A Place Called Home

See, my rolling stone days have been plentiful (if that word exists), moving from res to apartment to apartment during my varsity years. At my mother's house, I've had countless debates with my sisters about why I deserve to still have a room I can call my own in my mother's house. But I mean, I'm never home, so it's fair to say that none of the rooms should belong to me, exclusively.

'Papa was a rolling stone- wherever he laid his head, was his home...'

I'm papa. Well, almost. I'm half way across the world, for a whole year. I've never been further from home, but I've gotta make myself feel it if i plan on making it through this year without feeling that disease they call 'home sick'. Well, I figure if I make myself feel home here, the nostalgia or yearning for the town where cows and donkeys roam randomly in the suburban streets, will be somewhat minimal.

So... Welcome to my Korean abode.

Location

I'd call it the Hatfield of Daegu (my city). I'm a 2minute walk from the Kyungpook National University's north gate, which means bars, restaurants, small clothing stores, coffee shops (collectively, more than all the coffee shops in Pretoria, let alone Hatfield, I swear!), make up stores and more. All of these places are so close, I could possibly find myself shopping in my sleep, if I were the sleep-walking type. It's reeeeally close.

The apartment block

A newly-built, student-targeted place. Smart Leader, the name translates to. In Korean (or Konglish), the place is called Si-Ma-tha Li-duh (I kid you not!). Four floors high, with 4 apartments on each floor. It's really modern and cute, and kinda reminds me of the place I lived at in my second year of varsity.

Sih Mah Tih Lih Dih (Smart Leader) hahahahaha

Agent Keke, code accepted>>

I just enter a secret code to get into the block, and then get a robot voice welcome (I'm assuming). Walk up two flights of stairs.

Then I put in the code for my room (I don't ever have to worry about locking myself out).

Please don't stalk me now

Agent Keke>>> Enter

My Space

I take off my shoes as I enter. This is how the Koreans do it. Everywhere. It's apparently about not bringing the dirt from outside into the living space. When in Rome... Also, there's usually a storage place close to the door where you can keep your shoes. So my actual wardrobe has no shoes innit, coz that would mean I'm cheating and putting my shoes on inside the room. My shoe cupboard thing is a bright orange:)

My place is really small, but it's just right for me. Some of my friends have mansions! I can just visit them if I feel like having somersaulting space. My kitchen is cute. Two-plate stove tops are common in smaller apartments, and I never thought I'd be grateful for the year I lived in a flat that had a similar set up! At least then I had a microwave though. The cupboards are white and deep red with bring bring flower detail. How can I not smile, and feel like I'm living my teenage dream?

I'm a hazard to myself... Kettle wire stretching over the gas stove.

My wallpaper... It was seeing this that opened my eyes to the realisation that everything in Korean revolves around Cute. Cute if you're male, cute if you're female. Cute if you're 5 and cute if you're 35. My whole place has baby blue wallpaper with white cloud detail. Rather that than Hello Kitty wallpaper (it's possible in Korea!)

I had to get purple linen to match the wallpaper. And of course, I tried to calm it down with a grey pillow, but (welcome to Korea!) the scatter cushion thing HAD to have flowers and bring bring (bling bling). Shiiiine!

I love old-school, light wood of my desk and bookshelf. The chair is also super comfy. Beacuse of the Korean climate, it's normal to have air con and floor heating systems. So my place didn't miss out on the mandatory. That really came in handy coz it was freeeeeezing when I arrived. I didn't have to buy a blanket. I just used my comforter and kept the heating on overnight,

This isn't MTV Cribz, I can't pretend my place is always tidy. Sorry, mates!

"Wood' floors in the new apartment"

Inspiration for what to wear?!

I get a cute washing machine with the place too. The laundry room is literally behind my headboard. Really close, but that doesn't bother me, coz I'm never sleeping while I do the laundry.

Also used as my storage space. Efficient, aren't we!?

So, the wonder of all architecture, is the bathroom. Perfectly modern in every aspect, except the shower. It's what I like to call 'The After-Thought'. You know how, in the South African bath-tubs we have that little shower head thing with the flexi pipe for optional showering?? Well, it's just that. So imagine your bath-tub as my whole bathroom- lowered from the rest of the room, so the water doesn't mess. A drain in the corner, and anything else in the bathroom, getting a shower, whether or not it wishes so. I also use plastic slippers in the bathroom (hygiene, again). That might prevent my getting athletes foot from the non-athlete in me.

