its been awhile

I have defeniantly been distracted from my blog. Work has finally caught up with me, but lesson plans are going better than ever. The main reason i can't keep up my blog is i now have a heavier load at my first school. Meaning, i now have to help my co-teachers make lesson plans, so i don't have time to update the blog. All of that aside, i have some free time so i am giving a short update, and hopefully i will start blogging on the regular.

Ever since drunked halloween night we have been outside seeing the sites. It has been a very mild fall here, so we have been enjoying the outside. The weekend after halloween, we went hiking on Guemjoeng mtn., hiking from Boe-mo-sa to the top of Guemjoeng. Boemosa is an ancient and one of the most famous temples in Busan, not actually one temple, the site comprises of about 20 structures, and many different kinds of budhism.

The day we picked to hike on Guemjoeng wasn't the best, the weather was ranged from light sprinkling at the bottom to heavy wind at the top.

sorry no time... to be contuvre

absolutely ghoolish

Well this past Friday was the first time, without any setbacks, i have been able to get absolutely shitfaced. I was looking forward to this occasion because it coincidentally was the same night as Halloween. Which required further preparation for the event, because there is only one thing better than getting absolutely hammered, its getting absolutely hammered in a princess outfit. So Duck and I went to the local Lotte mart that Thursday night to prepare our costumes. So after a good 30 minutes of looking at our various options, i settled on a tiny princess costume, and duck was going to be my knight in shining armour.

So on that Friday, much had to be accomplished before i could start my booze parade, first i have a "job", so i had to teach for a couple of hours. Then after that my school went on a hiking trip, on top of geomjoeng mnt. the very same mountain that my school is on. The hiking trip was fun we captured some incredible views, learned of geumjoeng mnt., and saw a very old Buddhist temple. After the hike down the mountain, into a part of the city I had never been to before, but is the "sports complex" area of Pusan. It holds the baseball stadium, soccer stadium, and the site for the 2006 Asian Olympic games, but we were their to play sports. We were there to eat, and Drink, so "sports complex" is where my pregaming took place. Our group, of about 15 or 20 members, was served a very delicious Korean BBQ (thumb size pieces of meat that you wrap in leafs). So we had BBQ and many, many shots of Soju, which it is not uncommon to get drunk on a faculty dinner trip, I actually think its expected.

After dinner i made the short bus trip home and found Duck sitting on the couch drunker and she was than i was. So after a very short shower and a long subway trip to Brian and Jess' place. We were ready to make the transition from a heavy buzz into a full blown drunk, and i accomplished that feet with style and efficiency. So we met our counterparts Brian, Jess, and Yoen-Je at the apartment. Then we went out to eat at a small restaurant (I concentrated on the Soju), then we went to Soju Bar. This place was extremely small, but stylish and hip, we then consumed copious amounts of Soju, we toasted about 100 times and i never missed a one. We also met up with another one of Brian's co-workers Suny, she was very fun and drinks without eating,(yoen-je says) which is strange here.

After Soju bar, Suny wanted to go to a nordy-bong, strict translation is karaoke bar. This place was so funny, if anyone has ever been to Helen, Georgia then you know what this place looked like. It was the funniest German aesthetics as you could imagine, and suny arranged for a private room (which is the only thing avialable) just for the group. I only remember bits and pieces at this point, i was extremely intoxicated, but i could still sing my tiny heart out. So after the karaoke we went to a place called Vinyl underground, which had contest competition, but instead of listing my costumes name I instead wrote David Laggis. But yea i don't remember anything from that point on until i woke up the next morning.

All and all it was a greeeaaaat night.

