Here's Nallie, a little depressed about the size of her present. Whatever the must-have Christmas gift is this year, this isn't it. That's okay. She has two of the best humans in the world. We feed her, love her, and give her way to much attention. Try putting that in a box.
(She's not really sad. She was actually batting this Christmas tree ornament all around the house and I caught her in pre-strike mode.)
Monday, November 29, 2010
Language Lessons
I've been studying Korean a lot as of late. A while ago I realized that I will never be fluent, yea, even proficient in Korean. That has taken the pressure off and now practicing and speaking Korean has just become fun. My tutor and I meet every Tuesday and Friday at the Krispy Kreme. (I heard these places went out of business in the states but are still going strong in Korea, go figure.) Sometimes I'm embarrassed to be heard speaking Korean in my broken, American accent. There will be a few people in the KK, pretending to read their newspapers but I know they are listening to me say the equivalent of: "Does this restaurant serve delicious soup?" or, "This is my friend Yuki. She is from Japan." Still, I think my odd bantering with my tutor about the current unit in our textbook must be enduring to the Koreans. I imagine that the other Krispy Kreme patrons are secretly rooting for me and my battle with their language, instead of wonder what the-hell-language it is that I'm trying to speak. That was until this last lesson.
This last lesson was about going to the doctor. I read the first line of the practice dialog where the doctor asks the patient what his symptoms are. The patient then responds that he has a stomach ache and that "diarrhea is coming out" (that's how it translates directly into English). At this I started to snicker, and my tutor asked what was the matter. I just said it was funny, how in English we are rarely so direct with descriptions of our symptoms, but Koreans tend to put all their cards on the table. Now sometimes my tutor gets a little wound up and boisterous. He saw nothing wrong with telling the doctor about this problem and educated me as to all the ways I say this in Korean. To a Krispy Kreme patron, I can only imagine what this mix of Korean and English sounded like. (Just to let you know, Koreans think all English sounds like "sha-la sha-la sha-la"):
My Tutor: sha-la sha-la sha-la "diarrhea coming out" sha-la sha-la sha-la "I have diarrhea" sha-la sha-la sha-la "I have bad dirrhea" sha-la sha-la sha-la sha-la sha-la sha-la "diarrhea" sha-la sha-la sha-la "I have a stomachache and bad diarrhea" sha-la sha-la sha-la "Bad diarrhea has come out since last night."
At the end of this rant I was aghast, but laughing pretty hard as well. My tutor was still confused as to why I was laughing and just moved on to the next line in the dialog. I wonder what the KK customers thought. To see this Korean guy sternly lecturing this foreigner about diarrhea; I wonder if they found anything odd about it. I wonder if they thought our topic of conversation was strange and humorous, or just gross. Maybe, on the inside, somebody was laughing as hard as I was at the absurdity of it all. But honestly, I think most people (more mature than I) just saw we were having a language lesson on stomach problems and went on their way in this big city of millions of people.
I've been studying Korean a lot as of late. A while ago I realized that I will never be fluent, yea, even proficient in Korean. That has taken the pressure off and now practicing and speaking Korean has just become fun. My tutor and I meet every Tuesday and Friday at the Krispy Kreme. (I heard these places went out of business in the states but are still going strong in Korea, go figure.) Sometimes I'm embarrassed to be heard speaking Korean in my broken, American accent. There will be a few people in the KK, pretending to read their newspapers but I know they are listening to me say the equivalent of: "Does this restaurant serve delicious soup?" or, "This is my friend Yuki. She is from Japan." Still, I think my odd bantering with my tutor about the current unit in our textbook must be enduring to the Koreans. I imagine that the other Krispy Kreme patrons are secretly rooting for me and my battle with their language, instead of wonder what the-hell-language it is that I'm trying to speak. That was until this last lesson.
This last lesson was about going to the doctor. I read the first line of the practice dialog where the doctor asks the patient what his symptoms are. The patient then responds that he has a stomach ache and that "diarrhea is coming out" (that's how it translates directly into English). At this I started to snicker, and my tutor asked what was the matter. I just said it was funny, how in English we are rarely so direct with descriptions of our symptoms, but Koreans tend to put all their cards on the table. Now sometimes my tutor gets a little wound up and boisterous. He saw nothing wrong with telling the doctor about this problem and educated me as to all the ways I say this in Korean. To a Krispy Kreme patron, I can only imagine what this mix of Korean and English sounded like. (Just to let you know, Koreans think all English sounds like "sha-la sha-la sha-la"):
My Tutor: sha-la sha-la sha-la "diarrhea coming out" sha-la sha-la sha-la "I have diarrhea" sha-la sha-la sha-la "I have bad dirrhea" sha-la sha-la sha-la sha-la sha-la sha-la "diarrhea" sha-la sha-la sha-la "I have a stomachache and bad diarrhea" sha-la sha-la sha-la "Bad diarrhea has come out since last night."
At the end of this rant I was aghast, but laughing pretty hard as well. My tutor was still confused as to why I was laughing and just moved on to the next line in the dialog. I wonder what the KK customers thought. To see this Korean guy sternly lecturing this foreigner about diarrhea; I wonder if they found anything odd about it. I wonder if they thought our topic of conversation was strange and humorous, or just gross. Maybe, on the inside, somebody was laughing as hard as I was at the absurdity of it all. But honestly, I think most people (more mature than I) just saw we were having a language lesson on stomach problems and went on their way in this big city of millions of people.
Monday, November 08, 2010
Once Upon a Time and NowOnce upon a time, in a small village named Suji, lived a young waygooken (me). This waygooken loved to ride his steed (bike) through a beautiful and exotic land (Korea). He loved to see the mountains, streams, temples, and how the country folk lived. However, one day, the young waygooken rode into the country-side to see a disturbing site. The Korean dwellings that reminded him so much of the dwellings in his native land (houses) were broken into and ransacked. Many dwellings, schools, and restaurants were vandalized with windows smashed, items strewn about, and walls torn down. The young waygooken was confused. Who could have created such destruction and chaos? Mercenaries? Zombies? Northern Barbarian Invaders? Time passed and the young waygooken left the village of Suji never to know the answer.
