Jareb
Jareb Steines Joined: August 24th 2006
Logged in: February 5th 2012
Logged in: February 5th 2012
AGE: 29
INTERESTS: Engaging conversations, life, traveling, objectivism, social conformity, religion, atheism, experiential learning, evolving, health, optimism, and education
COUNTRIES VISITED: Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, England, France, Germany, Haiti, Holland, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, North Korea, Poland, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, USA, Vatican City
Travel Blog Posts
Busan
2011 could not have gone any better. It was my fifth and final year in Korea and had so many highlights that I cannot possibly do proper justice in one entry. I’ll still try. To start, I must say the greatest reason I enjoyed life in Korea so much was because of the work I did in the classroom. I have seen thousands of tired, excited, eager, scared, optimistic, spiteful, indifferent, appreciative and unique faces in the past five years and they have taught me far more than I taught them. They served as a great self-assessment tool calling me out on things when needed, demanding patience, sharing opinions without reservation and giving all they could to grow and learn. Without my job at Chung Dahm, I'd not have Korea and without Korea, I'd not be ... read more
Little brother and sister
I've not written a sentence in this blog in so long. Arguably, that's been all the more reason to put off another entry, as I've nobody expecting an update. But there comes a time in every blog's life where the writer must ask himself, "Do I stop this self-bloggery or do I press on and write yet another entry from Korea despite no drama in the expat life I lead?" By writing this, one can tell that the former wasn't my choice; I should then decide what's worth the typing time to post for my two or three subscribers. Since 2008, (has it really been that long?) there have been a few changes. My family has changed both in Korea and back in the US, my mode of transportation has changed, my living accommodations have changed, ... read more
Mi casa
Many days and other numbers... To my friends both at home and abroad, I'll say that it has been too many days since my last post and so I thought I'd get this off to you all before it's many more. I will keep the theme as arithmetically consistent as I can to avoid mimicking past letters. Year 2 in Korea ... I'm approaching the end of a second year in Korea . It's strange to note how contrasting the two years have been. In year 1, I learned about Korea in a general way, made new friends and it seemed that everything I tried was new. I've spent year 2 doing more docile and stress free things in my spare time. In year 1, I had a small social network but now I am to ... read more
Cairo and I
Indeed it's true! I enjoy work and life in Korea more than one should be allowed. Because of this, I forfeited a $26,000 Scholarship to Kenya to sign my second contract with the Chung Dahm Institute in Busan, South Korea. The decision didn't come easy. Months back it was no decision I cared to make quickly, and I did not. I had a month of deliberation to decide weather or not to forego my scholarship/service opportunity in Kenya or stay a subsequent year in Korea. In recent weeks, civil war has become the loud voice of Kenya's plight and I am not so sure how my path would have otherwise changed amidst violence and chaos. Interestingly enough, part of me desires to be amongst the violence to empathize better with the real world but a much ... read more
Rice Patty Workers
As an English Teacher in Korea, one is obligated to make the trip to Thailand just as Muslims are to make the hajj to Mecca. Ok, so I may be exaggerating a bit, but it is a very cliché trip to make and one that I had to make. So the final week of June, I left Korea for the first time in 7 months and met up with my friend in Bangkok, Thailand. Although I did standard tourist stuff, I refused to turn my already short vacation into an extremely overpriced trip to the tanning bed as I could have easily done. Instead, I made it a point to cram as much as possible into my valuable vacation time. Being away for my birthday, I evaded the sometimes artificial congratulatory comments and unnecessary celebration ... read more
Brilliant CDI Staff
To semi-completely recap a new and enlightening three months of living in Korea dares me to be brief with my words. I’ve established a great life in Asia both living and working and in just that order! I’ve such an ideal life/work balance that some days I feel guilt for not having more complications in my life. To start, I am an English Instructor living in coastal Busan, South Korea. With a population of 4,000,000 the city is ideal in size and has a long history to offer my interests. I’ve visited horse races, markets, mountains, temples, museums, beaches, festivals, and many unique restaurants in the last three months yet already feel sad to someday leave this place. My church in Busan has even welcomed me and helped me to better integrate with the culture. In ... read more
Beautiful Copacabana Beach of Rio
Less than 24 hours after running 26.2 miles in the Chicago Marathon, I took my sore legs to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This economically diverse city has much to offer a curious traveler. Over 6 million people enjoy this mountainous coastal city which was colonized by the Portuguese over 500 years ago. Because South America is in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are opposite ours and thus the approaching Brazilian summer has contributed my sun burnt shoulders. Many know Rio for the ecstasy of its Carnival celebration that belittles our Mardi Gras and perhaps for the beautiful coconut palm lined beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. In my travels, I have yet to find beach travelers more tanned and toned than in Copacabana, where I am spending the next weeks with Diego, a Guatemalan friend of mine ... read more
Peterhof Palace and Gardens
I’ve spent recent weeks working overseas with LeadAmerica and some brilliant students from across America. I started in St. Petersburg, Russia with an incredible group of select staff and a great group of students. We spent time getting to know the leadership, culture and history of Russia in our ever changing world. By good fortune, we were in Russia during the time of the famous white nights where the sun hardly sets, so it’s daylight a majority of the nights. From a boat cruise down the Neva River, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the Hermitage, a meeting in Legislative Assembly, concerts, galleries to trying new foods, I feel their could have been no better exposure to such a tenacious and beautiful country. I found Russia to be more intriguing than I originally anticipated. After garden and palace tours ... read more
Frankfurt, Germany
I write you to say I’ve chose a much different path than expected since my summer and fall chapters. Some of you may think I’m in the Middle East for this Christmas. Well, that was the plan all through the summer and some of fall. However, after selling my car, a lot of cloths and some furniture with intentions of leaving the country, I was introduced to a business opportunity, impossible for someone like me to turn down. I am now working for Reliv International, a science/nutrition company, building an international marketing and distribution system by helping people start their own businesses while helping others with their health. For me, there was no alternative to parallel such an incredible opportunity, and so I plan to remain in the Midwest at least for the next half year ... read more
Caribbean Beach
Greetings!!! I write to my friends today with a new vision for the future. I mean that quite literally! I now have 20/20 vision after getting Lasik surgery in Chicago last week. It was some of the best money I believe I’ve ever spent. (and I’ve spent a little bit of money!) That said I’ve taken the opportunity to expose myself to important milestones in recent weeks. Last chapter of summer… I’ll unfold my life in chronological order to offer a vivid recount of what’s going on. Immediately upon my return from the east coast, I experienced the inopportune loss of a LeadAmerica friend and superior who my coworkers and I admired greatly. I really came to deepen my understanding towards the value of life and the value of death. Of the amazing people I came ... read more
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