Been away too long I know...

It's been a while. I have started numerous drafts but have never finished any. I just didn't have anything important to say...

I've been home from South Korea for 2 and a half months. I lived there for a year and 6 days...

I will go back. That is a near certainty. My time there was the only time in my adult life where I've been able to take care of myself and my mom financially. I also liked the country, a lot.

And I feel I've disrespected it by not learning the language and not being open to being "the fish out of water" as I could of been. There is a lot more to do and see there. I need another year, at least...and I'm gonna see who I can con into going back with me...

I also want to say I miss my old school. I would of liked another year to be a better teacher for the kids. When I told the students on my last regular day I was leaving I was a bit surprised by their sadness I was leaving. I have become a bit "grumpy old man" and I when one student started crying when I told her, It broke my heart. Children should be nothing but happy...At that moment If my old boss came in and said we will keep you for 20% less money and you have to live with a hobo, I would have done it...

In the time I have been home I've....really done nothing...I've spent money...laid around the house....and basically ignored things I need to deal with...Mom's happy I'm home. I'm happy to see her but she's losing her house and now with a month left before we have to leave nothing has been done to really prepare...How do you go from a house full of a lifetime of stuff to...I don't know?

I've all my paperwork done to get back to Korea but no one's even responded to my emails yet. I've picked up the pace as my desperation grows, sending out multiple resumes daily.

And I think my depression is getting worse...to the point I am investigating therapy options...

that's it...

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

....