Stay7 Residence Mapo Seoul

... and almost broke my back. wtf. Got my cell phone today from the old english teacher. He didn't leave a charger so I have to go buy one. Soo just told me that she believes my phone is a monthly agreement and I'm not happy to hear that at all. I don't want any more monthly expenses. UGH. I went grocery shopping yesterday and spent $33 USD. Normally I wouldn't be complaining about that amount when I'm back in the states, but here I expected things to be cheaper and it isn't that much cheaper.

... the windows indicating this far to Vancouver, Seattle, Canberra, Wellington, etc if you head off in this direction and little dots showing certain sights around the city itself. It was pretty interesting to see the set-up of everything!

This has been a visit of firsts like any other, and I had the pleasure of trying Cold Stone Creamery ice cream at the Seoul Tower. For anyone who hasn't tried it, it's a MUST! The general idea is that you select a flavour of ...

... got to splash in the water and had a relaxing time. Kate and I were the 2nd and 3rd in line for bungee jumping! It was amazing! I wasn't that nervous, and just took the leap, but in the first 1/2 second of my fall, the though that went through my head was something like "oh ****". But with just a little gasping scream, I made it to the bottom, up, down, up and down again and finally hung upside down spinning in circles while the man with the boat rowed out ...

... teachers who even slept through their classes as the students did busy work. For that reason, I have lost respect for this ESL program. If you are reading this, hear me loud and clear! Korea needs to have higher standards for its ESL teachers! I'm even talking about university teachers (who can barely be called teachers). Let's not get into hakwon (학완) teachers. This is ...

... higher (if not the doorways!) and they were also very wide. As we got into town my impression shifted as more Chinese and Vietnam-esque scenes were passed on our walk from Seoul Station to the backpackers. Infrastructure was quite Japanese but streets were used by a mix of motor scooters, cars and people pushing carts. Then there were stall holders and many kiosks listtered around the place but still everything was clean. I suppose it's in reality a cleaner, more organised and more ...

... he was doing but at the same time, totally creeped out...   I don't want to think what he'll do with those photos... I found it odd checking these girls out.  Sure, in Tokyo I found many of the young woman very beautiful in that cute school girl demeanor and I did in fact make out with one while drunk at a party and unexpectedly there was a stir down below....   But, why???  Maybe it comes back to the exotic factor.  Isn't that why white straight dudes are ...

There are several things Korean students do that seem offensive to me but are either not intended, or don't mean the same thing in Korean. In Korean phonetics, there is no [z] sound. There's [s], [dj] and [sh], but no [z]. (apologies for the improper use of IPA- I don't feel like pulling up the correct symbols on the character map ^_^) Since the Korean language doesn't have this sound at all, Koreans have trouble correctly ...

... but the children don’t get to properly grow up. These are just my own thoughts, reactions and interpretations though.

Interacting with Koreans I do find them warm and catering. I definitely get the occasional ***** look because (my fellow co-workers thought) of the Othello principle i.e. exotic = erotic. I do have big boobs and blonde hair, which is extreme ...

... and the kids stepped up too! After the big show we had a galbi dinner with some beer and soju as well. Later that evening we chilled at Megan's and then hit Tomsville for some chaos. James was pouring shots of whiskey at Megan's...strong ****. I grabbed the Adder Liquor and most people had a shot after I reassured them that I still live after having one a few months ago. I ended up dropping the bottle in my place and it shattered and it now ...

... were awesome.

I also made a trip out to Namiseon, the island made well-known by the disgustingly famous soap opera Winter Sonata. Since I didn't book my train ticket in advance and there were no seats, I had to stand in the part outside the toilet in between carriages. A bunch of guys decided this was a good place to stand and came and joined me. Sick of standing, I decided to squat with my back resting against the wall. I didn't want to get my butt dirty. The guys obviously ...