Christmas Night with the Grown ups (Beer and Vendor Meat)

(Top to Bottom) Steve, Irish dude, and Charlie at Doors. Random dude on Floor. The Doors. Angelo, Jeff and Alicia, Steve using his magic on the waitress (who hit me after the pic was taken).

Christmas night is a completely different monster here in Korea. The traditional nature of the holiday makes it strictly family in the states, but here, almost any holiday is done right...with booze.

We had started with a sweet sweet Nashville burger, then headed out all over Seoul. We went to a bar called "The Doors" and never looked back. After ringing in the new year there, we headed out to, um, well another bar.

The memory of the night is dim but warm so i'll just post pics and put captions under them to explain...i hope. I do however remember a club filled with Russian models and vendor meat that left a warm feeling in my stomach (for a couple days actually)

better late than never...Merry Christmas!

Christmas Party with the Kids (Cake and Games)

For the holidays, it seemed like good idea to bring cake and milk for the kids, so they would know how to enjoy the upcoming holiday.

However, the materialistic nature of Christmas has transcended the actual spirit of giving and being with family. Graditude, though not expected, could have been recieved with a simple smile and a "Merry Christmas". Instead, they asked why the cake wasn't very good and when they would recieve their actual gifts...kids, gotta love them (because you can't hit them*).

Although, the party was a perfect time for a photo op and a photo op you get...enjoy


*note: As an educator, I would NEVER hit a child, EVER....I would mearly shake them**

**note: again, I joke, I really don't know when to stop.

Ask me Anything!! (part 1)

(picture) Top: from left to right: Steve (from Ohio), me, Angelo, Stef

Bottom: from left to right: Emily-Jane, Jason

So, the weekend has come and gone and we partied until the sun came up on Saturday (literally). We explored all that the Foreign district of Seoul had to offer including the all-foreign bar Gecko's, the all-Canadian bar Rocky Mountain, and the all-night-was-I-really-up-till-6am bar, Kettle Pot (?). I'm having a blast exploring the depths of the Seoul nightlife scene and hopefully there are plenty of good times to come.

So now my friends, I am opening up my blog to questions. Anything that you might be wondering about, feel free to ask in the comments section and I will respond to them in future postings.

and please, no requests for awkward photos...

This Just In: There are Burgers in Korea that aren't made of Dog...More at Eleven

(Top Right) Nashvilles is the happiest place in Seoul, featuring 3 dartboards, 14 tables, a full-service bar, and a Korean staff that will pretend to know what you're saying while they pleasantly smile and nod their heads. (Middle Right) Jason Jang enjoying the sweet burger. Immediately following this picture, was him enjoying himself a little too much. (Bottom Right) This burger could have easily been served at Cornerstone but not Bentleys, because Bentleys burgers suck.

After 1 month of being in Korea, Life isn't too bad. I've replaced Wawa subs with Fish cakes that are sold outside my apartment and I still have Chinese food delivery, although I have to return the bowls that I eat out of by leaving them outside my door for them to collect.

However, a certain void has appeared in my life. When I think American food, all I can think of is Burgers. They should start serving burgers wrapped in Stars and Stripes with fireworks to compliment each bite. But in Korea, hamburger meat is like eating the sole of my shoe. In fact, I would gladly eat the sole of my shoe if it meant that I would never have to see a Korean style hamburger again.

Luckily, Angelo knew of a place in Itewon (known as the foreign region of Seoul) that sold burgers that actually resembled burgers. Jason and I went along with Angelo to chase this elusive burger, in hopes that I would have to never eat shoe again. A thick burger patty, a generous helping of cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion, and draft beer to wash it down...Heaven has a name and its name is Nashvilles.

The food coma lasted about an hour but the memory will last me a lifetime (or at least until next week, when I go again). And with that, there's not much to miss...except all of you guys at home of course.

So being in Korea and finding a decent burger, life isn't too bad...

just don't order the wings.

Pictures for Entry Below

I'm not good with computers so here are the pictures.

Party photos courtesy of www.jasonjang.com

Stumble and Slur: A Less Important Weekend (Pt. 2)

So after a crucial first week of work, there was only one thing to do.

Last Saturday started with a site seeing trek into Seoul, where I met up with Jason Jang from Orientation. He brought along his friend, Angelo (Pappas?). Even though they were from Canada, I decided to hang out with them. We headed to the biggest music store I've ever seen and I managed to buy nothing. On the way there, we encountered a huge Anti-Bush Protest. When the protestors would yell "Say No to Bush", I was so tempted to yell back that "not all bush is bad", but they probably wouldn't get it. However, The next adventure was right around the corner: drinking.

We started off with dinner and beer. Casual, Fun, Sober. We then added Soju (potato rubbing alcohol aka Korean Devil Juice) and slowly, a buzz came over us. We then headed to a "cocktail bar" to enjoy more booze, pick up broads, and shoot some darts. Its like I never left home (If home was in Canada, I actually called girls "broads", and I knew how to shoot a dart). Angelo had never had a "bomb" drink before so we opted for the cheapest version there: whiskey dropped into beer. This will explain why he's in such awesome shape in the pics (picture 3). I wasn't doing too great either though, we took two rounds of "fire shots" and next thing I know, I'm trying to hit on the Korean ladies at the bar. Not much has changed as you can see.

The next morning, I woke up not knowing where I was and how I got there, but it was Sunday and I was hungover: All was right with the world. So I learned 3 things this weekend:

1.) Canadians are great boozers and I look forward to enjoying the hockey season with them. I will not, however, concede that the CFL is a real sport because it isn't.
2.) I do not have a "foreign accent" and my lack of Korean ability is more of a "laugh at" then "laugh with" situation with the ladies.
3.) Booze, protestors, female rejection....I'm in college all over again.

Stand and Deliver: An Important Week (Part 1)

This week, I've found myself embracing a certain milestone in my life: my first real job. Sure, bouncing and bartenders seems like real work but no job where you can smell like booze and it be acceptable should be considered real work. Teaching, as explained to me, is one of the most important jobs in the world. I have the ability to shape young minds and give them the tools necessary to succeed in this world. For me, I'm giving these children an exceptional tool: the ability to use conversational English in this modern society, where the communication barrier has been shattered by globalization through technology.

What's all that mean?

I'm teaching these kids how to give high-fives and say "what's up, dude". That's right, I'm turning these potential CEO's, Scientists, and Doctors into lowly, football watching, frat party loving, all around fun college party dudes (and dude-ets). I am still able to sleep at night. The children's inability to lay on a decent High-Five has led me to my new goal in life: make these kids cooler. We'll see how much they can learn from me (I can picture your comments already).

Disclaimer: The picture above is way to cute to have in a dude's blog. Dudes should refrain from making comments about it because yup, I already know.