We apologise for the delay...

So as I forced myself to relax as we missed the turnoff for the airport, it was futile once I realised my flight home has been delayed by one and half hours.

Hence, the increased facebook activity and pointless blog post.

So. News. Ha!

1. "Happy Birthday Jesus!" we exclaimed into a video camera, approached by churchy types on the street in exchange for free choco pies.
2. Being such a frequent goer of the PC방, they made me a member, lol. Now I get to clock up mileage points, or something. And since I don't know my address, they just filled that part in with PC Bang. Ha ha.
3. Saw Ghost for the first time last night in the DVD방. Despite despair at the cheesiness, I cried as Patrick leaves Demi forever...
4. I have 1 minute left of my time online at the airport. Guess I'd better wrap up this thrilling entry.

Ciao!

The Golden Compass

Unfortunately since our passports are currently with immigration (note to self: pick it up tomorrow) we were unable to go to the army base to see the film last weekend. So we had to wait until the 19th along with the rest of Korea to see it at the regular cinema yesterday, but this did give me a few extra days to speed through the book again before seeing it on the big screen.

This was a mixed blessing - it allowed me to enjoy the magic of the book with the benefit of hindsight, recalling the characters and fully absorbing the nuances of the text without getting confused with the plot. However, it also made me recall every detail that they played out differently in the film, preventing me from enjoying the medium for what it is.

Comparisons aside, I wasn't particularly impressed by the film. Sure, there were lots of loud bangs keeping me alert, but it's always the case when they dramatise a book that your imagination gets warped by Hollywood actors and computer graphics. In view of the latter, I guess they wanted to make it all seem magical, but Lyra's clean face and the gold sparks flying around trivialised a lot of the seriousness for me. And despite the name of the film, I wasn't particularly convinced of the powers of the alethiometer, or golden compass as it's referred to, and I certainly wasn't convinced of Lyra's power to read it. I would have liked to have seen some swinging needles on the compass(maybe with some images of thought sweeping across the screen, or something equally as corny to remain in tune with the rest of the film) instead of the whooshing into the depths of its 'mind', in order to really gauge the girl's concentration on the instrument and the amazement of others at her skills.

Another problem is trying to fit in five hours or so of reading time into an 180 minute film. I wonder if I wasn't acquainted with the plot whether I would really have understood the bond between human and daemon, or understood why Asriel was hanging out in the snow. But I think my main issue with the whole thing - since despite my ramblings above I felt that on the whole they portrayed the plot well, and the concept of a talking bear was done as realistically as one could hope, and Kidman fulfilled all my expectations of Mrs Coulter - was that the girl who plays Lyra was wrong on so many levels.

For a start, the whole point is that she hasn't reached puberty. I dunno, but I'd say this girl definitely had. Secondly, she was supposed to be small for her age. Again, I felt this girl (*looks up her name...ah yes, Dakota Blue Richards) is really quite tall, though I forget how tall I was at 11. Her accent rubbed on me like a coarse cheese grater and her acting skills mirrored my own - poor, and overdone. I felt it was just a shame since there are plenty of small, genuinely common accented gifted actresses out there, but for some reason it was this one that was given her chance.

So on looking up published reviews, it would seem my views on Miss Richards are not to the consensus. But as far as the real magic and fantasy goes, I think my thoughts follow the trend that they were overridden by computer animation, which unfortunately also drown out the emotional nuances that drive the reader to turn the pages of the book. Despite a fantastic cast to get the public into the seats, The Golden Compass is a generally underwhelming adaptation of such a magnificent book.

Changdeok Palace

Never forgetting my British roots, it would be against my nature not to pass comment on the weather. Thus I feel it is integral to mention the beautiful blue skies and fluffy white clouds that adorn the view from my apartment, but mock me as I step outside to the icy air, yet again forcing me to succumb to the knowledge that mother nature has deceived me once again...

If it weren't for my extremities, I would certainly relish in the clear days. Today was in fact the perfect day for a stroll round 창덕궁, or Changdeok Palace. As wiki has just informed me, the literal meaning of this name is "Palace of Prospering Virtue". That's nice, isn't it?

