My Route to Work

Here are some pics I shot on my way to work which is an interesting 2o minute walk. I saw a garbage truck crash into a parked motorcyle yesterday. It was pretty cool. Don't worry though, I am soooo careful. I don't trust anyone and ALWAYS watch my back.The people here drive and park on the sidewalks and motorcyclists go wherever the hell they please. Getting to work is like a real life version of the game Paperboy for Nintendo (I know you guys remember..lol.) While you're looking at the actual clip of the game, realize it's the grown up version of me......I promise you will laugh your ass off.

http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy0MLORukzA

Interesting Drinking Customs in Korea

This is some interesting wikipedia citation on the drinking of Soju (distilled Vodka drink), and drinking in general. No, loyal readers, I am not drunk, but just passing the information to some who may be. Here ya go male Richter's (except Bry and Chip)....lol...lol.

No, really though, it's pretty interesting:

Etiquette
"Soju is usually drunk in group gatherings while eating, unmixed and portioned into individual shot glasses. It is against traditional custom in Korea to fill one's own glass. Instead, it must be filled by someone else at the table. This promotes a spirit of thoughtfulness and camaraderie.
In Korean culture, using two hands to offer and accept items is considered an act of respect. Accordingly, if one's glass is going to be filled by a superior, one should hold the glass with both hands. Similarly, when pouring soju for an elder, one holds the bottle with both hands.
To pour a drink, hold the bottle in the right hand with the left hand touching the right forearm or elbow; this peculiar arm position originated from the practice of holding back the sleeve of the hanbok so that it wouldn't touch the table or the food.
Similarly, when receiving a drink, rest the glass in the left palm and hold it with the right hand, perhaps bowing the head slightly to show additional respect. You can also hold the glass using the same hand positions as when pouring. Pouring and receiving with just the right hand by a senior, or between equals, is common in normal situations.
Koreans often say "one shot", a challenge to everyone in the group to down their glass in one gulp. A glass should not be refilled unless completely empty and should be promptly refilled once empty; it is considered rude to not fill someone else's glass when empty.
Some special rules apply when drinking with someone of much higher status, i.e. greater age or rank. When drinking in front of elders (people older than you), the junior is expected to turn away from the elder first. Drinking the shot while directly facing the elder is considered disrespectful.

On occasions, an elder gives an empty soju shot glass (usually his/hers) to an equal or junior. A junior may also offer an empty glass to a senior after they have established a closer relationship.
Giving the glass implies that the person is going to fill it and wants the receiver to drink it. It is not obligatory to finish the drink immediately, but it is impolite to place the glass on the table without at least pretending to drink from it.
After finishing the entire glass, it should be returned and refilled. It is not necessary to return it immediately, but holding it for a long time is considered rude, as it deprives the giver of his glass.
Among friends of equal social status, it is not necessary to use both hands while pouring or receiving a drink, but may be done out of habit or politeness, or if the situation is considered a particularly formal one."

My New Little Young Jedi's

I think I had my first real day of how it's going to be for me workwise, and into the grind type of thing. First of all, I was kind of "thrown to the lions" so to speak as far as work goes. The teacher I am replacing had his "year up" and was done this Wednesday. My orientation and "training," if that's what some will call it was a bit insanely ineffective. I observed all of the teachers that teach in the school. I'm no rocket scientist, but I wished I could have strictly observed him in every class (which would be mine), meet all of the students and get to know their personalities, strengths and weakness (again, my future students), and learn how the curriculum, discipline, structure, assessments, and classroom materials are recieved distributed and checked. Oh, yeah, the big thing I wanted to know was what the hell was on the schedule for them to learn this week and how the hell I could get it. No answer from anyone. They sure are cute though these little bastards. Smart. Funny. Adorable. I know I'm going to love this job as soon as I just get organized and have somebody set me on the page I need to be. By the way, these pics are of my "young" class. I have older kids that speak English like they're from the American Midwest. Scary, but absolutely entertaining and respectable. Think about it.

What's the Story Morning Glory?

Alright. Yesterday was one of the worst days of my life. WHaaa. I know. I'm not going to delve into the beauty that Jetlag does to one who just flew 8,000 miles to a new home, job, culture, and life. (although I just kinda did) You get the picture.

Here's the good news. I am on top of the world today. I came home last night from work after stopping for some bottled water (that's all you can drink over here and I AIN'T touching what's coming out of my faucet unless I'm like Frodo Baggums in the deep hell of Mordor). I went to my neighborhood open air market and went for a Healthy dinner as I've already lost a little weight (it's still like throwing a deck chair off the Titanic though). Some of my goal's for this Korean Oddyssey are to become as skinny as possible, as healthy as possible, and find out what the hell is waiting for me here. Oh, ya, and having the time of my life. Is that too much too ask? Well here's a little quote from yours truly.

"Hunt down your dreams relentlessy and with reckless abandon. After all, complaceny is always hunting us, and there will be a victor."

