Pohang trip..

Saturday morning, early.

I stayed up late working on Website changes--did you notice? :)--however, there's still so much to learn about html writing/tinkering, and I'm not yet satisfied.

It's funny~ I've read in so many other blogs how people, foreign teachers, spend alot of time (probably more so than posting about their teaching or day to day experiences) playing with their website format, editing html, and the ever-popular constantly "editing-saving-publishing" your template phenomenon. Amazing~ I'm exactly in the same boat; frankly because I spend alot of time learning about writing webpages...when I should really be writing more about what my life is like in the land of the morning calm (or, as some may say because of 'blog-readership', "Welcome to the Marmot's Hole!!")

In any event, I'm still a bit delerious from staying up until nearly 4:45 because of my blogging sickness (just joking!).. that, and preparing to move my bones to take my Korean language class at the YMCA in downtown Daegu. This will be my 3rd class--and I'm excited. I've already learned so much~~well, let's just say, a bit beyond my own Korean self-studies.

Today I'll head out to Pohang with one of my Korean friends, Myunghee, and her 9 year old son. This should be fun~ I've heard alot about the place. Unfortunately, my camera batter needs charging, and wonderful me forgot to plug it in~ so alas, I'll be pictureless. But the ride's cheap to get there, and Seungbo supposedly grew up there... so there'll be another chance for picture taking. Less of course, I decide to splurge a bit and buy the mini Nikon camera I have my eyes on~ it would travel so much better than my MONOLITH Mavica cd-writer. Hehe. We'll see. The camera I want costs roughly $400 USD. So I may have to wait a bit on that.

Anyhow~ wish me luck! I'll be back Sunday with updates. Have a good weekend everybody!!

:O) Chelsea

Cheese + Wine = One big Rant

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More blah blah about work irritations.

Just when you think you've got teaching down pat.

Someone always, always has to bust your bubble.

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Then again, cheese and wine do go together, as long as you play the cards right!

Audioblog Update: .. still in sleep mode.

A three minute update, still thick-tongued and waking up: teeth whitening, a crown, and work..turning into another fantastic hagwan?

Sometimes I think I have a hang of working as an English teacher here.Then again, there are days when I have no clue what to expect.

Welcome to the world of teaching...in Korea.

Finding what I've been looking for.. or maybe not?

I really liked Busan. It's a beautiful place, actually. The 덩헤 (Dong-Hae) Sea sprinkling it's refreshing wind throughout the streets-- makes the Eastern coast city a place to go visit often, if not, to live there. I think what I miss the most is being near water. Living in Bremerton, where the Navy town has always been surrounded by water--inlets, small straits, and mini gulfs; or back in Louisiana, where I spent the greater part of the last 3 years, where just down the road from my folks' bar stood the muddy yet relaxing Red river...this, combined with swimming competitively for nearly 5 or 6 years, makes me long to be near water. I guess you could call me Watergirl (And no, I'm not referring to the movie, Waterboy with Adam Sandler!)

Being here in Daegu, I'm surrounded by mountains--or what one would call, miniature mountains. I like the idea of being able to take a bus to Keoung Ju and visit Monasteries, or go hiking at Mt. Gatbawi--but I have to admit I miss driving to the nearest inlet (like back home) and watching the waves pile into the shore.

I wonder also if I've really found what I've been looking for. I've always been one for an adventure--changing my life competely by moving to another country, and being forced to learn their language, culture, foods and way of life~ is something I'm not stranger to. In fact, I think I thrive in these types of environments. However, since my birthay (Oct 2), and the thought of physically turning 27 has made me think conscientiously about my pilgrim behavior, my endless wanderings, traveling the planet.. but in search for what?

Perhaps why I've raised this question is because I found out my cousin, Amber, is pregnant with child number 2 (I just found this out recently...) And 21 weeks along, too! I'm so very excited for her, but I'm also saddened that I will be spending yet another year apart from seeing her belly grow, witness how her mood changes, or simply to get to know her again---perhaps as when we were younger and very close---but alas, I am here in Korea, and I'll miss again seeing her give birth to her second boy. Heck, I've already missed for the most part, the last few years she concieved and gave birth to her first boy, as he's already 2 (or so?). Time flies, and I sometimes feel I'm on this endless search for something greater, something better, something more interesting..

When all it boils down to is the experience, right? I'll always have memories of Switzerland. Of my past relationships. Of my school days. Perhaps they'll fade. But the point is, this is a part of life. Those memories may fade, and dwindle---so is the present more important than those memories we hold onto? What about what the future will hold?

