Above: E-ho Beach, the beach in the city limits. Below: Wooden Bridge

Finally! A picture of me on my Hog. Haha!

A very cool gorge down the path from the bridge.

Be nice...hangover day.

The famous "Dragon Rock"...I don't see it though.

Isaac and the Band

Isaac is a fun, excentric fellow who lives next door to me and who, somehow, I rarely see. Saturday night his band played at the Agave. The ower had annouced this days before so EVERYONE was there, even people from Seogwipo. It was too busy to move.

Before Agave, a bunch of us had Dak Galbi followed by the mini kegs at the Kansas bar so we were all feeling good. It's a long story but I'll simplify it by saying that everyone got hammered and had a good time...maybe too good a time. Case in point, Anne-Marie, (who's dating Doug), kissed three other people that night, one of them Daniella. Doug has only heard about Daniella and they broke up yesterday. Now they're both talking to me about each other, asking advice, what's the other thinking. Bloody hell.

Besides that little drama, it was an EXCELLENT weekend. Truly beautiful. Blue skies, sunshine galore and warm air. Played tennis for hours both days with a bunch of people (serve is really coming along), drove my hog to the beach, played a little frisby, lifted weights at the gym -- where avery cute Korean guy helped me improve my "form" lol.

Classes are finished for this semester. Now we have sim lab for 2 weeks, and then 3 weeks of nothing. In January I'll be teaching the teachers english for the winter "break" and then I have 3 weeks vacation in February.

Sorry, I didn't post any picks, phone's battery is low, but I have a lot and will put them on soon. Cheers! Lots of love everyone!

Misha: The Siberian Kangaroo-Boxing Circus Man Falls Down Stairs

Now here's a story for you:

Friday night, a bunch of us have dinner at Anne-Marie's place. We all drink too much for too long and hit the pub afterwards. One of the guys with us named Misha is a Russian from Southern Siberia, who works in the cirus here in town doing none-other-than, boxing Kangaroos. (You can't make this stuff us people). He's just 21 and is a very interesting fellow. Anne-Marie met him last Wednesday night somewhere when she was out.

Anyway, a friend of ours Daniella, drank too waaay too much. When I saw her, chin tucked into her chest, literally snoring in the corner of the bar I tried to wake her -- wasn't happening, she was out COLD -- so me, and the circus guy and some other people decide we have to get her home. Before I know what is happening, Misha, sweeps little Daniella (120 tops) into his arms and three steps later, he tumbles down the steps with her!!

So there he is, lying on his back, staring at the ceiling, arms outstretched at his sides and he says: "I'm down, she's (Daniella) okay. I'm down, she's okay." Daniella, hasn't make a sound this entire time but crawls to her feet now, rubbing her head.

Anyway, we manage to take her home and I think she's alright, haven't heard anything to the contrary anyway.

Saturday, I was pretty hungover, because I had an entire bottle of red and 3 beers. Yet, somehow, more sober than most. Went for a drive to Hallim with Anne-Marie (she forgot her glasses there); I wanted to go, because I"ve never driven there before and wanted to know the way, but it was a huge mistake because it was freaking so COLD on the highway there and back.

Saturday night, my mind still wanted to party, but my body was in revolt, and though I tried convincing it with mexican fajhitas and coronas, even a pool game, it was having none of it. I had to drag my sorry self home and to bed by 10am. Sad, sad state of affairs. I heard, Saturday was a great night too. Darn it!

Sunday, I was up early and I was spry. Lifted weights with Alicia and then played two sets of tennis with Doug. It was really cold and windy, making the waves too big for the ferry, so the work trip to Chusak Isand was post-poned. Thank God.

This is our last week of regular classes, so just taking it easy this Monday. Heard a rumour there are not classes tomorrow either -- because they cancelled them for Chusak Island trip -- still cancelled...hope so!

Turns out Sobo is married to a Korean woman, and they have a child. Grrr.

It was just me and Erin at the gym last night. She showed me her weight routine which takes 45minuites - 1 hr. Dinner at Bagdad didn't happen, instead we went back to Erin's house and ate Indian Curry over rice, listened to her boyfriend and his friend "Freddy?" play the guitar -- this guy is more than a bid odd.