Then, years later, the waygooken returned on a new steed (I bought a new bike). He came back to reminisce and to learn what had transpired on the once bountiful hills of Suji. As the waygooken pedaled out to where there were once family dwellings and rice fields, he saw what foul beast had truly ransacked the countryside. Land Developers!!. The waygooken clenched his fists and cried out with emotion, but mostly pain, for as he gazed upon the newly constructed apartment frames, he hit a pothole and flew off his bike. Land Developers!!
(Really, nothing against land developers. I just road back to Suji to see what ever happened to all those trashed houses and restaurants I saw a few years ago. Funny thing about Korea, they don't just build one building at a time. They build whole cities at a time. Kind of interesting to watch, but I admit, my countryside and rice fields are missed. Archives here.)
Saturday, October 09, 2010
Introducing Nallie
Introducing Nallie
Originally uploaded by karmking1111
About a month ago, Seoul got pummeled by a category one typhoon. Somehow, Nallie got caught up in this and ended up in a storm drain. Arnold, a kind hearted English teacher, rescued her and then posted on Craigslist that he had a cat that needed a home. Kat (true to her namesake) felt that we could help and arranged a get-together.
Now I told Kat that I wanted to wait a bit (I've been telling her that for the last 3 years). My mom and sister were coming to Korea and I didn't want a kitten to complicate things.
However, when Kat took one look at this poor, malnourished kitten, I new exactly what was going to happen. See, Kat is a sucker for emaciated runts that can't take care of themselves. She likes fixer-upers (she married me).
So that night, tucked in Kat's purse, we took the cat on the bus and brought her home. We went to vet to find out she many issues. None too serious, but still, a host of things that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy: malnutrition, ear mites, skin fungus, and an infected airsack in her butt. That last thing was pretty gross. I mean the cat's butt is already my least favorite part of the cat, but especially so in Nallie's case. (Sorry Nallie. I probably shouldn't put your private medical history out there for everyone to see. She'll probably read this a few year in future and be mortified by what I shared.)
So, for the last few weeks, we've been cramming pills down her throat, shooting powder into her ears, and dosing her food with ill tasting medicine. To her credit, Nallie takes it all in stride. Never a hiss or a complaint. She's turning into quite the pretty lady and Kat and I are quite glad to have her in our lives.
BTW- We named her Nallie because the verb (nallieda) in Korean means to be blown away. We figured it fit.
Monday, July 26, 2010
3 Week English Interment Camp
Tomorrow is the last day of camp. The last day of this long, long, long English camp. How long you ask? Everyday for the last three weeks, Saturdays and Sundays included. When this camp was first explained to me,--how the teachers would have to stay on campus, on a remote part of Incheon, and teach everyday for three weeks-- I questioned who would ever sign up for such an ordeal. Once it was explained to me how much money those teachers would receive, my hand shot up in the air to volunteer before my brain actually realized what I was doing.
So for the last three weeks I have been doing nothing but teaching, and the students have been doing nothing but learning. We're all a little burnt out by now but that's to be expected. This is a dry campus. At first this camp idea sounded like a farce to drag people to rehab. A secluded spot, where one must remain sober for three weeks? C'mon. Still, this self imposed drying out has taken it's tole on the students more than the teachers. In blog writing class, one student wrote: "We should drink a little beer, if not a lot." I find this to be very poetic. We also caught a few students drinking beer in one of the classrooms the other night. OK, they
snuck some beers; I understand that, but why did they drink it in the classrooms? I guess they're bigger nerds than I thought.
For me, the biggest hang up has been the food. I've had rice with fish, fish with rice, rice with rice; rice with fish and spam; rice with fish and fake spam (and you thought regular spam was bad); fish with spam, spam and spam. All of this has taken it's tole on my system and I'm beginning to think that drinking Drano might not be a bad idea.
Still, I'm getting in shape. I've been playing badminton and basketball every night with the students. Terrible thing is I get schooled by them every night as well. I take 'um to school during the day and they take me to school at night.
For the most part though, the camp has been great. The students are eager and they ask a lot of questions. In our debate class, one group was arguing about which superhero would win
on a blind date (okay, it's not the most serious topic). One student tried to explain that Batman has a variety of vehicles so he could take his date wherever she wanted to go. The student wrote: "Batman can ride his girl whenever he wants." I was proud to have caught and corrected that mistake before it made it to the final performance.
Yes, camp has been a learning experience for everyone. It's been exciting, fun, fulfilling, and rewarding. On this all the teachers agree, almost as much as we agree that it sure will be nice to get the hell out of here.
Tomorrow is the last day of camp. The last day of this long, long, long English camp. How long you ask? Everyday for the last three weeks, Saturdays and Sundays included. When this camp was first explained to me,--how the teachers would have to stay on campus, on a remote part of Incheon, and teach everyday for three weeks-- I questioned who would ever sign up for such an ordeal. Once it was explained to me how much money those teachers would receive, my hand shot up in the air to volunteer before my brain actually realized what I was doing.
So for the last three weeks I have been doing nothing but teaching, and the students have been doing nothing but learning. We're all a little burnt out by now but that's to be expected. This is a dry campus. At first this camp idea sounded like a farce to drag people to rehab. A secluded spot, where one must remain sober for three weeks? C'mon. Still, this self imposed drying out has taken it's tole on the students more than the teachers. In blog writing class, one student wrote: "We should drink a little beer, if not a lot." I find this to be very poetic. We also caught a few students drinking beer in one of the classrooms the other night. OK, they
snuck some beers; I understand that, but why did they drink it in the classrooms? I guess they're bigger nerds than I thought.For me, the biggest hang up has been the food. I've had rice with fish, fish with rice, rice with rice; rice with fish and spam; rice with fish and fake spam (and you thought regular spam was bad); fish with spam, spam and spam. All of this has taken it's tole on my system and I'm beginning to think that drinking Drano might not be a bad idea.
Still, I'm getting in shape. I've been playing badminton and basketball every night with the students. Terrible thing is I get schooled by them every night as well. I take 'um to school during the day and they take me to school at night.
