So today is the 20th of october. Perhaps my last post while still employed at Avalon.
It has been a few ups and downs these past two weeks...having 3 major events happen all at once. Please pray with me for my great(est) aunt, cousin, and a praise that my dad has already found a job! But these events really shook the fabric of what is important and who matters and what we call home can be defined as. So as such, I am taking a much needed vacation to some tropical island and I wanna hear Capt. sparrow ask "Why's all the rum gone?" ok, so i'm actually thinking of my original plan and taking a much shorter but...much needed trip to the philippines! I hope it will be fantastic and will remind me of how good life is and that no matter how crappy life is...its always better with a beach!
Hmmm, so yes, after a lot of trouble and making them mad at me..I made a fair agreement that i'd stay an extra week (my official last day is now set in stone, October 30th) and will travel until November 10th
Again, November 10th is when i will return to AMERICA. so look out ren fest, look out deer, look out turkey, i'm comin home guns a'blazin!
In a review, last week was an exciting experience to reconnect with a dear friend from Ireland! Aya, a japanese exchange student at DCU with me, flew out to visit me from Japan. I believe it was amuch needed R&R trip for her and it was my pleasure to return the favour of really just taking all my experiences and traveling in Seoul and being her tour guide. Feel it was a good day and certainly grown up over this year...traveling by subway use to scare me now its like i'm a natural...who woulda known? Not to mention knowing local hang outs and favorite eats...thank you to those that blessed me with such knowledge. so, the weekend was for me, a recaption of the year and all its joys...and able to see it through a new pair of eyes! yes, I'll treasure walkin down insadong and snaking along dongdamun narrow halls and finish with a bite to eat in the nightlife. It always facinates me in comparing countries---aya coming from japan and visiting ireland gave us quite a lot of topics! And of course that which is most important...
That brings me to the week before...
i went to busan and had a blast as always...I really feel at home there with the people. its true that some people are "from the south" just as some are "redheads" no matter what culture or nation. people are people. As such, i am dearly impressed and will forever be touched by a random traditional korean tea house that just embodied what i treasure most in korea...home.
What is home to you? How do you build it and what can destroy it? Is it established in a tangible place or is it a state of mind? Home, as i wrote in a poem in 8th grade "home is where the fat cat is"
So folks, its been my pleasure sharing my pains, growths, and experience of well...another "adventure in odyssey!"
May the road always rise up to meet you.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
So its been amore days in the works...
Hey so the last few days have been quite hard to get everything lined up and working! ugh.
Here's what i have been planning and its all but official...
My contract ends Oct. 23rd and i promised to work until Dec.... well, change of plans because its no longer fine and dandy at work (just sick of management)... so i told them monday that yes, i want to quit now...and now the rollercoaster of makng things work. essentially my boss tried to tell me "u can't quit, we need you" well of course u do...but if i had gotten swine flu or anything...well, suddenly they wouldn't need me! So i'm in the works of tryin to make this final.
What this means for you? I reallywant to travel...and its looking like philippines is my destination. i'd go until nov. 9th then fly home nov. 10th... thats the plan but hey, that's all i can hope for! so no promises on all this...its going to b a very busy month!
thisweeknd is busan, next i have a friend from japan coming, then its quit and go to philippines! not much time left!
get it get it!
Here's what i have been planning and its all but official...
My contract ends Oct. 23rd and i promised to work until Dec.... well, change of plans because its no longer fine and dandy at work (just sick of management)... so i told them monday that yes, i want to quit now...and now the rollercoaster of makng things work. essentially my boss tried to tell me "u can't quit, we need you" well of course u do...but if i had gotten swine flu or anything...well, suddenly they wouldn't need me! So i'm in the works of tryin to make this final.
What this means for you? I reallywant to travel...and its looking like philippines is my destination. i'd go until nov. 9th then fly home nov. 10th... thats the plan but hey, that's all i can hope for! so no promises on all this...its going to b a very busy month!
thisweeknd is busan, next i have a friend from japan coming, then its quit and go to philippines! not much time left!
get it get it!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Korean Everland and Caribbean bay!
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
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
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
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