Saturday, January 31, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Back In the Swing of Things
I've been back teaching for two days now and I'm exhausted. It's tough to jump back into things, but it's nice to see the kids again.
During gym, if I give them a few minutes of free time, they always seem to choose "attack Ryan" as the game of choice. This involves them jumping on, punching, kicking, and hitting me... while I toss them onto the mats(or their classmates). I'm always careful to make sure they don't get hurt... but they aren't always so careful in return and I end up getting a few bruises (they think I'm invincible).
I've always been interested in the power of words. I think I especially started to notice the influence of words while I was working as a facilitator. There's a subtle but important difference between... "You can do it." and "Your movements are solid and smooth."
The first statement implies you're a failure if you can't "do it". While the second statement simply compliments the current success and subtly encourages more of the same.
That is just a small example.
I've also been doing some "psychology" reading and eventually I want to see how I can use it in the classroom and my every day life.
I think it's important to read. To learn. To find new things that interest you.
What's wrong with the following picture that I took?
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Snow Village
This one is a gigantic photo post... 17 pictures... hope it doesn't bog your computer down.
This morning I went to the Suwon Korean Folk Village. It was awesome, because it started snowing heavily and the village was really empty... so it was like we had the place to ourselves.
Enjoy.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
A Career as a ChapStick Model
I made this photo as a joke, but I like it. It makes me smile.
I'm now officially registered for swimming lessons at a local pool. Classes begin February 2nd. 7:00am - 8:00am Monday, Wednesday, Friday.
You see... I can swim... I can actually swim fairly well. I was even a lifeguard. And I love to swim. But I never took lessons. I just learned from family and from watching people. I decided, I could probably swim a whole lot better if I had the proper technique. So I signed up. Bought my mandatory swim cap and goggles. And got pumped. Oh yeah, a Korean friend of mine is taking the classes with me. Maybe he and I can swim across the Han river or something once we're really good.
As always, I am in search of the next new and exciting experience.
This coming weekend is the Lunar New Year. Everyone is rushing out of Seoul to spend the vacation with their families. Seoul becomes somewhat of a ghost town. A friend and I plan to use this time to take pictures of the city... without all her people getting in the way.
We'll probably make a stop at a Jimjillbang (not sure on the English spelling for this.), which is sort of like a public bath/spa/hostel/etc...
I haven't really been very "spiritual" on my most recent blog posts. Which is strange, because it's a fairly large part of my life. I have discussions about God, truth, religion, and spirituality nearly every day.
I think there are too many thoughts for me to easily write down, so I avoid trying... and stick with the simple.
Anybody want to buy some ChapStick?
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Photography Club, Visit to the Temple Near Coex
A story in which Ryan meets new people who love cameras, and he also discovers the true food that brings enlightenment... monks eat Pizza Hut?
Lensbaby in Graffiti Tunnel
Took these photos using a "lensbaby"... it's a funny little lens that you bend with your fingers to get the focus. It creates interesting blurs. Here are a couple of friends who posed for some pictures. The lighting was very strange in the tunnel and created these "orangish" colors. But in the end the light combined with the lens created sort of a painting like look.
I think this sequence of pics tells a story...
Friday, January 16, 2009
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