Halloween Special

Welcome to the 5th Floor of the Yale Hagwan. Its apparently a second mini Yale Academy. All this week Christina, Myself and the secretary a.k.a Librarian decorated my house. I was really angry because Mr. Jeong didnt even ask me if I wanted to have a party. This is a work party simply for the kids. To make it worse my boss didnt even show up.
This just meant a lot of extra work for Christina and I on Saturday after work. I was tired and truthfully dont want to be around kids unless I absolutely have to. 6 days of work and 8 hours a day is plenty. I like my privacy.

Maybe its a Korean custom but I am not the neatest person in the world. I live for the time being and sometimes clean when I get around to it. I dont have the work ethic of Koreans and personally its going to kill me if I dont slow down.

My attitude about work is going to get easier. As my friends (who never read this) would say: That's Nick Palmer and he does things his way. The theory of getting eaten alive by the "real World" doesnt exist. There is no real world.

Here are some pictures of the crazy twirps. oh how am I going to explain twirps. ?? oh well.
how about dippy dutzes?

Dealing with The Arch M

Mcdonalds has become my lifestyle for the Month of September-October. This isnt very good. Its my new Food For Thought. I dont think I should do this but its the only place I know which gives me coffee.

The cofee is too strong though for me nowadays. What would Gommy Say?

Anyways, I saw a few foreigners. Its so strange for me to say and even admit this but I can't see Foreigners in the same light that I did before I came here. I dont interact much because my influence is limited to a small area.

Its always a shock to me to see foreigners because I dont see many people. They all know my place though~ oh, Kat's old job I get you. I dont throw any wild parties though unlike Kat.


My house is completely different. Apparently other parties can take place though even though I want to enjoy the weekend.

Well I am discovering I have a crazy habit of always wanting to write. I shouldn't write so much because I need to focus on other things and do as people have said and try to "soak up this Korean experience" I have a huge problem. I am addicted to the infamous Arch M. Every morning I fraternize myself with the people at Mcdonalds and eat a hearty meal of Egg Mcmuffin. I swore an oath I would never sell myself to a Corporate and now I have. Its becoming my new Food For Thought. Its quite a shame actually. I get free food though sometimes. Mcdonalds girl is really nice to me. Koreans either really like me, strongly dislike me or are indifferent. Unfortunately in my experience the hate is stronger. I have resolved myself not to eat at Mcdonalds in November as much anyways. I need to expand my horizons and seek out new places. My attitude has taken a new adjustment as well. I am not to fond of Gumi. It is too small and its too conservative for me. People are entitled to thier beliefs about how they feel about a foreigner. However, I am changing to accept this for what it is. I am believing that I have only looked at the negatives and I am not realizing that there is much more that I am capable of doing or can do later. I am here to teach Korea English and I am wanting to take away as much from Korea as they take from me. Teaching is a giving and taking relationship. I am not seeing that much. This weekend I am having a Halloween party at my house. Its not my idea. Its for work. The truth of the matter was that I wasn't even asked about it and its just a business scam. My boss will post pictures in the newsletter in order to promote the Academy. "If I cover the blood soaked walls, does that mean the blood is gone?" When will people think about people first and money second. I have seen so many kids come and go from this Hagwan or school that its a joke. I want to teach the kids not spoon feed them. I have to get ready for work now. Its my easy day and I am going to finish and have my special dinner of Chicken "all you can eat" and some beer for a party of 1...or I guess I will do that tomorrow...

Pumpkin Carver

Well, its Halloween week and therefore I believe work is actually a little easier than normal. I wish every week could be like this.


Some customs and traditions here are a little stranger than what I was used to back home. For example, kids play with toy weapons and those are banned in America. Relationships are much more personal than I am used to. Unfortunately, even though I am working and around everyone the entire time at work I am still an outsider.

I envy Christina's ability and knack for the kids. They bond with her quite simply. I also wish I had her teaching skill and/or the things that she taught. I like explaining concepts and meanings but I can't get my message across.

