Wednesday, April 9, 2008

First Speeding Ticket in S. Korea ~Nice Job!~

I was send a lovely gift in the mail, a speeding ticket for 18 km/h over the limit. Nice one!!! Total debt 40,000 Won ($40 USD). I've been getting around on four wheels lately, what a change from riding the subways and buses for 1.5 years. Today was "voting day" for provincial/municipal elections, a national holiday for universities too! Hooraah! I spend the holiday on a bike ride around town, getting a set of ball joints replaced at a BOSCH service center (great service, complete replacement, parts and labor was only $30 bucks!). I've learned that you can service an old beater inexpensively, because these service centers are competing with new car sales, in Korea, everyone wants to drive something NEW. I prefer the late 96' Kia Sephia to slam the pavement, weave the traffic, and shake down traffic tickets. I will never have to worry about getting a scratch or a dent either, this one's full of them. But I take pride in my first KIA, and wax her up (even the dented and scratched surfaces) perhaps so she can bask in her final glory. Teaching is a chore. Day off was a chore too. Changed diapers about 20 times today, they are in the wash now, should be coming close to "hang'em up" inside. Mi Sung and Matthew are wiped out, they're both sleeping. Today is officially spring, have you noticed all the Cherry blossoms in full-bloom? These days, I wonder if anyone still reads this blog...and who reads this blog?? Oh, I was accepted into both a MA program and B.Ed at WESTERN, in London, Ontario. Excited? Yes. Nothing else to report, Korea is still forever a home I never quite got used to, and still live there. Blessings to all friends & family ~Brian,Mi,Min ^^

First Speeding Ticket in S. Korea ~Nice Job!~

I was send a lovely gift in the mail, a speeding ticket for 18 km/h over the limit. Nice one!!! Total debt 40,000 Won ($40 USD). I've been getting around on four wheels lately, what a change from riding the subways and buses for 1.5 years. Today was "voting day" for provincial/municipal elections, a national holiday for universities too! Hooraah! I spend the holiday on a bike ride around town, getting a set of ball joints replaced at a BOSCH service center (great service, complete replacement, parts and labor was only $30 bucks!). I've learned that you can service an old beater inexpensively, because these service centers are competing with new car sales, in Korea, everyone wants to drive something NEW. I prefer the late 96' Kia Sephia to slam the pavement, weave the traffic, and shake down traffic tickets. I will never have to worry about getting a scratch or a dent either, this one's full of them. But I take pride in my first KIA, and wax her up (even the dented and scratched surfaces) perhaps so she can bask in her final glory. Teaching is a chore. Day off was a chore too. Changed diapers about 20 times today, they are in the wash now, should be coming close to "hang'em up" inside. Mi Sung and Matthew are wiped out, they're both sleeping. Today is officially spring, have you noticed all the Cherry blossoms in full-bloom? These days, I wonder if anyone still reads this blog...and who reads this blog?? Oh, I was accepted into both a MA program and B.Ed at WESTERN, in London, Ontario. Excited? Yes. Nothing else to report, Korea is still forever a home I never quite got used to, and still live there. Blessings to all friends & family ~Brian,Mi,Min ^^

First Speeding Ticket in S. Korea ~Nice Job!~

I was send a lovely gift in the mail, a speeding ticket for 18 km/h over the limit. Nice one!!! Total debt 40,000 Won ($40 USD). I've been getting around on four wheels lately, what a change from riding the subways and buses for 1.5 years. Today was "voting day" for provincial/municipal elections, a national holiday for universities too! Hooraah! I spend the holiday on a bike ride around town, getting a set of ball joints replaced at a BOSCH service center (great service, complete replacement, parts and labor was only $30 bucks!). I've learned that you can service an old beater inexpensively, because these service centers are competing with new car sales, in Korea, everyone wants to drive something NEW. I prefer the late 96' Kia Sephia to slam the pavement, weave the traffic, and shake down traffic tickets. I will never have to worry about getting a scratch or a dent either, this one's full of them. But I take pride in my first KIA, and wax her up (even the dented and scratched surfaces) perhaps so she can bask in her final glory. Teaching is a chore. Day off was a chore too. Changed diapers about 20 times today, they are in the wash now, should be coming close to "hang'em up" inside. Mi Sung and Matthew are wiped out, they're both sleeping. Today is officially spring, have you noticed all the Cherry blossoms in full-bloom? These days, I wonder if anyone still reads this blog...and who reads this blog?? Oh, I was accepted into both a MA program and B.Ed at WESTERN, in London, Ontario. Excited? Yes. Nothing else to report, Korea is still forever a home I never quite got used to, and still live there. Blessings to all friends & family ~Brian,Mi,Min ^^

