Sheraton Grande Walker Hill Seoul

... and followed the group for a while until we met another English speaking group that just finished up. At that stage it daunted us that we might not be following the right tour and asked one of the tourists. They confirmed our doubt by saying they are part of a private tour, but hoped we enjoyed participating. How embarrassing. Naturally we decided to stop following that guide around, but we already learned some interesting things about the palace. We ...

... such an alien environment. When you can't read or speak the language, having a good friend to stay with was a god send. While she went to school I was able to take baby steps... leaving the apartment for the first time and coming back, then taking the metro and coming back... that sort of thing. It really helped me to become adjusted and I will always be grateful for those first couple of days.

I then had to return to the office after the ...

... scan what you were making and it would automatically set it to the right temperature and time.  We had about an hour to play around with everything.  They had some really cool digital cameras that I fooled around with- they were the big telephoto lens kind, but really light weight!  Dad, are you reading this!?  Hint hint.  Just kidding- I love your heavy camera!  Upstairs, there was a computer where you would type what you wanted it to say, and then a projector ...

... persona and how they deal with mortals interesting. I chose a fine wine for such a festive occasion as opposed to the mead we have often drank after slaying the many armies of fire giants seeking to enslave our kind. This party was of the culture of the Greeks, the intrigue of dark powers, the prosperity of the Egyptians, and the ...

This morning has been an unusual morning, as it started of with a text from my sister notifying me that a good friend of mine had committed suicide. Derek and I have been friends for probably 20 years, growing up together, going to school together, hanging out at the church- part of the "Fjeldberg crew". In junior high and high school I remember Derek, Sam and myself just being silly and laughing- he always had such a great sense of humor (mostly because he thought I was funny). So many good ...

... fact, I had a really pleasant time at Changdeokgung one Thursday morning before work, wandering around the deserted palace grounds. I even took up running (briefly) as I was developing what can only be described as a "beer belly" but thankfully it has since reduced. Now I'm making sure that I do more exercise and eat more healthily, and coupled with the increasingly humid weather, I should be ok from now on...

I had an entertaining night in ...

... my shoulders. Man, I really wish I knew the language! It has also made for some interesting scenarios as I've had to deal with my landlord, internet guy and bank teller....they'll obviously be explaining some important things to me in Korean, pointing to various things, and I have NO clue. They speak to me in Korean and I speak to them in English and neither one of us knows what the other is saying. Oh well, hopefully I'll learn. I can't ...

... to the Officers Mess for dinner and dancing. Many of the Koreans I work with had never been to a western wedding before. We ate, danced, and had fun. It was a great group of Koreans, Americans, and Canadians. After the wedding a handful of us went to drink at the Terrace near our apartments. I retired at about 12am and went home to enter dream land.

Well, I made it across the Pacific Ocean and now I'm on a stop-over in Korea. I love seeing the words "Free Wifi." It makes me feel welcome already! Design nerd observation: Asiana Airlines definitely has it together in the design department. The flight attendant uniforms are gorgeous and bring back a little of the mid-century jet-set feel. The food was ...

... in the bathroom that you want to hide, you push the button, and sound comes out to cover any unseemly sounds. I will push it when we are at the aiport on the way back just to see what is is like. Misoo and Jong picked us up at the airport, and drove us to Misoo's parents apartment. By the time we arrived it was almost 1am. We were soooo tired. Misoo mother waited up for us. She is so nice and so sweet, and she looks ...