So Far

This is going to be the most rushed post ive made so far but bare with me as I haven't had much time on computers and everything tends to sound a bit like rambling these days.

Here is my attempt at a very brief recap of my time so far:

After many delays including 7 hours stuck in the beijing airport I finally made it to Bangkok where I spent only one night before getting another flight to Hanoi. The flight was fine, got off the plane at midnight to a dark and busy street with no idea where to find a place to sleep, heavy backpack and humid hot air that made me dread the coming day when the sun was actually out.

Spent about two or three nights in hanoi roaming the city, people watching, met several people that walked around with me and indulged my growing fondness for unusual street food and creepy crawlies on sticks.

Sidenote: Food eaten so far:
Chicken embryo on a stick
frog on a stick
dog (yeah, yeah i know)
shot of centepede lao whisky

had the chance eat snake but passed. didn't feel like taking a shot of vodka with a still beating heart in it, washed down with a shot of blood, then an eight course meal of cobra.

After Hanoi I traveled north about 9 hours to a town called sapa with a guy named dave from australia. He somehow roped me into climbing the highest peak of vietnam called fansipan peak at 3,143 meters. I never actually got a look at the peak as it was stuck high above the clouds. We hiked 8 hours, camped in the mountain then woke and continued to the peak the next day. It was the hardest thing ive ever done and my knees didn't work right for days after, but it was an amazing experience. We also got motorbikes and ran around the mountains the next day.

Stayed in sapa about 5 days then headed back to hanoi to catch the 24 hour bus to Vientienne, Laos. Uncomfortable but it wasn't too bad. Had a few issues at the border involving my passport and what the border police thought would be a hilarious joke of "pretend we aren't letting her through and shove the passport in a drawer and lock it so she thinks she can't leave the country after a 24 hour bus ride, no food and little sleep." HILARIOUS.

Phew. told you this is a rant.

So, now in Laos I spend a couple days in the capital city looking a temples, met a couple of monks who walked around with me telling me about laos and practicing their English. Basically, Im waiting around for Alex (carries fiance) and Paddy (alexs friend from korea) to meet me before heading off to travel around.

In the course of a week with the boys:
went to Buddah park on motorbikes
ate lots of food
enjoyed BeerLao
went to some museums (discovered laos was the most heavily bombed country in the world- 1 bomb every 8 minutes,24 hours a day for 3 years.)
decided motorcycles are too much fun and rented four and drove to vang vieng for four days, went tubing on the mekong river...so much more I can't get into right now.

So today, said a painful goodbye to the boys and am now off to luang prabang (10 hour bus ride tomorrow) for some more solo travels. Im exhausted, traveling is hard work...but ive never had more fun or felt as happy in my life.

SOrry for the rambles but I thought id do a horrible job of summing things up so you guys at least have an idea of what ive been up to.

seoul to bangkok to hanoi

Im in the airport for the 4th time in 2 days. Long flliights and a meedall keyboard hatt kep stickig but i doonnt havee time to fiix it, so it goes.

despiite al thhe waiting, buusess, planess, waaiting and eaating craackerrs, im doing greeatt. im not in vaacaation moode yett, but tteeh taaste of it just arround thhe next buus sttop keeps me in greeatt spirrits.

in abouut 6 houurs i wiill bee in hanoi and thhe following dayy or two i will reeaach sapa - where i willl put down my baackack and finally turn ooff mmy braain.

ill do my beesstt to keep in touch and lett youu all know im saafe and sound. i plan on staying thatt waay so please donnt worrry too much.

i love youu alll and see youu in about 4 months.

potato.

absence makes the mind grow dumber

i put my underwear in the fridge and a sweet potatoe in the dresser. its time for vacation.

done and done

So I finally, FINALLY, got all my plans set in stone.

I am finished teaching August 27 and bolting to Thailand the 28th. From there I fly to Hanoi and start my traveling south. Meet up with Carrie's fiance and his friend Patrick in Laos, another friend from the states, Daniel, somewhere between Laos and Cambodia...then finish in Thailand.

