The Language program is really kicking into high gear. We have lots of homework and have a test every day. the good news is, though, that I'm learning a whole lot. It doesn't take much to retain it when it's basically all you're doing. I have another big test tomorrow, and probably one the next day too.
My philosophy class went better, but I think I need to step up my out of class reading. Somehow I still wasn't completely prepared for the discussion. I have to go deep into the philosopher's whole ideas instead of a moderate view of each. It is really much more difficult than I expected. I got assigned a paper too, and I love writing, so that should be a fun time. Today we discussed (mainly) Heroclitus and Parmenides. Their philosophies really helped to shape the sciences of physics and chemistry I think.
Heroclitus dealt with the constant flux of everything, while Parmenides dealt with the stability of everything. Heroclitus thought that you could study things by learning their attributes (heat, speed, color, etc.), which sounds a lot like physics to me. Parmenides thought about how everything should be reduced down to its indivisible essence, and thought that a change in appearance of something (decay, heat, etc.) was only a change in perception and not of the composition of the subject itself. It's so fascinating to know that these guys came up with these ideas over 2000 years ago.
I think I may finally be able to stay on budget food wise. I bought the coffee, which saved me from spending three bucks a day on a coffeehouse coffee. The pound bag of instant coffee has already paid for itself, and there is still an incredible amount left. Also, I'm going to stop eating a normal, western breakfast (pastry items from the bakery, since I spend about $4 a day at just that meal. Instead, I can have a Korean breakfast for ~$2 a day. The reason I must budget food money is because I get 300,000 Korean won a month to eat on. If I can keep my food under 10,000 won a day, I will essentially only be paying for fun stuff while I'm here.
I met my other english communications group today. They are really nice too. They speak english very very well, and might even end up coming to Murray. I'm pretty sure they would have no problem taking university classes, since they understood quite easily what I was saying. They're english education majors which helps I think, but they said that they have only been preparing to come to America for 8 months. If I could be in that kind of shape after 8 months of preparation I would be so happy.
On that note, I want to say that so far I am really confident that a person taking the Korean Program seriously could quickly progress through Korean and be proficient at it within a year. the language program is only 10 weeks long, so they could take the intensive program around 5 times. 5 times is supposed to be the amount of time it takes to be ready for university classes, at least from what I'm told. It takes 2 or 3 times that long to be ready to study in another language with our American semester class system I think.
I really hope I continue to enjoy my time here in Korea. It really helps when I get letters and stuff from home. Speaking of letters from home, I was so excited to day when I got a letter from Beth! She sent me two letters and they absolutely made my day. I know that it's hard to understand how much of an effect letters can have, especially in our age of technology, but in a weird country, to have physical confirmation that someone back home is thinking of you and you're not all alone is priceless. I know it won't always be so great here though.
I know that there is a system of steps that one goes through as they spend time in another country, and I think it would be awesome if I never moved into the "I hate everything about this place" stage. It will probably happen, but here's to hoping. This really is a nice place. I think in the realms of places you could live, this country is close to what America is like. Today has been consumed with school and studying though, so I'm sorry to report that I have nothing really more to say about what I've done here.
Spring IS on the way though, and fast. It's been in the high sixties every day so far this week and trees are starting to come into bloom. I know that basically means nothing in Tennessee and Kentucky (snow can happen any time), but I think here it's a good sign.
Until Later,
Aron Hucakba International Vagabond
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