I haven't really had much excitement generated this week, besides telling kids I was going to be leaving and they would have a new teacher, who I've become dear friends with though. The sad part is they will have another new teacher after him, then possibly one more a few months later. It turns out the boss man wants to go feminine -- not like that though. He wants only foreign women to work there for now.
The boss lady had a talk with him about me coming back to work, but he'd prefer a lady instead which is just fine for me. I've enjoyed the job, but haven't been satisfied with all of the aspects of the work. I don't feel like I am very involved being the only foreigner there. A few of the kids were disappointed to hear that I'd be leaving. I just tried to explain to them that I was going on a big journey for a while.
Anyway, I'll check back in sometime tomorrow as I am cleaning up the apartment, which I hope happens after along night of sleep.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Blew A Gasket (Yes Freeman this does involve one of the bosses daughters)
Some Korean teenagers just don't realize what the word respect is all about . . . . . I was tired and not in the mood for a whining "sick" kid, who was playing with her cell phone, and mp3 player. Then the boss's daughter tries to rescue her and help her send a message or do something she shouldn't have been doing her phone. I was really surprised the whole building did not hear me. . . .
There's only two kids out of the six who actually understand me fully all of the time. It's called you are in the wrong level class. I am not sure why, but some of these kids still get to "level up", probably so their feelings aren't hurt, or their parents aren't upset. I think next week I'm gonna to write some phrase like this "You don't respect the teacher, your life will be miserable", or "Respect others and they will always respect you back". . . Only problem is that I'll have to write in Korean, since my older ones are a little on the uneducated side.
Happy Hump Day though. . . The late workout is kicking, so it's time to lay thyself down to sleep.
There's only two kids out of the six who actually understand me fully all of the time. It's called you are in the wrong level class. I am not sure why, but some of these kids still get to "level up", probably so their feelings aren't hurt, or their parents aren't upset. I think next week I'm gonna to write some phrase like this "You don't respect the teacher, your life will be miserable", or "Respect others and they will always respect you back". . . Only problem is that I'll have to write in Korean, since my older ones are a little on the uneducated side.
Happy Hump Day though. . . The late workout is kicking, so it's time to lay thyself down to sleep.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Now back to that nearly perfect weekend
. . . . . that I had.
Miss Annie (who I will tell you about someday), and I went to the East Sea for this past weekend. The weather made us a little nervous, because all we saw in the forecast was rain, rain and more rain. The bus ride there was actually a pretty good one, considering how rainy it was. We started a few hours later than we anticipated, but we arrived in Gangneung around 2:45 on Saturday afternoon.
Waiting there for us was our shuttle to the Pension where we stayed for Saturday night in the Gyungpo Beach area. There weren't too many people around the area considering it was a rainy weekend, but was also not yet June as well. This made for quite a peaceful and lazy day on Saturday. We walked in the rain along the beach for a little bit, and then went back to the Pension where we were going to have a little BBQ up on the rooftop (just like a song).
We met a couple that was also cooking, who was celebrating their Wedding Anniversary and we had a few drinks with them after dinner. I honestly thought this couple was in college, but turns out they were older than Annie, and I both. We had a pretty good time with the couple, and even took a stroll down to the beach together after Miss Annie discovered that the rain was gone around 10pm. Annie even danced with me for a little bit along the shoreline.
On Sunday the sun decided to show its face, and it did so very early. We woke up and started the day by going to a little area famous for traditional Tofu --- I know what you're thinking -- that sounds so delicious. We were both starving and it was actually pretty appetizing as well. We then got a taxi to a train station that took us from Kangneung to Jeongdongjin -- it was just a fifteen minute train ride, but somehow I still caught a nap. We took some pictures a long the beach, and visited a place called Hassla Art World. I'm not into artsy places, but the outdoor sculpture park at this place was definitely an awesome time. There was even art made of cow poo, under a big circus-like tent.
