last day

wow. well, that was fast. mighty easier to clean when the apts cleaned out.
today was easy at work, played games and chatted with the kids. i'm going to miss working there. the people were great--even if they had to have a lunch for me and then the only english words spoken (amongst english teachers) were cida (cider, k equilvelant to sprite) and cola. and we went to a pork place. yeah--it was all about me. eungyung told me on the way over that if she would have known it was a pork place she would have changed it. oh well. she ordered a plate of duck too but it was super fatty and i could barely eat it. i dont know if i have ever had duck before...i don't think i'll order it again. the soup and noodles were really good. and annie even ordered a bottle of beer (perhaps it really was for me).
side note--i really want to rinse off right now b/c i was sweating cleaning but the frog is on the faucet and i dont like to surprise him. today he came out of his "home" and kept hopping around during my shower. i dont know why but every time he jumped i jumped. im not afraid of him--hes about the size of my thumb, must be the sudden movement. and i dont want him to jump on me. id probably shit myself.
ill finish typing this up and then see where he is.
i really cant believe it's my last day. where did the year go? it really seems like we just got here. a lot of other foreigners are leaving now too. it's going ot be a totally different scene when we get back--many others leave while we're gone.
some students gave me presents--2 picture frames, a picture book, a pencil, a note book, a notebook and pen, a thing of flower paper soap (nothing i have ever seen before) and lots of little letters. some i really really really want to tell im coming back but i promised i wouldnt and would feel bad if they left the school to go to the new one.
i got a bit choked up while walking out--just thinking of starting over again next year, getting used to a new routine, leaving teachers and children ive become attached to. it's hard. and it's going to be weird not seeing eungyung everyday. she asked me how i felt as we were walking down the stairs and i couldnt answer for fear of crying. so sentimental. but then i got it out that i was sad and hoped i made the right decision. she said she was really sad that we wouldnt be working together anymore. she's trying to find a new apt by my apt next year though so that's something.
and right now im feeling strange (y). i had to leave my phone at the school and we dont have a home phone and the internet's been shut off. no contact to the outside english speaking world unless i walk somewhere. weird. not sure when beard will be getting home. supposed to be meeting people around 10 for dinner but i really dont know if thats really going to happen b/c i havent talked to anyone in almost 2 hrs and things change all the time...
but at least the apts clean and packed. only things left are what was here when we got here and our bags to go home.
beards selling his motorcycle. he got the price he was asking and is dropping it off tonight after work. he said hes kinda sad to see it go but he wants a bigger one so hes not that sad. a bigger one would be more comfy for us both to ride on. we'll see about that.
ok. time to check on ernesto and make him sccoch so i can shower.


we have internet somehow!!! amazing. i stil copied and pasted. and ernesto was NOT happy when i turned on the faucet and quickly retreated behind the scrubby.

gggrrrrr ROAR

ok so things arent that bad. beard and i are at each others throats a tad. it's not helping. there's a slight possiblity it could be me but he's not phrasing it right so obviously it's not. damn english majors not using the proper wording. i can't quit eating mac and cheese. the apt is fairly empty but dusty and even tho no one is moving in i feel the need to clean. and its being TORN DOWN. christ what's my problem!?!?! it's only really dusty where they furniture's been so i shouldn't feel weird about it.
we went out tonight and for once i was good with the good-byes. it was beard who was being all i havent talked to you in 3 weeks but i have to talk to you for another 20 mins RIGHT NOW b/c i'm leaving. but i've been there too so i understand. i was just really tired--still am but now worked up--and wanting the night to end.
and with that--and the last 2 bites of mc it will
night!
further updates from afar

