Bobsama in Korea 밥사마는 한국에서

Sage career planning advice

2007-11-06T05:43:00.000-08:00

The Pmarca Guide to Career Planning, part 0: Introduction

The Pmarca Guide to Career Planning, part 1: Opportunity

The Pmarca Guide to Career Planning, part 2: Skills and education

The Pmarca Guide to Career Planning, part 3: Where to go and why

Annyeong, Seoul...Back to the Midwest ^_^

2007-10-05T14:33:00.000-07:00

Bus ride to Incheon International.

Thank you, Japan Airlines.

Harsh.

Excellent reading: The 4-Hour Workweek

2007-10-05T14:21:00.000-07:00

How Does a Bestseller Happen? A Case Study in Hitting #1 on the New York Times

Some recent videos-- camera phone style

2007-10-04T12:42:00.000-07:00

Riding a bicycle in the countryside

Waterfall in Gangchon, Gangwon-Do

Korean baseball cheerleaders

Seorak Mountain 설악산

2007-08-22T08:31:00.000-07:00

Where the #%*$ have I been? More coming soon...

2007-08-15T00:40:00.000-07:00

Assorted images

2007-04-27T08:58:00.000-07:00

Sungshin Women's University, auspiciously located near my home.

Home-cooked meal, Korean-style

Jeju Island phone booths

Subway umbrella salesman

Student's book about Lincoln.

Editor's note: Not my hat.

Friend's wedding in Chuncheon

2007-04-27T08:48:00.000-07:00

Outside the wedding hall

Northern South Korean countryside

Hyehwa/Daehangno area

2007-04-25T07:53:00.000-07:00

"She's my Cherry Pie"

Cyworld.com (Korea's MySpace) street culture festival. T.G.I. Friday's, Beer Hunter, and Kraze Burger visible in the background.

수업 시간

2007-04-25T07:31:00.000-07:00

Looking back at this picture, I'm amazed these kids have their books open and pencils in hand.

"Sunny" reminds me of a certain one of my favorite brothers at that age.

The bad kids have to sit under their desks for the rest of the year.

"Lorris" fought valiantly but perished at capital M.

Poignant text messages from the past month

2007-04-25T07:11:00.000-07:00

"It need service experience & beauty to be a crew. so i work in coffeeshop & lose weight"

"my condition is not good today. i have an operation for eyes."

"mothers told me you are one of the best teachers they ever met"

Seoul Grand Park Zoo

2007-04-22T11:18:00.000-07:00

Lovely dusty day. Up on the lift.

Feeding the animals.

Editor's note: Not my sunglasses.

DVDs, and new bills

2007-04-22T11:11:00.000-07:00

DVDs are available at sidewalk vendors on many streets. 3 or 4 for $10. And the bills represent $1 (1000W), $5 (5000W), and $10 (10,000W) respectively.

Birthday presents from students last month

2007-04-22T10:29:00.000-07:00

Insadong action

2007-03-09T03:47:00.000-08:00

Flying Hanbok

Pounding rice cake mix into submission

Street food: Boiling up fresh silkworm larvae. Grandma opts for snail shells.

Mother and daughter. Fascinated and terrified by the artificial dog. "Please don't touch".

Around Jeju

2007-03-07T06:27:00.000-08:00

Sunrise Peak on the east coast 성산일출봉

View from the top

Halla mountain 할라산

Korea, land of a thousand snacks, and Jeju is no different

Some sort of fine drinking establishment

Korean vocabulary for the day 오늘의 어휘

2007-03-06T06:38:00.000-08:00

From an article on Boa in the Asiana Airlines magazine.

열정 passion

결과 result

과정 process

현재 the present

긍정적인 positive

의미 meaning

훌륭한 magnificent

버리다 to abandon

위치 position

몸부림치다 to writhe

민감한 sensitive

포기하다 to renounce

그립다 beloved

제주도 들불축제 Jeju-Doh Fire Festival 토요일밤

2007-03-05T05:11:00.000-08:00

"The festival originates...as a way to exterminate harmful insects. It reveals Jeju Island's unique traditions, while allowing for modern commercial sighting [sp]."

