***VOLUNTEERS NEEDED****
So um.... does anyone want to maybe be an e-mail pen pal for like 3-4 e-mails? I'm trying to teach some 10 of my students email etiquette stuff and introduction stuff, and well, it would be nice if they could practice on real english speakers who aren't me. If you want your e-mail address private, I would use mine as the hub. if you're interested, please let me know!!!! i'll buy you korean socks!

Thanks to everyone who wished me a happy birthday! It was happy indeed.

My friend Kamonthip cooked me the most delicious dinner at her apartment which overlooks Namsan. Not only did I get to gorge myself on authentic, home-made Thai food, but I was also able to nod vigorously during a conversation between U.N. researchers about the Parliamentary Government system vs. the Presidential Government system. I had no clue what was going on at first, but they were all really kind when I asked the most basic government questions seeing as how I was educated in the public school system. Honestly, I know nothing of government or grammar.

Friday was "White Day" which is another version of Valentine's Day. It seems that there is some sort of couples holiday every month here. I refuse to partake... unless someone gives me chocolate or candy... or....

Dental Floss, which was a White Day gift from one of my dental students.

I still haven't gotten over my cold from february, so I had planned on resting Saturday, only to be thwarted by family. I went to lunch with my 2nd eemo's family to celebrate my and my cousin LJs birthdays. Although a year older than me, I still have plenty more white hairs than LJ. When he pointed that out, my aunt graciously informed me that they looked more like highlights than white hairs.

Later that night, I hung out with LJ and his friends at a salad bar restaurant (souplantation-esque, but not nearly so drool inducing) then at a smoky bar, Castle Praha. We ordered a huge lineup of beers that was delicious.
All his friends are super nice... but they all smoke like chimneys... and drink like fish... and eat sausage.

I do believe that rich hung out with some of them last summer: hey, do you remember the CEO guy (son of the buddhist monk), the Korean hip hop artist : ), and the TV producer? If i remembered their names... but I don't cuz with Korean names, in one ear and out the other.

I had a lot of fun with them, even though every two minutes someone would say, "shut the f*%# up!" in a super thick Korean accent.

Korea's been treating me well, and I have no complaints... except that something really must be done about China. With all the crazy pollution (not to mention human rights violations and the crackdown on Tibet), there was a duststorm here in Seoul. There's all this yellow dust from China that flies around and is supposed to be really bad if you breath it in. Hmmm... I have to go buy a mask soon. If I return to my glorious home with an extra eye, or an ear growing out of my shoulder, you'll know I didn't buy a mask in time.

Peace outside.

I'm back in the motherland.  Safe, sound, and freezing.

The plane ride was wretched as always, but at least I finally got to watch No Country for Old Men.  It was good, and I enjoyed it... much more than Mr. Magorium's Magic Emporium which, despite Jason Bateman, was pretty dang snore-inducing.

I started both my Korean classes, and my English classes.  I leave every morning at 7am to stuff myself into a subway car packed full of Koreans who just had bap and kimchi for breakfast, for a 30 minute commute to a bus stop where I meet my classmate Rich, and catch the 5528 that somehow manages to hold 1000 koreans in a space meant for 30 max, for another 20 minutes to the front gate of SNU.

I really like my Korean class though.  Although 4 hours long, it can be fun, and my classmates are great.

Jooyoung who happens to be special friends with a guy named Ernest Park from UCLA whom I believe is friends with debbie and knows kevin.  is this true debbie and kevin?  I tell you, the Korean-American community is teeny tiny... or "teeny-weeny."

I LOVE my students this term!  They are fantastic.  After Korean class, I get home by 3pm and I have to leave for my office by 5pm to teach from 6-10 on Mon, Wed, Fri.  I'm usually exhausted, but my students totally energize me.  By the time I get home and get ready for bed, however, usually by 11pm, as soon as my head hits the pillow, I'm out like a light.... till 4:16am, when I've been waking up every morning. 

It's weird going from student to teacher in one day, but somehow it's been working out okay.

I miss everyone back home, but I'm having good time here... but not so good that I no longer want to come home.  That desire is ever-present, but God has graciously granted me blessings that help to maintain my sanity.

It snowed like CRAJEE on Tuesday!

Peace outside yos!