A Year in Korea: An American Journal – Read Now and Download Mobi

A Year in Korea

An American Journal

David R. Wellens

Hamilton Books

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For CJ, Heather and Nathan

Introduction

When I decided to major in English at college, I had passed up majoring in more lucrative and predictable disciplines in which I had shown some promise, like the sciences. I spent years engrossed and fascinated in reading literature and eventually got into teaching English in the classroom.

One of the best reasons for being an English teacher was summer vacation. I wanted to get my enjoyment out of life as I lived it. That’s just how I am and what I chose. I learned that a college friend of mine, Adri, was teaching English in Japan. As I corresponded with her (and even sent her a case of lime Jello, as she requested) I realized that she was experiencing the most glamorous path of teaching English. As I was getting burned out on the petty politics of traditional classroom teaching in the States, I was being drawn into being an English teacher in a foreign country.

Nowadays, the attraction to being an English teacher in a foreign country for many native English speakers would be that it is a passport to world travel, an economy-proof career that is stable and fulfilling, and, for the altruistic, a way of helping others. All indications are that the demand for English teachers will be strong for the next twenty years. English is the official international language and the importance of the English language is increasing every day. With globalization and communication as the driving factors of the world economy, the demand for English world-wide is getting even stronger.

Even the internet is English dominated. For example, in 2007, 85% of the internet’s web pages were in English. The governments of Korea and Japan continually enact policies to encourage and enable their working populations to learn English. For these workers, especially, good English skills lead to better paying jobs in their own countries.

Traveling and working overseas is a career path that is led by teaching English. Hundreds of thousands of British, American, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and South Africans teach English to see the world and experience other cultures. By 2050 it is estimated that half the world’s population will be speakers of English. The learning frenzy will not be because of love for the language, but because workers in foreign countries will not want to be left behind in work and social situations required in a shrinking international stage.

Before one strikes out on a career (or even just a year) of teaching English in a foreign country, I would suggest one speaks at length to someone who has actually done just that in the country one is interested in visiting and teaching in. However, finding someone who would be willing to answer your questions of what it’s like might be difficult.

This book is written with the person who wants to teach in Korea in mind. It gives so much information and such a candid look at what I experienced while teaching in Korea for a year that anyone considering English teaching in Korea can take less of the guess work out of trying to anticipate whether or not teaching overseas is something the reader would want to do.

South Korea is a favorite destination for English teachers and has been for the last 20 years. Though, at this time, a college degree in any discipline is required to obtain a working visa, there are other countries in Asia that do not require a college degree. South Korea has enjoyed rapid economic development and investment as a country. As well, it is well known among foreign teachers to be the highest paying country on average for English teachers. There was a time that casual tourist visas could be the start of a teaching position in South Korea. However, it has been noted that their government has begun a crackdown on illegal workers working without visas. Those in violation of government work visa requirements are in danger of being deported. As well, schools risk being shut down for hiring illegal workers.

This book consists of the actual journal that I kept while teaching in Gongju, South Korea. It has been changed very little from the original words set down at the end of each day. It is not meant to expose anyone or any institution mentioned for any unfair behaviors or actions. The vast majority of events described herein are described in a positive, proactive manner. The events depicted herein are true, and truth is the best teacher. If you find this book interesting and enjoyable, you may well be on the verge of your very own year in Korea.

2009

Chapter One

July

7-9-09

Thursday

I worked closely with Miss Kim on this my first day. She needs my syllabi by Tuesday and I am trying to get a handle on the elementary teachers training plan.

I started out the day waking up at 4:30 am and reading the teachers handbook before getting picked up by Myoung for a ride to CIFLE (Chungnam Institute of Foreign Language Education). Though I didn’t feel very hungry, I enjoyed a lunch with the Staff of CIFLE at a local restaurant. I sat opposite Lexi, a teacher from Jacksonville. I talked of Anthroposophy and other educational ideas.

At the computer in the media room, I typed a plan for an essay that got erased when I tried to save it in a file. I had to get it done again. I worked with Miss Kim, my supervisor, until 8:10 pm (overtime) and she ordered a Korean dinner we enjoyed with the security guard. Miss Kim called me a cab when I finished the essay “Cultural Lessons—The Korean Experience in America” about the experiences of my Korean aunts and uncles who managed to make their lives in the USA.

7-10-09

Friday

I awoke early today, two hours before the alarm clock went off. Myoung had called to have the water heater and gas stove fixed, so I had a warm shower, as I usually do in the morning to wake up, and an egg sandwich.

Myoung picked me up at the entrance to the apartment complex at “8:40ish” (as he says). I worked in my classroom, room 202, writing syllabi for elementary math as I promised to have it done by lunchtime. I walked about CIFLE, admiring the facility. They even have a net range for golfers next to the cafeteria.

At lunch I was honored by Ms. Chee, the director, who sat with me before going to a big meeting. She was complimented by the American women teachers sitting with us for the deep, daring color of her red dress. Scott referred to The Scarlet Letter upon her leaving. I returned with Stendhal.

Worked hard today, toured the library. I got my mailing address with CIFLE from Mr. Cho. Miss Kim wanted me to work over the weekend to meet our Tuesday deadline for publication. Next week I will get my physical and my alien registration card along with a bank account. I found a great kimpap store across the street from my apartment complex, and a convenience store.

7-11-09

Saturday

It was an overtime day today. I woke up early but tried to sleep off my tiredness and jet lag, and I think I succeeded. I had to hail a cab for the first time since starting at CIFLE. I brought a couple of kimpap from that tiny store across from the apartment complex.

In room 202 I worked from 1 pm to 7 pm on material for the TEE (Teachers Elementary Education). Miss Kim was especially demanding today, but I appealed to her attitude and apologized for anything I might have done to tick her off. Maybe she is high strung and stressed out.

I got my email from Chloe at Athena Press thanking me for updating my address. I also got email from Melanie S. at Amherst who asked a few questions about CIFLE since I wanted to offer an idea of the positions here to Amherst’s career counseling office.

I promised Miss Kim a copy of Poems from Songtan. I think she would like “She Commands” best. I will also give the director a copy on Monday. We will be working on Sunday on Listening and Math. Miss Kim was nice enough to give me a few sets of handwriting books. Dinner in town and the young, pretty waitress seemed stunned. Bought and umbrella and nectarines.

7-12-09

Sunday

I had a very interesting dream last night. I dreamt that the Queen wished to marry me, loved me a lot, but I had many things to do before actually wedding. Seems rather appropriate given the letter from Buckingham Palace I used for a reference at CIFLE.

I woke up at about 10 am. I ate many of the nectarines that I had bought last night. I took a cab to CIFLE and got there at 1 pm. Miss Kim was already at her desk and I went upstairs for “Listening.” (Yesterday I promised a copy of Poems from Songtan for Miss Kim which I inscribed and gave to her today). Miss Kim gave me a stack of handwriting booklets, which means, perhaps, that I got the job. I asked her to order a pizza for me since I didn’t get lunch. I finished the “Listening” paper, I felt like I had run into a brick wall. I just couldn’t think of how to approach the paper. So, I went home at 3:45. I listened to music on the radio, wrote a three page letter to mom and went out to eat. I found Hi-Mart.

7-13-09

Monday

I slept last night on the couch. I just couldn’t get comfortable in bed. But I slept okay, but kept putting off getting up until about an hour before I left in a cab.

Today I gave Ms. Chee a book of mine and we had a good talk in her office before going outside, still talking, and sitting for a picture with the visiting parents. Ms. Chee and I were given the seat of honor for the group picture. I really enjoyed talking with her, she has wise thoughts that she shared with me.

I wrote a mathematics CBL (Content Based Learning) lesson on a child’s introduction to tallying, pictographs and bar graphs. I also typed up the listening lesson. I met my deadlines today. I had lunch in the cafeteria with Lexi and Chris (from Pennsylvania). We had watermelon for dessert!

I rode with Daniel B. and one of the staff ladies. I bent his ear about myself. I showed him where I lived, then went upstairs. Then I went to eat. I had bibimpap and then bought some baked things at Paris Baguette. A very pretty teenager I said “you should study your English!” to laughed and said “See you again.”

7-14-09

Tuesday

I awoke with some trouble, wanted to sleep a little extra. I showered, and once awoken I felt pretty good. I got to CIFLE on time.

Today was yet another rainy day. The sky was full of low, angry gray clouds and it rained hard for hours.

I got an email from Prof. David Sofield who was glad to hear that I liked my new job at CIFLE. He said he and Kim and Bill (other English professors at Amherst College) wanted that for me.

Melanie S. sent me an email enthusiastically saying she would pass the CIFLE request I made to the career counseling office.

Norton Starr sent me an email saying he is still moving out of his office at the college. I couldn’t imagine what he is going through—a life’s work of teaching being packed up.

Myoung returned my key that Mrs. Ryu used to get my washer connection fixed. I was happy getting things done today. Now I have to get a letter to mom, buy a guitar and get my detailed lesson plans done.

7-15-09

Wednesday

Today I got a cab with Lexi who greeted me at the entrance of the apartments while I was waiting for a taxi to drive by. She reminds me of both Janet and Andi with the knowledge of CJ in teaching. She is from Jacksonville and so we are both from Florida. We two share the second floor, back to back out of the row of classrooms.

I became busy trying to write a paper on storybook reading to elementary students and Drama. I wrote about 5 pages of notes. I went to the library and got some books and began writing down the titles. Miss Kim came to the library to get a flash drive copy of my evaluation sheet that I made yesterday.

At lunch Ms. Chee joined me and we talked and had a nice, friendly conversation. Susan also joined us. That was the high point of the day. I called my own taxi and went home at 6 pm. I got two bottles of water at the store and kimpap for dinner. Tomorrow is the health check-up.

7-16-09

Thursday

Today, first thing in the morning, Myoung took me to the hospital for my check-up. They checked blood-pressure, sight, weight, height, drew blood, took a urine sample, took a chest x-ray all for less than 40,000 won. Yet, later in the day, Myoung said they are checking for hepatitis. That’s a liver problem. They will double check it for a little extra. The hospital was full of people and they had what looked like High School students doing the easy tests. They must have been nursing or medical students. We got all that done in about a half an hour, which was fast.

I talked to mom on the phone with the help of Mr. Cho. She told me my book arrived form the publisher and she sent off copies as I directed. I’m going to send mom $6,000 for Christmas, plus the $6,000 saved on her side. That should do it!

Myoung took me to a music shop where I bought a Segovia acoustic guitar with accessories. It was 200,000 won and he had to call the owner from a sign on the door to open shop.

I wrote all the syllabi I needed today but I have to type them tomorrow, and then there are the lesson plans. I read a couple of chapters of Teaching English to Children in Asia.

Mr. Cho said don’t worry too much about the medical problem.

7-17-09

Friday

This morning, after getting “hannah kimpap yo” (one kimpap, please) I waved down a taxi and Lexi shared the taxi with me and paid for the ride, returning my favor for her a few days ago. My estimation of Lexi is good. While I was typing my syllabi and an article for Drama-Storybook Reading to meet a 3 pm deadline (I already had notes written) Lexi was playing music of Sarah McLachlan. She stopped by room 202 to ask me if the music was bothering me. I said no and I really like Sarah’s music.

Miss Kim needed to get the article on Broadcasting and the article on Drama. There had been a misunderstanding and I needed to write an article for Drama. I skipped lunch to do it, which I shouldn’t have done. After the deadline, Miss Kim came to me complaining about the lesson. I gave her a half hour of dissatisfaction at being made to work so hard and not getting money that was promised me after the medical exam of 1,300,000 won. We argued till 6 pm and she called me a taxi. I closed by laughing saying she was a real good lawyer type. She offered a doughnut through the window of her office. I was in a good mood having told them off.

7-18-09

Saturday

Today I slept until after noon time. Last night I dyed my hair and this morning I showered, but forgot to shave. I walked into town. Walking all the way down the street I found the University Post Office where I can mail my letters or packages to mom and other.

