Saturday, November 7, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
I'm BAAAAAAAAACCCK?!?
If you are confused by the headline then you ought to be. Back from where? Didn't you just leave? Huh? Oh...back to blogging. When I left California to head back here to Korea I had three main goals in mind. Spend less money, read more, and write more. I am proud to say I have failed miserably at two of the three. I think you can guess which two. Hint, I have eaten in my apartment twice, well three times if you count the bowl of rice I ate there this morning. And I haven't failed like the thirteen year-old version of myself who was cut from the 8th grade basketball team it was more like the thirteen year old version of myself who dumped his girlfriend because he was too scared to call her. Anyhow, it's about damn time I updated this thing...so here goes.
I arrived in Korea August 22nd. I then was put through a week-long orientation in order to prepare me for the trials and tribulations or being an English teacher in Seoul. The orientation was mundane. Met a lot of cool people though, mostly felt like my first week in the freshman dorms. I learned.
So after a week long orientation I was itching to get out and make something of this adventure. We were loaded onto buses like livestock and sent off to meet our Co-teachers and Boss-people. It was a mess. There were about 100 high school teachers at orientation, and all of us were sent to a high school soccer field in downtown Seoul where we were unceremoniously dumped off to a raging mosh pit of Koreans looking for the fresh piece of foreign meat that would become their English firing target for the year. Some had signs with our names on them, most didn't, it was pure chaos. Inexplicably, I somehow located my name written in tiny ballpoint pen being held above the fray. I walked towards my name, my name walked away, I chased it, and eventually, I caught up.
Next thing I know I am in a car with my new Korean co-teacher and according to her, my boss. After one of the most terrifying car rides of my life I somehow, beyond logic, arrived at my new apartment. I was excited because as we pulled up I was told my apartment was brand new, good start. So we ride the elevator up, 8th floor, nice savings on the heating bill this winter right? The door opened to a small studio. By small I mean a bedroom disguised as an apartment. Not to mention that the place was empty, apart from the built in desk/ closet/ closet/ refrigerator. Well at least was new. I spent the rest of the day thinking about the clubs in Hongdae and the fact that my twin, Stacey, was in town for one night and I desperately wanted to get away from the situation.
So, we wandered around E-Mart, Homeplus, Homever, back to E-Mart and finally back to my apartment. When I finally kicked my kind and well intentioned hosts out of my apartment like a steak on Friday I had a chair, a toaster oven, a blanket and pillow, and a bed on order. I couldn't have cared less as I jumped in the shower and headed out. More to come...
I arrived in Korea August 22nd. I then was put through a week-long orientation in order to prepare me for the trials and tribulations or being an English teacher in Seoul. The orientation was mundane. Met a lot of cool people though, mostly felt like my first week in the freshman dorms. I learned.
So after a week long orientation I was itching to get out and make something of this adventure. We were loaded onto buses like livestock and sent off to meet our Co-teachers and Boss-people. It was a mess. There were about 100 high school teachers at orientation, and all of us were sent to a high school soccer field in downtown Seoul where we were unceremoniously dumped off to a raging mosh pit of Koreans looking for the fresh piece of foreign meat that would become their English firing target for the year. Some had signs with our names on them, most didn't, it was pure chaos. Inexplicably, I somehow located my name written in tiny ballpoint pen being held above the fray. I walked towards my name, my name walked away, I chased it, and eventually, I caught up.
Next thing I know I am in a car with my new Korean co-teacher and according to her, my boss. After one of the most terrifying car rides of my life I somehow, beyond logic, arrived at my new apartment. I was excited because as we pulled up I was told my apartment was brand new, good start. So we ride the elevator up, 8th floor, nice savings on the heating bill this winter right? The door opened to a small studio. By small I mean a bedroom disguised as an apartment. Not to mention that the place was empty, apart from the built in desk/ closet/ closet/ refrigerator. Well at least was new. I spent the rest of the day thinking about the clubs in Hongdae and the fact that my twin, Stacey, was in town for one night and I desperately wanted to get away from the situation.
So, we wandered around E-Mart, Homeplus, Homever, back to E-Mart and finally back to my apartment. When I finally kicked my kind and well intentioned hosts out of my apartment like a steak on Friday I had a chair, a toaster oven, a blanket and pillow, and a bed on order. I couldn't have cared less as I jumped in the shower and headed out. More to come...
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
I Want...