For the most part though, the camp has been great. The students are eager and they ask a lot of questions. In our debate class, one group was arguing about which superhero would win
on a blind date (okay, it's not the most serious topic). One student tried to explain that Batman has a variety of vehicles so he could take his date wherever she wanted to go. The student wrote: "Batman can ride his girl whenever he wants." I was proud to have caught and corrected that mistake before it made it to the final performance.Yes, camp has been a learning experience for everyone. It's been exciting, fun, fulfilling, and rewarding. On this all the teachers agree, almost as much as we agree that it sure will be nice to get the hell out of here.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
The Onslaught
You know when you show up to a place and 2 or 3 tour buses full of obnoxious camp kids show up at the same time and ruin your outing? That was us.
Bombs Away
It's actually a cheezey poof in the picture. The students loved feeding the swarms of seagulls on the ferry.
Need to Work on Their Pinata Skills
Need to Work on Their Pinata Skills
Originally uploaded by karmking1111
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Us from Above
Me and Kat when viewed from above. She looks gorgeous while I can't believe how far my hair has retreated from the front lines.
Korean Drum Circle
Korean Drum Circle
Originally uploaded by karmking1111
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Dearest Blog:
I am sorry for being so inattentive as of late. I may seem preoccupied as I sit down at the computer and ignore your subtle calls to update you. I know, I know; there is so much to write, so much to catch up on. The trip to Vietnam, the temples of Cambodia, the drunken Vietnamese security guard that pulled me around by my man-purse--yes these are stories that beckon telling, but, to tell the truth, there is another. I must admit it. I've been milling around and consorting with this site. Yes, she is terribly high maintenance, nonsensical, clumsy, and does the opposite of what I tell her. Yes, you blog are the more reasonable of the two sites, but I have come to really love/hate the other site. I will--I promise-- I will come back to you blog, but right now I have to explore my options with this other site. I hope you understand.
Kat, you have nothing to worry about.
Translation: I'm trying to make a ****ing website for my masters capstone project and it's eating up way too much time. By the time it's finished it will probably look different than the posted pic. The title is sure to change; "ESL Teaching and Learning" c'mon, I need something much flashier. Suggestions?
Monday, January 04, 2010
Can I Get a Vaccination for the Computer?
Even though I subscribe to the U.S. consulate's newsletter, I usually just delete it when it arrives in my inbox. However, one title caught my eye today:
"H1N1 Malware and Vaccination"
At first I thought that malware part had to be a typo, but then I read on:
"Fake H1N1 (Swine Flu) alerts lead to malware
Be on the alert for a new malware campaign that begins with an e-mail message offering information regarding the H1N1 vaccination."
Really. How ironic is that. You try and keep yourself from getting the flu, and instead the computer comes down with a virus. Go figure. The next part of the newsletter just gave information on where the vaccination was available for people, not for machines.
On a slightly related thought. I was listening to microbiologist Amy Cheng Vollmer on an extra geeky podcast. She had this to say about all the vaccination conspiracy theorists: "The only reason we are having this conversation is because most people have never seen a person with polio." I concur.
Even though I subscribe to the U.S. consulate's newsletter, I usually just delete it when it arrives in my inbox. However, one title caught my eye today:
"H1N1 Malware and Vaccination"
At first I thought that malware part had to be a typo, but then I read on:
"Fake H1N1 (Swine Flu) alerts lead to malware
Be on the alert for a new malware campaign that begins with an e-mail message offering information regarding the H1N1 vaccination."
Really. How ironic is that. You try and keep yourself from getting the flu, and instead the computer comes down with a virus. Go figure. The next part of the newsletter just gave information on where the vaccination was available for people, not for machines.
On a slightly related thought. I was listening to microbiologist Amy Cheng Vollmer on an extra geeky podcast. She had this to say about all the vaccination conspiracy theorists: "The only reason we are having this conversation is because most people have never seen a person with polio." I concur.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Mmmm...Hazard Taste
I've run into a string of odd products, dumb advertisements, and some pretty messed up English as of late. This is especially distressing as I am an English teacher. I don't expect people to be perfect, but it seems that English here is getting worse.
I know that Korean advertisers are not concerned with the message they get across, just that they have something in English. Still, there are tons of foreigners over here. How hard is it to run a slogan or ad by one of us to see if it makes sense. Then again the results are entertaining. I now realize that should be adding more sincerity in the cup when I make coffee.
I know that Korean advertisers are not concerned with the message they get across, just that they have something in English. Still, there are tons of foreigners over here. How hard is it to run a slogan or ad by one of us to see if it makes sense. Then again the results are entertaining. I now realize that should be adding more sincerity in the cup when I make coffee.
I Hate to Tell You, This is not Live Music
When you consider the amount of advertising we are subjected to on a daily basis, it is truly outstanding. Now I am not one of those advertisement conspiracy theorists who decries how marketing specialists prey upon the unwitting public. To me, advertisements are akin to mosquitoes; bothersome things that must be endured in life. But now it seems that the advertisers aren't even trying. Take this ad for Raison cigarettes.
The ad boasts "This is live music" as an young man cradles a pair of earphones to his chest. What? First, this is not live music. This is the farthest away from live music one can get. The dude doesn't even know how to wear the earphones. Second, how does this relate anyway to cigarettes. I know, when has tobacco advertising ever made an sense? An honest tobacco add would go something like, "Marborol lights--they kill you more slowly than regular cigarettes." Still, it feels like an ad team slapped together some random pictures and phrases, decided it looked good, and sent it out. It's the lack of effort I find insulting. It's the same as doing your homework the hour before class.
Raison cigarettes, if you want me to pick up an expensive lifelong habit that will slowly rob me of my own breath, you're going to have to try harder than that. Then again, this works for some people.
