New Blog

I've got a new blog. Blogger has good features, but it also has some that need to be refined.

You can find me here at Skinny Love

I changed the layout, I think it's much cleaner now. I also added a playlist at the very bottom. Just because I like music.

Sometimes I like to have a lot of text and compliment them with pictures, which I can do on Blogger, albeit painstakingly.

Tumblr is a little different, but I'll make it work. I promise.

Bye.

Bringing Back A Classic + Updated Playlist

I couldn't think of a practical way to be "Techno Panda."

Also, nobody would know what I was except maybe 2 people, and neither are going to be remotely close in proximity this Halloween. (Aug & Devin)

I've decided to bring back the Care Bear.

Specifically, Harmony Bear.

The picture to the right is in fact the exact same costume I have, just not in that form. Mine's decapitated.

Oh, and the limbs are chopped off. I did keep that pinwheel of colors intact though.

I ran into a problem today. I still have the head. I looked through my stuff to find the limbs, and I could only find one of the legs.

I guess I could be half care bear, half human?

The costume has only been used FOR REAL on two occasions.

AAA's (Asian American Association @ Ohio State) Halloween party (2006?)

There was a costume party, and EVERYONE loved our costumes (Aug & I).

We lost to some little girl in some ugly mask, and I'm pretty sure she looked better with the mask on.

Okay that last part might have been a lie, but the point is, we should have won that contest.

The second time I only wore the head piece. We were playing flag football and it was cold. It kept my head warm. I also probably played the best game of flag football I've ever played that night. And guess what? I was wearing the head piece the whole time.

For the most part, good things happen when I wear it. Yeah, we didn't win the contest, but people loved the costume. It's like winning the popular vote, but not actually winning the election. I feel you Al Gore.

I'm not expecting great things by wearing this costume. Why?

Because I know something awesome* is going to happen. (please see bottom for *)

I'm excited to celebrate Halloween again and I hope you are too.

If you aren't able to celebrate, go buy some candy and eat it.

Or throw an egg at someone/something.

What ever brings back memories of Halloween.

I hope to take lots of pictures. Maybe some videos.

Anyways, be safe and stay warm! Unless you live by the beach.

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* "Awesome" doesn't necessarily mean that it will be awesome at that given moment. Something awful can happen, but after a certain amount of time it can be remembered as an "awesome" event, which would effectively make it "awesome."

Help!

I need ideas for a Halloween costume! I'm still not 100% where I'll be celebrating it, but if I am, I need a costume.

I've got a couple ideas, both are in the "unlikely" list, but ideas none the less.

-Panda

-Techno Viking

Note: For Techno Viking I would need a body suit, a blonde wig/facial hair, green shorts, and some Scandinavian bling.

A friend sent me this link a while back.

It's fantastic.

Back

I'm back. I've been back for a week and maybe one day now.

I arrived last Wednesday, and then Thursday night went up to New York City.

I had an interview on Friday, then I hung out with friends and family until Sunday.

Those few days were so difficult. Not only because of the interview, but because of jet lag.

I hung out with friends Friday night, and I hit a wall around 6pm. Had a few drinks and we left the bar(s) around 9 or 10pm. Passed out on the subway, but woke up right as the train pulled up to our stop. That's always a surprisingly good feeling.

Got some chicken and rice and went to my friends house. Ate 5 bites and then realized I had no appetite.

I talked with friends for a good hour, and then I started losing it. I had to sleep. So I curled up in fetal position on a couch and closed my eyes while still talking to friends, who were sitting on the adjacent couch.

Next things I remember, it's pitch black, and the clock reads 3:30am.

Since then I've been waking up before or at 10am. Which is great cause now I can enjoy the day.

Now I just have to find something productive to do besides find a job. Which should consume all of my time in theory, but after applying to a few places every couple days, and then having to look for openings, it only takes a few hours a day.

I mean, since I wake up way earlier than I used to, I have a lot of down time.

I've started reading Pandora's Star. A 988 page science fiction book. This should take me a while.

My next update will have multimedia (ie video, photos, or both)

I'm comin' home.

I Think I Might Need A Sleep Aid

I went to bed over an hour ago, but per usual, I can't sleep

I'm so bad at falling asleep. I know the problem. I think too much. I just can't stop.

I can't tell my mind to stop thinking.

I tried to not think as much (don't ask how). I've tried various methods that people have told me to try.

All have failed.

I thought to myself, maybe if I had someone to talk to. But I don't think that would solve anything. I could write in my moleskin everything that goes on in my brain, and then I'd probably have to buy a new moleskin or two.