I also found a lot of stores, like Office Depot and many little restaurants and hofs. I shopped some after going to Lotteria for lunch. My umbrella was taken, so I bought another, more compact one at the store.

I got my haircut at a local shop and a guy at the shop asked me a lot of questions about myself. I gave him a card about my second book, The Isle of Yoo.

I went to the Primus Cinema and saw Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. It was pretty good.

I bought a lot of baked goods. At the shops they fire or move the pretty employees after I pay them a compliment. That practice really bugs me. I took a cab home after buying a few more things.

7-19-09

Sunday

This afternoon I awoke feeling really relaxed.

I showered and put on my shorts and blue and yellow striped shirt and walked into town. I stopped at the stationary store and bought a few personal supplies like stapler, tape, post it notes, scissors and a clock.

Then I walked further on to Paris Baguette and got a long French bread.

Then I got some tissues, and coffee sticks at the grocer.

Then I walked further on and got a look at the Post Office at the University, which was closed.

I ate lunch at Popeyes. The service was really slow, but the food was fresh.

On the way home I happened onto Daniel B. We talked for about an hour of many things. He warned me not to make a fuss about anything and said he would be leaving CIFLE in about 6 months.

Upstairs I ate the bread with cream cheese. I moved the table and chairs into my office room. I listened to jazz music and classical music on the FM. I worked on getting my class schedule written in this book. I think it’s important to rest on the weekend.

7-20-09

Monday

It was a wonderful day at CIFLE. I installed some of my game software onto my computer and installed some music CDs and Pimsleur Korean I.

I was able to begin writing my lesson plans. I used a great template for lesson plans from Oxford Seminars. I realized that this first week I needed only my Culture I and my Listening I lesson plans. I emailed them (plus Listening II) to Miss Kim as she requested.

At lunch we had some food at the cafeteria that the Americans liked. I sat next to Lexi.

There was also dinner served which Daniel B. and I stayed for. We talked a lot on the third floor where he has his classroom. He showed me what he was studying—Chinese and Korean. He and I are getting along well.

There was a party for the trainees. Lexi sang the Star Spangled Banner a capella so beautifully that I complimented her about 4 or 5 times. She has a trained voice, I found. Lexi, Angie and I shared a cab home.

7-21-09

Tuesday

Today was my first day actually teaching students at CIFLE. Miss Kim walked up to my room while I was listening to music I had put in the Media Player Library form my CDs (I was listening with the earphones) and I jumped a mile high when she knocked on my desk and seemed to appear magically in front of me.

I taught three culture classes. My style was different in each of the three classes. In the second class, however, it seemed a bit depressing. The third class I plugged my poetry, even proving my books were on sale in the internet Amazon site. I gave book cards of The Isle of Yoo to students in the second two classes. I want to impress the students (trainees) with my expertise (though ESOL is so easy to teach) in the English language. Myoung hadn’t returned from getting my alien resident card, so Mr. Cho told me to check with him tomorrow. In town I bought a frame for my letter from the Queen.

7-22-09

Wednesday

The classes went well today. I spoke on “Listening” in both classes, a little different each time. I think fairly well.

Miss Kim came to the room and cutely wrote on a piece of paper she put up to the class door window—”Don’t miss the solar eclipse.” Some genius thought of using silver sided wrapping paper doubled up to view the eclipse safely. I saw half the sun eclipsed by the moon. They said on the radio that it could be witnessed on Cheju Island. The internet said it was total across Asia.

I went to CIFLE early and put more of my music in the computer. I also installed a set of speakers.

Lunch was American. At lunch I talked with Susan. At dinner some of the trainees, like Mr. Oh, talked with me.

I gave a cookie and my first book to Mrs. Chae when she said “Where’s mine?” after I gave Miss Kim a cookie.

7-23-09

Thursday

It was a really great outing. We, meaning the teachers, the trainees and a couple of administrators, went to Seoul by bus. It took an hour and 45 minutes by bus to get there.

We went to the IRC to hear Mr. Scholtz on teaching. Mi Ae was very funny and we all laughed at her humorous comments. What a great time it was. I spoke up about “Socratic Dialogue” and “The Popularity of Harry Potter.” After the talk I presented my book card to Mr. Scholtz and he gave me his card. He had been dropping hints that he was familiar with all I was doing.

At Lotte World we split up into groups and went off to eat. Angie and I ate Chinese and then all of us went to the rink. We got pictures of the trainees at skating. Chloe and Hun Hee got coffee. On the ride home I talked to one of the trainees sitting next to me about religion and philosophy. Saw Mrs. Chae back at CIFLE—she’s so beautiful. Today was great. I thought about Cambridge.

7-24-09

Friday

I awoke later than usual. I was especially tired. My class at 9 am went well, but I felt as though after the day at Lotte World’s rink, I was following a hard act with difficulty. Mi Ae gave me a signed copy of her book of poems and I gave her an inscribed copy of my first book of poems. I told her she was very funny at the IRC. After that, my only class of the day, I read her book. It was certainly charming and nearly minimalistic. I was greatly honored.

I finished ripping CDs to the room Media Player Library on the computer, but the speakers I had bought for it a few days ago wouldn’t work.

Ms. Chee sat with me at lunch, and I talked to her about many things and stayed positive. She is an excellent director and I praised the school. She told me about her swimming and running and showed me the fitness room, hoping I would keep healthy by working out.

Miss Kim held a meeting and it was excellent. I opened a bank account at KB after discovering I had 738,000 won left in my previous account from Songtan. Myoung then helped me get a cell phone. I mailed letters to mom at the post office.

7-25-09

Saturday

This morning mom called, waking me up. We talked some. She will call every Saturday morning. She likes the idea that I’m sending her letters.

I got a shower and then cleaned up the apartment. Then I put on a T-shirt and shorts and sneakers and went to town. I checked the cinema. No really good English movie—-still Harry Potter. I ate a pizza for 6,000 won. I went to the bank to update my passbook. I went window shopping. I saw a nice motorcycle—a Sang Young. I saw brick masons laying in a sidewalk. I thought of Uncle Jin. Saw the Buckingham Motel. I got some tempura and cases of water, beer and an electric outlet strip. I bought a lot of ice cream.

I read David Paul’s book, Teaching English to Children in Asia after I ironed my clothes and hung the others out to dry. Two more chapters left. I practiced “She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain.” I wrote a letter to mom. I listened to EBS a while.

7-26-09

Sunday

This morning after a shower I went into town to eat lunch. I had ohm rice with don cass at the little restaurant I first went to. The waitress I gave a card to was still there. She seemed a bit different, though.

Once back at the apartment, I wrote a letter to mom and read the last third of the book by David Paul.

I played some guitar—”Ten Little Indians” and “She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain.” I’m getting in practice though the tips of my fingers hurt a bit.

I withdrew a million won from the bank and bought a desktop PC. They will deliver it tomorrow at about 7 pm. It’s a TG model with DVD capabilities. It cost 899,000 won.

I ate pizza in town and had a coke with it. I bought some cookies, too. I saw Angie with her friend Mike who she introduced me to at the crosswalk. I listened to KBS and EBS again today.

7-27-09

Monday

At CIFLE I covered lessons in “Listening.” I had three classes back-to-back. All went very well with some variation since one of the groups did the third hour ten minutes after the second. So, I decided to show them what I was leading them to do, that is finding games and activities that explored listening. By the third class of the day I was really humming along.

I awaited the computer delivery after getting home. The driver from Hi Mart had a bit of difficulty finding my apartment and called a few times to get directions.

At CIFLE I got two packages from mom. One with the copies of The Isle of Yoo I had ordered and the other my mail. I had seen the postman drive up to the CIFLE building, so I went to Myoung for my packages. Last night I slept on the couch listening to some CDs on the Media Player of my new TG computer.

7-28-09

Tuesday

Today I got up with just enough time to get ready. My clothes yesterday smelled of well water. I decided to use the dry cleaner nearby to press and wash my pants and shirts. This morning I packed my shorts so I could work out at the fitness room.

We covered the last Listening 2 and 3 for group. Mi Ae in group C-Idioms danced with me in front of the class as a joke. She’s funny. I had covered about 100 of the 217 Idioms I had planned to define off the top of my head.

I gave Mr. Cho and Jonathan a cookie. I ate dinner with Mrs. Chae and Scott E. Mrs. Chae is so beautiful and her English is very good.

I worked out at the fitness room after dinner. Then Jonathan told me how to dial my own cell phone for a taxi. Once home I did my best to try to load some games into the new computer. I tried to call Myoung about internet connection.

7-29-09

Wednesday

I got to CIFLE just in time and started the day with C class—the one with the Korean Poetess, Mi Ae.

I gave Mrs. Chae a copy of The Isle of Yoo and she was appreciative. I also gave Mi Ae Kim a book and the prettiest woman in class a copy since she was visibly cherishing the copy I had given to Mi Ae earlier in the hour.

I got an email from Athena Press. Chloe filled me in the future marketing of my second book.

Myoung arranged internet hook-up at my apartment. Chris R. strummed some guitar for me in the teacher’s lounge. He can play the easiest version of “Blackbird” I’ve ever seen.

Today at 4 pm we saw a movie, August Rush, a modern version of Oliver Twist starring Robin Williams as the bad guy.

I wrote another letter to mom. I’m ripping my CDs in my new computer. I had a pizza in town with a Coke-a-Cola. I bought ten trash bags for food scraps.

7-30-09

Thursday

I had a full day. Last night I was ripping CDs into my new computer and slept on the narrow couch. I got into work after a coffee at my apartment table. I awoke at about 6 am, which seemed to be time standing still until I woke up.

I had good energy today. Class discussions went well. I did four hours straight for the first time and I was very good.

I worked out in the afternoon. Ms. Ryu worked out with me, and I gave her a copy of my second book. I had brought one of my burned CDs to listen to while working out. I spent 50 minutes walking on the treadmill.

Ms. Chee had invited me to use the fitness room. Mr. Cho invited me to use the shower room after a work-out, but on this day I had to go home to shower having not brought any soap or towels. Mr. Cho let me leave at 5 pm to shower.

Song club activity went very well. We did “Ten Little Indians” which they knew. Then we did “She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain.” I was very entertaining. Woke Mi-Ae up during the songs and she came to the front scolding me and being funny. It was a great gag. I played Boston’s “Piece of Mind” at home.

7-31-09

Friday

I slept on my couch in the air conditioned room, sort of like the cover of Steely Dan’s “Royal Scam.”

I got to CIFLE about twenty minutes early and I found that I had gotten an email from Prof. Starr. He said he hadn’t read anything substantial in a while and that he thought my CBL Math lesson is good to give an early start to students in elementary school.

I gave Myoung the contract for the broadband internet connection with SK. He made a copy and gave it back.

The classes went well. Shine seemed a bit dissatisfied with everyone and Jonathan, in the meeting at the end of the day confirmed that.

I presented Ms. Chee, the director, with a signed and inscribed copy of The Isle of Yoo.

Miss Kim thanked me for my good assessment of the job she’s doing, especially to Ms. Chee.

At home I ripped Pimsleur Language audio into my computer. Beer party post TEE I announced.

Chapter Two

August

8-1-09

Saturday

I woke up at about 1 pm. I had set the cell phone and charger next to the couch where I slept so that I could answer mom’s call.

I walked into town and went to the pizza restaurant for a regular pizza and cola.

I went to KB bank and withdrew 100,000 won. Then I walked to Hi-Mart and bought a pack of CDs to make language (Pimsleur) CDs for the other teachers.

At Hi-Mart I saw a printer on sale for 50,000 won, very cheap, so I bought it. It was the last one on the shelf and had a scanner and copier, like my Lexmark at mom’s house.

I installed the printer (an Epson) and had to go back into town for an extension cord-outlet. I also bought a ream of paper.

I called Julia. We talked about getting together. Mom called. I told her I could repay her by January. Mom sounds like she’s slowed down a bit.

