Sorry no pictures this post, anyway…
Earlier this afternoon I went to the park again and this time I brought my mp3 player. Its kind of strange but listening to my music is somehow different here. For instance I can’t ever seem to decide on what to listen too. Back home when I went for walks (a nightly occurrence) I never had trouble on deciding what to listen too, Radiohead, U2, Chili peppers, etc. Its almost as if my mind and body are just so messed up from this move I can’t even enjoy my music. Or maybe my music is what I listen to when I’m home, and I’m definitely not home so I don’t really enjoy it.
It’s the same with reading. I’m currently trying to read a book called “A Game of Thrones” and when I start to read I quickly lose interest. The book is very good and I was really into it when I was home. Maybe I’m just so far out of my comfort zone I just can’t really enjoy it.
Maybe this has to do with jetlag. I still feel really tired, my sleeping habits are a little weird. I can’t seem to settle into a good sleeping pattern. I keep waking up at night, or really early in the morning it’s pretty annoying. Or maybe, my mind and body just haven’t accepted that this is now my home. Once I do that I think I’ll be able to enjoy music and books again.
Anyway, my English has gotten TERRIBLE. I read my last post and some parts are just awkward. I apologize in advance its probably a combination of jetlag and having to drop words out of sentences or trying to use English with Korean grammar so people can understand.
My ARC should be ready Nov. 1. Oh that reminds me. At the immigration office I saw an Asian woman (probably Korean) who was obviously pregnant with a sweat shirt on that read and I quote “White Trash”. And that sweat shirt reminds me, one of my students yesterday who is 10 or 11 years old had a shirt on that said “Tease, Tease, Tease”. Gotta love it.
There is a lot that has happened and that is happening that I really can’t talk about on this blog. It’s too bad too, because what I have talked about so far is only about 10% of the stories I have. I’ll probably have to save it for the book. Ok now I’m going.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Monday, October 23, 2006
Park near my house
There is a little park near my apartment I went to the other day. It has a little path around a pond, a soccer field, a basketball court, and a skate park. I decided to get some exercise and walked around the park a couple times before work.
Anyway, this place is so different. At 10 or 11 at night you can see little kids running around the streets unsupervised. I'm not talking about street kids I'm talking about school kids. Its a very safe place to be in and people just let there kids roam around. I'm not used to seeing kids out at 10pm. Students go to school pretty much all day until 9 or 10 around here, pretty crazy. I heard a story of a little toddler just crawling around on a pool table at a pool hall. Food is everywhere, almost every other store around here is either food or a bar or both. The shops are all really small though, its kinda strange. Come to think of it everything around here is smaller, the cups, the stores, the cars everything. Driving is pretty dangerous, my first taxi ride the driver was going 100 mph on a normal street, needless to say I found my seat belt pretty damn fast.
I might be going to Seoul this Saturday with a Korean friend his sister (hopefully) and a waygookin (foreigner from Canada) friend. Should be interesting.
Anyway, today I'm going to get my ARC (alien registration card) this will allow me to get internet in my room and a cellphone. That's it for now, bye bye.
Anyway, this place is so different. At 10 or 11 at night you can see little kids running around the streets unsupervised. I'm not talking about street kids I'm talking about school kids. Its a very safe place to be in and people just let there kids roam around. I'm not used to seeing kids out at 10pm. Students go to school pretty much all day until 9 or 10 around here, pretty crazy. I heard a story of a little toddler just crawling around on a pool table at a pool hall. Food is everywhere, almost every other store around here is either food or a bar or both. The shops are all really small though, its kinda strange. Come to think of it everything around here is smaller, the cups, the stores, the cars everything. Driving is pretty dangerous, my first taxi ride the driver was going 100 mph on a normal street, needless to say I found my seat belt pretty damn fast.
I might be going to Seoul this Saturday with a Korean friend his sister (hopefully) and a waygookin (foreigner from Canada) friend. Should be interesting.
Anyway, today I'm going to get my ARC (alien registration card) this will allow me to get internet in my room and a cellphone. That's it for now, bye bye.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
It feels like I've been here a lot longer than 5 days
Well to continue my story.