Supposed to play tennis this morning but Erin kept talking me into staying longer. I went home after 3 beers (was sipping) but it was 2 a.m., and Erin had had 9. We got into the Evolution / Creation debate, doesn't that always do it.

We cancelled tennis that night, but I went to the gym this morning feeling better than I thought and did the stairclimber and jogged around the track. Just 30 min but it's something.

Quick Update

I only wrote 2 days ago, and not much has happened, but I'm bored at work so I thought I'd post something.

Went to Bagdad Cafe again today for lunch. Sobo -- the Nepalese Man who owns the restaurant -- was there. I sat outside at first because it is a really warm day, but only in the sunshine, too cool in the shade. So, I moved my stuff to the bar and Sobo stood behind the bar chatting with me. I had a little trouble understanding him, because although he speaks fluent English his accent is strong. He has very nice light brown eyes that I couldn't help admiring.

We talked about Cheju and how long he'd been here, how long I'd been here. Eight years for him. 2 of them in Seoul. Opened his restaurant 2 years ago here. Got the receipe during his travels in India, decided Foreigners would love it and started his restaurant on the island. I told him it was my favourite place in Jeju, flattering him a little, but I meant so didn't even feel guilty.

I don't know if he has a girlfriend and I didn't want to ask, too forward. But I imagine he does. I imagine he is married with a wife and children back in Nepal that he sends money to. Still, I don't ask, just play this fun flirting game a little while longer.

Anne-Marie finally came by last night to tell me she has plans and can't make the dinner I invited her to tonight but what was I doing Friday? Said she doesn't know about Doug, no fireworks. I don't imagine they'll be together much longer. I kept the secret of them dating but they didn't. Anne-Marie got liquored Friday night and told a few people and Doug told Woody, Laurie and some others. I wonder how it'll be if they do break up? Especially since Anne-Marie will be switching from the Hallim Center to the Jeju center (taking my place and I'll be taking hers, which sucks because it's an hour commute each way -- but that's not until March); not to mention they live in the same building. And the plot thickens.

Tonight after work, Erin and I (maybe Alicia and Lucy) are going to the gym. Erin is a personal trainer and is going to show me her weight routine, then we're all going out for dinner...at Bagdad cafe. Maybe see Sobo again :)

And I guess Friday I'm going to Anne-Marie's for supper, kimchi pancakes and galbi -- Bottles and Bottles of red wine of course. Alicia, Keil and Doug will prob. be there too, it's our usual thing.

Sunday afternoon, 5 of us from the Center have to go to some Island for 2 nights to teach at a remote middle school. I don't want to go, but haven't been on an outing yet and I'm stuck. Anyway, they say it's a really nice island, lots of fun. We have to take the ferry there so I'll snap off a few pics.

Also ordered more books from whatthebook.com. Already did the bank transfer too. 10 days until they arrive. Can't wait, because i've already finished reading the two I received just weeks ago. That's what happens when there's no t.v., waste your brain reading novels (I'm being ironic ;))

K, guess I should write up a lesson plan...

Back in Cheju

Lucy Lee feeding the horse on our baking cookies day

above: About to land in Busan Below: Kids at Bexco

Jeremy living out his Chip 'n Dale dream. Work it baby.

Andrew, me and Chris...another one bites the dust...

Above: Exotic view from Motel Room Below: One of the Bexco stall attractions

Ms. Kang and Mr. Ja (he smokes constantly!)

Ms. Kang, Mr. Ja, Jeremy and me after just arriving at Bexco

Me and Doug, aprons and all, ready to bake. When Doug saw me in the apron, he lauged and said: "Amanda the Housewife" hahaha. Apparently, he thought the idea was hilarious as I'm sure you all do. And it's okay, it is my worst nightmare...

Back in Busan

So the "business" trip to Busan went well. Ms. Kang (our boss at the center) and Jeremy and I were the lucky winners. The other teachers were jealous but kept it quiet. C'est la vie, my friends. C'est la vie.

Turns out it was an After School Program information/promo festival and there was really no need for Jeju Island to be there since it's very unlikely that any kids from Busan will fly to Jeju 3X a week for their after school program. But, since when do the Asians think things through?

