Halfway
Well, I just hit the midpoint of my contract. It's cause for celebration, though i am too tired at the moment to do much celebrating. I think I've settled in pretty well and found a comfortable rut over the first half of the year. I work too much, play some basketball and some pool, and occasionally manage to go on a trip. Now i just have to iterate for six more months, and i'll be done. I found the the grass is not any greener on the other side of the ocean, but at least the money is better. Teaching kindergarten has a few perks as well, as the wee bairns can be quite lovely sometimes.
I've got a faily large pile of pictures, some of them nice. i wish i could figure out how to post them on lj, but failing that, if i see you on msn i'll probably send you some whether you want them or not.
I should probably add some specifics for posterity:
Last weekend i went to Pusan, Korea's largest port, and the second biggest city. It has a remarkable fish market, selling all kinds of piscine wonders. My favorite were the eels, which were still trying to swim away after being skinned and gutted. I have a great video of that i'll probably show everyone when i get home. I went down with steve, who is lovely company in small doses. I enjoyed the city a lot. it was a few distinct sections, such as the industrial port, the traditional fish market, and the upscale western beach area. I think if i come back to Korea again i will try to work there.
This weekend i'll be lying low, as next week we only have monday at work, then we get the second of our long vacations. Chu-seok seems to be the biggest holiday of the year here; a combination of xmas and thanksgiving. kids are supposed to bow a lot to their parents and grandparents (and teachers) and then they get money. I'm going with Mike and Liz to Ulleung-do, which is a small island off the east coast. it's supposed to have some of the best scenery in the country. I hope we are able to make it in a timely manner, though, as i have heard the roads are packed this week, and we haven't bought any tickets yet.
That's about all the interesting news. I talked to the travel agent today after mike was organizing his flight, and they can organize russian tourist visas, so i am feeling more optimistic about my plans for when i finish. I'm not sure when i'll be back in the CA, but it's looking like a may get across the iron curtain after all.
did i mention only six more months?
Roderick
I've got a faily large pile of pictures, some of them nice. i wish i could figure out how to post them on lj, but failing that, if i see you on msn i'll probably send you some whether you want them or not.
I should probably add some specifics for posterity:
Last weekend i went to Pusan, Korea's largest port, and the second biggest city. It has a remarkable fish market, selling all kinds of piscine wonders. My favorite were the eels, which were still trying to swim away after being skinned and gutted. I have a great video of that i'll probably show everyone when i get home. I went down with steve, who is lovely company in small doses. I enjoyed the city a lot. it was a few distinct sections, such as the industrial port, the traditional fish market, and the upscale western beach area. I think if i come back to Korea again i will try to work there.
This weekend i'll be lying low, as next week we only have monday at work, then we get the second of our long vacations. Chu-seok seems to be the biggest holiday of the year here; a combination of xmas and thanksgiving. kids are supposed to bow a lot to their parents and grandparents (and teachers) and then they get money. I'm going with Mike and Liz to Ulleung-do, which is a small island off the east coast. it's supposed to have some of the best scenery in the country. I hope we are able to make it in a timely manner, though, as i have heard the roads are packed this week, and we haven't bought any tickets yet.
That's about all the interesting news. I talked to the travel agent today after mike was organizing his flight, and they can organize russian tourist visas, so i am feeling more optimistic about my plans for when i finish. I'm not sure when i'll be back in the CA, but it's looking like a may get across the iron curtain after all.
did i mention only six more months?
Roderick