From Thailand Im flying to Nepal for, in my opinion, the best leg of the trip. Carrie and Alex are getting married! Two of the most awesome people I know joining forces to create a super couple and I get to witness it. Im pretty sure when they say "I do" rainbows will burst from the mountains and unicorns will shoot skittles over us all. At least thats what it said in the invitation. Im gonna be so mad if they lied.

So, to recap -- Aug. 28th-Nov. 24th traveling

Nov.25th im flying back to the states to see my parents and back in Texas sometime after Christmas.

after that, some couches would be appreciated?! Lots of couch crashing with my dear friends if you haven't all forgotten me ;)

Cappoeira

So I am finally going to Cappoeira on a regular basis and am loving it. Here are some photos. Last night we had a goodbye for Barbara who is going back to Croatia.


This is my teacher, Allegria:


This is his adorable little boy Joon who is already learning Cappoeira and will be amazing!


The group does Cappoeira at the park some days:

Duck and Cover

Today from my classroom I heard air raid sirens. I am told this is a normal monthly test that has only occurred once since I have been here. I am a bit skeptical but don't worry as I am fully prepared:

I'm leaving on a jet plane

and hopefully not a giant missle. I have four months left and North Korea is really starting to piss me off. A bunch of giant assholes:

June 8, 2009
U.S. Weighs Intercepting North Korean Shipments

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration signaled Sunday that it was seeking a way to interdict, possibly with China’s help, North Korean sea and air shipments suspected of carrying weapons or nuclear technology.

The administration also said it was examining whether there was a legal basis to reverse former President George W. Bush’s decision last year to remove the North from a list of states that sponsor terrorism.

The reference to interdictions — preferably at ports or airfields in countries like China, but possibly involving riskier confrontations on the high seas — was made by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. She was the highest-ranking official to talk publicly about such a potentially provocative step as a response to North Korea’s second nuclear test, conducted two weeks ago.

Speaking on ABC’s “This Week,” Mrs. Clinton said the United States feared that if the test and other recent actions by North Korea did not lead to “strong action,” there was a risk of “an arms race in Northeast Asia” — an oblique reference to the concern that Japan would reverse its long-held ban against developing nuclear weapons.

June 9, 2009
N. Korea Sentences 2 U.S. Journalists to 12 Years of Hard Labor
By CHOE SANG-HUN
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea on Monday sentenced two American journalists to 12 years of hard labor in a case widely seen as a test of how far the isolated Communist state was willing to take its confrontation with the United States.

Ms. Ling and Ms. Lee were detained by North Korean soldiers patrolling the border between China and North Korea on March 17.

The sentence, which cannot be appealed, came amid rising tensions between Washington and Pyongyang. Earlier Monday, North Korea threatened to retaliate with “extreme” measures if the United Nations punished it for its nuclear test last month, and Washington warned that it might try to restore the North to its list of states that sponsor terrorism, a designation that could subject the impoverished state to more financial sanctions.

Ms. Ling and Ms. Lee were on a reporting assignment from Current TV, a San Francisco-based media company co-founded by Al Gore, the former vice president, when they were detained by the soldiers. The reporters were working on a report about North Korean refugees — women and children — who had fled their homeland in hopes of finding food in China.

The circumstances surrounding their capture remain unclear.

Analysts said they were pawns in a rapidly deteriorating confrontation between the United States and North Korea — a potential bargaining chip for the Pyongyang regime and a handicap for Washington in its efforts to pressure the government over its recent missile and nuclear tests.

Beep, beep, beep, beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!

Dear anyone reading this lame, lame blog that was originally constructed to share cultural experiences and loads of pictures and was sorely dissapointed by the lack of:

I will be leaving Korea October 1st. I will be traveling alone for 2 months. I will be sleeping in hammocks, dirt floors, beaches, and perhaps one or two hospital beds. I will be going to the bathroom and using a hose to clean my butt. I will be eating food that will sometimes give me diarrhea. I will be taking buses with chickens on them. I will be hiking a lot. I will be sleeping a lot. I will be smiling ear to ear. a lot.

