I had a brief conversation with my good friend Todd Carter the other day. He is often inspiring… and inspiration knows no distance or recognizes any political boundaries. But without spoiling anything for anyone, I invite you all to the world premier of my latest little ditty regarding this crazy and beautiful Korean life I find myself in. The following is a phonetic pronunciation of what you are about to hear, and, to the best of my very limited ability, an English translation. Please click on the video above, turn up the volume on your computer, sit back, relax, and enjoy [View Full Entry]

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I knew about this trip for a few weeks, and as soon as I deciphered what it truly existed as, I knew before hand that it had some serious blogworthiness. It certainly didn’t let me down. A few weeks ago, you may remember, my school had staff field trip to the East Sea that involved some poisonous fish eating, some even more nearly poisonous soju drinking, and some Vegas ready karaoke stylings on the bus ride home. December 12th saw the first time I would attend a school staff overnight trip. This eliminates the one true roadblock to setting aside all [View Full Entry]

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We find ourselves waist deep in one of those ‘tweener seasons. Almost everywhere has this phenomenon at one time or another; the time of year that is no longer the cool clear days of endless autumn color on the mountainsides, yet you cannot go out and enjoy the recreation that the winter provides you. It’s not one or the other- it’s ‘tween both seasons, hence my name for it. Because of this, things have kind of slowed down for us over here. We aren’t braving the biting cold to explore the temples or parks of the area as much as we [View Full Entry]

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Hello Everyone!! By request...I am writing my very own blog :) We have been in Korea for almost two months and I love it! I love the food, I love the people, and I love not having to drive. When we arrived in fall, it was beautiful, the leaves were red and gold, and the season lasted forever (compared to Montana). Around Yeoju there are many mountains, smaller than Montana, but still beautiful. They are covered in trees so fall was especially beautiful. In the last few weeks, all of the leaves have fallen and it has started to get pretty [View Full Entry]

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Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays of the year. People gather, families reunite from long distances and after much time; the idea behind the celebration is to simply give thanks and count blessings that have been bestowed upon you this passed year. Besides, beneath the awkward familial situations, the rising tensions from the kitchen, the one true and ever present mission is to set all those aside and eat as much great food as humanly possible. What’s not to love about that? This Turkey Day was one for the ages, as the Yeoju magic made yet another appearance, and provided [View Full Entry]

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There are so, so many things one goes through, experiences, notices, accepts, and learns while doing something along the lines of travel and working abroad. Big things, little differences, and subtleties along the journey are the spices that put so much value into the experience. I realize that here, in Korea, most of those spices have to do with kimchi or that potent red pepper paste I love, but it’s those along with so much more that have moved me to share some of Korean life’s little pleasures. I love love; so I will share these things. Please enjoy the sometimes [View Full Entry]

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It amazes me that even the strangest of things can eventually become routine over time, even some of the most un-routine things. Even looking back some of the writing from previous entries, what happens outside of plans and schedules and itineraries and outlines are the things that have, more or less, morphed into being what we call our everyday life, if that is possible. This week seemed to be a snowball rolling down a hill of unexpectedness, starting off on Thursday afternoon. I had heard the entire school staff was supposed to go on a field trip to a town on [View Full Entry]

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Many good times to be had this week and weekend with it all coming to a head in Seoul. Cass’ week, school, and situation is getting better with a little old fashioned ‘seating chart,’ making everything else seemingly better as well. Maybe our good fortune just came with the rice cooker… but I don’t want to give away any of the story. Monday, the male teachers at school put up nets in the gym and invite anyone who wants to, for a round of the national sport, outside of Tae-kwon-Do, badminton. This isn’t the brand of badminton that you set up [View Full Entry]

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I can’t help but share with all you friends, one example of the genuine kindness and warmth of the people here, which has happened time and time again during the short four weeks I’ve been in South Korea. The severity of change and of cultural shock has been greatly reduced through the assistance of the many good people. A good sense of humor and laughing about things is very useful, but can only take you so far. It was in this dark, back alley, used appliance dealership where things really came to light. I got dropped off at the downtown bus [View Full Entry]

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I start this entry, for all intents and purposes, behind in the count due to the lashing I received from Mt. Birobong last weekend. Korea 1… Jon 0. Here is where we begin this weekend’s little shenanigan, beginning Friday after school and ending Sunday in Seoul at a magnificent palace dating back over seven hundred years. I received another teacher’s dinner invitation after school Friday, and of course, I accepted. Soju sounded rather good at the time, even despite it’s rankness. So I went home to drop off my school stuff and picked up Cass. We went downtown, just o [View Full Entry]

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