Beefy T

By America, Buy America

2011-12-17T02:08:00.001+09:00

So, I recently updated my phone, and needed a new case. I wanted this case to be really cool, so I solicited the help of meu amigo, Bruno. He came through big time, like always. He brought to my attention a company called Grove. It was love at first sight. This company has everything going for them. First, their products look awesome. I love when a company actually cares about the aesthetics of their product. It is so very important. Not only do they make products pleasing to the eyes, they make them out of renewable resources (bamboo). If this wasn't enough to sell me, the fact that they make everything here in the USA, put the icing on the already delicious cake. The only problem I had was choosing which design I would choose. At first, my indecision drove me to choose the plain model, with nothing on the back. I was happy with this, because it is beautiful in itself. I placed my order. Then days later, I saw that they were featuring a Brazilian artist, Fernando Togni. He is kind of awesome. They were using his Caos Organizado creation. I really fell in love with it. I contacted my new friends at Grove, and asked them if I was able to change my order, since it was the same price. They were so gracious, and they kindly obliged. No hassel at all. So, on top of everything else, they have awesome customer service! Such a pleasurable experience. The only trade-off is you have to wait a few weeks for all this goodness, but it's totally worth the wait. I even received a hand written note on the invoice. Those little touches make the difference. I am trying to decide what I will buy from them next.

Now We Know!

2011-11-30T23:49:00.001+09:00

So, I am borrowing a favorite segment of a favorite show of mine ("Now We Know" from Up w/ Chris Hayes) and using it in my blog. Yes, I get up at 7am on Saturday and 8am on Sunday to watch!

So, somethings that I know this week now that I didn't know before is that; I really don't like cleaning up feces and I have to rethink my idea of a masculinist movement. I know it seems I should have already known this stuff, but I really know it now. Maybe it should be what I really know now.

I don't think there is anyone who likes cleaning feces, but there are people who have to do it for their careers (Registered Nurses, daycare providers, pet owners, awesome parents and awesome children who take care of their elderly parents). Just the other day, I was thinking of possible career options for me, and I was considering working with the elderly, because I think they are kind of awesome. They are fun in a child-like way. They tell awesome stories, usually don't keep secrets, it's usually funny when they use profanity, and so many other examples. Well, yesterday I was at work and an elderly gentleman came up to the window to ask if I had something to clean up a spill. At first I was thinking a gas spill, so I said, "Oh yes, we have clean-up powder for gas spills". He said, "No, it's not a gas spill". I thought in my head, "Oh, the poor guy threw up or something". He left and went on his way, after I told him that I would take care of it and to enjoy his day. Of course I got caught up in what I was doing, and another customer came to the window to explain that I had, "something" to clean up. I found it curious that he couldn't or wouldn't with a more clearer description explain. I finally make my way out there after a different customer pulled up to that filling station and actually stepped in whatever it was out there. I warned him per intercom. When I got out there I immediately noticed it wasn't gas and it wasn't vomit, but it wasn't solid. It was brown in color, and had ben tracked a little from the unlucky customer, who was unfortunate enough to step in it. I felt my stomach turn a little. There wasn't vomit there now, but maybe there was about to be. I quickly sprinkled and distributed the powder that we use in such situations with hazardous materials. I really didn't know how to clean this one up, so I let the powder sit on it a while to dry up all the liquid. When I finally did clean it up, there was no mistaking what it was, because of the pungent aroma. Now that there was no mistaken, I was interested to know how this came to be on the ground. The only thing I could come up with is that there might have been an incident with a bag. I am really not sure, but that's when I decided, maybe I really wouldn't enjoy that profession as much as I thought I would. :(

Ok, so now my second what I know now. I have been really thinking that there needs to be a masculinist movement, but not in the negative way that I have seen before. It kind of is happening already, but I think it could happen faster. What I mean is that the roles of men are being redefined in society. We see more stay at home fathers, the metrosexual of the early 2000's, and many other examples. I think men need to be freed to express themselves fully in the way women were allowed during the feminist movement and not be judged. LOL! There are certain expectations of what it is to be a man. Well, I have been developing this idea in my head over the past few days and weeks. Then I saw this picture on the book of faces...

OMG! I think I missed the movement, and I might not even be ready for it. I am kind of left speechless, and have no idea what to say.

Sex Indigo!

2011-04-29T11:40:00.001+09:00

Me Likey!!! :)

Salem, Mass.

2011-04-28T01:53:00.002+09:00

So I went to Boston. It was nice, but Cold and rainy. I really don't understand the weather. It is always cold and raining when I am there. Maybe Boston hates me. Anyway, I got to see Salem, where all that stuff happened with the witches. Very interesting. Kind of cheesy. They really do up the whole witch thing, but not in a good way, or as tasteful as I would like. Kind of side showish ;/

But the boat is nice

and the buildings!

My First Blog Posts Ever! (Maybe) - Part 4

2011-04-20T13:00:00.008+09:00

The poor car!!!
02:18 pm March 13th, 2007

So, I am so upset!!!

i get up this morning to get my self something to eat. I get in the car, and guess what?!! There is glass all on the seat next to me, cause someone broke into the fucking car. But it gets better! There is nothing inside!!! There was like some tissue. Like, i could understand if I had a fucking computer or some shit like that inside the car, but no, tissue and some smell good for the car. Well, it would have been ok, if it was like a lady who had to go to the bathroom really bad, and saw the tissue and smell good for the car, and was like I will borrow some of this, and leave some money. But no!!! None of that.
So, I like call my mom, cause I never am thinking correctly when stuff like this happens. I am just like whatever, and I want to take a nap, and then maybe it all will go a way. Then my mom tells me to call the police. So I do. And wait like 30min. Which is pretty good, cause there is probably a lot of other shit they got to do, and there is likea Krispy Kream right down the street.
So the police are here. They are very nice and professional. Not like the crazy ones who i have meet before, and have power issues. So, I am like telling them all what happened, and everything, and he is like, yeah that sucks. Cause there was nothing to take!!! So he like does an "investigation"!!! which was really cool. He did like a finger print test. I so hope they catch who ever did it. I wanna ask them what the hell they were doing. I got like a case number, and everything. I hope that like i get to send this person who did this to jail, cause it just totally fucked up my day, and it would only be the right thing to return the favor.
Whatever, I will be over it, when this shit is done. As long as my insurance pays for this shit. It isn't even my fucking car. I got to contact the owner, and let her know, that she is getting a new window.
Like this shit is crazy.
So, like I need a nap now!

I am going to try to keep ya'll updated as new shit goes down.

We got to make peace like the police!!!

My First Blog Posts Ever! (Maybe) - Part 3

2011-04-20T12:57:00.003+09:00

Männlichkeit
06:08 pm February 7th, 2007

So, ich war beim gewichttraining, und weisst ihr was ich gehört habe? Man oh Man!!! Es war dieser Typ in der Nähe. Eigentlich es war zwei männer. Und einer hat zu dem anderer gesagt, "I don't know if this makes me less of a man, but I like Cher" Ha! Lustig, oder!?! So, offensichtlich, es gibt singern, die kann entscheiden wie männlich oder weiblich ist. Ich hab gelacht, und gedacht, ja, die sind wieblich. Ha! Nein, ich hab mein training wieder angefangen. Dann hab ich der ander typ gehört, und er hat gesagt "You know, I kind of like some of Cher's stuff too." Ha vielleicht das war ein versuch der andere ein besseres Gefühl zu geben. Ha! War einfach lustig! Was für einen Gegensatz. Naja, ich verstehe die Kraft von Männlichkeit. Ich versuche immer mein körper (muckies) starker zu bauen. Ja Ja!!!

So, i was liftingweights, and guess what I heard!!! Ha! There was this guy, actually there were two guys. One of them says to the other, "I don't know if this makes me less of a man, but I like Cher". Funny right! So appariently a singer can deside how womanly or manly someone is. I laughed, then thought, they are feminine! Ha! NO, I just started to workout some more. Then the other one said, "you knwo, I kind of like some of Cher's stuff too." Wow! maybe it was an attempt to make the other one fell better. Well, I understand how strong being manly can be, for I am always trying to get strongers, and build muscles.

Comments:

NebraskaJones:

"a. your english is worse than your german.

b. i think it makes him less of a man. i think it makes him a faggoty fagot. there is this litle boy in the 2nd grade art class i am helping out at the international school....looooorrrrrdddd...is he gay. he was designing some 'head pieces' that could easily work for cher's next farewell tour. he made like two different hair things and i was like 'wow. today is a hair day...' and no shit he said 'everyday is a hair day' with the had flip and all. it was oh so funny."

My First Blog Posts Ever! (Maybe) - Part 2

2011-04-20T12:51:00.003+09:00

Das Leben ohne Internetverbindung
03:13 pm February 7th, 2007

Naja, Jetzt habe ich endlich weider eine Internetverbindung zu Hause. Ich hab neimals gewusst wie schrecklich es ist ohne eine Internetverbindung. Es war 3 Tage!!! Kannst du das dich vorstellen? Ja, Keine güte Situation. Es war wie ich war in der Wildnis. Ich hab ein Bild angehangt, um Ihr euch es besser vorstellen können.

Ja, ich war ganz isoliert. Es war kalt, grausam!!! Echt Schlim!!! Naja!!! Ha!
Ok, So ich hab dieses Blog gemacht, weil ich wollte meie Freunde auf dem Laufenden halten, und mein deutshc zu benutzen. Deutsch ist mein zweite Sprache (Ja, ich bin fremdsprachler), so bitte mich korrigieren, wenn ich fähler mache. Naja, tschüss für heute!

Ok, so I now have internet again. I never knew how horrible it was without internet. It was like 3 days of pain. It was unimaginable! Yes, not a very good situation. It was like being in the wilderness. Back in time! I attached a picture, so you can better see how I felt.
Ok, so I made this Livejournal, so i can keep my friends uptodate, and become better at my german. German is my second language, so it would be nice to get corrected if I make a mistake. Also, I might even need help with my english. Ok, I say bye for today!

My First Blog Posts Ever! (Maybe) - Part 1

2011-04-20T12:42:00.005+09:00

Here is my first Blog posts. I was using another site then. I think it is interesting. Maybe boring. I was trying to write in TWO languages!!!

Vokuhila
06:31 pm February 3rd, 2007

Warum Vokuhila? Was ist das? Was bedeutet es? Fragen, dass wir alle wissen wollen!
So, ich liebe deutsch.
Jetzt, das ich hab das gesagt, am Mitwoch (glaube ich), es war mir langweilig, so ich hab gedacht, dass ich wurde ein wort nachschauen, dass ich nicht auf deutshc wusste. Ich weiss nicht warum, aber irgendwie war mullet in mein Kopf. So, was ist das wort auf deutsch für Mullet? Naja, ich hab auf Wikipedia nachgeschaut. Und das wort is Vokuhila. Witzig, oder? Ich glaube ja! Es ist kurtz für vorne kurtz hinten lang. Ganz lustig! Naja, es gibt auch die name für ein vokuhila in anderen Länder. Ja! Und Vokuhila wird wider beliebt in Europa, besonders Zentral und Ost Europa. Es ist nicht so in Amerika. Eigetnlich es ist in amerika verpönt. Es ist verbindet mit Hinterwälder und so weiter. Naja, aber ich mache was ich kann, um es ein besseres Bild zu bekommen, und beliebt zu werden in amerika. Ja, und ganz hinten gibt es ein paar fotos angehängt.

