Korea Life Blog - Worst Neighbors Ever


Julie and I had a terrible day today. We are truly the worst neighbors ever. The story started when a couple moved in down the hall with their beautiful Cocker Spaniel (named oddly but innocently: Cock, pronounced Coke-uh, in Korean. Rather than call him Cock, I'll just say Coke). A couple of times, our door being open, Coke sprinted in to befriend us. After convincing the owner, a nice young lady, that it was OK, we watched him last night for a few hours to give her a break. Have a look:



Here he is, the friendly little guy. Just look at that happy face and beautiful reddish brown coat.



Julie's a little hungry and tries to steal Coke's bone. Julie loses.



Hey, come on! Smile for the camera and say kimchi!



I took a real liking to the fellow. Very playful and you could basically do whatever to him.



After a lot of playing, we're a little tuckered out. Phew. Time to relax.



Maybe we'll watch a little TV. There's Animal Planet and Canine Boot Camp is on.



Awe, he's more tired than I thought and falls asleep in my lap for awhile.


When his owner came back she brought us a couple of drinks for watching Coke and then asked us if we'd like to own the dog. Her brother gave him to her as a surprise, but it's become too much a responsibility for her day in and day out and she needs to start a job soon. We love the dog but declined as we think these apartments are too small for a dog this size. So the dog went home...

...this is where the story takes a shocking turn: This afternoon Coke came by again and so we asked the woman if we could take him for a walk to in the park nearby and she eagerly agreed. Since the dog seemed pretty well trained to obey commands like come! and sit! (in Korean: iluwa! anja!) Julie got the idea to take off his dog harness for a bit and let him run around the park for a little exercise. And I agreed. This went well for the first half an hour. The dog hung around us and came when called. Then, as if out of nowhere, he simply bolted as if in a marathon and vanished around a bend! In disbelief, we didn't think that much of it at first, calling the dog's name. But after a few minutes the panic set in. We hurried to look but he was simply gone. We spent hours running all around searching high and low. Gone! - as if somebody swiped him up and sped away (which is what I think happened).

All I know for sure is we made a huge, stupid mistake seeing as the dog doesn't even have a collar.

We feel horrible and we truly must be the worst neighbors ever. We told the woman and we all went out again to look for a few more hours. Julie and I became exhausted and have called it quits for now. The owner is still out there looking. She didn't seem to take it very hard though, perhaps thinking it a relief since she did actually want to give him away. She said she hopes somebody did take him and is terrified to think of him hit by a car. Julie's worried that we may have to pay for the dog and is nervous how the woman's husband will react later. Such a dog costs about 350,000 won ($350) in Korea. And we both feel really bad for the whole situation. What an awful day.


EVEN MORE SHOCKING UPDATE! I sat and stared out the window for the past several hours and then all of a sudden I saw a little speck moving about down in the distance. "Julie!" I screamed. There's the dog! I bolted to the elevator and 13 slow floors down and ran out and sure enough! Coke was out there rummaging in the bushes way off. He looked terrified as I approached but when I called his name, he ran up and jumped all over me. I carried him inside, all the while the dog slapping me with wet kisses, and gave him back to the owner. She was elated! What a great day! I must say, while we feel like a dumbass for having lost the dog and assuming it was stolen, we feel pretty damn good that I found him. I don't know how he managed to get across all of the dangerous roads to where he was without getting killed. What a lucky dog and me and Julie are lucky too!

written by shawn matthews    -|link

Korea Life Blog - Korea Life Blog Store



Sorry for the lack of updates...I've been working hard on finishing the Koje-do book - which will be available very soon. I just have a few little bits and pieces to get in order. I have the layout and all that finished and it will be available online through LuLu in the US. Payment will be taken by credit card or Paypal. International shipping will be available as well.

In the meantime, you can pick up some new klb merchandise . There's 6 exciting items to choose from! Click any of the pics to view the store-front and read the seducing descriptions. All items available in the U.S. or by international shipping. Surprise your boyfriend/husband with your new, sexy klb thong and at the same time support Korea Life Blog. It's like Christmas around here today...


Update: Item art has been slightly improved thanks to Julie. Also added the new KLB logo she designed to the mousepad and the lunchbox backside. Have a look by clicking on any of the items.

written by shawn matthews    -|link

Korea Life Blog - Gyopo Life

Introducing a new blog and interesting blog by a Canadian-Korean who comes to "the motherland" to teach English. Follow along as he chronicles bits and pieces of his experience. Click on the photo below.

written by shawn matthews    -|link

Korea Life Blog - African-American with Children


I received this e-mail from a reader last night:


Hi Shawn,

I've been reading your blog for about a month now. You experiences are hilarious and very inspiring. I just graduated with a degree in English and have been contemplating coming to Korea. I'd like some advice about how feasible it would be to teach. My situation is a bit unique. I have two children ages 8 and 4. I know that people are discouraged from coming if they have children, but I think I have a bit of an edge because my fiance is currently in Seoul at Yongsan Garrison. He is the father of my children and when we get married I will likely move to Korea. I want to be able to work part-time at least, but I want a good teaching situation. I have been noting your advice about the kind of jobs to take and what to avoid. I don't want the fact that I have children to be seen as a negative point in applying for jobs. I will be visiting my fiance in October and I hope to see some schools for myself.

