The Summer Switch

It's like God turned on the "summer" switch because suddenly it's hot. Seasons change suddenly here. So the weekend was great; Sunday I went to Haeundae beach, tanned, watched the topless boys play beach volleyball and even went in for a swim! It was a tad chilly but I remember the Canadian lakes in September being far colder. Of course, only foreigners were swimming -- the Koreans just stared at us from the beach with big smiles on their faces and shaking their heads. It's the same expression I give those polar bear swimmers back home. Anyway, it was funny and a really good time. Went home with sand in my shoes, salt on my skin and a tan on my face. Slept like a baby too. Though I'll admit, there is something odd/unique about taking the subway to the beach...

Today is the last day of the month which means that a lot of students aren't showing up for class and tomorrow I'll get a fresh boatload of new students. Again, a student from the 10 am class shows up at 11am expecting to join the class. Well, the one student I have in 11am didn't show up so hell no, I'm not teaching him (did I mention I hate one on one classes?). But he is a little more forceful than the others and asks why. I tell him basically: "too bad, I have a break now, you can't just show up to whatever class you like. You slept in and missed your class that's ur problem." Freaking imagine. Anyway, I did tell him if he waits another hour he can join the 12pm class. That's the drama of the day.

Another month nearly finished. My boss asked me if I wanted to sign another contract; I told him I'd like that but it would have to be for November. He asked the obvious question: "who would work for the three months while I was away?" I said: "get a temporary person to fill in".
But they weren't too keen on that idea (as they would have to hire an illegal) so he said I should call him when I come back in October. We'll see, but anyway, it was very nice to be asked.
My tickets to Hungary are purchased (thanks to Mommy's efforts -- thank you Mom!) -- couldn't make the reservations from Korea -- and I've only 2 months left here in Korea. Excited because I'm really looking forward to lazing around the swimming pool this summer and travelling!
I feel a little bad today because a student showed up for my 11 a.m. class -- she is resgistered for the 12pm class but sometimes shows up for the 10:am. Anyway, wouldn't you know it, she shows up for the 11 -- which she never does and the other student who's actually registered for that class doesn't show up today. So, long story short, I pretty much refuse to teach her at 11 and tell her to come to the 12pm. She's one of my favourite students but I was really looking forward to having that break, especially becuase I was stuck teaching a 1-on-1 to a 76 year old woman with terrible pronounciation the class before. I ran into Sue (one of the Korean teachers here) and told her the situation. She agreed with me and I felt a little better about it.
The colonic sessions were a little uncomfortable - but not nearly as bad or embarrassing as I feared -- and I have my 3rd and final one today. Though I must say -- the medicine is vile; I've yet to drink the three cups a day as prescribed.
I bought a USB and have entered the online world of E-Books which I download onto that little stick -- miraculous.
Went out for a pint Saturday night. Andrew (the owner) was a hammered; ordered me to hug him hello which I gladly did (he's a sweetie). Ended up playing pool most of the night with Ian from Canada. Just met him that night. He let me win most of the time so I was pretty happy. Afterwards he and I stopped by Foxy for 2 drinks but I wasn't really feeling it anymore. Ian held my hand and walked me home; seemed a little dissapointed when I only kissed him on the cheek as a goodbye, but that's the way it goes.
Saw the schedule for May -- have a 4 day weekend! Man, I'd love to hop on a plane for a mini vacation to Thailand...

My Vodka Sunrise -- isn't it beautiful?

PNUH waiting corridor

Constipated in Korea

Yes, I'm writing to you about constipation. I have no shame. Finally fed up with failed home remedies I decided to go to Pusan Hospital, thinking they would give me a colonic (which I've been reading great things about). First time I went to the foreign department where I met my translator who took me to gastrowhatever department, sat me down in a room with an M.D., explained my problem to him before he quickly told me this was out of his field and I needed to see the "specialist".

My translator "nurse Lee", did some checking and told me the specialist was too busy to see me today could I come back tomorrow. I asked if they did colonics (as I am convinced it's what I need), she said yes, but they call it "biofeedback". I agree to return tomorrow.

Tomorrow comes and I see the specialist who is nicer than I expected and a little shy about his english. He tells me my problem is because of stress. I am less than convinced. He goes on to give me a description of biofeedback which I still don't understand except they wanted to put some strange (and far too large) platic yet electric device up my rectum. I tell him, "thanks but no thanks. I was only looking for a freeking colonic!"

