Kids ask the funnies things...

I have a student in the afternoon that asks me the funniest questions. For a month now he's been asking me every Monday if I'm married yet. It turns out that he thought that someday was Sunday.
The other day he surprised me with a new question.
"Teacher, what do you want to be when you grow up?"

Film Lovers... Here's another Short One.

The Beating from Ali Mohsenian on Vimeo.

To cheery for the swine

Okay, I messed up and should have kept my joy hidden beneath my grin. I just couldn't help it. One entire class cancelled because the parents are taking precautions for the swine flu. I couldn't help but shout out in joy, Horay! Yahoo!
It isn't that I don't care for their health. It's just nice to not have to work straight through the day.

Five Days Sober & a Halloween Party

From Monday to Friday I stayed sober. I craved a drink mid week but kept to my goal of not drinking for the week. I knew it would be difficult to get through Halloween weekend without drinking. To tell you the truth, going out for the night without drinking is something I'm not use to. It shouldn't be but it is, boring.
I ended up drinking Friday night with some friends visiting from Seattle. It was nice to see some friendly faces from back home.
When we're back home we really don't seek each other out but having our parents connected to a Korean Community back in the states gives us some milieu to build upon. And so it was or is that when our paths cross in Korea we find reason to cross the bridge that draws us to a night of camaraderie and mayhem. Okay, not so much mayhem but definitely some good times to look back on.
The truth of the matter is that I'm tired of drinking and the drinking culture of Korea. A few drinks would normally be okay. Living here for the few years that I've been here now, it isn't always a few drinks. It's drink till you get blasted and in the end, even when you don't intend it you find yourself the next day trying to recollect the hazy night previous.
I was getting depressed with the direction my life was heading. I want more out of this life. I want hobbies and social interactions that are beyond the social drinking that occurs in Korea. I want more out of this life.

Swine Flu in Korea

It finally effected me personally. Our school has closed the doors for 7 days. A mid Autumn vacation of some sorts. Will be back to work on Wednesday.

Meaning of Dreams

In my dream my dead wife comes to see me (no, I have never been married). In the dream however, my dead wife comes to see me. I'm hugging her and crying uncontrollibly. She asks me to open my eyes, to look at her. I'm still crying. She asks me to open my eyes.

In my dream I say, "I can't... I'm dreaming".

Any idea's what this could mean? I've had this same or similar dream multiple times.

Rent (musical) playing in Korea

The other day a few of us went to watch Rent, the musical. It was great. They are presently doing a world tour and will be playing in Korea till the 20th of September. Yes, --->Rent<--- is playing in Korea! Where you may be asking incase you are visiting Korea or thinking about attending the show as a person presently residing in Korea.

The place is KBS Performing Hall <------ click for a picture of a map. It's back on that island called Yeouido which I may have mentioned in a previous blog.

Rent is a very heart felt story about a few friends who are bonded together through unusual circumstances to form a psuedo-post family.

I enjoyed it and feel a little bit more cultured.

My friend told me that when he was younger his mother use to sneak him in to opera's and musicals during intermissions. It was mothers way of bringing culture into his life. What a sweet mom.

Growing up, I never imagined or fanthomed the idea of going, let alone enjoying a musical. It's my second musical and I'm planning on watching more.

While we were in Yeouido we went to the National Assembly Building. There were a few gaurds at the gate. We were late to enter and walk around. I asked the guard; Does Tae Kwon V really exist under the green dome?"

A Bottle of Wine and Yeah, I'm From America

This past Sunday I was invited to a baby's first birthday. It was my friends nephew's birthday party. It was nicely laid out with steak and my favorite, salmon. I was nursing a slight hangover from the night previous. It all began along the river walk.

There's a nice river walk called Cheong-gye-chon. In the past it was a road or something but during a previous presidents reign it was changed into what it today.

On Saturday the buddies and I met out that way before the big game. What big game you might be asking. The soccer match between South Korea vs. Australia.

Although we were all in the Cheong-gye-chun area we all ate in different locations due to different proximity to the river walk. We all agreed to meet at the World Cup Stadium.

Korea won 3 to 1. Yeah and yay!

Following the game a few of us headed out to Itaewon the central place for foreigners and expats to hang out. It's where the expats congregate and live.

In Itaewon we first stopped by a bar that was having a wet t-shirt contest. The first I've seen in Korea. The place was mostly filled with U.S. military personnel. Not that it was good or bad just stating the facts. The birthday girl won the contest.

