Sorry I haven't posted in ages...

I need to post a proper blog update but now I need to rant...


The one thing I've been reading this election cycle that pisses me off to no end is when people use "Mr." to refer to President Obama.

My irritation probably comes from studying journalism in college and teaching English in Korea. But showing petty disrespect by calling him "Mr." just makes you look small.

It's OK to hate his guts. But he is the President Of The United States. You don't like it. Do something about it on Tuesday.

Not a surprise but still packs a punch...

I just found out I'm not getting renewed...

maybe it's for the best, but I just started feeling right and getting "comfortable"...


I hate starting over...

its been a roller coaster of a few weeks...

my mom is going to eventually lose her house...

i found out my contract may not get renewed after all...

new schedule at work so i have to be there 2 hrs earlier...

but on the good end...explored bucheon and area around gangam this weekend. saw "frankie go boom" at a film festival and going back to the fest next weekend...

I think have a problem with Craigslist...

I have become shopping addicted to Craigslist...

The general nature of being and ESL teacher in South Korea is you're in for a year or two, then you go home.

This means people with a decent bit of disposable income buy a bunch of stuff. Then when they move, have to then sell that stuff they don't take back with them or chuck it...

Here's my present list of stuff bought (a won is about $0.85) :

• electric water kettle 5000 won
• 2 ps3 games 25000 won (Trivial Pursuit and Uncharted, seller asked for 20000 for both but I offered and extra 5000 if he'd meet me closer to Suwon)
• toaster 10000 won and a router 15000 won
• Wacom graphics tablet 30000 won 

The list of things I asked about and didn't get is even bigger

• video game stuff
• big ass shoes
• medication (you can't get over the counter drugs here, and my nearest pharmacy closes at like 7pm, also no asprin) I'm also very glad I didn't get this...I would of been too paranoid to use any of it...
• all in one printers

Cragslist has an Iphone app which I find myself using as much as Facebook or Twitter, if not more...

To friends and the stuff they leave behind...Craigslist - Seoul

Being Sick Sucks...

I just got over a cold or something. It involved the worst sore throat I've had in ages. I've also become grossed out by my own snot...I again declare myself old...

I went out with work friends on Children's Day (May 5) here in Korea. We went to this large park. We had some food and beer. My boss is a beer hound. That in itself is not a big deal in Korea. I, on the other hand, don't drink near enough to keep up with anyone in Korea. But this isn't important...

The park was at the tomb of some famous prince of some sort who had been double crossed or something and was buried there. Being it was Saturday and Children's Day, the place was packed. But the park was pretty big so we found a place to plop down. It was cool. I was fine initially, but the wind picked up and made it cold. I was to cool for school and never put on my jacket even thought I brought one...This is what I suspect cause the cold... 

The cold wasn't bad. The sore throat and the cough was the rough part. I couldn't sleep with either some nights. I've been in Korea 7 months and have been sick 3 times already. It's either the kids, the pollution, me not cleaning my apartment enough, or all the above...

I really miss NyQuil...

I also broke down and bought a new printer. I had budgeted 50000 won for it but found on on sale for 35000 won at Emart. I would of preferred the more expensive one but whatever...When I was there I forgot to buy paper so I went back on Sunday to get some. To my amusement, Emart was closed. They have this new law in  South Korea that forces the larger stores to close 2 Sundays a month to promote smaller businesses and yesterday was one of those Sundays...Me, I just wanted printer paper and swiffers...

Things to come...Seoul Racetrack adventure and maybe The Lotus Lantern Festival

Things I miss...

driving...

being able to buy over the counter meds...

real Doritos...

people saying "sorry", "excuse me" or at least a "my bad" in whatever the Korean equivalent is...

a bathtub...

Taco Town

....

So Friday was my birthday...(May 4th)

I'm at a point where my birthday is no longer an event. I've had 41 of them and in recent years it has devolved into getting another 12 pack of socks, underwear or both (these are gifts I actually want...) and previously going out to dinner with my mom. In very recent years we don't even go out as neither my mom or myself want the hassle of getting dressed up after a long day...

But that being said...Thank you to everyone on the birthday wishes...and...

They gave me a surprise party at work. Best part, it was organized by some students and not the other teachers..

I sort of knew a party  was going to happen as clues were popping up during the week, but I thought it would be something like out of Office Space when Lumberg had his birthday.

The kids decorated a classroom with a handmade banner using sheets of paper, there were a ton of balloons, pizza, an awesome cake, a card that a bunch of students signed and even gifts...

Best best part, some students even came back for the party even after they were done for the day...They all usually get up way too early. Then have school until 230 or 3pm. The come to the after school school and then if they are lucky might be home before 7pm...The older kids are here even later and then it's home for dinner, homework and bed....So for some to come back to school was a real big deal in my eyes...

and after all that my boss took me and another teacher out for beers and food...

there some pictures, I'll post them at some point...