The Infamous After Thought

I've learned to love this shower of mine. Really. Just not when I'm fully clothed, wearing socks, and I realise I forgot something in he bathroom after I've taken a shower...

"I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself."
Maya Angelou

So there you have it, folks- more than just a peep into where all my dreams happen. Cloud 9 :)





Can you spell Angel in Korean?

It sucks that I've been here for two months, and I'm still writing about how I got here. Tisk Tisk. African time at its best, I tell ya. But I figure it's good I cover the basics, so we're on (somewhat) the same page when I type and you read.

After orientation, we each got onto a bus headed to a school in our district where we would be met and welcomed by our new partners in crime- our co-teachers.

So the bus ride there was nothing but a little nap, since we were out til the res doors closed for curfew the night before. You know when you're driving long distance, and you're fast asleep, but as soon as you feel the car slowing down, or stopping, you wake up?? Yeah. Exactly that. After some time on the highway, the first halt at a traffic light alerted my subconscious that we were probably nearing our destination. I drink what's left of my water, and say a prayer. After all the orientation lectures, I now knew the importance of the role my co-teacher would play in my life for the year, so my prayer now was quite specific: a young, spontaneous, but mature female; someone that I wouldn't be afraid to ask for help when and I needed it.

So we all, nervously, walk into this school's hall and there are a bunch of people holding up large papers with our names on them. Just like the airport scene in the movies. It takes me a while to spot the person holding my name up. Another back to front, left to right pan, and before I see my name, the clothing addict in me drools over this gorgeously lumo coat that some one's wearing. Then our eyes meet. A smile. She's holding my name. "Great! She has style- that's a good start!". I walk towards her, and we exchange a heart-felt, 'nice to meet you'.

Her name is Hye Min Lee. For the westerners (yes, I fall in there now) she goes by the name Jasmine. She is proof that God's angels are located everywhere we go, and anywhere we need them.

On the first day, Jasmine literally made it her duty to make me comfortable, without ever suggesting that I was being a burden. She took me to the school to meet the staff that were there preparing for the new school year (Vice Principals, admin staff and Head Teacher), drove me to the immigration office to register for my Alien Registration Card (ARC), showed me my spanking new place, took me to get all the things I'd need for the first week or two (that took us about 2 hours to do!) and still insisted that she'd pay and let me re-imburse her as soon as the school gave me my settlement allowance.

From the get-go, I could just sense that she's a genuinely good-hearted person. That she's get down on all fours top help me wipe my dusty floors, make my bed, take me out for food, and worry about my potential loneliness on night 1, really assured me that I had scored big here. Her kindness reminded me so much of my Mother. Just phenomenal.

2 months in, and Jasmine's goodness has not yet worn out. If anything, she's become my big sister, my little sister (sometimes), my mommy, my teacher, and my friend. I am so blessed.

For your info: With the programme I'm with, part of the deal is that you get a co-teacher. This is the person that is responsible for making sure you are comfortable in your new place, and this person is also the Korean teacher at your school and handles translation, discipline etc in the classroom. Most people's relationships with their co-teachers end when 16:30 comes. A here-and-there conversation to help you read this and that and just to check you're okay. This is all great already, which is why I'm so happy to have more than that in Jasmine.

The coat that got me! this is my Jasmine

...and we still get the work done.

We certainly don't leave play time to the kids alone either.

So can I spell Angel in Korean? Yes.

Jay. Ay. Es. Em. Eye. En. Ee.

Jasmine

A Smooth Bon Voyage. An Eventful Welcome

To formally bid me farewell, two of my friends organised a 'surprise' farewell picnic for me at the Pretoria National Botanical Garden. The surprise element was kinda my idea, hence the inverted commas. I mean, it would have been lame for me to organise my own, right? Hehehe. Despite the fact that I was fashionably late, the day was blissful- good people, laughter, family, friends lovely gifts. Within an hour of my late arrival, we were visited by a bit of rain, and a lot of hail. Some hinted that it was a sign I shouldn't be leaving, but I was more than sure that the showers were a sign of how blessed I was to be leaving.

