I few moments ago I heard a loud explosion and children screaming.
But this time, it's not North Korea. It's storming outside, complete with loud explosions of thunder, and little children are outside playing in the rain, squeeling and screaming as they splash through puddles.
I had a request to update the blog on the feelings about North Korea over here. I really don't hear much about it except from people back home (Columbus) about it. But here are some of the thoughts:
Potential travelers- A letter sent out to my parents from the group leading their tour in Korea stated that the US Embassy has not issued any travel warnings for those entering South Korea. It also said that the situation seems more volatile for those who are "just now" paying attention than for those who have had their ear to the ground for longer. The letter basically said that it's no more dangerous today than it was six months ago or a year ago.
Teachers- Most are not worried and feel that Kim Jong Il (KJI) is all talk. There are some, like myself, who have heard rumors about his failing health and are somewhat worried that he'll go for it. It seems he's been wanting to nuke South Korea for a while. And while it would not be a smart move on his part since the US would come to defend S.Korea, he could be going for a last Hail Mary move with the reasoning that he won't have to deal with the consequences (because he'd be dead). That may be an extreme point of view and not one largely shared, but "sane" is not one of the more common attributed characteristics of KJI. But most teachers agree that it would be a stupid move on his part and that he knows this. If he were to bomb South Korea, he'd also be bombing many American citizens, not to mention citizens hailing from many other countries. And we have a strong presence in South Korea (the military). The most common opinion is that North Korea would be in huge trouble and they know it. So most teachers are more worried about getting paid for their "forced" vacation (or "swine flu vacation) than KJI.
My sister- Unkyung says she isn't any more worried now than she was before. She says she thinks that North Korea is just talking and threatening as a kind of trantrum. "They are like babies," she said. "They say 'Help us, help us! Give us food! Give us Help' but now we don't give help." Then she described how the former S.Korean president gave in to these pleas for help and said that the new president, Lee Myubng-bak, has decided to stop giving aid to the North Koreans. That is why, she says, North Korea is so intent on threatening the lives of South Koreans. But again, she doesn't seem too worried.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
More random pics
Above: Unsun, her boyfriend, and her friends. The third is Unkyung and her ex-boyfriend.
Not a swastika but a sun sign...remember, to make the swastika they inverted the sun sign, which is older than the Nazi party. These are everywhere in Korea.
Some pictures of a night out to celebrate one of the teacher's last days. His Korean girlfriend is pictured first, then a few fellow teachers (and one of Al and me).
Pictures of and from Technomart
Al's first night here at Outback Steakhouse with Unsun and her boyfriend and Unkyung
Quick recap of last night: Unkyung invited me out for a drink with her ex and her. It was a little uncomfortable as he sat their with a frown and said nothing. Unkyung would put her arm around him, clearly trying to be affectionate. But he didn't seem to respond. I didn't like him. He apparently has a girlfriend. Again, I wasn't fond of him.
All through the evening, Birthmother called again and again and again. She called nearly 12 times. She used the video call feature to show me that she and my birthfather were at a Noraebang singing and drunk. My birthfather's voice was cringeworthy, but he belted out the Korean song with passion. But after a while, Unkyung was just as annoyed as I was and grabbed my phone and sent the calls to voicemail each time.
Unsun showed up and I was glad. She and her boyfriend are fun to talk with and make me laugh. The other guy was his friend and his girlfriend was there as well. I gave each one of them an English name. Unsun is Angelina Jolie, her boyfriend is Brad Pitt, the other girl was Cameron Diaz (it took a while to find a celebrity she knew), and her boyfriend was Johnny Depp. They loved their new names.
After everyone, including Unsun's boyfriend, left Unsun, Unkyung and I walked together. They insisted they walk me home because it was late. I tried to explain that I walk home late every night from school, but they wouldn't hear of it. I hailed a cab for them and sent them on their way once we got near my home. Not a bad night, but not planning on doing it every evening.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Some cultural differences between us
So once again, after being told that TUESDAY would be an "off-day" for my birthfamily's restaurant, I was called at 10:30AM and told to be ready to be picked up for a family outing in 30 minutes. As everyone already knows, I am not a morning person, especially having been up until 4AM watching movies. When later went outside to meet them, the entire family (except Unsun who had to work) was packed in the car with my birthfather standing outside, arms outstretched.
