First Weekend in Seoul

I can feel it already... especially in my arms... The pain is coming! hehe ^^

Monday is stretching day in Komdo. It will help me with my fitness ;) hehe. Tennis and Komdo every day (from monday to friday).

I got back from Seoul today as well. Got the Subway from Yeokgok to the Express Bus Terminal. I got lost a bit, looking for the actual Express bus Terminal, to buy a ticket back to GwangJu, but there was a kind man who helped me. Thank you very much ^^ hehe. I bought some Cd's in Seoul. I listened to the Epik High album on the way to GwangJu. It's very nice ;)

I bought the SonyM2... Its a very sexy camera. I got the white model, which isn't as popular as the black & silver model. But, i think it looks cooler. The Sony price, just for the camera, was 649000won. I got the M2, 2 Gigabyte memory stick and extra battery for 740000won. Not a bad deal I think.

When I get a notebook computer (hopefully in 2 months), I can then upload my photos, and make DVD's to send to family and friends in Australia.

Seoul was a great experience. It was nice to see HM and DS again. It felt a little weird to see them in Korea, after seeing them in Australia only a few months ago. But, it was good to see my hanguk hyong and my ilbon hyong again ;) We went to Yongsan (I bought the M2, Daisuke bought a MP3 player), and then Itaewon (I bought a baseball shirt, sandles, some gifts for family for christmas). Had dinner with HM, DS and their flatmate SH.

Sunday, DS and I went to Incheon, and had a look at ChinaTown there. So much better than China town in Melbourne! HM had a TOEIC exam, so he couldn't make it. In the afternoon, DS and I met up with YM1 and YM2, they took us to Cheongyecheon (I hope that is right), a small river in Seoul, which has had work down, and is now very popular. Kyobo is a large underground book/music/marketplace thing, bought a few things there. DS wanted Pasta for dinner, so we found a place near there, and got Pasta and Pizza. When we got back to the flat, DS and I went shopping in Home Plus (that is open for 24hours) nearby, and bought a few things. I bought a 2 movies, and a korean book ;)

Bought some soju to drink with HM and DS for the last night I was in Seoul... On friday, saturday and sunday nights, got to bed at 3am each time. It cought up with me monday morning, since I had to get up at 6:30, to get an early bus back to GwangJu, so I could make it back to work in time. Choosing the Udeung (deluxe) bus was a good idea... more comfortable seats!

So, got back to SaChang with enough time to get home, unpack, start a load of waching, have a shower (I had a shower before I left Seoul, but for some reason (which I dont know) the heaters were on full blast on the subway and bus, so I was a bit yucky) and get to work with enough time to get things organised.

After Work, and after Komdo, I am waiting for the school bus to arrive, so I dont have to walk home in the cold windy weather. Will I get up and play tennis at 9am tomorrow morning?

Chinatown @ Incheon

Things were okay today. I got my hot water fixed. It wasn't working properly. Thought I'd give it a second chance today, to see if it was just a chance thing... but, having a cold shower, when it's only 5 degrees outside isn't good... so, got that fixed tonight. Its so quiet now! hehe

On a bad note, had an incident in one of my classes where a boy (possibly 2) who swore and insulted a girl in my class in korean, and I didn't know until the class ended. It was for half the class where the mood was crazy. The really dissapointing thing, is that the students involved were the ones I trust the most. When I first talked to my boss about it, he said it was a misunderstanding, and that the girl that was crying, cries all the time. I told him, that whether she cries all the time or not, isn't the point. Children at the age of 12, have a concept of what is right and what is wrong. I told him that if it happens again, I dont want them in my class. They have no right to do that to anyone.

On the way back to my place, to let the plumber in to fix my hot water, we had another discussion about it. He had to talk to the girls mum (from what he told me, more like tolerate her anger), and he said that I was right - I shouldn't have to put up with that. The downside to that is that when students say rude/obscene/innapropriate things in korean, I have no idea what they're saying... One way to fix it: no korean in my class.

So... because of today's incident... here are the new class rules (in English and Korean):

1. Act respectfully at all times: to every person and their posessions.
1. 교실에서는 항상 모든 사람에게 공손하고, 물건은 소중히 다루세요.

2: In class, use English at all times. Do not use Korean in class, unless Andy선생님 says to.
2: 수업중에는, 항상 영어를 사용하세요. 학생들은 Andy 선생님이 허락할때 한국말을 할 수 있습니다.

3: Only sit on chairs. Do not sit on, or climb over the tables.
3: 의자에만 앉도록 하세요. 책상에 앉거나, 올라가지 마세요.

4: Put your hand up and wait, if you want Andy선생님's attention.
4: Andy 선생님의 주의를 원한다면, 손을 들고 기다리세요.

5: When Andy선생님 is talking, listen carefully, and dont interrupt.
5: Andy 선생님이 말할때는 주의깊게 듣고, 끼어들지 마세요.

Remember, Andy선생님 is an English teacher, not an English/Korean translator.
Andy 선생님은 영어선생님이지, 영어를 한국말로 번역하는 사람이 아니라는 것을 명심하세요.

You would be surprised how pissed off a toilet that doesn't flush properly and waiting 10 minutes to use hot water can make you! There days where I dont care, and there are days like today, where every little thing just pisses you off instantly! It's not good...

Things are going okay... I get paid in a few days... and a bit under half of that will be going towards a digital camera... a Sony M2! They look great, and take really good stills and movies as well... Thats my treat, for making it to korea, and surviving this long ^^

Still not sure to buy it in GwangJu or Seoul... Might be cheaper in Seoul... See how it goes... Depends how impatient I get ^^

I'm gonna start Komdo (Japanese fencing) next month, I'm really looking forward to that. I'm still doing the morning tennis thing too... I think I'll start walking there, instead of getting a ride with my boss. I feel like I am relying on him too much...

Pepero Day

>Pepero day... 11/11 in Korea... The day where you buy heaps of chocolate coated biscuts, kinda shaped like an orchestra conductor's baton, and give to the people you like... kind of like a november valentine's day.

Going to GwangJu this weekend, gonna check it out. Get a hamburger! With real meat! hehe

This week has been okay. Been getting tired and sore from tennis, but, having one day off helps. I'm thinking of starting Komdo soon (Kendo), looks cool, and fun ^^

It was good to see SJ, HP and YS again... We went to NaeJang Mountain, famous for it's autumn leaves (some great colors there)... HyunPil got a little lost (only because he didn't listen to YonSil giving him directions ^^ hehe). But, I was so happy to see them. I took some great photos, and can't wait to see them again. Hopefully going to Changwon soon... Maybe, I could spend christmas or new years with them... that's not too far away...

Started plaing tennis again. My boss is a good tennis player, and he is training me every weekday in the morning. When I get better, I will start to play some games. When I play tennis in the morning, it makes me feel good for the rest of the day.

Classes are going okay too. I am starting to get used to things here in Korea, but there are still alot of things to experience. I haven't been to GwangJu yet. I will do that next weekend. SJ, HP and YS are coming to see me tomorrow. It will be nice to see them again ;)