We ate a pretty nice lunch at this place as well -- we got to take in some pretty nice views of the sea while we were eating. There were more views to take in from various places of this "Art World" though as well.
I leave you with some pictures.
view from our Pension
the dinner that I cooked
picture before eating
down by the beach
this pic came out great
the Tofu meal for breakfast
our wonderful sunny Sunday
Rock at Jeongdongjin
Annie
your truly sporting his famous sport-coat and short outfit
in my train conductor suit
Sand hour glass park
Miss Annie (who I will tell you about someday), and I went to the East Sea for this past weekend. The weather made us a little nervous, because all we saw in the forecast was rain, rain and more rain. The bus ride there was actually a pretty good one, considering how rainy it was. We started a few hours later than we anticipated, but we arrived in Gangneung around 2:45 on Saturday afternoon.
Waiting there for us was our shuttle to the Pension where we stayed for Saturday night in the Gyungpo Beach area. There weren't too many people around the area considering it was a rainy weekend, but was also not yet June as well. This made for quite a peaceful and lazy day on Saturday. We walked in the rain along the beach for a little bit, and then went back to the Pension where we were going to have a little BBQ up on the rooftop (just like a song).
We met a couple that was also cooking, who was celebrating their Wedding Anniversary and we had a few drinks with them after dinner. I honestly thought this couple was in college, but turns out they were older than Annie, and I both. We had a pretty good time with the couple, and even took a stroll down to the beach together after Miss Annie discovered that the rain was gone around 10pm. Annie even danced with me for a little bit along the shoreline.
On Sunday the sun decided to show its face, and it did so very early. We woke up and started the day by going to a little area famous for traditional Tofu --- I know what you're thinking -- that sounds so delicious. We were both starving and it was actually pretty appetizing as well. We then got a taxi to a train station that took us from Kangneung to Jeongdongjin -- it was just a fifteen minute train ride, but somehow I still caught a nap. We took some pictures a long the beach, and visited a place called Hassla Art World. I'm not into artsy places, but the outdoor sculpture park at this place was definitely an awesome time. There was even art made of cow poo, under a big circus-like tent.
We ate a pretty nice lunch at this place as well -- we got to take in some pretty nice views of the sea while we were eating. There were more views to take in from various places of this "Art World" though as well.
I leave you with some pictures.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
The news is . . .
This guy had a near perfect weekend . . . . . . with the exception of a student seeing myself and someone last night. . . . . . I'll fill you in later, the stomach is a little upset with me for some reason. . . . .
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Something I should have mentioned in the last post. . . .
I'd come back to this job with two conditions. . . . I would have a refrigerator -- since I don't have one in this rinky-dink apartment -- which is not cool for someone drinks more milk than the average child does. The other internet -- I could pay for it, but at least have it installed so I could pay for it. Anyway, I slept late today, since I woke up at almost 5 am starving, then had a phone call a little while later from a pretty lady who had been out having a fun night with one of her co-workers!!
Time to get ready for the work day
Time to get ready for the work day
Full Moon on Facetime
Wish I could have taken a picture of this, but I was able to talk on facetime last night with my friend Amy and her son Alex. Since it was morning there in Central KY, I stood outside Cafe' Benne and showed them the full moon. So beware of things that can happen when the moon gets full. Personally, I should alright here, especially after I take a melatonin with my protein shake. . in other news. . . .
I'm not feeling all that cool about leaving this current job, though I've made some promises to some people to do some things in June and July. . . . If somehow I could have a position with this academy starting in late August, I would super stoked, but I don't see that I should be an exception to the rule. I'm just happy that I've been able to work with a wonderful staff of Koreans, have an amazing director, and an owner who is not afraid to get his hands dirty and do some hard work. It's definitely been different having to come to work every day two hours or more before my classes start. We do spend about thirty minutes cleaning first, which still leaves us with about an hour and fifty minutes free.
