Livin' in S. Korea

Here we go!

2005-10-05T07:14:00.000+09:00

So I start Buckies tonight....don't know what to think about the whole thing. But overall I'm excited. I just plan on having fun and feeding my caffeine addiction further.

Time here is passing smoothly into fall. A few hot days with cool evenings and a cold front on the way. I have managed to garden myself into a hole (ha ha) I am now watching carefully so that I don't freeze all my potted plants out since were having nights in the 30's. Not very exciting I know but it allows me to clearly hear the voices in my head. And tell them not to be so critical! So that's life in a nutshell.

SO much to say...and feeling a little spastic

2005-09-22T03:30:00.000+09:00

You know that problem procrastinators tend to have? You know the one where you put something off for so long that you then have no idea where to begin or what to add, cut, or otherwise share? Well that's this post. I have been ignoring this site for so many reasons, some that I don't even know. But the bottom line is that I am currently living a boring life and it's kinda nice.

There's no way to know what I would be posting right now if I was still in Korea. Would I have lost my mind by now and be rambling on about how much I hate my job? Would I have adjusted and be finding Korea not such a bad place to live? Would I have run off to London to join a troop of gypsies? Or Thailand to become a beach bum? I don't know.

But the place where I am is working out pretty well and I have to thank God for that. I have a feeling of freedom that I haven't had for a while. I get to make my schedule (without the aid of a translator), I can drive when I please and where I please. I get to garden. I again have some shopping self restraint (but only a little).

Ahhh but then again I have picked up some bad habits too. I have to HUNT down wi-fi so there are some evenings I look like a cheap-skate sitting in the Panera parking lot after 10 PM. I again watch WAY too much TV. Not to mention that I now have an AM line up as well as a PM line up. And there's many more but really, I can't give away ALL my good secrets now can I?

But soon my life of leisure will be ending since I have to find gainful employment. Substituting and Starbuck's are what I've settled for. Now before you go putting your two cents in (and somehow manage to stick your foot in your mouth) these are the choices that I feel for this time period are the best for me. And I am looking forward to them. I wanted to stay low stress and yet not have to consider pregnancy to gain government assistance as a 3rd job option. I think this is going to allow me to do that. Plus, really, me with the equivalent of a coffee i.v. you gotta know this is something close to heaven for me. Other than that I'm just trying to stay out of trouble, ya dig?

In a word....

2005-08-30T07:41:00.000+09:00

"The past is our definition. We may strive, with good reason, to escape it, or to escape what is bad in it, but we will escape it only by adding something better to it."

- Wendell Berry (1934~) American Farmer, Educator, Poet, Conservationist

For many good reasons and lame excuses it's been a long time since I have posted and for that I beseech you for forgiveness. But there has been a lot happening and then I found this quote and it seemed to sum a lot of things up for me. The bottom line, things have to change to redefine what my past has made me. For all the things that have been stripped away a new layer must be added to protect and enhance what is beneath. So while this may be my last post FROM Korea I am sure that this is not my last reflection on the place nor the end to my posting.

Torrents anyone?

2005-07-19T09:16:00.000+09:00

Hey so I'm a little slow but it seems that TVTorrents is up and running again. Yeah !

Down Time

2005-07-19T09:04:00.000+09:00

Well here I sit in Teadrops the place that most definitely qualifies as a home location. It's changed as all things do and as it was in constant new business flux before this is no surprise. But here I am AND there is free wireless. People just come here when ever you can't find me because this is my new office.

Anyway. Back from Toronto and enjoyed the conference. I even learned a few things, about science that is. I also had fun with Bev in Cali. Um so yeah that's about all I'm willing to divulge at this moment since there is a plethora if people watching to do and some Enviro Sci S&B that I have to work on.

Long Post Short

2005-07-08T14:00:00.000+09:00

K so there hasn't been a lot for me to post while here in the US because I have avoided all things of consequence.

Went to Michigan to see Luna for a week. That was good. This year for the 4th we watched it rain instead of colored fog. Definetly not an upgrade.

I keep passing family in friends like Romeo and Juliet when I am not on a plane to someplace else. Lucky for all of us there are no priest passing out potions anywhere in the vicinity.

Yes I love driving and no it was not hard to get back into the drivers seat.

Just so you all know I'm sitting in the Parking Lot of Panera stealing wireless internet at 12:00 AM and in the morn I shall arise and drive to Columbia again.

Saw Weezer and relieved highschool and a few moments from plan period this year. F n G man F n G.

Theres the short, unspell checked, spastic, random version of the last few weeks.

Off to bed for now, hopefull I will post again before I go to SF. And yes I have taken pictures. Too bad I haven't put any of them on-line

KISSES!

bet Columbus didn't have this problem....

2005-06-24T18:32:00.000+09:00

Just sitting around cursing modern travel at 4 in the morning, since it seems that jet lag has a tighter hold on me than I thought it could. It seems I've been napping at night for 3 hours, exhausted all day and then whenever I try to take a nap my body misinterprets this as bedtime. Ugh!

Made it!!

2005-06-19T22:38:00.000+09:00

So despite a long and tiring trip I'm back in KC. Strangely all my time in Korea has yet to have a negative effect on my transition back into polite society. Restaurants? Easy. Family? Catching up nicely. Shopping? Wellll have yet to try that but I have a feeling all will be well.

I will no doubt expand more on many other subjects but for now the crowning glory of the trip had to be my introduction into finding wireless internet at the airport. Man love the first class lounges, they just broadcast that connection all up and down the terminal.

Off to go clog my arteries with family breakfast. MMMmmmmmm biscuits and gravy. I'm in love!

Tokyo

2005-06-18T14:14:00.000+09:00

All right this is the third time意はヴぇｔ梨恵ｄとぽｓｔ。Ｓｏｍｅ　ｈｏｗ　Ｉ　ｅｎｄ　ｕｐ　ｈｉｔｔｉｎｇ　ｋｅｙｓ　ｔｈａｔ　ｄｏ　てゃｔ案ｄ円ｄうｐｔｙピンｇいんチャラｃちぇ餡　餡ｄｄｄｒｓＩ　ｄｏｎｔ　ｋｎｏｗ　ｈｏｗ　負けいｔｐ

