Wow, i look back at my photos from the 19th and 26th and of course i havnt updated! i've been traveling and playing like a champ!
First, caribbean bay is wayyy better than any waterpark i've been to. Carowinds would b put to shame! I have a few photos from it and you'll see...its made for anyone. u wear a lifejacket and have to wear a "cap" (so i bought an awesome pirate kinda swimcap) and the slides were stellar! of course teh lazy river also was the best part! going in a cave, around hte whole park, under a waterfall, yah...that's just a few things. and you can have it all for $45 for 2 people! That's a real deal!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2017784&id=105600042&l=a8b0841bf0
So that was an adventure of the weekend. I also went to see Hyesung's univ. Seoul National Univ. The best univ of korea. Most people try 2 YEARS to get in! talk about difficult. of course she got in first try, lol. But it was quite high class. I loved teh business building and they had just opened a multimedia (computer animation films) major. The first difference i saw on campus was lockers! I felt like i was in highschool with so many lockers...but you need it because no one lives on campus! some people even travel hours to get to school. talk about devotion! They have a few dorms for foreigners and for those that must live there....but of course they charge a LOT of money. And the caf and other foods are just simply pay money! for cheap! I was quite jealous...seeing as my college charged me $9 per meal...breakfast lunch and dinner. Robbery! But so that's that. Had the best katsu-ju (the Musashi restaurant in charlotte) just next stop in gangnam for a mere 5,000won! I loooove food way too much. Thought about going there this weekend cuz we loved it so much. Ah, i'm starting to miss charlotte and its random things. Tacos, avacado, soybeans, hummus!! and other fine food...and i guess driving but we all know i hate driving.
Hmm, SOOO the NEXT weekend i went to Everland. Its right next door to Caribbean bay (2 hours outside of Seoul by bus...a pain getting there) but yep, and again with credit card deals its cheaper (but i had to pay full price: 30,000won= $25!) Went and it was october/halloween celebration! So of course i got lots of pictures of animals (Monkies!) and the cool ball room u can shoot everybody with nerf balls! haha...they think of everything! And the white water rafting waterpark thingy...(log tube? in disneyworld....miss disney!!!) and we avoided the HUGE lines for rollercoasters. Went to this fantastic rose garden and watched fireworks, ahah, too romantic. then did a ferris wheel to end the night. of course thats just how i roll.
I really have been enjoying my final weeks here. Its chusok (korean thanksgiving) this weekend so i get friday off! I tried to go to busan one more weekend but...no train seats or bus seats or plane flights. they all go friday and come back monday. almost too many people traveling...last year it took 12 hours to get to busan by bus (normally 4) sooo...maybe its better i will just stay at home and relax for 2 days.
And why am i OK with this?
That news will come tomorrow...it has something to do with my future, traveling, and making people angry. Let the party begin!
until next time....
Well, that's been the best
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Saturday, September 12, 2009
September rolls by
First off happy Bday to my Mom on Sept 5th
I had an MBA tour event in Seoul that day and got to meet the director at UNC business school. It was funny because i instantly knew it was her among the panel! i asked some good questions about my future endeavor and feel confident in my resolve...just the steps gettin there aren't so solid. As such, i know many of you have perhaps stopped reading this blog as the year has progressed and that is fine, it has more become a journal of sorts in time of my growing and changing through an experience in teaching in korea.
I would encourage others to travel abroad and do agree it is a good experience to learn and get paid well for a temporary "transition" stage. although i have not fully bloomed, i am confident this year has given me a wealth of knowledge and friendships and experiences that will surely unfold into more! so, now that i have not really been fair to my readers, just all is well and I have been trying to figure out teh future.
anyway, its been a month so i'm not sure all that happened since last update...i haven't supported R&B since they fired doug because they've been open 1 month and he literally MADE it work...but korean didnt need him so get rid of him. and also means there has been a LOT less drama since i've disassociated myself with the other foreigners...who knew? just finished watching Nodame...a japanese music school drama that was quite beautifully done. haha, there is one new thing and that is that hyesung is learning how to swim now. its quite exciting to see, haha, and i continue to notice that i really am good at just opening foreigners up to talk...weird stuff to see but a gift i suppose. i'm sure all of this is just ranting so i'm going to close with something good.
See u in christmas!
