Comment Verificiation

Has anyone else noticed that the words needed to confirm a comment on a blog site almost appear to be real words?  I would like anyone that stops by this site to post their confirmation word and provide a definition for that word.  Perhaps together we can strive to expand the already one million strong and expanding English vocabulary.

Perhaps if this catches on their can be prizes for the best confirmation word and definition.  Just a thought to keep it fun.

Cheers,
Drinking to save the economy,
Adam

So It Begins...

Well, here I am on a wonderful Monday night.  It is the most wonderful Monday night that I have spent this year because I don't have to wake up early tomorrow, I don't have to brave the cold, I don't have to deal with loud and unwilling students for the next two and a half weeks.  I am officially on vacation.

Of course no good vacation can begin without a little bit of stress.  I did manage to finish all of my paper work at the twelfth hour in a manner all to fitting to those halcyon days of university.  Of course, what was originally explained to me to be a mere outline, albeit a detailed one, had of course changed (quite unknown to me) to be a detailed play book of my upcoming winter classes.  I complained.  They complained.  In the end, they told me to just go home and start my holidays.  For the first hour of my holidays I was in a foul mood, but now that I am on to my third can of Carlsburg, yes I am in my Carlsburg years, I am feeling much more relaxed.  Oh well, I emailed myself all of the information and I am sure I can sort it out later.

This past weekend was uneventful.  I cleaned, played WOW, and saw Avatar in 3D.  Regarding Mr. Baekseju's previous question concerning the character that I play: I am an undead warlock.  Avatar was visually stunning in 3D.  Amazing really!  However, the story was as many reviews have suggested a little thin.  It was all to derivative of Dances with Wolves, or that much beloved classic from my younger years: Fern Gully.  If you enjoy movies that make you think then you should skip this one.  If you enjoy amazing visuals then check this one out.

What does this evening hold for me?  Well, the significant other's mother was apparently over and stocked up the refrigerator with a lot of good Korean home cookin', so I am guaranteed to have a great meal.   I should finally start making my pumpkin pie, otherwise the pumpkin filling that I made will start to go bad.  After all of that is finished, I will probably sit back with a few more beers play some Wow, or perhaps watch one of my perennial favourites such as the Alistair Sim's Christmas Carol.

I am off to Shanghai on Friday.  Thanks again for all of the good travel advice my virtual friends.

Cheers,
Adam

A Much Deserved Thank you and A Report on Nothing

First of all, I would like to thank Mr. Baekseju for his above and beyond the call of duty comments concerning my upcoming trip to Shanghai (Now one week away!).  I have collected all of your suggestions and will be passing them on to the significant other for approval.  I would also like to thank Flint, perhaps of What the Kimchi fame (please correct me so I can send visitors to the appropriate site), for being my second subscriber.

As I stated in my my first post On Memory, I am trying to keep a scrap book of my thoughts as I seem to forget far too much of my life these days.  Perhaps in years to come this blog will serve as a reminder of both the best of times and the times that required improvement.

Tonight I am in true manjuma form.  For those of you that may not know, a manjuma is a man that does the stereotypical jobs of your run of the mill ajuma.  Tonight I vacuumed, started making a pumpkin pie, washed some of the floors, did dishes, etc etc.  I honestly prefer to do these jobs myself because I feel that I do a better job at them.  If only I could find a very long ladder I would wash my windows.  That would make the old man back in Canada proud indeed.

I still haven't finished my lesson plans for the winter vacation.  I am a bad teacher.  I like producing lesson plans on a day by day basis as then I know what the students need to know, or have difficulty with.  I find it difficult to plan whole programs for them.  When most of my past programs had finished the documentation that I prepared for them was a sad representation of what was actually accomplished in the classroom.  No one ever reads what I write, so I always ask myself why should I care?  The problem is that I care.  I hope I can finish those up this weekend, or at least put keyboard to paper.  After all, Monday is my last day of work for this year. I can't wait to be relaxing in Shanghai at the Hyatt perhaps drinking a Glen Morangie.  I am relaxing right now with a soju I might add.

I find that I am also excited about the trip back to Korea as I will be able to stop at the Duty Free store in the airport.  Finally, I will be able to buy a decent bottle of scotch to wile away the rest of my vacation with while reading, spending time with the significant other, or my all time favourite when playing World of Warcraft (I am a closet nerd by the way).

