Going

the first and last time
Originally uploaded by punk_rock_baby.

Hi Everyone,
This will probably be the last post I do from Korea unless I have time to do one more when I'm staying with Jasmine my last night in Korea. Tonight is my last night in Korea before I head off to Thailand. Things have been busy, which is why there are not as many posts as I would have liked. Maybe when I get back I'll get around to them during my days of unemployment.

I'm looking forward to Thailand. It's going to be interesting because most of it isn't set, which is nice. I'm looking forward to just figuring things out, going where I want to go and having fun. I'll try and check e-mail every couple of days. Hopefully, I'll get to do some on the road posting of pictures and blogs.

I'm looking forward to whatever happens next.

It's been a hard year. Like all years it's had it's good parts and it's crap parts. I'm happy for the friends and experiences I've had here, but it's time to go home for a bit. There are things I will miss, but overall I have learned alot. So, to new adventures and to going home(which should be another adventure). I hope people are doing good.
Take care!!!

Jasmine and I

Jasmine and I
Originally uploaded by punk_rock_baby.

It looks like it’s going to be a grey, rainy day in Hwajeong. I have things I should be doing up, they’ll get done later. Right now I just kind of taking things off. It’s my last weekend of relative normalcy before running around like a chicken with a lot of buses, trains, planes to catch and no head. I spent most of yesterday running errands as well as having my farewell gathering so, I’m a little tired. Later I’m heading out to meet Jasmine to do some last minute shopping for Thailand and such. But this early afternoon is for e-mails and blog posts.

It doesn’t feel like I’m leaving. I got together with a bunch of friends and co-workers last night and it just felt more like a we’re all just getting together and having a good time like normal, not like this is the last time I’m going to see you for a while or ever. I have to say over all I’m happy to be leaving. I like Korea, but I want to go home. Maybe I will be back if things don’t work out back home. Who knows? I don’t really. It doesn’t bother me not knowing what’s next(the money worries me, but that’s life). The odd thing about Korea is that it has made me feel old. It’s not really an age thing, although that ties into it. I just feel much older this year, and I’m not sure why. It’ll be interesting to see how I feel when I get back.

What was I really going to post about? I forgot. It probably doesn’t matter. Not much really does.

I need to learn how to drive.

The weather in Korea has become unseasonably cool, but no one is complaining. Supposedly it’s the spin out from a typhoon that didn’t hit us(thank goodness). It’s already noon, but Korea is just waking up. Koreans are kind of late risers. Sometimes when I’m out at six in the morning people are sobering up over samgapsal or stumbling home and the street cleaners are out cleaning up the litter from the previous night. So things are slowly starting to move down below.
I’m feeling a bit old school today. It’s been all Sex Pistols, Clash, Dead Kennedys and the Cure. It’s Sunday here, a day of rest, but not really, “No rest for the wicked“. I am working slowly on resumes and cover letters. Have I mentioned I hate selling myself? Soon, I’ll leave here and head to the gym. After that it’s errand running. I need to get moving even though I’ve been up for hours. More to do. In some way I feel like I haven’t done enough, yet coming to the end I don’t feel like going and doing those things. I’ve never really gone for a good hike, or visited all the palaces, and there is still a lot of Korean food I haven’t had but I don’t really care.

Korea was supposed to be an experience of a lifetime, and it has been just not in the way I expected it to be. I’m not disappointed, just reflective this morning. I came here to learn about Korea, but really I came to learn about me. I’ve learned a bit, but probably not as much as I should have or needed to. It’s been a good experience for me, I don’t regret coming here. I enjoyed my time here and yet I can’t wait to move on to what comes next. There’s always the next thing. What ever that maybe? You think I would feel more like I’m at a cross road since I have no job, but the potential for a job. No home, so the chance of living anywhere. Nothing is set, so I should be worried or expectant but I am neither this morning. I’m just waiting and workings slowly forward, and that’s fine with me. It’s going to rain today. It’s interesting I never know what the weather is going to be like it just is, if it rains it rains, if it doesn’t it doesn’t. No forecasts.

Please stop touching me.

I think it's time for me to go home. I'm tired of random people grabbing at me and babbling at me, who then get offended when I brush them off. The last week or so I gotten grabbed at least once a day by someone either trying to sell something or trying to convert me. Please, leave me alone. One I can't buy what you are selling even if I understood you and I don't want your Jesus(I'll rant about Korean Christianity some other time).

