I take an inordinate amount of pleasure in using things up. This is a newish part of my personality, one that comes from my years post-university. Obviously, it is the result of moving by plane with two suitcases every year or two, but it strikes me constantly just how much I like it.
I like using up things when I have multiples of them, which seems to happen often in Korea, as you pick up half bottles of shampoo and parmesan cheese from departing teachers who have leftovers. These leftovers are fun in their own ways, as I get to try out bath products and foods that it would never occur to me to buy on my own. I have tried several things that I have since become somewhat addicted to. And sure, it makes plenty of sense to use up multiples; after all, I live in a very small place with limited storage space.
However, I also have an odd love of using up things that I will need to replenish. I hate shopping at the HomePlus much of the time, not so much once I am there but I dread the thought of needing to pop in to do a little grocery shopping. In spite of this, it is as if every finished tube of toothpaste or loaf of bread or sheet of stickers is somehow a pleasant victory of sorts.
Part of it is the hate of waste, as well. I save all bubble envelopes and use them to repack things I mail to people. It annoys me intensely to think of them thrown out. It is a concern for the environment, sure, but I can’t claim to be Ms. Environmental by a long shot. It is also the waste of money (and of the time at work it took to earn that money), though again, I am the last person to claim some sort of frugality. It is just one of those odd little things I do.
Thus, the next month and a half of my time in Korea will be all about trying to use up the odds and ends that won’t be leaving the country with me. I’m sure it will lead to some interesting meals and some pleasant evenings spent pampering myself with bath products.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
On What I've Been Up To
Well, the Lunar New Year Weekend was a blast and a half. Ladies’ Night was spectacular as always and it was followed up by one of the most incredibly fun nights I’ve had dancing in some time. Couldn’t tell you why it was so fun, though I think the large group of friends and the soju kettles might have something to do with it. We ended up at Old Town Seoul, which tells a great deal about how long the evening went on. Then Saturday night was good, spent hanging with Roger and discovering the joys of McDonald’s breakfasts. For someone who was so anti-MacDonalds, I must admit to being a huge convert to the joy of a sausage egg McMuffin at 5 a.m. after a long night of dancing. Sunday ended up being a fun repeat of Friday, basically, though I didn’t stay out as late as the others. Monday was fun, as I lay around watching The Farce of the Penguins and some other amusing movie and then went bowling on the army base, before hooking up with the troops at Geckos, where people were wearing horse masks and claiming to be Bikini Inspectors. As you do, naturally. There are some very amusing photos, which I will try and post soon.
Then there was the short week, followed by my extremely laid back weekend that consisted largely of sleeping and eating out. There was a bit of a moment with wigs too, and some chilling with Roger and the lizard.
Now we have a week with a Thursday off, always random and fun. There are plans for a birthday that cover both Wednesday night and Thursday, and a ton of people to say goodbye to all at once. As always in Seoul, there are tons of things to do on the weekends, and not enough time to do them all. It’s gonna be a crazy last month and a half.
Then there was the short week, followed by my extremely laid back weekend that consisted largely of sleeping and eating out. There was a bit of a moment with wigs too, and some chilling with Roger and the lizard.
Now we have a week with a Thursday off, always random and fun. There are plans for a birthday that cover both Wednesday night and Thursday, and a ton of people to say goodbye to all at once. As always in Seoul, there are tons of things to do on the weekends, and not enough time to do them all. It’s gonna be a crazy last month and a half.
On Love
So, Valentine’s Day saw the arrival of my divorce papers, which need to be signed and sent back. Sadly, this all has to be put off until I have an address that the official copy can be sent back to me, and that of course won’t be sorted out for a bit. Hopefully the job in Hong Kong will pan out; either way I won’t be at my present hagwon much longer.
It’s a funny thing, love. I must say, it has been refreshing working with Lee and Deanna after going through the breakup of the defining relationship of my 20s and one that ended so badly. They are such an amazing couple, so well suited and happy and pursuing their dreams together. My love life, such as it has been this year, has been interesting. I had my one big rebound relationship, which seems odd to me now that it is over that it ever began, and a few dating adventures, some of which I will remember very fondly. It struck me that I have never really been single, properly, as an adult. I like it and it rather suits me. Sure, it would be lovely to find that perfect someone, but I suspect right now wouldn’t be a good time to find him or her anyway. At the moment, dating suits me perfectly, as does my rather transient lifestyle.
It’s a funny thing, love. I must say, it has been refreshing working with Lee and Deanna after going through the breakup of the defining relationship of my 20s and one that ended so badly. They are such an amazing couple, so well suited and happy and pursuing their dreams together. My love life, such as it has been this year, has been interesting. I had my one big rebound relationship, which seems odd to me now that it is over that it ever began, and a few dating adventures, some of which I will remember very fondly. It struck me that I have never really been single, properly, as an adult. I like it and it rather suits me. Sure, it would be lovely to find that perfect someone, but I suspect right now wouldn’t be a good time to find him or her anyway. At the moment, dating suits me perfectly, as does my rather transient lifestyle.
On People
The thing about Korea is that I have met so many people who I never would otherwise. I don’t just mean because geographically, I wouldn’t have been able to meet them, but also that in the normal course of affairs I might not have become friends with these people. Making friends after university seems a far harder and more involving process. In Scotland, I had my work pals, but not as many friends I would spend my spare time with. Vancouver, I hardly knew anyone. Here in Korea, the influence of being in a small, expat community in a non-English speaking country seems to have expanded my outside-of-work social circle dramatically. I have met people in all sorts of random ways too (in bathrooms at bars, through random acquaintances, while wearing their underwear, at birthday parties for people I didn’t even know) and people who I might not have naturally gravitated towards back home.
Oddly, I suspect I am known as something of a social butterfly here. I know a lot of people and very much enjoy chilling and wandering around and chatting with all of them on the weekends. Which is weird for someone who had very small social circles all through university and for those years in Edinburgh after. I am also the known party girl amongst my coworkers, again amusing as I was certainly not a partier like this in university or in Scotland or Vancouver. In Vancouver, I could count on one hand the number of nights out I had. Funny that. I love the social lifestyle, but I admit to still having my hermit tendencies – without my solitude during the week, I’d not be able to handle all those people and all that activity.
Working amongst such a small group of people, and one that changes and morphs with each contract ended and new contract started, is quite an experience too. The dynamics and relationships in such small groups are fascinating and sometimes frustrating. I have quite a preoccupation with the motives and hidden intents of everyone I interact with (no doubt why I am so fond of reading novels) which makes all this mini-environment-ness of living in Korea so interesting to me. (I have a shocking habit for making up my own words, no doubt unsuitable to my profession as an English teacher.)
And interacting so closely with people in the American military has been an experience. It has shattered some of my stereotypes and no doubt led me to build others. However, it has been an interesting change of perspective and led me to learn a great number of things I knew nothing about previously. And I suppose that is the mark of any interesting interaction, really, that you learn and occasionally embrace new things. And of course, there is the insight and frustration that comes from living in Korean society. Frustrating when it comes to dealing with my Korean boss, insightful when talking to people my own age and my students. And who knew I was going to learn so much about Nigerian society by coming here? But there you are. Life in Korea has certainly never been boring.
Oddly, I suspect I am known as something of a social butterfly here. I know a lot of people and very much enjoy chilling and wandering around and chatting with all of them on the weekends. Which is weird for someone who had very small social circles all through university and for those years in Edinburgh after. I am also the known party girl amongst my coworkers, again amusing as I was certainly not a partier like this in university or in Scotland or Vancouver. In Vancouver, I could count on one hand the number of nights out I had. Funny that. I love the social lifestyle, but I admit to still having my hermit tendencies – without my solitude during the week, I’d not be able to handle all those people and all that activity.
Working amongst such a small group of people, and one that changes and morphs with each contract ended and new contract started, is quite an experience too. The dynamics and relationships in such small groups are fascinating and sometimes frustrating. I have quite a preoccupation with the motives and hidden intents of everyone I interact with (no doubt why I am so fond of reading novels) which makes all this mini-environment-ness of living in Korea so interesting to me. (I have a shocking habit for making up my own words, no doubt unsuitable to my profession as an English teacher.)
And interacting so closely with people in the American military has been an experience. It has shattered some of my stereotypes and no doubt led me to build others. However, it has been an interesting change of perspective and led me to learn a great number of things I knew nothing about previously. And I suppose that is the mark of any interesting interaction, really, that you learn and occasionally embrace new things. And of course, there is the insight and frustration that comes from living in Korean society. Frustrating when it comes to dealing with my Korean boss, insightful when talking to people my own age and my students. And who knew I was going to learn so much about Nigerian society by coming here? But there you are. Life in Korea has certainly never been boring.
On Quietness
So, in fact, my internet connection is buggered. I will have to communicate through a patchy combo of break time at work and PC Bongs, which though cheap and plentiful, somehow seem to feel like just one more annoying errand to me. This sucks greatly, and I won’t be online much. However, it gives me a chance to get stuff done before leaving, so perhaps it’s all for the good. Except, of course, that it is excessively annoying. The other excessive thing? Outback giving me three loaves of bread when I got my doggie bag!
Friday, February 23, 2007
Gah. I'm Not Too Bright.
So, I thought that my internet wasn't working at all, but actually I have only somehow managed to accidentally program Norton to not let me log into Messanger, and when that didn't work I assumed that the internet was down. I am sooooooo silly.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Champagne Mondays
So, Roger, aka Lizard Boy, has become my recent Monday night buddy. We have twice played dominos on base while drinking champagne. I like dominos a lot. So far my game is all about luck, but I can see now where the skill comes in, and I like the practicing. As in all competitiveness, I don't really like losing. This time we were joined by two guys at the next table and everyone enjoyed making fun of my quiet knocking and lack of proper domino-holding technique.
I saw the Grudge 2, which was rather scary, and Idiocracy, which wasn't great and I dozed off anyway. This morning I watched the most recent Grey's Anatomy, and OMG! Little girl, it's time to save Meredith!!! Move it! (I am a wee bit obsessed. Little bit.)
I saw the Grudge 2, which was rather scary, and Idiocracy, which wasn't great and I dozed off anyway. This morning I watched the most recent Grey's Anatomy, and OMG! Little girl, it's time to save Meredith!!! Move it! (I am a wee bit obsessed. Little bit.)
Weekend-o-rama
The weekend proceeded in many ways just as it usually does and in other ways very bizarrely.
First off, I spent another Friday night in. Can't say I got any extra sleep, though, as I stayed up obsessively watching Season 2 of The L Word. I'm now through the first 9 episodes and will be taking a break to watch Eureka.
Saturday I did some hardcore cleaning. I meant to also burn Sheila a disc of photos, but I highly underestimated the amount of cleaning I had to do. I just had time to get showered and dressed to meet Joel, Sarah and Roger for dinner at La Tavola. From there, Roger went home, and we went on to Geckos. Everyone was there, but I mostly chatted with Karlya and went with her to 66. We bumped into an Irish lad I met last summer and who also knows Karlya - indeed, this is such a small expat community. Karlya took off, I hooked up with Sarah and we ended up at TinPans. Briefly saw Debbie, missed Daniel and crew entirely, though they were there apparently, and hung out with Melissa and Derek. Then I met Alan, Adam, and Joon, which lead to some adventures with some smoking. Not Marlboros, if you catch my drift.
Sunday was a long day. I got very little sleep, ate some Korean food at the HomePlus food court, and went to Itaewon. Charged up the phone and went to Geckos to eat/drink pitchers of beer. 12 hours later, I had bumped into everyone I know (or so it felt), but had only drank about 5 beers. This is because I drink beer exquisitely slowly. At 10pm, for example, Sheila suggested we get one more beer and then go home. I finished that beer at 12.30am. Since we had missed the subway anyway, we hung out to hear Closing Time played and get kicked out. Everyone was telling very hysterically funny stories and it was a great night.
First off, I spent another Friday night in. Can't say I got any extra sleep, though, as I stayed up obsessively watching Season 2 of The L Word. I'm now through the first 9 episodes and will be taking a break to watch Eureka.
Saturday I did some hardcore cleaning. I meant to also burn Sheila a disc of photos, but I highly underestimated the amount of cleaning I had to do. I just had time to get showered and dressed to meet Joel, Sarah and Roger for dinner at La Tavola. From there, Roger went home, and we went on to Geckos. Everyone was there, but I mostly chatted with Karlya and went with her to 66. We bumped into an Irish lad I met last summer and who also knows Karlya - indeed, this is such a small expat community. Karlya took off, I hooked up with Sarah and we ended up at TinPans. Briefly saw Debbie, missed Daniel and crew entirely, though they were there apparently, and hung out with Melissa and Derek. Then I met Alan, Adam, and Joon, which lead to some adventures with some smoking. Not Marlboros, if you catch my drift.
Sunday was a long day. I got very little sleep, ate some Korean food at the HomePlus food court, and went to Itaewon. Charged up the phone and went to Geckos to eat/drink pitchers of beer. 12 hours later, I had bumped into everyone I know (or so it felt), but had only drank about 5 beers. This is because I drink beer exquisitely slowly. At 10pm, for example, Sheila suggested we get one more beer and then go home. I finished that beer at 12.30am. Since we had missed the subway anyway, we hung out to hear Closing Time played and get kicked out. Everyone was telling very hysterically funny stories and it was a great night.
Sedaris is Funny
I roll out of bed, which is usually between ten and ten-thirty. For me this is early, but for Hugh and most of our neighbors it’s something closer to midday. What they do at 6 A.M. is anyone’s guess. I only know that they’re incredibly self-righteous about it, and talk about the dawn as if it’s a personal reward, bestowed on account of their great virtue. Read the whole article here.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Fake Kevin
You get those classes that are almost all one sex, with one poor, lone representative of the opposite sex. Winston is fighting back against the girliness of his class by replacing Kevin with the new and improved "Fake Kevin". He even reads on behalf of both Fake Kevin and himself. This kid also tells an impressive story using his Mickey Mouse sticker collection, and repeats it for me all the time, but sadly none of it is in English. He looks a bit evil in this photo, but is really a nice kid.
Drama Mamas
So, Ladies' Night last night had its share of drama. It started off well enough, with the crew meeting up at Helios. Then we moved to the Loft. And that's when the shit hit the fan. There is a big disagreement over something that happened last weekend, two of my friends are feuding I suppose, a guy got the MPs called on him, and I ended up accidentally in the fire station in Itaewon, and on purpose in the police station, trying to mediate and be supportive. And basically remaining more sober than ever on a Thursday night with free booze, since the drama ended just around when the free drinks did. I was thinking my night was ruined, but lizard boy joined me and we went to Spy, where Daniel and Alex were. Lizard boy and Alex chatted and I attempted to play pool with a guy from Glasgow. I sucked. I cheated. Lizard boy plied me with drinks and I stayed out until 6am. It ended up being a pretty rocking evening, complete with bizarre photos of basically the same two people, as Spy was empty!
