there's always something good, something sad..

"Teacher, my mum…die."

"Oh John! That’s not a nice thing to say!"

"No really. I didn’t come last lesson. Her heart stop."

I didn’t know how to react. I peered into his face to check if he was telling me the truth or a horrible joke.

"Oh………John…"

"But teacher, it’s okay. I’m fine. My mum is in the dead people park now. I’m okay."

if you only had 3 months...

Today’s lesson was on organ donation. At the end, the discussion question was : if you only had 3 months to live, what are some things that you would want to do?

One student answers: I would want to sleep. Because I want to die safely.

HAHAHAHA

This is the most ironic answer I have ever heard. But it also sums us up quite nicely. We all have this innate fear built into us. 

However, I do think today’s lesson was a bit too dark for these youngsters. I wouldn’t want my son or daughter to be learning about death and all horrible things that come with it - like cancer in your liver and how your eyes turn yellow and your cheeks sink in…and that you can die when you’re 14…and after doing everything you possibly can to survive, you can still die…you will have to wait at least one year to get a transplant….and then your body might reject the new liver….and you will still die. =/ eek. 

But, this made me think about what I would do if I only had three months left to live. Would I still care about studies, career, money, weight, my hair (not that I care much about my hair) or how messy my apartment is? Probably not. I would spend my remaining time with my family. I would also go on a quest to travel the world and eat all the foods from every culture.

That would most likely be my dying wish. To see every corner of this world..

BUT. Since I’m not dying anytime soon *I hope*, I will have to give way to some other priorities…such as furthering my study and building my career. 

I’m not sure which one’s better. To live a long life according to societal norms or a fun, reckless but short and maybe painful life? 

Anyways.. what do you think?

icecream is like magic... just like my friends here are awesome

 I’m so glad that I have made such great friends here. At work, Nicole gave me lasagne with her own home-made risotta. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who can make their own cheese in a tiny shoebox apartment. You might think it’s creepy, but I think she’s awesome. When things aren’t going well….I take a bite of her lasagne and mm…who cares what that crazy 50 year old korean man thinks about me being late?

After work, I met up with Audrey and she tells me “Don’t worry. He can’t even write a letter. He doesn’t know English.” TRUE. Which was why I didn’t really care about what that crazy man said…because I didn’t believe he would be able to do that. After sharing stories of hagwons (hagwon means academy in Korean) I feel much better because I realized that everywhere is just the same. I think there’s this group of minority (hopefully) of weird mental old-ish korean men who are drawn to work in hagwon as managers. And those are the people we deal with everyday. I just hope not all korean managers are this weird. Really, who wears the SAME OUTFIT EVERYDAY?? He only changes by season. I swear…..all through winter, he was wearing the same white shirt with the same oversized baggy coat (even indoors..talk about creepy). And now that it’s spring, he’s been wearing this blue polo collared short sleeve with a white/tan blazer/jacket which doesn’t quite fit. I sometimes wonder what his wardrobe looks like (but not too often, I’d prefer not to think about him so often). 

One thing I like about myself is my speed of recovery. I’d say I roll with the punches pretty damn well. I get over things quickly, and I think I’ve learnt to do so even more here in Korea. This is really a place where you can’t take anything too seriously and you just have to sit back and see to humour in it. How can a branch manager sign and stamp my reference letter saying how great I am and then threaten to send them an email? That’s just unprofessional. And the school is so big, he’ll never know what department to send it to. Nor will they know who this weird korean man is talking about. Ha. 

Which reminds me, before I leave I’m definitely going to take a photo of him so you guys can see for yourself just how creepy he really is. You might think I’m exaggerating, but he is one weird looking human. He’s always got a huge cheesy grin plastered on his face but he’ll say the most depressing things ever. He’d be smiling, but shaking his head and sighing and saying he’s tired *AT THE SAME TIME* he’s got it down pact to perfection. No joke.

Anyways, after school, Audrey, Nicole and I went to eat at this pancake restaurant *nope, not sweet pancakes…but like Kimchi pancakes*. We had seafood pancake and this pot of food called galbishim? I don’t remember the name but it was so yummy…it was beef, carrots, dok (rice cake), noodles all boiling in one pot and it almost tasted like Chinatown curry beef tendons with radish……mmm it reminded me of Chinatown! I miss Adelaide…..

I was super full after that. But….. still ate ice cream. I tell you, icecream is like magic. You can feel full to the point of bursting and dying, but if you eat icecream, you will feel less full afterwards. I don’t know how that works scientifically… IT JUST DOES. It’s magic. 