Ａｌｌ　ｒｉｇｈｔ　ｆｉｇｕｒｅｄ　ｏｕｔ　ｔｈｅ　ｐｒｏｂｌｅｍ　ｂｕｔ　ｍａｎ　ｉ　ｈａｖｅ　ｔｏ　ｓａｙ　ｔｈｉｓ　ｉｓ　ａｎｎｏｙｉｎｇ．　　ｎｅｗａｙ，，　ｇｏｔ　ｏｕｔ　ｏｆ　ｔａｅｊｏｎ　ｗｉｔｈ　ａｌｌ　ｍｙ　ｌｕｇａｇｅ　ｐａｃｋｅｄ　ａｎｄ　ａ　ｂｒｏｋｅｎ　ｔｏｅ　ｉ　ｔｈｉｎｋ．
ｈａｎｇｉｎｇ　ｏｕｔ　ｉｎ　ｎａｒｉｔａ　ｗｈｅｒｅ　ｉ　ｆｏｕｎｄ　ｆｒｅｅｅ　ｉｎｔｅｒｎｅｔ，　ｐｒｏｂａｂｌｙ　ｈａｓ　ｔｏ　ｓｅｌｌ　ｍｙ　ｐａｓｓｐｏｒｔ　ｔｏ　ｇｅｔ　ｉｔ，　ａｎｄ　ｍｙ　ｆｌｉｇｈｔ　ｂｏｒｅｄｓ　ｉｎ　３０　ｍｉｎｓ．　　Ｅｖｅｒｙｔｈｉｎｇ　ｉｓ　ｓｏ　ｅｘｐｅｎｓｉｖｃｅ　ｉｎ　ｔｈｉｓ　ａｉｒｐｏｒｔ　ａｎｄ　ｉｔ：ｓ　ａｌｌ　ｃｒａｍｍｅｄ　ｉｎｔｏ　ｔｈｅｓｅ　ｉｔｔｙ　ｂｉｔｔｙ　ｓｐａｃｅｓ．　　ｓｕｐｐｏｓｅ　ｉ　ｓｈｏｕｌｄ　ｔａｋｅ　ａ　ｐｉｃｋ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｄｕｔｙ　ｆｒｅｅ　ｓｈｏｐ．　Ｒｅｆｒａｉｎｅｄ　ｆｒｏｍ　ｂｕｙｉｎｇ　ａ　３００　ｄｏｌｌａｒｔ　ｇａｄｇｅｔ　ｗｈｅｎ　ｉ　ｒｅａｌｉｚｅｄ　ｉ　ｃｏｕｌｄ　ｂｕｙ　ａｌｌ　ｔｈｅ　ｓｕｉｔｓ　ｉ　ｎｅｅｄ　ｆｏｒ　ｎｅｘｔ　ｙｅａｒ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｔｈａｔ　ｍｏｎｅｙ　ｏｒ　ｐａｙ　ａｎ　ｅｘｔｒａ　ｍｏｎｔｈ　ｏｎ　ｍｙ　ｓｃｈｏｏｌ　ｌｏａｎｓ．　Ｓａｖｅ　ｍｅ　ｆｒｏｍ　ｍｙｓｅｌｆ！Ｗｅｌｌ　Ｉ’ｌｌ　ｆｉｘ　ｔｈｉｓ　ａｌｌ　ｕｐ　ｌａｔｅｒ．　　Ｈｅｒｅ　ａｒｅ　ａ　ｆｅｗ　ｍｏｒｅ　Ｊａｐａｎｅｓ　ｃｈａｒａｃｔｅｒｓ　ｆｏｒ　ｙｏｕ　ｔｏ　ｄｅｃｉｐｈｅｒ．　　Ｉｆ　Ｉ　ｅｎｄ　ｕｐ　ｃｕｓｓｉｎｇ　Ｉｔ：ｓ　ａｎ　ａｃｃｉｄｅｎ！！！

jjfｈｇｆｆｇｈオｋッジュｊｌｌｋｌｋジイオｌｌｌｐ;ッピ８８ウｙ５５４３３ｗ＃＄％’（）Ｏ（Ｉ９９８７７６｜～＝）（’ｈふぇｗｊふぉ絵ｐ;ｊふぇｓｄｊふぇ里０３２５８絵ｊｆｌ。ｍｃ？＋あｐ：ｑ＠「：@pwcmzcngbrghyagydqr

21:11 Hours

2005-06-17T21:11:00.000+09:00

Since I know that all of you want a play by play of my last hours in Korea here it is. In all its sad and 'surreal' glory.

- Just got Crystal out the door and realized that my apt looks worse now that she is gone then with her in it. There are thrashed bags, towels, trash and shoes lying about the place.

- Ate some grub (still attempting to clean out the fridge before morn) and am now debating on going to meet the gang or do a bit of picking up. I think Steph would advise fun over clean so that may just be what I'll do. Must remember to come home fairly sober so I'm not fighting a hangover as well as fatigue.

More later.....

2005-06-17T08:43:00.000+09:00

This is it guys, come and get me!!

Arrival:
OZ 102 18JUN ICN NRT HK1 1000 1210
CO 6 18JUN NRT IAH HK1 1550 1350
CO 684 18JUN IAH MCI HK1 1918 2117

Return:
CO 3119 10AUG MCI IAH HK1 0745 0950
CO 7 10AUG IAH NRT HK1 1050 #1420
KE 2 11AUG NRT ICN HK1 1700 1925

Thursday

2005-06-16T08:42:00.000+09:00

Well I leave in 44 hours for the Continental US and the apt is a MESS! I have clothes strewn about the place (going for the pile method of sorting), stacks of things that need homes, a bathroom that hasn't been cleaned in ages (I'll clean it before I leave has been my matra) and all I keep thinking is "but my suitcase is packed therefore I must be ready to leave."

THAT is the problem with a procrastinator packing early. Harrumph, I think I'll go eat some ramen.

dooce...

2005-06-15T08:53:00.000+09:00

Man I read to laugh, this woman is funny. And if you need another reason to go to use THIS link then here you go. This is a great example of why people need to leave hibernation and Utah a little more often.

Disney will never be the same

2005-06-14T19:44:00.000+09:00

Went to Everland with the kiddos today. They were genuinely excited, Rita and I faked it until we convinced ourselves. In a moment of pure irony brought on by the last amusement park trip I had, I lugged 2 files of papers to grade with me in an attempt to work when I didn't have to. Ironic why you ask? Well, HELLO, at an amusement park carrying work around on my back, only to ignore it the entire time. Sound like my rants very often?

On a different note. Got home to find the infamous "Max" had posted on my blog. YEAH! Love that girl! So I went to her blog and read for a few hours which has led me to the question...What Would Sara Do?

What Would Sara Do if SHE had moved to Korea.

1. Sara would have learned Korean
2. Sara would have made lots of friends all around the place.
3. Sara would have found the best tofu in town and would recreate far off lands with it.
4. Sara would be saving the dogs that are at the meat market.
5. Sara wouldn't have come to work for some crazy school with rules about dress, drink, and beliefs.

AND despite the fact that I am not Sara, I have to wonder what I have done to make Korea a part of me, not just a place to do the same old tired thing. Will Return to this thought later. Not much up for introspection right now.

Kiss me before I forget who you are!

2005-06-12T10:23:00.000+09:00

So this was my procrastination activity for today. Not like the final I have to write, cleaning, packing and other nonsense can't wait.

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free.

In love, you feel the most alive when things are straight-forward, and you're told that you're loved.

You'd like to your lover to think you are stylish and alluring.

You would be forced to break up with someone who was ruthless, cold-blooded, and sarcastic.

Your ideal relationship is open. Both of you can talk about everything... no secrets.

Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment.

You think of marriage something you've always wanted... though you haven't really thought about it.

In this moment, you think of love as something you thirst for. You'll do anything for love, but you won't fall for it easily.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

I needed a quiz to tell me this?

2005-06-09T14:30:00.000+09:00

I took the Blogging Personality Quiz at About Web logs and I am...

The Daily Grinder
I love blogging because it's like therapy. I can write about anything and everything that happens to me - from the food I ate to what I was doing when I heard the latest 'breaking news'. Being able to communicate with my friends (online and/or real life) through my blog is important to me.

Stardate: 06082005

2005-06-08T07:39:00.000+09:00

Conservative: a statesman who is enamored of existing evils, as distinguished from the Liberal, who wishes to replace them with others. Bierce

On a different note I have been enamored with Arial this year, Arial Narrow to be precise. What is it with fonts and their ability to control us? I think I need to get out more.

Today will hunt down the puppy mills of Deajeon in an attempt to see if Stella has been picked up and redistributed. Ms. Jung got a text message yesterday about her, but were fairly sure it was just a prank message. Kids round the world are the same, F*#~ING CRUEL!

