Monday, May 24, 2010

Teacher's Day

In Korea, there's a holiday called Teacher's Day. I assume we have one in the States as well, but I don't remember it. Now that I'm a teacher though, this holiday is much more important to me.

I even received a gift this year from one of my students. She is a very nice student and always stays after class to practice her pronunciation with me. She gave me a nice expensive bottle of anti-wrinkle cream. I don't know whether to be thankful or offended by the gift.

Once again, I'm reminded that there are some serious cultural differences between my new life and my old one. :)

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Arts & Culture

While we haven't been taking as many trips around Korea this year, we are seeing a heck of a lot more cultural performances. We saw an amazing production of a comedy/martial arts performance called, JUMP. Jason and I met up with Nathan and Kat for this show and we all loved it. It was so funny I had tears running down my face. If you ever get a chance to see it...go for it. The show has played all over the world, so you don't have to travel to Seoul to see it.

http://www.yegam.com/jump/ENG/introduction/01_about.asp

We also went to see Yo-Yo Ma and his Silk Road Ensemble at the Seoul Performing Arts Center. This was also a great night. Jason and I were really excited to see Yo-Yo Ma. We played his Bach Cello Suites at our wedding, so his music has special meaning for us. Most of the instruments that were played were totally foreign to me. And even though the sounds were unfamiliar, the music was composed in a way that was exceptionally beautiful.

http://www.silkroadproject.org/

The next cultural performance that I'm planning to see is Sex and the City 2. I know, I know...I've heard it's awful, but I have to see it.


Jason and I went to Anyang Art Park with Fritz and Caroline. It's at the base of Gwanaksan Mountain. A series of trails leads to different sculptural art works throughout the area. A very neat thing to do on a sunny spring day.


I'm thinking, hospital on the left hand side of the road...


Although I wanted a turn at the wheel, I didn't want to be the only one over the age of eight...so I opted out.


Art!


?


Art tunnel.


Art house.


While I'm not so good at interpreting Korean, I'm getting fabulous at interpreting Konglish. 'No more than 5 people allowed at one time."