Anyone interested in joining me for any of these things (which I just now see implies you could choose to join me only for the diarrhea portion of my trip, or only meet up whenever I clean my butt with a hose) or knows of anyone who is interested in these things, let me know.

I will most likely be in one or all of the following locations:
Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia.

October - December

Im really excited to travel alone, but some company from time to time would be welcomed...especially in Cambodia or Vietnam.

K. Awesome.

lists

In the last month or so, while "teaching" usually, I have developed the habit of list making. It is somehow comforting and somewhat neurotic. Indeed. Here are the results:

Number of times I have moved:

Dover, Ohio
Katy, Texas
Valreco, Florida
Marietta, Georgia
Cheshire, Connecticut
Houston, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
Beijing, China
Austin, Texas
London, England
Austin, Texas
Seoul, South Korea

Total= 12

Countries I have been to:
USA
Canada
Mexico
Belgium
Holland
Germany
Switzerland
England
Ireland
China
South Korea
Thailand

Total=12

Jobs I have held:

Mailboxes, etc (cashier and loser of mail-Houston)
Randalls Grocery (checkerouter of food-Houston)
Tutor (reader of books to blind students- San Antonio)
Mayor's office (assistant of assistant of mayor-Austin)
Japanese Restraunt (spiller of drinks-Idaho)
Nanny (cleaner of vomit-Austin)
Texas Physician Magazine (caller of ad people-Austin)
Nanny(cleaner of vomit-London)
AMC movie theatre (manager of pimply-faced kids-Idaho)
STARBUCKS (chill out Brett, I didn't forget the only reason we became friends)
Sweetish Hill Bakery (manager of pimply-faced kids and baker of goods-Austin)
Taylor Texas Newspaper (writer and editor of news-Taylor)
Teacher (back to cleaner of vomit-Seoul)

Total= 13 (broke the trend)

During this process I have come to a number that is not 12conclusions:
1. Lists serve no purpose
2. Lists compartmentalize your life into neat,color-coded (if you're awesome) boxes
3. Neat, color-coded boxes of your life can be depressing. Unless you use blue, cause blue is soothing.
4. People who make lists are typically uncomfortable with chaos and quite controlling
5. By looking at these list, one can see why the list-maker has been making lists
6. This list has made me realize I have spent most of my time cleaning up childrens vomit.
7. The compulsion to make a list of what I have learned from lists is making me ill
8. The urge to complete 12 things in current list shows an overwhelming need for vacation.

The lists stop here. Bring on the chaos.

Swine Flu

I was told yesterday by my boss that a CDI school was shutting down for 9 days and teachers put in quarantine because of a few cases of swine flu.

"Ahh, no fair. Lots of my friends work there. Why do they get the swine flu vacation?"

That comment was followed up by a text message from my boss last night and this morning asking me to take the issue seriously. These texts were followed up this morning with a private meeting discussing my whereabouts with all CDI employees.

"We" have concluded that as of this moment my contact was more than a week ago and I have not shown swiney symptoms...but I am definitely a red flag.

Swine flu.

The Great Korean Escape

I signed my new contract today. A hasty decision spurred on by a growing desire to wake up mornings not questioning whether I'll be peed on, a need to hear the ocean and not my drunk neighbors and yippie dog, and a very happy wedding occasion that calls me to Nepal in November.

For all of these reasons, not to mention my contract was supposed to end less than a month from now, I have decided to extend only until September 24th.

As for my plans--I have no idea. I worried for roughly two nights. There was a slightly panicked phone call to seany in New York. I also recall a "what am I doing with my life" moment. But after all the money calculations, destination plotting, and job searches I have quickly realized that I will do what I have always done. Take it one step at a time and remind myself that I have always followed my gut and as it turns out I think it's heading me down a pretty interesting, worthwhile path.