I just need to laugh....again

2005-06-07T09:39:00.000+09:00

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MALES AND FEMALES?...READ ON.
It might seem a little long, but it's hilarious.

University Of Phoenix students

The professor told his class one day: "Today we will experiment with a new form called the tandem story. The process is simple. Each person will pair off with the person sitting to his or her immediate right. As homework tonight, one of you will write the first paragraph of a short story. You will e-mail your partner that paragraph and send another copy to me. The partner will read the first paragraph and then add another paragraph to the story and send it back, also sending another copy to me. The first person will then add a third paragraph, nd so on back-and-forth. Remember to re-read what t has been written each time in order to keep the story coherent. There is be absolutely NO talking outside of the e-mails and anything you wish to say must be written in the e-mail. The story is over when both agree a conclusion has been reached."

The following was actually turned in by two of his English students:
Rebecca and Gary.

THE STORY:

(first paragraph by Rebecca)
At first, Laurie couldn't decide which kind of tea she wanted. The chamomile, which used to be her favorite for lazy evenings at home, now reminded her too much of Carl, who once said, in happier times, that he liked chamomile. But she felt she must now, at all costs, keep her mind off Carl. His possessiveness was suffocating, and if she thought about him too much her asthma started acting up again. So chamomile was out of the question.

(second paragraph by Gary)
Meanwhile, Advance Sergeant Carl Harris, leader of the attack squadron now in orbit over Skylon 4, had more important things to think about than the neuroses of an air-headed asthmatic bimbo named Laurie with whom he had spent one sweaty night over a year ago. Harris to Geostation 17," he said into his transgalactic communicator. "Polar orbit established. No sign of resistance so far..." But before he could sign off a bluish particle beam flashed out of now here and blasted a hole through his ship's cargo bay. The jolt from the direct hit sent him flying out of his seat and across the cockpit.

(Rebecca)
He bumped his head and died almost immediately, but not before he felt one last pang of regret for psychically brutalizing the one woman who had ever had feelings for him. Soon afterwards, Earth stopped its pointless hostilities towards the peaceful farmers of Skylon 4. "Congress Passes Law Permanently Abolishing War and Space Travel," Laurie read in her newspaper one morning. The news simultaneously excited her and bored her. She stared out the window, dreaming of her youth, when the days had passed unhurriedly and carefree, with no newspaper to read, no television to distract her from her sense of innocent wonder at all the beautiful things around her. "Why must one lose one's innocence to become a woman?" she pondered wistfully.

(Gary)
Little did she know, but she had less than 10 seconds to live. Thousands of miles above the city, the Anu'udrian mothership launched the first of its lithium fusion missiles. The dim-witted wimpy peaceniks who pushed the Unilateral Aerospace disarmament Treaty through the congress had left Earth a defenseless target for the hostile alien empires who were determined to destroy the human race. Within two hours after the passage of the treaty the Anu'udrian ships were on course for Earth, carrying enough firepower to pulverize the entire planet. With no one to stop them, they swiftly initiated their diabolical plan. The lithium fusion missile entered the atmosphere unimpeded. The President, in his top-secret mobile submarine headquarters on the ocean floor off the coast of Guam, felt the inconceivably massive explosion, which vaporized poor, stupid, Laurie and 85 million other Americans. The President slammed his fist on the conference table. "We can't allow this! I'm going to veto that treaty! Let's blow 'em out of the sky!"

(Rebecca)
This is absurd. I refuse to continue this mockery of literature. My writing partner is a violent, chauvinistic semi-literate adolescent.

(Gary)
Yeah? Well, you're a self-centered tedious neurotic whose attempts at writing are the literary equivalent of Valium. "Oh, shall I have chamomile tea? Or shall I have some other sort of F--KING TEA??? Oh no, I'm such an air headed bimbo who reads too many Danielle Steele novels!

(Rebecca)
Asshole.

(Gary)
Bitch

(Rebecca)
F__K YOU - YOU NEANDERTHAL!

(Gary)
Go drink some tea - whore.

(TEACHER)
A+ - I really liked this one.

I hate the pain

2005-06-05T22:53:00.000+09:00

Day 6 still looking: Crystal is more friendly than usual, I put up signs, call for Stella whenever I walk around the Dong, look for her and still nothing. My tears are fruitless and the only answer to my voices is the snicker of Korean's or the empty echo of my voice. I hate the hurt.

It doesn't stop, it isn't controllable. It comes in waves and leaves my body in wails. I don't want to hurt this is what we try to insulate ourselves from this is why we build walls and houses and seatbelts. It doesn't stop it, the tsunami's still hit the most beautifil beaches and wash away more than sand. The ache is intolerable because it's something that can't be removed like a splinter from your finger. This is why people cut themselves. This is why they pierce, slice, punch and sear themselves. To create a pain greater than the one that cannot be cauterized no matter the hole. This is why people end their lives with a silken cord or dose of something pure.

I know I will not feel this forever. I know that soon the grip that macerates my inner being will become a long cramp that holds me but ebbs away and that to will meld into a twinge that scratches like a loose rope I can throw off if I move quickly enough. But I fear this too because I know that next time caution goes out for coffee and leaves me alone loss will rejoin me and snatch something else and this will all begin again. Adding one pain to the next. How long can this last and how long will I fight?

Fairie Catmother

2005-06-03T00:39:00.000+09:00

http://www.ratemykitten.com/ratemy/kitten?image=197079

Thursday: Stardate 06022005

2005-06-02T15:01:00.000+09:00

Got a swanky mug today from the teachers lounge, "In Recognition of Hon.Ed.D.Award" What's that? Don't know? Don't care. Free mug.
Gave Hannabella carrots and watermelon today. She ate them with the gusto of a 3 year old with a popsicle and has the faux lipstick look to prove it!
Talked with Luna and thus the real reason for this post. Faith, God and lost kitties what's the connection? Still working on that.
Enlisted the Church of Latter Day Saints in the search for Stella. Figure I should get something out of all the energy that I have invested into it's complement of men.
Rita is currently my voice of reason. She's keeping my mind on the rest of my life and keeping me doing other things. Things I need to do and things that make me laugh.
Also made my first Stella joke today. Had a mental picture of Stella with one of those plump, red hobo bags tied to her tail was she walked next to the railroad tracks. Awwww. too bad I'm just masking all my fears with humor.

Denial isn't working anymore

2005-06-01T22:49:00.000+09:00

So I have been putting off this post for a while now. Mostly because I knew when I wrote it down it was real, no more oops it's just Ninah being flaky, I'd have to face facts about my inconsistency's and shortcomings.

I've screwed up and there's not an easy way to fix it.

Stella's A.W.O.L.

Monday:
Not thinking about it since I had done it before I opened my front door to get a breeze into the apt. and left it that way for a few hours. While I had it open Stella wandered out. Again didn't freak because she had been on the hall before and would come back when I called her or she never made it far. When I went to look for her there was no sign of her anywhere. I looked up and down the building with no success. I looked outside as well and there was no sign of her. I tried to stay calm and kept telling myself she would come back and other things to keep me calm.

Tuesday:
Woke up, no cat. Cried and searched to no avail around the apt. Had to go to Seoul to take care of some ticket things. Had already bought the train ticket so I went for it. Tried to drown my sorrows in a make over and some shopping and it worked for a while. But when I came back and went out to put up signs I was back at panic central. The signs I want to point out would not have been possible had it not been for Emily, a student of mine, who sat with me for 30 minutes translating and what not. Emily YOU ROCK! So yeah signs. Went backed to bed and again hoped for the best.

