Korea Life Blog - Donation Hall of Fame


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Korea Life Blog - Donate in Korea by Bank Transfer



Thank you kindly for your support everyone.


Name: Shawn Matthews
Transfer Number: 462-910069-49207
Bank Name: Hana Bank



You can either donate anonymously or send me an e-mail with the amount you donated and when, and also whatever information I can feature on this page for you, hopefully including your picture. I also currently a bunch of Google G-mail 1GB e-mail invites to give away as well.

For anyone who can use Paypal, click below.












Gmail invites are still available!


written by KLB - posted @ 1:57 AM


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Korea Life Blog - Leo Shah


Dear shawn matthews,

This email confirms that you have received a Payment for $15.00 USD
from
Leo Shah (lshah81@myrealbox.com)
Tampa, FL


written by KLB - posted @ 2:25 AM


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Korea Life Blog - Anonymous Donations


Over the last few weeks, I've received 3 anonymous donations. Since no details or explanation has been provided after the donations, all I can say is thanks a lot for your generosity.

Got one follow up:

Dear Shawn,
I sent the PayPal transaction either yesterday (Sunday) or Saturday. I've enjoyed your writing for sometime and your book sits on my nightstand, presently in the #3 position on my list of books to be read. While I've spent less than two weeks in Korea (or "Corea" as some more trendy than I would write) my wife and her family moved to the States from the Pusan (or "Busan") area when she was two and my interaction with the Yoon family (or "Yoon") -just kidding, of course- has sparked my interest in their culture. Your blog has given me many fascinating hours and I thank you. Right now, I'm afraid I must get back to work but maybe we could "talk" again sometime.

Best Regards,

Frank


written by KLB - posted @ 7:59 AM


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Korea Life Blog - Chris Garson



Amount: $30.00 USD


Subject: Chris Garson


Note: Shawn,

After reading for months, I finally thought I should send you a donation especially after our email corrospondances. I really enjoy your book and blog and the time you put into both. Thanks again and I hope to see you when I come to Korea in the winter so you could sign the book and whatnot.

All the best,
Chris Garson

Thanks, Chris. Plus you bought the book and left a nice review for me. I will gladly sign the book and take you out to a nice meal once you get here. Looking forward to it.



written by KLB - posted @ 8:20 PM


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Korea Life Blog - C.S.

Hi Shawn,


Well, you are sad and sick for a moment, and so convinced me finally to write you – something like the chocolate snacks in the sky advertising ;).

Shawn, I have been somehow just immensely enjoying your blog, since finding it a month or two ago, so this is just due repayment. Or due just repayment…

First, a bit of thought on the kids, hands, illness, and being in Korea. I would much make the case not to worry too much, and to protect the ability to be human and close with each one. That is the best place for a person and a teacher, and you will best enjoy it. Think of all the mothers and teachers in the world – they actually don’t get ill so much either.

I know you have the heart for this, so say it straight.

But I have better substantiation, from my life in Korea. Which in its way was a little like yours at one point, although in that case I was teaching at the then-new graduate school KAIS, linked to Stanford, which was in Chong-ryang-ri at the end of the first chi-ha-chol line, in the mid-1970’s. I think it may have changed its name to KAIST, and possibly moved or branched to Taejon by now.

By some less usual means, I had already had quite a bit of life in Korea, and this was in fact the last year I spent there. But even as experienced as I was, this was a very new situation. And I remember among other things in it, the first day of fall flu season, everyone wearing the masks – which actually help the wearer mostly because of reducing air pollution – except those who coughed incessantly all over the place, which were many, and at the usual close quarters.

Frankly, I thought I was going to die. And strangely I did not, at all. The germs are everywhere, but they only get us when our resistance gets low – that is the secret. When you get some that have thrived there, probably you will get a little sicker some times because you are not used to those – it happened a few times in the year to me. But then this is the good moment for the substitute teacher, and for you to just rest well, drink fluids, vitamin C usual drill, until you get better.

Vitamin C is a very good thing I think, though quite rationalist about it – seems to have some good effect, both to ward off, and to help the immune system quickly conquer a virus – and more comfortably for us while it does, if I am right.

But the big one is rest, and especially, rest of mind, or heart. Really taking comfort. Actually I think we get sick ever, speaking as someone who has travelled and lived ‘elsewhere’ by now a great deal in life, when we over-drive either certain of our physical, or it seems just as effectively, our tension-related emotional resources. Of course by now it’s well known that the biochemistry is quite connected.

