Long overdue.............I am sorry 많이 바빠요.

안녕! Hello everyone.  I want to apologize for the long overdue post.  The move to Apgujong, new job, new social connections and studying have kept me indisposed for the past few months.  I think it is high time I put up a new post.  Now just where to begin....

I will start with my employment.  I am teaching preschool and it is a great job.  The hrs. are good, allowing me to study and exercise everyday.  The location is less than a five min. walk from my apartment.  My boss is nice, a no nonsense type, but fair and likes me.  I have 20 kids who are crazy at times but they are a sweet bunch.  Here is a short description.  I have a psycho, a few criers, some hooligans, a genius, mostly sweeties, and a lost in La La Land girl.  My co worker is nice but has a strange demeanor and a "snaggle" tooth I can't stop staring at when she talks.  ~.^


I have made some great friends since coming to Apgujong.   I will give an introduction to some of them since they are in my upcoming pictures.   I will post my new shots as soon as I get them from everyone.  Their names are Joyce, Mike, Bernie, Nate, Kyla, Sujin, Hyungie (bet you cant pronounce that one correctly).  I apologize to any others for not doing a little ditty on you also!!!

I spend so much time with the above mentioned I only think it right to give some background on them.  Now you can see who has been keeping me from posting.  I will have another blog very soon.  Until then, enjoy meeting some of my friends!

Joyce is my best friend in Korea.  She is an all American very pretty girl whose parents are originally Korean.  She helps me with my Korean and looks out for me as I am forgetful on occasion.  We walk around and make fun of ppl, each other, and always eat at 김밥정국 (kim bab chong guk: meaning kimbab heaven).  She can also box, a freaking natural.  Joyce is also the brightest dressed person I know.  She loves neon colors!  She is also single to all my buddies back home!

Mike is a great buddy of mine.  The boy is a genius.  He is fluent in multiple languages and gets girls like you would not believe.  He also helps me with my Korean.  His mother is Korean and he has a drive to really learn the language.  We are like two peas in a pod.  We both are very outgoing and don't really care if we look silly while out.  We went on a trip together to Busan and all I can say is wait for the pics and video! 

Bernie is a true study buddy and my 형님!! (형님 sounds like hyung nim, Korean for older brother with whom you should have respect for).  He is a college graduate division 1 football player with arms the size of a Volkswagen.  We work, study, maybe have a few drinks, and go to Korean classes together.  We normally get a few looks when we are out since we are both blond, blue eyed foreigners chitchatting in Korean.   

Kyla is a Blond Bombshell with whom I had to say my goodbyes.  She is moving back to Canada to get her Masters.  She was one of the first people I met in Apgujong.  She took me around and introduced me to all her friends who are now subsequently my friends.  She is a great girl who is going to teach my how to hang glide when I visit her in Canada.  AEH!

Nate is my next door neighbor and was the very first person I met in Apgujong.  He is a hell of a great guy with a great since of humor.  He cracks everyone up whenever he is around!!!  He is also my daily walking buddy to work. He might be someone I tend to get a beer with at 10PM on week nights :)  

Sujin is a very pretty Korean native who helps me study along with Mike.  Mike introduced us and we normally sit at the coffee shop, people watch, laugh, and try to concentrate on the task at hand.  She has studied in the States and is now working at Cosmo Magazine.  She is a fun girl with her head on straight.

Hyunge is an ex-gymnast twirly ribbon girl performer......whatever.  She is a good friend and some one who is just a really kind person.  Her English is not perfect, but better than my Korean.  We chit chat back and forth in both languages.  We have monthly dates where we will watch a Korean or English movie and then talk about it.  She is a typical Korean and loves Soju so that is normally thrown into the mix.  Maybe I will not send pictures of our meetings.  Last time, ehhhem, someone had to have her boyfriend come and pick her up since she might have had too much Soju!!

I take Korean classes 3 times a week.  I just started this month and should have started a long time ago.  Studying on your own is great but the teacher I practice under is better.  So watch out.  Coming soon, a blog post in Korean!!!!!