packing moving packing moving

all we ever do.
christa left sunday. i miss her already. she sent me a message from bangkok--very nice--and told me to not pack as much as i was thinking of packing b/c clothes are cheap there and good quality. sweet.
also talked to krista today. its fine for us to stay at her apt friday night and leave from there for hte airport--theres a shuttle near her apt, super. well get into seoul friday morning, drop bags at her place, go shopping in the city, crash at her place, wake up and GO. i cant believe its already happening!
i also cant believe the STUFF we have. seems like weve made several trips to drop stuff off and we still have more! beardll finish it off tomorrow while im tutoring and well treat ourselves for lunch. tomorrow night i have to tutor then come home and clean a little--not too much bc the buildings going ot be torn down soon and im pretty sure hte new teacher is oging to continue living with her boyfriend. no need to deep clean if no ones moving in. the place was a hole when we got here...
wednesday night were going to psycho, thursday morning repacking bag for home. thursday night, hopefully going out to eat and then to bed early so we can be on our way at a decent time.
its crazy to think of leaving even though were coming back. ive grown so accustomed to things here. being home is going to be weird. no miming, understanding whats going on around you. not quite sure if im ready.

pack pack pack it up

we've been packing crazy tonight. i started going thru stuff sat.--mostly clothes. beard got in on the action today. were going to take some stuff to the shinpyeong apt and see how it fits, it there's too much, we'll take some stuff to daeyoungs. i dont see it being too much though. stack it man, things are fine!
weve acquired a lot of books lately and b/c we love books, we hate to get rid of them. especially since they are in precious english and hard to get your paws on here. we have 2 (two) to give to waegook cook. the rest were taking to shinpyeong in case the peeps there want to read them. one of the hardest things about moving is waht to do with the books. i remember when we had the book room in WI, that was nice. but then we decided to move to WA in just 2 vehicles. still managed to take quite a few with and with the help of free book boxes (there IS a god) we replenished our collection quickly. and then we decided to move to the ROK. cant bring that many books...luckily friends here are readers and hoarders of books too. but are ready to lend. and what the book helped a great deal--www.whatthebook.com-- free shipping over 30,000won and they have a really good used selection.
note to self--buy that air crap to clean out keyboard and a cloth to clean screen.
we've both been devouring books lately too. ive taken to reading in between classes. good books--the bookseller of kabul, a prayer for owen meany, travels with myself and anohter, lovely bones (quick read but weird at the end, made me tear up a couple times). im going to start driving over lemons but im leery of it...we'll see how it goes.
my external harddrive seems to be working swimmingly. i havent needed to delete anything off the laptop yet but i have copied everything over to it. im going to put hte pictures on disc too--just ot be certain i wont lose them.
today was fun at work. i really do like these kids--even the annoying ones--maybe mostly the annoying ones.
time for a quick shower and reading
night!

sunday night again

Well--it's sunday night. Tomorrow starts our last full week of work at our respective hogwans. Shouldn't be too bad. I've become extremely lax with the children lately. I let them talk for longer at the beginning instead of starting right away. We always play games on review day (games involving review but games nonetheless). I give them candy when they finish their writing assignments. They love Starburst--"teacher, DELICIOUS! miguk candy?" I even let them eat candy in the classroom--they have to put the wrappers in the trash though so i don't get caught.
This weekend I didn't do too much. Friday night after tutoring I stayed in Bongguk and hung out wiht Christa, Greg and Bryan--and Mr.Oh who's been around an awful lot lately. Then to Christas where I found her copy of Dodgeball for her and we then proceeded to watch it. Got home before 3 and went to bed. Beard woke up early to head to Busan to try to surf. I woke up around 1030 and read for a bit. Then decided I should at least start packing things up to leave. Got rid of some clothes, packed some clothes i want to keep but not here and stuff to leave at home. packed one full bag and one almost full bag to leave at our new apt. now it's beards turn.
as much as i complain about packing, i kind of enjoy it. it makes me evaluate my possessions and simplify. Do i really need 3 scarves? need no, want yes more. i packed one--my 2nd favorite--to leave in IA. that way when i come back, whenever that may be--i have a great scarf to welcome me. i got rid of the one size too small pair of jeans i thought i would be able to fit into while here again since i didnt like spicy food. ha. news: ive been this size now for 6 maybe more years, i fluctuate about 10lbs depending on the date and i'm pretty sure that's not going to change one way or the other for some time. good bye pants. i also realized a lot of my clothing looks like it was made for someone in their 40s. i got rid of that too. well, i kept some, i'm ahead of my time. but i also packed some to leave in IA for when i am in my 40s.
saturday afternoon i taught at judys-2 hours of hte game of life. i really dont like that game. first off you don't get to choose if you're married or not and then you get stuck with children! fine for some people, but i like the option. baby boy and then family photograph?! geesh! i quit. no, we played it thru and it was fun for the kids--they speak english so well and using it in a fun setting is good for them. speaking of--here's some pictures of them from our vacation last tues.
or not...taking too long and im ready for bed.
later...