blog #6

Weekends are to short, especially when you have a crazy fun one like we just did. Friday was all standard, nothing really to talk about; I was super tired when the day was over. So the night just kind of went BLA. Saturday on the other hand, was crazy fun. We slept in till about 10:00, then we had breakfast (home-made bop[rice] dish). After that Duck and I will start attending Korean class’ on Saturday for two hours, and lasts for 3 months. It only costs 3$ a month, and included language class’, field trips, and snacks. If I am able to have a simple conversation with Korean people when I leave the class, then it will be worth the trouble. When we left our apartment Saturday morning, we knew that we were not going back, so we had prepared for the whole day/night trip. So after class we went to Sumyeon(the middle of the city), we are told that it’s the main nightlife part of the city. So we stocked our bellies and some bags with alcohol, the list includes: 2 bottles of soju, 2 bottles of rice wine, and 2 bottles of some other stuff that was better tasting than the other two. So we get to gwungonlee(?) beach for the much anticipated Fire-works extravaganza. We arrive 5 hours early and get a great spot, duck and I, Ryan, and Shannon. We some other new friends and Brian and Jess come a little later. To put it mildly the fireworks show was fucking incredible. I’m not a good enough writer to put it into words, that’s why a video will be on my f-book page shortly. The fireworks were being set off on barges that were in the ocean, there were 5 of them. Each of them carrying countless number of bobbers, sparkles, twirlers, zingers, spitters, do-dodders, and co-tadlers, but all of them were very, very powerful fireworks. I heard today from another teacher, that the fireworks themselves ran the city about 600,000 U.S.D. As a visual, I want you to remember the biggest fireworks finale you have ever seen, then multiply it by 5 and make it last for an hour and that’s the Busan fireworks festival.

Afterwards all 6 of us, walked back from the beach to Brian and Jess’s house, rested there for awhile, then went to grab some food and drink. We all went a small cheap and delicious restaurant near kyongseong university, after eating and drinking for a grand total of 19$, some went home, and the rest played girl fighter. Girl fighter is a video game that…is usually played when you are hammered fucked up, and is best played with two groups, one Korean, other Western. So ill tell you how it’s played, first insert coins about 30 cents, then a bag that is about a foot tall and 7 or 8 inches wide pops up. Then you punch the living shit poop out of the bag, and it will tell you how hard you punched it. This is why, as you can imagine, why it is so fun to play under the influence and with a bunch of people. Oh yea, I almost forgot, you can elbow (Sam’s preference), kick, or knee it for whatever your forte might be. After girl fighter we were all a little worn out, so we went home to sleep the day off.

blog #5

Greeting from the future…..

Last night we finally got our apartment put together. The delivery men brought our futon, which is the biggest, ugliest, tackiest, most comfortable, enjoyable futon I have ever sat on. After the delivery men sat on our futon to test its structural stability, we went to “old faithful,” the restaurant just down the block from us. I think the most expensive item on the menu is $5.50, but we have yet to indulge because everything else is so delicious. I had bop (rice) and chicken or beef bulgogi (thin strips of meat), Duck partook in some ramyeon noodles with dumplings in the broth, also very delicious. For a grand total of $6, oh yea, we also had some kimchi, pickled radish, and some other greens. Then Duck and I were off to max mart (I think), a huge department store plus grocery store plus appliance store (like a super wal-mart). To get coat hangers and other varies necessities, I only mention the coat hangers because that is all I wanted, but we got about 50 dollars worth of other stuff for the Duck. We will go back Sunday, after I get my settlement money (signing bonus).

I am beginning to enjoy my second school much more. Last week (the first time teaching), I thought it was going to be a pain. To come up the mountain every Thursday and Friday, to also come equipped with lesson plans. But today was very enjoyable. I arrived at school earlier than normal today, to prepare lessons and print off some crossword puzzles. To my surprise there was a lock on my door, and I could not open it. Until the lady I share my office with showed up, so I thought “shit” today is going to be terrible, and so is tomorrow. As I am rushing to print off my lesson plans for the 4 classes, the bell rings and I am late for my first class. I rush down their 2 minutes late and the teacher has started without me “shit.” So they finish the game they are in the middle of, and it’s my turn. That’s when everything turned around and I felt extremely comfortable in front of the students. I also did not get to the crosswords in time, so I can use them tomorrow (that means I only have to plan for 30 minutes). The rest of the day sort of fell into place like my first class, after my 4 classes were done, then it was on to soccer time. Not until after I played tag with the 6th graders. I love soccer time and tag by the way. I know it sounds ridiculous but I was not the only teacher that does these things with the students. Actually, Thursday is called club day, and the different clubs consist of: Playing soccer, journalism, Korean drums, and extra art time. So natural I went with soccer today, but I think I hear the Korean drums beating my name for next Thursday.

blog #4

We have been very busy over the past couple of days. The weekend was also nice, so I will start with that.

Best news ever, Duck’s school has finally found us an apartment. Conveniently located, in the heart of the red light district. The only difference between our district and a district in Amsterdam is their body’s are not on display, only their eyes. Let me explain, the whole front of these buildings are glass windows. But they are translucent, except for a small strip about waist high, that all the girls look threw. Getting it? So if someone were to leave our humble abode after night fall. They would have about 80 pairs of eyes on them at any given moment, because our whole block is encompassed by these types of establishments.

