Mendhi Paintings

I really need to take better photos, or at least try in the daytime rather than some silly hour which I seem to have a habit of doing. These are small canvases, only 15cm by 15cm. However the frames are quite deep, which I love and haven't found in Korea as these were bought in Vancouver and packed in my suitcase. Ah, I miss Loomis or Opus on Granville Island.

Mendhi Painting 1, detail at an angle
Originally uploaded by Shazzbazz draws the Line!.

Mendhi Painting 2
Originally uploaded by Shazzbazz draws the Line!.

Mendhi Painting 3
Originally uploaded by Shazzbazz draws the Line!.

Mendhi Painting 4
Originally uploaded by Shazzbazz draws the Line!.

More Whys!!!

Sorry to say that I seem to be posting about my little dramas with technology and so on! Yep, the saga continues. My washing machine is now on the list of broken things, in good timing too as I only need to get my stuff ready for the trip. Hhhm is it ok to show up with dirty laundry like I used to when I was in college and visiting my parents!
Also the whole laundry room is on the list, as I had a few rude visitors that persist that they're here to stay. I opened the door to the laundry room which is in a covered and glassed in part of the wrap around balcony that I have, to find that my slippers could walk off on their own accord as it was crawling with maggots when I turned them over!!! Yes, I freaked, and freaked and did some more freaking. There were tons of theses horrid invaders all over the floor. It took a few phone calls to calm down as it was me, myself and I that had to clean it up. So, as I cleaned up and needed some air so I opened the door to the balcony only to start freaking again, yep there's more, this time they covered a body of a dead rat! I love cats, but at this particular time I just had to damn them and their love for a jolly good hunt!
So today is a new day and yep, these laundry room squatters continue to protest for their right to stay, I have no idea where they keep coming from, I clean up, turn around, and boom there's another one! I am thinking of what to do, maybe a another kind of pest control, like a team of two cats, I remember the two that Cherie and I had in Hong Kong who were awesome as they helped us a few times to kill the oversized mammoth cockroaches that would gate crash our home. However the two cats also liked to bring in their own friends that Cherie and I didn't quite agree with. I remember playing tennis with a rat that they wanted to show us, but dropped it when the screaming started. I used an electric fly squatter to try and get it out, hence my use of the tennis parody. Or poor Cherie finding a dead mouse that the cats lost interest in a few weeks ago, or how about the cats being sick and finding parts of a lizard, yum, fun times they were!
The bottom line here folks...I hate living alone but then again I wasn't alone as my roommate (a guy) was in his room the whole time and I didn't realize it, and he didn't hear my screams. Ok, let's try this bottom line thing again... I hate living with people - no that doesn't work either. Ok how about this one, I miss having a man around, OMG not that one!!! Ah here it is... I miss my dad, yeah that works!!! :)

Why, oh why???

Everytime I am about to embark on a trip my iBook starts to go funky!!! I was telling my UK cousins that I will bring my iBook and show the slideshows of my travels but most important Canada and my parents new home. Now, I think I may have to drop it off in the Apple repair shop and go without it.

This is when I wish I was living in the States! Here in Korea, it will take longer as they have to order everything from the States, they can't understand me as I explain my problems. They will just do diagnostic tests this will be the third time I have dropped it off for repairs. These are the problems:

1. Twice this week my computer just stopped (especially while playing iTunes) and advised me to restart, which has never happened before and I've had it for almost three years my warranty runs out in December!
2. The screen has white spots again, yep again as it was supposedly repaired before.
3. The screen slowly gets darker then lighter.
4. It can't play CDs as the computer doesn't recognize it and just ejects it, or sometimes I can't eject it forcing me to restart just to get it out or it just gets stuck!!!
5. I bought Microsoft Office and was never able to get the Power Point to work.
6. I no longer can use Window's Media Player I have tried so many things to get it working.

Jeeze and to think I know so many people who bought either an iBook or a Power Book the same time as me and I'm the only one to keep revisiting the repair shop! One friend who was a Mac repairman (Canada) thinks I certainly have a lemon and it should have been replaced with my last visit as I have too many things going wrong. I know some of my friends are probably laughing and saying that I should have stuck it out with my PC, but I'm still a Mac fan!!! (Fingers Crossed)

July 28th for dinner and wine?

Yes, I'm still alive! I've been painting, and painting and that's it folks you guessed it, painting! I'm busy preparing for July 28th, and let me tell you why!

There will be a gala event on Friday July 28th in Chongdam Dong. The purpose of this event is to raise funds for nine orphans to visit Chang Mai, Thailand who will perform a traditional Korean Dance. It's a great opportunity for these youngsters to see another culture as well as to realize how lucky they truly are.

The event starts at 9pm in La Festa, Chongdam Dong (02-540-7006). There will be a Latin performance, and an art show.

The Korean Times featured the story and you can see my lovely friend Irene who I'm so lucky to know. There's another article in the Kscene (local free mag), I will try and get one and post it. I can't believe the photo they used for that article, I only had five minutes that morning to get ready, and now all of Seoul has seen how I look, yikers!

