Renaissance Seoul

... it was pretty impressive. The general horse riding wasn't too spectacular, but when they started to get into the acrobatics, it was pretty damn good and we wondered whether they had this kind of thing in the equestrian events at the olympics ... I thought they did, but probably not. Following that, we went to see a traditional wedding. However, the customs were very similar to other weddings and since I've been to two mock Cambodian ...

... foul.

Hong Kong was a culture shock after the rest of China. English speaking, English plugs bright lights, Western food and SOOOO expensive!

We did the star ferry to the main island and did some sight seeing (city tour bus, Victoria peak, avenue of stars etc..).

We have some news - a lot of you joked with us that we have gone away as 2 but will return as 3. Well you are right. We have a new addition to the Mawani family.

It's a ...

... any time!
After talking with some of the girls here, they seem really sad.  They want to be able to drive, but can't until they are 21 and even then, they don't really drive.  No dances.  It is very uncommon for a girl to hug a guy, unless they are dating.  They said they have not hugged any of the boys in their school.  No parties.  And most of all- they have to study all the time.  I asked my family and they said that plane tickets from Seoul to Seattle ...

... Once in his office I pleaded for more than five days of drugs to which he politely declined. He did tell me I would be given and inter-muscular injection...an err what? A rather attractive nurse took me into a room and prepared a needle. I knew full well where it was going and began an internal debate as to how to go about this new scenario. Do I drop my pants now, wait until she is within striking distance, expose a small part of my cheek, or wait to see ...

... In a period of intense competition, short generations perhaps with radioactively enhanced mutation-rates boost rapid evolution. With human ships and planes gone, islands become islands again, with local populations isolated save for occasional lucky raftings: ideal conditions for evolutionary divergence. With 5 million years, a whole range of new species replace the ones we know. Herds of giant grazing rats are ...

It was with great relief that we reached the end of the intensive period, and reverted to the altogether more relaxing schedule of 3-10pm. I sensed that the students weren't quite so enamoured with February's arrival, as it meant that they can expect longer days incorporating both school and academies, but from my point of view it means a nice lie in, a few hours to mooch around, a bit of marking...excellent. However, it didn't take long for ...

... note- this is a little abridged, cause the beginning and ending parts are nowhere near as hilarious as the middle). Bill: If you lived in New York, you wouldn't like it so much. Jessica: How do you know? Bill: Well, have you ever been mugged? Jessica: Mugged, what's that? Bill: Mugged means getting beaten up and robbed by someone. Jessica: Oh, then, I've never been mugged. Bill: Right, that's because you live in Iowa and Iowa is ...

... beef :-) It was very yummy. Then we shopped and visited a Korean department store, that out of 10 floors had only 1 for men, and 1 with clothes that were within the realm of affordability. After that we went to a street in Seoul where everyone goes to buy furniture. Trent wanted to see the furniture. We ran into a very famous Korean fashion designer while we were there. He wore all white and had his face painted white. He ...