High tech keyboard conversion

I really want to learn Korean. When I first got here I memorized about 2/3 of the script, Hangul, in the first few days. And then I started working (7 classes, 163 students), yoga, the weather got nice, I bought a bike, I could say 'soju' before I got here, I like all food, it's a super service oriented country so people go out of their way to make you happy, and I live in a building with ALL of the English speaking employees at Andong National University. The only thing I've learned since then is one of the 2 counting systems (the one you use for shopping). But- I DO really want to learn to speak the language.

So-as of last week, Lisa and I have started language lessons, Tuesdays and Thursdays, with our neighbor Chris. Payment in food. Thank whatever powers that may be I'm a darn good cook. He has been here for 5 years, on and off, and speaks the language pretty well ( at least as far as I can tell, hehe) and he's really into it- and the other languages it's led him to. You can check out his writings about it here on the site he has just started. I was a bit skeptical of how it was going to go, because he's our hang out buddy, but it turns out he's an exceptional teacher- makes us repeat it over and over, role playing, 'what did you say- you want a camel in Arabia?'. We've had 2 lessons so far and have covered: 'How to meet some one new', 'Ordering food' (based on our neighborhood, super awesome BBQ joint), and taking a taxi. Very simple and very VERY useful. It has renewed my enthusiasm for actively learning.

Chris also showed me how to make my computer type Hangul. But, my computer does not have a Hangul keyboard. We downloaded an image of a Hangul keyboard, but switching back and forth make my impatient ass lose interest in about 60 seconds, and today I went on a quest for stickers.

And converted my keyboard.

Tadah!!!!!!!!

Now I can type my name

조 디 (Hangul is totally phonetic. Sort of..)

with a click of a button!

I also had a great evening discovering that Koreans really want to help you learn. Walking through our local market on the way home, I was leafing through a rack of sweaters with one hand and holding my Korean lesson notebook in the other (because I was reviewing on the bus), the women from the store came out and started to talk to me. I've met them before but this time I said '반갑슴니다' (bam gap seum nida) which means 'glad to meet you' and she got super excited and went off. From what I gathered (from body language and expression) she said, 'Your learning!'. I just started laughing and handed her my notebook to show her that '반갑슴니다' was actually open in my hand. And then she dragged me inside and we spent a hilarious half an hour going through the first few pages of my 'Survival Korean' text book, laughing at my Korean and their English pronunciation. Until I looked at the clock and said, 'Yoga!-now!'. And we all said '반갑슴니다' again- this time with our hands clasped in the way we start and end yoga, bowing to each other- and laughed some more.

Then- after I made a mad dash home to change, I jumped on my bike, and I ended up 20 minutes early. The 7pm class ends at 8:10 and the class I went tonight starts at 8:20. The end of each session is always some sort of meditation and I don't like going into the studio when I might disturb people so I decided to go the toy stores up the street to look for Hangul stickers. I went to 3 different stores and in each store I pointed at stickers and said, 'Hangul? My computer, want Hangul!'(in English). And in each store they found me Hangul stickers- and then reviewed the sounds with me! Seriously! Can you imagine walking into a store in the states, asking for Roman alphabet stickers in a foreign language, and then having the shop workers teach you?

Here is my name again 조디
This is 'take me down town, please'시내 로 가주세요'

and this is 'love Jody'
살랑
도디

Additional comment 6/9/2010: I've gotten a few messages from people, ahem, in the states telling me I should study with a Korean if I really want to learn the language so why am I studying with an English speaker. One person even told me, 'They are disappointed, I should know better'.

I have tried to set up language exchange with a few people and it hasn't panned out. I've got a pretty crazy schedule and most Koreans work way more than I do. Also- I'm pretty sure that some of the men who have offered aren't really looking to 'talk'. Chris lives up a flight of stairs and is part of our regular crew. We start classes when we all get home from work, classes, errands- can't get much more convenient.

And- as far as learning with Koreans, well, I LIVE IN KOREA! I have an entire country of people to practice with and y'all know I'm not shy. Everything I've learned so far has been put to use with in a day or two. Last night was 'Do you have these shoes in size 230?' and 'Does this come in black?'. You KNOW that will be used by the end of the week....