Okay, yes, I know it's been a little too long since I've last posted. Instead of boring you with my excuses, I'll just get right to it.
Life has been good. I've been settling into a nice little routine here. It's starting to get pretty humid and I'm making good use of not one, but two air conditioners in my classroom. As expected, my girl students complain that it's too cold. With all the sympathy I can muster up, I tell them to bring a coat next time.
Last week I found the bookstore and my quality of life has drastically improved since then. I finished The Coldest Winter, a book on America and the Korean war, and tackled two 500 page novels that I just couldn't put down. If you're looking for some exciting summer reading, put Child 44 and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo on your list. Two excellent books in my humble opinion.
Reading The Coldest Winter really put living and working in South Korea in a new perspective. In a short 50 years, South Korea has transformed itself into one of the best economies in the world. That would have never been possible if it weren't for Americans fighting in what, at the time, they and the folks back home thought was a meaningless and futile war (sound familiar?). Even now, it's known as The Forgotten War. In many ways, it was an embarassing war for the U.S., with many foolish decisions being made by those in charge. But to forget the sacrifice of those who gave their lives for a free and democratic South Korea would be a tragedy. If it weren't for their sacrifice, I wouldn't be living, working, and making money here today.
Well it's almost 2 a.m. here and I haven't been feeling too hot lately. If I don't post before the 4th, Happy Fourth of July!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Big Day
Today is a big day. Not only is it my one month anniversary of coming to Korea, but more importantly, it's my first payday. To help you understand how exciting that is, you need to know that I have two dollars left to my name and have been living off Ramen noodles and Frosted Flakes for the past 3 days. It's been feeling a lot like college again.
In anticipation of this big day, I opened a Korean bank account yesterday, all by myself. It was very easy. In only ten minutes, I walked out the door with a bank account, a check card, and some complimentary Hello Kitty candy. And so now my stomach and bank account, both empty, patiently await my first paycheck.
The first thing I plan on buying is a cell phone. It's hard to fit in here without a cell phone in my hands at all times. If there's a county more addicted than America to their electronic gadgets, it's got to be Korea. Since they pretty much make all of them, that's not too surprising.
The second thing I plan to buy is a haircut.
On Monday, I received a package from my ever-loving parents filled with some of my favorite books, a french press, chocolate, and an ipod nano. It almost felt like my birthday. The chocolate is already gone but I've been enjoying having portable music once again. I think the third thing I will buy is some Starbucks beans to french press. This instant coffee is just not cutting it.
In anticipation of this big day, I opened a Korean bank account yesterday, all by myself. It was very easy. In only ten minutes, I walked out the door with a bank account, a check card, and some complimentary Hello Kitty candy. And so now my stomach and bank account, both empty, patiently await my first paycheck.
The first thing I plan on buying is a cell phone. It's hard to fit in here without a cell phone in my hands at all times. If there's a county more addicted than America to their electronic gadgets, it's got to be Korea. Since they pretty much make all of them, that's not too surprising.
The second thing I plan to buy is a haircut.
On Monday, I received a package from my ever-loving parents filled with some of my favorite books, a french press, chocolate, and an ipod nano. It almost felt like my birthday. The chocolate is already gone but I've been enjoying having portable music once again. I think the third thing I will buy is some Starbucks beans to french press. This instant coffee is just not cutting it.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
7 Things I Don't Miss
I couldn't think of 10 things I don't miss so here are 7.
1. Driving
2. Making lattes for a living
3. Places that close at 9 p.m
4. Miami University girls
5. Tipping at restaurants
6. West Chester nightlife
7. President Obama
1. Driving
2. Making lattes for a living
3. Places that close at 9 p.m
4. Miami University girls
5. Tipping at restaurants
6. West Chester nightlife
7. President Obama
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Top 10 Things I Miss
You might be wondering what I've been missing the most since I've been here. In no particular order, here are ten things I miss a lot. My family and friends are just a given so I have not listed them here :)
1. french press coffee
2. a dryer
3. my books
4. the cat
5. my guitar
6. the English language
7. American personality
8. my wallet
9. Barnes and Noble
10. blonde girls
Stay tuned for a list of things I don't miss...
1. french press coffee
2. a dryer
3. my books
4. the cat
5. my guitar
6. the English language
7. American personality
8. my wallet
9. Barnes and Noble
10. blonde girls
Stay tuned for a list of things I don't miss...
