Bomb Drills and Serious Threats of Attack…

Bomb drills at schools, bombing of an island, serious threats of attack…still not a big response from my fellow Korean teachers.

(For brief information about North and South The Telegraph has an easy to follow timeline: North Korea’s Conflict with South Korea- Timeline )

In my previous post I mentioned how when the attack on Yeonpyeong Island happened the heightened sense of danger was a stand still. I am not sure if because I am not Korean, they do want to worry me or think illy of Korean’s. They definitely don’t want me to feel unsafe. I am left feeling confused and wondering what they are really thinking. I might feel more safe to know that I wasn’t the only thinking that “shit just got real.”

Today (December 20, 2010)

Headline: Breaking World News

UN Security Council Fails to Reach Accord on Korea Crisis.

“UNITED NATIONS — The UN Security Council failed Sunday to agree a statement on the Korean military crisis and Russia warned that the international community was now left without “a game plan” to counter escalating tensions.

China rejected demands by Western nations that North Korea be publicly condemned for its November 23 attack on Yeonpyeong island which killed four South Koreans, diplomats said.

About eight hours of formal talks by the 15 nation council and private discussions, which brought in the North and South Korean ambassadors, ended without accord.

“We were not successful in bridging” differences between the parties, Russia’s UN envoy Vitaly Churkin told reporters…”

So, what do I do? I hear bomb drills that happen at my school buttttt…they don’t ask me to participate. I spoke with other NET’s (Native English Teachers) and their part in the drills was much more active than mine. Alex Pickett said that he was escorted into the basement of his school during a drill. I can’t help but be jealous. Now, today as I am updated by Google about news alerts about Korea I am paranoid every time I hear a plane or helicopter. I think I am hearing them more than usual…

So I will leave with the attitude of a Korean and just ‘see what happens.’

BBC News: South Korea to begin exercised near border with North.

❤ Paranoid Shannon in Daegu…

North Korea & A Very Daegu Thanksgiving

Well about a month ago it was Thanksgiving & around Thanksgiving North Korea bombed a small island off the coast of Incheon (northern South Korea.)… directly following Thanksgiving I had Winter Camp to worry about so I have been so busy.

About the bombing here. There was here-say about North Korea claiming that they felt a threat and that South Korea shot the first shot. I think unless I am Korean, I won’t fully understand. I remember the moment I found out about the bombing. I was with my co-teacher at school it was about 4:12pm and we were having auditions for new announcers on the broadcast for next year. Yun received a phone call. “Nae…naeeee.” She then blankly stared off for a split second and asked for the next student to come in.  I felt like, maybe, some bad news about her family or something had come through. I asked her if she was alright. She said “There has been an attack on South Korea from North Korea. Okay, let’s begin.” ….

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What?!?!?!?? What do you think of this? Nobody I talked to took it very seriously. I guess when you have lived 60 years with the threat of an attack you get used it. It has been a month since this attack and news about it died just a couple days after.

This video of life in North Korea was released shortly after the attack though and it is bone chilling to watch.

On a much lighter note Thanksgiving came and went! Of course there was turkey, thanks, giving, soju, whipped cream, pie, pie shots, 25 people in a 1 bedroom. Oh, did I forget to mention that? Something that I am getting used to is having such a small space for gatherings. Many of us native teachers wanted to be around friends for Thanksgiving so the numbers grew and grew for this glorious feast. Soon, we had 25 people and we were all going to wine and dine in one, one bedroom apartment; thanks Eric. I have to admit, I was super nervous. Nervous that there wasn’t going to be enough food and anxious that there wouldn’t be anywhere to sit and eat. My friend Jose and I already called dibs on the bathroom floor before the night began. All of my worrying did me no good because Thanksgiving was a complete success. It was delicious- too much food and everyone got along and was merry. I was obnoxious and pushed for a “I’m thankful for…” toast. We all went in a circle and mentioned what we were thankful for, it really sweet. ^ ^

Food:

• 2 turkies
• stuffing
• 2 pots of mashed potatoes
• cranberry sauce
• 3 pumpkin pies
• 1 apple “crumble” hehe
• MAC N CHEESE
• An abundance of bread
• buckets of fruit
• pasta salad
• a cheese platter
• some pork
• some chicken

Oh, it was good. I was surprised how much traditional food we were able to pull off. It was the first American Thanksgiving for many who attended. 1 Canadian, Dave (who loves Degrassi…) in particular got to experience it the most since he was the only one who knew how to cut the turkey haha.

Thanksgiving will be displayed in a slideshow…