The meal I took home was Kimchi (fermented cabbagge with spices and some other unrecognizable veggies, and this vegtable type of slimy noodle and seaweed that I have had in the past with Bry at Kotobuki. Bry knows what I''m talking about. I think it is a vegtable, although it's slimy, noodly, and tasty. It's all about the texture. Anwyway you can see the picture of it on my stove. Hella good! Supposedly Kimchi is the healthiest food you can eat. It has amazing healing powers (so say the Koreans), lowers blood pressure and helps tremendously with digestion. Also is an anti-cancer agent. The older Korean lady, or "Ajossi" gave me small order, about 4 pounds of it in a plastic bag...lol. Here's some text on this "superfood" that I think Dan will appreciate:

"A staple of the Korean diet is kimchi. Kimchi is a fermented mixture of ingredients such as red pepper powder, cabbage, green oni　on, radish, and garlic. Its efficacy is well known, and Koreans consume 22-33 pounds (10-15kg) of kimchi per person per year. According to the Korean Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MIFAFF), kimchi is highly nutritious, strengthens the immune system, prevents cancer, lowers blood cholesterol levels, and delays the aging process promoting longevity. The MIFAFF also states that Kimchi contains ingredients providing antibiotic effects, preventing hyperacidity, and restricting the growth of undesirable bacteria in the intestines. A medicinal ingredient in prepared kimchi is garlic. Garlic assists in preventing cancer, reducing the risk of heart disease, and minimizing the effects of aging. Garlic is known to lower cholesterol levels in the body. It can help maintain lower blood pressure levels by thinning our blood. Thinned blood deters plaque build up in arteries and veins. It is known that regularly eating garlic can add up to four years to a person's lifespan."

So why the morning glory today? 10 hours of sleep. I came home and unplugged my phone. Ate dinner and turned the lights down. I still woke up every few hours but was able to get back to sleep again. I feel INVINCIBLE today. Woke up at 8. Took a walk to Starbucks. Apparently these crazy Koreans feel that no one should drink coffee before 9 AM. I was pissed, but I found this gourmet coffee joint with this really cute Korean girl behind the counter. I really need to work on my language skills. I did however, manage to say coffe, thanks, please, and pronounced the right amount of Won.

I start teaching the Super Koreans today. My little students who are ridiculously cute and smart. They have to call all of their teachers by thier first name. Like this: "Hi Chris Teacher." A little annyoying, but it's better than being called "Hi Chris teacher who went to school for 10 years and is unemployed living in his parent''s house with no money and bored out of your mind." I'll take the former. By the way, my sense of humor and the "therapy" I get from this blog is keeping me strong. Love and miss all of you. I'm glad most are enjoying it.

Oh ya, my weekend plans involve exploring this crazy city, jamming out with two-coworkers at a recording studio, having some Soju (responsibly..uh..hum), and asking out my neighbor who goes to Seoul University. Life beckons......Hallelleju (or however it's spelled) Anyongheekasayo.

"All you're dreams are made, when you're starin' in the mirror with the razor blade, today's the day that all the world will see, another sunny afternoon, walking to the sound of my favorite tune, tomorrow never knows what it doesn't know too soon." - Noel Gallagher

Crappy day f-in Jetlag/sick/sleep deprived

Today was a mess. I feel horrible. Jetlag is killing me and I didn't get more than a few hours of sleep. I'm going home and taking some Nyquil and going to bed. Feel like dogcrap and cant concentrate which works out perfectly because my first day of teaching is tomorrow and I have so much stuff to take care of and am STRESSED OUT. I'll post tomorrow some pics of the school and kids.

"Nobody told me there'd be days like these. Strange days indeed. Most peculiar."-J. Lennon

I'm a Cash Won Millionaire (Bitch)

MC Korean Chris has some millions. Won that is. I am officially a millionaire. It feels good. What feels better is how cheap it is to live over here. O.K., I had the best lunch ever of Kimbap with meat, egg, and assorted veggies. There was also a neverending tray of Kimchi and other veggies that would be swooped up and restocked for my fellow coworkers and I in an instant. The price...KRW 2, 500...each. Works out to less than $2.50 (lockness monster references appreciated). Better than that, the official drink in Korea is called "Soju" which I've mentioned before. This shit is like having my dad make you a drink at the old Richter house (miss you Pops, take care of my pup, she loves you and It gives me a real sense of happiness that you're her new master.) I'm sure you're enthused. Anwyay, on my way home from work today I hit the open air market where they sell anything living in the sea. I swear to God. So, the bottom line is that the 2 bottles of Soju cost me less than 2 dollars. Let's add it up over here, a gourmet meal of neatly wrapped Kimbab, never ending Kimchi and veggies, 2 bottles of Soju.........Less than $5. No tip. Koreans don't even know what tipping is. Amazing and frickin awesome. I just got a map of the city and there are going to be some Craaaaazy posts. Trust me on that one. I am insane, and totally going to work this thing. Anyongheekaseyo!

My Royal Shoebox Awaits

Anyonghaseyo,

So....You want to see the shoebox that I'm living in. You want to laugh..I know you do. But guess what. I actually Love this empty happy meal container I will be living in. It's on the first floor off a side street in Gangnam (the nicest area of Seoul thank God). Just because I can sleep, work on my computer, cook breakfast, take a shower, and use the toilet at the same freaking time means nothing to me. I am sooo proud of this place. I like to use the word "cozy" only so often, but I love it in here. I feel like a man. I got my own place and it is about time. It still needs some work, but they say that "Home is where the heart is." What's interesting about that quote is that for me it's not true. My true home is where my Seoul is (along with all of you), but this is going to become a temporary "Bachelor Pad" in what I think I consider the most amazing city in the world. Seoul, I am courting you and we are going to make sweet, sweet love together. You are a gem.

P.S- That hot, wonderful and aroma-rific meal on the stove is called "Bolgogi dope bap." It's not as exquisite as it sounds. It's just some marinated sweet and tangy flavored beef and seawead slowy blending itself together with rice to create an authentic Korean meal. Healthy..yes. Amazing? I'll soon find out. Then it's Lord of the Rings for the 22nd time because I only brough t two mentionable movies. The others were Shaving Ryan's Privates and Flashcrack. What the hell would I do without my sense of humor?????Love you all and please leave comments on my blog. Maybe one of my six year old students can show you how to do it......lol.....unbelievable.

"He is the happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home." -Von Goethe