Hood-Winked

Man, I knew it would happen. In this Confucius based society, and after seven days six nights of orientation on how to teach and adapt to the Korean culture I knew I was bound to break some rule. It happened at the closing lunch at orientation. :( All the English teachers were seated by their school districts, and then we were informed that our district supervisor would come sit with us soon, so we needed to leave one seat open. Of course, it would be the seat next to me. We are sort of nervous, as we learned earlier how important it is to show respect to our supervisor in and out of the workplace. For example, even if you and your supervisor go out for dinner, and they buy you an alcoholic beverage, you are supposed to turn away from them as not to drink in front of them. You are not supposed to eat until they begin eating or finish until they finish. Our table had it all planned out. When our supervisor arrived we would all stand up and bow. We were anxiously waiting. Then we became distracted by the beautiful Korean dancing. My sorority sister next to me got up to take pictures of the wonderful performance. So as we were dazed by the performance, I suddenly realize someone has sat in my sorority sisters seat. My instant reaction, was to protect my sorority sisters space. So, I kindly told the person, someone was seen there and then it hit me, as I caught my co-workers glance, I bet this is our district supervisor. So I was stuck. She looked confused. I just kind of stuttered and then looked for help. Then she asked me the seat is occupied, and I was like yes. So she got up and move to the other seat next to me. :( I was like damn I just kicked the District supervisor out of her chair. I was like hell of a way to make a first impression Brianne. Really I just could have moved my sorority sisters person to the chair next to me. But in the words of my friend Papa Chengo. There is nothing you can do about it now. :)

"Racial Discrimination"

I was sitting down before dinner with my co-teacher, and we were discussing my future life in Korea, and she tells me when she found out I was coming to Korea she looked up to words, "racial discrimination." I wasn't really surprised, I heard stories from friends who had travel to the area before, because in general the only depiction of black people they say, maybe what has been presented to them by the American media. (But that's a whole different story.) She told me to not let this discourage me, because some Koreans (like all people) are just ignorant, and to talk to her if I feel down. She then said see, maybe if I come to your country, maybe people won't like me. :)

This incident was very endearing to me, because it is only a glimpse into how amazing the heart of my Korean co-teacher is. She is not ashamed of me, but instead ready to build a partnership where we can learn form each other. She knows I'm from America, but what she doesn't realize is I am from America! I honestly didn't know, how real I wanted to be with my co-teacher about America, because she has so much excitement about my country. If she gets the chance to visit I want her to be free of any preconceptions from me.

But on my blog I can tell the truth. :) With my teacher doesn't realize is yes if she came to visit some people might not like her, but hell they wouldn't like me either. Yes I've noticed the stares from a few, but I've gotten worse stairs from people at home. You see my co-teacher was trying to brace me, for the trouble I might face because of the color of my skin, but she didn't know America had already done. I could be proven wrong, but I am almost positive there is not a Korean can do to me that one of my fellow Americans have not already done. I do believe that racism has gotten better in America, but the truth is it still exist. I write this not to throw a pity party for myself, but as the possibility of a Black president looms near I don't won't conservatives (like I've hear on CNN) to use this event to say that racism is dead.

Even if we look at the coverage of his campaign, we can see racism, maybe not as overt but its still there. For example, it is because of America's history of the one drop rule that we often ignore is mixed heritage, and that heritage doesn't make him any less of a black man, but it just more evidence of that covert racism in our society. Once again, I could go on for day about that, but that's not what this post is about. So for now Ill rest, and maybe as the relationship of me and my co-teacher progress how will explain to her, how a transatlantic trade hundreds of years ago, has left my people foreigners even a land that used to be our home.

Grapes of Wrath

So of course I try to always be on my toes so as not to be the rude American, but last week I found out that there are some things that are just universal. I spent the past weekend at my wonderful co-teachers house, and she offered me a nice bowl of grapes with a plate. Little did she know grapes are like my favorite fruit, so I dove into them as soon as she left. I took my first bite into the bunch of grapes, then I realized there were seeds. I was looking for a napkin, trash can or somewhere to dispose of the seeds, but I found no where. I saw the plate and was very tempted, but I kept think how rude it would be in America to spit seeds into some one's very nice plate. So, I continued to eat the grapes crunch after crunch. :/ When suddenly my co-teacher stopped what she was doing, and looked at me a little confused, and asked me ""so you eat the seeds?" Without flinch I was like yeah, it adds flavor, to embarrassed to say I thought it was common Korean culture. So here would be my first reminder, even thought we are different, some things are just universal. Like no one eats the grape seeds. :) Reminder number two, I need to let go of some of pride, it can lead to an upset belly.


N.A.N.D.I.

So What is this....

Have you ever wanted the whole world to hear your story, just because you thought you had so much to offer? Well, I do, so I decided to start this blog. Basically I am a recent grad, who is taking a year to figure out a lot of things about life, by teaching English as a Foreign Language in Seoul, Korea. I think I can say I have had an interesting life to say the least. I grew up on a farm, have had over 22 jobs, and was an army brat for a small time as well. I have created this blog so friends and family can get regular updates on my life in career, and also because I don't get the chance to write for the school paper anymore, I want people to hear my random babbling, just so I know I'm not crazy. I just hope you all can enjoy the ride with me.


N.A.N.D.I