Plus, an old middle school "friend" on facebook posted this about his future plans:

"To begin my weekend... I'm at work, then condo board meeting tonight. Tomorrow: Linc's first haircut, mall, KoRn CONCERT! Sat: Work. Sun: Parade and picnic! Monday: work."

At no point in the near future will I utter any of those words, especially the KoRn CONCERT! part. And so far I'm thinking I'm ok with that. So here's to the last four months in Korea and the months of travel ahead.

We shall see.

Oh, and I did my first backflip in Capoeira last night. The first in 10 years. Who says you can't go back and do it all again?

Channeling

a little less leah, and a little more gertrude bell.

melting puppies

I'm gonna get yo man and this is how

Her Morning Elegance

Watch this and love it.

Flower City

Me and the kids on the way to flower city. Please excuse the cleavage. Can't seem to keep em' in my shirt.



This is Bob. He barely speaks English but he is so cute.



Oh, bob. So cute.



Ariel and Eddy, snow white class. Ariel likes to talk about vomit and boogers and farts.



Eddy and Thomas with Snow White class. They are 2nd year kindergarten so they are really good at arguing with me in English now...so proud.



Sally and Adela from Mermaid class. They don't understand anything I say in English except for playtime and lunchtime.



THis is Jessica with chocolate on her face and sugar on the brain. Mermaid class.

Uhhhhh

Defiant N Korea launches rocket
North Korea has defied international warnings and gone ahead with a controversial rocket launch.

State media said a satellite had been put into orbit and was transmitting data and revolutionary songs.

But there has been no independent confirmation so far. The US, Japan and South Korea suspect the launch was a cover for a long-range missile test.

They strongly condemned the launch. The US president told Pyongyang to "refrain from further provocative actions".


"North Korea broke the rules once more by testing a rocket that could be used for a long-range missile," Mr Obama told a crowd in the Czech capital, Prague.
"This provocation underscores the need for action - not just this afternoon at the UN Security Council, but in our determination to prevent the spread of these weapons."

Japan called the move "extremely regrettable", while South Korea said it constituted a clear breach of a United Nations resolution.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said North Korea's actions were not conducive to regional stability, as did the European Union.

China and Russia both called on all sides to act with restraint, while the UK urged North Korea to immediately halt all missile-related activity.

The UN Security Council has approved a Japanese request for an emergency session.

Washington, Tokyo and Seoul regard the launch as a clear violation of Security Council resolution 1718 adopted in October 2006, which bans North Korea from carrying out ballistic missile activity.

No intercept

North Korea announced several weeks ago that it planned to send what it called an "experimental communications satellite" into space from the Musudan-ri launch site in the north-east.

The three-stage rocket blasted off just before midday local time, within a pre-announced launch window.

It flew over Japan towards the Pacific, with two booster stages dropping into the ocean to the east and west of Japan, Tokyo said.

Japan said it had not tried to intercept the rocket. It had indicated it would do so if the rocket threatened its territory.

North Korea says the launch is part of what it calls peaceful space development.

"Our scientists and engineers have succeeded in sending satellite 'Kwangmyongsong-2' into orbit by way of carrier rocket 'Unha-2'," state news agency KCNA reported.

It added that it was transmitting data and the "Song of General Kim Il-sung" and "Song of General Kim Jong-il" - references to the late founder of North Korea and his son, the current leader. HAVE YOUR SAY

Richard, Kobe, Japan
In a previous satellite launch attempt in 1998, North Korea said it was sending up a device that would orbit the world transmitting revolutionary melodies.

It claimed this was also successful but the launch is believed to have been a failure as no trace of the satellite was ever found.

Earlier on Sunday, an unidentified South Korean official told Yonhap news agency that the rocket did appear to be carrying a satellite.

If confirmed, North Korea will see this as a major propaganda victory, says the BBC's John Sudworth in Seoul.

A White House spokesman said there would be an assessment by defence and intelligence officials later in the day.

US within range?

But of more concern to Pyongyang's neighbours is the potential military use of the launch vehicle, our correspondent says.