Living abroad is wonderful – and although for Korea and in fact here in Switzerland, it is for me also of specific family reason, indeed each place soon becomes a growing part of our ‘homes’. Or a room in our home. As simple as that…or as the Germans say, ‘oder’ (or….). ;)

Even so, any good book on such experience, and especially a straightforward one on anthropology and culture shock, will rapidly convince you that you would not be whatsoever alone to find that all those small dissonances add up to a good deal of extra ‘exercise’ each day. After all, it’s the subject of your blog, or one of them, and the particular flavour of honesty with which you approach it is what makes it interesting. As we get older and more experienced, sure we are strengthened, but I think much more comes in just being aware of what we expend: and therefore also much kinder to ourselves. Just as we would be to another.

I will leave you to think over these things, not just because I must get busy (it is just evening beginning, still I have work to do all through it – such is responsibility, and exactly the same lessons apply to doing that without hitting too much strain and consequences).

I know you will continue to do well and grow – in this actually rather fine adventure you’ve undertaken. Stick with it, and the Koreans will appreciate you as a ‘kochip-chaenggi’, which is rather fine and ‘familial’ complement – perhaps especially between men, but you might like to ask Julie about it.

Keep writing, and I will keep enjoying, and make you a note from time to time.

Thank you for your _expression.


Best regards,



C.S.

Basel


Clive, I just saw this letter and your donation, I'm about to go to sleep now, but hank you so much and I will reply personally on e-mail soon. You really cheered me up tonight though!


written by KLB - posted @ 9:47 AM


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Korea Life Blog - Aaron Thomas


Dear Shawn,

After hitting your website off and on for the last couple months I
figured it was finally time to send you a short note letting you know how much
I enjoy it. I'll be coming to Korea in November for a year tour and your
site has me very excited about the experiance.

Anyway, thanks for doing the website. I sent you a small donation and
picked up a copy of your new book on Lulu this afternoon. If you have
any Gmail subscriptions left, I wouldn't mind taking one off your hands :).

Aaron

Thanks, Aaron. Hope you enjoy the book and the Gmail account. I really appreciate the fact you bought a book and also donated at the same time. That's really nice of you.


written by KLB - posted @ 8:55 PM


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Korea Life Blog - Justin Hwang


Dear shawn matthews,

This email confirms that you have received a Payment for $10.00 USD
from Justin Hwang.


Thanks a lot Justin. I didn't get an e-mail from you yet but if you'd like anything posted here, let me know. (Sorry I got the name wrong there for a bit).

Comment from Justin:

While my work production has suffered for the past three days, my enthusiasm for a potential journey in life back to Korea (I'm a 27 yo Gyopo in LA) has grown quite a bit.

That was quite a letter by David Romance regarding the "upward spiral" and your ever growing happiness in Korea, but I must admit i agree with him.

I've never really donated any money to a good cause (too lazy) but I figured with the amount of enjoyment I got from reading your blog, and the amount of time and effort you put into it, you deserve some encouragement to continue! While my donation is not large, please use it wisely on some fried chicken, dwen jjang jigae, kalbi, tuna for unloved stray kitties, or just some flowers for Julie! How about that? We donate, you buy what we request and you take pictues and that way this website becomes interactive! Or not. In any case, keep up the great detail-oriented work (conversion of currency, noticing strange signs and particular Korean behaviors such as public drunkeness).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hey really nice comment and I cut and pasted it here. I appreciate that. I will indeed get some galbi with the donation. That sounds fantastic. If you get out to Seoul sometime, I'll treat you to some galbi myself.





written by KLB - posted @ 9:05 PM


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Korea Life Blog - Glenn Kim


Dear shawn matthews,

This email confirms that you have received a Payment for $10.00 USD
from Glenn Kim.


Hey Shawn,

I ran across your blog while surfing and I got hooked. I'm a 1.5
generation living in San Francisco, and I think that your observations are
hilarious. Keep it up.

I sent $10 into support Shawn & the kitties fund today. Hope it
defrays some of your costs! If you have any gmail accounts left, I'd
appreciate one.