We then floated over to a club called the Hive. It was fun. Needless to say, Saturday was long and filled with much to do in Seoul.

This all proceeded the birthday party.

The best thing about the birthday party was that I won a bottle of wine. They began playing games and trivia to keep the attendee's entertained. The one question that gave me the winning bottle was about the distance of the attendee's who came to the birthday party. Nobody came from as far as I did. Happy Birthday September  babies.

Yeah, I'm from America!

The Weekend and Beyond

The last time we left off it was the night of Friday and the beginning of the weekend. Friday was great. Washington didn't quite work out and fell through into the abyss. No worries, the birthday party turned into a great night of dancing before I took off in a taxi. It was back to the house/apartment.

Saturday was spent waiting for the cable installation guy. It didn't take too long. In between Friday and the cable guy is a story all in itself. I'll call it "Awkward Moment, Lady Friend Meets Relatives". Moving on towards beyond...

I took off to Garden 5 in Jangji-Dong which is a neighborhood in Songpa-District.<---Click there--? It's a great part of Seoul. There's the big Lotte World Amusement Park and a big man made lake surrounding it. People say it's a great place to raise kids. I couldn't disagree. There are less places to drink and party in Sonpa-District than there are in other districts of Seoul. I digress...

The lady friend and I were planning on watching a movie at Garden 5. I couldn't find much information online concerning Garden 5 but I can say this... The Garden 5 has the largest roof top garden in Korea. While writing this a friend glanced over and noticed Garden 5 and dropped a bunch of conspiracy about the government concerning Garden 5.

Turns out the time of the movie didn't match our schedule. We decided to walk to a restuarant and eat. It was a nice 20 minute walk. When we finally reached our destination we were overjoyed. We began to smile and cheer right before I screamed. She was confused and looked down at what I was screaming at...

A dead rat.

Moving on... to beyond. Sunday was filled with getting the last of my stuff from my previous residence in Hyehwa-dong. Followed by a movie at COEX. A great fun filled weekend and then back to work... to beyong!

Friday, Birthday and Washington

The title is a shorten version of the origional. Mainly because it got way to long. It's Friday, A Friends' Birthday and Visitors From Washington in Town. Like I said, it's way too long for a title unless I was making a long winded statement.

I've been sticking with the three pronged title. It just seems to work for me.

Today is Friday. That's got to be good news in the big picture of a work week. The week is done and the evening is about to begin.

It's also my friends birthday. He's planning on going to the gym where he does a form of martial arts. Before I meet up with him the plan is to run down to my previous home in Jongro-gu. I've had the opportunity to move out and have been given a place of residence rent free. Usually, English teachers recieve this benefit for entering into a foreign country to teach. Korea is really good to it's teachers. Sure, there are horror stories but for the most part... I digress.

While at home I want to shave. I've got my basic living utilities back there in Jongno-gu. My beard is getting too long. I want to get some underwear that isn't so tight on my waist (yeah, I've been putting on some weight). I've also got to pack up some of the things that still remain at my old flat. If possible get everything out by this weekend and leave the key with my flat mate. She's great by the way and I will definitely miss having such a great room mate like her.

Upon getting that shit taken care of I'll be shooting off to meet some folks I know from Washington. They have been in Korea for a few months down in Busan to teach English. They have just arrived in Seoul and are heading out to visit extended family. I will meet them and take them on a wild night of Seoul weekend living. Part of that journey will lead us to meet up with my friend who's birthday party begins about 9:00 P.M.

It get's crazy in Seoul and you've got to love it.

Salutations, Time and Work

The one thing that has significantly changed since being employed again is time. There isn't ever enough of it. Between work itself and the sleep needed to attend work the following day we [I] find myself with about 7 hours to spare. There's no science to it, it's flexible and it can get wild when that time needed for rest is disturbed for long periods of time... It's always best to keep a healthy sleep schedule. This will be my goal for the month.

It has also affected how I blog. As could be expected, I really enjoyed the time off from working and all the posts that inspired me to delve more into my surroundings to share those experiences with you colorful images. You are all so intertwined into this portal of the multi-web. 

I love it all. Mainly, this post is to thank you all. You are the color on this grey image.

Korea, Work and My Wonderful Mom

Just when things were beginning to look grim and the humor mustered up was about rumors. At the opportune moment I made my jump from out of depression. It was like being on the verge of depression. Twenty days of looking and rejecting positions fineally led me to my previous employer. They were in an extremely difficult situation.