(This is the kind of photo that results when you steal a man's hat)
The Coat Saga, or How I Came to Be Impersonating an Air France Pilot
So, back in December, I lost my coat. More to the point, it was taken from the Loft on a Ladies' Night, and since I always leave at the very end of these things, I knew that it wasn't that I couldn't find it or whatever. But, I went back the next day hoping it might be there and instead they gave me skinny girl's jacket. It was a very nice jacket, but sadly there wasn't a chance in hell it was ever gonna do up over my boobs. Not the best of situations in the middle of winter in a country of tiny, small-breasted women where buying a coat that might fit me was never gonna happen.
Anyway, as with so many things, I procrastinated. I wore a jacket of yunjin's, which got to me via Laura, and the skinny girl's jacket occassionally too. And I was off to Thailand anyway, so I figured, whatever. Then I heard through the grapevine that someone who is a friend of a friend had taken the wrong jacket on that night, and I thought "Bingo!"
It took ages to meet up and do the jacket exchange. Finally, at Reena's shindig, we did. And it wasn't my jacket she had. It was the jacket of an Air France pilot. Now, I remember the night quite well. I remember the Air France pilots here on a layover. I remember the girl who took the pilot's jacket being totalled and having to be carried out of the bar. So, I guess her friends grabbed her the wrong jacket, he took mine in retaliation for someone taking his, and I ended up with the skinny girl's jacket. Now, however, I get to run around in the jacket of an Air France pilot.
It's quite cool really. I mean, my jacket was a bit more flattering. However, this one fits well (a bit big in the shoulders and long in the arms, but I love that the arms cover my hands, cause I always tuck them up into my cuffs anyway) and has a much better story to it than "I bought it on sale in the Bay."
And, I could pretend to be a real Air France pilot. If I looked at all like a pilot... or even spoke French... Ach, well.
Anyway, as with so many things, I procrastinated. I wore a jacket of yunjin's, which got to me via Laura, and the skinny girl's jacket occassionally too. And I was off to Thailand anyway, so I figured, whatever. Then I heard through the grapevine that someone who is a friend of a friend had taken the wrong jacket on that night, and I thought "Bingo!"
It took ages to meet up and do the jacket exchange. Finally, at Reena's shindig, we did. And it wasn't my jacket she had. It was the jacket of an Air France pilot. Now, I remember the night quite well. I remember the Air France pilots here on a layover. I remember the girl who took the pilot's jacket being totalled and having to be carried out of the bar. So, I guess her friends grabbed her the wrong jacket, he took mine in retaliation for someone taking his, and I ended up with the skinny girl's jacket. Now, however, I get to run around in the jacket of an Air France pilot.
It's quite cool really. I mean, my jacket was a bit more flattering. However, this one fits well (a bit big in the shoulders and long in the arms, but I love that the arms cover my hands, cause I always tuck them up into my cuffs anyway) and has a much better story to it than "I bought it on sale in the Bay."
And, I could pretend to be a real Air France pilot. If I looked at all like a pilot... or even spoke French... Ach, well.
My Princesses
I had a dream last night, one of those ones that seem really real. Andrew and Kari brought the girls along to visit me in Korea and we all had a great time. Sarah came into school with me to meet my students, we went to the palace, my coworkers babysat and the adults went out. I miss them.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
A Friday Five for People Who Can't Count
What is your typical morning routine before work/school? I wake up about an hour before I have to be at work, I hit snooze one too many times, I shower and brush my teeth, find one of my two pairs of work trousers, randomly grab a vaguely matching shirt, walk to HomePlus for my coffee and a sandwich to eat on break.
How many languages do you speak? Really just English, with a smattering of other things. And if I ran together the little Korean I know with the names of subway stops, I'm sure I'd sound fluent to the non-Korean ear ;)
How many family members do you have named Bill? Jim? I have an Uncle Bill and I think my mom has a cousin Bill. I don't think there are any Jims.
What's your all time favorite song? Blueberry Pie by Bette Middler or perhaps Teddy Bear by Elvis. To sing it's Buttercup (Whhhhhhhyyyyy do you build me up, Buttercup baby, just to let me down?)
What can't you imagine your life without? coffee, love, and my silver bullet. bwahahahahahaha. (sorry mom! TMI!)
What can't you go a day without? hmmmm. well, during the week, I need that cup of coffee, but I don't usually drink coffee on weekends. Maybe reading a book, a least for a bit? Or maybe checking my email? Dunno.
What position do you sleep in? I always start on my side, but I end up on my back in a starfish shape. I used to hate sleeping on my stomach, but I've gotten more into it lately. I love to cuddle, if there is someone to cuddle with. I'm like a heat-seeking limpet.
How many languages do you speak? Really just English, with a smattering of other things. And if I ran together the little Korean I know with the names of subway stops, I'm sure I'd sound fluent to the non-Korean ear ;)
How many family members do you have named Bill? Jim? I have an Uncle Bill and I think my mom has a cousin Bill. I don't think there are any Jims.
What's your all time favorite song? Blueberry Pie by Bette Middler or perhaps Teddy Bear by Elvis. To sing it's Buttercup (Whhhhhhhyyyyy do you build me up, Buttercup baby, just to let me down?)
What can't you imagine your life without? coffee, love, and my silver bullet. bwahahahahahaha. (sorry mom! TMI!)
What can't you go a day without? hmmmm. well, during the week, I need that cup of coffee, but I don't usually drink coffee on weekends. Maybe reading a book, a least for a bit? Or maybe checking my email? Dunno.
What position do you sleep in? I always start on my side, but I end up on my back in a starfish shape. I used to hate sleeping on my stomach, but I've gotten more into it lately. I love to cuddle, if there is someone to cuddle with. I'm like a heat-seeking limpet.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
After a famine, a feast of a post
It has been ages since I last posted. I have been a very lazy real blogger, but in my head I pretend blog all the time. What I need is some sort of link in my brain to my laptop. I mean, usually I'd reject such technology in suspicion of government misuse and all, but I think I can risk it for better blogging. ;)
So, what to say? Lots of what I intend to blog about I just forget. I must have the worst bloody memory ever. I compensate by attempting to have some sort of organizational system, but I really do have an immensely sucky memory. Just imagine what I'll be like when I'm 90.
And I make a very sucky Canadian. There was a joke today at work about double preps and double doubles. And Lee said that four of the people in the room just got the joke. Thing is, for a minute I thought I was that unknowing fifth. I worked in Tim Hortons for a summer, but I didn't make the connection. I have lived out of Canada for a total of five and a half years now. I don't read newspapers of any kind, much less Canadian ones. And I have lived overseas longer since moving out of my parents' home in my small hometown than I have lived in Canada since then. My present plans will have me in yet another overseas job, for a couple of years I suspect, and back to visit Canada in the summer. Because, you know, for all that I'm not the solo American on staff, I am in fact not much of a Canadian. I am a visitor. I mean, I have yet to find a country I like better. And it will always be home, in a very significant way. But until I make that move back to Canada, a part of me isn't Canadian. And that move back to Canada doesn't seem to be coming any time soon. That makes me sad and happy at the same time, if that makes sense to anyone but me.
Work is work. As always, I like the students. They say the funniest things. Jully, my favourite, is no longer at Heritage, sadly. Her most recent gem is well worth sharing. She was sitting in class as I walked in with her handphone (cell phone) on the desk, her mp3 player in one ear, and an electronic dictionary open in front of her. When I commented on all her technology, she told me: "Teacher, I'm a digital woman. I'm not analog." It's the Jullys that make teaching the amazing job that it is. She was an incredible student and I haven't seen many like her. She loved learning English and was amazingly bright and funny. I'll miss teaching her. I will also miss the Dolphins class. I only got them for a month, but they were four very bright students. They were amazingly smart and enthusiastic and funny and interested in learning. They remind me a bit of myself, back before I got all bitter and jaded about school.
The last couple of weekends have been full. A week ago on Friday I was in my usual Hongdae haunts - 66 and TinPans. Sheila and Vanessa ran an amusing scam about being female wrestlers on a tour of Korea. Then Saturday was Reena's goodbye party, which invovled the amazing combo of soju and chocolate ice cream at Carne, some very amusing photos, and great dancing at Halaboogies. Anita got lost and Charyl showed us how to work that pole. Sunday was its usual self, with some dinner (3 Alley) and some Geckos time. Then this past weekend I did a bit of hibernating. I had a great Ladies' Night on Thursday but one that lasted until the morning, leaving me kinda tired. I went out for dinner with Laura, Hanna and Paul and for some pineapple soju, but I had myself tucked up in bed on a Friday night by 1am. After a marathon sleep, which was much needed, I headed out on Saturday for Erin's birthday at Bricx, which meant yummy margahritas. I ended up at the Loft, by way of Helios, but was out at the early hour of 3am (and that is early by Korean expat standards). Sunday I hung out for a bit with Lizard Boy. I stayed in Sunday night though, and read like a fiend.
Then there was my Monday night. Champagne? check! Learn to play dominoes and win? check! Cheeseburger with dill pickles, not sweet ones? check! Listening to the new Norah Jones CD? check! Woo! I now have seen the most recent Grey's Anatomy episodes (I am addicted, people!) and I have the first season of Eureka and the first half of the second season of the L Word to plow through next. That said, it is disconcerting to sit on a bed that is also occupied by a lizard. It is quite a big lizard. I'll have to get a picture the next time I chill with it, since we seem to be becoming buddies.
Grey's Anatomy has gotten me thinking about any number of things. It also makes me cry quite regularly. One of the things that gets me is just how "shades of grey" the world is. I don't get why age is supposed to make one more set in one's views and conservative. It seems to be making me into the opposite. All that black and white I used to see is gone. It started with thinking that McDreamy is, in fact, not an asshole. The situation between him and Meredith is not always good and sometimes he doesn't make the right choices. But he is also in a horrible and impossible situation, not of his causing even, and he does his best. If life hands out instruction manuals for dealing perfectly with all these difficulties that we face, I must have been skipping class that day. (That is entirely likely, of course, given just how often I skipped!) Anyway, I just think that as the years pass, I realize more and more that people do their best. Often their best isn't very good or isn't enough, and yet, it is their best. There seems little more we can ask of one another. Life is incredibly complex and there is seldom a clear cut right thing to do. We muddle through.
My contract in Korea is winding down. I'll be here in Seoul until April 10th. After that, the plan is Hong Kong, though no idea when exactly, as these things are dependent on tons of paperwork and visas. Who knows what exactly will happen. I will be sad to leave Korea - my friends here are amazing and I very much enjoy my life. However, I suspect it is time for a move. I always think that it is the options that scare me a little that are the right ones to pursue. Thus, it is time to move on. Time to be a bit scared again. :)
So, what to say? Lots of what I intend to blog about I just forget. I must have the worst bloody memory ever. I compensate by attempting to have some sort of organizational system, but I really do have an immensely sucky memory. Just imagine what I'll be like when I'm 90.
And I make a very sucky Canadian. There was a joke today at work about double preps and double doubles. And Lee said that four of the people in the room just got the joke. Thing is, for a minute I thought I was that unknowing fifth. I worked in Tim Hortons for a summer, but I didn't make the connection. I have lived out of Canada for a total of five and a half years now. I don't read newspapers of any kind, much less Canadian ones. And I have lived overseas longer since moving out of my parents' home in my small hometown than I have lived in Canada since then. My present plans will have me in yet another overseas job, for a couple of years I suspect, and back to visit Canada in the summer. Because, you know, for all that I'm not the solo American on staff, I am in fact not much of a Canadian. I am a visitor. I mean, I have yet to find a country I like better. And it will always be home, in a very significant way. But until I make that move back to Canada, a part of me isn't Canadian. And that move back to Canada doesn't seem to be coming any time soon. That makes me sad and happy at the same time, if that makes sense to anyone but me.
Work is work. As always, I like the students. They say the funniest things. Jully, my favourite, is no longer at Heritage, sadly. Her most recent gem is well worth sharing. She was sitting in class as I walked in with her handphone (cell phone) on the desk, her mp3 player in one ear, and an electronic dictionary open in front of her. When I commented on all her technology, she told me: "Teacher, I'm a digital woman. I'm not analog." It's the Jullys that make teaching the amazing job that it is. She was an incredible student and I haven't seen many like her. She loved learning English and was amazingly bright and funny. I'll miss teaching her. I will also miss the Dolphins class. I only got them for a month, but they were four very bright students. They were amazingly smart and enthusiastic and funny and interested in learning. They remind me a bit of myself, back before I got all bitter and jaded about school.
The last couple of weekends have been full. A week ago on Friday I was in my usual Hongdae haunts - 66 and TinPans. Sheila and Vanessa ran an amusing scam about being female wrestlers on a tour of Korea. Then Saturday was Reena's goodbye party, which invovled the amazing combo of soju and chocolate ice cream at Carne, some very amusing photos, and great dancing at Halaboogies. Anita got lost and Charyl showed us how to work that pole. Sunday was its usual self, with some dinner (3 Alley) and some Geckos time. Then this past weekend I did a bit of hibernating. I had a great Ladies' Night on Thursday but one that lasted until the morning, leaving me kinda tired. I went out for dinner with Laura, Hanna and Paul and for some pineapple soju, but I had myself tucked up in bed on a Friday night by 1am. After a marathon sleep, which was much needed, I headed out on Saturday for Erin's birthday at Bricx, which meant yummy margahritas. I ended up at the Loft, by way of Helios, but was out at the early hour of 3am (and that is early by Korean expat standards). Sunday I hung out for a bit with Lizard Boy. I stayed in Sunday night though, and read like a fiend.
Then there was my Monday night. Champagne? check! Learn to play dominoes and win? check! Cheeseburger with dill pickles, not sweet ones? check! Listening to the new Norah Jones CD? check! Woo! I now have seen the most recent Grey's Anatomy episodes (I am addicted, people!) and I have the first season of Eureka and the first half of the second season of the L Word to plow through next. That said, it is disconcerting to sit on a bed that is also occupied by a lizard. It is quite a big lizard. I'll have to get a picture the next time I chill with it, since we seem to be becoming buddies.
Grey's Anatomy has gotten me thinking about any number of things. It also makes me cry quite regularly. One of the things that gets me is just how "shades of grey" the world is. I don't get why age is supposed to make one more set in one's views and conservative. It seems to be making me into the opposite. All that black and white I used to see is gone. It started with thinking that McDreamy is, in fact, not an asshole. The situation between him and Meredith is not always good and sometimes he doesn't make the right choices. But he is also in a horrible and impossible situation, not of his causing even, and he does his best. If life hands out instruction manuals for dealing perfectly with all these difficulties that we face, I must have been skipping class that day. (That is entirely likely, of course, given just how often I skipped!) Anyway, I just think that as the years pass, I realize more and more that people do their best. Often their best isn't very good or isn't enough, and yet, it is their best. There seems little more we can ask of one another. Life is incredibly complex and there is seldom a clear cut right thing to do. We muddle through.
