Sorry for the delay in getting this blog up and running, it's been a bit crazy. I'll get right to it, needless to say Korea is a bit "Hellish" unfortunately. It's not at all what I expected, well not entirely at least.
This country and culture is the most shut off- isolated- and none inclusive culture, that I have ever encountered. This goes without saying, but I have always considered myself as someone who's very interested and educated in various cultures. But this one you guys (Korean) takes the cake.
It's been slightly over 1 month now. The city is beyond hot for those of you who live in Los Angeles, the weather would be scorching to you...lol. Daegu is actually shaped like a giant bowl and it's encased by lush mountains. Similar to a valley, all the heat sinks to the bottom of the city. The humidity if off the charts as well.
I'll try to take some more pictures of this-but the city is full of these communist gray apartment towers. That's as awe- inspiring as the architecture gets. Aside from the hot weather and boring streets, it's the people and the culture that make it so difficult for foreigners to live in Korea. Me and the other foreign teachers can't go anywhere with out literally getting stared down, and laughed at. Korean culture says "If we don't know you, we don't respect you". So shoving and pushing while your walking is just standard here. No one will stop to say excuse me.
Ironically enough I do actually enjoy teaching the children. Some of them are just to die for, sooo cute! But unfortunately the negativity of this country is also brought out through them. Though I don't blame them for the racism or lack of exposure and education. It's entirely the parents fault. But laughing at curly hair, or the color of the foreign teachers skin is normal. They actually ask you "teacher why this (as they point to your arm) why you look like that"? It can really be heart breaking, to se how socially closed off they are.
My school is private, so everything is for "show". It's like a puppet show, everything is done to appease the parents. You see in Korea there are literally thousands of English school institutions. One parent is informed that their child is to wild or misbehaved, they'll pull their child out of the school. There is NO other reason except it's their PRIDE. This means that no true issues actually get addresses. The Korean and foreign teachers are overworked. I actually have been spared this...for the most part. We start school a 10:00 am and don't usually get home until 8:00pm. The longer I'm at school the more shady things I notice. But what can I, in some ways am stuck. The foreign teachers that are my roommates we live in the same building, are breaking contract. One will be leaving in 4 days, he only lasted 3 months. And the rest will leave in December.
As for me I have been doing a lot of soul searching trying to figure out where and what God wants me to do. This job came as a back up plan due to the lack of design jobs in LA. I plan on staying in Korea at least 6 months. Of course I change my mind every other day, thinking I can't even last that long. It will allow me to save some money and prepare for where I will go next. I decided it will be one of three choices, either Spain- Barcelona and or Italy (Teach English for 6 months) or back to LA. It really depends on the job I find. If a design job opens up in LA that's where I will go. THAT'S WHAT I REALLY WANT.
The church here is nice. There are only 14 singles, all of which speak completely broken English or none at all. There are three married women who speak fluent English. It's difficult though, they have a family to attend to. I can't just call up a single friend and say "hey lets catch a movie". They won't understand I word I am saying.
I'm trying to make the best of it while staying close to God and my honey Joel, its difficult though. I'm currently working on my online portfolio. Included are my modeling images, design work and more. Its' really coming a long. The next blog entry won't be nearly as long! This was the first one so I am trying to catch every body up to speed. Pray for me, as prayer is greatly needed.
I love you all and miss you tons.
Stay tuned for my new site!!
xoxoxooxx,
L
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