Why Vokuhila? Wat is it? What does it mean? Thes are Questions, that we all want to know!
So, I love German.
That said, the other day (I think Wednesday), I got bored at work, so I thought I would look up a word that I didn't know in german, and Mullet came to my mind for some reason. So I was like, "what is the word for Mullet in german?" So, I go to my trusty internet source, wikipedia, and this is where my livejournal name comes from. For Vokuhila is the name for mullet in German. It is a sort of acronym. It is short for vorne kurtz hinten lang (short in the front, long in the back). Here is the link if you wanna check it out (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vokuhila). I think this is so funny. It also gives the names at the bottom of what the Vokuhila is called in other countries. I think America has the most names. What is crazy is that the Vokuhila is making a comeback. In Europa, mainly eastern and central europa. I am just waiting for it to make it's way back over to good old america. So I thoght I would do what I could to help long the prosess, by naming my blog name after it, whilst i grow my Vokuhila. Also, for thoes who aren't hip to the game, I have attached some photos of very popoular people with an Vokuhila (one German, and one American)

Hmmm...

2011-04-20T12:27:00.001+09:00

Is it weird that I just answered birthday wishes post from about a month ago, like it wasn't really a month ago. I hope no one notices!!! :/

Blimpieeeee!!!

2011-04-07T12:40:00.008+09:00

My sister: "Ohhhhhhh... Blimpieeeeeee!!!"

Me: (thinking to myself) Where??? They are building them in residential neighborhoods now???

My sister: "Oh, wait. Is it Blimp or Blimpie??? See this is the problem with media and advertisement."

Me: "...?!?"

WINNING!!!

2011-03-29T23:42:00.004+09:00

So, I am redoing my resumé right now, and I just want to replace everything with "WINNING". \o/ Just have that big and bold.

Desculpe me!!!

2011-03-29T12:28:00.003+09:00

So, my good friend just left me to go back to Brazil. But before he left, he brought something to my attention. I guess it was my last birthday gift. He surely has a way with words. It is a talent. Brazilian Friend: "This might be a little awkward to say." Me: "Go ahead, we are best friends forever!" Me (in my head): WTF could he be about to say!!! - scared to death. Brazilian Friend: "Did you forget to put your deodorant on this morning?" Me (in my head): Ummmm... not so sure about the forever part of this friendship. Actually maybe you should get out of my car. Me: "Oh, maybe it is just my shirt." WTF was I supposed to say??? Maybe I was a little embarrassed at first, but whatever. I totally wasn't raising my hands or the roof for the rest of the day. Apparently maybe I might have a body oder problem. Ooops!!! I totally take showers and use deodorant. I guess I sweat more than I thought I did. The only solution I can think is to get the botox treatment. It is better than stinky breath. That is the worst! (I think I would have cried if I had been told that) :( I should take this time to apologize to anyone who has had to suffer. It is really cruel and inhumane to put someone through that. Also, I should thank my friends for hanging in there. Some even dare to give me hugs and stuff. I can't imagine the pain and suffering I have caused. It pains me deep down to even think about it. I just hope that no one thinks I was trying to hurt or harm them in anyway. Please except my apology!!!

Guardian Angel/Spirit Guide

2011-03-03T08:43:00.007+09:00

So, I consider myself a spiritual person. I have always wanted to meet my "guardian angel" or "spirit guide" whatever you want to call it. I figured if they (maybe I have more than one) were going to be there, then we should like be friends and stuff, and chat about life or maybe food. So, I had asked my guardian angel/spirit guide to say hello for a while, just to give me a shout out or whatever. Its a little weird to just sit in silence, right?

Well, on the morning of Feb. 12 my request was answered. The Problem is, I don't remember it, cause I went and bumped my head. I received a concussion and don't remembering what happened when I met the windshield of my car. Maybe I wouldn't have hit the windshield if I wasn't trying to bother my guardian angel/spirit guide on the job, Opps!!! I wasn't thinking about it. It is a full time job. There is no time to chit-chat it up, 'cause I need my back to be watched. Anyway, my bff (guardian angel/spirit guide) was still able to multi task, because while we were having our meet and greet, I still managed to be protected from going through the windshield. My car didn't have such a fortunate experience, if you didn't notice from the pictures.

Well, I was hit by a drunk driver :( Kind of crazy and scaries. I always wondered if I would encounter a driver under the influence. Also, a nightmare of mine is to get a flat tire. They all happened that night/morning. Just a mess! I guess it is better this way, like killing two birds with one stone. When I got the flat tire, I made it an extra point to pull over on the far right side in the turning lane. These efforts were in vain. The drunk driver managed to cross over lanes and a median to meet my car. One would think they were trying to get me :(

To be continued ... (I have to get fully completed police report, 'cause I don't remember)

Asian Food Rap (w/ LYRICS)

2011-02-09T10:30:00.005+09:00

So we all know I am a "foodie" (maybe spelled foody - don't know, 'cause I can't spellz). Also, I wuv wuv wuv me some asia (specifically KOREA!). Well, a former coworker of mine in Korea has put the two together, and made my day, maybe even week. He put together an Asian-American rap crew with his roommate David and his brother, called Model Minority. I am Diggin' it with a capital D. What do you all think?

Karma!

2011-01-18T10:56:00.007+09:00

That b*#ch Karma came with the quickness!

Here I am walking out of Mary Mac's Tea room in midtown with my peeps, and where we

run apparently in to my "brother". A brother I didn't know I had. He is trying to shake my hand (I don't like shaking hands). That's when I notice the snot dripping out of his nose. Ooops! Looking like a diseased baby. At least babies are cute.

In my head, I am thinking, are you really my brother, cause you look like you are about 40 something. It would be just weird for someone to call you their brother, and they not really be, right???

Well, he seemed to admire the girls that were in the group, telling Max and I that we were lucky being in the presentsof all that beauty. Reflecting on that now, I do agree, but at that time, I could only focus on the bodily fluids running and slightly oozing down his face. Then my "brother" wants to whisper something in my ear (a secret, maybe, I thought) and give me another hand shake, which I don't enjoy. I couldn't imagine what else he had to say.I was already shocked that he was claiming to be my brother being already like twice my age.

So runny nose and all, he leans in to ask me for $3.65 "for a hotel room". I was like, wow, you know the exact amount, tax included. Then I was shocked at the price. I can only get a drink for that amount, like a cheap beer. Are hotels that cheap? This is when I knew he wasn't really my brother. A real brother would have just asked to stay with me if he needed a room. He wanted to trick me, so I would give him money. It all started coming together. Karma was there to give me a kick in the a**. In my wallet was only the $5 that chick asked for yesterday. Maybe she breathed a spell on me, cause Karma came quick fast and in a hurry. So, I just gave him the $5 hoping this would balance out the Karma, cause I don't need that b*†çh hanging around. Oh, and he was excited to get that extra dollar. I kind of wanted to ask for my change, but I figured he could buy some tissue with it.

Next time I know better. Just let it go. $5 isn't worth it. If I had have let it go, then she would have let go of my car window and I wouldn't have had to worry about when he was going to let go of my hand. And I should carry Purell

Haunting Breath

2011-01-18T02:16:00.003+09:00

So, I was totally helping this homeless lady out last night. I see her often on this corner at night, when I am driving home. I always feel bad to just drive by, cause it could totally be me in that situation. So, this time, I decide to give her a dollar. Ooops! So she was like, "can I have three more dollars?" and I was like, "no, I need it." and she was like, "just give me that $5" and I was like, "WTF, How do you know what's in my wallet?" - In my head, I am thinking, (See, this is why I don't stop. It is never enough), but I should have been thinking (I am happy to be blessed enough to help someone else out) Ooops!

So, I was telling her, "the light is green, I gotta go." She was not having it. No, no, no, noooooo. She started breathing on the window as I was closing the crack I had created to slip her the dollar, and holding on with a death grip. I could tell that things were getting heavy, and we were having a situação on our hands. Ooops! I didn't even get a thank you. DOUBLE ooopps!

Well, green means go, so... I went. Ooops! She was kind of hanging on still, a little, but the really creepy thing was that her breath mark remained on my window, haunting me all the way home. Oh no!

Speaking of Breath, Dr. Oz said that if someone offers you a mint, your breath is not right. I can't help but think of all the times I was offered a mint. Does that mean??? :(

Initial Test / Story time!!!

2009-12-18T11:53:00.005+09:00

59 Push ups!!!

Way out of breath!!!

So today, the Atlanta gas guy came buy, because he had to check in things. Oh goodness. He is the reason why I love the south and southerns. Southerns sure do know how to tell a story. Well, he had 3!!! All I did was stand there, and nod my head, and throw in a couple of wows. LOL! I enjoyed every bit of it though, but I was a little delayed for work.

Well, his best story was about him going to this elderly lady's house, because she was smelling something. It turns out that some possums had gotten up under her house and died. He ended up helping her with it, because she seemed to not be able to know what to do about it. Anyway, he tells me how he is digging dead possum from under her house and stuff. So he finishes an is all sweaty. So the lady is thanking him, and she says, "can I give you a little sumetin' sumetin'?" Of course he says, no and that it was no problem. But she insists. She asks him if he has a family, and he says, "Yes, I do". His wife has like brain cancer and all. She says, "well, let me bless you and your family". So she starts to write him a check, and gives it to him. He puts it in his pocket, cause she wants to give him a big ol' hug. It was late, so he isn't thinking about the check till he gets home. He pulls it out, and looks at it. $5,000, wait, no! $500, wait, no! It's $5!!! Hahahahaha! Her heart was in the wright place, but I am guessing that $5 went to the gas it took to go cash it.

He also told me a story about a big bodied lady who had bat fecies all up in her attic. Like piles of it. To keep it short. She didn't really believe him, so he was trying to show her, she saw it, and missed a couple of steps on the way down she was moving so fast, and fell flat on her big body.

100 push ups!

2009-12-17T23:23:00.004+09:00

How many push ups can you do???

SO, I am going to try out this new program for fun! It is called 100 push ups. I will start today, I guess. There is a test and all. I will do it later. LOL! And I will update. Should be interesting!!! hundredpushups.com is the website if you want to mitmachen.

I'm BACK!

2009-12-15T04:42:00.002+09:00

So, I have decided to start back writing in my blog again.

Good news! I didn't get that part time internship I applied for :( I have to admit, I am not a good interviewer, but whatever. I wasn't good enough for them. :( I will post the letter they sent me for entertainment purposes.

Dear Mr. Beefy T,

Thank you for your interest in the internship position with the GACC

South. We appreciate your interest and the time you spent talking with

us.

Unfortunately, our circumstances do not enable us to offer you a

position at this time.

Your qualifications were impressive and we are sure they will assist you

in getting a satisfactory job for you with another company.

We will keep your application on file for the next year, and will

contact you if we have an opening that calls for a person with your

skills and experience. Likewise, please do not hesitate to contact us

regarding any future openings that you feel matches your qualifications.

Again, thank you for your interest in the GACC South. We all wish you

well in your pursuit of a position that makes full use of your skills,

abilities, and experiences.

Sincerely,

Nina Moeller

Manager, HR & Executive Office

German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern US, Inc.

