Let me state a common fact! .....
We have all been kids at one stage! Not the most awe inspiring fact but relevant none the less.
And for many of 'us' (myself included) the 'kid phase' is taking longer than expected to escape from our systems. I'm sure 'we' are all professionals in our own right and possibly buying and renting property, trying to place our own little stamp on this world of ours. I'm sure some of 'us' even have crossed a metaphorical venn diagram whereby 'our' own children share the commonality of the 'kid phase' with us.
I'm not, in any way begrudging this beautiful little lapse in maturation. In fact, I think it is a necessity in the survival of particular situations. It even helps 'us' understand certain goings on such as the phenomenon of the 'trend'.
We have all witnsessed a 'trend' as a child. We have all begged and pleaded to be involved in anything that seemed like it was a 'trend'. It transcends all boundaries of race, nation and time. The 'trend' is even cyclical to a certain extent.
There is no time greater to notice these trends than at Christmas time, but its not these giant well marketed toys that I'm talking about here. It is the small but definite trend of the 'gadget', electronic or otherwise that emerges, not from advertisement but from availability.
Teaching in a classroom in Korea, these trends are evident to the most ignorant eye. Although it must be said that many of these privately educated children have psps, dslites, portable electronic godknowswhats and super applicated cellphones, it is not these devices that caught my attention and aided my nostalgia.
Korean children seem to be taken over by tiny little packets of ...... origami paper. 7 and 8 year olds will sit there and whip up a perfectly created paper crane, colorful flowers and ribbons made from these square sheets of paper. The paper is specially designated for origami folding. When one of my students attempted to teach me how to make one of these cranes, it emerged that in fact...my hands were too big (well thats my excuse and I'm sticking to it). It's a talent that I endeavour to perfect. For what reason, I'm not really sure, its not exactly CV material but it seems so innocent and actually fulfilling to a certain extent. Another innocent but definitely cyclical trend that is disturbing the classroom is the top trump. Although its not sports cars and football players gracing the cards, pokemon do warrant being 'trumped' and i never knew there were so many.
Whether its little pieces of coloured paper, a variety of stationary accessories, pokemon toptrumps, slingshots, stickers, tamagochies, pink feather topped pens or balls of green slime, available and affordable trends will always emerge in our classrooms. In a world where technology has in fact gone a little bonkers, its refreshing and almost reassuring to see little squares of paper make such an impact.
Friday 18 December 2009
Monday 7 December 2009
Beware...the power of the ajumma
Its not often that a day would pass in the life of a citizen of this fair country, whether Korean or foreign, that one would evade the wrath of the 'ajumma'. A being so powerful, that it will leave dispair and wonderment in its wake.
To the mere persecuted common creatures of society such as myself, the 'ajumma' and the power that follows her is an entity that warrants awe and envy and in this instance; an attempt at an explanation and description of their existence. I find that to delve into an exploraion of this social phenomenon may spark off a certain debate as to the commonly overtly discussed sociological issues in modern Korean society. I'll try to do so without too much disdane to society or boring opinions :)
1) What is an 'ajumma'?
The word 'ajumma' is often used to address a woman of marritable age and she would more than often work in or run a business. There is a stereotypical aestheitc image of an 'ajumma' which is a woman of short, stocky build who wears trousers in outrageous plum colours and has tightly permed hair. I'm not too sure where this stereotype emerged from and I can't find any reference to its origin but I assure you, stereotypes are there for a reason....... and the fact is that such a stereotype fits in with the commonplace judgement of people by their appearance.....
....... it even may be a case of the chicken and the egg here.
The term ajumma is shortened from the original 'ajumma pama' which identifies these individuals with their 'pama' or permed hair. It is, in all of its elements; a label. A label which omits negative conotations to most people. The fact sadly is, that 'ajummas' are busy hard working women, women that care not for themselves but for their families.
2) When can I call someone 'ajumma'?
The word conjurs up confusion and bewilderment in the face of foreigners in Korea. When do you call somebody 'ajumma'? and 'When do we encounter a situation where we deem it ok to address someone as 'ajumma'? We find ourselves working on our concept of age and the traditional binary of old and young. If an ajumma is simply a woman of marriage age and 'older' than you, then wouldn't it be ok to use it many circumstances? Its the pre-determined linguistic baggage associated with the word that causes us to pause and more than often not use the word.
