Couple Ts and Missile Madness
Well I must say that there hasn’t been a ton of excitement around these parts as of late. Fourth of July weekend was spent moving Sam into his new (third) home in Korea. Unpacking boxes and sifting through papers doesn’t make for a riveting blog. I unfolded and put his sweaters on the bottom shelf of his closet, since he won’t be using them for a few months. See? Not interesting. We did return to Seoul and attempt to find La Casa Loca, a Mexican restaurant in Apgujeong I’d cut out an article about, but it has closed or our hour of walking was in vein. And if you know anyone from California who is as passionate about his Mexican food, this could be quite an upsetting event.
I have saved a cultural tidbit for a time when activities about which to write might be low. And here we are! I’ve mentioned before how shameless Korean men are about wearing pastels or frills that many (southern) American men would call “gay” or “girly” or something of the sort. Well I’ve noticed since the beginning of my time here that many couples have matching rings (worn on their right hand—DeBeers’ Marketing would probably be displeased as their “Women of the world, Raise your right hand!” campaign encourages women to wear diamonds they purchase opposite diamonds purchased by another in order to display their independence. I must say, I think it’s a great and fun idea, and a thought for someone who plans to kick off a career soon and wants to make a somewhat silly purchase for this type of thing) as well as jackets and this weekend I even saw matching belts! The most common, though, is “Couple T’s” worn by the duo and advertising their connection. They don’t necessarily have a lovey dovey message, they’re just the same exact shirt, color, or message. The color can be, as you may guess, anything! Baby pink to black-- I've seen it all. It’s like a regular Sadie Hawkins dance! I jokingly suggested to Sam that we sport the T-shirts we have (not bought for this purpose) so we can really feel Korean.
I’ve received several emails as of late from friends who have been busy but took the time to check in and make sure that I’m not swatting missiles down. Certainly, the antics of our northern neighbors are worthy of our attention, but Kim Jong-Il bearing a striking resemblance to an unhappy toddler (both in appearance and behavior) doesn’t have me overly concerned. Maybe he's upset because he has no one to wear the match to his couple T. What is interesting, I think, is how well my elementary students understand the issue. A class this week asked me why they spend money on missiles and military instead of food. A valid point for any 10-year-old mind. Koreans are taught how to regurgitate and, in my experience, have often been stumped when asked to think on their own two feet. This doesn’t mean they’re dumb or slow or behind, it’s just what they’ve (not) been taught. So I take opportunities like these missile launches to prompt the kids to think more about the “why” and “how” rather than the “what” and they’ve responded beautifully! Besides, it’s an interesting opening to class.
I plan on being out of Seoul this weekend, but maybe there will be some noteworthy excitement down south where I’m heading. There have been protests, marches, burnings, calls for removal of Kim Jong-Il in Seoul since the launches earlier this week. Additonal excitement is noted in the following email I received from the USEmbassy here:
Embassy of the United States of America
Seoul, Korea
American Citizen Services
Consular Section
The U.S. Embassy in Seoul is transmitting the following information through the Embassy's warden system as a public service to all U.S. citizens in the Republic of Korea. Please disseminate this message to U.S. citizens in your organizations.
Korean police authorities advised the U.S. Embassy in Seoul that a series of large-scale anti-Free Trade Agreement (FTA) protests will occur in downtown Seoul, Monday through Friday, July 10-14, 2006.
Monday – Friday, July 10-14, several hundred people are expected in front of Donghwa Duty Free building two blocks south of the U.S. Embassy.
Additionally the police expect a large gathering around Shilla Hotel, where the talks will take place.
On Wednesday, July 12, in front of City Hall at 4:00 p.m., up to 20,000 participants are expected to protest against the FTA.
Traffic may be congested in these areas during the times indicated above. The Embassy advises American citizens and their family members to plan their travel accordingly.
Additional gatherings may occur during the week as the FTA talks continue.
Political, labor, and student demonstrations and marches have on occasion become confrontational and/or violent. American citizens should exercise caution and avoid gatherings of large groups in order to minimize risk to their personal safety. Streets may also close without warning on orders of the local police. American citizens are advised to expect heavy traffic delays.
Please report any suspicious incidents or surveillance immediately to the Embassy (tel: 02-397-4000 (24 hours); fax: 02-397-4101; or e-mail: seoul_acs@state.gov).
The Embassy encourages all American citizens to read and follow the suggestions in the world wide public announcement issued by the Department of State on June 6, 2006. See http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html or http://travel.state.gov/.
The U.S. Embassy in Seoul will continue to keep the U.S. community informed of any changes in the overall security situation. Notices concerning security matters will also be broadcast on AFNK television and radio. The Embassy encourages all U.S. citizens to register their presence in Korea with the American Citizens Services office at the U.S. Embassy or via the Internet at http://travel.state.gov/travel/abroad_registration.html or http://www.asktheconsul.org/.