The ad boasts "This is live music" as an young man cradles a pair of earphones to his chest. What? First, this is not live music. This is the farthest away from live music one can get. The dude doesn't even know how to wear the earphones. Second, how does this relate anyway to cigarettes. I know, when has tobacco advertising ever made an sense? An honest tobacco add would go something like, "Marborol lights--they kill you more slowly than regular cigarettes." Still, it feels like an ad team slapped together some random pictures and phrases, decided it looked good, and sent it out. It's the lack of effort I find insulting. It's the same as doing your homework the hour before class.
Raison cigarettes, if you want me to pick up an expensive lifelong habit that will slowly rob me of my own breath, you're going to have to try harder than that. Then again, this works for some people.
Normeat Anyone?
Some "food' out there is spectacularly scary. "Normeat" is downright terrifying--if not for its ingredients, then at least its size. Who buys these things besides apocalypse awaiting basement dwellers or the US army.
I'm a little bit curious who came up the name "Normeat" as well. I can only imagine the discussion between the company execs and the marketing people:
"How can we make this food byproduct seems less intimidating and more, well, you know...normal?"
"How about naming it Normeat. Normal + Meat."
"Why not? It worked for Spam."
(I'm assuming that Spam is Special + Ham)
I'm a little bit curious who came up the name "Normeat" as well. I can only imagine the discussion between the company execs and the marketing people:
"How can we make this food byproduct seems less intimidating and more, well, you know...normal?"
"How about naming it Normeat. Normal + Meat."
"Why not? It worked for Spam."
(I'm assuming that Spam is Special + Ham)
Korean Candy Knows
I usually try not to get to political on this blog, but Kat and I found this Korean cookie that I feel speaks the truth. If find its advice to be fair and balanced.
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Halloween
Halloween 2009--(from right to left) Kat as a cat, Lynn as the girl from lost in translation, me as a corrupt businessman, the creepy bartender as a creepy transvestite, and Jeff as the senior mop-bog-ee (an obscure Korean character).
I know what you're thinking--corrupt business man? Well Samsung had some major indictments against their CEO this year. Greasing the wheels of business with the lubricant that is cash is fairly standard practice here. Still--corrupt business man is a little lame; however, costume pickings are rather slim here. As the night wore on the costume disintegrated into used car salesman. A good Halloween was had by all.
I know what you're thinking--corrupt business man? Well Samsung had some major indictments against their CEO this year. Greasing the wheels of business with the lubricant that is cash is fairly standard practice here. Still--corrupt business man is a little lame; however, costume pickings are rather slim here. As the night wore on the costume disintegrated into used car salesman. A good Halloween was had by all.
Halloween Peppers
The Halloween peppers have become tradition now. We carve peppers for Halloween, eat chicken for Thanksgiving. You have to make do with what you have.
It's a Big World Out There
Fall has fallen and winter will soon be on. The one thing I hate about winter is no more bug pics, unless there is a Korean snow beetle that I'm unaware of. It's getting close to hibernation time.
Sunday, November 01, 2009
The Neighborhood and the Neighbors
The Neighborhood and the Neighbors
Originally uploaded by karmking1111
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Kick Up Some Dust and Watch It Settle
It's taken me awhile to find time to sit down and write this post. Now that the dust has settled from the wedding, the honeymoon, the move, and the transition to the new job; now that I have a bit more perspective and distance I can look back and say that Kat I had a freaking awesome wedding. I know, that's the adjective that everyone wants to describe their wedding: "freaking", but the whole thing was great. We rode up to the altar in a fancy car. We said our own vows. We put on the rings, said "I do," and that was it. Cut the cake, dance a little bit. The whole thing worked out great. And the best thing is that it's over. The wedding was fun, but it's a hassle to get everything together, to get everyone together, and get everything right. Once it's done you can finally take that deep breath and relax.
One thing I found interesting is that the reception is more for the guests than anything. The bride and groom are always getting shuttled everywhere to get pictures taken, to cut the cake, to do special dances, to throw things. Maybe the groom just wants to sit down for a second and drink a beer with friends and family. Did anyone ever think about that? Next time I have a wedding I'm going to schedule that in. Oh wait...
And that last part was a joke. Kat knows that (you know that don't you sweety?). It's been a month and a week of pure marriage bliss and we're still married.
Right after the wedding Kat and I went to Santa Barbara for some surfing. We decided to sign up for group lessons as neither of us is too skilled on a board. While I was in the water, waiting for a wave, I saw something out of the corner of my eye. I looked to where I spied the motion, and about 100 yards from me, a shark jumped completely out of the water. I saw the silhouette perfectly and I've watched enough shark week to recognize the big scary fish when I see it. It was medium sized (about five feet from head to tail) and far enough out that I didn't think much of it. I did tell the instructor who then told me to keep my big yap shut. He said it in a more polite fashion than that. He just didn't want the other surfers to get spooked. Fine by me.
I attempted to do some more surfing, was paddling back out, when three dorsal fins surfaced about ten feet in front of me. Since I saw a shark before, I thought I was done. I had two thoughts 1) Well, Kat had a short marriage, and 2) I didn't know sharks traveled in schools. Luckily, it was a school of dolphins, sent by Neptune to bless and protect me, at least that's what I chose to believe. A few minutes later, a seal popped up to check out all the funny looking people trying to surf. It was a sea safari out there. That night Kat and I ate sushi
After SB, we drove up to Salvang to ride bikes and drink wine, a fine combination. The combination of those two event is actually exhausting. It's not like we did any extreme biking. Rather, we just rode from one winery to the next but the combination of pedaling, drinking, and baking in the mid-day sun completely exhausted me. When we got back to the hotel I slept the sleep of a baby, a drunken, sunburnt baby.
I like wine tasting, but I always feel slightly out of my element when doing it. When I drink alcohol, I like to do it in a place that has at least one pool table, a sporting event on TV, and buffalo wings. Wineries are different sort of places. I know, these are not the local watering holes that I'm used to and the idea is to taste, not drink. Still, I'm often confused by the lingo and customs of the semi-professional wine tasters. The guy next to me usually says something like, "Its got an oaky finish with a hint of rosemary," and I'll say something like, "Ooo, it's sparkly." I love the mystique of wine and the romance of its production, but I have a palate more suited for hops rather than grapes. Still, that does mean that don't enjoy the learning process.