Regards,

Glenn



Thanks a bunch Glenn. If you'd like anything posted here, let me know.


written by KLB - posted @ 9:18 PM


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Korea Life Blog - Matt Gadbois

Received $40.00 from Matt Gadbois and this nice letter:


hi shawn,

i just wanted to write to you to let you know how much i enjoy your site. i started thinking about perhaps going to korea and quickly found your site while wandering the net looking for more info. i've been hooked ever since! it took me three days but i went through and read all the archives. the geoje-do stuff is great, hopefully it'll be coming to a bookstore nearby soon. i also particularly enjoyed the entries about the stray cats you were feeding.

needless to say, reading your site has made me realize what a great experience living in korea can be, so i've decided that i'm going to do it as well. i've been interested in korea for a while, i have a lot of korean friends, i love the food, and i even visited seoul for a month back in november 2002 (it was a work thing). basically i'm hoping to come over in the beginning of october, so i'm just now getting into looking for jobs and all that. (i've been looking at dave's esl cafe, mostly, that seems to be the best place. so far not really any jobs for october, it's still a bit too early i think.)

also, since i've really enjoyed reading your site, i decided i would start one of my own, mostly just for my friends and family to follow my adventures while i'm over there. i've already started it since i thought it'd be fun to track both my time in korea, but also the events leading up to the trip. you can check it out at http://squarehe.com/

thanks a lot for your time, and keep up all the great work on 'korea life blog'

~matt gadbois

p.s. i'm also gonna donate to your site. you need to find some more stray cats to feed in your new area!



Thanks a lot Matt. I am considering getting a cat of my own....if Julie let's me.


written by KLB - posted @ 1:40 AM


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Korea Life Blog - Stephanie


Hi Shawn, just wanted to let you know that I donated $20 to your worthy
cause. If you still have any G-mail invites left I'd like one; if not,
no sweat. Keep on keeping on, my honorary Korean brother.

Stephanie Han Windham
Stanton, CA :)


Thanks, Stephanie. I sent you the G-mail invite just now. I have 4 left, by the way.


written by KLB - posted @ 12:41 AM


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Korea Life Blog - Scott Evenson


Dear shawn matthews,

This email confirms that you have received a Payment for $10.00 USD
from Scott Evensen.


Hey Shawn,

$10 donation from moi. :-)

Would love a gmail invitation.

My paypal address was probably plunge@mac.com

Invitation to Scott Evenson

Take care!


Thanks, Scott. G-mail inviation sent. Anything else you want posted here, let me know.


written by KLB - posted @ 3:21 AM


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Korea Life Blog - James B.

Deposited 25,000 won....man, the teller was pretty much fluent in English! and so was the guard/ajeosshi! unreal. it's under the name JAMES.

JB

Thanks, James. I sent you a G-mail invite link...hope you enjoy it.


written by KLB - posted @ 5:21 AM


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Korea Life Blog - Amy Stackhouse


Dear shawn matthews,

This email confirms that you have received a payment for $10.00 USD from Amy Stackhouse


June 28, 2004

Hi Shawn,

I have been enjoying your site for a while now and decided it? time to give a little back. You are an exceptional writer. Your stories are captivating and I often find myself laughing out loud while reading? also find myself at your site a little longer than I should be when at work ;)

I have been thinking about teaching in Korea for a year for the experience and I find your site motivating.

Thanks for the laughs!

Amy Stackhouse
Nova Scotia, Canada



You can certainly add me to your donation hall of fame. If readers see that many people are donating then hopefully they will be inspired to do the same!

Sure, a g-mail account would be great...but only if you have many left.

Cheers Shawn,

Amy

Enjoy your G-mail account and thanks so much!


written by KLB - posted @ 7:07 AM


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Korea Life Blog - Mike Tong


Hi Shawn,

I've been reading your blog a while now, thought it was about time I
donated
- well that an the lure of a gmail invite :) Keep up the good work!

Thanks,

Mike Tong

Donated $10.00 and reived a G-mail invite in return. Thanks, hope you enjoy it.


written by KLB - posted @ 12:22 AM


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Korea Life Blog - Aaron Lohmeyer


I received 40.00 from Aaron Lohmeyer today. That is very generous of you. E-mail me anytime if you'd like something included about you in this section.


written by KLB - posted @ 11:53 PM


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Korea Life Blog - RR


Shawn:

I put some money, not much, in your account.

Would you like to link to any of my websites?