I had an MBA tour event in Seoul that day and got to meet the director at UNC business school. It was funny because i instantly knew it was her among the panel! i asked some good questions about my future endeavor and feel confident in my resolve...just the steps gettin there aren't so solid. As such, i know many of you have perhaps stopped reading this blog as the year has progressed and that is fine, it has more become a journal of sorts in time of my growing and changing through an experience in teaching in korea.
I would encourage others to travel abroad and do agree it is a good experience to learn and get paid well for a temporary "transition" stage. although i have not fully bloomed, i am confident this year has given me a wealth of knowledge and friendships and experiences that will surely unfold into more! so, now that i have not really been fair to my readers, just all is well and I have been trying to figure out teh future.
anyway, its been a month so i'm not sure all that happened since last update...i haven't supported R&B since they fired doug because they've been open 1 month and he literally MADE it work...but korean didnt need him so get rid of him. and also means there has been a LOT less drama since i've disassociated myself with the other foreigners...who knew? just finished watching Nodame...a japanese music school drama that was quite beautifully done. haha, there is one new thing and that is that hyesung is learning how to swim now. its quite exciting to see, haha, and i continue to notice that i really am good at just opening foreigners up to talk...weird stuff to see but a gift i suppose. i'm sure all of this is just ranting so i'm going to close with something good.
See u in christmas!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
the final chapter...
I kept those that only read this blog in a MAJOR suspension...sorry about that.
I have been quite busy in making radical decisions and figuring out future career/focus/getting the most out of life! Intensive has given LITTLE time to really decide things...and timing was the worst! But I've survived and now onto the goods!
I've really enjoyed it here in Korea and know I feel more close to these people than my stay in Ireland. Perhaps its the mystery...but I think its more the unspoken gestures and raw emotion that i find kinship in. No man can contain it in words of a communal mindset...and the true essence of an ajuma or old woman. old men also just could make you melt when it comes to caring about their younger "brother". a society truly focused on working to become something better...to not settle, to not back down. i know i could never support the hagwon job personally...but its given me a solid job in my time of organizing... As such i've come to find some beautiful memories and life lessons all thrown together in bim bim bap. Without it all...I would not be the man God has in store for me. So here's to a challenge to not take the easy path...the simple...not even the comfortable.
As many should know by now.. I have decided to stay until December 11th. It is longer than October (and I"m sad i'll miss the ren fest and thanksgiving) but I am unsure when I will have another chance to make money along with it lets my contracts (phone bill, internet) time to expire! Only 1 extra month but the benefits far outway the negatives.
My future career is being a Foreign Exchange Director at a University.
I have really learned that not only am I good at welcoming people and making them feel comfortable in a foreign country (in college i did that, now here my fellow english teachers, and even students with me a foreigner) i also really enjoy the challenge and growth seen in each person's eyes! The experience keeps me always feeling like a newborn, gives me hope for building bridges, and ultimately sharing His purpose of joy. So yes, I understand everyone's questions and concerns about how it all will work...and I just know it will.
First few steps!
I need to study for the GRE and sign up for a date sometime directly after my return. I Have 4 months to study...and let it begin! So, now the only thing i need...a ride home from the Airport?
Sorry for the delay! QUestion: What Graduate school is your favorite?
I have been quite busy in making radical decisions and figuring out future career/focus/getting the most out of life! Intensive has given LITTLE time to really decide things...and timing was the worst! But I've survived and now onto the goods!
I've really enjoyed it here in Korea and know I feel more close to these people than my stay in Ireland. Perhaps its the mystery...but I think its more the unspoken gestures and raw emotion that i find kinship in. No man can contain it in words of a communal mindset...and the true essence of an ajuma or old woman. old men also just could make you melt when it comes to caring about their younger "brother". a society truly focused on working to become something better...to not settle, to not back down. i know i could never support the hagwon job personally...but its given me a solid job in my time of organizing... As such i've come to find some beautiful memories and life lessons all thrown together in bim bim bap. Without it all...I would not be the man God has in store for me. So here's to a challenge to not take the easy path...the simple...not even the comfortable.
As many should know by now.. I have decided to stay until December 11th. It is longer than October (and I"m sad i'll miss the ren fest and thanksgiving) but I am unsure when I will have another chance to make money along with it lets my contracts (phone bill, internet) time to expire! Only 1 extra month but the benefits far outway the negatives.
My future career is being a Foreign Exchange Director at a University.
