We meet monthly to share information on important human rights situations around the world and to write letters to important officials. (It works, trust us). We also discuss other ways of getting involved, working with local groups to improve human rights situations wherever we can. The topics are serious but the atmosphere is casual.
It was brought to my attention that my blog was out of date. I leave Korea, possibly for good, in just under two weeks. The lead up to this has been stressful as Hell, so I more or less forgot that my blog existed. Now that I've remembered, here is a summary of where I'm at:
I remember in 2006 when Angry Steve directed that Dario Fo play in Pusan. That was truly awe-inspiring. The fact that it was done at all was monumental, the fact that the show rocked made it climactic. Showbiz and Anabelle and the Irish guy with the funnyname -- I really enjoyed that. In fact, that short Italian song that they sung I video taped. I still watch it sometimes.
I know that I usually stick to Korean politics/policy/education issues but I am in fact originally from New York. Today's New York Times ran an interesting article called "Study Finds Public Discontent With Colleges." I agree with the basic premise, that colleges have become far too expensive to be accessible to the average American. However, I don't think solution can simply be admitting more students to each school or stretching the budget more as Tamar Lewin suggests.
Day two I wake up to leftover pizza for breakfast. I already have a plan for the morning. I have heard about a place called Penis Park. I have seen some pictures and figure it will be a good place to film. I realize I should have checked the location online the night before. I head to the bus station to get a tourist map. I wonder if it will be on the map. I find the station and the park is actually featured on the map. It is 30kms back down the coast. I hate going backwards on trips but for the Penis Park I will make an exception. The park ends up being on the ocean.
Here's something I think is worthwhile, mentioned on two of the best Korea-related blogs, ROKdrop and the Marmot's Hole. Pepsi is running a contest for good ideas, and the two with the most votes will win US$250K.
February is graduation month in Korea. I'd like to think of graduation as a time of reduced stress and increased celebration for my students but apparently, not so in Korea these days. Check out this article from the Korea Times called "Graduation Mimics Gangster Initiation." Graduation rituals seem more like fraternity hazing practices in the US but when you think about the age group of students being harassed I think the potential for psychological trauma is much higher.
That's right, 26 acts of the student exhibition this evening. Estimated time frame: 6pm -9 or 10. My co-teacher gave me an out if I'm too 'tired' to attend I can go home. As bored as I may or may not be I have to attend. It doesn't exactly give a good impression to the students (or their parents) about how much I care if I can't be bothered to show up to their performance. I think that the singing/dancing/drumming/fan dance stuff will be fun though I will admit that I will probably have to fight dozing off during any speech recitals.
Roboseyo graciously allowed the Lady in Red and I to host February's 2S2 event - something I'm proud to say went ahead very well. Our first stop was The Swing for a beginner's lesson in swing dancing - something that might come in very handy later.
Before long, the ten of us made our way to A Twosome Place - where every 2S2 meets - for some excellent coffee and conversation.
This public service traveling announcement is brought to you by the Seoul subway system.
February 18 at 11am, an extension on line 3 will open up through southeast Seoul. Three stations past the current terminus of Suseo will extend the line to Garak Market (transfer to line 8) the National Police Hospital (new line 3 station) and the new terminus of Ogeum (transfer to line 5). For those of you who learn better through pictures, here's the sign seen in the subway:
The Chosun Ilbo is showing Paris Hilton resplendent in hanbok, navigating chopstick use and posing with Korean stars. I have to admit, as much as the thought baffles me the woman is rocking the hell out of that hanbok. Fail for the article: the second time 'hanbok' is mentioned it's misspelled as "handbook."
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