Taken on KTX ^^ Another thing in Korea known for Speed. Let you figure out which one :p
10 years ago
Speed, Anyone?
Its for sending packages by courier, but made me laugh when I thought about how Koreans use the world "Speed" and the other meaning of "Speed", as in the drug.
Taken on KTX ^^ Another thing in Korea known for Speed. Let you figure out which one :p
Taken on KTX ^^ Another thing in Korea known for Speed. Let you figure out which one :p
Blog from Work
Well, just got "asked" by the boss to use less Korean in class, and sure, I understand him. I realise that I use a lot of Korean in English class, but most of it is due to behavioural problems, and explaining some concepts. I really gave up on making a class 100% English, mainly because of the students' attitude towards English and towards Foreigners.
My reply was: Sure, I understand you, and I will try to do my classes all in English, but with some of the students behvaior, lack of respect, and there general attitude towards English and Foriegners, its very difficult. He then discussed why I need to do it, which I understood the first time when he said it, so I just repeated what I said. So he came into my class, with students waiting for their lesson to start, and starts talking in Korean to them, and they laugh. So, obvious its not an important issue for them or him.
So, I'm gonna change my classes starting from next year. They will be more stuctured, students will not address me as "Andy Teacher", it will me Mr. M. They're gonna get the full deal, finally. They won't know what hit them (in a good way).
My current MSN status: Andy's 2008 is gonna be great, so don't fuck it up! Yep, I'm talking to YOU!
My reply was: Sure, I understand you, and I will try to do my classes all in English, but with some of the students behvaior, lack of respect, and there general attitude towards English and Foriegners, its very difficult. He then discussed why I need to do it, which I understood the first time when he said it, so I just repeated what I said. So he came into my class, with students waiting for their lesson to start, and starts talking in Korean to them, and they laugh. So, obvious its not an important issue for them or him.
So, I'm gonna change my classes starting from next year. They will be more stuctured, students will not address me as "Andy Teacher", it will me Mr. M. They're gonna get the full deal, finally. They won't know what hit them (in a good way).
My current MSN status: Andy's 2008 is gonna be great, so don't fuck it up! Yep, I'm talking to YOU!
2007 can get f****d ^^
I can smell 2008 coming, and its a mixture of gimchi, paid off credit cards, and good times. Overall, 2007 sucked, and i'm glad its on the way out.
Yesterday, I went to Jangseong station, to my all my train tickets for my weekend. Going to Busan and Daegu to meet some friends. 6 tickets in total! For 3 days. I did my homework on the Korail website, to get all the tickets I wanted. Some trains were not available, but the next morning, some were (have no idea why it changed overnight), so I went there to get all the tickets I wanted. Wrote them all down on a piece of paper, and just handed them to the woman who was there (who was quite pretty, with a good smile by the way, and very kind, helping me out with checking the times, and saving a few thousand won, by reminding me to get a backwards seat on KTX). She was a bit confused at first, i think because my Koreans wasn't all that good. I wasn't sure how to ask it, so I just gave her the piece of paper and said (이표들 주세요). Maybe she thought I was some kind of thief, with a letter saying, hang over all your money. It took about 10 minutes to get them all done and checked. Cost me about 75000won (AU$92, for people playing at home). But at least on the train, there's always a toilet, and if it says its gonna arrive at a certain time, it does.
Yesterday, I went to Jangseong station, to my all my train tickets for my weekend. Going to Busan and Daegu to meet some friends. 6 tickets in total! For 3 days. I did my homework on the Korail website, to get all the tickets I wanted. Some trains were not available, but the next morning, some were (have no idea why it changed overnight), so I went there to get all the tickets I wanted. Wrote them all down on a piece of paper, and just handed them to the woman who was there (who was quite pretty, with a good smile by the way, and very kind, helping me out with checking the times, and saving a few thousand won, by reminding me to get a backwards seat on KTX). She was a bit confused at first, i think because my Koreans wasn't all that good. I wasn't sure how to ask it, so I just gave her the piece of paper and said (이표들 주세요). Maybe she thought I was some kind of thief, with a letter saying, hang over all your money. It took about 10 minutes to get them all done and checked. Cost me about 75000won (AU$92, for people playing at home). But at least on the train, there's always a toilet, and if it says its gonna arrive at a certain time, it does.Was talking to my friend James, who is an Australian guy who teaches English in Daegu. He was in Japan for a few years before coming to Korea, and like me, has pretty much had enough of all the bullshit related to work. He's only got 3 months to go, and then he's out of here. He's really sick of Korean's attitude towards foreigners, and the students attitude as well. I can totally understand him. I feel that I'm wasting my time here, but overall, Korea is a good country. I've made good friends here, and had good experiences here.
Today is last day of class for 2007, and I'm not even gonna bother trying to teach anything, especially to middle school. Middle school kids are one reason why I really hate Korea, because most of them are rude, racist, and need a good kick in the ass (more than one, of course - don't get me started on the lack of parenting skills here in Korea). Because of last class (and having 3 days off after weekend) and Friday, kids are gonna be more feral than usual. I'm not gonna put up with any bullshit today, also, not really gonna teach anything anyway.
Going to Jeongeup again for Geomdo this weekend, then will be going to Busan, via Daejeon. Just before Daejeon, the two lines, one going to Busan, one going to Gwangju/Mokpo, split before getting into Daejeon, so they stop at two different stations. The Gwangju/Mopko line stops in West Daejeon, and the Busan line stops at Daejeon Station. So, I have to get a taxi (or take the subway) from West Daejeon Station to Daejeon Station. It's no big deal ^^
Christmas
Didn't really see the point of working on christmas eve, knowing that the kids would be absolutely feral. So, just did a bit of study, free talking, and a few games.
After work, I went to Jeongeup, to hang out with 관장님. He's really into computers, so I brought along my Apple Macbook Pro for him to have a play with. He really liked it, and was a little jealous. We had dinner at a 갈비집. It's the best 갈비 I have ever eaten... anywhere! When we got back, just relaxed, has some apples and ice-cream.
Woke up late today, and had a huge breakfast, then went to a museum just outside of Jeongeup. It was about some historical battles, with the common people fighting against the government, coz the government was taxing the fuck out of them. Then, both armies joined up to give hell to the Japanese who were trying to take over at the time. Very interesting. It had a small section about other civil events in other countries, where I stumbled on this map of Australia. Notice anything weird?
Came back to my town at about 5:30pm, rested for a while, got the usual Dolsot Bibimbap for dinner ;) Gotta work tomorrow.The alarm is set for 6:30am. WILL go to the gym :p Sounds good in theory... but when you wake up at 6:30am, with a cold, you don't feel so good, so you tell the alarm to get fucked, and go back to sleep :p
After work, I went to Jeongeup, to hang out with 관장님. He's really into computers, so I brought along my Apple Macbook Pro for him to have a play with. He really liked it, and was a little jealous. We had dinner at a 갈비집. It's the best 갈비 I have ever eaten... anywhere! When we got back, just relaxed, has some apples and ice-cream.
Woke up late today, and had a huge breakfast, then went to a museum just outside of Jeongeup. It was about some historical battles, with the common people fighting against the government, coz the government was taxing the fuck out of them. Then, both armies joined up to give hell to the Japanese who were trying to take over at the time. Very interesting. It had a small section about other civil events in other countries, where I stumbled on this map of Australia. Notice anything weird?
Came back to my town at about 5:30pm, rested for a while, got the usual Dolsot Bibimbap for dinner ;) Gotta work tomorrow.
Weekend, Part 3
Met up with GY at Gangbyeon station just after 11am. It only took about 65 minutes to get to there, from Bucheon station. I was glad that the trains weren't packed, like last night. It would have been okay if I didn't have my big bag with all my stuff in it.
Anyway, I had a great time with GY. He's a pretty cool guy, and we talked a lot about many different things. Got some coffee, walked around his uni, and Grand Park, and then had some lunch at VIPs. Went to an Arcade game hall, and had some fun there, then some more coffee and chatting. He worries about his English, but his English ability is actually quite good ^^
Met M again at Yongsan for some dinner and walking. (Finally) found the Artbox that was there and checked things out. Loved the comedy value mug that says "Contence might be very hot"... considering that you have to fill it yourself ;)
Got KTX home, but was sitting next to this old guy, that had this way toxic breath, crossed between Gimchi, Shit and a Truckload of stale cigarette butts. So, everytime he coughed, it was like a blood vessel in my brain burst. Even the people sitting in the chair in front complained. Kinda was hoping to have a seat to myself... :p
Made it back home just after 10, sorted some out, and am about to go to bed. Have to work tomorrow...
Anyway, I had a great time with GY. He's a pretty cool guy, and we talked a lot about many different things. Got some coffee, walked around his uni, and Grand Park, and then had some lunch at VIPs. Went to an Arcade game hall, and had some fun there, then some more coffee and chatting. He worries about his English, but his English ability is actually quite good ^^
Met M again at Yongsan for some dinner and walking. (Finally) found the Artbox that was there and checked things out. Loved the comedy value mug that says "Contence might be very hot"... considering that you have to fill it yourself ;)Got KTX home, but was sitting next to this old guy, that had this way toxic breath, crossed between Gimchi, Shit and a Truckload of stale cigarette butts. So, everytime he coughed, it was like a blood vessel in my brain burst. Even the people sitting in the chair in front complained. Kinda was hoping to have a seat to myself... :p
Made it back home just after 10, sorted some out, and am about to go to bed. Have to work tomorrow...
Weekend, Part 2
It was great seeing M, even if it was only for a short time. We get along pretty well, and can talk up a storm. She's an awesome friend to have ^^
Well, I don't know how bad it was for M, but I think she got to her desitnation okay... As for me, haha! Its Christmas, Saturday night, and Seoul. For something that should have taken me 40 minutes, took me 90 minutes. I waited for a train with enough space, and when it did come, it was bound for Guro, and I needed to go a few more stations after that. I was getting pretty sick and tired of Koreans seeing that I've got a huge sports bag, with practice swords sticking out, bumping it, and getting in the damn way, and then giving me an evil look coz I accidently hit them. If you moved out of the FUCKING way, you wouldn't be hit. Lol.
So yeah, made it to Bucheon to meet HM and BG at just after 7pm. After Guro, i took a taxi, coz the subway was just shitting me. Traffic was as bad as the subway. But, I got there, and it was all good. We had 찜덝 (Not sure is that's the right spelling), and it was so damn good. HM and BG said that I am a 전라도사람, because it was spicy, and 전라도 people are good at eating spicy food (well, they're right, I can't really avoid spice food in 전라도 ㅋㅋㅋ). We met up with EJ afterwards, and talked for ages. It was good to see her again. She has this awesome smile that just radiates ^^
Came back to HM's place after that, and we sat and talked for a while. He has a test today (which he decided not to go to now, because it stayed up until 3am studying... 바보형). Going to meet GY later in 강변역, which is near Jamsil. Probably will take me about 70 or 80 minutes to get there.
Well, I don't know how bad it was for M, but I think she got to her desitnation okay... As for me, haha! Its Christmas, Saturday night, and Seoul. For something that should have taken me 40 minutes, took me 90 minutes. I waited for a train with enough space, and when it did come, it was bound for Guro, and I needed to go a few more stations after that. I was getting pretty sick and tired of Koreans seeing that I've got a huge sports bag, with practice swords sticking out, bumping it, and getting in the damn way, and then giving me an evil look coz I accidently hit them. If you moved out of the FUCKING way, you wouldn't be hit. Lol.
So yeah, made it to Bucheon to meet HM and BG at just after 7pm. After Guro, i took a taxi, coz the subway was just shitting me. Traffic was as bad as the subway. But, I got there, and it was all good. We had 찜덝 (Not sure is that's the right spelling), and it was so damn good. HM and BG said that I am a 전라도사람, because it was spicy, and 전라도 people are good at eating spicy food (well, they're right, I can't really avoid spice food in 전라도 ㅋㅋㅋ). We met up with EJ afterwards, and talked for ages. It was good to see her again. She has this awesome smile that just radiates ^^
Came back to HM's place after that, and we sat and talked for a while. He has a test today (which he decided not to go to now, because it stayed up until 3am studying... 바보형). Going to meet GY later in 강변역, which is near Jamsil. Probably will take me about 70 or 80 minutes to get there.
