Heeey, Japan!

Hello! Hope you all had a wonderful week! It's Superbowl weekend and I won't pretend to care. Although, I love the food and beverages that are consumed AND puppy bowl is pretty fabulous.

I survived Japan and had a great time! It was a very exhausting trip! We walked all day, everyday! It was great! :) The weather was pretty great- in the high 40's! It was one of the those vacations where you need a vacation from your vacation! ha. Which explains why I called this weekend "Megan's Timeout Weekend". I spent Saturday doing... nothing. I watched movies ALL day.

Kyoto- We spent maybe 8 hours in Kyoto, so I feel like I didn't get to see much there. We spent our time in Gion. This is where geishas began and continue to work today. In Kyoto, they are known as geikos. Most people think that geishas wear the white face makeup. However, they are called Maikos and are a geisha's apprentice.
Here are some pictures of the Maikos that I saw on the streets of Gion. We got very lucky and happened to come across the area where there is a large population of them. There was a crowd of people and camera crews waiting to spot a geisha or maiko. It took us 15 minutes to figure out what everyone was waiting for. It was funny because all the foreigners that we saw/met were asking each other what was going on.





We took an overnight bus to Tokyo that evening and arrived in there at 8 AM. Thank you tylenol pm. We arrived at the bus station and that was were the beginning of when our almost constant confusion began. The subway system is not English/ foreigner friendly. However, the Japanese people were SO kind. People would do their best to try and help us. It is confusing because there is a government owned subway and a private owned subway. Many times, you need to use both to get somewhere, which requires you to get out of one subway and find the other. Each time you get on the subway, you need to buy a new ticket and know exactly how much your trip will cost. CONFUSING. We opted for the unlimited day pass to lessen our confusion.

The Japanese people were very nice and helpful. They tried so hard to help us, but many times the language barrier was too hard to break. Most of the people we came across did not speak any english or only knew a few words. I was surprised by this and thought many Japanese would speak better english than Koreans. Luckily, all of the signs were in English as well, so we had to figure it out on our own. For example, we were lost on the way back to our hostel. The subway closed and we were one stop away from our destination, but we weren't sure how far away we were. We got in a cab (which the fee started at around $8) and spent 2 minutes trying to tell our cab where we needed to go. We drove a block and realized we were at our hostel. ha.

So, Tokyo. It is a HUGE city (around 33 million) and very clean. Every little area was very different and had something to offer. I was expecting Tokyo to be like all the movies I've seen that took place there- more recently, Lost In Translation (good movie). Yes, there were a few areas that were overwhelming with people and lights, but the majority of Tokyo was nothing like that. I was your average city- but bigger and had amazing architecture.


You know, just hanging out with a sumo wrestler on the subway. Just your average day.


They loved dressing their fur balls up and treating them like children. Some like to push them around in strollers. lame.








One of my favorite things about Tokyo was the style. They had CRAZY style. It was like they all tried to put together the absolute craziest outfits possible- everyday. They would put any and all crazy patterns together or have some sort of theme. Similar to the Korean women, all of the women were very dressed up- skirts/dresses. They also dyed their hair crazy colors and used about a gallon of hairspray. It was like punk rocker meets the 80's. Fabulous.



My hero. She is a grandmother! None of you can ever say that you are too old to wear something.



Yes, they are completely serious. haha
.
Also, we went to the famous fish market. Surprisingly, it did not really have a strong fishy smell. The fresher the fish, the less of the fish stank. It was SO chaotic and you had to be very aware of everything that was around you. People were hauling fish by hand or by machine. There were quite a few foreigners there and some of the workers were not so happy about it. They had just reopened the market to foreigners just a few weeks before we arrived. Apparently, they had some unruly/idiot foreigners who licked some fish and put it on Youtube. Barf. Why would you do that? I saw sea creatures that I had never seen before. Some that I see far too often (squid) and more blood than I ever want to see again. I hope this doesn't make anyone sick.









