I missed the show myself, but there was an ad put in K-Scene here in Seoul as a joke that sparked lots of discussion and apparently got a mention on Leno. Here is some info:
Canadians banned from group for cultural understanding
"An organization that promotes cultural understanding and brings together people from different nations is open for anyone in Seoul to join. Anyone that is, except Canadians.
In a classified ad in KScene, a free biweekly magazine, World Class describes itself as a group that "brings together all nationalities to discuss world issues and break down cultural barriers and prejudices."
Breaking down the prejudices, however, doesn't extend to all countries. "No Canadians please," the ad continues.
When contacted by a Korea Herald reporter by e-mail, the organizer of the group, Bernard Carleton, elaborated further, "The thing is, CANADIANS ARE SCUM! They are self-loving, welfare supporting, over taxing, work ethic hating scum!!! They are not welcome in our group."
Anyone who would like to join the meetings with Carleton in order to break down prejudices, dissolve stereotypes and have an enhanced understanding of people from other countries can contact him at cbicsmd@yahoo.com. "
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Monday, May 15, 2006
Julie wants my cheese!
Lately all of my dreams have been set in the staff room. Which is weird by itself. But the funniest was one where we were all fighting over one package of cheese stringers in the fridge and Julie started pulling hair to get at it. Can you tell that Korea is a bit short in the yummy cheese department?
Another weekend has gone by
Another weekend of dancing and eating western food.
Thursday I met up with Val and her friends at the Loft with Athena. I had a great time dancing, but unfortunately kinda hurt my ankle. I am pretty clutzy anyway, so the combo of the uneven sidewalks in Korea and a bit of drunkeness proved to be too much. I sort of rolled it and now it is all swollen and bruised. Not pretty.
In spite of that, I spent Friday out to dinner at a nice pizza place in Itaewon and then had drinks in Geckos. It was an early night, cause there was no way I was dancing on the ankle. Saturday Athena, Lucia and I met up with some people for dessert (we had been out for Italian food already) and then went to Tinpan's in Hongdae. I love Tinpans, as long as I avoid the tequila. Then there was some weirdness at Stompers, so we didn't dance long. Smoked another hookah at Bricks.
Sunday was lazy. Didn't make it out of the house until 3ish to go and eat at TGI Fridays and then played some pool. I discovered that there is a Korean version of pool that has no pockets on the table and two red balls and two white ones. No idea what was going on.
Saw some very funny signs...
Thursday I met up with Val and her friends at the Loft with Athena. I had a great time dancing, but unfortunately kinda hurt my ankle. I am pretty clutzy anyway, so the combo of the uneven sidewalks in Korea and a bit of drunkeness proved to be too much. I sort of rolled it and now it is all swollen and bruised. Not pretty.
In spite of that, I spent Friday out to dinner at a nice pizza place in Itaewon and then had drinks in Geckos. It was an early night, cause there was no way I was dancing on the ankle. Saturday Athena, Lucia and I met up with some people for dessert (we had been out for Italian food already) and then went to Tinpan's in Hongdae. I love Tinpans, as long as I avoid the tequila. Then there was some weirdness at Stompers, so we didn't dance long. Smoked another hookah at Bricks.
Sunday was lazy. Didn't make it out of the house until 3ish to go and eat at TGI Fridays and then played some pool. I discovered that there is a Korean version of pool that has no pockets on the table and two red balls and two white ones. No idea what was going on.
Saw some very funny signs...
Friday, May 12, 2006
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Seoul Questionnaire
1. Whats your favorite part of the city for partying?
Itaewon or Hongdae
2. Name the first club/bar you went to.
I think it was Polly's Kettle. Or maybe Q-Vo, back when it had another name.
3. Where were you first drunk in Seoul?
At a norae bang, in my first 24 hours here.
3A. What is your favorite bar?
I seem to spend an awful lot of time at Geckos. Or the Loft on Thursday night.
4. Have you ever gotten lost in the city?
Yep.
5. Have you ever gotten a parking ticket?
No, don't drive. I've been stopped for jaywalking though. That happens if you jaywalk to get to work everyday right in front of a police station. Have yet to be fined.
6. Loft or Helios on a Thursday night?
Loft
7. Be honest Have you ever bought silkworm larvae from a vendor?
No. But, I do buy other stuff from vendors.
8. Ever been to see the soccer team play?
no
9. Whats your favorite restaurant?
a little Italian place in Edae
10. Where's the best place to shop?
Doota in Dongdaemun. B1
11. Outback or TGIs?
Outback for the cheesy fries
12. What's your favorite English bookstore?
Abby's in Itaewon. I like my books cheap, so it's secondhand all the way.
13. How often do you get into the city?
Every day on the weekend. This week, a lot during the week too.
14. What's better Seoul or Busan?
Busan was nice, but I do love Seoul.
15. Have you ever been to the Coex Mall?
Yes, but not recently.
16. Have you ever stayed in a love motel?
Of course, I am all about budget travel.
17. Have you ever been to Apujeong?
Yes, but not often.
18. How about Everland?
Once
19. Do you keep up with the news back home?
not really
20. If you could live anywhere in the city, where would you live?
Closer to Hongdae/Sinchon
21. How many palaces have you been to?
three
22. Have you been on an army base in Korea?
Yes
23. Itaewon or Hongdae?
Both and often in the same evening
24. Could you find The Bar in Sinchon?
Been there but no.
25. Fav Korean Food?
jjim duk
Itaewon or Hongdae
2. Name the first club/bar you went to.
I think it was Polly's Kettle. Or maybe Q-Vo, back when it had another name.