Anyway, as I was saying, it was a perfect day for a stroll round the palace. Apparently we weren't the only ones who thought so, as we witnessed the filming of a Korean drama. Coming back an hour later after the full tour of the grounds, they were still filming the same scene involving grown ups standing around in hanbok while children ran around them, making those chirpy bird-like noises well-behaved children in films always do.

We suspected it was our tour guide's first tour, since she was very apologetic of her English, slipped up with a comment of "Oops, I meant to say...first," and was surprised when the circle of the grounds overran by half an hour. Still, she tried her best to engage her audience, with jokes of pretending to be royalty and explaining how there is no Father Christmas in Korea due to the traditional underground heating systems - he can go down the chimney but at the other end he is still outside! Although she got some feeble laughs, our hearts went out to her as she asked for the tenth time, "What do you think...was used for?" and still failed to get answers.

Nevertheless, I am 100% more informed about the Joseon dynasty than I was when I woke up this morning, I have passed through the gate of longevity, I have kicked my way through autumn leaves and I have marvelled at 750 year old juniper tree that has made its way as a "Natural Monument". It doesn't get much more productive than that. Left: the brown trunk-like sticks are merely support for the alleged 6 metre girth of the Changdeokgung Chinese Juniper.

On top of this, I cannot fail to mention that I have frozen my fingers off through attempted photography, but happily defrosted them in a traditional tea room on the heated floor while drinking Hundred Herb Tea. It was surprisingly pleasant^^

Aquarium

Continuing with the tourist theme, we headed to the COEX mall - a huge underground shopping mall and allegedly the largest shopping centre in Seoul.

On the subway journey there, an elderly man struck up conversation with the interrogative "Where you from?" Amused, I participated in the exchange. After going through the usual, "How long you in Korea?" and, "What you do in Korea?" he took me by surprise by asking, "You marry?" I replied negative. This in turn provoked, "Every month you send money family?" I replied confusedly, "Er...no...?" to which he then said with an air of realisation, "Ah, because when you marry you need the money." Uh huh, that's my reason for keeping my earnings to myself...^^

Anyway, we arrived at the COEX in time for lunch. The plan was to go to the Aquarium, though naturally we had to stop off at the various stationery shops along the way^^

We came across the clothes shop Bongzi&Bongzi, with the fantabulous claim, Made by Jesus. In an increasingly Christian country, I'm not entirely sure how they feel they can justify such an assertion...



Finally at the aquarium (having felt like we'd been taken on the long way round by the signs to the back of the store) we came across plenty of interesting and exciting sea-life.

We were:

• dismayed at some of the tiny enclosures, especially for the larger creatures like the crocodile (but were relieved at the small, locked cabinet for the tarantula);
• simultaneously appalled and intrigued by some of the genetically modified goldfish (see above picture);
• confused by the twin-headed tortoise;
• amused by the inventive displays including fish in the toilet, fish in the washing machine, fish in the vending machines;
• excited by the walkthrough shark tank.

All in all, an afternoon filled with wonder and excitement as we fulfilled our inner children, meandering around the huge display of underwater creatures.

More fishy pics

Baby birthday party

So apparently I went through one of these affairs when I turned 1 too, but since I don't remember that occasion, attending our friend's baby's one year birthday party last night was a peculiar event indeed.

We arrived at the restaurant unprepared for just how big an occasion it was to be. Our friend was beautifully made up in hanbok, completed with curled hair and careful makeup. She was carrying her son - also in traditional dress - with a professional photographer milling around snapping pictures left, right and centre. At the end of the restaurant was a table adorned with cakes and towers of ricecakes, along with a selection of items in a basket each representing a potential career path for the baby.

At the entrance of the restaurant we were presented with a raffle-style ticket, which we were to place in the relevant pot depending on which future we predicted for the child. The options included a ball (assumedly representing a sportsman), crayons (creativity), a stethoscope (doctor - the mother's hope), and a banknote (self explanatory).