Also, I am going to the UK for my summer vacation for three weeks. I'm looking forward to the trip as it's been three years since I last visited. I've already talked to some of my cousins and my friends and they're pretty excited to have me visit. Plus I need a top up on my accent, as I'm becoming something else that no one can place! So, if you're in the UK let me know, I'll be in Ealing, Slough, Poole and Cornwall, oh and in Hong Kong for three days too.

Got to get back to the painting, enjoy your weekend!

Emotional Rollercoaster

I have two things to write about I’ll start with a positive note…

I finally have a painting in a gallery in Korea. It’s only one, which is all right. I am part of an artist group just outside of Seoul; called “Anyang Young Artist Group” the show is only up for a week but it’s something as well as the beginning.

But…
I can’t stop thinking about yesterday while on the bus I witnessed a man kicking his dog.
I couldn’t believe how scared and humble this poor soul looked. I wanted so much to jump off the bus to follow and record this with my cell phone camera (That’s what they’re for right?). However we were on a highway and getting across the street is difficult.
I am ashamed that I did nothing. Korea is not a country that strongly supports animal rights. There are a few people here that love and care for animals it’s amazing when I ask my students to see who has a pet, I may see only 3 out 36 hands go up if I’m lucky.
I miss having pets, I would love to have one but the truth is, I still can’t decide on what country to live in plus I’m not always home which isn’t fair for them.

I don’t understand people who abuse animals!

This is a Korean Jindo dog just like yesterday. They have an interesting history that is worth reading about here. Also I found a great site Lonley Lifetime about the dogs in Korea that need help.

India Arie

What an amazing song. I loved the lyrics...

I Am Not My Hair
Breast Cancer and Chemotherapy
Took away her crown and glory
She promised God if she was to survive
She would enjoy everyday of her life ooh
On national television
Her diamond eyes are sparkling
Bald headed like a full moon shining
Singing out to the whole wide world like HEY...

I am not my hair
I am not this skin
I am not your expectations no no
I am not my hair
I ma not this skin
I am a soul that lives within

What no comments?

Well I know some of my friends are reading this blog, but sometimes I wonder is anyone out there? One friend mentioned that she's had problems leaving comments, or is it that this site is terribly boring well, either way tell me about it, please :)

Lor' luv a duck! have a good chin wag. Know what I mean?

Lor' luv a duck! After talkin' ter me mum I'm 'appy but still can't believe my bruvver is ge'in' married. . Know what I mean? Blimey! looks like a lot ov family an' friends comin' from da muvver land where ter put 'em all? Nuff said, yeah?

Lawd above! Missin' da old coun'ry deese days espcially after chattin' wiv Jas, think abaaaht makin' a trip dis august. . , innit. Besides i' would be great ter come back ter Kawera talkin' like dis, an' yeah I used ter sound like dis fer those who know my Canadian persona., innit. Lor' luv a duck! These days it's limited fer me farfer's wet tears awer da poor souls what go drinkin' wiv me. Know what I mean?

Blimey! have a look at my old bus - reminds me ov my shoppin' days in Ealin' awer be'er yet ge'in' ter da tube. Nuff said, yeah?

Dae Han Min Guk! ~~Fighting~~ '대~한민국'

Again 2002 Bravo Corea

"Reds Go Together"

These are the things I hear and see everywhere as everyone it seems is preparing for the game tonight (in a few hours) against Togo. They expect about 1.2 million to be on the street, I just came home and I can say yeah! There were tons of people with the red devil horns as well as the red T-shirts - seeing that they're sold on almost every street corner. Ha ha ha I'm watching the news, they're reporting from the World Cup Stadium here in Seoul but the regular news too, and you really can't hear too well as you can hear the crowds in the background.

Update on the game (for those that don't know).

Korea 2
Togo 1

Who Stole the Cookie from the Cookie Jar?

This is cute, reminds me of my students, it's something I wish I could do if I didn't have such large classes. Check it out.

What a busy Week!

Monday: dinner with my landlord and Suhee (old Roomie). What a nightmare he went on and on about his success and power as we drank more alcohol he told us about his girlfriends and his dating policy, "she must be one year older than my daughter." The nasty thing is, he is married and they live in the apartment below. He was hitting on poor Suhee, good thing she moved out!

Tuesday: early morning start with a hangover. Met my friend outside of Seoul, met her artist group for a picnic in some strange valley directly under a highway the place that we sat in turned out to be a dog meat restaurant (freaked out). My new roomie, Philipp moved in who is also an artist and got me painting.

Wednesday: not so bad, had dinner with Nayan in our favourite Buddha's Belly, got home did some writing went to bed with an upset stomach.

Thursday: woke up at 3 am, the upset stomach was turning for the worse it kept me up pretty much all night leaving me exhausted and still in pain..yep folks food poisoning again! Called in sick but extremely tired I started painting until 11pm.

Friday: so far not too bad, well got a phone call, one of my Daegu students is in town and wants to see me, I really have no time.

