Autumn in Andong!!

I t's been one hellava week (month, year), and it's only by the grace of God you and I have lived to see this Friday night. And finally, I have some photos that might be of interest to you--In high-def!

As much as my ego would love you to come here to read my brilliant thoughts and ideas about an endless variety of subjects, “Subisu” is a picture-based blog; an electronic scrapbook; a small glimpse of Korea through my eyes. It's inappropriate to stray too far too long off-topic.

But if there's nothing good on TV, your friends are out of town, the kids are sleeping over at Grandma's, the wife's not “in the mood”, you've checked your e-mail twice, and you've said your prayers, you can bookmark www.insideadrienne.blogspot.com and stay tuned to a woman who bears the burden of always being right!

 So, the N1H1 virus keeps rolling on. Here in Ulsan, the Onggi (pottery) Festival, and the World Music Festival have both been canceled. Many events have been canceled nationwide because (I've heard) the government feels an event for more than 1,000 people (especially international visitors) poses too much of a health risk.


A couple weeks ago, my school was closed early for one day so it could be disinfected after one of the 6th grade students was a confirmed case, and I'm told, some other students have recently tested positive as well.

The head teacher of my school advised me today to be careful to stay healthy, and to call her and go to the hospital immediately if I have a fever.


Today made me think that perhaps I have taken too much of a laissez-faire attitude about N1H1, though, I did buy a couple bottles of the hand sanitizer thats' been doing brisk business around here. Also, the hypochondriac in me blitzkriegs even the suspicion of illness with meds, water, and vitamins. I can't afford to get sick. I'm a foreigner who lives all alone with no Mother to nurse me, and it's an inconvenient pain in the a$$ to get an appointment with an English-speaking doctor in the best of times. We're not in Seoul anymore, folks.


My semi-quarantine of social anxiety is pulling its weight at last.

So...last weekend, I finally went on another TaLK program culture tour. This time to experience the scenic autumn beauty of Andong. Wanna see?
 

No great journey can begin properly without meat--and you've got good odds when you begin your journey with some high-grade Korean beef. 

"Eat me!"

Next, we were taken to a hanji (traditional Korean paper) factory.  The secrets of how to make it may be lost soon, as the people who know are an aging, shrinking community.   

The paper on the left is a letter that was found in an ancient tomb.  It's a sad letter a young wife wrote to her husband after his untimely death; leaving her with a young child and pregnant with another!  Our guide told us that in part of the letter she says "You told me we were going to live together until our hair turned gray.  Why did you leave me first?"  

The paper on the right is a chart for learning Chinese characters.

Apparently, Queen Elizabeth II visited this factory and this part of the country last year.  In the photo below she politely accepts local hospitality.  She doesn't look too thrilled, although; lets face it, she was never known for her warmth. 

Next, we went to a traditional village theatre, where there was an outdoor play.  The place was packed, so I gave up trying to watch, and waited outside.   

More kimchi than you know what to do with!

"Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves"

Later, after settling into Hotel Punggi, some of us took in some local color (some old guy making derrogetory comments about foreigners), and went to the norae yeonseubjang (Karaoke parlor).   I got a perfect score for "Gettin' Jiggy with it." 

I got a kick out of the nightshift guy's lego Jack Sparrow sweatshirt, so I took a picture.  He was as bashful as any young maiden I've ever met!

Next day we went to the grounds of an old college, and nearby museum.

Here there was a row of statues, each representing the different years in the Chinese zodiac.  I'm with my doggie.  Why couldn't I have been born in a cooler year like "tiger" or "dragon?"  But I suppose "year of the dog" is preferable to "year of the rat" or "pig". 

Later, we were taken to a park.  Our tour guide explained the history of the park, and it's treasures, but I've mostly forgotten. 

persimmon!

For some reason, these apple here remind me of the apple trees in "Farm Town" on Facebook. 

Andong apples are famous for their sweetness and juiciness.  We were allowed to pick some from an orchard to take home.  And I did, but I gave most of them to my coworkers at school.

Lastly, we were taken back to Ulsan, and had dinner at a restaurant called "Tofu Village".  It was a good tour.  We got to see a lot of the beautiful Korean countryside in autumn, and got to take in some experiences which would be unlikely otherwise.  You'll never hear me complain about a tour.  Free travel, food, and sometimes lodging is not something to complain about!!  The fresh air did me good, I think--for I had not been feeling too well the previous week, but felt a lot better by Monday after this culture tour.  Cheers!!      

During the tour, I will add, it was painfully obvious how most of the people I knew and loved from last year have since returned to their own countries and their separate lives. Now, I've gotta be nice to a new group of people made up largely of strangers. Times were better when I could subject the old group of people to my abuse and neglect.

“Make new memories.” you say? Why reinvent the wheel??!!!


SUBISU.

Never Can Say Goodbye

MICHAEL!!!!!!!!

Good evening folks!! I'm in higher spirits than usual for a Sunday night, as I only have 2 days of class this week and some vacation time to look forward to. I'm kind've irked that the kids still have after-school class almost every day during Summer vacation. They need a break, my co-teachers need a break and I most certainly need a break. I don't think this time is particularly productive for anyone. Didn't you get the memo?! I've extended my contract! SUBISU round 3 is coming soon!

Yours truly after a long day at work.





O f course the bulk of my vacation time is not part of the schedule, but rather the result of going back to the good old US of A and then being more or less quarantined from work for a week out of concern about Swine Flu.

