7 Things Travel Has Taught Me About Myself

1)I'm not okay with eating living things...at all. When I first arrived I was told to try Sannakji (live octopus cut in pieces and still squirming) Watching something squirm and die for "cultural purposes" sickens me. It seems cruel and unnecessary suffering to cast on anything. Don't get me wrong I love meat and I will never be a PETA spokes person, which brings me to my next point...

   (one of the many videos to be found on youtube eating sannakji)

2)I am quite often a hypocrite. While in Spain I attended a Bull Fight. In concept it didn't seem so bad, until I literally watched an animal be stabbed to death, urinate and defecate on it's self and caught a glimpse of the humanity in it's eyes. Did it really take spending money on a ticket to realize that was wrong? Which got me thinking? I eat met. Do I want to stop eating meat? No. Would I be upset if I watched an animal be slaughtered? Yes. Does this make me a hypocrite? Absolutely. Am I okay with that? Not necessarily. Although the experience hasn't turned me into a hardcore vegan or vegetarian, it has made me think a little more about where I get my meat from. Is it free-range? Does the fact that the animal is allowed to wander about/have a life before it is slaughtered make it better? I'm not sure. Will my morals eventually catch up with my mouth? Definitely possible.

(Bullfighting Maza Blogspot)

3)I give money to people who ask, everywhere I go.

I've noticed that no matter where I go if someone asks me for money, I will give them the benefit of the doubt and give it to them. In Scotland my friends used to say "oh they are just going to spend it on booze or heroin" why bother. In Korea, many people completely ignore the homeless, if they don't have to see them, it isn't their problem. I don't work like that, even if I wanted to. Does this make me a savior? Absolutely not, but I do live on the fundamental principal of Ubuntu, which is a Ngani Bantu term, which basically translates into "human kindness" or "I am what I am because of who we all are." It might not leave a profound effect on the world, but is something strongly believe no matter where I am.

4)I love talking to strangers

It is no secret that I love talking. When I was kid teachers would call my mother into parent-teacher conferences to say they were fed up with me. "She's a nice kid, but no matter where we put her she talks! We even sat her next to the kid in the trench coat and now they are best friends." I thrive off of learning about people I don't know, their experiences, religion, background, lifestyle. It's addictive in a sense.

5)I am so much braver than I thought I was.
When working with my younger campers and students I had a favorite quote I always used to tell them from Winnie the Pooh:
"Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think"
Now I find it appropriate to apply to myself as well. I have tried things I would never have tried at home. Been to places I used to say I would never visit (usually because of political reasons) and I have traveled on my own, something I would not have done at home. I have always had a sense of adventure, but the prospect of booking a ticket that day, jumping on a plane and waking up in a new Country is too great for me to ignore. Sometimes I look back on the places I have been in the last 7 years, the people I've met and the experiences I have had and I surprise even myself.

6)I miss my friends and family at home, but would be content never living there again.
When I first lived abroad I surprised myself by finding out I was much more patriotic than I thought. The longer I am gone, the more I lose that part of myself. I am not certain what Country I could claim as mine. I've begun to feel like more of a world citizen, void of any real national identity. Some of this, in part has to do with the current events in America. For me as a minority from America, the Trayvon Martin case was enough for me to feel that I was no longer welcome in America. Many of my fellow citizens believe that half of my mere existence is enough to be murdered.This is not to say that other Countries are without their problems, but to feel like a stranger or de-valued in your own country is a really scary thing. The longer I am gone, the more out of touch with America, I become.

7)I am horrible at planning. I care more about seeing new places than where I go or how I get there. Maybe next time I'll spin a globe and see where I land.

Maggie Moo Does Vacation

 Someone recently asked me what I use to plan my trips and how I stay organized while I travel. Here are some of my favorite sites, tools and applications to satisfy my wanderlust.

1.Sky Scanner- I love this website! Not only does it scan the whole net for the best choices,but it also gives you the option of "travel to everywhere" so you can select the cheapest deal from your destination city of choice.

2.Cheap-O-Air- This site is great for last minute deals! I am always pleasantly surprised by the amount of trips I have booked within two weeks of my departure.

3.Trip It- I would not survive without trip it! If you are careless or a bit disorganized, like myself, you will love it. It is a travel itinerary organizer which keeps track of your flights, hotels/hostels, car rental, travel plans and insurance. You can also upgrade to trip it pro to change your flight, track incoming flights!