Mr. jeong wanted me to teach the kids about Halloween. Even though I grew up on this wacky tradition I never found it really interesting. Its amazing how much Vocabulary I can expound in 45 minutes.

Jack-o-lantern
pumplin
trick or treat
Dracula
Vampire
Ghost
Things of that nature.

Anyways for the main event I was given a knife and told to carve a pumpkin. I made two of them. Dracula Smile with fangs and A Smiley pumpkin. Both of them have a special meaning in my heart but I wont say here.

So, this weekend there will be a party here in my house for 2 hours. I am not really excited about this. Welcome to the real world I guess. I am not able to enjoy the weekend or Saturday anyways because my house is invaded by everyone. What am I to do?

Well maybe I shouldnt be writing this here but I am ready to try anything. In my mind I have always been able to think of some good excuses. I dont lie but I stretch the truth a little. Every where I go I am confronted with these split second decisions~ one day it will get me killed. When you play with fire you get burned. bottom line, is that I want to escape to somewhere else.

Sunday there is supposedly a hike with the Teachers/bus driver. I only want to have some R/R time to what I want to do. This ain't going to fly with me. Not this time.

Anyways back to the pumpkin Carving. I was shocked that I could be allowed to do this. Having a knife in America is big trouble. I am becoming a softy maybe. Carrying a knife around not exactly the best idea. Crazy things have been known to happen.


The kids liked my art display and butchering the pumpkin ended up being easier than I thought. It killed 45 minutes too so I was happy I dont like it when I have to entertain the kids. I need to find a way to become more effective. I can't wait until November!

More later.

Weekend Happenings!

I had an experience this weekend that gave me a little inspiration for work as well as just focus in general.

Growing up I never was able to bond well with kids. Ironically I always found jobs though that made me interact with kids. Nowadays kids are my strong as well as week point. I feel like I am getting worn out by them but at the same time thier youth and innocence compels me to keep trying.

After work on Saturday I ended up helping to decorate the Academy for Halloween. I played with some kids there too. There is this young girl who was afraid of me because I am different and tall. By the end of the time at the Academy that night she wanted me to sit next to her and share dinner with me.


I have many girlfriends at the Academy. haha


I want the kids to truly open themselves up to me and learn from me.



When I went shopping this weekend I ended up talking to random kids because I am the only foreigner amongst a crowded Korean version of Walmart. "LOTTE MART" Taxi drivers still can't hear my Korean correctly even though Lotte Mart is written in English. I have been here for 4 months and a week and I am still hesitant about taking a taxi simply because the drivers are so strange to me. Sometimes, I have a good driver.


Sunday, it was so cold I bought myself a nice fleece in order to stay warm. My weekend is going to end in a few hours and before it does I just want to relax and enjoy the last few moments of freedom.


Its a new week, new hope new goals. Anything is possible and I am going to make the best of it.

I want to continue trying and learning anything that is possible.

More later

In the Days of Pangea

Here is a rudimentary Geography Lesson~

Pangea existed millions of years ago and ever since the break-up people have been trying to find their way back together ever since. This is my personal opinion~

This Super continent if you will would have been ideal in today's world. Within Pangea harboured the ideal value of a Utopian society.

When people go to different countries their hope is to find themeselves. Some element of thier life was or is missing that they couldn't find in their own country.

As time continues to pass on by here, it is my hope that Pangea can be metaphorically brought back together.


English is the Universal Language and its something that shouldn't be feared. I am not a fan of English because just like Christianity many people have connotated it with negative things. Is Language culture?


Its an element of culture but people are the same everywhere. The more I become acquainted with this place the more I realize that intrinsically we are all trying to do the same~find purpose and meaning.

The question that truly exists is why people categorize people differently and want to limit themselves when there is truly a limitless Universe that is only bound by our own confines.

What is the definition of Foreign or Foreigner? Something that is not to or of a particular area. Something that is different and doesn't belong to something. I am no longer thinking in terms of foreign or foreigner

I am always a foreigner to everyone who sees me as an Outsider. Its time that people start thinking in terms of first names or just ONE People instead of Separation.