I think those of you who know me well and have kept in touch are aware that I am thoroughly enjoying my time here in Korea. That being said I have been in KOREA for 351 days…that’s right, I counted. I miss some things…I want some things…
…Bean and cheese burrito with salsa verde from Speedy Taco…
…Fresh batch of white rice and a nice ribeye prepared by my Ol Man with some fresh yellow corn on the cob…
…Roast beef, cheddar, mayo and an ice cold coca-cola courtesy of Myrtle Avenue Market or the Mielke’s fridge…
…Lisa Mielke’s world famous Taco Salad with ridiculous amounts of avo…
…Inside out tuna hand roll from Hana, or Tomo…
…Fried chicken breast sandwich from Kipp’s…
…Catfish sandwich from Kipp’s or if it’s late night from the wagon off State Street…
…Norcal microbrew please…Great White, Steelhead, Racer 5, Eye of the Hawk, IPA, seriously I don’t even care…
…Wisco beer please…New Glarus, Leinenkugel's, Capital, seriously I don’t even care…
…Mazzoti’s…
…In-N-Out Double-Double with grilled onions and crispy fries…
…Fresh guac by me for me…
…Fresh salsa…
…China Buffet in Madison…
…Wisco fish fry…
…Jimmie John’s…
…Los Bagels slug with cream cheese and cucumbers…
…More Speedy…
…Champagne breakfast in Chico…
…There is more…but these choices have clouded my mind…………………………………..
…Bean and cheese burrito with salsa verde from Speedy Taco…
…Fresh batch of white rice and a nice ribeye prepared by my Ol Man with some fresh yellow corn on the cob…
…Roast beef, cheddar, mayo and an ice cold coca-cola courtesy of Myrtle Avenue Market or the Mielke’s fridge…
…Lisa Mielke’s world famous Taco Salad with ridiculous amounts of avo…
…Inside out tuna hand roll from Hana, or Tomo…
…Fried chicken breast sandwich from Kipp’s…
…Catfish sandwich from Kipp’s or if it’s late night from the wagon off State Street…
…Norcal microbrew please…Great White, Steelhead, Racer 5, Eye of the Hawk, IPA, seriously I don’t even care…
…Wisco beer please…New Glarus, Leinenkugel's, Capital, seriously I don’t even care…
…Mazzoti’s…
…In-N-Out Double-Double with grilled onions and crispy fries…
…Fresh guac by me for me…
…Fresh salsa…
…China Buffet in Madison…
…Wisco fish fry…
…Jimmie John’s…
…Los Bagels slug with cream cheese and cucumbers…
…More Speedy…
…Champagne breakfast in Chico…
…There is more…but these choices have clouded my mind…………………………………..
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
New Years Revolution. Tokyo Physics.
So the New Year came and then I went to a Roots show really was amazing. In a small venue and in Seoul, it was quite the experience. The crowd was into it and the band was on it. ?uestlove is really quite the entertainer. Dude is big, dude has a big afro and dude can slam on the drums. He has a star quality like one of those people that really awes you. He isn’t even the front-man of the group but he runs it.
Then I went to Japan. I had a lot of expectations and basically I can tell you it was completely different. I feel cities all have their own five senses. What makes a city great is when it has that sixth sense. I mean Tokyo smells different, it looks different, it feels different, it tastes different and it sure as hell sounds different. But Tokyo has that other feel about it. It’s got a little attitude like it’s vibing on you and its growing on you. Not too many places have made me feel like they have an aura. Being in Tokyo is like meeting a famous person when you are young and you still care about famous people.
Caitlin was a top class tour guide. Harajuku, Akihabra, Asukasa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Roppongi, Kamakura, Yokohama, we did it all. I was into the side streets in Tokyo, they have dope little houses which was good to see because in Seoul it’s mostly cookie cutter giant apartment complexes. Not that they didn’t have those in Tokyo but there were houses, real houses not like American houses but houses nonetheless.
We ate with a couple of Caitlin’s adult students, Eiko and Nobuo. It was at this cool little Okonomiyaki restaurant where you cook these sorts of Japanese pancakes. Actually for those of you who have eaten Korean food they are more like a pajeon. For those of you who haven’t the only real similarity they have with a pancake are that they have batter, into which goes cabbage, veggies, and meat. They give you like 6 different bowls that you mix up yourself and throw on the grill in the middle of the table. They give you a time limit, I think 2 hours, because it’s all you can drink. Caitlin’s student Nobuo was a badass and he was downing Kirin pints like he was getting paid and I was in my own little private battle to keep up with him and no, I couldn’t. We ended up back at Caitlin’s where we packed in and listened to the hilarity that is Eiko.