4. Lonely Planet- For lack of a better term, lonely planet is like scenic travel porn for me! Since I was a kid and opened those books, saw the beautiful pictures and the occasional specials on the travel channel, I have had the travel bug. There is no better way to get excited for a trip than by searching through their amazing and incredibly thorough travel database. After I have planned a trip I literally spend a good 2 1/2 hours a dad combing through the information for my destination. Truth be told, I don't do a ton of planning ahead, but it's such a good way to pass the time and get pumped for my next journey.

5.Google Translate- Google! This sounds simple, but it has honestly got me out of quite a few sticky situations and I now use it religiously after downloading it to my I-phone for quick access.

6.Spotify- Now, this hasn't launched yet in South Korea, which I find really frustrating! But when I was traveling around Europe/UK I found it really useful for great travel playlists compiled by like-minded wanderlusters. In the meantime, I regularly put together travel playlists on Itunes, which are constantly changing based on my mood and the Country.

7. Budget Travel- This is a large category depending on where in the world you are, but here are a few of my favorites.
Asia/Aus: Jin Air, Jeju Air, Air Asia, Eastar Jet
UK/Europe: Ryan Air(a bit shady, but I once got tickets to France for 12 bucks), Jet 2, Aerlingus (also has flights to North America), Easy Jet & Fly Be

I'm headed to Jeju next week, but here's the hopeful plan for the upcoming year!.

 Mongolia for Chuseok

Tokyo for the All Blacks vs Japan

Cebu, Phillippines for Cebu Rugby 10's

Abu Dhabi to visit a friend Jan/Feb?

Bangkok, Phuket for February break and Bangkok 10's

Hong Kong 7's in March

There are quite a few repeats on my list, but as you know I have to get my fix of rugby. Still no idea what to plan for summer break? Any ideas?

A Poem For My Student

Excuse my Korean pronunciation and the video being a bit out of sync....A for Effort?

Shit My Students Say: Speaking Test Edition

It's that dreaded time of year again: Speaking test time!

Me: I am going to America. Could you give me some tips?
Student: Yes, you should bring money, bring your passion, your power and your gun.
Me: Umm...okay?
Student: Lots of passion.

Me: Who is your hero?
Student: My hero is me.
Me: Why?
Student: Because I am Sek-shi (gets up and starts to dance on the chair).

Me: Are you ready?
Student: Teacher I have to tell you something.
Me: Sure, what is it?
Student: I'm lesbian.
Me: Okay, congratulations.
Student: No really.
Me: Oh, well that's okay.
Student: You still like me?
Me: Of course, you're my buddy.
Student: Can we pist (fist) bump?
Me: After you pass the speaking test.
Student: But I tell you secret, you give me an A.


Me: What are you looking forward to?
Student: I am looking forward to make fuck.
Me: What?
Student: Make Fuck.
Me: That is inappropriate.
Student: You said you like fuck.
Me: I would NEVER say that.
Student: Wait (pulls out phone, gets on internet and shows me a picture of chocolate fudge)
Me: Oh, fudge.
Student: Yes, fuck.Same Same.

Me: Describe this photo (shows a picture of Mt. Fuji)
Student: It looks like shit.
Me: Excuse me?
Student: Korea is number 1, Japan shit.
Me: Your best friend is Japanese.
Student: He sometimes shit.

Me:How far is it from your house to school?
Student: About zero kilometers
Me: You don't live at school.
Student: I no leave. I sleep in shed.
Me: What?
Student: Nice to meet you. Bye.

Me: What is your hobby?
Student: My hobby is dating.
Me: Wow, a ladies man.
Student: Forever solo, baby! (blows me a kiss and winks)

Me: What would you like to eat?
Student: Meat.
Me: Remember you must pick a food from a country we studied.
Student: Ah, okay. Italian meat.
Me: Ummm...and how does it taste?
Student: like meat, duh!

Student: Is today the speaking test.
Me: Sure is
Student: Teacher die!
Me: What did you say?
Student: I said Maggie teacher is so beautiful.

Me: What does the idiom "go dutch mean?"
Student: Dutch pay.
Me: And what is Dutch Pay?
Student: My girlfriend steal my wallet and life. That is Dutch Pay.
Me: Smart man!

Me: Tokyo is in Korea.
Student: Sorry, but that's not right.
Me: Good. Why?
Student: Because Tokyo sex pyeontae (pervert) we just prostitute.

