Educational Anecdotes

Want to hear a funny teaching story? Last month in one of my lower-level classes we were talking about items in a house, like tables, chairs, walls, etc. Then one of my students asked what I thought was a completely random question: "What's the difference between 'cabin' and 'log'?" The two go together, yes, but they were pretty far off-topic.

So, shifting gears, I proceeded to explain what a cabin was and got blank, confused stares. Then some other students said, "No, teacher, KAHr-BEDD!"

Then I understood.

Koreans pronounce "carpet" and "rug" ("lawg") the same as "cabin" and "log." And we were talking about a rug, so now the question made sense. So I gave them a little pronunciation lesson, and then answered the question. Adventures in ESL. Very funny stuff...

I was also told by a student that I look like this guy:

Yes, all you "Smallville" fans out there; that's Tom Welling, who plays Clark Kent on the popular TV show. "You look good, and kind, and innocent...like the guy on 'Smallville'." That's almost a direct quote. And speaking of direct, Koreans are VERY direct and open with their comments...yes, even the women (the comment above was from a male student). No, I'm not letting it go to my head. But I'm not complaining either :-) !

All very interesting and humorous, don't you think?

Yet more pagodas...

I'm starting to realize that if you've seen one pagoda-looking structure, you've pretty much seen them all. So my apologies if you're getting as bored as I am with pagodas. But here's another one anyway -- and it's a little cooler than some of the others, I think. It was a study retreat for royalty, I believe.

From far away:

Zooming in:

...and here we are! Observe the nifty rockwork:

Stone reptilian waterspout:



Intriguing stairway to...


...a very anticlimatic platform thingy:


But, hey, who's complaining? I also rode about 20 miles in the course of that trip, so it was all good. I just think I've seen enough pagodas, that's all.

Temple Tourist

Me, contemplative...

...in front of a real "working" Buddhist temple, used by the denizens of a small rural village about a 40 min. ride from Gwangju. I know it was in use because, well, it was in use while I was there. I could hear one of the faithful, chanting inside the main pagoda:



Here's a view of the village:

An interesting mix of ancient and modern -- power poles, concrete, and tiled roofs:

This is just down the road. You are looking at a creek that has been developed into basically a canal, like any urban cement "creek." The hills in the distance are part of Mt. Mudeung:

Yours truly:

The road goes ever on...well actually this one led me to a dead end. I had to hoof it through some farmer's fields. I treaded lightly. It looks cooler than it really was:

More pics to come; stay tuned!