I've always hung onto those memories, sometimes living vicariously through them on a near day-to-day basis. So I think about my past, quite often. And what I do, where I live, is always aiming for the future. I'm living for the future, preparing for the future... meanwhile, thinking about my past, living through my past. So, where does the present play in all of this?

Can you see how confusing all of this could be?

I don't want to miss another marriage or pregnancy because I'm off in some distant-country, stuck thinking about my past and living/preparing for the future. I want to live in the present, once and for all!

And sometimes, what we're all searching for---happiness, something greater, something different or better... is sometimes, sometimes, right at home.

Gold teeth ?

Benjamin Franklin's gold crown may have looked good back in the day, but today's crown doesn't look quite the same--nor does it have the same esthetic value.

After visiting the dentist today, I found out a few things.
(1) I don't need cleaning--or scaling as they call it--because luckily I don't have any plaque, or any calcium deposit. Whew!
(2) I can whiten my teeth. But the cost is a bit greater than I was told by a Korean friend: basically 300 Won for the entire upper clean, 300 Won for the lower teeth. Doable, but still more expensive than I thought. Nevertheless, the entire operation would be cheaper than in the US (which, while looking online recently, costs nearly $1,000 for the full set.)
(3) As far as one of my canine's being restored--because the bonding is coming off--the doctor recommended and basically said that my only option was a C-R-O-W-N. Not exactly the answer I was looking for.

I cannot imagine grinding my tooth down, getting a root canal, and putting a fake tooth on these chops.

So I'll get a second or third, or fourth opinion if I had to. I asked the doctor whether I could just bond it again, or put a veneer on my tooth, and he said it was a 'no-go' (in Chelsea terms, that is.) That means I'm still on the hunt for a solution~~because GOLD teeth just ain't my style!

Going to the Dentist...

Since standard medicine is so cheap here (ie. "I'm sick with a cold/flu, cure me"--result is a doctor's visit, possibly a shot, and medicine from the pharmacy..) I've decided to check out the dentist around here, and see what the cost is for...

1. A cleaning
2. Restoring one of my canines that I broke long ago: the bonding is wearing off
3. Possibly whitening my teeth (I'm starting to see the result of my coffee drinking again!)

Wish me luck. I'll update with the result later!

:) ~ Chelsea

English is WHACK!

Why English is Whack.

Google Definition: whack (general verb, action)

1. the sound made by a sharp swift blow
2. knock: the act of hitting vigorously; "he gave the table a whack"
3. hit hard; "The teacher whacked the boy"

Slang Definition (more appropriate), provided by Urban Dictionary: whack
1. adjective; appalling in nature, unconventional.2. verb; to strike one with the hand or fist.3. verb; to assassinate. 4. adjective: crazy, ridiculous

Examples:1. yo, that's whack.2. if your mother heard that she'd whack you upside the head.3. you want we should whack a dog?

My name is...

Introductions are the funniest. What's your name? This is just one of my classes whose kids are very talkative: that is, FB Class. The picture at left are two of my favorite students: Gloria and Judy. Then there's me. Nevertheless, here's the opportunity to hear, "What's your name? Tell me in Korean.."

Fractabulous!

Thanks everybody for your well-wishes. I did end up having a great birthday. It started out a bit slow, but it picked up. Just a nice, relaxing day, really. Check out the next Audio post for a little post-birthday run-down. It was truly Fractabulous!

I'm thinking of starting up another webblog on writing about Cultures. I've noticed so many cultural differences between the US and South Korea, for one---but oh, so many other places that I've traveled: Switzerland, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, France, etc.. the list goes on. I'm thinking of calling it, The Cultural Kink. Any input?

Last night we had a mini-after birthday party for me here at work. It was fun and expected. Susan, my director, bought me a delicious cheesecake, and the girls (Ellen and Anna) bought me a crystal earring/necklace set. They're beautiful, and I was gushing with enthusiasm. Our newest employee, Cindy (a Korean native who was hired to possibly teach Chinese classes), felt guilty for not buying me a present, let alone not knowing it was my birthday on Sunday; so she surprised me with mint-smelling pink lipstick. It was nice, really pretty; yet another element that added to my 'girly presents'.