After all that, Kat and I went to L.A., back to Korea, moved our apartment and started our new jobs. There's some omitted details in that last sentence but that will have to wait for another post. I've had a glass or two of wine and I'm quite sleepy. Maybe Solvang did rub off on me.
I said in my wedding toast, the best gift that we received was to see all our friends and family together. The money and the presents were great (very great, give more if you feel like it), but Kat and I are in Korea for such long stretches that we rarely get to see small groups of friends and family together, let alone everyone in one spot. I want to thank everyone for making our wedding and the days leading up to it truly wonderful. I especially want to thank Kat, after all, she's the one with the courage and wrecklessness to marry a guy like me.
It's taken me awhile to find time to sit down and write this post. Now that the dust has settled from the wedding, the honeymoon, the move, and the transition to the new job; now that I have a bit more perspective and distance I can look back and say that Kat I had a freaking awesome wedding. I know, that's the adjective that everyone wants to describe their wedding: "freaking", but the whole thing was great. We rode up to the altar in a fancy car. We said our own vows. We put on the rings, said "I do," and that was it. Cut the cake, dance a little bit. The whole thing worked out great. And the best thing is that it's over. The wedding was fun, but it's a hassle to get everything together, to get everyone together, and get everything right. Once it's done you can finally take that deep breath and relax.
One thing I found interesting is that the reception is more for the guests than anything. The bride and groom are always getting shuttled everywhere to get pictures taken, to cut the cake, to do special dances, to throw things. Maybe the groom just wants to sit down for a second and drink a beer with friends and family. Did anyone ever think about that? Next time I have a wedding I'm going to schedule that in. Oh wait...
And that last part was a joke. Kat knows that (you know that don't you sweety?). It's been a month and a week of pure marriage bliss and we're still married.
Right after the wedding Kat and I went to Santa Barbara for some surfing. We decided to sign up for group lessons as neither of us is too skilled on a board. While I was in the water, waiting for a wave, I saw something out of the corner of my eye. I looked to where I spied the motion, and about 100 yards from me, a shark jumped completely out of the water. I saw the silhouette perfectly and I've watched enough shark week to recognize the big scary fish when I see it. It was medium sized (about five feet from head to tail) and far enough out that I didn't think much of it. I did tell the instructor who then told me to keep my big yap shut. He said it in a more polite fashion than that. He just didn't want the other surfers to get spooked. Fine by me.
I attempted to do some more surfing, was paddling back out, when three dorsal fins surfaced about ten feet in front of me. Since I saw a shark before, I thought I was done. I had two thoughts 1) Well, Kat had a short marriage, and 2) I didn't know sharks traveled in schools. Luckily, it was a school of dolphins, sent by Neptune to bless and protect me, at least that's what I chose to believe. A few minutes later, a seal popped up to check out all the funny looking people trying to surf. It was a sea safari out there. That night Kat and I ate sushi
After SB, we drove up to Salvang to ride bikes and drink wine, a fine combination. The combination of those two event is actually exhausting. It's not like we did any extreme biking. Rather, we just rode from one winery to the next but the combination of pedaling, drinking, and baking in the mid-day sun completely exhausted me. When we got back to the hotel I slept the sleep of a baby, a drunken, sunburnt baby.
I like wine tasting, but I always feel slightly out of my element when doing it. When I drink alcohol, I like to do it in a place that has at least one pool table, a sporting event on TV, and buffalo wings. Wineries are different sort of places. I know, these are not the local watering holes that I'm used to and the idea is to taste, not drink. Still, I'm often confused by the lingo and customs of the semi-professional wine tasters. The guy next to me usually says something like, "Its got an oaky finish with a hint of rosemary," and I'll say something like, "Ooo, it's sparkly." I love the mystique of wine and the romance of its production, but I have a palate more suited for hops rather than grapes. Still, that does mean that don't enjoy the learning process.
After all that, Kat and I went to L.A., back to Korea, moved our apartment and started our new jobs. There's some omitted details in that last sentence but that will have to wait for another post. I've had a glass or two of wine and I'm quite sleepy. Maybe Solvang did rub off on me.
I said in my wedding toast, the best gift that we received was to see all our friends and family together. The money and the presents were great (very great, give more if you feel like it), but Kat and I are in Korea for such long stretches that we rarely get to see small groups of friends and family together, let alone everyone in one spot. I want to thank everyone for making our wedding and the days leading up to it truly wonderful. I especially want to thank Kat, after all, she's the one with the courage and wrecklessness to marry a guy like me.
Cake Toppers
We've been in Korea long enough, we figured we could incorporate these into cake toppers.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Bouquet of Power
Kat happily brandishes her bouquet at the mischievous spirits that threaten the wedding. Good job Kat--mischievous spirits dispersed.
Getting Ready
Here's Kat getting caught in my under-cover hypnotist's gaze:
"You will marry Nathan."
"I will marry Nathan."
"You will love him for the rest of his life."
"I will love him for the rest of my life."
"You will cook him breakfast for the rest of his life."
"I will cook him...what? Wait."
Excellent make-up was done by Amanda McCartney.
"You will marry Nathan."
"I will marry Nathan."
"You will love him for the rest of his life."
"I will love him for the rest of my life."
"You will cook him breakfast for the rest of his life."
"I will cook him...what? Wait."
Excellent make-up was done by Amanda McCartney.
SLC Bee
Another bee. They are one of the easiest insects to photograph with the macro as they really don't care how close you get (To them, not the hive. The hive is a different story.).
Suspense
The Croin demonstrating his vertical jump ability. In the game of disc golf, frisbees usually aren't so easy to get that a white man can just jump and get them. This activity, retrieving discs from trees, can take up an unusually large portion of game time--as well as looking for disc in shrubs, looking for disc in ravines, pretty much looking everywhere but the one place the disc is supposed to be in: the basket.
