Morning Glory

Well its Saturday and the closure of the week. I had to work in the Morning today. Each Saturday I either work in the evening or in the mornings. No matter what I say about Yale being a nut house~its a job and that's all that I can say about it. My job brings the bacon home.

I love the mornings for a few reasons. The kids are so subdued that it takes a lot of courage to be a showoff and cause problems. I had 3.5 good classes out of 4. These 4 are all mine~I give them the report cards, monthly tests, and plan thier direction. For 7 months now its going so fast.

Working in the mornings also means Christina is with me. I hate Saturdays at work but even more so I hate Saturdays without her. Saturday Mornings~We enjoy the Baguette and coffee before kids come.



After work I went with Christina to a restaurant and had lunch. It was a Rainy Gray day in Gumi. I feel bad sometimes and maybe its because of the weather.~ Unfortunately I couldn't control myself today and felt really bad. Part of me still feels a little ashamed at myself.

I enjoyed the good meal with Christina and as always it was filled with laughter and merry.
I waited for her while she swam. I really need to get a hobby and think that I will try to take up swimming. I want to swim with her and even get over my fear of swimming. I am going to swim and excercise more in February if not as soon as possible.

After Swimming and idle time we went home. Its the weekend the one day I get off and I may go to Daegu, Chungju or just stay in Gumi. I really want Christina to meet my friends. I know that she'll like them a lot.

My purpose in Korea has constantly changed since getting here. At first it was just to try Korea and learn about myself away from home. I needed a year to reflect and make sense of the happenings in Missoula. I left not entirely feeling good about that. I wasn't doing the things that I wanted to do and was wanting to find new possibility.

I have evolved into someone I know respect more than I did prior to my departure. I found a lot of truths about me and some of them are quite surprising. I can say that the best pleasure I have ever experienced has been because of Christina. I have many good friends and have a lot of fond memories back in the States but I have never felt like I belong anywhere other than with her.

Today, I officially have less than 5 months before I return to America~that is unless I decide to take a different course of action...London?
I am determined to make my relationship work~ I dont like making mistakes and I don't plan on failing. I want to seek continual self-improvement and become better in EVERYTHING.

So, here I am its 9 pm its a fast day always too fast.. who is to say what I will do tomorrow or next week.

I dont know what else to say~ Time to do some push-ups and think about later...

A web of Chaos

well its Friday and thank god its ...over.

My day started out promising with a wonderful lunch at my home with my Darling. She's an amazing cook and she is with me. I hope it is always this way....me and her together. She makes me so happy. I can't express enough.

After lunch we went to work. Work on Friday is always better than Monday through Wednesday. We drank our cocoa because its rainy today and we enjoyed the short time together before mass confusion erupted.

There is this one girl with a cracked up voice that just makes my nerves run wild. She is so annoying. If she would talk to me about something important than it would be good but its just nonesense a bunch of mumble jumble. Today there were so many problems it wasn't even funny.

I feel sorry for Mr. Jeong because he is slowly losing control on his Academy and I dont know how I can be of help to him. The youngest kid in the Academy bit me today on the hand. Honestly, I felt like quitting but one look at Christina and I said to myself I can stay until June at least. I dont think that bite is very bad since there is barely a mark but my hand is so cold and worse my boss told me I just have to find a better way to control the kids. He lets the kids run wild and then I get in trouble.

I could go to him with so many problems about this place but I choose to keep my mouth shut. I have stopped caring about the progress reports because their attitudes mean nothing. I used to think of myself as punisher just to get rid of kids because they are worthless and unnecessary.

I have had so many kids leave my classes and many others in the younger classes. Kids are coming and going faster than I can learn names, I dont really care anymore.

I want to be a good teacher but its hard to care when things are running a muck on a daily basis. So now I recieved a minor bit mark in Korea. I have seen enough complaining and poor teaching by Carrie Sungzanim (teacher) to last me the rest of my experience.

It used to be better when it was just me, christina, pearl, and mr. jeong. I think Mr. Jeong made some mistakes by trying to add on more classes and also hiring another teacher. This was a mistake.

