Well well.  Look what isn't currently being blocked by my new elementary school's network.  ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

I have had two days off from school since my students my students have gone on their respective field trips.  My high school conversation students are slowly catching on that I'm running out of material.  I have been catching up on Penn & Teller's Bullshit show.  I only got the chance to catch a few episodes before now, but it has been very entertaining.  The only problems with having a TV show is being able to get away with out listing all sources of information and not having to get any approval from the APA for conducting tests.  I have also been listening to a audio recording of Mountain of Black Fire.  I like that I'm able to do other things while listening, but I tend not to pay attention to what I'm listening to a third of the time and have to play it back.  Also, does the reader normally change his voice for the characters?  Too bad !xubbu is not pronounced correctly, though maybe the clicking would be distracting.


( more hobby junk... )                              
                             

For some reason upon connecting my computer to the school's network I am unable to stay on the internet consistently.  It's almost as slow as dial up and seems to disconnect after opening two or three tabs.  It reminds me of dial up speeds, which I turned my back on since early high school.  On the plus side is that it has increased my planning output and I'm going through the suggested lesson books.  On the negative side I have been unable to communicate with a distant living being for more than 5 minutes and seem to only be able to check my email constantly which is rather sad.  Maybe ill be awake at the same time at some point.

My co-teacher, who sits beside me, has figured out she could have a custom screen saver on her computer.  Essentially it's a gold watch in river bed that kind of bubbles.  However it also makes a river like noise as well as chirping birds.  I'm was weirded out at first because she had it blasting and wasn't sure if it bothered the other teachers (and is slightly annoying that loud).  After awhile I stopped trying to turn it off, so now it just seems like a stream is flowing right through the room next to me.  To be honest after awhile it just reminds me of the forest noises from Ragnarok Online...

Checking out some place in Seoul tomorrow called Namdaemun Market.  Supposedly 21 blocks crammed with stalls of shops of all kinds as well as another underground shopping area.  Also is supposed to be a grey area in goods, since all sorts can be bought there (Just don't ask where it came from).  Maybe it will be neat.

I know "play" and "go" in korean thanks to the students...at least I get more practice as I "learn" it each class.

( and once I have practiced enough drawing I shall have to tackle my biggest project )

 Once again an explanation as to why I have not written about my continued experiences in Korea is due to several factors.  Firstly, it has been really cold.  And when I say cold I mean I wimpishly  take a taxi directly to the school to avoid exposing myself for longer than 5 minutes.  While keeping warm this has caused less opportunities to be a part of the this "outer world".  Secondly, I must add, that due to this current climate annoyance I have sought shelter in catching up on (mostly) american movies and shows.  While as enjoyable as it is to watch Desperado, The Boondocks, and Venture Brothers I seem to temporarily forget my current surroundings.  Thirdly, I have been having difficulties reproducing the sounds in the Korean alphabet.  Though I continue to attempt, it is still quite embarrassing and seems to foster a slight unconscious resentment.  I may have to go as far as recording myself just so I can clearly hear what it is I am saying.  

At the very least here is one interest fact I remember not specifically mentioning before.  

In the event you (as a person who is Korean or one holding enough dominance over the language to acquire a car) are too incapacitated to drive, you can call for a proxy driver.  This proxy driver will arrive and drive you and your car home safely.  Payment usually involves additional money for proxy driver to take a taxi afterwards.

 It seems I am also highly allergic to yellow dust.  A phenomenon in Korea that comes from the sand from the Gobi desert to being blown directly through this country.

Originally I believed I was getting homesick from all the online viewing of america/English contained things.  However I remember that this is what I normally did anyway.  Also, ironing has become deep thinking time.  Which usually revolves around the thought of how I keep burning my shirts.

I( where I seem to ramble and pretend I'm literate )

Hopefully I will be able to attend another convention.  Maybe PAX.

I couldn't help but think of Mirror Mask while watching the Imaginarium of Docotor Parnassus.  This was also a welcome distraction from wondering why there was a large dispenser of tissues in the darkened, frosted glass, DVD Bang room.

About one year to finish watching Baccano, continue reading River of Blue Fire, and start Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain workbook.

I seem to be in a rather perilous dilemma:  purchase a netbook to replace my current mess of a notebook  for class or a new unicycle which I will probably not want to use until the scorching Korean summer. 