They believe the real aim of the launch was to test long-range missile technology; specifically the Taepodong-2.

They believe it could put parts of the US within the communist nation's military reach.

North Korea first tested a Taepodong-2 in July 2006. It failed less than a minute after lift-off.

Three months later, Pyongyang carried out a nuclear test.

International talks involving the US, South Korea, Japan, Russia and China on an aid-for-nuclear disarmament deal are currently stalled.

Update

The man previously singing Boyz to Men is now watching this video. I can't embed this video so please go to this link. Please.

http://vodpod.com/watch/1476164-westlife-seasons-in-the-sun-clip

Again, no need to thank me.

man slaps

I looked down to see an arm laying limp on the pavement. I backed up thinking the man was dead and to get a better visual of what was going on. That's when I heard the man slaps...and my eyes unfocussed on the arm and refocussed on the man laying on top of the man attached to the arm - shnockered out of their minds, too drunk to punch, man slapping each other. They layed still, one on top of the other, face to face, panting and slapping, for about 5 minutes.

Piles of cars either waited patiently in front of them or drove around. People walked by casually talking on their phones and the woman selling kimchi kept on selling kimchi. Eventually a man tried to help them both up. He got man slapped too. I'm not sure what ended up happening. I should have stayed. I'd like to think the two are still laying there, one on top of the other, sleeping after all the slapping.

The End. Don't thank me for sharing that with you. It was my pleasure.

*note: There is a korean man in his 40's jamming out to boyz to men. Have you ever loved someone so much it makes you cry? Have you ever?

Korean history lesson

My friend showed me this last night. Korea is #1. Japan is -3.




America's first korean president and vice president. Watch till the end, there is an amazing dance.

atop a mountain

This is the mountain I have been frequenting with Blinky most every saturday. Last time we hiked we found an amazing peak that seats two...barely. From there you can lay down and enjoy the only peace and quiet in the city. This is the view:

Sticker booth photos!

Sticker booth photos are an amazing way to document long nights after big meals and lots of drinks. Or in me and my friends case, a Wednesday. As you can see, there are many ways one can decorate a photo to personalize it just so. Im still working on my technique.



This is Carrie and Shelby holding up a sticker booth masterpiece.

When tessa took a peice of my heart to Africa

Tessa left nearly TWO MONTHS ago and I'm not quite sure I have recovered. Carrie and I decided to say goodbye in the most creepy way we could; with I heart Tessa shirts. She had no idea. We just crept around the bar posing behind her. This is the second going away party I have had for Tessa in two different countries. Now at least I have the t-shirt to prove it.

Perparing to stalk:






Creeping around the bar. She still has no idea that We Heart Tessa:









Now she knows!



Passing around the Tessa Shirt for everyone to share:

Seoul food

Carrie's friend Shelby came to visit from Minnesota. She is amazing and I am in the process of trying to recruit her to Korea. She and Carrie took lots of food pictures which I have stolen. I have yet to get my camera situation sorted. Boo. Enjoy the photos:



Shelby, me and carrie.



the most amazing creation of all time. god love korea, and my heart surgeon in years to come. this, my friends, is a corn dog covered in french fries and deep fried. you heard me!



bimimbop is one of my favorite dishes. this is the bimimbop I will be dreaming about when I leave korea. yes, thiiiiiiis big.



red mango. they have great sherbet placed lovingly atop waffles and smothered in lots of toppings.



red bean poo. basically mashed up red beans stuffed inside a crispy waffle-like poo-shaped pocket. delicious.



red bean fish. basically the same as the red bean poo.

Daegu

A two hour train ride to Daegu with Blinky and Carrie to see her boyfriend Alex and our friend Graham, two lovely men from England. Between Carrie and Blinky, the two best snack packers in the world, we ate nuts, fruit, sandwiches and other yummy foods. The trip was nice...good to be in a smaller city. And of course, we found time to go hiking. Graham and Alex consider us "liberal americans." Could be all the hiking we did, could be the yoga we did outside the bar.



walking with (most) of the gang.



hiking.



carrie and I at the amusement park, which was amusing to say the least. I'm pretty sure this park would be condemned in the states.