8-2-09

Sunday

I awoke at about 10:30 am. I had slept on my couch again. My ironed clothes are on my bed and last night I fell asleep with the movie The Merchant of Venice on DVD cycling in the computer.

I showered and went into town and had Lotteria steak burger for lunch. It had a broccoli sauce on it.

Back at the apartment, after getting bathroom cleaning supplies, I scrubbed the toilet. Glamorous, no? I did my lesson plans for Idioms 4 and Broadcasting 1-5 and Drama 1-5.

I then went back into town and got a copy holder to attach to the computer so I could type my lesson plans. I also got a cork board and a few other things. Got back and typed. Then attached and emailed them to Miss Kim.

I walked back into town and got some tempura.

Article on Yahoo! “Sikh’s Guarding the Queen” and my poem in The Isle of Yoo “Seeking the Queen”.

8-3-09

Monday

I am awaiting Julia’s call. She might not call me at all.

I got to CIFLE and asked Miss Kim if I could go to the bank and post office.

I called a cab and went to KB bank—Miss Kim, the teller at the bank, transferred $300 USD to Phaedon Median Ltd. for me. She said it would take three business days. I then walked to the post office and EMS mailed my letters to mom. It cost a little more than 16,000 won. Yet, I would be happy if mom enjoyed my assurances that I will give her $12,000 by 2010.

In class, Mr. Oh asked about my slowing down. I tried to voice his frustration by questioning why we should study English at all. He was upset. Sun Kyeong said, “The walls have ears.” Next period Miss Kim observed my masterful class on Parables, Adages, Proverbs, and Maxims. The Mustard Seed Parable by Jesus and Buddha were compared.

8-4-09

Tuesday

I was passed up by a few taxis, but got to class on time.

Mi Ae asked to be excused due to a cold, so I spoke to Mrs. Kim and Lexi since Miss Kim was not to be found in her cubicle.

Today news said Bill Clinton arrived in N. Korea to get the two Americans out of N. Korea. I explained the sense of it to Ms. Chee at lunch.

Miss Kim rushed to the cafeteria to tell me I had a class. I misread her correction on the schedule.

At 6 pm I worked out—about 15 minutes of walking on the treadmill. Was told my Elizabeth that there was a play put on by the groups in the auditorium at 7 pm. I watched the trainers in their three plays. It was Jonathan and Lexi’s club activity.

I went to KB bank—money for 50 copies on the way to Athena Press. At Paris Baguette the pretty girl was there. I bought the doughnuts she set out. At home I watched The Merchant of Venice on DVD.

8-5-09

Wednesday

The classes went very well on this day. The students (trainees) worked hard on their reporter scripts. With President Clinton’s freeing the reporters Laura Ling and Eun Lee from N. Korea, my Broadcast Journalism mini-course was met with enthusiasm. I thank Bill for that.

The elementary teachers went to the archeological museum next to the CIFLE campus. To see the pottery and swords dug from the ground and put together or reproduced was great. Mr. Oh was wise enough to translate a lot for me. I think he is a very good man. Miss Kim almost stopped on a grating and I pointed it out so she could avoid it.

I worked out at the end of the day. I went to a church Bible study with Mrs. Kim, Ms. Chee, Mrs. Yi and Angie. We studied Psalm 103 together and Angie and I walked home together from the Church across the bridge. She bought me a strawberry smoothie on the way.

8-6-09

Thursday

Today Mrs. Kim came to my class to observe, but we weren’t presenting, so she said she wished to see the presentations on Monday at 3 pm.

In the auditorium we saw Slumdog Millionaire at 4 pm. It was very well received and I told Elizabeth, at least, that it was very popular in America having won many awards. It seems many things done and said at CIFLE were, coincidentally, preparation for the movie.

I went to see Chris’ video lesson for his club activity, but he didn’t show up. Since I was around and Miss Kim was in a bind, I did my three songs (Plus “Yellow Submarine” and “She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain”) for the teachers. It went very well. Mrs. Kim even took pictures. Miss Kim approved my overtime hour, too!

Blessings were all around today. Myoung gave me my personalized CIFLE business cards today, too. With God all is possible.

8-7-09

Friday

Today went well. I bought my CDs to the teacher’s room to rip the CDs into the computer so I can listen to music while there, taking in the air conditioning.

I was a bit busier today than usual. I have students doing peer review. They say they’ve never done that before. I learned it at USF (the University of South Florida) in grad school. I made a lot of copies, though.

I explained how students can dramatically read story books. The added articles in Broadcasting and Drama were my reference.

At lunch I talked with Daniel B. and Susan. I told Daniel B. about what I found out concerning Korean University jobs.

We had a meeting at 4:15 pm. Miss Kim was in a good mood. She indirectly called me a “super writer” with the Konglish pronunciation of SPRITE.

I stayed in the teacher’s room till 8 pm copying (ripping) CDs. I finished the music but need to rip the language CDs. Saw Mr. Oh, head of General Affairs Office upon getting out of the cab near home and said hello to him.

8-8-09

Saturday

I awoke to answer mom’s call at about 12:30 pm. She had received my recent letters. Mom said she would start sending my books once a week. I reminded her to send me my math books when they arrive. I also told her that I would have 12K for her by January. I asked her to get funds transfer information from Rose at Wachovia so I could send her the money. She was looking forward to getting and sending the guitar I want in February.

I walked into town, got 100,000 won from KB bank. Ate pork and ohm rice at the restaurant. I dropped my pants off at the dry cleaner. I did laundry at home. I bought a lot of ice cream at the convenience store. Ordered Paul Yoon’s Once the Shore: Stories from Amazon to arrive in about 3-4 weeks. Cost about $21 with postage.

8-9-09

Sunday

This morning I awoke to the phone call to get picked up for church. I was so tired and I hadn’t showered yet. I tried to tell the Korean fellow on the other end “Next week.”

Eventually I got out of bed and showered. Arthur Zajonc responded to my email wishing me well.

I went into town and had a pizza. I also brought home a 1.5 liter bottle of Coca-Cola. I ate the meal at about 3:30 pm.

When I got back to the apartment I worked on my lesson plans for CBL-Math. Really what we need is a review of math terminology from counting to Calculus. I started working on that. I don’t want others to say I’m off the subject—teaching simple statistics.

I tried to attach and email the lesson plans to Miss Kim, but couldn’t do it, so I printed out and left a copy in her desk Monday morning.

8-10-09

Monday

I tried to rip the Pimsleur’s Korean on the computer in the teacher’s room, but it only took the even ones. I was not in a happy mood given missing church on Sunday.

In classes things went well. C and A sections met in the library. B section had Broadcasting presentations. I went to get Mrs. Kim who wanted to see the presentations. Even she did a peer review.

At lunch I talked with Susan. We watched CNN news mostly, but had a pleasant conversation.

Coffee didn’t help me get into a happy mood. I listened to Eagles songs in the afternoon.

I wrote a cool message to Mr. Cho—I won’t be taking any vacations until (I hope) I renew my contract at CIFLE.

Jonathan asked Chris and I to split a cab—only 800 won each. I agreed and rode. I told Chris about my Christmas gift, a Gibson guitar. I ate pizza for dinner and bought wall hooks and a clipboard at the stationers.

8-11-09

Tuesday

We began the day at the library. The trainees searched the children’s books for title, author/illustrator and publisher as well as figuring out what level the book was.

At four o’clock the presentations started. I had the class do peer evaluations.

We (Angie and I) were talked to about doing the church teaching this Saturday. No later than 8:30 pm I am to be in front of building 309.

The coffee seems to have worn off in its cheering effect on me.

Chris sent me, via cool messenger, about four or five Hall & Oates songs. I listened to them and enjoyed them a lot. I guess they were payment for substituting for his club activity last week.

I watched Hamlet with Mel Gibson and Glenn Close and noticed how good it was. Found my name on the list for Cambridge University. That’s what I’ve decided to save for.

8-12-09

Wednesday

As I can remember the presentations were very good and seemed to be a very appreciated activity for the trainees. They even said so.

I had checked out a book, What Koreans Want, but I realized that the negativity of the first two chapters I read, were noxious. As well as I could gather, it was written by an Englishman. It reminded me of the “poison pen” that Nel H. used to write about in her letters to me. I voiced my objection out loud to Jonathan who took exception.

I taught math CBL and found it a rigorous subject. That was not at all like a warm-fuzzy discussion. But I think that for some Koreans math study at an American university is preferable to honing the language as I have, only to be engaged in pointless debates.

Mrs. Kim brought her young niece to the teacher’s room. We went to Bible study where Angie showed up a little late.

8-13-09

Thursday

This morning I awoke at about 6:45 am, but went back to sleep to get out of the door without time to get my kimpap breakfast. So, once at CIFLE I drank coffee.

Mrs. Kim watched my 10 am lesson and gave some pointers. She wanted me to get the trainees to do a lesson plan of math CBL instead of reviewing for 4 hours. So, I changed the lesson at 2 pm to drawing up and sharing lesson plans. Miss Kim came to my classroom in a huff about my changing plans. She called a meeting of instructors where she voiced her disgruntled nature. The other teachers said I should not be held accountable for it since I am not responsible for supervisor’s communications. After the meeting Miss Kim started provoking me, so I eventually said I would speak to Ms. Chee and Mrs. Kim about it. No club activity. After dinner I corrected papers for Elizabeth.

8-14-09

Friday

It was a wild day. Just a few more days left in the TEE program. Shine talked to me at length in class about my changes to the original lesson plan for the math CBL. She seemed somewhat disgruntled. “We have changed it a few times, do you want yet another change?” was my objection.

I edited an awful lot of papers for the students for their other classes. Not sure it is wise, but what happens, happens.

Chris sent me a Les Paul video of the player’s jam session. Les Paul recently died, I found out later in the day. Chris seems tightly wound.

I played a little Ping Pong with Anna, Shine, and Terry. We had a lot of fun. Lexi then took the class out to the driving range to hit some golf balls. I went there after lunch with Mrs. Kim to show off my swing. The ladies tried it—I gave a free first lesson to about four or five ladies. Chris, like my nephew CJ, is a natural at golf.

8-15-09

Saturday

I woke up early without much problem, and was at sam-dungee for the pickup by Maggie and her husband. Angie came along.

At the Methodist Church, a wonderful sanctuary, we taught the children after being introduced. I played doctor to all the children, with stethoscope, blank prescriptions, and white coat. I tried to give them an examination as real as possible. When I wrote “Candy” and said so to the children as prescription, my co teachers laughed loudly. That was a great moment. Angie played pharmacist.

At lunch I met a lady volunteer of the church who had successful, professional daughters and I told of my brothers and sisters. We gathered in the Hof and talked with the two Americans who came along. Then we played Limbo like we did in my Middleton internship. Maggie gave me and Angie an envelope. We took the bus home. Saw Mrs. Yum at the theatre where I saw Public Enemies with Johnny Depp and Christian Bale.

8-16-09

Sunday

When I arrived at my door last night, there was a note from a “David” informing me, in good English, that my phone had been found and that I was safely in God’s hands. The bus-driver on the bus from Daejon had found the phone. I was informed on the note that I would get the phone back on Monday and that Maggie had been contacted about it.

Today I awoke at about 9:15 and showered, shaved and waited where I usually get the taxi to wait to see if I could get picked up for church—Mrs. Kim’s church. I waited about an hour and a half, no pick-up.

I ordered Hall & Oates very best CD on Amazon.com. I also ordered William H. Pritchard’s On Poets and Poetry after seeing a review in the WSJ and NY Times. Bill’s written a number of books I need to read.

Earlier, I went to town and ate pizza and got some tempura and nectarines for later.

8-17-09

Monday

I woke up early today, but just got myself up and out to the kimpap place and a taxi. I stopped in on Miss Kim. She told me there was a project presentation around 10:55 am in the seminar room.