PSA

happenings of the past week or so

hello! we seem to have been busy even though we say we're not going out or traveling b/c we want to save money for our trip...we can't be kept at home easily apparently.

some time back joan's sister mary (i know this isn't the correct spelling, but i dont know how to spell it) came to visit. we all went out to boxin brau one of her last nights here and had a great time. i think i've mention ariana before--its a motel in daegu with a restaurant and brewery in the bottom. at this restaurant there is a 4 hour all you can eat and drink buffet. they also provide a band. we went there a few times for birthdays and now there is the exact same thing in gumi (sans motel). and at this one it's cheaper for the women--12.50, boys are 15.50 i think. it ends up being a wonderful time. someone usually brings dice or cards and when it's finished at 930, we're good to go home.


me and christa


beard and rob


mary dancing with korean boy


the sisters


will and newbie hamish

last week in bongguk we met the new crew of foreign LG workers--last time poles, this time mexicans. these guys are great. we met them at e-time, same mart we met the poles. we promised to take them downtown friday night and did so. we took them to psycho where we pretty much had the run of the place. a good time was had by all. unfortunately i don't remember many names. they come to LG and learn about the factory and then go back to mexico and teach employees there. we met at etime after dinner and then each one of us took 3 mexicans to the bar via taxi. we figured we'd go to psycho, have a few beers then go to bounce, the dance club b/c a couple said "i want to move my body. i need to dance!" beard and i arent really the dance club type but we have been dragged to a few and usually havea good time. that night shab amanda and craig came in and they were going to go to bounce later on but the guys didn't go with them. they eventually made their way back to bongguk using their ID cards--smart thinking to bring those!



this guy is a character. he's been living in michigan and is a good guy. he kept telling me "man, korean food is ok but i miss my tortillas, you know?" he's going to be a supervisor at the plant. behind him is christa and gustavo--gustavo has a thing for the robotic arms and said beard should check them out the next time he teaches at the factory.






most of our group

2 in one day!

yep--christa just sent me mud festival pictures--THANK YOU CHRISTA (she hates picture sharing, something about a window to her soul or some other BS)






they speak for themselves really.
just have to get mine done!

