Concrete Jungle

Well, I walked around a bit today after going with my boss and his wife to church this morning. It was a Presbyterian church, but it oddly reminded me a bit of an evangelical church. Too modern, too loud, and very little message. I was a bit disappointed and did not feel the kind of churchy feeling when you go into a catholic big church or an orthodox church. There were lots of people, Koreans and foreigners though who were very much into it.

This is a picture of me and the bosses wife Ester outside of the church in front of this huge mural.

Then I went and walked around the area a bit and took some pictures. It is quite a popular area with the foreigners. Don't really know why, I guess because it's more modern than other areas.

This is a street market. Full of strange and wonderful things. I will buy something interesting to eat next time I'm there. 

Then I went back to my place. Here is a picture of the road across my building and the "mountain"/hill to the left.

These are a few pictures from my neighbourhood. Stairs leading up to this restaurant that looks like a Buddhist temple.

Can you see the double barber shop spirally things? Is that a super barber shop you may ask yourself? Well, I read something about that yesterday and it's actually a "special" barber shop, the same way they have "special" massage parlors. You sit down in a chair and they do crazy things to you. I live right above one of those and never even realized until today. It's not an oddity or anything... those places are everywhere

Telephone is here :D

So, I got my telephone hooked up. YAAAAY, and the boss got me a brand new phone too. This is great :D.

So, if you are interested, here is the number:

to call me from outside Korea
8231 - 735 - 6077

to call me from inside Korea
031 - 735 - 6077

I expect many calls :). I don't have an answer machine which is unfortunate, but I will have internet tomorrow morning (hopefully) and then you can leave me a message on MSN :).

The kids are absolutely adorable. The little ones are so cute I just want to pinch their cheeks the whole time. They are a bit crazy in the afternoon and require a lot of discipline (which I don't know how to do yet) but besides that everything is going pretty good. It is really a miracle because I've never been around kids before and this is only my 3rd day dealing with them.

Something incredible has happened. I actually have a memory... I deal with 35 kids and I actually remember their names. Not all but almost all of them. It's absolutely incredible :). I will have to take a picture of them and will post it on here so you all can see how cute they are.

I am going to go out and eat on my own today... I need to get out in the world on my own sometime and I today is a perfect day :).

What is wrong with foreigners??

Alright, so I am a foreigner, just to clarify. A minority... And I realized from dealing with a few foreigners, that they are all weird. Let me explain:

1. Lack of conversation... they don't talk. They say small words here and there. Who knows, maybe the constant and booring droning of what colour is this, and what shape is this, and what did you eat this morning and all that is killing their ablity to actually have an intelligent conversation.

2. Disregard of others when walking, more specifically... if two foreigners walk together, they don't actually walk together, they don't keep track of where the other is, they just keep walking and they usually walk really fast like they are trying to get to the place and when they are done with that place they run back home to sit and watch more tv or go on the computer or do some drinking. They don't stop to look around, they don't wait for one another if they are curious and want to check something out... no, I guess they are used to being on their own so much that they forget how to interact with someone when they are not alone.

3. Disregard of anothers oppinions... in particular (so far) to eating... they just walk and walk and don't think, hey would you like to go eat here? We pass countless places, they have something of their own in mind but don't even think of telling what that is to the other person...

What is going on here? The Koreans are awsome. Super nice and friendly people. Sure, they spit on the sidewalk, and they drink like no tomorrow, but at least they try to have a conversation and are not so hm... internalized.

Anywais, that was my bitter rant about the foreigners.

On a lighter note, I bought a guitar today :). Yaaay for me :). Now I won't be watching TV anymore but I'll be anoying my neighbours with the guitar :D. It's very pretty and didn't cost very much at all. This is going to be my only splurging item, and after this all is gonna be food or savings or travelling :).

Lonely white person...

Well, the other teacher and me are pretty much the only white people in the area. Kinda sucks because people around here don't speak too much English, which makes it hard to order food, find out how much things cost and all that.

The other foreign people I've talked to so far seem different... distant... not very communicative. I'm not sure if it's just me and if I'm too enthusiastic or want to talk too much, but it seems like people are very quiet and kept to themselves.

I've eaten twice so far, good food :), and watched TV most of the rest of the time. My apartment is a bachelor and I have a gigantic bed :D.

I'm hoping to get my internet and phone hooked up soon and also hope to learn a few words so I can get around and not be stuck in my room.

Alright.. back to tv :)

Japan Airlines

I have to say, I am totally impressed with this airline. Amazing food, super friendly staff, and I love how they constantly say harigato gosaimashta and bow. I can't wait to visit Japan now.
Am in Tokyo airport and love the language, all the funky things they sell at the "corner stores". Flying oveal Japan was amazing... mostly little farming areas and golf courses :).

I am totally disoriented when it comes to time... I've slept, I've been awake, I've changed my watch twice now and I have no clue if it's day or night. My watch does say 4pm, but I don't know ... feels weird.

Alright, I guess I should go and catch my flight to Seoul.

Last day out

Well, this was the last day out in TO with friends. I got to see Chelsea and Brandon, but missed Katy. Thanks Chelsea for the awesome veggie food, wish you all the best and hope u'll feel better :). Good luck with your photography Be, and make sure to send me a nice print :).

Katy, well, I hope u'll become rich and famous and come and visit me in Korea when you can :).

Marathon visits... 4 people, 1 day

First, I met up with Mehrdad... he was late as usual. Tried to burn some music but didn't work, tried to fix his computer but didn't work, then just ended up with some Enigma and leaving.

Second, I met up with Ivan... I was late as usual. Tried to go to Starbucks but it was too full so we went to Second Cup. They have very nice Vanilla Bean Steamer... which in reality is just warm milk that tastes like vanilla. Really good tho :)

Then Livi comes :)... awwwww.Then we all leave our own separate ways, bye bye Livi, bye bye Ivan.

Then it's time to meet up with Muntasir at Eaton Centre. I wait and some creepy person starts talking to me... it was creepy. Then Muntasir shows up... awww.Thanks for the awesome Bangla food... loved that fish... even the bones were good :).
Good luck, will miss you, but we'll stay in touch. I'll be waiting for my laptop :P (JK).
What a nice day :)

Japanese Buffet... that's all I need to say (Tuesday)

Well Livi, you are a genius, yet again!!

Wasabi... amaaaazing food. I ate soo much, and I was still able to walk out of the place standing, did not go take a nap afterwards and I didn't feel like throwing up either. It was amazing, and to prove it, here are some pictures :D.

I think this expression was because of the amazing mango cream cake. WOW!!

Now this was amazing tea. Lavender... mmmm, and the cup was super cute too :D.

Funky pics, courtesy of Livi

Well, this was an awesome day spent with Livi, and she takes reaaaally good pictures. It definitely helps that I'm sooo gorgeous :P hahaha. Here are some of them.

Ha ha ha... what a dork!

This is as serious as it goes...

Do I look short or is it just me?

Yaay!... Ya I don't know :)

You loose some, you gain some

Well, today I had to say by to some friends, but say hello to some other friends. It definitely turned out to be an amazing day, and again too short, but will make it up next time :)

Congrats Katy and I hope everything goes well. Seriously, I wish you all be best and I hope when I come back you will have your own groupies :). I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

As a side note, here are some more layers and most recent pictures of me. Enjoy :)

I swear I only look like I am drunk, I don't drink anymore remember :P

Do you like my "new, new, new" used jacket?