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Raised on promises She couldn't help thinkin' that there Was a little more to life Somewhere else After all it was a great big world With lots of places to run to Email me: lao.ocean @ gmail.com December Photos Now Playing: Sorak-san The Windmill Salmon Festival Soccer Goal   Where do visitors come from? (Since 20-Dec-04) Fave flowesr: Plumeria Birthday: DEC 31st
Dance like no one can see Love like you've never been hurt Live like it's heaven on earth 
 Let's set it straight - Is the country Laos or Lao?Here's the answer This week... Things that make me happy
Movies I've seen this month
What they're saying about me
"She's a nut! Not too sure how else to describe an "at-first-glance" seemingly quiet girl who dances like a chicken when she thinks no one else is looking, who likes to pass off her "made up" answer for fact, until you look at her and see her hopelessly trying not to crack a smile, who WITHOUT FAIL remembers to put a line of dental floss in her purse before she goes out (and isn't afraid to use it after dinner, thankfully NOT at the table!!). I can always count on her to know the hottest hollywood gossip, and to dance till all hours of the morning with me." "My co-worker just told me that there was a premiere for Bridget Jones 2 last night, just blocks from my work, and we missed it! Hugh Grant, my beloved and the framework upon which my future husband is based, was just blocks away, breathing the same oxygen, and I missed it! If I had a friend here who was as savvy with E-news as you are, this catastrophe would never have occurred!" Guess what I heard... Oh my god!! This donut is so good! - Ras about a Krispy Kreme donut "I want to do! But what is paintball? There is no such word in dictionary." - Suwa, Japanese teacher "I am now skipping church to see if I am going to win my bids!!!" "YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYA.....I won the felt tip pens!!!!!!!! Yippeee...."who let the dogs out...arf, arf, arf, arf"...."let me hear you say Y..M..C..A"....oh yah, who's your daddy!!!" - Renee Other favorite quotes:
A gift is an offering. A selfless act that adds something to someone's life. Something that they need. Have you ever walked by something and you just had this feeling that someone you knew would absolutely love it? Faith is believing when there is no rational reason to believe. Homer: "We Americans are England's children... I know we don't call as much as we should, or aren't as well behaved as our goody two shoes brother, Canada... who I should mention has never had a girlfriend... I'm just sayin'..." Anything less than mad, passionate, extraordinary love is a waste of time. There are too many mediocre things in life, and love should not be one of them. The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it. When your heart speaks, take good notes. Travel has a way of stretching the mind. The stretch comes not from travel's immediate rewards, the inevitable myriad new sights, smells and sounds, but with experiencing firsthand how others do differently what we believed to be the right and only way. It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting. Sometimes to see the light, you have to risk the dark. |
Seoul Hi Festival
4/27/2004
I'm don't think I'll be going to club night this weekend... the idea of staying up all night and having a crappy Saturday afternoon doesn't sound as good as it did last month. I've been reading about Seoul's Hi Festival, and will probably ending up going to Seoul next weekend for that. I love festivals and the feel of so many people coming together to enjoy themselves. (Just cheering last year during the World Cup was FANTASTIC!) The festival starts this Saturday, but all the main events are scheduled for the following weekend (May 8th & 9th). The organizers schedule this festival in coordination with holidays in China and (I think) Singapore, so there will be a lot of foreigners in town also. The main events I'm looking forward to seeing:
Korean Wave White Night: An event that lasts from 4pm on Saturday (May 8th), to 6am on Sunday! Scheduled are rock concerts, a laser light show, fashion shows, with markets, restaurants, palaces, museums, and parks offering discounts and staying open late. Citizens' Walkathon: May 9th (Sun) 9:00 - 11:30 am. Venue : National Theater of Korea->Sungeui University-> Euljiro -> City Hall Plaza. 10,000 people participating (or so they hope). Citizens' Tug of War: May 9th (Sun) noon-2 pm. 250 people per team tugging it out in the intersection in front of the City Hall Plaza.
Seoul Friendship Fair: May 9th (Sun) 2-6 pm at City Hall Plaza. World folk performances, Korean traditional folk performances, performances by famous performance groups and singers, food fair, screening of short films directed by youths of the world, and youth digital photography contest, among others.