Saturday: I will be volunteering for an orphanage far from Seoul thank goodness the time has changed to 9:40 as the previous time was too early. I then have an artist meeting at my house at 7pm plus I need to hand in my portfolio (not ready) which is a hot item at the moment as many people require this from me, which is why I'm here in my office with a painting...sshh...don't tell! ;P

Oh and thank you Amanda, Cherie and Jasmeet for your help with my artist statement, it's really interesting to get three different view points. Take care all!

Big Fat Meanies!!!

My goodness some people are just mean, I mean MEAN ~snarl!!!


There is one girl at the school where I'm at, who has some serious attitude that's absolutely pathetic. She's the most fluent speaker so the vice principal and others depend on her as much as the other English teacher and I do for her language skills. Ok she happens to work in the English center which is still part of the school but a different curriculum.

So here's a list, please rate 1: "Big Fat Meanie" to 5: "Little Skinny Meanie".

1. She once told the other English teacher and myself to leave the room as we were talking too much English and it was giving her a headache.

2. On numerous occasions she was asked about the summer schedule and vacations. Finally one day she laughed and said, "You don't know...Well I booked my vacation already, ha ha ha" But only told the one person who asked.

3. She feels that it is her position only to speak to the other teacher as I'm not part of the English Center and that I should speak only to my co-teacher's whose English sucks and receives no information from above that is directed to myself.

4. Asks the vice principal if it's ok that we don't attend the Korean computer meeting cause you know, it's in Korean. However refuses to tell myself as it's not her position.

5. Walks around the school chatting to people only to complain about the English teachers and our attitude as we don't do as we're told.....told what?

6. We're not the only ones she nick-picks about, she's also super sticky with the use of slippers in her classroom and the fact that one didn't erase the white board completely even though she refuses to teach or be an assistant to the English center teacher, which is her position really.

Sometimes, I think I'm just being silly it's not that bad ~ but it is. I can't talk to her without her eyes rolling or the icky wicked witch of the East laugh as she thinks I'm soooooo stupid. Anyway the pleasure of working with such people is making me tingle all over!!! :(

Artist Statement Fun

That time has come again, I used to dread this compulsory activity that needed to be completed at the end of every semester seeing that I was a drawing major (the only major that had to do this twice a year). Almost every artist hates this particular activity, I remember back in college when at the end of fourth year everyone was freaking out complaining that they're artists not writers. Yep, folks it's the dreaded artist statement! I know it's important and necessary but it's super tough, I do appreciate the fact that I did do it twice a year back in college, and really.... I should have kept that up.

Being many thousands of miles away from anything that I wrote all those years ago, is a fresh start so I've been poking my nose around the internet and there's quite a lot of hate towards the poor artist statement, many are just collections of fancy words put together that sounds rather... Well... You know... uhm... FANCY! And yeah, I have read a few statements that have left me bewildered and feeling utterly stupid as I back away slowly hoping that no one noticed the fool who doesn't fancy the fancy words.

So I found this site, one that allows you to input the words and it will spew out your statement and voila, you're done. So tell me what you think...

Sharon's work investigates the nuances of modulations through the use of slow motion and close-ups which emphasize the Symbiotic nature of media. Sharon explores abstract and metaphysical scenery as motifs to describe the idea of cyber-intuitive reality. Using warm loops, non-linear narratives, and allegorical images as patterns, Sharon creates meditative environments which suggest the expansion of culture...

Poor Guy mistaken for an interview at the BBC!

This is hilarious....

A few days ago a guy went into the BBC for a job interview and found himself being interviewed live on a worldwide broadcast. The funny thing is it was the wrong "Guy".
The BBC presenter thought she was interviewing "Guy Kewney" of newswireless.net, but she was really talking to "Guy Goma" who was looking to be interviewed for a job with the BBC.

Guy Goma had only been learning English for the past 4 years and did the best he could in the challenging situation. He was interviewed as "Guy Kewney" and happily answered whatever difficult questions were thrown at him by the presenter, Karen Bowerman.

Here's what I found...Mr Goma, who taught himself English after moving to London four years ago from French-speaking Congo, told The Sun: "After what had happened I was traumatised. If I don't get the job, maybe there's a career for me in TV." You can read more of the article. Also you can watch the video.

And there goes another year!

So the birthday thing was great. Saturday was a blast (pre-birthday celebration) - had a great meal with some new and old friends in an Italian place that wasn't too bad. Ended up having some drinks at my new and fav hangout joint the Bungalow Lounge. I love that place for the drinks but it's the ambiance and the warm sand that your feet are constantly burrowing in.



The first gift I received was from Nayan's dentist friend. I met him once and invited him to the big dinner party I had, well he wanted to give something and it was quite the gift, something I haven't had in a loooooong time! LEGO ah, yeah! I stayed up until two in the morning just building Lego.



Heejong a relatively new friend has become my Seoul sister! She did a fantastic portrait of me, I'm so lucky to have a friend that has invested so much time in me, I'm so glad to have met her!







Tonight was nice (actual birthday) - a quiet meal in a fantastic Greek restaurant, it was a first for my friend Heejong and it's won't be the last! The ever so beautiful Youngjoo came all the way to Seoul from Deagu to spend the evening with me, I was so touched, but my goodness that girl spoils me... In the picture you may notice that I'm wearing a heart. I couldn't believe it, a Tiffany piece I've never received such a thing it's the sweetest thing ever!