Monday, June 1, 2009
Downtown
I apologize for my lapse in posting last week. I haven't lost anything lately so there just hasn't been much to write about. Well actually, I did leave my apartment key sitting on the park bench for about two hours yesterday. I got back to my apartment, realized I didn't have my key, and remembered it fell out of my pocket while I was reading. Luckily, it was still there when I went to get it. You must really be wondering what a guy like me is doing living overseas.
On Saturday afternoon I was in an exploratory mood so I hopped on the subway and headed downtown. I don't know why but I really enjoy riding subways. I think I could ride them all day long. There's only 2 lines here in Daegu so getting places is very simple. But if there's anyone who could get lost on a 2 line way Subway, it's probably me. I actually did go one stop too far on my way back Saturday. A simple mistake anyone could make.
I enjoyed downtown a lot. It seemed like the shops and stores went on forever and there were a lot more people than there are around here. If you get tired of shopping on the street, there's also a whole mall underground which provides a great escape from the sun. Again, I went out on a limb and ate at Burger King where I think I was approached by a member of the Korean mafia, if there is one. He sat down at my table, flashed a gold phone, and asked if I was an English teacher. I said yes and then he went outside and just stared at me through his sunglasses. I'm really not sure what it was about but I decided getting out of there was probably my best option.
I'll be going downtown again on Wednesay to play at the Open Mic at a popular foreigner bar here. I'm hoping to meet some more musicians and I'm looking forward to just playing a few tunes. It should be a good time. Alright, well my PC room time is running out so I must end this post. Hmm, I still haven't posted about those three Korean girls. I guess it will have to wait until next time.
On Saturday afternoon I was in an exploratory mood so I hopped on the subway and headed downtown. I don't know why but I really enjoy riding subways. I think I could ride them all day long. There's only 2 lines here in Daegu so getting places is very simple. But if there's anyone who could get lost on a 2 line way Subway, it's probably me. I actually did go one stop too far on my way back Saturday. A simple mistake anyone could make.
I enjoyed downtown a lot. It seemed like the shops and stores went on forever and there were a lot more people than there are around here. If you get tired of shopping on the street, there's also a whole mall underground which provides a great escape from the sun. Again, I went out on a limb and ate at Burger King where I think I was approached by a member of the Korean mafia, if there is one. He sat down at my table, flashed a gold phone, and asked if I was an English teacher. I said yes and then he went outside and just stared at me through his sunglasses. I'm really not sure what it was about but I decided getting out of there was probably my best option.
I'll be going downtown again on Wednesay to play at the Open Mic at a popular foreigner bar here. I'm hoping to meet some more musicians and I'm looking forward to just playing a few tunes. It should be a good time. Alright, well my PC room time is running out so I must end this post. Hmm, I still haven't posted about those three Korean girls. I guess it will have to wait until next time.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Essays, Pork, and Street Music
Before Sunday, I was unaware that being an English teacher in Korea also means being an unpaid part-time model. It's always been a kind of secret desire of mine to be a model but I didn't expect it to happen here. I guess I'm getting pretty used to the unexpected these days.
So on Sunday, my day off, I was required to volunteer at an essay contest outside World Cup Stadium here in Daegu. The stadium area is a very impressive place. Mountains rise behind it and there's lots of park space for kids to run free. There's also some bike and running trails, and even a small Buddhist temple nearby. All in all, not a bad place for some mandatory Sunday volunteer work.
Once I finally got there after getting lost, I was instructed to go around and have my picture taken with the kids who were trying to write their essays. In my opinion, an essay contest should never be a 3 hour event. Writing an essay should be a long, hard-thought out process that takes place over a week or two, not a 3 hour speed contest. Shoot, when I was in college, it took me about three hours just to figure out the first three sentences. But this is Korea. And in Korea, speed is king.
After the contest, the school director took us all out to lunch which was more like a feast. Although my groins are still adjusting to the traditional Korean sit-on-the-floor restaurants, my taste buds are quite at home. In a lot of Korean resturants they have little circular grilles in the middle of the tables where you place the meat, watch it cook, and grab it when it's ready. I'm a big fan. It was probably the best pork of my life which I enjoyed with the only fork at the table.
Since I've been here, the thing that I've probably missed the most is a guitar. I've almost gone insane just sitting in my room with no guitar to play. But on Sunday, I finally found a guitar to borrow and my sanity is slowly making a comeback. So last night, I did something I've never done in the states. I played on the street. Street music is almost unheard of in Korea so it took a little courage. I did it partly to try to meet some more Korean people, which can be a hard thing to do in other situations. But as always, music has a power to bring people together. And it did just that last night as a small crowd gathered around me as I sang.
