I know that I haven't posted in a while. A lot on my plate actually. We had a conference to prepare for, a dance to practice, and grad apps to do. I think 2/3 isn't bad at all :) No need to mourn, but grad schools didn't make the cut..
Lets see. There was a lot of stuff that happened, so I'll be brief in my recaps. I would love to talk more in-depth about any of these topics if you want to know. A whirlwind of a month so far.
Jeonju
So, on Nov. 11 and Nov 12, I went to Jeonju to hang out with friends and practice our proposed dance.
The back story first: There is a traditional ETA Thanksgiving Dinner that is held by the Embassy. This year was special, because we got to welcome the new Ambassador, Sung Kim, to Korea. So it was held at the National Folk Museum in Seoul. ETAs were invited to perform. Naturally, a few of the ETAs and I decided it would be appropriate to do a dance.
So, I met up with some of the Jeonju ETAs for a great dinner and just to catch up. I really like Jeonju as it has a smaller feel than the capital of Jeollabukdo. Its a young, artsy city which is so different from my own town. Lots of college students, lots of street performances, and great cheap food. I also bought a new watch. It is pretty awesome. Anyway, we just hung out that afternoon/night. We had dance practice early in the morning. :)
So 4 ETAs met up at Woosuk University Dance Studio. I thought it was a great practice, but we were ROUGH. I'll be sure to share the video links at the bottom so you can see and judge for yourself.
I particularly enjoyed spending time with my uncle's family where we spent the night and touching base with one of my cousins I hadn't really ever spoken to. Also, beansprout soup rice. Really, really delicious.
Basketball
This Saturday was our last game of the season. I was unable to make it because of the Seoul dinner, but the week before that was also a raging success. We won out our two games by double digits. The team thinks that we will move up a division for next semester. I'm pumped! Individually, I had a great game too. I'm really thankful for the community that I found here to still play and have fun. They have been really awesome to practice Korean informally with. Also, they treat me very well :) Hopefully next season will be as great as this one!
YDAC
This was our first big project as ETAs for our students: Youth Diplomacy and Activism Conference. We put together a Model UN/Student Congress sort of debate for the students of the Jeollanamdo/Jeollabukdo/Gwangju areas at the American Corners. We applied for a grant with the embassy and good ole' Uncle Sam threw us a bone.
In total, we had 9 teams of 4 students come and debate international and youth issues that they had proposed. Some issues included: global warming, Korean Education, and Human Trafficking. I thought that the students would not talk a lot, but we had the opposite problem. Though English is their second language, they didn't hold anything back. The biggest complaint of the event was the lack of time. Students wanted to talk more! This was really encouraging. It was awesome to bring our students out of the school. I personally felt that my connection with these four students really grew a lot. Hopefully, they feel the same way :)
I hope that we can continue this initiative next semester and spread it to the other American Corners. I think that this shows the testament of the ETAs to really encourage our students and make a difference. This wasn't the classroom that they are used to. There was an emphasis on enjoying the language and really exploring your passion. Though my students didn't place, I'm really proud of them! Congrats to the students that excelled, but I think everybody gained a really valuable experience.
Thanksgiving Dinner
This weekend was the thanksgiving dinner at the folk museum. It was really great to see most all of the ETAs come out and enjoy the festivities. There was a beautiful performance of Arirang. I usually don't like the folk song because it sounds so rigid. The woman who played it on the gayageum was so fluid and harmonic. I couldn't stop smiling the whole time. It was the most beautiful rendition I've ever heard. Maybe the only beautiful rendition I ever heard. Anyway, after these wonderful traditional performances, we ETAs had a chance to go and prove our mettle.
We got to perform our dance we worked so hard for. I think some of us were a bit nervous because it was in front of the new Ambassador, but it went over very well. The video of the performance is posted at the bottom so you can see for yourself. I think the new ambassador, Ms. Shim, and the Director Jun of the museum really enjoyed it.
It was also great to eat all that American food: ham, turkey, mashed potatoes & gravy, pumpkin pie, apple pie and so on. You don't really miss American food until it hits your tongue. Then you remember the ecstasy that is Thanksgiving. It really made me want to stay up late and go shopping afterwards ;)
On Sunday, I caught some Indian food for lunch, went to Insadong for some souvenirs, then took the KTX home.
Overall, another really busy weekend. I had a ton of fun though, so no regrets! I'm going to start lesson planning now so wish me luck!
- Anthony
Lets see. There was a lot of stuff that happened, so I'll be brief in my recaps. I would love to talk more in-depth about any of these topics if you want to know. A whirlwind of a month so far.
Jeonju
So, on Nov. 11 and Nov 12, I went to Jeonju to hang out with friends and practice our proposed dance.