Every blog entry I have has the potential to be the longest blog entry I've ever typed.

Yeah, sometimes it's nice to have someone to talk to, but I don't have that luxury here (in Korea). At least not anymore. I miss having friends around me all the time.

Life is so mundane when you don't have anything to do.

It's so weird. I used to love being by myself. Being a homebody.

Now I can't stand it. Such a big change, and it happened out of the blue. I don't remember when I started feeling this way.

I just want to hang out all the time, and enjoy the moment. I guess that's sort of a good thing.

But it's also bad because I might lose focus on what's important.

I'm going to Jeju Island in 6.5 hours. I'll have my thoughts and pictures of Jeju up on my Tumblr & Facebook.

Go Buckeyes.

Yonsei KLI summer session has officially ended. Last Thursday.

It was a good experience. I can't say for certain that I felt completely challenged, but I definitely have a lot more to learn with regards to the Korean language.

I guess I didn't really take the course as seriously as I had wanted to. But it doesn't matter now. At least I passed.

I think I need to find a speaking partner when I go back home. I don't care if they're Korean American, or straight up Korean. I just want to have someone to speak Korean with. Family excluded.

I'm not very good at reading in Korean, so I should read some more books too. I don't think my speaking is all that bad, except that I speak with an accent. An accent that I can't even hear. But everyone else seems to be able to hear it. It's not really a problem, in fact, it probably makes me sound more native, but I'd like to hear the difference for myself. How can I change something I don't notice?

And although my speaking is not my biggest weakness, I still find it to be difficult. I don't want to make mistakes when I speak, and I don't know why, because it's not my first language. But my face says otherwise. I have to be fearless in my approach to speaking Korean. And life in general.

So since KLI has ended, and for the most part I have said my goodbyes, I'm back to being a bum.

I have no reason to wake up early. But that's fine. I like sleeping in while I can. I just don't want to make it a habit.

I've been starting to walk around parts of Seoul again. I wish I had a friend here with me in Korea from the beginning. Someone to explore the city with, someone to take trips with. I think that's what I've been missing since December.

Life is a balance of random and constants. I feel as if my life is a little out of balance.

I need to hurry and settle down somewhere (not permanently), so I can restore the balance of my life. Normally I'm not in a hurry to do things, but this is different. I think 9 months out of college is long enough. I can't do this for more than a year. Granted, it might not be my choice, but for everything that is my choice, I want to make the right ones and move on.

Korea has been good to me. I lost roughly 20 pounds while still eating delicious food.

I'm going to miss the people that I met, and I'm going to hope that all our paths cross in the future.

I'm going to try and blog more during my last few weeks in Korea.

I have a blog?!

So it's been a while.

I'm too lazy to update my playlist, and I haven't been listening to much new music anyways.

My stay in Korea is coming to an end. In about a month.

I'm done with the Yonsei KLI program this Thursday though. It was a good experience. It could have been better. But what's the point in talking about that? I didn't get stellar grades. I didn't even get good grades. But I passed, and right now, that's all I really care about. I passed the final by playing more arcade games, pool, and singing at karaoke than studying the days before the test(s).

The weather in Korea is starting to cool down. I guess I'm a little sad that I won't be able to experience Fall in Korea. Or, at least all of it.

I want to go back home though. But I'm not sure why. I have no friends in Virginia and I have no job. I don't even necessarily like being at "home." I don't even have a car.

On the flip side, everything here in Korea will change within 2 weeks. Almost everyone I have come to know will be gone. Cecil might come and visit, and I really hope he does, cause it would be great to see some other MAIPers in another country.

So basically I'm going from "no life" to "no life."

But of course when I get home, I'm going to resume my job search full force. I will visit people in New York, and hopefully in other states (depending on how much money I have).

Maybe I should have just stayed in Ohio. At least I would probably still have a car, and be living by myself (maybe). I'd know the roads. I'd have friends, sort of. I could always make new friends, or so I'd like to think.

Life in Ohio was so easy. Life in Virginia has the potential to be like that, but there are too many things I don't know about it. It's foreign to me.

Seoul is more home to me than Fairfax, Virginia.

I do miss Five Guys though...

Although I'm trying to be more health conscious these days. I know my family has a history of heart problems, and I'm at the point in life where my body starts to slow down. I haven't been to the gym in over a month, so maybe I'll start running when I get back. (How many times do you think I've said that in the past?)

