teehee

I leave for China in 24 days. THEN I leave for Thailand 15 days later.


teehee.

the good, the bad, and the ugly...and the realization

...i need to update about north korea. i'll do that after this.

first, for my own sanity, i must create a few lists about korea. I have 34 days left in this country and 24 teaching days left (not that i'm counting). Today was a particularly bad anti-korea day. They happen for no reason in particular. It could have been because I talked to my parents today, maybe because it's Monday, or it could be due to numerous other reasons. Regardless...if i had the choice to leave Korea tonight. i would.

i've expereinced days like this before, as has every teacher residing within this country. I know that it's not all bad though. I know that at times it can be amazing and in certain situations I have been known to proclaim "THIS is why I love this country."

I shall therefore compose a few lists to remind myself. And also to explain to others who may be confused by people living in Asia when their moods change with such frequency.

List #1
The Good - things that kick ass about this place

1. the people
2. the kids
3. the money
4. the shopping
5. the food
6. confusism
7. nature
8. lifestyle
9. travel/transportation

List #2
The Bad - things that range from annoying to downright angering

1. the people
2. the kids
3. the money
4. the food
5. confusism
6. treatment of animals
7. nature
8. taxi rides




...ok. i started writing this email. and i was all bitter and angry and ready to vent it all out on blogger.

then i got an email telling me that one of the people i've met here has died. Ciaran Gary was a friend who lived in my neighbourhood in Gumi. I hadn't talked to him in quite some time, but knew for sure that if I ever ended up in Cork, Ireland I'd be looking him up.
He had a massive asthma attack while on the way to pick up his girlfriend at the airport. She was coming from Korea for a visit.

Suddenly all of those complaints I had about Korea are gone. Whatever. It's a cool place. Things piss me off, but hell, things piss me off about Canada. I can choose to be bitter like I was a mere hour ago, or I can choose to brush it off and focus on the good.

Ignore the lists... I shall keep them there to remind myself of the mindset I had before I got the email, and after. They may look the same to you, but I know the sentences that were to follow each heading.

I'll update about North Korea later...promise. as for right now. i have emails to write to some friends.