Wednesday:
Woke up again and again no cat. Tried not to cry to much in the morning so I put on my new make-up and headed out the door. Found a flier on the floor when I got out of the elevator so I picked it up on a whim and asked the guard since he wasn't on duty last night. And that's when my mind went into overdrive.

In the ever useful, handsignal Korean, I know I realized he knew more than I could get besides the fact that he had seen Stella and and she was that way. So I called Eun Joo Jung and she got the gist of it. It seems that someone on a different floor had called him and said there was some cat meowing (Stella). Then he said he "saw" her and then things get fuzzy. After a few hours to stew I realized that Stella probably had help exiting the building.

I made it through work and was ready to head home with Rita to put more signs up when the heavens open wide and poured. Signs up, cat still lost. And now 11PM I'm at the stage where I realized I am a bad mother. If I ever have children I will end up leaving them in cars with the windows up, they will run with scissors and somehow manage to break my heart more times than I can count. This whole thing is too much for me. I want a hug and some comfort.

Stella where ever you are I hope you are dry and fed and warm and that St. Francis is watching over you. Come home soon.

THIS is the country that I live in?

2005-05-30T21:53:00.000+09:00

North Korea to kids: Candy is good for you
Impoverished state claims new candy boosts children’s IQ

SEOUL, South Korea - Candy is dandy for North Korean children trying to grow tall, strong and smart in a country battling chronic food shortages.

North Korea has developed a candy it claims is good for children and will help them increase their height, weight and IQ, a pro-North Korea newspaper published in Japan said on Friday.

“Unlike medications that help growth by clinical methods or hormonal effects, the growth nutritional candy has no negative side effects,” the Choson Sinbo said, based on an interview with the head of a nutritional research center in the North.

Unlike sugar-packed and chocolate-covered sweets, North Korea is hoping that children in the reclusive state will enjoy munching on their nutritional candy made of seaweed, beans, carrots and sesame seeds, the newspaper said.

The candy report comes on the same day a top U.N. agency official said the food shortage crisis in North Korea is growing more severe by the day and the state is dispensing “starvation rations” to its population.

Copyright 2005 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters.
© 2005 MSNBC.com

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8000632/

I'm not completely sure how to use it but I got it!

2005-05-26T23:18:00.000+09:00

Where's my cot?

2005-05-26T21:07:00.000+09:00

I give up I think I'm just going to sleep here at school tonight. I have a crap load of papers to grade and lessons to mail to people and awards to vote for and lessons to get to a point of viability and I have no reason to go back to the apt except to feed the cats. Frankly I don't think they are in any danger of starving.

Friday night and Revenge of the Sith just aren't enough of a motivation to get things done right now. Summer is too far away. God help us!

What I'm good at.....

2005-05-24T13:31:00.000+09:00

Today I have spent somewhere near 3 hours planning flights to hither and yon. ICN to MCI, MCI to YYZ, MCI to OAK. (And I will waste NO more time with this post by creating a really cool map that links to these locations so figure out where they are yourself!) What am I thinking? I'm thinking I'm not getting any work done. Oh and did I mention the loss of a $150 united voucher? Yeah oops! So I hoped and I have thus far failed to use today in a manner pleasing to my plan book.

Maybe I can salvage this afternoon.

Physical Science Today

2005-05-22T14:01:00.000+09:00

This is the content I will be teaching for the next three weeks in my physical science class and the speed at which I will be teaching. God I love the end of the year!

http://www.privatehand.com/flash/elements.html

What can I get sick with??

2005-05-21T16:33:00.000+09:00

First of all I am MAJORLY craving a good beefy burger with some happy french fries lightly dusted with seasoning salt. How late is Applebee's open 'cuz we can pick up my luggage AFTER we go there.

Secondly I got whiff of some interesting news it seems that once in a while the wheel gets reinvented, Pepsi changes their logos and the twenty gets a new face. But then there are the things you never get expect to change for example, prescription bottles. I must say I like this new face, it's going to make Target a killing. I would soooo take my prescriptions there to get this little gem.

On a related note are we suppose to be making drugs look LESS like candy? I mean seriously who wouldn't want to play with this bad boy. I'm TOTALLY making up some fake illness to get ahold of a Rx of amoxicillin or viagra or lithium just so they can put it in THAT bottle. God Bless America's art students, what will they tinker with next.

Everyone wants to get BRANDED

2005-05-20T10:55:00.000+09:00

Reality Check: Korea's Clothes Suck

The folks here in Korea seem to be all about dressing fancy. But really they do it like a blind, amputee in a dark closet of left over 80's clothes. I think in my time here (9 months) I have bought 2 t-shirts and a pair of pants. I'm a shopper, I am wasting away.

So internet shopping has been my saving grace. Problem is that I don't want to wear something blazoned with the company that has clawed their way through the masses of candy coated teenage girls and is now presented as "the best" of their time.

It's clothes people! You wear them to cover your bad tan lines, the celluloid and the hairy legs that haven't been shaved since you went out on New Year's.

But for real we all want to wear something with a little bit of recognition. We also want something that makes a statement about us, what we do and how we live.

Most people want there cloths to say, "Look how much disposable income I have." Which is easy with every sock, earring and pair of pants with some designers name on it.
Others would rather scream, "I'm comfortable!" their clothes usually say "100% cotton, jersey knit."
Often ex-pats like, "Look where IIII'VE been." (A fav of mine when things haven't reached their expiry date.)
And then of course we must have our counter culture folks with the, "A friend of mine who you would never talk to in a dark alley made this after a really great hash party."

So in reality we are all branded it's just a matter of what you want to say and whether you have to say it or you if your gonna let Eddie Bauer say it for you.

All of this to support some really cool "Non-Brands" that I have found out on the net. Neighborhoodies has some way fun stuff. Think NYC Urban Outfitters. Need to get me a gift? Just grab me a GC and I'll be all up on a "Tenderloin Dist." Hoodie. Not to mention they do this Free MP3 a day thing, it's good stuff and they have an archive you can stream while you shop their site. Ni-ce!

Then there's American Apparel which is trying to fill the trendy-minus-the-name-niche. Little more sunsplashed, Cali, industrial look, but when you've got the tunes running from Neighborhoodies it's all icing. Check'em out shoppers and skip your local strip mall.

Today...

2005-05-17T07:00:00.000+09:00

Today I will wear green pants and a khaki shirt. I will attempt to navigate "the system" without being noticed but the powers that be. I have 3 weeks and 4 days of teaching left (counting today) after that they finally let me get to the mindless babysitting I've been looking forward to since Christmas.

Oh and I seem to have misplaced an entire classes papers whoops!

Caught without my camera

2005-05-15T20:16:00.000+09:00

So I saw the most beautiful thing today and I was without my camera. I'm hoping that it will all still be there tomorrow. Lately I find myself saying often "I gotta remember to take a picture of this next year." This was one of those along with the wisteria that had completely takeover a gazebo (as it should always be allowed to do). Being that today is Budda's Birthday, kinda like Christmas I suppose but not, the Buddhist's were all about the decorations today. As I was trudging my way to work today, yes on a Sunday, I walked past this house that usually has one lone, pink lotus lantern by the gate. I always take note of the happy lantern because it is the one of the few bright cheery things that I can count on on that walk. Today it had company. Strung around the outside of the house, inside the courtyard, on the second floor balcony and any other place a person could perch long enough to hang them there were lotus lanterns. Red ones, yellow ones, pink ones EVERYWHERE! I couldn't believe it the time and the patience to hang them so perfectly. I was awe struck. I hope it's still there tomorrow so that I can take a picture, if not it's on the list for next year.