3. Where were you first drunk in Seoul?
At a norae bang, in my first 24 hours here.
3A. What is your favorite bar?
I seem to spend an awful lot of time at Geckos. Or the Loft on Thursday night.
4. Have you ever gotten lost in the city?
Yep.
5. Have you ever gotten a parking ticket?
No, don't drive. I've been stopped for jaywalking though. That happens if you jaywalk to get to work everyday right in front of a police station. Have yet to be fined.
6. Loft or Helios on a Thursday night?
Loft
7. Be honest Have you ever bought silkworm larvae from a vendor?
No. But, I do buy other stuff from vendors.
8. Ever been to see the soccer team play?
no
9. Whats your favorite restaurant?
a little Italian place in Edae
10. Where's the best place to shop?
Doota in Dongdaemun. B1
11. Outback or TGIs?
Outback for the cheesy fries
12. What's your favorite English bookstore?
Abby's in Itaewon. I like my books cheap, so it's secondhand all the way.
13. How often do you get into the city?
Every day on the weekend. This week, a lot during the week too.
14. What's better Seoul or Busan?
Busan was nice, but I do love Seoul.
15. Have you ever been to the Coex Mall?
Yes, but not recently.
16. Have you ever stayed in a love motel?
Of course, I am all about budget travel.
17. Have you ever been to Apujeong?
Yes, but not often.
18. How about Everland?
Once
19. Do you keep up with the news back home?
not really
20. If you could live anywhere in the city, where would you live?
Closer to Hongdae/Sinchon
21. How many palaces have you been to?
three
22. Have you been on an army base in Korea?
Yes
23. Itaewon or Hongdae?
Both and often in the same evening
24. Could you find The Bar in Sinchon?
Been there but no.
25. Fav Korean Food?
jjim duk
Men and Women Reading
BY THE NUMBERS
April 30, 2006
When Lisa Jardine and Annie Watkins asked hundreds of British female academics, teachers, writers, publishers and literature students what book had changed their lives, many respondents wondered whether there would be a male version of the survey as well. Jardine and Watkins complied: The results were fascinating in their own right, and more intriguing when juxtaposed with the findings for women. Not only did men and women find different books to be meaningful, but they approached reading in divergent ways.
Men's Fiction
Top Five
1. "The Outsider,"
Albert Camus
2. "Catcher in the Rye,"
J.D. Salinger
3. "Slaughterhouse Five,"
Kurt Vonnegut
4. (tie)
"One Hundred Years of Solitude,"
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
"The Hobbit,"
J.R.R. Tolkien
5. "Catch-22,"
Joseph Heller
Women's Fiction
Top Five
1. "Jane Eyre,"
Charlotte Bronte
2. "Wuthering Heights,"
Emily Bronte
3. "The Handmaid's Tale,"
Margaret Atwood
4. "Middlemarch,"
George Eliot
5. (tie)
"Pride and Prejudice,"
Jane Austen
"Beloved,"
Toni Morrison
Other findings:
? No male authors made the women's top five, and no female authors made the men's top five.
? Only four books made both top 20 lists.
? Six male authors broke the women's top 20, but only one book by a female author made the men's top 20: "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee.
? Older men were more likely to cite female authors as influential.
? Men were most likely to have read their formative books as adolescents.
? Women were more likely to read books to cope with difficult times.
? Men were more likely to cite particular authors as "mentors," particularly, among these British residents, George Orwell.
? Women liked shared, hand-me-down books; men liked new books and hardbacks.
? Women had a more diverse list of favorites ?400 women named 200 books.
? Men answered the question of what book marked a watershed moment more reluctantly than women.
April 30, 2006
When Lisa Jardine and Annie Watkins asked hundreds of British female academics, teachers, writers, publishers and literature students what book had changed their lives, many respondents wondered whether there would be a male version of the survey as well. Jardine and Watkins complied: The results were fascinating in their own right, and more intriguing when juxtaposed with the findings for women. Not only did men and women find different books to be meaningful, but they approached reading in divergent ways.
Men's Fiction
Top Five
1. "The Outsider,"
Albert Camus
2. "Catcher in the Rye,"
J.D. Salinger
3. "Slaughterhouse Five,"
Kurt Vonnegut
4. (tie)
"One Hundred Years of Solitude,"
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
"The Hobbit,"
J.R.R. Tolkien
5. "Catch-22,"
Joseph Heller
Women's Fiction
Top Five
1. "Jane Eyre,"
Charlotte Bronte
2. "Wuthering Heights,"
Emily Bronte
3. "The Handmaid's Tale,"
Margaret Atwood
4. "Middlemarch,"
George Eliot
5. (tie)
"Pride and Prejudice,"
Jane Austen
"Beloved,"
Toni Morrison
Other findings:
? No male authors made the women's top five, and no female authors made the men's top five.
? Only four books made both top 20 lists.
? Six male authors broke the women's top 20, but only one book by a female author made the men's top 20: "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee.
? Older men were more likely to cite female authors as influential.
? Men were most likely to have read their formative books as adolescents.
? Women were more likely to read books to cope with difficult times.
? Men were more likely to cite particular authors as "mentors," particularly, among these British residents, George Orwell.
? Women liked shared, hand-me-down books; men liked new books and hardbacks.
? Women had a more diverse list of favorites ?400 women named 200 books.
? Men answered the question of what book marked a watershed moment more reluctantly than women.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
I'm a mad socializer
I went into Itaewon to meet up with people at Gecko's on a Tuesday. A Tuesday, people!