Hi Seoul Parade: May 9th (Sun) 3:00 - 5:00 pm. Venue : Jonmyo -> Jonno -> Sejongno -> City Hall (2km). ¡Ø Seoul Parades (performances by traditional guard-of-honor, drum and rife band, - Detail : ¡Ø military band, traditional entertainers) ¡Ø World Parades (performances by an American military band, and performance ¡Ø teams from Brazil, Japan, Russia, China etc.) Ox Cart Makkoli Parade: May 8th (Sat) 6:00 pm - finish. Giving away Makkoli loaded on an ox cart
Hi Seoul Fea Market: May 8th (Sat) 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm, May 9th (Sun) 10:00 am - 7:00 pm. Venue: Deoksugung Palace, Jeongdonggil. Conventional flea market as well as children's wear swapping and art crafts (YEAH!!!) corner
Natural City Seoul & Green Home: May 8th (Sat)~9th (Sun). City Hall Plaza area. Giving away plants which make the air clean.
Here's a map of the festival venues. While there, click on the pictures link from the 2003 Hi Festival on the left hand side. It looked like a lot of fun!
If you're interested in going with me, or meeting up with me there, let me know!
Breaking up is hard to do
4/21/2004
You just gotta love the kiddies! To preface, I have to call my students everyday after my last class. It's the thing I like least about my job, because it's time consuming, and happens at the end of the day, when I just want to go home. Still, it's not that bad. Today I called 6th grader, Mina, and the first thing I ask her (like all my other students), is how she's doing. She answers, "Not so good". I inquire more about her melancholy mood. The reason was that her boyfriend lied. She told me that today at school, he told other students that they kissed (gasp!), but really they didn't. When he called her later in the day, he didn't even say he was sorry. "Mina so angry! Tomorrow Mina break up with boyfriend!" (And no, this is not how ALL my students talk.) Such a sad ending to a 7 day relationship. She could do better... "he's nice, but not cute". When you're that age, why not only go for cute?!? I wasn't even close to dating when I was in the 6th grade. I was too geeky looking to be part of the cool kids. Actually, my style was kinda like Jennifer Garner's high school yearbook photo:
The glasses and ugly sweater were the same, but I didn't have bangs that came over my forehead. At the time, I was going for the four inch "New Wave wave", with lots of Aqua Net to hold it in place. The bottom half of my outfit would have consisted of tapered jeans with zippers at the ankle, pink leg warmers, and white, hi-top Reeboks with velcro at the top. MAN... I thought I was cool! I'm no movie star now, but I've definitely come a long way from permed hair and librarian glasses.
Warm days ahead
4/20/2004
I'm LOVIN' these warm, pre-summer days. This past Sunday, it was 32.7 oC (91 oF)! And tomorrow is supposed to be the same. On the same day, Seoul's only predicted to be only 24oC (75 oF)tomorrow. Here I am, saying only. To many people, that's pretty warm, but I've concluded that my ideal temperature is 26 oC (79 oF). I like being warm, wearing flip flops, and feeling the warmth of the sun on my back. I hope this summer's like the one two years ago, where we were swimming and sunbathing on the beach in May. Tomorrow, I'm going to the beach before starting work at 3:30 pm - something I'll be doing a lot of this summer. Korea Herald's weather forecast here.
The O.C.
4/20/2004
I was happy to look through my local tv listings three weeks ago and find that Queer Eye would be airing in Korea. I was happy about it, even though I had already seen all the episode from season 1. The Restaurant was on for about three weeks (a whopping six episodes), and I enjoyed watching that reality show. The show I was most excited to see was The O.C. (short for Orange Country, California). I read online newspapers almost everyday, which includes a quick scan of the entertainment section. I've heard about this show for awhile, but didn't even dream that I could watch season one here, which started airing August 2003. Right now, The O.C. has three more episodes before they wrap up their first seaon. Like Gilmore Girls (my other favorite show of the moment), there are only two new episodes every week. In this case, The O.C. airs on the On Style channel: Mondays and Tuesday - 10:30 am, 3:00pm, and 9:00 pm.