It wouldn't be proper to discuss it here but to give a general outlook. The new guy they hired to replace the guy who left earlier this week... got canned in two days. He turned out to be unacceptable to the school standards.

They needed somebody quick. I happen to be working a sub teaching position at the school for a week. Another co-worker/friend was back in Canada attending a sister's wedding.

It's a short term contract ending in February. Perfect!

The best part of this week. My mom.

When I was at the point of falling into a spiral of depression she called. She said, "things will be okay" (In Korean, because my mommy still speaks to me in Korean). "I will pray for you".

I love my mom.

For your entertainment. Korean music videos

Rumors about Korea

I've heard some pretty good rumors in Korea. The most common of them being the ever looming war to the North. Most of us living here in Seoul have gotten use to the threats and live life without any visible concern. In the back of our minds, somewhere hidden is the hope that it would never become actualized. Just the other day, as I lay in bed there were drills being performed. There were big sirens that sound and I suppose that's a pre-warning of a strike from the North.

As I lay in bed my hope was simple. This is a drill, not real... I'm still dizzy from last night's drinking. I'm not ready to flee, yet. A few more hours of bed, please.

Turns out it was only a drill. Thank goodness.

I've even heard some funny rumors about random things while here. Here's a list to give you an idea.

1. Kimchi (spicy, fermented cabbage) is a disinfectant.

2. Mutated fish live in the Han River.

3. Korean men blow dry their pubic hair

4. Korean woman are known to blow dry their pubic hair also.

5. Sexually transmitted diseases don't exist in Korea

6. Superman dreams about Chuck Norris

7. There are 10,000 North Korean spies in Seoul and surrounding area.

8. The Korean Marine Corp is the deadliest fighting unit in Asia.

9. In some places of Korea you have to squat to take a shit [very uncomfortable by the way].

10. The rumor about the National Assembly Building...

Yes, The rumor of the National Assembly Building. What is the rumor, you might be asking right about this time... or what is the National Assembly Building. Here's a quick description of the building on wiki  ---> National Assembly Building <---

It's a building with this huge green dome on the top of it. It looks like something from Washington D.C. but not white, it's green. The rumor states that when Korea is in dire need. That if North Korea did actually attack South Korea... drum roll...

The dome of the building will open up as Robot Taekwon V comes out with an army of replica's. This is a picture of what Robot Taekwon V looks like. 

Click here for snapshots.

Tattoo's in Korea, Yeouido and The Han River

Yesterday, my buddy and I went to a swimming pool along the Han River in Yeouido. I love swimming in Korea for many reasons. Let's make a list for the fun of it.

1. It's much cooler in the water when the weather is 32 C.

2. Reason #1 is a good enough reason in itself.

3. The women look beautiful.

4. I love seeing bikini's and high heels together.

5. It's a great place to meet people

6. It's relaxing

7. It's exercise

8. Shit, what else is there to do on a hot sunny Sunday?

9. Choice between air conditioned building or swimming pool with half naked woman.

10. woman

Seriously, though... let me tell you about the Han River. The Han River a major river in South Korea that runs west through the center of Seoul. It divides Seoul into North of the River and South of the River. Some parts of the river is over 1 kilometer wide. That's one wide ass river and along the river are many, many, many beautiful bridges. Which could be an interesting project once I get my camera in action. Pictures of bridges expanding the Han River.

Yeouido on the other hand is an island developed more recently by the Korean Government and business investment sector. Prior to the Japanese occupation during the Josen/Chosen dynasty it was a small grass land that barely survived any flooding of the Han River. It literally means "you can have it". That's pretty funny considering it's now a major sector of Seoul and Korea. For your convenience I've linked to wiki.

The main reason for posting today, tattoo's. Korea in the past has shunned tattoo's. They were mainly considered gang affiliations and most people with tattoo's in the past were Korean or Japanese gangsters. I'm not sure if that's the case anymore. There are so many Korean's with tattoo's now. Mainly, the  younger generation and not just little tattoo's but sleeves and back tattoo's of dragons and monsters you'd find on buddhist temples.