I finally get paid today. It's been awhile.
I found this interesting:
MySpace is a social networking website offering an interactive network of blogs, user profiles, groups, photos and an internal e-mail system. According to Alexa Internet, as of March 2006 it is the world's fifth most popular English-language website and the eighth most popular in the world. Note that this is based on exceptionally intense usage by a relatively limited number of visitors, many more than five English language sites have a higher "reach" measurement, that is they are visited by more different people each day. MySpace has outstripped competitors such as MSN Spaces, Friendster and LiveJournal to become the most popular English-language social networking website with higher traffic and roughly 75 million registered accounts. It has become an increasingly influential part of contemporary teenage culture, especially in the Anglosphere. MySpace has 250 employees and projects a 2006 revenue of US$20M.
So, at least I am not alone in my new addiction.
Check out the Evolution of Dance Moves that Jenny altered me to. I still dance to Baby Got Back at Stompers ;)
I finally get paid today. It's been awhile.
I found this interesting:
MySpace is a social networking website offering an interactive network of blogs, user profiles, groups, photos and an internal e-mail system. According to Alexa Internet, as of March 2006 it is the world's fifth most popular English-language website and the eighth most popular in the world. Note that this is based on exceptionally intense usage by a relatively limited number of visitors, many more than five English language sites have a higher "reach" measurement, that is they are visited by more different people each day. MySpace has outstripped competitors such as MSN Spaces, Friendster and LiveJournal to become the most popular English-language social networking website with higher traffic and roughly 75 million registered accounts. It has become an increasingly influential part of contemporary teenage culture, especially in the Anglosphere. MySpace has 250 employees and projects a 2006 revenue of US$20M.
So, at least I am not alone in my new addiction.
Check out the Evolution of Dance Moves that Jenny altered me to. I still dance to Baby Got Back at Stompers ;)
Monday, May 08, 2006
Long Weekends are where it's at
I had a great long weekend, thanks to Children's Day.
Started at the Loft for Ladies' Night. The only thing better then free drinks on a thursday is free drinks on a thursday when you have friday off! Had a great time and didn't drink too much, so I was able to get up on Friday to head to Itaewon to get my hair cut and then meet up with Lucia. We had drinks at Gecko's Garden, to take advantage of the lovely weather. Then we went to Gecko's Terrace for food and girly drinks before meeting up with Athena. We decided to head back home for an hour to refresh before going out. It was a good night out, except for the rain that curled my hair in the dashes between bars. We went to Gecko's, Helios, Route 66, Bricks and Stompers. Had fun. Saturday we managed to squeak into Outback before the lunch specials ended (and since that happens at 4 you can tell that no one was moving fast!). Another night of Gecko's and Stompers. I love to dance! Sunday we had Italian food, went on a search for the sex shop in Itaewon (unsuccessful), went bowling on base and then had a few drinks at Geckos. On a Sunday, we stayed late enough to be kicked out! Was busy laughing at this odd Canadian from Waterloo who was dancing and drinking and just generally being odd.
The funny thing about Seoul is that as massive a city as it is, you bump into the same people everywhere. I saw Patricia and Julie all four evenings I was out!
It was back to work today. We went to a seafood restaurant for dinner tonight that just opened and had the all you can eat bar. I am stuffed! And broke. 7,000 won to last me until I get paid on the 10th. Thank god that is Wednesday.
Random Survey
I like these things because when I read them years later, I find that my responses amuse me and remind me of where I used to be.
1.Is there anybody you just wish would fall off the face of the Earth?
The Korean telemarketers who keep calling me at 9am. I don't get up until 11 at the earliest!
2. How do you flush the toilet in public restrooms?
In Korea, it depends. Western toilets, with my hand. Squats you use your foot.
3. Do you wear your seatbelt in the car?
Only the front seat in Korean taxis even have a seatbelt, so no.
4. Do you have a crush on someone?
nope.
5. Name one thing that you start to get tense about if
you are close to running out of it:
money, time, toilet paper, reese peanut butter cups, minutes on my cell phone (handphone for the korean audience, mobile for the brits).
6. What famous person do you (or other people) think you resemble?
I don't think any.
7. What is your favorite pizza topping?
Potato pizzas here in Seoul, pineapple and corn in Scotland, goat's cheese and spinach in Canada.
9. Do you crack your knuckles?
no
10. What song do you hate the most when it gets stuck in your head?
The song that plays as our bell at school. the lyrics my students sing to don't cha (don't cha don't cha don't cha don't cha e wha fait, don't cha pretty girlfriend feel like me)
11. Did just mentioning that song make it get stuck in your head?
Nope, thanks to iTunes being on.
12. What are your super powers?
controlling a classroom of hyper korean kids
13. Peppermint or spearmint?
i am not sure i could tell the difference in a blind taste test.
14. Where are your car keys?
Don't have a car.
15. Whose answers to this questionnaire do you want to hear?
Dude, everyone of course.
16. What's your most annoying habit?
I have too many to mention. But that's why you all love me. Right? Right?
17. Where did you last go on vacation?
Canada
18. If you could punch one person in the nose and get away with it, who would it be?
Can't think of anyone at the moment.
19. What is your best physical feature?
Dunno. Depends on who you ask, i guess. I like my hair after it's been straightened.
20. What CD is closest to you right now?
I don't have any CDs here, but Nelly's Da Derrty Versions is playing on iTunes at the moment. I have 6420 songs on iTunes in total.
21. What 3 things can always be found in your refrigerator?
Water. That is the only constant. Sometimes milk, occassionally cheese or eggs. I don't cook much in Korea.
