 A Kid Following His Dreams - Kuno | All Comments |
Comments | |
| 22nd November 2009 Matt Smith | Playing in Korea - From: Amateur Korean Baseball To those guys who have commented that they would like to play PRO ball in Korea, you cannot do it unless you are actively playing in AAA in the US. As for amateur ball here, I played because I was at Lotte games so often that the fan club president introduced me to a team. The best way to get onto an amateur team is put your ear to the ground and hang around a stadium with fans who are regulars. As for playing pro here, it's not going to happen. |
| 22nd November 2009 Matt Smith | KABA - From: Amateur Korean Baseball Back in 2000 I played for the Lotte Giants Family out of Masan. It was a pretty good time, but I was always stuck out in right field and a couple times my teammates gyped me out of my at bats. Are you still in Korea and if so are you still playing amateur ball? I'd like to get back into it. |
| 10th November 2009 Jim | - From: What if America had Stricter Gun Laws?: A Case study on the Consequences of Strict Gun Laws in Korea UK has all guns banned. Only special police have guns, the vast majority don't. The UK has more gun deaths per 100,000 than Switzerland does, a Country where Assault rifles are legal and there is lots of gun ownership. Does But just because one country has banned guns and has low gun deaths doesn't mean banning guns lowers gun deaths. In fact after the UK banned guns, gun deaths went up. Also someone commented that if neither people have weapons, both are safe is ridiculous. Knives and baseball bats account for a huge number of murders, so do beatings and strangulation. People don't kill just because they have a weapon. There's a whole set of knives in my kitchen I could kill people with, but I don't because I don't want to kill anyone. Banning guns just means the only people who own a gun are intending to use it for a crime. this would explain why banning guns in the UK didn't reduce gun deaths, because all the people who wanted to murder with a gun can get one anyway. Banning guns only stops law abiding citizens from having guns (the kind of people you want to have guns) |
| 9th October 2009 Leslie | location? - From: Best Korean Meal You'll Never Find outside of Korea Hi, I live in Bundang and my favorite meal is dakgalbi. I have actually gone to Chuncheon just to eat it. Care to share the name and location of the restaurant? Thanks! |
| 17th September 2009 Brian | Gun control does not reduce crime - From: What if America had Stricter Gun Laws?: A Case study on the Consequences of Strict Gun Laws in Korea Thank you for posting this as it is an interesting topic. Here in Canada we have very severe gun laws that inhibit the average person from defending themselves adequately. There is absolutely no link between tight gun control laws and reduction in crime. Just look at a country like the Czech Republic where a person can purchase a hand gun with relative ease and yet their crime and homicide rate is relatively low. What is more, I have always wondered why feminists have not pushed for more liberal gun control laws here in Canada. It is a statistical fact that women are 2.5 times more likely to survive a physical attack unharmed if they possess a hand gun yet 4 times more likely to suffer injuries if they physically defend themselves. Alas, the laws in Canada will stay on the the side of the illogical. Believing tight gun control laws reduces crimes is just as silly as believing the death penalty reduces crime. |
| 15th August 2009 George Whitehead | wanting to play pro or amateur - From: Amateur Korean Baseball Hey i have just recently moved to Suwon and am wanting to play baseball competitively. I was hoping to find open tryouts in korea for professional teams. I was wondering if anyone knew how to do so. If not i want to play amateur with future possibility of turning pro. I have played university ball in canada and was scouted for many years. I put my career on hold but am looking to take it up again. If anyone has any info please email me halfjap44@hotmail.com |
| 14th July 2009 Jun | I want to go now... - From: Best Korean Meal You'll Never Find outside of Korea I'm in Korea for a few months and mainly interested in the food. I've been looking for the best of everything here and would like your recommendation. Thanks. |
| 22nd June 2009 terry ratliff | how can i play on a korean - From: Amateur Korean Baseball how can i play on a korean baseball team |
| 3rd June 2009 gumu | Thanks for the help - From: Korean Toilet Story You know... I just had the same exact experience. I didn't even think to look on the side. Thanks for your blog. |
| 2nd June 2009 Rene | - From: What if America had Stricter Gun Laws?: A Case study on the Consequences of Strict Gun Laws in Korea My Korean daughter-in-law was marveling at the difference in attitude and behavior between Korean cops and Chicago cops. My answer satisfied her (and me) completely: " In Korea, cops wear white gloves; in the US, cops carry guns." Of course, the criminals in Korea usually can't get their hands on guns, either. |
| 2nd June 2009 Angel | My Brother - From: Best Korean Meal You'll Never Find outside of Korea Wouldn't it be lovely if someone sent my brother a picture of food and he left to go get married? He is thirty... I already know he likes Korean girls, why else would he watch those korean dramas with me? The food looks great, I will have to try it when I finaly make it to Korea. Thanks |
| 2nd June 2009 Til | Would love to know restaurant - From: Best Korean Meal You'll Never Find outside of Korea We are in Seoul with my niece and her husband who are adopting a child this week. We are looking for a special Korean restaurant to celebrate this great event. Please provide directions. THanks much! |
| 5th April 2009 Jody Koks | Greetings - From: Amateur Korean Baseball Hi. I'm from South Africa and have been in Korea for approximately one month. I live in Pyeongtaek in Gyeonggi Do province. Do you perhaps know of any amateur teams in this area? You can mail me jodykoks@webmail.co.za. Thanks and regards |
