So This is Christmas...
Christmas was a little different, as to be expected, but not as different as I had initially expected. Stores still blare Christmas music, Santas still roam the land (though they tend to be skinny and Asian over here), and traffic is hell. Then when is traffic not hell in Seoul.
The thing that probably changed the most is the presents I got from my family. I figured it was pointless for them to send me things that I'll only be lugging back in a few months or so, so I only asked for essentials: sunflower seeds and soy nut butter. Yup, shopping for me just got a lot easier. I had a pretty bad sunflower seed habit going in the states and I'd like to pick it back up.
Anywhoo- Christmas still worked out. Parties were had, gifts were opened, pleasantries were exchanged. All of you here who made my Christmas work out, well, I love you guys. All of you in the states who I couldn't be with, well, I miss you guys. I hope everyone's Christmas was as merry as mine.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Daddy's Got a New Pair of Shoes
Kat ran a facial celeberity-look-alike comparison on one of my photos at http://www.myheritage.com. Unfortunately it was a bad picture of when I had a beard. The celebrity I resembled the most was Fidel Castro. Kat then saw these slippers and gave them to me for Christmas so my feet can resemble my face.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Waygooks of the Asian Islands (Spin off of that famous pirate movie)
Thailand has come and gone. Now I'm back in the land of snow and kimchi. The trip was fun enough. I don't want to expound on that. I'm back working now so I'd rather keep my mind on work. Okay, twist my arm, I'll regale you with a few abbreviated tales.
*Al and I went scuba diving. I wish I could take credit for the pictures below but I can't. Our Dive instructor Stephen whats-his-name actually took the photos and burned us a CD of them. Hopefully I don't get sued for not citing my sources.
*Scott, Al and I rented scooters for the day. Much fun and a few bruises were had.
*We sea kayaked. For me, entry into the kayak and then exit out of the thing were the hardest parts. I amused many of the locals on exit as I attempted to ride a wave in, the kayak ejected me and then tumbled with me in the surf.
*Laying on the beach. We did this a lot.
*Laying on the beach at night. We did this even more.
* Eating. Somedays I had breakfast, second breakfast followed by lunch then a snack, appetisers, dinner, dessert followed by second dinner. I was fattening up for winter. Also I was never afflicted by any of those fretted about allergies. Upon arrival back in Korea, the first meal I ate got me sick. Oh, the irony.
*Beer in Thailand is 6.4%
*I met many different people. I still owe the Germans for helping me get to my destination and the New Zealanders for getting me piss drunk.
*Thailand is cheap. Seven days for $500. That includes all meals, drinks, accomodations, snorkel gear, diving outings, scooter rental, gifts, movie tickets, ferry rides (I should rephrase that), and such.
*Admiring the beauty. I did that a lot too.
So if any of y'all wants to go to T-land, tell me when and where and I'll meet you there. The food is wonderful, the smiles are plentiful and, um, the sea is wet. Thank god I don't work for the Thailand chamber of commerce.
(On a side note, my Skype is up and running. Friends and family, give me call.)
Thailand has come and gone. Now I'm back in the land of snow and kimchi. The trip was fun enough. I don't want to expound on that. I'm back working now so I'd rather keep my mind on work. Okay, twist my arm, I'll regale you with a few abbreviated tales.
*Al and I went scuba diving. I wish I could take credit for the pictures below but I can't. Our Dive instructor Stephen whats-his-name actually took the photos and burned us a CD of them. Hopefully I don't get sued for not citing my sources.
*Scott, Al and I rented scooters for the day. Much fun and a few bruises were had.
*We sea kayaked. For me, entry into the kayak and then exit out of the thing were the hardest parts. I amused many of the locals on exit as I attempted to ride a wave in, the kayak ejected me and then tumbled with me in the surf.
*Laying on the beach. We did this a lot.
*Laying on the beach at night. We did this even more.
* Eating. Somedays I had breakfast, second breakfast followed by lunch then a snack, appetisers, dinner, dessert followed by second dinner. I was fattening up for winter. Also I was never afflicted by any of those fretted about allergies. Upon arrival back in Korea, the first meal I ate got me sick. Oh, the irony.
*Beer in Thailand is 6.4%
*I met many different people. I still owe the Germans for helping me get to my destination and the New Zealanders for getting me piss drunk.
*Thailand is cheap. Seven days for $500. That includes all meals, drinks, accomodations, snorkel gear, diving outings, scooter rental, gifts, movie tickets, ferry rides (I should rephrase that), and such.