22. What superstition do you believe/practice?
None, really.
23. What color are your bed sheets?
sheets are pink. I didn't choose them.
24. Would you rather be a fish or a bird?
Bird
25. Do you talk on your cell phone when you drive?
I don't drive. I walk and text though, which is probably not the safest thing in korea where the sidewalks are not even pretending to be straight and smooth.
26. What are your favorite sayings?
they change all the time. i pick up other people's sayings really easily.
27. What song(s) do you sing most often in the shower?
I don't. But I like singing that Buttercup song. And I like trying to sing rap/hip hop at norae bang. Trying is the key word.
28. If you could go back or forward in time, would you and where would you go?
Ancient Greece maybe.
29. What is your favorite Harrison Ford movie?
Star Wars
30. What CD is in your stereo?
Nelly on iTunes
31. What cd will be in your stereo in a few minutes?
maybe black eyed peas.
32. How many kids do you plan on having?
Anything from 0 - 2. Haven't decided yet. would rather adopt, i think.
33. If you could kiss anyone who would it be?
Myself ;)
34. Would you really want to kiss someone you didn't know, even if they are famous?
why not?
35. What do you do when no one is watching?
Lots of stuff. People are seldom watching.
36. If they made a movie about your life, what actor/actress would be the best for this job?
No idea.
37. Would you rather die in a blaze of glory or peacefully in your sleep?
A blaze of glory in my 90s!
38. Have you ever started to fill out a survey on Myspace and then thought "this is stupid" and exit without sending it?
Not yet. Give it time.
39. Coffee or tea?
Coffee and tea. I have no intention of choosing!
40. Favorite musician(s)/bands you've seen in concert?
I love concerts. So all of them! Esp Lilith Fair, Radiohead, REM
41. Have you ever been in love?
Yes.
42. Do you talk to yourself?
Doesn't everyone?
1.Is there anybody you just wish would fall off the face of the Earth?
The Korean telemarketers who keep calling me at 9am. I don't get up until 11 at the earliest!
2. How do you flush the toilet in public restrooms?
In Korea, it depends. Western toilets, with my hand. Squats you use your foot.
3. Do you wear your seatbelt in the car?
Only the front seat in Korean taxis even have a seatbelt, so no.
4. Do you have a crush on someone?
nope.
5. Name one thing that you start to get tense about if
you are close to running out of it:
money, time, toilet paper, reese peanut butter cups, minutes on my cell phone (handphone for the korean audience, mobile for the brits).
6. What famous person do you (or other people) think you resemble?
I don't think any.
7. What is your favorite pizza topping?
Potato pizzas here in Seoul, pineapple and corn in Scotland, goat's cheese and spinach in Canada.
9. Do you crack your knuckles?
no
10. What song do you hate the most when it gets stuck in your head?
The song that plays as our bell at school. the lyrics my students sing to don't cha (don't cha don't cha don't cha don't cha e wha fait, don't cha pretty girlfriend feel like me)
11. Did just mentioning that song make it get stuck in your head?
Nope, thanks to iTunes being on.
12. What are your super powers?
controlling a classroom of hyper korean kids
13. Peppermint or spearmint?
i am not sure i could tell the difference in a blind taste test.
14. Where are your car keys?
Don't have a car.
15. Whose answers to this questionnaire do you want to hear?
Dude, everyone of course.
16. What's your most annoying habit?
I have too many to mention. But that's why you all love me. Right? Right?
17. Where did you last go on vacation?
Canada
18. If you could punch one person in the nose and get away with it, who would it be?
Can't think of anyone at the moment.
19. What is your best physical feature?
Dunno. Depends on who you ask, i guess. I like my hair after it's been straightened.
20. What CD is closest to you right now?
I don't have any CDs here, but Nelly's Da Derrty Versions is playing on iTunes at the moment. I have 6420 songs on iTunes in total.
21. What 3 things can always be found in your refrigerator?
Water. That is the only constant. Sometimes milk, occassionally cheese or eggs. I don't cook much in Korea.
22. What superstition do you believe/practice?
None, really.
23. What color are your bed sheets?
sheets are pink. I didn't choose them.
24. Would you rather be a fish or a bird?
Bird
25. Do you talk on your cell phone when you drive?
I don't drive. I walk and text though, which is probably not the safest thing in korea where the sidewalks are not even pretending to be straight and smooth.
26. What are your favorite sayings?
they change all the time. i pick up other people's sayings really easily.
27. What song(s) do you sing most often in the shower?
I don't. But I like singing that Buttercup song. And I like trying to sing rap/hip hop at norae bang. Trying is the key word.
28. If you could go back or forward in time, would you and where would you go?
Ancient Greece maybe.
29. What is your favorite Harrison Ford movie?
Star Wars
30. What CD is in your stereo?
Nelly on iTunes
31. What cd will be in your stereo in a few minutes?
maybe black eyed peas.
32. How many kids do you plan on having?
Anything from 0 - 2. Haven't decided yet. would rather adopt, i think.
33. If you could kiss anyone who would it be?
Myself ;)
34. Would you really want to kiss someone you didn't know, even if they are famous?
why not?
35. What do you do when no one is watching?
Lots of stuff. People are seldom watching.
36. If they made a movie about your life, what actor/actress would be the best for this job?
No idea.
37. Would you rather die in a blaze of glory or peacefully in your sleep?
A blaze of glory in my 90s!
38. Have you ever started to fill out a survey on Myspace and then thought "this is stupid" and exit without sending it?
Not yet. Give it time.