Goodnight, or Happy Hump Day.
I'm not feeling all that cool about leaving this current job, though I've made some promises to some people to do some things in June and July. . . . If somehow I could have a position with this academy starting in late August, I would super stoked, but I don't see that I should be an exception to the rule. I'm just happy that I've been able to work with a wonderful staff of Koreans, have an amazing director, and an owner who is not afraid to get his hands dirty and do some hard work. It's definitely been different having to come to work every day two hours or more before my classes start. We do spend about thirty minutes cleaning first, which still leaves us with about an hour and fifty minutes free.
Goodnight, or Happy Hump Day.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Writer's Block
It's not exactly my favorite thing to have. . . . but it even happens to someone that just writes in a blog a few times a week. . .
My weekend wasn't too exciting to write about. I arrived in 'ole Daegu for a family visit on Saturday afternoon. I got to see some of the old guys at the gym that I haven't seen in forever. . . . goodness, I miss sitting around at talking to those guys.
One of the old men (whose respect I finally gained by appearing in a local newspaper), told me I should never leave.
I didn't even spend that much time with my friends on Saturday evening. Two hours and I was ready to go home and go to sleep. . . I guess all these hard workouts and later nights are catching up to me quite quickly now. .
I did get to catch up with a kid named Jerry that I taught at my academy last year. . . I had an interesting time with him and some of his middle school friends yesterday. We went to the PC Room and played Fifa Online for a few hours, and then went to the singing room. It was kind of fun watching the boys sing their hearts out. I sang a few songs to impress them, but it was more fun watching them perform Korean pop songs, or hop-hop songs though.
Anyway, it's almost 11 pm here on Monday night and I'm waiting for a pretty lady to finish work for now.
BTW -- Thanks to the Memphis Grizzlies for a great season. . . . here's a wonderful article written by Mr. Geoff Calkins
I believe
My weekend wasn't too exciting to write about. I arrived in 'ole Daegu for a family visit on Saturday afternoon. I got to see some of the old guys at the gym that I haven't seen in forever. . . . goodness, I miss sitting around at talking to those guys.
One of the old men (whose respect I finally gained by appearing in a local newspaper), told me I should never leave.
I didn't even spend that much time with my friends on Saturday evening. Two hours and I was ready to go home and go to sleep. . . I guess all these hard workouts and later nights are catching up to me quite quickly now. .
I did get to catch up with a kid named Jerry that I taught at my academy last year. . . I had an interesting time with him and some of his middle school friends yesterday. We went to the PC Room and played Fifa Online for a few hours, and then went to the singing room. It was kind of fun watching the boys sing their hearts out. I sang a few songs to impress them, but it was more fun watching them perform Korean pop songs, or hop-hop songs though.
Anyway, it's almost 11 pm here on Monday night and I'm waiting for a pretty lady to finish work for now.
BTW -- Thanks to the Memphis Grizzlies for a great season. . . . here's a wonderful article written by Mr. Geoff Calkins
I believe
Friday, May 13, 2011
Have a nice weekend
I have had a great week, and now I'm heading out of town to visit the Korean family for a the weekend. Yesterday, I went and watched a pretty interesting movie with a nice lady -- Source Code.
It confused me a little bit, but it was pretty good. Anyway, Go Grizz, and have a nice weekend everyone!!
It confused me a little bit, but it was pretty good. Anyway, Go Grizz, and have a nice weekend everyone!!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Random Thought
I loathe coffee shops -- especially the odd cover music that they play on their loud speakers -- at least there is free wi-fi that works ten times better than the internet in my apartment though. At Caffe' Bene here in Gongju, they even have one of my favorite treats in the whole world -- Gelato.
Now I could sacrifice the terrible music and the chairs that make me really sleepy for a once a week venture into a place that has good Gelato - perhaps I'll visit the place where Gelato is from sometime soon.
