Situations

July, 20th, around 1 a.m Saturday

So, I haven’t written for what seems to be a very long time. I have heard from many people that my stories are interesting and I should continue to write. However, I am not too sure.

Saturday
Today, I cooked Spaghetti for Christina and I. I am so happy that I can cook now and even more happy when Christina gets to enjoy my food and be with me.

I have a lot of things going on now. I am starting to think about working even harder. I would like to find potentially a second job but it would have to be “under the table” type work. I think way too much about my future and what kind of possibilities I have awaiting me. I truly think I need to try harder to make my personal ambitions work out. There is so much I want to do...

PROBLEMS
My boss, Mr. Jung occasionally stays over at my house. He is a really nice guy and we can enjoy an occasional talk like we did today. I bought some coffee and we just talked for an hour about Korea and America. I am a little uncomfortable now though because he is inadvertently affecting my personal life.
When he is here I have to change my routine to accommodate him. I am having a hard time dealing with “Confucius Values” sometimes.
I plan my activities I do around his schedule. When he leaves for work I still have an hour so I officially begin my day. I cooked some nice Spaghetti with actual ingredients. Unfortunately, Christina and I only had an hour before work :(

I am looking forward to the future when Christina can meet many of friends. I am excited to see Korea with her!


WORK
Classes have been a pain lately. I have had to yell at quite a few classes. Yesterday, one of the girls was made fun of and so I had to yell at the guys who started it. The girl was very energetic and came to class to learn but she looked so sad after some of the comments. She is one of my favorites (Tori) She came up to me later and I think she didn’t want me to go.

She held my hand and walked everywhere with me. Holding hands is so common here. Especially for children to hold my hand, most of them I am starting to like. I also have one kid who head butts me and when I am not seeing him he will come over and just ram his head into mine. He actually hurt me once.

I do have many good students though too. For example,
I am plagued with some personal issues right now and so far I don’t know how to solve them. I think time will help.

I want to apologize for not writing sooner and not writing emails it’s very uncharacteristic of me.

I have many personal projects going on at the moment. I am starting the Harry Potter books not because I buy into the craze but I want to go to the movie with Christina.

I am hoping to finish a book in 3 days or less.

This girl in my TD2 class Rachel gave me 3 Harry Potter books. She is also really nice. I only see her on Saturday though unfortunately.


I feel bad cause I couldn’t be there for my best friends birthday (Peter). I should try to keep in better contact but lately I cant do much of anything.

I am going through some strange phases that I will not classify as culture shock.

I had a dream last night that I was with my old friends from my running team in college. We were running together on the team again. I don’t know why this is significant but maybe its because I am leaving that old life behind.
Sometimes I recall my life in Missoula. Going out with Peter, Sam and Steve and playing quarters which unfortunately have brought bad luck. But also just all the pranks we did. Like the Fourth of July last year.

Going to the Food For Thought, International House, cooking for friends like Park, etc.

Time is fleeting...It slowly becoming a dream to me.

I don’t drink anymore. Anyone surprised? I have drunk 3 times since getting here and don’t really need it anymore. I think its because Christina has changed me. She doesn’t drink and I don’t want to either. I miss drinking with my best friends in Missoula but here I don’t desire to.

Tonight I am staying up late. I don’t know why. I drank some green tea and feel like I will use the most of my weekend. I have been talking to Christina for the last 3 hours on msn.

In a typical day….

I have breakfast/lunch with Christina and sometimes Pearl when she works.
I have 5 classes. I yell at 2 or 3 classes maybe more.
And then in the evening if I don’t have dinner with Christina I cook something and then talk to her for a few hours before bed. Christina, has made me want to learn Korean and I am actually starting to write really well. I have memorize the alphabet and can’t wait to show Christina some progress I have done today.



Well I ended up falling asleep around 3 while I was writing this. I called my dad late last night and talked to him for awhile and talked to Pei-chen for a couple hours. Its nice to have so many wonderful people in my life.

Anyways, I will try to write more later on.
James, thank you for writing me, it was good to hear from you. I hope to see you in Japan.

a day's passing

Mondays are always hell...I had 6 classes back to back...I am glad its over and also that today is a holiday.

My classes were fairly uneventful. The kids noticed that my eyes are so blue today....maybe its because I slept a total of 8 hours this weekend.

Christina and I had some chicken dumplings. Our meals are always so good!

I eat better too than I did before.

I am always so shocked at how the time flies by here.

I talked to one of my best childhood friends today... It was good to hear from him. We just caught up on happenings.
Another one of my friends is disembarking on a journey to Japan here in a couple weeks. WE need to make sometime to see each other so that will be great in the days to come.

This is just a short post since I am about to have my holiday celebration here shortly.


As the day is so short it is crucial that I continue my efforts to making the most of the time and doing more than what I have been and continue to engage myself in self improvement activities.

When you Say Nothing At All...

Well Its Sunday and its almost over. I have work tomorrow at 1. I am sure it willbe a busy day. Probably too busy.

I just got back from yet another wonderful time with Christina in Daegu. I met her friends and they were really nice. One of them didnt really speak English but my communication is just knowing the mean. "Complaining Girl" which is Christina's name for her said I was really kind and that I take Care of Christina. Both are true.

I was reminded of past times with Peter, Sam and Steve. I remember going out with them and I wouldn't say much and sometimes I wouldn't say anything at all. They always thought something was wrong with me because I never said anything but the truth was that I just felt more comfortable not saying much. I was more happier enjoying the moment and just understanding the situation that was unfolding.

Today I began reading a book called Chicken Soup for the Soul...its the only english book in the house that's worth reading. I also bought a Korean book that I want to start as soon as I catch up with work. The book I am reading is perhaps for a younger age group but the stories i have read in it are still important values. The books purpose is mainly to discuss relationships (Romantic, friendship, family, etc.)


Currently I am undergoing another transformation.

I am reading an old friend of mines old blog from her travel experiences.


I am sitting here in my room. And I feel slightly strange. My boss is watching TV outside and even though he is a chingu (friend) I still feel that he is more boss than friend. I just had a sip....just a sip of Soju (Korean Alcohol) and dont feel like having more.


I miss Christina right now... She is the only person I truly can talk to and be myself with here.

I Love Korea, I love culture and I am enjoying learning about myself but currently my mind is in a twisted knot of confusion. I am riding a roller coaster and I dont know where the stop is. I truly want to explore Language and learn Korean as fast as possible. As soon as Korean is learned maybe Japanese or Chinese. I want to seek self improvement and also find the answers to the questions I had before I came.

Sometimes I dont feel myself when I am alone or when I am out and around other people. I am really confused by a lot lately. I dont think I am experience culture shock because truthfully when I was in America I felt just as much shock as now. I am not sleeping very well or much. I am averaging 6 hours or less a night.


Today was Marvelous, I truly think it was one of the best days I have had here in Korea. The weather was perfect and our time in Daegu couldn't have gone better. It was one of those days that makes me want to cry because it was over. Being on the bus with Christina was the closest thing to perfect today. We headed towards Gumi just sitting there holding each other and enjoying the quiet and sunshine. We didn't need to say Anything at all. I am so happy that I was able to spend such a great Afternoon together. I was sad when we got out at Gumi.

They say home is where the heart is but tomorrow is work:(

I bought some food so I can cook Christina some special meals this week! I enjoy cooking now and think I will be doing more of it in the future.

I could write all day about things but I think I have said too much right now.

I am sure I will be back sometime again to write maybe I will not do it everyday though...

I should try to get some rest and shut off my mind. So Have a good day or Sweet Dreams depending on who you are that reads this.....