The Pen Sluts Back in Town

2005-05-10T19:29:00.000+09:00

Must be feeling down or out of control or something because I just spent $24.52, which I prefer to think about as 12.73 GBP, on three pens at the Anything Left Handed Shop.

Three. Pens.

Will they make my life infinitely better?
Will they get me into grad school?
Will they bring me all the earth riches I desire?

Probably not but DANG their cool! Plus I can now be an elitist left-hander whenever anyone wants to borrow a pen. HAHA!

Two of them look like this....

Maria this is all about you I want you to know. I could hear your oooohhhs and ahhhhhs as I pressed the purchase button. Suppose I better put them to good use huh? Snail Mail anyone?

Holy Cow!

2005-05-08T20:01:00.000+09:00

Man a lot has happened this last month. And I haven't written about any of it! Not to mention it's getting to that time of year when you look around and realize, "Crap I have to eat ALL that stuff in the fridge in the next 5 weeks?!"

So I was trolling the many Blogs that I have links to and as usual it has given me the push I needed to share my inner monologue. That and the fact that I have 3 sets of Bogey's to correct and 2 labs that have to be given back to the kids tomorrow and the final chink in the chain, a good cup of coffee that I haven't indulged in since the last time I sat still long enough to post. Last time I posted I was in Seoul, sadly I posted to the wrong blog, so it looks like I'm an even bigger slacker. But I should get some props for all the photos I posted right?

Well in retrospect I haven't really dealt with the inner working of living in a Korean culture as much as I have dealt with living in a small Christian community. After being here for almost a year now (God is that possible?) I've realized that I am the fish in the tank.

I've given up on learning Korean, though I still feel a bit of a need to learn. I have stopped eating Korean food and have built up a stockpile of chicken breasts and salmon steaks in my fridge. Whenever a Korean assuming I too am Korean tries to speak to me I merely stare blankly, shrug my shoulders and say, "English?" And my all impressive ability to NOT play the 'Lets save face game.' Whatever happened to trying to integrate? My answer TCIS. We were never forced to try it on our own so now that we can we don't want to. Not to mention that I spend about 6.5 days a week working because, and I soooooo hate this, it's my duty. RAH! But enough of that let's talk about this last month. Let's see April, April, April....hmmmmmm.

*Almost for got to mention Twin Day. I asked Rita to be my twin originally since people are getting us mixed up pretty regularly. Well jokingly she mentioned that she was already going to be twins with Ryan Cordell. HA ha! didn't catch the joke so I asked Zach he was game for some silliness. At which point I find out that I have left Rita high and dry so we became triplets. Ni-ce!

TWIN DAY

2005-05-08T20:00:00.000+09:00

Remind you of any Prof's you had?

2005-05-08T19:59:00.000+09:00

Sometimes it's a little too easy to get into character.

2005-05-08T19:58:00.000+09:00

Mmmmm, curry! This is WAY better then the stuff my Mom makes.

2005-05-08T19:57:00.000+09:00

Hee, Hee. Look! I'm not sitting alone at lunch, I DO have friends!

2005-05-08T19:56:00.000+09:00

HA HA HA can you believe they want THAT much for a cathode ray tube? Really.

2005-05-08T19:55:00.000+09:00

Ohhhh hope we don't get caught!

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

2005-05-08T19:21:00.000+09:00

Well we had parent teacher conferences, which were when I posted all the pictures, all in all it was good. We did "arena style" conferences which meant that you heard all the parents and teachers in to the gym and let loose. Have to say I like this style for many reasons which you could easily guess, easy access to all parents, not a lot of waiting for traveling people, you can see other teachers in your downtime and as the science dept does things its a chance to impress everyone with your creativity. You can thank Rita for getting that ball going she brought some flowers to keep herself sane, completely understandable as I have done this myself, to which Charley latched onto and flew with adding scarfs to the tables and beanie babies too.

And this would be the little bouquet that started a maelstrom of activity over the next two days.

2005-05-08T19:19:00.000+09:00

"And so you see, if we changed the won to dollar one time a year...." Charley and his captive audience. When the conversation started we didn't even know that Lisa was pregnant!

2005-05-08T19:18:00.000+09:00

"Ugh, 2 more days of this? I've only been here 5 minutes and I'm loosing my mind."

2005-05-08T19:17:00.001+09:00

"Go ahead I DARE you..."

2005-05-08T19:17:00.000+09:00

And this is what it looks like when the social studies department works.

PROM

2005-05-08T19:14:00.000+09:00

The Saturday of that weekend was Prom. Now as I am still recovering from not being able to attend my own Senior prom I often have an unnecessary desire to attend said dances. Yes Mom this is still a Christian school even with some booty shakin’. So when Rita FINALLY asked me to be her plus one I was ecstatic, couldn't have been better if it had been Josh Cinq-Mars. Well we got all dolled up and had quite a night there was food, flowers, friends and a fresh squeezed juice nightcap. What more could a girl ask for?

And this is the setting for a night to remember.

2005-05-08T19:13:00.000+09:00

Could I get any luckier? I got to be her plus one!

2005-05-08T19:12:00.000+09:00

"I dare you! Just try to get to that chocolate cake." "You don't stand a chance."

2005-05-08T19:11:00.001+09:00

Yessss you know you want some of this, don't you?

2005-05-08T19:11:00.000+09:00

"Luv you dahling"

2005-05-08T19:10:00.001+09:00

I C U!

2005-05-08T19:10:00.000+09:00

"Tonight, Tomorrow and Forever" Awwwww..

MEANWHILE BACK IN KC...

2005-05-08T19:01:00.000+09:00

Now while all of this was happening there as a bit of personal upheaval going on across the Pacific that I just got tuned into. It seems that leaving a questionable relationship undefined whilst a person leaves the country for a year allows all sorts of things open for interpretation.

"Chris if your reading this your still a dirty dog, this is merely the
'I've-given-it-a-month-to-simmer-reflection' know that you still rank pretty low in the books for this."

So I left to come to Korea and things were crazy but I was sorta dating Chris, 'The Book Pimp', but things were a bit edgy when I left. For me sometime around March or April I realized that soon we would be back on common ground and I was quite looking forward to seeming what things would be like between us. Sadly being the person I am I still put off talking directly to Chris about this and instead left for sunny Thailand. Well when I get back I decide that it's time to talk to the man and call him. Only to find him evasive and noncommittal about everything. So I ask, "Chris honestly, what's REALLY happening with you?" And that's when he spills it, he's been dating someone else since February.

In my head: "WHAT!?"
Out of my mouth: "Oh."

After going around in circles and exchanging pithy sayings we both learned a few things.

I find out that He didn't think he was cheating since things had drifted off between us. And that being evasive about an answer is as good as giving one.
He found out that yes it did hurt a bit to find out something like this had been happening for months and he didn't have the guts to say something about it, even if it wasn't cheating. GRRRRR!

Moral

HONESTY PEOPLE HONESTY!

Chris I hope you and Lauren are happy and that this long distance thing works better for you than ours did. But if I see you on the side of the road on my way to visit Erica with a flat tire or your transmission somewhere behind your car I will merely be stopping to take a picture NOT to give you a ride. That's what you get for buying American!

