Bizzare Foods with Andrew Zimmern (South Korea)

I've been cooking up a storm over here and incorporating and utilizing some pretty significant cuizine strategies. Korean food has definately been "underrated" in America. I've been here for almost nine months and I'm still sick of "General Cho's Chicken," the classic and very stereotypical Chinese Food.

Korean food is phenomenal. But...............there are certain things I won't eat here. Like most of the shit Andrew Zimmern is eating in the subsequent video below. I love Sushi, but I won't eat raw and wiggling octopus, or Dog, or Bugs. So this one goes out to Dan and my Dad. Only because some girl came up to me last week and said that I look like Andrew Zimmern. I think I need to grow my goatee back...................................................This is not for the faint of heart..............

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6BNAx3mC2o

The Private Sector (Teaching Engrishee)

So, I've ventured into the "Private" sector of teaching English. The parents of one of my students (The ones who bought me a power drill for Teacher's Day) have requested that I teach the father English (or Engrishee for the Korean layman). They took me out the other night as their "honored" guest for some Tak Galbi (chicken rib meat with rice noodles, sauteed cabbage and vegtables, all cooked right in front of us).

They then proceeded to tell me that "John" (the father) was going to be attending a business meeting at the Sears' Tower in Chicago in October. So, It was really convenient. Tonight he came to my apartment/shoebox for the first lesson that lasted an hour and a half. He was really nervous, and overworked I guess...so I told him to relax. Koreans can be very self-concious about learning English. But I showed him that I'm pretty "laid back" but of course there is going to be a quiz next week on slang greetings and formal responses....lol. Overall, it didn't feel like work at all, and I'm getting paid 60,000 WON a session. Probably like 50 bucks. After all, busy is good.

Anyway, I hope you all are doing well. Although today was pretty nice outside, the weather here has been really shitty. Monsoon season is not all that it's cracked up to be, and the humidity is ridiculous. I really miss swimming pools and open space. And of course, I really miss all of you.

Cloned South Korean "Sniffer" Labs

Well, you know I love dogs, especially Labs. It seems that South Korea has cloned Drug Sniffing Dogs for the airport I came in at, and subsequently will be leaving from. I guess I won't be bringing home any "special" Korean spices...lol. Anyway, give the video a about 30 seconds to download, and look how cute they are.

South Korean Cloned Drug Sniffing Labs
http://gmy.news.yahoo.com/vid/14615083

Another Korean Genius Kid (Check This Out)

Hey guys. Hope all is well back home. One of the things that keeps me going over here is my beautiful Korean students. They come in all shapes and sizes, and always have black hair and dark eyes. However, now I think that all Americans look alike. Seriously. I can spot out one of my students a mile away. It just shows you that that universal "observation" is false. Trust me. I'ts so weird, but I just love this race.

The other day, we had a Monsoon. I went to the market to buy some fruit for some lunch. When I walked in, the owner actually "towelled" me off, patted my head dry, and offered me his own jacket (which I refused).
I can't really say that I know that that would happen in New York.

Anyway, I wanted to show you the type of kids I'm teaching. The ELITE. The ones that have parents who make so much money that they send them to Tae Kwon Do, Piano, Guitar, English Academy, and Computer Academy in the same day......

Given this blessing of money and education, some of, and most of these kids are real Gems. They actually tell me they would rather study than play, and most of them don't have regular friends to play with because their parents make them study on the weekends too. Hence- Chris Teacher's snack parties everyday and fun games to play for a prize which has successfully landed the name of "American Gum." They actually would kill each other for Trident gum. I've seen it happen......lol

Here is a YouTube post of a 12 year old Korean "Prodigy" playing acoustic guitar to U2. I think it may sound better than the band would have hoped. Trust me. Check it out. It's beautiful and brilliant, and just played perfectly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4CR3GoB3YY&feature=rec-HM-r2

"Happy Fourth"---"New York Stars"

Hey guys. I just want to wholeheartedly wish everyone I love a happy "Fourth". I'ts just another day over here, except my fireworks were for free. They came from North Korea and shot out from the Eastern part of the penninsula. I want to thank Kim-Jong-Il for the fireworks display, but I've seen better performances from "Roman Candles" in fourth grade. Apparently, he's the retarded kid at a spelling bee that thinks just because he's there and can spell "CAT" that he's got it all figured out, and has everyone's respect....Well....at least by 2045 he may have a Predator Drone or two.