Miss you all so very much
Deano!

Favorite People, and places make for great times!

My new room

This is my new room.  I am in Penguin class.  Go figure, my favorite toy when I was these kids age was a blue penguin slide.  It had tiny penguins on a belt drive being carried up stairs.  Once to the top they slid down  slide. .......I was 5, and it was amazing. 

A very quick rundown of the latest news on my side of the world.

A lot has changed in the last few weeks.  I recently moved to a new part of Seoul called Apgujong.  I am working for a new company.  I like my job very much and the location is only a 4 min walk from my front door. This is the best part!  I can leave for work 15 min before start time and be 10 min early.  How awesome is that?

School and housing conditions.
My co-teachers are great.  I have 2. My boss is kind, fair and not a push over.  Those are the best sort of people to work under in my opinion.  My apartment is a rather large studio with a bathroom.  At first it was a little dreary and smelly (I would be lying if I said I was not a little disappointed).  The walls were stained yellow and brown from 20 years of daily living.  Thankfully the walls were stripped and re-wallpapered white today!  Much much better.  I had to take a cold shower everyday for a 2 week period (fairly pissed off every morning during the duration of the wash, but it doesn't hurt you).  The water heater is being worked on as I type and should be fixed rather soon.  All and all I am doing great over here right now.  I am meeting new friends and having new adventures on a weekly basis.  I boosted up the study time and I am improving my language skills.  I am starting to see all the little nuances of the language that you do not get from a book. 

My training is going well also.  I have reached a few milestones in my development as a boxer and also with my fitness goals.  I am now successfully doing 1 planch push up almost perfectly!  (Yeah, I know I am weird, but it takes a lot of training to do just one.)

I also am going to be coming home in about 4 months for a 10 day vacation.  The end of July to the beginning of August.  I am excited about that.  For all those that read this (and those that don't),  do not go anywhere that week!  I am coming to see you in Cinci, Columbus and my boys down South!!!!!

I am so very excited to be where I am right now.
Thanks for the read,
Deano!

New School, New Kids, New house, New City. Still in Korea!

So this is a young man named Andy.  He is bigger than the other kids but is just as much as a baby.  I am teaching pre-schoolers and they are fun. 

All of the female English teachers have voted this kid as the cutest student in school.  I think he looks like the Harry Potter of Korea!

The baby of the class.  She is cute but knows how to work you if you let her.  She knows how to get out of doing things by crying.  She cries a lot when it comes to work time.  By work I mean gym class and art class.

Smart girl who like to chew on the plastic toys!

Without a doubt my favorite.  Her name is sandy.  She is brilliant, cute and funny.  I look forward to teaching her.  That can not be said for all the students I have.

Second Nature

Learning a new language, well trying to at least, takes a ton of time.  It can be frustrating and rewarding, similar to a big jigsaw puzzle.  (This is not a great reference since I hate puzzles.  You build the puzzle then put it back in the box, useless if you ask me).

I study everyday.  I also try to use Korean as much as I can.  In such an English friendly place as Seoul it can be easy to just use my native tongue.  However, using the locals is great practice and a must when trying to improve.  I have noticed some leaps in the last few weeks.  At first a new language sounds just like garbled up noise, especially languages such as Japanese, Korean and Chinese.  As you progress in your understanding and your vocabulary builds things start to click.  The pieces start to reveal themselves and you begin to see the whole picture, (key word is begin).  You start with the basics, letters, sounds and simple words.  It feels like an impossible task but as you build your knowledge it does get easier and things do not seem so foreign. It is just like a light bulb turning on and you get it.

Now there is a big gap between communicating to fluency.  I can communicate, no problem, with most people in Korean.  However, without context, slowed speech and someone willing to not speak in slang I have problems.  I can understand my kids in school much better than the adults.  The adults speak so quickly in normal conversation it can drive you bonkers.  You feel as if you are grasping at straws.  It does drive you to keep going.

