Korean Rant

I have been here about a month and a week now, so I feel I am entitled to a little rant session.

Even though I love Korea, and the people and various other things I think that there are some serious problems with the country:

1. With the fact that English has been a requirement for every student to do for 10 years, you think that the country would be more English friendly. First, none of the restaurants have English on their menus, or if they do it is a rarity. Second, the people here cannot speak English at all. The only person whom I have met who speaks English somewhat well is my boss. I mean come on! They wonder why there is a shortage of teachers that come to teach conversation English, when the people in the country do not want to speak it or make it a little bit more English friendly, by at the very least printing menus in both Korean and English

2. I was going to go out to eat, but it was late (by Korean time) I went to a restaurant at 8:30 (actually my third one) and they were all closed! 8 ish?! On a Saturday? In America that would not last as between 8-9:30 ish is one of the busiest rushes in the week for many places. Yeah I know that this is not America but okay.

3. I think that the teachers who come should all be able to give grades. All of my elementary students would pass their classes. Now as far as middle school students go, they would all fail, every single middle school student. They don't ever pay attention, I spend 40 minutes of a 50 minute class or 20 minutes of a 25 minute class trying to get them to pay attention. All they want to do is talk and goof off!

You know you have been in Korea to long if when going back to a Native English speaking country you:

1. Everyone complains that you speak to slowly.
2. You get lost in a small city (on foot) and realize getting into a taxi is not an option
3. You go to McDonald's and say Hamburger, fries Jusayeou (get me).
4. You find it wierd when you eat a meal and there is niehter rice nor soup or kimchi.
5. You bow to everyone when saying hello.
6. You forget how to use a fork
7. When you go to a bar you say: "Makju Jusayeou" (beer, bet me).
8. When you go to a restaurant on your hot date: you say: "poduju jusayeou" (whine, get me)
9. instead of asking for a glass of water you say: Mul.
10. When saying yes, people think you mean no, because yes in Korea is Ne.
11. You get lost while driving with someone and you tell them to use the GPS system.
12. You speak with the sentences order mixed up: ex. "I (Name) am."

I may continue to add to this list as I am here.

New glasses

I don't know if this counts as a Korean adventure or not but...

I went today to purchase glasses. The doctor could see me right away and only charged 20,000 won. My lenses were 60,000 won. Finally the frames were about 10,000 won. All together the price was about 90,000 won or 90 dollars. Now here's the kicker. I was able to wait 15 minutes and get them right away; in 15 minutes!!!

Let's see how this compares to American eye glasses:

1. Eye doctor lowest I have seen is $80
2. Frames: lowest I have seen is about $50-100 so lets say $75
3. Lenses usually $200-$300 so lets say $250
4. One hour wait usually charges maybe an extra $100-200 so lests say 150

$80
75
250
150=
$555 or 555 Won

Korean glasses once again
20,000 won
60,000 won
10,000 won=

90,000 won or 90 dollars

Why the heck is America so freaking expensive on this?!!!!!


Or maybe it is the other way around:

How the heck can Korea charge so freaking little?

its been a while since I updated but...

Let's see...

I have not updated in a while.

My classes are good for the most part but I have noticed that the later in the week it is the more stressful it is and the less students listen. So, in other words really try to teach on Monday and Tuesday. My older students seem the most troublesome. I am not sure why that is.

I am getting settled for the most part... I actually used a Korean style public bathroom. It looked like a urinal that they just layed on the florr and you are supposed to stand and squat to go. I hated it. I only used it because I was teaching and could not wait anymore.

Other than that not much else to report

I have started to try and learn Korean on my own since I cannot find a tutor... although if my students see me studying at school they sometimes help. I also had some help from some people in the park where I go daily to write in my journal as well. I also go there to work out. If I remember I will try and take some pics of the equipment I use...

I also got my alien registration card today. So tomorrow Mr. Lee is going to take me to the bank to set up an account.