My contract in Korea is winding down. I'll be here in Seoul until April 10th. After that, the plan is Hong Kong, though no idea when exactly, as these things are dependent on tons of paperwork and visas. Who knows what exactly will happen. I will be sad to leave Korea - my friends here are amazing and I very much enjoy my life. However, I suspect it is time for a move. I always think that it is the options that scare me a little that are the right ones to pursue. Thus, it is time to move on. Time to be a bit scared again. :)
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Friday Five
1. Would you rather have a fun job that doesn't pay well or a boring job that does? A fun job. I hate being bored more than most things in the world.
2. Would you sacrifice your morals for a job? no.
3. Would you ever take a job that requires you to be in costume? i might.
4. What is your fantasy job? cirriculum developer
5. Would you like fries with that? Bwahahahahahaha. I like fries when they don't come from a fast food restaurant.
2. Would you sacrifice your morals for a job? no.
3. Would you ever take a job that requires you to be in costume? i might.
4. What is your fantasy job? cirriculum developer
5. Would you like fries with that? Bwahahahahahaha. I like fries when they don't come from a fast food restaurant.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
WTF?
I just fucked up microwave popcorn, people! And it's only hump day!!! Where's a Friday when you need one?
I Wish it was Sooner...
| You Are Very Worldly |
 You're an international jet setter - or pretty darn close. And while you may feel like you have many more places to visit... Most people live their whole lives without seeing what you've seen. In fact, you're probably going to be traveling again soon. So Bon Voyage! |
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Random Joyful Things
* Fireworks on my way into Itaewon on Saturday night that were randomly going off above a highway. Beautiful and unexpected.
* A kid being pushed in a stroller, with his arms out, acting like an airplane.
* Students all shouting out our names and hello as we walked out of Heritage for lunch, even though we had just been teaching them all morning. They were still that excited to see us.
* Funny texts from Where's Waldo.
* Julie and her computerized dictionary. And her ability to accidentally let out English swear words.
* Pizza and coke and Grey's Anatomy after a very, very long Tuesday.
* Lee's amazing sense of humour after having gallstones removed in Seoul.
* My chomies (chingu + homies = Korean friends!)
* A kid being pushed in a stroller, with his arms out, acting like an airplane.
* Students all shouting out our names and hello as we walked out of Heritage for lunch, even though we had just been teaching them all morning. They were still that excited to see us.
* Funny texts from Where's Waldo.
* Julie and her computerized dictionary. And her ability to accidentally let out English swear words.
* Pizza and coke and Grey's Anatomy after a very, very long Tuesday.
* Lee's amazing sense of humour after having gallstones removed in Seoul.
* My chomies (chingu + homies = Korean friends!)
Monday, January 22, 2007
Choice is Good
Today is National Blogging for Choice Day, in honor of the 34th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. I’m pro-choice. Nothing more to say, really.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Me
Book of Names Times Online
Amanda / Mandy (37)
From the Latin meaning “fit to be loved”.
It first appeared on a birth register in 1212, in Warwickshire.
Average age: 37.
Average income: £29,000.
Most likely to live in the Scottish Borders region.
Amandas are more likely to holiday in Britain than in Africa or Australia.
Amandas are more likely than most people to be office workers.
Amandas are 80 per cent more likely than most people to cohabit with a partner.
Amandas are also 50 per cent more likely to have a mortgage.
The car of choice for Mandys is the Ford Escort, according to a 2005 report by Churchill Insurance.
Interesting... Well, I was pretty partnered for awhile there, though I couldn't be more single now. I have lived in Scotland, though not the Borders. I certainly tend to holiday in more exciting places. I have worked in an office, but not now, thank god. I don't have a mortgage and can't even drive a car. I'm not that old, I don't make that much.
And Mandy is a horrible version of my name. Horrible of me, I know, but I've always thought of it as a bit trailer trash. That, of course, wouldn't figure in a British commentary on the name, granted.
Amanda / Mandy (37)
From the Latin meaning “fit to be loved”.
It first appeared on a birth register in 1212, in Warwickshire.
Average age: 37.
Average income: £29,000.
Most likely to live in the Scottish Borders region.
Amandas are more likely to holiday in Britain than in Africa or Australia.
Amandas are more likely than most people to be office workers.
Amandas are 80 per cent more likely than most people to cohabit with a partner.
Amandas are also 50 per cent more likely to have a mortgage.
The car of choice for Mandys is the Ford Escort, according to a 2005 report by Churchill Insurance.
Interesting... Well, I was pretty partnered for awhile there, though I couldn't be more single now. I have lived in Scotland, though not the Borders. I certainly tend to holiday in more exciting places. I have worked in an office, but not now, thank god. I don't have a mortgage and can't even drive a car. I'm not that old, I don't make that much.
And Mandy is a horrible version of my name. Horrible of me, I know, but I've always thought of it as a bit trailer trash. That, of course, wouldn't figure in a British commentary on the name, granted.
My Greatest Joy in Life is Grammar
I was pondering going out for Ladies' Night, in spite of the fact that I'm tired and have a 12 hour day ahead of me tomorrow. And no break, as poor Lee is off work having gall bladder surgery. It just isn't the same "getting campy" without him.
Anyway, A Series of Unfortunate Events came on the telly and so I ended up staying in. I like it a lot. I've only read the very first book, and fair enough the movie isn't very close to my memory of the plot, but I'm enjoying it quite a lot. They're brilliant books too, and I think would be great for ESL teaching, as they have a lot of contextual clues and definitions of words in the story.
Grammar may be Aunt Josephine's greatest joy, but I can tell you one thing: it certainly isn't mine when I'm teaching it to the Zebras. "Teacher, why do you live?" Jeff-e is annnoying! But I can easily alter his question for any number of grammar lessons ("Teacher, why do you think you live?")
Camp was 50% over as of yesterday. I can't wait!
Anyway, A Series of Unfortunate Events came on the telly and so I ended up staying in. I like it a lot. I've only read the very first book, and fair enough the movie isn't very close to my memory of the plot, but I'm enjoying it quite a lot. They're brilliant books too, and I think would be great for ESL teaching, as they have a lot of contextual clues and definitions of words in the story.
Grammar may be Aunt Josephine's greatest joy, but I can tell you one thing: it certainly isn't mine when I'm teaching it to the Zebras. "Teacher, why do you live?" Jeff-e is annnoying! But I can easily alter his question for any number of grammar lessons ("Teacher, why do you think you live?")
Camp was 50% over as of yesterday. I can't wait!
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Bwahahahahaha
I'm not Just the Amanda, I'm a Member.
Go sloganize your name. My first result was a wee bit to X-rated to share here. lol.
Go sloganize your name. My first result was a wee bit to X-rated to share here. lol.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Look, Ma, my Lung!!!
I swear to god I'm gonna cough the damn thing right out. I fucking hate bronchitis. And camp is just craptastic! 12 hour shifts and being sick? Not so fun.
Crack Spiders Rock My Web
Hinterland Who's Who: The Wood Spider
| Just when you thought you knew all there was to know about the wood spider...now the effects of drugs and alcohol. |
Sunday, December 31, 2006
First sentences of the Year Gone Past
January:
February:
March:
April: So, here I sit, borrowing Amber's Mac, which I find a bit odd to use after a lifetime of PCs, back in Seoul.
May: I am sure you are all asking yourself "She has a computer, she is piggybacking off of someone else's wireless connection, so she can surf for free, she has tons of spare time, so where are all the blog entries???"
June: ...cause when I wait this long, my early onset alzheimers kicks in and I can't really remember what happened last weekend...
July: I thought this was quite cool. I wish more people had responded, cause some of the answers really brought back memories!
August: Thailand Photos are here.
September: Yesterday started off annoying - my boss pissed me off. He is so annoyingly inconsistent.
October: Since I love to blether on about books-From Sofiya who is far funnier than I.
November: I Lack a Key Gene and apparently it is the one required to be able to appreciate Paulo Coelho novels.
December: Don't Vote - So, via Sam, I came across this site, where I scored 235 out of 350.
February:
March:
April: So, here I sit, borrowing Amber's Mac, which I find a bit odd to use after a lifetime of PCs, back in Seoul.
May: I am sure you are all asking yourself "She has a computer, she is piggybacking off of someone else's wireless connection, so she can surf for free, she has tons of spare time, so where are all the blog entries???"
June: ...cause when I wait this long, my early onset alzheimers kicks in and I can't really remember what happened last weekend...
July: I thought this was quite cool. I wish more people had responded, cause some of the answers really brought back memories!
August: Thailand Photos are here.
September: Yesterday started off annoying - my boss pissed me off. He is so annoyingly inconsistent.
October: Since I love to blether on about books-From Sofiya who is far funnier than I.
November: I Lack a Key Gene and apparently it is the one required to be able to appreciate Paulo Coelho novels.
December: Don't Vote - So, via Sam, I came across this site, where I scored 235 out of 350.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Adieu 2006
1. What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before?
went on holiday with my sister, bought a red bra
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't make any last year. I will be making some this year, though. I like thinking about my goals and where I am and where I want to be. I was too depressed to want to think about my life last January.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My childhood friend, Shannon. My brother's girlfriend. A couple of other people I don't know as well.
4. Did anyone close to you die? No.
5. What countries did you visit? Scotland, Canada, Korea, Thailand. Only Thailand was for the first time.
6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006? I don't think there was much that I lacked entirely over the course of the whole year. There were lots of things I lacked during different parts of the year though. I guess I just want more of the good things, more often.
7. What dates from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? February 14th, when I finally, really knew that I had to leave Alan. April 10th, when I flew into Seoul.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Getting over the embarrassment of leaving someone only 5 months into marriage and doing it anyway because I needed to do it. Rebuilding my entire life all over again, in Korea.
9. What was your biggest failure? Not listening to my instincts and the warnings of other people.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Yep. Some of the most notable - my first ever hickie and my now completely fucked up ankle. I'm a klutz, though, so there have been a few.
11. What was the best thing you bought? my laptop. my plane ticket out of scotland.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? my friends and family, who have been very supportive of me.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? alan's. my own.
14. Where did most of your money go? into leaving scotland.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? being single again, meeting new people, teaching again, knowing that I made the decision to live my life the way I want to, full of travel and adventure.
16. What song will always remind you of 2006? The Mercy of the Fallen, Dar Williams
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? happier
b) thinner or fatter? fatter, a bit
c) richer or poorer? maybe about the same
18. What do you wish you'd done more of? laughed
19. What do you wish you'd done less of? beating myself up for things I couldn't change and things that weren't exactly my fault
20. How will you be spending Christmas? A turkey buffet at Geckos with friends and coworkers and later on some phone calls home.
21. Did you fall in love in 2006? i thought i did, I'm as subject to rebound relationships as anyone, i guess. didn't last long, which was for the best!
22. How many one-night stands? I don't kiss and tell.
23. What was your favorite TV program? America's Next Top Model in Korea, before that Alias/The L Word/Desparate Housewives
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? perhaps my boss, though hate is far too strong a word. i can't bring myself to hate my ex, though sometimes I think that might actually be kinda a step forward.
25. What was the best book you read? picking just one is so evil. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, Everything is Illuminated, The History of Love and those are just the ones that come to mind...
26. What was your greatest musical discovery? Jack Johnson. I had heard of him before, but never got around to listening until this year when I discovered downloading...
27. What did you want and get? a computer, a job in korea, out of a relationship, a trip to thailand (I even got two!)
28. What did you want and not get? an easy breakup
29. What was your favorite film of this year? Everything is Illuminated, Tsotsi, The Constant Gardener, Hotel Rwanda
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I was 28. I went to TinPans and drank too much tequila, I went to Stompers and don't even remember being there, I met a cute boy.
31.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? if alan had stayed in scotland. if i had left him earlier.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006? a concept implies I was thinking about this in some sort of orderly way. The same 7 or so outfits to work (with flip flops in summer and black shoes in winter), the same 7 or so low cut tops to bars, and my fav comfy socks whenever I'm home.
33. What kept you sane? a combination of good friends and too much booze.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? i don't really fancy celebrities.
35. What political issue stirred you the most? i have been too busy navel gazing to really pay too much attention. Perhaps the possible nuclear weapons test by North Korea.
36. Who did you miss? Most people. I live overseas!
37. Who was the best new person you met? All the new people I've met have mostly been amazing, though in totally different ways.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006. No one will judge me as much as I will judge myself. Trust your gut. People you don't expect to will do little things that will make you believe in goodness again.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
The Mercy Of The Fallen
Dar Williams
"Oh my fair North Star
I have held to you dearly
I had asked you to steer me
'Til one cloud-scattered night
I got lost in my travels
I met Leo the lion
Met a king and met a giant
With their errant light
There's the wind and the rain
And the mercy of the fallen
Who say they have no claim to know what's right
There's the weak and the strong
And the bets that have no answer
And that's where I may rest my head tonight"
went on holiday with my sister, bought a red bra
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't make any last year. I will be making some this year, though. I like thinking about my goals and where I am and where I want to be. I was too depressed to want to think about my life last January.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My childhood friend, Shannon. My brother's girlfriend. A couple of other people I don't know as well.
4. Did anyone close to you die? No.
5. What countries did you visit? Scotland, Canada, Korea, Thailand. Only Thailand was for the first time.
6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006? I don't think there was much that I lacked entirely over the course of the whole year. There were lots of things I lacked during different parts of the year though. I guess I just want more of the good things, more often.
7. What dates from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? February 14th, when I finally, really knew that I had to leave Alan. April 10th, when I flew into Seoul.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Getting over the embarrassment of leaving someone only 5 months into marriage and doing it anyway because I needed to do it. Rebuilding my entire life all over again, in Korea.
9. What was your biggest failure? Not listening to my instincts and the warnings of other people.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Yep. Some of the most notable - my first ever hickie and my now completely fucked up ankle. I'm a klutz, though, so there have been a few.
11. What was the best thing you bought? my laptop. my plane ticket out of scotland.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? my friends and family, who have been very supportive of me.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? alan's. my own.
14. Where did most of your money go? into leaving scotland.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? being single again, meeting new people, teaching again, knowing that I made the decision to live my life the way I want to, full of travel and adventure.
16. What song will always remind you of 2006? The Mercy of the Fallen, Dar Williams
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? happier
b) thinner or fatter? fatter, a bit
c) richer or poorer? maybe about the same
18. What do you wish you'd done more of? laughed
19. What do you wish you'd done less of? beating myself up for things I couldn't change and things that weren't exactly my fault
20. How will you be spending Christmas? A turkey buffet at Geckos with friends and coworkers and later on some phone calls home.
21. Did you fall in love in 2006? i thought i did, I'm as subject to rebound relationships as anyone, i guess. didn't last long, which was for the best!