The best part of the market experience. I had sushi at 9 am, right outside of the market. Best. Sushi. Ever. That was the theme of the trip. I had sushi for almost every meal. One day, I had sushi 4 different times. They had these awesome little restaurants that had sushi on a conveyer belt. It was heaven. I just grabbed whatever I wanted - no waiting.



We went to a cool little temple. They had some traditional superstitious practices there. Burning of incense and people would fan the fumes all over themselves- not sure why, but maybe they forgot their deotorant? Sorry, that wasn't nice. Also, they had their form of holy water- they drank it and washed their hands and/or faces with it. Also, they had this area where you could see your fortune. Usually, I am not into that, but I thought that I had to do it being I was there. You had to pay about $1. Then you shook this metal box and a chopstick (how cliche') came out. The chopstick had a word or letters on it- you had to find the same lettering on a drawer. Then, you grab your fortune that is written on a piece of paper. I was really excited to read it. I thought it was fun... until i read mine. I think I got the worst fortune out of all. Basically, I have nothing but sorrow and pain to look forward to. Please remember my blond hair, because soon it will be gray from all the stress and hardships I will go through. Puhlease. My life may not be perfect, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't change a thing.









So, our last evening in Tokyo turned out to be a little different than we expected. We were going to catch our bus called "the midnight bus". Well, Brittney booked it last minute, the night before we left. She didn't write down the time of departure, but we assumed it would be the same time as the other bus. We should have double checked the time. We were wrong. We missed the bus that we HAD to take to make our flight the next morning in Osaka. After 30 min or so of trying to talk to the workers in the station and see what our options were, we decided to take the high speed train the next morning. We chose the bus in the first place to avoid the expensive train. We knew we would get on, but didn't know what to do in the mean time. The station was closing and we had 3 hours to kill before it would reopen at 4 am. Out of desperation, we remembered there was a small changing room in the downstair bathroom- carpeted floor. We thought we could hide in there. We tried and got caught. ha. We got escorted out of the station. ha. So, we left, obviously. There was NOTHING around the station. You would think that there would be atleast a bar, but no. The subway was closed and the cabs were impossible. We decided we were going to find a place to sleep outside, being the only hotel around was the Ritz Carleton, no thank you. We found a few good spots, only to get closer and realize they were already taken. Seriously. We were competing with the homeless to find a spot to sleep. Long story, short- we found a spot, but got cold. We gave in and went to Fedex to surf the web for 2 hours. I slept at the desk. Got on the train the next morning and made our flight. Craziness.

This is how happy we were with sleeping outside.



Yes, it was an eventful trip. I'm am so thankful to have a place that I can call home- a bed to sleep in and blankets. Fedex will hold a special place in my heart for at least a few months.

Japan was awesome- very beautiful. I can't wait to go back and see the southern half- Hiroshima and the smaller islands. I would also like to spend some more time in Kyoto. There is so much more to see there.

xoxox

ps. I will always double check departure times. Lesson learned.

Happy Birthday/Belated Birthday to MINDY and BRIANNA! I love you!

yeeehhhaaaa!

Why, hello there. I am finally coming back to life after 4 shots in the tush. Yes, FOUR shots. I have a huge bruise and it is very sore, but I am getting better! Yahhhoooo. This week has been fairly interesting. I started a new tutoring job for adult men at this cement company. The pay is pretty great, but it is at the butt crack of dawn Tues-Fri. I have to get on the subway at 7 am! Ahhh. Ok, so many of you get up at that time already, but that is extremely early for me. I am excited to get a new perspective on Seoul through the eyes of adults. I only hear what kids think, so it should be interesting.

This is what I have learned so far...