530 Means St., Suite 120 | Atlanta, GA 30318

Phone: (404) 586-6815 | Fax: (404) 586-6820

E-Mail: nmoeller@gaccsouth.com

URL : www.gaccsouth.com | www.ahk-usa.com | www.ahk.de

So what do I do now??? UGH!!! Goodness Gracious!

Coming home

2009-09-14T05:58:00.000+09:00

I am coming home! I'm in the Vegas Airport, and just saw Hulk Hogan! hehe! So tired.

Genie!

2009-07-23T15:37:00.003+09:00

Hey, I think I found my Genie!!! ㅋㅋㅋㅋ!!! At first I thought they were on a boat, and was kind of sad, but thought it was cute, but after the video played a while, and I could see otherwise, It looks as they are/were performing local (in Ilsan).

Butterfinger!

2009-07-23T13:40:00.006+09:00

So one of my Korean friends showed me this American Style Breakfast place, called Butterfinger. It is sooooo good!!! I forgot how good pancakes and french toast tasted. MMMMM.... if only they had grits with gravy, and country ham!!! Anyway, this is like my new spot, and I took my coworkers here last Sunday. It took me like 3 weeks to convince them to go. I almost gave up on them, but since I was frequenting it so much it didn't really matter, cause I would just go without them.

Here's us waiting outside. On Sunday it gets really crowded. I normally go on a weekday.

Kind of tired of waiting! (no, actually it was this lame as pose they made me do)

We are trying to build a portfolio with this one. (fun, diverse, young, beautiful - who wouldn't want this in their ad?) Too bad it came out blurry.

My coworkers (half of them)

This is me when I went my first time!!! Mmmmmmm... So good! (That's right, that's maple syrup I am pouring on top!)

La Paella y (et) Le Gaufre de Belgique

2009-07-22T22:33:00.005+09:00

So, today was my last time to have lunch in Seoul during the week, because my schedule has changed. So I decided to meet one of my Korean friends here for some Lunch at a spanish restaurant. Mmmmmm... I love spanish food!!! But, this wasn't the highlight. For dessert, we decided to get some waffles. Mmmmmm... !!! Yeah, it sounds crazy till you had it. They put a scoop of Ice Cream on it and some Whipped Cream!!! This place is really nice. They are Belgium Waffles, the best!

Here I am enjoying my waffle!

MMMM... I was already more than halfway done before I realized I needed to take a photo!

The Last bite!!!

해리포터 (Harry Potter)

2009-07-17T12:39:00.002+09:00

So yesterday, I got together with my coworkers and went to see 해리포터 last night. Oh, how excited was I! I have never really read the books, but who cares. I love the movies.

We tried to buy tickets online, but of course they make things difficult in Korea. You have to type in your I.D. number and all this craziness. Anyway, I just had to go early and get tickets for my coworkers. We got the 11:30 p.m. showing.

Ummm... the movie was good. The ending left me wanting more. The next movies need to come soon. They are dragging this thing on and on and on and on. My gosh!!! Those kids got a good deal though. They have like a little job security. Anyway I enjoyed it.

One year anniversary part 2 (sweet tooth, again!!!)

2009-07-14T00:24:00.003+09:00

Well, I thought I would treat myself to something special today, because I made it a whole year in Korea!!! It is so crazy! Well, I decided to go to my favorite bakery again. I asked the lady to recommend me a cake, and she recommended the Kirschekuchen. I so was all about it, cause I knew it was a german recipe. A cake with cherries on top!!! Mmmmmmmmm... Here it is!!! I invited my coworkers over for a piece, but only one got a slice, so I will be eating it by myself. This is both sad in many ways and good in many ways. Hehe!!! Overall, this was a nice day! I even got some rain tonight to help me sleep. I am looking forward to sleeping in too!!!

1 Year Anniversary (part 1) and 삼게탕!!!

2009-07-13T23:00:00.009+09:00

So, I have been in korea for one whole year. It is kind of all crazy. So I celebrated with my former roommate, Byung. I woke up a little earlier to have lunch with him. It totally wasn't planned where we should go, but we decided on this Samgehtang (삼게탕) restaurant. It is "the most popular" Samgehtang place in Korea (so says Byung). Well, I kind of didn't believe him till he told me about then line. Even when he told me, I kind of thought he was exaggerating. Well, we pulled up, and there was a line to park!!! Hahaha!!! This was not a joke. Luckily I had scheduled in plenty of time. The guy helping people parked, said it was best for one to get out of the car and stand in line while the other waits to park. I was the one to stand in line. I got out out of the car and saw this...

This was just the beginning. I walked around to the back, towards the end, and saw this...

It was kind of ridiculous. I was about halfway thru the line when Byung showed up. It was about 15 or 20 minutes later. The line actually was moving fast. They were pretty good about that. I was surprised.

I could see the door!!!

Finally inside!!!

View from inside. It is kind of built like an old neighborhood or village. Not sure what you would call it. Maybe a group of housing. I think that is what the name of the restaurant means. Not sure if I heard Byung correctly.

Here is where we were sitting. The picture is kind of blurry, but it looked weird with me taking pictures I thought. Who takes pictures in a restaurant??? LOL!

These were people sitting around us, and one of the workers.

The soup finally came! I had to take a picture, 'cause I heard so much about it. Byung also made it in the picture. LOL! I was like, "how good can chicken soup be???"

Well, here is the answer to my question. It was so good. I was picking up the bowl drinking the leftover juice. LOL! Byung taught me that.

I don't even know how to describe it. It was so good. I totally get it now. the meat like falls off the bone. I am not real good on the history of the soup, but here we go. It is supposed to be really healthy for you. It is eaten in the summer, because they felt the summer heat would make you weak. It is like a chicken stuffed with rice and some fruit and some kind of nuts and whatever else, and ginseng. It is awesome!!! Totally got me feeling better. There are like three parts of summer, and you eat this soup during them. The first part will start tomorrow. That's why I love going to other countries with long culture. There is always a story with the food!!! Hehe!!! I plan on going back for more. Well, as we were driving away, you can see there were people still waiting in line. It is that good!!!

Sweet Tooth

2009-07-09T23:46:00.002+09:00

So I got really hungry for some dessert tonight. I was really wanting like chocolate chip cookies, a cake, Key lime pie, or lemon meringue pie, but I have never really seen these in Korea. So I went to the local bakery, which happens to be an organic bakery, where the lady studied in Europe. So I went there hoping to find like something close to my cravings. They didn't have it, but what I found was just as good if not even better. I know the lady there, she is always giving me samples or whatever. It was funny, her son, or nephew or grandson was there, and she kept calling him baby pig, since he was being shy around me. She wanted him to speak English around me. He noticed I was walking around crazy, with my shoe untied, and yelled "hey". We had to explain that that was rude, and he should say, "excuse me." Whatever! He was shy, and didn't want to chat. So I picked me up this kind of cheesecake think. I don't know it had a french name. I am sure it is loaded with calories (calorienbombe is what the Germans would call it). It had a cherry on top, so I felt good about eating it. I got a serving of fruit in there.

They package things wonderfully there. So cute, right?!! I paid for this box too. It is really expensive.

And here is the work of art still in the box.

Here is this beauty all on its own. The taste is indescribable. It was so amazing. If happiness was a taste I think maybe it would taste like this. Or something like this. Whatever, if you come to Korea, I will maybe buy you one. Hehehe!

Lunch!

2009-07-09T14:54:00.002+09:00

So Yesterday I met up with Oon Cho and Nick for Lunch. It was nice. We met in Myeong Dong. It is like one of the main shopping districts in Seoul. We decided on Vietnamese food. It was really really yummy!!! We made spring rolls and had Pho. Mmmmmmmmm... I am going to miss having lunches in Seoul. :(

This is us walking to find a place to eat in Myeong Dong.

We found the restaurant and sitting down chatting. Actually, I was busy texting Nat Nat.

hahaha...we let Nick try it out first. we were trying to figure out how it all worked.

Splurging!

2009-07-07T23:16:00.002+09:00

I am kind of normally frugal, but sometimes I have to treat myself. Normally it is with food or something like this. Well, I have been needing a wallet. It was getting kind of ridiculous, and very embarrassing when I kept pulling out a wad of balled up cash. Well, I was thinking if I was going to get one. I might as well get a nice one. I wouldn't want it to fall apart in like a month or two. So I went big!!! I went to the MCM store. Hehe!!! It is a German company. It is really popular in Asia. When I bought it it comes in this box wrapped in a clothe. LOL!

It is so cool, because it has a money clip. So excited about it. Now my ID card won't get bent up. My money is not balled up.

It is so nice and slim too. I feel like I am trying to sell it on Ebay or something, but I am really happy to have it, and I am proud of my purchase.

It comes with a warranty, so if anything happens, I will be shipping it back to Germany, or wherever it is made. I think it is like a vinyl and not leather. I totally don't know. I am sure it is somewhere on the papers, but I really didn't look it up. doesn't matter

I am still alive!

2009-07-03T13:55:00.007+09:00

Ummm... I am starting to have a problem in my class. I caught my students gambling!!!

What should I do???

Notice the catch me taking pictures.

Then they start to disperse and hide their faces.

Some kept gambling I guess they were in it to win it.

I was just mad that they didn't let me in on the action. Maybe because I NEVER lose!!! I think they took their game somewhere else, 'cause I have only caught them only once after this. I think gambling is illegal here too!

Totally randomly ran into Oon Cho on the streets of Seoul yesterday. What are the chances??? It has been fun hanging out with her. Last weekend she hung out with my coworkers and friends here in Ilsan. It was a good night. We partied Ilsan style. You would have to come here to figure that out. Don't really have any pictures of that, or that's my story. But we took some pictures of my apartment before the night got started. I had to leave one out, because it shows how I am getting kind of fat. I'm blamin' it on the ...

Saturday Night!!!

2009-06-12T12:28:00.001+09:00

Hehe, one of my favorite and hottest new songs out in Korea!!!

It's been a while!!!

2009-06-12T00:34:00.002+09:00

Wow, sorry I have been M.I.A. for a while. Actually Oon Cho and Byung Hyun are back in Korea, so I have hung out with them sometimes, and one of my coworkers left, so I have been busy. Well since one of my coworkers is leaving we had a school party for him, it was really cool. We all went to dinner first, and then to the NORABONG!!! (music/karaoke room) Here are some pictures. I think we sang all but one songs in korean. LOL, and I actually was singing along. Good times.

Also, one of my students had a birthday, so I bought a cake, and we had a little party. One of the kids was kind of wild and wanted to have a cake fight. I won!!! hehe!!! The kid serving the cake was the birthday boy. He is one of my favorite students. He gave me the CD. The cake was really good too!!!

Mail!!!

2009-05-26T19:19:00.003+09:00

So in the past 10 or so months that I have been here, I have collected some mail. It really means a lot to me to get mail from home or around the world. So far I have gotten 2 wedding invitations, 4 birthday cards, 1 valentine, 3 Winter holiday (Christmas/New year) cards/letters, a calendar, one here's something in the mail, and one regular letter. There seems to be a little theme. LOL! Obama! I really appreciate the mail. It makes me really excited about going home.

Hehehehe!

2009-05-12T13:28:00.001+09:00

I thought this was kind of funny.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Cinco De Mayo (a.k.a. Cinco de Quattro)

2009-05-10T11:35:00.002+09:00

I have been craving Mexican since I have been here, so for Cinco de Mayo, I went to this mexican restaurant here and got my mexican on at this place called Dos Tacos. MMMMMM...

