Yes, coming back to the good ole U.S. of A.
With the economy in such robust shape, I figured now would be a better time than ever. I'll be back around the end or middle of February and staying for good. Stay tuned for more info.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Nam and Cambodia
OK
I've finally written all my captions to tell you about Vietnam and Cambodia, where Marissa and I spent two week holiday in August.
Just click the link and you're there.
Enjoy
James
I've finally written all my captions to tell you about Vietnam and Cambodia, where Marissa and I spent two week holiday in August.
Just click the link and you're there.
 |
| Nam and Cambodia |
Enjoy
James
Saturday, November 1, 2008
I love election season ...
Even from afar, I still listen to National Public Radio podcasts and reading the online news sites (I still refuse to visit blogs for some jackasses opinion when that jackass is not me.)
But I worry a little, my absentee ballot has not been processed, according to the Los Angeles County registrar's web site.
But the election has a lot of interest here. Koreans feel like it impacts them, which it does, because their economy is closely tied to the U.S. Also, there are still U.S. bases here with thousands of various military personnel in the country. So foreign policy is important for these people.
A lot of Koreans I've spoken to though, don't have a preference to McCain or Obama. There are many who like Obama, and there are many who respect McCain. Regardless, they're watching.
Most of the people I speak to though, are other foreigners from English speaking country. It's been amazing. I can't count a single English speaker I know, whether from the States, Canada, England, New Zealand or Australia, who like McCain. It's unanimous support for Obama.
Granted, this is anecdotal evidence, but it's still pretty amazing. All of these people are other English teachers, so I'm sure if I new one of the military people they might think differently. Most of the teachers here are more liberal than conservative. Hell, some are commies.
But in case my vote is not counted (which doesn't matter because I live in California where Obama will win by at least 20 points) please Californians, let the gays get married. Vote no on 8. Don't let religious and personal moral beliefs be legislated and forced upon you. Remember when I warned you about the ban on smoking and the mandatory seat belt law. Well this is the next step.
Let people practice their own beliefs and teach their children what morals they want them to believe. Don't let the government do it.
Also vote no on any bond measure. We just don't have the money this year.
(in my best John McLaughlin style voice) PREDICTIONS:
-Obama wins by a landslide, even picking up Colorado, New Mexico (there's a New Mexico, Nevada, Missouri, Florida, Ohio, North Carolina and Virginia.
-Sarah Palin shoots two six-shooters in the air and then flashes the audience in a drunken concession speech that includes a shout out to her favorite NASCAR driver. (This is a fantasy, rather than a prediction.)
-Some jackass propositions will pass in California though the state is bankrupt and can't afford any more damned borrowing.
-Republicans, though they lost fair and square, will accuse the democrats of voter fraud, thus continuing the cycle of conspiracy theories about who really won.
But I worry a little, my absentee ballot has not been processed, according to the Los Angeles County registrar's web site.
But the election has a lot of interest here. Koreans feel like it impacts them, which it does, because their economy is closely tied to the U.S. Also, there are still U.S. bases here with thousands of various military personnel in the country. So foreign policy is important for these people.
A lot of Koreans I've spoken to though, don't have a preference to McCain or Obama. There are many who like Obama, and there are many who respect McCain. Regardless, they're watching.
Most of the people I speak to though, are other foreigners from English speaking country. It's been amazing. I can't count a single English speaker I know, whether from the States, Canada, England, New Zealand or Australia, who like McCain. It's unanimous support for Obama.
Granted, this is anecdotal evidence, but it's still pretty amazing. All of these people are other English teachers, so I'm sure if I new one of the military people they might think differently. Most of the teachers here are more liberal than conservative. Hell, some are commies.
But in case my vote is not counted (which doesn't matter because I live in California where Obama will win by at least 20 points) please Californians, let the gays get married. Vote no on 8. Don't let religious and personal moral beliefs be legislated and forced upon you. Remember when I warned you about the ban on smoking and the mandatory seat belt law. Well this is the next step.
Let people practice their own beliefs and teach their children what morals they want them to believe. Don't let the government do it.
Also vote no on any bond measure. We just don't have the money this year.
(in my best John McLaughlin style voice) PREDICTIONS:
-Obama wins by a landslide, even picking up Colorado, New Mexico (there's a New Mexico, Nevada, Missouri, Florida, Ohio, North Carolina and Virginia.
-Sarah Palin shoots two six-shooters in the air and then flashes the audience in a drunken concession speech that includes a shout out to her favorite NASCAR driver. (This is a fantasy, rather than a prediction.)
-Some jackass propositions will pass in California though the state is bankrupt and can't afford any more damned borrowing.
-Republicans, though they lost fair and square, will accuse the democrats of voter fraud, thus continuing the cycle of conspiracy theories about who really won.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Taking the LSAT ...
the law school equivalent of the SAT. Will be back in a few days with another wacky adventure. Hang in there Keller.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
OK I'm back
A big I'm sorry to Rod and Jeff, my loyal and obsessive readers, for being gone. Here's what happened since my last post:
Went to Nam.
Got back from Nam.
Did NOT receive a parade.
Marissa left for back home. (Her contract finished and mine doesn't finish until February.)
Picked up a teachers training program that means extra money, but also 12 hour days three days a week.
OK now you're officially caught up on my life. Pretty amazing, huh? Old people who sit on benches at the mall have more interesting things to write about than I do.
However, I can not fathom being removed from Rod's favorites list. In fact, I am disgusted with myself I allowed this blog to drop a few notches.
Now, back to life in Korea. More coming later. For right now, enjoy some random images (with captions Al.)