- Samsung is the most popular electronics brand here- It is a Korean based company. It is one of the only cellphone brands here.
- Their cellphones have a dice game on their high tech phones. You actually shake the phone and it rolls the dice in the game. It is a popular drinking game for men. If you lose, you have to take a shot. Drinking is not really an option at business meetings. It is part of the culture and you have to partake in it if you want to succeed in your company.
- It is ok to tell the teacher (me) that they are sorry for leaving class many times due to their "hungover state" and the need to visit the bathroom.
- One of the guys said that he has tried to change his wife- he wants her to have the same values, views, and behaviors. He said that it has been a "lost cause" because she is not changing the way he wants her to. I tried not to laugh when he told me that. DUH! Maybe he needs another wife or a clone of himself.
- Most families are only having one child these days. Believe me, I can tell which students are an only child. They are the ones who whine and cry when they don't get their way. Spoiled little munchkins.
- Most girls don't play any sports. The men couldn't believe that I was on a soccer and ski team. The society here is very much still stuck in the 1950's when it comes to women and their independence.
- I'm pretty sure the men think I'm crazy. They look surprised by everything that I say. I'm not sure if it is language barrier or the fact that I am not a proper, composed, and timid young woman. ha. Time will tell.
- Almost all of the men smoke here. Many women smoke, as well, but they smoke in the bathroom stalls and other places to hide their habit. Again, 1950's double standard.

Ok... That's all I've got for now. I am headed to Japan tomorrow morning. I am really excited. Its going to be interesting, because I have no clue what we will be doing once we are there. I am going with my friend Brittney. We are spending a day in Kyoto (I think that is the right spelling?) and 2 days in Tokyo. I'm excited to eat sushi for the next 4 days. It is my favorite! Remember grandpa when I tricked you and made you eat sushi? haha. I'm so mean. Who tricks a blind man and makes him eat something that he would never try on his own? I do! This is probably how he felt after he ate it...

hahaha. I'm pretty sure he said a few "naughty" words, as well. I will get in trouble from my parents if I say them. We all know Grandpa Schwartz swears like a sailor, literally. (He was in the Navy.)

I will fill you in about Japan when I get back. Have a great weekend!

ps. I have been here 3 months already! This past month has really flown by! It's strange how everything here is familiar now. I feel like this is home, for now. I don't even notice that I am the minority anymore.

xoxo

Yes, I Have My Crabby Pants On.

So, doctor visit number two. Apparently, the doctor I saw last week was an idiot. My new doctor,who went to Med school in MN, apologized for his stupidity. I have 2 infections- one in my sinuses, which has made it quite tricky to hear my students and the other in my lung region. I got more meds and another delightful shot in my tush. It was pleasant. Basically, I am very irritated at the moment and hope to be better by saturday when I board my plane to Japan. I blame the WHOLE country of China for my sickness, being I got sick there. Yes, it has been a month.

xoxoxo

Need a Taxi Driver?

First of all, my tush is doing better, but my "bronchitis" is still fighting hard. It's official, I am extremely annoyed with being sick. Going to the doctor tomorrow, again. Blahhh.

Last weekend, we had our kindergarten "Talent Show". It was pretty cute! I felt so proud of them. They are definitely my favorite class! There is a little boy named Jack in the class and he is so cute. I want to pack him in my suitcase and bring him home. Apparently, he is a model. haha. Anyways, here are the pics.


Poor children. I think these costumes are the worst outfits ever created. They were reciting the book about monkeys jumping on the bed. They look like taxi drivers on crack... haha. I do not have them in class, but I NEEDED a pic of their fabulous costumes.

This is Jack (Left) and Eric. They were in their gym attire and getting ready to do some jump roping. I have no clue why they needed to do this at the talent show.



These are my crazy boys. It took 5 min just to get them in one area to take the pic.

This is Claire and Christine- my two girls in the class. They look sweet, but Claire can hit pretty hard.

It's snowing!!!! I'm so excited to leave my house and walk in the snow!!! It has been very cold here, but NOT -20 degrees. That's awful. I feel bad for you.


Did you know....

- Koreans ALL get a year older on New Years Day. They celebrate their birthday on the day they were born, but do not get older. Imagine if you were born in December. When you were born, you are one years old (Koreans count gestation period as one year), then a month later you turn 2. Crazy.
- My kids said they started eating with chopsticks at age 2 or 3. Can you imagine? I can't do it now and I'm 25!
- It is bad luck to eat eggs on your birthday because eggs break.
- 7 is their lucky number.
- My kids freak out when I use a red marker on the white board. They are say it's bad luck and yell morbid things like "BLOOD!!!" or "DIE!!". I still use red all the time. I think it's funny.
- The Korean teachers at my school don't talk about their boyfriends and claim they are single- even a week before their wedding. They think we will look at them in a bad way. Strange,,.

uhhhhh, you need to do what?