What advice can you offer. Is it easy to find a part-time job with full-time pay and benefits. Also, I am african-american; would that be much of an issue? I've read Dave's ESL cafe and have seen the threads on discrimination. I am 33 years old, but look much younger. I have done my research and I feel that I could live in Korea. I love learning about other cultures and am open to new experiences.

I hope that I have provided you with enough background information to be able to give me some helpful advice. Oh I am currently working as a Techical Writer for a NASA contractor so I am also looking into the possiblity of working for the Army.

Thanks in advance for your help. Keep up the good work and I can't wait to read the rest of the Geoje-do story.

Sincerely,
Samantha


I thought about if for ahwile and did my best to offer advice:


Samantha, thanks for your e-mail. I've been working
hard on editing the Geoje-do story and it's driving me
bonkers.

Being African American will have it's disadvantages,
mostly when it comes to getting the job, and then with
the students. Employers almost always want a picture
beforehand, pretty much for that very reason. It's not
so much the school owners are racist, though they may
be, it's the society at large. The boss may fear not
being able to attract new students.

That being said, once you do get a job, you're
unlikely to experience any overt racism from adults.
Koreans would never say anything directly about it, no
matter how they feel. Kids on the other hand, and I've
seen this first hand, may not be so kind. Whenever
they see African Americans in their textbooks, you
hear the snickers and in Korean they usually say
"monkey!". I'm sure it will take some time for them to
overcome that stupidity. I would take an optimistic
approach and treat it as an opportunity to educate
them. But realistically you should be prepared to feel
frustrated and angry. I can't really recommend any job
in particular. Perhaps a public school would be more
likely to hire equally, but even they want photos in
advance...I hate telling you this reality. Have you
considered teaching in Japan? They are much more open
there to different races. As far as the children, that
won't be an issue if you don't mind a small apartment.
Keep posting messages of Dave's ESL for better
insight. I may also do a post with your e-mail in it,
if you don't mind.


She's given me permission to post her concerns here and I thought it'd be helpful if any of my readers could also offer advice. It's a sad shame that people are afraid to teach here or are just unable to because of the color of their skin. In this day and age that seems so backwards.

written by shawn matthews    -|link

Korea Life Blog - Geoje-do Book Cover


Inching closer to the final Geoje-do draft, here's what the cover will look like.




Julie and I designed the cover and then printed it on regular paper and wrapped it around a similarly shaped book to get a general idea. To see it clearly and exactly how it will end up, in PDF form, click on the picture.

I just need to fix the spine color/font and add my name. I also need to write something on the back cover, but I feel peculiar doing that myself. Any volunteers? Your name will be credited. Should be something like "Shawn says goodbye to his beloved cat and heads across the world...blah blah blah"...

written by shawn matthews    -|link

Korea Life Blog - Photoshop Fun


I've been having a lot of fun with Photoshop. Look at the cool things I can do with just a few clicks.



I can make myself look as if I don't feel very well. What was in those brownies anyway? This abstract look is growing on me — literally.



I can cut off some of my huge forehead and make me look almost normal.



I can make Julie hot and sexy for the cover of some trendy new magazine. I'm sure she'll just love this professional look.

written by shawn matthews    -|link

Korea Life Blog - Library


It was a pretty uneventful weekend. However we did have a nice trip to the public library - the first time I've ever been to one here. It was very nice, actually, and they have a good selection of English books to read, even Korean historical comic books in English (almost every one features the inevitable them: a vigilante with super-human strength that goes around beating up crooks and thugs and avenging the wronged). It also has high powered air-conditioning and even a cafeteria.



Here's Julie at the bus stop avoiding the camera as usual.



Here she is again avoiding the camera. I love the added bonus of the ajumma there to the left. She's obviously enjoying the merry antics of a foreigner and his girlfriend.



Oh well, at least this nice hanbok (traditional Korean clothes) can't hide. I want that outfit actually. No, not the dress.



Here we are, 4 stops later, at the public library. It was Saturday around 3:00 and was jammed pack. I'm not sure if everyone was there to study or to escape the summer heat. Either way, we had trouble finding a place to sit. I didn't get many pictures of the inside because it was too quiet. Basically it looks like a library, lots of books and lightening fast computers with internet connection.



This surprised me. I have never seen a cafeteria in a library in America and now I wonder why. The prices were cheap and the food was surprisingly delicious.



Julie got U-dong for 2,000 won ($1.60). It tasted great, though admittedly you can't really mess up noodle soup.



Here's what I got for just 3,000 won ($2.40). Dwen jang chigae! I love this and so does Julie. As you can see, it was still boiling as it came out. Utterly fantastic! The side dishes were also good. We ate them and then Julie took them back for a free refill. At these prices, perhaps we should just come here every day for dinner.


We spent about three hours inside relaxing and reading. Unfortunately Julie needs to get some address document from city hall (next to our home at least) and a small photo in order to get a membership. Hopefully she'll do that soon. There were a lot of books I want to borrow.

written by shawn matthews    -|link