My brother called; it was great to chat with him, I have to call my parents as they're somewhere in the States, I also had a great little talk with Nayan. Oh and I got my Korean Driver's License, so now I have three: Canadian, and Hong Kong too! So, thank you for a great birthday!

World Press Freedom Day

As I write I realize and thank the fact that I have the freedom to express considering my current locale is about 230km away from the capital of the world's most censored country, North Korea!

I miss that passion that we had in Resolution217 to celebrate and bring light onto the very thing that we all take for granted as we have no reason to think likewise. I have been educated through some of the most talented and passionate people and I give thanks to them as they still continue to help as well as to express their freedom.

Thank you Katie, Sham, Nayan, Young-joo, Michele, Bob, Jen and Stephen!!!

Just sleep on it!

Peaceful Nayan
Originally uploaded by Shazzbazz draws the Line!.

Ah the yoga weekend, hhmmm didn't know what to expect really, something interesting I guess. However it was quite different, but the best part was hanging out with my dear friends.



As you can see some us were truly just hanging out, Nayan looks super peaceful!



So, my phone has been super busy today everyone is calling to see what's up for my birthday which is next week. I haven't put much thought into it at all, and quite honestly I don't mind for it to be quiet. I have no idea of what to do this weekend... It's also Buddha's birthday on May 5th which is also Children's Day so this weekend is a long weekend which is why everyone is wanting to do something.
Argh, I dunno ;P

Sandy & Yatren
Originally uploaded by Shazzbazz draws the Line!.

Yogi lover!

A wedding, the sick and a yoga retreat!

So I thought that I should tell you all that know me well and my brother Andrew too. It's official, my brother will be getting married to Joanna, August 2007!!!

I've been chatting with my family a lot these days one, because of Andrew, and the other, my dad had taken ill and was in hospital for about a week, which had us all worried. He's doing well now as he's kicking back at home on the range.

I'm off to Daegu then Kyungjoo for the weekend to join my friend Sandy and her yoga friends - looks like there will be some yoga stuff going on, so it should be interesting!

Have a great weekend all!

Proposed Idea

Proposed Idea
Originally uploaded by Shazzbazz draws the Line!.

The current series that I am working on.

Painting for a lightbox
Originally uploaded by Shazzbazz draws the Line!.

Painting to test the fabrics that I need.

A bull does have friends!

Okay so sometimes I like to check out my horoscope it's normally at the end of the day, however this time it seems to hit it on the nail.

"There's no question that people are important to each other. But for you, people are really, really important. You draw strength and energy from interactions - though of course, they can be draining too. It's imperative for you to be engaged in a world peopled with people in order to feel fulfilled. So take a look at just how fulfilled you feel (or don't feel). An idea or two for how to improve things will likely occur to you."

My past weekends have been fantastic as well as horrid as there was a nasty fight with my roommate that drained not just energy but my patience and positivity that I am trying hard to maintain. So anyway back to the great times I've had...

Last weekend Sandy and her new hubby came up to Seoul for the weekend. Sandy stayed with me as Yatren had a weekend workshop to attend. We put on a huge dinner party that night, she cooked Chinese food on one side of the stove while I cooked curries on the other side, one my Korean friends washed the dishes as we were seriously piling them up. The spread was laid out in my spare room we had, a lamb curry, two kinds of daal (lentil curry) saag paneer (spinach, but I didn't make paneer so I used tofu), vegetable & shrimp stir fry, garlic eggplant in a black sauce, spring rolls, fresh rolls, basmati rice and naan (bread). It was cute to see the line-up. About fifteen people came by I was told later that many of my Korean friends were worried about coming as they weren't so confident about going to an English speaking home however they were in for a shock as it was mainly Korean, in fact Nayan and my friend Phillip asked me where are the English speakers. The party was great I realized that my home was full of good friends and all of which are super creative with big hearts. Let's see we had a dentist, some photographers, a famous singer, two yogis, some artists, a web designer and a fashion stylist, yeah, that's a creative bunch!



This weekend, I had a great meeting with the art group I'm part of, we are planning a show in the summer, however we came together with our work, everyone was super positive and helpful too as I guess it's been a long time since any of is had a critique of our work. A few of us girls then went out for a fantastic Indian meal with a drink later in the Beach Lounge unfortunately the tables that they have in the sand area were reserved so we sat away from that I felt sorry for one friend that joined later as he's really quite tall, he had a hard time sitting in the seats as they were way too short. Anyway this place does the best cosmos! We then went onto another place we ordered a couple bottles of wine as my friend Irene knows her stuff and I have yet to have plonk! Anyway the weekend was great realized how close Nayan and I have become as friends and I am going to miss him as he's moving to India in September. Also I became closer to Irene and Hee-jong, we seem to have gotten closer even though we haven't met as often as we like - we talked about taking a trip to Tibet or something. I even had fun with Nayan's friend who opened up more as the night went on.