SEOUL N THE GANG

2005-05-08T19:00:00.000+09:00

Which safely brings me to the weekend trip to Seoul. A good time to get out and away but all in all not terribly fulfilling. There's just something about paying 14 dollars for 2 tacos that just makes it a little less enjoyable. But hey there was shopping (I bought my first piece of Abercrombie), coffee (half caf, lowfat milk, low foam please), friends and funny hats.

Just getting snazzy for a day out.

2005-05-08T18:59:00.001+09:00

NO really we drive it ALL the time...

2005-05-08T18:59:00.000+09:00

"Ah Rita what would Korea be like without you?" "I don't know but I think everyone thinks were gay! Hee Hee!"

2005-05-08T18:57:00.001+09:00

Ahhhhhh! My hat!!

2005-05-08T18:57:00.000+09:00

Yes dahling its a WONDERFUL day for a tan.

2005-05-08T18:55:00.000+09:00

Yeah I know that's how it felt paying the bill too!

2005-05-08T18:54:00.000+09:00

Nope sir's I have no intention of messing with you. But Drew here REALLY wants to take your picture.

2005-05-08T18:53:00.000+09:00

Nuthin' like a few hundred riot police blocking the subway entrance to make you feel safe.

2005-05-08T18:52:00.000+09:00

K-So what your point is....

2005-05-08T18:50:00.000+09:00

"So now what do we do?" Its the same conversation world wide. PS checkout thes shop in the background. Makes me laugh EVERYTIME!

2005-05-08T18:48:00.000+09:00

Everybody should match their moles you know. It makes the diet salads better!

2005-05-08T18:47:00.000+09:00

This was in a second story window in Seoul. Yes you can see straight up her dress. Guess they don't have someone to double check this kind of stuff huh?

2005-05-08T18:45:00.001+09:00

Man I'm not sure we should eat here guys?

2005-05-08T18:45:00.000+09:00

"Its not so bad over here!"

2005-05-08T18:44:00.000+09:00

"No really we're fine! This is really comfy!"

Spring is in the air...AH AH-CHOO!

2005-05-08T18:43:00.000+09:00

Mixed in with all of this Spring has been coming. With it's unpredictable weather, yellow dust and flowers blooming, I have watched cherry blossoms, azaleas, forsythia, wisteria, acacias, mustard flowers, peonies, magnolias, camellias and many other harbingers of spring come and go. I have enjoyed everyone and have been saddened when it was time for them to pass. I LOVE watching life bloom around me even when it is badly pruned by the Koreans around me. I wish I was in a place were something was always green or in bloom but maybe then I wouldn't appreciate it as much right? I even planted some marigolds to get into the spirit of things since I'm not around to help Dana out with her little plot.

Just like KC it's spring when the road construction starts.

2005-05-08T18:42:00.000+09:00

The best view on campus, and it's out my classroom window!

2005-05-08T18:41:00.000+09:00

They remind me of Kansas City.

2005-05-08T18:40:00.000+09:00

Tadpoles!

2005-05-08T18:39:00.001+09:00

Yellow dust haze at dusk.

2005-05-08T18:39:00.000+09:00

Magnolias outside the aptment (apa-tu for u koreans)

MAY-KING IT REAL

2005-05-08T18:17:00.000+09:00

This last week had to be one of the hardest I've had since coming here. At some point before the P/T Conferences and Prom week and after Seoul I began to feel like I had a real life again. You know the kind where you go to work and being thinking about the things that you have to get done AFTER work not the work you will still have to accomplish after work. Which for me is the catalyst necessary to get work done and get out the door.

What brought this on you ask? Well I started making friends outside of work and outside of Deajon. Okay so there are only 2 said friends but you know me I go for quality not quantity. Roberta in Changwon and Josh over in Doonsun Dong.

And how did this make the last week hard? Well when you have something to look forward to after leaving work, thus making it your work and not your life a finite distinction, staying around it pretty painful. So here's how things played out.

Monday: Heavy teaching day AND rocket launch day. This means lots of running around and telling kids to pay attention and stop doing THAT and do THIS. Then we had meetings until 5. YeAh! >:/
Tuesday: Light day. Should have got the planning and grading done. Instead got a lot of talking and a little bit of working done since there were so many odds and ends to pick up. Did I mention at this point I had only been sleeping about 5 hours a night for the last 3 days? Uh-huh.
Wednesday: Normal day. At this point in the week a few things dawn on me. 1. At 12:00 I find out that a meeting with the Headmaster has been called for 4:30 this afternoon for the Science Dept. Meaning we won't get in to the meeting until 5:00 and we won't be done until 6:00. Which is when I am suppose to be home to get a phone call that was slotted to happen before I had guest over for dinner at 8:00. 2. I-fest is tomorrow. A half day of school and then festivities until 8PM. But wait here's the kicker the holiday which is celebrated in both Korea and Japan means that everyone else related to kids DOESN'T have to work that day. 3. Not only do I have to work but I will be at the festival until 8PM since I am a sponsor and not merely working a booth. DAMN!
Thursday: D-Day. Light day with the kids since I give up imparting new information in lieu of a paperwork day for all. Lost keys, not a event since I misplace my brain daily. Noon leave to find keys and return to Jesse, President of above mentioned club, in a panic and having a heated discussion with an 8 year old. I-fest begins and things are great and then it rains and things are not so great. We finally call it quits (7 PM) when we have chase kids away from the Helium Tank and are dripping wet. I however realize the day is shot and go back up to my room and work for another few hours in an attempt to salvage the weekend.

We took the festive out of festival and got this...

2005-05-08T18:16:00.000+09:00

But as kids are know to do give them rain and they will find a way to make it fun.

2005-05-08T18:15:00.000+09:00

Smile Sasha smile.

2005-05-08T18:14:00.000+09:00

Just an average day for your dorm staff. Only now we have proof that you're "all wet!"

2005-05-08T18:13:00.000+09:00

Friday: I SWEAR it feels like it took a month to get to the REAL Friday but its here and as with the kids we all want it over as quickly as possible. It goes with no major maiming or losses of sanity and the weekend arrives! I also learned that ducklings are really cute and smelly.

And here I sit feeling infinitely better about spending the last 4 hours filling you in on what's up in my world. Well almost. There are some things that will just have to wait till later if you want to see picture that go with all that I have been talking about. But hey that's what you keep coming back for, right?

For u I....leave town

2005-04-29T17:35:00.000+09:00

Found this hiding on the photoblog site and figured I should put it back where it belonged.

So Rita planed a fun trip to Seoul. weve had a blast and stayed here. today we Coex it maybe a little free market and as always MEXICAN!! Well I'm the last one ready so i better scoot. everyone else is in the hall bags packed.

Kiss kiss

It's too nice outside

2005-04-25T20:44:00.000+09:00

So spring is here and things are beginning to look up. Flowers are in bloom, tadpoles are springing to life and I'm sick. How is it that the world is waking up and I feel like the bottom of a trash bag? I soo want to revel in all that spring is finally bringing and instead I am going to bed early and taking flu meds. So much for that. Hope I feel better this weekend so that I can enjoy a quality trip to Seoul. Send hugs if you can spare a few.

P.S. There are new pics from my last two trips out of town. I was going to make a fun post about it but this will have to do. Check out the "9ah's Photos" link over there.

Did just picking someone work for you?