My 2nd day here was my first day of work. The students were watching a movie so I thought I wouldn't have to teach. The last class (15 year olds in Korean) I did have to teach. My boss walked me into the room, introduced me and then left much to my surprise. I did ok but towards the end ran out of things to say. I knew this would happen but not on the 2nd day. I've heard stories of people being put in the class the first day after the long flight, luckily that didn't happen to me.
---------
Anyway,
To explain about ages, when Koreans are born they are 1 years old. It gets confusing with birthdays, the way it was explained to me is new years they age up a year. So they could be 2 years old before they are 1.
One thing I've already noticed is my english is getting much worse. I'm dropping words that are unnecessary and using lots of hand gestures. I can only imagine what it will be like after living here a long time.
The western community here is pretty cool. Everyone is pretty close and its almost like you belong to a club if you are a waygookin. I've learned a couple words in Korean and find myself automatically using them instead of english words. I'm hopefully going to be getting formal lessons from a Korean friend and his sister who teachers at a university.
I went to a Korean wedding today. It was pretty cool, a little different from ours but very nice. Then we ate, S. (my western co-worker and friend) and a Korean co-worker/friend went to Suwon Station (train and subway) to the shopping mall there. We met his Father and sister and did some shopping then ate at burger king. Hopefully I'll go to Seoul with them next saturday.
This place is so amazing words can't even come close to describing how utterly fantastic this place is. I'm currently in the honey moon phase of culture shock if you haven't guessed and I just love it. I've been to so many parties and bars and restaurants and met so many people and learned so much in such a short time. It really feels like I've been here much longer. I will start writing much more often as soon as I get a reliable internet connection in my room.
Sorry no pictures this time. I keep forgetting to bring my camera but will try to post some new pictures next time.
My 2nd day here was my first day of work. The students were watching a movie so I thought I wouldn't have to teach. The last class (15 year olds in Korean) I did have to teach. My boss walked me into the room, introduced me and then left much to my surprise. I did ok but towards the end ran out of things to say. I knew this would happen but not on the 2nd day. I've heard stories of people being put in the class the first day after the long flight, luckily that didn't happen to me.
---------
Anyway,
To explain about ages, when Koreans are born they are 1 years old. It gets confusing with birthdays, the way it was explained to me is new years they age up a year. So they could be 2 years old before they are 1.
One thing I've already noticed is my english is getting much worse. I'm dropping words that are unnecessary and using lots of hand gestures. I can only imagine what it will be like after living here a long time.
The western community here is pretty cool. Everyone is pretty close and its almost like you belong to a club if you are a waygookin. I've learned a couple words in Korean and find myself automatically using them instead of english words. I'm hopefully going to be getting formal lessons from a Korean friend and his sister who teachers at a university.
I went to a Korean wedding today. It was pretty cool, a little different from ours but very nice. Then we ate, S. (my western co-worker and friend) and a Korean co-worker/friend went to Suwon Station (train and subway) to the shopping mall there. We met his Father and sister and did some shopping then ate at burger king. Hopefully I'll go to Seoul with them next saturday.
This place is so amazing words can't even come close to describing how utterly fantastic this place is. I'm currently in the honey moon phase of culture shock if you haven't guessed and I just love it. I've been to so many parties and bars and restaurants and met so many people and learned so much in such a short time. It really feels like I've been here much longer. I will start writing much more often as soon as I get a reliable internet connection in my room.
Sorry no pictures this time. I keep forgetting to bring my camera but will try to post some new pictures next time.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
My first day in Korea
My journey began at Tucson International Airport. I had to board a flight to Las Vegas where I would catch another flight on Korean Air to the Seoul Airport. The flight to Las Vegas was a little rough but luckily I took some air sickness pills before the flight. Unfortunately I thought they were chew tablets, and boy did I learn my lesson. Never try to chew tablets that you are supposed to swallow, they taste absolutely disgusting. When I got to the Las Vegas airport I had to pick up my bags, and then find the international terminal. I was actually getting a little worried while I waited for my bags, that place was a mad house. I think I packed way too much, one of my bags weights 50 lbs, the other 28lbs, plus a backpack and laptop and I was coming pretty close to my own body weight. I had to ask directions to the international terminal because I was completely lost in that airport. Once I found the right shuttle I passed through security and waited for my flight.
