Wazzzzzzuuuuuuup!!!

     In South Korea, shyness is abundant among its natives (especially when it comes to trying to use English). Below is one of my attempts to break the ice with students and help rid their shyness. They attempted to copy "wazzzuuup" from the Budweiser commercial I used in my American Slang lesson. Although some were still too shy, I'm glad that I got the majority. A few were even excited to volunteer. After many takes, I was able to film the video below:

My Class

Original Budweiser Commercial

Teaching In South Korea: Spongebob Bomb Game Review

     This is a video of me reviewing the descriptions of appearances and American slang with my 1-6 class (Grade 7 in the American system). It was hard not to take sides, and to give out answers (it wasn't fun of course when they got the questions wrong). Still, the students really got into the game! It was a lot of fun for both the students and I!
 

Bijin Island (Bijindo)

     Last Saturday, June 16, 2012, I head to Bijin Island to spend time with friends for my friend Melisa Joy's birthday. It is one the many islands that surround inner city Tongyeong. It has one main beach, a hiking trail, and minbak (Like a hotel, but you sleep on the floor.) for guest to rent. It is an hour or so away from inner city Tongyeong, so it makes an easy day trip for those living in the city. While there, we all chatted away, some got in a swim, and others played beach soccer. It was good to just get away and relax. We all brought over food (to cook) and drinks to have a nice dinner on the beach. Many photos were taken, including group shots and jump shots for the boys and for the girls respectively. When the sun went down, we sat around a sand-dug fire pit and listened to creepy stories by birthday girl Melisa and a funny Environmentalism story by Dan McCarren. All in all, it was a good time. Below I have some pictures that I took and that I snagged from others (my batteries died on me):

Group Shot:

Girls Jump Shot:

Boys Jump Shot 1:

Boys Jump Shot 2:

Mid-Day:

Sunset:

Tongyeong Tour: Mireuk Mountain

     Although it is a small mountain located in Mireuk-do (island), at the southwestern end of Tongyeong-si, it is well known to Buddhists as the base of Mireuk religion. Due to this reason, there are numerous temples (sa=temple) of various sizes such as Yonghwa-sa (Temple), Gwaneum-sa (Temple), Dosoram (Temple), and Mirae-sa (Temple). Also, the top of this mountain called Imhaebong (Peak) is also known for its historic worth as the beacon mound which was installed to protect the southern area. Upon the top, large and small islands(island=do) such as Bijin-do (Island), Geoje-do (Island), Hansan-do (Island), Chilcheon-do (Island) come into view decorating Halleosudo like jewels. Below I have pictures that I took while visiting the mountain.

Entrance:

Poster for Tongyeong Events (such as Triathlon and Music Festival):

View from Back of Cable Car:

Islands surrounding the city:

Remote Area:

Front of Monument:

 Cities West and South of Tongyeong:

 Back of Monument:

 Cities East and North of Tongyeong:

Islands surrounding the city:

Inner City Tongyeong:

Tongyeong Tour: Ottchil Art Museum

     On Wednesday, June 12th, I went on a tour of my city with my co-teacher, and other foreign teachers and co-teachers. The tour guide informed us that a lot of famous Korean Artist came from my city. We then visited the Ottchil Art Museum. The meaning of Ottchil is East Asian Lacquer painting. When an Ottchil Tree is split, its sap oozes from the wound. That sap is the base for Ottchil paint. That base can be refined into Ottchil of different colors and qualities (such as translucency). The gallery has its own website here: http://ottchil.org/index_01.html Below, I have pictures that I took at the museum.