| 23rd February 2009 jason shaffer | AWESEOME article - From: Amateur Korean Baseball I am moving to korea in april and this is exactly what i was looking for. do you know anyone that I could get in touch with to get into a league? I will be in the southern part of the country, by Busan, not sure if you are familiar with that area... |
| 17th February 2009 anonymous | - From: Korean Baseball Experience Sorry, not a good writer... Try to be more concise and direct (like when you were "explaining" the team's name)... |
| 10th February 2009 anonymous | - From: Eager Catholic Plumbers were Born to Plumb Soooo not to code. :) |
| 7th February 2009 Ken | Correlation does not equal Causation. - From: What if America had Stricter Gun Laws?: A Case study on the Consequences of Strict Gun Laws in Korea Some people have already said this, but I think that it has much less to do with the possession of firearms and much more to do with the overall culture. Here in Canada, there are plenty of guns, maybe not rivalling the per capita numbers of the US, but well over many other developed nations. I myself own a handgun and some rifles. Yet, our gun crime rate is considerably lower than that of the US. Why? Cultural differences, not the availability of firearms. I'm willing to bet if every Korean person above the age of 20 were to receive a gun, nothing would change. I tend to find that the only place where firearms laws seem to work are places where people wouldn't kill each other anyway. So, are Americans more violent because they have guns, or do Americans have guns because they are more violent? |
| 16th January 2009 Richard | They're Good People - From: What if America had Stricter Gun Laws?: A Case study on the Consequences of Strict Gun Laws in Korea I believe that the lack of violent crimes in South Korea speaks more of the strong moral fiber of the Korean people and less of the lack of guns in the hands of the people. They have respect for others built right into their language. |
| 12th January 2009 Robert | You're forgetting to mention... - From: What if America had Stricter Gun Laws?: A Case study on the Consequences of Strict Gun Laws in Korea You have to remember two things here: 1) S. Korea's only trade that's conducted with the outside world is done through a small handfull of ports and one airport, making it very easy for them to control the importation of contraband. They have the same restrictions on drugs as the United States, but look how much easier it is to get drugs in the US than Korea. I don't know about you, but where I'm from it is extremely easy to get a handgun which HASN'T been stolen, but smuggled into the country, brand new and in the box. 2) It wasn't until the 1980's that S Korea became a free society and was able to escape dictatorship and martial law, and there is no safety net preventing another military coup. |
| 5th December 2008 Kuno | Thank You... - From: What if America had Stricter Gun Laws?: A Case study on the Consequences of Strict Gun Laws in Korea ... for all of your comments. I appreciate the insight and knowledge everyone has added to this discussion. If you plan to post a comment, please read the article and the preceding comments first. I will accept comments liberally, but I will not allow offensive comments (about Americans, Koreans, or any other groups). If you disagree, do so logically, not offensively. Thank you. - Kuno |
| 3rd December 2008 Dexter | Respond to Mr. Jackhammer - From: What if America had Stricter Gun Laws?: A Case study on the Consequences of Strict Gun Laws in Korea Mr. Jackhammer, you're an idiot. The last time Korea was invaded was by the Japanese, and that was well over half a century ago. The other times they were invaded, guns weren't even around. Also, why don't you learn something before you run your mouth. Korea has one of the largest militaries in the world. Just because the citizens don't carry guns doesn't mean they're vulnerable to invasions from different countries. When was the last time civilians fought wars? Are you a retard? That's what militaries are for. Quit being an ignorant retard. And you completely missed the entire point of his article. Learn to stay focused. |
| 22nd November 2008 Marcoelitaliano | Loved it! - From: Leveling the Level Doesn't Level the Sink Man, I love your writing style. I would probably not call you to install a sink but I do enjoy reading your stories. You're able to squeeze something nice out of very little things. And that's a great quality! Marco |
| 11th November 2008 Jonathan | 100% Wrong, Sorry - From: What if America had Stricter Gun Laws?: A Case study on the Consequences of Strict Gun Laws in Korea This is ridiculous. You have not stated the #1 preventer of crime in south korea: homogenous culture. Koreans are like one big happy family. When one of them dies in a hostage situation, a military event, etc., every korean citizen acts as if a family member was lost. Whereas in the USA, we have blacks, hispanics, whites, etc. all in one roof. Our society is divided. Blacks or hispanics sometimes actually enjoy perpetrating crimes on other races. Compare crime rates in Africa, Europe, and Asia. Africa has the worst. So naturally, if many africans are in the USA, our crime rate will be worse. It doesn't take a genius to understand that some races are, whether by environment, upbringing, or blood is debateable; more inclined to crime. The lack of guns IS NOT WHAT leads to low crime in korea. It's the lack of a desire to commit crimes. It's the strict upbringing from an early age to work hard and the tight-knit social structure that one wouldn't dare commit a crime for fear of becoming a complete social outcast. But, besides the point, even in South Korea the lack of gun ownership helped cause 144 civilian deaths during 5.18, the gwangju massacre. The #1 murderer in the world is not citizens against each other. The #1 murderer is government. In the 1900's, 8 million died worldwide from murder, whereas over 100+ million died from government genocide/murder of it's OWN CITIZENS. One of the few policies genocidal dictators all have in common is: gun control. Hitler, Mao Tse-tung, and Stalin all implemented gun control, and collectively killed 10x more than all citizen-caused murder combined (more than 80million). The fact also remains that murders are much lower in "right-to-carry" states in the USA than in the states that refuse that right. If german jews had carried guns, millions would be alive. If the soviets and chinese citizens carried guns, tens of millions would be alive. A gun-toting population has NEVER been genocided, as it is impossible to do so, it becomes a war, as the victims have a fighting chance. You are statistically 10x more likely to die of genocide as a human, than of murder. And carrying a gun, statistically lowers your chance of dying from either! |
| 14th September 2008 Mr. Jackhammer | And you missed the main issue in South Korea. - From: What if America had Stricter Gun Laws?: A Case study on the Consequences of Strict Gun Laws in Korea Perhaps if South Korea were a little more serious about arming their populace and defending themselves they wouldn't get taken over by other countries every few decades and a constant U.S. military presence would not be required to keep North Korea at bay. Thoughtless people like you, Kuno, are the ones who would wear the yokes of vicious dictators without the intervention of firearm-toting Americans. |
| 8th September 2008 christine | - From: Best Korean Meal You'll Never Find outside of Korea Hey I live in Jeongja and I reaaallllyyy want to know where this place is!! Please give me directions when ya get a chance :) |
| 4th September 2008 Thomas Greiner | Baseball in Korea - From: Amateur Korean Baseball Hey, I am moving for a year to Korea in a few weeks and was wondering, how I could get into contact with a team or a few guys to play some ball with. Any sort of help would be greatly appreciated. By the way, great article, answered so many questions! :) |
| 28th July 2008 Mom | July 27 - From: Eager Catholic Plumbers were Born to Plumb So, can you fix the plumbing at home when you return? I'm down to one bathroom...just kidding. |
| 22nd July 2008 Matt veck | hell yeah! - From: Eager Catholic Plumbers were Born to Plumb Rock on eager plumber ghee. |
| 15th July 2008 Stephanie | UNNERVING - From: Why I Volunteered in Peru I am a friend of your Mother's and live the cushy life in La Quinta, CA as a retiree. However, I did experience a 7.6 earthquake in Mexico City some years ago and totally understand how unnerving that can be. You are doing wonderful things for that community and you are a great writer. I see a brilliant future for you. Thanks for the update on your experience. Stephanie |
| 5th July 2008 Carl | I wanna know! - From: Best Korean Meal You'll Never Find outside of Korea Hey I will be going to Korea in October, I'd like to know the directions to this place, only gonna be there for about a week, is it far from Seoul??? Thanks! |
| 3rd July 2008 charles | - From: Peruvian Diner Experience thanks for spelling grill with an "e" in the first paragraph. |
| 3rd July 2008 Jason | Nice read but a little out of date - From: What if America had Stricter Gun Laws?: A Case study on the Consequences of Strict Gun Laws in Korea A good article in general. I would like to say that I am a Canadian and have been living here in S.Korea for 10 years and I would like to add some to this discussion. I have lived in Daegu for all 10 years and contrary to public belief, police in Korea DO, for the most part carry weapons. They carry revolvers locked to their police belts while on patrol and junior officers(ie performing mandatory military duty) carry gas guns. So times have changed in the year since this article was written I guess. And as a previous poster said, Knives and matal pipes will kill me just as well as a gun. Gun caused homicides and the actual homicide rate here in S.Korea are very different stories. |
| 26th June 2008 Les | Gun ownership in the US - From: What if America had Stricter Gun Laws?: A Case study on the Consequences of Strict Gun Laws in Korea I love the gentle nature of the Korean people, and yes, it is safer. A lot of people opine that the US needs stricter gun laws, stating that other countries that have lower crime rates have stricter gun laws. However, one has to consider that the culture is very different among countries. I one compares various states in the US (each state has it's own gun regulations), one will find that the states that allow law-abiding citizens to carry firearms have lower incidences of violent crime. There aren't enough cops in the US to deter the amount of crime we have. If students had been allowed to carry firearms on campus when the VT shootings occurred, someone may have been able to stop that guy. What happened instead is all the law-abiding students were left defenseless while the criminal went on a killing spree. |
| 8th May 2008 Ronnietijuana | there is one vote for - From: Best Korean Meal You'll Never Find outside of Korea I am thinking about teaching in korea in that exact city. I would love to know where the restaurant is. I consider this article another pro vote on the list of pros and cons. |
| 21st April 2008 Big Bro | risky - From: Best Korean Meal You'll Never Find outside of Korea i was aghast at seeing the title of this post at first. i was afraid that the secret would be unleashed on the world, and nothing would ever be the same. but thankfully, the world is only so big, as are people's imaginations and willingness to take on risk. this meal will stay an undiscovered treat outside of the knowing folks who pack the house every night. truly a korean classic that will last a lifetime. |