Japanese Human Tetris
I'd give it a go... if I was small enough :p
I've seen one with Korean K1 fighter 최홍만 (who is 218cm tall), and he just breaks the foam cutouts ^^
Weekend is still a weekend, no matter how shit is starts
Well, was all ready to get the bus out of my town at 8:20am, when... Yep, nature called in a big way, as in, don't even think about riding a bus for 25 minutes kinda way. LOL. So, ended up getting the next bus, at 8:50 to Jangseong, got there at 9:15 and walked to the train station.
Now, I was meant to get to Jeongeup for Geomdo class, so while nature was calling (yeah, I've been known to text at that time ^^) I sent a message, to let them know that I'd be late. They didn't check their messages until I'm about 2 minutes to get on the train do Jeongeup, and called me. Now, I thought my Korean ability was okay, but I've noticed that people in Jeongeup have quite a different accent than what I'm used to hearing. At first, I thought It was only my Geomdo teacher, but I was sitting next to a guy from Jeongeup on the train, and I had a hard time understanding him. Anyway, the Geomeo teacher, his wife and their students, were going to go to some kind of hot springs thing, but pretty much at the same time that they're telling me, the train is coming, and they're gonna come to Jangseong and get me. It was just to hard to deal with, so they called me back after getting on the train and told me to wait on a PC room and wait for him to come back. Took me a few minutes after the phone call to figure out what he said, so I just sent a message back saying don't worry about it, and I'll come next weekend. I completely forgot about the going to the hot springs thing, but when we said that, it was over the phone, the geomdo teacher's wife was speaking Korean to me (even though she can speak English), and there was a maybe in there.
Anyway, I didn't want to inconvenience them, so just cancelled. So, when I arrived at Jeongeup, just got a ticket for Seoul. Had to get special class Saemaeul, which is no different than the regular part of the train. Took 3.5 hours and cost 31,100won, and got to Yongsan at about 2:10pm. Called M while I for some lunch (Loterria was such a bad idea, it messed with my heart), and called M. While waiting for her, went for a walk along Cheonggyecheon, and bought a new Nike bag at Dongdaemun Market. I got sick of carrying around my Geomdo uniform, my practice swords. Dongdaemun was such a bad idea for shopping, and carrying a huge bag.
M's just turned up at the coffee shop. Will blog later. She deserves my full attention ^^
Now, I was meant to get to Jeongeup for Geomdo class, so while nature was calling (yeah, I've been known to text at that time ^^) I sent a message, to let them know that I'd be late. They didn't check their messages until I'm about 2 minutes to get on the train do Jeongeup, and called me. Now, I thought my Korean ability was okay, but I've noticed that people in Jeongeup have quite a different accent than what I'm used to hearing. At first, I thought It was only my Geomdo teacher, but I was sitting next to a guy from Jeongeup on the train, and I had a hard time understanding him. Anyway, the Geomeo teacher, his wife and their students, were going to go to some kind of hot springs thing, but pretty much at the same time that they're telling me, the train is coming, and they're gonna come to Jangseong and get me. It was just to hard to deal with, so they called me back after getting on the train and told me to wait on a PC room and wait for him to come back. Took me a few minutes after the phone call to figure out what he said, so I just sent a message back saying don't worry about it, and I'll come next weekend. I completely forgot about the going to the hot springs thing, but when we said that, it was over the phone, the geomdo teacher's wife was speaking Korean to me (even though she can speak English), and there was a maybe in there.
Anyway, I didn't want to inconvenience them, so just cancelled. So, when I arrived at Jeongeup, just got a ticket for Seoul. Had to get special class Saemaeul, which is no different than the regular part of the train. Took 3.5 hours and cost 31,100won, and got to Yongsan at about 2:10pm. Called M while I for some lunch (Loterria was such a bad idea, it messed with my heart), and called M. While waiting for her, went for a walk along Cheonggyecheon, and bought a new Nike bag at Dongdaemun Market. I got sick of carrying around my Geomdo uniform, my practice swords. Dongdaemun was such a bad idea for shopping, and carrying a huge bag.
M's just turned up at the coffee shop. Will blog later. She deserves my full attention ^^
Another average day
I still can't get back into a regular rhythm since i stayed up all weekend fixing my computer. Today, woke up at 7am, feeling shitty (I think I'm coming down with a cold), and just laid in bed for the next hour and a half. So, here I am now, eating breakfast (some bread, tangerines and water) and doing the usual of checking out the blogs I usually go to, logging into messenger and shit like that. I do plan to go to the gym gym today. I know I can go a 600cal cardio workout, i just gotta be in the right mindset to do it. Yesterday, I was totally not in the mindset for a good working, and with my left knee playing up, after 2 mins in, i just thought, fuck it.
Yesterday was just another regular day. My kids are alright, but I'm pretty sure that either South Korea has no idea about ADD, or they just ignore mental problems, hoping that they go away. I have a few kids that need to be constantly reminded to do work, and its not a lazy, "i'm gonna fuck about and waste time" thing, its a "I can't concentrate for longer than 2 seconds, unless there is someone there with me telling me what to do" thing. With being in the Education industry for a few years, I can tell which one is which. Job/Career wise, Teaching English in Korea is a waste of time. Overall, its a good experience, but doesn't really get you anywhere. Its just felt like a long holiday, that has slowly gotten worse. Which is why I'm not renewing my contract. I was meant to get paid yesterday, but for the first time, the boss asked me if it was okay if I pay you on Saturday. I have no problems with that, coz I have enough cash to last me until then, but the boss gave me 200,000won to get me through until then (coz I mentioned that I was going to Seoul on Saturday).
I don't know what it is, but I hate the way that Koreans knock on the door. Rather than a few polite knocks, not too loud or heavy, and with a bit of space in between, they bang on the door, using their fists, and just bang a few times. Then, if you don't call out in the next 1 or 2 seconds, they do it again! Shits me!
Anyway, I don't start until 3:20pm today, which means I've got a bit more time at the gym. I just hope I'm in the right mindset today.
Here's another pic, from my grade 6 artist, who was drawing Seongbin sleepwalking:
Trains, New Places, New Directions
Went to Jeongeup to meet my new Geomdo teacher today, and to meet my new "students". Every Saturday morning, I'll be going to Jeongeup to do Geomdo, and also, to help out at the Geomdo Teacher's Wife's mini Hagwon. It was good meeting everyone today. I chose to go to Jeongeup, instead of Gwangju, because I've met the teacher at Jeongeup and his wife a few times, at Geomdo tests and Competitions, so I felt that I would be more comfortable learning from him. He can't speak a lot of English, and he was worried about how we would communicate, but I told him, even though my old Geomdo teacher and I could communicate though a mixture of Korean, English and Konglish, when he was teaching me Geomdo, I learned best by watching. We just need time to adjust (맞추다) to each other. I told him about what I would like to get out of the class. I don't care about getting 2nd level black belt, I want to focus on the competition stuff. I really wanna try to enter a competition here, and have some fun doing that. I also wanna freak out some Koreans by giving it a go ;)
So, 사무님 (Samonim - teacher's wife) cooked us lunch, which was really delicious, and then he got me to do a few Geomdo moves, just to get an idea of what I can and can't do (I can't tumble or do handstands, and my knees are pretty much fucked).Then we went to a park near 내장산 (Naejangsan), the kids played, while we walked around and talked. He's a decent guy, and wants to help me out. He's just worried that I won't like his teaching style, and i told him, it takes time to adjust to new things (his accent, is one of them, i had some trouble understanding his Korean ^^), but its all good. I know that every teacher has a different style, and I need to adjust to his style.
He will do some things differently than my old teacher, but that's how it is. I'm still learning the same stuff, just learning it differently. Even though its winter, a few of the trees haven't lost their leaves, so took a quick picture as we were leaving.
We went back to Jeongeup station, and I got KTX back to Jangseong (8,100won), and then a local bus back to my apartment (1,300won). It was really good to meet him and talk with him for a long period of time. I didn't get many chances to meet with him before hand, because he was busy those times (because of Competitions - either looking after his students who were competing, or judging, or he was judging the Geomdo tests, like at my black belt test).
Went to a restaurant for dinner, then decided to get some singing practice at Noraebang (for people playing at home, Noraebang is your own little karaoke room), because I will be meeting friends in Seoul on Saturday night, and most likely We'll end up singing in a Noraebang somewhere :p
Just wanna leave the post with some Irony: the pic says "Welcome to the fantastic English world... You'll be so excited...!!!" Like f**k the students will be :p
Romanization of Korean
One thing that really shits me the most, is the number of ways Koreans mix and match different parts of Romanisation systems. It gets to a point where I tell all my Korean friends to write any Korean nouns in Korean, because its just easier. So, to help out my Korean friends, or other learners of Korean, I typed up this information, from the back on an English notebook. Feel free to download it, print it, sent it to Korean friends, show your boss, walk around on the train showing people, like the beggars with notes asking for money :p
Thanks to 병성, 승호, 기중, 상영, 연미, Clara and anyone else who I forgot to mention (It's 2am, don't mess with me ^^).
Monday, f**king Monday
I'm not a fan of Mondays, which is understandable, but due to my weekend, this Monday was just shit. My weekend was pretty shit, because I had plans to meet friends in Daegu, but the cancelled. I can understand why they cancelled (but then why did they agree to the plans in the first place?). It was too cold to do anything, and the whole staying up until 7am on saturday morning really messed with my body clock.
I didn't even hear my alarm this morning, which was set to 7:30am, so that i could get to the gym at about 9:30, and be there until about 11:30 or 12pm... Sounds good in theory. I woke up at 10:30, quickly had breakfast, and had my heart meds, and waited for them to kick in, and was about to walk out of the apartment, when someone calls me. It was the wife of another Geomdo teacher, which I had met a few times at Geomdo level tests and various comps around Korea. Since my Geomdo teacher has moved, I got him to send all my stuff (new uniform and certificate) to Jeong-eup (정읍) for me to pick them up. So, she called me to say that my new uniform had arrived.
Also, I wanted to run an idea past her, which I kind of knew that she would approve. She's after a native English speaker, and to be honest, I wasn't interested in working on weekends, because I like to have them free. But now, things are different. I want to continue Geomdo, and I've met her husband before, and he's a cool guy. So, i suggested to her, that I'd teach her kids for 2 hours, and then her husband would teach me Geomdo for 2 hours. She was pretty wrapped about the idea. I know it takes a fair chunk out of my Saturday, but if I get there early enough, I could do Geomdo first, then teach her kids after that. Also, Jeong-eup has a KTX train station (so does Jangseong, the town that's only 10km away from me), so from there, on Saturday afternoons, I can travel to anywhere by train/KTX, and then get a bus or the train again back home on Sundays.
Wednesday is voting day in South Korea, but I don't have to vote, so its a day off for me. In South Korea, voting isn't compulsory, but they made the day Wednesday, so that people wouldn't have long weekends. So, this Wednesday, I'm thinking of going to Jeong-eup to talk the Geomdo teacher and his wife to sort out things.
Feels weird to come home at 7:30 after work, and not get ready for Geomdo. I'll get used to it though. There is a big plan to wake up early, so that i can spend more time at the gym in the mornings, but its so cold in the morning ^^
Korean Elections
This is how Koreans promote themselves during Election time. With singing and dancing. They come for about 10 minutes, then move on to another place. I think they might actually talk about their policies between the songs. Its all 샤라샤라 to me.
Shut the f**K up and JUMP!
Once again, one of the best musical acts in the WORLD, Scooter, keeps the dance world on its toes. Literally. Jump style is here, and its fucking with your mind in so many happy ways, way better than any drugs can ever do!
I bought their latest album, "Jumping all over the World", and it does make you wanna jump!
And No Matches
(latest single)
The Question is What is the Question?
(previous single)
(latest single)
The Question is What is the Question?
(previous single)
I bought their latest album, "Jumping all over the World", and it does make you wanna jump!
Last Geomdo class, work and Computers
Got to the gym late today, at about 12pm, because I was waiting for my Geomdo teacher to come over to pick up some passport photos for my reprinting of my Black Belt certificate. Did a killer 650 kCal work out (600 of that on the stepper machine), and had the usual Dolbi (short for Dolsot Bibimbap) at the usual place, and got to work 35min before my first class, so had plenty of time to get things ready. I start 1 hour later on Fridays.
Anyway, 6pm rolls around and I'm ready for my first middle school class, which the boss aid I would have today, but these different group of kids turn up and the boss says "Can you teach these kids for 90 minutes?". This is the level of profesionalism that you will get to know and love if you ever work in South Korea. So I just magically pulled English out from nowhere (you don't want to know where) for the lesson. The work I prepared for the classes I was TOLD I would have was too hard for half the class, so I had to abandon that, and just ended up making shit as I went, which included converting a few Korean games into English on the fly. It's Friday, my last Geomdo class, so I didn't give a f**k, and obviously the boss didn't either.