How would I describe this show after watching one episode? I'd hate to say it, but it's kind of like an updated Beverly Hills 90210, but with more beach parties. Actually, I really don't know. I think it could be a good show... it's hard to tell by just viewing the pilot. It took me a couple shows to get into Gilmore Girls and Six Feet Under, too. What I DID notice, was that the soundtrack to the show was pretty good. Even if this first show sucks, I would have been glad to watch this show, just for the last five minutes alone. The scene ends with Ryan and Sandy driving away, and a GREAT song comes on. I used to listen to it all the time, but it kind of faded from my memory as new songs came into my life. It's "Honey and The Moon" by Joseph Arthur. SUCH a lovely song... The O.C. seems to have become a music launcher for up and coming bands and singers. The latest news: "The O.C. will premiere "Ch-Check It Out," the new single from the Beastie Boys, on Wednesday, April 28. As The O.C. is now becoming known as the established musical launching pad. The single will hit Orange County on the same day it hits the radio, well in advance of the summer release of the Beasties' sixth album "To The 5 Boroughs." Music featured from Episode 1: "Show Me" by Cham Pain "Sweet Honey" by Slightly Stoopid "All Around The World (Punk Debutante)" by Cooler Kids "Swing Swing" by The All American Rejects "Hands Up" by Black Eyed Peas "I'm A Player" by The K.G.B. "Let It Roll" by Maximum Roach "Into Dust" by Mazzy Star "Honey and The Moon" by Joseph Arthur Music featured in Episode 2: "California" by Rufus Wainwright "I'm A Terrible Person" by Rooney "Caught By The River" by The Doves "In Your Eyes" by Aaron D "Do It With Madonna" by The Androids "Hallelujah" by Jeff Buckley "We're Going Out Tonight" by Model Home
Easter Candy
4/12/2004
I came to work today with four, count 'em FOUR packages on my desk! Woohoo!!! One was from my mom, two were Ebay purchases, and one was an Easter care package from Renee! Thanks Renee! That's a great Monday, in itself. If one were to analyze all the things Renee has sent me from Canada, you'd think all I did was eat candy, play with stickers, and read gossip magazines! On Friday night, Kiran and Kate had mentioned that it was Easter the next day. Honestly, that was the first time I had even thought about Easter! My family is buddhist, so it's not a celebrated holiday for us. The only reason I know it's Easter back home, is because of all the hoopla around it, and the candy that goes on sale. Then the following night, Krista also mentioned it was Easter. Once again, I had forgotten, and answer, "Oh yea, I guess it is." But today, I got Easter candy, and an actual Cadbury egg!
  I haven't eaten one of those in almost ten years. I only remember this because the last time I bought one, was in high school. I had seen the commercials for it, and wondered what the big deal was. Would a chocolate egg that a bunny crapped out be any good?!? I think it was okay - can't really remember. I'll let you know how it is this time around. The one Easter candy that I DID eat every year were those marshmallow Peeps. I know it's all sugar, but like cotton candy, I still love it!
I don't know if you've heard about this, but the big news in England are the stories of David Beckham's extra-marital affairs. I would hate to be a celebrity. Your life is never private, and you always run the risk of people in your lives using you to make money. Reading the articles on the News of the World website is like watching the aftermath of a car accident... you know you shouldn't, but you can't help it. Posh Spice is as scary as I thought she would be."The tabloid saga of soccer star David Beckham's love life took a fresh twist Sunday when a second woman reportedly claimed she'd had an affair with him. Malaysian-born model Sarah Marbeck, 29, was quoted as telling the News of the World tabloid she had sex with Beckham hours after meeting him in Singapore in July 2001." When I first heard and saw of him, I didn't think so, but I'll have to agree now, he's hot... His wife is not so much Posh, but Scary Spice.
So Warm
4/10/2004
Spring is here, and I'm loving it. I'm pretty sure that today was the warmest it's been this year - 25o C (~78o F). Ras and I scooted to the beach today, and it was great to wear flip flops for the first time this year. I staired down at my unpainted toes and thought about how Renee and I used to get our toes painted for the spring and summer. Yeah, my feet are really white - veins were clearly visible. We got to Gyeongpo Beach and considered going to a new area, but figured, "what's the point?". We (and any friends that come to the beach with us) always go to the area in front of Family Mart. When you're hungry or need more beer, Family Mart's only a couple minutes away. Plus, the public restroom is close by too (for those that prefer not to pee in the ocean). :) We sat down on the beach and commented on how nice it was - before all the tourists and beach umbrellas start popping up for the summer.
