Two women. Two parties. One election.
Someday I'm going to be a mother, an aunt, a godmother or neighbor to a little girl and I'm going to tell her that I actually saw it happen. It happened in my lifetime.
18 million cracks in the ceiling and a VP nomination.
Right or left. Red or Blue. It's a good day to be an American woman.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Blog Burner...
Over the past month I have had to take a break from my kindergarten classes in order to teach summer school for my full-time hagwon. Most students are on summer break from their schools and therefore attend more classes at our private academy. But, the summer intensive schedule is over and now I am back to normal work hours, and back to teaching my kindergarten students.
Having been gone for a month, I didn't expect most of the students to remember me. Foreign teachers are a commodity and come and go frequently in Korea. Not to mention, my students are about five years old. They grant their loyalty to whichever teacher brings stickers to class. So, when I arrived at work yesterday morning and heard little feet pattering behind me I didn't pay much attention. But, it was like munchkins appearing to surround Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. Kids would just find parts of me to hug. One had my arm, while another had my leg. Little Mike smelled my hair while Grace tried to put a sticker on my shirt and Ella wanted a high-five. Mose remembered the song I taught him and started singing it to me. And this was just in the first few moments from when I walked in the front door and down the hall to the teacher's room. When I finally went to my classes, a lot of the kids wanted to show me things. Michelle (7 years old) lost her two front teeth. Kai (5 years old) finally picked an English name and wanted me to say it out loud. And Chloe (4 years old) just looked up at me when I walked in and started giggling so hard she fell over. It was the absolute best welcome-back I have ever received!
In other news, I keep a journal. (Let me be clear, I do not keep a diary. Diaries have plastic locks and pink pages. I keep a journal) A few years back I started re-reading some of my entries and came within inches of shredding entire pages. The stuff I wrote was so stupid and juvenile that I never wanted to read the entries again, let alone run the risk of having anyone else ever find them and read them. But, instead of burning the pages and burying the ashes deep underground I made the rule that if I write something in my journal, it stays. No “hindsight is 20/20” editing. So far, I’ve been pretty good about following the rule. I have corrected a few spelling mistakes and written bits of commentary on past entries But, overall I’ve been quite the self-enforcer. I bring this up because I’ve recently cross-applies the rule to this blog. Having re-read a variety of entries, I've become tempted to edit. For example, my recent post regarding my plea for a phone call. I can't help but ask myself, "Really, Jacki? Really? You really wanted to post on the world wide web that you were waiting by the phone for a boy to call?” I think the answer to that question is pretty obvious. Nonetheless, I wrote it. I posted it. So, now it might as well be written in stone. It stays. As does everything else. I will not be editing.
Moving on... Biden rocks. More on that later.
Having been gone for a month, I didn't expect most of the students to remember me. Foreign teachers are a commodity and come and go frequently in Korea. Not to mention, my students are about five years old. They grant their loyalty to whichever teacher brings stickers to class. So, when I arrived at work yesterday morning and heard little feet pattering behind me I didn't pay much attention. But, it was like munchkins appearing to surround Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. Kids would just find parts of me to hug. One had my arm, while another had my leg. Little Mike smelled my hair while Grace tried to put a sticker on my shirt and Ella wanted a high-five. Mose remembered the song I taught him and started singing it to me. And this was just in the first few moments from when I walked in the front door and down the hall to the teacher's room. When I finally went to my classes, a lot of the kids wanted to show me things. Michelle (7 years old) lost her two front teeth. Kai (5 years old) finally picked an English name and wanted me to say it out loud. And Chloe (4 years old) just looked up at me when I walked in and started giggling so hard she fell over. It was the absolute best welcome-back I have ever received!