'sall good though. Rather satisfied it turned out this way. My school may beg to differ, but this is a good time to recharge and a good opportunity.

Actually, I have plans...like making my classroom look great, among other things. We're making all kinds of materials and decor for class---as most of the pre-made stuff I see to buy is too boring, ugly, not my style, or not exactly what I need. I want my room to be a wonderland of English goodness!! I hope whoever comes after me will appreciate the advantages they are benefitting from by the sweat of my brow!!!!


It's kind of sad that most of the fellow TaLKers that I've known are going home or have gone home already. We were the first generation, MAN!! We WERE THERE, MAN! We've got war-stories! Some people seem to be having trouble adjusting to civilian life, and I know *exactly* where they're coming from, having been through "Korea 1.0" back in '04. You can get through this! Don't be too proud to ask for help and support!! Don't be ashamed to cry like a little girl if you need too! FIGHTING!!!

Grant is delicious and nutritious!!

So, as everyone knows, the King of Pop is no longer with us, and his death has apparently affected me more than I thought; a bizarre dream I had a few weeks back seems to confirm that point. No kimchi and watermelon before bed!!



My kids love this video!

B ut his story is rather sad...another celebrity headed seemingly by inevitable destiny to self-destruction. And of course, "artists" often live and die tragically, young, and unhappy. Sometimes I think I may go that same route one day---haha, if I would ever be considered an artist!

S peaking on the appealing subject of death, former South Korean president Roh Moo Hyun's apparent sucicide (the one that was my parting gift leaving Japan) is also extremely sad and somewhat disturbing, and raises some interesting issues.

Apparently, the cause of the suicide were allegations of bribes, tax evasion, and insider trading--seemingly all supposedly attributed more to Roh's wife than himself. Roh denied knowledge of any bribes. Anyway, current president Lee Myung Bak was one of the figures most involved in the criminal investigation against Roh.

After Roh's death (he apparently jumped from a mountain), there was a great outpouring of grief and sentiment by Koreans for their ex-president, and more than a little vitriol and hatred outpoured on the current president, whom some believe is responsible for Roh's death.







T o put this in somewhat political perspective, Roh Moo-Hyun is remembered for being a more liberal leader, championing more of the concerns of the poor and having a very reconcilliatory attitude towards North Korea. Ironically he also was supposedly very anti-corruption.

Lee Mung-Bak is more a conservative leader, and certainly South Korea's relationship with the North has cooled since he's been in office. Interestingly, TaLK is LMB's program, its goal being to improve English education for kids in rual areas who's parents can't afford to send their kids to all these fancy hakwons (private institutes).

During the funeral, some shouted "murderer!" and "apologize for what you've done!" when LMB came to pay his respects.

By the way, the funeral was ENORMOUS.



The theologian in me twinges at the idea of holding an expensive, hero's funeral for someone who has committed suicide, though of course, a funeral is for the mourners, not the mournee.

And also as an outsider viewing how the Korean internet culture chews its public figures up and spits them out rather disturbs me. The high incidence of Korean celebrities and public figures commiting suicide really needs to be addressed and brought under control.

Sometimes I think that Korea is too insular. It is somewhat isolated geographically, by language, by history, and by a population that has had to absorb too much radical change in too short a time. Actually, it reminds me a lot of high school...


Anyway, it's all sad. That, AND high school. Sometimes I ask myself "Why am I here?"

And don't give me the smartass answer about "when a man and a woman love each other very much..."!!

My kids need help, and I need help, like, in every way. I am... I have always had a difficult time just trying to get into a rhythm of life to live in a functional way.

T here are many dreams and ideas I have for the future. I don't know, most of the time I feel too tired and discouraged, feeling and believing that I will never even begin to make them come to pass; you know what I'm saying? You feelin' me?

S uccessful people don't think about crap like that, they just *do* things, or at least try many things. I have always been intensely jealous of individuals who seem to be able to live outside their heads and experience life in a more natural and spontaneous manner. Are those people real, or is it all a front? I am a pretty good actress. Are you saying if I decided to put up a "front" of the person I want to be, rather than what I am, I would succeed in fooling everyone, even perhaps myself?!!! Dammit, I'll do it!!!





SUBISU

Harvest Time!

Mmm...ricey!

     Hi folks!  I thought it would be churlish of me to continue to deprive you of another post, considering so much has happened.  Hopefully, I shall write another entry or two within the week!  These photos here are from last-last week's TaLK field trip to the wholesome countryside, full of rice, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, and pears.  It's more wholesome country living than you know what to do with.

  

Isn't that cute...she thinks she can paint.

What's your beef?  American?  Get over it. 

I've got the worst toothache. 

I 'mo eatcha. 

Pounding rice cakes, or whatever the kids are calling it nowadays. 

Holding pen for incurably criminal children

Danielle, Mao, and Jacqui.  Classic love triangle. 

Free slave labor. 

Pear tree branches that grow straight up

Clandestine pear I took home.  Stolen goods always taste better.

Chicken AND beer?  This is paradise.  

    After such a simple healthy experience, it was time to indulge in some good old fashioned materialistic hedonism at the center of the universe; Lotte Mart!  Arms laden with even more useless goods, I headed home on the bus.  Riding city buses in Korea is always an experience, as the drivers handle the buses like they're Ferraris.  

Shakey!

Until next time,  

SUBISU