March 10th, 11th

I really do need to keep updating daily. It was hard for me to update yesterday though, seeing as I had class and I had to basically go straight to table tennis practice. I didn't want to be late because I had no clue where the gym was.

My apologies for not updating about my first day of classes when I got back, and for not having my video of the haeinsa temple trip up yet. When I got back I was so tired, I collapsed after a shower.

So here's a summary of my first day...

Mar. 10

I went to class not really knowing what to expect. All I had heard was how tough the language class was and how quickly it went. After all, it IS held for four hours a day. A lot can be covered in that amount of time. Not only did that weigh into my nerves, but all I had seen was that the test destroyed me completely. I was a little worried.

My worries were for the most part unfounded, however, as my teacher spoke some english (only when necessary, i.e. to tell us the meaning of words) and spent the day on the common vowels. We got ten minute breaks every hour, so it really wasn't that bad. However, I don't know how many of you have been in a super intensive learning situation, but it literally drains the energy right out of you. I went in with a full stomach and only four hours later, I was starving, and I'm not joking. It's pretty neat though, how concentration like that can use so much of your energy.
Personally, it really makes me appreciate the great minds of our time that much more. I definitely need brain training if I think I am going to be in that higher state of mind for extended periods of time.

The class got over, and after lunch, it was time for my literacy class. My instructor's name is Antar. He is an older black man who is really nice and extremely intelligent. The theme for our class is basically discrimination and the underlying themes. We will be discussing sexism, racism, classism, determinism (just kidding), and sort of prejudice issues in general I guess. I truly love discussing things that have meaning. It really invigorates me to learn by conversation, and to be exposed to new ideas.
I think the class is going to be great. At least, I hope so. I'm going to be drained coming out of language class so let's hope I have something left in the tank every tuesday ha ha. We already have a bunch of reading to do, but at least it's great writing.

After all the class was over for the day, I rushed home to get ready for table tennis practice. When I arrived at the building I was meeting the people in, I was asked to play with a chinese guy (I think) I had never seen before. Turns out he was really good, and I had a real problem dealing with the shots we has giving me, and controlling the table in general (I found out later that he was the best in the club) but I held my own for the most part.
Everyone eventually showed up, so we walked the 2498324 miles to their gym. That distance is a slight exaggeration, but it was a good 20 minute walk. When they said gym I was expecting some sort of monstrosity with like 20 tables and people playing everywhere. There were three nice tables and a good floor surface, and a good rotation going throughout the night. All in all it was good, even though it wasn't what I thought it would be like.
I went on playing well into the night and when I looked up it was close to 11 PM. This was no good, since the door to get into my dorm stops working at 10 PM. I decided to try my luck and walk back anyways. Luckily for me, there were a couple of Mongolian girls in the lobby to let me in.

The night ended in success. I then took a shower and powered down for the night.

March 11.

Today was waaaaay more boring than yesterday in language class, but only because I was super tired all day. I couldn't help it. I woke up after my first table tennis practice feeling more sore than days of strenuous weight lifting. I almost slept in, but luckily woke up by my internal clock in time to grab some breakfast and head to class.
We learned about some diphthongs and simple consonants today in class, which, just like yesterday, focused on pronunciation. I can always use pronunciation practice, especially since I have been studying less than a year. Another good thing about the class, even though there is very little english spoken (maybe 5 words in 10 minutes), is that there is very little english spoken. It's like a crutch has been magically lifted out form under me and I now have to figure out what's going on, or just be left behind. Needless to say, I am listening much better than before, even only two days in. I feel very confident that even though it's kind of a shock and awe system when it comes to learning in a new language, I will definitely be the better for it, and will probably come out with much more knowledge than if english were used widely in the class.

Today I also had to adjust to a new teacher (ours left at halftime). She was very good as well, and spoke good english (too bad she didn't speak much ha ha). It was her job to help move us into consonants and the double consonants. It went well. Before I go any further, I would like to talk about the Korean language in general.

I believe that any serious student with a desire to learn can easily excel in the classes offered in Korean Language here at Daegu University. The language was made so that it's easy to learn (the alphabet is phonetic), and when taught, holds up to the desired non-difficulty. I'm in language class for 20 hours a week, which equates to much much much listening practice and much speaking practice. To go along with that, the classes are filled with other international students who have their own problems with the language based on their first language. It truly is a nice program so far, and I think even someone with no prior knowledge of Korean can do well here. That being said, for the first week or two of being here, a knowledge of common words used (like What time is it?, or even Where am I?).

So after class, I was told that I finally get to move into my new room! My new room is on the seventh floor, where I stayed last summer. I was so excited to hear that, but it would have to wait, as I had class first.

Today's class was Western Philosophy. My instructor's name is Steph, and she's from Ireland. She's really nice, and her accent is awesome to listen to all day. It's kind of soothing really, I don't know why. Anyways, I have a feeling her class is going to be a blast. Since it's philosophy, she is centering it around outside reading about the persons covered and also discussion. Like I said, I love discussion, and reading about how others viewed the workings of the universe. It's so interesting to me how to try and discover things about humanity in general, just as Plato did. I might not be able to define justice just yet, but I know that by taking the class I might get a few steps closer to developing a sound philosophy of my own.

After class I finally got a chance to move into my new room. It was jsut as great as what I hoped it would be. The drain in the bathroom doesn't back up, I have a breakfast nook type thing, a giant desk, ample shelf space, a flat screen tv, and a fridge. Also, the view is sweet from up here, which certainly helps determine how nice my room is. I'm a sucker for nice views. This room is basically what the dorm rooms in Murray isn't though. It's comfy, inviting, interesting, warm enough/cool enough, aesthetically pleasing, and agreeable in decor. I might just have to find a way to extend my visa just for this room. Maybe I won't go that far, but you will see what I'm talking about when I post the pictures of it.

That's all I got for now, and I have lots of homework and studying to do before sleepytime hits.

For now,
Aron Huckaba International Vagabond

P.S. I have table tennis practice tomorrow as well, so the idea of updating tomorrow is still up int he air. I hope I remember to not play so late next time, but we'll see.