I have really learned that not only am I good at welcoming people and making them feel comfortable in a foreign country (in college i did that, now here my fellow english teachers, and even students with me a foreigner) i also really enjoy the challenge and growth seen in each person's eyes! The experience keeps me always feeling like a newborn, gives me hope for building bridges, and ultimately sharing His purpose of joy. So yes, I understand everyone's questions and concerns about how it all will work...and I just know it will.
First few steps!
I need to study for the GRE and sign up for a date sometime directly after my return. I Have 4 months to study...and let it begin! So, now the only thing i need...a ride home from the Airport?
Sorry for the delay! QUestion: What Graduate school is your favorite?
Monday, July 27, 2009
What a busy Intensive (Summer Vacation)
Just the name is ironic... there's no school for the kids...and instead of going out and enjoying some sunshine and life...tehy're in my classroom studying all lengths of days!
YMCA camp was fun and let the kids be KIDS...this is just torture. if only they knew how we do...
but eh, that's how it is. so i've been swamped...will finish the 22nd of august. so hey at least it means extra money! but it also means i start up at 10am and leave around 7pm... maybe.
well, i've also been VERY angry and tried not to rant and rave about things...namely the swine flu and how much of a hog it is on work. I cannot go to indonesia for vacation (july 29th to the 4th) because i "might get it" which we have 13? 33? keeps growing cases right here in bucheon! so yes, we're soooo going to get it....ha. its going to be a kid. and then its going to just have to run it course. point being, i'm not really worried and there r many things going on beside that.
All that i really wanted to say was yes, i'm still alive...its intense and i hope tomorrow i will go camping in the country side! we found cheap tents for 1 person and all that jazz! so if we master that...i think we'll really have some great stuff! might have a few pics from it with my new camera too!
Oh and i had an old old friend, Jenna Winton, back from St. John's...all the way back to Florida contact me rannndoomly on facebook asking about korea and she might come over here, haha. what a wild story she has too over the last...10 years?
Well, so its been sort of boring...sort of busy? We have a new teacher too, he's a lot like Joseph Brown from college and thats why probably he and i will go camping and it'll b good.
I know i should update more often but its difficult to catch the time. I also am recording/editing the video of each teacher...its been a major job that i didnt ask for (i just had a cable they needed............now i'm doing the work!? how does that make me qualified!?)
hm, well, contract is ending october 26th...so i'll keep u suspended on....
THE DECISION!
j
YMCA camp was fun and let the kids be KIDS...this is just torture. if only they knew how we do...
but eh, that's how it is. so i've been swamped...will finish the 22nd of august. so hey at least it means extra money! but it also means i start up at 10am and leave around 7pm... maybe.
well, i've also been VERY angry and tried not to rant and rave about things...namely the swine flu and how much of a hog it is on work. I cannot go to indonesia for vacation (july 29th to the 4th) because i "might get it" which we have 13? 33? keeps growing cases right here in bucheon! so yes, we're soooo going to get it....ha. its going to be a kid. and then its going to just have to run it course. point being, i'm not really worried and there r many things going on beside that.
All that i really wanted to say was yes, i'm still alive...its intense and i hope tomorrow i will go camping in the country side! we found cheap tents for 1 person and all that jazz! so if we master that...i think we'll really have some great stuff! might have a few pics from it with my new camera too!
Oh and i had an old old friend, Jenna Winton, back from St. John's...all the way back to Florida contact me rannndoomly on facebook asking about korea and she might come over here, haha. what a wild story she has too over the last...10 years?
Well, so its been sort of boring...sort of busy? We have a new teacher too, he's a lot like Joseph Brown from college and thats why probably he and i will go camping and it'll b good.
I know i should update more often but its difficult to catch the time. I also am recording/editing the video of each teacher...its been a major job that i didnt ask for (i just had a cable they needed............now i'm doing the work!? how does that make me qualified!?)
hm, well, contract is ending october 26th...so i'll keep u suspended on....
THE DECISION!
j
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
New!! Skype me!
Skype me: Mightyolive
I have it up and running and look forward to hearign from you!
So there's been nothing majorly new going on recently. past 2 weeks have just been me laying low. I am trying to save money for this huge month! July is full every weekend (so i'll b busy...might cause me to update!)
Only things worth mentioning are...last weekend i got to touch a game of Halo! haha...and that was about as active as i got. I also saw transformers wednesday night! midnite showing!
