A lifting off...

Hello to anyone and all that read/have read this blog. I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed managing this thing. Not only has it let me feel in touch, but it has provided with a goal - albeit humble - throughout the whirlwind that was my year in Korea. But, as that year has come to a close, so too will this blog.

Though fear not! The internet is not rid of me yet! I have started a new site dedicated to all things post-Korea and pre-whateverthefuckiwilldonext. It exists, but I've yet to really get it cracking. I decided to switch over to the uber-hipsters at wordpress, and all their minutae has impeded these early stages. But I assure you; once I master their system, you will be inundated with over-important, under-thought ramblings about my life and all it entails.

In closing, thanks so much for reading. Knowing that any of you took time to stay with me was one of the great joys of my Asian experience. I'll miss this site enormously.

If you are still interested in my happenings, feel free to check out Roktova.wordpress.com

Anyeongigyeseyo!

Great Lake Swimmers - When it Flows

Tomorrow is another now
Waiting to happen...

- GLS

The Mountain Goats - International Small Arms Traffic Blues

I recently saw a friend tweet (I'm assuming you're aware of Twitter.com) about a band called The Mountain Goats, and I became curious. To be honest, I'm not above being interested in a band because their name conjures up cool images. But beyond that embarrassing aspect, I remembered quickly reading something about them being folk-y and minimalist - two scenes that will always earn a listen from me. Thanks to the casually illegal nature of internet music trading, I was able to grab one of their albums not 5 minutes later. It's folk-y and minimalist and everything I dig about the far flung progeny of Elliot Smith. Moreover it has one of the coolest allegorical songs I've ever heard. Here's a snippet...

Our love is like the border between Greece and Albania
Our love is like the border between Greece and Albania
Trucks loaded down with weapons
Crossing over every night
Moon yellow and bright
There is a shortage in the blood supply
But there is no shortage of blood
The way I feel about you baby can't explain it
You got the best of my love

check out the full tune in all its glory at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_0nROFZDvQ&feature=related

Lion's Final Roar

Today America has lost one of its last true statesman. Ted Kennedy is no longer, but I hope that he may rest with the knowledge that so many of his dreams - racial equality, health care reform, a spirit of compromise - are perhaps more alive now than ever. His achievements will be studied for years to come, and I have no doubt that my children, though totally unaware of him, will live in a world that he bettered for them.

Booya!

-cnn.com

Booty anda Best

For each week of the camp we all must monitor a group project. The first week had us charting dance moves and drilling lyrics for a 'song contest' held last Sunday for parents and various Korea suits. This week we are supposed to conduct some sort of role play, which has manifested itself as the kids recreating scenes from various Disney classics.

My group stumbled upon Beauty and the Beast. It's probably no better or worse than anything else they could have been assigned. I work with the lowest level students, so their comprehension of these stories is essentially nil. That said, the show must go on, and so they are still forced to script read and drill scenes. Last night my Korean co teacher sequestered the girls in a sort of tryout for the Belle character, and I was left to run a 4-page section with the boys. What ensued in this dudes' session was easily the most hilarious thing I've been a part of at camp.

Now, don't take this as me knocking these kids because they couldn't comprehend the scene. That's hardly the case. Most of them actually did grasp the arc of things. What got me going was how they suddenly broke out of their shell and gave Beauty everything they had. The narrarrator adopted a faux deep voice, the Prince/Beast was rife with passion, Belle (as played by an 11 year old boy) exhibited moments of real anguish. As funny as this whole thing was, I'd say it was equally fascinating. I was witnessing boys teetering on the precipice of all-consuming self-consciousness (teenagerdom). The equation was simply perfect. Any older and they would not have attacked such an effeminate piece with such gusto, for fear of seeming uncool. I don't know. Maybe it's not worth all this thought.

As frustrating as this camp can be/is, moments like that remind me that I'm right where I need to be.

Sun Kil Moon (Mark Kozelek) - Lost Verses

Absolutely brilliant. Exceedingly beautiful.

The Things That Haunt my Dreams