My first taste of Korea was when I boarded the plane. As soon as I stepped on, I knew I wasn’t in America anymore. A handful of beautiful Korean Stewardesses were busy pouring drinks and preparing snacks for the coming flight. I found my seat right next to an ajumma (old lady) and sat down. We talked for a bit and I offered to trade seats with one of her relatives so they could sit next to each other. The flight itself wasn’t too bad, I slept on and off so it didn’t seem that long. Dinner consisted of Bibimbap. Being a waygook (foreigner) the Stewardess gave me a little card explaining how to enjoy Bibimap.
Breakfast consisted of an omelet which was surprisingly very tasty. When I finally landed in Seoul 13 hours later, I was very tired and sore. I passed through Immigration with no problems, then picked up my bags and headed for Customs. They put my bags through an x-ray machine and sent me on my way. After that I changed some American dollars into Korean Won and went to find a payphone to call my boss.
I called him and here’s how the conversation went.
Me: David, I’m at the Incheon airport
David: Hi Kevin, that was fast
Me; I will get on the bus to Suwon, will you be there to meet me?
David: Yes, get on bus I will be there a little later
Me: Ok bye
David: Bye
I had to ask someone for help to find the correct bus. I stepped outside and the first thing that I noticed was all the fog. You can’t really see it in this picture but it was VERY foggy.
The bus ride took longer than it was supposed to, traffic was pretty bad. It should have taken 40 minutes but actually took about an hr and a half. A female voice came over the speakers (we had a male driver) and she announced we were at Suwon. At this point almost everyone got up and handed the bus driver the bus ticket. What a weird thing to do, why hand the bus driver your ticket when the bus ride is over??? Anyway, the bus driver helped me get my bags and left. I looked around in the middle of a very busy street and realized David was no where to be found. The first thoughts of “what the heck am I doing here” started to creep into my mind. Here I am in a COMPETELY different country with no friends or family on a busy street I have absolutely NO idea where I am and I’m starting to get a little worried here. This is what I saw.
I called David again at a payphone and said I was at the correct bus stop. He had a hard time hearing me and for some reason the payphone kept hanging up in the middle of our conversation. David finally asked me if he could talk to someone who spoke Korean. I saw a man sitting at a table and asked him for help. He obviously had no idea what I was saying but picked up the phone said a couple things to me in Korean and handed it back. All I heard on the other line was a dial tone. At this point I was starting to get pissed. I called back David and told him to come pick me up, he heard the panic in my voice and said “I will be there in a little bit”. I hung up and waited. Five minutes later he showed up and drove me to the school. I was dropped off in my apartment, introduced to the other waygook (foreign) teacher named S. (name deleted just going to use first initial). We then left the apartment building to grab some food, and David left S. and myself alone to get to know each other. He than began to teach me about Korean culture and the foreign teacher I was replacing…
S. informed me that when a Korean guy says “I kicked my girlfriend” it really means “I broke up with my girlfriend”. He also taught me about hair cuts. “When you go to a barber shop, and it seems really really expensive it might not actually be a barber shop. The guy you are replacing told me he went to one and the lady kept saying ‘lets go to special room’ and the guy had no idea what she was talking about”. Yikes.
Anyway I went home after we were done eating and went to bed. I woke up during the night and decided to grab some food and take a walk around my neighborhood. This is what I saw.
Anyway, that was my first day in Korea. You think that was cool, weird, odd, totally bizarre? Wait till you hear about my 2nd day.
Anway, I'm very tired and will try to write about my second day in the morning.
My first taste of Korea was when I boarded the plane. As soon as I stepped on, I knew I wasn’t in America anymore. A handful of beautiful Korean Stewardesses were busy pouring drinks and preparing snacks for the coming flight. I found my seat right next to an ajumma (old lady) and sat down. We talked for a bit and I offered to trade seats with one of her relatives so they could sit next to each other. The flight itself wasn’t too bad, I slept on and off so it didn’t seem that long. Dinner consisted of Bibimbap. Being a waygook (foreigner) the Stewardess gave me a little card explaining how to enjoy Bibimap.
