Halfway home

Well my 6 month mark came and went last week and I have to say it doesnt feel that much different. It does feel like I have been here a long time but oddly that I dont have a lot of time left. I think this may be because one of my best friends here, Karen, the girl that I corresponded with before coming, is in the middle of her last week. She will be traveling throughout China before heading home to Canada and I constantly find myself thinking what it would be like if it was me leaving after a year. You all know that there have been times where I was ready to pack up and leave Korea, but watching a close friend actually do it puts a different perspective on it; even after 6 short months here, I know that I would miss Korea a lot.

Anyway, enough reflecting, heres whats new. First, allow me to apologize (again) for neglecting this blog. Although I have to say that the majority (not all) of my family and friends have really failed in terms of keeping in touch, its a two way street so I put some of the blame on you. PLEASE, POST COMMENTS, SEND EMAILS, TELL ME WHAT THINGS YOU LIKE OR WHAT TO READ ABOUT, THINGS YOU DONT LIKE, ETC... but most importantly, let me know you are still interested. There are times when I think I have a great idea to post about, but dont because it takes a lot of time and effort to write and edit this thing and I dont feel its appreciated most of the time. I know I have said this before, and let me stress again that some of you are very good about keeping in touch and I know everyone has a busy schedule, but its my feeling that if I can make time, you should be able to also. So try harder, all of you.

Second, the weather is finally getting warmer, we are nearing the end of winter and I am proud to have survived it. Some friends and I are going to try and take one more ski trip this weekend before Spring gets here, I hope the snow is still real.

Third, I get a new batch of students beginning March 1st. Korea does school a little differently in that the 1st new semester begins in March, including college. So, while I am disappointed that Koreans dont get to experience a summer break before school 'starts', I am excited that I will be getting new kindergarten students soon. In addition, I get to name more than half of my new students since most of them will be attending English school for their first time. My proposed list consisted of names from both family and friends, but it will honestly depend on what the parents are willing to accept. Stay posted to see if a Korean child was lucky enough to be named after you.

And finally, Happy Birthday to my Dad!

As always, be safe, Ill leave you will some pictures to compare my first day in Korea with a more recent one:

Photo Update!

This post will be brief, but I just wanted to tell you that I uploaded almost 100 new photos that include the Super Bowl and DJ Sasha. Also, I updated the Only in Korea page with a Tokyo Edition, click here to view them, heres a preview:

Konichiwa

While I got back to Seoul a week ago, Im just now updating my blog, my apologies. The trip was a blast, other than some punk swiping my credit and debit cards while I was at a bar, quickly racking up $2800 in fraudulent charges, and then replacing them so I had no idea that it happened. Consequently, the next day, when I needed money, none of my cards worked and I had no idea why. Other than that, the weather was great and I really enjoyed the city of Tokyo.

Highlights included:
-The Canadian brother and sister I met on the plane there that ended up loaning me money when I couldnt figure out why my cards werent working, thanks again Anne and Teddy.

-My capsule hostel which was pretty much like sleeping in a large cubby built into the wall

-The 'goodwill' tour I took with a 60 year old Japanese man. The way it worked was that he took me to all the places I wanted to go, and all I had to pay for was his subway tickets and meals. Pretty good deal actually.

-Shibuya Crosswalk - know as one of the busiest crosswalks in the world, this crossing has 5 pedestrian paths that fill up fast as soon as the cars stop, I was lucky enough to see it at rush hour, check out the video:


-Asiana Airlines - let me tell you, Asian airlines hook it up, not only was there free booze, but the meals were big and delicious and they were actually over staffed! Made me hate US domestic carriers even more. Also, I got to fly in my first 747 and they honored my request for an exit row.

-The Japanese people - I could not have been more pleased with all the Japanese people I met, everyone (except the bastard that used my CC) was extremely nice and EVERYONE we spoke to knew at least a little English. On a side note, I picked up a little Japanese while I was there so I am now quad-lingual (English, Spanish, Korean and Japanese for those keeping score at home).

More pictures are available here or in the TOKYO ALBUM if you click the usual link to the right.

In other news, I managed to go all day Monday without using the internet, just so I could see the Super Bowl on a taped delay without knowing the score. I watched it at a foreign bar that was packed and has an awesome time. While technically I was neutral, I rooted against the Cardinals because they beat my Falcons, so I ended up cheering on the winning team.

I guess thats it, send emails, post comments, just let me know you are alive because February 18th marks my 6th month mark here in Korea and I miss hearing from you all.

Take it easy, Quincy.