39. Coffee or tea?
Coffee and tea. I have no intention of choosing!
40. Favorite musician(s)/bands you've seen in concert?
I love concerts. So all of them! Esp Lilith Fair, Radiohead, REM
41. Have you ever been in love?
Yes.
42. Do you talk to yourself?
Doesn't everyone?
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Productivity and all before noon!
I can not make my cold go away. It irks me. Bizarrely, when I am out all weekend, getting too little sleep, in smokey bars, drinking, i feel okay. it's during the week that it all comes back.
on another note, I finally got my act together this morning. I have an alien card, a multiple reentry in my passport, and a bank account. and i am going to go check out a gym tomorrow morning.
now if i could just bring myself to clean my apartment... and do my laundry...
on another note, I finally got my act together this morning. I have an alien card, a multiple reentry in my passport, and a bank account. and i am going to go check out a gym tomorrow morning.
now if i could just bring myself to clean my apartment... and do my laundry...
Monday, May 01, 2006
Lazy in Seoul
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???" The answer to the lack of them is simple: I am lazy and I am addicted to myspace. Between the two, I can stay up until 4am (yep, that would be the time chez me right now) and yet still not blog. For awhile, my excuse was that I hadn't downloaded my photos yet to add to the posts, but that isn't exactly taxing either!
Anyway, I was meant to go to bed early tonight so I could go pick up my alien card tomorrow in Mokdong. Didn't happen. Such is life, I guess. Need to get on that, so I can open a bank account, which will allow me to get paid on the 10th. Which is kinda key... Instead, I hung out with YunJin for a bit, had galbi with Athena and then spent far too much time doing god only knows what on the internet. This year I have several English language tv channels, rather than my one AFN channel of last contract, and yet I never watch tv cause I'm all about wasting my time on the net.
So, what have I been up to? First there was my birthday weekend. Crazy ass. We went on Friday, the actual day of, to Tinpan's. I had no intention of drinking tequila, as I always swear off tequila after a night at Tinpan's. I thought I would try and head that off at the pass. But we were sitting next to a table with three korean guys (and later one guy's wife joined in) who bought two bottles of tequila and decided to share with us. Between that and the long island iced teas, well, let's just say I enjoyed myself. We also went to Stompers, where I once again misplaced my free drinks card. It was like some sort of weird birthday repeat of last year, but with different people. I went into Itaewon for lunch the next day, which was nice, an omelette at Gecko's, but left me exhausted, cause I didn't sleep much. Then I got home, met up with Athena, Marisa, and Julie and ended up heading right back to Itaewon. We ate some (for Korea) really good Mexican food and then went to Gecko's. After some weird-guy incidents, Athena and I ended up at Stompers yet again. On Sunday, Athena and I went to Outback, to eat the goodness that is cheesy fries, and I think I brought back more food in the doggie bag than I ate at the restaurant. And then YunJin stopped by with the most adorable ice cream cake ever. It was a great birthday weekend.
The week at work flew by, the only notable thing being that I lost my favourite class, as they are finished the book. Tomorrow I will meet my replacement class, a grammar class. More new faces to attach names to!
As Athena is leaving soon, she is in the mood to go out. As I have just arrived, so am I. We went out with Lucia this past Friday (Lucia used to work at Heritage, but is also leaving soon), starting at Route 66 for a long island to start the evening off right. Met a rather drunken Korean man who told us he wanted to have Sex in the City with us. It was interesting! Then to Stompers yet again. Saturday I met up with Robyn and two of her friends (who replaced the old Poly crew, so odd to meet people who work in the job that I once did). Had a great time shopping with them but I was very tired. I met Athena and Lucia in Starbucks after Robyn left and then went to meet up with Amber and Sean and their friends for Sean's birthday. We had dinner and girly drinks at a place in Itaewon, smoked a hookah at Bricks in Hongdae and drank the free shots kindly procured by Tom, went to Halaboogies (one of the Hodge Podges back in the day), and then Stompers to close out the evening. I know you are all now thinking "She said before she left that she was going to drink less this time round..." Thing is, I sort of am. I go out a lot, but don't necessarily drink all that much (my birthday being a rather big exception!).
Sunday we went to Insadong for the Lantern Festival for Buddha's Birthday. The temple that had been covered in scaffolding last year is looking good now. Amber, Julie, Marisa and I all got face painting, made lanterns, and got some nail art. We met up with Lynn and Patricia, from Glasgow, Tom, Julie, Matt, and Sean to have dinner, though we split into two groups: Korean food and pasta (at that place Kim discovered with the baked cheesy pasta!). Tom managed to find a BC Lions foamy hand thing randomly. The parade was cool, but pretty much the same as last year. One odd moment was when we were walking down the main street in Insadong and passed some scantily clad women. Didn't realise until we got a pamphlet in English that they were Raelians, the people who believe that humans were created in a laboratory by aliens. Weird.
The other photos of the Lantern Festival are here.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Night of the Rats
Last night there was a big thunderstorm. Today was really cold. Perhaps that is why we saw two rats while walking home from work?
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
I have a phone!
The weekend passed by far too quickly, as always. Saturday I spent with Julie, chatting and watching silly movies on Ebaum's World. Very funny. We went to Carney Station for all the food and drink we could get in by 11pm for 20,000 won and then to norae bang for an hour, and then to Stompers (where I managed to lose my free drink ticket again! and this time I didn't discover it in my purse when I got home). It was a good night and it was great to be back out in Hongdae.