There are still so many things I want to do in Korea. I just haven't been able to find people to do them with. I've never been to Insa-dong, Namsan Tower, the COEX mall aquarium, and probably a bunch of other things. Maybe I just set the itinerary for when Cecil comes to visit. Cecil, if you read this, we're doing this. Plus eating a ton of food.

Anywho. I probably won't update for at least a week.

Until then, stay classy.

Blogging used to be so easy.

August already?

Time is flying by.

I like being in Korea. But at times I want out.

I'm at the point where I don't know what I want.

I finally updated the July Playlist.

I don't have any major updates. Except that I'm going to Japan this Sunday till Tuesday. I have to leave the country cause I don't have a visa.

US citizens can stay in Korea w/o a visa for 90 days, but my 90 days are almost up, so I'm gonna go out and then come back. I'll ruin my perfect attendance, but it's going to be worth it.

I've never been to Japan, and I've wanted to go real bad for the past 5 years.

I'll be in Tokyo and exploring the city with my dad for 3 days. It should be great!

Life update

I'm sick.

My voice is gone (sore throat + talking a lot).

I'm tired.

I don't know where my money goes, because when I get home, and check my wallet the next day, the money's not there. Nobody took it, I just can't remember where and how much of it I used.

My memory gets blurry at times. Mostly cause of late nights.

I wouldn't do it any other way.

No regrets, except maybe the "spending too much money" part.

Considering not drinking for a long time.

1) red face is not a good look for me (and isn't good for my health)

2) my wallet.

I really want to go to the Valley Rock Festival here in Korea. I can't decide which days to go.

Well I'm going the first day (Friday) for sure, cause Weezer's headlining. I heard Priscilla Ahn is playing on Saturday, so I'd like to see that, although I don't know what time she's performing. The Airborne Toxic Event is also playing on Saturday. Maybe Sunday, cause I'd like to see Oasis.

I also want to go to the Mud Festival, but there is some rash that people are getting from the mud... messed up right?

I want to maximize EACH DAY.

Augustine's in town! The room mates are reunited again! We're both a little busy the next 2 weeks (or at least he is, my plans are all tentative) but afterwards, hilarity will ensue.

I'm meeting great people. And I'm pretty happy with life right now.

Incase you are interested, I update my Tumblr blog a little more regularly. Most of my pics will be posted there, along with random things about Korea, or how I feel about Korea. And again, check my facebook for ALL my pictures.

I have to change my playlist for July...

I'll get to that asap...next week.

Tired

I'm so tired these days! I can fall asleep ANYWHERE.

I'm kinda of sick of clubbing at the moment.

I went to the same club three nights in a row. Each time with different people.

It was all fun, but now I just want to relax. See stuff during the day you know?

I enjoy the nights, but I'm not trying to live a life of monotony. I don't want to go drinking every night, and I don't want to go to the same pubs and clubs (unintentional rhyme). I mean, I like having a nice "go-to" place, but why limit oneself?

Korea has so much to offer. I just have to seek it.

I'm totally down to drink and club while in Korea, but I'm not in a rush. I have so much time.

Maybe I'm just getting old. It takes me way longer to recover from a long night than it used to, that's for sure.

There is this rock festival that a friend told me about, and I did some research. It's at the end of the month, and there are going to be some awesome bands performing. It's a 3 day event, and all the big bands are split up during the 3 days. I have to see Priscilla Ahn. Again. I'm not obsessed with her anymore, but she's still a personal favorite. Saw her in Cleveland, Hoboken, and I would love to add Seoul to that list.

And the best part is, Weezer's gonna be there! Yeah, so they aren't as great as in the past, but w/e they're Weezer! and I love my late 90's alternative!

Shifting Gears

I'm moving my "BlogKorea" to my tumblr account.

AdamInKorea.tumblr.com.

I will continue to update this blog too, but for the purpose of blogging about Korea, tumblr is way easier.

Besides, nobody wants to read about me complain about thing anyways. But if you do (which you don't) I'll still be updating this blog, like I said earlier.

I guess I'll have to change the name again.

Big Day Tomorrow...

Not really, but sometimes I like to think I'm special.

I'm really confused as to why they had to cancel orientation, which was scheduled to happen earlier today (6/24). Their main concern is the H1N1 virus, aka Swine Flu. They were worried that someone might have it, and it might spread during orientation...

So they do away with orientation and go straight to starting school the very next day (6/25). So isn't the "threat" still the same? We are going to meet in the same building everyday anyways.

It's pretty stupid if you ask me. But nobody is.