I was told we'd go have lunch and shop in an area called Namdaemun. Apparently it's a pretty well known area because there were loads of foreigners. I saw Americans, Africans, other Asians (Chinese and Cambodian), and Eurpoeans. Unfortunately I left my camera at the house as I wasn't aware we were going to such a hot spot.
When we arrived in the area, we found a traditional Korean restaurant for lunch. When all our food came, I ate politely, all the while feeling that the food was subpar. And this coming from someone who isn't wild about Korean cuisine in the first place. Birthfather plopped a piece of something from his bowl into mine and gestured for me to try it. I asked what it was and received no answer. After a few more times, Unkyung admitted it was blood. It was solid after having been cooked and almost looked like dark red/brownish tofu....but it was just cow's blood. I looked at Unkyung and, very earnestly, said "No way." She laughed. Later, I still couldn't get over it (the smell was awful) and kept saying, "I can't believe you almost let me eat cow blood!" She laughed.
When Birthfather started pouring rice wine, I decided to partake since I don't work today and I've been putting him off for a while when alcohol is concerned. We clinked metal cups, which were more like bowls, they said, "Bravo!" and I said, "Cheers!", and I took a SIP (as a westerner normally does). They proceeded to literally chug the entire thing and order another bottle. It was later revealed to me that Birthfather had also polished off some Soju before he'd left the house.
An interesting topic came up when I brought up my mother's and stepfather's visit, which is in less than two weeks. As Unkyung explained some things to her parents, I heard her say "Chin Apa." I recognize "Apa" as the Korean word for "Dad" and was wondering what the "chin" meant. When I asked, she said it meant "new father." I guess that's their word for stepfather. Unkyung explained that even though she knew my parents were divorced, she was shocked when she came to America (ten years ago) and heard me call my stepfather by his first name. I asked her what she expected me to call him and she replied, "Daddy."
Apparently in Korea, when a mother marries a new man, he is considered the "new father" and the children call him "Apa" in his presence. When I asked what the actual father is then called, she told me he is just "Apa." So new father and father. I laughed and reminded her that my dad is coming in September and told her, "Don't say that to him." (Although I guess he is probably reading this here so he already knows. Sorry, Dad! Just reporting the facts.) She laughed and agreed, understanding the cultural difference we'd discovered.
After lunch we walked around and looked for anything that might appeal to me. I was honestly not in the mood for shopping, especially considering that sizes run super small in this country. I have gained about four pounds from what I'd originally lost coming here, and it did not go unnoticed by my birthfather, who reminded me, "Man like thin. Not big." He also made a comment about my arm (I was sleeveless) and that it was fat. It really got on my nerves and when I told Unkyung, she understood. To make matters worse, he was insistent upon purchasing some clothes for me, but all the sizes were too small. This enrages me when I'm in Ohio and being in Korea did nothing to improve the situation (that and my birthfather's occasional comments). On the way home, he mentioned my arm again and at that point, I patted his hand gently, smiled, and then put my finger to my lips saying, "Shhhhhhhhhh." I smiled as sweetly as I could to hide the fact that I was politely telling him to shut up. I said, "No more fat talk, Apa." He nodded, grinned, and remained silent.
One thing I noted was that, as I have said before, my birthparents seem to be very fond of each other. They joke with each other, gaze at each other lovingly, and hold arms and hands a lot. They sometimes even feed each other. At one point my birthmother fell asleep in the car and, upon noticing her mouth was open, Birthfather stretched a finger toward her mouth and tapped her lip, waking her. They both giggled. It's kind of cute.
