....right?? 3.6 long and tedious miles. The first half of the hike was great. There was a slight elevation increase, but it was not too difficult. By the third kilometer, the trail decided to make up for it's previous ease and essentially became one grand staircase. We experienced rain, humidity, sun, bugs, and the continual temptation to turn around and head back down the mountain. But the push to the top was worth the effort, and I can calmly state after the fact that I loved the hike (just do not ask me to hike it again tomorrow).

On the top of the mountain, the views were stunning. A mist drifted through the other peaks, sometimes covering the peak on which we were standing. We got to relax, eat our snacks, take pictures, and I even found a small bouldering problem to justify lugging my shoes all the way up the mountain (the rest of the rock was too slick for climbing). Hiking is a wonderful way to experience South Korea, and perfect for a Sunday afternoon!

more teaching!

I love to teach-which is probably a good thing, since I will be teaching for the next year! I taught my second lesson at Camp Fulbright today, and it went very well. I had a classroom of all boys, but was able to reign them in and get them involved in the lesson. Generally, lesson plans do not take an extraordinarily long time to put together, but this particular plan did not immediately gel. However, the work that I put into paid off and it was exciting to work through the concepts with the students.

There is a magical transition from not understanding a concept to "getting it" and I get this thrill every time one of my students has an "ah ha!" moment. It does not always occur when I think it will, or at the same time for every student, but I can usually see the breakthrough on the students' face.

Today I learned a few ESL particulars:
1. SPEAK SLOWLY (I do not think this can be emphasized enough)
2. The class does not always have to be playing a game and super excited to be learning; conversely, a chaotic classroom can also be instructive and effective
3. The follow through is often what makes or breaks a language lesson. Just memorizing a phrase or a rule often does not stick with the students. If they are able to apply what they have learned in a new way, then they have truly grasped the concept.

...now, if I can only remember to apply this in future lessons :)

Overall, life is good, and I am happy that it is the weekend!

north korea

I attended a supplemental talk on North Korean refugees. During the two hours, we watched a 2004 BBC documentary on North Korea. Here is a section from my journal. It is obvious that I am still working through a few thoughts...

Where is the light? Where is the hope? How can people perform such atrocities against human kind? Biological warfare? Chemical weapons? Using humans-children-as expendable lab rats. His grandfather committed a crime against the state and he is sentenced to twenty years in jail. Two decades of torture, fear, pain, sorrow, darkness, evil. No reason, no comprehensible justification. Only power and control. The pleasure gained from the pain of others. How can this be tolerated? Who can allow this to continue? Who can participate? Man's inhumanity to man? Didn't someone say that once?* Do the people in North Korea understand what is taking place within their own borders? Is ignorance feigned? Naivete a show? At what point are individuals responsible for being brainwashed? How can someone survive a life of fear? Questions unanswered and suspended confusion. A game of waiting and wondering, but the stakes are so high. Why God? How God? Keep the balance, maintain the order, don't ripple the waters, deny self-responsibility, individuality and conscience. The essence of man is his ability to choose and say no. But we must deny that quality, surgically remove all contrary thought and action. People are breathing but not living. Another Holocaust. Yet somewhere there must be hope. God, there has to be a plan. Shine your light into this overwhelmingly dark place. For you ARE God. That is where my belief must reside. 

*The quote was taken from a poem by Robert Burns: From Man was made to Mourn: A Dirge, 1785:

'Many and sharp the num'rous ills
Inwoven with our frame!
More pointed still we make ourselves
Regret, remorse, and shame!
And Man, whose heav'n-erected face
The smiles of love adorn, -
Man's inhumanity to man
Makes countless thousands mourn!

---

teaching!!!

Camp Fulbright, two weeks of English immersion for one hundred thirty Korean students, is now in full swing. On Monday, I taught my very first English lesson and I am both relieved that it is over and enthusiastic about my teaching position for the next year. It was an incredible experience to help a group of students comprehend a new aspect of English. The lesson began with very little enthusiasm from the class, and a scramble to draw the students into the lesson. But about halfway through, I changed tactics and watched the class respond. It was exhilarating. I hope that I can develop some great teaching skills during the duration of this year.

Aside from teaching, I have been attending Taekwondo (is it a problem that I am already addicted??), learning about Korean calligraphy, continuing with Korean classes, and doing an occasional round-off back handspring to keep life interesting (see picture below). I enjoy being busy, even if I end the day pretty tired.

haeinsa

A retreat!!! Last weekend, all the ETAs had the privilege to go to Haeinsa for a couple of days. Haeinsa is a Buddhist temple in the mountains in the middle of South Korea. The setting was spectacular, the food was scrumptious (I had octopus for the first time--and liked it!), and the opportunity to get to know my fellow ETAs was supreme. After arriving on Friday and listening to a lecture on Korean Buddhism, we took a bus ride and a hike to the temple. The Haeinsa temple is famous for the Tripitaka Koreana, a collection of over eighty thousand wooden tablets containing the sayings of Buddha. While I do not agree with the teachings of Buddhism, it was still fascinating to see the artifacts and history of the temple, and talk to the monks living there.

