Hello Again

Due to lack of energy (from traveling back to Korea yesterday), I'll be re-blogging as of tomorrow. I definitely had an amazing time with my family back in the states over the past two weeks though. I returned today to a bunch of hugs from the little ones, as well as "wow, you got a haircut" from some of the Korean staff.

Anyway, I'll post a few pictures from Grandpa's party soon, and maybe even an excerpt or two from this crazy book that I've started to write.

Time to call it a night

Hello from America

So I'm kickin' it with my cousin William (from Australia) at my dad's house for the week in Memphis, TN. Anyway, I've got a few items of business that I'm in the process of taking care of. First of all, I've decided to write a book - I don't exactly have the title ready just yet, but I have 50 essay ideas that will go into it.
The title will be something like this ---- How Much Can You Drink - Observations and Essays regarding the randomness known as living in the Republic of Korea.  The title will be changed a few times, but I'll get to work on everything very soon.

The second thing is Bulgaria. I'm going to be filling out an application this week for a  Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Bulgaria.

Anyway, my Grandfather Tower will turn 100 years old tomorrow. So happy birthday to my awesome grandpa. 

Apologies

Sometime in the next few days, upon arrival to the U.S. of A, I will upload a video or two from Sofia. I have been trying and trying lately, but it hasn't been working well. I'm in an airport lounge in Busan, Korea right now. The people watching is great right now as well. Japanese are drinking Budweiser at 9:15 am, some guy is wearing a super-tight playboy t-shirt, while drinking tomato juice, and another is watching MLB on his IPad, while surfing the web on his PC, and talking on his Blackberry. Not much else excitement besides that though.

Finally the last pictures

These last few pictures are actually from Plovdiv, with the exception of Nevena and I on the last morning. Plovdiv, is actually a sister city to Daegu, where I am living right now in South Korea. I think there may have been some divine intervention in a few of these pictures but anyway, Plovdiv is known as the Paris of Eastern Europe. Quaint little town, it is.

                                      caught my eye from far away

                                        St. Mary's church (inside was beautiful)

                                            from another angle

                                           ancient Roman theater

                                         

                                              OLD steps

                                          my best self-shot

                                          side view of the theater

                         part of the Ancient Stadium from the second century -- during reign of Emperor Hadrian

                       part of The Odeon of Philippopolis (back in the days of the Roman province of Thrace)

                                              Kebab that even included fries (enjoyed by the little guy below and myself)

                                        stubborn little guy didn't want the bread, he wanted the meat

                                           enough said

                                       after going to say our prayers Saturday morning at the Russian Orthodox church

                                        the head that I thought had been moved

                                  Two brothers that are famous Bulgarian authors (near the hostel)

Pics from the hike

These are some pics that Vyacheslav sent me from last Tuesday's hike. Just me hanging out by the waterfall, but I felt the need to post. It's been a tough week at work -- probably just readjusting after that LONG week away.

Bulgaria Trip Photos (Part4)

Thursday was Rila Monastery, and Sophia bike tour night day. So there aren't so many pictures to show since this was the second adventure to Rila, which consists of quite the bus ride to get there.

                                         tried to get a pic of this sign as the bus went by

                                           beautiful landscape everywhere

                                     so a year after someone dies, these notices are posted in their memory

                                       sample of the bus schedule in the town of Rila

                                     some of the artwork at Rila Monastery

                                                         more Rila stuff in the next few photos

                                      shot I took at a restaurant beside the monastery

                                        local stream at the monastery

                                     shot from the IPod

                                          Rila

                           That famous Bulgarian salad again, with some Rakia, and water in a coke glass

                           front entrance of the monastery

Bulgaria Trip Photos (part 3)

also known as Wednesday, August 1st. This just included a little walk around the city, visiting a few of the churches, catching a glance of the mosque, as well as the gorgeous synagogue.
Nevena and I ate at a really cool traditional restaurant as well. I'll upload a video or two from the restaurant's traditional Bulgarian program sometime soon.

                                     This is from the National Theater

                                            Saint Nedelya Church

                                         that beautiful Russian Orthodox church again

                                             some items from the Ethnograph Museum

                                           Sun and Moon are brother and sister -- interesting art

                                              Rakia -- Bulgarian Brandy

                                             very impressive synagogue

                                          the inside is marvelous -- I was too hungry to go inside at that moment though

                                    St. Petka -- medieval church

                                        St. George Rotunda -- goes back to the 4th century

                                      Guards doing their thing at the President's offices

                                    We sat at a park before dinner, and this dog sat nearby showing off for us

                                        fried red pepper dish with cheese on the inside and a nice savory sauce

                                         This is kind of like cornbread mash, I guess

                                          Gotta have some wine with the meal

                                         some 'taters along with some skewered meat and veggies

                                             entertainment for the evening

                                     These guys did very well

                           The guy holding the flag spent half the time watching the Olympics on a distant TV

                                        St. Sveta Church at midnight

                                  Flower shop that was open really late