Oh I forgot to mention, we were supposed to find out what level we placed into during orientation, now we all have to do it before class starts at 9am. There are a ton of kids. I half expect to be waiting in a long ass line at 8:59am.

I guess I should sleep soon. I have to wake up early and get in line!

I hope you enjoy my random picture of a watermelon flavor popsicle. It was delicious.

Back To School

I took my placement test on Monday (6/22).

I wish I brought my camera with me that day. When I got to the front entrance of the KLI building, I was stopped by a woman with a list of names. She asked me my name, and I told her, then she checked me off, and let me through. I was then stopped again at the actual door. This time, a woman in a white mask asks me to come to her, and lean forward a little. She sticks a thermometer in my ear (with plastic cover of course). She messes up the first time, and then has to stick the thing back in my ear. FINALLY I get inside.

I head downstairs to room 121, which I thought was funny because usually when room numbers start with 1xx, they are on the first floor. I see a ton of people of all ages. Mostly asian of course, but I saw several Caucasians, and a few Hispanics. There were a ton of Japanese and Chinese people.

We all sat in this lecture hall, and then the program coordinator went over a few things in Korean, then English. Then another lady came on stage and said the same speech in Japanese, then another lady does it in Chinese.

It was rather boring. We then received slips of paper with random room numbers. Those were our testing rooms. The placement test consisted of two tests. There was a written exam, and a speaking portion, which they called an interview. The written exam wasn't too bad, we were instructed to go as far as we could, which I did. But the interview was a little tricky.

My main problem with speaking Korean is vocabulary. This lady was asking me simple questions at first, but as the interview progressed, she started busting out words that were probably very simple, but baffled me.

There is supposed to be an orientation today, but because of the "H1N1 virus," it has been cancelled. Classes still begin on Thursday, June 25. I'll know what level I'm in when I go to school that day.

Hopefully I learn a lot.

A Little Over A Month

That's how long I've been in Korea. Seems a lot longer though.

Let it be known that I have been working out every (week)day since May 18. That's like a personal best.

Lately though I've been eating like crap. I had burger and fries last Friday, a HUGE brunch meal on Saturday, burgers again on Monday, and today I had a decent sized roast chicken omurice for lunch, and dinner I had pizza and pasta, 2 macaroons, some "Bibim Myun," a noodle dish (my dad ate 1/2), and samples at E-Mart. You can never say no to a free sample...especially if it's a potsticker.

But I think with my workouts, I'm balancing it out? I need to not do that though, and tip the scale in favor of health. It's a shame that most delicious foods are bad for you.

I've been more social as of late. I've hung out with a few friends, and I've been going to my friend's church. It's a little far, as in it takes a long time, to get there. But, I think it's a good way to meet people. And I'm more active on Sundays again.

I'm getting anxious for classes to start. I wonder what level I'll be in. I wonder what my class will be like. I wonder if I'll be that quiet kid, or if I'll be more of a social butterfly. (past evidence puts the former at a higher possibility)

Guess I'll just have to wait and see! I take my placement test this coming Monday (6/22) then the following Wednesday (6/24) is orientation.

Now this is my minor (but kinda major) dilemma. I usually start my workouts between 10am-12pm. But my classes start at 9am till 1pm. I don't want to make it a habit of going to the gym after class, cause that's the time I want to spend hanging out with friends/making new friends.

I spend about 2 hours at the gym (workout+shower). The gym opens at 6am. Duh, there's my solution. But that's much easier said than done. The earliest I've gone is 8:30am, and that was damn hard. I can't imagine myself going to the gym at 6am, getting done by 8am, then going home to drop off my gym bag, pick up my book bag, then take the bus or subway near campus and walk up a hill by 9am. If I did that, I'd accomplish more in 3 hours, than I would in one day.

But, maybe I should start going at 6. Supposedly working out in the morning is better for you.

I can just imagine dropping a weight on myself cause I'm so tired. Or falling asleep while using the treadmill. I hope nothing like that happens.

That's my life so far. I guess I didn't really update about Korea.

Here are some things you need to know:

-Korean's (from Korea) are the most unapologetic people.

-Not everything in Korea is cheaper. I'd rather shop at a mall in the U.S. than a mall here in Korea.

-Popsicles, are WAY better here.

-So is Pizza Hut. Pizza Hut in Korea PWNS Pizza Hut in America, except it's way more expensive too.

-You don't need to hold doors for people, cause they won't hold em for you.

-You don't have to tip.

-If you're under the age of 40, sitting down in the subway car, and some grandma or grandpa is standing around, you give your seat to them. I'd hope you'd do that anywhere though.

