Routine

My dad is someone who likes structure, tradition and routine.  Like clockwork, he is up every morning before the sun even thinks about rising to get that cup of coffee and his bowl of honey bunches of oats.  He reads the paper, fills his green metal thermos, kisses my mother and is out the door.  He is a man of routine.

My dad is also a man of few words.  He doesn't feel the need to say something in 10 words that can easily be said in 3.  I'm sure if you have had even the most casual of conversations, you know about his dream of someday having a secluded cabin in the Black Hills of his home state, South Dakota.  He loves our family.  With a burning passion.  He also is a big fan of  Harley Davidsons.  The list goes on and on.  Throughout my life, I learned all of this and more by just watching him.  He may not have realized it, but I was paying attention.  I watched how he talked to his friends.  Our family.  Strangers on the street.  I learned more about him this way than any combination of conversations.  I learned alot about how to treat the people around me by using what I learned from my dad. By simply following his example.

Now, I told you that story to tell you another.  The vast majority of Koreans hate the Japanese.  The current population hates the Japanese because their fathers hated the Japanese.  And because THEIR fathers hated the Japanese.  Get the picture?  When the earthquake shook the country and the tsunami ravaged the towns, there were Koreans that rejoiced.  According to my students, the people of Japan are finally getting what they deserve.  Here is a direct quote from one of my students.  "The Japans are bad people.  This is God.  He is happy."   Keep in mind that the majority of my students are around 5 years old.  Clearly they did not come to this conclusion on their own.  They didn't get it from me.  They got this from their parents.

We don't realize how much of what we say or do is soaked up by those around us.  Even now at the age of almost 25, I still don't like asparagus because my dad doesn't like it.  I think the hills of South Dakota are beautiful because my dad always reveled in its beauty and untold adventure.  Flannel shirts will forever make me think of Norm Abram and the New Yankee Workshop.  I still drink Folgers coffee when I am at home because I remember my dad and of those cups of coffee enjoyed at daybreak.

Life is about tradition.  Life is about routine.  The children I teach day in and day out have been routinely taught that the Japanese are bad people and that this tragedy is what they deserve.  My dad's morning routine involves coffee and cereal.  There are some Korean children whose routine involves being taught that the people of an entire country are disposable.  I sincerely hope that the next generation begins to bridge the gap with the Japanese people and begin to think of them as neighbors, instead of the enemy.  

It's unreal to think how different routines can be...

[Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs.  There are many Koreans who will never forgive Japan for the egregious crimes in the past.  However, it has been said that many Koreans would be willing to forgive Japan if it vows to never repeat the tragic history they share.  If you want to know more about the history behind why Korea and Japan have such an aversion to eachother click here.  While it did help me understand why both sides are so rigid in their beliefs, it made me more concretely believe that some routines or traditions do not need to be passed along to the next generations.]

A Year in Review

Exactly one year ago today, I began writing this blog.  It began as a way to document my journey to Korea and the teaching experiences I would have, but became so much more.  It become my way to take my friends and family around the world along with me while I travel .  My outlet for emotions.  My communication to those I cared for most.  Looking back on that initial post, it is hard to believe I am the same person.  I was lying on the floor of my mediocre apartment, trying to make this life changing decision.  Somehow I knew it was right for me.  It was meant for me.

Since that initial post, I have accomplished more than I ever thought possible.  I have formed friendships with some of the most amazing people from every corner of the globe.  I have been all around Korea and witnessed the Korean lifestyle and culture at its best.  I have traveled to Japan and found the beauty and destruction that has faced that country.  I have seen Thailand and seen the beauty of the country and its people.  Coming to Korea was the best choice I have ever made.  While it was one of the hardest decisions of my life, it has afforded me the ability to experience so much more than I ever could have imagined.

An entire year has passed and I only have the future lying ahead of me.  Before I came here I felt trapped.  Paralyzed.  Unfocused.  Confused.  Now I finally know what I want to do with the rest of my life and how I want to live it.  Coming to Korea changed me for the better.

Before coming here to Pohang, Korea I had no idea what was in store for me.  I didn't know the culture.  I certainly didn't know the language.  I didn't know a single soul.  I didn't know enough about Korea to fill an index card, let alone an entire year's worth of blogs.  Somehow I have fallen in love with the spontaneity, richness and culture that is the embodiment of Korea.

Here are my favorite pictures from 2010.  I can only imagine the shenanigans that will take place in the upcoming year.  The places in Korea yet to be visited.  Friends yet to be met.  Experiences yet to be had.  If 2011 is anything like 2010, this blog will continue with a newfound fervor.  May 2011 bring as many rewarding experiences and friendships as 2010 did.