I got out of work at 7:30 and headed for a PC room. On the way, I ordered the pizza for the party that we were having after our last Geomdo class. I got to the PC room, full of soldiers and cigarette smoke as usual, and wasted some time. Updated my cyworld with my workout info for today (I always write down what I do, so I can keep track of it), and played some GoStop. Went to Geomdo class, we practiced for about 20 ~ 30 minutes, then ate the pizza. It felt so weird to see the Geomdojang half empty, and things moved out of place. It won't really sink in until after class Monday, when I come home and realise that that's the end of my day.
I decided to reformat my Hard Drive and re-install Leopard, since its been a bit dodgy recently. It's about half way through making an image of the current drive. When that's done, I'll install the OS, the updates, a few choice apps, and then go to bed. Just incase you're wondering, I'm using my iPod touch to type this entry.
My weekend is pretty full. Tomorrow morning I'll go to the gym, then go to Gwangju in the afternoon to buy some books for work and to see I am Legend at the cinema. Sunday, I'm helping my Geomdo teacher move his stuff out, and cleaning the Geomdojang. I was going to go to Daegu to meet friends, but their super busy due to their studies. I'll meet them after new years, my next two weekends are already planned out! ^^
Anyway, 6pm rolls around and I'm ready for my first middle school class, which the boss aid I would have today, but these different group of kids turn up and the boss says "Can you teach these kids for 90 minutes?". This is the level of profesionalism that you will get to know and love if you ever work in South Korea. So I just magically pulled English out from nowhere (you don't want to know where) for the lesson. The work I prepared for the classes I was TOLD I would have was too hard for half the class, so I had to abandon that, and just ended up making shit as I went, which included converting a few Korean games into English on the fly. It's Friday, my last Geomdo class, so I didn't give a f**k, and obviously the boss didn't either.
I got out of work at 7:30 and headed for a PC room. On the way, I ordered the pizza for the party that we were having after our last Geomdo class. I got to the PC room, full of soldiers and cigarette smoke as usual, and wasted some time. Updated my cyworld with my workout info for today (I always write down what I do, so I can keep track of it), and played some GoStop. Went to Geomdo class, we practiced for about 20 ~ 30 minutes, then ate the pizza. It felt so weird to see the Geomdojang half empty, and things moved out of place. It won't really sink in until after class Monday, when I come home and realise that that's the end of my day.
I decided to reformat my Hard Drive and re-install Leopard, since its been a bit dodgy recently. It's about half way through making an image of the current drive. When that's done, I'll install the OS, the updates, a few choice apps, and then go to bed. Just incase you're wondering, I'm using my iPod touch to type this entry.My weekend is pretty full. Tomorrow morning I'll go to the gym, then go to Gwangju in the afternoon to buy some books for work and to see I am Legend at the cinema. Sunday, I'm helping my Geomdo teacher move his stuff out, and cleaning the Geomdojang. I was going to go to Daegu to meet friends, but their super busy due to their studies. I'll meet them after new years, my next two weekends are already planned out! ^^
2nd last Geomdo Class, Thursday
As usual, went to the gym today. Was a good work out. The new Scooter album really got me pumped for it. "Jumping All Over the World" is definitely worth the money, just for the jumpability ^^ I had to explain why I was laughing so much when I heard the rave/dance cover of the theme from Neverending Story. They did an awesome job of it too.
I had lunch with the trainer today. We went to my usual restaurant, and we both bad Dolsot Bibimbap (동솥비빔밥). It was the first time for us to sit down and have a chat, without one (or both of us) sweating from exercise, or with loud shitty Korean gym music blaring.
Work was just okay, as usual. The boss gave me 24 hours notice for a timetable change. 24 hours notice! That is damn rare in Korea!
Went to Geomdo class, and practiced 예도 1번. I think I've got it sorted out. Just gotta remember it. I received my Black Belt, Certificate and Certificate Card today. So many English mistakes on it (my name was spelt wrong, person was spelt "peson", awarded was spelt "swarded", and my nationality was listed as Korean), so I sat down and corrected it, and my Geomdo Teacher will order a new one tomorrow. That reminds me, I gotta find my ID photos.
Im feeling pretty sad about the whole Geomdo thing, but that's life. I totally respect my Geomdo Teacher for making a huge decision to immigrate to another country. He's gotta family to support, and he really hates Korean life. One thing I hate, is Koreans who complain about their life here, but don't do anything to change it. I admire people who do something to make their life better, no matter what others might think of them. Bottom line is, he's the best damn bloke in Korea i've met so far, and not many are gonna be able to get to his level of integrity and honor.
Enough said. Now for some Pics.
So, here's me with my Black Belt Certificate, after I circled and crossed out all the English mistakes. The Geomdo teacher and I were writing them on a piece of paper, but there were just too many. :p
From Left to Right:
The New Guy, he started about 2 weeks ago. I just call him 형님.
My Geomdo Teacher. Respect.
Me.
One of the kids there, was checking out my camera when he took this photo of my Geomdo teacher, as he was giving me my black belt. Its just not long enough to tie it in the special black belt way. It will be when I'm thin, muscly, and just damn hot :p
I had lunch with the trainer today. We went to my usual restaurant, and we both bad Dolsot Bibimbap (동솥비빔밥). It was the first time for us to sit down and have a chat, without one (or both of us) sweating from exercise, or with loud shitty Korean gym music blaring.
Work was just okay, as usual. The boss gave me 24 hours notice for a timetable change. 24 hours notice! That is damn rare in Korea!
Went to Geomdo class, and practiced 예도 1번. I think I've got it sorted out. Just gotta remember it. I received my Black Belt, Certificate and Certificate Card today. So many English mistakes on it (my name was spelt wrong, person was spelt "peson", awarded was spelt "swarded", and my nationality was listed as Korean), so I sat down and corrected it, and my Geomdo Teacher will order a new one tomorrow. That reminds me, I gotta find my ID photos.
Im feeling pretty sad about the whole Geomdo thing, but that's life. I totally respect my Geomdo Teacher for making a huge decision to immigrate to another country. He's gotta family to support, and he really hates Korean life. One thing I hate, is Koreans who complain about their life here, but don't do anything to change it. I admire people who do something to make their life better, no matter what others might think of them. Bottom line is, he's the best damn bloke in Korea i've met so far, and not many are gonna be able to get to his level of integrity and honor.
Enough said. Now for some Pics.
So, here's me with my Black Belt Certificate, after I circled and crossed out all the English mistakes. The Geomdo teacher and I were writing them on a piece of paper, but there were just too many. :p
From Left to Right:The New Guy, he started about 2 weeks ago. I just call him 형님.
My Geomdo Teacher. Respect.
Me.
One of the kids there, was checking out my camera when he took this photo of my Geomdo teacher, as he was giving me my black belt. Its just not long enough to tie it in the special black belt way. It will be when I'm thin, muscly, and just damn hot :p
Pain, in its various forms
I've got an earache, possibly due to having my iPod too loud at the gym, to block out the shitty Korean pretend pop/club music that they play...
My knees are just f**ked from being fat for too long, and going hard core with exercise (which is ironic, doens't matter what i do, my knees are still f**ked).
My Geomdo teacher, who is also my best friend, is leaving next week.
My shoulders and back are sore.
My head hurts from shit at work (just the regular shit that never changes).
End winge.
P.S. Life gives you lemons all the time, but its the people who can make lemonade (some show-offs make Lemon Cheesecake ^^) that I make time for. Some, if not many Koreans, in my experience, just expect Lemonade all the time, but give you the "puppy dog/i have no idea what the f**k is going on" look when you give them lemons.
My knees are just f**ked from being fat for too long, and going hard core with exercise (which is ironic, doens't matter what i do, my knees are still f**ked).
My Geomdo teacher, who is also my best friend, is leaving next week.
My shoulders and back are sore.
My head hurts from shit at work (just the regular shit that never changes).
End winge.
P.S. Life gives you lemons all the time, but its the people who can make lemonade (some show-offs make Lemon Cheesecake ^^) that I make time for. Some, if not many Koreans, in my experience, just expect Lemonade all the time, but give you the "puppy dog/i have no idea what the f**k is going on" look when you give them lemons.
Life goes on...
So, my Geomdo teacher's going to Cambodia...
WTF?!?!?
Yep, quick decision, he's going to Cambodia for work, basically because having a 검도장 in a really small countryside town isn't profitable enough, if you want to live. He's going next week, and his wife and son will live in the wife's hometown with her family until they can come to Cambodia. Its a pretty huge decision, but you gotta do what's right when it comes to family, and if you're not making enough cash to survive, you gotta do something about it. It takes balls to do that, in my opinion, so I wish him the best of luck, and I'll miss him so much. He's pretty much my most bestest friend in Korea.
관장님... 안전하게 이사하고 너가 하고싶은 것 열심히 하세요. 나는 너가 이사하는 이유를 이해해서 당신을 매우 존경해요. 난 너가 진짜 보고싶을 거에요. 우리의 우정과 당신의 친절을 내마음에서 진심으로 고마워요. 너를 또 보고싶어서 "goodbye" 안말하고싶어서... 나중에봐요 ^^
WTF?!?!?
Yep, quick decision, he's going to Cambodia for work, basically because having a 검도장 in a really small countryside town isn't profitable enough, if you want to live. He's going next week, and his wife and son will live in the wife's hometown with her family until they can come to Cambodia. Its a pretty huge decision, but you gotta do what's right when it comes to family, and if you're not making enough cash to survive, you gotta do something about it. It takes balls to do that, in my opinion, so I wish him the best of luck, and I'll miss him so much. He's pretty much my most bestest friend in Korea.
관장님... 안전하게 이사하고 너가 하고싶은 것 열심히 하세요. 나는 너가 이사하는 이유를 이해해서 당신을 매우 존경해요. 난 너가 진짜 보고싶을 거에요. 우리의 우정과 당신의 친절을 내마음에서 진심으로 고마워요. 너를 또 보고싶어서 "goodbye" 안말하고싶어서... 나중에봐요 ^^
First full day back in Sachang
Feels good to be back in Sachang. Woke up 8:30am to one of those noisy elction vans which has more singing than promoting the candidates ideas, beliefs, policies or whatever... Or are they singing them? In my opinion, Noise polution. Especially at 8 frickin' 30am! Had the usual mandarines and biscuits for breakfast, woke with some Internet (some people drink coffee, I check my mail, log in to a few messenger apps and check a few of my regular sites), and packed my daily bag of clothes and geomdo uniform.
Gym was good, but a bit hard. Hadn't exercised for 2 weeks, so wasn't expecteing it to be easy. Worked out for about 80 mons, had a shower then went to the restaurant I usually go to, and had what I usually have for lunch (dolsot bibimbap), walked to work, taught 4 classes. No middle school classes for me this week, since they've got tests on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
A quick spot of shopping at the local Hanaro mart, then dinner at Gimbap Nation. I wanted to eat Mandu, but wanted something soup-like, so went with Manduguk. First time I had that in the Gimbap Nation here, but it was good. Might get it again tomorrow. After eating, I went to a pc room and wasted some time before geomdo class. Met the new guy in the geomdo class, who started while I was in Australia. Today was just stretching and self-practice, to see if I could remember stuff after 2 weeks away (remembered almost everything, which is good) ^^
Gym was good, but a bit hard. Hadn't exercised for 2 weeks, so wasn't expecteing it to be easy. Worked out for about 80 mons, had a shower then went to the restaurant I usually go to, and had what I usually have for lunch (dolsot bibimbap), walked to work, taught 4 classes. No middle school classes for me this week, since they've got tests on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
A quick spot of shopping at the local Hanaro mart, then dinner at Gimbap Nation. I wanted to eat Mandu, but wanted something soup-like, so went with Manduguk. First time I had that in the Gimbap Nation here, but it was good. Might get it again tomorrow. After eating, I went to a pc room and wasted some time before geomdo class. Met the new guy in the geomdo class, who started while I was in Australia. Today was just stretching and self-practice, to see if I could remember stuff after 2 weeks away (remembered almost everything, which is good) ^^
At the Airport...
I'm at Melbourne Airport now, waiting outside Gate 10 for my flight back to South Korea. I've got a window seat, which is okay - they're easy to sleep on (just lean against the wall with your pillow), and I only have to annoy one person to get out for a walk or to go to the toilet. Just recently, Korean Air started direct flights from Melbourne to Incheon. It only takes about 10.5 hours from take off. Boarding time is 9:10am, Take off time is about 9:40am.
