the downstairs from my garage to the living room, kitchen, masterbedroom, dining room, and office. its pretty much amazing.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Tour of my house
So I am back in USA and have been enjoying the good house. As such, I thought it would be good to give a tour of the resident...since i gave a tour of a Korean home---lets compare! Here's just the upstairs, I'll upload teh downstairs next!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
The aftermath...
Hello hello back from Korea.
I arrived in USA on tuesday, 11.10 4pm into Charlotte and right away observed major differences. Haha, don't think me shallow but we must do something about our current eating habits! Texas is home to the largest people...and it was so true :( Its tragic too because that was what i first saw (which means waht most asians see...) and it made me sad! It doesnt happen overnight, but gradually..I can notice the ones that its from drinking coke with dinner, or eating fried food, too much starch...its in the arms, in the pudgy skin with a small amt of pink redness...body saying i'm a balloon, change diet and i can deflate! But so its really the first thing I urge all of us to really explore better eating habits! Koreans don't exercise at all...only walking! Which proves to me its all in the food! Some are getting bigger as they consume more McD and such...and its apparent its a direct correlation! So again, just I hope that can be addressed.../end
After arriving for 2 hours...long enough to throw my bags down, unpack a second and take a shower, i headed right back out to Steve Fee concert at charlotteone. It was funny to have left seeing him, and now returning and seeing him. It proved to me even more that nothing has changed. It kinda makes me sad at how little things have changed! I'm sure as I look closer things will b different..but as of now, i feel an itch that i can't scratch, an urge for more...certainly not able to settle here in charlotte with the present situation. God has bigger plans, something more for me...i know it. So, the number one question i've been asked is "Are you here for good, or what's next?" and the answer truly is: I don't know. But it also is leaning toward that this is far from my last stop...thats where i appreciate my youth and ability to move about wherever. i have no car, no home, nothing (i got a prepaid fone...ask me for it) so why SHOULD i settle for less? There's countless reasons and blessings to why I traveled, why i will continue to travel.
Speaking of travel...Philippines and Hong Kong. Wow what an AWESOME trip! I can honestly say that was my favorite trip EVER (sorry dad)!!! Reason one? I paid for it all and it was soooo cheap! And upon going ot Cebu i feared i had made a mistake as it looked so poor and yea, dirty..but when i got to bohol...alona beach, i quickly realized that u must go thru the filth to get to the paradise. and what a wonderful world!
And of course it was made sooo much better traveling with great company! At different parts of the trip i enjoyed MJ...a philipino from korea, and then a chinese guy Jim i met to get a chance to exchange cultural exp! And Hyesung to really share and grow in our experiences of fantastic times! Really can't tell you enough how much they all made this trip! As much as i planned, i still know its not what u do...its who u do it with! The helper was www.couchsurfer.com check it out, u can see who's a local to where you're going, save a few dollars, sleep on their couch and usually they're very interested in making your impression of their country a good one! Jim gave us coconut curry breakfast and showed us around local restaurants (yes, thats all i care about) and some local places, awesome times! Pictures to come on fb soon...
The fish and food there was so delicious I don't even know where to begin!!! Just that it is asia's best kept secret! It reminded me of Cozumel when we started taking the Ferry...and then even more so as the people were SO helpful and how it really felt like...my private beach. Only about 50 people were staying there total and no doubt the people instantly knew who we were...(I was the only YOUNG white guy there..) haha, so I became an interesting topic for the locals...cuz sadly most of the foreigners are old europeans looking to retire/marry a young philipino and yea, kinda gross but hey, they worked hard they deserve a little joy? Point being, for only 5bucks i got a fish meal that would EASILY cost more than $20 in america...even mexico! So yes, I'll be back...
Hong Kong was another great adventure, I got to see Alvin Wong! hahaha, I hadnt seen him in a decade! Now that was scary! Facebook helped it all happen. He moved to HK 6 months ago and thats when it started to try to plan a trip to see him. He was from Florida, my school there. He's actually my brother's friend but eh, he's mine now! haha. So his friend and him showed hyesung and i on our return flight home for all of 6 hours in HK. Wow, the Temple Market st. had toooo much goodies! We bought and talked and quickly realized i spent all my HK dollar (its very expensive and yea, $50 gets you very little...heh) so cheers to Alvin for helping with a few extra dollars! Now its to repay him when he comes to...Korea or USA for me to pay it forward! But yea, again the people...MAKE IT! If you're trying to soak up the culture/the REAL side of a country, not just the tourist sites, tehy'll tell u the local low down. And so i'm very pleased to say i now know a section of the cities...places...and look forward to sharing stories. Boy the stories i have...ahha, but those will come in convo. For now, its time to unpack and upload these pics! So feel free to leave any questions of this year, what an adventure, and now to explore "What's next"!