These kids crack me up, but I honestly cannot wait for vacation. It is much needed. That being said I'm totally looking forward to another year at my crazy school

The 26 Year Old- What Am I Doing With My Life- Crisis

So recently I haven't been feeling much like myself: I've been making questionable (to say the least) decisions, drinking way more than usual, freaking out about work and sporadically being stressed/confused about my future, all while feeling guilty for having such a great time in Korea. This, of course, is magnified by the fact that I keep reading  lists like " 20 mistakes you will make in your 20's" and shaking my head disapprovingly as I tick every single item off of that list. Which got me thinking- why is this? I suppose 26 is the age where you are beyond your college days, starting a career, but also young enough to not really care much if you drink that extra tequila that the shady guy in the "Duff Beer" costume bought for you. This seems to be the general consensus of many of my friends of the same age. As a result I have compiled a list of things you will do when you're 26 (specific to the people I know and love and commit shenanary with).

26 Things you will do when you're 26: Korea Edition

1) Hopefully travel somewhere just because you can! Traveling for the sake of travel is an amazing feeling.

2) Wake up with the worst hangover of your life.

3) Wake up questioning how in the world you aren't hungover and chalk it up to it being "God's way of saying you were too awesome last night to deal with such f**kery"

4) Be attracted to people younger than you and maybe even some twice your age

5) Alternate between thinking you rock at your job and then question how you were even hired.

6) Make meaningful friendships with people that are based on much more than the fact that you make great beer pong partners (although that is a definite plus).

7) Attend some networking events and pat yourself on the back for successfully passing yourself off as a responsible adult who contributes to society.

8) Either remain way too guarded or date people who are not suitable or even compatible with you.

9) Consistently question what you are doing with your life, spend time feeling a bit of inner turmoil, mull it over and then decide you are simply "being awesome."

10) Realize how much you have changed since you were 22, but not be sure whether that is a good thing or a bad thing.

11) Make ridiculous purchases and spend money that you don't really have.

12) Hook up with people you would have never considered when you knew your "type"

13) Stress about money and your lack thereof, all while pissing it away in the wind and at the pub.

14) Discover things you never knew you were passionate about.

15) Be forced to defend the things you believe in, without even realizing you believed in them so strongly.

16) Have way too many feelings that you have no justification for.

17) Put off making decisions that are more important than "should I go to Hongdae or Itaewon?"

18) Spend a considerable amount of time worrying about how people think of you, before deciding you don't particularly care and unlike when you were 20, this time you mean it.

19) Take some risks that pay off...and a few that don't.

20) Consistently claim you need to "re-evaluate" your life choices with no intention of actually doing so.

21) Realize how important your family are, particularly after being away for so long.

22) Attempt to effectively balance your personal and professional life with minimal stress and effort.

23) Fall in love with a new fad, hobby or diet weekly.

24) Tick off a considerable amount of that bucket list you made when you were twenty one.

25) Begin focusing on your strengths, instead of the weaknesses you used to obsess over.

26) Have the best year of your life!

Thanks to everyone who is contributing to making 26 my best  year yet. Some day I will get everything together, but in the mean time, I'm gonna ride this out and take everything as it comes.

Here's a little love for my folks punching the clock!

Epik Renewal Process

Well folks, after much debate I decided to renew my contract with Epik. I was considering a move to a University so I could use my masters, but I think another year at my school is necessary. I might actually miss them if I left (shhhh, don't tell anyone).

After my open class I figured I was pretty much in the clear...oops forgot I had 2 renewal interviews. The first one was with my principal and couldn't have come as more of a surprise. I had no classes that day, was desk warming and as a result decided to wear some sweatpants with massive Nike high tops and a shirt that said "I Like Doing Hoodrat Stuff With My Friends." It went something like this:

Principal: I heard your lesson went well. Sorry, I could not go. I was at golf.
Me: Oh, that's okay. Thank you.
Principal: Yes, we like you. Do you want to stay?
Me: I like it here, very much.
Principal: Okay so what do you think you have done well at  our school?
Me: I am really proud with the level of proficiency students have reached while I have been-
Principal: Good. What could you improve?
Me: My classroom management skills, I would like to find  a better way to-
Principal: Good. Here are my requests.
Me: Okay.
Principal: Study Korean each-ee day. You like Karaoke?
Me: I love it!
Principal: You sing Billy Joel with me?
Me: Of course.
Principal *starts singing Piano Man*
Co-teacher: *Snaps something in Korean at him*
Principal: Right. Good. *shakes my hand* have a good day.

and off I went...my interview with the vice principal was slightly more formal, but not much. Finally on Thursday my co-teacher came in the room and handed me a paper about my Visa renewal, which would require a health check and mandatory HIV test (yep, apparently foreigners are the only people with HIV). She then presented me with my contract and said, I must send this now. Sign!  So safe to say, this is how I was told I passed my interview! After some discussion with my vice principal I convinced them to give me some time to think it over.