I have taken some video with my new camera; yet all of the video is too stupid to post.  It reminds me of when I was 10 years old playing with the tape recorder and recording just stupid shit.  Right now, I just want to test the camera's functions.  I don't know a lot about them.  I will produce something.......soon.

If Mr. Baekseju reads this, or his dear compatriot in blogerdom, what would the cheapest way to make phone calls back to Canada on Christmas day in Shanghai be?  I imagine that I can buy an international calling card somewhere, or considering that it is China should I perhaps be aware of some kind of a scam.  My parents told me that even though you are not coming home for Christmas, a call to your grandparents would be much appreciated.  I plan to be intoxicated for said calls, but what do you gentleman recommend?

Anyways I have rambled on about nothing long enough today,
Keep your nose clean,
Adam

Quiet Thursday

Wow!  I have one follower, Mr. Baeksaeju from the Here and There blog.  I have truely enjoyed reading his blog.  Anyone that enjoys the flavours of Korean local liquors and plays World of Warcraft must be a stand up guy in my books.

Last night I had my class at the local dong office: The San boo 2 dong office to be precise.  I teach elementary school children that don't have access to a foreign teacher at their school.  They are usually a refreshing change from my middle school students.  There is one student, let's call him the little shit disturber (LSD), that is a source of constant argravation for me.  He yells.  He screams.  He runs around.  He curses in Korean.  He curses in English.  In the past, I have tried my best to ignore most of his behaviour as it always seemed that his outbursts were merely attention stealing ploys.  As it is so close to my holidays (2 working days left), I am really feeling burnt out.  I had no patience for him last night.  He yelled.  I yelled louder. 

Yelling at students is not really my style as I have always found it to be a poor method of discipline.  I feel bad that I lost my cool.  I did sentence him to clean the class room last night, and after that was finished I told him that he could not leave until after I had a talk with him.  As soon as he heard that, he bolted for the door.  I again yelled at him to sit.  He headed out of the building, past the secretary who could be heard to remark go go go.  The lack of support with discipline made me so upset, that all I could do was to start imbibing the moment I reached home.

On a positive note, my significant other gave me my Christmas present last night.  Yes, I know it is too early; but she was just too excited and could not wait.  She gave me a HD Sanyo video camera.  I was very pleased.  I had talked about buying a camera to record our experiences together for well over a year now...I just never thought that the price tag was reasonable.  What a joy it is to have a good woman.  It will be nice to record our trip to Shanghai next weekend.

Today at school we have been making Christmas cards.  Almost all of the student's Christmas cards say "Marry Christmas".  I don't have the motivation to correct them.  This afternoon I do not have any classes as my co teachers are attending some kind of workshop.  Good for them.  I have 3 hours to run out the clock and then back to testing out that new camera.  Perhaps I will post some inagural videos later.

Cheers,
I can almost taste the holidays,
Adam

On a more serious note

My Christmas plans have been finalized.  I will be going to Shanghai for three days (or is it two?) during the holiday season.  My parents were of course disappointed that the significant other and I will not be attending Christmas festivities in Canada this year, but they are understanding of our situation.  I am looking forward to spending an extended vacation with them this summer.

Our swanky Shanghai trip will include business class plane tickets and two nights at the Hyatt.  Needless to say I am excited and in much need of vacation.

The lack of anything of importance to do at school is giving me the same kind of zombie attitude that I dislike in my students.  I need to get away from the constant ;"Oh , teacher nice to meet you.  Yes, Yes, Hello.  That's very hot", to which I am greeted every morning from my students.  I need to get away for a few days to luxury where I can forget the constant finger giving and "shut the fuck up" statements.

The school is also either too damn hot or too damn cold.  It seems that having the heat on means to crank it up to 30 C, and then when it is too hot to open all of the windows and doors in the school.  Once it is too cold again, this cycle repeats itself: ad infinitum ad absurdum.

On a positive note, I have my academic references lined up for my graduate school application.  Now, I just need to finish my statement of interest.  The significant other and I, on the advice of her lovely mother, are discussing the possibility of getting a mortgage to finance a new apartment.  The thought is that we could sell it in a few years when the market is high and make a few wons.  My father upon reflection thinks that this is a good idea, but laments the implications for future visits to Canada.  My father's "Well, you could always live in the basement" line is very kind, but at my age that is the last thing that I want to do....let alone with my significant other.

I will have a lot of winter vacation classes this year.  Thank you very much, to those of you that complained to GEPIK.  I will try to finish as many lesson plans as I can today, as my co teachers are on my case about finishing them.  My problem is that I can't just pull 2 months of classes out of my ass, I need to carefully consider what I want to do.  I should just tell them that I can't do it quickly as I am more thoughtful and am actually concerned about producing a quality program.

