A Breath of Fresh Air

Since I've arrived in Korea, I feel like I've been going full speed, without many chances to just kick back and relax.  During the week, I spend 10 hours every day at my school teaching, prepping, copying, planning, researching, emailing, proofreading, etc.  After that, I either teach my advanced conversation club class, go to Korean language class, run errands, meet up with Fulbright friends, or Skype with folks back home.  Then on the weekends, I'm usually away traveling and exploring a new Korean city.  Needless to say, by Sunday afternoon, I'm wiped out and just want to crawl into bed.

This is one of the most rigorous schedules I've ever had.  Much of the stress is self-imposed, as I take everything very seriously and I am determined to be the best teacher, faculty member, home-stay guest, Korean language student, world traveler, and friend that I can possibly be.  But I can also blame the fact that I teach 4 hours above the required limit, spend 6 hours in Korean class every week, take on many additional duties at school, and want to maintain my friendships both in Korea and back home.  Some nights when I am struggling to keep my eyes open, I question why I do this to myself.  But then I remember that I wouldn't have it any other way.  My over-achieving personality demands this hectic schedule.  With high sacrifice, comes high reward and as a result, my work in Korea always feels rewarding and meaningful.

Scarecrows in Korea are actually creepy.

That being said, I do enjoy the occasional day, where I can just relax and catch up on "me time."  While Momma and Gramma started embarking upon their 20-hour trip back to America, I was in bed, lazily (but happily) sleeping in until lunch time.  The rest of Wednesday was uneventful and unproductive.  I almost felt a little guilty.  As my students slaved away during midterms, I was a happy camper just sitting at home, sipping peppermint tea and reading.  The next day, I met up with one of the other English teachers at my school.  We went out to lunch and then headed 25 minutes outside Daejeon into Chungcheongnam-do province.  There, we went hiking at Jangseung Park.

A 장승 (jangseung) is a traditional Korean totem pole, typically carved out of wood.  Jangseungs were customarily placed at the edge of villages to mark boundaries and frighten away demons.  This specific park has over 300 jangseungs, which native villagers carved by hand.  This park is really well preserved and maintained.  The faces on the jangseungs are incredibly expressive and often humorous.  They served as an entertaining distraction, while we struggled to make our way up the very steep hill.

There were cute, hugging jangseungs.

And inappropriate jangseungs.  >.<

Around the park, there were a lot of other things to explore.  At the base of the hill, there was an expansive garden with huge, and I mean HUGE vegetables.  There was also a small pond and a farm house with animals.  There were dozens of chickens and rabbits cooped up in the same cramped cages.  I desperately wanted to open the cage doors and let them escape from such horrid conditions.

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After the hike, we drove to a nearby lake and spent the next hour, walking along the man-made path.  Surrounded by mountains in every direction, it was such a lovely view.  I love living in an urban city in Korea.  But every once in a while, it's nice to escape the crowds and traffic and soak in the good ol' outdoors.

On Friday, October 14th, I woke up feeling terrible - awful headache, stuffy nose, and coughing up disgusting amounts of phlegm.  Despite my ailing state, I had to go to school and teach 4 classes.  It was absolutely miserable.  In the afternoon, I went to the ear, throat, and nose clinic and I learned that I had bronchitis.  That diagnosis immediately changed my weekend plans.  While I was planning on heading down to Gwangju for a friend's birthday, I wisely chose to stay home and rest.  Drowsy from my medications, I spent most of the weekend in bed.  I think it was just what I needed.  By Sunday night, I felt considerably better - not 100% perfect, but like a functioning human being again.

It was just in time to attend the 2011 Daejeon International Guitar Festival.  My host mother has played the guitar for several years and is a huge fan of live music.  She invited me to go to the headlining concert of this event.  While my host siblings complained and insisted on saying home, I jumped at the chance to attend.  So I spent the evening with my host cousin, host mother, and all of her friends from her biweekly guitar class. 

Unfortunately, I know little about the international guitar scene.  While I enjoyed myself, I think I would've appreciated the concert more if I knew the guest artists, recognized the songs, and understood the full significance of this concert.  Someone, like my dad - an avid guitarist, really would've loved it.  My host mother was mesmerized by the entire event.  She sat on the edge of her seat, humming along to every tune and gawking at the supposedly well-known artists on stage.  It was nice to finally see her in her element.  Her excitement rubbed off on me and I ended up having a great time.

Not every weekend is going to be filled with thrilling adventures and celebratory events.  But I've come to appreciate the smaller things about life in Korea, like exploring the beautiful outdoors or attending local festivals.  While I will remember all the cool touristy things I did during my grant year, I feel that it's these subtle aspects of Korean culture and society that I'll miss the most.