Anyway, my friends rock my world, I miss you all!!!

Drunks a chit chatting!

I can never understand why some drunks choose to hangout around my apartment late on a weeknight chit chatting, it's not like there's some joint nearby!!! And to think my neighbors put up with it I never hear anyone complain to them. Anyway I thought I show you what the favorite drink here is like and how favored it is:



And this is what you sometimes see, however the toupee is classic!!!















I feel sorry for some of the older folk here, there doesn't seem to be much for them, as some parks you see loads of them just hanging out.











And I guess some pets don't get out much either!

Sandy's Busan Wedding

Just got back from a long weekend which started in Daegu my old city then Busan. The reason for the trip was to see Sandy and to be present at her wedding. I admit that I haven't been there for my friends on their special day, and I feel guilty but most of all...I missed out.

Sandy is Chinese Canadian, from Saskatchewan of all places. She too has been here in Korea a long time and has bounced back and forth, but things got more serious when she started taking yoga classes and she fell for her yogi! Nothing is ever a boring story with Sandy!!! Anyway, today was their wedding and I am glad that I was there. It was a wedding mainly put on by his parents for a big show and basically to get money as Korean weddings are super complicated and not just about the union of a couple. Her family wasn't able to make it due to the quick planning as they put this together within a month. Neither of them wanted this and would have preferred a quiet deal on a beach around a bonfire, however they added their own flavor to the typical mundane ceremony which is over within an hour, I mean the meal, ceremony and all!

They had flying chickens for people to catch for good luck, a performance by Kenny G's Korean competitor and then a yoga display by the people that work at his studio in Daegu. It ended with a big bang as the yoga performers jumped off the stage to throw conffetti, glitter and string at the couple, which shocked the elderly and conservative crowd! The meal was a few blocks away in a seafood restaurant which wasn't bad except for the dish below. We had a few drinks ate sashimi and watched as her husband's friends made them play some Korean games with a yoga twist like lying on the floor opposite each other in a yogaish position and kiss. Fairly interesting, but the Canadians felt sorry for her as she was starving and tired from all the photography as well as all the bowing that she had to do during the ceremony.

I'm happy I'm home, she's happy it's over and she should be at the beach by now in Busan with her hubby, and I guess I should go to bed as it's back to teaching kids tomorrow! Yikes where did this weekend go???

I also must say that I am super happy to see Sandy ecstatic and in love with her husband and I wish them all the best! ;)

Loneliness

As much as I try to focus on my artwork, which these days is a lot more than it has been in years I still have bouts of emotional breakdowns of loneliness. Some friends have asked me about why I continue to stay away from Canada where my family and friends are -- I really don’t have an answer, but I don’t think being in Canada is any different.

My feelings are also fuelled by the constant difficulties that I have both at home and at work. I don’t fit in at work, one because I don’t speak the language and two, which is the biggest reason, Koreans will always see non-Koreans as a foreigner even if I was born and raised here. Sometimes this is an advantage as I get away with many things, but it also puts me in a position where I cannot advance, as I will always be the English teacher teaching the same materials year after year without any further responsibilities.

At home some of you may already know that I live with a Korean friend, but that’s not working out too well, not only do we have personality conflicts but cultural too, I guess you may be asking, “Like what?” Well I remember one night when some friends were staying over I was preparing the spare room for one girl to sleep in as another friend (a guy) was going to sleep on the sofa, but everyone was shocked as it was naturally presumed that she would with sleep in my room with me, or with my roommate. This caused a chaotic moment until they told me to go to bed as they will sort it out. That’s no big deal, but the chaos it created was silly.

My roommate’s English is not a problem however we have some serious communication issues which always ends terribly and it’s not getting better.

My loneliness also comes from other aspects too I was just reading about loneliness. which mentioned some reasons why a person would possibly feel lonely, this is what they said.

- you're alone and you don't feel you have a choice not to be;
- you feel that you're lacking attachments you had in the past;
- you are facing changes in your life--a new school, town, job, or other changes;
- you feel there's no one in your life with whom you can share your feelings and experiences;
- your self-perceptions are that you're unacceptable, unlovable, not worthwhile even if others don't share those perceptions.

Well I feel all of the above. I am trying hard to think positive, but it’s hard, I realize that I am becoming a needy person, a person who wants to have people around. Another thing (the selfishness in me) is my roommate is dating and is always around her boyfriend as much as possible, I am happy for them but it also fuels my loneliness as I haven’t had luck in meeting guys, as I have chosen to live in a country that has some crazy narrow minded views on interracial dating.

Many of you ask, “Why stay?” I don’t know an easy answer to that question but I will try to answer it through some future posts. Until then, I need to get some sleep and have some sweet dreams, luckily these days my creative engery is back and I wake up with many ideas.

Sweet dreams y'all ;)

English can be confusing!

While my students' English is amazingly good I worry about the kind of things that are published. I can't believe that I found this particular article written by a reporter and of course he used an online translator of some sort.

