School of ROK (get it?)

OH You so weren't ready for the triple post!!!! (Am i forgiven for neglecting this thing for 3 weeks??)

While writing my other 2 posts today I realized that i haven't really said about teaching or my school which is really quite ridiculous considering that it's (technically) the reason why I'm here.

I'm working at Kyungmoon High School in Dongjak Gu Seoul. The school itself is an all boys highschool and i teach the equivalent of grades 10 and 11 (the school is 10-12). At this point, everything about the school is absolutely amazing. The principal and vice principal are both really cool guys and love me (i actually have a sweet little story involving myself and the principal from last week, but it's a touch sappy so you'll hafta special request to hear that one) the teachers are all really awesome and are going out of their way to help me as much as possible, and the students think i'm the greatest thing since the PCbang got the latest WOW expansion. (my nerdier friends should get that one)

I have 5 different co-teachers, and teach each of my classes with one of them. I am fortunate enough to not only have 5 really nice people to share these classes with, but 5 teachers who geniunely seem very passionate about their jobs and the kids. They also each have their own teaching style, so it's fun for me to get to have some classes where I really work together with a teacher and try to provide multiple experiences for the kids, and some classes where i just completely take the ball and get to lead the class my way the whole time (while the co-teacher stays present in the background as a translator if need be) For me, the latter is definitely my preferred style (I think I work best when i have full control and can dictate the entire pace and feel of the class) but i think i've really learned alot from having to adapt to a more team like atmosphere as a teacher.

My job is simple, expose the students to as much english language and western culture as possible. Engage them in english conversation and get them practicing speaking english. It's a pretty straight forward job and certainly has its challenges, that said it is by far the most satisfying and rewarding job I've ever had. It's nice to actually have a passion for the work you do, as opposed to just going in collecting paychecks and spending the day flirting with cute co-workers. As far as the kids go, they are all super cool, but have varying levels of english prowess, in general it is actually very low (for now).

Needless to say, this experience so far has done exactly what i hoped it would do, and that is re-affirm my beliefs that i do indeed want to make a career out of teaching. Sorry if this post was lame for some of you, that said if anyone reading this is reading in order to obtain some information before potentially coming here yourself, this is probably the first one ive written that is of any remote value to you ...

Wow, that was a marathon ... I'm not going to post again for probably at least a week, but I'll try really hard not to let it be much longer than that.

Next time on Domingo meets Seoul .... Halloween in Korea????

Will Darren finally embrace a celebration that he has long ignored?

Will Domingo have the forsight to actually bring a camera to his partying? (and not break it)

Will Korea be able to handle the hoards of foreigners dressed ridiculously on a Saturday night?

You'll find out next week, same Seoul place same Seoul Channel

Love you mom

Dare

(Most of) October in Review

So now that i'm kind of hitting my groove here in Seoul, I've done a lot of really cool shit.

I was gonna share a number of different stories and pictures including my first ever soccer game (an international friendly where Korea beat Senegal 2-0) and my first ever Dol (traditional Korean celebration for a baby's first bday which is a huge deal here) but i was an idiot on both of those occasions and didn't bring my camera. I do have pics of them on my cel phone but i have no idea how to load pictures from these crazy korean phones to a laptop so i'll just summarize.

Soccer game was unreal! Korea's got a pretty decent team (as evidenced by their semi-final finish in the 02 world cup cup) and getting to see this game has gotten me really excited for getting to legitimately cheer on a home country for the upcoming World Cup. Being Canadian it's not something i've ever really gotten to do (until they event and popularize ice soccer). A Park Ji-Sung international jersey is definitely in the works.

The Dol was a really cool celebration itself. The kid was the 1 year old daughter of a teacher at my school so all the teachers were invited. I nearly ate myself into a food induced coma as it was one of the best meals i've had in seoul and one of the best buffets ive ever had. It also had easily the best sushi i've had since being here (not saying much, altho it was really good sushi). To me the 2 biggest questions i have about Seoul are why is Sushi so much better in Vancouver than in a freaking Asian country, and why is Pho cheaper in Vancouver than in a freaking Asian country (I've promised my mommy I'd swear less.) sigh, at least everything else here is ass cheap. (sorry ma)

One story i do need to share with you however is the Jinjaebong (sp?) A Korean sauna. After leaving the Music Festival (see previous post) it was far too late for my friends and I to train back to Seoul, so the decision was made that we would go to a Sauna aka Jinjaebong to sleep. This is a common practice in Korea, as they have 2 seperate areas for men and women to get down to their skivvy's and relax in hot tub's, sauna, cold tubs, and showers ... After that, clothes are put back on and everyone can relax and sleep on floor mats in a mixed gender common area.