For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
American Citizen Services
U.S. Embassy Seoul
32, Sejongno, Jongno-gu
Seoul 110-710, Korea
Tel: 82-2-397-4114
Fax: 82-2-397-4101DSN: 721-4114
http://www.asktheconsul.org/ (English)
http://www.usavisas.org/ (Korean)
e-mail: seoul_acs@state.gov
This warden message expires on July 15, 2006.
Copyright 2006 Olivia R. Reed
I have saved a cultural tidbit for a time when activities about which to write might be low. And here we are! I’ve mentioned before how shameless Korean men are about wearing pastels or frills that many (southern) American men would call “gay” or “girly” or something of the sort. Well I’ve noticed since the beginning of my time here that many couples have matching rings (worn on their right hand—DeBeers’ Marketing would probably be displeased as their “Women of the world, Raise your right hand!” campaign encourages women to wear diamonds they purchase opposite diamonds purchased by another in order to display their independence. I must say, I think it’s a great and fun idea, and a thought for someone who plans to kick off a career soon and wants to make a somewhat silly purchase for this type of thing) as well as jackets and this weekend I even saw matching belts! The most common, though, is “Couple T’s” worn by the duo and advertising their connection. They don’t necessarily have a lovey dovey message, they’re just the same exact shirt, color, or message. The color can be, as you may guess, anything! Baby pink to black-- I've seen it all. It’s like a regular Sadie Hawkins dance! I jokingly suggested to Sam that we sport the T-shirts we have (not bought for this purpose) so we can really feel Korean.
I’ve received several emails as of late from friends who have been busy but took the time to check in and make sure that I’m not swatting missiles down. Certainly, the antics of our northern neighbors are worthy of our attention, but Kim Jong-Il bearing a striking resemblance to an unhappy toddler (both in appearance and behavior) doesn’t have me overly concerned. Maybe he's upset because he has no one to wear the match to his couple T. What is interesting, I think, is how well my elementary students understand the issue. A class this week asked me why they spend money on missiles and military instead of food. A valid point for any 10-year-old mind. Koreans are taught how to regurgitate and, in my experience, have often been stumped when asked to think on their own two feet. This doesn’t mean they’re dumb or slow or behind, it’s just what they’ve (not) been taught. So I take opportunities like these missile launches to prompt the kids to think more about the “why” and “how” rather than the “what” and they’ve responded beautifully! Besides, it’s an interesting opening to class.
I plan on being out of Seoul this weekend, but maybe there will be some noteworthy excitement down south where I’m heading. There have been protests, marches, burnings, calls for removal of Kim Jong-Il in Seoul since the launches earlier this week. Additonal excitement is noted in the following email I received from the USEmbassy here:
Embassy of the United States of America
Seoul, Korea
American Citizen Services
Consular Section
The U.S. Embassy in Seoul is transmitting the following information through the Embassy's warden system as a public service to all U.S. citizens in the Republic of Korea. Please disseminate this message to U.S. citizens in your organizations.
Korean police authorities advised the U.S. Embassy in Seoul that a series of large-scale anti-Free Trade Agreement (FTA) protests will occur in downtown Seoul, Monday through Friday, July 10-14, 2006.
Monday – Friday, July 10-14, several hundred people are expected in front of Donghwa Duty Free building two blocks south of the U.S. Embassy.
Additionally the police expect a large gathering around Shilla Hotel, where the talks will take place.
On Wednesday, July 12, in front of City Hall at 4:00 p.m., up to 20,000 participants are expected to protest against the FTA.
Traffic may be congested in these areas during the times indicated above. The Embassy advises American citizens and their family members to plan their travel accordingly.
Additional gatherings may occur during the week as the FTA talks continue.
Political, labor, and student demonstrations and marches have on occasion become confrontational and/or violent. American citizens should exercise caution and avoid gatherings of large groups in order to minimize risk to their personal safety. Streets may also close without warning on orders of the local police. American citizens are advised to expect heavy traffic delays.
Please report any suspicious incidents or surveillance immediately to the Embassy (tel: 02-397-4000 (24 hours); fax: 02-397-4101; or e-mail: seoul_acs@state.gov).
The Embassy encourages all American citizens to read and follow the suggestions in the world wide public announcement issued by the Department of State on June 6, 2006. See http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html or http://travel.state.gov/.
The U.S. Embassy in Seoul will continue to keep the U.S. community informed of any changes in the overall security situation. Notices concerning security matters will also be broadcast on AFNK television and radio. The Embassy encourages all U.S. citizens to register their presence in Korea with the American Citizens Services office at the U.S. Embassy or via the Internet at http://travel.state.gov/travel/abroad_registration.html or http://www.asktheconsul.org/.
For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
American Citizen Services
U.S. Embassy Seoul
32, Sejongno, Jongno-gu
Seoul 110-710, Korea
Tel: 82-2-397-4114
Fax: 82-2-397-4101DSN: 721-4114
http://www.asktheconsul.org/ (English)
http://www.usavisas.org/ (Korean)
e-mail: seoul_acs@state.gov
This warden message expires on July 15, 2006.
Copyright 2006 Olivia R. Reed
posted by LSULiv | 2:42 PM
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