Aliens exist.

Some of the kids are sarcastic. One of them tries out a new magic trick at the start of class, and fails repeatedly. Then others respond with a chorus of clapping and "Fantastic, interesting!"

Some of the kids have never seen much facial hair, so yesterday when I went to work without shaving for a few days they wanted to pet my face. Haha.

One of the kids is supposedly a children's movie and TV star. So why does he stare at me in the hall way like I'm the movie star? And he asks his friends to ask me questions just to hear my voice, since he doesn't want to talk to me directly. He isn't in any of my classes. So much for teaching a famous student.

$5 at the dry cleaners for 2 shirts and a pair of pants. They don't even ask me my name, the owner just writes down 미국인 in her record book. That's Korean for an American. Just me.

In many contracts, the school will cover your airfare expense to Korea if you make it past the 6 month mark. 1 more month to go for me to reach that, I'm going to buy a cheap acoustic guitar as a present for myself if I make it that far. A friend of mine can teach me, but not for long since people will soon be calling him a 영국인 (Englishman)!

Longview

I'll miss watching the NBA Playoffs. I think it's a good trade-off though. In this age of technology I guess there's no way I can watch live games off the internet. I'd have to spend another W50,000 and get a dish or something. Then make sure I get that channel out of Hong Kong that shows games... ah well.

I want to shoot around a bit but this Yellow Dust has got me skurd. A bunch of things are cheaper here but... bummer to find the adidas shoes downtown were as expensive or more than what they are at home.

Haven't traveled anywhere recently, maybe with the warmer weather...

I'm continuing to handle work alright because the job is what enables me to be here. It's cool to know I now have plenty of employment options here after this current contract. It's something to do anyways, that's for sure.

Wow, it's the weekend again.

When I Come Around.

We were doing a little conversational activity in one of my classes. I draw on the board a hot air balloon, with four stick figure people in the basket. Then I draw one stick figure upside down out of the basket falling towards Earth. The idea is the kids have to name 5 famous people, then choose the one who is to be dropped off because the balloon can't handle so much weight.

Orville Wright was one of the 5. The girls chose him to be the unlucky man taking the fast elevator down because "He wants to fly." Haha. Another kid insisted on drawing a propeller on the back of "Orville" so he really could fly. Another class chose Einstein to take the leap of faith because "Ago, ago he is die." Yes, ago he is die. During the year 1955, as a matter of fact.

Bad dream last night, I was suddenly back in the US for some reason. I didn't know why I was back. I was mad I hadn't tried harder to stay in Korea longer. I seriously woke up expecting to be in my bed in mom and dad's house. Weird feeling. I'll take it as encouragement to hang around here as long as my contract allows. So when I come back home, there won't be that huge feeling of regret like in the dream.

Happy Korean Arbor Day. 식목일 죽하해요? Probably not.