Enough about the whores, our apartment is very nice and cozy. Duck’s school even had a 2,500,000\ (2,500$) fund for our apartment. It was a nice start for our apartment, we got; bed, wardrobe, dryer, TV, converter, drawers, night stand, rice cooker, vacuum, sheets, pillows, pots, pans, and table with chairs in the most delightful green coloring. All of our furniture is fake dark mahogany, with a white face. I know, we should have chosen a more attractive set, but it was free so I am not complaining.

blog #3

I come in peace….

Well I was introduced to my new school yesterday. In Busan city there are mountains, huge mountain outcroppings all throughout the city. It just so happens that my second school is well placed at the center, atop one of these mountains. In fact it is inside an ancient fortress (Dongnea), atop Guemjeongsanseong Mountain. Although no real artifacts or remnants can be seen from the bus, I am sure that they are up here. It is one of the biggest mountaintop fortresses in Asia, and is still visited by many that live in South Korea. I fully plan to go on a search and seek out any remnants, if not I will still take pictures and post them to my blog or facebook.

As for the school it is extremely small having about 100 kids for the 3, 4, 5,6th grades, and as I am the only English teacher I must produce a lesson plan for these grades twice a week. A very time consuming ordeal, but I think things will be easier in the future, just as soon as I get used to everything. The first two days were a little rocky, but I pushed threw them just fine.

Tonight, I plan on unwinding with a few drinks near Kyongseon University, the more happening spot in Busan. Brian and Jess live very close to there. It is, if you have been reading the blogs, where the vintage hof and ghetto bar are located. But tonight I think we should venture out to different establishment. Although it is hard to turn down dollar shots.

As for the apartment, well we don’t have one yet. Ducks school was supposed to get our apartment lined up for the year, and they still have not. It’s been a week and a half, they are blaming it on moving season, but I think they are just trying to find the most decent, cheapest, and efficient apartment possible. Duck and I would rather have one closer to a college, because it is much cheaper, easier to order, and there is a sense of energy. Something is always happening and the streets are overrun with carefree college students. Yes, just like in the states.

blog #2

Being an elementary school teacher is fun, hilarious, and challenging. Especially when the kids barely know what their teacher is saying. Yesterday was my first real experience standing in front of the class and actually teaching. Mostly the class consisted of simple sentences and phrases, correcting pronunciation, board games, and answering questions. The questions could be the best part: Do you have a girlfriend? Do you play soccer? Do you like cheese (jess was asked the same question)? But today some kid asked me if I knew anything about Bio-technology. He was a god damn fifth grader; even if I did the child would have had no comprehension of the vocabulary I would have responded with. Korean kids say the dandiest things. They are cute no matter what questions they come up with, so I just laugh and try to talk slow enough so that I can be understood.

The most challenging thing in Korea, more-so for Brian and Jess than for Duck and I, is finding a meal that one really wants. Meal decision is more difficult for Brian and Jess because they are vegetarians’ and cannot simply eat anything on the menu. Although every meal has been very delicious, you never know what you are going to get. Ordering usually consists of getting up out of my chair and pointing to a picture (if I’m lucky), or Korean symbols on the wall. Last night was the group’s first big bust, we strolled into a restaurant, and in this particular restaurant there were no pictures. Keep in mind at most places when you are seated they stand at the table and expect you to know what you want. So we try to ask for a minute to decide, we all receive a blank look and a nonchalant walk away. 5 minutes later we have all made up our plans:

mine: stand up and point at some symbols on the wall, all I knew is that it costs 4,500 won
Duck: point to a dish on the table next to us
Jess and Brian: having looked up seafood on the cell phone dictionary, try and ask for seafood.
Well no Bop (rice), so that instantly shot down Ducks meal as well as mine. She gave Brian and Jess a firm look, like she had no idea what they said. So all of us quickly stood up and walked out. Then we found a more suitable restaurant (with pictures of course).

Well who would have guessed it…..? The funniest shirt I have seen is made in Korea and it reads (sorry if this offends anyone [William]). “My Mexican works for less than your Mexican,” the funniest thing about the shirt, is that the Korean girl that bore the quote most likely had no idea what it said.