For a while, when we went off to look for a shirt that would actually fit me, we left Grandma in her wheelchair near the entrance of the mall. I stopped them, asking, "What about Grandma?" They turned and walked back to her for a moment, said something to her, then tugged me away. Apparently it was too much work to push her through this mall (which was similar in layout to the outdoor market). It still made me a little upset. Why should she have to just sit in one place all alone? Did she enjoy that? I did not see the kind of respect for their elders that Koreans are known to have. Since I don't know the family dynamic or what she likes or doesn't like, I couldn't really comment on it. But it remained in the back of my mind until we returned to her, at which point she demanded to know, "Why did you take so long?"
That's all for now! I forgot the camera but took some cell phone pics. Hopefully I can figure out how to get them on here.
I was told we'd go have lunch and shop in an area called Namdaemun. Apparently it's a pretty well known area because there were loads of foreigners. I saw Americans, Africans, other Asians (Chinese and Cambodian), and Eurpoeans. Unfortunately I left my camera at the house as I wasn't aware we were going to such a hot spot.
When we arrived in the area, we found a traditional Korean restaurant for lunch. When all our food came, I ate politely, all the while feeling that the food was subpar. And this coming from someone who isn't wild about Korean cuisine in the first place. Birthfather plopped a piece of something from his bowl into mine and gestured for me to try it. I asked what it was and received no answer. After a few more times, Unkyung admitted it was blood. It was solid after having been cooked and almost looked like dark red/brownish tofu....but it was just cow's blood. I looked at Unkyung and, very earnestly, said "No way." She laughed. Later, I still couldn't get over it (the smell was awful) and kept saying, "I can't believe you almost let me eat cow blood!" She laughed.
When Birthfather started pouring rice wine, I decided to partake since I don't work today and I've been putting him off for a while when alcohol is concerned. We clinked metal cups, which were more like bowls, they said, "Bravo!" and I said, "Cheers!", and I took a SIP (as a westerner normally does). They proceeded to literally chug the entire thing and order another bottle. It was later revealed to me that Birthfather had also polished off some Soju before he'd left the house.
An interesting topic came up when I brought up my mother's and stepfather's visit, which is in less than two weeks. As Unkyung explained some things to her parents, I heard her say "Chin Apa." I recognize "Apa" as the Korean word for "Dad" and was wondering what the "chin" meant. When I asked, she said it meant "new father." I guess that's their word for stepfather. Unkyung explained that even though she knew my parents were divorced, she was shocked when she came to America (ten years ago) and heard me call my stepfather by his first name. I asked her what she expected me to call him and she replied, "Daddy."
Apparently in Korea, when a mother marries a new man, he is considered the "new father" and the children call him "Apa" in his presence. When I asked what the actual father is then called, she told me he is just "Apa." So new father and father. I laughed and reminded her that my dad is coming in September and told her, "Don't say that to him." (Although I guess he is probably reading this here so he already knows. Sorry, Dad! Just reporting the facts.) She laughed and agreed, understanding the cultural difference we'd discovered.
After lunch we walked around and looked for anything that might appeal to me. I was honestly not in the mood for shopping, especially considering that sizes run super small in this country. I have gained about four pounds from what I'd originally lost coming here, and it did not go unnoticed by my birthfather, who reminded me, "Man like thin. Not big." He also made a comment about my arm (I was sleeveless) and that it was fat. It really got on my nerves and when I told Unkyung, she understood. To make matters worse, he was insistent upon purchasing some clothes for me, but all the sizes were too small. This enrages me when I'm in Ohio and being in Korea did nothing to improve the situation (that and my birthfather's occasional comments). On the way home, he mentioned my arm again and at that point, I patted his hand gently, smiled, and then put my finger to my lips saying, "Shhhhhhhhhh." I smiled as sweetly as I could to hide the fact that I was politely telling him to shut up. I said, "No more fat talk, Apa." He nodded, grinned, and remained silent.