Anyways, today there were 15 kids in the office who should have been waiting for the teachers in the classroom and nobody can do anything about it. I am OTL about this because our boss wants a rigid structure. Well its hard to follow especially when he is late to the classes himself --- in my class I watched as he showed up late to at least 2 classes-10 minutes at least.
I finished my classes and felt like just leaving.

It made happy to know that at least my Babe's classes went well. After work we went to Loteria to have a Burger. At least I did she wants me to gain weight so I am trying to gain. Being with her makes me so thrilled my bad feeling goes away.

Unfortunately this was how the day went and the Irony is, that its a day I wanted to make very special because its Christina's American Birthday. I guess I can do more when its her Lunar Birthday next month.


So, thats my post for the day. ;;

A very strange day indeed.

Tomorrow I work at 9 am

Things of my dream part 2

So Today is my favorite day of the week other than Sunday and in some cases Saturday. I worked my 4 classes only to have minor problems. Sometimes, I think its interesting because I used to prepare so much more for all of my classes but now I dont really use a lot of Supplimentary material. I used to do in class activities and give some for homework but now I dont.
Anyways, I had 4 classes and 3 hours of thinking time. I got my tests done for this month! So now I can focus on doing more important things while I am at work. Oh am I dok dok gai or what. (smart) um, actually i still have some more work to do but I have some breathing room.

So I dreamed a lot last night. I had wild amazing dreams that left me feeling so happy. I know its really early but I can't help but dream of Missoula. The Quiet Evenings where I would walk around campus and be basking in its pleasantrys is something I miss. Its 7 pm and you have hours to walk around during the summer~ its time for ice cream, coffee whatever you want! A romantic walk along the banks of the Clark Fork take me to my knees and then I wake up and I realize Christina and I still have 5 months to go.

Today I was dreaming of singing songs and playing at a concert with some random friends and being with Christina it was a nice dream when even better I got messaged. I was unfortunately worried though and proceeded to wait patiently for Christina to arrive.

At work~ the kids were really affectionate. The kids like to come into Christina I's office and play. Unfortunately I think this is a small problem since it makes working -prep time virtually impossible. I wish there was a rule that made the kids just stay in the classroom. I think its nice to enjoy the kids for awhile but I think they like to play to much.
*Maybe its because my classes are nothing but play time. I think I am supposed to primarily teach proper pronounciation but the truth is I am still working on attitude.

Today for example, There is this boy in MA2 the youngest kid in the Academy. He is very funny and can be very nice. But he throws bad temper tantrums and he is always hitting me. 75 % of the time he is a bad student at least but i do like him because he is funny and he is only 6 I think. I feel OTL (frusterated for those of you who dont know this the o is a face, T is back and an arm and the L is a leg. I am on the ground pounding the floor) (CAN YOU SEE IT) because Today I wanted to help him.... and he doesnt think that he only sees homework as the enemy.

To be brutally honest I truly feel I have failed as a teacher. ...
I am continuing to find new strategies to get me through the day. Time goes by so fast and I am getting through the Teaching day knowing that there is always tomorrow. I have been told that I take my teaching job too seriously so I am starting to ease up on it. I am cracking jokes at times but its hard because I am not sure when its entirely appropriate.

Today, I yelled at MB3 because I am tired of talking to myself. I say the same thing everyday and they dont learn from the last time. One of the kids in the class had his mom to complain about my extra homework. I wish I could meet some of their parents I would simply say"that's too bad stop complaining and take responsibility. I never punish that much. It takes more energy than its worth. MB2 are truly a class that could be branded Cattle. I say please dont put your books away until the music and I say this for 10 minutes every time. When the music plays I say Go. Bye. They line up at the door and stare back at me so I yell GET OUT OF HERE. I dont understand why they can't learn from me at all.

I dont like teaching the B classes at all especially MB2, and MB3 they have a very hard time listening. I like the older classses because they at least show more respect. All except for Molly that is... Molly is MB1 and she shows a lot of respect. I hope my daughter is like her someday!

Keep Dreaming.


I think most of the other happenings of today would be too personal to write about.

I went out with Christina and we had some soup and salty stick treat it was good! Before that I should rewind to say LAst night we went to A Bakery and had some coffee and in the morning we went to a Japanese restaurant 15 feet outside my building and had Fried Pork it was great.

in the evening I bought some fried Squid and had a snack for my second dinner.