Well, I have been fighting a bad cold since China and finally went to the doctor today. I have bronchitis. It was an experience. I talked to the doctor for maybe 1 min and he listened to my breathing. Then, he sent me into another room where the receptionist gave me 2 shots in the tushie. I have no clue why or what they gave me. I have to take 5 pills, 3 times a day for the next 3 days. I should be concerned, but I find it more hilarious than anything. I didn't realize having bronchitis requires my butt to be pricked. Poor thing. It is a little sore.

Cross your fingers I don't grow another butt or something.

It is freezing here! brrrrrrrrr.

ps. I'm going to Japan for Lunar New Year at the end of the month. It will be my last long weekend until JULY. Ahhhh..... Gotta travel while I can!


xoxoxo

New Years Resolution, whaaat?

First of all, I think New Years resolutions are really lame. Everyone always makes a big deal about creating this list of " goals" they would like completed in the new year. I usually sorta of blow it off or pretend like I am going to exercise more, but my pattern never really changes. I always put it off for the "next day", which never actually happens. Did I mention that I have set my alarm almost daily for the last 4ish years to get up early and exercise? Also, do you know how many times I have actually done it? Possibly 20 times? No joke. You would think I would start to realize that I am not a morning person and there is no way I will get up to go for a run... However, I will get up if someone is going to make me a fatty breakfast. Yum! ha.

Anyways, back to the resolution business. So, I have been annoying myself the last few days, because I am already thinking about my next step after Korea. Should I stay longer or try another country? Move back to Denver? Move back to the blustery cold tundra called MN? Should I become an acrobatic/ circus act person? Tryout for America's Next Top Teacher? I DON'T KNOW! But then I got to thinking... Do I need to make a decision now or even in the next 4 months? NO! There are so many choices and it is so completely overwhelming. I'm not sure what I will be doing a year from now, but I am starting to realize that is ok. Looking back 2 years ago, I never thought I would have experienced the things that I have ,not too mention, the amazing people I have met along the way. It's funny where our lives lead us and where we finally land. I'm sure you all have things in your lives that you never expected- children, significant others, friendships, jobs, joys, trials, gray hairs, etc. So, I am going to make some goals for myself and I give you permission to kick me if I fall- not too hard please.

1. Stay positive in every situation, even if I want to scream with frustration at my annoying middle schoolers who THINK they are way cool. I'm glad I was NEVER like them. I always knew I was cool. :)

2. Enjoy today and stop freakin worrying about the future.

3. Allowing myself to be completely happy and not waiting for something bad to happen. No repeats of last year's loss, please.
Miss you gma. <3

4, Stop setting my alarm to get up early and run.

5. Give kimchi a chance. NOT


So, there it is. The list. All jokes aside, I will be working very hard at 1, 2, and 3. I "wrote" it out loud, I am officially free. Thanks.


I pray your year is full of love, happiness, health, peace, healing, forgiveness when needed, hugs, skype phone calls to me :) , and that you have the opportunity to live your dreams- big or small.

xoxo

CHCHCh..China...Part 2

We decided to take it easy on Friday and sleep in. After having our American breakfast, which I had everyday (yum), we headed to find a museum. We never found the museum that we were looking for. The taxi drove all over the city and we ended up in the slum area where he decided to tell us he didn't know where it was. He told us by saying NO. haha. So, we quickly looked for another destination in our handy little guide book, because we sure as hell weren't going to stay where we were. haha. So, went to another art museum and it was closed. haha. We spent the afternoon in the taxi and seeing the city. It was a bust, but still fun. I have learned to be very patient in Asia, because I am constantly lost and can't read or speak the language.