Going to Jeju Island

2007-02-27T06:36:00.000-08:00

Flying down Wednesday night for the Fire Festival. Coming back Sunday night. Pictures sure to follow.

EDIT: 젠장, just missed Boa.

Gaijin Smash: Stories from an American teaching English in Japan

2007-02-25T05:41:00.000-08:00

www.gaijinsmash.net
This guy captures well the spirit of living in Northeast Asia and teaching kids in another language.

Thursday night: 63 building and Han River

2007-02-24T08:59:00.000-08:00

Tallest building in the city.

...

River that cuts through Seoul.

Last weekend, 설날

2007-02-24T08:42:00.000-08:00

Monday was a public holiday for the Lunar New Year. This is a Buddhist site near my home.

Monk(ey)

Ahhh..

Awesome.

Payne Stewart sighting

2007-02-24T08:16:00.000-08:00

This one's for my brother. Not sure how or why this video made it to Korea. These pictures were taken over a year apart.

Tinpan Alley, Hongdae

2007-02-24T08:10:00.000-08:00

More Bobs

2007-02-24T08:01:00.000-08:00

Rice joints abound for cheap, quick meals.

Korean language study through pop songs

2007-02-17T20:26:00.000-08:00

What better way to develop one's accent and train for that next trip to the Noraebang, than with the "Korean Britney Spears"? I think we can all agree Lee Hyori is much more talented than her these days though.

Lee Hyori - 10 Minutes

Just one 10 minutes 내 것이 되는 시간
순진한 내숭에 속아 우는 남자들
Baby 다른 매력에 흔들리고 있잖아
용기 내봐 다가와 날 가질 수도 있잖아

어느 늦은 밤 혼자 들어선 곳 춤추는 사람들 그 속에 그녀와 너
왠지 끌리는 널 갖고 싶어져 그녀가 자릴 비운 그 10분 안에

지루했던 순간이 날 보는 순간 달라졌어 (I'm telling you)
오래된 연인 그게 아니던 중요한 사실은 넌 내게 더 끌리는 것

I say 너의 그녀는 지금 거울을 보며
붉은색 립스틱 화장을 덧칠하고
Baby 높은 구두에 아파하고 있을걸
나는 달라 그녀와 날 비교하진 말아줘

짧은 순간이 아니라고 했잖아 영화 속에 갇힌 우리가 되는 거야
영화 속 10분 1년도 지나쳐 어때 겁먹지는 마 너도 날 원해

지루했던 순간이 날 보는 순간 달라졌어 (I'm telling you)
오래된 연인 그게 아니던 중요한 사실은 넌 내게 더 끌리는 것

Just one 10 minutes 내 것이 되는 시간
모든 게 끝난 후 그녀가 오고 있어
Baby 붉은 립스틱 촌스럽기도 하지
내게 와봐 이제 넌 날 안아 봐도 괜찮아

Don't tell a lie just be yourself 힘들게 둘러 대지마
널 떠나 달라 말을해 (have it your way)
Bling Bling shine it's right to come 사랑에 빠진 거라고
거짓을 말할꺼면 모두 없던 걸로 해

I say 너의 그녀는 지금 거울을 보며
붉은색 립스틱 화장을 덧칠하고
Baby 높은 구두에 아파하고 있을걸
나는 달라 그녀와 날 비교하진 말아줘
Just one 10 minutes

Supplementary material: Lee Hyori - Making of 10 Minutes

How do I view and type Korean script (Hangeul) on a non-Korean computer?

2007-02-17T09:19:00.000-08:00

When I first came here and started studying Korean I got the impression that you had to buy an extra keyboard in order to type in Korean. Not true. Here's what you need for your laptop from your home country:

What is an IME (Input Method Editor) and how do I use it?

How to add Language Support and Keyboard/IMEs

You may want to buy Hangeul stickers for your keyboard, available at most electronics marts.

