On Air

Last week, the principal came in to the English classroom.  He seemed a little bit annoyed about something.

He pointed to the fan I had running in the room.

"Blah, blah, blah (something about if students are not in the room), 절전."

I wasn't exactly sure what "절전" was, but nonetheless, I dutifully said, "네. 알겠습니다." (Yes.  I understand.)

After he left, I looked up "절전" in my cell phone's English-Korean dictionary.

"절전...save electricity, economize power"

This last month it has been hovering about 32 Celsius (90 F).  So, I am not really in the mood to save electricity.  But, I can move to the main teacher's office.  They sometimes turn the air conditioner on.

So, today they did turn the air conditioner on in the teacher's office.  Everyone is saying, "더워!" (It's hot!).

However, half of the windows are open.  And when I have been watching the classrooms more closely after the principal said that we needed to save electricity...the air conditioner has been on with the windows open.

Whatever 절전 means, I guess it doesn't mean save logically.

On A Common Conversation

The following video depicts a conversation that every foreign teacher in Korea has had multiple, multiple times.

Yes, I have been left sitting in the corner eating lettuce by myself...and, damn it...I am a chopstick Kung-fu master...

On Grammar (2)

I was going to post this picture and comment about the grammar...

I know the sign has some grammar problems, but I felt like I was just poking fun at a small issue when in reality it is completely readable and why should I waste my time with it.  Caffe Bene is a major chain of coffee shops in Korea.  And, besides why should I make fun of them when they make such good drinks?

But, then in researching about the topic (yes, I do research about my posts...).  I ran across their website which emphasized their shop located in Times Square, New York...

Here is the picture...



It may be a little hard to see, but take a look between the two Caffe Bene signs:

"Parking: Open to the 24 Hours"

At first I wanted to make a new title for this post: "Caffe Bene: Bringing Konglish to the World"

But, then I was still doing more research so I went to Google Maps and tried to find this exact shot just to see if it still looked like this.

The most recent shot of this area from Google Maps is from June 2011.  The same building used in the Caffe Bene promotion pictures can be seen on Google Maps.  Just search for "Caffe Bene, Times Square, New York".  Here is another shot from July 2010 from here.



Both the most recent Google Maps shot and this picture do not show Caffe Bene in the picture.  Although the Google Maps shot does show empty space where Charley O's is in this picture.

I finally did the smart thing and just googled "Caffe Bene Times Square".



Here you can see Caffe Bene as it can be seen from at least January 30th, 2012.

Now, I realize that the street signs were blocking the word, "public", in the original image on Caffe Bene's website.

So, now I have just one piece of advice for myself.

When I assume, I make an "ass" out of "me" and a "Korean" company.  Which actually makes these combinations:

AssmeKorean

Koreanassme

MeKoreanAss

Okay, I am finished.  Today, officially, I mekoreanassed.

On Good Things in Korea (Music)

You may being asking what is the best music in Korea (You also may not being asking, but then you are on my blog and so I obviously lead the discussion).  So, here are my favorites from various coherently (at least in my mind) organized  awards:

Best Song:


"I Am the Best" by 2ne1

Why?

It is catchy and the whole independent dirty girl thing doesn't happen often enough here.

Best Teaching Song:


"I Don't Care" by 2ne1

Why?

It is really easy to remember (i.e. it is catchy again) and, when my students are being whining little brats, I can say, "I don't ca-a-a-are."

Best Girl Group:


2ne1


Okay, so I am partial to 2ne1.

Best Use of Harmonica in a K-Pop Song:


"Lalala" by SG Wannabe

Best Song to Make Your Students Dance to If They Are Annoying:

"Sorry, Sorry" by Super Junior

Why?

Because they have to apologize somehow and every Korean student knows this dance, but not as well as they think...

Best Song to Make Students Sing or Dance to if You Really Want to Humiliate Them:


"The Three Bears Song" by I don't know (not the real name...I just really don't know)

Why?

Because humiliating students is sometimes very important and I know this song well enough to know if they are trying to bullshit me...

Lastly...


Best Use of Star Wars/Taps/2001 Style Music in a National Pledge

Note: This is not the anthem.  It is just the pledge of allegiance...Korean style.

On Korean Fashion

Usually, Koreans are very fashionable, but this is the latest in women`s fashion here:



Rain boots: I always knew they were functional, but now they're fashionable, too!!!