The thing is I know they are not being rude or invasive, because in Korean society personal space is a concept that really doesn't exist. I know this for fact because I've lived with it for almost a year now. Part of it stems from the way the families live. Culturally, there really isn't personal space(unless you're beating your wife, then no one is going to call the cops because that's a personal affair which is different as a co-teacher found out). When you brush into someone in American you usually say you're sorry, not so here. And you would never grab a strangers arm and hold on to it because you wanted to tell them something, but here it's no big deal. Sometimes this is especially worrisome with drunk ajashi's. Another side affect of no personal space is Korean tend to not be really aware of others because it doesn't really matter if you bump into someone else you do it really hard. I don't know how many times, I've narrowly avoided some one because they decided to stop and turn around at full speed. Or the times I've had to push out of an elevator because some one is pushing their way in. Ah, yeah. I can't wait til I'm back in a country were people actually walk and stop grabbing me. This is just a little grit in the wheel.

The flip side is of no personal space is they tend to be really close. I still have students who walk arm and arm with their mom(and yes they are male). The families live in such close quarters, that they are often more physically close and physically affectionate. And it isn't' just families, it's also with friends. Often I see friends walking around arm and arm, both male and females. One of the things I noticed is that many young children travel alone. This doesn't seem to be a big deal, the parents aren't worried and don't believe they are in danger(and luckily they aren't). They are more likely to have a old ajashi tease them than them getting into trouble. There isn't the fear of strangers instilled in the children that you see back at home. Actually, a popular shirt right now reads,"A world with out stranger." And in Korea, I think that is really the case often. They are a warm people in many ways. So warm they'd like to save my soul. ; ) Ah, just a little grit and procrastination(from resumes and cover letters).

Ticket me.

I'm going to Japan!!! For four hours. For four hours I will be in Narita airport. So technically I will have been to Japan. On the same note, I will technically be in Hong Kong, as in I'll be sitting in an airplane for an hour and a half before going to Thailand. So when I get back I can say I've been to South Korea, North Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan and who knows maybe Cambodia(I'll be close to Cambodia when I go to Ko Chang). Today, I got all of my airplane tickets for Thailand and home. So, people I will be leaving Korea on Sept. 13 and arriving Sept. 13 at O'Hare airport. When I left I was charged by a good friend who sucks at returning e-mails to come back a ninja, cowboy pirate. Yeah, failure on that count, but I'm coming back and that's the important part. Besides I'm better than any ninja, cowboy pirate. ; )

The guys

The guys
Originally uploaded by punk_rock_baby.

Holy cow!(Hey, I'm from Wisconsin)
I have one month left.
I can't believe it's been almost a year since that picture was taken. It's been an interesting year. And now it's time to go home. In a month, I will be back in Chicago after spending a year in Korea and twelve days in Thailand. Home to be a couch sleeping, unemployed liberal arts major. Oh, the joy. Actually, I'm not being entirely sarcastic.

There are benefits to being unemployed(not many but a few). One of the benefits is freedom. What will I do with my freedom? I will sleep on couches. Serious couchage. I will be sleeping on friends and family members couches from Chicago, to Ames, to Kansas City, so far. The definate plans have not been ironed out yet, but they are starting to get worked out. So, if you wish to see me drop me a line, and I'll include you in my whirl wind couch adventures. I'm looking forward to getting back and seeing people.

Speaking of people. It looks like people had a good time at Gencon this year, which is great. I enjoyed the first round of photos, I hope to see more and stories(has there ever been a year, we didn't get a noise complaint?). Hopefully, someones got a mix cd for me too. ; )

There will be lots of short posts coming as I get ready to leave. It seems strange that I'm leaving. At the same time, I feel like I need to go home. Actually, I feel like I need a home. The last two years have been a little unsettling. It'll be nice to have a place to feel at home again. But first things first, job. Employment please! One month, and not counting. Just enjoying.

09/09/06

Why is it a date? Well because in a month I will be traveling back from Chiang Mai to Bangkok. Two people who are awesome will be getting married. And my brother and sister-in-law will be flying away to Samara for ten months. It is a month away. Freaky.

Time is quickly rushing by. Part of me wishes it would hurry up so I can move on to what ever is going to happen next. The other part of me is going "Oh, crap. What are you going to do?" While another part is saying, "Jez, I'm going to miss this place. I'm going to miss my kids." So, conflicting feelings aside, there is a bit to wrap up before Thailand. We finally have the airfare pretty much nailed down thanks to Jasmine. Most of my room is packed up and sitting in boxes on my floor. Everything is on the floor even me. My laptop sits on a low table, and I sit on the floor. My legs fall asleep alot and I limp around going "owwww," most nights.

The intersting thing about living abroad for a year is it makes you realize a lot of things you take advantage of, like hugs, or even talking to people. Right now, I'm realizing how much you accumulate in a year. I came here with a suitcase, a duffel, and a laptop. Now, I'm sending home at least six to seven boxes. One box of winter clothing has been sent home. I've got two more boxes of cds and assorted stuff. And then three boxes are of books. I've actually been really good about not aquiring too many books, through re-reading books and re-selling them. Oh, the curse of being a bibliophile. I hate letting books go. I can't let go of a good book. But, it's time for me to go to bed. Good reading!!