After a long lie on Sunday, I woke up a bit on the hungover side to get ready to go shopping in Yongsan. I was on a mission for a cell phone and not only did I find one, but it was easy as pie. The third place I asked had a KTF phone for 50,000 won that is half English, half Korean and so I took it. I even got some service: a cell phone charm, an extra cover and battery, and an earpiece. Julie picked up some DVDs and then we headed to Itaewon for phone cards and food at the Outback. I had missed those cheesy fries. And I showed the girls What the Book, where I then succombed to the lure of books and bought three second hand ones.
We've watched two of Julie's new DVDs already - Team America (America! Fuck yeah! Kim Jong-il is so ronrey!) and Matchpoint.
I have just finished reading The Jane Austen Book Club, which I thought was cute. I had been reading Women Who Run With the Wolves, but as much as I feel like I should like this book, I don't. I like the myths she tells, but all the Jungian analysis just bores me. I feel like I should finish it, as I am one of those people who finishes books, no matter what. I can only think of a very small handfull I haven't finished (War and Peace, though I loved it and intend to one day and Pride and Prejudice, which I have since finished but I started it over again at least three times). If I can keep myself from the bookstores, I suppose I will be driven by necessity - I only brought about ten books with me.
I have been up for hours cause I was going to go and get my alien card this morning, but my boss didn't fill out any of the info on the sheet he gave me. I don't even know my address in English, much less Korean!
After a long lie on Sunday, I woke up a bit on the hungover side to get ready to go shopping in Yongsan. I was on a mission for a cell phone and not only did I find one, but it was easy as pie. The third place I asked had a KTF phone for 50,000 won that is half English, half Korean and so I took it. I even got some service: a cell phone charm, an extra cover and battery, and an earpiece. Julie picked up some DVDs and then we headed to Itaewon for phone cards and food at the Outback. I had missed those cheesy fries. And I showed the girls What the Book, where I then succombed to the lure of books and bought three second hand ones.
We've watched two of Julie's new DVDs already - Team America (America! Fuck yeah! Kim Jong-il is so ronrey!) and Matchpoint.
I have just finished reading The Jane Austen Book Club, which I thought was cute. I had been reading Women Who Run With the Wolves, but as much as I feel like I should like this book, I don't. I like the myths she tells, but all the Jungian analysis just bores me. I feel like I should finish it, as I am one of those people who finishes books, no matter what. I can only think of a very small handfull I haven't finished (War and Peace, though I loved it and intend to one day and Pride and Prejudice, which I have since finished but I started it over again at least three times). If I can keep myself from the bookstores, I suppose I will be driven by necessity - I only brought about ten books with me.
I have been up for hours cause I was going to go and get my alien card this morning, but my boss didn't fill out any of the info on the sheet he gave me. I don't even know my address in English, much less Korean!
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Kimbap Calm
On Thursday night, I went to Ladies' Night in Itaewon with Amber and Marissa. We started at Gecko's for some food and a round of fancy drinks (Green Apple Martinis, yum) and ended up having a round bought for us by a soldier on his way back to the States. Amber was also the recipient of a lovely bunch of flowers from a Korean man who later fell asleep in the bar. We moved on to the Loft, which was fun as always. Highlights of the evening included a short guy totally into the music, dancing all by himself; a Korean guy dancing on the tables and doing a wee strip show; a Swedish guy who started off nice and ended up insulting everyone; and meeting a girl from Glasgow.
Friday I walked to school alone. The school is not even a five minute walk but for some reason it has taken me some time to figure the whole thing out. I picked up some kimbap on my way and thought to myself "aren't I wandering to work just like a Korean person? Picking up my kimbap on the way!"
I met up with an old friend Friday night and it was one of those evenings where you end up wondering if it is you who has changed or them. Some friends you can just pick up where you left off, others not so much. I had to go to Dangsan Station, for the first time, and alone. Managed to make it there, but had no idea where the bus stop to get back was, so I ended up taking a taxi. And I got slagged off for my poor ability to get around, but frankly, I thought I was doing pretty damn well!
Friday I walked to school alone. The school is not even a five minute walk but for some reason it has taken me some time to figure the whole thing out. I picked up some kimbap on my way and thought to myself "aren't I wandering to work just like a Korean person? Picking up my kimbap on the way!"
I met up with an old friend Friday night and it was one of those evenings where you end up wondering if it is you who has changed or them. Some friends you can just pick up where you left off, others not so much. I had to go to Dangsan Station, for the first time, and alone. Managed to make it there, but had no idea where the bus stop to get back was, so I ended up taking a taxi. And I got slagged off for my poor ability to get around, but frankly, I thought I was doing pretty damn well!
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
My first week at Heritage
My introduction to Heritage School has been interesting - first off, I am replacing a teacher who had a nervous breakdown the week before I came. Her classes were taught by other people for a week, which always causes confusion, things were left unmarked, she didn't leave me any notes or a schedule - all little things that just made those first couple of days that little bit more confusing. And, to top it off, there was a fire in her apartment a week before I moved in. It delayed my moving day, it meant that before so much as hanging up my clothes I had to wash the inside of the wardrobe and all the hangers, it meant that there is a real lack of any furniture or stuff that most apartments would have.
My first day of classes was long. First off, the way we teach at Heritage is very different than the way I was used to teaching at Poly. Not better or worse necessarily, but it took me a couple of days to wrap my mind around. And the schedule is definitely bizarre - each class is in a different week, in totally different parts of books. And on day one, the schedule I was given wasn't correct, so I walked into three classes with the wrong books or prepared for the wrong week.