The presentations were fantastic. The trainees used power point, graphics, props, even the hallway, etc… I praised the trainees for what they did. No kidding. While it seemed the other instructors were criticizing so fast and furiously that the trainees probably didn’t even understand most of what they were saying, I continued to talk about what I like about each presentation.

Miss Kim had a camcorder on a tripod for the entire day in the seminar room.

Announcement of Y.E. Yang’s win at the PGA, the first Asian to win a major (he’s Korean born) on the news. I mentioned it at the club activity where I played “London Bridge” and “Mulberry Bush.” We also reviewed the past songs. “Kum Ba Ya” was requested. Mi Ae was a riot! She was so funny. At home I bought a software package to watch TV on the PC.

Mom was worried since I had lost my phone, but Michelle gave me the message to call her. She was worried but relieved that I called. I watched some TV news on my PC. I wrote an email message to David Sofield.

8-18-09

Tuesday

I woke up and got to CIFLE. The class’ mood was anti-climactic after the projects yesterday. We rushed through the lessons and the special lecture was a professor of linguistics from Seoul National University. The special lecture was scheduled for 2 hours, but Chris needed my help and the pictures of the students I had.

The trainees and the instructors went to a restaurant with a long hallway. Miss Kim and I had had a really heated argument about my evaluations. The students—all of them—completed their presentations and successfully every time. I tried to explain to Miss Kim that I knew it seemed unusual, but it was out of a good, educated decision. After the dinner, I got a gift from the students as did all of us instructors. We went out to drink afterwards, plus nuribang. We were out till 4 am. Elizabeth and Chris flirted with each other all night.

8-19-09

Wednesday

I was half awake, half asleep for a few hours. I got to CIFLE about 45 minutes late. Everyone was waiting to go nature walking. I must have spoiled it. They expected me to play guitar. But it was cancelled due to the heat.

The closing ceremonies speeches were good. Eun Ju (Elizabeth) gave a great speech. She looked good in her white dress. A long slide show was presented and it was inspiring (also made me want to buy a camera).

I read a story in Paul Yoon’s book, Once the Shore.

I also read another chapter of Why Beauty is Truth.

Ate a pizza and skipped Bible Study. Angie called me from there and I had to tell her that I thought it was not being attended. I watched PCTV-CNN streaming internet news.

8-20-09

Thursday

A quiet day today. The trainees are gone. Jonathan and Lexi have gone to Thailand. Maggie went to Cheju to deliver a car to her son. I spent much of the day reading: a story by Paul Yoon, a chapter of Why Beauty is Truth and a chapter of How to Solve It.

Last night I prepared CDs of Steely Dan songs that I have music to and made copies of them and gave it to Chris and Scott (Scott’s was left on his desk). Chris said “Thanks” to me.

I also made a list of puzzles I want from Bits & Pieces. It will cost about $450. I talked to mom about it and she will send it when it arrives at her house.

Miss Kim asked me to change my grades. I assented.

I told mom I would send $2,000 per month via Western Union. She was happy to hear that. I’m watching BBC World news on TV for PC.

8-21-09

Friday

I got my “kimpap hannah” and squeezed into the backseat of the car with Belle and a Korean gentleman in the front. Next to me was Chris and Angie. We drove for a while. The initial conversation from the two fellow Americans was a bit caustic, but I don’t think they are aware of their attitude.

At Hanseo University (situated in a nook surrounded by mountains with West Point-like main hall) we checked in. There were several others like us there and we met Raquel C. who had called me to say hello while I was applying to CIFLE. The instructors/judges had lunch together. We eventually found our rooms and began the interviews. I sat next to Won Ho Kim who is the Dean of External Affairs at Hanseo University. We interviewed 16 students, choosing 5 as the top. Afterwards, Chris stayed at Hanseo to meet with Eun Ju (Elizabeth), he said. I walked into town and got some tempura once home.

8-22-09

Saturday

I slept till about noon after getting up early. I thought I had heard the doorbell ring, but as I listened for the second ring, it didn’t come, so I fell back to sleep.

I walked into town. I got an orange Fanta and a 2,000 won tempura. The tempura lady smiled knowingly at me. I bought some nectarines and walked home. I stopped by the cinema to see if a new movie had come out. Still Public Enemies is showing.

I watched BBC World News and BBC London. London has become like home news to me, issues that I can relate to. I bought two ink refills from Hi-Mart. The salesman smiled kindly and helped me.

I bought an executive chair for 200,000 won. The owner delivered the chair to my door. I was so grateful!

Again, I had tempura for 2,000 won and then some plums and nectarines. Mom had called. I eventually ran out of patience with her. I wrote a letter to Ms. Chee concerning my problems with Miss Kim (email). I wrote an email to Won Ho Kim, dean at Hanseo University. I replied to Mi Ae Kim, the Poetess. I wrote three chapter grades for three novels. I bought a desk lamp.

8-23-09

Sunday

I awoke at about noon. I showered and eventually made it into town for some more tempura. I also got a Chilsung Cider from the GS25 store on the way. The lady was wearing a pearl necklace. It seems to mean that she would look after me, like mom or Julia would.

At the apartment I watched a lot of news on PC for TV. I then tried to take a nap on the couch, but couldn’t sleep.

I then went into town again and ate a pizza and had a coke. Even though it may have seemed that I was losing weight, the sick feeling of all the grease was not good.

Mom called. I talked to her for a while. Julia called while I was talking to mom. I was watching Yankees vs. Red Sox on ESPN and talked to Julia for a little while. I’m unhappy with her calling and not planning a visit. She said she would call again next week. Found a ton of movies on PC4TV. Started watching The Red Baron but it looked done up in cliché.

8-24-09

Monday

I got a kimpap and took a cab to CIFLE. Once there I was surprised to find a program with students underway: TALK Program. I don’t have any responsibilities to that program, it is a program for the secondary section.

Daniel B. talked to me for quite a while today. We always have very interesting and learned discussions. I gave him Won Ho Kim’s card to copy—The Dean of External Affairs—to inquire about a professorship position for.

I read some Paul Yoon, some Why Beauty is Truth, and some How to Solve It. I also did two lessons with Pimsleurs.

Angie, Maggie, Belle and another Korean teacher (don’t know her name) were around today.

We all worked out—Mrs. Chae worked out with us. Miss Kim didn’t show up at work. Angie, and I took a cab to a pizza restaurant. Daniel B. and I talked and ate pizza. Angie rejoined us later.

I got a couple of packages from Myoung and a recommendation letter to edit for him. I made a copy of “Saturday Night Fever” (the soundtrack) for Angie—tried to make another, but the computer wouldn’t let it happen. I watched Scottish Parliament.

8-25-09

Tuesday

Today I finished reading Paul Yoon’s Once the Shore. It is a very well written book of stories. I like the tone of his sentences, the characters and how he depicts them.

I also read Why Beauty is Truth. I didn’t finish it, though. It is very interesting reading to me, nonetheless.

At lunch hour I took a taxi to the bank to pay bills. I was rather upset that I didn’t get paid till about 3:30 pm, but I didn’t know the exact procedure as this was my first full paycheck deposited. I spoke to Ms. Chee about Miss Kim. She is going to work closer to home. Ms. Chee tried to explain that she (Miss Kim) had spoken highly of me.

After work I went to dinner with Angie and Chris. We played gin rummy, drank and went to nuribang. To bed about 4 am.

8-26-09

Wednesday

I got out of bed at 9 am. I didn’t feel able to get out of bed until 9 am so I didn’t take a shower and just got dressed, put on my US Open cap and started my day.

Once at CIFLE, I ate my kimpap breakfast and then put on my earphones and then checked my email.

At lunch I ate quickly with the instructors and then went to KB bank. Mr. Cho at KB helped me convert won to 2,000 USD in traveler’s checks. I then went to the post office and sent them and the letter to mom. Then I paid my bills at NH bank. Now I’m up to date with my bills.

I slept until lunch in the teacher’s lounge. Someone said “Get up, time for lunch” and I got up. Maggie ordered dinner and I paid for my part. I went to Bible study—then Baskin Robbins. I like Mrs. Kim, Su Jin, Mr. Cho, Mrs. Kim, Maggie and Angie. Once home I cleaned up a bit.

8-27-09

Thursday

Today I got back on track. I called mom to tell her thanks for the Beatles Book and the Amherst Magazine. That was at the end of the day.

In most of the morning and afternoon I read Why Beauty is Truth. It is very interesting. I wrote Prof. Starr an email about the good writing.

At lunch I ate with Scott E. and Daniel B. CNN was interviewing Y.E. Yang, the winner of the golf major. I spoke a bit about my golfing experiences in Korea and the USA.

I went to KB bank after CIFLE. Daniel B. surprised me at the bank.

I let Daniel B. treat me to dinner. Then I went with him to the pizza restaurant I usually go to for three pizzas at 8:30 pm tomorrow.

We then went to Dunkin Donuts. We always have a good conversation.

8-28-09

Friday

I got my kimpap in the morning, dropped my clothes off at the dry cleaners and then headed in a cab to CIFLE.

At CIFLE Angie, Chris, Susan, and Scott E. were there. I continued to talk up my housewarming party. Susan apologized about not being able to make it to the party and gave me some very nice ceramics as a gift.

The electricity at CIFLE was off between 3 and 4 and Mr. Cho talked about the Swine flu policy of no contact after a flight. Chris did not like that because he has a vacation in Japan coming up. But, he was going to ask Scott to fill in for him.

The party was great. My books arrived. Maggie and the other Korean teacher made it to the party. Scott E. and his lovely girlfriend (a geophysicist), Chris, Angie and Daniel B. all made it. Pizza was delivered and beer and cola were drunk. Chris and I talked into the wee hours. Angie slept on the couch and left in the morning. I gave her my pillow and blanket and slept in my clothes.

8-29-09

Saturday

Angie left a nice note saying I was an awesome host. I woke up and found the blue blanket and blue pillow nicely folded and placed on the couch where she had slept.

It was mom’s call that ended my Saturday. She said she missed me and wanted to tell me how beautiful her flower garden will be when I visit on my vacation, next summer.

I spent Saturday alone. I watched some BBC World News and walked into town for a pizza after getting a Welch’s grape soda across the street at GS25 store.

I had bought some hollow bread rolls at the Paris Baguette along with some cream cheeses (Philadelphia) and had that (one of three) for dinner at about 9 pm. I slept on the couch, falling asleep to the media player, starting at the Sugarcubes.

I had set my alarm for 9 am so I could go to church at 10:30 am.

8-30-09

Sunday

I woke up with plenty of time to get ready for church.

I took a taxi to the church since Mrs. Kim had given me a card with the directions on it and the taxi driver didn’t find it at first, but then did, with a hint from me.

At church Mrs. Kim translated for me. I sat next to her. I met Angie, Kayla, Annett and Stephanie at the back round table. The sermon was good. I really needed a cup of coffee to get the conversation going. Stephanie is a writer and was scribbling during the service. I put 60,000 won in an envelope and put it in the offertory. I talked with Stephanie, then Annett, then Kayla. I had a mocha latte and a hot chocolate with Kayla at the Bean across from the cinema. I walked her home. Walked to Gut Pizza, walked to Primus Cinema, but they sold me a ticket I didn’t want—Public Enemies was discontinued. I got my money back. Wrote an email to Prof. Kaywell, to Raquel and then watched Yankees v. White Sox and half of The International.

I discovered that Chris had left my Hall and Oates CD in his laptop after the party.

8-31-09

Monday

News has it that Japan elected an opposition party into power, shifting the balance of power for the first time in over 50 years. More welfare is what they offer and I hope they help the poor in Japan.

Once at work I tried to read Polya, but it just wasn’t making sense today. So, I decided to write my novel of tribute to Ray-daddy, which I started on Friday. I wrote all the notes to each of the 42 chapters. This technique I learned from Vladimir Nabokov.

