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.

Waegookin Blunder

Well after yet another weekend of work I decided to take the night to go revisit a place I hadn't stepped into since I had first arrived and had met Bryant and Traci.

Waegook is a bar specifically meant for Foreigners. Being someone who has studied Geography I think it would be enticing to enjoy the company of many different cultures. However, not at a place like Waegook.

There are some conspiracies going under there that I do not want to be apart of. It makes me think of my college days when I was part of an underground covert op group. By underground I simply mean everything was a secret. Who I knew would get me deals.

Private Teaching was one of the topics being passed around the table last night. Definitely illegal and for people who have the time profitable. Just like any typical American we like to follow opportunity but I am not seeing the benefits.

I had made plans to meet up with one of my new friends from Atlanta Georgia -Aaron some guy I had met at the train station. After eating a huge burger and having a couple beers I called it a night.

Unfortunately for me~ I made many mistakes this night.

I said something that wasn't meant for anything but just a tease only to have it become something that caused hurt. It was obviously just an accident but I dont like misunderstandings because things could always be easier.


So I completed the first week of the New Year its now Sunday and I am just having some R/R and trying to ease my mind in order to prepare for another busy week, 1 down 3 to go.

I hope next week is better. I got a lot to do but I can't seem to move an inch today


I am locked in my house and not by choice. why am I so afraid to step out.

Moving on...

Things of my Dreams Part 1

At times I feel like I hate this place. I joke to people that this place is a prison. I told people that Korea is 3 countries: North, South and Gumi. Sometimes I think my boss misunderstands me and also doesnt realize how fortunate he is in what he has at Yale. Amist all the problems and Frusterations (OTL) that I feel there is a a big reason to be happy.


I feel that there is huge problems everywhere and we have 2 choices each day. Be happy or find something new. I am a realist and choose not to fight where there is no chance for victory.

Why am I so lucky one may ask?
*******************************************************************************

My illustrious, dainty, amorous, tender warm hearted girlfriend Christina is why. Pure and simple.
When I think of Caring I think of her. Even though there are so many problems and sometimes I can be the cause of a headache to her she musters through and is always there. She made me a huge white heart today which I keep on my pillow. I also have a smaller one that gives me strength each day. My heart for her literally is as big as the one on my bed. I am surprised it hasnt protruded out of my swelled up chest. In reality my heart is overflowing with insurmountable devotion for her.
When I think of Romance~ If I were a man in a story I would want to end up with a girl like her and truly live happily ever after.

What can I say I am a closet Romantic. Everyone already knows this.


Today she gave me a shave this is my second shaving I have gotten from her. I am trimmed and look like a model.(according to her. It gives me great satisfaction knowing I walk each day together with a true model. I am privledged to hold the hand of someone with elegance and deity. **I am just starting to look worthy of being with her.

I can honestly say that I can go to bed tonight knowing that I am the luckiest man in Gumi. Once again putting the problems of work, Korea etc behind me I know that to have Love that runs this deep give me everlasting Joy in the fact that I have found True Love. For there is no greater feeling than the Euphoria and natural tranquility emanating from Christina. Eun Ju^^

For the First Time

This year is marking a lot of first times....

I went to Chungju for the first time on the First of the Month.
I went to see one of my best friends that I met in Missoula. Its ironic that i have been here for almost 7 months and he is one of the first friends that I have actually been able to visit in Korea.

This was the first time that his girlfriend, (my old friend), Park (Jong Hoon) and I were in the same place at the same time. I dreamed of this before coming to Korea how we all would get together sometime and have some fun~ it was a little surprising that it was in a hospital but life is full of unexpectancies.

This was also the first time Hyung Jin met Park's parents even though they have been dating for 5 years.

My friend will be here for another 2 weeks I hope that during this time we can visit each other a lot.

This year I am going to take full advantage of each day. I wasted a lot of time last year. I only have a limited time here in Korea left and think its necessary to get more done than just waiting for something.


My trip to Busan was the first time I went somewhere with my girlfriend for an extended stay. Busan is full of marvels but all the joy I felt was radiating from Christina. For the very first time... I felt enamored and full of serindipity that I had found my sweet angel.


Its almost the end of the first full week of the First month of the new year! I have seen my friend in a new city, I have worked hard for what will now be the third day and still have nothing but love pulsating through my veins.

Its time to prepare for yet another busy day....

Back to the Grindstone

Well after a 4 day break its time to go back to work. Its now 2008 and after my first day back at work I can't help but think of Resolutions.

I believe in working hard at everything that I do. I want to feel accomplishment and love work. I feel OTL however since its the same story just a different day.

Truthfully here is work~
I teach my 5-6 classes on average each day and unfortunately I dont really feel like I am teaching them anything. I am using dried up markers to get my lecture to them, I am checking homework to see if they did it never mind if its correct or not. If they dont do it it honestly really doesnt matter if they do it simply because they will stay in the academy. MY job is just business not about actual education.

The worst part of my job is that my girlfriend suffers the most. I want to change things so much. I would rather work harder so she doesnt have to work as hard. It doesnt seem right that I make more money and can leave sooner after each day. It also doesnt seem right that I email and she telephone teaches to kids who aren't even interested in learning English

All that telephone teaching is doing is HI this is YALE Hagwan Remember me YALE YALE YALE.
The fact that Christina and I each have a personal life doesnt matter. In my case I feel like I am a machine meant for one thing~~ a walking a talking English Doll.

I honestly want to make a situation where we can enjoy everything 24-7.

The pressures that Christina puts on her shoulders makes me feel like I can't do anything. IF someone is drowning I can toss them a lifejacket but here I only feel like I can't do anything.

In other words, I want to be more involved. As the English song at the Academy goes:

what do you do in the morning:
I get up, take a shower get dressed and go to school.

what do you do in the evening.
I go home , I do my homework, I eat dinner, I brush my teeth and I go to bed.
Around the clock for work.

My mission in Korea is to learn more about myself, and also finding ways to improve every aspect of my life Starting with the #1 thing in my life~~Truthfully speaking I do want to always be there.
there is more that I can say but for now I am going to end it with that.
Its the new year and I am looking for more possibility... time is of the essence and also going way to fast.
maybe tomorrow will be more promising.