| 27th March 2008 student | i agree - From: Early Thoughts on the Korean and American Education Systems Also, I think interest has a lot to do with it. The sheer enormity of the amount of information they have to memorize might actually burn the kids out such that they lose interest in the material and neglect to pursue it further. Another country with a long list of "recognized thinkers is the England". I had a chance to take a few classes at Cambridge University and found that the teaching style is much different than the American system. The students have so much more freedom and lectures are similar to socratic seminars rife with intellectual discussion. |
| 3rd March 2008 karloon | Nice - From: Korean Toilet Story half way through your story, I asked myself.... isn't all electronic toilet seat has a backup (typical flush handle) at the right (just in case no electricity)... I was expecting you ask the manager helps.... well it's sure one hell of a story (they're going to love this story back home)...hahaha. Nice one. |
| 11th February 2008 MikeyMogo | what of memories? - From: The Return to Old Familiarity Yeah bro, I feel you entirely. It's unsettling. I'd have a shit-ton of regret, personally, had I not chosen to return. My time there is just not done. It's as if life here wipes away, forcefully, the time spent away. Not out of malice, just out of the sake of normalcy and constant-ness. |
| 4th February 2008 Ed | Human's kill humans even without guns - From: What if America had Stricter Gun Laws?: A Case study on the Consequences of Strict Gun Laws in Korea I'm a korean American living in the states for over 25 years.. and have been living in korea for 5 years now... when I lived in the states I was never scared to walk around carried a 9m in my car and had a glock at home... The point is I wasn't scared not because I had a gun but because I've lived here all my life. you know thats bull "when I carry a machine gun you would be scared and then purchase....." MAN has been killing since the stone age!!! If you take away the guns, people will use knives if you take away knives they'll use bat's if you take away bat's they'll use sticks..get the point!!! taking away guns will not make it safer... I've lived in korea for 5 years and yes they don't have guns and yes the students don't go to school and shoot people with guns but !!! what the media doesn't tell you is the little "Tommy who gets picked on every day decided to take a knige to school and start stabbing the other student's which led to a student bleeding to death.... and not to mention all the rapist who slits womens girls boys throats after molesting them and raping them... and not mention the latest 2 guys walk right up to 2 army soldiers on gaurd beat them with baseball bats killing one of them and taking their assault rifles rounds and two granades... the only difference between korea and the good ole USA is they use baseball bats and knives in korea... you think knives don't KILL???? and they don't broadcast homicides and rapes and burglaries as much in korea... theirs more going on then you know..just a year ago acouple guys started to rob people when they went to the atm to get cash.. they would bash their skulls in and take the cash ...the point is ... THEY STILL DIED!!!. THEY DON'T NEED GUNS TO KILL AND RAPE!!!. |
| 3rd February 2008 Ryan Hawkins | baseball in seoul - From: Amateur Korean Baseball Hey there. I enjoy the blog. I've been looking to play baseball in Korea as well. I currently live in Seoul, just 30 minutes on foot from the stadium in Jamsil. Is there anyway I can contact someone to get involved in playing? Drop me an email r49hawkins@yahoo.com |
| 30th January 2008 elisha | great story! - From: Korean Toilet Story great story- you write as if your standing here telling us the story. just hilarious. im going to s. korea in 2 months and get a kick out of reading everyones blogs on here! fun times ahead i see. |
| 1st January 2008 joy gant | good god i'm choking to death - From: Johnny Cash Dump made the mistake of reading this one while i'm eating dinner. almost choked to death laughing reading this one. i love your candor. really enjoying reading this blog. |
| 31st December 2007 joy | lmao - From: Korean Toilet Story this is a great story. thanks for sharing. i laughed my ass off!!! |
| 24th November 2007 kathleen | always the dreamer - From: Bali Hope (part 2 of 2) i'm moving towards that "graduate and stick around town to bartend" period of my life. it's funny to look back and remember what you were like at this time in your own path. come home. i need that sickening positivity back in my life again. i'm proud of you |
| 8th November 2007 gardenstate | - From: Bali Hope (part 2 of 2) " grass is greener on the other side " it is true. it makes me think about my America dream ? ( trip ) next year. it makes me think a lot. thanks for the ideas. I am gonna give it a shot. life moves on... we live once. and you ARE an awesome writer. I miss Mr lotion. we miss you! |
| 11th October 2007 Pops | Ahhh to be young - From: Scuba Diving in Moalboal, Philippines Youth is not an age measured in numbers, or an outward appearance lacking wrinkles and gray hair. It is not a classification or a stage of development. Youth is a frame of mind, a time of learning,...a time of living. Robert Louis Stevenson once said, "Youth is the time to go fishing from one end of the world to the other,...both in mind and body; to try the manners of different nations; to hear the chimes at midnight." To hear the chimes at midnight...to be so attuned to life that one can appreciate what others may never experience...the invigorating, passionate call of life. And you have answered it Shawn. Keep fishing son. Love, Pops |
| 10th October 2007 Jenna | Pics - From: Scuba Diving in Moalboal, Philippines Amazing pictures!! Love your journal!! |