Anyway, this will be the first "Fourth" that I miss, but things are going relatively well over here, and as much as I miss everyone, I am without doubt having a pretty good time. So...this song is called "New York Stars". I think if you listen to it you'll know what I'm feelin'.

PS-Also, Mrs. Voss just passed away and I want to send my condolences to a great family. Mr. Voss is a guitar buddy and great songwriter, and Jay is one of the greatest guys I've known. Good people. My thoughts are with you.

Poor Amy Student

Things are still going great over here, and I'm sitting home in my "Refridgerator" the new term for my shoebox apartment, being that the AC is blasting and I'm chillin'. I'm studying Korean tonight and doing really well with the survival language that I need. You know; give me coffee, beer, Soju, shrimp, where's the bathroom, it's a nice day outside, your'e the most beautiful Asian woman I've ever seen kind of thing. You get the point. Well, it kills the time and keeps me and all my "Asian daily friends" amused as I make my way from Starbucks in the morning to the market at night, and inbetween as I buy various things as we all do.

I am however, sad and amused, and I would like to share a horribly awakening story with you guys. As it's as obvious of my not boarding a plane and flying home within the almost eight months that I've been here; I love the Korean people. The Women are beautiful, the men are interesting, and the kids are just as adorable as my little nephews and neices that I miss sooo much.

Enter my Elementary student Amy. She is so cute, and I am proud of my teaching her because not only did I recognize her smartness, but I opened her up from being the most shy student that I have, to her becoming very confident and displaying verbally her true talent. That's what I do. That's what they pay me the millions of Won to do each month....lol......Sooo.....I have a few minutes of one on one English conversation with each of my students to find out how their day was, to help them with their English, and honestly to kill time....I am teaching 8-9 classes a day now (In New York it's illegal to teach more than five). Here is our conversation:

Me: Hello Amy how are you today?

Amy: I am so-so. Actually I am bad.

Me: Why? Aren't you happy that we will have a snack party on Friday?

Amy: Yes. But my Dog sad.

Me: What kind of dog do you have?

Amy: It is a mix. I don't know.

Me: In America, we call dogs that are mixed Mutts. That means they have different parent dogs. Do you understand?

Amy: Yes, it is small dog. Her name is (Korean name I don't remember). I bring her to Grandmother's house.

Me: Wow, you must have a really nice Grandmother to watch your dog for you. My Grandmother's were very nice as well. So,...when will you get your dog back?

Amy: I am sad because Grandmother don't have dog.

Me: Did your dog run away? My dogs have run away too.

Amy: No...(frowning) No dog anymore. Neighbors.......

Me: Uh.............???????

Amy: Neighbors catched dog.

Me: Uh..............and?

Amy: Eating.

Me: Wait a minute..Are you telling me your Grandmother's neighbors stole your dog?

Amy: Yes. and eating.

Me: The neighbors stole and ate your dog????

Amy: Yes.

Me: (Almost crying) Here is a peice of American gum for you. I am very sad about your dog. Here you go. I am so sorry Amy.

Every Other Student in the Class: UUUUH> Why does she get a peice of gum????????

Every other student in the class: Chris Teacher, why are your eyes so red???

My Mind: Because someone stole a beloved Lapsa Apsa for the delicacy of one pound of meat off of it, and this sweet little girl has lost her pet that she loves dearly and is going to have nightmares of poor little "Spot" being severed, seasoned, boiled and eaten by a family that could probably afford chicken....................................................Unbelievable..............