It's 5:55 am and I'm not in bed. I haven't been to bed and I don't want to go. Why go to bed when bed means that next thing you know you'll be a day older and that means another day wasted. I live in fear of tomorrow and the accumulation of all my tomorrows and tha old age and the waste and the failure that it'll bring.
The time doesn't stop- I know that but if I can just stay awake, then I might make the magical step. The step to the place where I get things done and things make sense and I make sense, to me, to other people.
20070924
20070919
For those of you who may have been wondering how I've been
For those of you who couldn't give a rat's rear-end, why are you still reading?
Okay, it seems that etiquette requires me to provide at least semi-frequent updates to my nearest and dearest. May I just apologise for the fact that, up until now, said requirement has remained unfulfilled.
How best to go about it though? Well, as I'm not feeling overly inspired at 11:15 this rainy Saturday morning after the Friday night before, you'll have to settle for the tired format of 'What's Hot and What's Not'.
1. Hot: My musical washing machine- does exactly what it says on the tin. Yes, my toploading Daewoo labelled, as it is, in a language as yet unconquered by me is thoughtful enough to provide me with musical accompaniment as I press buttons here, there and everywhere trying to find the combination that'll give me the required 40 degrees.
Not: My mouldy bedroom wall.
2. Hot: The surrounding scenery. It'll certainly take more than my words to do it justice so just Google Seoraksan (sp?) for images and feel envious!
Not: In terms of beauty, Sokcho seemingly has little to offer beyond that gifted to it by nature. I may have missed something but the overall theme of the architecture seems to be 'Ugly'.
3. Hot: Some of the kids: so adorable it hurts.
Not: The other kids: Grrrr! I shall say no more.
4. Hot: Kimbap (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimbap) Surely the ultimate fast food.
Not: Sitting cross-legged on the floor for dinner when I go out. My legs haven't experienced that position since I was 11 years old and at primary school! Sixteen years of accumulated inflexibility cannot be undone overnight. The table is probably a foot off the ground and fitting my chunky, long legs thereunder is a pain that requires some serious pleasure to counterbalance it. Luckily, Korean food does the trick!
5. Hot: Being stared at and being secure in the knowledge it's not because I have toothpaste on my face or because my flies are undone. No it's just because I'm a freaky foreigner!
Not: Being stared at. Yesterday, I picked up my ID card, which, naturally enough, is in Korean. I suspect that this Korean says something along the lines of, "Beware! Foolish foreigner, whom we lured here under the false pretense of employing him as a teacher. Idiot! He's really here to satisfy our collective desire to gawp at strange beasts as they walk among us."
6. Hot: Shop opening hours. Everything seems to be open all the time.
Not: Lack of deodorant. I was forewarned about this but shrugged it off as some kind of exaggeration. Well, my spray ran out some time last week and I've been Stinky McStinky ever since. The stuff just can't be found! It seems that Koreans, much like dogs, do not sweat. Unlike dogs however, they do not lie on their sides panting heavily to stay cool so only God knows how they do it.
E Basta.
Okay, it seems that etiquette requires me to provide at least semi-frequent updates to my nearest and dearest. May I just apologise for the fact that, up until now, said requirement has remained unfulfilled.
How best to go about it though? Well, as I'm not feeling overly inspired at 11:15 this rainy Saturday morning after the Friday night before, you'll have to settle for the tired format of 'What's Hot and What's Not'.
1. Hot: My musical washing machine- does exactly what it says on the tin. Yes, my toploading Daewoo labelled, as it is, in a language as yet unconquered by me is thoughtful enough to provide me with musical accompaniment as I press buttons here, there and everywhere trying to find the combination that'll give me the required 40 degrees.
Not: My mouldy bedroom wall.
2. Hot: The surrounding scenery. It'll certainly take more than my words to do it justice so just Google Seoraksan (sp?) for images and feel envious!
Not: In terms of beauty, Sokcho seemingly has little to offer beyond that gifted to it by nature. I may have missed something but the overall theme of the architecture seems to be 'Ugly'.