Duck boats. Also would be condemned in the states.



Blinky doing bad things to Daffy.



Blinky and I on the way to the show in Daegu (Carrie's boyfriend Alex, Graham, and Blinky on bongos)...with pillows and overnight bags. Carrie says we are running away to join a band. I like that better.

Flower City

Yet another field trip and it was pretty much on par with all GDA field trips. Completely unorganized, totally rushed, and pretty much the most useless learning experience for the kids. But still fun and a good break from the usual. The kids thought the flowers smelled bad. They seemed relieved to be back on the bus and deep in the smog, where they could breath again. Oh, the city. (more pictures to come) P.s. Im listening to the WORST song I have ever heard on Lastfm.com by catpower. Barf. Just thought I would share that.

my sundays

are spent with these people, the doberman named Ellie, a little rescue pup named Punky, and other people that aren't in the frame of this photo. I will post more. This is the biweekly barbeque that I have begun in order to convince people that being Texan is indeed the best way to be. Chicken, steak, hotdogs, salads, fruit, and grilled chocolate bananas. Grrrrrrr.

Staches

Here are my best friends in Seoul. Tessa has since left for South Africa for school. Im clinging on to Carrie and Lindsey and making plans for Thailand after we finish here in Korea, and praying that it all pans out. Saying goodbye to good friends has become something I do far too often. For all my friends far away...though you may not hear from me as much now, you are never forgotten and frequently missed.



tessa



lindsey



duh



carrie, the maker of staches and good times.

The Death of FUN

‘Ralph, I have this horrible image of me strapped inside a wheelchair- and I’m in an Old People’s Home. I look around the room and old people are looking straight at me from their own wheelchairs, lined up against the wall as though they are waiting their turn to go- or maybe to flee! I scan the room dolefully- then- out of the corner of my eye I catch a glimpse of a wizened ole crone. She has an evil leer across her wrinkled face and she is crawling across the floor-slowly- towards me. She is cackling to herself and I know, Ralph, what she is going to do- and I am helpless! Yes, Ralph! She is going to fondle my balls!!’

- Ralph Steadman recounting a conversation with Hunter S. about why he was suffering 'the Death of FUN'

I had a conversation today about the kind of grandmother I'm going to be. I'm just saying.

J-E-L-L-O

Stronger, healthier, more adventurous. Comfortable. Climb mountains without fear, only trust. Will exercise regularly and spend more time outdoors. Spend more time considering the weight of my tongue. Speak deliberately. Confident in my decisions but open to suggestions. Peel apples in one go and eat skin first. Take more walks holding hands with men that inspire you. Wait until hungry. Give self time to recover. Laugh till stomach hurts. Build friendships. Relationships that make you stronger, healthier, more adventurous. Will pay more attention to bills and pay them on time. Save more money. Accept that you are the same with empty pockets as full ones. Travel more. Geography will make a mess out of me. Accept that moving means others have to move on. Commit when it feels right. Don’t get wrapped up in the hype. Don’t stop when there is doubt or doubt will never stop. Make an effort to sit still at least one hour each day. Love all animals. Never kick small dogs, despite the urge. Find and love a mouse. On Sundays buy sweet potatoes at the market. At a better pace. Slower and more conscientious. Will not cry while driving. Bare feet in mud at every opportunity. Pick up more bugs and inspect closely. Consider the benefits of owning a scooter. Take chances. Be twitterpated. Play music loudly and dance wildly. Listen with care when children are speaking. Speak with care when children are listening. Make funny faces in the mirror. Be naked. Don’t misplace anger, disguise sadness, ignore unhappiness. Respect. Keep better track of belongings including hair pins, telephones and credit cards. Carry cash. Telephones are here to help. Write more and talk less. Turn off the gas after cooking. Cook with more colorful foods. Organize. Prioritize. Ask mom and dad more questions about themselves. Shoot guns. Grace. Grow hair despite the awkward phase. Shave head. Jump off cliffs on the count of three. Solve more problems with paper, rock, scissors. Share. Fight when it is worth it. Be aware of weaknesses. Use a base coat before painting nails. Wear overalls at anytime. Sit on more porches at night with crickets. Make eye contact. Believe in more things. Remember band and artist names. Never cheat on someone. Find a tree and hang a tire swing, then spin. Dig holes.