Wigs galore
4/10/2004
Queer Eye for the Straight Guy is airing in Korea!!! Sure, I've seen all the episodes from season one, but they're still great. Kiran is defintely Carson (out of the 5). Season 1, episode 1 is airing on Catch On (Ch 22 in Kangneung) on Wednesday, April 14 at noon and 9:20 pm. Episode 2 is airing the following day at the same times. If you've never seen it, don't miss it! Another night at THE WAREHOUSE tonight... I'm sporting my new wig:
25 degrees tomorrow (~78 F)! Yeah!!!! It'll be the warmest this year.
Surfing the Net
4/9/2004
Everyone does it... browse something on the internet, then that leads you somewhere, which in turn, leads you somewhere else. Here's what I found in an hour of browsing.
Oregon
I'd like to learn more about Bit Torrent, but don't have the time to study up on it.
http://www.legaltorrents.com/  http://www.invadecanada.us/ One reason? They stole our basketball teams Since when does the "N.B.A." stand for "Canadians Can Play Too". We need to get Vancouver and Toronto annexed into America to preserve the "N". Sure, she's going to jail, but I still want to buy things from here site. Don't ask me exactly 'why' I want this. ...saw some other things that were nice too.
 $34.00Embellish papers with pretty woven ribbons, whimsical peekaboo holes, "photo strips," and even buttons. This set of five hand-held punches helps you create a host of lively borders and enhancements. Perfect for handmade cards, customized gift tags, and scrapbook pages, too. Set includes 1/16" round, 1/8" round; square, button, and ribbon punches. Exclusive. (5 1/2"L)
A quick scoot
4/8/2004
It was a beautiful, clear day today. After going to the gym and coming home to have lunch, I left an hour early for work. I wanted to scoot around my neighborhood and take in the warm spring day. I drove on the road behind my apartment, which runs parallel to the river (pic 1). There was a lot of construction by the riverbank (pic 2)... I wonder what's going on. Then I drove by Doosan factory, makers of San soju, among others. Passing the soju factory, I went up the hill to Kwandong University. Students were in-between classes, and playing some kind of game that resembled volleyball, but played with your feet (pic 4). I then went to the information office by the bus terminal to get a train schedule to Jeongdongjin. I'm planning on taking a short day trip there and on the way back, see the submarine. School went pretty well today. I started my first class, constantly rubbing my eyes because it was slightly windy, and a lot of dust was blowing into my eyes when I was scooting. In turn, this had my student Thomas asking questions... Thomas: "Teacher, sed?" Me: "What? Sed? What's sed?" Thomas: "Teacher say, 'How are you? I'm sed'" Me: "Oh!!!" (got to work on that pronunciation) "No, I'm not SAD" Thomas: "No, I think Teacher sed" ***I continue to talk to other students for a couple minutes*** Thomas: "For you, Teacher" (He hands me one of his mechanical pencils) Me: "Wow!!! Really!?!" I feign surprise and delight (I'm pretty good at that), as I hold the pencil up to my cheek, caressing it and smiling, as if it were a present from God, himself. Thomas: "See... Teacher sed. Now Teacher is happy!" **Still later on in the class, after I taught the word "KNOW"*** Me: "Do you know my mother?" Thomas: "No, I don't" Me: "Do you know my apartment" Thomas: "Yes, I do." Me: "Really?! How?" Thomas: "I'm stalker!" For my last class, we had a birthday party for John. The last two pictures are from the party. The boys brought some kind of firework and lit it in class. I was a little surprised and concerned because I wasn't expecting it, but it lasted for only a couple seconds and was nice.
Holiday next week
4/7/2004
It's official... Thursday, April 15th is a Korean National Holiday. I asked my director if our school was closed, and she replied, "Of course". All schools, hogwans, and businesses should be closed. If you have to work that day, your boss is screwing you over! I hope it's beach weather that day.
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