Jisan Forest Resort 지산 포레스트 리조트

2007-02-09T08:35:00.000-08:00

Excellent conditions last weekend, not to mention my first time snowboarding ever. www.jisanresort.co.kr

YouTube guitar videos (vaguely) related to Korea

2007-02-07T07:44:00.000-08:00

Except the last one, I just think it's cool.

Little Wing by Korean girl. I have no idea who she is or the venue. This video just makes me realize how much I miss my electric. Airline security measures made the prospect of transporting it here daunting.

Zack Kim - Dear Tiesto. Guitar sensation more famous for his Super Mario Bros Theme.

Metallica - The Memory Remains (1998 Korea). Sadly I couldn't find any good videos from their post-rehab 2006 Korea show.

Urban ninja. If you can make it through this without cracking up, I salute you.

Extracurricular activities

2007-01-31T07:33:00.000-08:00

I'm taking a Korean language class at the Korea Foundation Cultural Center. I recommend checking it out to anyone in Seoul looking to practice their 한국어. There are seven levels sometimes offered on a couple different week nights. It's located in the JoongAng Ilbo building near City Hall.

Quite a variety of countries represented in my class including China, Malaysia, Italy, France, Germany, Canada, and the U.S. But it's funny how English is the default language. Last week our group went out for Sam Gyeop Sal, or thick pork slices, grilled like bacon. Sort of the most standard dinner meal I've had in Korea and always an excuse to get crunk...and dance.

Photos courtesy of Susan from my class. More to come. Good night! 굿나이트!

Riding the Marmot wave

2007-01-31T06:38:00.000-08:00

So now that I've reached the pinnacle of the Korean blogosphere I can retire? Ok, I get it, the "something missing" is content, commentary, analysis, and regular updates. Bah. Anyway special thanks to RJK for linking to this very humble site.

My traffic jumped from on average ten visitors per day to almost 300 yesterday and 150 so far today. 와우! Google Analytics is a cool little tool. Interesting to see the wide array of domains and network sources that found their way here, including the Pentagon apparently (pentagon.mil).

Thanks for stopping by and feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions about Korea and its English education industry.

Hooters opening in Korea

2007-01-27T07:31:00.000-08:00

Seoul, Apgujeong station, exit #4

Thought for the day

2007-01-26T23:46:00.000-08:00

"Motivation"

Definitely applies to me lately, haha. A mediocre few weeks in the classroom. So it's time to step back. Re-assess. Prep better and come up with some new strategies to get these kids psyched about learning English. Yeah. Woo-hoooo! And most of all take a deep breath and relax this weekend. As always a lot of reading, studying, and hopefully writing to do.

Downtown Seoul New Year's Eve 2007

2007-01-01T05:44:00.000-08:00

Fireworks and Roman candle war zone in Jonggak. Midnight at the 28 second mark.

Lawyers in Korea

2007-01-01T05:23:00.000-08:00

http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/12/25/observations-on-the-korean-bar-examination/

Interesting discussion on the nature of legal education and the profession of law in Korea. Much different it seems from the U.S.

Merry Christmas!

2006-12-25T07:27:00.000-08:00

City Hall.

Street in Gangnam.

COEX Mall.

Bukhan Mountain

2006-12-25T07:12:00.000-08:00

Miscellaneous

2006-12-25T06:52:00.000-08:00

Dancing promotional girls. The Korean term for them sounds roughly like "dummy".

Five dollar feast

Rock, Paper, Scissors tournament at a bar

Street King Crab

Yeah, I'm still alive: Around Seoul, and my apt

2006-12-02T18:14:00.000-08:00

Food

2006-12-02T18:05:00.000-08:00

Kidding!

Kids and School

2006-12-02T01:28:00.000-08:00

Back in Seoul, and my MySpace

2006-09-24T03:51:00.000-07:00

Starting a public elementary school job and moving into my new apartment tomorrow.

http://myspace.com/rwsh12

The flight over

2006-09-24T03:39:00.000-07:00

Rocky Mountains, Canada

Realized I could understand this sign in Korean but not English. Who knows what "aft" means?? In Korean it said "behind".