Remember Go Grizz!! Gotta get to sleep early tonight. Gotta make it to the gym early, so I can be home to watch at least half of the game this time.
Congrats to Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis as well -- read !!!
Now I could sacrifice the terrible music and the chairs that make me really sleepy for a once a week venture into a place that has good Gelato - perhaps I'll visit the place where Gelato is from sometime soon.
Remember Go Grizz!! Gotta get to sleep early tonight. Gotta make it to the gym early, so I can be home to watch at least half of the game this time.
Congrats to Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis as well -- read !!!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Some photos from last week's Air Show
thankfully I can be a member of certain Korean websites, which allows me to copy or download pictures that others have taken of me. Anyway, here are some pictures from last week's Air Show that were just uploaded today or yesterday.
with some of the kids at the Space Exhibition
outside waiting fort the others
the older guy in the hat I think is the Korean Air Force General
with some of the kids and the directors
great shots of stunt planes
almost a full group picture for this one
Happy Birthday Buddha!!
Yes, it's a national holiday today in Korea -- It's Buddha's Birthday, so I'm not working today. That works for me.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Thoughts on 30 -- just a few days late
So I had this blog post planned out in my mind a few times over the last week or two and just never put the words in this little box. Now, that I'm too tired and sick to do much on this somewhat gloomy Saturday I'm getting the job done. Don't worry about the sick part -- For some reason I let some nice lady talk me into thinking I could be young and party again a few times this week. Message from body to stubborn self -- late nights + hard workouts = not so happy immune system - you aren't as good as you once were Tower. As I'm typing this -- I've been trying to jump rope off and an for the last half hour or so. It keeps the mind fresh (yeah right!).
This post is supposed to kind of be a reflection of how things have been in life thus far -- or some things I've noticed about what goes on in the world.
I never thought I'd turn 30 in a foreign country such as South Korea. Let me retract on that one -- I never thought that I'd turn 27,28,29, or much less 30 in a foreign country where most foreigners don't even appreciate the local language. One of the coolest things -- I can remember what I've done for every single birthday from 18-30 -- now that's what I call a good memory.
I could recall them all right now, but I may fall asleep in the process. Since last week was number 30 -- I'll recall number 20 here -- that was a dumb move. Middle of finals week of course was my birthday -- what did this dumb college kid do? I sat on the bed of a truck in the gravel lot at Farmhouse (my fraternity), and drank and drank. By maybe 5:30 or 6 pm, I had drunk a half-case of Bud Light -- needless to say I took a little nap that lasted until well, 6 am or so the next day. Yeah, that wasn't exactly a smart move -- neither was 21 -- but I'm NOT going there.
Some of things I've learned along the way (probably too many, but I'll keep the list as short as possible):
This post is supposed to kind of be a reflection of how things have been in life thus far -- or some things I've noticed about what goes on in the world.
I never thought I'd turn 30 in a foreign country such as South Korea. Let me retract on that one -- I never thought that I'd turn 27,28,29, or much less 30 in a foreign country where most foreigners don't even appreciate the local language. One of the coolest things -- I can remember what I've done for every single birthday from 18-30 -- now that's what I call a good memory.
I could recall them all right now, but I may fall asleep in the process. Since last week was number 30 -- I'll recall number 20 here -- that was a dumb move. Middle of finals week of course was my birthday -- what did this dumb college kid do? I sat on the bed of a truck in the gravel lot at Farmhouse (my fraternity), and drank and drank. By maybe 5:30 or 6 pm, I had drunk a half-case of Bud Light -- needless to say I took a little nap that lasted until well, 6 am or so the next day. Yeah, that wasn't exactly a smart move -- neither was 21 -- but I'm NOT going there.
