Another quick weekend.

Friday April 5th
Friday was pretty good. I was feeling mostly better. The day started off with one of my 7-1s crying. No idea why. Finally Stephen came in and got her. It was a girl who had been feeling sick and did not want to go to school. She cried one more time later on... I dont much like people crying... but I at least feel better when I know why they are.
The rest of the day went pretty smoothly. The lunch time watching a class... I can see why it is not extremely popular... there are just some kids that do not eat... No matter what. Then there are kids that tell you how much or how little they like each thing, and give me a report on it. Then kids try to bargin with you how much to eat until they have to clean up. Normally, I'd be like whatever- but we are supposed to make sure that the kids eat. The food isnt that bad. Sometimes it is fantastic, other times it is only okay.
The getting off at 5:45 on MWF is amazing. Not that I got to do anything special this week. But after work the internet guy came and hooked up my internet. I am not officially internet wired in Korea. Fast speeds and good service. Now I just need to get a cell phone, then life can be normal.
I took Sam out to Hongdae. The first time he rode the subways or anything like that. We were going to meet Ama and his GF for food then a concert in the park... We missed them at the station, and since neither of us have cell phones, we just decided to walk around Hongdae and try to find the park where the concert was. We could not find it... so we were looking for a place to eat... when all of a sudden Ama and his GF run into us. Pretty unlikely.... It is a large area with tons of people. But it was fate. Sam and I stopped for fried chicken from a street vendor. There were different sauces. I chose chocolate cause it sounded interesting. It turned out to be really good.  We went to the park... and there was no concert. So we went to Shamarocks to get a drink and food. I had a BLT which was pretty delicious. Bella came, and we met up with several other expats. We drank 2 pitchers... so not much being split between all of us. We went back to the park cause the weather was fantastic. We drank a beer in the park. They were going to head to another bar, but I split ways, because there was the reading I was doing on Saturday. Since I was still not feeling great, I thought alcohol and little sleep would not be good for me.
I caught a cab... I was able to communicate with the driver good enough to get me home. One driver told me he would take me there for 20000. I may be a foreigner, but I am not that gullible. The ride is normally between 5000 and 6000.

Saturday April 6th.
I slept pretty well. I woke up still with this congestion. I think part of it is allergies, as all of the trees and plants are finally tuning green. Showered and shaved and got ready for the reading. I headed down to Youngpoong bookstore. It was raining outside. I wore my yellow shirt, black pants, suspenders. Durning the readings I wore my oversized sunglasses from easter and bowtie. I also switched between my bunny ears and my green peter pan hat.
The turn out was not as good as they were hoping. The entire bookstore was pretty empty. I dont think many people wanted to go out in the nasty rain to go buy books. It was also the very first time they have done this. They are really trying to sell Cartoon Network out here. YBM has the rights to Cartoon Network over here. I read books, but the pictures were really small. Most of the kids didnt speak much english, so the real thing that kept most of their attention was my voice. I voiced different voices for characters... exept the powerpuff girls. I only have one high pitched voice- and it sounds like a 50 year old woman that smokes 5 packs a day. Mens and boys voices, I can do. Girls not so much.
The organizers loved my enthusiasm. So I am going to work with them to see if we can put something together to make it bigger and better. I'll give them suggestions. They all said they hoped to see me again. I love the feeling of doing new things. Since they are all starting out on what to do, if I can be a part of it (albeit unofficially), well that will make me happy. I love the feelings of start ups  While not technically a start up, it is a new service.
When I got back to Bobo, I met up with Rob and his GF and we went out to Sinchon to meet Callum, his GF, and one of all of their mutual friends (A girl I met last week at Joons). We all ate dinner. It was chicken soup. Not just regular chicken soup, but it was like an entire game hen in each of our bowls. It was pretty delicious. We then went to a board game place. Where you pay and play board games. It was not cheap, but in comparison to going out and drinking, it really was. It was an awesome time. We played board games for about 3.5 hours.  We played some Korean ones and some American ones and it was awesome. There was a group of Koreans playing some math/number game. They were so into it. They were having such a good time. If I could do math fast, I would love the game. Our group tried to play... all of us were too slow at doing the math. Maybe I'll work on it, then go back sometime, and make some Korean friends playing this game.
After playing board games... we were like Hobbits in a sense, and had second dinner. Granted, now it was late. But food is always good. None of it was really traditional  There was spoon pizza, which is pretty much pizza without crust, there was a chili omelet, and some fried chicken. We had 2 pitchers of some fresh drinks. One was like a weak hard lemonade. The other was a weak hard fruit drink. So not much. We were there to just continue talking, eat, and to have a good time. We all left and headed home.

Sunday April 7th.
Woke up early this morning. Went back to sleep, then woke up again. This process repeated several times. I need curtains. After I finally decided that the attempt for more sleep was futile, I skyped with my parents for several hours. Caught them up on all that was happening in life. I then went to church. Same one as last week. It was all in Korean, but there were English subtitles on the screen behind the preacher. After that, I thought it was the end, but nope... All the English speakers were staying there for the English service. I did to. Interesting... the preacher talked about North Korea and how he prayed God strikes them down... not a big fan of that. I'd rather pray the God opens their hearts instead of treating them as sodom and gomorrah. I do not blame people for the lives they were born into.
I went to emart to look at things to by. Curtains are really expensive. Sheets are really thin. So... I got the measurements of a foam floor mat. I figure I can use that. Now I just need to measure my window to see if it will fit. The other things I looked at, I decided I did not really need yet. A table to put next to my bed, a microwave... a nice scotch. I then continued with my errands. Next stop was a cell phone store.
I checked with my friends, and most say that KT Olleh is the way to go. Boy was it an experience. I did not want a 2 year contract- especially since I have no idea what the future holds for me. The 2 guys that worked there spoke a little English, and I spoke almost no Korean. It was a crazy 2 hour long experience doing it... but we did. It took all of us typing what we were trying to say into translators, gesturing, googling. and just having a good attitude about it.... I got a new Galaxy Note, a 1 year contract, and I will be paying 70 a month. A little higher than most of my friends... but I have a 1 year contract and they do not. I figure that paying a little more then having no responsibility after a year is the best way to go about it. If I brought a phone, I would be paying even less (and after 1 year if I stay for another, my bill will be cut nearly in half).
Finally got home and started laundry. I was hungry, so I was going to go to Pizza School for some cheap pizza... walking there, I passed a guy that sells meat. It is like the chicken guy (that sells the rotisserie chicken) but this is rotisserie pork. I have walked passed him many times... and just smelling it, I knew I was craving meat. So I got that. Delicious. Absolutely delicious. Cocked just right. It was not as cheap as pizza school, nor as filling... but flavor wise. wow. I do not think since I have been here I have just had meat. (I know before I came I was warned about parasites in pork... but when in Rome as the saying goes- and this guy is out a lot and I always see people buying from him. I figure it is safe).
Now I am back at home as my laundry is still going. I may watch a netflix... I kind of want to go downstairs and get a nice cold beer. I have actually been wanting a glass of wine for a while (I don't think I have had a glass since I have been here). But I am smarter than to get wine from a convenience store.
School starts back up again soon... it is amazing how quickly weekends go.