Later on, during the cheesecake eating frenzy, Susan gave me a present. I thought at first it was a pillow or a sheet set (both of which I really need, in fact!).. but the container read Lovcat, Paris. The girls thought it was imported. When I opened it, as it came with a little jersey fabric cloth bag, I was stunned to find a gorgeous, purple, leather bag. The touch so soft like velvet and bright, sparkley purple--my favorite color, too. "Wow, must be expensive!" Anna said. Susan replied with a smile on her face, "It was on sale!" Lol. All the better. It was definitely over the top, and I felt like a real girl, too!

Today should flow rather smoothly. Even though Wednesday is officially one of my hectic days with no break between classes from beginning to end, I've got all of my classes prepped.. now I just hope to have enough energy to make it to this evening.

I went to downtown this morning with Seungbo on a mission to finally remedy my lack of properly hooking up my internet phone to my computer. We ate Chinese dumplings at this little restaurant called Zaozz. Rather interesting, but delicious.

I can't believe it's been nearly a month and a half since I first recieved my internet phone from ESL Bank, with the intention on doing phone tutoring with kids from Seoul--but since the beginning, I haven't been able to find the right connector to set the phone up. It's rather insane, I tell you: either the connector is a 9 pin, not a 15 pin, or the computer store is closed, the only one that possibly sells the right connector that I need, chooses to close the exact day I decide to finally make it downtown. Is this an omen or something? Am I taking on more than I can handle with phone tutoring? I dunno. But we'll see. I've finally picked up the right connector--fingers are crossed, and I promised myself that if the connector doesn't work, to my very modem that I presently have, I'm just going to drop the idea of phone tutoring.

Although, it's rather tempting to think I can make FREE PHONE CALLS to the US with this phone.

Hmm. I'm stuck in a rut. But alas, my determination will not let me stop with just a few tries. I've got to search all the possibilities. More update on that later when I see what becomes of this connector.

Onward, to a day of teaching. Hopefully it'll be as Fractabulous as my birthday. Well.. maybe not.

It's official..

Wow, I'm 27 for sure now. Thanks for giving birth to me, Mom! My official birthday song for today..

Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve



Webjay page (link)


(EDIT: The link works now.. how come no one told me it didn't work?! ;)

For Nostaligia's sake: Ah, another year older...

"Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me.." oh, wait. On second thought, I shouldn't sing this to myself. That's ridiculous! I guess I should be prepared to be sung to in Korean when I return to work on Tuesday, though...

In any event, I'm 27 everybody (I went blog-hopping and found this pretty funny website on a 27 year old guy who, typically, went partying for his birthday 3 years ago: check out the link!) So, around noon-30 my mother tells me, I was taken out of the womb...and it never ceases to amaze me how time really does fly. Literally.

I mean, I look in the mirror and I'm astounded at the grey hair that streaks my once naturally-golden highlights. The all-nighters I used to frequent in college or the more recent, 'I-partied-at-the-Nor-Rae-Bong last night' under-eye circles--can now be plainly seen upon my face unless I pull at least a 6 or 8 hour sleep session. Now I'm full of nostalgia, thinking of birthdays' past.. so what did I do the last couple of years on my birthday? I realize that I've spent nearly EVERY birthday over the course of the last 5 years in a different location. Where exactly...?

Perhaps a little time travel will do the trick:

26th Birthday.
Location: Alexandria, Louisiana.
Setting: Then-boyfriend Juan and I were living with my folks, and I had just graduated LSU a few months prior, thereafter spending 3 months traveling Europe before moving from Baton Rouge to Alexandria, Louisiana for work.
What happened: I worked at Books-A-Million on my special day, coming home to a little birthday party put together by Juan and my step-mother, Debbie. Sunflower cake, bouquet of flowers that Juan had picked outside, and a mixture of good smelling bath and lotion assortment that Debbie bought me. I remember I was angry that evening, for some reason, but the night was cut short, we all went to bed--I however feeling upset about everyone's lack of enthusiasm to go out to my parent's bar to party. Hmm.. strange day, indeed.

25th Birthday.
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Setting: I had a cute little apartment, right on the outskirts of the LSU campus. My buddy Johnny just moved back from spending a year in Belgium, and had moved in with me one month prior. I had spent August in the Dominican Republic, visiting Juan to try and rescue our relationship--as he had gone home the prior December because his father was sick with cancer. My mother was visiting me for the 2nd time since I moved down to Louisiana for school.
What happened: My mother and I spent the day hanging out, eating a good meal, drinking wine, partying it up--Lousiana style. It was a great adventure, though I remember very few details. I remember a new laptop, too, that Roger had sent my mother to exchange for my old one. I think it's about time I pop in that old CD of photos and check out what we did--primarily because I think we drank so much wine, I've forgotten what we did!