All in all Japan was a great experience and I look forward to making its acquaintance once again and more thoroughly.
I also made some New Years resolutions. I have never made New Years resolutions before but these aren’t just resolutions they are a personal revolution. That’s dumb.
-Get in shape. Yo, I want a six pack, who doesn’t?
-Write more. I will even put some of it on here so ya’ll can be like “wow, Jon is probably the best/ worst writer I personally know.”
-Stop drinking soda.
-Dress however the f I want.
-Don’t call my dad after any sort of drinking.
-Keep in touch.
Dad, I talk to you almost as much so yeah I will talk to you later too.
Mom, I freaking love you!
Hawaii fam, Eunice, cuzzos!
Jeff, I talk to you all the time so yeah, talk to you tomorrow bro.
Eric, let's have a drink.
Ross, I want to roll over to heavy D’s and hang out with Deeds Jr. Then maybe out to the Strip. Should we sit on the roof and talk about the shit we don’t know anything about or go to the OHR? Ernies, we never got that steak.
Mielke Fam, I can’t wait to family crash on you all this summer.
Oh, and if somehow Cody Flynn reads this shit I love you and your muscles.
Caitlin, you rock it was awesome seeing you again.
LAWTON AND JAK-E
Everyone back in California, Wisco, or wherever I think about you all the time…OHR Gals and associates, MARCUS AND PLONSKY! Jeff and Ashley POTTS! DC RACING I WANNA PLAY GOLF SOOO BAD, Rachel, Tress, Kipp, Mike, Kym, Kipp’s Crew, Max, Roberto Stilling, Boston, Jew, Dunt, Thurman, Smyther, Seandra, Karen and Burc, Jay and Katie, Berrey Fam, Burggraf and I love Conner, Stipahoes, Mike T and his girrrl, Tammitha, Coach, All you Chico freakos, Jordo, Ramer, Andrea, Laura, 50 West crew, I basically miss all that Humboldt crew I can’t wait to party with ya’ll again and of course MADTOWN…everyone who reads this. If you feel left out don’t feel bad cuz I love you more.
Then I went to Japan. I had a lot of expectations and basically I can tell you it was completely different. I feel cities all have their own five senses. What makes a city great is when it has that sixth sense. I mean Tokyo smells different, it looks different, it feels different, it tastes different and it sure as hell sounds different. But Tokyo has that other feel about it. It’s got a little attitude like it’s vibing on you and its growing on you. Not too many places have made me feel like they have an aura. Being in Tokyo is like meeting a famous person when you are young and you still care about famous people.
Caitlin was a top class tour guide. Harajuku, Akihabra, Asukasa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Roppongi, Kamakura, Yokohama, we did it all. I was into the side streets in Tokyo, they have dope little houses which was good to see because in Seoul it’s mostly cookie cutter giant apartment complexes. Not that they didn’t have those in Tokyo but there were houses, real houses not like American houses but houses nonetheless.
We ate with a couple of Caitlin’s adult students, Eiko and Nobuo. It was at this cool little Okonomiyaki restaurant where you cook these sorts of Japanese pancakes. Actually for those of you who have eaten Korean food they are more like a pajeon. For those of you who haven’t the only real similarity they have with a pancake are that they have batter, into which goes cabbage, veggies, and meat. They give you like 6 different bowls that you mix up yourself and throw on the grill in the middle of the table. They give you a time limit, I think 2 hours, because it’s all you can drink. Caitlin’s student Nobuo was a badass and he was downing Kirin pints like he was getting paid and I was in my own little private battle to keep up with him and no, I couldn’t. We ended up back at Caitlin’s where we packed in and listened to the hilarity that is Eiko.
All in all Japan was a great experience and I look forward to making its acquaintance once again and more thoroughly.
I also made some New Years resolutions. I have never made New Years resolutions before but these aren’t just resolutions they are a personal revolution. That’s dumb.
-Get in shape. Yo, I want a six pack, who doesn’t?
-Write more. I will even put some of it on here so ya’ll can be like “wow, Jon is probably the best/ worst writer I personally know.”
-Stop drinking soda.
-Dress however the f I want.
-Don’t call my dad after any sort of drinking.
-Keep in touch.
