1) Anecdotes.

I have remembered I am scarred. I have remembered I have been battered and bruised in a life worth living, at least a childhood of passion and sports.  I’ve remembered that I’ve broken both ankles, had knee surgery, and separated my shoulder twice.  I was reminded of it by pains after drunken bouts of shenanigans, waking up on a roof, and being required to jump down to the fire escape 2 floors below. Seemingly, all went well. The weeks after told me a different story.

At the moment, I may have separated my shoulder again. At the moment, I have have broken my ankle again. At the moment, I may have irritated the minimal cartilage I still have in my right knee. And all this would have happened about a month ago, surrounding the time our soccer team won the championship for the second season in a row. That would make the InterSuwon Football Club 2 time champions in their short 5 and 1/2 year history. I’ve enjoyed both both seasons of their D1 Championships, and not to toot my own horn, but I think I’ve provided something for those wins. At least a good smashing tackle or two a game.

4 weeks into these re-realized injuries I remember the sagely advice of nearly every doctor I’ve seen. “Broken? 6 weeks. Sprained? 6 weeks. Separated? 6 weeks.” So, I’ve still got a few more to go before I’ll bother going in. ‘Cause I’m that kind of guy. Besides, we won. CHAMPIOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNSSSSSSSS!

2) Anecdotes about friends

Several friends are leaving shortly. They are friends that I’ve had for a year or years. 3 of them in particular are interesting.

1 I’ve known for years, since my time at Winona, and she even went to AIU the year before I did. Hell, she worked at the Sandwich Co. before I did.  She’s been in Korea her past 3 years and is now moving on.

The 2nd, I met at AIU, is from the US and came back to work in Korea between his BA and MA. He’s Korean American so it makes sense in a lot of ways. He grew up speaking Korean but never learned to read it until he took a class at AIU. He’s one of my best friends here, and it’s been great to see him, who has his family in us, as well as his actual extended family here.

The 3rd is the newest addition to “people that will be sorely missed”. He won the lucky/unlucky lottery to be my good friend YongHyun’s roommate for this year. He’s now 20 years old and entered Yonsei University at 19. We corrupted him, we sculpted him, we made him into a better human. He will return home much wiser, much more clever, and much more aware than any of his friends at home. He, a 19yo, was brought under the wing of several well traveled graduates who accepted him as one of us, as an equal, and as a friend. He, a 20yo, will return home with stories, memories, and regrets he will never be able to forget, thanks to us.

3) Anecdotes about work

I’ve been at my hagwon for over 3 months now. The problem is, the possibilities still elate me. I feel like I jumped at something when I had few options, when really I had several offers and I took the first one that bit. To be fair, my boss is great, my co-workers are excellent, and really, aside from location, I have no complaints (and even that, it could be much worse). I had a weekly meeting with my boss this past week where we discussed discipline, and I brought in my style, which I learned exclusively through my political science studies: The Carrot and The Stick. Really, it comes down to knowing which students will respond to which method and applying accordingly. The complications come in when you are supposed to be applying all standards uniformly. The thing that some people and students don’t get is that children and people in general react to different stimuli in different manners. It’s politics all over again: deciding who gets what, when, and how. As a sub note, it also involves keeping the children from flat out revolting against you.

And now a few photos to round out this BS.

See you sooner.

I hope these are enjoyed.  I’m not very adept, skillful, or reliable at taking quality pictures, but it is nice to have something besides fleeting memories to remember your life by.

So, Michal and I, we were holed up in Winona for days.  Seems like a death sentence for scenester kids who can’t do anything but go to bullshit shows for the hottest new band who nobody gives a crap about.  Luckily we were in the good company of good friends and accepting floors and couches.  With rooftop barbeques, punk shows, and the endless supply of good times offered by the dual team of Old Man River and Ed’s (No Name) Bar, we weren’t in short supply of friends and fun things to do.  Michal got to see a bit of what Winona had to offer, and a fine bike ride across to the Wisconsin side, up to Fortunata’s Café.  I got to relive some of my former years in the middle of the gorgeous (and oppressive) Midwest summer.  Some Mississippi swimming was involved, a spell at the Airport Lake, there was a soccer game, and plenty of other shenanigans along the Upper Mississippi River Valley (Michal, please comment on anything I missed).