Breakfast consisted of an omelet which was surprisingly very tasty. When I finally landed in Seoul 13 hours later, I was very tired and sore. I passed through Immigration with no problems, then picked up my bags and headed for Customs. They put my bags through an x-ray machine and sent me on my way. After that I changed some American dollars into Korean Won and went to find a payphone to call my boss.
I called him and here’s how the conversation went.
Me: David, I’m at the Incheon airport
David: Hi Kevin, that was fast
Me; I will get on the bus to Suwon, will you be there to meet me?
David: Yes, get on bus I will be there a little later
Me: Ok bye
David: Bye
I had to ask someone for help to find the correct bus. I stepped outside and the first thing that I noticed was all the fog. You can’t really see it in this picture but it was VERY foggy.
The bus ride took longer than it was supposed to, traffic was pretty bad. It should have taken 40 minutes but actually took about an hr and a half. A female voice came over the speakers (we had a male driver) and she announced we were at Suwon. At this point almost everyone got up and handed the bus driver the bus ticket. What a weird thing to do, why hand the bus driver your ticket when the bus ride is over??? Anyway, the bus driver helped me get my bags and left. I looked around in the middle of a very busy street and realized David was no where to be found. The first thoughts of “what the heck am I doing here” started to creep into my mind. Here I am in a COMPETELY different country with no friends or family on a busy street I have absolutely NO idea where I am and I’m starting to get a little worried here. This is what I saw.
I called David again at a payphone and said I was at the correct bus stop. He had a hard time hearing me and for some reason the payphone kept hanging up in the middle of our conversation. David finally asked me if he could talk to someone who spoke Korean. I saw a man sitting at a table and asked him for help. He obviously had no idea what I was saying but picked up the phone said a couple things to me in Korean and handed it back. All I heard on the other line was a dial tone. At this point I was starting to get pissed. I called back David and told him to come pick me up, he heard the panic in my voice and said “I will be there in a little bit”. I hung up and waited. Five minutes later he showed up and drove me to the school. I was dropped off in my apartment, introduced to the other waygook (foreign) teacher named S. (name deleted just going to use first initial). We then left the apartment building to grab some food, and David left S. and myself alone to get to know each other. He than began to teach me about Korean culture and the foreign teacher I was replacing…
S. informed me that when a Korean guy says “I kicked my girlfriend” it really means “I broke up with my girlfriend”. He also taught me about hair cuts. “When you go to a barber shop, and it seems really really expensive it might not actually be a barber shop. The guy you are replacing told me he went to one and the lady kept saying ‘lets go to special room’ and the guy had no idea what she was talking about”. Yikes.
Anyway I went home after we were done eating and went to bed. I woke up during the night and decided to grab some food and take a walk around my neighborhood. This is what I saw.
Anyway, that was my first day in Korea. You think that was cool, weird, odd, totally bizarre? Wait till you hear about my 2nd day.
Anway, I'm very tired and will try to write about my second day in the morning.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Sunday, Life, and North Korea
Sunday is the day I leave for South Korea. Everything is set, I have my e-ticket, I've moved out of my apartment, my mom has my car, most of my shopping is done. My itinerary has me leaving Tucson in the evening, and flying to Las Vegas where I will catch a flight on Korean Air to South Korea. I leave Oct. 15 and get there Oct. 17. Korea is 16 hours ahead of my current time zone, gonna take a while to get used to that. The flight from Las Vegas to South Korea is about 12 hours long. After I get to the airport I need to change some money into the local currency, give my director a phone call, and catch a shuttle to Suwon which is about 40 minutes away. The director will be waiting at my shuttle stop to pick me up from there and take me to my apartment on the 12th floor of some really tall building. After that, the real adventure begins.
Friday has been a good day. I spent the afternoon running some last minute errands. I had to go to the post office and see why my mail isn't being forwarded to my moms address. I got that all sorted out and went shopping. I needed some new shoes and other things, then I went to the bank to withdrawal some money for the trip and ask what my bank's swift code is for international money transfers. I plan on transferring money to my bank account here in the states to pay off my student loans and credit card bill (only have one left) which shouldn't take me too long.