Our Pohang Beerball League

My 24th Birthday.  Korean style. 

Going away party for Jared, one of the best guys I know.

My very first Pohang Steelers soccer game.

My first Daegu Ropes course excursion

World cup fever

Going away party for Nick Kelly

Mudfest 2010

One of many Guyompo beach trips

At a harbor in Japan with my ladies

The beginning of our Chuseok vacation to Geoju Island

After our hike up a mountain near Busan during Chuseok

Some of my best girls at Bogyeongsa

Angry Sunny during arts and crafts

Devilish little Hansu

The famous Homigot Hand

My part time kinder 6 class

Anna putting on her dancing shoes at With Wine

Pictures in Andong

Ladies afternoon in Daegu at the Holy Grill

Halloween 2010

Ugly Christmas sweater party

Caroling with the babies to each home.  Cutest Santas ever.

Standing on the Bridge Over the River Kwai

Two sleepy tigers allowed me to hold their tails.  Terrifying.

My newest tattoo.

The Final Leg of my Vacation in Japan

Wednesday
We left Nagasaki early in the morning and made our trip back to Fukuoka.  After only a few days in Nagasaki it felt like my home away from home.  The people there were to kind to us and did their best to make us feel at home.  If I ever go back to Nagasaki the hostel is the only place I will stay.  Eventually we got back to our hostel in Fukuoka and made our way around the city.  Tried to make our way around the city is more like it.  The bus system in Fukuoka is confusing as hell for foreigners and made it ridiculously difficult to get anywhere.  We went to the open fish market and then ended up at a place called Canal City (shockingly named for the canal that sits directly next to it) and did a bit of shopping to round out our evening.  We eventually made our way back to the hostel, made a few new friends from Holland and exhaustedly fell asleep.

Our hostel in Fukuoka

Beautiful crab on the open market.  1500 Yen is
roughly equivalent to about $15.

Some of the biggest shrimp I have ever seen.

Little teapots specifically for tea.  So cute!

Thursday
This day was our touristy day.  We walked all around the city and attempted to master the bus system.  After massively failing we went back to canal city to do some more souvenir shopping.  We did lunch at a rotating sushi restaurant.  I know, I couldn't quite figure out what it was either until I saw it but the description "rotating sushi restaurant" actually does it justice.  There is a tiny conveyor belt that goes around the bar seating in the restaurant.  It has plates of fresh sushi on coordinated plates.  If you like what you see you take the sushi off the belt and keep your plate when finished.  They tally your bill to the varying colored plates you chose.  Ingenious!  We eventually ended up back at our hostel and found out we were sharing it with a group of guys who ALSO teach English in Korea!  What are the odds.  Late night movie watching and talking about our jobs rounded out our night.

A shrine on the way to the canal.

Canal City

The rotating sushi restaurant in all its glory

California roll

The different prices for the different colored plates

Friday
This was our long awaited beach day.  An entire day of doing absolutely nothing but soaking up the sun with my ipod and a good book.  We went to Momochi beach and did nothing but turn over every 30 minutes.  Yes we could have done more sightseeing but it was a vacation.  Exactly what we needed.  We stopped on the way back at Fukuoka Tower (one of the highest points in Japan) and did the touristy thing.  Raechel (one of the girls I went on the tirp with) and I went out with the fellow teachers that evening.  We rounded out our night in a Noraebong and ended up walking home with a perfect view of the sun rising over the buildings.  It is a sight I will not soon forget.

Fukuoka Tower

A hotel on Momochi Beach

Some of the fellow teachers from Korea we met at our hostel

Peace signs are big in Japan too...clearly.

Saturday
Our last day in Japan was spent lugging our baggage around and trying to get to the airport.  We did a few last touristy pictures and ended up at the airport with more than 5 hours to spare.  A long nap on the most uncomfortable bench imaginable and the worst sandwich ever created later...we successfully made it on our plane and headed back to Pohang.

After spending an entire week in a different country I appreciate Pohang a bit more.  Here I can understand some of what is said and written.  I can have minimal conversations and actually have someone somewhat understand me.  I feel connected to the culture here and with the people as well.  Japan is a beautiful country to visit and in time I am sure I would feel the same way about it as I do about the 'Hang but for now it is Pohang that is home for me.

I never thought the phrase "it feels so good to be home" would refer to a South Korean country...but for me it now does.