My favourite moment of the entire weekend occurred Saturday afternoon. I took a walk with a couple of girls and we found a rock on the edge of a creek. It was beautiful to sit and watch the water while talking about life, feeling hidden from the concerns of the day. We were rained on and watched the fog roll across the river. Overall, the retreat was refreshing and just what I needed.

taekwondo

I get to learn Taekwondo while in Korea!! Today I (along with about thirty-five other Fellows) received my Taekwondo uniform and my white belt. I already love the class. After changing into uniforms and learning how to tie the belt, we stretched, learned a few commands, and our first kick. I greatly anticipate participating in this aspect of Korean culture. Yesterday, I began my first calligraphy class. The instructor was extremely nice and gave us an overview of this art in Korean while a leader helped translate. The remainder of the day revolved around Korean language classes and practice. Construction continues outside my window, but fortunately I can block that with headphones.

Here are a couple of pictures of my Taekwondo uniform and in my first stance (next time I will smile :) ):

photography 101

Today I had the opportunity to visit Cheongju (again) for a street photography workshop. After learning about aperture settings, shutter speeds, ISO, exposure compensation and flash tricks (and practicing them on our fellow photographers), we received the assignment of taking five pictures of people doing something interesting. It was kind of awkward for me to take pictures of strangers at first, but here are the five pictures I think turned out the best!

site visit

Today, the elementary ETAs got to visit a school classroom in the city of Cheongju! It was encouraging to see an example of what I will be doing this next year. Sixteen of us loaded onto a bus and drove an hour from Goesan. We then observed a third grade English class, observed a fifth grade English class, took a tour of the school and went out to dinner with the principal of the school. The students were extremely cute. The would stare at us as we walked by, run up and greet us with a quick hello, or peek around door corners as though they were afraid of being spotted. One of my favourite moments was when two girls stepped into the classroom during the passing period. They looked at all the "foreigners" with big eyes and started to count how many there were. Starting in English, they reached seven before exhausting their supply of English numbers and began again in Korean. Then they just giggled back and forth at the large number of people.

After seeing the school we went to a Japanese shabu-shabu restaurant. We took off our shoes to enter and sat at a table that was placed into the ground (we were sitting using the floor as a chair with our legs hanging over a ledge to be under the table). In the middle of the table was a boiling pot of water with herbs in it. Everyone received a plate with thinly sliced raw meat and little wraps of lettuce and rice. The meat was placed in the water to cook (one piece at a time) and then eaten with the wrap. There were also various side dishes to sample. Next, the waiter brought noodles and cooked them in the broth we had created, and the meal concluded with a sweet fruit drink. It was all delicious and something I would love to try again in the future.

Today finished with a workshop based on pictures of Korea and some chill time. I am ready for it to be the weekend!

language school begins!

First thing this morning, I had language school! I am in a beginner class of twelve and we have two professors. Today, we worked on the basic sounds of the alphabet and common greetings. Hearing the difference between aspirated and unaspirated stops is much more difficult than I thought it would be. Hopefully I will be able to pick up on the subtleties soon :) The remainder of the day consisted of meals and meetings. After dinner, I wandered around the university and took some more pictures. The cooler evening temperature was refreshing.

This is from exploring Goesan, a twenty minute walk from the university. We did a photo scavenger hunt and to eat dried squid, arm wrestle in front of a store and do push-ups in front of a market.















Here is a part of the university campus. I was walking around at sunset and it was beautiful. I love all the intersecting paths and bridges as well as the many ponds and fountains.

some pictures of the university grounds

Today began with rice, seaweed soup, an egg and a carton of milk for breakfast. (I was very excited about the milk!) After a few group announcements and more introductions, we met the Hangul teachers took placement tests for language classes. Since I have no previous knowledge of Hangul, it wasn't that difficult to prove it :)   Then, I had a few minutes to take some pictures of my location, so here they are:

This is Jungwon University. Here, 73 individuals will spend six weeks preparing for teaching placements around the country.

These are some statues on the grounds that I thought were interesting. There are also two swimming pools, a golf course, a fitness centre, and probably more that I haven't discovered yet!

These are some of the nearby mountains. It is really pretty, especially with all the clouds.

This is a fountain and bridge that is near the golf course.

After lunch, we learned what past teachers took from their experiences and then had a photo scavenger hunt as an introduction to the town of Goesan. The day concluded with a mixer with Korean students. Altogether, it was a great day!

travels to Korea!

Day 1 in Korea has begun! And what a cray travel experience it has been so far. After 3 plane trips, too many goodbyes, almost losing my backpack, and a four hour bus ride, I am very happy to be on the grounds of Jungwon University in Goesan, South Korea. My room is very nice, complete with bed, desk, drawers, closet, and personal bathroom. Jinhee is my roommate, and I think we will get along very well. She is from Queens, NY and is Korean. So far, the the food has been enjoyable and the people pleasant. I will have to grow accostomed to lots of rice and humidity. Well, busy day tomorrow, so I had better rest up!

This is a picture of Korea from the airplane window at about five in the morning.

I shot this from the bus as we were traveling from Seoul to Goesan.

Here is my sleeping part of my dorm room. I have to take my shoes off, whenever I come into the room.