Zip-Liner
Zip-Liner
Originally uploaded by karmking1111
Go Time
Go Time
Originally uploaded by karmking1111
Friday, September 18, 2009
Human LCD : Close Up Video
Pretty crazy stuff. Funny thing, I worked in a Korean public school for two years and I can testify that I never saw anything close to being as organized as this. They definitely have enthusiasm and a hive like mentality.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Seoul Sun
The Han River in foreground with Namsan Tower in the back. Lighting provided by the almighty.
"Is She Okay"
It's okay, that's just how white people swim.
(Kat can't take the kids any more and so decided to drown herself.)
(Kat can't take the kids any more and so decided to drown herself.)
Failure
They are not the brightest nor the most coordinated students as the orange reflective vests attest to.
Kat Has Found Her Calling
Here's Kat screaming at children with a megaphone; nothing more need be said.
All Hail Kat
Kat trying to get the troops in order. For some reason they have difficulty mastering her official greeting.
Ride 'em Wyoming
This is one of my absolute fav pictures of all time. I like this pic for three reasons. One, it's of me. Two, I'm riding a bull. Three, I'm kicking ass. Look at the form, the poise, the cocky expression on my face. I make this look good. This is right before I got bucked off and landed on my head.
Photo credits: the Orris
Photo credits: the Orris
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Additional Charges May Apply
I've got the mini-bar and snack list for our LA hotel in front of me and I'm contemplating the $7 beer. I don't know why I am; this is far too much for one beer, but the hotel has me in its grasps. Part of me wants to thank the hotel for it's ingenuity. They put terribly unhealthy food and beverages right in my grasp: fried almonds, potato chips, soda, candy bars, and alcohol. I could probably be asleep and purchase and consume an item, it's so easy. Then they charge a king's ransom.
Small Evian Water--$5
Large Evian Water--$10 (They know it's just water right?)
Vitamin Water--$6 (Crazy, I swear there used to be just one kind of water.)
Red Wine--$24 (Seems like the least rip off.)
Corkscrew--$9 (Damn, that's where they get you.)
First Aid Kit--$9 (Maybe the price is a deterrent to keep you from getting hurt.)
Intimacy Kit--$9 (An okay price for and inflatable doll.)
Holy hell, where to start. For one, the price on the first aid kit will make you question the severity of an injury. "Honey, are you sure it's really bleeding that bad?" Maybe, the new White House medical plan will cause hotels to drive down the price of an aspirin and a band aid as well.
I wonder if a large percent of people who buy the wine and intimacy kit also buy the first aid kit. Maybe there is a mini-bar spiral that kicks in--thinking you will indulge in a few items, then one mini-bar mishap begets another, until finally you have to kick in for the mini-bar defibrillator.
I don't mean to be stingy, but I am. I can't help but see every charge, every purchase as a sabotage by a mustachioed man hiding behind a mirror rubbing his hands together saying, "Oh goody, look what we just got him to buy now. Next we'll pitch some 'high quality breathing air' and see if we can get him to purchase that." It grates on me. Yesterday we paid $37 (not including tip) to park the car. The hotel (which I won't name, but if you put the words 'inter' and 'continental' together you might get the idea) only gave us the option of valet parking. I'll tip and I understand that is part of this culture, but Christ, we pretty much had to pay for the car to get it's own hotel room.
Now we did get a swanky hotel, and maybe this is part of the swanky hotel culture. I'm probably just a bumpkin bumbling my way through this experience while the hotel staff smiles at me and guides me on my grumpy way, but I can't help but feel used and unaware. I'm scared to ask how much it is to put my luggage in my room.
Nothing left to do but to endure and drink tap water. I hate to say it, as a native of this land, I feel awfully naive. I understand what makes people crack and not trust anyone. You question and prod and try and keep what's yours because it seems if you're not careful, it slips away so easily, as easily as your car in the hands of a valet. So easily that your guard must always be up, thus the beer. A respite, and an indulgence. A letting down of the guard and saying okay hotel, you got me and don't care, I'll give a little more. Then realizing I'm too tired for much right now, and general retirement to sleep. I just wonder how much it is to rent a pillow.
I've got the mini-bar and snack list for our LA hotel in front of me and I'm contemplating the $7 beer. I don't know why I am; this is far too much for one beer, but the hotel has me in its grasps. Part of me wants to thank the hotel for it's ingenuity. They put terribly unhealthy food and beverages right in my grasp: fried almonds, potato chips, soda, candy bars, and alcohol. I could probably be asleep and purchase and consume an item, it's so easy. Then they charge a king's ransom.
Small Evian Water--$5
Large Evian Water--$10 (They know it's just water right?)
Vitamin Water--$6 (Crazy, I swear there used to be just one kind of water.)
Red Wine--$24 (Seems like the least rip off.)
Corkscrew--$9 (Damn, that's where they get you.)
First Aid Kit--$9 (Maybe the price is a deterrent to keep you from getting hurt.)
Intimacy Kit--$9 (An okay price for and inflatable doll.)
Holy hell, where to start. For one, the price on the first aid kit will make you question the severity of an injury. "Honey, are you sure it's really bleeding that bad?" Maybe, the new White House medical plan will cause hotels to drive down the price of an aspirin and a band aid as well.
I wonder if a large percent of people who buy the wine and intimacy kit also buy the first aid kit. Maybe there is a mini-bar spiral that kicks in--thinking you will indulge in a few items, then one mini-bar mishap begets another, until finally you have to kick in for the mini-bar defibrillator.
I don't mean to be stingy, but I am. I can't help but see every charge, every purchase as a sabotage by a mustachioed man hiding behind a mirror rubbing his hands together saying, "Oh goody, look what we just got him to buy now. Next we'll pitch some 'high quality breathing air' and see if we can get him to purchase that." It grates on me. Yesterday we paid $37 (not including tip) to park the car. The hotel (which I won't name, but if you put the words 'inter' and 'continental' together you might get the idea) only gave us the option of valet parking. I'll tip and I understand that is part of this culture, but Christ, we pretty much had to pay for the car to get it's own hotel room.
Now we did get a swanky hotel, and maybe this is part of the swanky hotel culture. I'm probably just a bumpkin bumbling my way through this experience while the hotel staff smiles at me and guides me on my grumpy way, but I can't help but feel used and unaware. I'm scared to ask how much it is to put my luggage in my room.
