Thursday, March 20, 2008

They call me Shasta....Teacher Shasta.


Who was your second grade teacher? How about your best friend in fourth grade? Dig deep tell me who you took a nap next to in kindergarten. Facts that probably fly under the radar during any normal day, but are easily recalled when asked. It says a lot about your childhood that you’re stored that info long term style.
Your childhood is important. Whether or not yours turned out to be the "happiest times of your life" or "what you spend your whole life trying to overcome", depends entirely on the people you encounter on that winding, often bumpy, road to adulthood. Quotes stolen straight from one of my all-time favorite chick flicks, Hope Floats. Like Birdee, and a few others of you out there, I grew up in a teeny, tiny town that I couldn’t wait to escape. Successfully flying the coop grants me the opportunity to view those years through rose colored glasses and some of my fondest memories and most significant experiences came in the form of my teachers.
I am, without a doubt, the product of those educators placed in my path. I can name a handful of women who made me the way I am....good, bad, and ugly. Over half of those were teachers. You spend about a third of your childhood with your teachers. They’re your mother, father, protector, confidant, and entertainment for 8 hours a day, five days a week from 5-18.
That’s a pretty significant chunk of time. They guide you through your socialization into the world at large. Mine let me know, in no uncertain terms, that my world wasn’t defined by Bowie County lines. That’s a pretty respectable feat considering I’m writing these words in the middle of a small town in South Korea.
I don’t remember exactly when it happened, but somewhere along the way someone let me know that education would open up doors for me that nothing else would.
I’d put money on that person being a teacher. My family isn’t wealthy. Far from it. Both of my parents worked at least one job the entire time I was growing up. They work very hard for the things they have and what they gave me and my siblings. Despite my obvious lack of a silver spoon, my education has allowed me to almost circumnavigate the globe.
My trip down memory lane is simply to illustrate that your childhood and your teachers make a big league impact on who and what you become....And I get to do that. Every. Single. Day. I have the opportunity to continue to do so for the rest of my life. My kids are learning English and I hope somewhere in those lessons I’m hoping they figure out that I care about them. I’m spending a year away from everything I love to fall in love with 200 new things. When they grow up and think back on English in Elementary school, hopefully, they’re going to think of me.
I’m earning a place in the childhood of 200 lives. How cool is that?

P.S. Even if the very thought of teaching as a profession makes you want to run for the hills, you’ll probably appreciate this.





Never a dull moment.


Category: Life

Took yesterday off from school so I could head into Seoul with Meagon to get a look at the Van Gogh exhibition at the Museum of Art. Apparently, so did everyone else in this country because it was PACKED. Don't these people have jobs? Had to wait in a long curvy line and was seriously unimpressed by the selection of paintings and sketches that they had on display. I guess I just got way too excited about it so I was disappointed when I got there. I've been to the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam. I just wanted to get a peek at some of his work that lives other places. Museums are one of the great joys in my life. I love em. I can spend hours wandering around looking at stuff. Not so yesterday. It was hot and crowded and not worth the trip. But fear not, the whole day was not a bust.
Had dinner at Outback. Western food always puts a silver lining on any dark cloud of a day. The subway on the way home was crowded so I got to sit down and Meagon had to stand. As soon as the seat next to me opened a wiry little Korean woman all but formed tackled Meagon to make sure she got the seat. She had to see the look I was giving her but she didn't care. I'm growing used to being stared at. I still don't like it, but I'm getting used to it. Well, this woman is so close she's touching me and doesn't even try to be subtle about giving me the once over. She mumbles something in Korean with the word "America" thrown in there so I just assume she's asking if I'm from America. I say Yes, because I am. Apparently, that wasn't what she was asking because she asked me the same question about 10 more times even though my answer was the same and I even told her I didn't know (in Korean).
I just started ignoring her until she started making this horrible slurping gurgling sound right in my ear. I don't know what was going on in her mouth. Sounded like she was trying to keep her false teeth or something. There's only so much I can take and since Meagon had scored herself a seat a little ways away from me I started digging in my bag for my iPod. I don't even get it in my ear before she starts up with her American crap again and takes my iPod out of my hand. By now I've figured if you can't beat em, join em so I just gave her the earphones and let her soak up a little Ben Harper. At least it would shut her up and get her off my back. I guess she liked ol' Ben because she wasn't making any moves to give my iPod back.
I wanted some photographic evidence of the crazy old Korean ajuma with funky hair and painted on make up sitting thisclose to me listening to my iPod. Dug around in my bag for my camera and before I could get the lens cap off, the heifer took it too. She looked at about 300 of my pictures all the while muttering about America. I guess she'd decided we were friends because here she sat all squished up next to me, listening to my tunes, and looking through my camera.
I've been wishing that Koreans were a little friendlier. Be careful what you wish for. You just might get it times 10 on a subway.
Ended up back in Gimpo at a bar called the Hudson and had drinks with one American, two South Africans, and two Koreans. Everyone spoke at least two languages and I'm sure anyone listening got more than they bargained for once we all got drunk. There was Korean, English, Spanish, and Afrikaans flying around. Never a dull moment I tell ya. Can't beat Van Gogh, Outback, being accosted on the subway, and having an international cocktail hour.

RIP Kimchi


Category: Pets and Animals

I decided I needed a pet. I live alone for the first time in my life and I was getting a little lonely. I don't have the patience or the space for a puppy. I get too attached and I'm leaving in October. Decided on a goldfish. Two of em actually. Rice and Kimchi. Did it big and bought them a tank with fun rocks and a little house because a little bowl just seems kinda mean. Had them for a grand total of 5 days before Kimchi went belly up on me. On Valentine's Day no less. Damn near cried. Had him a little fishy funeral and flushed him down the john. So sad. Rice is still kicking. I bought him a water filter so I wouldn't have to clean his tank every other day. I even got some frozen peas because a friend of mine told me that if a fish starts to look sick, you should drop a few peas in thier water. Something about the vitamins and such. I can't have both of my fish head into the light inside of two weeks with me. I'm thinking of replacing Kimchi so Rice won't be lonely. Now you know:)