"The recent 21 century children live and it is cut hemp cloth right. From to be young until they age and are end. Especially the elementary school and the junior high school with compulsory education are the process which anyone certainly it does to pass by. The elementary school reaches usual 9 subject degree, little by little subject possibility it increases. Korean language, mathematics, science and English are compulsory subject and the society, Ye Che Neung (the fine arts, music, the fruit [ technique family ] and Chinese writing, khem phyu to sprout) the hemp cloth it cries. Study method is simple. the teacher it advances a study in explanation method. In elementary school, one teacher teaches all subjects, but from the junior high school every subject the teacher is different all. elementary school time, announces, discussion plentifully but, from the junior high school only will decrease in the portion which is important to draw the same things and the teacher explains all things."

If you know what he's trying to convey in his article, please, let me know!

Sniffles and Openings

So, yes I have been rather lazy in not keeping you all updated in the great adventures that I lead each and every day! The truth is yes, it’s been interesting and no it hasn’t at the same time. Let’s start with what I thought was my highlight Saturday in Seoul...

*I met up with a yahoo group that I joined, “Seoul Art Collective”
*Met some great like-minded people.
*Visited the beautiful Samsung Leeum Art Museum
*Went to my first gallery show opening here in Korea.
*Met a famous Korean singer and have his phone number!
*Had dinner with new friends from the opening then a wild night of drinking.

The day was just fantastic as I met people that I can finally talk to about art and where the hell it is that I’m going with my work. It’s been a long time since I was at an opening which was a ritual while I was in art college, I must say, I'm rather rusty and need to get serious.

Last Friday was good too, as the group visited an artist-in-residence space called, “Ssamzie Art Space”. The studios were open, a great chance to check out the works. There seemed to be a lot of video, and I really have a hard time understanding at the best of times but there were a few provocative and interesting video installations. The most inetersting was a guy that had found images or characters that were already in his studio, and may have slightly altered it - such as chipped paint on the walls in a shape that suggests a dolphin and so on. It forced the viewer to take a harder look at what you are really looking at as sometimes we are too quick to find meaning but forget our imagination while being conscious of the reality.

Other than a few weekends with some gallery visits and get togethers with the group my life is no different to an ordinary routine of home and work. Oh, and I wouldn’t want to start writing about work! Whaooooooo that’s a whole new website dedicated to “frustrations of technology” as well as “what the hell am I to do now?” Anyway, my students are great but I keep getting sick with all their lergies...he he he cough cough cough!!!

One of the 22 classrooms that I teach in.

One can see a sunrise!

Beautiful sun rise in the mornings where my parents live.
Originally uploaded by Shazzbazz draws the Line!.

I can't believe I'm back here in my apartment in Seoul, it was over so fast. I enjoyed every minute of being back in Canada and to visit my parents new home. It was the first time to realize that yes, I no longer live with them even though they have a room that they call mine.

I went to the Calgary area for a week and a half mainly stayed home with my parents as the trip the year before I got four days with them. It was nice and relaxing, Colin (friend) came over lots, as transportation was really limited. I went into the city a few times to run errands as well as shopping, it's hard to get some things here in Korea, mainly shoes my size clothing too and some food.

I spent my last two days in Vancouver, it was supposed to be three however I changed my plan, as I was so comfortable being home and wasn't feeling so good either.

I stayed with Katie on the first night, I didn't take a photo of her :( then I stayed with Sham, I miss them both very much. Most of my friends in Canada live in Vancouver now, I wished I had more time, as I wasn't able to see Vinney who I wasn't able to see last year either! Sorry :(

I got to hang out with Mandy and had a quick lunch with her and Zak, some yummy sushi. One thing I love about Vancouver is the food, it's healthy reasonably priced and different to what I can get in Calgary and there's nothing like it in Seoul. Here Korea the general notion of what westerners eat consists of spaghetti, pizza and hamburgers. Ok I had one hamburger in Calgary where you can actually get an ostrich burger or buffalo, so I thought why not have a burger! Anyway I miss the different salads that don't have the thousand island dressing that seems to be the favorite here or even the selection of international foods, damn I didn't get to have Ethiopian!! I love it!

Anyway tomorrow is the official day of work, I can't believe I came home went to work on Tuesday, an absolute waste of my time, I read half of the book I started that day. The school then told me that I can have two days off as it's useless that I am there. I could have stayed in Vancouver longer!!! Damn!

Oh well, oh and a happy belated Valentine's day - guess what I do with the oven when I have free time...

Three more days and counting!

I'm so excited! Three more days until I fly home and see my parents! I can't wait. Lately I seem to have come to my limits with Korea, it's amazing how tired one can get being amongst another culture. I am avoiding Korean food, as I am not craving it all and feeling not so good if I do eat it however all I want to eat is sushi! Anyway, I just can't wait to eat whatever I want as well as my mum's great cooking, I miss her curries...ooooh basmati rice, ooh oh! Sorry just was imagining the taste of basmati rice. The other thing that I am tired of dealing with is being on the bus, yes folks this does annoy me. I am tired of being pushed by other passengers who are racing to get to the door, even though we have just left a stop and will take a moment more before reaching the next stop however it seems imperative that these people be at the door even though they may push you to the point you almost lose balance cause you know it is a packed bus where everyone is squashed together and have really limiting space! The other day, two older women managed to push past me which then dropped my bags to the floor as I was carrying my groceries. I don't know, does this happen outside of Korea am I losing it??? I'm also looking forward to being around people, as I've been really lonely. I haven't really made many new friends since moving to Seoul and I'm not someone that seems to be on the list for people to call me. Well enough whining!