One thing I noted was that, as I have said before, my birthparents seem to be very fond of each other. They joke with each other, gaze at each other lovingly, and hold arms and hands a lot. They sometimes even feed each other. At one point my birthmother fell asleep in the car and, upon noticing her mouth was open, Birthfather stretched a finger toward her mouth and tapped her lip, waking her. They both giggled. It's kind of cute.
For a while, when we went off to look for a shirt that would actually fit me, we left Grandma in her wheelchair near the entrance of the mall. I stopped them, asking, "What about Grandma?" They turned and walked back to her for a moment, said something to her, then tugged me away. Apparently it was too much work to push her through this mall (which was similar in layout to the outdoor market). It still made me a little upset. Why should she have to just sit in one place all alone? Did she enjoy that? I did not see the kind of respect for their elders that Koreans are known to have. Since I don't know the family dynamic or what she likes or doesn't like, I couldn't really comment on it. But it remained in the back of my mind until we returned to her, at which point she demanded to know, "Why did you take so long?"
That's all for now! I forgot the camera but took some cell phone pics. Hopefully I can figure out how to get them on here.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Korea's a Black Hole and other pics
First of all, I left my cell phone at an ATM and it was picked up by a man, hence the first part of the title of this blog. I lose things, but never as often as I have here! A man has it and says he will return it this evening. We'll see....(This is a note written after I posted the blog the 1st time: Minutes after posting, the man returned my cell phone. Thank God for honest people in Korea!)
These are only a few of the many, many pictures taken during Al's visit. They were basically all taken by him (and uploaded more quickly than mine onto this blog). They are a little out of order. Boy, this time off gives me a lot of blogging time!
A view of an attractive bridge from the 7th floor of Technomart
Al on the patio of Technomart (second trip there)
A photo of the Konkuk University sign. This is one of the popular University areas for bar hopping.
The lights of Kondeh (Konkuk University area) at night.
Al just HAD to get this picture. He thought the name was amusing. Ho Bar is a chain of bars. There is a Ho Bar and a Ho Bar 2 and they are located in various areas throughout Seoul. Basic bar with darts, American hip hop, and beer.
Fountains in Dongdaemun, one of the biggest shopping areas of Seoul. This was our big shopping day. We went here, Meyongdong, and Insadong.
Al got his photo taken in traditional Korean dress. The woman and man (who was the photographer) were having fun dressing him up. Unfortunately, the dark skin seemed to throw the man's camera off and we spent fifteen minutes taking picture after picture that wasn't to the photographer's liking. I scolded Al for breaking the poor man's camera haha. The actual photo was not digital so I can't post it, but it turned out nicely.
Two examples of the type of architecture Al was expecting (and hoping) to see more of in Seoul.
Incheon Airport
Al was more adventurous with food that either of us expected. He even liked some variations of Kimchi. Not bad for a picky eater.
While here, Al ate dinner with the rest of the teachers twice and was also invited to play basketball with them. Although most of the teachers are under 24 years old, Al kept up quite well, despite being a decade older. He made most of the points during most of the games, although he was on the losing end when it came time to split the teams into "USA" vs. "Canada." Our US teachers brought shame to us during that game. He wasn't even sore the next day!
I think I spent more money than he did on shopping overall, but we both had a great time. I'm so glad he came! The only down point was when my birthmother called asking me, very pointedly, if the friend who was visiting was a boy or girl. Obviously my younger sister had snitched. I pretended I couldn't understand her and quickly said goodnight. Al did get to meet my birthparents and LOVED the food he had at their restaurant, but Unkyung simply told them he was another English teacher. Birthfather looked at him with wary eyes but the subject has not been brought up (at least to me) again.
Oh...and today when Unkyung and I had lunch, she looked at me earnestly and said, "Tell me the truth, Laura. Don't lie. Is Al really just a friend?" I laughed and assured her that he is a very good friend but that no, we aren't planning marriage (another question she asked).
Because of this visit, Al has officially been bumped up several notches on my list. Thanks, Al!
These are only a few of the many, many pictures taken during Al's visit. They were basically all taken by him (and uploaded more quickly than mine onto this blog). They are a little out of order. Boy, this time off gives me a lot of blogging time!