In other news, I keep a journal. (Let me be clear, I do not keep a diary. Diaries have plastic locks and pink pages. I keep a journal) A few years back I started re-reading some of my entries and came within inches of shredding entire pages. The stuff I wrote was so stupid and juvenile that I never wanted to read the entries again, let alone run the risk of having anyone else ever find them and read them. But, instead of burning the pages and burying the ashes deep underground I made the rule that if I write something in my journal, it stays. No “hindsight is 20/20” editing. So far, I’ve been pretty good about following the rule. I have corrected a few spelling mistakes and written bits of commentary on past entries But, overall I’ve been quite the self-enforcer. I bring this up because I’ve recently cross-applies the rule to this blog. Having re-read a variety of entries, I've become tempted to edit. For example, my recent post regarding my plea for a phone call. I can't help but ask myself, "Really, Jacki? Really? You really wanted to post on the world wide web that you were waiting by the phone for a boy to call?” I think the answer to that question is pretty obvious. Nonetheless, I wrote it. I posted it. So, now it might as well be written in stone. It stays. As does everything else. I will not be editing.
Moving on... Biden rocks. More on that later.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Phone call....
Uber cute man asked for my number. Tall. Dark curly hair. Dimples. Sarcasm. Self deprecation. Gentleman. Text messaged me within hours of meeting.
I actually want him to call me. Seriously. This NEVER happens. I really want him to cal l me. Please call. Don't be stupid. Just call me.
Whatever. I'm lame. I know.
I actually want him to call me. Seriously. This NEVER happens. I really want him to cal l me. Please call. Don't be stupid. Just call me.
Whatever. I'm lame. I know.
Friday, August 22, 2008
TV Star...
I'm on a national Korean TV show. It is ridiculous with loud colors and sound effects. It is the very definition of "cheesy." But, it was also uber fun and just another awesome Korean story!
For your viewing pleasure...
http://www.arirang.co.kr/Tv2/Tv_Video_On.asp?
PROG_CODE=TVCR0397&code=Po5&sys_lang=Eng
(It is suppose to be just be one long website link, but it is too long so you have to cut and paste both sections of the website address. Sorry)
Click on the credit cards debate.
Log in: jevans2002
Password: 1234
A few things you should laugh at or ask yourself...
1. Slogans. What game show would be complete without forcing the teams to come up with awkward names and even more unnatural slogans?
2. Wow, what an enthusiastic audience! There seems to be only 20 people in the entire audience, but they cheer so loudly! Ah, the joy of sound effects.
3. What an interesting scoring method. I'd love to know how they come up with the point system! Funny you should ask that... Me too! (The judges pick the winner and then the show just makes up fake points in order to have something to show on the screen. Mystery solved.)
4. Finally, I thought Jacki was a good debater. What happened? Well, the answer to this one is a bit more tragic. She seems to have developed an unhealthy addiction for the ridiculous verbal filler "we would argue." She is seeking professional help and has taken the first step toward recovery by admitting that she does, indeed, have a problem.
In short, when you laugh at me, try and pretend you are laughing with me.
Enjoy.
For your viewing pleasure...
http://www.arirang.co.kr/Tv2/Tv_Video_On.asp?
PROG_CODE=TVCR0397&code=Po5&sys_lang=Eng
(It is suppose to be just be one long website link, but it is too long so you have to cut and paste both sections of the website address. Sorry)
Click on the credit cards debate.
Log in: jevans2002
Password: 1234
A few things you should laugh at or ask yourself...
1. Slogans. What game show would be complete without forcing the teams to come up with awkward names and even more unnatural slogans?
2. Wow, what an enthusiastic audience! There seems to be only 20 people in the entire audience, but they cheer so loudly! Ah, the joy of sound effects.
3. What an interesting scoring method. I'd love to know how they come up with the point system! Funny you should ask that... Me too! (The judges pick the winner and then the show just makes up fake points in order to have something to show on the screen. Mystery solved.)
4. Finally, I thought Jacki was a good debater. What happened? Well, the answer to this one is a bit more tragic. She seems to have developed an unhealthy addiction for the ridiculous verbal filler "we would argue." She is seeking professional help and has taken the first step toward recovery by admitting that she does, indeed, have a problem.
In short, when you laugh at me, try and pretend you are laughing with me.
Enjoy.
Not Dead...
My mother wrote me an email checking to make sure I am still alive. My best friend and I have exchanged one email in the last month. And as my good friend Lindsey (so eloquently) put it, "Your blog blows."
So, I'm back. And it is about time.