| 28th September 2007 corliss | share korea tips! - From: Amateur Korean Baseball yohz there...was just surfing ard when i took notice abt yr blog....interesting blog u have here...basically i m going to korea for holida in Dec 2007.....can share more abt yr experience with me? are u still currently teaching in korea? cos it seem like u have gone onto other places already... :) drop me a mail :) |
| 26th September 2007 Ben | Living the Dream - From: The Indo Dream Good Read. Yes you can make in two weeks in the states what you would make in a year in Bali, that's why it IS possible to do. Your doing it right. Work hard, and save your money for a while instead of throwing it away on crap like everyone else does and you can easily go and stay in Bali for months, unlike everyone else who is staying home and throwing their money away and bitching about life. Make a plan, stick to it and do it. You can always go back, but you can't go back if you never leave. |
| 22nd September 2007 Kate Hildebrand | Assa! - From: Korean Baseball Experience I read your blog before I went to Korea, I loved reading it, especially this entry! but GO TWINS ^_^ |
| 17th September 2007 travellingmum | - From: The Indo Dream Glad to see you forgave us aussies! To be heading to Australia. Good luck with the surfing |
| 11th September 2007 Blake the Snake | - From: Amateur Korean Baseball Hilarious. |
| 10th September 2007 Aunt Sue (Boo) &NB | Sniff Sniff - From: The Indo Dream Wow! What a thrilling year you have experienced!! I'd envy you but I had my fun and adventures in my day!! NB says her days are yet to be over!! Great news on your plans to live the dream!! And here I was under the impression that the "dream" was the Thanksgiving table cloth!! We'll miss you.....both!! Sniff.....sniff |
| 10th September 2007 Rachael | Australia - From: The Indo Dream Hey cuz, I miss you & Mike here in the states! The whole family misses you. Your mom & Diane & Nolan are coming down in November for a visit. I want to tell you, that I've always wanted to go to Australia, and hope to one day go. PLEASE take lots of pictures, and maybe think of your cool cousin if you find any neat souveniers. We miss you and love you. Tell Mike hey for us! Thanks :-) |
| 9th September 2007 Brett | - From: The Indo Dream You don't know how much you have inspired me to "live the life". You have proved to me that you can do whatever you want, and now Daniel and I are reasearching so much stuff you wouldn't even know existed. But like you said, it all starts with a little research, and your dream is on its way... Have fun in INDO, I remember you always talked about it. Nice old school pics from us surfing too haha. Can't wait to upate those pics in Costa. |
| 30th August 2007 Charles | More weapons means Less safety - From: What if America had Stricter Gun Laws?: A Case study on the Consequences of Strict Gun Laws in Korea A lot of countries in the world have the reasoning that if I have a weapon of equivalent power, I would keep my enemies at bay. This is not only untrue but is furthest away from reality. The fact is, if both do not carry a gun, everyone is safe. However, if I carry a gun, then you would also need to carry a gun to ensure that I do not use the gun. Then, when I carry a machine gun, you would be scared and then purchases a machine gun and so on. Until the day that these nations actually carry nuclear weapons just to scare each other. What if somehow an elected leader of these countries happened to be a fool? The truth is, the best thing is to have lesser and lesser weapons per year and not more. What a good example that Korea has shown, even if the North is still considered a dangerous neighbouring state. |
| 9th August 2007 Miss Shin | Wow! - From: Climbing Mt. Fuji - Surreal I love it!!! You are living the life.... |
| 5th July 2007 Natedawg | Happy 4th - From: Amateur Korean Baseball Mom and I loved to see that you and Michael are playing ball again! I made this year's All-Stars and have been doing well. Made it out of pool play - knocked in the game winning run the other night - your Dad was there to see it. Miss you guys - good luck! |
| 1st July 2007 Nana Banana | What fun! - From: Amateur Korean Baseball I'm thrilled you are both on the field again playing baseball. Owen and I enjoyed baseball in Japan in 1950. It was in it's early days! Love and Miss you....NB |
| 25th June 2007 Korean in Spain | I am enjoying your blog - From: Iraq Invades American's Perspective I've just dropped in your blog while I was web-surfing for Doosan Bears. Your writing is really brilliant and sound. I am deeply moved by your insight and thoughts. I wish your great time in Korea :) (Sorry for my poor English.) |
| 29th May 2007 NNowack | Funny - From: Korean Toilet Story As if I didn't already want to go to Korea. Good stuff, I need to book my ticket. |
| 23rd May 2007 Kuno | The More Comments the Better - From: Thailand is Exactly What Backpackers Make it Thank you for all of your nice comments. All of the positive feedback is very encouraging. Also, I greatly appreciate any outside perspective and knowledge (Kiwi perspective, Romanian view). I can only write about what I see, experience, know, and perceive. I love hearing other points of view. So this is my 'thank you'! |
| 21st May 2007 Elena_Alexia | On the other side of Europe... - From: Thailand is Exactly What Backpackers Make it Sorry to tell u but most multinational companies in Romania dont allow more than 2 weeks vacantion...maybe Eastern Europe is different from Western.. beside that not many afford to travel the world and come back after 6 months or a year. Most of my friends travel more than 2 weeks only between 2 jobs (resign and negociate to start the new one after 1 month)....so my Inka Trail plan is postponed... enjoy ur journey! |
| 17th May 2007 Bess | Hand of god. - From: Thailand is Exactly What Backpackers Make it Well not really. Anyway, great writing style and why haven't you brought in pics yet? And now for something completely random.. Ahh… video game logic. It it’s a barrel, it blows up! |