Thailand videos

Here is MOST of the Thailand videos awkwardly compiled for your viewing confusion. I have it sectioned off into three parts though the videos are really disjointed, partly because I have no proper movie maker, but mostly because I kept forgetting to video tape. There is more video but mostly of hiking, more climbing, lots of good looking rock climbers, climbing (for my eyes only!) and video on the beach...which I didn't want to post because I don't want creepers watching me in a swimsuit. But these are the highlights including:

Video 1: A brief explanation of the disaster that almost ruined christmas, followed by very non-seq video of our different modes of transportation. Followed by our first morning in Ton Sai for Christmas, an amazing sunset on the anniversary of the tsunami...you get the idea.



Video 2:

Lots of rock climbing, hiking, etc. There was a cave I ventured up to from the beach alone. It was higher than anticipated, ridiculously unsafe, and filled with bats.



Video 3: new years eve celebration and more people on the beach than I had seen the entire trip. It was really fun though. To be honest, after weeks of solitude, the party was a little much for me. Just after midnight we hiked back to Small World Bar, had a drink with some new friends and went to sleep. At the Small World Bar there is a clip of Chai, who offered me a job. I'm on my way as soon as my contract is finished here.

I read this today. Let Me Stand Alone: The Journals of Rachel Corrie:

Thinking it over, I realized that the most powerful actions I can take toward societal improvement will have to start very close to home, arising not from the need to leave a mark on history, but from empathy and sincere understanding of the places in my life where neglect exists.

I can't cool boiling waters in Russia. I can't be Picasso. I can't be Jesus. I can't save the planet single-handedly. I can wash dishes.

Live for a long time in the place you were born and strange things will happen to you. You forget what it's like to discover. In order to survive, you seek out ways to discover things in miniature. Instead of becoming worldly you become intimate. You see every tragic refraction of the place and it sees the same in you.

snow white class

The first video is of Jae-Gyoon stealing my pencil case. He is always taking my things so its hilarious that I caught this on tape. The second video is of Grace instigating the daily sing along while they work. Kindergarten. Breaks. My. Heart!

Rock Climbing-Ton Sai

Here is a short clip of me rock climbing. We are at least 250 feet above the ocean and climbing about 90 to 100 feet about that. Ton Sai is any rock climbers heaven and now I know why. Once I came back down all I wanted to do was climb back up. Nothing can beat the view from the top:

Thailand

I'm back in Seoul after nearly two weeks in Thailand. My entire time was spent in Ton Sai. I was supposed to travel around but never managed to leave this sleepy town. I am in love. I am also exhausted to so here are some things to look at until I can have a proper cup of coffee and a nights sleep.

Bangkok: December 25, 2008
End of the road: The only way to get to Ton Sai and my first taste of the ocean in years.
Anniversary: Sunset on the anniversary of the tsunami.
Bungalow H-14: My heaven isn't fancy or expensive.
Beach: Ton Sai after a swim.
Connect 4: Passing time with James on a very lazy Ton Sai night.

Dinner.
Small World Bar: My new job waits for me in 6 months. Come visit me here and Ill make you a drink.
Going into a very dark cave alone.

This is James.
Kids playing
New Years Eve: Lanterns flying above Ton Sai

New Years Eve: Fireworks

The beginning of the end: 15 hour bus ride back to Bangkok
Bangkok City: morning
Bangkok City: Man selling glasses
Bangkok City: leg

Bangkok City: My new sleeve