我十分~~~火暴!!!!! ARGH!!!!

I thought I had out-smarted the system only to realized I’ve been totally screwed over. 

Who knew China visa’s are such a pain in the arse?

Who knew Korean girls are so good at pretending?

If I weren’t wearing a skirt, I would’ve climbed over the counter and punched that b*tch. Argh! 

She was speaking to us for 20 minutes in pretty good English - until the point where I said “But you made a mistake, we shouldn’t have to pay extra.” BAM…”Oh, my English is not good, I don’t understand you.”


ARGHHHHHH~~!!!!!

"men are dogs so let's just shop"

IT IS OFTEN SAID, MEN ARE DOGS. I’m not sure I agree, but there are definitely a few out there. And when you come across one *or when you leave one* , what this equates to is …. yep… some retail therapy. I’m excited to be going to Hong Kong, which is, afterall, coined the Shopper’s Paradise. Although, I do have a problem… I checked the “carry-on only” option (because I didn’t want to be lugging around a huge suitcase - but more so because I didn’t want to pay the extra few dollars..haha. Call me stingy, but that’s how I get rich). I guess if I pack very lightly (only essentials), then I am entitled to buy everything else….right? 

Which reminds me of something my dad said… 

*I guess I’m taking it out of context, but whatever* 

So, I was speaking to my Dad on the phone and I told him that I’m going to Phuket - to which he had a pretty nasty reaction to. He part yelled, part croaked out (my dad has a super husky voice from over-screaming .. like in this instance) ”Why? It’s DANGEROUS…no!” To which I replied, “Because the tickets were cheap!” Sounds logical enough to me. And then comes the golden phrase - 

"Cheap! Cheap! Cheap! Every time CHEAP. What are you saving your money for??"  

*DING*   

*Ahhhhh…..*   

So yea, my point is, my dad gave me an epiphany! Like they always say, the older the wiser. What am I saving all my money for?? A rainy day? A just-in-case-something-happens day? As unbelievable as it sounds, yes, I do often overthink and overanalyze things. I’m always thinking What if?  

So ladies, with our wallets open and credit cards out, let’s toast to this new-found power and forget about men for a while….let’s all shop. 

promiscuous and scandalous... the earth rumbles in fury

"Many women who do not dress modestly…lead young men astray, corrupt their chastity and spread adultery in society, which (consequently) increases earthquakes."

Okay, so this is what a senior Iranian cleric was quoted to say as an explanation of why earthquakes occur. Hm..I’m not quite sure what to think about that.

Someone then asked him, why did Iran get more earthquakes than America, which is a country probably with more sexual sin?  His reply? That God allows those who “provoke His wrath” to continue sinning “so that they eventually go to the bottom of Hell.”

Wow. Such strong words. I believe in a God who is just and righteous; yet kind and loving and forgiving, too. I don’t believe God will just sit back and watch everyone prance around in sin and then clap with glee as He watches us being burnt “in the bottom of Hell.” 

What do you think?

im banging it all night

I am sitting inside a PC-bang right now. PC-bang is a PC-room. I was playing StarCraft. Keyword..WAS. I tried, but I failed. I give up. I was happily setting up my fort and building stuff and mining my minerals and gas when a flying troop attacks me. And I click the flying thing and click “attack” and it says, You can’t attack. WHAT? So I stared wide-eyed as my troops were demolished and my buildings burnt and charred. Ok. I click..Surrender. Damn… what just happened?

Okay, so today is Audrey’s birthday and she has decided to be banging all night. Lots of things in Korea involves “bang” which literally means a room. So, we had shabu-shabu for dinner and then we went to a DVD-bang, which is kinda like a mini-movie theatre. EXCEPT…we got there and the rooms are for two people only. Okayyy….kinda shady, don’t you think? Who knows what they do in there? So we came to the conclusion that DVD-bangs are just cheaper versions of love motels.

So we went to a PC-bang. There are about 5 in every building probably. They are everywhere. Hmm…maybe I might even see some students of mine? haha…I think today, I’m having a true Korean middle-school experience.

To top it off, I’m wearing the true blue korean 3-striped slippers. Hahaha…… yep.

Who knows what BANG we’ll be in next…

Keep you posted!

the full report: the demilitarized zone 8/05/2010

 5:00am - We meet outside Dream Coffee (which is right by my place). It’s still dark. I’m a little tired….considering I did not sleep at all. I have been up since 10am the previous day; went biking, work, drinks, darts, noraebang and then went to the jimjilbang (sauna) to take a shower before I meet up with the rest of the group. Ahh….bad idea…I’m tired now.