The ritual was bizarre. There was a compere with a mic and if we'd not known better we might have thought we'd walked into a small town auction. He began by encouraging the guests to guess what time the baby had been born. Not really understanding what was going on until we were filled in later, we obviously didn't join in the competition. It was a shame since the 'winner' was presented with a gift - though for all we knew it was a wrapped up empty box. Jokes.^^

The baby was then dressed in some kind of white necklaces representing longevity (엄마 or 오빠 care to inform?^^) before the compere instructed the father of the baby to perform a cheesy dance making heart shapes with his arms, chanting "I love you" to the baby. It was very amusing, and I couldn't help feel that our friend was mildly embarassed by this. Then came the ceremonial baby item picking. He went for the money, much to the delight of his elders.

So after we'd eaten our share of the food (having maxed out on sushi a few days earlier we weren't particularly revelling in all the raw fish available), and having had our pictures taken with our friend, we weren't really sure what to do with ourselves. Since we didn't know anybody - nor could we converse with the people who were there - we made an early exit; our cue taken from several of the other guests who'd done the same.

It was a beautiful occasion and an excuse for the parents to get dressed up, but we couldn't help leaving feeling slightly bemused by the experience...^^

Today we visited the National Museum of Korea where we had our fill of ancient Korean relics. It was interesting, but there are only so many Buddhist paintings, Chinese medicine chests and kimchi jars that one can take in one day ^^

Christmas is coming...

For fear of having overdosed on the writing aspect lately, here are some recent observations in pictoral form:

"COCK IT TO ME", reads a girl's backpack

Christmas may not be the main event of the year, but those that go for it certainly don't hold back; behold a decorated bus

As the presidential elections loom, less than orthodox methods of campaigning ensue

Immigration office

We had a call from one of the men informing us that he was terribly sorry with the way we had been treated; they were very angry with the Korean kindergarten for the way they treated Lauren and he is going to quit the education business. I can't imagine we were the only reason behind this decision so it makes us realise that there were probably underlying problems before we got there. Anyway.

Went to the immigration office to transfer our visas and registration cards over to the new school - with which we have signed the new contract. The hour long queue made for a very long and boring process, and thus I've not done much today but ride the subway and learn some Korean. But at least the process is under way.

Super tired now, and that deadline of Saturday evening is seeming somewhat close for finishing errands - especially since I've not started on any of them...

To the moon and back

Or that's where it feels we've been since Sunday night. In retrospect, and in fact at the time, it was bizarre that we took the chance interview with the Comedy Duo on Friday, and come Monday, we were working. Well, Lauren was. I was just "getting paid" to sit around and relax.

This school, the "Castle in the Countryside", is in fact two schools: a traditional Korean kindergarten and a new all-English hagwon. We were told we would have to work in one each, and were asked to decide between us which we'd prefer. Intuitively I went for the English school, and Lauren went for the Korean one. So that was easy.

As we were picked up from Seoul at 8.30am on Monday morning, we believed that we would be seeing our new apartments and signing the new contract. When we asked when we would start work, we were somewhat taken aback when they said 'today' - and even more so when there wasn't even so much of a mention of the contract. Still, we believed there were good intentions floating around, and obliged as we were asked to start work.

I seemed to have a good deal - the English school wasn't open yet and I was asked to help devise the new curriculum. I would have free reign over decorating the classrooms and choosing books; I'd have my own office and would have the power to delegate tasks to other staff members. Very exciting.

Lauren on the other hand was thrown into teaching several classes consecutively without any guidance or teaching materials, with a Korean teacher in each class who would interrupt the lesson and no personal office space. Very frustrating.

Even more frustrating was that when it was clear who had the better deal, on asking if Lauren could come and work with me, I was told 'no'. Very disappointing. Since they were still working on finding us apartments, we were driven the two hour drive back into Seoul where we stayed the night at our old apartments, where we were to do the two hour commute again the next morning. At least we didn't have to take public transport as our heads were nodding.

With the promise of moving, we took a load of stuff with us on Tuesday morning. We were assured that they'd properly scoped out the location of our new places, they'd make sure they were fully furnished and cleaned before we moved in, and that they'd be within walking distance of the school. Appeased by this information, we worked the day again. Lauren in her Korean school, less frustrated now that she was getting into the swing of things, and me going through all the potential English books and talking to the various teachers milling around about how to decorate the school. I was being asked questions as if I were the guru on English kindergartens, and they were all looking at me expectedly when they asked what would be on an English noticeboard. Clearly having never stepped outside of Korea, I'm not sure what they were expecting me to say.