24th Birthday.
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Ok, so not so geographically different...)
Setting: Just moved into my cute little apartment. Juan had just moved out to his own apartment--we were having troubles, plus my mother wanted me all to herself--since she was visiting me, and hadn't seen me in over a year (since I had left to go down to LA for school).
What happened: My folks, Dad and Debbie, came down from Alexandria; Juan and my mother were there also, and we all went out to eat and play putt-putt golf. It was a blast, I remember that. Not only that, but to see my parents--who are both divorced and remarried--together again. I think we ALL had a little too much fun (major details omitted for privacy's sake!)

23rd Birthday.
Location: Bremerton, Washington.
Setting: It was 2001, and I had just come back from spending an entire year living and working as an au pair (nanny) in Miex, Switzerland. Living with my folks, and actually en-route to drive my Mercedes down to Lousiana to finish up college.
What happened: Of course, since I was living with my folks again, my mother woke me up with singing, if I remember correctly. I had an awesome lunch with my Mom and step-Dad, Roger (Roger's always been an excellent cook!) and then.. well, I guess it's time to bust out those photos again. I haven't a clue what else I did! Oh, wait.. memory serves me well: I went out on the evening of my birthday with my ex-fiancé, Jack. Yes, and we ate dinner at Azteca (which used to be our favorite, come to think of it..) and watched some live music afterward. Then, well, nothing extraordinary. Maybe there was a kiss shared somewhere in there for old time's sake!

22nd Birthday.
Location: Miex, Switzerland.
Setting: I was living and working as an au pair for the Peiry family in Switzerland, taking care of 2 very cute French-speaking girls. Traveled a bit, took French classes, enjoyed a romance with a Swiss guy. Basically, taking a year off of school--or, more appropriately, a gap-year to
What happened: My mother was visiting me from the states, and the entire Peiry family prepared a great meal, with 2 rich, Swiss-style cakes, and a few presents (which I still have today!) It was definitely a memorable birthday!

21st Birthday.
Location: My hometown, Bremerton--mostly in Seattle, WA., though.
Setting: I was living with my then-fiancé, Jack; he had his music, and I had my studies, but somehow, we'd find ourselves splitting up 8 months later, and myself--off to explore Western Europe, aka Switzerland.
What happened: I won't ever forget my 21st birthday. Why? Jack took me to Seattle: we stayed at a beautiful hotel, ate a wonderful dinner (at a French restaurant), and later, went out to something like 5 different bars, drinking along the way. The last bar, I remember, a big, black woman who sang a few blues numbers, sand a song to me and wished me a happy birthday. It was awesome! Ah, nostalgia...

20th Birthday.
Location: Still, my hometown, Bremerton, WA.
Setting: Just 2 years out of highschool, I was going to Olympic College (Junior College), full-time, working part-time at a juice bar in my local mall, living with 3 roommate (one party-animal, one highschool friend who was about to do something stupid and get married) and I.. just met Jack and wanted to high-tail it outta there!
What happened: My 20th was oh-so-memorable. A clan of friends, including my female roommate, best-friend Devon, and a few others, played a joke on Devon's boyfriend. We borrowed a friends' van, acted like CIA agents, toilet papered his house, and went on a laughing spree, raiding Wal-Mart and watching "A Werewolf in Paris" in the guy's decked-out van. That was the evening. The daytime, I'm sure we had a party at my folks' house (dinner, that is), and a few other surprises. The day was nevertheless, memorable!

There we go, lots and lots of nostalgia. It does seem odd, however, that I'm in Korea celebrating my 27th: I never imagined that I would be here, actually, celebrating in the most far-removed foreign country I could ever imagine visiting: People are speaking this funky language, men are spitting leisurely in the street, old women gossiping on the corner about whatever, strange and spicy foods SO unlike home...and myself--a Hakwon teacher, playing it cool, trying to learn a thing or two about this delicately-balanced country. hmmph. I kind of like it here, though. And I'm sure to remember this 27th birthday.

Today's/Tonight's plan: Head over to Keong Ju to visit historical sites with buddy, Seungbo; eat a fantistic meal and discuss the years' past; topping the evening off with a few drinks, maybe the Nor-Rae-Bong (singing Karyoke hall) and maybe go dancing downtown; last, and if I can find one, an itty-bitty-cake to demolish, all by myself!

Cheers!

First Audio Post

Hey all--it's my first Audio post. Want to hear my voice? Check it out! :)