The evening I spent with some close friends. We went out to dinner at a Chinese restaurant, very good food. Then we went bowling. My first two games I did terrible, but my very last game was the best I've ever played in my life. I had a blast. Went home and played clue with my mom, step dad and my eldest niece, then decided to end the night watching one of my favorite anime series, Cowboy Bebop. It has a strange name, but its such a good show. Anyway it really brought back memories of college when my friend Josh introduced me to it. Cowboy Bebop really opened the flood gates and I fell in love with anime.
Anyway...
I'm sure everyone has heard by now that North Korea tested a nuclear bomb. Am I worried? A little bit yeah. But here's the thing, I'm not going to let someone else dictate my future. I want to teach and live in South Korea, and that's what I'm going to do. If I really felt my life was in danger of course I wouldn't go, but this thing will probably just blow over sooner or later. You can live in a hole if you want, you can live in the same city your entire life, that's fine with me. But I will not live a life like that. To quote one of my favorite movies "Human beings were not meant to sit in little cubicles staring at computer screens all day..." If you are the type of person who needs security, my life is definitely not the life for you.
I feel so alive. I can't even begin to imagine what the future holds. This will be my last post from the US for now, see you again in South Korea.
Friday has been a good day. I spent the afternoon running some last minute errands. I had to go to the post office and see why my mail isn't being forwarded to my moms address. I got that all sorted out and went shopping. I needed some new shoes and other things, then I went to the bank to withdrawal some money for the trip and ask what my bank's swift code is for international money transfers. I plan on transferring money to my bank account here in the states to pay off my student loans and credit card bill (only have one left) which shouldn't take me too long.
The evening I spent with some close friends. We went out to dinner at a Chinese restaurant, very good food. Then we went bowling. My first two games I did terrible, but my very last game was the best I've ever played in my life. I had a blast. Went home and played clue with my mom, step dad and my eldest niece, then decided to end the night watching one of my favorite anime series, Cowboy Bebop. It has a strange name, but its such a good show. Anyway it really brought back memories of college when my friend Josh introduced me to it. Cowboy Bebop really opened the flood gates and I fell in love with anime.
Anyway...
I'm sure everyone has heard by now that North Korea tested a nuclear bomb. Am I worried? A little bit yeah. But here's the thing, I'm not going to let someone else dictate my future. I want to teach and live in South Korea, and that's what I'm going to do. If I really felt my life was in danger of course I wouldn't go, but this thing will probably just blow over sooner or later. You can live in a hole if you want, you can live in the same city your entire life, that's fine with me. But I will not live a life like that. To quote one of my favorite movies "Human beings were not meant to sit in little cubicles staring at computer screens all day..." If you are the type of person who needs security, my life is definitely not the life for you.
I feel so alive. I can't even begin to imagine what the future holds. This will be my last post from the US for now, see you again in South Korea.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Downtown Tucson
Welp, this past saturday Alisha and I went downtown with our cameras and took some pictures. This was probably good for me, seeing that I had completely stopped taking pictures after Emily and I broke up. It was something we did together often and the interest died with our relationship. However, considering I'm moving to another country and want to document it as much as possible I really needed this photographic kick in the pants so to speak to get ready.
The only bad thing about it was Alisha recently lost a close friend (he died). So she was sad about that, we talked about it a little bit while we walked. I also got a phone call in the middle of our walk and learned the sad news that a friend of mine has leukemia. So those things kinda kept our outing more subdued.
Anyway here are my favorite pics:
What I like about this first picture is the roof over the walkway. Kinda gives me a sense of mystery for some reason. And the contrast between the bright sunlight and shade is kinda cool.
This next one I have a whole series on. As we were walking we came past these pillars with mirrors on them outside a music store. There's Alisha trying to take the same picture of me that I'm taking of her.
Looks like I captured myself in this pic, oh well I'm an amateur.
This next two are reflections of buildings in the windows of other buildings.
Here is a very ghostly reflection of Alisha, looks like shes trying to take the same picture.
And finally, just a neat picture.