It was held at BEXCO, a HUGE conference building between Haeundae Beach and Gwanan Beach. We had our own Jeju booth, run primarily by Busan Korean people and we were the guests for those two days. Jeremy played "Go Fish" with the kids, and after a failed attempt at Pictionary, I just showed them my famous card trick over and over again. We took turns, but mostly Jeremy did all the work because only one of us could work at the stall at a time and he said it helped pass the time better if he was doing something. Fine by me :) I managed to entertain myself with shopping trips to Home Plus and coffee's at Starbucks, choosing to sit outside and sip my coffee in the afternoon sun before winters' chill forbids it.

We stayed at a Motel just minuites from Haeundae Beach. I liked the motel, found it exotic, with it's sliding wooden shutter opening to the cities neon view and Cilantro/Kimchi smell from the Chinese Restaurant across the way. My room had a King Bed, tv, fridge, water cooler, dimmed lighting (in different colours!), and a soaking tub with jets! Oooh, heeaven!

Jeremy wanted to switch hotels because we had to pay the 2nd night but I wasn't budging on that one -- just for the tub.

So, the first night after work I took them to PNU area for Poo Dak (Roast Chicken). They LOVED it. And for good reason, was bloody delicious. Slow cooked over an open flame. Yum, Yum. Stuffed with rice and ginsing and other spices. We ordered two chickens and finished them both. Ms. Kang liked it but wished she had more side dishes I know.

Then we went around the corner to The Basement Pub. It was Thursday, and I was hoping for people but it was dead. Anyway, we had fun, Jeremy asked if I would dance on the pole (as there was a floor to ceiling pole in the corner). Naturally (?) , I declined, saying: "why don't you?" And Jeremy, who can never be accused of taking himself too seriously, cocks his head and smiles: "Alright, I will."

There is a drill on the floor because they're doing reconstruction on that part of the bar, Jeremy picks it up, I walk over and throw one end of his leather jacket over his shoulder to make him look Super Gay. And then he grabs the pole with one hand, the drill with the other, leans back and begins his sexy dance. Well, it's hilarious. Everyone, including the Management are crying.

Then we go directly to Soul Train, which is just around the corner. Crazy packed on the weekend but tonight it's not busy at all, still there are a few people. Ms. Kang asks me what's good to order and I suggest a mixed drink (forget which one). Turns out it's Open Mike night there and they've got the stage set up with guitar and microphone. Jeremy tells me we're not leaving until I sing the song I told him I wrote this past week. I give him a little grief, tell him he's terrible, but the truth is, I really want to sing it in public! So, I don't protest too much when he tells management I'm up "after this song".

Well, I was a little buzzed, the guitar was beautiful, microphone set up perfectly, my voice even sounded damn good. I forgot a line or two because I got lost in the song but oh, well. When I was done, everyone clapped. Ms. Kang said, "You lied. You can sing!" The bartender woman asked me to go back and sing another. The guy sitting two chairs to my left said the lyrics sounded like I was talking about reincarnation (okay, he was a little weird), and the best was when the manager came over and introduced himself. Told me I did really well: "I came in here tonight wanting to hear something soulful and you did it." He pumped my hand again, then told me I had to come back and sing there again -- anytime. Well, I was aglow.

It was just after midnight and I talked Ms. Kang into some Deer's Blood -- or Yagermeister down at O'Briens. Saw the boys again. They said: "long time no see." And seemed a little ticked I'd been away for so long (or I could've imagined that), but when I told them I was in Jeju, they warmed up. Bought me a shot and said they missed me. Chris played pool with me again and Andrew told me he's getting married on Sunday -- so he's married now! Sadness, cause he's a cutie and a sweetie. Another one off the market.

We got Ms. Kang back to the hotel before 2am., then we had drinks and smokes in my room. Lost for conversation -- or incapable of it anymore -- we started to sing, Jeremy and I, while Ms. Kang sat happily with her legs draped over the armchair, listening, and after we finished saying, "sing another."

Saturday we were all a little tired but not too much as we all got just over 6 hrs of sleep. Saturday for lunch I took them down to the little Mexican Taco Restaurant down near Haeundae and again they loved it. Said I scored "two for two".