2005-04-17T14:27:00.000+09:00

All right be ready this ones harsh.

It will probably offend people I know but just deal, take it with a grain of salt, whatever. But know that I'm speaking in generalities so I probably don't mean you specifically.

Why is it that married people are in such a hurry to get those of us who are past 21 and single married off? They busily talk about those that are "good catches" and "available". They inevitable butt their nose where it has no business being. It's not like I would go around telling someone that there's plenty of gyms and "you really should go work out". I don't berate people about the way they do their jobs or if they leave mail in their box for a month.

A friend made mention that it was like they thought that there were plenty of people out there that are marriable and they want us to just pick someone. To which I laughlingly responded, "Maybe we should say 'Really, so how did JUST PICKING someone work out for you?' " Guarantee that's stop the conversation really quick.

So watch out it's my new line and I'm not afraid to use it!

The IRS can suck it!

2005-04-14T19:17:00.000+09:00

Well true to form I have avoided most everything in life due to an uncomfortable "something" that needed taking care of. In this case it was filing an extension. And I managed to delay on this thing until this very day and hour. Now that it is done I can move on to all the other things in my life that I have left to "ripen" in their own special way. Oh how I hate tax time. It's almost as bad as Valentine's Day. But not quite.

So to all of you that have been ignored I'm back and ready to post and call and generally stalk each and every one of you. You know who you are....

Cure for the common homesickness

2005-04-08T00:05:00.000+09:00

So whenever I feel homesick I now have a new fix. Google satellite maps. Must say it's kinda creepy though...

ISS Daily

2005-04-07T08:27:00.000+09:00

Greg, a former cohort when I was at Yeokum Middle School, sent this in his well presented ISS Daily. I must say that it not only made me smile but encapsulated how I feel right now about life in general.

Life Lesson
I’ve learned if you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be "meetings".

Dr. Who?

2005-04-05T20:31:00.000+09:00

Have to say this is one of those tough posts to write, I'm not really sure how to present it other than barreling through it like some sort of medicine that has to be taken. Sadly it shouldn't be like this after all I am talking about happy albeit bittersweet memories.

But here goes, "Pinch the nose, open wide and swallow hard."

One of the few consistent, happy memories I have of time spent with my father includes watching NOVA and Dr. Who on PBS. (Right there it should be a clue that I was destined to be a dork but really what does an 8 year old know.) Anyway I remember how whenever He was around it was always something to look forward to. It never came on at a decent hour since even back then it was not really a part of popular TV. I think it may have come on after NOVA, thus the memories of the NOVA logo but not any of the show, and moonlight in the windows. But since it was late I got to stay up past any predetermined bedtime and hunker down under blankets and watch Dr. Who in his time machine even when my eyelids were so heavy with sleep that I had to squirm every few minutes to stay awake. What brings on this nostagia you ask?

Well now in 2005 they have brought the show back and I have downloaded the first few episodes. I'm hoping that the show lives up to childhood expectations of the previous Dr. Who. We shall see and if it does I will have to tip my hat to my Father and give him props for raising a proper SciFi child.

On a different note...

Crystal brought coffee from Vietnam back to Korea for me and I have to say that this is some SERIOUS stuff. It's dark, it's oily, it's thick without even trying and I love it! Charley has brought me some of his "Vietcong Tunnel Juice" before but this is definitely different. The only way I can describe it is that it is a coffee I would take up smoking for. It would just complement it well along with a ratty paged novel from some 70's beatniks. Coffee & Cigarettes anyone?

Thank GOD! Spring is coming

2005-04-05T00:24:00.000+09:00

As I sit on my heated floor and listen to the ticking of my "new" old Mao alarm clock (direct form Beijing thank's Lupita!) and I understand what it would be like to be a snake. My beautiful bronze tan is peeling away ever so slowly while I scratch at ever part of my back that I can reach.

But the real news is that as usual I'm freaking out about work and all that is being piled upon me there. I'm freaking out so hard that I forget about all the things that I should be enjoying. Dinner with friends, suntans from vacations, spoils of shopping trips, flowers blooming, things that make me laugh out loud, love of kitties and many, many, many, many other things in life. So I suppose I need to"Accentuate the positive....."

'Cuz I'm a tease!

2005-04-03T21:07:00.000+09:00

So this will have to do for now.
Me completely happy to be carrying 50 pounds on my back and soon to be 22 m underwater! BTW the cuttie on my left had the most AMAZING blue eyes. Wsh you could have seen them... ; )

Mirror, mirror...

2005-03-27T16:35:00.000+09:00

Well were here, Phuket. I have to say that this may have been what I was expecting/packing for last time I was here, but this time it seems strangely NOT what I was looking for. After being on Lanta and seeing Thailand through that lens this one seems oddly distorted. Like a Korea that is that I am not part of. This by no means will change my desire to get some sun and fun in the water but it does give it some hmmmm for me.

The BOHOL Time!

2005-03-26T01:48:00.000+09:00

So have been in Bangkok for a day now and so having fun!

To work in reverse order and to keep it quick....

~ Have paid for a reservation and have no way to prove it since the charge has only shown up with my bank and not the hostel. Internet hotels and printers are never a great combo.

~ Angela and I are in the cab on the way back to the hostel and she see's a Korean Resturant along the way and asks, " You wanna stop for Korean food? Mmmmm, be bim bop?" Which causes a full 5 minutes of laughter and a comment about "When were in Italy I will remind you of this moment!"

~ Finally leave Koh San Road with the realization that it is just an overpriced open bar with too many furang that need to be taken advantage of.

~ Have dinner with new friends.

~ Meet new friends while sneaking into the Golden Mount/friggin' load of gold Budda's temple and realize that one is from KC (lives in Blue Springs) and the other I went to HS/JH/BHS with! HA HA!

~ Took a water taxi for the second time.

~ Spent and insane amount of time shopping at a wholesale mall and finally NOT getting ripped off in Bangkok.

~ Walked around the block for an hour and a half for no reason because we trusted a guy that told up the place didn't open until 1:00.

~ Took a water taxi for the first time.

~ Introduced Angela to Thai tea's again.

~ Ate an AWESOME yet simple breakfast.

~ Woke up at 8 AM after going to bed fully clothed at 6 AM.

~ Hung out with an Irishman and and American (why not Americanman?) till all hours talking politics, currency and "pontify sheep shagging".

~ Got into BKK without a hitch and no lines to speak of. SINCE WE HAD NO CHECKED LUGGAGE

~ Left town in a awful hurry so we could have some fun.

Hope that catches all of you up. More later when it's free.

2005-03-24T01:06:00.000+09:00

This is it guys, all I'm taking on holiday. And it fits in one backpack. Scary, huh? I didn't think I could do it but it's for real. And just in case any of you were under the delusion that I wouldn't have room to buy stuff this trip check out that roll in the back. Yep, it's a duffle bag. Can't give everything up all at once you know. Kiss kiss and I'll see ya'll on the flip side!

Without a hairdryer...

2005-03-21T23:29:00.000+09:00

It's amazing, without a hairdryer I really can pack a lot lighter! So I'm actually doing it, I'm packing for a trip before the 8 hours to departure mark. What strange demon has possessed me you ask? Well I think it's me TRYING to be on the ball. Or I'm trying to avoid some responsibility in my life. It may also have something to do with the fact that I am FORCING myself to pack for a week into a tiny daypack, Roberta I blame u ; ) . Anyway!

