A lot of readers send me emails asking which country I think is better, Japan or Korea? Although I encourage questions, I have to say I’m a bit annoyed at the broadness of asking for such advice. How am I supposed to know which country is best for you? I could go on and...
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I navigated the currents of the Great Material Continuum this morning and came up with… a sword! This is definitely one of the most random and fortunate things to happen to me in such a small time. I was running to Candlestick Park as I always do midmorning, hoping to build my mileage and...
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Disclaimer: Based on initial impressions, I realized I really should have been much more specific when referring to “expats”. In this scenario, I’m certainly not referring to the zainichi and those with Japanese citizenship, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I wasn’t considering foreigners with permanent residency. In any case, this is...
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My latest article on Matador Network is now up. Here’s a taste: Once, after a fellow English teacher and I had enjoyed a bottle of soju in Samcheok and didn’t modulate our voices during the long ride home, the bus driver pulled over, speed walked to the back of the bus, and confronted and...
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So… Korea. Great country for mountain climbing and hiking. Not the most enthusiastic when it comes to running. That’s not to say I haven’t enjoyed a few races during my year here. It’s just Korea isn’t really built for running; jogging in urban areas is annoying outside of the approved paths. Although there are...
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When I was packing to come to Korea, I used my time in Japan to mentally work out what I would and would not be able to find. I had high hopes Dr. Pepper would be available at import shops, and knew most stores stocked familiar brand names. When it came to choosing whether...
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And we’ll meet it if it does. I’ve got exactly four teaching days left before my replacement arrives, all green from Dallas, and just under two weeks until my flight to San Francisco. I wish I could say I’m looking forward to returning “home”, but the truth is I’ve been very numb to both...
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With American soil soon to be under my running feet, I’ve been asking myself the same question a lot lately: who will I be when I’m not what I am here, in Korea? It should come as no shock to anyone that we all have different personas for dealing with different stages of our...
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I had one of the most depressing and culturally insightful classes with some of my higher-level students this week. Unlike in some hagwon, where foreign teachers are not allowed their say when it come to class format and textbooks, my boss really values my input; I have had total creative control of the gold...
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My massive feet were treated so well this weekend. Not only did I finally give up on ordering shoes and just buy a pair of Merrell’s for 165,000 Won, but I also splurged on a massage in Itaewon. If your back ever needs relief in Seoul, go to Healing Hands. They’ll set you up....
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