Community Service!

2009-05-03T16:21:00.002+09:00

So this past Thursday my company did a community service trip. It was kind of crazy. First of all they were trying to keep it a surprise from us. I have no idea why, but details were so sketchy. No one really knew anything. We had to be at the school at 4:20 am. Yes A.M.!!! So of course I couldn't go to sleep, or I wouldn't have made it. We had to take a bus to the east coast. We were going out to the middle of no where. I walked to school with one of my coworkers. I was so tired, but I put on my happy face. I slept the whole way there of course. They gave us some Kim bop for breakfast. All the Seoul Hagwons were doing community service. My hagwon was supposed to go to a nursing home. So that's where we went. We got dropped off by the bus like down the street from this place in the middle of nowhere Korea. This is us walking to the building in the far distance. Supposedly the ocean is like on the other side of the mountains or something. I don't know, I never got to see it. The name of the town was 강른 (Kangreung) in 강원도(Gangwondo Province)

Everyone was nervous that we were going to be changing diapers or something. When we got there we dropped of all these donated supplies, like cleaning material and towels and stuff like that. They presented us with a presentation about the nursing home, and of course, since I can't speak Korean, I was just sitting there staring into space, like I seem to do a lot these days. The only part that I got translated to me was that some of the people there had mental disorders, so don't worry if you get pinched or something like that. They split our group up into two groups, and then those groups into different floors. I went to this first building. on the 3rd floor, with all men. I got paired with my boss! Ha, I think the other teachers set me up. It was cool though, 'cause I happen to be very good at using the vacuum, and that was my job. Of course I used this time to impress my boss, since I was set up. It worked in my favor. I vacuumed, and he like mopped or something. Not sure what he was doing. Maybe just following me. Since I am so talented with vacuuming, I was done in no time. I was kind of just sitting there. they didn't have anything for me to do. They wanted me to talk to the older people, but I actually can't speak Korean. It may be a surprise, but I can't do everything.

Whilst sitting, and falling asleep waiting on something to do, I kind of took a picture. I didn't know how cool or ethical to take pictures. So I did it on the sly. So after sleeping and watching TV for about an hour, It was lunch time. The group I got happened to not need much assistance, so I just brought them the food. The other groups needed assistance. I was just kind of chillaxin' on the couch. When they were done, I collected the dishes. Then we went out to their cafeteria, and had our own lunch. It was nice.

After lunch we had to go plant. I don't know when this technique became popular, but for some reason it is popular to plant flowers between a pile of rocks here. So, we spent about an hour finding spots between rocks to plant. Kind of different, but whatever. I wish I could have gotten a picture of that, but there were enough people taking pictures. Some of the korean workers, who worked there, were kind of funny. They were speaking to me, and the only other foreign coworker who went. After the planting, it was game and fun time with the elderly. We went back to the building, and they were sitting in a circle. Oh my gosh, it was so funny, cause some of the korean coworkers were already there in the circle, and playing some game. I don't even know what, but the funny part as when they started asking people to sing. Let me tell you about Karma. I was in the corner laughing at my Korean coworkers, when this old lady calls me out, in ENGLISH!!! She says, "Hey, Get over here!" Ha, she makes me sit down. She was like can I do anything. She wanted me to sing too, so I tried to play dumb. I was like, "Hanguk mal jal mok ta yo" (I don'T speak Korean, yo!) or Something like that. HaHa! So she was like ummm... what about English! I was like What? "I can't sing", I said. She gave me the look, so along with my other foreign coworker I had to sing the chorus to "I'll be missing you". I always get put in these type situations. She also sang a song too. I can put that on my list of things I never could have imagined I would do.

After that we were off to a group dinner. All the schools got back together. We took pictures, where they kept saying "fighting" instead of "cheese". For dinner we had bibimbop. MMMMM.... very tasty. It is like mixed vegetables with rice. I hear Korean food is all the craze in New York and stuff. Seems like I was ahead of the curb with that. I kind of want to open my own Korean Restaurant, so I can eat it all day.

I am still confused about that. I normally just smile for pictures. They also gave us a box of Vegetables. I was kind of excited about that, but I have no idea what kind of vegetables they are. I have no idea how to cook, eat them. I ate the leaf looking things with my eggs one morning. Well, we didn't get back till like 12p.m. that night. So I just went to sleep. It was needed.

서울 올림픽 공원 (Olpark: Seoul Olympic Park)

2009-04-22T01:43:00.003+09:00

So like two weekends ago I went to my 4th olympic park!!! How exciting is that. I just realized the other day how rare that is. As some of you may know, Seoul hosted the 1988 Olympics. This olympic park reminds me a lot more of the München Olympic Park. There are like trails, and more of Nature. The one in Beijing and Atlanta are more like city parks with more stone. and stuff. Hard to explain. It was so beautiful though. I didn't make it to the museum. I am sure I didn't miss anything. I love this colorful gate thing in the front of the park. It is now the background for my Phone. I think I will go back there before my time here is up. It is just on the other side of seoul from me, so it takes a while.

청계천

2009-04-21T01:13:00.007+09:00

So last week, I had some extra time, so I went to 청계천 (Cheonggyeochung). It is like this stream in the middle of Seoul. It is so beautiful. It is my second time there. I went once for the winter festival, and there is a spring festival this time, so I went again. It is kind of like a museum too. It starts off as a very small stream

Then it turns into a waterfall

The waterfall turns into a bigger stream that runs from west seoul to east seoul.There was a mural, and it was about one of the kinds, and his journey from some part of korea to another part of korea with his peeps. I don't know. It looked cool.

Craziness!

2009-04-19T07:51:00.002+09:00

Ummmm... one of my students brought an ax to school! I risked my life taking this picture, but I figured no one would believe me without evidence.

Easter Sunday

2009-04-13T20:37:00.003+09:00

So I woke up early on Sunday morning to go to church with two of my coworkers. One of them surprised us with a bunny shaped cookie and an easter egg.

We had to travel for about an hour and 30 minutes into the city to get there. This city is so big, and also there was some traffic on the way. I kind of slept most of it. Church was really nice. It was very modern and contemporary. I thought it was going to be korean style, but it wasn't. It was very american style. the service was all in English. there were so many foreigners. Most were american I assume. It was one of the most diverse churches I have been too. the pastor is Korean. They had a little show put on by the kids. It was nice. At the end of the service they asked for any first time comers to stand up, so I did, and it all these people came to welcome me.

After church we went to get something to eat, because we were all hungry. So we got Mexican!!! It was so good. I got a chicken burrito. This is what was left of it as I remembered to take a picture.

Fried Green Tomatoes

2009-04-12T18:10:00.002+09:00

So none of my coworkers have ever eaten fried green tomatoes. So when I saw a green tomato in one of the street markets the other day, I said I would cook them some, but they had to also bring a dish. So we had a sort of potluck. I made the tomatoes and some Frikadellen. Mmmmmm!!! It was so good. The Fried green tomatoes were a little bready though. My coworkers made macaroni and cheese, duk glabi, gim bop, and cheesecake. My two dishes are at the bottom of the picture!!!

Spring!!!

2009-04-12T17:27:00.003+09:00

Finally!!! Spring has finally arrived in Korea. I am so excited. The cold was just too much. I think Korea's weather is about 2 months behind the weather in Atlanta. So it feels like about how it would at the end of February. I went to the cherry blossom festival at Yeoido today with Two of my coworkers. When the wind would blow, it was like it was snowing. It was nice, but there were just too many people. I also noticed that I am in a good mood more frequently now.

Shoes!!!

2009-04-12T17:23:00.000+09:00

My students never cut me any slack when it comes to how I dress or look. Well, I have to walk a lot, and Seoul isn't the cleanest city in the world. I was them about every 3 weeks or so. About a month ago they were calling my shoes bubble gum shoes. They were saying that they looked like chewed bubble gum. Yeah, these kids don't mess around, or hold anything back. So last weekend I went ahead and got me some new ones, because my students started singing the ABC Mart song to me in class. ABC Mart is a shoe store. HAHA! You can conclude the message they were sending to me.

I ended up getting these really nice adidas. They are from the Vespa line. I should have gotten another color, but white shoes looks so nice with everything.

Well, while buying the shoes the store clerk who helped me whispered to me that he "likes black people" Haha, and started naming famous "black" people, like boys II men, ect. Oh my gosh, I didn't know what to say, so I just said I liked Korean people. I was laughing with my korean american friend.

Elections!

2009-04-09T14:43:00.002+09:00

There were like elections yesterday for education minister. It is interesting to see how they do it here. There were like vans driving around with loud speakers saying who knows what. Also at one popular bus stop one candidate was giving like a speech. He was kind of yelling. He made the korean language sound more aggressive than the nordic languages. He had his supporters on the side doing some chants in orderly lines. on the side of the street. I heard the number 1 guy is conservative.

2009-04-07T12:21:00.001+09:00

Here is another one of my classroom drawings to demonstrate a new word!!! hehehe!!! Very Good! LoL!

Sunday!

2009-04-07T12:08:00.003+09:00

So on Sunday my friend here invited me to go with her to have a day with her students outside of class. She wanted them to meet other english native speakers. It was kind of fun. We met at a Pizza hut, and all had pizza. Then we went to a board game café. We played this card game, that is really hard to explain. It involves pictures of pictures of fruits and a bell. After that we played monkeys or something. I tried to forget about it, since I was the one who lost every game. In the board game cafés they have these plastic hammer type things, and you hit the looser on the head. It is kind of ridiculous, but I got hit a couple of times. Wasn't helpful for the Headaches, but the kids had a good time.

They also had some funny masks, so I had a photo shoot. I think the pictures came out nice. I showed all my students and told them it was a picture of my girlfriend. Haha!!! Very cute, right?!? They got a kick out of that one. These pictures are kind of ridiculous.

Update

2009-04-04T17:28:00.003+09:00

So the story of my headaches continues. I went to like two doctors in Ilsan, and just got prescribed pills, and referred to a specialist at a hospital. So I called up one my favorite persons in Korea, Oon cho's mom, and got her advice, and she recommended the International Clinic at Severance Hospital. Severance Hospital is the the Emory University Hospital of Seoul. It is the University Hospital of 연세 (Yeonsei). So, the doctor at the international clinic in Severance Hospital said they were tension headaches, but I have to be sure. So I also made an appointment with a Neurologist.

So I went today to get a second opinion with a neurologist. He suggested that I get a CT scan. It is weird actually having to do it, because I have seen this machine so many times before. Well, I wasn't expecting to get it today, because in America, you always have to wait for everything, and make appointments and all that business. Well, they wanted me to do it that day, here is where things got tricky. She asked me if I had anything to eat, and that I need to wait 3 hours or so, and I said I had breakfast maybe 40 minutes ago, so when they took me back, I was confused. HaHa! They were so fast with everything. They put the thing in me to inject the contrast, and then took me to the room for the scan. I laid down on the thing, then she was telling me I would feel my body get warm, and maybe a nauseous feeling. Well, I was thinking, "whatever". Oh my gosh, when they actually did it, it was a crazy feeling. It took all my strength not to vomit. My eyes actually started to water. It totally messed me up for the day. I had to go lay down. I wore my little bandage today to make it all more dramatic. HeHe!!! I even took pictures.

The Gift!