This week was pretty good. I met family and friends, but it was a bit rushed since I had to go to Melbourne. It was good to catch up with friends from High School and Uni. Played a bit of Mini Golf, ate a lot of good food, and it was a really good to be away from Korea, to be able to think about my time in Korea effectively.
I've come to a few conclusions about Korea, and my time there. I've had a great time in Korea - I've made great friends (Korean and non-Korean), been to some interesting places, seen some good sights. But, I've been in the same place for over 2 years. It's getting a bit old. I could easily stay there for longer, but it's time to move on. Career wise, sure I could get a better job, with more pay, in a different area, but that's all it would be. Same job, different place.
One reason why I came to Korea to work for a while, because I didn't have any luck with my teaching career there. I had a few schools and a few people really f**k things up for me over there, so it made me pretty bitter and resentful about choosing Teaching as a career, and I do feel a bit that way as well. But, from talking to my uni friends about how they are going, and how they've been in the last 2 years, with regards to their teaching careers, I've realised that its time to come back to Australia for a while, and give Primary School Teaching another go.
I know that when I leave Korea in October 2008, it won't be the last time I'm there. Korea is a special place for me. I've got good memories and great friends there. I'll at least be back for holidays, or even working in another English Teaching job. If I do, 1 year will be long enough. I've had almost no regrets (everyone has some) about staying in Korea, and I really look forward to my remaining 10.5 months there.
Now for some Korean (which i haven't really used for 2 weeks ^^).
지금 메버른공항에 기다리고있어요. 심심해 ㅋㅋㅋ 어제밤에 멜버른에 비행기로 왔어요. 공항에 도착했을때, 우리사천와사천이 하우스메이트는 날외해 기다리고있었어요. 사천의집에서 Playstation게임 "Buzz" 같이 했어요. 재미 있었어요. 1시에 잤어요.
아침에 나는 6시에 일어났지만 아직도 엄청 피곤해요. 내생각에는 비행기에 탈때 혹시 잘거에요. 혹시 잘수없어요. 비행기니까 ㅋㅋㅋ
호주에서 난 생각 많이 했어요. 한국에서 대단한 시간이 됐지만 호주에서 내인생 (my life? 맞니? 내인생? 아니면 내생활?)를 다시 시작하고싶어요. 한국를 떠날때 미래에 돌아 온것을 알아요 (When I leave Korea, I know I will come back in the future). 한국에서 많는 새로운것을 배웠고 많는 멋있는것을 봤고 많는 좋은 친구들을 만났어요. 한번도 잊지 않아요.
현제 직업에서 10.5개월 남았어요. 끝날때 난 슬플거에요. 하지만, 행복할거에요, 왜냐하면, 한국를 떠날때 regret이 없을거에요 ^^
This week was pretty good. I met family and friends, but it was a bit rushed since I had to go to Melbourne. It was good to catch up with friends from High School and Uni. Played a bit of Mini Golf, ate a lot of good food, and it was a really good to be away from Korea, to be able to think about my time in Korea effectively.
I've come to a few conclusions about Korea, and my time there. I've had a great time in Korea - I've made great friends (Korean and non-Korean), been to some interesting places, seen some good sights. But, I've been in the same place for over 2 years. It's getting a bit old. I could easily stay there for longer, but it's time to move on. Career wise, sure I could get a better job, with more pay, in a different area, but that's all it would be. Same job, different place.
One reason why I came to Korea to work for a while, because I didn't have any luck with my teaching career there. I had a few schools and a few people really f**k things up for me over there, so it made me pretty bitter and resentful about choosing Teaching as a career, and I do feel a bit that way as well. But, from talking to my uni friends about how they are going, and how they've been in the last 2 years, with regards to their teaching careers, I've realised that its time to come back to Australia for a while, and give Primary School Teaching another go.
I know that when I leave Korea in October 2008, it won't be the last time I'm there. Korea is a special place for me. I've got good memories and great friends there. I'll at least be back for holidays, or even working in another English Teaching job. If I do, 1 year will be long enough. I've had almost no regrets (everyone has some) about staying in Korea, and I really look forward to my remaining 10.5 months there.
Now for some Korean (which i haven't really used for 2 weeks ^^).
지금 메버른공항에 기다리고있어요. 심심해 ㅋㅋㅋ 어제밤에 멜버른에 비행기로 왔어요. 공항에 도착했을때, 우리사천와사천이 하우스메이트는 날외해 기다리고있었어요. 사천의집에서 Playstation게임 "Buzz" 같이 했어요. 재미 있었어요. 1시에 잤어요.
아침에 나는 6시에 일어났지만 아직도 엄청 피곤해요. 내생각에는 비행기에 탈때 혹시 잘거에요. 혹시 잘수없어요. 비행기니까 ㅋㅋㅋ
호주에서 난 생각 많이 했어요. 한국에서 대단한 시간이 됐지만 호주에서 내인생 (my life? 맞니? 내인생? 아니면 내생활?)를 다시 시작하고싶어요. 한국를 떠날때 미래에 돌아 온것을 알아요 (When I leave Korea, I know I will come back in the future). 한국에서 많는 새로운것을 배웠고 많는 멋있는것을 봤고 많는 좋은 친구들을 만났어요. 한번도 잊지 않아요.
현제 직업에서 10.5개월 남았어요. 끝날때 난 슬플거에요. 하지만, 행복할거에요, 왜냐하면, 한국를 떠날때 regret이 없을거에요 ^^
General Update
Not much going on here. After getting back from Melbourne, just the usual shopping, meeting up with friends and family. Heading back to Melbourne friday night, so that I can get my flight early saturday morning. Its all good ^^
Cameras and Friends
Lazed around my cousins house a bit yesterday, with not much to do in the morning. I met SJ yesterday, and had such a great time. The night before, she had a problem with her digital camera, so she came around to my cousins house, and I helped her put her photos onto a CD for her. We were going to have Pizza for lunch, but the Pizza place down the road was closed, so we went to Red Rooster. We decided to go into the city, but it was a bit warm. We walked past the Yarra river, and then the plan was to go to the botanical gardens, but because of the weather, we didn't make it that far. We found a place to sit for a while, and talked.
After that, I went back into the city to meet an old uni friend. Walking from Federation Square to Melbourne Central Station took long enough. But, I had enough to find the JB Hi-Fi I saw when riding the tram last time, and went in there for a quick look. I'm mainly been using iTunes to check out music, so it felt a little unusual to walk into a music store that big. Didn't buy anything.
So, I met G at Melbourne Central. It was so good to see her. She's a really cool person, and well, to be honest, she is looking just as stunning as she did when I met her in 1999. It was really good to catch up with her, have dinner, and go to a park near the Yarra river, and just sit down and talk. She had to work on Friday, so she caught a train at about 10pm, and I got the tram back to my cousin's house.
After that, I went back into the city to meet an old uni friend. Walking from Federation Square to Melbourne Central Station took long enough. But, I had enough to find the JB Hi-Fi I saw when riding the tram last time, and went in there for a quick look. I'm mainly been using iTunes to check out music, so it felt a little unusual to walk into a music store that big. Didn't buy anything.So, I met G at Melbourne Central. It was so good to see her. She's a really cool person, and well, to be honest, she is looking just as stunning as she did when I met her in 1999. It was really good to catch up with her, have dinner, and go to a park near the Yarra river, and just sit down and talk. She had to work on Friday, so she caught a train at about 10pm, and I got the tram back to my cousin's house.
Driving, Passports, Friends and Stress
Arrived in Melbourne yesterday, after 7.5 hours of driving. Left Mildura at about 1:30pm after lunch, and arrived in Melbourne at my cousin's house just after 8pm. We went to noodle box and got some take-away noodles. I got a regular box, so that I would have some for breakfast on Wednesday. Was tired from driving, so got to sleep at about 11am.
Woke up at 6am, but stayed in bed until just after 7am, coz I was still a bit tired from driving. Decided to walk to the city, but after an hour, was getting a bit hot and sweaty, so rode the tram into the city. I got to the passport office with about an hour to spare, but couldn't check in using the computers until 30 mins before my appointment, so sat there waiting, watching the Bourne Identity on my iPod. Checked in at 10:46am, and got a ticket, and actually had my appointment 5 mins early.
I was so relieved to know that I was able to keep my old passport for the visas I needed to get back into Korea. It was all done in about 15 minutes. Nothing wrong with the application (thank f**k, coz I drove 7.5 hours for it), and my new passport will be ready by lunchtime Friday. Just really glad that its all sorted.
Met SJ in the city. Called her after I finished sorting out my passport. We walked around, talking, and found a coffee place to get a drink and chat more. Then we took a tram to Lygon St, and had some Italian food for lunch. It was really delicious, but the Lasagne had a very strong flavour. Then we went back to the CDB for some souvenir and vitamin shopping (some vitamins are a lot cheaper here in Australia, than Korea). Got the tram back to my cousins house (which was packed for a tram, which is nowhere near packed as Seoul subway ^^).
No plan for thursday yet, but might meet up with SJ again. I've lost my Australian accent, but she has gained one ^^
Woke up at 6am, but stayed in bed until just after 7am, coz I was still a bit tired from driving. Decided to walk to the city, but after an hour, was getting a bit hot and sweaty, so rode the tram into the city. I got to the passport office with about an hour to spare, but couldn't check in using the computers until 30 mins before my appointment, so sat there waiting, watching the Bourne Identity on my iPod. Checked in at 10:46am, and got a ticket, and actually had my appointment 5 mins early.
I was so relieved to know that I was able to keep my old passport for the visas I needed to get back into Korea. It was all done in about 15 minutes. Nothing wrong with the application (thank f**k, coz I drove 7.5 hours for it), and my new passport will be ready by lunchtime Friday. Just really glad that its all sorted.
Met SJ in the city. Called her after I finished sorting out my passport. We walked around, talking, and found a coffee place to get a drink and chat more. Then we took a tram to Lygon St, and had some Italian food for lunch. It was really delicious, but the Lasagne had a very strong flavour. Then we went back to the CDB for some souvenir and vitamin shopping (some vitamins are a lot cheaper here in Australia, than Korea). Got the tram back to my cousins house (which was packed for a tram, which is nowhere near packed as Seoul subway ^^).
No plan for thursday yet, but might meet up with SJ again. I've lost my Australian accent, but she has gained one ^^
Stress, passports and Melbourne
I know that I tend to stress and worry when shit happens. That's my way of dealing with it, and being prepared.
Now, I have to go to Melbourne, to have a passport interview in person, so that I can make sure, to keep my old passport (which has my Korean visas in it), so that I can re-enter the country on the 8th of December, when I am scheduled to come back. The passports office couldn't not guarantee me that I could keep my old passport, if I did the application though the mail. Also, I can not use my damaged passport as ID for getting the new one (since it's damaged), but luckily I was able to find my Birth Certificate to complete the application.
So:
Tomorrow, drive to Melbourne (7 hours)
Wednesday, passport appointment (and tell them that I NEEEEED the old one)
Friday, get new passport
Friday Night/Saturday morning, drive back to Mildura.
Would have been easier to stay in korea :p
Now, I have to go to Melbourne, to have a passport interview in person, so that I can make sure, to keep my old passport (which has my Korean visas in it), so that I can re-enter the country on the 8th of December, when I am scheduled to come back. The passports office couldn't not guarantee me that I could keep my old passport, if I did the application though the mail. Also, I can not use my damaged passport as ID for getting the new one (since it's damaged), but luckily I was able to find my Birth Certificate to complete the application.
So:
Tomorrow, drive to Melbourne (7 hours)
Wednesday, passport appointment (and tell them that I NEEEEED the old one)
Friday, get new passport
Friday Night/Saturday morning, drive back to Mildura.
Would have been easier to stay in korea :p
Blogging from Melbourne Airport
Arrived in Melbourne on time, at 8:10am Australian time. I was sitting next to someone who had been in Seoul for a few days, due to work, and we talked about a few things. Was good to have someone to talk to, rather than be on the flight all bored for 10.5 hours.
Didn't get much sleep on the plane, which I expected.
Went through customs, and my passport checked out, but was a bit damaged due to being washed, not once, but twice, in the washing machine accidently. They kept my waiting for about 10 minutes, and then told me that I need to get a new passport, because its damaged. I've got 2 weeks here in Australia to get it done. If not, I hope I can get my flight back to Korea changed. Also, gotta deal with my visa and stuff, with regard to the new passport. The guy at customs said, if you try to travel with this passport, it will be confiscated. Fair Enough. Rules are there for a reason.