5:30am - We catch what is probably the earliest train. Surprisingly, the train is quite full…I wonder how people do this. Are they going home or going to work?

5:40am - I snagged a seat. I’m dozing off and in between my consciousness I hear Audrey and Nicole talking about food and eating grapes and carrot sticks?

6:35am - We arrive at Samgakji station and walk towards Camp Kim USO office. Wow…the sun is coming up. I don’t remember the last time I saw the sun rising (well…maybe when I was staggering home one night in a drunken state after clubbing? not sure..)

7:10am - We give our passports to the ladies at the front desk…it seems so serious already. Nervous…we are told to wait for the bus. There are lots of other foreigners coming in, but I’m too tired to make new friends.

7:30am - We get onto the bus and we are on our way!!! We think of “games” to play….How many cigarettes can we get off people? How many photos can we take with random people? How many people will believe you’re from New Zealand? Etc.



Me- Very excited to get my Guest Badge!! And I think I fell asleep very soon after this photo was taken…

8:40am - We are approaching the DMZ…there are to be no more photos taken now. Oooh…the bus is filled with an air of intensity and anticipation.

This is a map showing where the DMZ is (you can use Google Earth if you are really bored one day). We’re about 40Km away from Seoul and are driving into the JSA.

9:00am - An UN officer comes onto our bus to be our guide as we enter the JSA - Joint Security Area. He gives us a briefing in the Conference Hall. He tells us a bit about the history of the two nations and I learnt about Propaganda Village! It’s located in North Korea and propaganda is blared through loudspeakers for 6-12 hours a day! wow…



This is Propaganda Village - if you look hard enough, you will see the infamous flag pole! They built an extra large one right next to the one that South Korea gave them as a gift - just to prove that they are stronger and better and have taller flag poles!

9:20am - We drive by the Bridge of No Return and the World’s Most Dangerous Golf Course!



Sorry the photo is tilted to the side (I can’t be bothered to adjust it haha). This is the Bridge of No Return….sounds so scary. This bridge was used during the Korean War to send prisoners - and the name was obtained from that you probably cannot go home after you cross that bridge. We also see some dead dogs on the bridge - apparently they were put there by North Korean soldiers to try to provoke the South (or so we are told). 

This is the world’s most dangerous golf course because there are numerous land mines surrounding it!!!

9:40am - I STEPPED INTO NORTH KOREAN TERRITORY. *GASP* *EYES WIDE, DARTING LEFT AND RIGHT, HALF EXPECTING SOME NORTH KOREAN SOLDIER TO ARREST ME OR SHOOT ME DOWN*



Can you spot the soldier? He’s almost camouflaged into the background…THAT’S THE NORTH KOREAN SOLDIER. He’s watching us through his binoculars!!! Oooohh…..



This is the conference room which sits right on the line between North and South. To the left of the photo is South Korean territory and to the right is North Korean’s. AND I STEPPED OVER. AAhhhh….. I was scared!!

10:10am - I am standing on Checkpoint 3. This is a South Korean checkpoint, which is surrounded by three North Korean guard points. There are many surveillance cameras all around us and from here, I can see Propaganda Village and the infamous flag pole!



This is Checkpoint 3 - and one of the UN officers are giving us a briefing. We are being watched by North Korean soldiers, but we cannot point our cameras at them, or wave at them or communicate with them at all (we might get shot teehhee)

10:40am - We head out of JSA and towards the tunnel!!! (we’re still within the DMZ…we’re going to the 3rd tunnel which the North Koreans dug in an attempt to invade and attack the South). We couldn’t take photos of the tunnel, sadly. But, it was covered in coal (which was actually quite funny because apparently, the North Koreans tried to pretend it was a coal mine, when there is in fact, no coal, but only granite ores around that area. haha!) The was a really steep incline and very damp and dark in there. I couldn’t stand up straight, but had to bend over and it almost broke my back (even though the tunnel was only 260m long, we had to turn around and walk back). Sections were closed off and at the end, you could see through the fencing and there were signs saying that dynamites and land mines were present! Scary!

11:50am - We almost die from walking up the wet, slippery super steep slope back up towards ground level. Ahhh……. what a work out!