Some of things I've learned along the way (probably too many, but I'll keep the list as short as possible):
- Everything happens for a reason
- A mistake is just a lesson in life
- which means
- girlfriends
- jobs
- vacations
- purchases
- etc
- they are all something to learn from -- even those girlfriends that play with your mind and take you for a fool
- The people that love you in life are always going to love you no matter what
- sometimes they take a while to forgive you for certain things
- or you may take a a while to forgive them
- or you both may choose not to communicate with another no matter how hard one side has tried to do so in the past few years of living abroad
- No matter what they are gonna love you and be there for you whenever you need them
- I've not always treated folks the way they should have been treated
- I feel I've been paid back for such treatment at times
- By being taking for granted by others
- As they say -- what goes around comes around
- Being able to speak a second language is pretty awesome --even at the age of 30
- Even though I majored in communications in college -- I'm still not that great of a communicator
- My Grandpa John R. Tower is my greatest Hero -- 100% Gentleman
- Sometimes I wish I was as good of a man as he is
- But I know it's my responsibility to carry the torch of chivalry as a Tower
- I am thankful for love and support that Grandpa Tower gives me
- I never met my Grandpa Levy
- But I know he'd be impressed with the impact I've had on the lives of young children
- My other heroes
- The owner of my old health club in Daegu
- we have this great respect for each other
- I'm humbled in his presence
- The Lakota Warrior Crazy Horse
- American historians may never get the right side of the story on this guy
- We could all learn about humility from what he did
- Heck, there's even a mountain being carved in his honor in South Dakota
- George Jones and Johnny Cash
- Two great men
- Wonderful musicians who can move your soul
- My Uncle Tom Moody
- A brother
- A father
- An Uncle
- Just one hell of man
- Blogging has helped me realize that I've got potential as a writer -- If I dare pursue that adventure
- Finding love has definitely been a challenge
- As one song says "I've been looking for love in all the wrong places"
- I try not to worry about it so much these days
- Making a pretty woman smile is good enough most of the time
- As the top bullet says -- Everything happens for a reason
- I should still be a chivalrist at all times though -- I may have made that word up.
- The title of my favorite book -- Keep Going - now you understand the title of this blog!!
- There is so much in the world that I still want to see
- I have some awesome friends back home
- I have some awesome friends here in Korea as well
- I can still eat like a teenager
- Screw caffeine -- I got your energy right here
- I'm not afraid to admit that I cry when something touches my mind or soul
- Sports movies can still move my emotions as well
- I sometimes wonder how my life has occurred the way it has
- But people can live vicariously through what I have done
- Many folks support what I've done, no matter how far away I may be
- Chivalry while never die as long as I am alive -- did I mention that already?
- There are many people have done too much for me in my life
- I may never be able to repay them all fully
- But I can always honor them with love, respect, and gratitude
- The last two months have been a big challenge for me living in a place where I don't know anyone within two hours of me
- As I say though
- Keep Going -- nothing in life is too difficult
- Attack those fears
- I definitely complain a lot less than I used to
- I have everything I need in life
- There are too many people that don't have as good of a life as I do
- I leave you with this last thought --- Reading this strange bulleted list may have helped you think about something you would like to do in your life -- I hope in some way that this has affected someone out there.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Ending of a four day work week
This week has been quite interesting, though the work part of it was kind of a piece of cake. I worked on Monday and Tuesday though my schedule has been reduced due to middle schoolers having mid-terms these this week.
Wednesday was our Children's Day Party at work, which was awesome -- since the previous academies I worked at never did anything such as this for the holiday. I got to be in my own classroom during the whole party and play Jenga with the kids -- mostly I was just supervising though with one of my coworkers.
Yesterday was Children's Day, which is a national holiday here in Korea. I utilized my sharp knowledge of Korean express buses, and took a bus from where I live to an area called Cheonan. Cheonan is near Seoul. I had to take another bus from there to a city called Ansan. I met the Daegu Young Falcons there -- my group that I mentored and worked with last year. Yesterday was the opening day of a very big Air Show, in that area. It's known as Northeast Asia's premier air show, and it was a big one. Having a opening day fall on a national holiday was a super idea -- it seemed like there may have been one million Koreans just at this event alone.