Anyway, Got through customs and immigration just after 9:10am, and found the check-in place for the flight to my home town, but it was too early to check in. Found a place that sold the power connection adaptor things (about $15), so that I can charge my notebook when I'm in Australia (and my digital camera). So, had a bit an hours rest on a chair near the check-in place (had the iPod loud enough so that I wouldn't fall asleep). Checked in at just before 11, for the flight leaving to my hometown at 12:45pm (boarding is at 12:25pm).
I'm pretty tired, and pretty annoyed about the whole passport thing. Have to add it to the list of "shit to sort out" for Monday morning (which includes new passport, and talking about the visa stuff (which I photocopied before I came to Australia), including new driver's license and sorting out bank/credit cards.
I normally tend to stress about things, when I'm in a position where I can't do anything about them. I would just love to be able to sort all the shit out, so that I can feel relieved and relaxed for my vacation.
Coming into Melbourne airport was... WOW! My Australian accent has really changed. Even though I do sound Australian, it's a very weak accent, and to hear all these Australian accents is a bit overwhelming. Also, It feels very strange to be in a place where I am not hearing Korean all the time.
I know I'll feel better after sleep, and after sorting out this passport situation. I guess, its what they call "Reverse Culture Shock". I've become so accustomed to Korea and doing Korean things. I've even accidently said a few Korean words already, and done a few Korean "actions" (like supporting your left arm when receiving money/gifts, and bowing. haha.
I know it's only two weeks. Quick enough to be short. Slow enough to be long.
Didn't get much sleep on the plane, which I expected.
Went through customs, and my passport checked out, but was a bit damaged due to being washed, not once, but twice, in the washing machine accidently. They kept my waiting for about 10 minutes, and then told me that I need to get a new passport, because its damaged. I've got 2 weeks here in Australia to get it done. If not, I hope I can get my flight back to Korea changed. Also, gotta deal with my visa and stuff, with regard to the new passport. The guy at customs said, if you try to travel with this passport, it will be confiscated. Fair Enough. Rules are there for a reason.
Anyway, Got through customs and immigration just after 9:10am, and found the check-in place for the flight to my home town, but it was too early to check in. Found a place that sold the power connection adaptor things (about $15), so that I can charge my notebook when I'm in Australia (and my digital camera). So, had a bit an hours rest on a chair near the check-in place (had the iPod loud enough so that I wouldn't fall asleep). Checked in at just before 11, for the flight leaving to my hometown at 12:45pm (boarding is at 12:25pm).
I'm pretty tired, and pretty annoyed about the whole passport thing. Have to add it to the list of "shit to sort out" for Monday morning (which includes new passport, and talking about the visa stuff (which I photocopied before I came to Australia), including new driver's license and sorting out bank/credit cards.
I normally tend to stress about things, when I'm in a position where I can't do anything about them. I would just love to be able to sort all the shit out, so that I can feel relieved and relaxed for my vacation.
Coming into Melbourne airport was... WOW! My Australian accent has really changed. Even though I do sound Australian, it's a very weak accent, and to hear all these Australian accents is a bit overwhelming. Also, It feels very strange to be in a place where I am not hearing Korean all the time.
I know I'll feel better after sleep, and after sorting out this passport situation. I guess, its what they call "Reverse Culture Shock". I've become so accustomed to Korea and doing Korean things. I've even accidently said a few Korean words already, and done a few Korean "actions" (like supporting your left arm when receiving money/gifts, and bowing. haha.
I know it's only two weeks. Quick enough to be short. Slow enough to be long.
at Incheon Airport
Found some Wireless internet, for 3000won/hour, so thought I'd just chill out and relax on the net for a while (to give me one last fix until I get to Melbourne :p) My plane takes off at 7:15pm (korean time), and it's about an 11 hour flight.
Incheon Airport's color decor, is, well... BORING AF F**K! All grey! Had some dodgy KFC, and i think it gave me a headache. I asked for an isle seat, and I got a seat that says "B", which I know isn't an isle seat in Economy, which means one of two things: I have an whole 3 seats to myself, or she was lying, and there's gonna be some annoying person sitting next to me :p
I went to family mart in the airport after check-in, and bought some water and some 맞고 cards. The women serving be thought it was funny, and asked me 맞고 할수있습니까? (Can you plat Mat-go?), so I replied 네, 한수있지만 행운이 없습니다 (Yes, I can, But, I don't have any luck). Think I might teach my sisters how to play :p
Called a few friends to say "see you in a few weeks", which was good. Even in the airport, if a Korean sees me speak Korean, they're very surprised (except for a few people, who probably see it all the time ^^). The novelty of having conversations in Korean, while surprising a Korean that a foreigner can have a conversation (even if it's a simple one), still hasn't worn off yet.
I know that when I'm in Australia, some Korean words are just gonna automatically come out, I'll be missing korean food, and hes of other things. But hey, It's a holiday, just wanna relax, and have a good time, coz I'm coming back to Korea in 2 weeks ;)
Still got 90 minutes until the plane leaves, so will use a bit more internet, and chill for a while, before walking around for a little, and then boarding ;)
Incheon Airport's color decor, is, well... BORING AF F**K! All grey! Had some dodgy KFC, and i think it gave me a headache. I asked for an isle seat, and I got a seat that says "B", which I know isn't an isle seat in Economy, which means one of two things: I have an whole 3 seats to myself, or she was lying, and there's gonna be some annoying person sitting next to me :p
I went to family mart in the airport after check-in, and bought some water and some 맞고 cards. The women serving be thought it was funny, and asked me 맞고 할수있습니까? (Can you plat Mat-go?), so I replied 네, 한수있지만 행운이 없습니다 (Yes, I can, But, I don't have any luck). Think I might teach my sisters how to play :p
Called a few friends to say "see you in a few weeks", which was good. Even in the airport, if a Korean sees me speak Korean, they're very surprised (except for a few people, who probably see it all the time ^^). The novelty of having conversations in Korean, while surprising a Korean that a foreigner can have a conversation (even if it's a simple one), still hasn't worn off yet.
I know that when I'm in Australia, some Korean words are just gonna automatically come out, I'll be missing korean food, and hes of other things. But hey, It's a holiday, just wanna relax, and have a good time, coz I'm coming back to Korea in 2 weeks ;)
Still got 90 minutes until the plane leaves, so will use a bit more internet, and chill for a while, before walking around for a little, and then boarding ;)
Go Go!
Woke up at 7am, having breakfast now. Will have a shower, and do some last minute packing. Australia, here I come ^^
for all practical purposes... ready :p
I'm pretty much as packed as I'm going to be for going to Australia for two weeks. There's clothes drying on the clotheshorse, my phone is on the charger, and so is my iPod, and I will pack the computer tonight, just before I go to sleep. Tomorrow, all I have to do is pack some of the clothes that are now drying, have breakfast, have a shower, and go.
Australia, here I come.
Australia, here I come.
Wake Up, Routine, Sleep, Repeat
Today was the same as yesterday, expect having to get more angrier than usual at some stupid students.
Found out my Geomdo Black Belt result: passed with 87% ^^ When I get back from Australia, I'll be learning the stuff for 2nd Grade Black, also with the stuff for Competitions ^^
Found out my Geomdo Black Belt result: passed with 87% ^^ When I get back from Australia, I'll be learning the stuff for 2nd Grade Black, also with the stuff for Competitions ^^
Weekday routine
My weekdays here in Korea are pretty routine. Wake up around 8am, have breakfast and try to get to the gym by about 10am. Sometimes I wake up late, sometimes I've got shit to deal with in the mornings. After the gym, I go to a restaurant near the gym that serves the best Dolsot Bibimbap in town (with awesome Korean side dishes as well), go to the supermarket and buy some stuff (green tea after exercising works well for me) and then walk to work. Lately it's 6 classes a day, then go to Gimbap Nara for dinner, and chill in a PC room for 30 minutes until Geomdo class. After Geomdo class, I wash my gym clothes, hang them out to dry, and chat to friends on the net, download some podcasts, then go to bed, so I can wake up be do it all again the next day.
I've been doing this for almost 4 months. It has it's good points and bad points. Just really glad that I've got 2 weeks off from Korea to refresh.
I've been doing this for almost 4 months. It has it's good points and bad points. Just really glad that I've got 2 weeks off from Korea to refresh.
Just before I go to sleep
Just another regular Sunday here. Cleaned the apartment in the morning, organized the rest of my iTunes on my computer and had a shower to go to Gwangju. Bought my bus ticket to Incheon airport for Friday morning with the little money I have left, but luckily I get paid on Tuesday. Went to Columbus Cinema in Sangmu and watched "Lambs for Lions", a very interesting story based on what's going on in Afganistan, really made me think. I really like to watch thought provoking movies sometimes. I thought the cast were good, and so was the direction.
Had dinner in eMart, and then took the subway back to Nongseong station to walk back to the terminal. Met a young Korean guy who was there doing volunteer work for his church ( giving out pamphlets and stuff). Even after I told him that I'm not religious, he kept chatting, and we talked in Korean and English. Started watching "Adrenaline 24" on the bus back home, it's a pretty good film, if you just want to chill out and want to be taken on an adventure.
Getting closer to the time I go back to Australia for my holiday. Over 24 hours of buses, bus terminals, airplanes and airports. I am really looking forward to this time off from work, and from Korea. Korea is a nice place but "there's no place like home".
Had dinner in eMart, and then took the subway back to Nongseong station to walk back to the terminal. Met a young Korean guy who was there doing volunteer work for his church ( giving out pamphlets and stuff). Even after I told him that I'm not religious, he kept chatting, and we talked in Korean and English. Started watching "Adrenaline 24" on the bus back home, it's a pretty good film, if you just want to chill out and want to be taken on an adventure.
Getting closer to the time I go back to Australia for my holiday. Over 24 hours of buses, bus terminals, airplanes and airports. I am really looking forward to this time off from work, and from Korea. Korea is a nice place but "there's no place like home".
Visas, Korea, Closure, Australia, Vacation, Geomdo.
With the new visa laws that come into place in December, I've been thinking about my time in South Korea, and the remaining 11 months that I have in my 3rd contract. It looks like that you can't renew your current E2 visa in Korea, you have to go back to your home country to renew your visa. For some people, this isn't a problem. For me, it is. The nearest embassy is a day's travel away. Also, with the changing of the documents that are needed (now need a criminal records check and a medical). I can understand about the extra documents needed, but just the travel time, and the hassle of having to just re-new your stay (in the same job, in the same place).
I can understand why the Korean government wants to change the new visa rules for coming here. With all the bad people (the latest was a pedophile from Canada that was caught in Thailand after teaching in Korea for a few months) that come into Korea (and in Korea, that can include anyone who doesn't try to fit in, depending on how Koreans think of foreigners) I get the idea of changing the rules. But for re-newing? I don't think its right. With the current laws, your boss has pretty much all the power to keep you here, or kick you out, and with some cases, some people do what are called "Midnight Runs", where they just leave in the middle of the night, and go back to their home country, and I can understand why they want to do that. When I first got here, and probably for the first 6 - 9 months, working at a place that isn't organised, and things seem random and last minute, is really hard to deal with, especially with a teaching background from Australia, where I had to plan everything down to the last detail, a week or more in advance. Some places, don't even give a fuck what you do. For some places you are the "gotta spend money to make money - token foreigner", for your boss to make some extra cash. I know this, because for my first 12 months, I felt like I was in this situation (and on my first day, my boss told me this). There are days where I still feel like I am.
But, on the other hand, many things get blamed on foreigners here that really have no justification. The stereotypes are pretty bad here, worse than other places, in my opinion. Firstly, I'm assumed American. At first, damn annoying to deal with, but I appreciate the Koreans who ask me, where are you from?, rather than people pointing and shouting "American" (in either English or Korean). If people want to state the f**King obvious and call me a foreigner, then whatever. At times, I an deal with this and I will tell them in Korean, I'm not American, I'm Australian. The people who ask me, I will be polite about it, because they have been open-minded enough to ask and not assume.