At 3 o'clock we were driven round for two hours shopping for bedding for our new beds. This gave us a long time to contemplate our situation. We both agreed that it wasn't ideal that we were working in separate schools, and that even though I had an opportunity to flex my leadership skills, it felt disorganised and unorthodox that just because of my nationality I would be an expert on English pre-schools.

Not only this, but the English speaking father-figure, the "killing two rabbits with one stone" guy, wasn't really a part of the school and was just helping out his mate. So he wasn't always around - and when he wasn't, we were stuck in an all-Korean speaking environment. I even found that they were talking to me in Korean a lot of the time, and I've got so accustomed to nodding and smiling that I forgot that perhaps it would be beneficial to actually understand what they were talking about.

Finally we visited our apartments. Despite having complained about our old apartments, they were seeming like palaces compared to what we were presented with. It was clear that the director hadn't seen them before as he struggled to turn on my heating. There wasn't any furniture in either of our rooms and we were living in separate buildings opposed to literally next door to one another as we'd been told. Lauren's only window was blocked up by kitchen units - but there was enough of a gap to still let in the street lights - a wet bathroom floor, no toilet seat on the toilet, and we immediately saw a beetle run across the floor. It wasn't a great first impression of our new homes.

The director phoned his wife to sort out bedding for us, and it now being several hours on from when we left the school, it was 'yummy time'. He'd promised to take us out for sushi which we were enthusiastic about, ensuring him that we'd eaten it before and that we like all kinds of food. We weren't really prepared for the courses upon courses of slabs of raw fish that kept appearing, but we ate nonetheless - to the dismay of our stomachs. The director himself didn't eat very much at all, and left us with the conductor of his orchestra (who he'd also invited to dinner) as he went to meet his wife to sort our places.

This was another opportunity for us to discuss our options. We considered the woman from the kindyschool, and felt bad that we'd let her down. We decided to give her a call - just to keep our options open. After all, we'd not signed a contract with this new school and we were bound to nobody. As Lauren talked to her I kept the conductor occupied with discussion of double basses to stop him from spreading rumours that he might pick up from the disjointed telephone call.

After dinner we feigned sleepiness in order to get away from the Korean speaking posse that joined us. With beds and pretty bed linen, perhaps things were beginning to look up. However both our places were stone cold despite having the heating 'on', had rock solid pillows, and the poor insulation meant that the pneumatic drill outside was somewhat of a hindrance in getting to sleep.

Before going to bed we visited the PC방 next door, where we formulated our master plan...

As we discussed more about how we felt, it became obvious that on paper this job seemed fantastic: short hours, high pay, the opportunity of having high positions in the school, long holidays, the possibility of tutoring, close proximity to Everland. However, something in the way we'd been dealt with - working illegally without having signed a contract, poor communication, talk of beautiful living conditions when what we were presented with was sub-standard - made us realise that perhaps this wasn't the ideal job for us.

This led to agreeing to meet up with the kindy woman after school the next day, which led to feeling bad that we were stringing along two sets of people, which led to deciding to quit the job we weren't even supposed to have started, which finally led to planning to do a runner the next morning ^^

Here was the plan:

1. Take the taxi to the school, which the director was to phone for us.
2. Ask the taxi driver to wait at the school before taking us to the subway station back into Seoul.
3. Run into school, give a rushed explanation that Lauren was unhappy with the situation and that we were not going to work any longer.
4. Give them the keys.
5. Run!

Even better, when we got to school in the morning there was no one to be found. This gave us the excuse to - very professionally - scrawl a note to accompany the keys and run away. You could hear the echoes of "빨리 빨리!" (quickly quickly!) in our wake as we zoomed off into the distance. ^^

Totally exhilarated, we topped up our fuel levels with bagels and coffee before braving the two hour subway journey all the way back to our cosy spacious, well-lit apartments that we had come to appreciate so much more. Once a safe distance away from the school, we began to get the predicted phone calls asking where we were. We explained our situation, to get the equally predictable buttering up of "There is nothing that we cannot solve", and "I want to treat you like my daughters". We were not convinced.