12:10pm - We head over to the observation podium. However, it was too foggy that day to really see much….. and honestly, I was really really hungry by then (I hadn’t eaten since the previous night!!!!!) and I was tired from walking in that super low ceiling tunnel to really appreciate the Propaganda Village.



We’re not allowed to take photographs beyond this line. I guess they don’t want us to put our cameras behind the telescopes and zoom all the way into Propaganda Village (heehe…its my favourite new word.. PROPAGANDA VILLAGE)

12:45pm - We get lunch. Only, we had to pay outrageous prices for some crappy food. So *gasp* we decide to hold off until we get back into town again to grab food. I bought crackers and ate them. Surprisingly tasty. (Maybe I was delusional from the hunger?) I was so hungry to the point where I didn’t feel hungry anymore…does that even make sense?

3:30pm - We finally make it back to Seoul. We head over to Itaewon for our long-awaited lunch/breakfast/brunch..whatever you want to call it. Our first proper meal of the day, how about that? We went to Jacoby’s Burger…….and this is my awesome burger! What a way to end the amazing DMZ tour!!



So that’s it, folks!! Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!

it's pink! it has a basket! it has a bell! and its FREEEE~

10am. My eyes open and I instantly check outside the window. YESSS…it’s sunny out!! Excitedly, I whip out my phone to message people “Hey, wanna go for a bike ride?” I contemplate for a moment before I hit send. Hmm…maybe its too early? So I made myself a coffee instead.

11am. Okay, so nobody’s as enthusiastic as I am about being in the sun. Well you can’t blame me…I’m from Australia. I’m like a fly. I can only stay alive in the warmth of the sun. Anyways, Tommy replied so I walk over to his place.

11:30am. We walk towards Jungang station where there is a Bike Rental…..for….*wait for it*…FREE! yep, abso-bloody-lutely free. Only, we don’t know how it works. Ahh, we’ll figure it out when we get there..=)

12 noon. After much banter back and forth of our limited korean and their limited english and lots of finger pointing….we made it! We even get to choose our own bikes. I picked out a baby pink bike. Hehe…

12-2:15pm. We have no idea where we are right now. But hey, we couldn’t have gone too far? Not sure…we probably rode for 10km…who knows? It’s a beautiful day and it’s a beautiful scenic route we found. Also, I am proudly announcing that I have made profound improvements in my bike riding skills…I am able to ride STANDING UP. woOT~! Hey, when I got my bike this morning, I was so wobbly that the people around me naturally diverted out of my path hehe =)

2:30pm. Yay! We found our way to McDonald’s!! Lunch~~ ARGH we missed lunch special -_- After stuffing our faces with a bigmac and a shanghai chicken burger respectively, we down an Oreo McFlurry each. Hehe.. I sure hope I burned a hell lot of kcals riding that bike!!

3:40pm. Back at work…. TGIF

GOOGLE saved my life and it can save yours too (just don't live in China)

After many days and nights and weeks and hours and minutes and even down to the seconds of much frustration…..I am feeling much much better now. ^^ I have recently shut myself off from society because I have been doing my application for post-grad school…ahh…the agony! When I finally finished the super time-consuming essay, I ran into numerous problems when trying to fill in the application form. I never claimed to be tech-savy…but I just took it down one giant notch. Who knew adobe was so useless? Who knew I didn’t know how to fill out forms electronically? I thought I was smart to change it to a word file first. Who knew that wouldn’t work? And that’s when *drum roll* GOOGLE saved my ass… *trumpets blaring in the background*.. yet again! How could China NOT have google? ahh…what would people do there when they run into a life crisis?

on a more serious side note..

A common message: LIFE IS SHORT. Yeah yeah, we all know that. We’ve heard it a milion times already. Every time something bad happens, it just reinforces that idea and we all think….We should cherish the people we love while we can or it’ll be too late. We should do the things we love while we still have time. We should focus on being happy and drop whatever that bothers us.

But can we? Is it really that easy?

I love the idea of living everyday like it’s my last. But could I really do that? Just because my heart tells me one thing doesn’t mean my brain will be compliant..doesn’t mean I can forget the past or forego the future…doesn’t mean I will be happy when I wake up still very much alive the next morning.

I find many things puzzling. Sometimes I feel like a detective…trying to figure out the world and its people. But it ain’t easy….

Left, right and centre, I’m being told what to do. Who should I listen to? My confused self? The pearls of wisdom of the experienced? The just-do-it advice of the happy-go-lucky? The rationality of the practical?

Didn’t I just say..It ain’t easy buddy..