Anything bad that a foreigner is caught in, it seems to have this ripple effect on all the other foreigners in Korea. With the pedophile thing, some English teachers here, and other foreigners here, noticed some stand-offish behaviour towards them from korean workmates. But, this happens every time when something happens in the news, in which it involves a foreigner. Like, a group of foreigners being caught smoking dope and going to class of their f**king heads. Now, I can understand them getting into trouble, being kicked out of the country, or even if they were slammed into jail here for X years, fair enough. But, then all the social bullshit that comes with it, is just what it is... bullshit. I've met some pretty shady Koreans in my time here, and had some totally f**ked up experiences here, where I have had my bag almost packed, ready to go, and telling my boss that I can't stay here anymore. I'm glad that I pushed past those times, and stayed here for the time that I have. But I really feel that with these new laws, that my time in Korea, is coming to an end.
I've had this feeling for a while, and I reluctantly signed my 3rd year contract at the start of October. But, I didn't have enough doubt in my mind to not re-new. It wasn't my time to go yet. But, I feel that by October 2008, if its not my time to go home, and I can re-new easily, then I will stay in Korea. If its not my time, but I can't be bothered with dealing with all the renewing shit in Australia, then I'll just go back. Overall, I've had a good time in Korea. Learned another language and culture, made some great friends (both Koreans and non-Koreans), and have really enjoyed being in a different place. I've learned a lot about myself and who I am. I would have no problem with leaving Korea next October, if I felt that it was the right decision for me.
Of course, I don't know what the future will hold. I've got 6 days, until I go back home to Australia for a 2 week holiday. I'm using 1 week of holidays from my 2nd year contract (which I haven't had yet), and using 1 week from my 3rd year. So, when I get back to Korea on the 8th of December, I'll have one week of holidays that I can use until October 2008. Which will be enough for me. I have been in Korea for 2 years, and have survived. I can handle another 10.5 months here.
Korea feels like my 2nd home at the moment. I feel like part of the furniture in my town here. Coming to the countryside of Korea was the best option, in my opinion. I've learned so much about Korea (the good and the bad), and feel that soon, it will be my time to go back to Australia.
The changes to the visa laws aren't official yet, but there have been articles about them in Korean newspapers. Things can change last minute, without notice in Korea. I knew about the changes a few weeks ago, and it has taken me some time to come to the level of thinking about them that I've reached. I'm okay with going home October 2008, if I want to. I had thought about staying longer, but it really depends how I feel, but I can see myself going home, back to Australia, back to reality, at the end of my 3rd year here.
Like I said, Korea feels like my 2nd home, and I know that in my 2 weeks of being in Australia, I'll miss all the good things about Korea - My friends and good students, the food, the feeling of being in unusual situations and learning so much, and feeling excited about being in a different place. But, I will also feel the comfort of being surrounded by family and friends in Australia, being able to speak fluent English, with everyone understanding me. I also know that if I leave Korea in October 2008, I will be back in some way in the future. Korea has changed me, in a good way ^^
I will have a better feeling of closure when I know exactly what the new laws are when they are released in December. But, I have enough closure to feel completely comfortable saying that if I leave Korea in October 2008, that I won't have any regrets.
Now that that's been said...
Friday, had a good day at work, but one class I had to tell off for being idiots. There is one "ring-leader" in that class, and if he's a pain in the ass, the kids with no self-control or idea (or brain) just follow him. But, at least the kid that I kicked out last week, for swearing twice, studied hard and did the right thing.
Last night I went to my Geomdo teachers house after class, and tried to help him with his computer. Its an old computer, and he wanted to install Windows XP Professional on it, but its already running windows XP, and running it very slowly. He said that it's always been slow. But, I don't use Windows (coz I hate Windows), so I don't really know what to do. Also, the Windows XP Professional CD he has is in English. Lol
He ordered some Chicken for dinner for me, even though he wasn't hungry. My Geomdo Teacher is one of my best friends here in Korea, and I will really miss him when I'm gone, even in the 2 weeks when I'll be in Australia.
I've got my Black belt test today for Geomdo. Its about 1 hour before we leave to go to Jeongeup (which is about 40 - 50 mins away from here). I've been doing Geomdo for 2 years (almost exactly), so it feels really good that I've come this far. I'm not a sporty person, as you can tell from my photos. But, from going to the gym and my change in lifestyle here in Korea, I've lost about 20kg. I want to lose more, but with winter coming in, the walk to the gym just gets harder and harder every day.
Anyway, I'd better get ready for my test. Wish me luck ^^
I can understand why the Korean government wants to change the new visa rules for coming here. With all the bad people (the latest was a pedophile from Canada that was caught in Thailand after teaching in Korea for a few months) that come into Korea (and in Korea, that can include anyone who doesn't try to fit in, depending on how Koreans think of foreigners) I get the idea of changing the rules. But for re-newing? I don't think its right. With the current laws, your boss has pretty much all the power to keep you here, or kick you out, and with some cases, some people do what are called "Midnight Runs", where they just leave in the middle of the night, and go back to their home country, and I can understand why they want to do that. When I first got here, and probably for the first 6 - 9 months, working at a place that isn't organised, and things seem random and last minute, is really hard to deal with, especially with a teaching background from Australia, where I had to plan everything down to the last detail, a week or more in advance. Some places, don't even give a fuck what you do. For some places you are the "gotta spend money to make money - token foreigner", for your boss to make some extra cash. I know this, because for my first 12 months, I felt like I was in this situation (and on my first day, my boss told me this). There are days where I still feel like I am.
But, on the other hand, many things get blamed on foreigners here that really have no justification. The stereotypes are pretty bad here, worse than other places, in my opinion. Firstly, I'm assumed American. At first, damn annoying to deal with, but I appreciate the Koreans who ask me, where are you from?, rather than people pointing and shouting "American" (in either English or Korean). If people want to state the f**King obvious and call me a foreigner, then whatever. At times, I an deal with this and I will tell them in Korean, I'm not American, I'm Australian. The people who ask me, I will be polite about it, because they have been open-minded enough to ask and not assume.
Anything bad that a foreigner is caught in, it seems to have this ripple effect on all the other foreigners in Korea. With the pedophile thing, some English teachers here, and other foreigners here, noticed some stand-offish behaviour towards them from korean workmates. But, this happens every time when something happens in the news, in which it involves a foreigner. Like, a group of foreigners being caught smoking dope and going to class of their f**king heads. Now, I can understand them getting into trouble, being kicked out of the country, or even if they were slammed into jail here for X years, fair enough. But, then all the social bullshit that comes with it, is just what it is... bullshit. I've met some pretty shady Koreans in my time here, and had some totally f**ked up experiences here, where I have had my bag almost packed, ready to go, and telling my boss that I can't stay here anymore. I'm glad that I pushed past those times, and stayed here for the time that I have. But I really feel that with these new laws, that my time in Korea, is coming to an end.
I've had this feeling for a while, and I reluctantly signed my 3rd year contract at the start of October. But, I didn't have enough doubt in my mind to not re-new. It wasn't my time to go yet. But, I feel that by October 2008, if its not my time to go home, and I can re-new easily, then I will stay in Korea. If its not my time, but I can't be bothered with dealing with all the renewing shit in Australia, then I'll just go back. Overall, I've had a good time in Korea. Learned another language and culture, made some great friends (both Koreans and non-Koreans), and have really enjoyed being in a different place. I've learned a lot about myself and who I am. I would have no problem with leaving Korea next October, if I felt that it was the right decision for me.
Of course, I don't know what the future will hold. I've got 6 days, until I go back home to Australia for a 2 week holiday. I'm using 1 week of holidays from my 2nd year contract (which I haven't had yet), and using 1 week from my 3rd year. So, when I get back to Korea on the 8th of December, I'll have one week of holidays that I can use until October 2008. Which will be enough for me. I have been in Korea for 2 years, and have survived. I can handle another 10.5 months here.
Korea feels like my 2nd home at the moment. I feel like part of the furniture in my town here. Coming to the countryside of Korea was the best option, in my opinion. I've learned so much about Korea (the good and the bad), and feel that soon, it will be my time to go back to Australia.
The changes to the visa laws aren't official yet, but there have been articles about them in Korean newspapers. Things can change last minute, without notice in Korea. I knew about the changes a few weeks ago, and it has taken me some time to come to the level of thinking about them that I've reached. I'm okay with going home October 2008, if I want to. I had thought about staying longer, but it really depends how I feel, but I can see myself going home, back to Australia, back to reality, at the end of my 3rd year here.
Like I said, Korea feels like my 2nd home, and I know that in my 2 weeks of being in Australia, I'll miss all the good things about Korea - My friends and good students, the food, the feeling of being in unusual situations and learning so much, and feeling excited about being in a different place. But, I will also feel the comfort of being surrounded by family and friends in Australia, being able to speak fluent English, with everyone understanding me. I also know that if I leave Korea in October 2008, I will be back in some way in the future. Korea has changed me, in a good way ^^
I will have a better feeling of closure when I know exactly what the new laws are when they are released in December. But, I have enough closure to feel completely comfortable saying that if I leave Korea in October 2008, that I won't have any regrets.
Now that that's been said...
Friday, had a good day at work, but one class I had to tell off for being idiots. There is one "ring-leader" in that class, and if he's a pain in the ass, the kids with no self-control or idea (or brain) just follow him. But, at least the kid that I kicked out last week, for swearing twice, studied hard and did the right thing.
Last night I went to my Geomdo teachers house after class, and tried to help him with his computer. Its an old computer, and he wanted to install Windows XP Professional on it, but its already running windows XP, and running it very slowly. He said that it's always been slow. But, I don't use Windows (coz I hate Windows), so I don't really know what to do. Also, the Windows XP Professional CD he has is in English. Lol
He ordered some Chicken for dinner for me, even though he wasn't hungry. My Geomdo Teacher is one of my best friends here in Korea, and I will really miss him when I'm gone, even in the 2 weeks when I'll be in Australia.
I've got my Black belt test today for Geomdo. Its about 1 hour before we leave to go to Jeongeup (which is about 40 - 50 mins away from here). I've been doing Geomdo for 2 years (almost exactly), so it feels really good that I've come this far. I'm not a sporty person, as you can tell from my photos. But, from going to the gym and my change in lifestyle here in Korea, I've lost about 20kg. I want to lose more, but with winter coming in, the walk to the gym just gets harder and harder every day.
Anyway, I'd better get ready for my test. Wish me luck ^^
New iPod ^^
Well, I woke up nice and early, to get my new iPod.
Sounds good in theory.
After eating breakfast, and after having a shower, and pretty much ready to walk out the door, I start feeling nauseous. Like, really nauseous. Nauseous enough to make you think, i'm gonna be sick, so you start breathing in a way that you think helps you to control the sick feelings. But, I buy a bottle of water at the bus stop.
Bad Idea!
40 minute bus ride, and at about 5 minutes in, I'm starting to hold on! 15 minutes to go, I've got my legs tapping up and down to distract me. Not exactly fun.
Just before the bus stopping at the terminal, I stand up, and practically run to the front of the bus, just the bis driver my ticket, and pull the doors open (they wern't opening fast enough!), and run to the toilet. Best minute of my day thus far :p
So, walked to Geumho World, and went to the Apple Store, and got my iPod. Had a chat with the guy that owns the store. His English is pretty good. Get on the bus back to my town, and set up the iPod.
Work was normal.
Dinner was normal.
PC room was normal.
Practiced for the Geomdo test this weekend.
Came home.
Sounds good in theory.
After eating breakfast, and after having a shower, and pretty much ready to walk out the door, I start feeling nauseous. Like, really nauseous. Nauseous enough to make you think, i'm gonna be sick, so you start breathing in a way that you think helps you to control the sick feelings. But, I buy a bottle of water at the bus stop.
Bad Idea!
40 minute bus ride, and at about 5 minutes in, I'm starting to hold on! 15 minutes to go, I've got my legs tapping up and down to distract me. Not exactly fun.
Just before the bus stopping at the terminal, I stand up, and practically run to the front of the bus, just the bis driver my ticket, and pull the doors open (they wern't opening fast enough!), and run to the toilet. Best minute of my day thus far :p
So, walked to Geumho World, and went to the Apple Store, and got my iPod. Had a chat with the guy that owns the store. His English is pretty good. Get on the bus back to my town, and set up the iPod.
Work was normal.
Dinner was normal.
PC room was normal.
Practiced for the Geomdo test this weekend.
Came home.
Just another Tuesday
Well, Monday was a usual day - gym, work and Geomdo. Didn't sleep until 2am on Monday night, and didn't get out of bed until 9:30am and wasted some time on the net, so didn't get to go my exercise at the gym today, but got enough done. usual stuff at work, and then practicing Geomdo tonight.