I did though have a great New Years (okay this is where I contradict everything I said in the paragraph above). I met up with my friend Nado, (who is a talented and beautiful woman) who introduced me to some of her friends. We had dinner together and a few glasses of wine. She managed to stay late enough to wish each other a happy new year before heading home. I then went clubbing with some people I met that night, but I had a terrible time in the two clubs as I found myself dancing alone. I decided to go home until one of the guys that Nado introduced me to, persuaded me to join him with his Korean friends in the North of Seoul. I finally went as he told me they would be men, I jumped to that idea. We met his friends in a restaurant and joined them with a few bottles of soju (Korean tradintional alcohol similar to vodka) and lots of side dishes we then went to a singing room (karaoke) and did some singing, even though I swore I wouldn't sing but after a few bottles of beers I was singing like a wild cat!

This picture of me was obviously taken before the drinking started!Well I will try and post as much as I can, but once I get to Canada I can't promise anything....

This is me waiting for any guy!

It's been a while!

I know I've been somewhat missing for a while. Anyway some of you guys were asking me if I got the job, and the answer is yes. I started working last month and currently the school is on vacation for two months however I still continue to go as we offer English class for the kids. It's going alright, a little boring as not many kids show up as they are on vacation, however the schedule is sweet!

I will be flying to Canada next Saturday and will be hanging out with my parents in Calgary for a while then off to Vancouver. I really need the break as this kind of visit means hanging out with family and when you consider how much time I spend alone like this weekend, I really need to be around people.

I've been rather sick lately too, from the flu to food poisoning and two days ago I went to get my hair cut which is when the hair stylist pointed out that my scalp is really red and it's normally due to stress, she warned me that I could lose my hair, which is frightening.

Oh, and a Happy Birthday to Mandy my dear friend. I can't wait to see you in Vancouver!

Happy Holidays

Sorry that this is late, I'm unable to post regularly at this moment as my computer is in for repairs :( I'm using the school computers, which is annoying and way, way toooooo slow!

Oh, I will be going home to Calgary end of Jan, so I hope to see you all, and I will visit Van on the way back so I'll keep you updated on the dates.

Have fun!

What's a pic in Japan without Hello Kitty?

What's a pic in Japan without Hello Kitty?
Originally uploaded by Shazzbazz draws the Line!.

Just got back from a visa run in Osaka yesterday and I'm happy to be home. I walked so much my feet were aching, I wanted to see as much as I could in just two nights and almost three days!

Osaka was much warmer than Seoul even though it rained most of the time, but what I loved about Japan were the Japanese. Even though Osaka is highly populated I wasn't pushed or bumped or hurried along with the crowds. I was even on a packed train, I mean PACKED! But it wasn't so bad as there were no elbows poking me in odd places as I was taller than most people.

The food was okay, however the desserts were fun but a little expensive. I tried to do lots and wished I got up early to maybe take a train to Kyoto or Kobe, but I was dead tired. I didn't get much sleep before the trip due to my evil neighbors that fought all night Friday, then partied Saturday then I was up at 5 am Sunday for Japan.

Tomorrow I start working, its been a long time, I think since the end of July or something??? Anyway I hope to wake up on time! My friends did ask me out today but I'm so tired, it's ridiculous!!!

Wish me luck on my first day :)

Smiling at guys :)

When a guy smiles at me I try to smile back I can’t say I do 100% of the time. I also try to smile at guys and see if they smile back and I can’t say that works 100% of the time either. However the other evening I did smile at a guy and he smiled back then approached me and said, “Nice to meet you”. I too said the same thing but then he asked me if I had a room, I was perplexed as to why he’s asking me such a thing then it hit me!!! Shit, “No”, and I ran but then he followed me, but luckily I ran much faster and into a building then out through another door.

The area that I was in is the largest foreign neighborhood in Seoul, with a mixture of people wanting great eats as this is the place, or to hang out as this place has its fair share of bars, clubs and pubs, then there are people looking for hookers!

You’d be amazed as to how many people ask me for sex, it’s not that I’m dressed sexy, jeeze that night I wore a hat, large jacket with jeans and runners, nothing hookerish at all! The fact that I’m somewhat Caucasian looking is enough here, as they say that foreign girls are easy. Why do they say that, well just take a look at what movies and TV shows get exported out of the West. I had a taxi driver tell me that black people are bad people cause he’s seen it in the movies! It’s a sad state, we in the West may be open about sex however the world views us as horny little devils banging anyone and everyone!

Why did I write this??? I don’t know, just thought I’d rant, and also say that smiling at men can be a scary thing!!! LOL!

Something I'm working on

Wait for the outcome of what it is that I'm working on...

