R16- Korea Final 2014

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10437010_10100966984622283_4566298936916589664_nSaturday the 14th of June, I got to go to R16 Korea, A b-boy contest picking out who the best to compete representing Korea in the World R16 match later in July. I actually went with 2 friends instead of grabbing a spot with K-Supporters. We met at Uijeongbu, about an hour 20 mins from Sinchon. It was a very long ride. We met at about 1p.m. Even though ticket handout wasn’t until 3p.m. We met by exit 2-3 to head to Uijeongbu Arts Center (위정부 예술의전당).

The walk there is pretty easy it takes about 15-20 mins depending on how fast you walk. You come out of exit 2 and just walk straight. You will pass about 5-6 blocks. Until you come to a T junction. At this point just cross the street and turn left. Walk about 4-5 mins and you will see the art center on your right.

When we first got there it was a bit dead. I thought to myself ‘oh maybe we came too early.’ But we went inside and got into the already small line that was formed for the tickets. I am an extremely patient and well prepared person so I brought Uno and card that we played while waiting for the event to start. After about 30 mins the line started really getting long. I was thankful we decided to come earlier instead of wait.  Also playing cards made the time really fly by. Before we knew it the time was 3p.m. and they opened the ticket booth.

When we got to the front the lady at the counter actually took the tickets back from us and gave us 3 new ones. We wondered what was wrong. When we checked where the seats were we realized she gave us VIP seats!! I LOVE KOREA!

10453329_10100966984517493_8841106298487359906_nHowever waiting so long for tickets me and my friends actually ended up being insanely hungry and thirsty. So we headed back towards the station and went to Shinsaega Department store which was on seriously right beside the metro station. We grabbed some snacks on the main floor first. I got triangle kimbap and some mandu. We were looking for somewhere to eat when we noticed. We missed the whole cafeteria that was downstairs. So we all tucked our snacks into our bags and headed down to the café to pick up some real food.

We all end up getting the exact same noodle dish. But I liked it because they hand you a plate and you decided how much of what vegetables you want. I love mushrooms so I put a whole bunch of those. It was really good but I’m dumb and don’t know how to eat and got it on me.. So I got to visit the bathroom and wash my shirt in the sink.. Such is my life.

We headed back to the Art center. I actually saw a few more people I knew and said hi. Even ran into a friend I haven’t seen in 2 years. He actually didn’t get a ticket and was looking for anyone who had extra. I told him sorry, but we didn’t have extra tickets and he should have came early (He arrived there at about 4:40).

We went into the performance hall and found our seats. AMAZING SEATS if I haven’t said this. We are dead center about 5 rows back from the stage. I think we even got better seats then the K-Supporters. I was so happy and excited. Then all excitement drained when I realized Morning of owl wasn’t going to be in the contest!!! NOOOO POCKET!! 

10450527_10100966984662203_563020086582315223_nWell the show started and I was already in a depressed mood but it did go really well. First two events are probably not my favorite the popping & locking. I like Locking more because my mom use to listen to all the music and I was defiantly singing along to Car Wash! “working at the car wash yeeaah”.

But I was most excited for the B-boy battles. I have to admit some of them were entertaining but nothing can compare to morning of owl.

Before I announce the winners of the night though I have to tell you about this really awkward dance routine that happened that had me thinking maybe they had to check that everyone was 19 or older. It was this girl group that I have to say put the ‘What just happen’ moment into perspective. I mean they are great because you can see how hard they worked and trained and how athletic and agile they are! But on the other hand it was like SEXY TIME dance routine, with air humping and butt jiggling. After they were finished me and my friends just looked at each other and though.. What just happened??

Anyways back to the winners: Poppin’ DS won for Best Popper. Locking Kahn won for best Locker. And best b-boy group was Gamblerz Crew. In all I agreed with the b-b-boy group. And the final two were actually the two groups I picked for being the most potential.

Side note: let me give you some tips. BRING SNACKS, this event last forever and you really are about ready to eat your hand off and one point if you don’t. Bring a sweater or jacket s can get a little cold in the theater. Make sure you bring your ticket stub out with you if you are going to the bathroom. Make sure you check that you won’t miss your train because the performance ended about 20 mins before last train!

In all it wasn’t a bad performance but I think for see another country taking the top title for the World Wide R-16.

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Published by kkaholo

My name is Kalama and I’m a 25-year-old American (26 in Korean age) who is going to teach English as a Second Language in Seoul, South Korea. I went to school, Marshall University, and got my degree in Graphic Design. I have been a graphic designer, in the non-profit world for two years since graduating in 2009. However, I started becoming more and more burnt out creatively. Anyways, I bet you’re wondering how I even got into teaching? I started my whole teaching experience teaching art classes to kids preparing for university life. I can tell you summer art classes are not easy for students who literally can't stand to be there! My first day of class started out with me asking everyone’s favorite artist. I expected the normal text book answers of Van Gogh, Da Vinci and Rembrandt. Instead I got the answer of Michael Jackson (I did say famous Visual Artist) and Tom Hanks (one of my students pointed out that he was in The Da Vinci Code). I have to admit that was probably the one time I stood there and questioned what I was doing?!? But nevertheless I kept going and ended up having a pretty good group of students, when I could get them to pay attention. So I taught summer classes for two years straight and it actually kept me in the goal of teaching. Now to continue on with how I got into English as a Second Language (ESL). Being in the non-profit world you know a lot about other non-profits. I found a great one around where I live called Literacy Volunteers of Harrison County; they worked with kids, teenagers, adults and ESL students. I admit I instantly knew I wanted to be an ESL tutor and set about getting certified. I went through Literacy training, ESL training, ESL certification, Laubach training, WVTESOL Conferences (where I became a board member) and Literacy Conferences. I have tutored a number of students through this program and enjoyed every teaching experience. Then it dawned on me, I enjoy doing this! Why don’t I do this for a living! So off I went into the land of the internet to see “Where to teach ESL?”. I had a ton of hits come up with China, Thailand, Japan, Philippines and then I saw in South Korea! I officially knew where I wanted to teach without having to look at other options. South Korea was where I wanted to go. I love the people, the food, the history, the culture just about all of it! So I looked at the best way to get a job in Korea (which I will talk about in an actual post) And officially got accepted right before Christmas 2011! So Now I’m off to Korea, Febuary 20th, 2012!. (Sorry a bit long!)

Adventure, Awesome, Fun, Korea

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