The only bad thing about it was Alisha recently lost a close friend (he died). So she was sad about that, we talked about it a little bit while we walked. I also got a phone call in the middle of our walk and learned the sad news that a friend of mine has leukemia. So those things kinda kept our outing more subdued.
Anyway here are my favorite pics:
What I like about this first picture is the roof over the walkway. Kinda gives me a sense of mystery for some reason. And the contrast between the bright sunlight and shade is kinda cool.
This next one I have a whole series on. As we were walking we came past these pillars with mirrors on them outside a music store. There's Alisha trying to take the same picture of me that I'm taking of her.
Looks like I captured myself in this pic, oh well I'm an amateur.
This next two are reflections of buildings in the windows of other buildings.
Here is a very ghostly reflection of Alisha, looks like shes trying to take the same picture.
And finally, just a neat picture.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Maggie the cutest puppy ever
My first week of retirement from America's meat grinder was interesting to say the least. I ended up house sitting for my sister for the past week while I wait for my adventure to begin. My sister asked if I could watch her house and her dog while she and her family were vacationing in Mexico. I thought it would be awesome, she has a very nice house, her puppy is the cutest dog ever, and I wanted to enjoy my first week off. Little did I know that Maggie the cutest puppy ever, was actually a little monster in disguise.
Here she is in all her cuteness.
Saturday afternoon I made the drive to my sister's house to begin my relaxing week. After I let Maggie in the house she quickly began to take over. I would sit and try to watch TV with her but she insisted on being the center of attention. Every time I'd move she'd quickly jump on my lap feet flailing in the air mouth snapping at my fingers begging for attention. After about half an hour I remembered her weakness, doggy treats. I ran into the kitchen and found her treats and gave her what looked like beef jerky. The tactic worked and she left me alone for a good 15 minutes. As soon as she was done however, she went back to demanding my full attention.
She may look sweet, but shes actually waiting in ambush!
I was not feeling well at all that night. I wanted to go to bed around 10 because I have been fighting a cough for a couple days now. You can imagine what Maggie thinks about bed time. I could not get her into her crate, she absolutely refused to go to bed no way no how! Then I remembered her leash! I ran into the garage and found her leash and gently led the cute little monster into her crate for bedtime. After about 10 minutes of crying and barking she finally fell asleep.
The first night was rough. But I must admit, after that first night she completely stole my heart.
Ah well. I will miss Maggie and the rest of my family but people never grow if they don't push there comfort zones. I explained to a friend the other night that this will probably be the best thing that has ever happened to me. It will force me to face all my fears. I will be thrust into the most uncomfortable and unusual situations, all my pet peeves will be challenged, and I will come out on top.
The date has not changed, just waiting for my e-ticket...Oct 15 I move to another country.
Here she is in all her cuteness.
Saturday afternoon I made the drive to my sister's house to begin my relaxing week. After I let Maggie in the house she quickly began to take over. I would sit and try to watch TV with her but she insisted on being the center of attention. Every time I'd move she'd quickly jump on my lap feet flailing in the air mouth snapping at my fingers begging for attention. After about half an hour I remembered her weakness, doggy treats. I ran into the kitchen and found her treats and gave her what looked like beef jerky. The tactic worked and she left me alone for a good 15 minutes. As soon as she was done however, she went back to demanding my full attention.
She may look sweet, but shes actually waiting in ambush!
I was not feeling well at all that night. I wanted to go to bed around 10 because I have been fighting a cough for a couple days now. You can imagine what Maggie thinks about bed time. I could not get her into her crate, she absolutely refused to go to bed no way no how! Then I remembered her leash! I ran into the garage and found her leash and gently led the cute little monster into her crate for bedtime. After about 10 minutes of crying and barking she finally fell asleep.
The first night was rough. But I must admit, after that first night she completely stole my heart.
Ah well. I will miss Maggie and the rest of my family but people never grow if they don't push there comfort zones. I explained to a friend the other night that this will probably be the best thing that has ever happened to me. It will force me to face all my fears. I will be thrust into the most uncomfortable and unusual situations, all my pet peeves will be challenged, and I will come out on top.
The date has not changed, just waiting for my e-ticket...Oct 15 I move to another country.
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