I’ve seen a number of blogs covering their authors’ first day in a foreign country, and I have to say I didn’t really do a thorough job of it for Korea. Granted, I had arrived hot and sweaty to find it pouring rain and facing a four-hour bus ride, but who hasn’t? Rather than...
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This one is fresh from Korea. I just finished up two adult classes. As is often the case with these 6:30 AM ones, many students don’t show up. I got four for the beginner class, but only one for the advanced. Since I knew this student to be a fairly competent speaker, I decided...
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Oh, I’m just asking for trouble with this one. My final thoughts after visiting the disputed island of Dokdo. Xtranormal format, of course.
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New video on my thinking about staying or leaving South Korea. Financially, it makes a lot of sense for me to stay, given I would not only get airfare reimbursement from my current job, but an additional equivalent amount from any new employer. Not to mention I’m living well within my means in this...
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As I’ve said and implied many times before, I am a beast of the hoof: if my legs or feet are permanently incapacitated for some reason, there’s no point in continuing to live. Although I’m far from that stage, I have had some setbacks this month. My trip to Ulleungdo and Dokdo left me...
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It’s an expression every Korean vendor dealing with a foreigner has uttered at one point or another. In my case, it’s hardly offensive – I’m not overweight (80 kg) and I’m not too much taller than the average Korean (181 cm). However, my feet are gargantuan by Asian standards. My brother, who lives in...
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I’m sure a lot of people picked up on the loneliness written into my past blog entries. While I really don’t consider myself depressed, yes, I do feel a little lonelier in Korea than I believe I would back in the US. Part of the reason was my own choosing: a small town in...
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The big story to come out of South Korea this weekend isn’t actually anything new, as I’ve learned from reading up on the history of border tensions following the Korean. However, it seems like whenever any shot is fired is enough to raise the eyebrows of those at the media who want to preemptively...
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I throw my opinion into the ongoing debate for incoming English teachers: public schools or privates (hagwons)? Most of the time, it’s a no-brainer: public schools for better vacations, stability, and sick days. But there are some reasons why you might want to risk a hagwon.
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One of the biggest food complaints you hear from foreigners in Korea is ALWAYS over pizza, unless they happen to be completely stubborn about their diets and won’t even try Korean food… big mistake. But the controversy over pizza is due to the different toppings and recipes; the pie often has potato substituted for...
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