Its a quiet Sunday and perhaps my last peaceful day before it gets even colder and before Dracula strikes again.

BAck to Yale.

and then there were two...

To all of my readers both near and far. Whether I hear from you or whether you are off on your own personal safari I send you an update from my Escapade in Korea.


This week has been a long one. It started out promising. I went out with Bryant and Traci on Sunday night. Getting out of my Hyung-gok area is important and I am starting to see the personal thrills of just walking downtown.

I sent some money home in order to let it grow, and to keep me from spending too much on frivolous things. I have many plans that I am conjuring up at the moment. Walking downtown is also nice just to see people's reactions about me. Sometimes, its good and sometimes not.

I keep telling myself that I shouldn't care about the problems at work and just look on the brighter side but sometimes its hard. My work follows me home a lot and I really can't break away from this.

Problems at work continue. Unfortunately, I am losing confidence in myself and my ability to perform.. This week I wanted to be positive but my teaching is taking a heavy hit. My boss's words still linger in my mind.

I think my boss and I mis-understand each other quite a bit. All I can say is that I am trying so hard and more so I am focusing on what I think is truly important. i hope in time things can change. Finding a way to make things work. out is all that I care about Some of you know what I am talking about when I say finding things that work.

I am talking to people I dont even know that are reading this... Am I Crazy? Dont tell me.

My friend and co-worker quit yesterday. She has had enough. I dont blame her for quitting if there wasn't something good at the job I would quit.

I feel sorry for my boss because he doesnt realize why my friend quit. What he doesnt know is that we all feel that way sometimes if not most of the time.


I went to Mcdonalds like I do most of the time. The girl there is really nice to me. She gives me free food sometimes, so I get extra food. I need to eat more as I am unfortunately still skin and bones. Christina wants me to be bigger and I am trying.


When I am not working I am spending most of my time, reading and catching up on small errands of this and that. I am so tired lately though I am becoming concerned for my health but I think I am worrying too much. Its unfortunate how much Teaching is taking out of me and what little reward if any that I am getting out of it.

I am thinking of the next step as I always seem to be. I am convinced and certain the answer will come. In the mean time I am hoping that I can make things work out in Gumi and find a way to make my dreams in Korea come true.
What are those dreams?
In no particular order

Learn and Find myself
Develop myself as a man with potential and a bright Career outlook
Improve relationships and change people's minds about Reality.

I will let that last one be the last I say on that for now. Its so important to me that I try if I am going to make things better here.

If I succeed in what I am believing I can be a better teacher and all around human being. Working at Yale can be a great experience and stepping stone for bigger and better things.

So then there were two. Its just me and Christina at work now. Not having Pearl there is sad. Maybe there is a lgiht at the end of this chaotic tunnel called Yale and with Christina's help may it shine brightly.

This saying still is something I keep in mind:


To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right.Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart. -Confucious


I am here in Korea and want to go Everywhere with all of my heart

BUFFET

Well in my exploration of Gumi I stumbled upon a great place to eat again!

After finishing my 4 classes on Saturday with only 2 major problems :( I went to a local meat buffet with Christina.

At these places we cook/grill our own meat right at our table. I enjoyed having Gal bei again. Its my favorite meal in Korea and I dont get to eat it nearly enough. Usually my diet is Ramen noodles which doesnt bode well for my plan to gain weight. I want to have a Bopping Sue again though too.

Lunch is always so much better though in good company. Nowadays I am no longer able to have a lunchbreak at work. It is better if I eat lunch before going to work.


A job is a job is a job. Everywhere I go there is going to be complaints, and those complaints are the same everywhere 1). boss 2). job duties 3). For a teacher: the kids... 4). I work to long to much etc.
I dont want to complain about those things I am a realist complaining as I said before has no educational rationale or basis behind it.

I wish I had some pictures to post...

more later