2009-04-01T22:55:00.004+09:00

So, my students have totally gotten me into K-pop. I go around singing the songs all the time, and they have me youtubing videos during class time breaks. Well, this one song that I have been singing like every day, "sorry sorry" is kind of popular right now. It is one of the new songs. Here it is! It is kind of cool, but I don't know why it takes 20 of them to make a song.

Well, at the end of the my last class today we were all leaving, and one of my students pulls out this CD, and says "it's your birthday present!" I was so excited. It was the "sorry sorry" song. It was so unexpected. I guess that means that I am doing a good job!

Hmmmm...

2009-03-26T13:55:00.000+09:00

Does anyone still read this???

Another Hit!!!

2009-03-26T03:50:00.001+09:00

My new favorite K-pop song!!! My students got me hip to this one! They had me youtubing it on my iPhone. My favorite part is the Clap part.

Me having fun in class!!!

2009-03-25T02:42:00.002+09:00

In class they often have to practice dialog, and it helps to have pictures. Hehe!!! Here is one of my pictures! Ha! I am so artistic, huh!?!

I forget the dialog, but that is the picture I drew for my example. The name in korean at the top is pronounced June-gu. He is one of my favorite students to joke with.

SLI 서울어학원

2009-03-17T12:52:00.010+09:00

My Place of employment!

Sketchy!!!

2009-03-16T13:02:00.002+09:00

So, I am a nice guy, and sometimes there are problems that come with this characteristic.

There is this one guy who asked me if he could stay with me as he moves out of his apartment, before going to the army. How random is that? Sounds like scam to me, maybe! We (my coworkers and I) have maybe seen him all of maybe 5 times at a bar or whatever. He also asked 2 of my coworkers. Of course they all said no. Considering that, and the fact that I don't speak Korean, I was shocked when walking down the street, and he wants to ask me for this favor. Ha! Oh my gosh, I have never seen such audacity. After asking me through the translation of his friend to move in with me, he asks for my name! He didn't even know my name. LOL! WHO AKS TO LIVE WITH SOMEONE, AND DOESN'T KNOW THEIR NAME??? I just shook my head. I kind of felt bad, but why he couldn't stay with his translator friend, I don't know.

Doctors Visit

2009-03-06T12:41:00.003+09:00

So today, I had to go to the doctor, because of chronic headaches.

I was a little nervous at first, because I can't speak Korean. I was so tempted to stay in bed, but I always think how ridiculous it is for people who have problems and don't go to the doctor. Also, my head was magically not hurting this morning. It is always like that, and then when I don't go to the doctor, I will get sick again. So I went, and everything went fine. I feel so bad for people who can't speak english in America though. It sucks to be in a country and can't speak the language - it sucks. Well, we determined that it is probably an ear problem, so now I have to go to an Ear doctor. The doctor, a very nice woman, gave me a prescription specifically for head aches, and not a pain reliever. She told me to see if it works.

Ummmmm... once again I was surprised by the price. I only paid like 4 won (about $2) for the doctors visit, and about $1 for my medicine. It was crazy. At the pharmacy I handed her like 14,000 won and not 1,400, which is what she asked, because I thought she was mistaken. She laughed at me, and I said, "oh, so cheap".

Normally I would go to see Oon Cho's mom, but she is in the ATL now, since Oon Cho stole her from me. She is actually famous now, because of the fights that go down in the Korean congress. She is the doctor on hand, and she was on the TV. I brag about her at work, and everyone is jealous.

China Teil 4: Die andere Mauer!!!

2009-02-24T00:22:00.002+09:00

So We took like a long bus ride (hour and thirty min) to the mountains outside of Beijing. These mountains are different than anything I have seen before. They are so dry looking, and just different from what I am used to. Umm... I wasn't expecting what I got. What weren't steep steps were steep inclines. It was borderline ridiculous. I was not happy at all. I could have just looked at it and gone home, but of course I was with the adventurous bunch. They had me walking till we couldn't go anymore. I was so happy to see that blocked off gate. This is also the remade/refurbished parts. I can't even imagine if we went to the other parts. It was cold, and I was sweating. Not a good mix, but the pictures came out nice, huh?

"Gee, Gee, Gee, Gee, Gee!!!"

2009-02-15T22:26:00.003+09:00

So, I took a break from talking about the Peking trip, Sorry, but I have to share this song with you guys. It is stuck in my head all day. It is the new single that will get played every 5 minutes in Korea.

I don't even know why I like it. I have no Idea what they are saying. I just like the "Gee Gee Gee Gee Gee"

Why there are like 20 of them, I also don't know. Just Enjoy!

China Part 4!!!

2009-01-31T17:09:00.002+09:00

So we got on our bikes again the next day to go to Tia

China Part 3!!! (Temple of Heaven)

2009-01-31T10:45:00.002+09:00

So we got our bikes, and started this bike tour, and the Temple of Heaven was the first stop. I could actually see this from the Hotel. It is in the middle of this big park, and it is so beautiful. One had to pay extra to actually get closer to the Temple, so, I just got to stand around it. We took pictures as a group, but I don't have that yet. There was this lady who took the picture for us, but she didn't know she had to hold the button down, so her kids kept making fun of us, then the kids wanted to take a picture with us, and they welcomed us to Beijing.

Beijing China Part 2!!! (Oh my gosh)

2009-01-29T20:19:00.005+09:00

So we arrived in China safe and in one piece. I was very thankful. I had so many "Oh my gosh" moments. First we were flying an airline I have never heard of, China Eastern Airline. Second my friend was supposed to meet us at the Airport, because he didn't want to come to Ilsan and leave with us to go to the airport. Well, we got there and checked in with more than an hour of time before the boarding time, but He wasn't there. He was still on the bus from Bundang. We ended up having to run to the gate, like in the movies or something. I am so out of shape. So the oh my goshes were flowing like water.

So we don't miss the flight. We get there just in time, and we make it to Beijing just fine. The food was good, by the way. It was something like beef and rice. It was nice. I wasn't expecting a meal for a flight less than 2 hours. So when we get there. We decide to take a bus into Beijing city from the airport. The area around Beijing and Beijing itself is so flat. It is such a dramatic difference from Seoul, which is surrounded by mountains. We get there, and the taxi drivers are already trying to take advantage of us, so we took the subway, and got lucky, because there was a couple who walked us all the way to our hotel from the subway station. They got on a bus with us and everything. So we got our room, and the Hotel staff was so nice and friendly. I have never seen people smile so much. It was a joy. I just wanted to stay there and talk with them. We kind of had to walk through this alley, which I would imagine Beijing mostly looked like before the Olympics and stuff. It was different, to say the least.

So, once we checked in and everything. We decided to get going and see the city. So we decided to rent bikes. OH MY GOSH!!! They took us to this shed behind the Hotel. Ya'll, there was a chicken in there, and with this whole thing about bird flu going around. I was not excited at all. In america, it might have been cute, but in china, it is scary.

So then we ended up in this market. OH MY GOSH! It was almost too much. The smells, and sights, were incredible. I have never seen anything like this in my life. I didn't want to touch anything or whatever. There was like duck carcasses just lying around, and only God knows what else. I did buy some gloves from this guy with a cart in the middle of the street, because it was so cold. HeHe. One guy traveling with me was so silly to buy a random sausage. The people who sold it were laughing. HEHE. They sold it to him and started laughing. I couldn't help but laugh also.

China Part 1!!!

2009-01-28T23:41:00.004+09:00

I know it has been a while, but I have been kind of busy. The month of January we have what they call intensives. That is when all the students have winter break, and they offer more classes at the Hagwon, so we end up teaching more during the school breaks than the normal schedule. It is kind of crazy, but I get paid over time.

Well, this past Monday was Lunar New Year, or the Chinese New Year, whatever you want to call it, so I went to Beijing, China with two coworkers and a friend. These asian countries have a some history over here, so there is a little trash talk often. It is like Alabama vs. Mississippi, or something like that, or maybe Norway vs. Sweden. One thinks the other one is more backwards. So, many Koreans were telling me it will be dirty, and all of this other crazy stuff. I was scared. So my expectations were very low. We had to wake up early on Saturday to catch our 9 a.m. flight. And guess what!!! There was a surprise for us. There an almost blizzard in. The snow was blowing sideways, and stuff. It was crazy. my toes were freezing over.

I have never flown in an airplane whilst snow was falling, so it was interesting to see and experience. The snow was so beautiful. I wanted to stay and play in the snow.

SNOW!!!

2008-12-23T01:32:00.005+09:00

It snowed again!!! It makes the cold so much easier to deal with. This snow is different though. It is not like the wet snow. It is dry, and blows in the wind or when cars drive by like dust or something. Very interesting.

Haircut

2008-12-22T12:56:00.002+09:00

I successfully cut my Hair this weekend all by myself. It was a little scary, and I have no idea what it looks like in the back. I am thinking about setting up a barbershop in my room.

I tried to make before and after shots, but I look to crazy in the before pictures

T.G.I. Friday's

2008-12-12T14:17:00.005+09:00

So about a week ago, I am about to go to sleep. It is around 2:00 am in the morning, and I start hearing loud noises. Of course I am one to always think the worst, so I think Seoul is being bombed by North Korea or something, or there is some earth quake going on. Who knows. So, I am looking out the window, and things are going fine. People still driving like nothing is happening. I don't know what to do. I am just wishing I was home. After about an hour or so, it stops, so I go to sleep. I wake up. Everything is fine. I go outside the next morning, and THE T.G.I FRIDAY'S SIGN IS GONE. They like closed it over night, and took the sign down. Now I can't get my burger anymore. For the past week, they have been doing construction and the most random hours possible. Only in Korea.

Before

After

Mission St. Nick! (Part 2)

2008-12-11T13:17:00.003+09:00

Ok, so I get on the bus, and it is CROWDED!!! I could barely hold my cam up to capture the moment.

So I have to stand up for about 45 min riding into Seoul center. I change busses, and start on my way to Bundang, this time, I have a place to sit. It is another 45 or so min ride, but I couldn't take a rest, for I was afraid that I would miss the stop. I get to Bundang, and call Nick's coworker, to meet me. By this time, the wind was actually hurting me. I felt sharp pains on my face. I wanted to document the rest of the adventure, but there was no way, I was taking my hands out. Nick's coworker arrives, and I pass on the goods. We quickly plot how we were going to surprise Nick, and part ways. There wasn't time for chit chat.

The Plan! was for Nick's coworker to sneak into his room when he went to work. We figured sneaking in at night whilst Nick was sleeping would be a little creepy. So the day comes, and he sneaks in, only to find Nick still in his room. HA! So he becomes a speech about how he should knock first. It goes smoothly, because the cowboy boots that Nick Loves so much, weren't on his feet, so on his way out, he could sneak them in. Nick was surprised. Mission accomplished.

Moral! is to never give up! I almost did. There were many obstacles in my way. There was the candy canes looking so tasty on my desk. I almost ate them all. Having just one, I suddenly remembered how much I love the taste of peppermint. All kinds of memories, of Christmas, and church, and fresh breath. Then there was the fight I had with death. Then there was the Siberian wind and cold cutting my face. I fought through it all, and I succeeded. I can do anything!!!

Mission St. Nick! (Part 1)

2008-12-09T14:53:00.006+09:00

So a few weeks ago, a little bit before Thanks giving, I get an email from Mama Bru (Mama Brubaker/Mrs. Brubaker...) Stating ...

