Burnout?

I'm really starting to feel the burn, and I have two Saturdays left to work. Thank Goodness! I have been spending entirely too much time at Pagoda. Attempting to navigate passive aggression and office politics are so much worse than this job could ever be. To combat this, I'll spend more time mingling in other cliques. In fact, the job is starting to grow on me. I'm not sure if teaching is my bag, though; yet for now, it's great. My life gets more organized every week. I still feel like I'm being pulled in multiple directions, yet now I've learned to research and discover; so I read and scheme nightly. "The joy is in the journey," they say; and I bought the ticket so I should take the ride. As a teacher, I'm wondering whether there is a point where you can disconnect from the job. I know vacations exist in some parts of the world, but do they recharge a drained soul? lol. I know. I know. Don't act so dramatically. Oh well, my travel plans are starting to get me pumped and excited. I'm gunna do it, man--four countries in one year. Maybe next year, I can get to three or four. Saving is key. Keeping my sanity without spending money is paramount yet impossible; thus I think the true technique is managing spending. I have already established a tight budget, but I think I can pull the belt one notch tighter. Is is ever enough? Hell no. But one investment, I have once again been considering, is my health (thanks Mom). Exercise is free and I should take full advantage of this fact. I have been working out, but my lackadaisical attempts are futile. Well, such is life. PS. I ate dog last week. Check it out on youtube "almightysephano"

Hair Cut

I'm sitting in a Korean hair dressers, surrounded by hot girls. I had three dressers and two shampoos. They are looking at me and giggling. You have to love the service here. I should ask one of them out to dinner. Ah.

Too Long

It's been way too long since I've written. Well, the biggest hindrance has been problems with my computer. Now that I think it's all be hind me and can breath a deep sigh of relief. What else is new?? Not to much. I miss everybody from home. I'm finally getting into the groove of the job. and that's about it. Peace and Love everyone. more to come.

Cute Koreans

So the first round of testing is complete. I had to fail so many students, just because Pagoda's attendence policy only allows for three absences--not four, not five. Oh well. Better luck next time.

The job has been dominating my time. If the schedule wasn't enough, the planning, beauracrasy and happy time with mates after work and on the weekends makes Pagoda number one. A few times a week, I am able to break away and go hiking in the mountains. Seeing plant life and smelling dirt (vs. smog) is somehow comforting. I am really excited to get out of town next month. I am planning a weekend excursion to Seoul. A little travel time is just what I need. I have met several nice local's, however it is difficult to spend any time touring around the city.

It is interesting, the duality of this culture. Students will tell you one thing if they want to impress you, or they think you are not aware of what is happening. On the other hand, they act completely differently once they are comfortable. Today in one of my classes, we were talking about what kind of person would make a good roommate. One of my students said a husband, then openly flirted with me in class. It felt pretty good to get hit on. The others in the class picked up on this and chimed in to help, or tease her when appropriate. I behaved professionally, but it was hard to keep a straight face. She was serious, as most Korean women are, about marriage. I said I wasn't in a hurry. She launched into a speech on her ideal man, all the while reading me and changing her story based on my reactions. I asked if she wanted to be friends. She said, "Yes, as long as you take me on dates." Everyone laughed. Too funny.

Cheap Thrills

This past Saturday, I went second hand shopping at a co-worker's appartment. Since my appartment is barren, I thought this a perfect opportunity to pick up a few things at highly discounted rates. And right I was. This Saturday, a friend of a friend will deliver two dark (almost navy) royal blue chairs, a pink panther toaster oven, a coffee pot (or perculator as it was called), a big blue core ball complete with foot pump, and dumbells with some weight--all for the low low price of 130,000won. The fact is, just the two appliances, bought new in Korea, would cost upwards of 90,000won.

After the wheeling and the dealing we all went out to eat at a Turkish restraunt near the national university. The food was good--it wasn't Korean. Comfy couches and bold near-eastern colors gave the place a darkly sedative warm feeling. They also rent huka's. I'll definately go back, if I can find it again.

We then road the cable car up and hiked down Geumgang Park Mountain. Out the windows of the car a view of the entire city reveals hazy white buildings with interspused clusters of towers in a valley surrounded by steep green hillsides and a beautiful view of Gwangan Daegyo (Bridge). Nobody stood next to us during the ride: they were all bunched in the lead half of the car. At the top we sat on the rooftop of the bar/canteen and and had a Hite (Korean beer add s to the begining of the name). We paid a short old man as he brought three 750ml bottles and a few side dishes--Koreans love side dishes and serve them with everything. After enjoying the view, we jumped on hopped down the mountain. Two ornate, brightly painted temples accent the nature that surrounds them. Fortunately my camera batteries died after my picture was taken. Tired, riding the busy subway home, I stretched out over the seat next to me and smiled. What a fun day.