I also thought I'd give all ya'll the itinerary, JUST IN CASE... here it is:

FLIGHTS: (via Thai Air)
Outbound:
TG 657 TH 24MAR Incheon (ICN) to Bangkok (BKK) 2100-0050 *1
TG 217 SA 26MAR Bangkok (BKK) to Phuket (HKT) 1645-1805

Return:
TG 218 TH 31MAR Phuket (HKT) to Bangkok (BKK) 1855-2020
TG 656 TH 31MAR Bangkok (BKK) to Incheon (ICN) 2330-0655 *1

ACCOMMODATIONS:
Bangkok-Big John's Guesthouse
159/12 Sukhumvit Soi 55
(Thonglor - between Soi 7 & 9)
Bangkok 10110 THAILAND
Phone/Fax 66 (0) 2 392 6518

Phuket-Southland Inn Hotel
526 / 19 -20 Soi Islandia, Patak Rd.
Karon Beach , Phuket 83100

Van Walker

2005-03-20T21:00:00.000+09:00

Well I said goodbye to a friend today. A few days ago I ran into Van at HomePlus and we walked back to the dong and I found out that he was heading out on Sunday so I offered to go with and help him get HIS insane amount of personal belongings safely on the plane as so many of you did for me. I have to say that though I don't understand all of the things that brought him to Incheon Airport today I know that he was genuinely excited about going back to Michigan. He said it was hard for him to believe that he would be in his Grandma's house that afternoon. I just smiled. I'm gonna miss him, he was an individual and always had a smile ready for everyone. He will be missed by many. (Man you'd think he was dead by the way I'm talking)

Better Radio than I get on the Radio

2005-03-15T22:55:00.000+09:00

K found this inet radio through another site, great stuff. To quote their site:

If you listened to "alternative" music when there really was such a thing, then you've come to the right place. The Cure, Morrissey, The B-52s, They Might Be Giants, Dinosaur Jr, XTC and Depeche Mode were bands that the weird kids listened to. Were you a weird kid?

Checkout The Egg

No news is good news....

2005-03-14T19:37:00.000+09:00

Well I suppose it has been a while since I have said anything to anyone. But sadly what's a girl to do. I'm emotionally spent, bad at 'bucking up', overworked and doing nothing worth speaking of. Really, nothing, locked myself away all weekend lived off of coffee, popcorn and PB&J. Before that I spent odd hours at work doing nothing in particular. Currently watching Knotting Hill and drinking yet more coffee.

But it's 'White Day' here in Korea. The sister holiday to VD. Where all the boys then hand out fuzzy, stuffed bears, and candy all packed into over dressed baskets. Ye-haw! If you think it can't get worse just wait April 14th is just around the corner.....

White Day Paraphernalia

The Old Adage is True....

2005-03-07T21:07:00.000+09:00

Well Mike it seems that despite being 10 years gone the adage still rings
true;
"You can tell how things are with me just by looking at my hair. The worse things are the shorter it gets."

Yep the hair got a chopping. How bad is it you ask? Well.....the front is up to my chin now, but the back is about 2.5 inches give or take. Hee Hee! No really it doesn't look that bad. Check out all the complements that the kids gave me.

Direct quotes, "It makes you head look a lot smaller!" "Wow, you look a lot better!" and my all time favorite "You look very professional now." All of which though given with the best wishes make me ask, "What did I look like before? Could everyone see the eye in the back of my head?"

No, but really I had to get control of something and the hair was it, as usual. I figure it's the closest I'll ever get to self mutilation. I'm not big on pain you know and hair grows back pretty quick. Plus the short cut has already paid dividends, I woke up at 7:53 (oops), rolled out of bed, threw on clothes, RAN out the door an still made it to work on time. SCORE!

So that was my Monday, how was yours world?

Things that have nothing to do with Korea

2005-03-06T12:18:00.000+09:00

So on a happy sidenote I found out that the insurance policy I currently have on a car that I don't get to drive but couldn't bare to get rid of was cut in half! YEAH! It's fun paying less for something that I don't get to use.

I also found this: Something that I should have read about 5 years ago. I may not have become rich but at least I would have had a better plan.....what am I saying?!? HA HA! If I really knew myself better I would know that despite the DESIRE to get my act together there are somethings that I would only allow life to teach me.

Looked up today

2005-03-03T22:24:00.000+09:00

So I looked up today while I was walking home and suddenly felt lost. No, not lost like "What is my purpose in life ?" lost just plain old "Hmm where am I again? Did I make a wrong turn? How did I end up here?" lost. Yeah it's been that long since it was nice enough to stick my little turtle head out of my coat and scarf long enough to take a good look at the rest of the world. In my defense the last time I looked up people had a lot more foliage around there places and I couldn't count window's.

I also tried to by banana's today. The infamous "set" problem reared it's ugly head again. Unlike The States where you can purchase 1 banana at a time or 50 banana's in a shot here you get what they sell. The store I chose to stop at was selling them in like "sets" of 15-18. So it was either buy the whole set or call the whole search "fruitless" and head home. And never one to do anything that is fruitless I purchased the whole bunch.

So now I ask you what do I do with all these banana's??

Note-worthy Wednesday

2005-03-02T23:33:00.000+09:00

So much to tell about today and yet it's friggin' late because I spent about 3 hours today just looking at other ppls blogs.

Here's the rundown:

Got to go out for hot choco with one of my students today. Hope to do that more often since it makes me feel like I'm actually making a difference in someone's life. It's not often you get to know kids in a good way outside the school or have such an easy time making time for them. As a matter of fact it's not often that they want to you know?
Reclaimed my Wednesday afternoons again. Korean class is done so no more stay at school from 4:30-5:30 when I would rather be doing many other things. I just kinda lost my learn Korean spunk sometime after Christmas and this class didn't start until the end of Jan so I can't attest to being the most studious person in the room.
Had my AWFUL couch, chair and ottoman that did not match and were from the 80's picked up today to be recovered in a lovely tan & read canvas combo. Hope that turns out well.
Am in the process of catching up on Good Eat's and Mythbusters.
Contemplating moving the rest of my furniture around while the couch is gone.

Getting in touch

2005-02-28T23:17:00.000+09:00

All right one last thing and then I'm putting this girl to bed.

It seems that the little foray into "PUSA" land has opened up a whole "Cool music I used to listen to before I hid my inner geek to make the culturally sheltered Midwesterners comfortable" can of worms. I've spent the evening downloading and listening to yet another fav band They Might Be Giants (TMBG). They were the band that christened me into a musical style that I still can not find the words to define. Yeah it was Apollo 18 and summer camp what more does a 14 year old have to say. After that it was a short trip to Checkmate, Violent Femmes, Squirrel Nut Zippers and Cake to name a few.

And all of this makes me wonder why did I ever hide that girl who quote Star Trek:TNG from memory and listened to music that made her giggle?

Did I mention.....

2005-02-26T22:24:00.000+09:00

Okay have I mention that I LOVE The Presidents of the United States of America (PUSA)?? Have I? I think I did a few months ago? Did I also mention that they were on tour in KC. Now I realize that if I was a true fan the tour thing would have tipped me off to the fact that there was probably a new album out as well but it seems that moving to Korea kinda gummed up my music chi.

NE WAY! So they have new tunes out and I'm all excited. It also reminds me of why I know that such a cool trio of artists exist. We can thank Greeny the Wennie the Freshman Machiney for that. Despite his errant ways I have to give him props for his musical tastes and also ponder what the heck he as doing at MNU on the first place. So props to you Greeny!