Yank Abroad

Morning Jackhammer

Koreachronicles


Thanks,

RR


When he discovered virtue he gave vice a dirty name
--Austin Lounge Lizards


Sure thing, RR. Thanks a lot and hope you get some hits off the links.


written by KLB - posted @ 10:36 PM


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Korea Life Blog - Thomas


Dear shawn matthews,

Thomas just sent you money with PayPal.

Payment Details


Amount: $19.79 USD


Dear shawn matthews,

This email confirms that you have received a Payment for $10.00 USD from Joshua.




Thanks so much, Joshua. Enjoy your Gmail account.


written by KLB - posted @ 10:11 AM


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Korea Life Blog - Joshua

Dear shawn matthews,

This email confirms that you have received a Payment for $10.00 USD from Joshua.

Thanks, Joshua for you donation. Not sure what else to say as you didn't include any note or anything, but really appreciate it. If you ever want something published in this post, let me know. Thanks again!


written by KLB - posted @ 8:11 AM


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Korea Life Blog - Richard


Dear shawn matthews,

This email confirms that you have received a payment for $10.00 USD from Richard.

Thanks Richard. You're too late on the Gmail invites, hope you understand, but you're never too late to help out me and the stray cats here in Korea. Every little bit keeps me motivated to keep on writing about my experiences. I hope you continue to enjoy them.



written by KLB - posted @ 9:21 PM


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Korea Life Blog - Anonymous


Dear shawn matthews,

This email confirms that you have received a Payment for $80.00 USD from Anonymous.

This is a pretty astounding donation. Thanks so much. Sorry I posted your name before. Hope you enjoy your Gmail account.


written by KLB - posted @ 8:55 AM


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Korea Life Blog - Amit Seghal


Dear shawn matthews,

Amit Sehgal just sent you money with PayPal.


Payment Details:


Amount: $30.00 USD


Subject: hi shawn, as promised, my donation

Note: if you are indeed feeding cats, then when i find a job i'll donate some more ! :D

best regards..


Don't worry, Mr. Seghal, I am feeding the stray cats. You can see if you read the archives too. Thanks so much and enjoy your Gmail account.


written by KLB - posted @ 8:30 PM


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Korea Life Blog - Jason



Dear shawn matthews,


This email confirms that you have received a Payment for $10.00 USD from Jason Davis. Sorry, Jason, I accidentally deleted your post and I lost your original e-mail note, but hope you enjoy your Gmail account.


written by KLB - posted @ 8:23 PM


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Korea Life Blog - Ray Lee



Hey shawn i paypaled you $10 today.


Your blog is great! I'm a korean-american, and while I'm glad I'm not living in Korea, it's nice to hear about your adventures and seeing all the great pictures and stories. thanks!

Ray

Thanks so much, Ray. Really appreciated. The cats are outside now eating tuna and hard cat food and drinking fresh cold water.


written by KLB - posted @ 1:53 AM


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Korea Life Blog - Denise



Dear shawn matthews,


This email confirms that you have received a Payment for $50.00 USD
from Denise Jay.

Thanks so much, Denise. Your generosity has inspired me to franchise my blog to other countries and become a mega-corporate buccaneer. Seriously, I'm amazed by the generosity of my readers of late. Every donation is much appreciated. The funds will go to keeping stray cats fed (I spend about $40/month on them) a possible gift to the local old-guy who works all through the night collecting recyclables (will post about him soon).


written by KLB - posted @ 6:16 AM


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Korea Life Blog - June

An extremely generous donation of $50.00 was sent by this kind reader:

Shawn,

I am truly appreciative of your life blog posts. There are fans here in Washington DC. My Whole family is enjoying the stories.

Your Faithful Reader,
June From Washington DC

Thanks a lot, June. A very unexpected surprise. I am shocked my stories have been appreciated that much. Sooner or later I will edit and compile these stories and see if I can get them published. Your money will come in handy at that time.




written by KLB - posted @ 7:54 PM


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Korea Life Blog - Justin R.

I have to concur with David on everything he said. I found your blog by chance as I was searching for information for an upcoming Manila trip. After enjoying the Philippines section, I was compelled to spend the next week of free time at work reading the entire site! As an American 20-something guy, I found your point of view particularly humorous and appealing. Korea has never been near the top of my "must-visit" list but your story has certainly changed that. To that end I'm donating $10.00 for you to use as you see fit because I'd pay at least that much for the book. Keep up the great work!