Timing is Everything

During my Tuesday/Thursday night level 3a class, we were discussing the topic 'Us and Them'-- stereotypes, diversity, etc. I had the perfect opportunity to get a snapshot of a Korean's view of different groups and the outside world. They picked up on my enthusiasm and curiosity and had many lively debates and discussions, including one about common Korean views of their home country. As I was bringing the class to a close, a student asked me if I had heard any stereotypes about Koreans. One is that Korea is a country of drunks. I have to admit that my first night here, I jumped over a passed out man in a stairwell wearing a tie, getting poked by the cops while I was trying to get out of the Rob Roy. My second night here at least eleven stumbling people ran into me on the street. Last Thursday, my first 7 am start time, I struck out early to get some breakfast. Venturing out a little ways into residential neighborhood, I walked by a man in a suit passed out on the sidewalk. Without the examples I said that I had heard Koreans drank alot, but my friend told me it is a drinking culture. Friends go out together after work to blow off steam. We do the same thing, it's called Happy Hour. They laughed.

But he pressed on asking if I had heard anything else. Well, what I had heard from Americans mostly consisted of my former neighbor's wild stories. There was no way that I would share any of those with a class of rich kids, buisness professionals, and a federal prosecutor. They caught me, I blushed and the lawyer called me out. "Your body language suggests otherwise." Two minutes left... Another student piped in and asked if you could be arrested in America for drinking--what an angel. I briefly explained underage drinking and public intoxication. The prosecutor told the class, "We have the same laws in Korea, but they are enforced differently." And class was dismissed.

On the way home, I shared my experience with a weathered cynical co-worker who said, "I leave that lesson for the second to the last day of class, and I don't hold back. That way, our evaluations are already turned in, and we can all go out for coffee the next day."

The City I Live In

Koreans are obsessed with age and looking young. Older people get botox injections in their hands so they won't be as wrinkled. So, I decided to search out a gym. Short on cash my first few weeks here, I decided that it is the quality of the excercise that counts, not the facility. Pushups and sit ups are one way to stay fit, but I crave cardio. So I have been jumping rope in my apartment. I feel sorry for the poor sap who lives below me, lol. One of my co-workers, a Scot, told me there is equipment in the mountains, just sitting there for anyone to use--for free. So I decided to go hiking. I love the outdoors, and thought it would be a good way to see more of Busan. Lo and behold, there it was, complete with a few really massive Koreans.

People crowd the streets of Seomyeon, Busan’s business district, every afternoon around four o’clock. As you weave the gantlet, trying to get to work, passersby take no evasive measures whatsoever. They bump into you and each other like birds into a freshly cleaned patio door. As the local’s feet continue treading forward, an agile lateral motion restores the flow for another five steps until the next person walks into you. You don’t have to say sillye hamnida, or anything. Just keep pressing forward.

Last Saturday it rained. It was more of a light drizzle than rain. You could easily make it to where ever you were going on foot without getting completely soaked. I decided to go to the Rob Roy, my local bar (they have Hennessey), for nightcap. As I strolled along the brick side walk enjoying a change from the upper sixties sunny days that we have had since I arrived, and dodged all the designer umbrella wielding pedestrians, everyone Korean gave me a seriously grave concerned grimace. When I got to R.R.’s I asked Shin, the hottie bartender that speaks a little English, what’s the deal. She asked, “You don’t have an umbrella?” No, I replied. “The rain is toxic…unhealthy?” I suddenly realized that rain knocks the pollution out of the air; and believe me, you can taste industry in the air. I was told that every spring, huge sand storms blow in from China and coat everything in thick yellow dust. You have to wear a mask outside. Regardless of being on the coast, Busan has enough traffic to give the city the ‘LA Haze’. Shin went to the back, and after some digging, found a J&B promotional umbrella and gave it to me. She told me it was the owner’s, and laughed.

