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Showing posts from February, 2010

Going to the Doctor

The doctor said that I have mild hyperthyroidism. It's not extreme, but I do think it has been the cause of a lot of my problems. I have had some insomnia, anxiety, hair loss, etc. Thankfully my hair loss has finally stopped. I also am thankful that some anxiety has left me too. I do think I need to take it more easy and get more rest and relaxation when I am not working.

A Day at the Resort

I went to the Vivaldi Resort yesterday with other faculty from the high school. I had the choice to either go skiing or swimming. I chose to go swimming. I didn't have a swimsuit so I went to buy one on Monday night. At Lotte Mart I found a funky 4-piece white swimsuit with black and gold designs on it. It is a bikini that comes with a tank top and a skirt. Korean swimwear is a bit different than Western wear. Koreans also require people to wear swimming caps in the water, so I got a bright pink cap. I should have gotten a dark one because it clashes with the swimsuit. I also got a pair of pink goggles. Yes, I felt like such a dork in my swimming get-up. It didn't help that I still have marks from psoriasis on my legs. I do think that the marks should be gone within a few months. I got in my swimwear (everyone changes in front of everyone else) and headed for the pool room. The pools were all crowded. It was nice that there were jets for us to sit near. We could h

Should I Stay in Korea or Not?

This is a question I have been asking myself. "Should I stay in Korea or not?". I love Korea a lot, yet I have been having my doubts about staying here. I love the friends and acquaintances I have made here. There are still many places I want to see that I haven't seen yet. I have my favourite haunts. I like the dojang I attend. Yet, I also feel that I want to move on. I only have a degree in English, just a simple bachelor's degree. It isn't worth much at all. I love books and I am greatful for many things I learned while getting the degree, yet I wish I studied something else. A degree in English can get someone a teaching job as long as they have teaching certification, which I don't have. I don't want a career as a middle or high school teacher anyways. A master's degree or higher can get someone a job as an editor or a professor. I have neither of those degrees. I also am dissatisfied with the jobs I have had in Korea. My first job inv

Garden of Morning Calm on Feb.19

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Jasmine and Suzy getting fixed

My mother scheduled Jasmine and Suzy to be fixed on Feb. 16. They are the two kittens I rescued here in Korea and brought to the USA when I visited my family on Christmas vacation. When they were brought over they had to spend 24 hours in their carrier because two of the three flights we were on were delayed because of weather. Thankfully they came to their new home safely. Recently the poor tiny kittens had already been in heat and were up at all hours making a racket. They are about 7 months old according to the vet. My mother caught Suzy and put her in the carrier. When Jasmine saw Suzy in the carrier she quickly panicked and ran all around the house. My mother and aunt tried in vain to catch her. My mother gave up and drove only Suzy to get fixed. Jasmine is rescheduled for Feb. 22. Suzy made it through the surgery well and will go home in the morning.

Lunar New Year

I went to Itaewon on Saturday night. I had some food at an Indian restaurant. It was OK, I had some curry with nuts and potato. The food wasn't spectacular, if I ever eat there again I'll try another dish.

Twenty-five Random Things About Me

This is a challenge going around facebook. I do challenge any of my blog readers to do the same if they wish: I once observed a bolt of lighting striking my home while I was inside it. There was no fire or mark left behind. That was weird. I have broken two bones in two separate incidents. I have always been a vegetarian I have been enrolled at ten different schools I have type O- blood. Johnny Depp and Tim Burton are gods of cinema! I grew up near the lake with the longest name in the world: Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg I HATE ONIONS I am very interested in botany. I would love to be a botanist, even as an amateur. I can't dance! I am the owner of a flute, glass flute in D, tin whistle, guitar, mandolin, and soprano ukulele... I taught myself how to crochet I love reading travel narrative and wish I could be the next Freya Stark or Rebecca West. I have been a fan of National Geographic magazine since I was 6 years old. I have never ordered anything from K

Scary Dave on "Don't Let the Bastards Keep You Down" *EXPLICIT*

This man calls himself "Scary Dave". He has a Youtube channel called "The Church of Dave". He has many videos where he has his rants. They are fun to watch because he's so enlightened. Yes, his videos do have lots of swears and yes, I'm not much into cursing, yet well, that's his style and that's the way it is. I do wish I took this man's advice in this video a long time ago. I shouldn't have listened to people who told me I couldn't do things the way I wanted to do it. I kept being told "don't spend your money on another university", "don't go abroad, establish yourself in the United States", "get a job that's in lots of demand, even if it's boring", and so on. What for? I wasted a few years of my life because I listened to that stupidity. Never again am I going to listen to people's negative talk. I am proud of myself for breaking conventions, getting out of my home country so I

Some of My Favourite Music Videos of ALL TIME!!!

When I was a preteen and young teenager, I was hopelessly addicted to VH1. Here are some of the best videos of that time period, in my own opinion: #1 Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer" This music video is so trippy. Gabriel had to sit still for an entire day to have that stop-motion animation done around his head. I love the dancing poultry. #2 Madonna's "Take a Bow" This video was filmed in Spain. The matador is so sexy. :D #3 Queen's "Save Me" This was the first music video to combine animation with real footage. #4 Jon Secada's "If You Go" Every jilted lover's fantasy. You can somehow "rescue" the object of your affections from that other person. #5 Janet Jackson's "Love Will Never Do Without You" This features two male models. #6 Celine Dion's "The Power of Love" Celine Dion's sensual video at the start of her career. Too bad her work later became hackwork. #7 Elton John's &

Phone Call

My mother called me early this morning at about 7 am. She told me the kittens have been in heat. Suzy was already in heat and Jasmine is in heat now. I could hear her yowling in the background. I do miss the kittens, but I think they are doing better in their new home. I live in a one-room "box" here in Korea. They have much more space where they are now and they are getting along with the other three cats and two dogs. I am glad I am not putting up with their heat cycles now. My mother said she will have them fixed soon. Lately I have been wishing I could cuddle them, yet I think I did the right thing in giving them to my family. I am greatful my mother called because my phone died last night. My cellphone had little power and I made a few calls and it went kaput. It's my only alarm. I will have to bring it into the shop.

Our Perception of Things: a forwarded e-mail

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Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule. 4 minutes later: The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk. 6 minutes: A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again. 10 minutes: A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly. 45 minu