Good contingency planning saved us from having to cut it short. We moved the picnic to a nearby, indoor lounge for a few drinks, and last chats and hugs before driving back to Jo'burg for the Hansa Legends Tour concert (we were, honestly, only there for N.E.R.D).

Friends from back home (Mafikeng) prepared me a lovely lunch that Sunday, and then I had to get packing. Mission! Once my mom and sister got their hands dirty for me, I had made more progress than I would have, had I packed on my own. Needless to say, I'd have been waaaaay over the 30kgs I was allowed. I mean, how on earth do you cut down your whole life (technically) to 30kgs?! I had to quickly kill the sentimental hoarder in me.



Who doesn't love gifts??





 

So I've checked that I have my ticket, my extra luggage allowance print-out, my passport, and what ever else I need. I'm driving there with my mom (my flight is just after lunch hour on a week day so my sisters can't do the dramatic bye bye for me. I don't mind though). Everything runs smoothly, and I only cry after my mom hugs me for the last time. Perhaps the reality sunk in a little.

At the boarding gate, I see all the other Bravehearts- some looking sad, others excited, and others somewhat unfazed. Not sure where I fall in. There were about 100 odd of us, all trying to find make a quick connection so we don't feel as alone as we all are. Almost felt like I was starting high school all over again.

The flight (with Singapore Airlines) was about 9 hours from O.R Tambo to Singapore's Changi Airport where we would connect to Incheon, South Korea. On the flight, I sat next to a lovely lady from Durban (Phumi). We chatted in between my sprouts of sleep. We were both headed to teach in the same city, so it was great to have met her so early in the trip.

Our boarding time for the next flight was a few minutes after landing, so we got our passports and tickets ready and in hand so it would be quick and easy. Quick and easy?? Anything but!

As we joined the boarding gate queue at the Changi Airport, I fiddle in my pockets, my documents' folder, my handbag and everywhere else, but I could not find my passport. My whole passport?? Lost so soon?? 'But I just had it!' I kept saying.

I didn't hesitate to drop my bags, and do the dramatic, Amazing Race-type sprint through the airport. Frantically, I waved at the lady on the other side of the (locked) glass door we had just walked through. She tries sign language, I tried miming, and of course it was a dismal attempt at a serious game of charades.

After running around looking for an information desk, i had to let the group leave me behind, because, of course, I can't leave without a passport.

At the Singapore Airlines helpdesk, I explained my dilemma through snot en trane, huffing and puffing, but all they could offer me was a seat to sit on and wait. After about 2 hours of trying to get hold of my family (who were about 7hours behind), crying like a lost child, considering the heartbreak I'd go through if they sent me back home, asking the info desk people to call the embassy, and just panic all 'round, the friendly guy at the info desk called me forward. Good news. The cleaners on the aircraft found a South African passport under one of the seat rows. Of course it was mine. At that moment, I realised how brave I had been in the first place to do this Korea thing, and how blessed I was to have found the passport.

15, long hours' wait for the next flight to Incheon, South Korea, and the doubt and gratitude were still playing ping pong in my head. 'Don't be silly, Keke, you're not going back home now!' I had to keep telling myself. 5 hours' flight, and I was finally in Korea.

After a few more hours via bus and cab, I finally reached the orientation venue in Busan (east coast). I dropped my bags, signed in, and went straight into lectures. Of course, a warm welcome from the South Africans who left me behind in Singapore.

Orientation

 



Picture by John Tran



This year's EPIK (English Programme In Korea) orientation was divided into two groups, a couple of hundreds having orientation higher up north of South Korea, and the rest of us at the Pukyong National University on the south-east coast.

It was like real varsity orientation- booklets, programmes, nights out and even a curfew.

We had lectures everyday of the 9, even on a Sunday, but the evenings were free, and of course, most people had to go buck wild, Korean style. Perhaps drunkenness is the only way youngsters know how to enjoy themselves.

I met all sortsa people from Australia, the U.S., New Zealand, Ireland, Wales, England and Canada. Of course the cocktail of accents had me really excited. Those who don't know- I love accents (not so much the American one though-sorry).