Since we'd got home early, we phoned the kindy woman to see if we could meet her earlier. We met up with her straight away, but the adrenaline had gradually turned into extreme fatigue as we embarked on negotiations. Too tired, too stressed at the prospect of not having anywhere to live after December, too disheartened at the failure of our previous job, too concerned about jumping into another job we were dissatisfied with, talking about a new job was the last thing I felt like doing. I let Lauren do the talking.

Since the school has several weeks Christmas vacation, we won't start work until mid-January, giving us time to relax and take our minds off job-related business. We negotiated hours; since it is a kindergarten and not a professional institute classes will consist of games rather than formal learning; we are able to keep our apartments for as long as it takes for her to find us places closer to the school (it is currently a 5-10 minute bus ride away); and best of all, she has a condominium on Jeju Island where we were planning to go for a winter break and she's letting us use it. It may have seemed like a snap decision but we knew it was the right one all along. We know now not to be cajoled by money ^^

We left the meeting relieved and free to relax. We went straight for the 찜질방 (massage room) where we got our nails done, sweated in the sauna, had our feet tickled as the dead skin was nibbled at by fish (yes, you read that right), relaxed in the baths, and scrubbed each other until there was no more dead skin to be seen. After five hours we were well and truly refreshed, and after a bowl of chicken rice porridge we were relieved to retreat to our homes. And even though my bed was stripped and all my belongings are in boxes in the middle of the room, it had never felt cosier ^^

Today has been the first stress free day in what feels like an age. We really do feel like we've been to the end of the earth (moon, if you will) and back in the last few days, and it was refreshing to have nothing to do. We headed for Yongsan and did some Christmas shopping:

• It is our friend's baby's 1-year birthday party this weekend and we bought him a super cool bowling set made from cute beanbag toys. I want one. A baby. Or maybe I want Lauren to have a baby so I can just buy it cute things.
• We spent an hour in a huge bookshop choosing Korean learning books. I've been making an effort to learn some since I've been here, but life keeps getting in the way of studying time. Well now's my chance, lol.
• We went into copious numbers of stationery shops and overdosed on the cute stuff available to us.
• Inspired by "chicken + charcoal = good combination" we ate barbecued chicken for dinner, but were less than impressed at the gristle we experienced. It swings in roundabouts though as the waiters were less than impressed with the pile of change we gave them to pay for the meal. ^^

We've agreed to sort out our apartments (I need to clean off that mould and unpack again^^) and tick off the list of errands we each need to run in order to get our lives into order after all this chaos. Being very particular sorts of girls, neither one of us would feel settled until we've done this. We've given ourselves the deadline of Saturday evening when we will go to the baby birthday party, watch The Golden Compass at the army base on Sunday and become tourists for the next week until I fly home for Christmas.

A sound plan, if I do say so myself.

...and if you got to the bottom of this, then I'm very impressed with your dedication to my cause. Either that, or you've got to get yourself a hobby.^^

Helicopters

Potentially being our last day in our current area, we decided to pay a final visit to the first restaurant in which we dined in Korea. This involved consuming a somewhat sizeable lunch of shabu shabu (샤브샤브) (left: the vegetable accompaniment to boiled meat, followed by noodles, followed by eggy rice-soup), rendering us rather full.

It was thus that our original plan of meeting our US army friend to visit the Seoul Museum of Art became rather unfeasible as we rolled into our agreed meeting place three quarters of an hour late. Well, this along with the fact that our friend accidently drove us in the wrong direction (but presented us with an exciting trip through an underground tunnel - twice) and that once finally at the museum we were told to "U-turn, u-turn, and P1" - implying the carpark was a fair distance away. Attempting to battle the heavy traffic, something was telling us that today was not the day for art appreciation.