Justin R.

Salt Lake City, UT


written by KLB - posted @ 1:41 AM


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Korea Life Blog - David Romance

A $5.00 donation from David Romance and a nice letter:

Shawn,

I know I emailed you recently about your blog, but I felt the need to email again because I just finished reading your blog. It might sound crazy, but I actually went through and your entire blog - the archives, the vacations, the windy times and all. It took me three days of on and off reading. It was an amazing read!

I can't exactly pin down exactly what I liked so much, but there are a variety of factors that make your Blog a phenomenal read. Like I said before, the progression in your writing from a fresh faced North American to seasoned foreigner was brilliant. Your blog really speaks to how much a person can grow by traveling a little and broadening their horizons. Justin general, there was great variety in your writing. It wasn't ever the same, so the blog made it seem like every day was an adventure. I was also impressed by how you managed to emphasize all the things that guys might be interested in reading (how hot the chicks are, where they are, how much beer is, where to find beer, the jock-itch story was hilarious!), while appealing to a mass audience and teaching the average North American about "strange new cultures".

Actually, I never really thought about it until just now, but I guess one of the factors that really got me hooked was how you managed teach the reader about Asian culture from the ground up...I guess what I'm saying is that at the beginning of the blog I knew so little about Korea, the Philippines, Japan, etc., and now I feel like I've learned a lot!

Anyway, the last thing I wanted to say was that your blog was also pretty uplifting. Having started with the Geoje-Do stories it was amazing to read how much your life was enriched by expanding your horizon beyond the US borders and experiencing a new culture.

I don't know if you meant it to come off this way, or if it was sort of unintentional, but your story is
like an upwards spiral. You seem progressively happier and happier the further into the blog you go. In fact, I actually found it sort of inspirational when you mentioned in the Philippines section how you prayed for forgiveness for ever feeling miserable; this is because that exact moment of your life seems like a juxtaposition to Shawn who was around in the months following your break up with your high school girlfriend. I don't know if you like the movie "American Beauty", but it actually reminded of the part in American beauty when Kevin Spacey comes to the realization that life is really great once you stop to enjoy it.

Anyway, long and the short of it, I really enjoyed the blog! I honestly think that with a little massaging your story could be really great book.

So in honor of that idea, I'm donating $5 to start up a "publish a book" fund (okay, realistically if you wanna blow it something stupid that's cool too because I'd be willing to pay at least $5 to buy the book, so consider =this an advance).

Best Regards,

David


written by KLB - posted @ 10:44 AM


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Korea Life Blog - Donation: JTB

I was surprised today to receive a $10 donation from JTB from Texas. "I get a lot of enjoyment from your blog, the stories, the photos, reminds me of the good parts of Korea that get covered up by some of the other blogs...

Thank you..."

I love KFC!


Thank you, too. I really appreciate it.


written by KLB - posted @ 7:06 AM


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Korea Life Blog - My First Donation: Don Park


Don Park, one of my long term readers who always takes time to comment here, generously donated $20.00 to me, "my" cats and my blog. It was the first real donation I've received, and I was genuinely surprised and touched. Thanks Don. After a lot of financial hardships when I broke my arm, I've had some trouble getting ahead enough to buy my own computer so the money is much appreciated. I'll keep it toward a computer purchase. Sooner or later I'll no longer need to hang around these smoking lounge PC bangs anymore. From now on any reader who donates $5.00 or more will be showcased in whatever way they wish on this page, or kept anonymous if they request.



His eyes are bigger in person, really!



To see Don Park's website "Daily Habit" click here.



written by KLB - posted @ 11:13 PM


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Korea Life Blog - Donation: Ian Davidson

Ian Davidson, a reader for some time now, has donated $5.00 to my blog. He's the second person to donate and I am thankful for it. I don't expect people to donate at all, by the way, but the least I can do is promote your website and show your picture.





Name: Ian Davidson
Home: Newfoundland, Canada
Age: 31
Occupation: Teacher/School Administrator
Link to Korea: Taught in Gwangju City in 1997 and had a great time.
Currently work as an Recruiter for several schools throughout Korea.
Fav Thing About Korea Blog: The Funny Pictures and insightful
commentary on Korean life...


Ian's E-book can be found at his website here: www.drskorea.com



written by KLB - posted @ 11:09 PM

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