Shop till you Drop

Buying anything in Korea is quite the adventure. Just walking out the door you have to be ready to face life for the first time, over and over again. Eight different K-POP songs blast fron twelve different directions as people (I think) ask me what I am looking. By the blank and amazed look on my face they must know I am a Newbe. I am a deer looking into their headlights. I see the 'Oh there goes another expat who has no clue' look all the time. I went to the LOTTE department store to realize not only is shopping a huge and favorite past time in Korea, but everyone goes to the same places at the same times. With bodies pressing in on all sides. I put my wallet in my front pocket, only to have have a secuirty guard pass me two seconds later holding a sign with bells on it that says 'watch for pick pockets'. Trying to find the Homever (think Walmart), I had to walk on the street with insane drivers buzzing and honking at me. Just finding the store in the highrise took almost a half hour. The host gave me a deep bow, and I stopped to return the respect. A group of teenages behind me giggled and broke out into conversation. I have fund that it is always best to pay, or try to pay as little as possible. The subway is a busy underground mall. Following the advice of the guidebook I decided to buy an automatic paycard. The machine asked how much money I should pay. So I put 20,000 won in to the machine--thinking I was buying a card with 20k on it. The card popped out, then another, then another, then another etc. until I had ten cards. How was I supposed to know you had to buy the card, then put money on it. So I found the information desk and explained my situation. By the smiles, I could tall they had seen this before. The official kindly refunded the money for nine of the cards. I almost have the numbers down well enough to understand them when I hear them at the normal rate of speech. Next, directions.

Quick First Impressions

Busan is crowded and noisy. At night, everything is lit up brightly--fluorescent lights, strobes, the whole nine yards. People walk where ever they please, as in straight into you. Every once in a while a strong waft of stale water offends your nose. The culture is conservative, but the people are curious.

I Can Sleep on the Plane

It's the night before I leave for Pusan. I can't sleep. Let's see--I'm looking at 23 hours of travel. it's not that I'm not nervous...I just want to savor the moment. I have had a wonderful week and a half with my brother's family and my parents, Including two rips to Chicago. I called all the relatives tonight to say goodbye and packed. I am going to be the best instructor Pagoda Foreign Language Institute has ever hired. This is it. Don't get scared now.

Woo Hoo!

I'm Going on Thursday!

Friday, Tim and I went to the Korean Consulate and I had my first ever work-visa interview. Located on the 27th floor of the NBC building, downtown Chicago, the Consulate has an incredible view of Lake Michigan. The two ladies in front of me seemed nervous, and their interviews took a little over fifteen minutes apiece. Luckily I had read the guidebook twice, and had fellowship with a few Korean natives. Fully prepared, my interview took only five minutes.

Tim and my stomachs were growling so we decided to get a quick bite to eat before braving the road construction on I94. Tim said cheeseburgers sounded good. Ah, comfort food. We went to the Billy Goat Tavern (spoofed by SNL). FUn TimES! SO, Wednesday I have to pick up the Visa, what a pain.

I just received my flight tickets, and I am ecstatic! In less than a week I will be on the other side of the world. Then it is all about immersion. I am going to jump into it head first. Teaching to the best of my ability and learning as much as I can as fast as I can is the name of the game. WOO! Danny Woo my new manager will pick me up in Busan after my 22 hr trip. I can't wait!

Becoming Real

The move went smoothly. I fit almost all of my belongings into Carly's jetta station wagon.I brought the rest in a guy's, from my mom's church, truck.  Although the weekend brought a mix of snow and freezing rain, Josh, Carly and my mom made the journey from Minneapolis MN to Omro WI without a hitch. Sunday, it took forever to get on the road. The tarp covering my mattress continuously blew loose. The truck had to be returned before morning; so by the time we made it to Omro, unloaded everything, and dropped that weak machine off it was 2:30am. 

Monday was all about rest. 

Tuesday, Shi my nieces and I went to a nature center in Monona. While the kids learned about native dancing and the significance of wildlife, I went shopping. I found a nice MSR water filtration pump on sale--40% off! Anyways, no waterborne illness for this guy. I finally received my visa number, but the visa application website is so confusing and tedious. Two lists with overlapping items, none of which I will actually need are listed in different places. So, I called Wednesday morning to set up an appointment and interview. This will take place Friday in Chicago--what a huge pain in the ass. After riding On The Road in my father-in-law's 49 Hudson I became entirely too restless to hang around my brother's commune, so I road Shi's bike to the mall and bought some sweet professional attire (at highly discounted prices) for the new job. This is going to be great! PS. Please Feel Free To Post Comments, Questions, and Snide Remarks