First Speeding Ticket in S. Korea ~Nice Job!~

I was send a lovely gift in the mail, a speeding ticket for 18 km/h over the limit. Nice one!!! Total debt 40,000 Won ($40 USD). I've been getting around on four wheels lately, what a change from riding the subways and buses for 1.5 years. Today was "voting day" for provincial/municipal elections, a national holiday for universities too! Hooraah! I spend the holiday on a bike ride around town, getting a set of ball joints replaced at a BOSCH service center (great service, complete replacement, parts and labor was only $30 bucks!). I've learned that you can service an old beater inexpensively, because these service centers are competing with new car sales, in Korea, everyone wants to drive something NEW. I prefer the late 96' Kia Sephia to slam the pavement, weave the traffic, and shake down traffic tickets. I will never have to worry about getting a scratch or a dent either, this one's full of them. But I take pride in my first KIA, and wax her up (even the dented and scratched surfaces) perhaps so she can bask in her final glory. Teaching is a chore. Day off was a chore too. Changed diapers about 20 times today, they are in the wash now, should be coming close to "hang'em up" inside. Mi Sung and Matthew are wiped out, they're both sleeping. Today is officially spring, have you noticed all the Cherry blossoms in full-bloom? These days, I wonder if anyone still reads this blog...and who reads this blog?? Oh, I was accepted into both a MA program and B.Ed at WESTERN, in London, Ontario. Excited? Yes. Nothing else to report, Korea is still forever a home I never quite got used to, and still live there. Blessings to all friends & family ~Brian,Mi,Min ^^

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Trip to a Korean University Mecca - MT Training


Many of my current freshmen EFL students attended a campout in the mountains bordering Kangwon and Gyunggi Provinces. We had excellent weather and the schools were out in full-force, most minbaks and yeogwons that host the MT (membership training) were booked solid for this weekend. It was another ice-breaker with students, and there was time for introductions of student administration and our professorial staff made short mentions and bowed out for much of the night. The festivities were exciting, students who normally have 0 energy in my classes, were running at maximum potential to get blitzed in the Korean drinking games. It was safe, secure, and the students were responsible while being unsupervised. They cooked fantastic food, including the pork, Sam-gap-sal...loads of it, and other dished were shared and prepared throughout the course of the evening. Finally, Prof. Lee and Prof. Robert and Alex and I stepped out, while students went on their prowling until reportedly 4am. Good for them, I was glad to get back to the motel for some sleep!!!

Trip to a Korean University Mecca - MT Training


Many of my current freshmen EFL students attended a campout in the mountains bordering Kangwon and Gyunggi Provinces. We had excellent weather and the schools were out in full-force, most minbaks and yeogwons that host the MT (membership training) were booked solid for this weekend. It was another ice-breaker with students, and there was time for introductions of student administration and our professorial staff made short mentions and bowed out for much of the night. The festivities were exciting, students who normally have 0 energy in my classes, were running at maximum potential to get blitzed in the Korean drinking games. It was safe, secure, and the students were responsible while being unsupervised. They cooked fantastic food, including the pork, Sam-gap-sal...loads of it, and other dished were shared and prepared throughout the course of the evening. Finally, Prof. Lee and Prof. Robert and Alex and I stepped out, while students went on their prowling until reportedly 4am. Good for them, I was glad to get back to the motel for some sleep!!!

Trip to a Korean University Mecca - MT Training


Many of my current freshmen EFL students attended a campout in the mountains bordering Kangwon and Gyunggi Provinces. We had excellent weather and the schools were out in full-force, most minbaks and yeogwons that host the MT (membership training) were booked solid for this weekend. It was another ice-breaker with students, and there was time for introductions of student administration and our professorial staff made short mentions and bowed out for much of the night. The festivities were exciting, students who normally have 0 energy in my classes, were running at maximum potential to get blitzed in the Korean drinking games. It was safe, secure, and the students were responsible while being unsupervised. They cooked fantastic food, including the pork, Sam-gap-sal...loads of it, and other dished were shared and prepared throughout the course of the evening. Finally, Prof. Lee and Prof. Robert and Alex and I stepped out, while students went on their prowling until reportedly 4am. Good for them, I was glad to get back to the motel for some sleep!!!

Trip to a Korean University Mecca - MT Training


Many of my current freshmen EFL students attended a campout in the mountains bordering Kangwon and Gyunggi Provinces. We had excellent weather and the schools were out in full-force, most minbaks and yeogwons that host the MT (membership training) were booked solid for this weekend. It was another ice-breaker with students, and there was time for introductions of student administration and our professorial staff made short mentions and bowed out for much of the night. The festivities were exciting, students who normally have 0 energy in my classes, were running at maximum potential to get blitzed in the Korean drinking games. It was safe, secure, and the students were responsible while being unsupervised. They cooked fantastic food, including the pork, Sam-gap-sal...loads of it, and other dished were shared and prepared throughout the course of the evening. Finally, Prof. Lee and Prof. Robert and Alex and I stepped out, while students went on their prowling until reportedly 4am. Good for them, I was glad to get back to the motel for some sleep!!!