I am not sure that there were actually that many folks, but they had anything and everything at this festival. You could find Starbucks, an auto show, traditional Korean music and dancing, an air show, with exhibits galore (of course you would have an air show at an air show), stunt pilots, and much, much MORE!!! I got to watch a famous American girl do some pretty incredible stunts in her vintage plane, along with a group of Europeans who were dazzling to watch. The crowd was astonished at watching the various groups perform. The infamous Black Eagles of Korea did a heck of a job too -- especially on my ears! I got pretty sunburned at the event since I didn't wear any sunscreen and forgot my hat was in bag too. I'll leave ya with some pictures!!
Wednesday was our Children's Day Party at work, which was awesome -- since the previous academies I worked at never did anything such as this for the holiday. I got to be in my own classroom during the whole party and play Jenga with the kids -- mostly I was just supervising though with one of my coworkers.
Yesterday was Children's Day, which is a national holiday here in Korea. I utilized my sharp knowledge of Korean express buses, and took a bus from where I live to an area called Cheonan. Cheonan is near Seoul. I had to take another bus from there to a city called Ansan. I met the Daegu Young Falcons there -- my group that I mentored and worked with last year. Yesterday was the opening day of a very big Air Show, in that area. It's known as Northeast Asia's premier air show, and it was a big one. Having a opening day fall on a national holiday was a super idea -- it seemed like there may have been one million Koreans just at this event alone.
I am not sure that there were actually that many folks, but they had anything and everything at this festival. You could find Starbucks, an auto show, traditional Korean music and dancing, an air show, with exhibits galore (of course you would have an air show at an air show), stunt pilots, and much, much MORE!!! I got to watch a famous American girl do some pretty incredible stunts in her vintage plane, along with a group of Europeans who were dazzling to watch. The crowd was astonished at watching the various groups perform. The infamous Black Eagles of Korea did a heck of a job too -- especially on my ears! I got pretty sunburned at the event since I didn't wear any sunscreen and forgot my hat was in bag too. I'll leave ya with some pictures!!
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| Watching the kids play Jenga at our Children's Day party |
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| Some of my students posing and others not wanting to pose |
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| My sweet little Cathy, who always manages tries to speak English with me , every chance she can |
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| These two either get on each other's nerves or really work well together |
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| Some of my youngest students |
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| some of the Air Show pictures |
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| this little one was actually an academy student of mine last year -- great kid |
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| this one wouldn't leave my side as we were leaving -- good kid too |
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Where does one start?? How about a Tower at Thirty!!
I kind of stole the second part there from Jimmy Buffet -- I am pretty sure there is a book he has written called A Pirate Looks at Fifty -- or something similar to that. So I had this ginormous (if the word is spelled wrong please correct me) plan set out to type up this super-sized post all about how it felt to reflect on the past decade of my life -- then to look toward the future decade that has recently just begun.
We'll review the weekend that was to start with for now. It was a very pleasant weekend, although Saturday started without any plans until the evening. By 1:30 pm, the day was pretty busy. I met with my friend Mr. William, and we had a wonderful lunch at a new rooftop restaurant called Poom (what Poom means, I haven't the slightest clue). We enjoyed some wonderful rib-eye steaks, along with a glass of wine and some great appetizers as well.
We talked about all kinds of things during our few hours in the restaurant, and our time outside at the local park. Mr. William is a very busy business man who was kind enough to make time in his schedule for me. Mr. William is one of those who really humbles me with his kindness, and is always full of compliments for me. He even told me that I should turn some of this blogging stuff into some book writing -- I'm not sure about all that, but I do believe some of my experiences over in this corner of the world, could make for some interesting reading.