| 11th May 2007 anonymous | Kiwis have backpacking in their blood - From: Thailand is Exactly What Backpackers Make it Hi, I am backpacking at the moment, and just wanted to add a Kiwi perspective into the mix. It is a New Zealand tradition to skip the country once we have finished school and have a couple of year's work experience. We don't believe that 'I am my job', and are an inquisitive bunch so we love to go everywhere. The government even has a word for it, the 'Brain Drain' and has all sorts of plans to try and get us to stay in the country. My friend and I were in Thailand for 6 weeks before coming to England to work for a while, and we absolutely loved it. Next stop is possibly South America at the end of the year once we've saved up some money and seen some spots in Europe. We quit our jobs to travel and never looked back. Loved your blog, sounds like you're having a great time! You're totally right about South East Asia, we had thought that we'd see lots of places in Europe, but now that we've been to Thailand we can see that it's better value for money to travel there! Good luck on your travels!! |
| 11th May 2007 Marcoelitaliano | Uncomfortable truths - From: Thailand is Exactly What Backpackers Make it Well, given the amount of SE Asia-backpackers-hardcoreparytgoers-bloggers present in this site, I bet this piece is not gonna earn you many sympathies, mate. Anyway, despite the flood of insults you might receive for it, I'm with you 100% in this minority party. On a different level, this article too was brilliantly written, as usual. |
| 10th May 2007 Miss Shin | How fun! - From: Korean Hiking Experience So glad you're still over there having a great time....I'm glad I checked this today....thanks for sharing :) |
| 4th May 2007 Trena | Interesting... - From: Korean Baseball Experience Hey we are also over here in Korea teaching and we were really want to go to a baseball game...however, I am having trouble finding a site with the schedules and what not...was wondering if you could help me out??? My e mail is roxy_rider03@hotmail.com...that would be sweet! |
| 2nd May 2007 Marcoelitaliano | Funny stuff - From: Korean Toilet Story Work on the boat was pretty soft today, so I took the chance and carried myself to a cybercafé for one of those random travelblog reading sessions. I stumbled on this entry of yours about toilets in Korea and just found it hilarious. You've got a new subscriber, mate. Marco |
| 29th April 2007 Nick | Like he said - From: Korean Baseball Experience You're entertaining and insightful. Please use your downtime to share more of Korea's culture with us. |
| 28th April 2007 JDRE | Siiick - From: Korean Baseball Experience You should be a writer man. |
| 27th April 2007 Rachteach22 | Pig Spine - From: Johnny Cash Dump I loved your description of the pig spine! I am an American teaching in Taiwan and I went to Korea two weeks ago. I honestly didnt think eating pig spine was strange, actually I didnt even think twice about it. Thus I have just realized I have been living in Asia too long. I love your blog entrys! |
| 22nd April 2007 Nick | Great article! - From: What if America had Stricter Gun Laws?: A Case study on the Consequences of Strict Gun Laws in Korea I hope you submit articles for publication. Great insight. I will definitely be reading the rest of your entries. As a Canadian, I look at American gun culture with disgust. No disrespect intended and, since I haven't held any gun but the .22 that knocked me over at age 6, maybe I am not fully qualified to comment. However, the idea that more guns will make people safer is ludicrous. You can see the proof every day in the death rates in the US. Statistically, private guns are almost useless for self-defence. In Canada we are not gun-free like the Koreans. We still have private rifle ownership but handguns and automatic weapons are not legal. Sharing the "worlds longest undefended border" with America makes these laws less useful than they should be. We have a lot of problems with police violence because they are heavily armed and trained into racist paranoia. Plus they live in the suburbs and fear the cities they are meant to protect. We have occasional citizen shootings. In Toronto there are about 10 shooting deaths per year per 1000000 citizens. I am rambling. Suffice to say, great article and the world would be a better place without guns and surges of power. Is there a human equivalent of a surge-protector? |
| 20th April 2007 travellingmum | you have a great writing style - From: What if America had Stricter Gun Laws?: A Case study on the Consequences of Strict Gun Laws in Korea I love your blogs!! Anyway I read this one the night before the lastest American Shooting at the university. You are absolutely right!! After having an indepth discussion with my husband that night, how shocking just 15 hours later to have the shootings all over the news!! It felt so surreal. Ironic how the shooter was Korean!! The Australian Gun laws are very tight here after we had a mass shooting 10 years ago. I don't thing any one can have semi automatics here. You also have to have a liscense and be registered etc to have a gun. Maybe due to the large US population it is too late to take aways people's guns. Here they had a buy back scheme and destroyed 1000's of guns in the new Gun reform. |
| 16th April 2007 JDre | You're the man - From: Korean Hiking Experience I've been waiting for another journal entry. That sounds like fun...I probably wouldn't be caughtn dead hiking a mountain, but sounds right up your alley. Man, I wish I could get out there!!! When in Korea, do as the Koreans. |
| 14th April 2007 Jehanne | Nuts... - From: The Guy Who Robbed Me at the ATM Thats such a great story ... your writing is fabulous! I was laughing my ass off reading it! Great job!! |
| 8th March 2007 Buddy & Trish | - From: The Chinese Invented the Firework We enjoy your writings! Glad that you all are having fun! |