It is also used to call women when in a restaurant, but it is better to be sure of their 'ajumma' status beforehand as you may cause offence...... of course.
3) Why such negative connotations?
It is probably fact that the permed hair and stocky nature of the 'ajumma' have not resulted in her being the bum of many jokes in Korea. Nor is it the fact that they run and work in businesses. It is more than likely their persistent elbows. Their elbows of stainless steel. They will not think twice before knocking you out to take what was presumed to be your seat on the subway. They may stare at you with eyes of a similar steel to persuade you to give up your already coveted seat. And believe me, they are a 'they', an entity of their own. By themselves they may be frightening and powerful but as a group........ ....... ........
4) Can I keep one?
Altough the stereotype of the ajumma is on a large basis outdated, their existence is futile in the functioning of Seoul. I would like to have my own ajumma, as for all of their previously mentioned bullish features, they are a wonder. They will help you and always remember you. The ajumma is an ultimate cog in society and should be admired and respected as such. But, keep those elbows to yourself.
To the mere persecuted common creatures of society such as myself, the 'ajumma' and the power that follows her is an entity that warrants awe and envy and in this instance; an attempt at an explanation and description of their existence. I find that to delve into an exploraion of this social phenomenon may spark off a certain debate as to the commonly overtly discussed sociological issues in modern Korean society. I'll try to do so without too much disdane to society or boring opinions :)
1) What is an 'ajumma'?
The word 'ajumma' is often used to address a woman of marritable age and she would more than often work in or run a business. There is a stereotypical aestheitc image of an 'ajumma' which is a woman of short, stocky build who wears trousers in outrageous plum colours and has tightly permed hair. I'm not too sure where this stereotype emerged from and I can't find any reference to its origin but I assure you, stereotypes are there for a reason....... and the fact is that such a stereotype fits in with the commonplace judgement of people by their appearance.....
....... it even may be a case of the chicken and the egg here.
The term ajumma is shortened from the original 'ajumma pama' which identifies these individuals with their 'pama' or permed hair. It is, in all of its elements; a label. A label which omits negative conotations to most people. The fact sadly is, that 'ajummas' are busy hard working women, women that care not for themselves but for their families.
2) When can I call someone 'ajumma'?
The word conjurs up confusion and bewilderment in the face of foreigners in Korea. When do you call somebody 'ajumma'? and 'When do we encounter a situation where we deem it ok to address someone as 'ajumma'? We find ourselves working on our concept of age and the traditional binary of old and young. If an ajumma is simply a woman of marriage age and 'older' than you, then wouldn't it be ok to use it many circumstances? Its the pre-determined linguistic baggage associated with the word that causes us to pause and more than often not use the word.
It is also used to call women when in a restaurant, but it is better to be sure of their 'ajumma' status beforehand as you may cause offence...... of course.
3) Why such negative connotations?
It is probably fact that the permed hair and stocky nature of the 'ajumma' have not resulted in her being the bum of many jokes in Korea. Nor is it the fact that they run and work in businesses. It is more than likely their persistent elbows. Their elbows of stainless steel. They will not think twice before knocking you out to take what was presumed to be your seat on the subway. They may stare at you with eyes of a similar steel to persuade you to give up your already coveted seat. And believe me, they are a 'they', an entity of their own. By themselves they may be frightening and powerful but as a group........ ....... ........
4) Can I keep one?
Altough the stereotype of the ajumma is on a large basis outdated, their existence is futile in the functioning of Seoul. I would like to have my own ajumma, as for all of their previously mentioned bullish features, they are a wonder. They will help you and always remember you. The ajumma is an ultimate cog in society and should be admired and respected as such. But, keep those elbows to yourself.
Monday 23 November 2009
“It doesn't matter if the water is cold or warm if you're going to have to wade through it anyway”
I didn't intend to steal the enlightened words of french philosphy but I find myself brimming with uncertainty as to my feelings of extreme winteryness. No matter how grim, its necessary that we bite on through.
I'm very much a summer person and to this fact have always denied the winter of my love and affection. The beach to me is much more appealing when you're not wrapped up in 4 layers of acrylic and your nose isn't on the verge of sky'rocketing off your face. Things generally seem much more accessible in the swealtery months of summer. Although I approached this Korean winter with an open mind, the constant warnings from fellow waygooks in Seoul about the miserable endless days of this season, breached my mindset and scathed my optimism.