3. Hot: Some of the kids: so adorable it hurts.
Not: The other kids: Grrrr! I shall say no more.
4. Hot: Kimbap (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimbap) Surely the ultimate fast food.
Not: Sitting cross-legged on the floor for dinner when I go out. My legs haven't experienced that position since I was 11 years old and at primary school! Sixteen years of accumulated inflexibility cannot be undone overnight. The table is probably a foot off the ground and fitting my chunky, long legs thereunder is a pain that requires some serious pleasure to counterbalance it. Luckily, Korean food does the trick!
5. Hot: Being stared at and being secure in the knowledge it's not because I have toothpaste on my face or because my flies are undone. No it's just because I'm a freaky foreigner!
Not: Being stared at. Yesterday, I picked up my ID card, which, naturally enough, is in Korean. I suspect that this Korean says something along the lines of, "Beware! Foolish foreigner, whom we lured here under the false pretense of employing him as a teacher. Idiot! He's really here to satisfy our collective desire to gawp at strange beasts as they walk among us."
6. Hot: Shop opening hours. Everything seems to be open all the time.
Not: Lack of deodorant. I was forewarned about this but shrugged it off as some kind of exaggeration. Well, my spray ran out some time last week and I've been Stinky McStinky ever since. The stuff just can't be found! It seems that Koreans, much like dogs, do not sweat. Unlike dogs however, they do not lie on their sides panting heavily to stay cool so only God knows how they do it.
E Basta.
20070524
Looking forward but moving sideways
Gnnnnhhhhhh!!!
I've spent a few moments collecting my thoughts and attempting to come up with the best combination of letters to show my feelings at this moment. This is what I ended up with.
I know where I want to get to but the route to take is obscured by so many blind corners, dead ends and even mirages that, well, you know, gnnnnhhhhhh!! Recruiters galore offer to find me a top job with top conditions but I don't trust these people any further than I could throw them. Considering the fact that I will probably never meet any of them, this really isn't that far. What I do know is that they make 1000 quid placing peeps like me wheresoever there is a gap to be filled. No, definitely not a great idea to trust people with such plain and obvious ulterior motives.
There is also the possibility of finding work with a school by direct contact. However, there remains the fact that you fly halfway around the world never having checked out the place you're going to be working and living in.
Well, there's just one option then, isn't there? Fly halfway around the world and find a job when I get there. That's how a real man would do it and so it shall be! Here's how it'll work: I'll buy an open-return, I'll fly, I'll find a job, I'll live happily ever after (or until I have to go home). Simple. There are massive upsides to this which are counterbalanced by just one little downside as far as I can see- it'll cost a little more in the short-term.
I've just realised this entry has been somewhat inconsistent in its direction. How brilliantly representative of my state of mind!
I've spent a few moments collecting my thoughts and attempting to come up with the best combination of letters to show my feelings at this moment. This is what I ended up with.
I know where I want to get to but the route to take is obscured by so many blind corners, dead ends and even mirages that, well, you know, gnnnnhhhhhh!! Recruiters galore offer to find me a top job with top conditions but I don't trust these people any further than I could throw them. Considering the fact that I will probably never meet any of them, this really isn't that far. What I do know is that they make 1000 quid placing peeps like me wheresoever there is a gap to be filled. No, definitely not a great idea to trust people with such plain and obvious ulterior motives.
There is also the possibility of finding work with a school by direct contact. However, there remains the fact that you fly halfway around the world never having checked out the place you're going to be working and living in.
Well, there's just one option then, isn't there? Fly halfway around the world and find a job when I get there. That's how a real man would do it and so it shall be! Here's how it'll work: I'll buy an open-return, I'll fly, I'll find a job, I'll live happily ever after (or until I have to go home). Simple. There are massive upsides to this which are counterbalanced by just one little downside as far as I can see- it'll cost a little more in the short-term.
I've just realised this entry has been somewhat inconsistent in its direction. How brilliantly representative of my state of mind!