I think I'm pretty much ready for my test on Saturday, which I thought would be in the morning. its NOT! So, I have to cancel my plans to go to Busan for the weekend. If I go to Busan after my test, I won't get there until 10pm or 11pm, and then I have to go back Sunday afternoon. I'm pretty much over bus travel in Korea. If I can take the train, I'd prefer to do that.
But hey... getting my iPod Touch tomorrow ;)
I think I'm pretty much ready for my test on Saturday, which I thought would be in the morning. its NOT! So, I have to cancel my plans to go to Busan for the weekend. If I go to Busan after my test, I won't get there until 10pm or 11pm, and then I have to go back Sunday afternoon. I'm pretty much over bus travel in Korea. If I can take the train, I'd prefer to do that.
But hey... getting my iPod Touch tomorrow ;)
Andy in SK - Weekend Edition
Wasted my Saturday - thanks to Korean planning. Got a call from my boss at 10:30am, just as I was about to walk out of the door to go to the gym, that the people who are going to change the Hot Water Service, would come around and replace it in the morning. Since it was 10:30am, and the boss said "morning", silly me assumed that the people would be ON TIME! So, i'm thinking, I can go to to the gym late, and have a late lunch. Not a problem.
Didn't Happen.
My guess is, that morning, means anytime in Korea. The guys showed up at about 2:30pm, in which I just stuck a note on my door saying "I was told you would come in the morning, I did have a plan, but I got tired of waiting. Will be back at 5pm. Come then (in korean)". I still hadn't eaten Lunch at this time. So, they piss-farted around for an hour, got it installed, and by the time they got out, I was so damn hungry that I had to eat, and just wasn't in the mood to go to the gym anymore.
Had dinner with a Korean Soldier friend that lives in my town. Went to a Galbi restaurant. Was pretty good. He brought along a friend, who he already made a promise to (I guess the theme of the day was Korean Planning), and then, another Korean soldier friend called me, saying that he didn't go to him hometown, and wanted to meet up (in which he told me, during the week, that he was going), in which we went to a bar, and they drank some beers, i had juice, but we were all pretty tired, so got home at about 10:30. I went to bed early.
Woke up at 7:20am this morning. Had another dream about shit going down at an airport. Just another reminder to get organised about travelling soon.
Meet JY in Gwangju today. Had a really great time with her. When we met, we exchanged Pepero, and had some lunch. had some Mandu and Dongas together, then went to see "The Bufferfly". It was an AWESOME movie ^^ You gotta see it. I was waiting for the main actor, Gerald Butler (the main character in "300") to yell out "Spartaaa~". haha. Since an interesting movie, with a good twist at the end.
Also, she helped me get a Megabox Point Card, which helps you get free stuff when you get enough points. I've already got a Columbus Cinema Card, which is for the cinema I go to regularly, but Megabox is the same price (7000won), but you get a free small popcorn ^^ I never used to like Popcorn, but now its all good ^^
After coffee, cheesecake and a good chat, we went to a 1000won shop (aka $2 shop), and tagged some stuff that we would buy after dinner. Had Galbi for dinner in a really nice place, across from Megabox. Then, back to the shop, bought the stuff, and made my way back to the terminal to get the bus home.
I had a great day with her. It felt really good to speak Korean and English with someone, who can understand both ^^
Didn't Happen.
My guess is, that morning, means anytime in Korea. The guys showed up at about 2:30pm, in which I just stuck a note on my door saying "I was told you would come in the morning, I did have a plan, but I got tired of waiting. Will be back at 5pm. Come then (in korean)". I still hadn't eaten Lunch at this time. So, they piss-farted around for an hour, got it installed, and by the time they got out, I was so damn hungry that I had to eat, and just wasn't in the mood to go to the gym anymore.
Had dinner with a Korean Soldier friend that lives in my town. Went to a Galbi restaurant. Was pretty good. He brought along a friend, who he already made a promise to (I guess the theme of the day was Korean Planning), and then, another Korean soldier friend called me, saying that he didn't go to him hometown, and wanted to meet up (in which he told me, during the week, that he was going), in which we went to a bar, and they drank some beers, i had juice, but we were all pretty tired, so got home at about 10:30. I went to bed early.
Woke up at 7:20am this morning. Had another dream about shit going down at an airport. Just another reminder to get organised about travelling soon.
Meet JY in Gwangju today. Had a really great time with her. When we met, we exchanged Pepero, and had some lunch. had some Mandu and Dongas together, then went to see "The Bufferfly". It was an AWESOME movie ^^ You gotta see it. I was waiting for the main actor, Gerald Butler (the main character in "300") to yell out "Spartaaa~". haha. Since an interesting movie, with a good twist at the end.Also, she helped me get a Megabox Point Card, which helps you get free stuff when you get enough points. I've already got a Columbus Cinema Card, which is for the cinema I go to regularly, but Megabox is the same price (7000won), but you get a free small popcorn ^^ I never used to like Popcorn, but now its all good ^^
After coffee, cheesecake and a good chat, we went to a 1000won shop (aka $2 shop), and tagged some stuff that we would buy after dinner. Had Galbi for dinner in a really nice place, across from Megabox. Then, back to the shop, bought the stuff, and made my way back to the terminal to get the bus home.
I had a great day with her. It felt really good to speak Korean and English with someone, who can understand both ^^
Not in the mood for a long blog ^^
Quick summary of today:
Got to the gym just after 11am, and was there for 2 hours. After some machine work, did a 500cal cardio workout. 350cal on the stepper, 150cal on the treadmill. Showers wern't working at the gym, so had to go to the public baths. Was only 2500won and not busy.
My Elementary Classes were okay today. First middle school class, kicked a kid out for swearing (first one was Fuck you, gave him a "you only get one chance" warning. 10 minutes later, he says 씨발, so, kicked him out). I'm sick of kids thinking they can get away with shit like that in my class, and not expect me to be pissed off. Also, they make a scene saying, sorry sorry, and they don't fucking mean it. DON'T FUCKING WASTE MY TIME.
Oh yeah, and the grade 3 middle school student who thought it was a good idea to slap me on the ass as he walked past. Show some f**king respect and keep your hands to yourself.
The 2nd middle school class was okay. I don't see the point of students being in my class, if they're not gonna talk English. Sitting there and listening does nothing. In Korea, being able to speak English well at their age isn't important. English is just another test for them in School - about grammar and vocabulary. One one hand, I feel sorry for them, because most of them grow up to hate English, but one the other hand, I really do feel like I'm wasting my time with most of them. Not all of them - the ones that do make an effort in my class, I feel sorry for, coz I'm too busy telling off the other kids that fuck around.
Only had 2 students in my last middle school class, and had way too much Pepero to give away, so they got most of it ^^
Went to Geomdo, and did another practice test. I really wanna be ready for my test on the 17th. It would be great to leave there with a pass, a black belt, and a smile so large that it would defend me instantly from Korea's bullshit (which I've been trying to deal with a lot this week). I bought my Gwanjangnim Chicken from BBQ tonight. I rarely eat with someone, so it felt really good to sit down with him, relax, eat some chicken, and just chat away in Korean. Yeah, Korean. I spoke Korean ^^ Even with good pronunciation (but my grammar needs some work ^^).
Got to the gym just after 11am, and was there for 2 hours. After some machine work, did a 500cal cardio workout. 350cal on the stepper, 150cal on the treadmill. Showers wern't working at the gym, so had to go to the public baths. Was only 2500won and not busy.
My Elementary Classes were okay today. First middle school class, kicked a kid out for swearing (first one was Fuck you, gave him a "you only get one chance" warning. 10 minutes later, he says 씨발, so, kicked him out). I'm sick of kids thinking they can get away with shit like that in my class, and not expect me to be pissed off. Also, they make a scene saying, sorry sorry, and they don't fucking mean it. DON'T FUCKING WASTE MY TIME.
Oh yeah, and the grade 3 middle school student who thought it was a good idea to slap me on the ass as he walked past. Show some f**king respect and keep your hands to yourself.
The 2nd middle school class was okay. I don't see the point of students being in my class, if they're not gonna talk English. Sitting there and listening does nothing. In Korea, being able to speak English well at their age isn't important. English is just another test for them in School - about grammar and vocabulary. One one hand, I feel sorry for them, because most of them grow up to hate English, but one the other hand, I really do feel like I'm wasting my time with most of them. Not all of them - the ones that do make an effort in my class, I feel sorry for, coz I'm too busy telling off the other kids that fuck around.
Only had 2 students in my last middle school class, and had way too much Pepero to give away, so they got most of it ^^
Went to Geomdo, and did another practice test. I really wanna be ready for my test on the 17th. It would be great to leave there with a pass, a black belt, and a smile so large that it would defend me instantly from Korea's bullshit (which I've been trying to deal with a lot this week). I bought my Gwanjangnim Chicken from BBQ tonight. I rarely eat with someone, so it felt really good to sit down with him, relax, eat some chicken, and just chat away in Korean. Yeah, Korean. I spoke Korean ^^ Even with good pronunciation (but my grammar needs some work ^^).
Thank F**k its Friday
Just glad that its friday. Worked hard at the gym yesterday, which made me more tired, and grumpy. Things were just pissing me off, and still are a little. My boiler still hasn't been replaced, which means, showers at the gym after exercising. I'm getting closer to that 500Cal cardio workout. 475cal yesterday. My knees were f**ked when trying to do Geomdo last night.
Work was work... same old crap.
I had Cheese Ddeokboki for dinner, which was a bad idea. Kinda gave me an upset stomach, and also set my heart of a little, so was beating a bit faster than what it should have been. Sometimes, its really hard to get to sleep when you're heart is pumping faster and harder that what it should. (that's why i'm on heart meds and going to the gym, so i don't have to have heart meds, coz i won't be fat and unhealthy). But hey, I've lost that 1kg I put on in the past two weeks from only going to the gym 3 times in 2 weeks, so its all good. Sometimes I need a break from the gym (and Geomdo) just to re-focus. But, I think i just need to use my weekends better, so that I can use them to focus, and come back Monday, hitting it hard, and giving it all I got.
At Geomdo, I've been practicing for my Black belt test that I'll have on the 17th. I've only seen one black belt test before, but it will be the first time to have one. So, Gwanjangnim has been taking me though a practice test, so I can get used to it, without laughing, and doing all the right things (like bowing, and knowing what to say, and just doing everything right). I've got today and next week to prepare for it. I should be okay, but if I don't pass, then I get a second chance next time (without paying for it).
Last night, after getting back from Geomdo, i just was in a shitty mood. I kept making stupid mistakes in my practice test. Even for a practice test, I was getting nervous. I had to take my recycling and rubbish out, which seemed to take forever. So, when i get a chance to sit down in my comfy chair, turn my computer on, I get a call from a Korean friend, which is nice, but I wasn't really in the mood for broken English, and also wasn't in the mood to deal with his recent breakup shit that I've been trying to help him with. I don't think he's all that emotionally aware, as in, his level of emotional maturity is lower than his real age.
Also, when it comes to broken English, sometimes I like to help my friends out, by fixing their mistakes. Most of the appreciate it, and try their best to fix it, but there is one thing that I have to keep repeating to this guy, and he never gets it! It can be so frustrating.
Everyone has their faults, but there are days where it's just too much to handle.
But, today is Friday... Weekend is just around the corner ^^
Work was work... same old crap.
I had Cheese Ddeokboki for dinner, which was a bad idea. Kinda gave me an upset stomach, and also set my heart of a little, so was beating a bit faster than what it should have been. Sometimes, its really hard to get to sleep when you're heart is pumping faster and harder that what it should. (that's why i'm on heart meds and going to the gym, so i don't have to have heart meds, coz i won't be fat and unhealthy). But hey, I've lost that 1kg I put on in the past two weeks from only going to the gym 3 times in 2 weeks, so its all good. Sometimes I need a break from the gym (and Geomdo) just to re-focus. But, I think i just need to use my weekends better, so that I can use them to focus, and come back Monday, hitting it hard, and giving it all I got.
At Geomdo, I've been practicing for my Black belt test that I'll have on the 17th. I've only seen one black belt test before, but it will be the first time to have one. So, Gwanjangnim has been taking me though a practice test, so I can get used to it, without laughing, and doing all the right things (like bowing, and knowing what to say, and just doing everything right). I've got today and next week to prepare for it. I should be okay, but if I don't pass, then I get a second chance next time (without paying for it).