I am keeping pretty busy now and I think I have to make this one end and maybe go Things of My Dream Part 2~
My real dream sits on my left hand side each day at work. We are wrapped in this adventure together and I am rested knowing my girl is something straight out of my dream!

Job Description

I am fast closing in on 7 months of being here. Now that I am making a concerted effort to writing a story each day time is flying by or maybe I am just getting older.

Wednesday, yet another typical day of the week. Perhaps, the most busy as it is mid week.

MY job description is still unclear for me and sometimes it frusterates me because I have been here for 7 months. At times it is hard to explain my frusterations as they change from day to day.

Yesterday, my co-worker Carrie came to me and said, Congragulations so I said for what and she said: Congrats to me, I found a new job" While she is nice to me she does nothing but complain. As a result our boss is going to have to find another replacement. I feel bad for him because me and Christina are the only things constant in his business and he is having to find new teachers again. That means less stress for me and Christina though^^
While he is finding a new teacher he will also have to teach more classes. When Carries goes away either in a month or less the entire schedule will need to be revamped. I unfortunately will still have the same amount of classes if not more.

I have at least 2 classes that are needing a new textbook and as a result I am having to think of new material on the spot so to speak. I have limited prep time and unfortunately even if I had more I wouldn't really know what to do with it. I felt bad because the kids dont care if they disrespect me, they dont talk to me, they ignore me and so most of the time I lecture to myself. When I say something that is definitely funny~ they miss it. There is no point of my teaching at times.

My class TD1 I make jokes like the silence is killing me. Or hey do you hear something? Oh thats called Quiet. They never talk. So I have classes who either wont Shut up or who wont speak a word. Talk about OTL...
I can understand something like: Teacher: English I dont know...to hard but at times these kids take the cake. It really bothers me that I spend 8 hours of the day talking to myself.


TO be perfectly honest with you, I dont mind the work. I am going with the flow and rolling with the punches but sometimes I wonder if I am truly doing something wrong in my work or if I am completely misunderstanding the point.


Today I left at 8:30 ....5 minutes after finishing my class. The class mocked me. The imitate me and there isn't anything I can do about it. I want my boss to have a successful Academy but there are way too many problems right now for that to happen.

Lately, I am teaching his classes if he is late. I dont mind the extra work and I want to work harder mainly so I can help Christina.

The Days continue to fly by and the Routine has been set. I do my best to teach the kids but I am still learning new things each day about my job.

I came here to see what a Korean experience/life is like. I know there are some cultural differences and unfortunately I am dealing with many. Sometimes I feel that I am expected to just completely change in order to fit to Korean ways. I am strictly speaking about work. I dont know if I am right or not but I think that as far as my "foreign" embodiment and ideas are concerned I think Cultural exchange has to be understood both ways.


I am continuing to try pursue more ambitions and goals this year. I have a feeling 2008 is going to be a milestone year in my life. Its going to herald a new begining down the road.

I can't help but look back at myself when I first got her and how young and how vibrant I was.

Well its almost yet another day and I will be back to the grindstone in 14 hours. Time really flies.

more later...

Just part of the Quest

Well its been a long Journey~ I have came to Korea for a mission to Explore about myself and to learn about what/who I am.
Its been a long time since I last touched American Soil and the transitions that I have gone through are remarkable in their own right.

First off, today nothing special just another typical day. I made Sauteed Shrimp Spaghetti for Christina and enjoyed a nice morning which unfortunately ended abruptly at 1 which it always does.

Work~After a 7 class day yesterday I only had an easy 5 the perfect day... I am still trying to be a good teacher but its not coming along easy enough.

I am surviving at work only watching the Drama unfold..who is to say what will happen... Everyday is full of surprises.

After work~ I went to Mcdonalds and had a Burger with Christina I guess we had a Burger craving. I am hoping that we eat more healthy soon since I especially am abusing my diet. After dinner we sat and talked about Family Values among other things while waiting for a bus. ...