However, in the early days of winter (and i stress 'the early days' as I may feel the need to retract statements in the coming months) I find myself developing a little affinity for a wintery Seoul.
Now, don't get me wrong, its not the chill that runs up your spine while sitting in class, nor is it the constant battle with correct footwear and foresight for cooler nights. Its the character and atmosphere that develops in and around people when the weather changes so drastically.
It doesn't matter if its cold, we still haveto live it. And when I ask any of my students which season is their favorite, more times than not, their answer will be winter.
As it stands, I'm enjoying the underfloor heating in my apartment, the yellow leaves strewn halfhazourdly across the path by ruthless trees, not needing an excuse to curl up on the floor and watch an old movie with a bowl of popcorn and the positively accurate portrayal of 'pub weather'.
Although it will get colder, kimchi jegae will still get warmer, underfloor loveliness will get more and more attractive and the blossoms in Spring will never look so beautiful.
All that said, the summer will be welcomed with open arms.
I'm very much a summer person and to this fact have always denied the winter of my love and affection. The beach to me is much more appealing when you're not wrapped up in 4 layers of acrylic and your nose isn't on the verge of sky'rocketing off your face. Things generally seem much more accessible in the swealtery months of summer. Although I approached this Korean winter with an open mind, the constant warnings from fellow waygooks in Seoul about the miserable endless days of this season, breached my mindset and scathed my optimism.
However, in the early days of winter (and i stress 'the early days' as I may feel the need to retract statements in the coming months) I find myself developing a little affinity for a wintery Seoul.
Now, don't get me wrong, its not the chill that runs up your spine while sitting in class, nor is it the constant battle with correct footwear and foresight for cooler nights. Its the character and atmosphere that develops in and around people when the weather changes so drastically.
It doesn't matter if its cold, we still haveto live it. And when I ask any of my students which season is their favorite, more times than not, their answer will be winter.
As it stands, I'm enjoying the underfloor heating in my apartment, the yellow leaves strewn halfhazourdly across the path by ruthless trees, not needing an excuse to curl up on the floor and watch an old movie with a bowl of popcorn and the positively accurate portrayal of 'pub weather'.
Although it will get colder, kimchi jegae will still get warmer, underfloor loveliness will get more and more attractive and the blossoms in Spring will never look so beautiful.
All that said, the summer will be welcomed with open arms.
Friday 20 November 2009
Why is it that we ask so many questions?
Why is it that our simple little lives revolve around a simple little character.....?
Who invented this imaginative character? Who decided one day in their infinte wisdom that the question mark needed to be more aesthetically pleasing than the common folk of characters....the . or the !? How is it that such a pleasant little character, although mundane by name, can produce such wisdom and impart such a wide spanse of knowledge?
How many times does the average Joe use said character, whether articulated or written? How were we saved from the tangible interpretation of the question mark, a sufferance that the once attractive "inverted commas" have had to endure for many years? Can you imagine such an interprative action? How can we forget though, that this pretty little model of knowledge and curiosity does not translate to non-roman script? Do we presume that without a question mark, that such societies simply do not have this astounding curiosity that the 'mark' assigns to us? No?
How can any of us survive without the ability to ask, to request and to interrogate? How could we open the floodgates of democratic heaven? What would happen if organisations founded in societies that respect and acknowledge the 'question mark' took a vote on its relevance and left it flounder in its irrelevant beauty? What would happen if such organisations would not allow themselves to use the facility of the question? What if, even, they refused others to approach them with this facility of getting information? What would this possible organisation be called in a society that adorns and beholds this question mark?
Would it be called FIFA? Is there any reason why it wouldn't behold such a boring and unimaginative name? Could it be possible that such an organisation exists? Yes?
Could it be possible that in order to explain certain occurences in our ever-confused society that the previously celebrated question mark is a necessity? Would we all agree that it would be abhorent to deny the use of such a beautiful and respected facility in our otherwise articulate lives?
Yes?
Should we stop using it?
Should we straighten its edges and transform it to the similar mundaneness of its name?
Should it look like ! or . ?
?
Or is it the assumption that a question requests some form of answer that is causing our problems? If it no longer existed would the answerable no longer be so?
What do you think?