Seoul observations

2006-09-24T03:12:00.000-07:00

"GS Home Shopping"

"Dokdoneun Oori Ddang" (Dokdo, Our Land) crane truck. Slogan for the ongoing dispute with Japan over a rock between the two countries.

"You wanna piece of me, old man?!"

The New Busch Stadium, St. Louis

2006-09-24T03:02:00.000-07:00

Pumping up Pujols before the game. He would go on to hit a walk off 2 RBI double in the bottom of the ninth.

UIS

2006-09-24T03:01:00.000-07:00

New, Awesome Stuff

2006-09-08T13:41:00.000-07:00

Hilarious entry from one of the best writers on the internet today. The whole site is brilliant.

This man is my hero. Almost every video on there is gold.

Chicago: Lincoln Park & Lake Michigan

2006-09-04T18:18:00.000-07:00

Korea in NYC

2006-09-04T18:00:00.000-07:00

The one block long Korea town...I was pretty psyched

Good ol' soju (cultural studies, of course)

One lousy display case at the Natural History Museum near Central Park

A couple good reads

2006-09-04T17:21:00.000-07:00

Slate is excerpting a chapter a day from The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation

As mentioned on Marmot, the blogger Chinabounder recently got busted (?) by Chinese netizens, but you can still view his old entries by going here and clicking on "Cached" in the search results. Juicy stuff, with some compelling commentary on China.

Mystery ends for Katcher family, friends, U of I

2006-09-04T15:29:00.000-07:00

Ryan Katcher was a student at the University of Illinois who, along with his truck, disappeared after a party near Champaign one night about six years ago. My old roommate knew him so I had met Ryan a few times. It was a strange and sad story that I hadn't thought about in a while. A month ago him and his vehicle were finally found. Thoughts and prayers for his family and friends...hopefully they can find some closure.

Back from NYC (and California)

2006-08-30T12:54:00.000-07:00

I'll post a few pics from Long Beach, San Diego, and Tijuana, Mexico as soon as Rob sends them to me. Unfortunately I didn't have a digital camera for that trip two weekends ago. This past weekend I visited an old buddy from grade school who now lives in New York. It was my first time there (or anywhere on the east coast for that matter), so I was glad to see a little of the city.

Testing out the new camera...my photography skills have a long way to go

I took a small plane from Springfield to St. Louis

Guest suite

Natural History Museum

I guess John Lennon used to hang out here

Central Park

Ground Zero

Note posted by the cleaning lady after our Sat night party

Going to California

2006-08-16T18:11:00.000-07:00

to visit my buddy Rob in L.A., the guy behind these sites, if you're into guitar and rock & roll:

Join up on MuSATO and help save guitar tablature!

Probably driving to Vegas, too...Any Koreans in the area who want to hang out, especially bookies, feel free to contact me. I'll head back to Springfield on Monday.

My new favorite Korea site

2006-08-15T15:49:00.000-07:00

Awesome design, looks like a good reference for Seoul:

Looking for a full-time teaching job in Seoul

2006-08-11T15:05:00.000-07:00

I may go the route of flying back to Korea and calling on schools, since I feel like a sucker going through a recruiter. But thought I'd throw this up here just to follow all avenues and leads...

If you're reading this and happen to know of any exceptional teaching opportunites opening around September 1st, please let me know: riceteacher at gmail dot com

Maybe something similar to what this guy found after one year's experience. I'm grateful for any tips or resources that are out there!

Buddha's Birthday Celebration in Insadong

2006-08-11T14:52:00.000-07:00

A few months back. We couldn't figure out what the girl in the second pic was doing to warrant such a crowd.

