I hate to generalize, but Koreans are unaware and a little bit stupid. I am currently fuming with rage about the fact that there is a bicycle bell for a reason and they seem to forget what that reason is. As I have mentioned in previous posts, traffic laws are more like guidelines in this country, so if one is not careful, it's probable that you could die at any moment from a taxi driver running a red light, or neglecting to look in mirrors for oncoming traffic, texting about soju, etc. Bicycles are prevalent here, so of course, I have a bright neon orange one, complete with basket and working bell. The bell is cool, but it is also a safety feature, for those pedestrians that are walking on the bike paths which are clearly marked on all sidewalks and major streets. So every day, as I'm cruising on my pretty orange bike, abiding by all traffic rules, I have to continuously stop the bike, mid-cruise, to allow the incredibly slow reflexes of walking Koreans to realize that if they don't get out of my way, I will run them over. This has happened almost ten times today, in the short 8 minutes that it takes me to ride from school to my apartment. I ding the bell. They don't move. I am riding downhill at a fast pace enjoying the only wind circulation that exists, and they walk out of the coffee shops directly in front of me, not bothering to look if there's an oncoming orange beast headed towards them. They begin texting while walking, neglecting to "hear" the bell. Or, the best, they walk STRAIGHT towards me. Not wavering in the slightest, expecting me to move and dodge in and out of concrete blocks, sewers, and children because they couldn't be bothered with changing their path of direction for the American girl! I just don't understand how you can come out of a building and not look where you are going. How do you not see me riding straight toward you? I have no resolution for this problem, except to add this to my kindergarten curriculum. The next generation will hopefully be a little more "aware of their surroundings. ABC's, English vocabulary, and sidewalk etiquette.
More importantly, now that I've calmed down a bit, I need to express my sadness and grief for the loss of two coworkers. Not literally, like, they're just going back to America. But they have been really great friends and colleagues that I am going to miss very much. Adam and Cassie have taught me so much about being a teacher, living abroad, and just life in general. But really, she's really crafty and he fixes computers. I have many fond memories with both of them and am sad to see them go :(
This week's highlights.
Me: OK, who can tell me a sentence in English?
Seo Yeon: Teacher, house, mommy daddy, horse, Cinderella.
Me: Mommy and Daddy got you a horse at your house, and it's name is Cinderella???!!!
Seo Yeon: YES!!!!
Me: That's it. You're coming back to America to live with me, because you are meant to be my child.
Seo Yeon: Teacher, NOW??!
ha. Also, we took another trip to the beloved bear farm where we swam in the swimming pool *two feet of water where it was necessary to have full flippers, goggles, inner tubes, floaties and swimcaps.* They also went "horseback riding" which consisted of them being led in a circle while wearing bicycle helmets and, wait for it, LIFE JACKETS. In case they fell off of course. Walking in a circle. With six burly korean men standing around. And yes, I saw some burly Korean men. We watched Beauty and the Beast, in which I convinced them that it was me on TV, and that I am actually a princess in America. They now call me Princess Teacher. Still preparing for open class and enjoying the many changes that have happened at school this week! More soon :)
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