I left downtown after our time together, and then went back home to get ready for a short workout at my favorite gym in the world -- Life Health Club. I didn't spend but thirty minutes there, but it was nice to see some of the older folks that I love to practice my Korean with. The owner's daughter usually works the counter and she's a trip to talk with as well.
A good friend of mine, Timothy, helped me out with some of my Korean for an hour or so after my workout. We met a Starbucks that had Alison Krauss and Union Station playing for about ten or fifteen minutes. I had to pause and explain who it was to Timothy. Our friend Kai met up with us there for a few minutes too. Kai had found out on our English club website that it was my birthday, so he bought me a little gift certificate that I can use at any of the major movie places or restaurants in Korea.
We then departed and went to our English Club meeting. I am a member of an English Club in the Daegu area, that is about 75% Koreans, but these days there's a decent number of English speaking folks from various countries too. We usually have prepared topics with questions that we discuss from 7pm - 9pm on Saturday evenings almost every weekend. When we are finished, we go to one of two local restaurants to eat and drink -- I usually just prefer the eating part. This time there were two of us that were celebrating birthdays in the coming week. One younger lady who I didn't meet until this past weekend's meeting was having a birthday on Tuesday, and of course my birthday was on Sunday. So there was a cake that had a candle for each of us on it.
I was kind of unlucky to get the pink candle on my side, but beggars can't always be choosers I guess. We did Happy Birthday, in English, for the most part. I forgot to do the customary "make a wish" thing before blowing out my candle, but I usually don't wish for anything to great. Perhaps it's because I don't usually get what I wish for. Anyway, my mom sent some party stuff from the good 'ole Party Superstore, since I was turning the big 3-0!! Balloons were seen bouncing all around the restaurant, as everyone was carrying on in their separate conversations.
I went home about 11 pm, hoping I could fall asleep easily, but that didn't happen at all. I was so hoping to get some shut-eye before my homemade Korean breakfast at 8:45. I think it's because there was some caffeine in my tea from Starbucks -- gotta blame something besides myself right? My Sunday was a lazy one. Uncle Koo had wanted me to go play soccer with him and some friends, but I don't even own the proper stuff to play soccer. So I just stayed at home and watched UFC 129, like I was planning to do anyway. Little Sis Eun Byeol who was supposed to plan an afternoon with some friends and I, decided that she didn't want to do anything but stay at home and watch TV. So, I ventured out on my own and visited my former bosses at the Daegu Young Falcons Office.
Though I don't tutor these young kids anymore on the weekends, I am still invited to some of their special events and gatherings. Tomorrow there is an Air Show in the province near me, so I'm going to join a large group of them there. Tomorrow is actually a holiday -- Children's Day here in Korea.
The Koos (family that I stay with when I go to Daegu), treated me to a nice dinner, and the mom even bought me a nice gift of manly cosmetic stuff. I told her not to bother with buying anything but she felt pretty compelled to do so. She and Eun Byeol walked to the store, when I went to meet a friend and bought the stuff. I walked upstairs to my room and noticed a box and a letter on the table that weren't there when I had left earlier. I was pleasantly surprised to have the gift. I met my friend Michelle who studies in a coffee shop almost every night. She's a Korean who is trying to go to school in Australia, so she's studies English quite a bit for hours and hours every day. She does speak pretty well, so I gotta give her some credit there.
I'm gonna take a small break from this typing for now, and complete the latter part of this post later. I'll add some birthday pics and Children's Day pics soon also.
We'll review the weekend that was to start with for now. It was a very pleasant weekend, although Saturday started without any plans until the evening. By 1:30 pm, the day was pretty busy. I met with my friend Mr. William, and we had a wonderful lunch at a new rooftop restaurant called Poom (what Poom means, I haven't the slightest clue). We enjoyed some wonderful rib-eye steaks, along with a glass of wine and some great appetizers as well.