the little post office that would, but doesn't want to

wow--trip two to the gong dan post office.
i found this place last week when i went to the bank to get travelers checks to send money home. previously i had gotten the checks, came home, signed the hell out of the , not forgetting to write FOR DEPOSIT ONLY on the back and then the next day taking the bus to the big post office near city hall. BUT i noticed a sign and thought--hey, this will save some time. so i get the checks and walk the 3 blocks (!) to the p.o. walk in, go to the little island and start signing signing signing. guard walks by a few times, expected.
i walk up to the counter with my envelope all ready--i have wrapped teh checks in a piece of paper to disguise them and my envelope does not say anything about a bank or credit union or what have you--in cognito. i say--air mail slowly. dude goes on and on about how i dont want ot send it air mail i want to use EMS--which would cost 17.00 and i would have to fill out a form and then they call when it arrives and they get all confused b/c i can't speak korean and really it's not worth it. and i say no, air mail. conchaneyo (it's ok) he's sucking air and smacking the back of his neck--korean for no no no, this isnt right. she doesnt know what shes doing. BUT I DO!! i have done this before. i don't need EMS b/c they're travelers checks!! if they are lost, i report them lost and they give me NEW ONES! so PLEASE send them air mail for 65cents! no, he wont do it. THIS IS A POST OFFICE!! send my MAIL. no. i call eungyung. she talks to him. she then tells me if its money i should use EMS, i explain what i have just written, she says i dont think so. mind you, i love eungyung, she's my best korean friend and she's great. BUT i want to EXPLODE when she says i don't think so to me when i DO THINK SO AND KNOW SO TOO!! so i say no, really and she says ok and talks to guy again. THEN he lets me send it air mail.
you'd think i wouldn't go back there after that but it's SO close to here!
my friends graham and liz are getting married tomorrow. so of course i'm sending their package-from korea--today. it's sure to get there by the time they're opening gifts....i have the gift prewrapped in the store so it's surely wrapped perfectly. the woman there is a PRO. beard and i go together--mostly b/c i want him to see the PO that doesnt want to send mail. he takes me there on the bike--anohter time saver. we walk in and dude directs us to the island to fill out the EMS form. i WANT to use EMS this time b/c i want it to get here sooner and in one piece. beard tries explaining to the dude that its fragile--as dude is slamming it around the table and shaking it. dude then wants to open in. ANIYO i scream--the packing job in side is wonderful, i don't want him messing with it. all i want is a fragile sticker. i try saying sticker--in korean sa-tik-ah but it's not working. he keeps wanting to open it. i keep saying aniyo, conchaneyo. i fill out the form, i don't have graham's number or any numbers on that coast memorized (stupid cell phones ruining memories) so i leave it blank. another cause for concern, dude thinks i shouldn't send it if it's fragile--mind you we'er in a post office. no, its ok. i want to send it, that's why i came here. i know it's fragile, i'm taking the risk, i just want a SA-TIK-AH!! nope. i then go over, pay for the shipping and beard and i leave giggling.
this is just one of the millions of situations that have helped me conquer my battle with patience.
thank you korea

ha

i just found this--



as one who spends several hours a week on a treadmill--this cracked me up.

hot hot hot

it's hot. really hot. i think it's always going to be hot. but not really. i thought it was always going to rain and it stopped. although i didn't really mind the rain. i find it calming--and i knew as long as the rain was around it wouldn't be so stinkin hot!
i've been slowly adding pictures--im not sure why they take so long to upload, i even plug my computer into the router...oh well. but ive realized i havent really been writing. not that it's GOOD writing, just havent been keeping in touch.
2 weekends ago Beard, Eungyung, Jaesang and I went to Gampo to the beach.

beard and jaesang


me and eungyung
This is the time of year when all Koreans go on vacation--and im not joking when i say ALL. Beard had Fri, sat, sun, mon, tues off and i had sat sun mon tues wed off--no you see why we wan to teach at the same school next year, same vacation schedule. He left Friday afternoon for gampo on the bike. saturday around 11, EG and JS and i went in JS's car. met beard easily at the beach. we put up the tent and went to the gravel beach. it was packed. we got in for a little while and then chilled on the rocks. ate at a fish restaurant on the beach then went back to the campsite to hang out.

our campsite--the people closed in about an hour after this was taken.

korean camping is much different than camping in the US. in the US you camp in a designated spot and you more or less stay in that spot and try to not be viewed too much by fellow campers. here--everyone crowds in. our back door was literally 3 inches from another tents back door. and we could reach out and touch neighbors on both sides of our sitting area without stretching. another that was different--they keep both doors of hte tents wide open and even COOK in them and then spray them down with mosquito spray before going to bed. beard and i were constantly following EG and JS around closing the screens. we have had too much sleeping with mosquitoes. not that it mattered though--we ended up in a minbok. EG had felt ill and was laying down in the tent with hopes of recovering and was cold. JS said he thought we should geta minbok so he could sleep well for the drive home the next day (2 hr drive). so we got a minbok as their insistance. wast too bad.
next morning as we were eating our chinese food the ajossi came in hollering b/c we were only supposed to use one room and we were all sitting in the big room--that has to be crossed thru to get to the room we were only supposed to use and to get to the bath room from that room. he was nuts. screaming and carrying on.
we hung out for the day on the beach under an umbrella reading and relaxing. and of course participating in my favorite sport--people watching.

