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  • Delicious Daegu

    Submitted by on

     I think that in general it is is almost a requirement after a night of drinking, dancing, and forgotten memories to regroup with your partners in crime the following afternoon and piece together last night's debaucheries over a late breakfast  ... or in our case spend the entire day  doing so over massive burgers, cupcakes, hummus, and waffles ....

  • "Free Speech" in Korea

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    "Free Speech" in Korea is somewhat of an oxymoron. South Korea has done an admirable, indeed, nearly miraculous job, revolutionizing its economy and bringing it to the attention of the OECD world. However, while Korea might be a forerunner of economic progress in Asia it is seriously lagging behind in corresponding social development.

  • A Miraculous Experience at the Bank

    Submitted by on

    Yesterday, I went to the bank and experienced a miracle...it only took me 5 minutes to get everything I wanted done! Monday, the school's online banking program was down so they couldn't pay me. No worries, they took care of it first thing Tuesday morning but wanted me to check on my account to make sure everything was in order. Unfortunately, my Korean isn't good enough to feel comfortable using cell phone or internet banking services so I actually have to go in person to the bank to check on things.

  • Eating Balut

    Submitted by on

    Balut is a delicacy here in The Philippines. What is balut? It's an almost fully-formed duck fetus cooked in its own egg. Men eat it for "stamina."

    Photobucket

  • The Modern Teacher...

    Submitted by on

    There are many great things about teaching for a public school in Korea but my favorite is probably the fact that I actually got training. Aside from the late night gab fests there was a weeks worth of seminars from dawn to dusk. One of the biggest things to consider was how our students interact with technology and how different their relationship with it is from us, even though we aren't really that much older (at least I'm not, some of the veteran teachers have a larger age gap of course). Today's students need a diverse multimedia approach to material to make it engaging.

  • a monkey needs to dance and so do you

    Submitted by on

    When I was younger my parents would make these large beautiful pots of tomato sauce that would simmer away for hours on our stove fogging up the kitchen windows and transforming our home into a delicious pasta steam bath. On these long afternoons I would inevitably assume the role of the dreaded sauce thief - a child of incredible mystery who lurked around in the shadows awaiting the perfect moment to pounce forth and steal spoonfuls of sauce while the chefs had their backs turned.

  • A quick update...

    Submitted by on

    As I've mentioned, they are painting my school. This afternoon they decided to finish painting the teacher's room. Not in the morning when there is no one there but in the afternoon when we are all working. This wouldn't be such a big deal if paint fumes didn't make me nauseous and/or high. It brought back memories of my studio art class in Paris. One day I made the mistake of sitting next to a girl who was overly enthusiastic about her turpentine. Upon leaving class, this conversation ensued:
    K (my friend): Are you okay Alex?
    Me: ~Giggles stupidly~. I think so, why do you ask?

  • Oh the Joy of Winter Camp

    Submitted by on

    So this was probably the least successful first day. It was the most successful in that we actually got every single planned activity done and hit up everything from my filler list. This class was far more advanced and smaller than the others so they went through the material much faster. I managed to make it work but I wish I could have some idea of class level before walking in. Wishful thinking, I know but it would be nice. I also have several students who ended up with my relative's English names...and I didn't chose them. Very random and yet easy to remember.

  • From Manila

    Submitted by on

    Manila has a reputation for being a bit of a shithole, and I can't say that it's unfounded. It's rotting, crumbling, and loud, with filthy sidewalks and air that tastes like a diesel pizza. Yes, a lot of travelers do poo-poo Manila, and while they're not wrong, per se, I think that the city has a bit of charm if you scratch a bit beneath the surface.

    Keep in mind I have only been here for less than ONE DAY.

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