We talked about all kinds of things during our few hours in the restaurant, and our time outside at the local park. Mr. William is a very busy business man who was kind enough to make time in his schedule for me. Mr. William is one of those who really humbles me with his kindness, and is always full of compliments for me. He even told me that I should turn some of this blogging stuff into some book writing -- I'm not sure about all that, but I do believe some of my experiences over in this corner of the world, could make for some interesting reading.
I left downtown after our time together, and then went back home to get ready for a short workout at my favorite gym in the world -- Life Health Club. I didn't spend but thirty minutes there, but it was nice to see some of the older folks that I love to practice my Korean with. The owner's daughter usually works the counter and she's a trip to talk with as well.
A good friend of mine, Timothy, helped me out with some of my Korean for an hour or so after my workout. We met a Starbucks that had Alison Krauss and Union Station playing for about ten or fifteen minutes. I had to pause and explain who it was to Timothy. Our friend Kai met up with us there for a few minutes too. Kai had found out on our English club website that it was my birthday, so he bought me a little gift certificate that I can use at any of the major movie places or restaurants in Korea.
We then departed and went to our English Club meeting. I am a member of an English Club in the Daegu area, that is about 75% Koreans, but these days there's a decent number of English speaking folks from various countries too. We usually have prepared topics with questions that we discuss from 7pm - 9pm on Saturday evenings almost every weekend. When we are finished, we go to one of two local restaurants to eat and drink -- I usually just prefer the eating part. This time there were two of us that were celebrating birthdays in the coming week. One younger lady who I didn't meet until this past weekend's meeting was having a birthday on Tuesday, and of course my birthday was on Sunday. So there was a cake that had a candle for each of us on it.
I was kind of unlucky to get the pink candle on my side, but beggars can't always be choosers I guess. We did Happy Birthday, in English, for the most part. I forgot to do the customary "make a wish" thing before blowing out my candle, but I usually don't wish for anything to great. Perhaps it's because I don't usually get what I wish for. Anyway, my mom sent some party stuff from the good 'ole Party Superstore, since I was turning the big 3-0!! Balloons were seen bouncing all around the restaurant, as everyone was carrying on in their separate conversations.
I went home about 11 pm, hoping I could fall asleep easily, but that didn't happen at all. I was so hoping to get some shut-eye before my homemade Korean breakfast at 8:45. I think it's because there was some caffeine in my tea from Starbucks -- gotta blame something besides myself right? My Sunday was a lazy one. Uncle Koo had wanted me to go play soccer with him and some friends, but I don't even own the proper stuff to play soccer. So I just stayed at home and watched UFC 129, like I was planning to do anyway. Little Sis Eun Byeol who was supposed to plan an afternoon with some friends and I, decided that she didn't want to do anything but stay at home and watch TV. So, I ventured out on my own and visited my former bosses at the Daegu Young Falcons Office.
Though I don't tutor these young kids anymore on the weekends, I am still invited to some of their special events and gatherings. Tomorrow there is an Air Show in the province near me, so I'm going to join a large group of them there. Tomorrow is actually a holiday -- Children's Day here in Korea.
The Koos (family that I stay with when I go to Daegu), treated me to a nice dinner, and the mom even bought me a nice gift of manly cosmetic stuff. I told her not to bother with buying anything but she felt pretty compelled to do so. She and Eun Byeol walked to the store, when I went to meet a friend and bought the stuff. I walked upstairs to my room and noticed a box and a letter on the table that weren't there when I had left earlier. I was pleasantly surprised to have the gift. I met my friend Michelle who studies in a coffee shop almost every night. She's a Korean who is trying to go to school in Australia, so she's studies English quite a bit for hours and hours every day. She does speak pretty well, so I gotta give her some credit there.
I'm gonna take a small break from this typing for now, and complete the latter part of this post later. I'll add some birthday pics and Children's Day pics soon also.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Sorry for another delay . . .
I kind of had an unexpected long night last night!! In the next 12 hours there will be an update though. Sorry for those who like to read my adventures.
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