Who invented this imaginative character? Who decided one day in their infinte wisdom that the question mark needed to be more aesthetically pleasing than the common folk of characters....the . or the !? How is it that such a pleasant little character, although mundane by name, can produce such wisdom and impart such a wide spanse of knowledge?
How many times does the average Joe use said character, whether articulated or written? How were we saved from the tangible interpretation of the question mark, a sufferance that the once attractive "inverted commas" have had to endure for many years? Can you imagine such an interprative action? How can we forget though, that this pretty little model of knowledge and curiosity does not translate to non-roman script? Do we presume that without a question mark, that such societies simply do not have this astounding curiosity that the 'mark' assigns to us? No?
How can any of us survive without the ability to ask, to request and to interrogate? How could we open the floodgates of democratic heaven? What would happen if organisations founded in societies that respect and acknowledge the 'question mark' took a vote on its relevance and left it flounder in its irrelevant beauty? What would happen if such organisations would not allow themselves to use the facility of the question? What if, even, they refused others to approach them with this facility of getting information? What would this possible organisation be called in a society that adorns and beholds this question mark?
Would it be called FIFA? Is there any reason why it wouldn't behold such a boring and unimaginative name? Could it be possible that such an organisation exists? Yes?
Could it be possible that in order to explain certain occurences in our ever-confused society that the previously celebrated question mark is a necessity? Would we all agree that it would be abhorent to deny the use of such a beautiful and respected facility in our otherwise articulate lives?
Yes?
Should we stop using it?
Should we straighten its edges and transform it to the similar mundaneness of its name?
Should it look like ! or . ?
?
Or is it the assumption that a question requests some form of answer that is causing our problems? If it no longer existed would the answerable no longer be so?
What do you think?
Monday 16 November 2009
Halloween
Ok, so it came close to Halloween Day in education land. Although growing up in Ireland we always had bonfires or went 'trick or treating' with our friends I have had the opinion of late that said traditions were dying out. Maybe I thought this stemmed from a general fear, fueled by an over protective state combined with a cynical notion that such traditions became boring and simply uninventive in the minds of 21st century childers. Halloween, to the naked 'non english teacher' eye doesnt seem to exist at any enormous rate in Korea. Altough its hinted at, there aren't any traditions of celebrating this pagan festival. Unless, that is, you attend a Hagwon and expect your native teachers to enteratain and scare you.
It wasn't until I was entrusted with the organisation of the festivities in school that I came upon one startling fact......... I whole heartedly fail at the challenge of putting 2 and 2 together and getting 4. This is why....you can ask most people what country they think of when Halloween is mentioned or where they think most traditions come from....and they will say...the USA...?? maybe?
Dopey here would have also said this until I realised that it infact comes from Ireland, an old Druid practice in the festivals on Samhan. Aware of most of these old Irish festivals, I was very aware of Samhan and its beliefs and parallel ideologies with Halloween. This is not a blog on the history and traditions of Halloween but on the inate cynicism to assume that anything big and commercial originates in America.
Now, don't get me wrong, the commercial side of the celebration does come from our marketing transatlantic cousins but all the symols I associate with Halloween; lanterns, fire, costumes etc. are part of the Samhan tradition.
And..it was only after I realised this that my boss assigned me to the festivities as she was already aware of the origins of the celebration. Doh! All this aside, two days of singing songs, running with apples and spoons and playing some substituted games, scaring and scarring Kindergarten kids managed to beat some of the cynicism out of the celebration. It was a cultural experience for the kids involved and Halloween, as it stands, can provide some easy lesson plans!!
It wasn't until I was entrusted with the organisation of the festivities in school that I came upon one startling fact......... I whole heartedly fail at the challenge of putting 2 and 2 together and getting 4. This is why....you can ask most people what country they think of when Halloween is mentioned or where they think most traditions come from....and they will say...the USA...?? maybe?
Dopey here would have also said this until I realised that it infact comes from Ireland, an old Druid practice in the festivals on Samhan. Aware of most of these old Irish festivals, I was very aware of Samhan and its beliefs and parallel ideologies with Halloween. This is not a blog on the history and traditions of Halloween but on the inate cynicism to assume that anything big and commercial originates in America.
Now, don't get me wrong, the commercial side of the celebration does come from our marketing transatlantic cousins but all the symols I associate with Halloween; lanterns, fire, costumes etc. are part of the Samhan tradition.