22. How many one-night stands? I don't kiss and tell.
23. What was your favorite TV program? America's Next Top Model in Korea, before that Alias/The L Word/Desparate Housewives
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? perhaps my boss, though hate is far too strong a word. i can't bring myself to hate my ex, though sometimes I think that might actually be kinda a step forward.
25. What was the best book you read? picking just one is so evil. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, Everything is Illuminated, The History of Love and those are just the ones that come to mind...
26. What was your greatest musical discovery? Jack Johnson. I had heard of him before, but never got around to listening until this year when I discovered downloading...
27. What did you want and get? a computer, a job in korea, out of a relationship, a trip to thailand (I even got two!)
28. What did you want and not get? an easy breakup
29. What was your favorite film of this year? Everything is Illuminated, Tsotsi, The Constant Gardener, Hotel Rwanda
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I was 28. I went to TinPans and drank too much tequila, I went to Stompers and don't even remember being there, I met a cute boy.
31.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? if alan had stayed in scotland. if i had left him earlier.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006? a concept implies I was thinking about this in some sort of orderly way. The same 7 or so outfits to work (with flip flops in summer and black shoes in winter), the same 7 or so low cut tops to bars, and my fav comfy socks whenever I'm home.
33. What kept you sane? a combination of good friends and too much booze.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? i don't really fancy celebrities.
35. What political issue stirred you the most? i have been too busy navel gazing to really pay too much attention. Perhaps the possible nuclear weapons test by North Korea.
36. Who did you miss? Most people. I live overseas!
37. Who was the best new person you met? All the new people I've met have mostly been amazing, though in totally different ways.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006. No one will judge me as much as I will judge myself. Trust your gut. People you don't expect to will do little things that will make you believe in goodness again.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
The Mercy Of The Fallen
Dar Williams
"Oh my fair North Star
I have held to you dearly
I had asked you to steer me
'Til one cloud-scattered night
I got lost in my travels
I met Leo the lion
Met a king and met a giant
With their errant light
There's the wind and the rain
And the mercy of the fallen
Who say they have no claim to know what's right
There's the weak and the strong
And the bets that have no answer
And that's where I may rest my head tonight"
Thursday, December 28, 2006
In Lamai, Beach awaits tomorrow
After a short flight, I arrived on Lamai and cleared customs. It was a quick queue, seeing as there was only the one tiny plane of us and only a handful who hadn't cleared in Bangkok. I went to arrange a place to stay, thinking this time I'd try Chaweng. However, the cheapest decent place to stay turned out to be Lamai Inn 99, the same place I stayed last time. It's a nice place, though, so that works out fine. Daily massages, good food, and a beautiful beach are all I ask.
Fireworks are going off up and down the beach, I suppose in anticipation of New Year's. I'm exhausted, so now that I've eaten and told Sheila where we are staying, I am going to go and get an ice cream and walk myself back to my bungalow and read my beach book. (Shopaholic Gets Married - I love trashy reads at the beach.)
Fireworks are going off up and down the beach, I suppose in anticipation of New Year's. I'm exhausted, so now that I've eaten and told Sheila where we are staying, I am going to go and get an ice cream and walk myself back to my bungalow and read my beach book. (Shopaholic Gets Married - I love trashy reads at the beach.)
I could get used to the boutique airline experience
This is the second time I've flown Bangkok Airways between Bangkok and Koh Samui and I must say, I am a fan. They have lounges with free food (brownies and ice tea, yum) and free computers with internet access.
I was rather silly last night. First off, I put off packing by an inspired bout of cleaning, which is just odd. Usually it's cleaning I'm putting off. Then, fully packed, I sat down to work out when I needed to wake up. 6am. So, logically, I proceeded to set my alarm for 7. However, I'm pretty nervous about times, especially when I travel alone, so it wasn't so hard to shave a few minutes here and there and I still got to the airport in enough time. I just had time to check-in, change my won, grab a coffee and a couple of magazines and calmly wander into the line up for boarding the plane.
It was an uneventful flight. I've now seen the beginning and ending of Lucky Number Slevin, having slept through the middle bit (and that after a large mocha, I should have gone to bed before 4, since I had to get up early!) I read "The Nation", Thailand's English newspaper and Time Magazine. I was sitting behind a monk and have seen two more wandering around in the airport. It's such a noticeable thing, a monk's outfit.
When I walked off the plane and felt that heat... Yay! Summer is back, if only for one week!
I'm now listening to two inane idiots talk about the email they are sending, all about how many girls they have slept with and other randomness. Can't wait to hit the island.
And I can't wait for Sheila to get here, cause that's when the party begins!
I was rather silly last night. First off, I put off packing by an inspired bout of cleaning, which is just odd. Usually it's cleaning I'm putting off. Then, fully packed, I sat down to work out when I needed to wake up. 6am. So, logically, I proceeded to set my alarm for 7. However, I'm pretty nervous about times, especially when I travel alone, so it wasn't so hard to shave a few minutes here and there and I still got to the airport in enough time. I just had time to check-in, change my won, grab a coffee and a couple of magazines and calmly wander into the line up for boarding the plane.
It was an uneventful flight. I've now seen the beginning and ending of Lucky Number Slevin, having slept through the middle bit (and that after a large mocha, I should have gone to bed before 4, since I had to get up early!) I read "The Nation", Thailand's English newspaper and Time Magazine. I was sitting behind a monk and have seen two more wandering around in the airport. It's such a noticeable thing, a monk's outfit.
When I walked off the plane and felt that heat... Yay! Summer is back, if only for one week!
I'm now listening to two inane idiots talk about the email they are sending, all about how many girls they have slept with and other randomness. Can't wait to hit the island.
And I can't wait for Sheila to get here, cause that's when the party begins!
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Christmas Weekend
For me, the weekend starts on Thursday night, cause I go to Itaewon for Ladies' Night. This week was the same as always, though it was odd as I was dodging around the bar talking to three particular individuals, plus seeing everyone else. It wasn't terribly busy or exciting, but I think that a ton of people have already left on holiday.
Friday was a great day, as everyone at work was in a good mood. And it was soon over, leaving me to rush home and finish cleaning for my guest visiting for the weekend. We stayed in and watched the remake of The Omen, which wasn't very good or very scary, and I am easily scared.
Saturday I ended up spending a lot of time on the subway, for silly reasons. I then had coffee with Sheila in Omokyo and bought some new cover up at Misha, only to discover on my way home that there is a Misha only 20 minutes away from me. However, then I would have missed coffee and chat!
Scott and I went for galbi behind the apartment and then we met up with the gang at Gecko's. After a funny cab ride with a girl telling us stories of bad haircuts and christmas pajamas, we hit 66 and then club FF for some dancing. Had an usually early evening (in Korea this translates as leaving at 4am).
Sunday I went to an Italian restaurant in my neighbourhood on the way to see the new Bond film. I must say, I really liked Casino Royale. I thought that even without being a Bond movie it would have been good. And it was surprisingly realistic. Got a call to come out and play in Hongdae, but ended up going home and watching Saw II and sleeping.
Monday, Christmas Day, we went over to Lee and Deanna's for some drinks before dinner. Dinner was a turkey buffet at Gecko's and it was lovely. It was a very Korean style Christmas, in that there was five different kinds of meat and some potatoes but no veggies. The noticeable disappointment was the dressing because nobody can make dressing like your mom does, of course. We stayed around for hours after drinking and playing Jenga and just having fun. All in all, a great Christmas. If you can't get home to visit your family, you can ask for nothing more than some good food and great company.
Tuesday I was back at work, sadly. However, it was just a mad two days of trying to get stuff finished and organized before the holiday and then the madness of camp. I think I am vaguely ready, though not as ready as I had hoped to be.
Annoyingly, I have a cold. It could be worse though, as the doctor has confirmed what I already suspected. I don't have bronchitis - yet. I am taking some random pills in a packet from the pharmacy which I suspect are just what you'd get in any Tylenol-style cold pills, but my boss paid for them, so I guess no complaints. I'm certainly not pleased to be sick and leaving for Thailand tomorrow, but I'm sure I'll cope. If I'm gonna get sick I would rather it held off till vacation is over.
Friday was a great day, as everyone at work was in a good mood. And it was soon over, leaving me to rush home and finish cleaning for my guest visiting for the weekend. We stayed in and watched the remake of The Omen, which wasn't very good or very scary, and I am easily scared.
Saturday I ended up spending a lot of time on the subway, for silly reasons. I then had coffee with Sheila in Omokyo and bought some new cover up at Misha, only to discover on my way home that there is a Misha only 20 minutes away from me. However, then I would have missed coffee and chat!
Scott and I went for galbi behind the apartment and then we met up with the gang at Gecko's. After a funny cab ride with a girl telling us stories of bad haircuts and christmas pajamas, we hit 66 and then club FF for some dancing. Had an usually early evening (in Korea this translates as leaving at 4am).
Sunday I went to an Italian restaurant in my neighbourhood on the way to see the new Bond film. I must say, I really liked Casino Royale. I thought that even without being a Bond movie it would have been good. And it was surprisingly realistic. Got a call to come out and play in Hongdae, but ended up going home and watching Saw II and sleeping.
Monday, Christmas Day, we went over to Lee and Deanna's for some drinks before dinner. Dinner was a turkey buffet at Gecko's and it was lovely. It was a very Korean style Christmas, in that there was five different kinds of meat and some potatoes but no veggies. The noticeable disappointment was the dressing because nobody can make dressing like your mom does, of course. We stayed around for hours after drinking and playing Jenga and just having fun. All in all, a great Christmas. If you can't get home to visit your family, you can ask for nothing more than some good food and great company.
Tuesday I was back at work, sadly. However, it was just a mad two days of trying to get stuff finished and organized before the holiday and then the madness of camp. I think I am vaguely ready, though not as ready as I had hoped to be.
Annoyingly, I have a cold. It could be worse though, as the doctor has confirmed what I already suspected. I don't have bronchitis - yet. I am taking some random pills in a packet from the pharmacy which I suspect are just what you'd get in any Tylenol-style cold pills, but my boss paid for them, so I guess no complaints. I'm certainly not pleased to be sick and leaving for Thailand tomorrow, but I'm sure I'll cope. If I'm gonna get sick I would rather it held off till vacation is over.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Book Meme
I've been tagged by Thistle, so here goes...
Here's the meme:
1. Grab the book closest to you.
2. Open to page 123, go down to the fifth sentence
2. Post the text of next 3 sentences on your blog
4. Name of the book and the author
5. Tag three people
'Finding a way to make that conform to Christian dogma was going to be some trick. Both Bacon and Albert had tried and failed. Aquinas began, "Let us assume, in accordance with the Catholic faith, that the world had a beginning in time."'
The Friar and The Cipher: Roger Bacon and the Unsolved Mystery of the Most Unusual Maunuscript in the World, by Lawrence & Nancy Goldstone.
It's a really cool book and very, very readable history. It mentioned Possession on the back, so I thought I'd have to like it.
I tag Skylanda, Greg, and Jenny.
Here's the meme:
1. Grab the book closest to you.
2. Open to page 123, go down to the fifth sentence
2. Post the text of next 3 sentences on your blog
4. Name of the book and the author
5. Tag three people
'Finding a way to make that conform to Christian dogma was going to be some trick. Both Bacon and Albert had tried and failed. Aquinas began, "Let us assume, in accordance with the Catholic faith, that the world had a beginning in time."'
The Friar and The Cipher: Roger Bacon and the Unsolved Mystery of the Most Unusual Maunuscript in the World, by Lawrence & Nancy Goldstone.
It's a really cool book and very, very readable history. It mentioned Possession on the back, so I thought I'd have to like it.
I tag Skylanda, Greg, and Jenny.
Monday, December 25, 2006
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Feliz Navidad
My friend Daniel is teaching here on a Canadian passport but grew up in Columbia and doesn't know the lyrics to Christmas carols. This is what he came up with. I like it!
we wish u a merry christmas, we wish u a merry christmas,
we wish u a merry christmas and a happy new year,
good turkey we bring
for you and your team,
good turkey at christmas
and a happy new thing...
we wish u a merry christmas, we wish u a merry christmas,
we wish u a merry christmas and a happy new year,
good turkey we bring
for you and your team,
good turkey at christmas
and a happy new thing...
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Beware the Fungi!
Imagine, something educational has made its way onto my blog! And yet, I love David Attenborough, so here it is:
Interesting Email I Got About Teaching...
Three businessmen and three businesswomen will be dropped in a public school classroom for 6 weeks.
Each business person will be provided with a copy of the curriculum and 5 classes of 28 students each. They will get 25 desks and 22 textbooks. Each class will have 5 learning-disabled children, three with ADHD, one gifted child and two with limited English. There will be one identified with severe behaviour problems, one who will be on house arrest and about half who live in single parent homes.
Each business person must complete lesson plans at least 3 days in advance with annotations for curriculum objectives, and state standards, and modify, adapt or create materials accordingly. They must maintain discipline and provide an educationally stimulating environement at all times. they will be required to throughly cover the content, assess each student's needs and progress, handle misconduct, implement technology, catch up new students, all while being interrupted for assemblies, class photos, announcements and meetings.
They must document attendence, write referrals, provide suport work, correct homework, locate (beg for) books and resources. They must collaborate with their department and teams, compute grades, complete report cards and communicate with parents.
And their planning period? If all the above is completed, and IF the copier is working, they may make copies of necessary materials at this time. Or, they may meet with parents, counselors, or administrators who want to know why a certain child is not at the centre of the universe. They must also supervise lunches and monitor hallways. In addition they will complete drills for fires, tornadoes and shooting attacks.
They must attend workshops, faculty meetings, department meetings, curriculum and IEP meetings. They must also tutor the students who are behind and strive to get their two students who are behind in English proficient to take the Standards-based assessments.
If they are sick they must provide detailed lesson plans to accomodate a substitute, leaving specific instructions on what students may leave the class for speech therapy, special programs, counseling or the school nurse for their medication.
If they are having a bad day they must not let it show.
The business people will only have access to the golf course on the weekends, but on their new salary they will not be able to afford it anyway. There will be no acess to vendors who want to take them to lunch, and lunch will be limited to 30 minutes. On days when they do not have lunch, hallway or bus duty the business people will be permitted to use the staff restroom and one phone for 80 people.
The business people must continually advance their own education on their own time and pay for this advanced training themselves. This advancement can be accomplished by moonlighting at a second job or marrying someone
with money.
Last, but certainly not least, they must make sure that at every turn they Leave No Child Behind.
The winner will be returned to their own job.............
Each business person will be provided with a copy of the curriculum and 5 classes of 28 students each. They will get 25 desks and 22 textbooks. Each class will have 5 learning-disabled children, three with ADHD, one gifted child and two with limited English. There will be one identified with severe behaviour problems, one who will be on house arrest and about half who live in single parent homes.