We had a meeting on energy savings. The photographer took a lot of pictures. Also, Miss Kim and Mr. Lee said goodbye. They were promoted. We took many group pictures. One day camp for tomorrow cancelled.

Don Henly CD arrived. Michelle sent me the texts for the one day camp. It was the medical and pharmacy lesson. The other teachers, as well as Gloria, helped me with the computer. Chris wants his glass from Dokdo back. I want my Hall and Oates CD back. At home I picked up my dry cleaning.

Chapter Three

September

9-1-09

Tuesday

The day started as usual. I got kimpap for breakfast. I carried my guitar to CIFLE at Chris’ request. The kimpap lady put the kimpap in my backpack for me because my hands were full.

At CIFLE I met Jeffrey from Canada. He’s quite big and somewhat loud.

We had a meeting concerning September’s schedule. I sat next to Mrs. Chae. She’s beautiful—in my estimate the prettiest and classiest woman I know. She’s smart, too.

We had a tea ceremony lesson run by Ms. Chee. Hambuks were provided and pictures were taken. I sat next to Miss Chae and I was so nervous. It felt like a wedding. And I tasted the three aspects of the tea. My legs fell asleep under me. I was so nervous. I fell in love.

At home I got my computer picked up for an English operating system. I then went to Gut Pizza for dinner. I started writing my novel. Also, I started working on my book for readers of ESOL.

9-2-09

Wednesday

It was a very good day. The weather has begun to get cooler, just a bit. At the end of the day so much began to happen. Jeff’s computer was set up. So he is getting settled in nicely.

The box from Hastings arrived with so much clothing in purple and white. Work- out clothes, scarves, a banner, etc . . . I contacted Miss Ward at Hastings about getting a replacement jacket since mine was damaged upon opening.

The computer guy returned my computer, all set for English usage. (I was able to burn copies of two CDs for Angie and Gloria). The computer’s settings were improved. I gave the guy a copy of my second book in gratitude.

Church Bible study with Maggie, Angie, Mrs. Kim, Andrea and Mr. Oh (I think that’s his name). I seemed to connect well with Andrea, the South African lady. We had a feast of kimpap, dok and pineapple during the study.

I went to bed in my Amherst blankets. I wrote a poem, “Tea Ceremony,” and gave a copy to Mrs. Chae (my partner at the Tea Ceremony, the prettiest I’ve known).

9-3-09

Thursday

In the morning Gloria came to my desk and pulled a chair to talk with me. She is eager to be friends and work together well. She often remarks that I’m having breakfast, as if it is a special idea.

We had a meeting with Mr. Cho regarding the upcoming TEL and then a meeting with Maggie regarding the student camps. The meeting was held in the conference room and we were given Ginseng Elixir at the meeting.

During the day I wrote a page or two of my novel. The confrontation between Ray and Richard was the focus.

At lunch we had little Korean pancakes. They were delicious. I sat next to Ms. Chee and mistakenly mentioned to Daniel B. about his hunt for a university position.

I worked out in my Amherst athletic clothes.

Gloria drove me to my apartment. I ordered pizza from Gut Pizza for 7,000 won. I watched some news on Free TV. I went to bed about 10 pm.

9-4-09

Friday

I arrived at CIFLE with kimpap for breakfast. I read the news on the internet and listened to BBC’s live radio service with the earphones.

In the morning Myoung told me that a package had arrived for me. Mom had sent my guitar music books! I put them in the teacher’s lounge where the coffee table is so that Chris could practice with them. I showed them to Scott. He was approving of them and generally happy that I told him he could borrow them at any time.

I gave Paul Yoon’s Once the Shore to Ms. Chee. She politely accepted it.

I got Maggie to open the storage room for me. I hit a few balls at the net range. (Mom had sent my golf gloves).

I worked out with Cindy. She had appreciated my poem dedicated to her—“Tea Ceremony”

Myoung told me I had another package—Bill Pritchard’s book On Poets and Poetry.

Daniel B. treated me to pizza. We also had ice cream.

I got a call from mom asking again what I wanted sent.

I started ripping my CDs into my new English operating system.

9-5-09

Saturday

I got up at about 1 pm and found my front door ajar. There was some sort of blue tape where the door locks. It didn’t worry me, though.

I took a shower and got the book of poems and copied an article for David Chang. I walked to Gongju University post office, but it was closed.

I got a pizza at Gut Pizza, bought some nectarines and bought some bath soap.

I ripped some more CDs while reading Pritchard’s book.

I went to Gongju National Museum for the Korean drum concert. The cab cost 4,000 won and the drums were so loud I couldn’t stay for the whole performance. I took a cab to town.

I ate at a restaurant and then walked home. I read some more of Pritchard’s book and ripped some more CDs.

My Amherst jacket cost 3,000 to sew up the rip made in opening the box. I had cancelled the insurance claim and asked the lady of Hastings, Miss Ward, to send me another new jacket. She said she would do as I say and send me another.

9-6-09

Sunday

I woke up feeling somewhat depressed. I got a shower and took my Amherst College jacket to the dry cleaner to mend the tear yesterday.

This being Sunday I took a cab to the church, a little early. Andrea (the South African lady) eventually arrived and so did Mrs. Kim.

After the service we had lunch at the church. After lunch I drank a cup of coffee. Andrea took me to her favorite coffee house near Gongju National University. She has a little Tico subcompact car, real junky, but it runs. She invited me to a spaghetti dinner Saturday. She gave me her phone number.

I walked part of the way to my apartment. I read about half of Pritchard’s On Poets and Poetry but not the third and final section. I will leave that to after the 4 day camp.

I ordered a pizza delivered and a large Coke. Burned “Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack” for Chris.

9-7-09

Monday

Today I rode in on a taxi with Lexi who surprised me with herself in the morning by walking up to me while I was waiting for a cab.

I tried to fill her in on the news of what had happened while she was gone. I introduced her to the new guy, Jeff. She passed around postcards she got in Thailand, letting us keep one of our choosing. She is truly one of the beautiful people, and she looks it after a long absence.

The children arrived and we registered them with little toy passports. We had ice-breaking activities in the recreation room. Lexi emcee’d that quite well.

I copied a lot of sheet music for my “Walk and Talk” class. We did “Bingo,” “London Bridge,” “Ten Little Indians,” “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” and “On Top of Spaghetti.” The children especially like the last one. We walked around the grounds singing.

Gloria gave me a lesson in Korean. I gave her an intro to guitars and music for her English lesson. Angie, Lexi, Chris and I took a taxi home. I had pizza delivered for dinner.

9-8-09

Tuesday

Got up and off to CIFLE without a minute to spare.

The first class was walk and talk (Maggie and Mrs. Kim said it should be walk and sing for me). We did pretty much as yesterday’s class. This group seemed a bit less vocal and not as driven.

With Michelle we did EEC. The classes went well and the students really liked the EEG restaurant. Each group acted differently throughout the day.

Chop chae for lunch.

I gave all the teachers a CD of Beatles Classics. Everyone seemed appreciative.

I got my Amazon shipment of Don Henley CDs: “Building the Perfect Beast,” “I Can’t Stand Still,” and “End of the Innocence.”

Gemma gave me a ride home in her Sonata.

I ordered pizza delivered.

I ripped the Don Henley CDs into my media player.

Checked the balance of my account and decided to get a Sony Digital SLR from Hi-Mart.

9-9-09

Wednesday

Once again I began the day about 15 minutes before 9 am. Michelle and I did four hours of teaching together. The Hotel and Restaurant classes at the EEC went well. Michelle was an elementary teacher for 20 years, early grades.

I wrote a long email to Prof. Starr, filling him in on my news and my goal of getting a PhD at Cambridge. I forwarded the email to Mike A. for class notes.

For language games I did my original lesson—the alphabet spelling game. Michelle really liked it. The children liked it a lot. I felt really good about myself for using it.

For Walk and Talk we stayed indoors and sang the songs. Mrs. Kim came to listen to “On Top of Spaghetti”— she requested we sing it for her.

We then had the plays. The students beamed. I was so proud of them. Then the BBQ party and egg drop project from the roof. Maggie had me take photos.

Myoung gave the elementary teachers a ride home.

9-10-09

Thursday

Today was the day the four day elementary camp ended. We watched a slide show—many of the pictures I took—and had a quiz. We also played a game called “Move your Butt.”

We passed out the diplomas and took a group picture indoors. Some of the girl students cried a bit. They had such a good time. Last night I realized that I should save my money to attend Cambridge University for my MA and PhD in English. I talked to Gemma about it and she said it was a good idea. Ms. Chee came up to the teacher’s room and I gave her a Beatles CD. I also gave Michelle a Beatles #1 CD.

We had a chicken lunch put on by Maggie. The teachers gathered around and we had a conversation for quite a while. Angie, Chris and Lexi and I took a taxi home together.

I went to the post office to send David Chang his copy of The Isle of Yoo. At home I wrote an email to Ms. Chee regarding my plans to attend Cambridge in 2014, their 805th year.

9-11-09

Friday

I dressed in my purple and white Rugby shirt and purple shorts and sweatpants from Hastings.

At CIFLE, Chris and Lexi and I watched Obama’s healthcare speech in the auditorium.

I remarked later that I thought the health care measure will pass the House and Senate, at least that’s what the internet news said.

I talked to Daniel B. at lunch and he and I have a pretty good dialogue going. Ms. Chee gave Gloria a book to teach me Korean from. We did a lesson.

Belle and I worked out. We talked a lot about Amherst and the five college system, my future plans regarding Cambridge University and working at CIFLE for five years. Belle, Gloria and I played ping pong. They are really good and Belle was eventually the champion.

I took a taxi home with Lexi, Chris and Angie.

I had pizza delivered for dinner. I talked to mom. I arranged FreeTV to watch 9-11 anniversary ceremonies. I emailed Athena Press and David Chang. I had a talk with Mr. Cho about sending CIFLE job descriptions to various career offices. Gloria and Gemma helped me attach to email that description.

9-12-09

Saturday

I woke up at noon. Once I took a shower, I ordered a pizza and Coke to be delivered

I called Andrea to cancel the spaghetti dinner.

I went to KB bank and withdrew 200,000 won from the ATM.

I took my golf clothes to the dry cleaner and paid 67,000 won for about 2 weeks of dry cleaning, that is, 10 days.

I washed my clothes (underwear, etc.)

I listened to BBC World news via the internet.

Mom said on the phone, she will send the puzzles.

I bought some snacks and some water, as well as kimpap.

9-13-09

Sunday

I didn’t go to church today. I left an email for Mrs. Kim telling her I could not make it in.

I slept till about 1 pm. I ordered a pizza and Coke at about 3 pm.

I listened to BBC radio news and also NPR radio on the internet.

Mom called this morning to tell me the packages with puzzles were on their way.

I napped on the couch while listening to BBC News radio.

News about Serena Williams’ eruption and loss to an opponent was troubling. Lately, outbursts have been in the news. I wonder at the cause.

I didn’t go outdoors all day.

I went to bed about 11 pm.

9-14-09

Monday

It was a quiet day. I wore my Amherst Rugby shirt and sweatpants, the same as I did on Friday.

I worked with Gloria in the afternoon on the Clinic/Pharmacy lesson for Tuesday’s one-day.

In the afternoon, also, Gloria, Belle, Gemma and I played ping pong. I didn’t play very well and seemed to be slowing down. Gloria and Belle had a very competitive match that was exciting to watch. Gemma and I watched them play.

Gloria and I worked on her English in the afternoon, also. She had some religious sentences she wanted me to correct.

Angie, Lexi, Chris and I took a taxi home together.

I ordered a pizza and Coke for dinner.

9-15-09

Tuesday

I had my kimpap in the morning. Gloria and I began our one-day session. We had five classes.

The middle school children were quite slow. The elementary students we had for the 4 day were much better at English. I was told that they (the elementary students) were chosen by their school principals but that the middle school children were just average students.

Gloria and I worked well together. We did a chart on body parts, and we did several dialogues. The other teachers gave us ear thermometers to make our session seem more real.