Dad, I talk to you almost as much so yeah I will talk to you later too.
Mom, I freaking love you!
Hawaii fam, Eunice, cuzzos!
Jeff, I talk to you all the time so yeah, talk to you tomorrow bro.
Eric, let's have a drink.
Ross, I want to roll over to heavy D’s and hang out with Deeds Jr. Then maybe out to the Strip. Should we sit on the roof and talk about the shit we don’t know anything about or go to the OHR? Ernies, we never got that steak.
Mielke Fam, I can’t wait to family crash on you all this summer.
Oh, and if somehow Cody Flynn reads this shit I love you and your muscles.
Caitlin, you rock it was awesome seeing you again.
LAWTON AND JAK-E
Everyone back in California, Wisco, or wherever I think about you all the time…OHR Gals and associates, MARCUS AND PLONSKY! Jeff and Ashley POTTS! DC RACING I WANNA PLAY GOLF SOOO BAD, Rachel, Tress, Kipp, Mike, Kym, Kipp’s Crew, Max, Roberto Stilling, Boston, Jew, Dunt, Thurman, Smyther, Seandra, Karen and Burc, Jay and Katie, Berrey Fam, Burggraf and I love Conner, Stipahoes, Mike T and his girrrl, Tammitha, Coach, All you Chico freakos, Jordo, Ramer, Andrea, Laura, 50 West crew, I basically miss all that Humboldt crew I can’t wait to party with ya’ll again and of course MADTOWN…everyone who reads this. If you feel left out don’t feel bad cuz I love you more.
Caitlin Famer Came to Korea.
So I have been really bad about keeping up with this thing lately. The Philippines took a lot out of me including…
-The will to live anywhere else in the world other that El Nido. Don’t ever go there unless you are with me.
-A lot of key/ pen strokes.
-The desire to drink any other beer than 22 peso San Miguels for the rest of my life.
-I absolutely hated work for about two weeks.
But, I am back and ready to update. After the Philippines I was graced by the presence of Caitlin Farmer which was dope. We hit up Seoul in the finest of style. Highlights included…
Izakaya madness- Soju, Dongdongju, and Cass were flowing like wine. Rachel and Zack were real into sampling the alcoholic fantasyland that is Korea. We hit up two Izakayas that night and it got blurry.
Hongdae- Dave and Fumi graced us with their presence and we took in a spicy sample of Korean offerings. Brix was perfect for hookah and white Russians afterwards. Drinking those White Russians reminded me of Ernie’s back in E-Town except these White Russians were not transparently vodka ridden.
The Palace- The palace was cool.
Urban Hiking- We inadvertently gave Caitlin a walking tour of Seoul which was alright now looking back on it. The lights downtown were a nice touch. I also walked into the women’s bathroom in the underground shopping center, the women didn’t even look pissed off, I didn’t realize I was in there until I couldn’t find the pisser.
Itaewon- We ate some Mexican food.
It really was a great time, there was more, there was excitement, there is someone you know who could have written it better. Sorry, you are stuck with me. Thanks for visiting Caitlin.
-The will to live anywhere else in the world other that El Nido. Don’t ever go there unless you are with me.
-A lot of key/ pen strokes.
-The desire to drink any other beer than 22 peso San Miguels for the rest of my life.
-I absolutely hated work for about two weeks.
But, I am back and ready to update. After the Philippines I was graced by the presence of Caitlin Farmer which was dope. We hit up Seoul in the finest of style. Highlights included…
Izakaya madness- Soju, Dongdongju, and Cass were flowing like wine. Rachel and Zack were real into sampling the alcoholic fantasyland that is Korea. We hit up two Izakayas that night and it got blurry.
Hongdae- Dave and Fumi graced us with their presence and we took in a spicy sample of Korean offerings. Brix was perfect for hookah and white Russians afterwards. Drinking those White Russians reminded me of Ernie’s back in E-Town except these White Russians were not transparently vodka ridden.
The Palace- The palace was cool.
Urban Hiking- We inadvertently gave Caitlin a walking tour of Seoul which was alright now looking back on it. The lights downtown were a nice touch. I also walked into the women’s bathroom in the underground shopping center, the women didn’t even look pissed off, I didn’t realize I was in there until I couldn’t find the pisser.
Itaewon- We ate some Mexican food.
It really was a great time, there was more, there was excitement, there is someone you know who could have written it better. Sorry, you are stuck with me. Thanks for visiting Caitlin.
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