| 4th March 2007 Kuno | What if...? - From: What if America had Stricter Gun Laws?: A Case study on the Consequences of Strict Gun Laws in Korea I have accepted the comment from "Joe" because it fits the purpose of this particular post quite well. The purpose of this post was to enlighten people as to a difference and its consequences. The goal was to make people think. The comment by Joe fits this goal; it should make you think. Thank you, Joe. |
| 4th March 2007 Joe | What if we all were millionairs? - From: What if America had Stricter Gun Laws?: A Case study on the Consequences of Strict Gun Laws in Korea The fact is that their are laws in the United States guns, the fact is that comparing South Korea and U.S.A. is like comparing rocks with fruit; there is none. A king (size) bed state (vs) a Small (size) is not in the running. If you people knew anything about the constitution of the U.S.A. this conversation would not even be addressed. (THE WHAT IF) is an excuse for not knowing what you are talking about. Our country is founded on freedom, rights, equallity, and do not trend on me! If we choose to turn the other chick than our country would fall with in it's self. We would no longer continue to live as free spirited people in our world as we know it. We in the U.S.A. live by the gun, we live by our word; and most important of all we will fight anyone any where that would try to take it from us. |
| 22nd February 2007 past timer | Some things dont change - From: Norebongs Hey, I used to work at SLI Bundang a couple of years ago. Your description of the dinner and the segregated Nori bang is exactly the same one I would have given from 2.5 years ago.. I dont know what it is about SLI, but the K teachers and foreign teachers dont become friends for some reason. |
| 9th February 2007 Stephanie | I love it! - From: The Guy Who Robbed Me at the ATM I've just returned to Canada after a year in Korea- I loved this story. It sums up the differences between North American culture and Korean culture- and all the reasons I loved being in Korea. I hope you continue to have an incredible experience! http://idreamofkimchee.blogspot.com |
| 4th February 2007 beabef | - From: What if America had Stricter Gun Laws?: A Case study on the Consequences of Strict Gun Laws in Korea atta boy... i was starting to miss your entries... hope all is well and i sure will miss you when i go to Buddys tonight for the superbowl!! Tell Mike hello for me. |
| 2nd February 2007 Kate Hildebrand | Nice blog! - From: Things I love about Korea - Part I (Plus Mr. Boggle Story) I'd like to try Korea out in a year or two. |
| 13th January 2007 JDot | Cheaper to eat out? - From: Things I love about Korea - Part I (Plus Mr. Boggle Story) Cheaper to eat out? That's my utopia. Incredible! My favorite Korean dish is Beef Chab Chae. My dad's is Bee Bim Bop, but I think that's because he likes jazz. |
| 11th January 2007 brett | joy - From: Things I love about Korea - Part I (Plus Mr. Boggle Story) just to let you know it is a little after 3am here at old dominion university and i just woke up all my roomates laughing at "(ah) juuuoooy!" you have some awesome entries in here keep it up. by the way i caught some waves for you the other day... |
| 11th January 2007 Jenna | Korea - From: Things I love about Korea - Part I (Plus Mr. Boggle Story) Kuno I too am from Virginia. I leave for Korea in 2 weeks. I am truly hoping that your Korea will be my Korea! |
| 10th January 2007 beabef | - From: Things I love about Korea - Part I (Plus Mr. Boggle Story) i think i just wet my pants a little bit. |
| 4th January 2007 beabef | - From: Iraq Invades American's Perspective beautiful shawn. well put. |
| 4th January 2007 J-Dot | You Crazy?? - From: The Guy Who Robbed Me at the ATM I would have never gone in there. |
| 27th December 2006 Charles | - From: Holidays are Busy Season Dont even act like they have a Buck's Pizza in Korea. |
| 26th December 2006 emily | wow - From: The Guy Who Robbed Me at the ATM ok ive been reading your writing for about a month and i really like how you write and how "uncheesyselfjournyish" you write; if you know what i mean. Im moving to Bundang January 2nd and i could use all the last minute advice I can get (im getting pretty nervous) if you have any to offer please email me at e2emily@yahoo.com I too will be teaching and am nervous about those first few weeks. have a great day and merry christmas |
| 15th December 2006 Beabef | eye opening - From: The Guy Who Robbed Me at the ATM wow shawn.. great story. I sure would love to be able to experience that first hand although coming from me, someone who experiences the worst times ten in a days work, would've never walked into the atm. I am glad america hasn't got the best of you or your instinct because Im convinced my job has altered mine and I thought that was something that should stay true to each individual. I was truly moved by this one bud. |
| 15th December 2006 Jenna | Story - From: The Guy Who Robbed Me at the ATM Great story!! |
| 15th December 2006 Bikepacker | How very true! - From: The Guy Who Robbed Me at the ATM Not just Americans would be suspicious - I'm a Brit and I wouldn't have even gone into that ATM room! |
| 15th December 2006 Miss Shin | Very beautiful - From: The Guy Who Robbed Me at the ATM Shawn, when I saw the headline I panicked. I just finished reading it and I am speechless.... |
| 11th December 2006 Miss Mason | - From: Foreigner Wine Party and Korean Service I am so jealous of you... And I am so glad to hear that you are having the time of your life and having the amazing experiences that you are. Can't wait to see you again and hear all these fabulous stories in person :) I also can't wait to hear more about the space-age toilet... Can I get an update at least on the high-tech crapper? Have you unlocked the mysteries of the 10-million buttons or are you still using the old tried and true handle? haha Miss you Shawn Patrick :) |
| 7th December 2006 linders | genius - From: Early Thoughts on the Korean and American Education Systems I agree with you 100%, however I would not have been able to put it so eloquently. Kudos to you. |