The opening ceremony job performance song went well, though not perfect.

Star Quiz was difficult for the students.

We got two taxis since Jonathan had returned. I took the second taxi alone and went to KB bank. My account didn’t get any deposit. What to do about the problem, I’m not sure. I will not attend my extra pay sessions as a result.

9-16-09

Wednesday

I slept early last night and woke up in the middle of the night wondering what time it was and where I was. Then I went back to sleep to wake up at the alarm clock’s ringing.

At CIFLE, the Korean teachers were dressed nicely. Jonathan showed off his “Killers” band shirt that had ruthless, murderous dictators faces in the place of the Beatle’s faces.

I helped the Korean teachers move the table into the teacher’s room.

I got a lot of sleep, so I felt better throughout the day. I wrote about 10 pages or more in my novel. At lunch I ate less than usual. I sat with Angie, Chris, and Lexi. We had some laughs.

We all got together to load the bus for Seosan Elementary Traveling English Libray (TEL) tomorrow. I worked out with Belle for a little while.

Gloria drove me home. At 7:15 pm I went with Maggie to Bible study. Andrea gave a rigorous lesson on the book of John. I watched David Foster Wallace in a Charlie Rose interview.

9-17-09

Thursday

I woke up and caught a glimpse of Scott D.’s email to me this morning. I sent him a reply. Twenty seven years we have not been in touch.

I tell you, it has been one hell of a day! The TEL at Seosan Elementary was great. We got American coffee and bread snacks. I got a new shirt yesterday. Chris was reading a new book.

Gloria and I did a great job teaching “Toilet Tales” and getting the students to write a page for a book. Myoung even joined in the teaching with us for a period!

We took pictures with a type of Polaroid camera of the students in the afternoon. The posed in a couple of little hole faces and in front of the mural with costumes on. I had Gloria take a lot of pictures. She seemed to be enjoying it!

I wrote Scott D. another email. Then I called when doubt started creeping in about whether it was really Scott D.! I invited him over to Korea to take a vacation! I got an email from Jeong Hwa. I sent an email to Alistair with Korean Horizons about a job for Scott D. if he comes to visit.

9-18-09

Friday

I got into CIFLE about 10 minutes late, only there was really nothing to do. I had worn my purple Amherst T-shirt with white letters. Belle had asked me if purple was my favorite color. I answered that it was my school color. “I feel like a big grape” I said to her and she chuckled a bit.

We had a PhD Aussie speaker from Hanseo University, a fellow whose last name was Jolly. He presented, with power point and video, a new gifted language program. It was similar to the Writer’s Workshop of Nancy Atwell in her book In the Middle. I sat next to Mrs. Kim (actually, she sat next to me) and spoke a bit with Prof. Jolly after looking at the children’s books he had brought. I browsed with Mrs. Kim and asked a few questions.

At lunch I sat with the secondary native speakers . We talked politics and Scott spoke of the mess of South African politics. I then worked-out with Belle. I talked to her of Scott D. getting in touch with me after 27 years.

I played ping pong with Gloria and Belle. Belle is still the champ. Gloria gave me a ride home. Packages arrived from Clearwater--puzzles and popcorn and sunflower seeds.

I got the rug from Susan who is going to North Carolina. I bought about 100,000 won of her stuff to help.

9-19-09

Saturday

I went to the tempura place for some food. Then home with two liters of drinking water. I also did the laundry and washed the dishes in the sink.

I checked the prices of Korean Air flights for Scott D. But, later, I decided to withdraw my offer. Money’s too tight.

9-20-09

Sunday

I woke up and put on my blue dress shirt for church.

Mrs. Kim was fixing lunch for the parishioners.

Andrea took me to Baskin-Robbins for ice cream after we went to the bank and I got 100.000 won. Andrea asked me what had happened with Miss Kim and I. I told her what happened. She was delighted that Miss Kim had left since she had been forced out of CIFLE by Miss Kim. (I don’t think it was right for Miss Kim to push me or Andrea).

I went home and got an email from Prof. Starr. I wrote him back and waited for a reply.

9-21-09

Monday

This morning we started a four day camp. I checked-in C group. We acted out things students shouldn’t do at CIFLE on the stage. It went pretty well.

I ate lunch with Lexi. We had a successful sing-along for walk-n-talk. “BINGO,” “Ten Little Indians,” “London Bridge,” “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” and “On Top of Spaghetti” were the songs we sang while I played guitar. “One Top of Spaghetti” was very popular; the children loved singing it.

With Michelle we actually decided she would do a skit with her half of the students. I was persuaded by her to have the students perform “Hey Jude” on the stage. We practiced by singing with the song on the classroom media player.

Gloria took me home. Two packages had arrived for me, on a winter jacket form Hastings, the other, the book from Amazon, Prof. Pritchard’s book. I took my guitar home to practice.

Big workout taking my stuff from Susan’s that I bought. It was really hard work.

9-22-09

Tuesday

We’ve got one day camp—No! Four- day camp. It is noisy in the activities room but that’s a good thing. The children are having fun. I am actually having more fun. Between classes I read Pritchard’s book about Robert Frost. It is a great book. I wish his books were not so unknown. They are really great to read. I gain a lot of satisfaction from them.

The children have a great time, I think. We are practicing “Hey Jude” by the Beatles and it is so pretty how they sing the songs. We are going to perform tomorrow night at “Tonight At CIFLE.” I will play the guitar and they will sing the song with me. Since I gave everyone at CIFLE a CD with the Beatles songs, I think the performance will be really special.

I’ve also been watching Craig Ferguson on the internet-videos of his monologues. Mom called—letter from the King, she said—Cambridge University.

9-23-09

Wednesday

Late last night I called Myoung after my right eye appeared bloodshot and very irritated. We took a taxi to the hospital which told me I should see an eye doctor in the morning.

In the morning the eye doctor, who happened to be nearby my apartment, said I had a scratched cornea. The put in a protective contact lens and gave me a prescription for some eye drops.

Wondering whether or not to stay home, Maggie said she needed me at CIFLE, so I took a shower and took a taxi in.

The children were especially good today and we had a lot of guitar playing. Walk and talk class, then performance practice, then the performance.

We had a good time with the BBQ party after the “Tonight At CIFLE” show. The children were especially adoring and adorable. I’m glad I’m teaching in the elementary section.

Gloria gave me a ride home. At home I ate sunflower seeds and listened to music. Tomorrow after lunch I’ve got to go to the eye doctor’s again.

9-24-09

Thursday

I arrived at CIFLE and though my right eye was tearing up, I took part in the activities—“Move your Butt” run by Lexi. During the activity it looked like there was a fight between two boys. I leapt into action and rushed in to separate them, but they said they were just playing.

I emceed the closing ceremonies. Also, during Star Quiz, I was amazed by the good number of right answers they were getting. I started to ask the question “I’m thinking of a number between one and ten” and Chris laughed very loudly since he knew the joke.

Later, I put my head down at my teacher’s room desk with earphones on. The sound of my sniffling from the eye inflammation prompted Susan to comfort me with a massage on my neck. I did not react at first.

Ping pong with Belle, Gloria, Maggie, Chris and Myoung. I signed into a half sick-day, saw the doctor then came back and cancelled that half sick day. Elementary teacher trainers had pizza and chicken together.

Gloria gave me a ride back to my apartment. I had pizza and Coke for dinner.

9-25-09

Friday

With my right eye feeling irritated all day, tearing up and itching, it was pay day. The day Myoung passes out the remuneration notices.

My yahoo.com web page was changed, so I had to put other publications—Washington Post, Barron’s, Forbes, etc. on my homepage. I read a lot for having a hurt eye. And I took a rest in the teacher’s lounge. When I got up, my right eye dripped a great number of tears.

I worked out with Belle. We had a nice conversation. She told me about her duties in hiring with Mr. Cho. Then we played ping pong. Joining us was Mr. Kim from tech support, Mrs. Chae, Chris, Myoung and Gloria. We played a lot of ping pong, and I coached Belle and Mrs. Chae.

David Chang sent me some Asian pears in thanks for my books. Gloria peeled a couple and served them.

I went to the bank and got a million won. I went to the opthamologist and he put an antibiotic salve and patch over my eye. I bought food from Paris Baguette. I got a bookcase from Susan. I then straightened up the apartment a bit.

9-26-09

Saturday

I got up out of bed at about 11 am. I took my clothes to the dry cleaner. The nice lady there gave me a discount.

I cleaned my apartment. I did the dishes and the laundry, as well.

I listened to BBC World Report most of the day and did not go to church to teach with Andrea. She teaches children at church at 3 pm. Since my eye was patched, I didn’t feel like teaching, so I stayed home.

I went to Hi-Mart and got a video cam. I also bought some blank CDs. I got some bananas and green grapes form a corner vendor. I got some bread from Paris Baguette, and some cream cheese.

I went to the ophthalmologist and he looked into my eye and patched it. He gave me a prescription for medicines.

I got a Google Gmail account, but the web cam function didn’t seem to work.

9-27-09

Sunday

I’m at home all day.

I snacked on food items I had gotten yesterday.

I listened to BBC World Service again.

There was an email from Scott.

I listened to some music and rested on the couch. With my right eye patched, there’s not much I’m able to do. I fought the urge to buy a camcorder. I thought of going to Seoul next week for books when my eye is better.

9-28-09

Monday

This morning I woke up with my eye patch halfway off. My eye wasn’t red and I could see as usual, so I took the patch off and took a shower.

Went to CIFLE and passed out CDs of Simon and Garfunkel, joking that I was a pirate. I read much of Bill Pritchard’s Frost, almost 3 chapters.

At lunch we had food that I liked a lot.

Jeff sat opposite me and I bantered with him for a while. Daniel B. and Scott E. joined us.

Lexi started making plans to take a vacation in February when there were no classes planned. I decided that I would take my two week vacation then, too. I will resign and not fly home for summer but take the contractual 500,000 won instead.

Scott D. emailed asking to split airfare to Korea. I’ve got to save money for Cambridge, so I can’t.

I played table tennis with Belle and Gloria. I played very well. It’s amazing how my vision improved after the weekend patch. Saw the eye doctor who advised me to not rub my eye. I bought a pair of Transitions lens glasses. They cost me 480,000 won.

Ordered pizza and listened to music.

9-29-09

Tuesday

I pushed the snooze button a number of times and got up at the last minute. I arrived at CIFLE at about 9 am.

We had one day camp. Gloria and I did clinic and pharmacy for the children, about 5 times.

We started the day at the lobby checking in. Then we did opening ceremony as well as our usual job performance skit.

Gloria and I started off the day with a song—BINGO and a game of Simon Says.

I did not drink coffee on this day.

Jonathan was talking about the crimes of the film director that was extradited to the USA to be sentenced. Roman Polanski is his name. I took some exception to his talking about the details of the sexual crime, etc... Later I apologized for jumping in, though I shouldn’t have. At the end of the day we shared a taxi together and all seemed forgiven. Thought about a February vacation, then thought better of it. Two parcels came for me. In them were Pouncey’s novel and Harvard Business School Brochure on Real Estate. I let Mr. Cho look at it.

9-30-09

Wednesday

Today was the day of TEL (Traveling English Library). We went to a boy’s middle school. During the bus trip I read Bill Pritchard’s Frost.

At the school we set up our “venues.” Gloria and I did the photo zone venue.

We (that is Debbie, Lexi and I) did a Book Report Summary with the boys. Lexi had forgotten to bring along the book report forms, so we had the students write on blank paper.

For lunch the Principal had all of us at a lunch at a seafood restaurant. The Principal was a good looking man and I was introduced to him by Mr. Cho. During the lunch, Angie got a big fish bone stuck in her throat. Myoung took her to the nearest clinic and she had the bone removed. I thanked God at Bible Study for saving her life and praised Myoung for helping her.

Went to Bible Study with Mrs. Kim and afterwards, they took me to dinner. How kind they are.