Last night, after getting back from Geomdo, i just was in a shitty mood. I kept making stupid mistakes in my practice test. Even for a practice test, I was getting nervous. I had to take my recycling and rubbish out, which seemed to take forever. So, when i get a chance to sit down in my comfy chair, turn my computer on, I get a call from a Korean friend, which is nice, but I wasn't really in the mood for broken English, and also wasn't in the mood to deal with his recent breakup shit that I've been trying to help him with. I don't think he's all that emotionally aware, as in, his level of emotional maturity is lower than his real age.
Also, when it comes to broken English, sometimes I like to help my friends out, by fixing their mistakes. Most of the appreciate it, and try their best to fix it, but there is one thing that I have to keep repeating to this guy, and he never gets it! It can be so frustrating.
Everyone has their faults, but there are days where it's just too much to handle.
But, today is Friday... Weekend is just around the corner ^^
Wednesday's Gym Playlist
Long Way Home / ATB
Shopping / West End Girls
Fugitive (Richard X Extended Mix) / Pet Shop Boys
Rock Bottom / Scooter
Apache Rocks the Bottom (Radio) / Scooter
It's a Fine Day (ATB Club Mix) / Miss Jane
Can't Sleep (Edit) / Above & Beyond
Mr. Brightside / Jealous Guys
Borderline / Michael Gray
Strict Machine (Benassi Sfaction Remix) / Goldfrapp
Don't Give Up 2004 (Alex Gold & the Sound Xpress Radio Edit) / Chicane featuring Bryan Adams
King's Cross / Foretaste
Wild Wild West (Featuring Dru Hill and Kool Mo Dee) / Will Smith
Flawless (Go to the City) (Shapeshifters Remix) / George Michael
Outro Medley / Pet Shop Boys
In the Dark (Radio Edit) / Tiësto featuring Christian Burns
It's Home and Dry, Alright?! (Original Version) / Pet Shop Boys
The Sound Of Breaking Up (Paul Mac's After Dark Remix) / Paul Mac featuring Peta Morris
Illusion (featuring Sandy) / Benny Benassi
Time Now (ATB Remix) / Woody Van Eyden
Weekend! / Scooter
Run away / Real McCoy
End of the World (Andy's mix) / Pet Shop Boys
Flamboyant (Single Mix) / Pet Shop Boys
Party Song / Pet Shop Boys
Rudebox / Robbie Williams
White Lies (Radio Edit) / Paul van Dyk
Get That (featuring Perry) (Andy's Remix) / Lexy
Shopping / West End Girls
Fugitive (Richard X Extended Mix) / Pet Shop Boys
Rock Bottom / Scooter
Apache Rocks the Bottom (Radio) / Scooter
It's a Fine Day (ATB Club Mix) / Miss Jane
Can't Sleep (Edit) / Above & Beyond
Mr. Brightside / Jealous Guys
Borderline / Michael Gray
Strict Machine (Benassi Sfaction Remix) / Goldfrapp
Don't Give Up 2004 (Alex Gold & the Sound Xpress Radio Edit) / Chicane featuring Bryan Adams
King's Cross / Foretaste
Wild Wild West (Featuring Dru Hill and Kool Mo Dee) / Will Smith
Flawless (Go to the City) (Shapeshifters Remix) / George Michael
Outro Medley / Pet Shop Boys
In the Dark (Radio Edit) / Tiësto featuring Christian Burns
It's Home and Dry, Alright?! (Original Version) / Pet Shop Boys
The Sound Of Breaking Up (Paul Mac's After Dark Remix) / Paul Mac featuring Peta Morris
Illusion (featuring Sandy) / Benny Benassi
Time Now (ATB Remix) / Woody Van Eyden
Weekend! / Scooter
Run away / Real McCoy
End of the World (Andy's mix) / Pet Shop Boys
Flamboyant (Single Mix) / Pet Shop Boys
Party Song / Pet Shop Boys
Rudebox / Robbie Williams
White Lies (Radio Edit) / Paul van Dyk
Get That (featuring Perry) (Andy's Remix) / Lexy
Just Wednesday...
Woke up at 7:30am today, which is very strange for days of late :p Been trying to get organised and getting to the gym on time, and get a bit of time to myself, so i'm not always in a rush. The internet is like my coffee in the morning, so I normally chat to a few friends, and check the regular sites, while I eat breakfast, then wait a bit to have my heart meds and multivitamins.
Got to the gym at about 11am. first 30-40 mins just worked on chest, arms and did some situps. Nothing too hard core, because I'm concentrating on cardio more, to lose weight. After loosing some more weight, I'll get into weights more. So, thought about just going a little harder than usual in cardio today. Normally I aim for a 200 ~ 250cal cardio work out, but since I'm not going to Geomdo today, I just pushed myself - 200cal on the stepper, 250cal on the treadmill. That's the most I've done - 450cal.
Went to a restaurant for lunch, and had 돌솥비빔밥 (Dolsot Bibimbap). I find that Bibimbap gives me enough energy to get through my 6 classes a day, and i try to have a small dinner, because I don't finish work normally until 7:50pm, and then go to Geomdo class.
Bought some Pepero for class today, since Sunday is Pepero day. Classes were really good today. It rarely happens, but is damn good when it does. Just went with the flow ^^
Only had Gimchi Mandu and Side dishes (Raddish and Gimchi) for dinner. Didn't wanna eat too much, since I wasn't gonna do Geomdo.
That's pretty much my normal day... ^^ Really looking forward to Sunday ^^
Got to the gym at about 11am. first 30-40 mins just worked on chest, arms and did some situps. Nothing too hard core, because I'm concentrating on cardio more, to lose weight. After loosing some more weight, I'll get into weights more. So, thought about just going a little harder than usual in cardio today. Normally I aim for a 200 ~ 250cal cardio work out, but since I'm not going to Geomdo today, I just pushed myself - 200cal on the stepper, 250cal on the treadmill. That's the most I've done - 450cal.
Went to a restaurant for lunch, and had 돌솥비빔밥 (Dolsot Bibimbap). I find that Bibimbap gives me enough energy to get through my 6 classes a day, and i try to have a small dinner, because I don't finish work normally until 7:50pm, and then go to Geomdo class.
Bought some Pepero for class today, since Sunday is Pepero day. Classes were really good today. It rarely happens, but is damn good when it does. Just went with the flow ^^
Only had Gimchi Mandu and Side dishes (Raddish and Gimchi) for dinner. Didn't wanna eat too much, since I wasn't gonna do Geomdo.
That's pretty much my normal day... ^^ Really looking forward to Sunday ^^
Back to Hardcore
Lately, I've been slacking off with Gym and Geomdo. Last week and the week before, I only went 3 times, and Geomdo about 5. Now, the plan is to go as many times as I can (6 times for gym, 5 times for geomdo). I won't have Geomdo tomorrow because my Geomdo teacher has to deal with some personal stuff, and wanted to finish the class early, and i just said, its okay, i won't come, and I'll go friday, which I don't normally do, because I work a little later on fridays.
Anyway, speaking of Geomdo, I'm going to my first black belt test on Saturday the 17th, so I will practice for that. Its a bit expensive, but you do get a lot of stuff (if you pass). If you don't pass first time, you can take the test a 2nd time, and doesn't cost anything. Anyway, is 180000won. (which is about ($210 Australian).
Lately, got a bit of a cold, but I'm hoping that it will be gone by the weekend. Also, it doesn't help when your hot water boiler thingy dies Saturday night, so that you don't have heating (Koreans have hot water pipes under the floor to heat the floor). So, things are cold in the apartment, and the only shower I can have, is at the gym after working out. According to the maintenance guy, new boilers are gonna be installed tomorrow, so, rather than getting it fixed, I'm waiting for a new one to be installed.
Also trying to help, well, counsel a friend though a breakup/end of friendship thing, which i think is starting to show success. I think we're finally heading towards the light on this one.
Not much else is going on really. Getting into winter here, so gotta start wearing pants. Which reminds me of a dream I had a while ago. I was at work, and my boss told me that I have to start wearing pants to work, coz its cold. But, I said, I'm okay, and I look outside, and there's so much snow. lol.
A dream I had last night, is that I'm heading towards Incheon Airport, got everything organized, and was waiting inline to get my boarding pass. I get to the counter, and they ask for my passport, but I don't have it!
Anyway, speaking of Geomdo, I'm going to my first black belt test on Saturday the 17th, so I will practice for that. Its a bit expensive, but you do get a lot of stuff (if you pass). If you don't pass first time, you can take the test a 2nd time, and doesn't cost anything. Anyway, is 180000won. (which is about ($210 Australian).
Lately, got a bit of a cold, but I'm hoping that it will be gone by the weekend. Also, it doesn't help when your hot water boiler thingy dies Saturday night, so that you don't have heating (Koreans have hot water pipes under the floor to heat the floor). So, things are cold in the apartment, and the only shower I can have, is at the gym after working out. According to the maintenance guy, new boilers are gonna be installed tomorrow, so, rather than getting it fixed, I'm waiting for a new one to be installed.
Also trying to help, well, counsel a friend though a breakup/end of friendship thing, which i think is starting to show success. I think we're finally heading towards the light on this one.
Not much else is going on really. Getting into winter here, so gotta start wearing pants. Which reminds me of a dream I had a while ago. I was at work, and my boss told me that I have to start wearing pants to work, coz its cold. But, I said, I'm okay, and I look outside, and there's so much snow. lol.
A dream I had last night, is that I'm heading towards Incheon Airport, got everything organized, and was waiting inline to get my boarding pass. I get to the counter, and they ask for my passport, but I don't have it!
I know, I'm slack!
I know I haven't written anything here for a while... Having a cyworld (www.cyworld.com/hojuandy), and keeping that organised is busy enough. Will try to write here more often, now that I have remembered my password :p
Photos from the Gwangju Design Bienalle
The Bienalla was really cool. Also made a new friend there too ^^
In Gyeongju with Gangmo
Korean B-Boy and Martial Arts Demo. It was really cool.
Russian Ice Dancers. Gangmo fell instantly in love ^^
After the Festival, we went ATV Bike Riding, it was pretty cool ^^
Gyeongju International Culture Festival
I came to Daegu after work on Friday night. It only took 3 hours and 5 minutes, which was really good. So, arrived at 동대구 at 12:10... and met 강모 at 경북대 just after.
The Gyeongju International Culture Expo was really awesome ;) We saw Turkish dancing, Korean b-boy and martial arts performance, Russian Ice-skating performance, ate a Turkish Kebab, and watched a performance called Silk Way, wish was rather fun ^^ 강모 fell in love with one of the rall Russian ice-skaters. Silk way had many types of dancing and other things, including a trapese act (the girl who did that was soooo sexy!), many styles of dancing, and some kind of clowns ^^
After that, we rode ATV bikes, and then went to a shooting range. My shooting was a little more consitent than 강모's, but he did military training for 2 years! haha
Its one of the best days I've had in Korea ^^ Thanks 강모 ^^
At Geomdo
So close to black belt that I can taste it (not that I wanna eat it... but you get the idea) ^^
Glad that it's friday. I've been to the gym every week this week, so, that has made me feel good, and tired at the same time ^^ Also, i'm looking forward to having a few days off work. Its a little annoying that during those days off (monday/tuesday/wednesday), that I can't really travel anywhere, but its okay.
I'm having a f**king fantastic day! I went to the doctor's, got my stitches out, had lunch at 김밥나라, got my haircut, and died my hair black ^^ After work, I went to a recently opened restaurant called 상무회관, which specialises in Galbi. I had 된장지께 there, and it is the best I've eaten in Korea!
Tomorrow, I can start going to the health club again, and start geomdo again, so I'm really looking forward to that ;)
Jeju
At least I tried to smile ^^
Sydney Opera House - Minimini Land style ^^
Gimnyeong Maze Park (김녕 미로 공원).
Just starting this...
Just started the blog, so that i can post random, and not so random things about my adventure in South Korea. I've been here since October 2005, teaching English in a small town in the countryside of Jeollanam-do, which is in the south-west corner of South Korea.
As time goes on, I'll add stuff from the past (almost) 2 years of my time in Korea, and talk about current things as well.
As time goes on, I'll add stuff from the past (almost) 2 years of my time in Korea, and talk about current things as well.
Well, September has started. I think, as you get older, time goes faster - or at least feels like it ^^
I had a minor operation friday, to remove a cyst from the back of my left shoulder. All up, the surgery took about 35 minutes. Its a little bit sore now and then, but nothing too bad. Its just really annoying that I can't have a shower!
I had dinner with 관장님 and his family last night. 사모님 makes the best 갈비 ^^ Today I went to Gwangju in the afternoon, to buy a book for a student, and to do some quick shopping at Emart. Nothing to special. Just usual stuff.
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