Thanks for the positive energy, it paid off!

So, once again I'm in the world of employment. I had a few months off even though I had planned for it to be five weeks. The beginning was good, but it was unplanned and not so great for financial reasons.

Anyway I was offered a great job this weekend, for Kangnam education board. The school board will be paying my salary while a lucky elementary school gets to have me as their only Native English teacher! The interview was great it was with a Korean lady who was fantastic and should seriously consider giving classes. She asked me many questions on my teaching philosophy, which showed that they care about education, and they really should, seeing that they are the education board.

So I may be in Japan this week for my visa, asah!

Wish me luck!

Well it's early Saturday morning and I'm still in bed as I write this, however today has got to be the day!!! I have a job interview for a job that I want, I mean this is THE job that I wanted in the first place and searched and searched as to how to get into this place for this year, and today is the interview!! Whahooooooo! They called me first thing this early morning as an emergency - I really don't mind, as it's an emergency for me too! I am to start this week at that other job that I recently posted about (the unhappy one).

I need your positive energy at 4pm Korean time - please and thankyou with a cherry on top!

Today is the day, it just has to be!!! :)

Back In Da Day!!!

I was just reflecting.....

Photo courtesy of Mandy... Thanks ;P

Blah!

Some good news, I have found a job, however I'm not so happy at all. It's not what I want, it's the first job in Korea that I'm not happy to sign up for, but I need to work. It's financial and mental, as I'm going seriously nutty at home and fighting too much with my roommate too.

It looks like Korea is coming to an end soon, I really am not happy, you would think that after doing a certificate that should help you further in your career, but it turns out not to be the case. I predicted it may be like that here, but wow! I am tired of being offered pathetic positions, and no I don't wish to travel more than an hour on the subway to the point where I'm no longer in Seoul and no I don't want to work for money less than my last contract and close to what I recieved when I first got here in 1999! Aren't you suppossed to get better positions with more experience and education you get???

I went to quite a few interviews and so many I wondered if they even read my resume. They asked me things like, "Have you ever taught Korean children before?" or "Do you know what a public school is?" or "Can you teach?" stupid, stupid questions. I had no idea why they asked me to come for the interview, they would offer me positions that pay soooooo low, it's ridiclous, and would say that this is normal in Korea, yet if they had read my resume they would see that I have worked in Korea for three years, I'm not an idiot!

Anyway that's where I'm at right now. I have already started to think about Hong Kong again, maybe I should have stayed there as I would have been there five years by now. Wow time flies!!!

I'm really a dunce when it comes to this whole ESL world in Korea.

P.S. Sorry to my Korean friends, but this is how it is.

Self Portrait

"A desire arises in the mind. It is satisfied immediately another comes. In the interval which separates two desires a perfect calm reigns in the mind. It is at this moment freed from all thought, love or hate. Complete peace equally reigns between two mental waves."

Swami Sivananda

The Photos Are Finally Uploaded

Once again in Hong Kong
Originally uploaded by Shazzbazz draws the Line!.

I didn't take a ton of photos like I normally do, however they're up for you to check out. Just click on the photo then you're taken to the flickr website, I hope you can see the slideshow (just click the slideshow on the lower right side of the main pic) as I didn't upload in order. Enjoy.

Missing Bangkok

So, I'm back in Seoul and have been since Saturday night. It's strange to be back and to not have a ton to do or a lesson plan to write. I've caught up on my sleep and starting to oversleep. :(

So I still don't know why I rushed to come back without enjoying my time in Bangkok, I thought I would be in Japan right now sorting out my work visa for a new job that I thought would start right away, however that's not the case. I had an interview, I think I interviewed them more than they did with me, apparently I had the job before I walked into the centre. They are to open 7 more schools (public elementary school) and I'm one of the teachers for one school, but they decided to open in November instead of October leaving me to sit around for a month, normally that would be okay, however I haven't had a job since August and I'm what you call BROKE and I have rent due in a couple of weeks. Also I was super late to meet them, like 30 mins late. Why??? Cause I didn't think it would take me 90 mins to get there as I allotted an hour thinking that would be the most I would travel each way to work everyday. So, do I really want to wait for this job, as I also have to consider the cost of traveling, and I'm really upset with the turnout as I contacted them in August for the job and things seemed sorted then, before I went to Thailand, and now this. I could of tried for so many other positions and now I'm scrambling as to what to do.

The good jobs are wanting to start in November or December so it looks like I would have to wait, or maybe take up part-time positions that actually makes more money however I wouldn't be granted a working visa and..... You can figure out the rest!

Then I thought well if I have to wait for a month and most jobs pay for the flights to Korea, then I could go home to Canada and visit my family as this seems to be a good time. My mum had an accident where she shattered a few bones in her hand and broke her arm and needed surgery to have pins put in, plus I have no idea where my parents live, they moved house in August and are about 175km South of Calgary.

Decisions, decisions, I'm always faced with making major decisions!!! :(

Sorry no pics for a while, I lost my camera USB cable, I think I left it in Hong Kong as I left many things there! Grrrrrrr!!!!