And this is when we banded with the other miscreants from Winona; the biking troupe of traveling troubadours, Michael, Jim, and Daniel.  To be fair, they are all trained baristas, Michal included, I was the only odd espresso man out.  After agreeing to transport them in my (previously) trusty wagon, we decided we needed another course of action once my car exploded on the side of the highway.  It was a rash decision, but we loaded up Michael’s (from here on termed Miguel) wooded wagon to face the open road up to his parents house in  Maple Grove, MN (citation needed).  Turkeys were encountered.  Turkeys were triumphed over. Nothing could stop the Fellowship from reaching the far reaches of Rivendell (Maple Grove).

Me: Hey students, how are you today?

Hyunwoo: Teacher, I am so sad.

Me: Really? Why’s that?

Hyunwoo: (smirking) Because your face is so ugly

Me:…(trying not to laugh)…

Hyunwoo: BWAHAHAHA!!

Me: AHAHAHAHA!!!

This is why I love teaching. When they show an accurate and comfortable control of the language to master the nuances required for humour, it brings pride and joy to my heart, and I know that I’m doing my job.  Mission Accomplished.

Where did we leave off?  Ah, yes, we were following our two young travelers, Michal and Jonathan, brazing the wilderlands of Western Wisconsin in their less than trusty steed (RIP Red Rocket) when they were rescued by a saint in jeans and a flannel, THE Zach Wormwood.  While hanging about Jonathan’s old haunts in Winona, they were able to meet other like minded travelers and organize a rental-car wagon train to transport the young lads out west in search of their fortune and fame.  They were joined by the Winona wood elf, Michael Ahmann, the cornerstone of Blue Heron Coffehouse, Jim “Twigz” McGuire, and the most common recipient of ladies under pants ever to grace Ed’s (No Name) Bar, Dan(iel) Edmonds.  The Fellowship had been summoned, and never shall it be broke.  At least till they get to Seattle then they all went off and did whatever.  But that chapter is for next time.

After collecting Jim from his Mom’s house, the Fellowship was united, in camaraderie, in their hopes and dreams, and in already starting to smell bad.  As they saddled up in Michael’s wood paneled behemoth, gear efficiently packed in the trunk and bicycles unsightly though securely strapped to the trunk, they all fell to the same solemn understanding.  Watching Mrs. McGuire recede into the suburban horizon, the knew.  This isn’t the last mother they would worry on this trip.  I still remember the horror on her face.

*     *     *

Currently I’m living in Ansan, South Korea.  It’s a newer city and was only developed a few decades ago so it’s a lot of newer families, which means children, which means English teachers, which means me.  I’ve been here since March and it’s going well so far.  My school’s name is Little Fox which can be mispronounced to accurately and vulgarly described what the children are some of the time.  But really, I love the teaching part, the kids are wonderful and endlessly entertaining, and at the end of the day when I realize that I get payed to hang out, do some lessons, and banter with kids for 6 hours a day, it turns out pretty great.  The downside is dealing the procedure, administrative shenanigans, and endless meetings and work shops.

The staff is fantastic though, very friendly, and almost annoyingly helpful.  My independent nature leads me to not ask for help unless I absolutely need to, and the constant barrage of offers for helping with the smallest thing makes me feel like a jerk for not accepting their help.  I’m seriously with a lack pictures lately as I’ve been going through some heavy and steady mental and emotional realignment and have not even bothered to stop and click things that would normally amuse me.  And that’s my lame excuse for the day.  But it’s pretty true, so I’m not even going to bother justifying it.  You know when you realize, without ever seeing the end of the path, you know exactly where the trail ends, and not wanting it to end there you wrack you’re brain for all the reasons, possibilities, scenarios; anything that might provide a solution or  a way to change the course, all the while steadily moving your feet in the prescribed direction because there’s nothing else you actually can do?  Yeah, it’s like that. I hope that was vague enough for everyone.