Last of Nagasaki

[My vacation seems to be speeding up instead of slowing down.  1 week is just not enough time to properly see a country like Japan.  We are only spending our time between two cities and I still feel like we aren't giving either the time they really deserve.  So much to do...so little time to do it in]

Tuesday
After our long night at Kendall's Bar a solid sleep in was desperately needed.  We took a ferry to the nearby island of Ioujima and ended up at a spa.  It was included in the price of our ferry and we figured it was worth a shot.  Now, when most Americans think of the word "spa" activities like massages, pedicures and facial masks come to mind.  Not in Japan.  Here a "spa" means to walk around naked with other women, get in and out of pools of boiling hot water and feel as uncomfortable as humanly possible while the Japanese women stare you down.  If this sounds like your cup of tea then a Japanese or Korean spa (so i'm told) is for you.

The small island where we had our "relaxing" spa day

Frances and Linds taking a break on our ferry

Our ferry

The beautiful view from our beach

After the relaxing (not) spa we took in a leisurely stroll on the beach and made our way back to Nagasaki.

One more day in Nagasaki and then it's off to Fukuoka.  I sure hope "little Tokyo" can live up to the hype.

The Beginning of Nagasaki

[After a relatively uneventful bus ride (complete with a toilet for use en-route) we made it to Nagasaki.  Here is a quick little play by play of the first two days of the Japan experience]

Sunday
After a 2 hour bus ride we finally made it to Nagasaki.  After finding our hostel (which included a few wrong turns and LOTS of stairs) we quickly unpacked and then made our way to the tall boats festival.   Think Pirates of the Caribbean only bigger and with better flags.  Boats everywhere from all different countries including Korea and Russia.  We found a booklet for stamps from each ship and began attempting to get stamps from them all.  We got 7 out of 8 (not bad) and were able to get on a Russian boat and take a tour.  Not only were we able to take a tour but we were able to take a tour on a boat where all of the sailors were shirtless, attractive and spoke with an accent.  Triple threat. After the Russians stole my heart we ate dinner at a restaurant called Lekker.  By far the best food I have eaten since leaving the good old US of A.  Rounding out our first night in Nagasaki was a ridiculous show fireworks.  All in all not a bad start to my Japanese vacation. 

One of the tall boats in the festival

Group shot of me and the girls

Sunset shot of the Russian boat

A beautiful sunset

The boats at night

Monday
This is the day of doing all things cultural and tourist-like.  We bought an all-day tram pass and began our tour of the city.  Our first stop was the Nagasaki ropeway that gave us a 360 degree view of the city.  I took plenty of pictures but I have a feeling that even those won't be able to do it justice.  We then went to Chinatown for the afternoon for souveniers and chinese food.  I know, chinese food in Japan, we get the irony. 

Frances and Raechel in the ropeway car

Just one of the spectacular views from the ropeway car

Our view from the top of the ropeway.

With the girls in front of the night skyline backdrop

Oura church, Japans oldest catholic church, was our next stop on our cultural tour of the city.  I try and go to at least one Catholic church in each country I visit so that I can see the differences that each country brings to the religion.  I also like to get a rosary for my mom in each country as well.  Sort of a little tradition I have started since I began my love affair with traveling back in '09.

Japan's oldest Catholic church "Oura"

Mother Mary

The atomic bomb epicenter was one of our last stops for the day.  To actual see the destruction that your own country did to another is unreal and impossible to explain.  Hundreds of thousands of people were instantaneously killed with the majority being women, children and senior citizens.  The epicenter and the Peace Park both pay tribute to the many that lost their lives and give hope to the country that something like this will never again happen to Japan, or any other country.  It was a sobering experience that I will not soon forget.

A remnant of a wall after the blast.  It was brought
to the peace park years later.

Hundreds and hundreds of peace cranes

The date and time off the attack on Nagasaki

The sculpture of a woman attempting to shield her dying
child from the atomic blast

To round out our night I was finally able to ride my ferris wheel.  Ever since we began our planning for this trip one of my must-dos was to ride one of Asias largest ferris wheels.  I can now check that off my list.  We ended up at an American bar that was ran by a man named Kendall.  We felt right at home with his easy-going attitude and familiar American bantering.  After missing the last tram back to our hostel, we spent the majority of the night at Kendalls and made friends with a geisha, a Japanese man named Matsumoto and got the rest of the crowd involved in singing Kareoke.  Let's just say that the YMCA holds new meaning for me today.

As you can see Japan is quickly becoming a place I love.  With 5 more days I can only imagine what kind of shenanigans we can get ourselves into before we inevitably make our way back to South Korea.