In the end of course, I mulled it over, considered the extra week of vacation, the pay raise, my crazy students,the opportunity to live in such a central area again and of course re-signed all 8 million pages of my contract (or 10). After looking back at my 5 year plan, I wonder how many people came to Korea planning to stay for only 1 year. I know people who say one year turned into 2, into 9 and sometimes into 20. I still have a lot more to do and see and I definitely want to go get my PHD, but in the mean time, I'm pretty content here in Korea.There is something about this place that I still can't explain. After all, that is the point of this blog, so the research continues!

Maggie Moo's 5 Year Plan  Revised To Do List:

1. Learn Korean (finally signed up for class)
2. Actually start saving some money this year (remember just because it isn't US dollars doesn't make it paper to piss away in the wind)
3.Start an advanced online teaching training for certification
4. Travel around Korea more! (Next up: Jeju and Busan).
5. Manage my time better and actually complete all of my lessons before I leave school!
6. Make it to Taiwan and Oceania!
7. Go home and visit my family

Maggie Moo Does Plastic Surgery in Korea: The Malibu Nose

Me and my nose have a complicated relationship

I first met "Candy" while rushing out of exit 6 in Gangnam. "Stop" she said, gently taking me by the wrist. "your nose is perfect.Can I take a picture?" Confused, I smiled, let her tilt my chin and then turn me sideways for a profile shot. "You have Malibu nose, this is the one I want my doctor to make me" I was shocked, but mainly because I have always had a complicated relationship with my nose. Being mixed, people would say It's not very black, or it's not very white. I got used to my nose being the defining feature that made me feel like "the other." So to hear someone say "I want that nose" really took me by surprise.

                       

 Before I arrived in Seoul, I had heard about the plastic surgery "craze." I was one of those people who would personally never have surgery myself, but didn't mind if others did, who was I to say what they did with their bodies. I never really cared, until I met "Candy." I thought she was beautiful, her eyes sparkled and immediately put me at ease. Her nature was happy, her aura was positive and I couldn't understand why she would even consider having surgery done. We exchanged numbers and discussed a possible language partnership.

straight on

One night, while stumbling around in Gangnam I heard "Hey Malibu" and was immediately surrounded by a group of very tall, stunning, Korean women, each one seemed a little more striking than the next, but they also looked a bit "off." Candy came forward, gave me a hug and introduced me to her friends. She proudly pointed out each ones nose, where they had it done and proceeded to tell me hers would be the best of all, because it would be the same as mine. While I was slightly flattered, the idea of someone running around with something that "belonged to me" was a bit strange.We took a photo together and I asked her "if I was to have plastic surgery done. What would they say I needed to change?" She smiled for a minute and said "nothing, you're perfect. Big eyes, slender nose, good cheeks, full lip." I said "that's just my face, what about the rest of me. I'm curious." She shook her head and after a few minutes of prodding said "well maybe they would do some liposuction, but you play rugby,you don't need it.I can give you my doctors number." I didn't see Candy again for months.

profile

angle

And just like that, my investigative journey started. I set up a consultation. I was asked to submit a photograph online: my face straight on, 45 degrees and profile, as well as a body shot and "any other problem zones." I questioned whether I was truly mentally strong enough to deal with the prospect of a total stranger telling me all of the things that were wrong with me,
Within a day I had a response.


"Good morning Maggie,
Thank you for submitting your profile to _________ cosmetic surgery. We have reviewed your photos and requests and below you will find a list of suggestions from one of our top surgeons.

Beta hydroxy acid treatment
Dermabrasion
Hyperpigmentation treatment
Lipoplasty
Blepharoplasty

Consultation is 100% free and we would love to set up a time to further discuss the pricing/options for your surgery.

A better you is just around the corner"

After a quick phone consultation, I headed in for my free in-office meeting. I pepped myself up before walking into the office, telling myself that I was here to find out "what was wrong with me." This was just for a piece I wanted to write and I wouldn't take it heart. I am not entirely convinced that I truly believed that.
The doctor was incredibly handsome, but I didn't see a hint of cosmetic surgery on his surprisingly tanned and even face (maybe a testament to how good he is). He welcomed me in, offered me tea and water and quickly got down to business. He said my body was okay as is, my breasts were high and desirable and my body was curvy. He said liposuction would serve well to highlight my curves and remove the access fat that was keeping me from "reaching my full potential." He offered to put me in contact with their nutritionist. I told him I was happy with my size and inquired about the rest.He said my eye shape was beautiful but blepharoplasty or (under-eye surgery) would remove the "tired look" and the Beta, dermabrasion and hyper pigmentation treatments would overall give me a "fresh and young look." I asked what was wrong with my skin and he said it was remarkably clear and fairly even already, but a combination of these treatments would make my skin bright and "lighter" over all. There was the key word I was looking for, "lighter."