So this weekend I went to the Avalon presentation competition for my "son" Andrew Hux Oliver. Yep, that's his name. He's totally the coolest kid ever! I met his parents on teh bus and laughed as we played NDS games and helped him prepare for his speech. he didnt place but certainly learned a lot from talking in english all day. that was worth it just in itself! Pictures and video of his presentation maybe later.
well, so we had VIPS (like fancy restaurant) and buffet and wow, still can eat 6 huge plates...i tell ya. so nothing new here...how about you? Mightyolive Skype it!
j
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
A foreign exchange
So i know its been a while and I dont know where to begin with events and drama and experiences.
Lets just see what comes to mind. I am at work at the moment and been slammed with meetings after meetings because we've lost (or not gained) new students so somehow meetings will make us happier that we have to come in early to finish our work?? but so, i also have started swimming in the mornings and (trying) to study korean so i've missed out on some bloggin to those curious minds.
So, wow, 3 weeks...a lot (or nothing) has happened. Just for those that dont know, its been busy dealing with drama and facebook's ...power should not be underestimated. and that honesty is golden. and that friends are amazing. and i needed another growing experience apparently. haha. so thats all done, i'm back on my show and if not...well...obviously i can handle whatever is thrown my way! Just dont hate me if you dont like what you're given!
So that june 1st i just sat home all weekend reading my book and keeping to myself. Week of work...drained away. 2nd weekend went out just enough to make better friends with Daniel because he might not be the brightest at teaching...but he's got a pretty good mind at video games! so thats been a change..from being very busy to have a boring but bachelor's life.
This past weekend.. the 13th had a fun experience that i will now talk about.
So i went to Catholic church with Holly (my new floormate and "older sister") she helped talk to me about some issues, along with i helped her! Instant friends. lol, so church was great and unique...loads of africans in seoul! I had no idea! And it is always an international experience. In some ways church is better because of it...because only one thing ties us all together prefectly- Christ.
Afterwards her friend and 2 of us went to get AMAZING mexican food! Enchiladas and burritos! (and it was STILL a combo #26) hhahahaah. and wow was it delicious!
must return "los amigos"
Well so i also saw pelham 123...ok movie. some heroes still in NYC... but also what a sad world we live in. Well, things still keep going on. contract is ending of October 24th. some prayer on what my future holds would be great!
live the dream!
Lets just see what comes to mind. I am at work at the moment and been slammed with meetings after meetings because we've lost (or not gained) new students so somehow meetings will make us happier that we have to come in early to finish our work?? but so, i also have started swimming in the mornings and (trying) to study korean so i've missed out on some bloggin to those curious minds.
So, wow, 3 weeks...a lot (or nothing) has happened. Just for those that dont know, its been busy dealing with drama and facebook's ...power should not be underestimated. and that honesty is golden. and that friends are amazing. and i needed another growing experience apparently. haha. so thats all done, i'm back on my show and if not...well...obviously i can handle whatever is thrown my way! Just dont hate me if you dont like what you're given!
So that june 1st i just sat home all weekend reading my book and keeping to myself. Week of work...drained away. 2nd weekend went out just enough to make better friends with Daniel because he might not be the brightest at teaching...but he's got a pretty good mind at video games! so thats been a change..from being very busy to have a boring but bachelor's life.
This past weekend.. the 13th had a fun experience that i will now talk about.
So i went to Catholic church with Holly (my new floormate and "older sister") she helped talk to me about some issues, along with i helped her! Instant friends. lol, so church was great and unique...loads of africans in seoul! I had no idea! And it is always an international experience. In some ways church is better because of it...because only one thing ties us all together prefectly- Christ.
Afterwards her friend and 2 of us went to get AMAZING mexican food! Enchiladas and burritos! (and it was STILL a combo #26) hhahahaah. and wow was it delicious!
must return "los amigos"
Well so i also saw pelham 123...ok movie. some heroes still in NYC... but also what a sad world we live in. Well, things still keep going on. contract is ending of October 24th. some prayer on what my future holds would be great!
live the dream!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
So things have been very busy this past week. Thursday i was told to move out of my apartment...into a new apartment by friday night. Luckily i was given until Monday and stayed up until 5am every night getting things organized, ready, and set!
after all the efforts of 6 amazing korean teachers and the help of Alex, the legend of all resourceful Canadians... I got blinds put in, a fixed refridge, a fixed bathroom, and even felt on the upstairs to keep it darker than a cave! its like my very own tree fort!
enjoy...
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