I met a really cool guy and his girlfriend who was actually born in the states. She speaks very little English but when she does, she sounds like a pure American. The guy has never officially studied English but he's picked up a lot just from movies, music, and talking to foreigners like me. It's very impressive. They are both hip-hop dancers and love street performance kind of stuff which drew them over to me. I am meeting them again tonight to have some dinner with them and just hang out. I also met three pretty Korean girls but I will post about that later. Time for work :)
So on Sunday, my day off, I was required to volunteer at an essay contest outside World Cup Stadium here in Daegu. The stadium area is a very impressive place. Mountains rise behind it and there's lots of park space for kids to run free. There's also some bike and running trails, and even a small Buddhist temple nearby. All in all, not a bad place for some mandatory Sunday volunteer work.
Once I finally got there after getting lost, I was instructed to go around and have my picture taken with the kids who were trying to write their essays. In my opinion, an essay contest should never be a 3 hour event. Writing an essay should be a long, hard-thought out process that takes place over a week or two, not a 3 hour speed contest. Shoot, when I was in college, it took me about three hours just to figure out the first three sentences. But this is Korea. And in Korea, speed is king.
After the contest, the school director took us all out to lunch which was more like a feast. Although my groins are still adjusting to the traditional Korean sit-on-the-floor restaurants, my taste buds are quite at home. In a lot of Korean resturants they have little circular grilles in the middle of the tables where you place the meat, watch it cook, and grab it when it's ready. I'm a big fan. It was probably the best pork of my life which I enjoyed with the only fork at the table.
Since I've been here, the thing that I've probably missed the most is a guitar. I've almost gone insane just sitting in my room with no guitar to play. But on Sunday, I finally found a guitar to borrow and my sanity is slowly making a comeback. So last night, I did something I've never done in the states. I played on the street. Street music is almost unheard of in Korea so it took a little courage. I did it partly to try to meet some more Korean people, which can be a hard thing to do in other situations. But as always, music has a power to bring people together. And it did just that last night as a small crowd gathered around me as I sang.
I met a really cool guy and his girlfriend who was actually born in the states. She speaks very little English but when she does, she sounds like a pure American. The guy has never officially studied English but he's picked up a lot just from movies, music, and talking to foreigners like me. It's very impressive. They are both hip-hop dancers and love street performance kind of stuff which drew them over to me. I am meeting them again tonight to have some dinner with them and just hang out. I also met three pretty Korean girls but I will post about that later. Time for work :)
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Speaking Too Soon...
My last post was a case in speaking too soon. Just when I was starting to get comfortable and confident, I lose my wallet. At first, I didn't believe it. Then I panicked. And then I just laughed. I know it's no laughing matter, but after so many mishaps in one week, you come to the point where your life is just a really funny comedy.
Fortunately, I still have my passport so I'm not stuck here for life. In light of recent events, I'm thinking about duck taping it to my right leg, along with all my money. Nothing seems to be safe in my possession and I am clinging to what I have left for dear life.
Today I went to the hospital for a series of dreaded health checks. Turns out I'm clean enough for Korea. It was quite a rush as they rushed me from room to room for each test. I had a lot of coffee beforehand which I hope doesn't affect my drug test. It would be a shame to be sent home for my daily caffeine overdose.
Teaching went okay today. So far its either blank stares or really hyper middle school girls. There is no middle ground with these kids. But I do I have an elementary student who is probably the brightest student in all of my classes. He's always asking questions and speaks English almost without an accent. He even tells me what I need to be doing when I look confused, which happens a lot. I have a feeling he's going to be a great English speaker and it's kids like him that make teaching English my most rewarding job yet.
Fortunately, I still have my passport so I'm not stuck here for life. In light of recent events, I'm thinking about duck taping it to my right leg, along with all my money. Nothing seems to be safe in my possession and I am clinging to what I have left for dear life.
Today I went to the hospital for a series of dreaded health checks. Turns out I'm clean enough for Korea. It was quite a rush as they rushed me from room to room for each test. I had a lot of coffee beforehand which I hope doesn't affect my drug test. It would be a shame to be sent home for my daily caffeine overdose.
Teaching went okay today. So far its either blank stares or really hyper middle school girls. There is no middle ground with these kids. But I do I have an elementary student who is probably the brightest student in all of my classes. He's always asking questions and speaks English almost without an accent. He even tells me what I need to be doing when I look confused, which happens a lot. I have a feeling he's going to be a great English speaker and it's kids like him that make teaching English my most rewarding job yet.
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