Ms. Kang left that evening to see some friends in Daejeon. Jeremy and I went to O'Brien's again but only stayed for two drinks as I promised M.J. I'd meet up with her at Rock 'n Roll bar. I don't like that place at all, but I haven't seen her since last year and it was her friends birthday party so I had to go there to at least say hello.

Her friends are strange, I think they're all at least bi-sexual (which makes me wonder about M.J.) . And whatever, but they were hammered and the one chick was hitting on me so hard I had to pretend Jeremy was my boyfriend and glue hime to the seat next to me. Was a bad scene all around with the nasty ajashi (old married man) next to us trying to dance all sexy with M.J. who in turn, kept trying to pawn him off on the woman he was with. Who was, we guessed, "working".

I was going to stay yet another night, but my cold was getting worse, so I decided to leave with Jeremy on Saturday as well. When I got back I immediately went to Bagdad Cafe, it was sooo delicious. I order the same Lamb Curry with Garlic flat bread every time and never tire of it. The guy who owns the restaurant was flirting with me too maybe...and he's from Nepal, pretty cute, very tall and strong. Hmm...think I might have to make a trip there more often...

Sunday, I did absolutely nothing. Had grand plans of hiking or hitting the gym but was too tired from the trip and my cold. Stayed in bed, morning till night, intermittenly reading and watching t.v. show's I downloaded.

Monday, we had to do a kind of camp for middle School kids, where we made cookies with them. We were supposed to teach them english words like, Mix and Stir, but the groups were too large, the kids out of control and their homeroom teachers useless. At one point I asked the woman in charge to ask my teacher to tighten her discipline; "she stared at me blankly and said: their making cookies."

"fine", I said. At that point I gave up, let the kids push, shove, scream, run and let the homeroom teacher deal with them. I walked around looking at what everyone else was doing. Went outside, fed the horses.

After we came back I went to dinner with Doug for Dak Gogi (Chicken mean cooked on a flat surface with red pepper sauce and cabbage); Lucy and Jeremy bailed on us. Was a little awkward as I never eat alone with Doug and he is now dating Anne-Marie, who I'm not pleased with because she has dropped off the face of the earth since she started dating him last week (but keeps messaging me saying: "we have to get together soon!"), then tells me how she's too busy when I invite her somewhere. Oh, well, c'est la vie.

Today, I have to go back to teaching and I'm happy to be going back to my comfort zone, where I know what is going on and what is expected. Only two more weeks of classes!!

Jeremy and his friend, dancing on the pool table...The danger of the Drink

Photos of the country club and it's hilltop view.

Deer in my Headlights

Saturday, I lifted weights at the sports centers' free gym -- that's right, pumping it up (grrr!) -- then went for a ride up a road I hadn't ridden before. I didn't want to go too far out of the city because the air was chill. Followed the road until it turned into a country club; two lane roads with slow speed bumps and trees towering on either side. No other traffic. And no longer do I turn onto this road than a deer trotts out of the forest, hearing my bike freezes and stares at my roaring (haha) hog. He's just a little fella with dark brown eyes. I reach for my camera but he thinks it's a gun I guess and takes off.

Saturday night I went to the pub but it was dead because there was a wedding in Seogwipo -- another sucker -- but Erin showed up and later Jeremy and his brother. Thought I'd stay an hour but stayed 5 instead. Oops. I blame it on those tasty cosmopolitans.

Sunday, ran on the treadmill for 30 minuites, came home and wrote a song on my guitar. Like it too. It's called: "I've Met You before". Played poker later and got pissed off because Dawn beat me with a full house when I had two pair high. She drew it on the last card on the draw. She likes to do that that one.

Went to bed with a tickle in my throat, in the morning woke up dry heaving and coughing and sneezing. Called in sick. Went to the bathroom about 6 times -- didn't know a person could hold so much...(eew, I know).

Spent the entire day (6 straight hours no lie) playing that song over and over again. Making videos of it, even put it on YouTube for a second. haha! 3 people watched it. That's right, I said it, 3. Only comment was: "try sitting down cross legged and using a guitar strap next time, maybe that'll help." They did not appreciate the soulful compilation so I punished them by removing it. No worries, play it for ya'll upon my return :) Lucky you!

Back at work today, feeling better, just tired and have that trip to Busan Thursday. Really want McDonald's right now...wonder what that means? lol.