Instead, as per a previous daytrip suggestion, we were taken to his workplace where we were shown round the helicopters. It was very exciting. He was a good tour guide, encouraging us to sit inside and play with the controls; he let us climb on top and showed us the ropes of what helicopter fliers get up to; he took photos of us and made us feel like right tourists ^^

Just as exciting, he surprised us with Christmas gifts: Lauren got her requested oatmeal in various flavours while I've been given my fix of Babybel - not quite the English cheddar I'm missing but an exciting Westernism nonetheless! (Oatmeal?! I've been away from England too long...)

Job wise, we're supposed to be meeting Kinderschool woman tomorrow morning to talk about transferring our visas, as well as meeting Comedy Duo about moving apartments. Since the latter are offering us a better contract it's probable we'll take the job with them, but I guess that means one of us has to phone Mrs Evil-Turned-Nice sooner or later and tell her the bad news...

But as far as I'm concerned, after the initial disappointment of moving away from where has become home, I'm quite excited about moving (mould-free apartment here I come?^^) and leaving this state of coasting, unemployed...

Well I woke up in the morning, love,

and the sunshine hurt my eyes...Then I spoke to the crazy guy - and just one look at him, then I knew it was gonna be: a lovely day! **Lovely day...lovely day...lovely day...**

Uh oh...Chi-He drank too much coffee...

And uh oh...Chi-He's drinking coffee these days...

Well I just can't resist those calorific white chocolate/caramel lattes that the coffee shop lifestyle and festive season bring with them...

Anyway! I was emailed this job post from a recruiter which looked like short hours and high pay, so naturally I got in touch. Immediately after I replied I got a phone call requesting an interview with the director the next day. That's now today.

So we met up with him (the director) in a posh hotel coffee shop in Itaewon (I drank green tea, but secretly wanted the mocha) where our hearts melted at his

1. slightly poor, but understandable, English,
2. belief that for a good teacher the heart is more important than experience, and
3. his description of the communication problems between him and his Russian wife.

His big bro came along later where we laughed at his

1. jokes that it is the director's prerogative to be tardy,
2. jokes that he doesn't see how people see the Korean peninsula as being shaped like a rabbit, and
3. his own revised idiom "killing two rabbits with one stone".

So maybe two young girls getting in a car with two middle aged guys, seemingly joking to themselves a little too much for what was supposed to be a job interview was a potential set up for your typical horror film rape scene^^, but once we'd seen the brand new English school that is about to open and negotiated a beautiful contract involving the promised low hours and high pay, along with potential overtime tutoring hours and flexible holidays, we were glad we did.

Returning on Monday to confirm the contract and check out the accommodation. Location is a bit out of the way, but then it is close to Everland, possibly my favourite place in Korea, and the Korean Folk Village - touristy things one should experience if one is going to partake in such activities at all.

It's a bit strange that they don't seem to have anybody else applying for the job, and that they are so keen to employ us specifically. I do like the way that they really like the fact that we're British opposed to American, and that "If [they] are good to us then [his - the director's big bro's] daughter will be looked after in England" -- 'cause that's how it works, isn't it? But in all seriousness, the employers seem like such fun loving guys I think it will be a blast to work for them.

See Lauren's blog for a more in depth description of the director's lookalike... ^^

DVD Bangs

Regarding the kinderschool, it isn't so much that nobody else wants to work for her - she does have her maximum required number of teachers at her hagwon - but it's that she realised that she could introduce English teaching into her Korean school too, and now that she has two young willing girls to help her, she's jumping on the English learning bandwagon!

It's possible that if we do work at the kindergarten then we won't start work until late January since the school takes three weeks off for Christmas. 3 weeks! They also take 3 weeks off in the summer, and since we're being given a say in the running of the new English department we've requested shorter hours (phrased as "more preparation time"), so I think we're hoping that it does go ahead since this is probably the best deal we'll get at such short notice!

Regardless of the perks, and despite the fact that we told her we're definitely on board, we've not actually signed a contract yet and there's no real guarantee that the proposal will go ahead. So we're still taking interviews from other schools and we have several recruiters on the job for us.

In other news, we've been frequenting DVD Bangs over the last two nights - small rooms equipped with projectors, easy-clean beds, tissues and bins. Oops, I didn't sell that well, did I? ^^

What I meant was that we've been going to DVD Bangs - private rooms where you rent a film and watch it at your own leisure on your own small cinema. I guess the aforementioned provisions are due to the fact that many Korean people live with their parents until they marry, so these places have become a popular place for couples to take dates -- which made Alex's friend very uncomfortable when we suggested the four of us go and watch a movie together.