Blespharoplasty lines (under eye surgery) and a skin whitening treatment

As I looked through the surgical books I saw shining examples of Western women, all white, all blonde and all natural. The guidebooks didn't contain any "exotic beauties" as the doctor liked to say, because the standard was that of a Western white person. He immediately began to backtrack saying I was a very exotic and beautiful woman and he wished more Korean women looked like me. I told him I had taken no offense and I thought Korean women should look exactly how they do now, beautiful & natural. He said he agreed that Asian women were beautiful on their own, but that cosmetic surgery would simply highlight that natural beauty. I laughed in his face. If eyelid surgery and a nose surgery are "highlighting" your look, then breast implants are merely wearing a push up bra. What bothered me the most was not the actual surgery, but rather his full admittance that the reason was to look more "white." I thanked him for his time and made my way out of the clinic. I was shaking. I'm not sure whether it was anger or confusion or maybe just a hint of disappointment with myself for momentarily questioning "what would make me beautiful?"

For a culture that is so proud of it's history and it's people, the irony is not lost on me. I have often heard "one blood, one people" or "Korean pride" and our "Korean women as the most beautiful in the world." I completely agree that Korean women are stunning, so why the surgery? Why the need to change your eyes and your nose? Dress it up anyway you like, call it an "improvement" but it is a distinct and very sad reminder that Korean culture is being highly white washed. Just this year there was a controversy about the miss Korea contestants. Does anyone see the issue with a group of women representing cultural beauty, through surgery that makes them practically culturally unidentifiable? If young girls are told that beauty comes from knife we are creating a hazard for our future women. It's all fine and well to say "whats on the inside is what counts" and "beauty is only skin deep" but we are very far from actually believing this as a culture. The truth is, as humans, we want to feel desired, we want to feel sexy and beautiful and unfortunately we are going to dangerous means to achieve that.

Miss Korea 2013 Contests: garnered attention for the extent of cosmetic surgery on each woman

Yesterday, I read an article about a young woman in Korea who committed suicide, last August, shortly after having a jawline thinning surgery. This surgery  left her unable to properly eat, cry,  or feel when her own drool was running down her face. This dangerous surgery is used to correct dental deformities and is now being marketed as a "beautifying" technique. If you've ever been inside a subway station and seen the plastic surgery photos unabashedly posted with slogans like "new life" and "beauty is everything," you might start to understand the mindset. Actually, the second you set foot in Gangnam, Apgujeong or Sinsadong you will see just how much plastic surgery there is.Figures released by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) state that 1 in 5 women in Seoul have undergone plastic surgery. 20 % between the ages of 19 to 49, have admitted to surgeries that make them appear more "Western."

Advert in Apgujeong Station

It is easy to blame the ever booming business of K-Pop for such surgeries, but that would be too simple. It is no secret that many artists have undergone the knife. I was shocked the other day to find that most of my female students 12-15 desire to have surgery and a few have even had operations already. Standards of beauty are very high in Korea and many women grow up from a young age being constantly told what their "flaws" are.Another trait of Korean culture is their directness. If you look "fat" you will be told, if you are too dark or too freckly or your skin is not even, you will be told. This is seen as a way of showing you care for your friends and their appearance. Westerners who visit are often shocked to be told they should "diet" or "whiten their teeth & skin." I have one student who has recently gone to high school she listed her proudest moment as the first time her mother told her she was beautiful. Upon asking her when this was, she said "when I had my double eye surgery and I was finally pretty." That was heartbreaking.

I wasn't even going to write this entry, on the off chance that I might really offend someone. But just two days ago I bumped into Candy again, only this time I didn't recognize her. I was hurrying in the rain, getting lost in the crowd of the hundred other busy people, when I passed by a woman, no more remarkable than anyone else I had ever seen before. I would have missed her entirely had she not said "hey Malibu." She was a mere shadow of the exuberant, bright spirited woman I had met before. "I had surgery, do you like?" she asked. I didn't know what to say. She had expected a much bigger reaction from me and let a small frown pass her lips, but quickly perked back up. I saw some resemblance of my nose. She was a different woman, but she looked the same as every other woman I had ever seen, who had surgery in Korea. Her eyes still sparkled a bit which led me to believe she was happy, but I'm not sure that I believed it.