*Admiring the beauty. I did that a lot too.
So if any of y'all wants to go to T-land, tell me when and where and I'll meet you there. The food is wonderful, the smiles are plentiful and, um, the sea is wet. Thank god I don't work for the Thailand chamber of commerce.
(On a side note, my Skype is up and running. Friends and family, give me call.)
And so the Trip Begins
Waiting in the rain, at a bus stop, for a bus, and a plane, to take me somewhere else for awhile.
Holy Crap, You Made It!
Despite telling me the wrong island to go to and the wrong dates to show up, I made it anyway. Scott's disbelief is evident.
Getting There 1
Once again we have action shots of Scott. Check out the next four photos in sequence.
Bearded Scorpion Fish
Look for the fish here. Can you see it? Usually I can't remember the names of fish. I have no problem with this sucker: the Beared Scorpion Fish. Not only is it like a scorpion but it has a beard too. A sting from this guy is supposed to be like a gun shot and can affect a person's nervous system for years. It's best to stay away from them.
Born to Be Wild
Man, do these things have some pick up. It's terrible but both Scott and I had "Born to be Wild" running through our heads as we rode about.
Friday, December 08, 2006
What is that on your head?!?!
"You're being attacked by a furry, cute, brain-sucking leach."
"Oh my God, get it off! Get it off!"
Leading roles: Sarah and Cindy-Cindy
"Oh my God, get it off! Get it off!"
Leading roles: Sarah and Cindy-Cindy
Me and My Teaching Hat
All waygook are now required to wear certain hats, identifying them as waygooks.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Scuba Skillz
This Saturday I take off for Thailand. Don't you hate it when people start things of like that, with what appears to be an off-handed comment but is really meant to rub the fact in your face.
I'm supposed to meet up with Scott and Allison, but it won't be all fun and games. Allison and I plan on putting our scuba diving skills to the test. We haven't tested them out since April, when we got our Navy Seal certification diving in the east Korean sea. I imagine Thailand will be a bit warmer than what we went through before. I'm trying to remember all my scuba hand signals. The request for buddy breathe, when you and your scuba partner share the same regulator, is supposed to be a back and forth motion across the throat symbolizing "out of air" and a back in forth motion between the divers symbolizing "lets share air". Al and I always thought it was more likely to for one of us to rip the regulator out of the other persons mouth and hold them back Heisman Trophy style with a hand to the face. Hopefully all works out. Scott plans to be our lifeguard; he will sit on the beach, drink beer and look out for land sharks.
Other activities include scooter scouting, sea kayaking, laying on the beach and avoiding peanut and shrimp allergies. I have my flash cards all printed out that say in English and Thai, "Don't put nuts in my food. I am allergic to them." With the cards also came one that said, "I hate to interrupt, but can I play ping pong with you." I hope I don't get them mixed up. I'm also mystified by that last one, but you never know what's going to happen, and I have been jonesing for a good game of ping pong.
This Saturday I take off for Thailand. Don't you hate it when people start things of like that, with what appears to be an off-handed comment but is really meant to rub the fact in your face.
I'm supposed to meet up with Scott and Allison, but it won't be all fun and games. Allison and I plan on putting our scuba diving skills to the test. We haven't tested them out since April, when we got our Navy Seal certification diving in the east Korean sea. I imagine Thailand will be a bit warmer than what we went through before. I'm trying to remember all my scuba hand signals. The request for buddy breathe, when you and your scuba partner share the same regulator, is supposed to be a back and forth motion across the throat symbolizing "out of air" and a back in forth motion between the divers symbolizing "lets share air". Al and I always thought it was more likely to for one of us to rip the regulator out of the other persons mouth and hold them back Heisman Trophy style with a hand to the face. Hopefully all works out. Scott plans to be our lifeguard; he will sit on the beach, drink beer and look out for land sharks.
Other activities include scooter scouting, sea kayaking, laying on the beach and avoiding peanut and shrimp allergies. I have my flash cards all printed out that say in English and Thai, "Don't put nuts in my food. I am allergic to them." With the cards also came one that said, "I hate to interrupt, but can I play ping pong with you." I hope I don't get them mixed up. I'm also mystified by that last one, but you never know what's going to happen, and I have been jonesing for a good game of ping pong.
Wonder Twin Powers, Activate!
This is an old classic. Why do I doubt our skills at all? With looks like these, for sure we're ready to take on the sea. By the way, if you are a GQ or Mares marine wear representative, this picture is for sale for the bargin price of $2,000.
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