MISS UNIVERSE YOUNG HOLLYWOOD PARTY

2006-08-08T08:51:00.000-07:00

Contestants in the 2006 Miss Universe pageant Miss Korea, Kim Ju-Hee, left, and Miss Japan, Kuara Chibana, pose together as they arrive for a party in Los Angeles, Monday, July 10, 2006. (AP Photo/Lucas Jackson)

No Love

2006-08-04T13:48:00.000-07:00

If you look at the side bar you'll notice the ClustrMap. I haven't gotten any hits from Russia, South America, or Antarctica, so if you know anyone in those places, kindly direct them to my blog.

지금 Chicago에서

2006-08-04T07:35:00.000-07:00

Met my family at O'Hare last night. I was a frickin' zombie after 20+ hours in planes and airports, but it feels damn good to be back! American Airlines, never again. Not only did they charge for alcohol, let's just say the hiring practices of Asian airline companies are much...better.

Gold

2006-08-04T06:59:00.000-07:00

http://theyangpa.wordpress.com/2006/07/13/eager-english-learners-rip-canadian-limb-from-limb/

It's great when women do it, but...

2006-08-04T06:35:00.000-07:00

Details to come...USA, I miss you 아싸! ^^ 미국을 보고 싶어요

2006-07-21T02:31:00.000-07:00

I think my flight leaves on Thurs, Aug. 3rd, but I'll confirm tonight. Monday was spent picking up the new teacher and moving him into his new apartment. Wednesday was my last day of work. Can't wait to see Chicago, St. Louis, Springfield, and everybody!!!

Shamed ㅠㅠ

2006-07-21T02:09:00.000-07:00

Alright, I admit I've never bought the "official" trash bags this whole year, but my neighborhood is such a dump that I've felt no incentive, always putting my stuff outside neatly in a grocery bag. I finally got called on it with this note in cursive (!), I assume from my landlord.

EDIT: I simply had too much trash when I was moving out, so, feeling charitable, I ended my one-man protest and bought regulation garbage bags...I expect the Seokgye counsel elders to vote me "Best Foreigner" in absentia.

Trip to Nami Island 남이섬에 여행했어요

2006-07-21T01:28:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago we traveled 40 miles north of Seoul to a tiny island called Nami. The popular Korean drama "Winter Sonata" was filmed there. My date was a cardboard cut-out of actress Choi Ji-woo (ok, not really).

So, so sad...

2006-07-21T00:37:00.000-07:00

...that I missed this "car show":

Special thanks to Max Watson.

Singing Room 노래방

2006-07-10T20:17:00.000-07:00

Similar to karaoke. Only drawback is the lack of musical instruments in the room, besides tamborine ㅠㅠ

Art 미술

2006-07-10T19:04:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th!

2006-07-04T19:05:00.000-07:00

In honor of North Korea's recent fireworks display, a few miscellaneous celebratory pictures.

Bad Kids 나쁜 학생들

2006-06-30T21:53:00.000-07:00

This little guy was giving me lip and bothering other students the whole class, so I had no choice but to teach him a harsh lesson. LOL in fact I completely lost it! I grabbed him and tossed him over the desks. He was knocked out cold, but at least he was quiet the rest of class.

Tobacco

2006-06-30T21:24:00.000-07:00

A Korean woman samples "Skoal" for the first time. While cigarettes are old hat in Korea, chewing tobacco is not. [Edit: sorry, still trying to figure out the formatting on this thing.]

A gentleman enjoys a cigarette and an IV in the hallway of the gastro-intestinal clinic below our school.

This was posted down in the subway stations when I first came to Korea. I just can't get over the Bill Clinton-Peter Pan character.

Classroom Fun

2006-06-26T13:21:00.000-07:00

Tired 피곤하다

2006-06-26T12:37:00.000-07:00

My classes are pretty damn interesting.

Comforting message from a student

2006-06-26T11:34:00.000-07:00

On the geo-political climate and safety of living in Korea [Click Here]

World Cup Madness

2006-06-26T06:15:00.000-07:00

[Click Here] 600,000 fans gathered downtown for the game against Togo. The Korean mascot is the "Red Devil", hence the red horns people wear.