Global warming and climate change are issues that we hear about everyday. It seems that we are constantly bombarded with suggestions on how to change our lifestyles so that we can help the environment by decreasing our carbon footprint. Al Gore has no doubt instilled fear into all of our minds, what with predictions of …
It’s holiday time across the world and people everywhere are celebrating. Including Korea. It’s my second holiday season in Seoul and I’m once again finding ways to incorporate traditions which I’ve grown up with into the practices and customs here. I’m not alone, either. In fact, the expat group here in Seoul is quite tight-knit …
Not long ago, I was instructed to create some writing and communication lessons for our ESL classes. Wanting to spice things up a bit, I focused them on fun topics like tabloids and celebrities. My favorite, however, was the lesson on superstitions. Step on a crack and you’ll break your mother’s back. Break a mirror …
A few weeks ago, I was invited to attend my second Korean wedding. My co-worker, Angela, made a beautiful bride and she and her new husband are as cute as they can be. A Korean friend and I were chatting about how nice the wedding service was when she turned to me and stated that …
The sixth grade is a difficult time for any kid, but especially challenging when you’ve got pale skin. Not only are you stared at when learning about albinos in science class, but you usually end up being the butt of many jokes. I’ll never forget one boy, who shall remain nameless, started calling me “Casper, …
…where you’re walking naked down the street, and everyone just stares? In America, the whole being in front of a crowd in your underwear- or even naked- situation would definitely rank in the nightmare classification of dreams. In Korea, however, public nakedness is not only a reality, it’s a lifestyle. Jimjilbangs, or public bath houses, …
Since I’ve been in Korea, I’ve managed to keep up with celebrity gossip. I don’t intentionally seek out such news, but since my arrival in Seoul, I’ve watched Leno and Letterman on a daily basis, thus making it hard to keep my celebrity obsession at bay. During one of my lunch breaks recently, I was …
Growing up, I heard horror story after horror story from my mother about her teaching profession and all the problems that went along with it. Overall, I think she cherished her experiences as a teacher, but there were some things that came with the job that would make even the sanest person a bit mad. …
This time of the year is most definitely my favorite. The cooler weather, the leaves changing colors, football games taking place, and fall fashions are a few of the reasons for my loving it so much. Still, the thing that I like most about this time of year are the multitude of holidays that take …
After returning to work after a week-long adventure-packed week abroad, I knew that I would be programming rather than teaching, as per the new rule created from the increased swine flu paranoia. Considering programming consists of anything from writing lesson plans to coloring Halloween posters to making balloon animals, I was completely okay with this. …