This post will include several random comments and observations about my life here.
1) I found some bakery chains in Daejeon that are modeled after Parisian Boulangerie's. What makes these places so cool is that you can get gourmet baked goods for pennies. I bought a great loaf of gourment 8-grain bread today for a bit over $1.50 USD. You can get really nice sandwiches there for a little less than $3.00 USD. Then I walked out with a great cup of coffee for $0.80 USD. One chain is called Paris Baguette and the other is Tous Les Jours; both are very close to my house!
2) I have put up with some very harsh situations in my life that have tested my mettle. For instance, OCS where I encoutered very large sergeant instructors, a Mike Bloomgren football practice (if you were there you know), Interval running in the snow at 5 in the morining with Peter Bourque for lacrosse, some pretty serious injuries. I don't say this to gloat because many other young men of done this and more. I say it to give perspective. I have done these things without giving in, but I have found that five minutes with a class of little Korean girls giving me dirty looks and my spirit breaks like a twig!
3) I showed up to work today, and the woman I said would make the best English instructor is now working at my academy.
4) Oddly enough I believe the frigid winter is coming to an end; it has gotten a little warmer. But, then again, I can't understand the news or read tempratures in centigrade.
5) I now can fluently speak enough Korean to get me around in a taxi, a bus, order a couple of different dishes at Korean restaurants, and give greetings and show grattitude.
(ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ARE SPELLED TO CREATE THE DESIRED SOUND. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW THEY ARE REALLY SPELLED.)
Anyanghasayo - hello (FORMAL)
Anyang - hi (INFORMAL)
Anyangkehaysayo - BYE BYE
Komopsomneda - Thank You
Namsun Gongwan - this takes the taxi within 100 meters of my house (taxi)
Wolpeyong Dong, Sunzu Clinic - This clinic is next door to my work (taxi)
Mumchaw - STOP (taxi)
Winchu - LEFT
Orinchu - Right
Pa-bo - STOP IT (comes in handy in class)
Dokas - hungry? this is a pork dish that comes with a lot of food
Kimbap - a sushi roll that contains fish or ham or chicken or turkey or egg
Dupbap - Pork Rice and Onions in a red Sauce (SPICY)
Kimchee Shigay - a Kimchee soup that is low in calories, filling and spicy
Bulgogi - Kind of like a beef stew that is really good
KICKS ASS: My new lifestyle is a healthier one. I walk more during the day. The diets of Koreans are far superior to Americans. And, my fitness center is very accessible.
SUCKS ASS: This weather, though it is presumably getting warmer, is drying my skin out, and it is driving me nuts.
(DID NOT PROOFREAD)
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" I have put up with some very harsh situations in my life that have tested my mettle. For instance, OCS where I encoutered very large sergeant instructors, a Mike Bloomgren football practice (if you were there you know), Interval running in the snow at 5 in the morining with Peter Bourque for lacrosse, some pretty serious injuries. I don't say this to gloat because many other young men of done this and more. I say it to give perspective. I have done these things without giving in, but I have found that five minutes with a class of little Korean girls giving me dirty looks and my spirit breaks like a twig!"
ReplyDeleteWill this is gold! I can just imagine you in a room full of 'little Korean girls' hahaha...
Keep me informed on how this is going, I'm trying to do the same type of thing perhaps in a different location.