As this occured at the end of our music festival trip i was indeed rather sauced and after hamming back a few more bottles of soju with a couple buddies, was ready to get all naked and sauna'd.

After a helicopter filled hour or 2 of sauna, my buddies and i headed to the common area to meet our lady type friends for some sleepy. Already being drunk and (slightly) obnoxious foreigners, i made great friends with the old korean lady in charge of running the common area. As she was setting up some mats next to me (with her back turned) i proceed to continually give 2 of my female friends the helicopter with a connection of glowsticks i had from the concert. (I was drunk mom, cut me some slack) Everytime the lady turned around from the laughter i quickly laid back down and pretended i was sleeping. After 3 mins or so of this game she finally caught me mid helicopter, and proceeded to beat me down with a sleeping mat as i cried helplessly for her mercy ... Good times

Anyways thats the story, maybe it's kind of one of those had to be there moments ... but i was there, so to me it's hilarious. The picture is one of us taking the train home the next morning from the concert / sausage show.

I'll see ya there or I'll see ya another time ...

Love Domingo

Serengeti!!!! PARTY!!!!

Hi friends and family

So it turns out there are actually people who read this semi-regularly and get slightly annoyed if i don't post consistantly. That said, those of you who actually know me well enough to want regular updates should've known better than to think that my regular blogging would last longer than 2 months. But's lets look to the future not the past, I'll try and be a little more consistant from now on.

I have tons to talk about, so I'll start with the SSamzie Sound.

2 Weeks ago i went to a big ass music fest just out of Seoul called the SSamzie Sound music fest with a small handful of other western teachers and Korean buddies Jin Young and Woojin (two of the coolest guys you'll ever meet). Jin Young is also a drummer so needless to say, we pretty much talk about music and drumming all the time.

So i get to this festival with slightly low expectations, after all I don't know too much about Korean music and so far, haven't been a huge fan of the K-pop (I wouldn't have liked it in English, so i don't see how i can be expected to like it in Korean.) But when i got to this festival i was blown away but some seriously killer acts. There were all kinds of bands here, Korean versions of everything from No Doubt to Bob Marley to Ozzy (the Korean ozzy is freakin hilarious by the way) to Linkin Park to Alanis Morrisette and Weezer. Some of these bands were unbelievable and i often found myself deep in Korean mosh pits rockin out harder than i have since i was 16. The best part about Korean pits is that even at 5'7 (don't argue) I can still see the band no matter where on the floor i am. What can i say, life is good.

So i thought i'd give you a little taste of my 3 favorite bands

Windy City is a reggae band who are in the picture up top

Pia is a Nu-metalish/popish type band that i would've been absolutely crazy for in high school - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoowqIbkZK4&feature=PlayList&p=6C9EC2940C965AE1&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=78

and by far my favorite were Serengeti, who can did a pretty wicked cover of Sergio Mendes, but can only truly be appreciated through my new favorite song, Afro Afro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfKp9NsSUgM&feature=related

Well that's it for this post ... I'll try and rush another one in tonight .... could it be the elusive double post???

You stay classy Coquitlam / Seoul / Wherever you're reading from

Number 1 Reason I Need to Learn to Speak Korean

Hey, hopefully you weren't holding your breath ... I've been really busy lately. Actually that's a lie, i just haven't felt like updating.

I've had a lot of stuff i wanted to write about including the crazy stripper pole / pikachu costume karaoke bar that my friends and I have recently been frequenting, but that's just gonna hafta wait til next time ...

ALL MY FREAKING HAIR IS GONE !!!!!

i tried to really hard to explain, a certain length on top and then very short on the sides and back so i can wear my hair in the trademark spikes ive had since i was 11. He said ok, took the razor and just when i thought he was gonna get it right, buzzed the fucking thing through my whole head!

OK, I'm over it now. All part of life's adventure i guess. Good thing i have this freakin sweet Michaelangelo Hat. thanks Howi

Next time Gadget ...