Regardless of the dodgy nature of the venue, Lauren and I really like them - they're cosy, you get good sound and picture quality, and you are provided with an endless supply of free drinks. You don't need to worry about popcorn being thrown at you or people telling you to "Ssshh!" when you make a comment about the lead actress. The perfect place for a quiet night in -- as long as you keep your mind off who was in there last.

Lotte World pictures

Kinderschool

Remember the principal of that school that was considering buying out our old school? The one that sparked reactions of, "She sounds like all the nightmare hagwon bosses that you read about on Dave's rolled into one" and "I don't even know her but I want to kill her for you" one? Well...

We got a text from our old vice principal saying that this woman asked us if we wanted to work at her other kindergarten school. The v.p., as she will now be referred to, said "I doubt you will, but her number is..." Remembering the hate we felt for this woman when we interviewed with her last I text back essentially saying, "Thanks, but no thanks".

As we found our job hunt to be reaping less than favourable opportunities, we thought on reflection that it wouldn't hurt to check out her other school. The principal picked us up from our apartment and drove us down the road to her Korean kindergarten. She said that she felt really awful about the situation with her hagwon and that since the interview she'd not been able to get our images out of her head. It is thus that she wants to introduce English teaching into this other kindergarten.

So we went from her immense disdain for our lack of experience and qualifications, to wanting us to design a whole new curriculum for her whole school! It seems like a good opportunity - we will be involved in choosing the books for the children, we will get our own classrooms, as a kindergarten there is a multitude of teaching resourses; it means we will still be able to live in the same area, but it's on a more central subway line and in a busier area; and on meeting her twice more, we realise that the evil bitch principal is actually a nice woman but her English proficiency sometimes lets her down.

Working in a Korean school might mean that we can pick up more of the language as well since we won't be banned from speaking it, but it will also mean that communicating with other teachers will be more difficult since they don't speak any English themselves.

Anyway, the job hunt continues, but at least this is a possibility. And to be honest, we're in no hurry to jump back into employment right away...

Lotte World

Allegedly the biggest indoor theme park in Asia, or something. It was good.

Caught the Christmas Parade where we waved to the dancing white people that went by, and felt disappointed we'd not seen their jobs advertised. Rolled our eyes at the screaming Koreans as they considered the slightest dizzying experience the thrill of their lives. Hung out on Magic Island where we took in the views while we swung with the icy cold wind rushing past us on the Gyro Swing. Enjoyed the Christmas lights as we encircled the arena on the Aeronaut's Balloon Ride. Ate candyfloss. Marvelled at the Disney ripoffs with the magical castle and Lotte World logo. Etc.

Sarcasm aside, I had a really good time, but I have difficulties expressing genuine emotion sometimes. Thrill seekers probably shouldn't get too excited by the prospect of Lotte World, but fanatics of cute fantasy villages could. Luckily I wasn't feeling this cynical yesterday ^^

Went out drinking with the Korean teachers from our old school afterwards, and was irritated to get woken up to a phone call from a recruiter this morning asking if we could work part time this week. I said no.

On that note, we have a potential new job starting next week, but it's a Canadian school and the director is a bit worried that we're Brits. We shall see.

Pics to follow.

The US Army Base:

a mini-America with convenience stores, flat roofed buildings and fastfood outlets galore.

Life in the PC Bang

It's distressing. Despite the convenience of the close proximity to my apartment, the computers in the internet cafe, or PC방, don't have any form of MSN messenger, you can't download anything, and the owner insists on sitting next to me, snapping his gum really loudly. I can even smell it. He occasionally looks over my shoulder to see what I'm doing, which is very disconcerting. Last time I tried to sit in a different seat he insisted I sit in this one. I don't know why. Kids usually come to these places to play online games, and I hear as far as they go this is quite a nice one since it has a non-smoking area. At 1000 won/hour I can't really complain, but it's just not the same as being in the comfort of my own home...