That evening, we went to an acrobatic show. I had no idea what it would be like, but it was pretty incredible. I didn't realize that it would be all children, which I felt guilty for watching them. I guess, their families put them in these schools where they learn how to do all their crazy tricks. The youngest child was maybe 4 years old? My friend was saying that Jackie Chan, the actor, was placed in one of those schools when he was a child and talks about it in his book. She said what these kids go through is pretty disturbing. Sad. Sad. They were so cute and really great at what they were doing.




Saturday

We went back to the museum and found it on our first try!!! Woop, woop! The museum was great! It was all young Chinese artists, mostly paintings. I couldn't believe how much the Olympics had been depicted in the artwork. There were many paintings and sculptures that had Olympic themes in them. There were children all over drawing and sketching the paintings. They were so cute.





Next, we headed the Bird's Nest Stadium where the opening/closing ceremonies of the Olympics took place. It was pretty incredible. HUGE! I feel like China, or at least Beijing, is trying to be bigger and better than the rest of the world. I am very curious to see what the city looked like before they started getting ready for the Olympics. Everything looked new. The subway stations were new. They built walls up in the city to hide the impoverished areas, although you could still see inside them through the openings. There is no way that Beijing follows the communism ideals. You could see the different classes of people- poor versus wealthy. It seemed to me that it was more capitalistic than anything. I need to do my own research or you should tell me if you know. It seemed like the majority of the people were very poor, but the government was putting all their money into the infrastructure of the city to appear something they are not. hmmm...








Next, we went to the Temple of Heaven. There were a lot of people trying to sell us more crap. I told one of the guys I would buy his crap for zero dollars and he was really confused. All of his fellow peddlers thought it was funny and they started laughing. Eventually, he caught on and started laughing as well. I'm such a brat.










Sunday

Our last day. First, we headed to Tiananmen Square (on the other side of the Forbidden City), which means 'Gate of Heaven'. This is ironic because this is the site of famous and tragic day in 1989 where 2,000- 3,000 Chinese people were killed by the military during a protest. The people were mostly students and intellectuals who wanted to mourn the death of a pro-democracy and pro-free market official. They assembled for 7 weeks and the protest reached 100,000 people before the military came in and wanted to clear the square. There is the famous photo of a man standing in front of a line of tanks, which I am sure many of you have seen. The Chinese government has not released the actual death toll and will only acknowledge a few hundred were injured/died. There were many other protests before that day, but this is the most famous one that many people have heard about. It was crazy to be there and imagine what had happened not too long ago.





Lastly, we went to Mao Zedong's tomb. I really did not want to go and support his movement, but the other Megan wanted to go. Mao was the leader of the People's Republic of China (Communist Party) from its beginning in 1949 until his death in 1976. It's very odd that people within China are so brainwashed by his legacy and actually think of him as a great revolutionary. Outside of China, he is blamed for causing severe damage to the county's economy and culture, not to mention he is responsible for killing MILLIONS of people. The security to get into his tomb was quite ridiculous. We had to pay to put all of our stuff in lockers. I'm not sure if they thought people were going to kill him, again? Personally, I was going to put him in my purse and bring him back to Korea. We couldn't bring anything in with us, but we had to have identification on us and show them. We went through metal detectors and x-ray machines. Then, we had to wait in line. People bought flowers to place next to his tomb and you could tell that the museum keeps reusing the flowers. People looked really moved and serious to see his body. I was trying not to laugh and be polite, but I was annoyed with everyone's ignorance. Blehhh. For the record, Mao is not a cute man. I know you were wondering.

One of my favorite moment was in the subway. This little girl (3 years old?) was sitting next to her dad and she must have heard us speaking english. She belted out, "Hello" and "Your welcome" to us and then looked away. I was laughing so hard. So cute!

Well, that pretty much covers my trip. It took me about 6 hours to finish, which included a few dance party breaks.I just realized I have been listening to the same cd for the past 3 hours. Oops. I was wondering why it was beginning to be annoying. My brain is mush. Time to make it better by watching a quality movie called ELF. I hope you learned something! China was great! I would love to go back and see other parts of the country. Here is a few random pics of the city and such.