Teachers Meeting

Unlike the teachers meetings that are held at work I had an enjoyable Teacher meeting Wednesday Afternoon!
In my opinion, the meetings at work are pointless and there is no purpose. It is always just criticism and everyone feels awful. Enough said.

Pearl, Christina and I enjoyed a nice meal at VIPS. The three of together are VIP material and this occasion was a perfect way to spend a one day holiday. The atmosphere at VIPs didn’t feel like Gumi but made me feel like I was living in a different area of Korea. I enjoy that feeling so much where I don’t have to worry about who is seeing me or what I am saying.

In other words today was as close to normal of there is conceivably a thing called normal in Gumi.

In sum Christina, and Pearl are definitely VIP material and I wish that everyday could be like that.

On a beautiful Wednesday afternoon we all met at the train station just to have “normal social discourse” …

Unfortunately thats all the holidays until Christmas :(

This was a perfect way to spend a Relaxing "independence day" in Korea. Ironically this holiday wasn't much of a big deal.

Back to Kenting, Andong, Freedom

Each day that we live there are little moments known to some people as appifanys which is not even a word.... An appifany is a sudden realization or truth that becomes known.

Regardless of what happens during the day these little realizations are the pieces that are important to understanding the entire puzzle picture.

In my mind these events, happenings, or sayings keep playing back in my memory like a never ending tape recorder.

It is important to log these occurences and improve your mental projection of the world.

Events that happened in Kenting, Andong and other places remind me that there is truly a better life.

Allow me to explain:

I told my boss that with any job there is complaints. Most people in America and probably Korea hate their job. Its only for the Benjamins, Chasing after the Benjamins. Ironically, I was showing my boss my American dollar I have (Its the only one) and its a 100 dollar bill with benjamin franklin on it.

This thirst for power and hunger for money is the root of contempt and stress. My boss and I talked about Work and our personal lives. He is an interesting man and at times I can count on him as a friend but there is so much I can't tell him because he is my boss. The personal relationship just isnt there as it could be under(different) extentuating? circumstances. I swear I am forgetting English....

Maybe I have to Quit my job. maybe I have to return to America and re access my life. So many people think I should throw in the towel and walk away. I am learning to never sell myself. I dont care about the contract I care about the people I love the most and what is truly right.

I know that there is something better for me, for everyone that I am around. I am working towards a better tomorrow.

i have a birthday present on my desk that has a bear doing some research and it says Fighting on it. The kids who gave it to me dont realize how appropriate it is for me. i am the bear a lone Grizzly (UM-Missoula) home of the Grizzlies. Fighting to improve oneself in mind body and spirit.

For the time being I am choosing to stick it out and fight through everything come hell or high water.
In all seriousness I no longer care so much about this teaching job since the problems seem unfixable. I came to teach but I also realize that I have to cultivate myself and see myself for what I truly am. In other words, I came to Korea to learn about myself and I found things that are worth fighting for and working for.

I believe I am going to VIPs for lunch and hope to learn more there. I will continue this at a later time...

Andong

Septmember Andong Mask Festival with Christina!

What a week. I had 3 quick days of work and a few drinks with my boss before finally being able to leave and enjoy another weekend.

My boss is a nice guy. He never stops working and when he criticizes he always has both positive and negative feedback sometimes its hard to appreciate his company especially when its all about work.

I had some Wine on the plane and watched other foreigners get drunk, I had my usual meal with Mr. Jeong a pitcher of beer and fried chicken.

To all of my friends out there in Missoula I dont drink anymore I am not the same person I was when I was in Missoula so you can forget about Nick the man who drinks 3 days a week or more. Stupid Stupid Stupid.

So Sunday Morning... Christina and I headed to Andong. We took the bus which only took an hour. Andong is in the East and its one hour away from Gumi.

ANDONG is amazing.... The flowers were in bloom, the weather was perfect even though it rained a little. Christina and I saw some people wearing masks and SERENATiNG the crowd. Or should I say Masquerading or both??

I am forgetting how to speak sometimes

We had some bibimbob at a local cuisine and it was great only because Christina and I could enjoy our meal in solitude and talk about anything openly.

In Gumi I dont feel everything is open. Its a covert operation (covert-op) lifestyle. I give a little and my boss gives us a little if we fall below that line its misery. I am surrounded by Academy all the time.

Anyways....

We walked the streets of Andong and saw beautiful bluffs in the distance followed by a nice sliver of blue the river.

Unforuntately the trip came to a close. I am not someone who likes to see things end. It just makes me want to work harder.

When I am on these trips I am seeing Korea and actually feel like I am learning and experiencing Korea. Christina makes all of this possible I am sure.

So another week in closing and the end of the month is upon us...its time to buckle down and try to become more authoritative in the class. ~~~

October is upon us...