The Quest I decided to go on has left huge impressions on me and thus have made me a changed man. In the begining I was naive to believing that I wouldnt change. I could have the same lifestlye that I had in college. I came here expecting to go on many Adventures, seeing old friends, probably doing a lot of drinking and who knows what else. I had many false notions about work as well. I realized that I would be working hard but I didnt realize that it would drain me and basically be my life. I was caught up in the romantic idea of a teacher~ I would be revered. What a young fool I was.

I have learned a lot about myself in my Korean experience. I have even stopped recognizing myself from 3 months ago since I have changed so much even in the last 3 months. I did a lot of number counting today~
I have been here for 7 months as of the 16th of January-8 more days. I will be leaving Korea in 157 days which is 22 weeks and 1 day, or 5 months and a day. I can't believe actually time is going so fast.

I look back at some older posts and its amazing I did these kind of things. Last year on this date I was going to Missoula for school during winter vacation and making plans to come to Korea in the process. Now I am figuring on going back to Missoula to go to school. I am going to find a house and apply hopefully in February or March.

Things continue to be pretty busy around here. I should do some serious housekeeping but for now I am intent on just trying to see to the event at hand.

Things that have changed about me since getting here~
*I dont drink as much anymore. When I go home I worry about that. I dont want to go back to the same routine of drinking.
*My appearance has changed. Mainly because I have a smoking beauty on my arm. "does anyone ever read this except my Honey?" I swear you guys are missing out... if you are drop me a line or something~ this is amazing material.
* I am more responsible and work hard now. I am much more serious about life and believe that everyday not well spent is a waste. And yes I have been Asianized. what does this mean? ~ I like a lot of Asain food and I have many new habits all of which remains to be known. I dont know what I do for sure.

* In my spare time I still am a goof~ I play on the computer, write a lot blog, and network. I still think that I need to go out more but exploration can be dangerous.

I am learning more tricks of the trade and secrets along the way but I think that this is good enough for this post. Its time to go study.

Oh also I did 50 pushups I am trying to get back in shape and develop a rigorous excercise routine. I hope that this will work.

More later.

Hawg wan Life for me...

Well, maybe all I needed was a Wake Up Call and by that I simply mean the begining of another work week.

Sunday I felt drained a lot of work and not much rest. Even though it had been a quick week and alot of travel I unfortunately couldnt keep up with the pace. I also dont have a controlled mind where I can adjust according.


I spent a lot of time thinking and honestly its because I care but maybe I let my mind wander too far and therefore subsequently spent a lot of time in my bed.

I was overjoyed to see my baby today because as they say absence makes the heart grow fonder. I am madly in love and its the best feeling i have ever felt in my life. I am astounded by her charisma and charm.


First off today, I worked 7 classes usually I am only supposed to have 5 or 6 with 1-2 breaks. I need all the breaks I can get simply so I can manage to keep up with the kids...

I did this as a indirect favor for mr. Jeong. he was late to teach his Ma1 class so I had to take over.

In all honesty it wasnt so bad since the kids were all good to me today. The day went by fast.

After work I went to Da Vinci Coffe with my significant other my right arm if you will. We had cocoa and talked for a half hour. After she left I had to take the bus back to my house I never ride the bus so it was kind of new experience i guess you could say.


Home~ I am doing the things I should have done on Sunday~
I cleaned up a little bit. I am budgeting my money a little bit and I am writing some stories catching up on some emails/posts etc.


This week looks to be busy. I like to keep busy actually. After a waste of a weekend and an email that left me in wonder about melancholia I am needing to get down to business.



Its time to make the most of it. ITs only the 7th but I already feel like time is just flying by once again.

Tuesday is an easy day for me and for me it means get a lot of things done at work. As much as I can.

more later.

Sunday is my free day

today I slept in I got up at 11 only to go back to bed until around 2. I finished reading Angels and Demons by Dan Brown ~it was a really good book. I want to read his other book Deception Point as soon as I get the chance.

I lazed around all day. I went for a couple walks but all in all it was a complete waste of a day. I really couldnt think and didnt know what to do with myself.

well I am off to work now only to deal with the infinite oddities around the workplace. Doesnt make for a good day.

I dont sound very promising I know but maybe its the season, or the cold or the fact that I just broke my new coat or other things I could say that is making me feel blue. A new post will be written soon
I am going to try to write a post each day.