| 7th December 2006 Manda | Profound insight - From: Early Thoughts on the Korean and American Education Systems At the end of this wonderful adventure, while it is still fresh in your mind, it would be great to get you to come speak at some teacher conventions about the cultural differences you are identifying. Policy makers love and NEED to hear outside prospectives about our current educational system. Glad you're blogging; your words can be, if you let them, a true return on your "timely" investment. |
| 3rd December 2006 anonymous | nice - From: Appendix to Early Thoughts - Outline of a Global Economy i like reading what you write, thanks for talking intelligently without sounding pretentious-you have a real talent. |
| 30th November 2006 Kathleen | - From: Johnny Cash Dump i love the diagrams/illustrations you find it is necessary to include in your stories. you're such a nerd....but still one of the best story-tellers i know. keep up the good work oh noble teacher of english |
| 28th November 2006 JDOT | Boyz II Men - From: Norebongs I would have crushed that. What song was it? Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee are the sickest. |
| 26th November 2006 Jenna | - From: Korean Toilet Story Not only are you cute...you're hilarious too!!! |
| 26th November 2006 Juni | Living in a different country - From: American on his way to S. Korea Put ESL in your search engine. There are hundreds of recruiting agencies trying to get English speaking teachers. |
| 20th November 2006 Pavy | - From: Pepero Day Capitalism Rocks!! |
| 17th November 2006 Aunt Sue | Pepero for the Masses - From: Pepero Day I myself would like a national oatmeal chocolate chip cookie day...or perhaps week! Nana's for it too!! |
| 16th November 2006 The Vege | Long Live Capitalism - From: Pepero Day Get siiiiick capitalism!!!!!!!!! Hip hip hoo-ray! Hip Hip Hooo-ray! |
| 16th November 2006 MOM | a 100? - From: Norebongs You must have gotten your norebong skills from your mom! Sounds like you're having a ball. Did you ever see the movie Lost in Translation? I think there are some norebong scenes in that movie! |
| 15th November 2006 Klass | My karaoke hero! - From: Norebongs I can totally picture you representin' at these Norebongs. You're so hilarious! Keep the great updates coming Shawn Lo or should we call you Cee-Lo on the mic? |
| 15th November 2006 Mark | - From: Korean Toilet Story Hey man. I just happened upon your blog. That toilet adventure is hilarious! Lol :-) |
| 14th November 2006 AZ | opportunity info - From: American on his way to S. Korea I was just wondering where or what program are you guys in to be able to go to a different country (Korea) and get to live there for more than a year? What are the requirement? If you have any info please email me at aznphoenix2000@gmail.com I would love to go there and just rock out for a whole year. Thanks in advance. |
| 12th November 2006 Shin Impossible | Anyoung - From: Korean Klasses Shawnnn - your blogs really make my day, sitting home on a rainy Sunday night laughing out loud to your hilarious stories....Just curious, did you celebrate Pepero Day? read it in the journal the other day....wondering if your students did the whole gift exchange thing....well keep the blogs coming!!! hope you're well -Shin |
| 11th November 2006 Aunt Sue | Who Knew? - From: Just a Taste of Korean Kulture Who in this world would ever have thought that Aunt Sue would figure out the world of Blog! What fun....I check daily so I feel that you are not 16 hours ahead in time!!! We miss you but I'm so glad that you have that adventuring spirit....who did you get that from??? Keep it up oh noble nephew!! |
| 9th November 2006 Elena_Alexia | Man, thanks a loooot :) - From: Korean Toilet Story Just want to tell ur blog made my day..it was one of those boring, crowded day at the office when u have tons of reporst to do and u find ur self restless..and not so young:).. Reading ur blog i started laughing and laughing like a nut..tears in my eyes and colleagues wondering what happend..reports definetly cant be so fun... so in the middle of ur story i had to go lock my self in the bathroom to laugh in piece... btw no electronic toilet here also.. so many thanks and enjoy ur staying in korea... |
| 9th November 2006 ZDC | siick - From: Korean Klasses Shawn, you salty dog. these bloggies are very sick. let those little ones out early and teach them about the redskins! |
| 8th November 2006 Ridin Dirty | Awesome - From: Korean Klasses Man, you can keep sending me emails, I enjoy hearing about your adventures in Korea - freaking awesome- but I guess the blog is an easier way of doing it. I am sure your quite classes will become more talkative once they become more comfortable - they probably find your hairy american ass intimadating, HA! I am very jealous that you are getting to enjoy this experience, you will remember it forever! Keep the updates coming and the more pictures the better. Pavy |
| 8th November 2006 Charles | Teaching - From: Korean Klasses Shawn Lo, can I offer some teaching advice? Let them out early and they will love you, even if it's only five minutes early! |
| 8th November 2006 Bryan | - From: Korean Klasses Shawn-Lo, what's up. I'm in India right now and wish I had made my plans to come through S. Korea on the way back- that would have been way cool. Souds like you're having fun. I'll shoot you an email when more pictures are available from the wedding. Keep up with the blog. -Bryan |
| 13th October 2006 Nicole | You will LOVE LOVE LOVE it!! - From: American on his way to S. Korea I just returned Korea. I planned on a year and somehow it captured me for 2! Bundang is a good place to live. It is new and clean and there are a lot of amenities for foreigners. However make sure you hit the spots that are still so traditional that they don't compare to anything in the US! Have fun!! |