Simplicity

Simplicity
Originally uploaded by punk_rock_baby.

This rambling is about the new National History Museum in Seoul. The first time I tired to go to it I was shocked by the length of the line outside of the building, let alone the concept of how crushing it probably was inside. The building exterior is sleek modern design of soft grays and glass, softened by winding steps, a small pond, and some landscaping in the process of growing in. The inside of the building is done in light tans. After entering the building to the right, you can see a long sleek black counter labeled in several different languages. Help and programs are offered in several languages, including Japanese, English, Chinese and I believe French. Koreans are extremely proud of their history and eager to show it off to foreigners. Maybe this nationalism is heightened by the fact the Japanese and the Korean War destroyed so much culture and cultural artifacts. Most temples and palaces bear the stamp of restructuring or repairs due to Japanese Colonialism. I think that is crime the Koreans can’t forgive the Japanese for, for trying to eradicate they culture, their very being(although ironically, Western and Japanese culture are doing a good job of doing it with out colonialism).

Technically, the kids are off of school but they still have homework. Many of the kids there had notebooks that they were filling out as they walked around the exhibits. Some of the children were wearing the interactive guides that can be rented at many museums these days. In some ways, I don’t like Korean museums because they can more like going to a theme park than looking at interesting pieces of history since I had to stand in the lines to see the exhibits. Luckily, things thinned out so it lost some of that feeling. On the upside it was good to see so many children there. Another thing which surprised me was the photography. I don’t know if it’s just an Asian thing, but never in a million years would I have taken pictures in a museum in the States. But, after turning off my flash I started taking pictures. I wish I had taken notes, usually I do. I think I was too exhausted from taking the pictures, many took many tries to get since I was using really slow shutter speeds. So, all in all I enjoyed my day at the museum.

I’d like to say also that I really like early Korean metal work and later works of pottery. I think they are quite beautiful. I like celadon for it’s soft color and simplicity of shape often. The metal work I enjoy for it’s skill and intricacy. Also some of the inlay work is nice. I think it was in the practical things that Koreans really excelled at making wonderful pieces. I didn’t find the art work particularly interesting. I hope you enjoyed the pictures. Next weekend, it’s hopefully pottery shopping in Icheon.

Vacation

View from the house
Originally uploaded by punk_rock_baby.

I had a lovely short holiday. And with all vacations I've settled back to earth with a thud. The thud is my sudden and inevitable ephiphany that I have only a month left until I'm once again an unemployed liberal arts major. Oh, the joy. (And yes, Will I can't believe it's been almost a year. Goodness.) So, off the to the races it is again. I started to send out resumes, but I am wondering if I should have waited since a) I'm hard to reach since I'm out of the country and in a different time zone (my phone only kind of works right now) b) it will be a month and a half before I can start work c) I'm currently homeless. None of the above mentioned is going to help me become employed sooner. But, I will endever to keep things moving.

Also, my apologies to the many people I owe e-mails. I've fallen off the e-mail train. I'm sorry and will try to get back to you as soon as possible. I'm also busy trying to figure out Thailand and wrap up thing I need to do and want to do in Korea. The dentist is over, as long as my wisdom teeth heal properly. And twelve days is not enought time in Thailand make it at least two full weeks or three weeks. So far it's Ko Chang, Chiang Mai and Bangkok, but that may change.

Back to my lovely vacation.

This is what I did:
I had a lovely bus trip out of Seoul to the south coast of Korea, near Pusan. I went to stay at Jasmines father's pension(the lovely pictures are on my flickr page) for one night and two days. It was well worth the 6 hour bus trip to and from Seoul. I really enjoyed the bus trip down due to Seoul's beautiful mountians and perfect weather, just the right balance of clouds to sunshine. That night we had a great feast of grilled pork, shrimp and eel(I love eel) with veggies and other assortment of goodies. The night was perfect for eating dinner out of doors under a cresent moon and the stars. I can't remember the last time I had seen stars. The pension over looks a bay which was sprinkled with a few lights, just enough to excentuate the darkeness. It was nice peaceful night. I could just have sat there listening to the wind playing with the leaves all night. There were only crickets talking, no sounds of man. Lovely. Peaceful and too quickly over. The next day we went to a pebbley beach were I got to swim in the Pacific for the first time. I had never swam in salt water before. I've seen the Pacific twice before, once I walked in the waves along a beach in Costa Rica and then again when I was in San Diego I ate brunch over looking the Pacific while getting a bit of a southern education. The water was cold, and reminded me of summers swimming in lake in upper Wisconsin. But, all to soon it was time for me to catch my bus home. It was nice trip full of courtious Koreans, beautiful drives through lush mountians and along rugged bays, and watemelon. Umm, a nice little memory of Korea to take home with me.

I hope everyone's making some good memories on the other side of the world. I miss you all, and hopefully I'll see some of you soon.
Cheers.