Chapter Four

October

10-1-09

Thursday

On this day, a day without any activities, Lexi gave me a couple of stacks of student essays from the TEL program to rate in excellence. I quickly got it done and picked out 4 excellent summaries.

Lexi, Angie and Maggie changed desk places. Maggie and I now sit next to one another, though she will mostly be downstairs. Lexi now sits opposite Maggie (she was previously on my left). Angie now sits opposite and has joined the secondary group.

The administrators I met yesterday at the TEL toured CIFLE and visited the teacher’s room.

I worked on a satellite puzzle most of the afternoon. It has proven very, very difficult and even with the solutions diagram. I had to leave it without putting it back together.

I took a bus to Osan. The nice man at the terminal got me on the right bus. I checked into Osan Hotel and then visited Mr. Oh (I ordered 3 suits) and looked around at the Osan Mall.

10-2-09

Friday

The Osan Hotel I was staying at was the same hotel I stayed at when I came to Korea two years ago.

I bought a garment bag yesterday and left it at Mr. Oh’s. I will go back to Osan Mall on Saturday next week and pay the rest of the bill for the suits and the guitar.

At Peace Music a guitar, Ibanez classical with pickups and fret board lower access, I put on lay away. I was surprised by the low price for an Ibanez, a great name in classical guitars.

David Chang picked me up at the Osan Gate. I had Chuseok dinner with his family and his brother’s family. I gave everyone a copy (signed) of The Isle of Yoo. David’s brother played saxophone for us. David’s oldest daughter was very pretty. She had grown up and blossomed.

Back at Osan Hotel I watched CNN live on television. The Olympic city of Rio de Janeiro was chosen at 1 am.

10-3-09

Saturday

I woke up early this morning without an alarm clock. At Osan Hotel there were children manning the check-out desk. I turned in my key.

I got a cab. The Osan Gate was rather depopulated. It took a bit of time to get a cab, but the cab ran all the lights. I felt important.

At the bust station the ticket lady thought I wanted to go to Gwangju. I thought for a moment about what the problem was. “Konju” with a hard K—so I got the 6,000 won ticket.

On the bus I sat at the very front and read the last chapter of Pritchard’s Frost. I didn’t have breakfast, but I didn’t feel bad, just on the edge of hunger. I had a few coffee bon-bons.

At the Kongju terminal I had a kimpap at a small restaurant. I took a cab to my apartment.

Once here I fell asleep on the couch for a while. I cooked some ramen and ate an ice cream cone. I watched Craig Ferguson show. I made a plan to buy stuff I want—camcorder, camera, Rolex and overcoat. I listened to BBC World Service.

10-4-09

Sunday

I got to church to find Andrea not there, but the young Filipino, Annett, was. Mrs. Kim was surprised to see me there.

It was Mrs. Kim’s birthday on Chuseok and there was a cake and candies (and fruit) at the front of the church after the service.

I walked home I the very comfortable weather, across the bridge over the river. I checked my bank account and found that the extra pay had been deposited from Hanseo University. I have enough for my suits and guitar.

At home I cleaned everything except the floors—they need sweeping. I did the laundry and added bleach so the clothes and towels would smell better.

I wrote a letter to David Chang and to Prof. Pritchard. I then went to Mrs. Kim’s house for dinner. Andrea was there and we talked about religion. Then we all went to church in the evening. Andrea drove Annett and me home.

10-5-09

Monday

I woke up and took a shower. I took a cab which passed Lexi who decided to walk.

At CIFLE I found that the mood was good among everyone. The new elementary teacher, Peter, asked some questions, and I tried to answer. The first thing I noticed in the morning was that my satellite puzzle was missing the solution. Maggie said that she had tried to straighten out my desk. I couldn’t get upset at her. I told her I could get another.

I wrote a number of pages of my novel about growing up. I also read Pouncey’s novel, Rules for Old Men Waiting, about half of it.

I copied dialogues for my hotel venue tomorrow with Michelle. I gave Mr. Cho a CD of Simon and Garfunkel. I gave Jonathan some popcorn. Mrs. Kim wants to hike next week. Daniel B. helped me move desks and chairs to my room. I took a taxi with Jonathan. I went to the bank and withdrew 1,500,000 won so that I could get suits and guitar on Saturday.

10-6-09

Tuesday

Today it started very nicely, my day, since Mrs. Kim greeted me so nicely at the beginning of the day. We are to go hiking up a mountain sometime in the near future.

Michelle and I taught the parents’ groups about Hotel reservation, check-in and check-out. Mr. Cho gave me a card with KOTESOL Convention ad on it.

Michelle and I worked well together. Maggie said she was going through menopause. That made me forget to go to class; I was five minutes late.

Chris showed up at CIFLE today dressed in shirt and tie with khaki pants and a navy blue cardigan sweater. It must have been because I was going to wear a suit soon.

I had a talk with the new guy, Peter. He plays the accordion and has studied art. We had nice talk. Maggie and Gemma and Mrs. Kim, we all had dinner together in the teacher’s room after everyone had left. Earlier, I wrote emails to Prof. Zajonc, Prof. Sofield, Luna Y. and a one word email to David Chang—“Yes!”

Michelle asked me what we could do for TEC. I said “Concrete Poems” and we got examples from the net.

10-7-09

Wednesday

Today I was a bit tired at the end of the day. I got an email from Dr. Kaywell. I also re-joined NCTE and it cost $40. So, since I used my visa card I called mom (in the morning, my time) to let her know that I had spent $50 total so far this month.

At CIFLE I talked with Michelle, getting ready the concrete poems for tomorrow’s TEC. Michelle also had a meeting with us on the second floor regarding tomorrow’s TEC.

I watched the monologue of Craig Ferguson. It was really funny, his squirming with Letterman as his boss going through the scandalous confessions.

After lunch, Mrs. Kim, Ms. Chee, Mr. Lee and I walked up the mountain next to CIFLE. It was a good walk. I walked and talked with Mrs. Kim. Mr. Lee wore a shirt and tie and dress shoes—had no difficulty breathing as I did.

Belle, Gloria, Peter and I played ping pong.

Maggie ordered dinner at CIFLE then drove Sujin and I to Bible Study. Maggie drove Sujin and I home from Bible Study.

10-8-09

Thursday

Today was the day for TEC. We, CIFLE traveling staff, went to wine country to a middle school. We drove about a half hour to the school after loading up the bus with our supplies. Once we set up our sets, we all went by bus to a restaurant that served fowl. Debbie sat opposite me. Maggie sat next to me and the Principal of the school sat catty corner to me on our section of the table.

We did concrete poems with the middle school children. That was my idea for a drawing project. It went well, but really should have a full hour for the activity. Many students didn’t finish theirs.

After a while we switched to Clinic and Pharmacy. I taught very well. Perhaps dieting (fasting) has helped my mind. Michelle seemed happy to assist me.

In the morning, before all this TEC activity, I joined NCTE and TESOL associations online and by mail. I hope I can keep up with my journals during down time. After arriving home, I walked home with Jonathan, Chris, Angie and Lexi. Halfway Chris, Jonathan and Angie stopped for a beer at a local restaurant on the way home. It was Peter’s first TEC and we all stopped at a lake for pictures and ice cream on the bus ride back to CIFLE.

10-9-09

Friday

I woke up early today, thinking about walking to CIFLE. I didn’t, ultimately.

At CIFLE I got to work a half hour early. We had a Fire Drill today.

Chris showed his documentary to us today. It was about the unfair situation at Philadelphia for the taxi drivers. The film was well made. I was truly impressed. It was very persuasive and skillfully made. He showed it in the auditorium twice, in the morning and in the afternoon.

At lunch I sat with the native speakers. Such a small meal, but I am losing weight and shedding inches. I have been drinking carrot juice for about two weeks now, and it seems my vision is improving.

At the fire drill I was allowed to demonstrate the fire extinguisher. There were two fire trucks and smoke.

In the afternoon, Myoung, Belle, Gloria and I played ping pong.

I got my new glasses. Gosh, I hope they are transition lenses I paid for. President Obama has won the Nobel Peace Prize. Yeah!

10-10-09

Saturday

I awoke at about 9 am. I decided last night not to bring a backpack. I didn’t have any breakfast for my lose weight diet. After taking a cab to the bus station, I noticed there were new internet pay machines near the gates. I wish they were in more places. I think they would make money in the long run.

I drank a Coca Cola and took the bus to Osan. I kept thinking I was on the wrong bus, I asked several people and they said “Osan, yes!”

At Mr. Oh’s I paid for my suits, shirts and ties. He fitted me. I told him that I might be back in two weeks, since the ride to Osan was expensive, and not much money left.

At Peace Music I got my guitar, an Ibanez classical electric, a hard case, two little amps and a cord for the amp/guitar hook up. They gave me free strap and picks. I had spent more than I expected, so now it is rice and ramen for two weeks. I hope mom remembers to send vitamins. I must eat rice, ramen and walk to CIFLE (no cab!). I must also walk to church.

10-11-09

Sunday

Today I woke up early so that I could save money by walking to church instead of taking a cab. By the time I got to the lighted bridge, the wisdom of my resolve was proven—there was a 17K race going on—a cab couldn’t have taken me to the church anyway!

Andrea did not come to morning service, but we had a couple of new members—Mr. Lee and his wife Mrs. Kim. Mr. Lee is 70 years old, but doesn’t look a day over 60.

I walked home from church—talked to mom on my cell phone part of the way. Her persistent complaining tries my patience. I will pray for her.

On the way home I ate a couple of hot dogs for brunch.

At home I ate rice and ramen. It hurts to diet.

Mrs. Kim called about why I left church before lunch. She also invited me to lunch with other members and Andrea. We saw an artist drawing faces at the festival. I thought of my activity at TEC—concrete poems.

I went to the Bible meeting. I walked home. It was beautiful, cool weather. There was a concert going on by the river.

10-12-09

Monday

Today I woke up at 7 am and walked to CIFLE. It took about 30 minutes to get there. I got there rather early, about 45 minutes early. I started writing more of my novel. I spent all morning on it. I put my headphones on and listened to music as I wrote. I got through about four chapters, but there is so much to edit once the framework is done.

I saw Mrs. Kim who was with Mr. Lee. She asked me about hiking after lunch. I said I would be upstairs.

I sat next to Lexi at lunch, but she seems to be mad at me about something. I don’t know what it could be.

We had a pre-TEL meeting. No CEO this week—it has been postponed till December.

Later in the afternoon I listened to more of the Sundays and then read some of Wallace Stevens’ poetry on line. It was, to me, like a treasure trove of relevant thoughts to my personal relationships.

Played ping pong with Michelle, Myoung and Gloria. Gloria gave me a ride home. Belle wants to play with me tomorrow. I viewed my DVD Bible—Book of Matthew.

10-13-09

Tuesday

I felt bad this morning and was considering calling in sick. Instead, I settled on taking a taxi to work.

There, at CIFLE, I had the earphones on some of the time. I read on Poetrymonitor.com the selection of poems by Randall Jarrell. Many of them are about running a planetarium to train flyers during WWII. Jarrell is listed as a Tennessean. The selection was very relevant.

Then it was lunch time. I had no soup, but enjoyed the spicy pork and honeydew.

After lunch I read the selection of poems by Geoffrey Hill, just three listed.

There was also the sound of ping pong, but I did not join today. Belle said that she was too tired to play me, so I said “tomorrow.”

I read the poems of William Carlos Williams. I watched Craig Ferguson’s monologue.

I gave Myoung the Segovia guitar. I showed him a few chords. Chris did, too.

Gloria gave me a ride home. At home I ate and then listened to the DVD Bible Gospel of Mark.

I then practiced guitar for 2 hours. I went to bed at 10 pm.

10-14-09

Wednesday

I woke up but slept on until about 8:15. I took a cab into CIFLE. Mrs. Kim said hello to me at the lobby and it started out a lovely day.