I am going to grad school here.  It is not a decision I came to lightly.  I miss my friends, family and home.  If I do not take this grad school opportunity I know I would regret it.  I am going to miss so much.  I am missing some of my best friends weddings, new additions to my family, and all the little things that gave me such a great life back home.  I only hope the strain I place on these relationships strengthens them. 7000 miles away and 14 hrs. time difference is a burden to say the least. This blog is my attempt to keep all those I miss at home in my life at their convenience.

I hope you all keep reading and get skype if you can.  I enjoy your smiling faces.

Some of the kidos I am leaving

He saw my brother on Skype one day and now asks for him daily.  Where is Sam brother? ()

The best kids ever.  The girl in the pink is possibly the sweetest little girl I have ever met.  

I am not sure if these hats would catch on in America.  I have to admit they are clever.   I believe I mentioned everything is  cute in Korea.    

All the kids wear these hats over here in the winter time.  There are hundreds of characters they choose from.  I had to try one on!

Random acts of kindness make the world go round

Amongst all the anger and hate spewing form people right now I believe there is still more good than evil in the world.  Why do I say this you might ask.  It really has nothing to do with family or friends.  Most people have loved ones and friends.  Even the crazies like Saddam, Hitler, and Mussolini had families.  Is is the random acts of kindness we all experience or do for others.

Today I was walking out of a convenience store at the bottom of my building (it was around 12:15 am).  I had not left the apartment all day. I had studied Korean, worked out, boxed and and talked to friends on Skype.  Not too eventful.  I was heading to the elevator when I saw one of my students.  He ran up to me, gave me a big hug, and wished me a happy new year (that is Lunar New Year by the way).  He then insisted I meet his extended family.  I went with him to the coffee shop and was greeted with warm smiles, handshakes, and laughter.   They then gave me a mocha coffee with whip cream.   (I love whip cream by the way, more so than the coffee part of the drink.) I spoke broken Korean, they spoke broken English, and we all said goodbye.  The entire ordeal lasted no more than 10 minutes but it made my night.

(Some background info)
I have been taking the time to train this young man in my apartment after school.  (There is some monetary gain involved). I have been teaching him how to exercise, box, some tricks I have picked up with self- defense, and English.  He has to join the military, as all young men do, in a few months.  I have not been in the military, so I know I can not begin to help him with the mental aspect of everything.  However, I can harden him physically.  He is a great kid and I am really glad I met his family tonight.  I more than likely will not see him again after this month.  I am moving to a new part of Seoul.  However, I hope what he learns from me will help him on his way.

One cup of coffee tonight was a great way to say thank you and keep me up studying!

Korean Dean!

There is no Hunger issue in Korea. :)

I do not go to the grocery store very much here in Korea.  I only really eat the essentials (eggs, milk, tuna, fruit, and veggies) when I am at home.  If I am not making food I just simply go to the nearest small mom and pop restaurant.  You can eat a very filling meal for under 6,000 won ($6).  Or I act like a typical foreigner and get a pizza (6,000, $6 US!)

Today I ended up going to the grocery store.  It was awesome.  I was very hungry when I entered  E-Mart (never go shopping when you are hungry unless you are in Korea).  I left with a full stomach and only 20,600 won worth of groceries ($20.60 US).   This is because it is Lunar New Years all over Asia.  It is a very big holiday in Korea.  This led to the best part of my day...the free samples!  I walked down every aisle just to taste the free food.   I was completely full when I left.  It was fantastic.  There were over 30 stands with everything from coffee, dumplings, breads,  meat, seaweed, potato pancakes, and really traditional Korean food.