The girls I work with are great. I've been hanging around with them a lot and everyone is so nice. Our neighbourhood is perfect for food shopping - a Home Plus (Tesco), an Emart and a Carrefour within five minutes of the apartment. However, there doesn't appear to be a whole lot else to do but eat. I have been to a couple of good restaurants (kimbap place, galbi) but the nearest movie theatre is probably Mokdong and we are a 15 minute bus ride from the most convienent subway station.
In general, I like it here. I like my apartment, I like my coworkers, I like the school. Life is good.
My first day of classes was long. First off, the way we teach at Heritage is very different than the way I was used to teaching at Poly. Not better or worse necessarily, but it took me a couple of days to wrap my mind around. And the schedule is definitely bizarre - each class is in a different week, in totally different parts of books. And on day one, the schedule I was given wasn't correct, so I walked into three classes with the wrong books or prepared for the wrong week.
The girls I work with are great. I've been hanging around with them a lot and everyone is so nice. Our neighbourhood is perfect for food shopping - a Home Plus (Tesco), an Emart and a Carrefour within five minutes of the apartment. However, there doesn't appear to be a whole lot else to do but eat. I have been to a couple of good restaurants (kimbap place, galbi) but the nearest movie theatre is probably Mokdong and we are a 15 minute bus ride from the most convienent subway station.
In general, I like it here. I like my apartment, I like my coworkers, I like the school. Life is good.
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Back in Seoul
So, here I sit, borrowing Amber's Mac, which I find a bit odd to use after a lifetime of PCs, back in Seoul.
The flight over was really, really long. I flew through Vancouver, so after five hours of flying there and an hour to change planes, I still had the 11 hour journey to Korea to get through. It gave me a lot of time to think, trying to figure out how I actually feel about my return to Korea - at one point, I was just sitting and trying to decide where I actually wanted that plane to be landing. Korea? Scotland? Back in Toronto? The last six months have been ridiculously chaotic for me and the one good thing about this move to Korea is that after months of introspection and constant analysis of absolutely everything in my life, at least right now I am doing something instead of just thinking about what I should do.
The flight in itself, while long and boring, had a few spectacular moments - for the first time in ages, I had a window seat and the view was spectacular. The view of the mountains flying into Vancouver, the view of the islands flying out. Alaska. Russia. Ice and snow. Amazing. I like flying over the far north because while it's on that ever lengthening list of places I would love to go and explore, realistically I am not likely to ever get THAT far north. And it is just beautiful.
At Incheon, we landed early, I cleared immigration in moments, and then my bags both showed up minutes after I arrived at the luggage belt. I don't think I have ever been off a plane and through the exit gate that quickly before. Mr. Joo, my new boss, picked me up and drove me to the apartment I will be staying at while waiting for mine to be ready. He seems nice and we managed to have some bizarre conversations. Whether this is the result of extreme jet lag, I don't know. Mr. Joo on Scottish people: "They are conservative people, but honest. I like them very much." On music: "The music of the 70s and 80s is better than hip hop. They were beautiful ballads and easier to understand."
So, he left me at Amber and Sean's apartment, to wait for them to return. I have to wait for him to clean my place - I had assumed this was because the last girl had just moved out, but it turns out there was a fire there a week ago and it has to be cleaned up and new furniture bought. Which is fine, but a bizzare thing to learn upon one's arrival. I had high hopes for knowing where I was - I saw the Carrefour and thought perhaps it was the one I knew, as Mr. Joo had suggested we were near Mokdong. That turns out not to be the case - which is good in terms of having a new neighbourhood to explore, but disappointing in that I felt good to think I knew where I was in the city in terms of subway access. However, I am sure given a week I will have that figured out anyway.
Amber and Sean are really nice and I went out with them for galbi. It was good to eat Korean food again. We chatted, drank some soju and rum & cokes, and watched a film, though to be honest, couldn't tell you what happened. I was in that horrible jet lagged place where you are just totally exhausted and yet somehow totally wired. They are off rock climbing today and I had intended to sleep in, but woke up at 7 and have been up since. I am actively attempting to rehydrate, after the dryness of flying combined with last night's drinking. I may be meeting up with another teacher, Julie, today, or I will have to go out and do some exploring of my own.
I am excited to be here, I think. I am sure that sounds silly and I wish I had a more concrete feeling about whether or not moving back was the right choice. I seem to go from elation at being back (like when I got an email from Val saying she'll be back in Korea for 10 days in May and suggesting a Ladies' Night at the Loft) to being really not so sure. I have a lot of confidence that all things will work out for the best, I just wish I had more idea how that was going to happen. I need to turn my brain off for a bit and go back to that zen bubble feeling I had in Korea last time - just let life happen. Go with the flow.
Leap and the net will appear, goes a Zen saying. I've leapt!
Thursday, April 01, 2004
Ranting about jobs and my discovery of libraries
My first blog post. Not bad for someone who only recently caught on to the whole scanning photos onto the computer malarkey. And due to Samarra's brilliant advice, I have ventured into the unknown world of internet banking and found it to be miraculous. The things I can do at the click of a mouse! But now, what to say?
Well, here I am at work on a Friday in Vancouver. It's not a bad job, though by no stretch of the imagination an amazing one. I recently read "Your Money or Your Life" by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robbins and they had a bit about Job Charming-the idea that one day a wonderful job will come along and make your entire life perfect. And did that ever resonate. But at the moment I'm not interested in a Job Charming-the rent is covered, there is money for exploring all the touristy nonsense that Vancouver has on offer, and the people are nice. So much better than my Scottish bank job-after that one I suspect I may be easy to please for the rest of my life. Thank Maude I finally escaped Mandate Centre hell.
