New semester begins

Hey everybody, glad to be back. Sorry we've been gone for a while, this whole blog thing still isn't part of our regular schedule. I promise we'll try to keep up on it.

First an update on who we hang out with in Korea, how we know them, and where they live.

Leah & Andy: Minnesotans living in the building across from us, working at the same branch. They've been here since our 1st day and have been awesome in helping us out. Our best friends here in K-town. What would we do without them? They enjoy a beer or 2-4 and Soju Jenja.
Jenn & Jeremy: Came from Columbus, OH, raised in the southern US, they live in a building across from us in the other direction and work at our branch. They were here last week for "training" (it was a joke week so they probably didn't learn a thing) and start the new semester with fresh classes. They are a little more experienced than us in life, both have masters degrees and Jeremy has 11 years of work experience under his belt. There is no real gap in our interests though, they like to have a good time and isn't that what life is about??
B-rod & Tina: He's Brad at our school for immigration reasons, but Rodnie by birth. B-rod can work anywere, so its stuck with us. They were substitutes at our school for June before Jenn & Jeremy arrived. Brad is here for another 2 months before a Laurier grad comes in September (Melissa King) and Tina is working at the Gireum branch for some special summer classes that are offered. They live in Sinchon, which is a good hour from where we are, but the spare bed has come in handy a few times as they aren't afraid to do what it takes to have a terrific night. Real gamers, these 2.
Mark & Julia: They live in Giruem, about 25 minutes from us by subway, and work at the Plus Academy branch there. They've been here from our beginning as well and they keep it real. They grew up in St. Catherines and were corrupted by the Western 'scene'. Honestly though, more fun than a barrel of monkeys.
Dylan & Naomi: New teachers at the Plus branch in Chang-Dong, which is 2 stops away from where we are, 15 minutes by bus perhaps. From Iowa (which I was politely reminded is NOT the potato state), they are on the same schedule as Jenn/Jer and we met them over a delicious Greek dinner last weekend. They seem like a good time too.
Rob, Ian, & other Topians: Topia is the biggest Hagwon in Korea, and the branch in our neighbourhood has 20-25 teachers. We met some of their posse at the beach a few weeks ago, and we run into them around Seoul on occasion. They really enjoy their lives, and there will be no shortage of parties for us to see more of them.
Matt Marois, Chris Aikens & their boys Ehmon & Cyrus: They live the exact opposite side of the subway line as us (at Incheon, near the airport), so it takes some special occasions for us to get together. We will be watching the race for 1st in the KBO closely between their SK Wyverns (honestly, the worst team name since the Salukis) and our Doosan Bears. For those that don't know, we know Matt & Chris from Laurier.
Joshman & Michelle: We have yet to meet Michelle, but from all accounts she's a real bombshell. Again, they live way away so coordinating something is tougher. Josh is from Laurier as well, Michelle is his Korean girlfriend.
Jay, his girlfriend Steph, & their crew: Another friend from Laurier and his girlfriend who is Minnesota-raised. We met them in the foreigners district a few weeks ago and had a blast, they live in Suwon where my boy Justin and his girl Erin are coming in a few weeks. We can go down there and visit 3 different groups (Josh, Jay, Justin are all in the same area) soon enough, which will be cool. Get 2 birds stoned at once.

Absent from the list are Anne & Colin, who lived just 1 stop away from us in Nowon and are also Western grads. Mark & Julia met them while here, they got to talking about became very close. They are back to the Ajax area (I assure you there are justifiable reasons for them to return to Ajax) and their good nature won't be easy to replace. Just terrific people in all respects.

Aren't we popular? I go to sleep every night thinking about how many friends we have, it is the best feeling in the world. You should really try to experience it sometime....

A new semester is underway at all Plus locations as of Monday the 2nd. It will be nice for Kelly and I to have our own classes from the beginning and see what causes some of the bad kids. Some of them are respectful by nature, are anxious to learn and want to have a good time while doing it. Some, on the other hand, view time with their foriegn teachers as free time and can't be controlled at all.

It is understandable in a way, since many of these kids work their tails off. English Academy (us), along with science, math, music, dance, Japanese, and other academies occupy these kids lives. Most don't have all of those, but many have 4 difference tutors they see a week, in addition to their regular school. When you consider that they may have English for 2.5 hours 3 times a week, it can get pretty busy. Add to that the homework they receive from them all, and it's hairier than Chewbacca. Some of these kids are running on 5-6 hours of sleep a night. Some hate Sundays (their only day off from school) because they spend it all on homework. A VERY competitive country, this Korea.

I have learned that when I yell I smile, which really doesn't help keep the kids in line. Anger really isn't something that is common in my everyday life, so I need to work on that emotion. I need more Dick Chaney in my life, that guy has anger absolutely perfected.

That should be enough for now. That's why I don't blog often, because when I do I write so damn much that I can't imagine anyone can possibly make it through the entire thing. I will do more frequent, less verbose postings from now on. Until then.

Recent Pictures:

Classroom Pictutes and Itewan Pictures: http://wluca.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2093068&l=1ba83&id=187905622
Anne and Colin's Goodbye Party: http://wluca.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2094191&l=8b7a6&id=187905622
The Rest of Canada Day Weekend: http://wluca.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2094194&l=1a079&id=187905622