Nevertheless, I write up the day's events, bleary eyed and irritated by the guy next door. Slept through my hangover this morning, to be forced out of bed by the cable guy coming to disconnect my internet. *Sniff*.

OK. I'm over it. Really. ^^

Anyway, I didn't make it to graduation, but since none of my kids were graduating it was pointless for me to go, except maybe for the amusement of seeing seven year olds dressed up in gowns. I did turn up at school near the end of the ceremony to wait for Lauren, but I opted to hang out in the Teachers Room (where the few teachers that had made it automatically went to their ex-desks...) I stole the "What's The Time Mr Wolf?" book that I'd seen lying around - an exciting childrens story with a puppet wolf resembling a black, snappy Badger out of the Bodger and Badger duo. I'd had my eye on that for a while, so I was secretly glad the school closed so I could have it. Jokes. ^^

Lauren and I headed for Yongsan where we went for a job interview. We liked the layout of the school but there are some serious power-tripping women in this country, as the principal made it perfectly clear that she would consider our applications along with all the other interviewees she is seeing this week. Still, hopefully we'll hear back from her soon with a reply, whatever that may be. It was strange since we didn't really find out any information about the school though it seemed decent enough, but nor did she really ask us any questions about ourselves.

Slightly bemused by the fifteen minute 'interview', we headed out in search of some fun. It felt as though we had all the time in the world to play with, and we wanted to make the most of this. Of course this isn't true - we really ought to be getting a new job ASAP, but why waste a beautiful Saturday afternoon job hunting when we could be outside enjoying the non-icy cold weather?

We went to Myungdong where we wandered the high street shops. We revelled in the Christmas decorations, found new addictions in decorating our own sticker photos - in shops just filled solely with photo booths where you can dress up, take photos, and decorate your own backdrops and borders - and took advantage of the free hugs - people just standing in the streets with a sign reading "FREE HUGS". With fairy lights lining the shop windows and a crispness in temperature, there was certainly a festive feeling filling the air.

In the evening we went up to Seoul Tower via the Namsan cable car. It was very romantic looking down on the lights of Seoul *^^*

On the subway tonight I found a newspaper entitled "The Learning Times" - a newspaper for learning English. This weekend's feature article was part of a script from Sex in the City with Korean translation. Interesting vocab you could pick up there...

Tomorrow we're off to one of the US Army bases to remind ourselves of Western food and English literature. In fitting with the theme of the day we're meeting our army guy - the only one we've met so far - at Starbucks. Should be a blast.

More photos

Shock! They're cutting me off!

It's currently 01:52 and I'm really sleepy, but the cable guy is coming in the morning to disconnect my TV and internet so I need to get my blogging in now!

The atmosphere at school was back to the apprehensive dejectedness as it was before. Teachers were literally bawling their eyes out when the kindergarten children were about to leave and the reality that we were never coming back to this school seemed to dawn on everyone. The free-for-all turned into a bit of a tearful goodbye as everyone cleared out their desks for the last time.

Still, we all went out for drinks after school, followed by three hours of 노래방 - hiring a small room with your friends to serenade one another via the art of karaoke. The girls taught me how to increase my 'princess syndrome' by whining at men - apparently an endearing quality in a girlfriend in Korea; I imagine every Western man's worst nightmare - and I experienced the repetition of "I miss you, I wait for you, you're all that I think about" as the bilinguals decided to translate the multitude of Korean ballads that they chose to sing.

It was a fun night, until the vice principle phoned one of the teachers, leading to a ping-pong match of "It was all my fault, I should have tried harder, etc," and two grown women sobbing down the phone at one another. Still, much beer was drunk, and much dancing took place. I was escorted home by two of the teachers, one of which was very drunk and refused to believe that I could walk home by myself, filling me with 'horror' stories of innocent men playing on pinball machines and alley cats. Numbers were exchanged and promises of keeping in touch were made.

I'd better sleep - there's the early graduation ceremony on tomorrow morning which I may or may not attend depending on what time the cable guy turns up and how bad my headache is. But probably more importantly, we have a job interview in the afternoon, that it would be recommendable to turn up reasonably coherent to...