Stayed tuned with a harpoon.

We had just arranged to transport my three friends and their bicycles to Seattle so now for the mean time we are all sunk. However, the more brains the better, and it seems as though there is a silver lining. We have more transportation options than we thought it seems. Which one should we choose?

I hope the car makes it.

When my taxi pulled up to the street that AJ’s apartment is on, I could already hear the roar and the drums from the crowd outside watching the match.  I ran, suitcase in tow, to AJ’s place, dropped my stuff off and we discussed the logistics of how we were to watch the match. She was finishing up some things around the apartment; I threw on my Captain Park (Ji Sung) shirt and ran back to the outdoor showing. We met shortly after halftime. Unfortunately, the Red Devils lost to Argentina that night.

7!

Bless her heart, AJ treated me to a Nanta performance earlier in the week. I think sometimes, AJ likes to watch me make a fool of myself more than I like to make a fool out of myself to embarrass her. Thankfully, at the Nanta performance, we both went home happy.  After chatting up the cute little elderly Japanese ladies sitting next to us, we happily enjoyed the bulk of the show together, which is a mixture of cooking themed plot-steered theatre with established roles for the characters and percussion driven music performances. They do several skits which incorporate the audience into the performance itself, which adds some extra unexpected flavor, especially when drawing from such a mixed audience, made up of Koreans and many foreigners.

I think the blue chef (the “cool guy”) was drawn to pick me for making some mandu (dumplings) partly due to my enthusiasm, but mostly because AJ was pointing right at me, shouting “HIM!! PICK HIM!!!”. Either way, it was awesome.  Our team TOTALLY WON! We are so awesome at making mandu while keeping a basic beat! Nanta was definitely one of the highlights of my stay, especially thanks to AJ’s persistent desire to watch me do ridiculous in front of others. Thanks <3 !

Now, back in Milwaukee, Summerfest is raging. Alas, I am tied to the grindstone of my own making, which is what happens when you purchase a car on Craigslist for a few hundred dollars. Blown head gasket anyone? This is a 40$ part, but naturally costs at least 500$ to have replaced by a mechanic. I’ve repaired bicycles and minor car problems, it’ll be fun! 4 hours in and the end is barely in sight. I just hope there’s not too many extra/missing parts when it’s all put back together…

Cheers before fears!

I’ve graduated. I’m applying to jobs in Korea. English teaching jobs, both in private and public schools. I arrived in Korea for a two week stay late Monday night, May 31st. I’m leaving tomorrow, June 17th.

It was Phillip's birthday when I visited AJ at school.

Korea plays their second World Cup match in South Africa on Thursday at 8:30 local time against Argentina.

The Argentine squad is coached by former all-star Diego Maradona and attacker Lionel Messi. The South Korean squad is captained by Manchester United offender and Korean hero, Park Ji-Sung. I’m sad that I’m leaving just hours before the match, but I’m hopeful that the South Korean team makes it to the second round, because they are very deserving of it.

I’ll be reactivating this blog to catalogue my adventures this summer and abroad, and maybe explore some writing or memories.

Cheers!

Some animals' deaths are more equal than others'.

As many of you may know, the King of Pop, Michael Jackson died recently. As an artist and donor, he won the hearts of millions, and as victim of cosmetics and celebrity insanity he received the scorn of others. Regardless he was an important celebrity icon during our lifetimes. The morning we found out, me and Taro were sleeping in at his apartment while Kaethe, Satomi, and Michal were getting up early for class. Tomi-chan had checked the morning news on her cellphone and then found a news station giving a report. My stomach was so content from the delicious soumen meal the night before, it couldn’t be troubled to move into an upright position.

I helped put the kids to bed.

We had a beach party the other day on the coast just south of Akita city. It was the combination of an already planned beach party and two birthday parties. We grilled delicious foods, had a great bonfire, and did some midnight underwear-swimming. The tide was in a northward direction, so that after 15 minutes of splashing around you ended up with a bit of a walk back to our campsite. I had slept in the day before, and was really excited just to have a great night with friends, and so for whatever reason stayed up all night, and thus became the Papa, and cleaned up trash and blanketed a few people found comfort in the sand. The sunrise over the hills was just as beautiful as the sunset. And in the morning a huge group of Akitans came and did a sweep of the beach making for some interesting conversation with a group of haggard and sandy college students.