Nothing left to do but to endure and drink tap water. I hate to say it, as a native of this land, I feel awfully naive. I understand what makes people crack and not trust anyone. You question and prod and try and keep what's yours because it seems if you're not careful, it slips away so easily, as easily as your car in the hands of a valet. So easily that your guard must always be up, thus the beer. A respite, and an indulgence. A letting down of the guard and saying okay hotel, you got me and don't care, I'll give a little more. Then realizing I'm too tired for much right now, and general retirement to sleep. I just wonder how much it is to rent a pillow.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Enter the Plica Syndrome
Ah yes, back again in the Korean hospital. This time I underwent knee surgery. About three years ago I was just walking a long when something happened and I couldn't move my knee that well. I'd like to be more specific but I can't. Doctors would ask me, "Okay, so what were you doing?"
"Walking," I'd reply.
"And what happened?"
"I could walk any more."
I wish it was something more than that. At least when I broke my arm 2 years ago I was snowboarding in the half pipe (never mind I was sucking and that's why I broke my arm). Here I was just strolling along and something went out of place and jammed up the whole knee. Given a few days, the knee would return to normal, only to go out of place again a few weeks later. I'd crouch down to talk to a student, feel a painful twinge in the side of my knee, and I'd be out for the count.
I had an MRI done on the sucker, talked to numerous doctors (one who said I needed extensive work done to the tune of $6,000 and two months on crutches). I ultimately went with the doctor who said, "I have no idea what it is, but we can do exploratory surgery." He seemed honest.
So when I checked into the hospital the first thing I saw was a nurse running down the hall with an almost overflowing bag of blood, which she threw into the bio hazard container and then sprinted down the hall again. I tried to look on the bright side, "At least they're quick around here." The administering nurse looked at me and shrugged with that "What you going to do" sort of look.
I got my pajamas/ gown, did some tests, and waited. The doc informed me that I was going to be awake for the surgery. Because it was exploratory, they wanted to poke around, see what they could find, report back me, and then do what they could to fix me. I agreed but did not realize how terrifying this would actually be.
In Korea they are big on spinal anesthesia. That means they administer anesthetic--to the spine-- with a needle. I was wheeled into the OR and given the spinal. It was painful, but then the pain was slowly replaced by numbness, a numbness that started at the toes and then slowly crept up to mid torso.
The surgical staff had a radio playing American oldies. Dust in the Wind was the song playing while all this was happening. First there was the bag of blood and then a song about the insignificance of the individual. Omens were not good, plus I couldn't feel the lower half of my body. Luckily, that was the lowest point that things looked up from there.
My doc made two incisions, stuck a camera in one, stuck an all purpose, Swiss army, micro tool in the other and then showed me the results. He turned the monitor to me so I could actually see the inside of my knee and said, "You have a fat pad."
A phat pad? I wondered when he had ever seen my place (bad pun). What he meant is I have Plica Syndrome. Here's what I understand about plica syndrome. We all have a layer of fatty tissue that surrounds our knees. Sometimes unexpected trauma, a fall or a twist, can cause that lining to swell up, impinging the motion of the knee. My fat pad was occasionally getting caught in my knee causing pain and other symptoms. BTW--Plica syndrome, usually undetectable to MRIs. They cut away that part of the fatty tissue and that was that.
They they taped me up (I didn't even require stitches) and deposited me back in my room. I tried to keep from shaking but I couldn't stop. At first I thought I was just scared but being numb is really cold. Funny how cold brings on numbness and numbness brings on cold.
Anyway, Kat took this picture of me post-op. I was a wee bit touchy after my ordeal, as it shows. I tend to get a bit defensive when I can't feel my legs. Luckily they hooked me up to the nifty painkiller machine with the self regulating dispatch button. The grumpy face soon gave way.
For all the bitching and moaning I've done, I'm very thankful for all that was done. I'm thankful for my doctor, who seemed quite skilled. I'm thankful I didn't go with the other doc, who had no idea what he was talking about. I'm thankful for the Korean health care system, who made this affordable. I'm thankful for Kat who has taken me through two surgeries and one broken arm (she's thankful this surgery wasn't as bad as the ankle one last year). I'm also thankful that I live in time where doctors don't have to make a 5 inch incision to check out my knee. Hell, I'm thankful that I don't live in time of leech therapy and blood letting. I thank god for all that is given, but I especially thank him/her/it for medical science.
Ah yes, back again in the Korean hospital. This time I underwent knee surgery. About three years ago I was just walking a long when something happened and I couldn't move my knee that well. I'd like to be more specific but I can't. Doctors would ask me, "Okay, so what were you doing?"
"Walking," I'd reply.
"And what happened?"
"I could walk any more."
I wish it was something more than that. At least when I broke my arm 2 years ago I was snowboarding in the half pipe (never mind I was sucking and that's why I broke my arm). Here I was just strolling along and something went out of place and jammed up the whole knee. Given a few days, the knee would return to normal, only to go out of place again a few weeks later. I'd crouch down to talk to a student, feel a painful twinge in the side of my knee, and I'd be out for the count.
I had an MRI done on the sucker, talked to numerous doctors (one who said I needed extensive work done to the tune of $6,000 and two months on crutches). I ultimately went with the doctor who said, "I have no idea what it is, but we can do exploratory surgery." He seemed honest.
So when I checked into the hospital the first thing I saw was a nurse running down the hall with an almost overflowing bag of blood, which she threw into the bio hazard container and then sprinted down the hall again. I tried to look on the bright side, "At least they're quick around here." The administering nurse looked at me and shrugged with that "What you going to do" sort of look.
I got my pajamas/ gown, did some tests, and waited. The doc informed me that I was going to be awake for the surgery. Because it was exploratory, they wanted to poke around, see what they could find, report back me, and then do what they could to fix me. I agreed but did not realize how terrifying this would actually be.
In Korea they are big on spinal anesthesia. That means they administer anesthetic--to the spine-- with a needle. I was wheeled into the OR and given the spinal. It was painful, but then the pain was slowly replaced by numbness, a numbness that started at the toes and then slowly crept up to mid torso.
