The Seoul Blog - My New Job



I rejected some decent offers to teach adults and decided to work at a Hagwon outside of Seoul in the country side. Why? Because I've gone stark raving mad? Well, almost. It's because the Hagwon job is easier. Plain and simple. Throw the prestige, respect and admiration that comes with a professional job out the window! Why work 8:00-5:30 Monday through Friday when I can work 2:30-6:30 for the same pay? Why rack my brains to teach complex grammar to bored company students when I can goof off and act like a clown all day? Why climb the mountain of never ending professional BS when I can casually walk around it while whistling dixie? More importantly, why go on babbling when I can stop now?

The job is a breeze: 19 hours a week, paid cash weekly, play games and teach whatever I want - albeit I'm in the middle of nowhere. I have a brand new apartment - albeit without any furniture yet. I have to sleep on thick blankets for a few days. The gas isn't on yet, the water is cold. It's a one room, studio. It's small, but I'm the first tenant to live in it. It's a lot better than living in some crappy old slum in Seoul or having to put up with a roommate. And once I get the furnishings, once the gas is turned on and I don't have to turn into ice when I bathe, it'll be much better - maybe next week anyway. I'll snap some pictures soon and post them.

written by shawn matthews    -|link

The Seoul Blog - Slow Down and Look at the Purple Flowers




When I was in Gyeongbokgung in Gwanghwamun one day I noticed people zipping and zooming by these nice flowers without so much as the slightest glance. Seoul people: stop! Slow down! Look around you! Look at this beauty! There's time to enjoy life and it's many gifts. Don't hurry your lives away on meaningless hustle and bustle. For what do you pass up these flowers for? Can you even remember last Thursday? How about last Friday at 6:00? What were you doing then? It's not too late to start enjoying today! Oops, look at the time. I have to hurry off to class.

written by shawn matthews    -|link

The Seoul Blog - Sam Gyeop Sal




Take a look at this picture of Sam Gyeop Sal smoking on a hot stone grill. This is yet another of my favorite dishes. You mix pieces of the meat, sauce, garlic, kimchi, tofu, mushrooms, or any of the other side dishes and roll it up in a fresh lettuce leave and chomp! chomp! chomp! Oh wonderful Korean food - my mouth is watering at the mere thought!

written by shawn matthews    -|link

The Seoul Blog - Jake the Snake




This is my friend Jake with his woman at a club called Stomper's in Hongdae. Look at him turn on the charm. Surely she can't resist!


This is my friend Jake after about 10 beers. Watch as he turns into a raging red-eye'd dance machine. Hold the mouse over the picture to find out Jake's secret thoughts...there's a new thought everyday, so check back often.


Here's my Australian friend Mark from the guesthouse. Are you having a good time, Mark? Say "Kimchi!"

written by shawn matthews    -|link