Hike it, kid.

The geography of South Korea boasts 70% mountains. Whenever I feel dismayed by the overwhelming amount of architecture that looks comparable to the Soviet bloc with infinitely more neon signage, I look higher toward the mountains that always rise elegantly in the distance and sigh with gratitude. I'd love to post a photo for emphasis, but I somehow crushed my camera last week. It was terrible anyway. Onto the next one, onto the next one.

Getting back to the mountains: I was recently pleased to learn that on every other Wednesday afternoon the head of discipline at my school drags the worst kids along with him on a hike to the top of the highest peak near Gwangju. In rain or snow, burning sun or ice storm, they hike. Though the immediate effectiveness of such a punishment on classroom behavior remains in question, I now understand what my co-teachers are talking about when they refer to a student as, "one of the ones who hikes every time". It strikes me as a deeply positive outlet for students who struggle with their behavior, and I fully support it.

Rumor states that the average number of hikers hovers around fifteen, with repeat offenders making up a solid portion of the group. I've agreed to hike with them some day in the future, with the hope of improved classroom interactions. It's my dream to enjoy the company of all of my students, so perhaps an exhausting hike will lessen the cringing feeling that alights itself in my stomach when certain students enter the room. In the event that I do go hiking with them, I'll be sure to inform you of the results. 

Since we had so much fun with links in the last post (see: Fun with Links!), I'd love to share two more. I'm certainly not the only person blogging in Gwangju, and the following posts offer excellent depictions of life in Korea.

1. This one, written in list form, provoked audible laughter when I read it. I lol'ed. You likely will too, and I recommend paying close attention to the ajumma portion. Their presence remains one of my favorite features of life in Korea.
http://partialunderstanding.blogspot.kr/2012/06/top-five-baffling-things-in-south-korea.html

2. In the second article, the author details two intensely funny scenes from recent bus rides. I had the privilege of hearing the stories in person, and his writing is so good that I couldn't resist sharing.
http://tommymryan.tumblr.com/post/24939401642/the-stone-collector


Enjoy! :)