The surgical staff had a radio playing American oldies. Dust in the Wind was the song playing while all this was happening. First there was the bag of blood and then a song about the insignificance of the individual. Omens were not good, plus I couldn't feel the lower half of my body. Luckily, that was the lowest point that things looked up from there.
My doc made two incisions, stuck a camera in one, stuck an all purpose, Swiss army, micro tool in the other and then showed me the results. He turned the monitor to me so I could actually see the inside of my knee and said, "You have a fat pad."
A phat pad? I wondered when he had ever seen my place (bad pun). What he meant is I have Plica Syndrome. Here's what I understand about plica syndrome. We all have a layer of fatty tissue that surrounds our knees. Sometimes unexpected trauma, a fall or a twist, can cause that lining to swell up, impinging the motion of the knee. My fat pad was occasionally getting caught in my knee causing pain and other symptoms. BTW--Plica syndrome, usually undetectable to MRIs. They cut away that part of the fatty tissue and that was that.
They they taped me up (I didn't even require stitches) and deposited me back in my room. I tried to keep from shaking but I couldn't stop. At first I thought I was just scared but being numb is really cold. Funny how cold brings on numbness and numbness brings on cold.
Anyway, Kat took this picture of me post-op. I was a wee bit touchy after my ordeal, as it shows. I tend to get a bit defensive when I can't feel my legs. Luckily they hooked me up to the nifty painkiller machine with the self regulating dispatch button. The grumpy face soon gave way.
For all the bitching and moaning I've done, I'm very thankful for all that was done. I'm thankful for my doctor, who seemed quite skilled. I'm thankful I didn't go with the other doc, who had no idea what he was talking about. I'm thankful for the Korean health care system, who made this affordable. I'm thankful for Kat who has taken me through two surgeries and one broken arm (she's thankful this surgery wasn't as bad as the ankle one last year). I'm also thankful that I live in time where doctors don't have to make a 5 inch incision to check out my knee. Hell, I'm thankful that I don't live in time of leech therapy and blood letting. I thank god for all that is given, but I especially thank him/her/it for medical science.
My New Knee
Look away those who are faint of heart, for these are the ravages of arthroscopic knee surgery-- two minor incisions and a shaved knee.
Frankenstein Foot
A reminder that while arthroscopic knee surgery is no picnic, it could be worse. It has been worst (photo taken last year).
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Give Me the Damn Job
I think it was business Kat's no nonsense attitude that secured the new job for us.
You Know You Want to Hire This
So Kat and I gave Korea an ultimatum; give us cushy university jobs or we are out of here. Surprisingly, Korea offered us cushy uni jobs.
There more to it than that. We sent out a bunch of resume packets, blindly, to different schools. None of them replied so we decided we'd come back to the states. No sooner did I notify everyone back home that my sojourn was over, and that I was home bound, than a university contacted us.
Here I am pictured, pre-interview. I went in there and gave them a little bit of "Wall Street financeer" mixed with "used -car salesman." I used all the key phrases that employers like to hear, "think out-side of the box, forward-thinking, go-getter, 110%, never say die, and how much vacation do you offer?". It must of worked because somehow Kat and I got the jobs. (I actually think she carried us and we said we were a package. If you take one, you have to take both.)
So the new job starts in Sept. Now we'll be teaching adults. It's a welcome change. I actually like teaching kids, but they can be a bit trying at times. When I taught kindergarteners, they would be so happy to see me. They would run up and give me hugs. Unfortunately the kids were about crotch height, so they'd charge forward and get me right in the groin with their tiny hammer-like fists. Hopefully I won't have to deal with this with college students.
There was that third grade class where Jae-won puked all over the back of Suzy. Hopefully college kids won't do that.
There was another time when a sixth grader tackled his friend in the hall, stripped him of his shoes and threw them out of the fifth floor window. It was cruel and inappropriate and so damn funny. I had to turn my back so they didn't see me laugh. I imagine that college students don't do stuff like that (at least not in the school).
No more English points, or homework coupons, or timeouts, or draw the monster, superhero application forms. Now I have to teach idioms, and conditional past tense, and bore the hell out of adults. Yup, its going to be a whole new ball game, but I shouldn't get too emotionally worked up. I still have another month with the kids here. Something tells me that when the time comes to leave, I'll be a little sad but I probably won't look back for too long.
There more to it than that. We sent out a bunch of resume packets, blindly, to different schools. None of them replied so we decided we'd come back to the states. No sooner did I notify everyone back home that my sojourn was over, and that I was home bound, than a university contacted us.
Here I am pictured, pre-interview. I went in there and gave them a little bit of "Wall Street financeer" mixed with "used -car salesman." I used all the key phrases that employers like to hear, "think out-side of the box, forward-thinking, go-getter, 110%, never say die, and how much vacation do you offer?". It must of worked because somehow Kat and I got the jobs. (I actually think she carried us and we said we were a package. If you take one, you have to take both.)
So the new job starts in Sept. Now we'll be teaching adults. It's a welcome change. I actually like teaching kids, but they can be a bit trying at times. When I taught kindergarteners, they would be so happy to see me. They would run up and give me hugs. Unfortunately the kids were about crotch height, so they'd charge forward and get me right in the groin with their tiny hammer-like fists. Hopefully I won't have to deal with this with college students.
There was that third grade class where Jae-won puked all over the back of Suzy. Hopefully college kids won't do that.
There was another time when a sixth grader tackled his friend in the hall, stripped him of his shoes and threw them out of the fifth floor window. It was cruel and inappropriate and so damn funny. I had to turn my back so they didn't see me laugh. I imagine that college students don't do stuff like that (at least not in the school).
No more English points, or homework coupons, or timeouts, or draw the monster, superhero application forms. Now I have to teach idioms, and conditional past tense, and bore the hell out of adults. Yup, its going to be a whole new ball game, but I shouldn't get too emotionally worked up. I still have another month with the kids here. Something tells me that when the time comes to leave, I'll be a little sad but I probably won't look back for too long.
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