A view of an attractive bridge from the 7th floor of Technomart
Al on the patio of Technomart (second trip there)
A photo of the Konkuk University sign. This is one of the popular University areas for bar hopping.
The lights of Kondeh (Konkuk University area) at night.
Al just HAD to get this picture. He thought the name was amusing. Ho Bar is a chain of bars. There is a Ho Bar and a Ho Bar 2 and they are located in various areas throughout Seoul. Basic bar with darts, American hip hop, and beer.
Fountains in Dongdaemun, one of the biggest shopping areas of Seoul. This was our big shopping day. We went here, Meyongdong, and Insadong.
Al got his photo taken in traditional Korean dress. The woman and man (who was the photographer) were having fun dressing him up. Unfortunately, the dark skin seemed to throw the man's camera off and we spent fifteen minutes taking picture after picture that wasn't to the photographer's liking. I scolded Al for breaking the poor man's camera haha. The actual photo was not digital so I can't post it, but it turned out nicely.
Two examples of the type of architecture Al was expecting (and hoping) to see more of in Seoul.
Incheon Airport
Al was more adventurous with food that either of us expected. He even liked some variations of Kimchi. Not bad for a picky eater.
While here, Al ate dinner with the rest of the teachers twice and was also invited to play basketball with them. Although most of the teachers are under 24 years old, Al kept up quite well, despite being a decade older. He made most of the points during most of the games, although he was on the losing end when it came time to split the teams into "USA" vs. "Canada." Our US teachers brought shame to us during that game. He wasn't even sore the next day!
I think I spent more money than he did on shopping overall, but we both had a great time. I'm so glad he came! The only down point was when my birthmother called asking me, very pointedly, if the friend who was visiting was a boy or girl. Obviously my younger sister had snitched. I pretended I couldn't understand her and quickly said goodnight. Al did get to meet my birthparents and LOVED the food he had at their restaurant, but Unkyung simply told them he was another English teacher. Birthfather looked at him with wary eyes but the subject has not been brought up (at least to me) again.
Oh...and today when Unkyung and I had lunch, she looked at me earnestly and said, "Tell me the truth, Laura. Don't lie. Is Al really just a friend?" I laughed and assured her that he is a very good friend but that no, we aren't planning marriage (another question she asked).
Because of this visit, Al has officially been bumped up several notches on my list. Thanks, Al!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
What's my name?
My birthmother still calls me frequently, although not as much as she did when I first arrived. In fact, she called just a moment ago and the conversation is always the same. She says she misses me and that she loves me, both in Korean and in English, and also asks when she will see me next.
Today she threw in another twist. She asked me what my name is. I didn't understand her since it was in Korean, but she prompted me to answer, "Jung, Sunkyung." She waited and repeated my Korean name again, but I kept my lips shut. I simply did not want to give in, as if saying it would encourage them to think of me as Sunkyung. I am Laura. I haven't been Sunkyung for twenty four years. I think calling them "mother" and "father" (in Korean only, of course), should be enough.
Sunkyung is the daughter of Hyeja Kim and Whatever-his-name-is Jung (it's not a simple name to remember and they don't encourage me to call him that). To me, Sunkyung is a chubby girl who works in her parents' restaurant and goes home at night alone to drink and commiserate with her twin sister, Unkyung. Sunkyung wishes for more but knows she is bound to her family and that her only way out is to find a good man. But men aren't really knocking down her door as she isn't as thin as the rest of the girls in the city. She is obedient and rebels only in her head. After all, how would she really rebel in a city or country like this without being branded a "bad girl" (as Unkyung and other Koreans term it). She is the kind of girl who doesn't have time for a social life and spends most of her time with her parents.
Laura, on the other hand, is a reasonably educated young woman who has her own apartment and pays her own bills. She has several career options available to her and her future is uncertain but open. She's confident and is simply not quite ready for a serious romantic relationship. It won't be until after her career is settled and she's bought her own home that she'll be ready to think about marriage. From time to time, Laura rebels, gets it out of her system, and counts her blessings for having so many understanding and loving people around to support her in all her choices. And she was wonderful friends who would fly across an ocean to visit her.