I've got a month or so worth of good stuff to post so I'll just start typing and see where it goes.
First, I have a really bright third grader in one of my classes. Her name is Jina and she smiles, volunteers to answer questions and really makes an effort. She's great. In class a couple days ago someone asked me if I had a boyfriend. This is a pretty common question, since gender stereotypes are still prevalent in Korean culture. As a result, most of my students are very interested in whether I have a boyfriend, want a boyfriend or am married. My typical answer to this question is that I do not just have one boyfriend, I have ten boyfriends! This response usually gets a laugh and then I can get back to a more appropriate subject matter. But, on this particular day while everyone was laughing at my oh-so-clever response, Jina announced (quite proudly) that she doesn't need a boyfriend because she is a strong girl.
YES! YES! YES! Yes, Jina! Way to defy the thousands of media messages directed at pre-teens! I was so proud of her. And yet despite my glee, I decided that a celebratory dance and wild declaration of, "Take that you, vicious media scum!" might be a bit much. So, I just gave her a subtle high-five and agreed that she is, indeed, a strong girl.
Yes!
Speaking of boyfriends, my old semi-kinda-whatever-boyfriend from Austria sent me a nice email the other day. He seems to be enjoying himself and is glad to be back home. I told him the story of how I actually went drinking with an Austrian girl while in Hong Kong and was able to make an authentic Austrian toast with her. She was (obviously) quite impressed.
Onto other news, this Wed I went out drinking and dancing with a bunch of debaters that are in Korea for a debate workshop. It was crazy fun. Not only are debaters great drinkers! They are shamelessly awesome. I danced with a couple of debaters from Ghana and Kenya. There were cool American and Korean debaters that I know from other groups. I had a nice chat with a Iraqi Kurd who was happy to defend America's involvement in the Middle East. And all of that, doesn't even include the Chinese and Pakistani debaters who showed me a thing or two about poker and taught me a swing dance move. Wow! What a night!
Another great part of that night was having a drink with Matt Stanard. Stanard is one of the most respected debate coaches in the US and the directer of one of the most respected debate programs. I have always been in awe of his debaters.
However, before I continue with my Stanard story, let me make a quick side note. I have never been an excellent debater. I was a good debater. I loved it more than anything else I've ever done. And if you could divide debaters into "excellent" "good" "fair" and "poor." I made it to the top of the "good" category. I was better than a lot of other good debaters and every now and then I would wiggle my way into the lower-rankings of the "excellent" category, but I have to admit that I just couldn't hold my own with that crowd.
Back to the story... Stanard coached and continues to produce debaters in the "Excellent" to "Off-The-Charts" categories. I just assumed he had no idea who I was or where I came from. I couldn't imagine ever making his radar. But, when I was getting introduced to him, he already knew who I was! He even remembered what school I had debated for. And we just chatted. Nothing special. Nothing life altering. I bought him a beer. Nonetheless, it was surreal. I wish I could better explain why that interaction was so note-worthy. But, maybe it's just simply because the moment made me feel note-worthy. Like my rare moments of excellence might have been worth remembering.
Okay... I could go on because I have a lot more. I am on a national Korean debate TV show. (I'll post the link.) I am starting my grad school apps. Obama is going to announce his VP any second. The way Koreans have responded to the Olympics is awesome. I went on a date with an underground street fighter/ former Canadian coke dealer.
But, that will all have to wait. I'm out of time.
Stay tuned... More to come.
So, I'm back. And it is about time.
I've got a month or so worth of good stuff to post so I'll just start typing and see where it goes.
First, I have a really bright third grader in one of my classes. Her name is Jina and she smiles, volunteers to answer questions and really makes an effort. She's great. In class a couple days ago someone asked me if I had a boyfriend. This is a pretty common question, since gender stereotypes are still prevalent in Korean culture. As a result, most of my students are very interested in whether I have a boyfriend, want a boyfriend or am married. My typical answer to this question is that I do not just have one boyfriend, I have ten boyfriends! This response usually gets a laugh and then I can get back to a more appropriate subject matter. But, on this particular day while everyone was laughing at my oh-so-clever response, Jina announced (quite proudly) that she doesn't need a boyfriend because she is a strong girl.