The orientation was a great start and opportunity for us to get to know people who would be our friends and family for the year.



The 20th floor ladies





Linda Choe- My roomy during orientation



  



Opening Ceremony (which I missed). Picture courtesy of Linda Choe

Another courtesy of Linda Choe



Exploring the City

How On Earth Did I Get Here?

I was about to start going off about all sorts, when I realised that it's be a good start to let you know why I'm here in the first place, and why I got here.

So, I think it was 2 years ago when the idea of teaching English abroad first appealed to me. It had always been something I heard about in passing, but never paid it much mind. But one fine Saturday afternoon, late 2009, I was at work, helping a customer who was doing the last of her shopping before leaving for South Korea that day. We got to talking about what exactly this teaching English thing entailed, and by the end of that conversation, a little seed had been firmly planted in my curious head.

During the confusion and stress of applying to get into the BCom (Honours) Marketing Management programme of 2010 (how dramatic did I make that sound?!), I started picturing myself doing this job I'd heard about, but my curiosity was never strong enough to push me to applying. i got accepted to do my Honours, so I wasn't rushing it just yet.

Evey time I was bored of Facebooking at the 'China Man' I'd gather what information I could about this programme. By June of last year, I was certain that teaching English in South Korea is what I would do after my varsity career. Apart from the few people who are just keen for any international adventure, most of my friends were rather confused about the idea. Why, after 4 years of studying Marketing, would I want to go and become a teacher??

In all honesty, i had no real profound reason for wanting to do this, but in my heart, I just had this certainty about it. The fact that I'd be away from home for a year, in a new continent, where no one speaks my language (and probably never even seen a black person before), where I know not a single soul- none of that was enough to talk me out of doing it. Of course, getting my Mom on the same wavelength was a challenge on its own! I managed to bring the idea up in every conversation we had, and I think after all my hinting, she realised that her little 21 year old was serious about packing her bags and trying something new all on her own.

One August evening, as I was walking into my lecture, a bright red poster, with very little writing, and a large picture of a pretty Korean lady boasting her traditional gear, caught my eye. Of course, I noticed it because the seed had already been planted, but also because the year was coming to an end sooner than I had realised. I hadn't starting applying for this job I'd been speaking about all year, and I felt bad that I'd left it for this late. So when my friend and classmate stole, neatly folded, and presented me the poster in the form of a letter, I had no choice but to start applying.

TeachKorea (http://www.teachkorea.co.za/) was the name of the agency that advertised their free service on the poster. After a few phone calls and e-mails to their Cape Town office, I was 1 step closer to this Korean dream. That was of course a little bit scary, but I didn't ever think twice about it.

The basic stuff (amongst others) I had to have in order to qualify:

- a degree
- a TEFL/TESOL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language/ Teaching English to Speakers of Other   Languages) certificate with a minimum of 100 hours for the course
- be from one of the native English speaking countries (England, U.S.A, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, South Africa)

The agency's website had an excellent breakdown of the whole application process so I just made use of their step-by-step guide to get my application done.

By September 30th, 2010, I had posted my application. I had taken full responsibility for my application so it felt like a mission. Mom wasn't gonna be the hand that led me to apply for the job she was hoping I'd change my mind about.

From then on, the stress of getting my thesis done, writing exams and the end of my varsity career, was at its peak. When I realised that I had put all my thoughts into working in Korea, it killed me to think that I might have to re-think things and consider the possibility of going job hunting like the rest of my peers. I was so mentally set on this Korea thing that I didn't even look at graduate programme applications. In my mind, 2011 was Keke-in-Korea year. I think that's also what got me here.

I waited for the e-mail that confirmed my interview slot for just over 2 months. I think I must have been such a nuisance, calling, e-mailing, asking, confirming. I really wanted this job.

My interview finally came (07:30 South African time) Monday 6th December. I stayed over at a friend's place, since she had a land line the Korean people would call me on for my interview. Needless to say, 2 months' waiting had me almost giving up, so now I was super nervous 'cause I was another step closer. The lady on the other end threw me off with her American accent (I expected to have to repeat myself over and over again to someone whose English would be very basic), but it was a pleasant surprise.