I also could have continued to lead a somewhat pleasant existence without the sudden urge that came upon me to read more about Kangaroos.

Attempting something different and yet something so similar.

http://epikchallenger.livejournal.com/

The host family i am staying with is very nice.  They lived in australia for 5 years and know english pretty well.  I showed their oldest son two websites that he may like:  www.onemanga.com and www.justdubs.net  .  Korean parents seem to be very determinded for their children to learn english since it is in their high school exams.  "S.K.Y. or die" as they say here.  From what I understand it may not be the best way to learn a language, but the two sons were rather fluent in australia so it may just be enough to remind them again.  I will probably have to mention to only watch appropriate things... but I would very much like to have my own apartment.

Today I was shown around town by 3 korean teachers from one of my middle schools.  They were very nice, but it seems sometimes that they are impatient with me sometimes.  Almost like I am a 5th grader, which is giving me more incentive to be able to understand korean.

I was lost after taking megan back to her apartment from the subway entrance.  I was very frustrated that it had happened, but I tried to remain calm and entered a convience store with my phrase book.  When I wasnt able to ask where my school was I asked where the Home Plus (a nearby walmart/mall) and was kindly directed.

I am trying not to think how it will be when the hosts families children is in class...much less how I will be first time in class.  This situation apparantly does not really happen and it is awkward since you do not want to have anyone lose face.


Oh yes.  The one thing that I kept seeing while we were have tours and lectures at the university was the japanese are d*cks.  They are really friendly to japanese tourists and have friends in japan and such, but the whole invading and almost erradicating korean culture really pissed off some people for some reason.  Probably could compare it to Nazis and the Jewish population maybe, except I'm not sure Nazi tourists are ever welcome.

Also it is very stunning still to think that I am walking down a south korean street listening to duke special.

I don't even have any exams this week...

What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?  Ride a unicycle

Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? No idea, I don't remember if I made one or just forgot

Did anyone close to you give birth? No

Did anyone close to you die? No

What countries did you visit? China, Russia, Korea, Japan, Ireland, Germany, The Country of Jeff (something about biscuits)...such were the times at Feast

What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? Personal mode of gas-powered, motorized transportation

What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? November 5 (Remember, Remember the 5th of november.  Meat balls, avatar, and cake.  I see no reason why many meat balls and avatar should be forgot...)

What was your biggest achievement of the year? One more semester left

What was your biggest failure? Not learning Korean properly

Did you suffer illness or injury? Some illness

What was the best thing you bought? food

Whose behavior merited celebration? Megan's

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? My own

Where did most of your money go? External Hard drive, Electric Acoustic Guitar, Ipod, Roleplaying books, unicycle

What did you get really, really, really excited about? don't remember, possibly friends coming up from chesapeake

What song will always remind you of 2007? Our Love Goes Deeper Than This - Duke Special

Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier
b) thinner or fatter? Still in need of being fatter
c) richer or poorer? Most likely the same, even with the expensive toys.

What do you wish you'd done more of? Played Games/Studying

What do you wish you'd done less of? Play Games

How will you be spending Christmas? With my mom and sister, and not much else to do

Did you fall in love in 2007? depends

How many one-night stands? Not enough

What was your favorite TV program? Avatar (not much TV besides mythbusters and Xplay)

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? not really

What was the best book you read? Good Omens or The Kite Runner...? (i slacked on the books) Though that E Nomine roleplaying book was really good

What was your greatest musical discovery? Duke Special, Neil Hannon (The Divine Comedy), Dr. Steel

What did you want and get? Threadless Tees and The Orange Box

What did you want and not get? Suikoden 2

What was your favorite film of this year? Don't remember far enough - I Am Legend was ok

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? Was thrown an awesome party, 22

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Having a Tea Party or Pushing a Honky Tonk piano 5 miles up hills.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? Old Navy invaded

What kept you sane? games partly

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

What political issue stirred you the most? meh

Who did you miss? Lorne :(

Who was the best new person you met? Jessica :)

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007: You are not going to be as happy/sad as you think you will be in advanced and will find things better when there is not much expected ~whee psychology study

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"I don't get those Pop Idol shows
Everybody knows that the good things take a little longer
Twelve years on, the cracks begin to show
I'm scared you wanna go, but I hope that we're a little stronger" ~Everybody wants a little something - Duke Special