It's more strange if you hear the laws concerning tattoo's. They are illegal in Korea. It is illegal for a person to be a tattoo artist. I guess that's relative. What I mean is that it is illegal to give tattoo's in Korea. Where the hell are these people getting their tattoo's? I can tell you. I've gotten a few tattoo's in Korea. They are these hidden dens where these talented artists gather to give tattoo's. Which brings me to my question for the audience of 'grey images'.

What sort of tattoo or tattoo's do you have? If you don't have one and don't want one then what sort of tattoo would you get if you were to get one?

Short Film: The Fix (aka The Rat)

I found this really neat little film on the multi-web. You have to check out this team of film makers. Let me warn you in advance, It's a thriller. Also, when described as short it's literaly approximately six minutes. Enjoy! ---> Short Film: The Fix <---

On other fronts. If you could pick a song to describe how you feel today/this week what would be that song?

Today is a Good Day by Ice Cube

Korea's "Restoration of Light" 광복절

There are 13 public holidays in Korea. August 15th is one of those days. It is Gwangbokjeol which is equivalent to Liberation Day. Japan occupied Korea as part of the Japanese imperial expansion from 1910 - 1945 ending with Japan's surrender to the U.N. Forces in World War II. For 35 years Korea was a territorial expansion of Japan. In Korea the time is remembered as a period of forced occupation. That day is August 15 1945, the day Korea was liberated from the oppressive rule of Japan. Three years later on the same day the Republic of Korea was established. Gwangbok literally means the Restoration of Light.

For more information check out www.wikipedia.org and look it up. That's what I did.

New Activity, North Korean Pictures & Language study

Grey Images has been getting a lot of activity this month. It's exciting for me to receive emails expressing fondness to the blog for all that it explores as an expat living in Korea. I have especially been excited about elaborating on more of life in Korea and the idea's have come in waves.

Through the sudden influx of traffic I've discovered other blogs of expats living in Korea and Japan. It's kept me busy cruising the multi-web discovering new insights into the massive qualities of life in Korea and the continent of Asia.

While on one of these web cruising expeditions I came across a collection of well taken photo's of the hermit country of North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea). I've posted a link for your pleasure. ----> Pictures of North Korea <----

Grey Images also would like to thank an affiliate, Korean Class 101.

If you are interested in learning a foreign language and you are particularly caught up in the Korean wave of drama's and t.v. shows, Korean could be the language for you.

What are you waiting for. Check out those pictures.

Job Search Frustration (singular)

I try to put in a few hours of job searching every day. Well, most of the weekdays minus Friday because honestly who wants to work/search for a job on Friday. I've had some good responses and had a few positions offered. I'm a little picky though, now that I've been here in Korea for a few years. I can be a little bit more selective about the positions I look into and accept.

Things aren't urgent but having a steady job is also comforting in it's own way. It solidifies my time and days with a proper balance of activities beyond the lounging and hanging out with friends.

Yesterday I sent my CV (resume) to a recruiter who was seeking a teacher for a English Business camp for construction and project managers who will be working out side of Korea. The purpose of the camp was to teach these business employee's how to communicate in English with other foreign nationals in other parts of the world. Sounds like a good gig and it would be good for the resume. Taught a camp for business employees. Right, definitely would look good.

Moving along, this morning I was awakened by a call from the recruiter for the position mentioned above. She was nice. Her name is Salsa (to protect her identity, blah). We did the usual greet and get to the point. She asked if I was available for a meeting today specifically this afternoon. I asked if we can meet tomorrow due to some previously made plans. I explained my plans to her.

Previously made plans:

I have a really close friend who lives in Washington State, specifically Seattle. He use to live in Tacoma where I am originally from. My friend you see is a pastor and has been on an evangelical mission trip to Thailand. Cool place to go to. Anyway, on his way back to the states his flight stops in Korea. He asked me to meet him today. I cleared my schedule to spend some time with an old close friend. It's not like he's in town very often.

I maneuvered my schedule and agreed to meet Salsa's job opportunity. She said it was urgent that I come to the interview today. My friend Pastor Evan(gelical) was understanding and we rescheduled our plans to tomorrow so that the job opportunity can pan out.

Things are looking great. I shave, shower, and the S and begin to put on some proper attire. Even pulled out a nice tie to match the shirt.

At 1:30P.M. Korea time she calls.

Salsa: Hello B*******

Grey: This is Grey.

Salsa: I'm sorry, but the position has been filled.

Grey: Okay.... (pause) well thank you for trying anyway.

Salsa: (begins to say something).

Grey: Click (hangs up phone).