Each business person must complete lesson plans at least 3 days in advance with annotations for curriculum objectives, and state standards, and modify, adapt or create materials accordingly. They must maintain discipline and provide an educationally stimulating environement at all times. they will be required to throughly cover the content, assess each student's needs and progress, handle misconduct, implement technology, catch up new students, all while being interrupted for assemblies, class photos, announcements and meetings.
They must document attendence, write referrals, provide suport work, correct homework, locate (beg for) books and resources. They must collaborate with their department and teams, compute grades, complete report cards and communicate with parents.
And their planning period? If all the above is completed, and IF the copier is working, they may make copies of necessary materials at this time. Or, they may meet with parents, counselors, or administrators who want to know why a certain child is not at the centre of the universe. They must also supervise lunches and monitor hallways. In addition they will complete drills for fires, tornadoes and shooting attacks.
They must attend workshops, faculty meetings, department meetings, curriculum and IEP meetings. They must also tutor the students who are behind and strive to get their two students who are behind in English proficient to take the Standards-based assessments.
If they are sick they must provide detailed lesson plans to accomodate a substitute, leaving specific instructions on what students may leave the class for speech therapy, special programs, counseling or the school nurse for their medication.
If they are having a bad day they must not let it show.
The business people will only have access to the golf course on the weekends, but on their new salary they will not be able to afford it anyway. There will be no acess to vendors who want to take them to lunch, and lunch will be limited to 30 minutes. On days when they do not have lunch, hallway or bus duty the business people will be permitted to use the staff restroom and one phone for 80 people.
The business people must continually advance their own education on their own time and pay for this advanced training themselves. This advancement can be accomplished by moonlighting at a second job or marrying someone
with money.
Last, but certainly not least, they must make sure that at every turn they Leave No Child Behind.
The winner will be returned to their own job.............
Out of the Mouthes of Babes
"Teacher, you is no Picasso."
Words of wisdom from the same student who said shit in front of me and then pointed out that it wasn't speaking Korean. Too true.
I had a very, very frustrating lesson today. I was trying to help one of my youngest classes to memorize the words and definitions for their test tomorrow. Usually I write up all the words on the board and then write a key word or two from the definition for them to focus on. Like jellyfish, sea. Problem is that of course they don't actually understand most of the words in the definitions. Sigh. There is no time to address problems like that though, cause we gotta push them through each book as fast as is possible.
I had a nasty nosebleed this morning and have been exhausted all day. Sucks ass being anemic. And living in such a dry country. However, I did manage to finish off "Shopaholic Takes Manhattan". Yep, chick lit, my dirty lil' secret.
Words of wisdom from the same student who said shit in front of me and then pointed out that it wasn't speaking Korean. Too true.
I had a very, very frustrating lesson today. I was trying to help one of my youngest classes to memorize the words and definitions for their test tomorrow. Usually I write up all the words on the board and then write a key word or two from the definition for them to focus on. Like jellyfish, sea. Problem is that of course they don't actually understand most of the words in the definitions. Sigh. There is no time to address problems like that though, cause we gotta push them through each book as fast as is possible.
I had a nasty nosebleed this morning and have been exhausted all day. Sucks ass being anemic. And living in such a dry country. However, I did manage to finish off "Shopaholic Takes Manhattan". Yep, chick lit, my dirty lil' secret.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Yay!
People are getting their Christmas packages in time! I had worried they would be late, but I've heard now that two have already made it to their destinations.
What I love about Christmas overseas is that it somehow reminds me just how special gift-giving can be. I love giving gifts even more than I like receiving them - from buying them to mailing them to getting emails that they got there. It's so much fun.
And when you get gifts that have to come through the mail, it is just so.damn.exciting. I am patiently waiting till Christmas day to open them. And I've just made plans to call my nieces on Christmas morning. It makes me all teary-eyed just thinking about it.
There is no room for Scrooge in an overseas Christmas. Everything Christmasy is wonderful.
What I love about Christmas overseas is that it somehow reminds me just how special gift-giving can be. I love giving gifts even more than I like receiving them - from buying them to mailing them to getting emails that they got there. It's so much fun.
And when you get gifts that have to come through the mail, it is just so.damn.exciting. I am patiently waiting till Christmas day to open them. And I've just made plans to call my nieces on Christmas morning. It makes me all teary-eyed just thinking about it.
There is no room for Scrooge in an overseas Christmas. Everything Christmasy is wonderful.
Winter Wonderland
Friday night I went out with my coworkers for dinner at Shabumi, which was very yummy. But then I came home and had one of those homesick moments. The holidays always do it to me, in spite of the fact that I've had 5 years of practice already at being away from friends and family at this time of year. So I was sitting around, with Project Runway on in the background, just kinda wallowing in it when Debbie called to tell me that the gang was at Geckos and having a great time, but that it wasn't the same without me there. It's funny sometimes how life works out and gives you exactly what you need, right when you need it. So, my evening of homesickness went out the window, cause I went out. Some drinks at Geckos, then some lesbian drama and champagne drinking at Queen, and dancing at King's Club to end off the night. It was fun.
Saturday I had plans to go shopping for my last holiday gift which were derailed by my intense laziness and craving for bacon and eggs. I didn't make it out of the house in time. I had plans to go dancing in Apgujeong after a pre-party at Vanessa's. Had an amazing time drinking wine at her place with her and Joel, then we met up with Debbie and headed to Garden. It had started to snow and it was so beautiful, covering all the trees and falling in big, wet flakes. Amazing walk. Though it did get cold and I was pretty wet by the time we got to the club. Alex was there as well and it was a great night. And I say that in spite of my total lack of love for house music and the total lack of eye candy. Once it died down in Garden, Debbie and I headed to TinPans and bumped into tons of people. She was chatting with Timerlake and Frown, plus Daniel, Tati and gang were there. I met a very cute boy.
Then I had the craziest taxi experience ever. For what should have been a $8 fare at most, he tried to charge me $120. It was insane. So, I threw more money than he deserved at him but not too much more, ran across the intersection and into the back alleys to go into my building through the back door. I have heard of some crazy cabbie stories, but that is the first time it's ever happened to me.
Sunday, the snow was all still there and I went out for dinner with the cute boy, to Outback. He's very funny. I had a great time. We rode the subway together for awhile and then he headed home and I went to meet the girls in Geckos. I did the last of my holiday shopping and stopped in Starbucks to read for a half hour before meeting everyone. Christmas music and a peppermint mocha. I find it so much easier to avoid scrooge-like tendancies over here because I am just so happy to see Chrismtas stuff at all. Makes me feel like I'm at home. So, we had the usual fun at Geckos, crazy amounts of people were there, and lots of fun stories were told. We also managed to attract the attention of a old, crazy guy. His exit line was "See you, wouldn't want to be you" after we asked security to kick him out. Um, yeah, Mr. Crazy. Geckos put on closing time, but the next thing you know, we had hooked up with Amanda and two of her friends and headed to UN for one last drink. Amanda's boys bought a bottle of tequila and a round of drinks for everyone at the table, which led to Debbie stealing people's bling. Vanessa managed to reprogram my camera (now fixed), we all danced to hiphop at 3am on a Monday morning and there was an analysis of Debbie's dancing skills. The oddest people are in UN at 3am (including us!). But it was a lot of fun all round.
Monday went remarkably quickly, in spite of an incredibly long staff meeting. We have our winter camp schedules and books now, which is quite an organizational feat for a hagwon. A whole two weeks in advance! I got a fair amount of stuff done on my break today, which is good.
Went to Paris Baguette on my way home to buy some bread to eat with one of my many cans of soup. I have inherited quite a few cans and really should start eating them. I can't believe I haven't been in there more often. They have normal looking sandwiches and bread! I mean, I knew that and all, but I had apparently forgotten. Anyway, I've spent this evening watching CSI and eating soup and chatting online with cute boy. It's been a nice night. Time for a hot chocolate and a book and then bed. Night, all!
Saturday I had plans to go shopping for my last holiday gift which were derailed by my intense laziness and craving for bacon and eggs. I didn't make it out of the house in time. I had plans to go dancing in Apgujeong after a pre-party at Vanessa's. Had an amazing time drinking wine at her place with her and Joel, then we met up with Debbie and headed to Garden. It had started to snow and it was so beautiful, covering all the trees and falling in big, wet flakes. Amazing walk. Though it did get cold and I was pretty wet by the time we got to the club. Alex was there as well and it was a great night. And I say that in spite of my total lack of love for house music and the total lack of eye candy. Once it died down in Garden, Debbie and I headed to TinPans and bumped into tons of people. She was chatting with Timerlake and Frown, plus Daniel, Tati and gang were there. I met a very cute boy.
Then I had the craziest taxi experience ever. For what should have been a $8 fare at most, he tried to charge me $120. It was insane. So, I threw more money than he deserved at him but not too much more, ran across the intersection and into the back alleys to go into my building through the back door. I have heard of some crazy cabbie stories, but that is the first time it's ever happened to me.
Sunday, the snow was all still there and I went out for dinner with the cute boy, to Outback. He's very funny. I had a great time. We rode the subway together for awhile and then he headed home and I went to meet the girls in Geckos. I did the last of my holiday shopping and stopped in Starbucks to read for a half hour before meeting everyone. Christmas music and a peppermint mocha. I find it so much easier to avoid scrooge-like tendancies over here because I am just so happy to see Chrismtas stuff at all. Makes me feel like I'm at home. So, we had the usual fun at Geckos, crazy amounts of people were there, and lots of fun stories were told. We also managed to attract the attention of a old, crazy guy. His exit line was "See you, wouldn't want to be you" after we asked security to kick him out. Um, yeah, Mr. Crazy. Geckos put on closing time, but the next thing you know, we had hooked up with Amanda and two of her friends and headed to UN for one last drink. Amanda's boys bought a bottle of tequila and a round of drinks for everyone at the table, which led to Debbie stealing people's bling. Vanessa managed to reprogram my camera (now fixed), we all danced to hiphop at 3am on a Monday morning and there was an analysis of Debbie's dancing skills. The oddest people are in UN at 3am (including us!). But it was a lot of fun all round.
Monday went remarkably quickly, in spite of an incredibly long staff meeting. We have our winter camp schedules and books now, which is quite an organizational feat for a hagwon. A whole two weeks in advance! I got a fair amount of stuff done on my break today, which is good.
Went to Paris Baguette on my way home to buy some bread to eat with one of my many cans of soup. I have inherited quite a few cans and really should start eating them. I can't believe I haven't been in there more often. They have normal looking sandwiches and bread! I mean, I knew that and all, but I had apparently forgotten. Anyway, I've spent this evening watching CSI and eating soup and chatting online with cute boy. It's been a nice night. Time for a hot chocolate and a book and then bed. Night, all!
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Yum
The weekend starts tomorrow! Not really of course, as it's only Thursday, but mentally, cause I go to Ladies' Night and if I'm going out, it must be the weekend right? I think my old logic prof would have called me on that one, but whatever.
I like having my break back at work. Only Wednesday and all my homework lists are done. Yay me! Granted, I seem to have just as much crap as ever, in spite of the extra 120 mins a week I have to get shit done. Teaching is like that though, cause there is always something extra you could be doing to improve the curriculum.
Laura and I have a new Wednesday tradition, which involves dinner at Jenny's Cafeteria in Hongdae. So yummy. Italian style sandwiches, amazing salads, soup, wine, the best chocolate cake in Korea. We had Balieus Coffee in Puca Puca after and bumped into Grace. It made me miss YJ, since Puca Puca was her coffee place.
Then we traded some random stuff back and forth between our rooms and I finally put up my Christmas lights. Very cheerful, to have them up. I got a bunch of packages from my family over the last couple of days, including homemade cookies from my nana. I opened that one up early, but the rest I am saving for the actual day itself, to the disgruntlement of my coworkers ;)
I like having my break back at work. Only Wednesday and all my homework lists are done. Yay me! Granted, I seem to have just as much crap as ever, in spite of the extra 120 mins a week I have to get shit done. Teaching is like that though, cause there is always something extra you could be doing to improve the curriculum.
Laura and I have a new Wednesday tradition, which involves dinner at Jenny's Cafeteria in Hongdae. So yummy. Italian style sandwiches, amazing salads, soup, wine, the best chocolate cake in Korea. We had Balieus Coffee in Puca Puca after and bumped into Grace. It made me miss YJ, since Puca Puca was her coffee place.
Then we traded some random stuff back and forth between our rooms and I finally put up my Christmas lights. Very cheerful, to have them up. I got a bunch of packages from my family over the last couple of days, including homemade cookies from my nana. I opened that one up early, but the rest I am saving for the actual day itself, to the disgruntlement of my coworkers ;)
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Up Early
Cause the guy came back to fix my fan. Woo! Time to be all productive and go to the bank, I suppose.
Normalacy
Is it normal to have an entire plate of brocoli and cauliflower and call that a meal?
Beyond that, the weekend didn't start off in my normal style - stayed in on Friday night cause I was tired and in order to write my Christmas cards. Finally went to bed at 5am and I had only done half of them. Not because I'm sending THAT many either, but because I ended up farting about on the internet and tidying my room and tons of other random things.
I also finished reading "The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle" by Haruki Murakami. It was brilliant. Got weirder and weirder, but I loved it. Some quotes:
Saturday was a nice, lazy day. Until my damn toilet acted up (it sometimes won't stop running, thus running up my apartment bill too). So, I got the super and asked him (well, gestered is more like what really happened) to fix it. And of course, he naturally wanted to have the bathroom lights on when he did. One small problem? They were both broken, and it wasn't that the lightbulbs needed changing either. So, several hours later and tons of wires visible, I am starting to panic slightly about getting ready to go out. It was Jane's Birthday, Part Two and I was due at La Tavola's by 9. Except that I hadn't showered and the Korean guy was still poking around in my wiring. It was quite close in the end, but I not only got to Itaewon on time, but I now have two functional lights (though the fan doesn't work now) and a mildly less dysfunctional toilet.
Saturday night was great - good food, great company. We went to Geckos and bumped into just everyone (Derek and Melissa, Lynne, Daniel, his ex-boyfriend on a date, Alex, and on and on). We hit 66 and then Jane wanted to try out Stompers and off we went. Vanessa apparently occupied her time stealing jackets and ties off of people and eventually we ended up in TinPans (bumped into Joshua and crew and Bethany, who took over my old job!), where Debbie and I managed to stay till the fat lady sang, basically.
Sunday I spent in bed, reading. I started and finished "Lazy Ways to Make a Living" by Abigail Bosanko, which I basically bought only because it was set in Edinburgh and I actually quite liked, and "On the Brightside, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God" by Louise Rennison (yep, I occassionally read fiction aimed at 14 year olds. deal.) I went to Gecko's for dinner, bringing along with me a toaster oven for Sheila which caused a bit of a raised eyebrow when the security guard asked to look in my plastic bag. Yep, it's weird. Val and the gang turned up, as did Annie and Amanda, and the Persian boys. We amusingly met Mr. Home Depot and Mr. Texas and remet Mr. Head Kisser. Took the subway home, but it ended before my stop came along, so I took a taxi the last little way. All in all, a very good weekend.