Which would you rather be?
(By the way, I will post about Al's fun week-long visit after I get some of his pictures so I can post them too.)
Today she threw in another twist. She asked me what my name is. I didn't understand her since it was in Korean, but she prompted me to answer, "Jung, Sunkyung." She waited and repeated my Korean name again, but I kept my lips shut. I simply did not want to give in, as if saying it would encourage them to think of me as Sunkyung. I am Laura. I haven't been Sunkyung for twenty four years. I think calling them "mother" and "father" (in Korean only, of course), should be enough.
Sunkyung is the daughter of Hyeja Kim and Whatever-his-name-is Jung (it's not a simple name to remember and they don't encourage me to call him that). To me, Sunkyung is a chubby girl who works in her parents' restaurant and goes home at night alone to drink and commiserate with her twin sister, Unkyung. Sunkyung wishes for more but knows she is bound to her family and that her only way out is to find a good man. But men aren't really knocking down her door as she isn't as thin as the rest of the girls in the city. She is obedient and rebels only in her head. After all, how would she really rebel in a city or country like this without being branded a "bad girl" (as Unkyung and other Koreans term it). She is the kind of girl who doesn't have time for a social life and spends most of her time with her parents.
Laura, on the other hand, is a reasonably educated young woman who has her own apartment and pays her own bills. She has several career options available to her and her future is uncertain but open. She's confident and is simply not quite ready for a serious romantic relationship. It won't be until after her career is settled and she's bought her own home that she'll be ready to think about marriage. From time to time, Laura rebels, gets it out of her system, and counts her blessings for having so many understanding and loving people around to support her in all her choices. And she was wonderful friends who would fly across an ocean to visit her.
Which would you rather be?
(By the way, I will post about Al's fun week-long visit after I get some of his pictures so I can post them too.)
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
The world and Seoul
As I said in my last blog, we're dealing with a swine flu situation here in Korea. I can't speak Korean so I don't understand exactly what the local media is saying, but an article on www.ratemyhagwon.com, a site with news and information on English academies, says:
“The English teachers in question, recruited by a hagwon in Seoul, are believed to have been infected while they were undergoing training from May 18 to 22, acting as a team and living in the same place. Another seven teachers with high fevers and runny noses are undergoing tests.”
It also says:
"Their possible exposure to the flu is linked to the fifth reported case in Korea, a 23-year old American woman who was diagnosed on May 23rd. She was part of the same training group, shared living quarters, and attended the same training sessions.
So far, we've still be instructed to return to work on June 3rd and to remain in our homes, leaving only when absolutely necessary.
Our school is particularly upset by the news that we would not get paid. Other teachers at other CDI branches and franchizes are receiving compensation for this "forced vacation" and I was even forwarded an email by a girl who trained with me, stating that all instructors should be paid. Curiously, none of the teachers at our branch received this email. I'm a little more laid back about the issue (I'm usually foolishly laid back about money issues), but if the teachers force the issue (and it sounds like they will from the texts and calls I've received), I will stand behind them as well. It seems to come down to our owner (our branch is a franchise owned by one man) who has been described as greedy by some. Or was it just me?
Until we work these issues out, I will be staying as far away from westerners as I can, which is a change. The chances of contracting swine flu are giving me pause each time I receive an invitation to go out and have some fun during this vacation. I received a text from my manager requesting that we "limit social interactions" and to definitely stay away from areas highly populated with foreigners (like Itaewon).
Another issue is the fairness and logic of the quarantine. I have yet to find solid information telling how many Koreans have been in quarantine as a result of their contact with any of these training members, but it seems that it's just the westerns subjected to this "house arrest." But really, if they are this afraid, causing schools to close and whatnot, shouldn't they be worried about the people who flew over with this teacher? What about someone who passed them on the plane as they were coughing? What about the airline attendants on that flight? Or even the people working at the hotel in which ALL the trainees stayed for training week?