"As you probably know, Nick is very fond of the holiday season, especially Christmas (he’s very aptly named!) and all the traditions leading up to it. One tradition that has always had particular significance for him is the Catholic custom of observing December 6th, the feastday of St. Nicholas. Growing up, our kids would wake on that day to find candy canes in their shoes, and at school, all the kids would put their shoes in the hallway outside the classroom and “St. Nick” (usually the priest or principal) would come around and leave acandy cane in each one. So here’s my request: if I were to send you some candy canes, do you think it would be possible to sneak one into Nick’s shoe at some point on or around December 6th? (I’m hoping that in a country where it is customary to remove one’s shoes before entering the house, this request might not be as difficult to accomplish as it might be here in the States where we keep our feet firmly inside our shoes!). I realize that given the distance between your place and Nick’s, it might not be convenient or possible to get together with him on that weekend, but even if you could do it at some point during the month of December, I think it would be effective."

Now, I know about this St. Nick holiday from being half German in heart, and I know what a fun day this is. So, I said "yes, I can help," of course. Everything is working well. I get the package from Mama Bru with the candy canes, and a gift for me!!!

What I didn't know was that Nick would not be so cooperative. He was trying to make it mission impossible, but I was up for the challenge. I tried so hard to get him to come to Ilsan, where I live, and it would be so much easier to sneak them in his shoe. I was starting to think he didn't like me. So, I was getting frustrated, and almost just ate the candy canes myself.

I end up having to call one of Nick's coworkers to meet me in his town early, because i would have to work in the evening. So we make arrangements. So I set my alarm for 7 a.m. in the morning. I felt like I had just got in a fight with death, when I woke up, so I had to snooze for a while. When I finally was ready, it was 8:19 a.m. and I was looking crazy

It also happened to be the coldest day yet in Korea, since I had been there!!! It didn't make it above freezing. I would even say, not out of the mid 20's and it was windy!!!

감 Kam/Gam (persimmon)

2008-11-18T09:10:00.002+09:00

So you know your students like you when they start bringing your food. Maybe that is just with me, because food is very important to me. In America the favorite thing to give is an Apple. Well, I got a bag of Persimmons. I never have had this kind of fruit till I came here. It is like a mix between a plum and tomato, or something like that. It is very delicious.

Art

2008-11-13T15:45:00.004+09:00

So, in Ilsan, where I live, there seems to be a lot of sculptures and stuff on almost every corner. So I decided to start documenting it. Here is one right down the street from me. It is a little scary at night, but I think it is beautiful. I took a picture in the daytime, so not to fright. There are actually 3 figures in this one, but I was in a hurry that day. I can only be out in the frigidness for so long. Enjoy!

Happy 빼빼로 (Pepero) Day

2008-11-12T00:23:00.003+09:00

So someone, just thought about how they could sell some candy. So they came up with this day, and the sticks are supposed to represent the 1s in 11/11. Everyone (most) buys these chocolate sticks, and gives them others on this day. Two of my students gave me some Pepero sticks, and it made me really happy. I didn't get any for my students, but many asked me for some, like it was my job. I get them a lot though. I got them all candy for Halloween, which was a little expensive. I am going to have to bring this Holiday to America, because these are some yummy chocolate sticks. You know you aren't special if you don't get any pepero.

I am still so excited about Obama, I don't even know how to put it in words yet. I will comment on it later.

JeJeJe!!!

2008-11-05T09:59:00.004+09:00

So this is from one of the birthday party celebrations, right after Halloween! HA! I have no idea what that guy was in the club for. He was trying to pick up my moves. HeHe!!! Too funny. My Co-worker took that picture.

Funny Comments!

2008-11-04T03:54:00.003+09:00

So, here in Korea, everyone's English isn't the best, so sometimes complements don't come out so well. Here are some. They talk about my teeth a lot. I really don't know how to respond.

"Teacher, your teeth are white like paper" (Ha, depends on what kind of paper you are writing on. They could be talking about the YELLOW legal pads)

"Teacher, you have dark face, and I have dark face, why your teeth so white"

"You are handsome for a black guy" (Poor thing tried so hard to get that one out)

I end up just smiling a lot, because what do you say to this stuff??? I love it!

Birthdays, Birthdays, Birthdays

2008-11-04T03:33:00.003+09:00

So every weekend for the past couple of weekends one of my friends/co-workers has had a birthday. It is such a different experience. You don't realize how much the USA is such an individualistic society till you come to a country like Korea. If you order a drink, it comes with two straws. If you order a dish, it comes with two forks, even if it is just for you. I once bought some ice cream in a corner store alone, and they gave me two spoons. So everyone ends up buying food and drinks for everyone else, and we just had a feast. I really enjoy it, but worry about hygiene. Here's some birthday cake!!! We got it from Costco.

Sorry!

2008-11-02T14:10:00.002+09:00

I am still alive. There have just been back to back birthdays. I haven't had any time to update my blog. I have been so excited about the elections too. I can't even contain myself. I have seen the long lines in Dekalb County for early voting. It made national news.

It is getting cold here, so I am no smiling so much anymore. There is more teeth chattering and me shaking going on.

Ummmmmm...

2008-10-29T22:00:00.001+09:00

I was just about to talk about how I would like to be home right now, and then I checked the weather! Why is it winter time in Atlanta???

So, I will just say I miss all my peeps!

테레즈 auf den Spuren des koreanischen Essens (Teil 5)

2008-10-21T01:24:00.004+09:00

So I went to this korean restaurant in Insadong with my korean friend and a co-worker, which is like a part of Seoul that has a lot of traditional stuff, and I got some bulgogi and this came as a side dish. This dish has some peanuts and I think bamboo root. I was really excited about the peanuts, because they taste like boiled peanuts. It was so nice to have a little taste of home. Very tasty!!!

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!

Korean Style

2008-10-21T01:17:00.003+09:00

By the way, I have a new look. I went and got me some new glasses, and one of my korean friends gave me a hat, that he didn't want anymore. It is one of the many things where the attempt to use english just doesn't work out. It says New York Air Force. I didn't know New York had an Air Force. But It is a good look, I think. It is what I call Korean Style. The glasses were only about $80. That was for the exam, frame and lens. I might get a back up pair. I would have smiled in the picture, but I can't do two things at once, and I was trying to concentrate on taking the picture.

테레즈 auf den Spuren des koreanischen Essens (Teil 4)

2008-10-21T00:59:00.003+09:00

SO, I have been away for a while, but that is just because I have been having fun!!!

I have some new food stuff for you all that I have been trying out. Alright, so I have made some Korean friends, and one of my friend's parents have a resturant, where they serve Sam gum sal, or something like that. I am not sure how to spell it. When one looks it up in the dictionary it is "fatback" LOL!!! Really it is good. I think it has a little more meat that the fatback in the USA. They cut it up, and it is served with Kim Chi and other sides, like sweet potato. When I first got here, I thought it was like some thick bacon, so I was cooking it for breakfast. Now I know.

Alright, so this stuff is some spicy chicken mixed with cabbage. One eats a lot of cabbage here. The restaurants here specialize normally in one thing. It was really good!
I had to wear a bib, so not to get any of the red stuff on my nice new hoodie!!! By the way, I am never eating alone, I just don't want to put pictures up of people with out them knowing.

Korean food is so good. The only thing missing is dessert!!!

My students are so talented

2008-10-09T13:33:00.003+09:00

So, in the last 10 minutes of my writing class yesterday, I wanted to make it a little interesting. Normally we just practice persuasive essay writing for this test that they have to take once a month, but that gets boring, and I don't like boring. So I got out a piece of paper, and instructed to them that we were going to write a story. Each student gets to write one sentence. The goal was to make writing entertaining. They also get to practice writing sentences and also have fun at the same time. I also corrected their sentences at the end.

So here is what they came up with (unedited):

"There was a teacher name Terez. He teaches us writing, and he eats too much Ghana chocolate. He eats a lot of chocolate. He's going to be crazy and he sings named So Hot. But I love him because he is handsome. He is handsome, but he is too fat. Beside that, there was a lot of fans. They like him. his fans like him very much."

The Last Week (Part 2)

2008-10-06T23:26:00.005+09:00

So the fighters did some fighting and fancy stuff. I was really excited. They also had some crowd participation going on. I was just hoping that no swords or spears would fly from anyone's hands.

Then they had a little art exhibit with different decorated hearts. We had this with cows in Decatur, I think, and with bears in Berlin a couple of years ago.

After that I went to Sinchon to meet some friends.

Die letzte Woche (Teil 1)

2008-10-05T11:17:00.005+09:00

Since I had the week of except for Monday, I decided to get stuff done.

Tuesday and Wednesday I just decided to relax. I hung out with some of the teachers I work with. On Thursday I met Oon Cho's mom to get some lunch. It was very good. There was some curry with rice and salad with kiwi dressing.

Then she suggested that I go to Namsan (where Seoul Tower is) It is kind of like a St. Mountain in the middle of seoul. Whilst walking up the hill, I walked past a couple of school children who saw that I was a foreigner and said, "hello". It is funny, when you speak back they get so excited. Apparently I am their "new BEST friend" now.

For some reason people bring their locks to attach to the fence on the tower. It is kind of cool looking, except for when you want to have a look at the view, and you have to peek through the locks.

There is a little square or plaza on top where there is a I don't know what you call this thing, but there is where they had a show (People fighting with swords).

Very Upset!!!

2008-09-29T21:48:00.002+09:00

So the other day, I was reading news about some chemical in the milk from China. I think to myself, is there anything left to be poisoned coming from this country??? Since, I don't drink Milk I wasn't worried.

But that was before today. To my surprise, there was none of my favorite yogurt or chocolates. Why not, I thought. There were just some signs up, which I couldn't read in their places. I thought maybe the truck didn't come, but everything else was stocked up. As I was walking around, I noticed that they had the stores cleared of any and all milk products or with milk in it. I started reading the back of all the Chocolate I have been eating here in Korea, and it happens to be made in CHINA!!! Later I get home and read up about it on CNN's website

I have been giving my students candy also!

Now, I am checking for anything made in China, and I am not buying it.

Why are there no protest about this in Korea? They will protest the "crazy cow" (mad cow) from the USA, but I haven't seen anything about the milk.

hmmmm...

2008-09-29T13:53:00.003+09:00

Funny, but SCARY!!!

notice that Tina doesn't even have to make up lines. Watch how she just repeats what Palin says!!!

Watch CBS Videos Online

Winter!

2008-09-26T20:54:00.004+09:00

So, two days ago I was buying pineapple, and enjoying the sun and warmth.

Today, I am bundling up finding all I can to put on. I thought Atlanta weather was crazy with the surprises, but this is insane. I was thinking I had atleast till like the end of October. The worse is that this is just the beginning. It already feels like November for Atlanta.

Maybe I will start having more video blogs, since I will have to stay inside more often do to the cold!!!

초 석

2008-09-23T01:40:00.006+09:00

Well, I was going to write a blog about 초 석, but looks like it has been done before, and it is just old news now, so I am just going to redirect you to Nick's Blog for that. You can also thank Nick for these video's you are about to see. It is amazing, because the Camera could record my thoughts.

