To the country of Korea and it's people,
I owe y'all a few apologies as detailed below.


I still flush the toilet paper.

I'm sorry, but the knowledge of using the restroom next to a trashcan filled with other people's used tp keeps me from adding to the pile. Perhaps someday my Karma will block up and flood my apartment (so it goes with my friend Karen). For now I will continue to flush it out of sight.

I get better pay, hours and treatment than my Korean coworkers.

Today I got a free pair of brand spanking new Nike's from Mr. Go, the owner of our school, for Lunar New Year. Apparently he has quite the hook up. While showing off our shoes in the teacher's office our boss shyly tells Lisa and I to keep it down, "Not everyone got them". Oops, didn't realize that only the foreign teachers got a pair... Lisa and I immediately shut up, sliding the packages as far from sight as possible. It's true though, there is a significant difference in treatment of Korean and Western teachers at work. We work at least two hours less a day (although this used to be much larger), we get paid higher salaries on top of getting a furnished apartment and rent. To top it all off we never get reprimanded.

I never write in my blog.

An apology more so for my friends and family that still keep up with this thing. I have no excuse, I suck. Another apology for those of you back home, your Christmas packages are still sitting in my closet. Expect them by late February, maybe.


I don't like the rice cakes.

This is only OK because I do enjoy just about all other types of Korean food. Not the rice cakes though, I can't fully grasp how or why they are that consistency.

I pull the "Mull eye oh" card many times a day.

Translation: "I dunno". Strapped for cash at the end of last month I returned the CD player bought on impulse at Mega Mart before Christmas. It was when my computer was busted and I had an irresistible urge to listen to festive music, knowing that I only had so much longer to enjoy it before the season was up. After shopping around (two stores) I ended up spending over $60 on the cheapest one I could find. Fixing my computer a few weeks later left it useless until I found the receipt. It had been past the date of return (visible on the receipt in English). I pulled the foreigner card and got my money back, the manager in perfect English saying, "We can make some exceptions." "Kumsamida," I reply with a smile. The worst part was that not only did they give me cash for my full purchase but they even gave me the 50 won refund for the plastic bag I returned with the boom box (if you don't have a shopping bag of your own they give you one for a small fee). Ouch, that kind of hurt.

I'm sorry it went down in flames.

Starface, the bar and home to our Sunday night trivia tradition caught fire last time we were there. Yes, we witnessed the whole thing. Being in the building, flames licking the front entrance, escaping, firemen came, fire was gone. The worst part was watching the reaction of the Korean and Western patrons. This place had a nice neighborhood 'Cheers' kind of vibe, with regulars from all backgrounds. I only hope it can be revived, however, I'm sorry to report rumors I've heard that it may become just another Korean Restaurant since the damages exceed $50,000 sans insurance. Then again they may just be rumors.

Korean firemen just don't do it for me.

I once said that it didn't matter what they looked like as long as they were wearing the uniform. However, I realized that wasn't true when I was watching the fire instead of the men in yellow and black. They didn't quite fit the image I have. While I hope to never be in a situation where firemen are needed again, if there is a next time I hope the rescue takes place back in the states. Preferably New York.

Along with my apologies I have many things to thank you for Korea. I celebrate my 6 month anniversary with you next Saturday. While I had a rough idea of what my intentions were for moving here back in July I was mostly blind to the experience I would have. My Grandma, who lived in Daegu in the 80's gave me the two little tidbits of knowledge to travel with.
1. You never know what to do with your legs when you sit on the floor at a restaurant.
And 2. Korean people are extremely nice.
Both of which have been proven true upon countless occasions. The past months have provided more than just affirmation of her wisdom. Including the interesting and meaningful people I now call friends and a decent collection of stray buttons, I've also checked a few things off my list and added to it accordingly. Let's hope the next six months will be as unpredictable and satisfying as the last.

P.S. Today I taught your children the "magic word" and a few days back I named one of them Elvis, thank me later.