Earlier today, I was thinking about random things that I couldn't resist.

Here are the top-5 things I cannot resist (in no particular order):

1) an itch

2) watching/reading up on cleveland professional sports

3) a delicious burger

4) checking my email and social networks

5) hanging out with friends

That was harder than I thought.

Must Look Forward (or Up)

It's been a a year since MAIP 2008. The summer that put things into perspective for me. The summer where I discovered where I wanted to be.

Now MAIP 2009 has started, and people, just like me, are embarking on a summer of a lifetime.

I hear news of friends getting internships, jobs, and getting into grad school. I couldn't be more happy for each and every one of them. But I can't help but ask myself, "When is it my turn? When do I move on?" I hate missing out on fun, exciting times. I feel like things always get more interesting when I leave. But it's up to me where I end up. Lets hope I'm SUPERDUPER motivated when I get back.

But I think that all the time, so it's nothing special...

It's starting to heat up here, but the past couple days have been surprisingly cool, probably because it's been cloudy...

I'm starting to get a little bored here to be honest. I know a few people out here, but we all have our own schedules. Or rather, they have their schedules, and I have mine (or lack there of).

I was a little busy the past couple weeks just applying to the program and seeing family and touring random folk villages with my cousin's parents-in-law.

But now I'm totally free. I just work out everyday. I'll be trying to schedule meetings soon with people. But not now. Now it's time for bed.

Before I go, I just want to let everyone know that I miss them very much.

More, serious, update on Korea later.

June Jamboree

I've been in Korea for a month. Almost.

So when I joined my gym last month, I also signed up for a "semi personal training" program.

It started yesterday, and goes on till June 30. So basically I get 3 weeks of "semi P.T."

The trainer just shows me how to do certain work outs, then goes to work with other members, then comes back to check up. It seems like a waste of money. It also seems as if it's their job to do that for ALL members. But people have to make money right? Might as well find ways to charge customers for something that should otherwise be free. If it's not 1 on 1 training, you shouldn't have to pay for it. Unless you think otherwise. Anyways, I'm working out regularly, and my goal is to lose 10 kg, or approximately 20.05 lbs, in 3 months. My gym membership expires in a little over 3 months.

Last time I was out here, I lost 14 pounds in 3 weeks, but I was basically starving myself (drinking this powder with water for every meal). The majority of the 14 pounds I lost was muscle. Despite the fact that I worked out every weekday during that time. I had no energy. It was basically one of the worst 3 weeks of my life. Didn't help that I'm in Korea, land of delicious food. So this time I'm taking a slower approach. I don't know if I'll be able to reach my goal, just because I don't know how my body will respond. But I will try my best. I hope.

The past two Fridays I've visited the dentist. He's an old family friend, so he hooks us up. I haven't been to the dentist in years, so I was glad I went. Sort of. I had 4 cavities, and had them cleaned out. I also got my one wisdom tooth pulled out. It was a bit of a surprise though, cause I didn't find out he was taking it out until I sat down in that awfully uncomfortable chair.

My teeth are still a little sore, but the pain is manageable without painkillers, but I have them just incase. To my surprise, I don't have swollen cheeks. Or rather, cheek. This disappointed a few friends. I was a little disappointed too. I was ready to take a lot of self portraits.

Something I don't like doing. You know, like holding the camera out and taking a picture of yourself, usually from an angle, whether up or down, depending on your mood?

I don't care if other people do it. I mean, I do, but whatever I'm not them. People can do what every they want to do, as long as it makes them happy, regardless of what I or others think. But if it doesn't make you happy, don't do it, cause it's counterproductive.

BUT there is one time you shouldn't be taking self portraits. That's when you're in the car.

Specifically the driver seat. In the middle of traffic.

I saw this girl doing exactly that. She must have taken like 10 pictures of herself. I think 1-3 is fine. But 10? That's borderline narcissism.

I'm almost done applying to Yonsei's KLI program. The website's a piece of shit, so I have to go in for scheduling. I also have to submit my transcript. I'm also not sure if they got my essay or not, cause the website is worthless.

Once I start classes, I should be pretty busy, and things should start to be more fun. Not that I'm not having a great time now. I am, but it's more of a, "I'm doing nothing" kind of fun. I need more "experience new things" kind of fun.

It's a new month, so that means new playlist.

I like this playlist. I mixed in a few oldies but goodies.

Again, I upload all my pictures onto Facebook. It's easier that way, unless someone has a better idea. Then tell me!