Tuesday, December 26, 2006

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.

When Waygooks Attack


When Waygooks Attack
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Despite the ferocious expression, the bears here are a little different than the ones I'm used to in Wyoming. In Wyoming they still have booze, but no swords.

Party Animal


Party Animal
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Down for the count.

Cuties


Cuties
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
I like this picture except, Misty, why do you have to wave that finger around like you invented it?

Attack of the Christmas Bear 2

Now that's a Christmas party.

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.

Hammer Time


Hammer Time
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Showin off the Christmas presents.

Hidden Temple


Hidden Temple 3
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
I took a bike ride on Christmas day and found this temple. I claim this one as mine.

Korean Winter


Korean Winter
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
It's beautiful in a drab, brown sort of way.

Yesterday's Flowers


Yesterday's Flowers1
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.

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.)

And so the Trip Begins


And so the Trip Begins
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Waiting in the rain, at a bus stop, for a bus, and a plane, to take me somewhere else for awhile.

Beach Girl


Beach Girl
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Al seems to have settled into beach life quite easily.

Holy Crap, You Made It!


Holy Crap, You Made It!
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
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.

Gecko!


Gecko!
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Pretty if you're a human. Bad news if you're a bug.

I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts 1

Scott displays improper gathering techniques.

I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts 2

Ahh, the tropics.

Getting There 1


Getting There 1
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Once again we have action shots of Scott. Check out the next four photos in sequence.

Getting There 2


Getting There 2
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.

Getting There 3


Getting There 3
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.

Getting There 4


Getting There 4
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.

Holding Down the Homestead


Holding Down the Homestead
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Accomidations were basic but comfy.

Rainbow and Rocks


Rainbow and Rocks
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
I was looking for a pot of gold and all I got were some rocks.

Sail Rock


Sail Rock
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
This where we went diving, Sail Rock, the middle of nowhere.

A Good Diving Outfit


A Good Diving Outfit
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
I recommend going to these guys. The dives were perfect.

Heeeyyyy!


Heeeyyyy!
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Showin off what I got.

Fish and Barracuda


Fish and Barracuda
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Sea life abounds.

Shrimp and Anemone


Shrimp and Anemone
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
One of the smaller things that are commonly missed when swimming by.

Allison and the Fish


Allison and the Fish
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
"Attack my oceanic friends!" Aquawoman returns.

Jaque Cousteau Reborn


Jaque Cousteau Reborn
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
"I hear tell waygooks roam these parts."

Bearded Scorpion Fish


Bearded Scorpion Fish
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
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.

Happy Al


Happy Al
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Ya get some people out of the country and they just go crazy.

Peaceful


Peaceful
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
The title says it all.

Born to Be Wild


Born to Be Wild
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
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.

An Island Unto Itself


An Island Unto Itself
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.

Korea or Thailand?


Korea or Thailand?
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
I'll let you guess which one this is. It was a little hard to come back.

Friday, December 08, 2006

New Fashion in Sleep Wear

Screw those black unexpresive sleeping masks.

Senor English


Senor English
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
I display my most awe-inspiring teaching face.

Disgruntled


Disgruntled
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Teacher Ken has a more stern teaching face.

My Favorite Class


My Favorite Class
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Sniff, I'll miss you crazy Koreans.

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

Smiley Sarah


Smiley Sarah
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Sarah welcomes you to the land of learning English as a second language.

Calm Girls, Spastic Boys


Calm Girls, Spastic Boys
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
The girls strike and pose and the boys go hypersonic.

Me and My Teaching Hat


Me and My Teaching Hat
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
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.

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.

Scuba Skillz Indeed


Scuba Skillz Indeed
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
One has to wonder, will such said scuba skillz indeed pay the bills?