Hey all,
I know its been a minute since I updated the blog. I guess these past few weeks have just been ordinary, nothing major to share. However this weekend I'm heading off to fly a plane and do some kayaking -- and I'll be ready to share those pictures and my experience as soon as I get back.
I'm back at school now and the kids are cool. Its seem like a lot of them spent the summer break studying at English camps, or the last semester paid off. I not sure which it is just yet.
My work load has been increase and I'm now teaching grades 1 - 6. It amazes me how first and second graders have a grasp of the English language and speak with almost a native child's ability whereas their third and fourth grade counterparts, have major difficulties forming simple sentences or saying the word banana.
Imagine that, and there's like what, a 2 year age difference if that! I don't know if it just me but I think young a child is the more intelligent he or she will be, maybe there's something in the new baby formulas.
Anywho, the Korean wedding this weekend; well the reception because we missed the wedding, due to traffic jams in Seoul.
It was nothing like I imagine it would be. TV and movies overly romanticize ceremonies throughout the world's cultures. I had an idea set in my mind of large banquet tables overflowing with foods and flowers, people dressed in their best traditional garb, music from tinny traditional instruments and a display that would leave me spellbound and mesmerized. Instead there was an adequate yet tasty buffet, an announcement of the newlywed couple, a symbolic cake cutting which included fireworks and a sword and plenty of bows and smiles from the new couple.
The wedding party then disappeared and I later found out that in Korean culture the newlywed's greets family and close friends and then they go away to have a private feast with even closer friends and relatives. Its also rumored that Korean sometimes pay guest to attend their wedding and deliver their wedding day speeches, however I don't think it was the case at this particular wedding because I later consulted with my co-teacher ('a Korean cultural authority') and she insisted that from what I described this wedding was small compare to normal standards and that I quote "wouldn't happen there".
I must admit I was a little let down but I'm quite happy for the new couple and I wish them fruitfulness and happiness. The company I traveled to the wedding with made up for what the wedding lacked. And so I left pleased.
Another inside look into Korean culture -- done!
Until next time.
Peace n luve
Derek
p.s. i'm studying Korean. how's it going you ask. It's going... blaaahahaha!
It is fun to see other cultures ways of doing traditional events. I'm sorry it wasn't a "big" one.
ReplyDeleteI remember when we taught English in Japan they were so confused with the word "the" and when/how to use it etc. It is funny how you think about English so much more when you have to teach it to someone else.
Hang in there with Korean!