 |
Things have come so far.
These days I spend my free time the Korean way,
with friends.
And that usually means lunch
with Jennifer and Sue.
We begin. This time by choice, not timing or circumstance.
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Missing The Important Parts
My sister Rebeqa is getting married
and I'm not there.
and I'm not there.
As can be expected,
I'm a little devastated.
As sad as I am,
I can also look back on our lives
and I know I was there
when she needed me most.
And I know that our relationship
is wider and deeper
than this ocean that separates us.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Ratings Always Ruin The Best Shows
This blog is not supposed to be useful.
It's with great hesitation
that I include useful information.
Like many long running dramas,
popularity often dilutes the storyline
as viewers opinions become more and more
influential in determining the plot.
It would be grand
if I never knew the ratings.
If I could just write
and think
and have opinions
and pretend that no one ever saw them.
However, that's not really how blogging platforms work.
Every time I log in, there it is.
A graph that declares the winners and losers
and it compels me to be helpful.
Like the devil on my shoulder,
it tells me to add links
and maps
and accurate information
because people are searching
and needing
and requiring.
But really, I just write this for myself
and the others in this drams.
So that we can remember
the best episodes
once our time together
has gone off the air.
None of this is meant to be anything beyond
the memory of my Drama.
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Become A Korean Vocabulary Rockstar
I'm just not the person
who sits down and studies vocabulary.
Making flashcards and writing repetition
is lame.
Which is why
Which is why
www.memrise.com
has single handedly saved my ass!
The process is simple.
First you plant
(Learn and practice)
has single handedly saved my ass!
The process is simple.
First you plant
(Learn and practice)
Then you water.
(Review)
Words you know well
don't get watered very often.
Words you are terrible at
get watered all the time.
(Review)
Words you know well
don't get watered very often.
Words you are terrible at
get watered all the time.
Memrise takes care of remembering
what you know and what you don't know.
You just keep practicing until you are awesome.
The program has already developed lists such as:
Click here for KIIP Beginner 2 Vocabulary practice:
Or you can develop your own.
It's cloud based so the sky is the limit.
Go on now,
get your vocabulary on.
www.memrise.com
The site can be used on your computer,
or there is a handphone app.
Where are the Western people?
The KIIP program is awesome,
at least it is in Osan where I study on Sundays.
I love the instructor,
the lessons are excellent,
and the schedule is perfect for a person with a job.
My only question is this,
"Where are all the Western people?"
In fact, since I first showed up for my KIIP exam
I've been asking this question.
The KIIP is a completely FREE
language and culture program
with classes across the country
designed for migrants with work schedules.
Yes, that's right
FREE EDUCATION
just because you are a foreigner!
However, based on what I read on posts and threads,
and the fact I have not yet met
a native English speaker in the program,
it seems the vast majority of Westerners are
too cool for free education.
Yes, it took me a little while to get here as well,
but I'm hoping I can make it easier
for others to take this leap.
These classes aren't just for folks looking for their F-2,
they're an amazing opportunity
to learn about the world.
They help you feel part of something bigger.
You meet expats from so may places,
doing all kinds of things.
Taking the KIIP classes
has given me a far deeper appreciation
for my life in the opportunities I've been given.
It has given me perspective and opened my eyes
to the depth of the expat community here,
which runs far deeper
than a few transient, English teachers.
This is one of those amazing,
once in a lifetime opportunities,
and I'm so thankful I didn't let it pass.
Yes, you might be the only
white person
black person
tall person
blonde person
young person
old person
English person
Canadian person
US person
Australian person
that shows up for class.
Yes, you might not be able
to get really drunk for a while
because you need to get up in the morning.
Yes, it might be scary to take the first exam.
Yes, you might do terrible on it
because you don't know Korean.
Yes, it's going to be scary.
Yes, it's totally worth.
OTHER KIIP ENTRIES:
OTHER KIIP POSTS
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)