YES! YES! YES! Yes, Jina! Way to defy the thousands of media messages directed at pre-teens! I was so proud of her. And yet despite my glee, I decided that a celebratory dance and wild declaration of, "Take that you, vicious media scum!" might be a bit much. So, I just gave her a subtle high-five and agreed that she is, indeed, a strong girl.
Yes!
Speaking of boyfriends, my old semi-kinda-whatever-boyfriend from Austria sent me a nice email the other day. He seems to be enjoying himself and is glad to be back home. I told him the story of how I actually went drinking with an Austrian girl while in Hong Kong and was able to make an authentic Austrian toast with her. She was (obviously) quite impressed.
Onto other news, this Wed I went out drinking and dancing with a bunch of debaters that are in Korea for a debate workshop. It was crazy fun. Not only are debaters great drinkers! They are shamelessly awesome. I danced with a couple of debaters from Ghana and Kenya. There were cool American and Korean debaters that I know from other groups. I had a nice chat with a Iraqi Kurd who was happy to defend America's involvement in the Middle East. And all of that, doesn't even include the Chinese and Pakistani debaters who showed me a thing or two about poker and taught me a swing dance move. Wow! What a night!
Another great part of that night was having a drink with Matt Stanard. Stanard is one of the most respected debate coaches in the US and the directer of one of the most respected debate programs. I have always been in awe of his debaters.
However, before I continue with my Stanard story, let me make a quick side note. I have never been an excellent debater. I was a good debater. I loved it more than anything else I've ever done. And if you could divide debaters into "excellent" "good" "fair" and "poor." I made it to the top of the "good" category. I was better than a lot of other good debaters and every now and then I would wiggle my way into the lower-rankings of the "excellent" category, but I have to admit that I just couldn't hold my own with that crowd.
Back to the story... Stanard coached and continues to produce debaters in the "Excellent" to "Off-The-Charts" categories. I just assumed he had no idea who I was or where I came from. I couldn't imagine ever making his radar. But, when I was getting introduced to him, he already knew who I was! He even remembered what school I had debated for. And we just chatted. Nothing special. Nothing life altering. I bought him a beer. Nonetheless, it was surreal. I wish I could better explain why that interaction was so note-worthy. But, maybe it's just simply because the moment made me feel note-worthy. Like my rare moments of excellence might have been worth remembering.
Okay... I could go on because I have a lot more. I am on a national Korean debate TV show. (I'll post the link.) I am starting my grad school apps. Obama is going to announce his VP any second. The way Koreans have responded to the Olympics is awesome. I went on a date with an underground street fighter/ former Canadian coke dealer.
But, that will all have to wait. I'm out of time.
Stay tuned... More to come.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
HK...
I'm still in HK. Really good times.
We started the trip by seeing the sites. Museums, tourists attractions and plenty of other interesting locals. But, after a few days Mike and I decided to start relaxing. We switched hostels and took the "tourist" element down a couple notches.
There are lots of observations I'd love to include about the people, city and traveling in general, but I'm hot and tired and ready for a nap. (What a crazy gal I am!)
I'll write more later, but for now I have to say we've been fortunate to have met some cool people. The guys running our hostel are awesome. They're from Africa and incredibly generous. At a pub a couple night ago we ran into a cool British guy who teaches English in Beijing and getting his VISA for the Olymipcs. We met a nice Austrian girl who is traveling around the world.
All is well.
We started the trip by seeing the sites. Museums, tourists attractions and plenty of other interesting locals. But, after a few days Mike and I decided to start relaxing. We switched hostels and took the "tourist" element down a couple notches.
There are lots of observations I'd love to include about the people, city and traveling in general, but I'm hot and tired and ready for a nap. (What a crazy gal I am!)
I'll write more later, but for now I have to say we've been fortunate to have met some cool people. The guys running our hostel are awesome. They're from Africa and incredibly generous. At a pub a couple night ago we ran into a cool British guy who teaches English in Beijing and getting his VISA for the Olymipcs. We met a nice Austrian girl who is traveling around the world.
All is well.
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