Some very stressful things have been going on lately. I'm afraid that I don't have the freedom to write about it on the blog, as I'm never sure who is reading this and I don't want to cause any unnecessary chaos to add on to the chaos that's already very prevalent.

As for now, things are quite crazy and I'm doing my best to adjust to the situation and work it out for the better.

The most I can say is that I have turned in my resignation at my current school, and am looking forward to beginning a new job here in Korea in October.

I've been really focused on surviving the storm with little to no trauma, which is why I haven't been posting up recently.

I appreciate the support I've been getting lately. Please continue to send me your encouragement!

I have started a new blog project.

The project name is "Epic Language Adventures".

The web project is being designed as a language/culture community for anyone learning one of the "Big Three" languages: Korean, Chinese, or Japanese. It's meant to be a home base for resources on all aspects of language learning (how to learn, where to learn, learning resources, cultural resources, tips/advice and so on.)

This project is being created with hopes that I'll be able to create at least a small community of language learners who are studying to master any, a combination of, or all three of "The Big Three" languages.

The blog project is currently being developed, so it's not yet available to visit or view. I don't want to open the project until it's 100%, so it'll probably be a while. But I'll keep you updated on the progress and hopefully be able to present to you a fun and interesting blog soon.

If anyone is interested in being a part of the project (language learners or native/fluent speakers) shoot me an e-mail ([email protected]). Ideas and suggestions are always welcome.

I originally planned on ending the post after the "Side Note". However, as I finished up the post and started to try to do other things I just kept thinking and thinking about certain things. For me, it's best to write down those thoughts. What better place to do it than here?! Anyway, so this blog post is now going to be a bit lengthier than originally planned.

What are they?

Well, to tell you in all honesty, I've never been too good at making plans for years ahead of time. In fact, I'm downright bad at it. While I enjoy THINKING I have a plan, I'm a pretty spontaneous person when it comes to actually doing something. That would explain, ladies and gentleman, why after 4 years of Japanese language study at University I decided to move to Korea.

My inclination to change my mind, and suddenly do something that wasn't officially 'in the plan', drives my family bonkers. My parents especially are always trying to keep up with me and these 'plans' of mine.

Just recently, I finally gave up trying to make serious plans and just said "What comes will come."

So, plans out.

BUT, I do have future GOALS.

What are they?

Now see, this is where things get tricky... because I'm feeling the urge to write out a plan now INCLUDING my goals.

Ah well, why not...

The general idea is that before I start Graduate school I want to have as much language experience as possible, especially in Korean and Chinese (as Japanese has already had 4 years of my attention). To get into any good Grad school programs for language/history I need to establish a sturdy base in those languages. What better way than to actually LIVE in those countries?

And so, here I am in Korea. My goal (a.k.a plan) is to stay in Korea for a year or two. Staying longer than that will depend on the kind of job I'll be able to secure after. This 10 days of vacation a year thing isn't going to cut it for me for more than 2 years. I'm a family person, I've got to be able to spend more time with my fam than just 10 days per year.

After my time in Korea I plan to go home for a couple of months, bask in the glow of familiarity and comfort, and then get off my butt again and go to... you guessed it... Taiwan to study Mandarin for a year.

Then what, you may ask?

WHO KNOWS!!!! However, the real goal is to start Graduate school somewhere soon after that.

This plan is, of course, tentative. As life is always throwing little curve balls your way. I could accidentally become a famous author, or I could find an abandoned baby basket by the side of the road and then plan to adopt and become a mommy, or I could apply for fun to some grad program somewhere in the world and get in with great scholarships and start my studies sooner.

All of those things are HIGHLY unlikely, but it's exactly those type of things that you don't expect that HAPPEN!

Of course, my life isn't quite that interesting. But you get the point I'm trying to make. We never know.

Anyway, I'll let you know if the plan changes (which, I'm sure it will). We can make plans all we want, but to lead a happy life we should follow opportunity! That's what I plan to do. Follow opportunity.

Until next time,

Auggie.