Of course there are some things I would have added to Nick's blog, like explaining how I spent about 2 hours traveling to see Nick. Now I know a faster way, but Nick still hasn't come to Ilsan yet. Either he is afraid that Ilsan is better, which is my opinion, or he... nevermind. Also, every time since then when I have tried to meet up with him, like in Myeong Dong, it is like I am on the chase in the movies. I have to track down a moving target. I get left little clues, such as to follow man hole covers with arrows, and make lefts and rights at Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts, which happen to be at about every corner in Seoul. Whatever I guess it is a big joke on me. Maybe that is a hint, he isn't really interested in hanging out. This past weekend I had to recruit my own personal Korean to help me navigate my way around. I owe him an English lesson.

And Happy Birthday to my Dad!

Spreading the Message!

2008-09-20T17:18:00.002+09:00

So today, I was walking to work, and spotted some Mormons. I often see them around, but this time one decided to talk to me. It was very interesting. First I had my iPod, and I was listening to a song, "Freak like me", by the artist Adina Howard. Ummm... it just didn't feel right. But he was a nice guy. It was so funny. I asked the question, "Where are you from?" As if I didn't know. He said, "Utah". For those not familiar with the song, I am posting a video.

I also was late to work yesterday, cause this guy stopped me in the streets to talk politics. You know I couldn't turn that down. I think he wants to be my BFF (best friend forever) now. He was a nice guy. And older gentleman. He tried to recruit me for the american army though. I thought that was interesting. He was telling me that I should go to the Law School of the National Defense or something like that.

Then there are the random kids who like to point and scream stuff in Korean. Most of the time it is just Hello. I never know how to respond. I am for sure not the only American here.

A Dream Shattered!!!

2008-09-18T22:49:00.009+09:00

So for everyone still wondering, I am not going to be a Korean Super Star like I always dreamed. Well, at least not for now. Today would have been the big day. I guess I was too much American and not enough "African". That's ok, Something bigger and better will come along. I honestly think they might have used that footage for some hidden camera show, or something like that.

Lake Park

2008-09-18T22:49:00.005+09:00

So, Heute hatte ich ein bisschen Zeit, und ich bin nach Lake Park gegangen. Es ist nur ein paar Minuten weg von wo ich wohne. Es war wirklich schön da. Und hier sind ein Paar Bilder.

I had a little time today, so I went to Lake Park. It is only just a few minutes away, down the street from were I live. It was really nice. Here are some pictures.

Meine Güte!

2008-09-16T18:18:00.005+09:00

This is a good example of Korea. I feel like I am in a Disney Movie, often! I would compare this, what you are about to see, to the Solju Boy phenomenon

These are police officers!

These are army guys

Some cute girls!!!

The Real deal!!!

hilarious!!!

2008-09-16T18:17:00.001+09:00

This is too funny!

Africa!!!

2008-09-11T15:59:00.004+09:00

So, What can get 테 레 즈 to take his shirt off, and "dance like an african" on VIDEO?!?

How about the possibility of $1,000 and a very cute convincing korean girl. Let me explain further.

Well, I get this call on Monday from one of the teachers, who says he is calling for a favor for girlfriend of one of our other colleagues. So I inquire about it. I say, "Well, what is the favor". Then he goes on to explain to me that they are looking for someone to do a TV commercial for SK Telecom, which is a korean phone company. So, I say, ok what do I have to do, then he says, "just audition". Then he puts her on the phone, and she is telling me that they are looking for people from several nationalities. One from Samoa, Brazil, Africa, and two from Korea. So I pause for a second, and I say, I am not from any of these places. She says, "That's ok. Do you think you can do an African dance?" I explain that Africa is a big place, and I am quite sure that there is not one "African dance". This was obviously not a problem. So I said sure, when she told me I would get paid. So she tells me where to meet her the next day.

I meet her at this Metro station, and we go up, and she is explaining to me more about the job. So they take me in this room, and it is like the real deal. I see pictures (Polaroids) of the most beautiful people I have seen on the wall hanging. This company shoots like 70 or so percent of all korean commercials. So they say. So I am in this room, and they are like getting my measurements and stuff like that. Then they take pictures of me with a cam. They take different angeles and poses. Luckly the girl was there, because she was so hyping me up for this. She was like do this, and do that, making me feel real good. So then once the pictures was over, they turn on the video, and I am like ummmmm... HA HA!!! They tell me to start talking about my self, and then they say, well since you willl be wearing a costume with no top, could you please take your top off. I do this all the time when I go swimming, but never for video. I feel like if it is going to be shown to people to buy a product, everything needs to be just right, and it is not with me. I am thinking to myself, I am in Korea, and when is this going to happen again, so I do it, and then I have to dance like an "african". HA!!! You can just imagine. Craziness!!!

Well, after I "dance like an African" They ask me to do some hip hop, because that would also be in the commercial. Still half naked, with a little belly out. Ha! The thing is, I am not a hip hop dancer. I just do what I do in the club. It was too funny, but of course the girl was hyping me up. Kind of dancing with me on the side. It didn't hurt that she looked amazing. It is amazing what a pretty girl smiling at you can make you do. So this is all over, and they ask if I could brush up on my hip hop skills. HA!!! oh goodness!

I did get to have lunch with the beautiful korean girl, which I am sure makes her boyfriend, my co-worker a little jealous. We are now friends on thefacebook.

So, this is to be continued. Another day in the crazy life of 테 레 즈!

ATL in Seoul???

2008-09-10T00:08:00.005+09:00

So I went out this weekend, and found “booty booty rocking everywhere” at this hip hop club called UN in Seoul If it weren’t for the couple of Korean’s (some old enough to be my parents§ dancing around, I would have thought I was in the ATL. It was very “hood”. And there was only a $5 cover charge . They said New Orleans was the “chocolate city”, but there were so many chocolate people in this part of Seoul, I thought I could have been in Underground Atlanta or at Glenwood Road. Some were military, but a good number were Nigerians or Africans, which seem to be getting around these days. They are everywhere these days.

I have a surprise maybe. I am working on something big. I will update later.

국회 National Assembly Building

2008-08-28T19:30:00.006+09:00

Well, yesterday was an adventure!

It was the beginning of the week, and I still had my cough. It had gotten better, but nevertheless it was there. So I decided to call Oon Cho's mom for help. She was excited to hear from me, which was nice. So, I made an appointment with her for Wednesday. I really was being a big baby, and really just wanted to see Dr. Kim again. Tuesday comes around, and my cough is almost none existent, except for when I go out side or up a flight of steps. So, instead of canceling my trip, I decided to go anyway, and just visit. We had decided to have lunch anyway.

So it is Wednesday, and i have no cough at all, and I am supposed to meet Dr. Kim. I am thinking she is going to think I made the whole thing up. Whatever, there is nothing I can do about it. I map out the way to get there on the bus and subway. I start my journey. Everything is working out wonderfully. I get to the subway stop where I am supposed to catch a shuttle buss to her building. Of course I can't find it. Actually I just wasn't sure what to look fore exactly. There are busses all over, and I couldn't read each sign. I am walking and walking till I am sweating. Then I remembered she said I could also take a taxi. So I find a taxi and I tell him the National Assembly building, and he shakes his head, so I try to say the korean name she gave me, and he still looks confused. I was so confused, because it was supposed to be in the area. This place was on an Island in the middle of the river, so I didn't know why he didn't know it. I got frustrated and walked back into the subway station to call Dr. Kim. She reconfirmed my directions. So I go back out, and Look for this shuttle, and still can't find it. So I see another taxi, and try again. He shakes his head. I get so angry. Then I see a sign saying National Assembly building straight ahead, and I point it out to him. For some reason he still looks confused. I just get in the taxi and wish for the best whilst displaying my frustration and anger at him. I was not in a happy place. I didn't want to miss that lunch. I had been building this day up in my head the whole week, so I wasn't trying to play around. It ended up being like 2 min down the street. I could have walked if I had have known. This place is big, and there is security outside everywhere. I am so confused. They ask me what I am doing there, and I just say, I want to go to the National Assembly main building to see Dr. Kim. A big scene starts to form. There are multiple guards asking me questions. I have to give them Dr. Kim's phone number to explain, cause they weren't about to let me in. I am sweating even more at this point. I was about to flip out. I have no idea what Dr. Kim said to them on the phone, but their attitudes changed and they were much more welcoming and told the taxi driver where to take me. It feels so cool to be connected. As soon as I get out of the taxi, she is there at the doors of the main building. I go trough another round of security (medal detectors). We hug, and say hello.

This is when I find out, that the name National Assembly wasn't just a fancy name for the building. It was actually where their congress meets to discuss laws and stuff. It makes sense now, huh? I so didn't put it all together. The security all made a little more sense to me, but I was even more puzzled that the taxi drivers were so confused. One would think they would know the building where the congress meets is at. I guess I didn't add all the extra vowel sounds when I said the english name.

So she determines that I just have an irritated throat. From the air, talking so much/loud (classes). I think she just didn't want to make me feel bad for being a big baby. I promise I was not feeling well. She gave me some stuff to help. They were probably pills for crazy people to become not so crazy anymore. She also told me to drink some tea with honey, and stuff like that. Then we went to have lunch. So Yummy! She is such the mom, cause she is making sure I was my hands. The food in their cafeteria is good. There was just one thing on the menu. Oon Cho's mom was so popular there. It was very funny to see. She was like a superstar walking around there. Saying hello to everyone. It was amazing. Hopefully we will get to hang out for the Korean Thanksgiving, for I will have nothing to do.

2008-08-25T22:53:00.002+09:00

So, I am back on my regular schedule now. No more "intensives". It feels a little strange now, cause I have all this free time, and I will have to plan stuff now. It all goes by so fast now. I have almost all new students now. I kind of miss my former students. It is nice to see that some of them get excited when they see me, and disappointed when they learn I won't be their teacher.It it is amazing how quickly one becomes attached. Most of them hated me at first, because I made them speak, and actually engage one another. They changed my schedule, so I will now be teaching IBT. I have no idea what the difference is. I think the kids are older. Here is where it gets good. I will be teaching Writing. Sounds like a joke, right? Just to explain my writing situation, I can quote my English Literature/Writing teacher from high school. At my younger sisters graduation she asked me if I was, "still 70% charm and 30% work". To sum it up, I am not a writer. Not even close. I barely can spell. This should be interesting. I also have a elementary class. I think they are maybe 7ish. They are so smart already. I was talking slowly and using simple sentences, and they made me feel stupid when the sounded like the middle school kids. Everything we were doing felt so easy to them. Everything is so laid back here too. When I came in to work. They all were asking me if the other had talked to me about teaching the new classes, and I just said no. So everyone knew but me. They have to work on the communication. The head teacher never did talk to me after sitting in my classes like he said. He just always says hello to me in the halls or always puts his hand on my shoulder with a little shake in an approving way. He is a good guy though. Always asking if I am ok.

The end of Intensives

2008-08-23T10:10:00.005+09:00

Yes, Intensives. That is one of the first words I heard when I came to Korea. The first day I get here, the teachers that I meat start talking about how Intensives will start in the next week. This is not something someone wants to hear after an intense 14 hour and 50 minute flight. So, when the kids have summer and winter breaks, their parents send them to a Hag won or academy, which is where I work. They get a month off. So for the past 4 weeks, I have been teaching from 9 in the morning till about 8 at night. They also go to Hag won during the regular year. With a couple of breaks in between. I feel so bad for the kids. They are always in school. There are different types of Hag wons. There are some for Math, Science, and other foreign languages.