The back story first: There is a traditional ETA Thanksgiving Dinner that is held by the Embassy. This year was special, because we got to welcome the new Ambassador, Sung Kim, to Korea. So it was held at the National Folk Museum in Seoul. ETAs were invited to perform. Naturally, a few of the ETAs and I decided it would be appropriate to do a dance.
So, I met up with some of the Jeonju ETAs for a great dinner and just to catch up. I really like Jeonju as it has a smaller feel than the capital of Jeollabukdo. Its a young, artsy city which is so different from my own town. Lots of college students, lots of street performances, and great cheap food. I also bought a new watch. It is pretty awesome. Anyway, we just hung out that afternoon/night. We had dance practice early in the morning. :)
So 4 ETAs met up at Woosuk University Dance Studio. I thought it was a great practice, but we were ROUGH. I'll be sure to share the video links at the bottom so you can see and judge for yourself.
I particularly enjoyed spending time with my uncle's family where we spent the night and touching base with one of my cousins I hadn't really ever spoken to. Also, beansprout soup rice. Really, really delicious.
Snooty tea drinking Anthony
The nice cafe/bar that M took us to. The couple who own the place have done extensive traveling and then decided to open up this sick establishment.
Fruit/Cheese Platter
This Saturday was our last game of the season. I was unable to make it because of the Seoul dinner, but the week before that was also a raging success. We won out our two games by double digits. The team thinks that we will move up a division for next semester. I'm pumped! Individually, I had a great game too. I'm really thankful for the community that I found here to still play and have fun. They have been really awesome to practice Korean informally with. Also, they treat me very well :) Hopefully next season will be as great as this one!
Between games
During a game
The other dude on our team is the center
Photobombed.
-Buckets-
Team photo
YDAC
This was our first big project as ETAs for our students: Youth Diplomacy and Activism Conference. We put together a Model UN/Student Congress sort of debate for the students of the Jeollanamdo/Jeollabukdo/Gwangju areas at the American Corners. We applied for a grant with the embassy and good ole' Uncle Sam threw us a bone.
In total, we had 9 teams of 4 students come and debate international and youth issues that they had proposed. Some issues included: global warming, Korean Education, and Human Trafficking. I thought that the students would not talk a lot, but we had the opposite problem. Though English is their second language, they didn't hold anything back. The biggest complaint of the event was the lack of time. Students wanted to talk more! This was really encouraging. It was awesome to bring our students out of the school. I personally felt that my connection with these four students really grew a lot. Hopefully, they feel the same way :)
I hope that we can continue this initiative next semester and spread it to the other American Corners. I think that this shows the testament of the ETAs to really encourage our students and make a difference. This wasn't the classroom that they are used to. There was an emphasis on enjoying the language and really exploring your passion. Though my students didn't place, I'm really proud of them! Congrats to the students that excelled, but I think everybody gained a really valuable experience.
Such eager students!
Leadership Seminar
The participants
Photobombing my own students... Worthless teacher hahaha
Ok my bad. Continue fellas
My girls killin' it
Switch speakers and continue
Team photo
Final presentation
Worthless judge panel that didn't give my team a higher score
(kidding of course...)
Great job team!
This weekend was the thanksgiving dinner at the folk museum. It was really great to see most all of the ETAs come out and enjoy the festivities. There was a beautiful performance of Arirang. I usually don't like the folk song because it sounds so rigid. The woman who played it on the gayageum was so fluid and harmonic. I couldn't stop smiling the whole time. It was the most beautiful rendition I've ever heard. Maybe the only beautiful rendition I ever heard. Anyway, after these wonderful traditional performances, we ETAs had a chance to go and prove our mettle.
We got to perform our dance we worked so hard for. I think some of us were a bit nervous because it was in front of the new Ambassador, but it went over very well. The video of the performance is posted at the bottom so you can see for yourself. I think the new ambassador, Ms. Shim, and the Director Jun of the museum really enjoyed it.
It was also great to eat all that American food: ham, turkey, mashed potatoes & gravy, pumpkin pie, apple pie and so on. You don't really miss American food until it hits your tongue. Then you remember the ecstasy that is Thanksgiving. It really made me want to stay up late and go shopping afterwards ;)
On Sunday, I caught some Indian food for lunch, went to Insadong for some souvenirs, then took the KTX home.
Our dance instructor passed OUT.
Indian restaurant in Seoul
They were STOKED
I WAS STOKED
Always some parade/festival going on in Seoul
Insadong market street
This is where its at. (@Eric)
The Indian restaurant, in case I want to find it again.
Ho-dduk. This is how I will gain weight in winter.
Candid shot!
Overall, another really busy weekend. I had a ton of fun though, so no regrets! I'm going to start lesson planning now so wish me luck!
- Anthony
Videos
First Practice Maybe?
Yeah, first practice
Sub-team practice
Pre-performance interviews
SHOWTIME