The other thing that is beginning to concern me is the threat made by North Korea. Usually I roll my eyes when I hear these menacing quotes from their government, but I'm increasingly aware that I am in the very city they would attack should they decide to. If I thought they'd fly a plane into a building, I'd be concerned too, but the fact that they're most likely housing atom bombs and worse is enough to make me wish I'd chosen a different year to do this. I don't think or feel this way constantly, but it crosses my mind from time to time, each time more threats are made. Then again, this political climate definitely makes this year more interesting.
As for swine flu....there's a lot of support from other teachers. They have taken up a collection to make care packages for the quarantined teachers which include things to help ease the boredom and seriousness of the situation. The article about the swine flu situation has some good news: "Luckily, though, there is some good news. A South Korean researcher claims to have developed the world’s first H1N1 vaccine."
If you'd like to read the entire article, go to:
http://ratemyhagwon.com/2009/05/25/korea-english-teachers-swine-flu-quarantine/comment-page-1/
And for an interesting article on the North Korea threats:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8069457.stm
Thanks for continuing to read my blog. I'm sure everything will be fine and I will try to enjoy my swine flu vacation. I love you all (most of you :-) hehe )!
“The English teachers in question, recruited by a hagwon in Seoul, are believed to have been infected while they were undergoing training from May 18 to 22, acting as a team and living in the same place. Another seven teachers with high fevers and runny noses are undergoing tests.”
It also says:
"Their possible exposure to the flu is linked to the fifth reported case in Korea, a 23-year old American woman who was diagnosed on May 23rd. She was part of the same training group, shared living quarters, and attended the same training sessions.
After enduring what more than one teacher characterized as a ”hellish week” of training, the teachers were rounded up from as far away as Busan by public health officials and brought to a quarantine location in Seocho-dong, Seoul. "
According to a source unnamed in the article, this is what the teachers were told (some of them having already been shipped out to Busan and Daegu):
“I have uh, some bad news for you. It seems at training, last week someone in your group is now positive for swine flu. So we must take you now, to hotel for tests. Ambulance is on the way.”
We’re in an ambulance, weaving it’s way back toward Seoul. Twenty minutes before two serious looking health workers picked us up in Bundang, promptly handed us N95 masks, then motioned for us to get into the ambulance waiting there. A small group of Koreans stopped their saturday afternoon stroll to watch the scene: two Americans being escorted into an ambulance not ten feet away from them. I felt sorry for them, knowing that some of them would probably be retracing their entire day, hypothesizing if they ever came into contact with something these two dirty foreigners had touched. I had visions of men in business suits washing themselves thoroughly from head to toe as if scrubbing our very existence off their skin.”
The article acknowledges the possibility that this situation could mean bad things for English academies since the swine flu cases have been closely linked with not just Americans, but American English teachers in private schools. One assistant principal died as a result of a separate situation/infestation.So far, we've still be instructed to return to work on June 3rd and to remain in our homes, leaving only when absolutely necessary.
Our school is particularly upset by the news that we would not get paid. Other teachers at other CDI branches and franchizes are receiving compensation for this "forced vacation" and I was even forwarded an email by a girl who trained with me, stating that all instructors should be paid. Curiously, none of the teachers at our branch received this email. I'm a little more laid back about the issue (I'm usually foolishly laid back about money issues), but if the teachers force the issue (and it sounds like they will from the texts and calls I've received), I will stand behind them as well. It seems to come down to our owner (our branch is a franchise owned by one man) who has been described as greedy by some. Or was it just me?
Until we work these issues out, I will be staying as far away from westerners as I can, which is a change. The chances of contracting swine flu are giving me pause each time I receive an invitation to go out and have some fun during this vacation. I received a text from my manager requesting that we "limit social interactions" and to definitely stay away from areas highly populated with foreigners (like Itaewon).