Well, since yesterday was the last day, some of my Students convinced me to buy the whole class some Korean street food. They were asking, "can we have a Tteok bokki party?" Ha. This is Rice cake fried in a chile pepper sauce. I wish I could have video tapped them explaining it to me. It was only about $5 to buy for the whole class, but they were terribly excited when I finally agreed. I told them I didn't want anything when I gave them the money to go buy it, but they came back with a surprise for me. It was like a schnitzel on a stick in the shape of a fish, that had been fried and re-fried with some chile/ketchup sauce on it. So they sat around eating it. on the table chatting, and telling me how the good of a teacher I am. Now I see why parents do so much for their kids. It is really hard to say no. I could only imagine it is worse when they are your kids. In Korea they often moan a lot at the end of their words when they really want something, so it is best to give in. They were saying, "Please, Teacherereereer! Can we have a partyieieieieie?!!" Something like that. I have to explain in person. This is the same class that convinced me to let them watch the olympics. Here are some pictures of them eating the Tteok bokki. I will miss them. I hope they all come back.

My Old Roomie

2008-08-18T22:20:00.004+09:00

I have always been lucky and had great Roommates.

Well this last week on Thursday I went to visit my former Roommate from my senior year at Emory, Byung. I was so excited to see him, because I wanted to see if he had changed since being in the Army for two years. Except for a more Korean/modern hair cut, and this cute korean woman by his side. It was like there wasn't the two years that we hadn't seen each other. In fact the first words that come out of his mouth is that I hadn't changed. Ha, I didn't know if I should take that as a complement or wonder if he was wishing I had changed. Ha, Well I didn't pursue that any further. I just left it a thought in my head.

We ended up going to see one of his friends play in this band. His friend is going to a music school. The only word I can describe it as is Disney. I could describe a lot of things here as Disney. It really looked like something out of a Disney movie, but everyone was great. They did very well. After that we went to this Korean place. I think the goal of every Korean is to get drunk and get your friends drunk when they go out. They can never leave a glass empty. I always grew up to never leave anything, so these two are not a good combination. No one takes no for an answer. They just pour and pour. We later went to this other bar, but everything was way over priced, so we weren't there for long, and moved to another location, where we had more drinks and food. Byung was still his same self, making jokes all the time.

I had to spend the night at his house, cause I wasn't about to pay for a cab ride back to Ilsan. When I woke up, his mother had made us some noodles. Like everywhere I have been to eat in Korea, I always get more food than I can possibly eat. The bowl was like the size of a serving bowl. There was also Bulgogi and Kim Chi, and a seafood salad. I tried my best. Of course Byung tricked me and said I had to eat at least all the noodles, or his mom would be mad. I later found out after she saw me struggling, that I didn't have to eat it all, but I was only 2 spoon fulls from being finished. But when we were done with that she asked if I wanted some fruit. Of course I couldn't say no. So I got some sliced apples and Watermelon. It was a feast. This was for breakfast too. I don't even know what dinner would have been like. It was good nevertheless, so I tried to fill up on as much as possible. I wish I could have taken a to-go box. I have to start bringing a container everywhere I go.

Byung leaves soon though, so it will be a couple of months before he comes back. He also has the picture that we took , so I have nothing to show.

I am ill!!! : (

2008-08-17T20:43:00.007+09:00

The one thing that I really dislike is being sick. It is never a party being ill. I am not a normal sick person either, because when I get sick, I always jump straight to the conclusion that I am deathly ill, and I need emergency care like yesterday.

Well, what started off as an irritated throat, turned into some nasal drainage. Everyone smokes here, so I just attributed it to that, and started to doctor on it. Lots of tea was being drunk, and some good soups full of good stuff was being eaten. Well, I was starting to feel better till I went out again. I now had that old man who has been smoking for 70 years cough. It was horrible. I felt like I was trying to cough up my lungs. I could feel all my muscles in my torso contract as I coughed. So, I am very upset and tired, because it is hard to sleep and cough at the same time. I also had that feeling of tightening of the longs.

Something had to be done. I see these pharmacies all over the place, so I was just thinking, I could go and get like some cough medicine. Well, when I go in, I was all prepared to do the whole acting out of my problem in an elaborate one man show, so he would know, since I assumed he wouldn't be able to speak English. But I got stage fright, panicked, and just asked if he could speak English. He said yes with a smile. I was smiling even bigger than he was. I told him what my problem was, and he goes to his computer. I thought he was going to bring out a bottle of cough syrup or something. He actually plans out a two drug cocktail for me. He was kind enough to even write down the instructions. I went with one of my new friends I have made here, because I am a big baby, and couldn't go by myself.

At first I was a little hesitant to take these pills, till I read what was on the blue box, and the words sounded familiar. The words Expectorant and tussive stood out to me.

I also got a free bottle of Vitamin C on the house, which I immediately drank.

P.S. (since I wrote this yesterday, I figure I should make it known that I feel better now. Much Much Better.

Uhm Jung Hwa! D.I.S.C.O.

2008-08-16T16:09:00.002+09:00

I hear this song everywhere!!! I really mean everywhere. You have to ask someone to turn down this song to here this song somewhere else.

Olympics

2008-08-16T08:58:00.004+09:00

Well, I forgot how much I love the Olympics till it was taken away from me.

I have a TV, but no cable, so I can't watch it really. I tried on line, but you can't view video from other countries, because everyone wants to make money off of it, so one can only view it online in the country that they are in. Of course I don't speak Korean, so it is a little hard trying to find video here. I was searching on line the other day during one of my breaks. It took me a couple of days to finally find something, and when I did they wanted my alien I.D., which I didn't have at the time. Then my students came to the rescue.
Yes, I have become one of those teachers that stopped class to watch TV. Every student has a cell phone, and many of them can watch TV on their cell phones. We also were listening to the radio. I just had to explain to them that this was a listening exercise and they had to speak in English to tell me what happened. So we all were surrounded by the radio and TV cell phones. It was like being in the movies when you watch how people get so excited about a sports game, and they are shouting at the radio or whatever. I thought I was going to get fired that day, but the Olympics don't happen so often, and I wanted them to see/hear that Phelps beat Park Tae Hwan.
There is this Korean swimmer here, and he is really famous, and the kids really love him. His name is Park Tae Hwan. He is like their Michael Phelps. He is all we talked about this week in the classes. He is actually very good. I think he is smaller than the average swimmer too.

Korea has done well in other sports in this Olympics.

So now I am the favorite teacher for a couple of days.

Teaching/New Peeps/Exploring the City a little more

2008-08-10T21:10:00.003+09:00

Well, I had another fun week of teaching. It went a little fast, which is nice. The kids are starting to get me and how I teach, and I am getting them a more. Thanks to Kyu Seo's chart, I am learning the alphabet. I have it down, except for some of the vowel sounds. Haven't worked that out yet. I haven't been writing as much, because I have been really feeling like a ditz due to over stimulation. There is way too much going on. Signs everywhere. So I have been needing a lot of rest lately.

The head guy of the school came in and sat in on my class. Ummm... just a little bit awkward, but I guess anyone who runs a school should know what their teachers are doing. So he never said anything till I saw him later. Another awkward moment. He just says he would talk to me later after watching more classes. I am pretty sure there is nothing wrong, because that is just how he is. It is just always very awkward. When I got paid, it was a little like that too. He just said he wanted to see me in his office whilst I was teaching, and said nothing more. I am not happy with the books they use by the way. For speaking they have pattern books. It is so boring.

I went out the other day, and met some new peeps. This is very nice, because I was starting to get bored. It's hard not having a cell phone. I went into Seoul (Itaewon & City Hall)again today. It was so much nicer without the rain. It was a little warm though, and I was so tired by the end. It is really a sensory overload. I get so exhausted when I go out here. There are so many signs, so many people, and just stuff. There is really way too much going on. People aways trying to sell or give you something. I still have to get that Camera so you will know what I am talking about. I thought I was going to have a problem finding food other than Korean food, but no, there is so much. I have had Indian, Greek, Thai, ect. But the Italian isn't really Italian, it is like their own twist. Like they put potatoes and corn and stuff on the pizza. They do the Corn thing in Europe too, and it bothers me. I bought a shirt today. It looks funny. I always hate when I buy something and then regret it later. I will probably wait till winter time to wear it, because then I can put a jacket over it. I have started to learn my way around a little bit more, so it is exciting. Things are starting to look familiar.

The Bathroom, Big!!!

2008-08-04T21:46:00.004+09:00

So, I let two of the students go to the bathroom. One comes back with out the other, so I ask where the other student is.
He thinks about it a for a few seconds with a real serious look on his face, then the kid says, "Andy is in the bathroom, big!" He was holding his hands apart to signal bigness. So saying he is going number 2 is old fashion. One says bathroom big now. I love it!

I laughed so hard. Also all of the other students laughed until Andy got back too. This kid is always saying some amazing stuff. He is one of the kids who will tell all of his family's business.

Also, I don't know if I should be worried, but a number of the kids have started calling me crazy. I don't know if they mean it in the joking ha ha he he hu hu he likes to have fun way, or we are scared and he needs to be put away way.

Oon Cho's house!!!

2008-08-03T21:34:00.002+09:00

Ever since I arrived in Korea, I was waiting to go meet Oon Cho's family.

Today was the big day. So I find out which bus to take to Yon Sei University, which is near where Woonie lives. Ummm... I am so glad I didn't waste my money my money going to Lotte World (Korean Disney world). This bus ride was crazy. I would describe it like a roller coaster ride. One could not have a heart condition and ride the bus here. The signal lights are just suggestions for the bus drivers. First I must say, you kind of have to flag your bus down, when you are waiting at the bus stop. There is like one bus stop for many different buses, so you have to let them know you want to get on. There is like a bus lane, so the bus just speeds off. If the light is red for the bus, but no one is coming, or the light is yellow about to turn red, the bus just honks the horn an goes on through. I felt like I was on the bus in "Speed" (the movie). I was thinking cause it was Sunday we would just have a nice cruise into the city. Nope. It was amazing how they were driving these buses. It is something one could never fully describe. You have to experience it. I have a habit of being lucky, 'cause I didn't know what the stop where I would get off would look like, but I just saw a lot of young looking people getting ready to get off, and I figured it was the University, and I was right. I was there just in time to meet Oon Cho's brother, Kyu Seo. We went back to their house, where I was greeted by Woon Cho's mother. We sat down and talked then ate, whilst Oon Cho's dad finished a round of tennis. The view from their house is amazing. It reminds me a little bit of the L.A. Hills. Like their condo is about half way up a hill/mountain. You get too look at parts of the University, and the green space. It was very nice in the middle of this big city. The dinner was great. There was watermelon for dessert. Kyu Seo even made me a learn how to read and write Korean Characters chart for idiots. I was amazed. It is wonderful. He could probably publish it. We talked about places I should probably go and stuff like that. It was nice to see some people I know. Near when I was going to leave, I met Woonie's grandma, and I was trying to say this speech Woon Cho told me to say, and I totally messed it up and even forgot to say half of it, but her grandma just held my hand and smiled whilst nodding. I guess this was to make me feel better. I have no idea if she understood, but she was pleased to see me. I walked around the neighborhood a little bit with Kyu Seo, and it is really kind of an hip area, because it is near several colleges. It was so crowded too. I was like a little kid from the country going to the big city for the first time. I wish I could have stayed longer, but I have to work tomorrow, and Oon Cho's parents wanted to play a little tennis. Can't wait to go back!