Korea has tons of theme bars. This one is a tent them where you sit in a, yes, you guessed it, tent. To my right is my friend Paul from New Zealand and to my right, some Korean guy whose name I never remembered so I couldn't have forgotten it. TOTH to Matt.
Out one night in a unversity area, and we saw this dude in a beer costume. This is very common here. In any given area of Korea, you will see costumed things like this walking around every weekend. So my friends and I took a picture with it. Then I decided to hump it. What are you gonna do? (TOTH to Matt for the pic from Facebook.)
Went to Nam.
Got back from Nam.
Did NOT receive a parade.
Marissa left for back home. (Her contract finished and mine doesn't finish until February.)
Picked up a teachers training program that means extra money, but also 12 hour days three days a week.
OK now you're officially caught up on my life. Pretty amazing, huh? Old people who sit on benches at the mall have more interesting things to write about than I do.
However, I can not fathom being removed from Rod's favorites list. In fact, I am disgusted with myself I allowed this blog to drop a few notches.
Now, back to life in Korea. More coming later. For right now, enjoy some random images (with captions Al.)
Korea has tons of theme bars. This one is a tent them where you sit in a, yes, you guessed it, tent. To my right is my friend Paul from New Zealand and to my right, some Korean guy whose name I never remembered so I couldn't have forgotten it. TOTH to Matt. 
Out one night in a unversity area, and we saw this dude in a beer costume. This is very common here. In any given area of Korea, you will see costumed things like this walking around every weekend. So my friends and I took a picture with it. Then I decided to hump it. What are you gonna do? (TOTH to Matt for the pic from Facebook.)
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Life in Korea, #1
Hello all
I've been slacking again. See when I lived in Turkey it was such an interesting place. It seemed as though each day was a new adventure and experience with a fantastic cast of characters.
But Korea seems boring sometimes when I compare the two. It's probably because, yes, it is a little more boring than Turkey. But I think it's also because things aren't that different for me any more.
Everyday life in Korea doesn't seem like a wacky adventure, but a normal existence. So I must find my subjects for you, the dear readers.
Today I begin with a commitment to write each week, at least one time. The series, Life in Korea, begins today.
Life in Korea, #1
Health care
Last week I found myself with a cold and ear infection.
So I went to the doctor.
But get this: I walked in without making an appointment. One almost never needs appointments for doctors here.
I was seen right away.
The doctor, who speaks English fluently, gave me a standard examination for a cold and ear infection followed by a prescription.
My cost for all this, was $2.50.
I went to the pharmacy for medicine which cost another $2 and I was done. The entire process took 30 minutes. A few days later, I felt fine.
It's one of the great things about this country. They have a national insurance system that means you pay a small co-pay for doctor's visits and medicine. It makes me wish we had something similar in America. Yes, I am advocating national health care.
So Life in Korea #1 is finished. Not too exciting, but I'll add some more later. Post with questions or issues you want addressed. I intend for this topic to address both good and bad and even have some multimedia.
These are my last six months here so I'm going to get off my lazy ass and write some blogs.
I've been slacking again. See when I lived in Turkey it was such an interesting place. It seemed as though each day was a new adventure and experience with a fantastic cast of characters.
But Korea seems boring sometimes when I compare the two. It's probably because, yes, it is a little more boring than Turkey. But I think it's also because things aren't that different for me any more.
Everyday life in Korea doesn't seem like a wacky adventure, but a normal existence. So I must find my subjects for you, the dear readers.
Today I begin with a commitment to write each week, at least one time. The series, Life in Korea, begins today.
Life in Korea, #1
Health care
Last week I found myself with a cold and ear infection.
So I went to the doctor.
But get this: I walked in without making an appointment. One almost never needs appointments for doctors here.
I was seen right away.
The doctor, who speaks English fluently, gave me a standard examination for a cold and ear infection followed by a prescription.
My cost for all this, was $2.50.
I went to the pharmacy for medicine which cost another $2 and I was done. The entire process took 30 minutes. A few days later, I felt fine.
It's one of the great things about this country. They have a national insurance system that means you pay a small co-pay for doctor's visits and medicine. It makes me wish we had something similar in America. Yes, I am advocating national health care.
So Life in Korea #1 is finished. Not too exciting, but I'll add some more later. Post with questions or issues you want addressed. I intend for this topic to address both good and bad and even have some multimedia.
These are my last six months here so I'm going to get off my lazy ass and write some blogs.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Vietnam Here We Come!!!
So Marissa and I are getting ready for summer vacation. We've got two more weeks, but I'll fill you in on what we're doing and where we're going.
August 2 we land in Hanoi where we'll stay four days. Then we're going to make our way down south to Saigon and cross the border to Phnom Penh, Cambodia where I will shoot an AK 47 (hopefully at a live chicken. I'll have marissa turn her head for that one.)
We'll go to Siem Reap where we'll see Angkor Wat, one of the oldest collection of temples in Asia.
And of course, we'll exploit each of these countries for their poverty while were there. It should be a lot of fun. Two weeks in Southeast Asia.
August 2 we land in Hanoi where we'll stay four days. Then we're going to make our way down south to Saigon and cross the border to Phnom Penh, Cambodia where I will shoot an AK 47 (hopefully at a live chicken. I'll have marissa turn her head for that one.)
We'll go to Siem Reap where we'll see Angkor Wat, one of the oldest collection of temples in Asia.
And of course, we'll exploit each of these countries for their poverty while were there. It should be a lot of fun. Two weeks in Southeast Asia.
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