Knowing that vacation is coming is making the days drag a bit. I wanna be on a beach!!!
Beyond that, the weekend didn't start off in my normal style - stayed in on Friday night cause I was tired and in order to write my Christmas cards. Finally went to bed at 5am and I had only done half of them. Not because I'm sending THAT many either, but because I ended up farting about on the internet and tidying my room and tons of other random things.
I also finished reading "The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle" by Haruki Murakami. It was brilliant. Got weirder and weirder, but I loved it. Some quotes:
"This was very different from the image of home that I had imagined vaguely for myself... But this was the home that I had chosen. I had had a home, when I was a child. But it was not the one I had chosen for myself. I had been born into it, presented with it as an established fact. Now, however, I lived in a world that I had chosen through an act of will. It was my home. It might not be perfect, but the fundamental stance I adopted with regard to my home was to accept it, problems and all, because it was something I myself had chosen. If it had problems, these were almost certainly problems that had originated within me."I thought this was an interesting idea. My idea of home is a very odd one these days. Really, home is where I am. I am quite content in my tiny Korean one-room apartment, leading my life. It isn't glamourous or exciting, but it is my contented little life. However, since I am not surrounded by family or old friends, home is other places too. Those places themselves no longer feel like home for me, but the people do. Thus, my home is spread across three continents, which is a somewhat lonely thought, but also an exhilerating one.
"Reality spilled out into the alley like water from an overfilled bowl - as sound, as smell, as image, as plea, as response."I just thought that was quite a beautiful image.
"You may not know this, Mr. Wind-Up Bird, but ducks are very pleasant people to spend time with. I never get tired of watching them. I'll never understand why everybody else bothers to go somewhere way far away and pay good money to see some stupid movie instead of enjoying these people. Like sometimes they'll come flapping through the air and land on the ice, but their feet slide and they fall over. It's like a TV comedy! They make me laugh even with nobody else around. Of course, they're not clowning around trying to make me laugh. They're doing their best to live very serious lives, and they just happen to fall down sometimes. I think that's neat."I thought this was quite a beautiful thought too. The actions of others affect us greatly, but it is important always to keep in mind that often their actions are not directed at us at all. They are off doing their own thing, living their own lives, and not really intending to have the effect on us that they do.
Saturday was a nice, lazy day. Until my damn toilet acted up (it sometimes won't stop running, thus running up my apartment bill too). So, I got the super and asked him (well, gestered is more like what really happened) to fix it. And of course, he naturally wanted to have the bathroom lights on when he did. One small problem? They were both broken, and it wasn't that the lightbulbs needed changing either. So, several hours later and tons of wires visible, I am starting to panic slightly about getting ready to go out. It was Jane's Birthday, Part Two and I was due at La Tavola's by 9. Except that I hadn't showered and the Korean guy was still poking around in my wiring. It was quite close in the end, but I not only got to Itaewon on time, but I now have two functional lights (though the fan doesn't work now) and a mildly less dysfunctional toilet.
Saturday night was great - good food, great company. We went to Geckos and bumped into just everyone (Derek and Melissa, Lynne, Daniel, his ex-boyfriend on a date, Alex, and on and on). We hit 66 and then Jane wanted to try out Stompers and off we went. Vanessa apparently occupied her time stealing jackets and ties off of people and eventually we ended up in TinPans (bumped into Joshua and crew and Bethany, who took over my old job!), where Debbie and I managed to stay till the fat lady sang, basically.
Sunday I spent in bed, reading. I started and finished "Lazy Ways to Make a Living" by Abigail Bosanko, which I basically bought only because it was set in Edinburgh and I actually quite liked, and "On the Brightside, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God" by Louise Rennison (yep, I occassionally read fiction aimed at 14 year olds. deal.) I went to Gecko's for dinner, bringing along with me a toaster oven for Sheila which caused a bit of a raised eyebrow when the security guard asked to look in my plastic bag. Yep, it's weird. Val and the gang turned up, as did Annie and Amanda, and the Persian boys. We amusingly met Mr. Home Depot and Mr. Texas and remet Mr. Head Kisser. Took the subway home, but it ended before my stop came along, so I took a taxi the last little way. All in all, a very good weekend.
Knowing that vacation is coming is making the days drag a bit. I wanna be on a beach!!!
Friday, December 08, 2006
Jane's Bday at Ladies' Night
My most treasured memory will be the look on Vanessa's face when she accidentally bit the head off one of the little Korean doll thingies that Jane got as a gift. Apparently they are not meant to be put in one's mouth.
We danced like crazy. I had a great time dancing at Helios, which is weird. I either hate Helios or love it and am completely unable to predict which way it's gonna go. Aside from Sheila and co., Val and Reena were out too, which was fun. Chatted briefly with the pool playing girls at the Loft and saw Tatiana and her new girlfriend.
In a weirdness, I am in on a Friday night. I am too tired to handle the idea of doing anything more taxing than sitting on my arse in my own place, and in theory I'm doing my Christmas cards tonight. Yeppers, they are gonna be late, I think. However, in practice, so far all I've done is surfed the net, eaten some lovely pizza hut, and watched some reality tv, sorta. America's Next Top Model, Amber and Julie have gotten me addicted!
We danced like crazy. I had a great time dancing at Helios, which is weird. I either hate Helios or love it and am completely unable to predict which way it's gonna go. Aside from Sheila and co., Val and Reena were out too, which was fun. Chatted briefly with the pool playing girls at the Loft and saw Tatiana and her new girlfriend.
In a weirdness, I am in on a Friday night. I am too tired to handle the idea of doing anything more taxing than sitting on my arse in my own place, and in theory I'm doing my Christmas cards tonight. Yeppers, they are gonna be late, I think. However, in practice, so far all I've done is surfed the net, eaten some lovely pizza hut, and watched some reality tv, sorta. America's Next Top Model, Amber and Julie have gotten me addicted!
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Nothing Says "Merry Christmas" Like Some Engrish
What does this Christmas card say, you might ask, since my digital camera refuses to properly focus and I am too lazy to keep trying?
What it says is "Special wishes for this Christmas season is filled with all your favorite" All your favorite what, you might wonder. Who knows? Who cares? Whatever it is, it sounds good to me. Perhaps it's meant to be inclusive, just in case you don't want your favorite food, or favorite people, or favorite joy. Perhaps you might be a bit of a Scrooge and want your favorite moment of misanthropy. Well, friends, this card might just be for you then!
Ah, I love Engrish. Check this loveliness out:
"If God gives me a superpower / I want to be a transparent man / I want to go inside to the classroom"
"will likely be deported to a third country before coming... / I want to hit bad men. I will be hero of the world. / And I want to see a movie for free. I will be happy."
"Pink road Happyness in your life / Happyness in your life / Happyness in your life"
"Be Happy / My Tears ------> Don't Worry"
Ah, Engrish. For those not in the know, this term is used to refer to the bad or completely nonsensical English that can be found all over T-shirts, notebooks, and just about everything else made in non-English speaking countries, particularly Asia, where R and L are often a blended sound, thus difficult for people to pronounce. My favourite recent t-shirt sighting is that of an old woman wearing a shirt from Giordanos saying "Barely Legal. Please wait for me." You have to laugh, cause there are so many reasons to cry...
What better way to write in your lovely journal than with a pen with a bowl of noodles on the top of it? It's a good thing I don't shop in Morning Glory often (hee! Check out the Engrishness of the name of that shop alone!), cause I'd spend my entire salary on randomness.
My Christmas card hunt certainly produced some beauties, though.
Food Obsession Continues Unabated...
Given a choice, and imagining that money and time were no object, would you rather cook dinner, eat out or order in? Eat out. I'd rather someone else do the work so I can kick back and enjoy it. All that shopping for ingredients, cooking, cleaning...
What is the most elaborate meal you've ever prepared yourself or purchased at a restaurant? Well... that would be tough. I tend to cook elaborate meals when I do, I just don't cook often here in Korea. And here in Korea, my idea of an elaborate meal is something that can't go in a toaster... However, I used to be much more interested in cooking. Most elaborate meal at a restaurant is hard too - I am pretentious about restaurants and when I can afford it, I like to go to posh ones.
What food do you find yourself making and/or eating way too much? cheese and chocolate. I eat a lot of brocoli too, but I'm fairly sure you can't eat too much of that.
What was your most disastrous cooking/eating out experience? The raw venison in Edinburgh. Or maybe the soup that involved what appeared to be bits of lung here in Korea.
Would you rather cook for someone else or have them cook for you? Both. I enjoy cooking and I'm good. If other people are equally good, though, I like the idea of just chilling while they cook. I like people who can cook things I can't (my attempt at naan was disasterous...) The best cooking is done with others and lots of gossiping, of course!
What is the most elaborate meal you've ever prepared yourself or purchased at a restaurant? Well... that would be tough. I tend to cook elaborate meals when I do, I just don't cook often here in Korea. And here in Korea, my idea of an elaborate meal is something that can't go in a toaster... However, I used to be much more interested in cooking. Most elaborate meal at a restaurant is hard too - I am pretentious about restaurants and when I can afford it, I like to go to posh ones.
What food do you find yourself making and/or eating way too much? cheese and chocolate. I eat a lot of brocoli too, but I'm fairly sure you can't eat too much of that.
What was your most disastrous cooking/eating out experience? The raw venison in Edinburgh. Or maybe the soup that involved what appeared to be bits of lung here in Korea.
Would you rather cook for someone else or have them cook for you? Both. I enjoy cooking and I'm good. If other people are equally good, though, I like the idea of just chilling while they cook. I like people who can cook things I can't (my attempt at naan was disasterous...) The best cooking is done with others and lots of gossiping, of course!
Interesting...
Brain Profiler
Amanda, you show a slight right-hemisphere dominance with a moderate preference for auditory processing, an unusual and somewhat paradoxical combination of characteristics.
You are drawn to a random and sometimes nonchalant synthesis of material. You learn as it seems important to a specific situation, and might even develop a resentment of others who attempt to direct your learning down a specific channel.
Your right-hemispheric dominance provides a structure that is only loosely organized and one which processes entire swatches of reality, overlooking details. You are emotional in your reactions and perceptual more than logical in your approach, although you can impose structure and a language base when necessary.
Your auditory preference, on the other hand, implies that you process information sequentially and unidimensionally. This combination of right-brain and auditory modes creates conflict, as you want to process data more rapidly than your natural processes allow.
Your tendency to be creative and free-flowing is accompanied by sufficient ability to organize and be logical, allowing you a reasonable degree of success in a number of different endeavors. You take in information methodically and systematically which can then be synthesized rapidly. In this manner, you manage to function consistently well, although certainly less efficiently than you desire.
You prefer the abstract and are a theoretician at heart while retaining the ability to be practical. You find the symbolism in a great deal of what you encounter and are something of a "mystic."
With regards to your lifestyle, you have the mentality which would be good as a philosopher, writer, journalist, or instructor, or possibly as a systems designer or social worker. Perhaps most important is your ability to "listen to your inner voice" as a mode of skipping over unnecessary steps to achieve your goals.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Shopping is Such Fun
I went to Morning Glory and then Emart to do some random Christmas shopping. Yep, I'm kinda late this year. Had more fun than should be allowed, though I can't exactly post about why here. Also did some exciting food shopping - I bought some caramel popcorn and some Organic Amy's Toaster Pizza Pops. Yum. I am seldom so excited to spend so much money on such a small thing...
Also got some discounted-end-of-the-night fried chicken. It is remarkable how much one learns about chicken structure when eating Korean fried chicken vs. the North American version. What do we do with all the ackward bits of chickens back home???
Krazy Korean Kristmas Kard pics soon to follow...
Also got some discounted-end-of-the-night fried chicken. It is remarkable how much one learns about chicken structure when eating Korean fried chicken vs. the North American version. What do we do with all the ackward bits of chickens back home???
Krazy Korean Kristmas Kard pics soon to follow...
Monday, December 04, 2006
Christmas Cheer :)
I was on a bus decorated with tinsel, lights, a small tree and assorted other Christmas things. It was sweet.
The big statue thingy by the church down the road is now all lit up.
The HomePlus has the most bizarre photo place with a tree and an odd green character.
Photos to follow!
The big statue thingy by the church down the road is now all lit up.
The HomePlus has the most bizarre photo place with a tree and an odd green character.
Photos to follow!
Ouch
The corner of my eye hurts. I would guess this is the result of one too many nights this weekend falling asleep with my mascara on.
However, I seem to be under the misguided notion that plucking out my eyelashes might help the problem.
It doesn't. Now my eye hurts more and is watering up a storm.
However, I seem to be under the misguided notion that plucking out my eyelashes might help the problem.
It doesn't. Now my eye hurts more and is watering up a storm.
I ate, I misplaced my credit card, I traded in books
That is a rather good summary of my weekend.
Thursday night was one for the ladies' as always. I went home earlier than usual, which turned out to be a theme this past weekend. It was a good night, though I have accepted that I seldom enjoy Helios. My problem is that it is crowded and people pinch my ass. Both of these things annoy me. Now, with a few drinks, I'd be a bit more mellow, but not only is the damn free drinks line about 20 years long, they also make the weakest drinks EVER. Thus, Helios tends to just annoy me. The Loft is lovely though. I am not sure how the crowdedness there never bothers me, though it could be the lack of ass pinching. I mean really, boys, what ARE you thinking?
Friday night I met Debbie and Joel for dinner at Geckos, we wandered by B1 (the old J Bar for any ex-Korean expats reading) which is lovely and pretty and cool, and then over to Queen to dance and gaze at beautiful but unavailable men. The Gay Boyfriends were all there, obviously, Tatiana met a new girl, and I got a chance to hang out with Annie a bit before she left early. Debbie and I went briefly to dance at King's Club too.
Saturday I met some people, the Ladies Who Lunch, for lunch at Thai Orchid. It was fun and unexpectedly Susan was there. Saturday night was dinner at Helios, which is much more pleasant than anything else at Helios. But, Helios once more annoyed me, as I swear to god, I have never been somewhere so small where it was so damn easy to lose people. Spending all my time looking for people is annoying. We popped our heads into Spy, but it was dead, and headed to 66. Which is when I realised that I no longer had my credit card.