Another issue is the fairness and logic of the quarantine. I have yet to find solid information telling how many Koreans have been in quarantine as a result of their contact with any of these training members, but it seems that it's just the westerns subjected to this "house arrest." But really, if they are this afraid, causing schools to close and whatnot, shouldn't they be worried about the people who flew over with this teacher? What about someone who passed them on the plane as they were coughing? What about the airline attendants on that flight? Or even the people working at the hotel in which ALL the trainees stayed for training week?
The other thing that is beginning to concern me is the threat made by North Korea. Usually I roll my eyes when I hear these menacing quotes from their government, but I'm increasingly aware that I am in the very city they would attack should they decide to. If I thought they'd fly a plane into a building, I'd be concerned too, but the fact that they're most likely housing atom bombs and worse is enough to make me wish I'd chosen a different year to do this. I don't think or feel this way constantly, but it crosses my mind from time to time, each time more threats are made. Then again, this political climate definitely makes this year more interesting.
As for swine flu....there's a lot of support from other teachers. They have taken up a collection to make care packages for the quarantined teachers which include things to help ease the boredom and seriousness of the situation. The article about the swine flu situation has some good news: "Luckily, though, there is some good news. A South Korean researcher claims to have developed the world’s first H1N1 vaccine."
If you'd like to read the entire article, go to:
http://ratemyhagwon.com/2009/05/25/korea-english-teachers-swine-flu-quarantine/comment-page-1/
And for an interesting article on the North Korea threats:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8069457.stm
Thanks for continuing to read my blog. I'm sure everything will be fine and I will try to enjoy my swine flu vacation. I love you all (most of you :-) hehe )!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Swine Flu ruins my day
Today was supposed to be the first day of the new semester at Chung Dahm (CDI) and I was all prepared for class. I even made the effort to come in a couple hours early so I would be fully prepared for my new classes. Then, our head instructor called everyone into the meeting room with the announcement I hadn't expected: CDI classes are shut down until next Wednesday.
A new group of CDI trainees came in last week and on Friday, the medical reports came back showing that one of the instructors has swine flu. This means that everyone in that training class, everyone who taught the training classes, everyone in the research and development department (whose offices are in the training building) are all quarantined. To make matters worse, the medical reports came back AFTER a few teachers had already been shipped out to their branches outside of Seoul (like Daegu and Busan). Because of that, those branches have been shut down and the employees quarantined. So we have no research and development team to get us our teaching materials and the school has been overwhelmed with phone calls from concerned parents wanting to know if our branch was affected.
The good news is that I am the newest teacher to Korea and I have been here three months. The bad news is that the Korean media has overdramatized the situation and inferred that CDI knew that one of their teachers was sick and ignored it, showing disregard for the kids. That is another reason the branch has closed down.
More bad news: We don't get paid for this week of spontaneous "vacation." It definitely throws a wrench in my plans.
Side note: Al has been here for a few days and we've been having a great time. More about that later (but just know that for Koreans, the name Al is apparently very difficult to say).
A new group of CDI trainees came in last week and on Friday, the medical reports came back showing that one of the instructors has swine flu. This means that everyone in that training class, everyone who taught the training classes, everyone in the research and development department (whose offices are in the training building) are all quarantined. To make matters worse, the medical reports came back AFTER a few teachers had already been shipped out to their branches outside of Seoul (like Daegu and Busan). Because of that, those branches have been shut down and the employees quarantined. So we have no research and development team to get us our teaching materials and the school has been overwhelmed with phone calls from concerned parents wanting to know if our branch was affected.
The good news is that I am the newest teacher to Korea and I have been here three months. The bad news is that the Korean media has overdramatized the situation and inferred that CDI knew that one of their teachers was sick and ignored it, showing disregard for the kids. That is another reason the branch has closed down.
More bad news: We don't get paid for this week of spontaneous "vacation." It definitely throws a wrench in my plans.
Side note: Al has been here for a few days and we've been having a great time. More about that later (but just know that for Koreans, the name Al is apparently very difficult to say).
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