I arrived in USA on tuesday, 11.10 4pm into Charlotte and right away observed major differences. Haha, don't think me shallow but we must do something about our current eating habits! Texas is home to the largest people...and it was so true :( Its tragic too because that was what i first saw (which means waht most asians see...) and it made me sad! It doesnt happen overnight, but gradually..I can notice the ones that its from drinking coke with dinner, or eating fried food, too much starch...its in the arms, in the pudgy skin with a small amt of pink redness...body saying i'm a balloon, change diet and i can deflate! But so its really the first thing I urge all of us to really explore better eating habits! Koreans don't exercise at all...only walking! Which proves to me its all in the food! Some are getting bigger as they consume more McD and such...and its apparent its a direct correlation! So again, just I hope that can be addressed.../end
After arriving for 2 hours...long enough to throw my bags down, unpack a second and take a shower, i headed right back out to Steve Fee concert at charlotteone. It was funny to have left seeing him, and now returning and seeing him. It proved to me even more that nothing has changed. It kinda makes me sad at how little things have changed! I'm sure as I look closer things will b different..but as of now, i feel an itch that i can't scratch, an urge for more...certainly not able to settle here in charlotte with the present situation. God has bigger plans, something more for me...i know it. So, the number one question i've been asked is "Are you here for good, or what's next?" and the answer truly is: I don't know. But it also is leaning toward that this is far from my last stop...thats where i appreciate my youth and ability to move about wherever. i have no car, no home, nothing (i got a prepaid fone...ask me for it) so why SHOULD i settle for less? There's countless reasons and blessings to why I traveled, why i will continue to travel.
Speaking of travel...Philippines and Hong Kong. Wow what an AWESOME trip! I can honestly say that was my favorite trip EVER (sorry dad)!!! Reason one? I paid for it all and it was soooo cheap! And upon going ot Cebu i feared i had made a mistake as it looked so poor and yea, dirty..but when i got to bohol...alona beach, i quickly realized that u must go thru the filth to get to the paradise. and what a wonderful world!
And of course it was made sooo much better traveling with great company! At different parts of the trip i enjoyed MJ...a philipino from korea, and then a chinese guy Jim i met to get a chance to exchange cultural exp! And Hyesung to really share and grow in our experiences of fantastic times! Really can't tell you enough how much they all made this trip! As much as i planned, i still know its not what u do...its who u do it with! The helper was www.couchsurfer.com check it out, u can see who's a local to where you're going, save a few dollars, sleep on their couch and usually they're very interested in making your impression of their country a good one! Jim gave us coconut curry breakfast and showed us around local restaurants (yes, thats all i care about) and some local places, awesome times! Pictures to come on fb soon...
The fish and food there was so delicious I don't even know where to begin!!! Just that it is asia's best kept secret! It reminded me of Cozumel when we started taking the Ferry...and then even more so as the people were SO helpful and how it really felt like...my private beach. Only about 50 people were staying there total and no doubt the people instantly knew who we were...(I was the only YOUNG white guy there..) haha, so I became an interesting topic for the locals...cuz sadly most of the foreigners are old europeans looking to retire/marry a young philipino and yea, kinda gross but hey, they worked hard they deserve a little joy? Point being, for only 5bucks i got a fish meal that would EASILY cost more than $20 in america...even mexico! So yes, I'll be back...
Hong Kong was another great adventure, I got to see Alvin Wong! hahaha, I hadnt seen him in a decade! Now that was scary! Facebook helped it all happen. He moved to HK 6 months ago and thats when it started to try to plan a trip to see him. He was from Florida, my school there. He's actually my brother's friend but eh, he's mine now! haha. So his friend and him showed hyesung and i on our return flight home for all of 6 hours in HK. Wow, the Temple Market st. had toooo much goodies! We bought and talked and quickly realized i spent all my HK dollar (its very expensive and yea, $50 gets you very little...heh) so cheers to Alvin for helping with a few extra dollars! Now its to repay him when he comes to...Korea or USA for me to pay it forward! But yea, again the people...MAKE IT! If you're trying to soak up the culture/the REAL side of a country, not just the tourist sites, tehy'll tell u the local low down. And so i'm very pleased to say i now know a section of the cities...places...and look forward to sharing stories. Boy the stories i have...ahha, but those will come in convo. For now, its time to unpack and upload these pics! So feel free to leave any questions of this year, what an adventure, and now to explore "What's next"!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
50 posts in a year
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.
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 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!
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