Basically, my Korean bank card is a dud on weekends. I don't know why and frankly my attempts to have it fixed have met with no result, so I figured, fuck it, I'll just take out a wad of cash every Friday and away we go. Which worked just fine until we went to say goodbye to Sean and Amber and getting money out completely left my mind. Thus, I had only 70,000 won and US$70 to get me through the weekend. Enough, but just tight enough to leave one worrying about being short a cab fare at some point along the way. So, Saturday, I had a genius idea to use my credit card for dinner and one round of drinks and that would make the finaces hum along for the weekend. I normally never carry the damn card with me. The one damn time I do, the waiter fails to give it back to me, and I fail to notice. Damn. This story turned out fine, though, as I got it back the next day.
However, it all put me in a rather annoyed mood. After wandering around Helios looking for people and losing the card, I wasn't feeling the party. Debbie and Joel went off to M2 for some expensive house music (ewwww, house! ewwww, $25 entry fee!) and I stayed at 66. I was having fun chatting with the crew, but in the move to TinPans 2, I was once again annoyed and decided to just go home and go to bed. After reading 100 or so pages of "The Wind-up Bird Chronicle", which continues to be fabulous.
Sunday I headed to Itaewon again, as I needed to pick up my credit card and I traded in some books at What the Book. I meant to get the cash for them, but couldn't resist the pull of books. "Where is human nature so weak as in the bookstore?" asked Henry Ward Beecher, and he certainly had me pegged. I managed to cram in the tiniest bit of Christmas shopping and then I met Val and her crew for dinner at La Tavola's (yummiest Italian food in Seoul) and then went to Geckos to see Sheila and the gang (funniest folks in Seoul). I confused the waitress by asking for hot chocolate and peppermint schnapps. "Peach schnapps?" she asked with a confused look. Um, no. That would likely be disgusting. We were there long enough to hear them playing Closing Time, and then the weekend sadly came to an end.
Finally, I have my break back. And my plane ticket to Thailand is all confirmed and price established. Bring on the beach, because with Mr. Joo as my boss, it's already been a long fucking week.
Thursday night was one for the ladies' as always. I went home earlier than usual, which turned out to be a theme this past weekend. It was a good night, though I have accepted that I seldom enjoy Helios. My problem is that it is crowded and people pinch my ass. Both of these things annoy me. Now, with a few drinks, I'd be a bit more mellow, but not only is the damn free drinks line about 20 years long, they also make the weakest drinks EVER. Thus, Helios tends to just annoy me. The Loft is lovely though. I am not sure how the crowdedness there never bothers me, though it could be the lack of ass pinching. I mean really, boys, what ARE you thinking?
Friday night I met Debbie and Joel for dinner at Geckos, we wandered by B1 (the old J Bar for any ex-Korean expats reading) which is lovely and pretty and cool, and then over to Queen to dance and gaze at beautiful but unavailable men. The Gay Boyfriends were all there, obviously, Tatiana met a new girl, and I got a chance to hang out with Annie a bit before she left early. Debbie and I went briefly to dance at King's Club too.
Saturday I met some people, the Ladies Who Lunch, for lunch at Thai Orchid. It was fun and unexpectedly Susan was there. Saturday night was dinner at Helios, which is much more pleasant than anything else at Helios. But, Helios once more annoyed me, as I swear to god, I have never been somewhere so small where it was so damn easy to lose people. Spending all my time looking for people is annoying. We popped our heads into Spy, but it was dead, and headed to 66. Which is when I realised that I no longer had my credit card.
Basically, my Korean bank card is a dud on weekends. I don't know why and frankly my attempts to have it fixed have met with no result, so I figured, fuck it, I'll just take out a wad of cash every Friday and away we go. Which worked just fine until we went to say goodbye to Sean and Amber and getting money out completely left my mind. Thus, I had only 70,000 won and US$70 to get me through the weekend. Enough, but just tight enough to leave one worrying about being short a cab fare at some point along the way. So, Saturday, I had a genius idea to use my credit card for dinner and one round of drinks and that would make the finaces hum along for the weekend. I normally never carry the damn card with me. The one damn time I do, the waiter fails to give it back to me, and I fail to notice. Damn. This story turned out fine, though, as I got it back the next day.
However, it all put me in a rather annoyed mood. After wandering around Helios looking for people and losing the card, I wasn't feeling the party. Debbie and Joel went off to M2 for some expensive house music (ewwww, house! ewwww, $25 entry fee!) and I stayed at 66. I was having fun chatting with the crew, but in the move to TinPans 2, I was once again annoyed and decided to just go home and go to bed. After reading 100 or so pages of "The Wind-up Bird Chronicle", which continues to be fabulous.
Sunday I headed to Itaewon again, as I needed to pick up my credit card and I traded in some books at What the Book. I meant to get the cash for them, but couldn't resist the pull of books. "Where is human nature so weak as in the bookstore?" asked Henry Ward Beecher, and he certainly had me pegged. I managed to cram in the tiniest bit of Christmas shopping and then I met Val and her crew for dinner at La Tavola's (yummiest Italian food in Seoul) and then went to Geckos to see Sheila and the gang (funniest folks in Seoul). I confused the waitress by asking for hot chocolate and peppermint schnapps. "Peach schnapps?" she asked with a confused look. Um, no. That would likely be disgusting. We were there long enough to hear them playing Closing Time, and then the weekend sadly came to an end.
Finally, I have my break back. And my plane ticket to Thailand is all confirmed and price established. Bring on the beach, because with Mr. Joo as my boss, it's already been a long fucking week.
Oh, the love of books...
"Obviously, a book is what's written, first and foremost, and I would read a brilliant ugly book without hesitation (viz the latest Margaret Atwood, who'd be worth reading if she were printed on baby wipes). But won't new readers be attracted by a book that's beautiful, too?"Do Judge a Book by Its Cover
I love Margaret Atwood too.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Don't Vote
So, via Sam, I came across this site, where I scored 235 out of 350. Basically, I couldn't get any of the Americans, beyond the biggies. However, I got all the entertainment types and all the international figures, including both the Koreans. Go me!
However, I can't vote in American elections anyway, so I don't think I'm gonna lose any sleep... It was a pretty amusing test.
However, I can't vote in American elections anyway, so I don't think I'm gonna lose any sleep... It was a pretty amusing test.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
American Thanksgiving, one week late
Ladies' Night last Thursday was wild, cause the soldiers all had Friday off for Thanksgiving. We started the night at Don Valley, for a goodbye dinner for YJ. I didn't want to admit that it was two days from her actually leaving, but that it was. Had one of those "vegetarian" moments, when poor Joel ended up with bibimbap with meat on it. Generally though, the rest of us consumed great quantities of meat very appreciatively. Joel and Debbie and I went on to do Ladies' Night, starting at Helios, where everyone seemed to be far drunker than I was gonna get (free drinks having finished) and busy pinching my ass, which is highly annoying. On the walk there we saw a ton of soldiers having a street fight, pursued by whistle-wielding Korean police officers and the MPs running up the road to try and difuse. I managed to lose people, find more people, randomly wander around, get refered to as reparations again and basically decided I was fed up and I wanted the Loft, dammit! So to the Loft we went. Watched two friends fight rather loudly about American politics and a rather interesting idea was suggested to me, one I sort of regret not taking up. (cryptic, yes!) Ended up wandering around Itaewon with Susan and meeting up with an old friend and then finally calling it a night.
I was up early Friday, not really by choice. Friday night YJ, Laura, Tommy, and I went to Ivy to have a couple of drinks. Then it was back to YJ's to help her pack and hang out. It was a sad goodnight, but with an amusing element: a drunken man was sleeping in the hallway, snoring very, very loudly.
The next morning, Laura, YJ and I got breakfast and had coffee at my place until YJ had to take off to the airport. I now have a sofa bed and a dresser and a vaccuum and a ton of kitchen stuff that I didn't have before. I'd rather have YJ back!
Saturday night was Carne Station for Amber and Sean's last night. Joel and Debbie made it was well. We went to TinPans and I bumped into someone I haven't seen in months. Ended up hanging out with him at Stompers for a bit. Ahhhh, Stompers. It's like nowhere else!
Sunday was once again a day of rest, followed by dinner at Geckos. This was punctuated by an annoying guy who bought himself flowers (?) and ended up leaving in a huff and Jane beating a guy at darts in her first ever game.
The weekend begins tomorrow night and looks fairly promising. I will be lunching at Thai Orchid, doing some randomness Satuarday night, and no doubt chowing down at Geckos come Sunday.
I like my routine. I just like it to occur in foreign countries, apparently.
I was up early Friday, not really by choice. Friday night YJ, Laura, Tommy, and I went to Ivy to have a couple of drinks. Then it was back to YJ's to help her pack and hang out. It was a sad goodnight, but with an amusing element: a drunken man was sleeping in the hallway, snoring very, very loudly.
The next morning, Laura, YJ and I got breakfast and had coffee at my place until YJ had to take off to the airport. I now have a sofa bed and a dresser and a vaccuum and a ton of kitchen stuff that I didn't have before. I'd rather have YJ back!
Saturday night was Carne Station for Amber and Sean's last night. Joel and Debbie made it was well. We went to TinPans and I bumped into someone I haven't seen in months. Ended up hanging out with him at Stompers for a bit. Ahhhh, Stompers. It's like nowhere else!
Sunday was once again a day of rest, followed by dinner at Geckos. This was punctuated by an annoying guy who bought himself flowers (?) and ended up leaving in a huff and Jane beating a guy at darts in her first ever game.
The weekend begins tomorrow night and looks fairly promising. I will be lunching at Thai Orchid, doing some randomness Satuarday night, and no doubt chowing down at Geckos come Sunday.
I like my routine. I just like it to occur in foreign countries, apparently.
:(
I had to remind myself that YJ isn't in her apartment anymore, cause she's back in the states. I knew that, but I forgot, and it made me sad to remember. Someone has already moved into her apartment (loudly, at 2am!). That's the problem with being an expat. You make friends with other expats and such folks are always coming and going... sigh.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Not as old as I thought...
So, with the aching ankle set off by damp weather and falling asleep in random places, I was starting to feel rather old...
Then I got a hickie. Well, a few. What am I, 13???
Go ahead and laugh.
Then I got a hickie. Well, a few. What am I, 13???
Go ahead and laugh.
Considering how bizarre Family Circus got in the end, this might make more sense...
This site pairs random Nietzsche quotes with random Family Circus cartoons, so that the quotes become the captions. I had to click a few times to get really amusing ones, but it was well worth it...
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
All You Need is Love
Today one of my classes had as their homework to write a journal entry about what they would like to get as a birthday gift and why.
Mike said: "I want to friend make for my birthday because I want Love."
Mike said: "I want to friend make for my birthday because I want Love."
Gay Rights... Pass it on
"Why is it that, as a culture, we are more comfortable seeing two men holding guns than holding hands?" - Ernest Gaines
We would like to know who really believes in gay rights on LiveJournal. There is no bribe of a miracle or anything like that. If you truly believe in gay rights, then repost this and title the post as "Gay Rights". If you don't believe in gay rights, then just ignore this. Thanks.
Pass it around.
We would like to know who really believes in gay rights on LiveJournal. There is no bribe of a miracle or anything like that. If you truly believe in gay rights, then repost this and title the post as "Gay Rights". If you don't believe in gay rights, then just ignore this. Thanks.
Pass it around.
Smart, Aren't I?
Edited to remove smilies and protect the innocent.
sheesh says:
yoyoyo
Amanda says:
yo
Amanda says:
fucking bandaid is making typing hard
Amanda says:
so annoying
sheesh says:
gimp
Amanda says:
that is right
Amanda says:
damn some guy got killed in lebanon
Amanda says:
might be civil war
Amanda says:
look at me watching cnn
Amanda says:
and being all smart sounding
sheesh says:
u so smart
Amanda says:
i know
Amanda says:
*preens*
Amanda says:
all the rest of your crew coming out?
Amanda says:
cause i don't have any good stories for carlya to laugh at
sheesh says:
tell her bout 40 year old
sheesh says:
*censored to protect the innocent*
Amanda says:
lol
Amanda says:
you just told ME that
sheesh says:
i sent that to u
Amanda says:
wrong amanda!!!!
sheesh says:
i was trying to send it to her
Amanda says:
lol
sheesh says:
i am so blond
sheesh says:
she said u r very uncool for not having any stories
sheesh says:
uncool
Amanda says:
tell her when she has dance move #8
Amanda says:
i will have a new story
Amanda says:
my god. have you seen the lotte world christmas commercial?
Amanda says:
it is truely frightening
sheesh says:
no i missed that shit
Amanda says:
omg
Amanda says:
you have to see it
Amanda says:
it's fucking scary
sheesh says:
yoyoyo
Amanda says:
yo
Amanda says:
fucking bandaid is making typing hard
Amanda says:
so annoying
sheesh says:
gimp
Amanda says:
that is right
Amanda says:
damn some guy got killed in lebanon
Amanda says:
might be civil war
Amanda says:
look at me watching cnn
Amanda says:
and being all smart sounding
sheesh says:
u so smart
Amanda says:
i know
Amanda says:
*preens*
Amanda says:
all the rest of your crew coming out?
Amanda says:
cause i don't have any good stories for carlya to laugh at
sheesh says:
tell her bout 40 year old
sheesh says:
*censored to protect the innocent*
Amanda says:
lol
Amanda says:
you just told ME that
sheesh says:
i sent that to u
Amanda says:
wrong amanda!!!!
sheesh says:
i was trying to send it to her
Amanda says:
lol
sheesh says:
i am so blond
sheesh says:
she said u r very uncool for not having any stories
sheesh says:
uncool
Amanda says:
tell her when she has dance move #8
Amanda says:
i will have a new story
Amanda says:
my god. have you seen the lotte world christmas commercial?
Amanda says:
it is truely frightening
sheesh says:
no i missed that shit
Amanda says:
omg
Amanda says:
you have to see it
Amanda says:
it's fucking scary
Knowing
"Is it possibly, finally, for one human being to achieve perfect understanding of another?Haruki Murakami, "The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle"
In the dark, I thought about blue tissues and patterned toilet paper and beef and green peppers. I had lived with her all this time, unaware how much she hated these things. In themselves they were trivial. Stupid. Something to laugh off, not make a big issue out of. We'd had a little tiff and would have forgotten about it in a couple of days.
But this time was different. It was bothering me in a strange new way, digging at me like a little fish bone caught in the throat. Maybe-just maybe-it was more crucial than it seemed. Maybe this was it: the fatal blow."
You know, there were many things that lead to Alan and I breaking up, but one of them is nicely articulated here. I never quite understood how he could have lived with me for so long, been with me for almost 7 years, and known me so little. And it isn't just that I changed in Korea. Before my email account got hijacked, I went through a bunch of old, saved emails to various friends. This basic frustration had been part of our relationship for years. Hindsight is an amazing thing. As is the power of the little things to niggle away until you can't ignore them anymore.
Mom Meal of my Own
I decided to cook at home tonight instead of eating out or ordering Korean food or whatever other random ways I usually feed myself.
Cost of meal:
Benefits:
The conclusion? I like cooking, but my fingers don't appreciate the result of my klutziness in the kitchen. And bibimbap is waaaaaaaay cheaper at $4 and no effort on my part...