(I had done this once before when I first came to Korea. My bank back home and I have had issues over the years.  Nothing big ahem..... just theft, fraud, irrational excuses for credit card limit lowering and rather shady amazing offers.   I simply wanted to take my money and transfer it into my new Korean account. They would not do it.  Of course my wonderful mother saved my butt again.  She persuaded them gracefully to give the money to her.  I will not mention them...............but their name is bigger than 3/5rd , uh I mean 3/5ths)


Anywhoo,  like I said I have done this once before when I first got here.  I was way way short on cash and went to the store to get some cheap noodles and milk.  I ended coming out full and happier than a pig in poo after all the free samples they give here.

Needless to say you will not starve in Korea.  Just go the store and sample what they are giving away! 

Deano so hungry

Self Control

Tonight I had a great evening.  I went out with some great friends that I met in Korea.  We drank, ate, and danced together.  It was wonderful.  It is amazing how great people can be when they just act like normal human beings.  However, tonight I had someone try and fight me based on my look and the fact  "I smile too much." Needless to say he is a short fat man who is inept and confused about his role in life.  He has a beautiful girlfriend who is in America.   So, I really do not understand his problem with me.  I do not understand ignorance on his level and it makes me angry.  It  almost made me hurt someone who completely deserved it tonight.  Yet, I didn't.  I actually bought him a drink to smooth things over.  Sorry, just needed to vent about tonight.  

Dean

6 months later

Hey everyone.  Today's post marks my six month anniversary in Korea.  It is hard to believe I have been here for that long.  It really has gone by extremely fast.  I have learned so much about Korean culture, language, and the world in general.  I have been studying everyday and seen lots of improvement in my Korean language abilities.  I have been studying alone and practicing on unsuspecting cashiers and my Korean co-workers daily.  I have a ton of Korean in my head and I am still learning.  I am working on pulling it all together and building speed in comprehension, recall and fluidity.  It's still a huge work in progress.  Korea has not just helped me study a new language, it has taught me a lot about myself.  Korea has presented me with many challenges.  Some are not that difficult while others seem insurmountable at times.  However, with every obstacle faced I’ve learned what I’m made of.  I’ve also learned (whether I like it not) what I am lacking in.  I think that is why I love boxing.  It is the absolute hardest sport in the world.  It is not just the physical training, which is brutal and absolutely ridiculous at times, but the mental aspect as well.  The Sweat Science, as it is called, forces you to think on your own.  You are totally alone in the ring.  Yes, there are people around you in your corner cheering and supporting you.  The catch is you are the one hitting, getting hit, pushing yourself, reacting, and fighting for whatever reason you are in the ring.  It is ironic that such a brutally physical endeavor brought me to the most brutal mental endeavor I have undertaken.  Learning Korean and the culture is an absolute goal I feel driven to achieve.  I have grown up with some of the smartest people around.  They have learned languages such as Arabic, Hebrew, Korean, and Japanese.  I hope some of their brain cells have worn off on me that last 20 years we grew up together.  I realized I am more of a loner than I thought previously, but without a doubt miss my family and friends.  However, I love the adventure of getting lost on my own in new places, meeting new people, having to think on your feet, and having to appropriately react to your given circumstances.  I have some great stories I will be sharing in the next few weeks.  I have tales from Christmas, New Year's, dealings with drunk Koreans and foreigners, old creepy men on the subway, transferring jobs while trying not to piss too many people off.  I also realized I have no idea what I am truely doing and just have to put faith in myself and the big guy upstairs.  Six months down and at least 13 more to go before I head back home for more than a week.  I will be seeing you all in the next year though.  Deano

Friends, food and fun

These are the streets in Korea a few days after a storm.  Pretty nasty. 

I found you!

We are buddies!

Cute is everywhere here in Korea.

It was delicious but do not ask what it was.  Traditional Korean food.

Big snow in Bucheon.

We are united again in her home 7,000 miles from where we first met!  Miss you Jeongeun!

Sushi, beef sashimi, and fried sweet potatoes. 

I would be lying if I said I was not nervous about eating raw beef.

Inhibitions thrown to the wind.  Down the hatch.

Dinner was fantastic.  Thanks Sungjoo!!

Miller is king, it even has a crown to prove it.