And..it was only after I realised this that my boss assigned me to the festivities as she was already aware of the origins of the celebration. Doh! All this aside, two days of singing songs, running with apples and spoons and playing some substituted games, scaring and scarring Kindergarten kids managed to beat some of the cynicism out of the celebration. It was a cultural experience for the kids involved and Halloween, as it stands, can provide some easy lesson plans!!
She eats Kimchi she cant be sick!!!
It would be rude to write a blog based primarily on South Korea (well for the time being anyway) and not to mention the scientific phenomenon of Kimchi. To the simple western eye, this may look and taste like pickled cabbage in a spicy red pepper paste but on further examination, this magic piece of vegetable engineering is in fact a medical and psychological marvel.
A little introduction if I may.....
Eating in South Korea is a foodies dream, its all about barbecuing meat [galbi] at your table, covering it in samjang (hot pepper paste) adding it in some onions and wrapped in a leaf of lettuce. Its quite a group affair and it will inevitably involve drinking lots and lots of beer [mekchu] and another staple; soju, a rice wine that resembles Mr. Muscle but by god its good. Aside from galbi, the sushi is mouth and eye-watering good, in fact anything you will find, apart from bundaegi (silkworm larvae) is yuuhuuuhuuumm. On most of these royalesque food outings you will also be granted a bowl of kimchi in some vegetable shape or form. The fact that it is actually cabbage seems to be uninterpretable by candy baring kindergarteners and children of the veggie hating age groups. Man, this stuff is better than a snickers.
Kimchi not only ensues godly health in Koreans that otherwise would be crawling with flu, it also has an astounding and unnerving affect on the elderly men and women [ajummas and ajashis] that roam the family marts, street corners and busstops. To avoid the use of the word crazy, as it is a little frowned upon on these shores; extreme, unwitting and noticeable eccentricism can be used to describe some of these scary and amusing societal beings. Its the kimchi, the magical pickled vegetable and without it, South Korea would resemble a siberian city, void of madness and entertainment. And to be honest, its taken me.
Rock Scissor Paper
I have been living in Seoul now for 6 months. 4 of these 6 have been spent teaching English in a private language acaedmy (Hagwon) in Bangwha Dong in eastern Seoul. I never imagined myself as a teacher and always consiously avoided doing the teaching postgraduate. I never felt i had the patience or motivation to stand in a class and try to inform these young minds ( I can be patronising because they won't be reading!!). However, as i sit here and look back at my employment history since graduating with my undergratuare and before, the majority of the work that I have done has involved teaching in some shape or form, now how does that happen?
Saying that, its not altogether unenjoyable. There of course is the cliched feeling when you see your students progress or when your kindergarten kids grow up before your eyes. Also, its mildly entertaining to live and work in a society that seems to be formulated solely on the result of 'Rock, Scissor, Paper'. Without too much exaggeration, such a primeval game can solve the most severe of conflicts in and out of a classroom. I wonder and often visualise what it could be like if the Korean heads of the North and South met and solved their grievances over a 'best of 3' ka-wi-ba-wi-bo session!.
Now that would actually merit a Nobel Peace Prize!
Why Blog
Hello World! It has come to my attention that the world and its perverbial mother are 'blogging' or 'tweeting' or producing there dying thoughts and wishes to the world in some technological way. Not to sound old, bitter and twisted, it has just taken me a while to figure out the possible advantages of keeping a blog online instead of writing a personal handwritten journal with a real tangible pencil. That advantage goes hand in hand with my inherent laziness when it comes to diary writing. There's only so many times you can 'catch up' on your thoughts before you cave in and put the diary in a drawer or rucksack and inevitbaly lose it. Although I do prefer the aestheltically pleasing worndown notebook with clear visual props as to the context of the writing, I feel that maybe the lazy streak won't come into too much of damage play here.
Now that's why I chose the 'blog' alternative, now why bother keeping a blog? What could be going on in my life that I felt it necessary to type down thoughts and observations? Do i really feel that anyone other than myself and those that I will eventually force to read it, will actually log in and keep to date with mundane events and occurences? No, that would merely be assuming that I have something worth reading and result in a lot of pretence, a trait that Im not altogether fond of.
The blog, as titled Asia, will cover travels in this amazing continent, problems and their counterparts. Starting with the present, working and living in South Korea, the blog will come with me in the future and past, covering, what hopes to be some of the best and worst countries in Asia and all of its corners.
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