Seeing this thing freaks me out he says we can skip that part as it only tests muscle strength anyway and pursuades me to take a pill each day for three days and then come back for an exray. Somehow the results will determine which medicine (xtra strength laxative?) to give me. So he charges me $60, the nurse takes me to pay +$40 for 3 pills and escorts me out of the hospital.

It's 2 days until I go for the x-ray. But, I finally did find (I think) an oriental clinic that does colonics -- or rather my co-worker found one for me (did I mention I searched the internet for months and found nothing -- it's only in Korean) and I have an appointment for Friday.

Also, another co-worker (having overheard our conversation quite easily) made a call to a doctor friend of hers who tried to pursuade me to have an endoscopy. Grateful for the help, but determined to leave that as a last resort, I thanked her a lot and smiled.

Depressed about the state of Me, I decided to do what all well-adjusted adults do -- get drunk. Wednesday night or not, 5 p.m. or not, I needed a smart cocktail and headed to the Cowboy bar. Course, place was dead empty. No matter, ordered a Margarita and lit up. Sweet heaven. The bartender (who was cute and married) placed what he announced to be a "Blue American" on the bar saying: "Service". Which means "for free". Well, allllright. Now we're talking. We trade card tricks, I get a little bored and message Glen who surprisingly replies and agrees to meet up with me when he finishes work at 8 p.m. When he arrives I'm a bit liquored; we have a drink and some buffalo wings and then I drag him to O'Briens.

Great night. Met up with some guys there, one from Switzerland, another from Puerto Rico and we had a blast flirting, Salsing and playing pool. Never paid for one drink there.

Work wise I'm afraid this month is going to be just plain b.a.d. Have only 1 or 2 students in 5/6 or my classes which means nearly a full day every day of 1 on 1's. Bloody hell.

Constipated in Korea

Yes, I'm writing to you about constipation. I have no shame. Finally fed up with failed home remedies I decided to go to Pusan Hospital, thinking they would give me a colonic (which I've been reading great things about). First time I went to the foreign department where I met my translator who took me to gastrowhatever department, sat me down in a room with an M.D., explained my problem to him before he quickly told me this was out of his field and I needed to see the "specialist".

My translator "nurse Lee", did some checking and told me the specialist was too busy to see me today could I come back tomorrow. I asked if they did colonics (as I am convinced it's what I need), she said yes, but they call it "biofeedback". I agree to return tomorrow.

Tomorrow comes and I see the specialist who is nicer than I expected and a little shy about his english. He tells me my problem is because of stress. I am less than convinced. He goes on to give me a description of biofeedback which I still don't understand except they wanted to put some strange (and far too large) platic yet electric device up my rectum. I tell him, "thanks but no thanks. I was only looking for a freeking colonic!"

Seeing this thing freaks me out he says we can skip that part as it only tests muscle strength anyway and pursuades me to take a pill each day for three days and then come back for an exray. Somehow the results will determine which medicine (xtra strength laxative?) to give me. So he charges me $60, the nurse takes me to pay +$40 for 3 pills and escorts me out of the hospital.

It's 2 days until I go for the x-ray. But, I finally did find (I think) an oriental clinic that does colonics -- or rather my co-worker found one for me (did I mention I searched the internet for months and found nothing -- it's only in Korean) and I have an appointment for Friday.

Also, another co-worker (having overheard our conversation quite easily) made a call to a doctor friend of hers who tried to pursuade me to have an endoscopy. Grateful for the help, but determined to leave that as a last resort, I thanked her a lot and smiled.

Depressed about the state of Me, I decided to do what all well-adjusted adults do -- get drunk. Wednesday night or not, 5 p.m. or not, I needed a smart cocktail and headed to the Cowboy bar. Course, place was dead empty. No matter, ordered a Margarita and lit up. Sweet heaven. The bartender (who was cute and married) placed what he announced to be a "Blue American" on the bar saying: "Service". Which means "for free". Well, allllright. Now we're talking. We trade card tricks, I get a little bored and message Glen who surprisingly replies and agrees to meet up with me when he finishes work at 8 p.m. When he arrives I'm a bit liquored; we have a drink and some buffalo wings and then I drag him to O'Briens.

Great night. Met up with some guys there, one from Switzerland, another from Puerto Rico and we had a blast flirting, Salsing and playing pool. Never paid for one drink there.

Work wise I'm afraid this month is going to be just plain b.a.d. Have only 1 or 2 students in 5/6 or my classes which means nearly a full day every day of 1 on 1's. Bloody hell.