Incredible weekend of sorts

So in about three hours I will be at the airport, headed back on my way over to the ROK.  That stands for Republic of Korea, for those who may be unsure of the meaning.  Anyway, I've had a great weekend, though it was a little emotional at times as well.

First of all, my mom came up with this clever idea, that we should head up to Bowling Green, KY (my old college town), and clean out my storage facility.  She also wanted some of the items in there for her pool house so I didn't mind so much.  I ended up locating my huge collection of shot glasses as well.  Note: I stopped collecting shot glasses before I left for Korea back in '07, or I would probably have close to 200 or 250 in my collection.  Still, I do have an interesting collection of shot glasses.  I also located a large assortment of cards from birthdays, and various holidays as well as graduation too.  There were quite a few books also, and most of them got donated to Goodwill.

My good friend Ben Centers brought his Powerstroke Diesel, with the trailer hooked up to the back so we were able to deliver some chairs, a couch, and various other things to be donated to Goodwill.  The rest is either in the storage room at Mom's or being used in some way, shape or form in her pool house.

I also got to spend some time with my friend Jessica, who had a stroke a few years ago, and has fought long hard to recover from that big event in her life.  She's teaching these days at a local elementary school, and still struggles from time to time with seizures that result from the scar tissue (from the stroke).  Mom and I stayed with my good friend Heather, who is one of the most active and involved people that I know.  Heather has Spinal Bifida, but she keeps herself going and seems to be in a happy relationship with a gentleman that went to the same high school as she did.

Sunday was a difficult day of sorts. My choir director at the church in Bowling Green, David Paul Gibson, was stepping down after 15 glorious years of service.  Back in my senior year, I started becoming involved with my church in BG (The Presbyterian Church).  I decided I wanted to be a part of the choir, and as it turned out, the choir needed a college student in the bass section.  In return I was given a "scholarship".  This was the only scholarship I ever received in college, since I was too lazy to earn them in other ways.  So I would wake up and sing every Sunday, during my senior year, at both 8:30 service, and 11:00 service as well.  Talk about learning responsibility.  It earned about $250 dollars a month, so I didn't complain too much.   It made it really nice, since I lived maybe three minutes away, by foot.

Anyway, it was quite an emotional day.  David was really good to me during my time in the choir.  Just like Tom the organist, David treated as if I was his own son.  He also helped open my eyes to a whole new world.  I never really had any true "singing skills", but I was always able to learn the music by listening, so I could hit the right notes, most of the time.  I really grew fond of the other members of the collegiate ensemble, because singing was something they had done for a long time, and they were really passionate about it.  David was one of the most passionate people I know, when it comes to loving what you do.  He would almost always plan a full year in advance.  Since I have to be awake in two hours, and on the way to an airport, it's a little hard to get my thoughts straight for now.

I'll do this little bit here, and then call it a night.   . . . .  Gotta  be at the airport in a few hours, and I haven't slept yet.  Anyway, it was much harder today, seeing the other choir members getting so choked up during the services.  At the end of the last anthem a few of the ladies did everything they could to not shed a few tears.  As the song ended David himself had to stop and just let his emotions get the best of him.  I don't know if my voice had ever sounded that good before, but I know I gave my all for the man, and I was so happy to be a part of his last services at the church.  Thank goodness we all got to mingle together one last time at Miss Betty Jo's house, and eat some really good food as well.

one more thing -- the new blog will be at www.thetowerkeepsgoing.blogspot.com -- starting in two days.

Headed back over a little sooner than expected

It looks like I'll be back at work in the ROK next Wednesday.  I'm going to my roots, small town life.  Actually, I'm a big city person, but I do prefer the friendly confines of small towns from time to time as well.

So my paperwork done from the FBI could take anywhere between two - ten more weeks to process.  Who knows? I've heard it different things from different people about this stuff.  So, I got an email from a lady who runs a recruiting office, and she had spoken with my back in January when I was at the Winter Camp about possibly doing a few part time jobs.  I expressed interest, but didn't really want to lose out on the other half of the plane ticket that I bought.

