I can't wait to ...

So Im at English Camp. For those who don't know, teachers in Seoul that work for public schools have to go to a two to three week English camp at least once a year. I'm in the middle of 12-day camp for middle school students.

It's not a bad experience and means I'll make a little extra money for when I visit home. And that brings me to today's blog.

There's another 23 foreign English teachers at my camp, many of whom have plans to visit home after this camp. It's become one of the biggest conversation topics amongst our group.

There some amazing eats around the world, but everyone has their local favorites.

With a little less than three weeks until I touch down on the brown fields of the Antelope Valley, I've been talking and thinking about all the things I want to eat and drink when I get back. Here's a brief list.

1. A Tommy's Chili Cheeseburger.
2. Mexican food from El Toreo and Vallarta.
3. Beer. They had beer in Turkey and they have beer in Korea, but it's piss water. I can't wait to drink a Sam Adams, Bass, and go to Trader Joes for some miscellaneous brands.
4. Cheese and cold cuts. Turkey had some amazing cheese but it's crap here in Korea. Sliced meats aren't a big deal either.
5. A nice glass of single malt scotch with a Honduran cigar.
6. Cevice.
7. A lawnmower salad from Bakery Express.
8. A cobb salad from Red Robin.
9. A breakfast burrito from Primo Burgers.
10. Biscuits and gravy.

I better stop writing because I am getting hungry. I also might gain a few pounds when I'm home.

Last day of school!

For a few weeks. Actually, I go back to work Sunday, but this is the last time my school will see me until August 29.

While this would be considered the end of the school year for American and western schools, it's merely a break for the Korean kids.

For them the school year begins in March.

For me, on Sunday I go to English camp in an undisclosed secure location. (I know they aren't funny anymore, but I still love Dick Cheney in hiding references.)

From Sunday, July 22, to August 2, I will teach at the Engerishee camp for a little extra scratch and vacation time.

Then on August 5, 6, or 7, I might head of for a trip to another location, yet to be announced, but definitely undisclosed and secure.

Whatever trip that is, I will be back August 14 or 15, to get ready for my trip back to America August 17.

It sure will be neat being back in the states. I can't wait to see the old gang: Ralph Malf, Potzi, the Fonz.

Outback Kimchi sucks ...

Yes, the Outback, the famed Australian themed steak house chain also exists here in Korea. But of course, with a local twist.

This week a group of fifth grade teachers and I took advantage of student minimum days, went to the movies followed by dinner at outback.

The Outback food was exactly the same as in the States with one exception: they served kimchi with the meal. And they make a horrible kimchi. (Good steak though.)

For those not in the know, kimchi is the national dish of Korea. It's basically any vegetable, fermented with a red pepper paste. It sounds gross by description, but it's actually quite good and somewhat addicting.

This is the most popular variety, cabbage kimchi.

Koreans eat kimchi at EVERY meal. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, kimchi is there. But because they make so many varieties of it, sometimes alternating the spices and or vegetables, it never really seems monotonous.

Kimchi is also, as many of my coworkers have told me, "good for the health." Though health.com verifies this claim, sometimes the Koreans can go overboard with it.

They claim bird flu, sars and aids don't exist in Korea because kimchi. They also claim that kimchi provides "virility," one of the claims also made for dog meat.

Honestly, though, when I read about kimchi for the first time on the plane ride over here, I thought it sounded gross. But I tried it and now not only enjoy it, I have cravings for it if I don't get it. I eat lunch at school every day, where of course there is kimchi served. But sometimes I don't have it at home.

I shit you not when I say that every Monday when I get back into school, the highlight of my day is getting kimchi at lunch.

So here is the test for any of you dear readers who want to try something new, and expand your horizons. Find a Korean restaurant near you and go try some kimchi. Ask them for different varieties. On top of the cabbage version there are some nice radish and cucumber kimchi dishes I particularly enjoy.

Give it a try this weekend and report back to me.

Picasa Web Albums - James - Norebang - norebang 014.jpg

Picasa Web Albums - James - Norebang - norebang 014.jpg

Oh the pitfalls ...

Of showing a movie.

Yes, my first time as a teacher in public schools showing a movie. Before any of you think, "James, you lazy ass you're there to teach English. The children can watch movies at home," let me tell you it was my co-teachers idea.

But one I happily complied with.

So we're watching the first Shrek film the last two weeks.

I was so excited coming into this, thinking, "This is great, I don't have to work. I can let the television teach the children for me." I thought it would be really cool.

Then I watched the same parts of Shrek for eight times over two days.

Let me tell you something, Eddie Murphy's donkey character loses its humor when you've heard the lines over and over in four part doses each day.

I am getting some reading done and should be posting more on my blog. I am not, but I do have the time to do some writing. Just not the will power.

I'm actually thinking of hiring some Indians to type in my thoughts and post them to my blog. I don't think it will be too expensive.