Cost of meal:
About $14, though there are some leftovers
An hour of cooking
A sink full of dishes
Two bleeding fingers
Several bandaids
Benefits:
The chicken was good
I ate green things that were steamed
I had sweet potatoes, right near someone's thanksgiving, though not my own
The conclusion? I like cooking, but my fingers don't appreciate the result of my klutziness in the kitchen. And bibimbap is waaaaaaaay cheaper at $4 and no effort on my part...
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Interesting Thought of the Day
all of my life, i have been going about my life doing my own thing, imagining that no one sees me except the people who i want to see me or who i notice seeing me. i am so visible here in seoul. and i was just as visible before, i just didn't think about it.
Inconsequentialness and some Pondering
Sometimes the oddest things irritate me. Suddenly the feeling of my shirt under my right armpit is driving me fucking nutters. No idea why.
Yesterday I had the most backhanded compliment in some time. I wore my hair in a braid because a student asked me to, and really, if I can't spend 2 minutes doing something simple to make someone happy, i'd be a rather miserable human being. However, my boss raved about the braid, in such a way that it seems the inevitable conclusion is that he thinks the way I usually wear my hair is shite. It was highly amusing.
I went out for Boribap with YJ, Laura, Hanna and one of Laura's friends who was in Korea visiting. The food was yummy and it was nice to eat something green for a change. Then we got coffee and headed back to our 'hood.
Tonight was a night for meat, though, as we went for Dondae. J-squared was there, talking all about Native Americans introducing kimchee to the settlers (it isn't easy to produce turkey dinners for holidays here, which is rather sad), and SO WAS R2J2!!! Didn't ever expect to see him again. He very much seemed to be on something and spent most of the dinner not eating, drinking a bit of soju and looking rather ashamed. He said almost nothing and god knows, I had no idea what to say to him. How's it going doesn't exactly work in this particular situation. He left at one point, couldn't find the door, and later returned. It was all super bizarre.
Laura idly commented on whether there was anything to do to help him. It occurs to me that living in Korea is really not for those with any serious problems, but often those are the exact people who come here. There are plenty of people here running away from things and some of them bring with them problems rather large for the limited support system of the few foreigners work and socializing throws you together with. I mean, I haven't a clue how to access drug addiction services in Korea, or to get in contact with his parents, and what's more, I am not overly inclined to do so on the basis of a two night aquaintanceship. Even my good friends here, for whom I would certainly do whatever I was able, are people whose parents I know very, very little about in terms of contacting them. I suppose that is the life of an expat in many ways, as your life now is seldom tied very strongly to the life or lives you have led before your arrival upon these particular shores.
I thought briefly that perhaps I was one of those who ran away from something, but I think in my case it is more that I ran back to something that I wasn't in the slightest interested in leaving, truth to be told.
I am reading a fantastic book right now. It grabbed me on the first page, with the first line, in fact:
Interestingly, I didn't think I would like it at all. The book in question is "The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle" by Haruki Murakami. I have heard a ton about "Kafka on the Shore" and even seen it used in several places but have never bought it. When I consider why, basically it boils down to the fact that I mentally associate him with Banana Yoshimito, whose books I didn't like, simply because they are both Japanese and write books that are supposed to be a bit dreamlike. But Laura lent it to me and I am so glad she did. It is wonderful already and I am only two chapters in. It feels like one of those books I should own. It feels like one of those books I should read with a notebook next to me at all times, to write down all the quotes that are going to strike me every other page or so.
I have over 2400 duplicate songs on my iTunes. This is what indiscriminate downloading will do.
Yesterday I had the most backhanded compliment in some time. I wore my hair in a braid because a student asked me to, and really, if I can't spend 2 minutes doing something simple to make someone happy, i'd be a rather miserable human being. However, my boss raved about the braid, in such a way that it seems the inevitable conclusion is that he thinks the way I usually wear my hair is shite. It was highly amusing.
I went out for Boribap with YJ, Laura, Hanna and one of Laura's friends who was in Korea visiting. The food was yummy and it was nice to eat something green for a change. Then we got coffee and headed back to our 'hood.
Tonight was a night for meat, though, as we went for Dondae. J-squared was there, talking all about Native Americans introducing kimchee to the settlers (it isn't easy to produce turkey dinners for holidays here, which is rather sad), and SO WAS R2J2!!! Didn't ever expect to see him again. He very much seemed to be on something and spent most of the dinner not eating, drinking a bit of soju and looking rather ashamed. He said almost nothing and god knows, I had no idea what to say to him. How's it going doesn't exactly work in this particular situation. He left at one point, couldn't find the door, and later returned. It was all super bizarre.
Laura idly commented on whether there was anything to do to help him. It occurs to me that living in Korea is really not for those with any serious problems, but often those are the exact people who come here. There are plenty of people here running away from things and some of them bring with them problems rather large for the limited support system of the few foreigners work and socializing throws you together with. I mean, I haven't a clue how to access drug addiction services in Korea, or to get in contact with his parents, and what's more, I am not overly inclined to do so on the basis of a two night aquaintanceship. Even my good friends here, for whom I would certainly do whatever I was able, are people whose parents I know very, very little about in terms of contacting them. I suppose that is the life of an expat in many ways, as your life now is seldom tied very strongly to the life or lives you have led before your arrival upon these particular shores.
I thought briefly that perhaps I was one of those who ran away from something, but I think in my case it is more that I ran back to something that I wasn't in the slightest interested in leaving, truth to be told.
I am reading a fantastic book right now. It grabbed me on the first page, with the first line, in fact:
"When the phone rang I was in the kitchen, boiling a potful of spaghetti and whistling along with an FM broadcast of the overture to Rossini's The Thieving Magpie, which has to be the perfect music for cooking pasta."
Interestingly, I didn't think I would like it at all. The book in question is "The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle" by Haruki Murakami. I have heard a ton about "Kafka on the Shore" and even seen it used in several places but have never bought it. When I consider why, basically it boils down to the fact that I mentally associate him with Banana Yoshimito, whose books I didn't like, simply because they are both Japanese and write books that are supposed to be a bit dreamlike. But Laura lent it to me and I am so glad she did. It is wonderful already and I am only two chapters in. It feels like one of those books I should own. It feels like one of those books I should read with a notebook next to me at all times, to write down all the quotes that are going to strike me every other page or so.
I have over 2400 duplicate songs on my iTunes. This is what indiscriminate downloading will do.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
The Saga of R2J2
So, a friend's coworker has been fired. The path to this firing is particularly amusing though...
I first met him the Friday night of Halloween weekend. He managed to fall out of a chair for no reason, drop numberous lit cigarrettes out of his mouth and fling his eyeglasses across a bar. It turned out later that he was on speed, which kinda helped me understand the references to the PhD programme he'd dropped out of, the numerous credit cards and their ridiculous balances, and the other randomness.
Then, he managed to miss his visa run to Japan. And to get arrested for suspected dealing. And finally to not turn up to work, leave his door unlocked, and be found by his employer in a drugged state.
Farewell, R2J2. You were amusing while you lasted.
I first met him the Friday night of Halloween weekend. He managed to fall out of a chair for no reason, drop numberous lit cigarrettes out of his mouth and fling his eyeglasses across a bar. It turned out later that he was on speed, which kinda helped me understand the references to the PhD programme he'd dropped out of, the numerous credit cards and their ridiculous balances, and the other randomness.
Then, he managed to miss his visa run to Japan. And to get arrested for suspected dealing. And finally to not turn up to work, leave his door unlocked, and be found by his employer in a drugged state.
Farewell, R2J2. You were amusing while you lasted.
Weekend Ramblings
I do believe that the work week was invented to help people recover from their weekends. I never, ever seem to sleep enough on the weekends. I love to sleep. I want sleep.
It has been a good weekend. Thursday night was Ladies' Night in Itaewon, as usual, but for once I went to Helios (and the Loft later, of course). It was a cool night as I got to see a ton of people - first Debbie, then danced with Sheila and co., then saw Val and Reena at the Loft, bumped into Annie, Daniel, and Amanda. Met an entire Brazilian soccer team.
Friday was a very test intensive day at work, which is always a nice break. One of the kids wrote as a homework sentece "Julie and Amanda share new ideas" and I was very touched. Ellie is insisting that I wear my hair in a ponytail, so I'll have to remember today. Teaching is pretty random but fun.
Friday night I met up with Sheila and co. at 66, though I hadn't intended to head out. Ended up dancing in Q-Vo again and went for breakfast in Itaewon. Spent Saturday with a friend, giving myself only enough time to have a quick shower before heading to La Tavola with YJ for the best food ever. I love pasta soooooo much. We went to 3 Alley and there was a social experiment with an annoying song on a jukebox three times, though sadly we weren't able to see the fruits of that particular labor. Then we went to Geckos and bumped into the Gay Boyfriends and Sheila and her crew and any number of other people. Next up was 66 (the Playboy Mansion DJ being rather on the pricey side), where we bumped into the Julie brothers. A brief sidetrip to Tin Pans and we ended up in Stompers. Handkerchief girl and her posse were there, amusingly dancing to things like that Chicken Noodle soup song, all doing the same dance. Is this cool? I think not, anyway. It was a laugh for me though. Sadly, Stompers at 5am requires you to have rather a lot of drink in you to fully appreciate it, and I lacked that. On the way home there was an amusing exchange at the Mandu tent about some dukboki sauce and the individual wearing it. There was even some yelling out of a cab window, which very much amused both myself and the cab driver.
Sunday was a day of much needed rest. But then I also wandered to Itaewon to meet another Gay Boyfriend and too eat the best, most delicious caesar salad in Korea. Met up with many friends once again.
And thus we arrive at Monday morning. I rather need to get ready and head to the post office. I also want breakfast. Eggs. Yummy.
It has been a good weekend. Thursday night was Ladies' Night in Itaewon, as usual, but for once I went to Helios (and the Loft later, of course). It was a cool night as I got to see a ton of people - first Debbie, then danced with Sheila and co., then saw Val and Reena at the Loft, bumped into Annie, Daniel, and Amanda. Met an entire Brazilian soccer team.
Friday was a very test intensive day at work, which is always a nice break. One of the kids wrote as a homework sentece "Julie and Amanda share new ideas" and I was very touched. Ellie is insisting that I wear my hair in a ponytail, so I'll have to remember today. Teaching is pretty random but fun.
Friday night I met up with Sheila and co. at 66, though I hadn't intended to head out. Ended up dancing in Q-Vo again and went for breakfast in Itaewon. Spent Saturday with a friend, giving myself only enough time to have a quick shower before heading to La Tavola with YJ for the best food ever. I love pasta soooooo much. We went to 3 Alley and there was a social experiment with an annoying song on a jukebox three times, though sadly we weren't able to see the fruits of that particular labor. Then we went to Geckos and bumped into the Gay Boyfriends and Sheila and her crew and any number of other people. Next up was 66 (the Playboy Mansion DJ being rather on the pricey side), where we bumped into the Julie brothers. A brief sidetrip to Tin Pans and we ended up in Stompers. Handkerchief girl and her posse were there, amusingly dancing to things like that Chicken Noodle soup song, all doing the same dance. Is this cool? I think not, anyway. It was a laugh for me though. Sadly, Stompers at 5am requires you to have rather a lot of drink in you to fully appreciate it, and I lacked that. On the way home there was an amusing exchange at the Mandu tent about some dukboki sauce and the individual wearing it. There was even some yelling out of a cab window, which very much amused both myself and the cab driver.
Sunday was a day of much needed rest. But then I also wandered to Itaewon to meet another Gay Boyfriend and too eat the best, most delicious caesar salad in Korea. Met up with many friends once again.
And thus we arrive at Monday morning. I rather need to get ready and head to the post office. I also want breakfast. Eggs. Yummy.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
I think I am Weird
On the basis of my friends. In the past couple of days, I have:
*called a friend at 1am on a monday morning and invited her to go singing with me, and she got dressed and came.
*seen pictures of a friend dressed in a pilgrim hat in every single picture she took at plymouth rock.
*learned that another friend ordered the pilgrim hat on the internet to ensure that C's wish to wear a goofy hat in photos wouldn't go unfulfilled. after all, we can't just leave goofy hat wearing on vacations to chance... or can we?
*called a friend at 1am on a monday morning and invited her to go singing with me, and she got dressed and came.
*seen pictures of a friend dressed in a pilgrim hat in every single picture she took at plymouth rock.
*learned that another friend ordered the pilgrim hat on the internet to ensure that C's wish to wear a goofy hat in photos wouldn't go unfulfilled. after all, we can't just leave goofy hat wearing on vacations to chance... or can we?
Monday, November 13, 2006
Thanks to all who matter
"Be who you are and say what you feel. Because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." Dr. Seuss
Books and Travel, two of my vices
It has taken me some time to get around to chancing upon this, but I love it. INFLUENCES: GLOBE-TROTTERS' FAVORITES; Tomes That Can Trigger a Writer's Wanderlust.
How about a cold beer after work?
Or, a post about work.
One of my students, the cutest girl ever, who's in about grade 6 or so, asked me this when I entered the classroom on Friday. I am sure the look on my face was comical. She had a Korean-English phrasebook which is sure to continue to provide me with a great deal of hilarity. She was reading through it as I checked everyone's homework and suddenly said, "Selfish! What a great word!" Then she asked me how to pronounce assassination. Julie is one of my favourites because she so visibly loves to learn. She is always looking up new vocabulary words and she loves to talk to her teachers and other students in English.
I was watching a video on YouTube by a guy about why he gets out of bed in the morning all about his son. Beyond that is was cute and made me feel all weepy, it did make me ponder the question for myself. There was an interesting response by a younger guy that it's basically just to see what happens in the course of the day, kinda like checking your email to see what's there. And I thought that was very apt, but then I was posting this about Julie and realised...
Students like her are why I like my job. And one of the major reasons I get out of bed in the morning.
One of my students, the cutest girl ever, who's in about grade 6 or so, asked me this when I entered the classroom on Friday. I am sure the look on my face was comical. She had a Korean-English phrasebook which is sure to continue to provide me with a great deal of hilarity. She was reading through it as I checked everyone's homework and suddenly said, "Selfish! What a great word!" Then she asked me how to pronounce assassination. Julie is one of my favourites because she so visibly loves to learn. She is always looking up new vocabulary words and she loves to talk to her teachers and other students in English.
I was watching a video on YouTube by a guy about why he gets out of bed in the morning all about his son. Beyond that is was cute and made me feel all weepy, it did make me ponder the question for myself. There was an interesting response by a younger guy that it's basically just to see what happens in the course of the day, kinda like checking your email to see what's there. And I thought that was very apt, but then I was posting this about Julie and realised...
Students like her are why I like my job. And one of the major reasons I get out of bed in the morning.
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