I am still sick with a cold.  Last weekend I went to the hospital and was tested for swine flu.  To my chagrin I don't have it.  I would have liked an early start to my Christmas holidays.

Well that's all I have to report for now,
I will keep you abreast of further developments,
Cheers,

Adam

A Retraction of Principle by the Korean Times....and Current Events

In a stunning retraction of principle from last week's laughable article "Setting the Record Straight" (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2009/12/164_56883.html) in which the Korea Times claimed that "we go back to the sources and double-check their stories" the Korea Times now boldy declares that the Weekly World News is a trust worthy source.  According to the Weekly World News and its syndication in the Korea Times, an alien grave yard has been discovered in Africa (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/12/113_57334.html).

"Extraterrestrial cemetery in Rwanda, Central Africa which is at least 500 years old, was discovered.

According to the Weekly World News, Dr. Hugo Childs, the Swiss anthropologist said, "There must be 200 bodies buried there and not a single one of them is human."
Dr. Childs and his colleagues reportedly discovered the alien graveyard on a routine survey of the Rwandan jungle.
"Soil and tissue samples indicate the bodies have been in the ground since the 1400s. We're now trying to figure out where they came from ― and what killed them," said Dr. Childs.
The creatures themselves were much taller and skinnier than humans and they stood about 7 feet tall. Their heads were larger than the average man's and they had no mouth, nose or eyes to speak of.
Dr. Childs speculated that the 200 aliens were part of a single landing party that encountered a deadly virus. Because they would have had no immunity to Earth disease, he added, something as simple as the flu could have wiped out the entire party.
He would not take reporters to the site, for fear of the bodies being disturbed. However, he promised to reveal the location once the excavation was complete. "It will change the world," Dr. Childs said."

In other Weekly World News, Elvis was spotted eating galbi in Ansan.  When asked to comment on the Korea Times arcticle, Mr. Presley appeared pained as he was engaged in eating the local fare.  Mr Presely looked upon the reporters with anger and later refused to answer all follow up questions until his following concerns were addressed. "What is this fire cabbage?  There will be some burning love in the bathroom tonight", Mr Presley was heard to remark. 

An even more bizzare story that was written in the Korean Times in collaboration with the Weekly World News was reported today; "Warrants Needed to Crack down on illegal Foreigners" (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/12/116_57311.html).  Even resident blanceaphobe Kang Shin Who was reported to say; "We are still checking our sources on this one.  In Korea, the rule of law does not apply to the invading hordes of blonde haired, blue eyed, barbarians of a linguistically inferior tongue.  If this were true, King Sejong would literally be spinning in his grave".  Currently, the 24 hour vigil at Sejong's tomb has not reported anything out of the ordinary.  Netizens are asked to stay glued to their keyboards in case of further developments.

Two Contradictory Sentiments

I know I promised myself that I would no longer read the Korean Times, however; I just can't help myself sometimes.  I just wanted to share these two opposing sentiments in the Korea Times today.

1.  From an editorial rationalization of the paper's articles (Link to the article: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2009/12/137_56883.html)

"We believe that allegations that our newspaper is being unfair in its coverage of cases involving foreigners are less than just. Besides, this newspaper takes pride in serving its foreign residents and visitors as an important segment of its readership, making these allegations even more untenable."

2. The last paragraph of an article about the implementation of a teacher's union at a hagwon in Incheon.  The article was pretty complementary until the last sentence. (Link to the article: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/12/117_56894.html)

"A total of 22,905 foreign nationals are here on E-2 English teaching visas as of Oct. 31 this year, according to the Ministry of Justice. Of them, 134 overstayed their visa, the ministry said."

(After an uncharacteristically complementary article, I  liked how they returned to their raison de etre: illegal English teachers)

If anyone wishes further demonstration of the professionalism of this so called newspaper, one need only direct their attention to the supplied email address provided at the end of the article: foolsdie@koreatimes.co.kr

Fools may not die, but I certainly hope that they don't sell too many newspapers (or at the very least the newspaper are doing something utilitarian; mainly lining bird cages)

Cheers,
Adam

Of Sneezes, Coughs, and Holiday Plans

It was inevitable.  It was as certain to happen as the day turning into the night, the eternal progression of the seasons, and intoxication after a third bottle of soju: I am sick.  My nose is dripping like beer from a broken keg.  My throat feels like I have cleaned it with sandpaper.  I am hacking up phlegm just like any good middle aged man in my adopted country would do. 