beard relaxing

it seems the vast majority of koreans like to swim with several articles of clothing on over their swimsuits. makes me wonder why they bother to wear swimsuits...my absolute favorite was a mother and son team. both had on capris, long sleeve button-front shirts, and floppy hats. both were in intertubes--and this is the clincher-- THEY WERE TIED TOGETHER!! it was glorious. i was too buys gawking to even think about getting out my camera. and by the time i thought about it they had disappeared behind the miriad of umbrellas. second fave--two women in full out hiking gear, including the fingerless gloves, sitting in the water side by side. you cant make these things up! im not sure exactly why they do this--fear of skin cancer, or getting even one shade darker, don't want people to see their bodies? i have no idea.
after the lounging, EG and SJ had to head back to Gumi. SJ did not have the extra days of vacation we had--his vacation is this week. beard adn i packed up the bike and headed into town to find a decent motel. and by decent i mean one that is cheap and has aircon. found one easy enough. deposited our crap and headed up the road to see what we could see. it was a really nice rode to drive on.

up the road from gampo beach

i was starving and we stopped at a restaurant called love story.

looks nice, right?

the place looked great from outside and had super ambiance, however the menu was lacking. i ordered a noodle dish but--noodle dish upsa. fine, veggie sandwich--i should have taken a picture. it led to beard nad i haveing a discussion if korean workers get embarraseed by some of the things their places of employment either make them do or products that they make. ex--when i worked as a waitress, i would feel weird serving certain dishes b/c of the price compared to what was actually given. or that i had to actually enforce the one trip to the salad bar when the person was just coming back for pudding. we came to hte conclusing that most employees here are extremely faithful to their places of employment. beard teaches several company courses and most of his students dont say many negative things about their jobs. For hte most part I have liked all of the jobs I have had so far and I've always found at least one thing that ticks me off or makes me uncomfortable about each one. and im more than happy to say what it is when asked. not so much here.
point being--the dude that served me the horrible excuse for a sandwich probably thought it was the best damn sandwich this side of the han river.
sat on a jetty later one and then crashed.

2 min walk from our motel--gampo harbor

next day, woke up early (what?! on vacation?!) and got on the bike to find a perfect beach.

bike and load

found a few not perfect beaches and drove thru some great small towns along the coast.

finally found the perfect place, found a minbok and that was enough.

fave beach
got in the FREEZING water for a bit. beard found a couple places to jump in--no he will never learn--i sat on the sand and let water wash up over me. the water was really cold and we were both ready to have a beer and read for a bit as the sun started to go down. no marts or supers in our little village so we back a bit to a super we had passed. very small place--bought some beer and water and headed back to the beach.

me on beach--half those beers are beards!
i love reading on the beach. we kept our beer cold in the water--it was like a fridge-and watched kids playing.

sisters playing


pretty sunset

hunger set in and so we headed up to ask the ajumma if there was food available for purchase--nope. hmm.
wandered til we found a fish place. yum, fish. then back to the minbok to watch tv and go to bed. perfect day.
woke up for the sun rise--WHAT!? you? sunrise?! wake up?--took some pictures, and promptly went back to bed. if we would have had to leave the room, it wouldn't have happened.


woke back up around 9 and were on the road again by 945. took the scenic route home. thru gorgeous valleys, up and down mts, tons of orchards. it was great.

at a summit at the entrance of a national park


dragonfly on cairns at summit
stopped for ice cream and then found ICE valley! wowza. it was a mineral spring resort. drank water out of the mt--nothing bad came of it amazingly--gawked at the huge waterfall and were on our way.


beard drinking the mineral water from the hillfound a county park adn sat in the stream to have a beer and cool off.

me enjoying a nice frothy beverage.
and then--back to gumi.

more more more

more pictures from jen and suzie's visit

vince walking down the aisle

mermaid by dragon rock


woman diver on udo going to work


grandfather at folk village. right hand on top means something. left hand, too. maybe military or something...


me on silver bullet--udo

july vacation

here's a video of the bike ride along the coast.



more to come!

more pictures

you only get two--something with losing network connection--its not my fault


passing cable car


Jen and Suzie in cable car to go up Gumosan