Honestly, I should have had all this paper work done even before the Winter Camp, bought a one way ticket, and found a job right after the camp.  You live you learn folks.  I can also look at it like this:  wait for possibly 2-8 weeks to get this paper work, take another week or two to get my visa, and that's a three or four grand I won't be making, by not working.  So instead I am buying my own plane ticket, working the plane ticket off in a matter of weeks (because my Korean bank account will take care of living expenses for almost a month) and of course working my butt off every afternoon/evening M-F.

I'll be departing Monday morning.  I go Memphis - Atlanta, then Atlanta - Seoul, which is a 15.5 hour flight.  I am not too excited about the prospect of flying for that long, but I'll have a few "beverages", and then I'll be set from there.

The name and address will probably change sometime in the next few days, but I'll post it on FB, or on here before it does actually change.

Everyone have a nice weekend.

I'm so ready to be back in South Korea now. . . .

but I had a great last five days in Texas . . . check back in about ten hours for details.

So last week I went to visit Grandpa, and Joe Daddy's parents (my cousin Joe).

Visiting Grandpa is always a fun time, because we eat at some good restaurants, and always get to hang out with his good friend Freeman, and a few nice ladies as well.

Grandpa is still plugging away at work a few days a week, and even gets to hang out with his lady friend Miss Ann, who is one of the nicest women I have ever met.  FYI: Grandpa still opens the car door for a lady even at 98.  My Grandpa is the perfect picture of a role model -- Gentleman right down to it.

I am always at peace when I am with Grandpa. Even if he does happen to know everything about everything.  Man, that guy keeps himself filled with knowledge.

Visiting Houston was very nice as well.  I got to have a nice home cooked meal with Joe Daddy's mom and dad, Mike and Margaret.  I was treated to an excellent Vietnamese dinner the next day, attended a Rice baseball game (which was a blast), visited Little Woodrow's bar, took a few walks with Miss Margaret, and even ate at the Bellaire Coffee Shop which was a wonderful experience.  On Sunday, I met Miss Nicole's mom, for about twenty minutes.  I am delivering some goods back to South Korea to Nicole from her mom, so we met up on my way back to Dallas.  It turns out where Nicole's family lives is on the total opposite side of town in comparison with my family members.

I kind of wish I have a chance to meet up with Grandpa again before I leave, but I'm not so sure it'll happen.  It always adds a little spunk to me after I've been with him for a little bit of time.

The only thing missing from my life right now . . . . .

that FBI background check, that is the vital piece to getting my work visa for my new job in South Korea.  It would also help if my future boss replies to my email as well.  Everything is going amazingly well for now.
Hope everyone has had a good hump day.

Missin' Some Teachin'

I wish I didn't read through this blog just now.  I probably wouldn't feel the way I do at the moment, but that's just a part of life.  Maybe it's a credit to the fact that I had such a good time with my students last month, and that I did an awesome job.  Oh well, I'll be flying back into good 'ole Incheon Airport, in about 18 days.

Hope everyone has had a wonderful Valentine's Day.  I got to spend some quality time this afternoon with my best friend Jeff.  The jet-lag's been kickin' in this evening and my favorite college basketball team got whooped (that's the nice way to put it), on the day they gained the number one ranking.  Time to get a rental car reserved for tomorrow (because I excel at hotel/car reservations at the last minute).

Waylon Jennings - Luckenback, Texas

One of the my favorite musicians of all time passed away the night before Valentine's Day in 2002. I remember the night, because I was more concerned with this event than spoiling my girlfriend at the time on the next day.

Waylon Jennings may you rest in peace. You were a rebel in some ways, but I admired you for your fight with Diabetes. Your music was an inspiration to many people around the world.

Back to running again

So I've decided my body needs a break from the weights and last night I embarked on a new journey.  Actually one might say I was getting back on an old road.  I started running again -- 5k last night.  I didn't keep time because that's not so important.  My friend Nicole always talks about these long runs that she goes on, so that's where the inspiration came from.  Also helps, that I've been dealing with some muscle strain or tear in my chest.  Maybe if I take some time off the muscle will heal itself.

Anyway, happy Valentine's Day to everyone out there.  I gave my mom a nice gift by cleaning her gutters and raking her leaves also.  I decided to keep posting in this thing even though I'm not in the ROK at the moment -- I'll be back there soon enough though.  Anyway, everyone take care and I hope your week has started off as well as mine has.  Thanks for the encouragement Miss Nicole.