The Low Down

I had a nice going away party last weekend and drank entirely too much. Now that I have re-established my limits I am ready to start a new life on the other side of the world. I am moving my stuff to my parent's house this weekend. I am excited. Networking through the line at starbucks really paid off. I have made a few friends from South Korea and have been learning the language and culture. I have the alphabet and phonetics down, as well as the numbers and a few common phrases. I leave at the end of this month to start working in Busan, South Korea. On the water and located on the south-eastern tip of the peninsula, Busan is the second largest city in the country with a population of 2.66 million. Half my classes will be intensive programs and half will be general english learning. It is about time all this comes together. After several vague emails, I was able to glean enough information to begin asking the right questions to get the answers I needed. They are giving me the hook-up. Now, I am all about it. I just want to thank my family and my friends for their support and patience through this process. I'll miss everyone, but feel free to shoot me an email or call me on skype. Peace and Love everybody, I'm Out!

hello welcome back (Explicit)

Riding the bus home, I walk to the back where are a few open seats. The thought crosses my mind that people have no clue who you are or what your about until you show them something. As I space out, letting my mind wander, a voice on the wind chimes through.

"I don't give a fuck about what you think of me. Mother Fucker sitting over there. Yeah, you heard me. Who the fuck do you think you are. Scared to look at me. Yeah, well fuck you. I don't care about what you think. Yeah." 

A random guy is staring me down from two seats over. Barely audible, but with an unwavering voice, he sits provoking me, waiting for me to make a move. A confrontation is the last thing I want right now. I don't give a fuck who you are or what you think of me. I have my own problems to deal with. I am moving out of my place because it's a hostile environment, and I can save money. Don't put your shit on me. Yeah. So you think you're big, you think you're tough. Well so am I. You're not the boss of me Mother Fucker. And I'm not about to let your jerkass get to me. Peace of mind. Discipline. Composure. Breathe. Really? Welcome back to reality.

SomeOne I Don't Know Already Hates Me.

Damn what a Hellish day. To see so many sides of the story all at once. Miss Communication can be such a bitch. It doesn't matter your motivation, but the delivery and reception of your message brings to light the principles of all at play. She interjects her own individual translations into everything that is said, causing disparate ideas to come crashing together in dramatic fashion. Unfortunately, the subject is still too painful and personal to post here--those of you who know, already know what I'm writing about. For those of you who are set in their beliefs and ways, I hope you can look at a face and see humanity in it. I hope you refuse to learn, to tolerate and to practice hate; because Karma will finish what Miss Communication starts. What will you do next time you walk into a room of strangers who hate you because you don't fit their definitions--because you are different?

Caff heads anonymous

Can I survive another day at Starbucks? God. 

Back in December, I quit working the Loring Pasta Bar in Minneapolis so I could dedicate my time to travel. Ha! What a joke.  After a 1600 mile road trip over Christmas and New Years, I started my job search the last week of January. Was it fear of change or simply the need to unwind after a break up followed by four months of soul-sucking customer service?

Getting back into the grind the day after MLK day rudely jolted me back into reality. All those tired, eager smiles, just waiting for me to finish the transaction so they could finally get their desperately needed stimulant fix. Ok, here's your bloody latte. Every time Starbucks makes the news-whether it be to introduce a one dollar coffee, announce the layoff of six hundred employees, or to swindle some free advertisement about a three hour closure for training- I get accosted five hundred times daily with the question of how it affects me. 

Are people so individualistic that they completely ignore the person standing in line, one foot in front of them, and ask the same pointless question to the heel trapped behind the counter? I try not to bring my personal problems to the job, but my problem is my job. Simply explaining the difference between a corporation and a franchise never satisfies the average university student/employee. So I leave it there and let them have it, both barrels. No, I didn't have to stay late at the job I hate, because I am the model of legendary service. By the way, did you know you are only the 369th person to ask me that exact question today? Print the receipt, we're all set here. Thank you have a nice day. I end all my venomous comments with, thank you have a nice day.

WOW, your lunch looks delicious. I have been working since seven without so much as a restroom break. Where did you buy it? The Campus Club? I was so angry when they took a whole floor of the student union for a crummy two and a half star restaurant at which you have to be  a member to eat. It's not for students. Not that expensive? What do you you call $10,000 of tuition? Sounds like a membership fee to me. Enjoy your lunch. Thank you have a nice day.

I see so many tired, nervous, sometimes way to amped up regulars. They all want the Starbucks Guy to memorize their exact twenty-word custom drink order. Well, I sell about seven hundred drinks a day, you can't even remember one guy's- who you see every day- name. So can you please tell me how you want your fix? Thank you have a nice day.

 I landed a job in Seoul, South Korea. I cannot wait to go. Some of my Korean friends told me to expect delays in the visa process. So far, the only frustrating snag has been a delay in the reference process, however that has been resolved. I have been working on the language and sharpening my skills with a few exchange doctors. So close. Then the fun will begin. Peace and Love--I'm out.