The interview results would come out 2-5 working days after the interview, so I had expected that my waiting misery would end on Friday. But, nothing came. I considered calling to find out what was up but then I thought I'd seem desperate (which I actually was), so I didn't. Just after midday, 7 days after the interview, my caller I.D showed 'TeachKorea Calling...". I guess the suspense is ineffective since I'm here already, so you know I got the job. But I have to tell you how excited I was! I had been praying for that day for months! So I was over-joyed.

From then on, I had to rush getting sorted out since the next group was scheduled to leave mid February 2011.

Squatting at my sister's place from mid-December after moving out of Pretoria, I used her apartment as my office, my storage, my camp, my everything. Bless her for being kind enough to take in her very annoying sister (love you, Mpeo)! I had to register for the TEFL course, apply for my visa, gather the funds needed for my flight etc, and pretty much let it sink in the fact that I was about to leave everything I know, for a year!

So I spent a lot of time doing more research about what I was about to face by reading blogs, checking videos online and asking experienced people for advice. I really tried to find out as much as possible on what it was like being a person of colour (eish, euphemism can be so boring sometimes! You know I mean Black) living and working in Korea.

In January, I did my 4 week, intensive TEFL course with English Access  in Bordeaux, Randburg (http://www.englishaccess.co.za/). The school is really close to my sister's place, so that helped, since I don't have a car of my own. Of course, that meant she would be my 'school bus' (thanks again, Sissy). I think it annoyed her that I was too scared, or spoilt, as she put it, to catch a taxi. Blame Mommy! ^^, The course was great fun, and I learned a lot. It's crazy how little we know about the rules of English, and why we speak the way we do. How do you explain to someone the reason for 'win' being 'won' in the past tense, and what the difference is between can, may, and should.?! Shannon (our course teacher) did a great job at making the learning a fun and interesting experience.

On Saturdays, during the course, we helped the school with their 'community service' lessons. The school's Sandton branch offers free English classes to people who cannot afford to pay for private lessons. So it was mostly the domestic workers from the surrounding suburbs. I was really nervous about it at first. Perhaps because I assumed that the pride of an older Black woman, would get in the way of letting a little 'Model C' teach her something new. But it was the complete opposite. The ladies were so kind, and really just inspired to see this young person doing something so rare. It really made teaching them, a pleasant experience. They were just open to learning, and not afraid to ask questions and make mistakes. Some could barely hold a pencil properly. It was then that I realised how important education is- that was I committed myself to is more than just a way of making good money, and seeing cute Asian kids all day. It gave me a new respect for teachers in South Africa, especially. I'll stop there about my thoughts on education for now.

I finished my course 4 days before my departure, so my goodbyes, packing, and general preparation were quite rushed and tight.

I struggle with organising my train of thought, so now I'm not sure where I was going with this. Well, the real adventure story begins on my departure date, so I'll save that for the next session.

Okay

Bye for now

Coming Out from Under the ROK

Having been in Daegu, in the Republic of South Korea (a.k.a. the R.O.K.) for about a month now, I already have so much (the fun, the strange, the annoying, the inspiring) I'd like to share with anyone who'd care to listen, but more especially with my South African people. Well, just because 'modern' South African lifestyles and cultural norms are my only real frame of reference.

The people, the places, the food, fashion, coffee shops, the culture and all the other random things I see and experience during my stay here, are some of what I wanna share on this blog. I'm neither a professional writer, nor a fashion police officer. Neither a food critic nor an anthropologist. So all the things I post here are not from an expert of any sort, just the thoughts of a little South African girl trying to take on a new adventure and take in a completely new way of life.

Oh, I'm also a complete novice to this blogging thing, so if you start feeling like you're reading my diary, or a book, or a magazine, or a tourism brochure- please forgive me! Although, that's pretty much what blogging is, I think? Well, it's my blog so what I say goes ^^,

See, being a procrastinator is not something that just disappears overnight, and already having put off starting this blog for (what feels like) too long, I know that keeping this blog current will be one hellova commitment and a challenge for me. So here's to hours of typing away, saying all the things I feel I should say, and maybe keeping this terrible poetic talk at bay. I suck at it.

I'm overwhelmed already, so that's about all my nerves can take for the Day 1.