4 months along.

I’m kind of a novelty I guess. I’m a fairly muscular vegetarian who eats well, but at irregular intervals. Thus people are intrigued by me, and especially enjoy some of my odd habits or party tricks. Two of note are that I love eating the skins of kiwis and that I become pregnant shortly after dinner.

"Yes, I promise to write something nice."

Though it is still considered the rainy season, the whether is inconsistentally heavenly gorgeous and biblically wet. There are plenty of places, both shaded and open, to sit and work, relax, read, have some coffee, or whatever. I was reading a bit before class (Edgar Allan Poe short story, “The Golden Bug”, it was great) when Olga asked me to write a nice birthday message to another one of the Taiwanese girls. Thanks to Mr. Poe, I was more in the witty, and venomously bitting frame of thought, but I did my best. I’m constantly surprised at how big of a deal birthdays are in this corner of the world, and the lengths friends go to to make sure that the one to be celebrated has a great day (and fairly sloppy night).

This is the pinnacle of Japanese cuisine.

Anyone who has ever been to Japan in recent years can tell you of all the weird breads, snacks, and beverages you can find at almost any vending machine or convenience store. This is a recent gem. This “Delicious Ball Sand” is filled with azuki (bean) paste, and is kind of like a big soft donut. The Japanese call a sandwich “sando” or “sandowichi” but this particular item dropped the “o” as well. I would encourage everyone to try a Delicious Ball Sand maybe with a bottle of Pocari Sweat to wash it down with. YUM!

In Korea the more bodily contact with your guy friends, the closer you are. We're pretty much family.

The Korean Club meets every week but me and Michal usually have futsal at the same time so we end up not being able to go. The parties, however, can not be missed, as they offer the best food, and the most drinks, at the best price. People often go to a nomi/tabehoudai – all you can drink/eat – and drop 20-40$ but for just 5$ you can have the best Korean food this side of the East Sea (made by real Koreans!), plenty of drinks, most shenanigans than you can shake a stick at. For Korean men, if they are good friends, it is common for them to put a hand on the other’s thigh, arm, or shoulder when sitting around. At first it kind of creeped me out and took a bit to get used to but now if I’m not being constantly nudged and rocked against while we’re eating, I feel kind of unloved. Consider this a fair warning to all my friends at home – you may find my hand on your thigh at dinner. But its cool, dude, we’re just good friends.

Just after futsal, checking the internets. I think people flooded our room immediately after (see next picture).

I still have not gotten some good proper pictures of our room. I think right now because there is so much crap in it, it is difficult to find a shot or two that offer a good representation of what our room is like. I think this one is alright though, at least to show my little area. Underneath my bed is my cave, where I check the internets and try to contain my over flowing mess of stuff. Papers and books are everywhere, the guitar constantly moves around the room, but I really like to put up mail I receive on the wall in front of my computer so I can draw on it for inspiration. Everyone comments on Kailee’s cute letter to me from way back in Autumn.

This is what I was talking about.

Though my bed is still up above, Sandy dropped his down awhile ago and I approve. Everything else goes above and it provides a nice sitting space when we have people over, as opposed to my one desk chair. 8 people including whoever took the picture, and I know there were others lurking around. The terms “cramped” and “efficient” both come to mind, and which one I choose to describe the rooms here really just depends on the day.

I’ll be leaving within a month. I’ve been ready to leave for awhile I think, and though now I don’t have a great urge to stay, I’m beginning to get more and more excited for the last few weeks of awesomeness here with friends, the end of the semester, and of course, going away parties. But I’m ready to come home. My current situation here is one I’m not really used to and have discovered that I don’t particularly enjoy, and by that I mean not having any income or control over my finances, and going to school from September to August with a month inbetween each semester. I miss my real summer vacation.