I get sick about once a year, and when I do I am usually in for two weeks of discomfort.  As I am hardly ever sick, and hence don't use any of my allotted sick days, I decided that good form would be to use one yesterday.  I spent the day in bed drinking orange juice with my dog, Elvis, while my significant other tried to get me to eat.  I did not have much of an appetite yesterday.

I am back at work today.  I could have taken today off from work as well, and the VP told me as much this morning.  He said that he would have been happy to cover my early morning advanced conversation classes for me.  That was a kind if not eye brow raising offer.  Apparently, Korean culture dictates that it is not kind to blow one's nose in public; yet with my present condition I have neither the speed nor the desire to run to the washroom when the need arises.  All of my blowing, much like that of an uncared musical instrument from the 40s, is receiving a lot of glances of disgust and attention today.  So be it.  I would rather blow my nose than to suck back my own mucus as much of students appear to prefer.

It is certain now.  I will not be attending Christmas in Canada this year.  Due to the time constraints of my significant other, and that of my devotion to our relationship, I shall not be partaking in yuletide festivities this year.  No egg nog.  No stockings hung by the chimney with care.  No turkey.  No etc, etc, etc.  After a brief period of mouring for my preceived loss, I am really starting to embrace the possibilities that now lay before me.  We are planning to travel for Christmas.  The students are receiving swine flu vaccinations at school today, and I spent most of the morning looking at pictures of Guam.  I think that we may have a physical and spiritual successor to Christmas in Canada with Guam.  It looks warm and inviting.  I can envision drinking rye and cokes on the beach.  I can imagine pool side bars.  Turkey be damned, bring on the palm trees!

Unfortunately as lovely as this mental picture is there do seem to be two remaining problems. 

1) The significant other is not sold on the idea of Guam and likes the idea of going to Japan.  I want to go to Japan as well, but Japan will be cold and expensive....and I want to drink rye on the beach.

2) I have not informed my excited parents about my decision not to return to Canada for Christmas.  They will undoubtedly be upset.  They may have the opportunity to see me next summer, when I will return to Canada to go to a friend's wedding.....all of that is still up in the air.

Well that is all that I have to say,
I will now go and drain my nose,

Cheers,
Adam

More Tales of Stagnation

Well here we are into December, and it is exam week at the school.  Again this week I am not doing much.  I might have classes on Friday, but no one every tells me anything around here so I am not sure.  All of the teachers went to an island near Incheon today.  Of course, I was only informed of this plan one hour before the scheduled departure time so I didn't have enough time to finish my work to go.  I also have a class that I teach to under privledged students every Tues/Wed tonight.  They always seem to forget about this class.

To tell the truth I am really not interested in attending school events anymore.  They never inform me of anything and in my opinion their behaviour has moved from lacking forsight, to negligent, to now - just plain impolite.  Also, I don't enjoy the strained conversations and banal topics at the dinners.  I don't enjoy the old maintenance men trying to fight with me.  I don't enjoy people staring at me as I eat.  All in all, after a day at work I would much rather just go and and be left in peace....just as I would in Canada.

It seems that my SO (significant other) is not longer able to go to Canada for Christmas.  I understand her reasoning, but nonetheless I do feel some slight disappointment.  She is very busy with her studies, and as her job has recently fired several employees as a cost cutting measure, she is working more than she has in the past.  I teach about 29 classes a week, and in comparison, she is now teaching around 50.  She works every weekend, and comes home after midnight every night mentally exhausted but unable to sleep.  I do understand her decision to change her job which will unfortunately start around Dec 15., thus not allowing her to attend Christmas festivities in my home town.  Oh well, there is always next year.

Of course, I need to decide should I go home for a week to enjoy time with my family. The plane ticket is starting to become expensive. I desperately need a vacation, and not because I have been working too much; it is rather both the strain of the work culture around here and the growing sense of isolation that I feel at my job.

I have been doing something at least uplifiting and productive lately.  I have started my M.Ed application.  I should have that finished in the next week or so.

Another note of interest, I have been running into an older Korean gentleman on my way to work every morning.  He always has a smile on his face, an even friendlier dog, and a few kind (albeit scrambled) words of English on his lips.  Today, he said "you look accompolished today".  I walked the rest of the way to school with a smile this morning.

Cheers,
Adam