20070515
Poland- the end is nigh but not quite nigh enough
I talked the other day of my contentment with the decision I have made. I'm pleased to say that that decision still stands. Unbelievably, that makes it something like two weeks since I last changed my mind. Phenomenal!
In terms of Korean career development, things are moving slowly. In one respect, that doesn't matter too much as I have time and a market desperate for teachers on my side. Having opted (once and for all?) to move however, the days that remain in the land of terrible customer service and beautiful May days are passing slowly. It is an almost inevitable consequence of a big decision that the time between it and the action itself feels like time wasted.
Having said all that, the chances are that, once I've left this place, I'll miss it at some stage. If I do, I sincerely hope never to come across this video.
I feel nostalgic already! I just have to try and remind myself of Krakow's Nike-wearing skinheads in their black trainers and white socks pulled up and maybe a few Krakow blondies with orange faces every time I feel that way.
In terms of Korean career development, things are moving slowly. In one respect, that doesn't matter too much as I have time and a market desperate for teachers on my side. Having opted (once and for all?) to move however, the days that remain in the land of terrible customer service and beautiful May days are passing slowly. It is an almost inevitable consequence of a big decision that the time between it and the action itself feels like time wasted.
Having said all that, the chances are that, once I've left this place, I'll miss it at some stage. If I do, I sincerely hope never to come across this video.
I feel nostalgic already! I just have to try and remind myself of Krakow's Nike-wearing skinheads in their black trainers and white socks pulled up and maybe a few Krakow blondies with orange faces every time I feel that way.
20070511
Just when I thought I was out, it pulls me back in
Just as certain as death and taxes, blogging has become a part of my life. A small part but an inevitable retreat when I have nothing better to do and I have a keyboard at my fingertips. Unbelievably, I've started, and failed to continue, four of the things already.
What brings me back this time? A change. I've been in Poland for most of the last sixteen months and feel ready to move on. The wonderful thing about it is that the change will be on my own terms. Never make any decisions based on the experiences of one or two days, be they good or bad ones. I am able to reflect on the time that's passed here, assess the situation as it stands and weigh up the future opportunities without the influence of excessive emotion. And, well, it just feels good.
Whither will I wander? (Apologies for the gratuitous use of archaic English.) Well, the page's title should have given a clue. Even if I am far from certain to end up in the South Korean capital. Korea's charms and attractions are largely unknown to me and the world at large. That is reason enough in itself. Another factor is the potential to save respectable amounts of money while doing what I currently enjoy doing- teaching English. And one more reason just to round out the list- Seoul must be just about the most punnable capital city in the world. Having said that, the capital of Burkina Faso- Ouagoudougou (ish) would have opened up interesting possibilities in the arena of Fred Flintstone catchphrase-based blog names with a hint of African. Ouagoudougoudoooooo!!!
Back to Seoul- as the next stage of my research, I am going to head to youtube.com and type in Seoul. What follows, whatever that may be, will be the most interesting video from the first page of results.
What brings me back this time? A change. I've been in Poland for most of the last sixteen months and feel ready to move on. The wonderful thing about it is that the change will be on my own terms. Never make any decisions based on the experiences of one or two days, be they good or bad ones. I am able to reflect on the time that's passed here, assess the situation as it stands and weigh up the future opportunities without the influence of excessive emotion. And, well, it just feels good.
Whither will I wander? (Apologies for the gratuitous use of archaic English.) Well, the page's title should have given a clue. Even if I am far from certain to end up in the South Korean capital. Korea's charms and attractions are largely unknown to me and the world at large. That is reason enough in itself. Another factor is the potential to save respectable amounts of money while doing what I currently enjoy doing- teaching English. And one more reason just to round out the list- Seoul must be just about the most punnable capital city in the world. Having said that, the capital of Burkina Faso- Ouagoudougou (ish) would have opened up interesting possibilities in the arena of Fred Flintstone catchphrase-based blog names with a hint of African. Ouagoudougoudoooooo!!!
Back to Seoul- as the next stage of my research, I am going to head to youtube.com and type in Seoul. What follows, whatever that may be, will be the most interesting video from the first page of results.
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