International Adventures

Hey there sports fans. I just rounded off my Constitution day vacation and am now back punching the clock. But, good news as I only have two more classes this week. How is that possible you ask? Well, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are reserved for Mid-term testing. That's right, the students will endure a grueling three day testing process meant to demotivate and crush their spirits. Because I don't give no grades, I ain't got no tests. Plus, my other co-teachers want to help some of their more struggly classes so they've asked me to sit some out while they tutor them. So I've only got two classes for the rest of the week. I still have to show up everyday, but it'll be fine. Hopefully if I'm productive I can plan my lesson plans for the next couple weeks. But to be honest, I'll probably squander the time reading the news and wishing I wasn't so bored.

This past weekend though was a hoot. I joined a gym with Danny. Ha, I couldn't believe it either. But I joined one and I've been running and lifting there. It's been rough, just because I've never used gym on a regular basis. So I'm still working out the kinks. They do have several ping pong tables which Danny and I do enjoy. It's across the street from his place and it's just down the road from my school. So that means a 20 minute walk home. Boo. I only got a one month membership thus far, so we'll see whether I renew it or not.

Also, this past weekend we made some new friends. Danny went to an extended temple visit all day Friday. So Tane and I went to this all you eat Korean barbecue, Jagalchi buffet or something like that. Afterwards, we met Danny and this Japanese girl at starbucks. She knew one of Danny's co-teachers and tagged along for his temple visit. Late in the eveing, all the oldies went to bed so Danny and Rie met up with us. We went boozing and quite the time. We went to a Noraebang and sang our hearts out.

The next day, we met Michelle, from South Africa, for dinner near Seomyeon. She knew of Italian restaurant called Garlic that was supposed to be good. It ended up being closed however, so we went someplace else that still served wine. Afterwards, she chose not to join us and we went and met the Japanese girls. Wait, rewind. Currently going on is the Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) which is the largest film festival on this side of the planet. One of the main headquarters is a 10 minute bus ride away in Nampo-dong. So right now the place is insane. It's packed full of people from all over the world. There's elaborate stages and displays set up all over the place and neat little kiosks as well. So the place is for a lack of better terminology, bumpin'.

Play. Rie had a friend that was coming to visit her from Japan. Rie is currently teaching Japanese to Koreans, but has been selected by her government to go teach it in Indonesia. So she's enjoying her last month in Korea. So her friend came to join her and we wandered around together. Rie was hungry, so we went to "The PIFF Bar" for appetizers, beer, and soju. After that, we wandered around for a while until we found a Noraebang. We smuggled in some orangejuice and soju and proceeded to sing songs for the next 2 1/2 hours. Afterwards, Tane was feeling a bit hiccupy, so we stuffed him in a cab and sent him on his way.

We however, went to a little bar called the "Cool club." Only cool people allowed course. Naturally we got in. Prior to setting foot inside, Rie found a 10,000 won bill on the ground. How fortuitous. So we spent another few hours there and then left, having the great idea that we needed to get to a beach. Right this second. All the beaches were far away though. Except for the one right behind my apartment. So he hopped in a cab, told the driver Yeoung-do please and off we went. We chilled on the beach for about an hour and Rie got sick. She mentioned that the car ride have given her the spins and she didn't feel good. I think she barfed. Then, since all traffic had cesed, we went up to my apartment which was just behind us. We outfitted Rie with some water and my bed and then realized it was 5am. I was as shocked as you are. So, I gave the girls my room and Danny and I threw some blankets on the floor and camped out in the other room.

The next morning, I woke up early and watched some soccer and tennis from my balcony for about an hour. Everyone else started to wake up, stories were swapped an apologies were made. We decided breakfast was what we needed so I, Danny, and Rie walked to the local market and picked up some eggs. We made some omlettes, toast, and cut up some dragon fruit. Coffee was enjoyed by all, one of the girls showed us some magic tricks and Danny and I waxed philosophical on the balcony while they asked if they could do the dishes. Then they left.

Oh, also I've been having an infestation of fruit fries over the weekend. I cleaned all the dishes, the countertops, my laundry, and the floor and yet they still seemed to live there. Well, under a pile of plastic bags was a small bag of trash that I had forgotten about. I won't disgust you with the details, but I didn't have a white plastic bag. You can only dispose of that sort of trash in white specialty bags that I am currently out of and don't know where to buy. I tried to sneak another bag by the other and got stopped by the building guard. He made me fish it out of the trash and put it someplace else. So, I placed that bag in the corner outside and hope that someone else gets rid of it. Listen, I know what you're thinking and I'm ashamed of myself too. But I simply cannot have that bag inside my apartment anymore. I discover where I can buy those white plastic garbage bags and the trash is still there, I'll dispose of it. Even Danny and Tane don't know where to find them. So until then, the flies can hang out in the corner down the hall, out of my house. I went to Tae Jong Dae park this weekend too and I'll try to post the pictures from that.