Surprisingly, the aforementioned book was taken out from a library! By me, the person who has many a time complained about the annoying habit that libraries have of wanting their books back by the due date. The person who could come up with numerous reasons for being a huge "literature abuser" who never once sets foot in a library. Well, ok, occasionally I have, but only for university purposes. Never for pleasure. But I have to say, I quite like it now. I will no longer have to consider selling my kidney to support my book buying habit and I seem to be handling the whole due date thing rather better than I expected. I have had the two fines, but they were small ones. I do have a horrible habit of not even attempting to read a book until I have renewed the maximum amount of times possible and the due date is about 48 hours away, but there you go.
And that is precisely what I've done with Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood. Due tomorrow, finally finished on the bus this morning. Granted, it might have been finished awhile ago, if I ever found time to sleep and was able to stay awake to read a book on my morning commute on a more regular basis. But I can't rave enough about this book. It really was fantastic.
My literary addiction continues, but my film addiction seems to have abated with the move to Vancouver. In Toronto, I couldn't see enough films. Here I hardly ever make it to a theatre, though I've seen the occasional rental. However, this has been replaced instead by an addiction to ticketmaster.ca. I now get more tickets in the mail than bills (and far more than postcards and letters, my lazy friends!). The Barenaked Ladies was the most recent, and it was fantastic. Two audience members were dressed up in chicken suits, Lisa and I sat near security so we got to see many a concert goer hustled out, and there was a choreographed dance portion, reminiscent of a boy band, but with shopping carts. Genius. I went in February to Rock for Choice, also with Lisa, where I was introduced to Hayden-now a favourite of mine. A talk by Romeo Dallaire (yet another signed book! I'm an addict, I know), and an upcoming one by the Dalai Lama. And tickets to see Sarah Harmer with Jenny, and La Traviata by myself-where are all the opera lovers? Anyone?
Soon I will be 26. An age that rounds up to 30 no less. But I will have to leave it there, as my break is now almost over and I have a few Korean teaching job chores to do. I'm not a big fan of the job hunting process. I find that generally it requires you to be on your best behavior, while potential employers can be as rude and inconsiderate as they like. I may follow the rules and do the whole "thank-you for the interview" call, but they have no need to ever call back and tell me the outcome of that interview apparently! Between my, Jenni, and Alan's experiences, Vancouver employers have proven to be a particularly rude lot, though it is possible the problem is bigger than that. So job hunting by internet has it small advantages.
Well, here I am at work on a Friday in Vancouver. It's not a bad job, though by no stretch of the imagination an amazing one. I recently read "Your Money or Your Life" by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robbins and they had a bit about Job Charming-the idea that one day a wonderful job will come along and make your entire life perfect. And did that ever resonate. But at the moment I'm not interested in a Job Charming-the rent is covered, there is money for exploring all the touristy nonsense that Vancouver has on offer, and the people are nice. So much better than my Scottish bank job-after that one I suspect I may be easy to please for the rest of my life. Thank Maude I finally escaped Mandate Centre hell.
Surprisingly, the aforementioned book was taken out from a library! By me, the person who has many a time complained about the annoying habit that libraries have of wanting their books back by the due date. The person who could come up with numerous reasons for being a huge "literature abuser" who never once sets foot in a library. Well, ok, occasionally I have, but only for university purposes. Never for pleasure. But I have to say, I quite like it now. I will no longer have to consider selling my kidney to support my book buying habit and I seem to be handling the whole due date thing rather better than I expected. I have had the two fines, but they were small ones. I do have a horrible habit of not even attempting to read a book until I have renewed the maximum amount of times possible and the due date is about 48 hours away, but there you go.
And that is precisely what I've done with Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood. Due tomorrow, finally finished on the bus this morning. Granted, it might have been finished awhile ago, if I ever found time to sleep and was able to stay awake to read a book on my morning commute on a more regular basis. But I can't rave enough about this book. It really was fantastic.
My literary addiction continues, but my film addiction seems to have abated with the move to Vancouver. In Toronto, I couldn't see enough films. Here I hardly ever make it to a theatre, though I've seen the occasional rental. However, this has been replaced instead by an addiction to ticketmaster.ca. I now get more tickets in the mail than bills (and far more than postcards and letters, my lazy friends!). The Barenaked Ladies was the most recent, and it was fantastic. Two audience members were dressed up in chicken suits, Lisa and I sat near security so we got to see many a concert goer hustled out, and there was a choreographed dance portion, reminiscent of a boy band, but with shopping carts. Genius. I went in February to Rock for Choice, also with Lisa, where I was introduced to Hayden-now a favourite of mine. A talk by Romeo Dallaire (yet another signed book! I'm an addict, I know), and an upcoming one by the Dalai Lama. And tickets to see Sarah Harmer with Jenny, and La Traviata by myself-where are all the opera lovers? Anyone?
Soon I will be 26. An age that rounds up to 30 no less. But I will have to leave it there, as my break is now almost over and I have a few Korean teaching job chores to do. I'm not a big fan of the job hunting process. I find that generally it requires you to be on your best behavior, while potential employers can be as rude and inconsiderate as they like. I may follow the rules and do the whole "thank-you for the interview" call, but they have no need to ever call back and tell me the outcome of that interview apparently! Between my, Jenni, and Alan's experiences, Vancouver employers have proven to be a particularly rude lot, though it is possible the problem is bigger than that. So job hunting by internet has it small advantages.
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