I got an email from Tony Marx, President of Amherst College, wishing me success in my Cambridge University plan in 2014. Also, Robert Townsend sent me an email helping me with advice about learning a language before then. I must check the requirements. Yet, he said I should read whatever I enjoy reading.

I tried to read Robert Lowell on Poetryhunter.com, but it didn’t ring true—it seemed not as I remember Lowell’s style—perhaps the website is fake.

Lunch of chicken nuggets—delicious! Peter gave me an article of lyric and music theory.

I wrote a couple of chapters more of my novel about Ray-dad. We had a meeting with Sally about the December TEE schedule. The bus will be painted today, so we have to arrive early for a loading. Mrs. Kim and Maggie took me to dinner. We then went to Bible study. Andrea Henderson lead a great study of the living waters.

Maggie took me home.

10-15-09

Thursday

I woke up at 7 am, but slept another half hour. I got to CIFLE before anyone else and then Peter arrived. He complimented me on being earliest. He’s a nice fellow.

We packed up the bus. The drive to the middle school was only about 30-45 minutes. We set up the school gym—an old building apart. Students were tumbling on the mat one at a time. I had thoughts of the Dead Poets Society movie scene where the students are practicing soccer and reading snippets of poems.

The middle school children were cute and interesting. Lexi, Debbie and I did book report on the book Pigs. Lexi was feeling disappointed with her lesson. After lunch we foreign teachers, plus Myoung, were sitting at a round table talking. On the currency and precious metals prices Jonathan and I had a disagreement. I then walked away when he got the others to play a card game of “Asshole.”

Gloria and I had a most successful “Photo Zone.” Peter enjoyed the TEL, his first. We stopped as a group at an apple orchid and bought some cases of apples. I ate one (so did Chris) while they talked to the farmers. At CIFLE the Supervisor of Curriculum and Planning greeted us with help unloading. Belle gave me 10 apples.

10-16-09

Friday

I took a cab to CIFLE. Peter had arrived before me.

Today I wrote a few more chapters of my novel. I drank my carrot juice, as I have for a few weeks now.

I watched Craig Ferguson’s monologue for 10/14/09—He’s very funny to me.

For lunch today, Mrs. Chae got me. I sat with the other teachers, though. We had curry for lunch.

I met with Sally and Maggie. Sally will be expecting articles, syllabi and lesson plans in December.

Belle, Gloria and I played ping pong with Mr. Shin, and later with Mr. Cho.

I watched some Monty Python on the internet. Gloria took me home. I ate Korean bread and a couple of apples as I felt a bit weak after ping pong.

Gloria took me home—pizza for dinner. I practiced guitar for a while. I did laundry.

10-17-09

Saturday

Today I got out of bed at about 2 pm. I got up very early, but since there was nothing planned, I decided to sleep late.

I ate an apple, one that Belle gave me. She gave me 10 of them from the box she bought at the apple orchard.

I played guitar for about half hour, practicing “Peaceful, Easy Feeling” and “Ventura Highway.” I also practiced “Spagnoletta” and “Tanz.” “Tanz” is giving me a bit of trouble since I had a cracking sound in my thumbs from the volleyball match years ago at Keystone Baptist.

I did all my laundry today—washed and hung up to dry all my golfing clothes. My purple Amherst Rugby shirt got bleached a bit—I’ll have to order another one sometime soon.

I ordered a pizza for dinner and put half away. I did the dishes and cooked rice and ramen for brunch. I listened to music and BBC World News.

10-18-09

Sunday

I got up and wore my last pressed pair of off-white slacks, and I wore a white dress shirt along with my corduroy sports coat. At church, Mrs. Kim prayed almost tearfully. I wondered what had happened. It happened that she had been having trouble with her father-in-law. I had lunch at the church.

I realized, on my walk toward my apartment that I could take a bus to Osan and get my suits since there was another 150,000 won in my account. I took out 100,000 won on my walk toward church.

I rode to Osan—when I got to Mr Oh’s tailors I noticed Mr. Chong was very busy. So, I went to Peace Music. I got a music stand and looked at their Fake books.

Mr. Chong at Mr. Oh’s then checked the fit and packed up my garment bag. Rode back to Gongju on the back seat of the bus—everything is weird from there.

I packed my book bag with amp (Roland) and got guitar ready for tomorrow’s beginning of 4 day camp.

10-19-09

Monday

I got up a little after 8 am. I didn’t feel good about wearing a suit as I thought I would Sunday night. I got a taxi and got to CIFLE and set up my equipment in my classroom, room 202.

I got dialogues ready, checked on Monty Python sketches, laminated the dialogues with Michelle as Mrs. Kim met with Stephanie’s parents—Scott E.’s girlfriend (from South Africa). Her mother is a math teacher and her father an engineer. He said teachers have “I’m a teacher” written across their foreheads. I was wearing my purple “Amherst Golf” hat.

I met Brian from Ireland, observing teaching at CIFLE. I invited him to dinner and gave him my card. Students at class—we introduced them to “Peaceful, Easy Feeling” and “Ventura Highway” and “Wild Horses”. I played okay.

There was a middle school student who took up my guitar and played “Dust in the Wind,” I walked in on him but bid him to keep on playing. Girls, six of them, did a Monty Python sketch search for their performance.

Michelle and Gloria took me to dinner at “Berkeley.” I had the cordon bleu. Back at CIFLE I watched Depp’s Willy Wonka with Gloria and the students. I took a cab home. At home I had some of my new cucumber kimchee that I got for 10,000 won at the cafeteria.

10-20-09

Tuesday

Yesterday I asked Mrs. Kim if I should wear my new suits to CIFLE. She said I should wear them for church or for KOTESOL or church. Even though I had asked the others what I should do and they advised me to wear my suits, I took Mrs. Kim’s advice—she was wearing purple, like me.

Today I started out with Brian watching the music lesson—Eagles, America, Rolling Stones, all are great. The students seemed to like my playing a lot. I told Brian “They treat teachers like Rock Stars in Korea.”

Michelle and I did the Fast Food/ Restaurant and Hotel venues today. Myoung observed since Michelle will be out tomorrow.

Jonathan helped me copy my laptop files—mostly music and photos—to my desktop. I listened to Pretenders, Romeo+Juliet, and Synchronicity. My A group worked on a play by themselves. We did arts and crafts, Chris, Peter and I, then shared a cab home.

10-21-09

Wednesday

I got up at 8 am. I took a cab to CIFLE. Michelle was not to teach with me today—Myoung filled in for her.

I listened to some of the music I had previously on my laptop: The Pretenders, Dido, Romeo+Juliet Soundtrack, Synchronicity.

The students of mine I named “All The King’s Women” and they rehearsed hard for their performance of “The Lumberjack and the Faerie.” The students were happy to take responsibility for their rehearsals and costumes, etc. They even wrote crib notes of the script on their hands. Their performance was funny!

I played “Peaceful Easy Feeling,” “Ventura Highway” and “Wild Horses” and sang. I got big applause, especially from the girls in my acting troupe.

At the BBQ party the girls who did the best were really proud of their work. I took a lot of pictures of them and praised my actors, too.

I decided to go cold turkey. No more spending. Mom and I talked on the phone this morning.

10-22-09

Thursday

I fell asleep late last night, so getting up was hard. Once I got into the shower, waking up wasn’t so bad.

At CIFLE, I emceed the closing ceremony. The Star Quiz went well. The students were the most able to remember the things we taught.

I had a list that I made last night when I couldn’t sleep—things to do. I checked Indian classified ads. I checked Yahoo targeted customer ads.

We took our group photo. We ate lunch. Some of the students said their goodbyes to us. Maggie gave us a pizza/chicken dinner meeting at 2 pm. She said I had done a good job emceeing. The liked my impromptu humor a la Steve Martin.

Belle, Gloria and Lexi did Tae Bo and looked as though they worked out hard— glowing with sweat.

After the meeting I talked to Belle and Maggie about my saving for a Cambridge PhD. I worked on an easy sketch of Romeo and Juliet. After this I will write a Hamlet sketch. Jonathan and I seem to have mended fences. He, Lexi and I shared a cab home.

10-23-09

Friday

Today I woke up a bit late and did not shower—though there were no classes at CIFLE. I typed up the Romeo and Juliet script and in the afternoon wrote the Merchant of Venice script after Mr. Kim fixed my DVD player and I watched the movie and took notes. I also consulted the Oxford Shakespeare text via Bartleby.com.

For lunch Gloria, Myoung, Belle and Gemma took me to a good restaurant outside of town. It was a great time—such good food and people I really like.

Belle, Michelle, Gloria and I played ping pong in the afternoon— a great deal of fun. Jonathan and Peter sniped at one another for a time.

Lexi, Jonathan and I shared a taxi home. Scott E. had invited me to District 9, the movie. After dinner we met at the usual place, the Coffee Bean. I met Heather and April. They were beautiful American girls. Scott and I exchanged quotes of “The Wasteland” as we waited for the light to change.

After the movie we went to Angels in US coffee house and talked. April, a young woman Rugby player and linguist—Heather, an English major—sleek as a greyhound and seemed pure bread. Scott and I had a great time. I really like both girls, but April caught my eye. Tomorrow we have the KOTESOL trip.

10-24-09

Saturday

This is the day of KOTESOL. I woke up to a call, I was late—didn’t set my alarm properly. Mr. Cho said “Can you get here in five minutes?” I said “yes.” Did not shower, did not shave, did not even brush my teeth. But I wore my new suit. On the bus all the CIFLERs liked me in my suit.

The Sookmyoung Women’s University is Seoul hosted the event. The campus consists of magnificent stone buildings in close proximity to one another.

I stuck with Mrs. Chae for the first few sessions. She looked magnificent—the most beautiful woman in the whole of Korea. When the Cambridge University Press gave me free pocket calendars, I gave one to Mrs. Chae. I also gave her a KOTESOL silver pin (mine is gold). I joined KOTESOL for a year for 40,000 won. I wanted to vote for a candidate who asked me for his vote—from New Jersey, Robert Capriles.

We had lunch and dinner at the same restaurant. I bought over 200,000 won worth of books from Cambridge University Press. Mrs. Chae and Michelle left the bus in Cheonon. They are such beautiful and helpful ladies.

Very tired at home, but I showered and slept.

10-25-09

Sunday

I got up and took a cab to church. I wore a suit and white shirt. I put 280,000 won in an envelope and wrote the amount, my name and “October Tithe” on the envelope. Daniel S. showed up to the service a little late. Mrs. Kim translated the sermon of her husband for me. When the minister checked the offerings, he was touched and thanked me afterwards for my kind gesture. I want to title whenever I work a good job. At lunch at the church Daniel S. and I talked. He had been in Kazakhstan for ten years with his missionary parents and got his degree in Theology. I got a taxi with him to my apartment and gave him the email address of Alistair and I then wrote Alistair an email recommending Daniel S. for a CIFLE-like job.

I then went to town, bought a bicycle and returned it for a bigger one. I then bought a 14.2 megapixel Sony alpha 380 Digital SLR Camera. Next, at Osan, I bought just music books and picked up my overcoat. I spent the rest of the day cleaning and doing laundry.

10-26-09

Monday

Today I woke up in time to shower and get dressed and bike to CIFLE and arrive at 9 am. At the start of the ride I found Scott E. on the bicycle he bought form Susan. It being my first biking day, I was happy to find Scott E.

At CIFLE I showed Maggie my new camera. She showed me how to lock up the camera in my file desk. She and I know where the spare key is hidden.

I watched Hamlet on DVD and then used Bartleby.com for reference. I finished typing Merchant of Venice and gave Gemma a copy of each (Romeo and Juliet and Merchant of Venice). I got an act and scene by scene synopsis of Hamlet done so that on Wednesday I can write a sketch for young people.

Belle and I played ping pong and she beat me first two out of three. I played well, though. Myoung rode the bike to try it out. I rode home at 6 pm. It is downhill on the way home. I got lights for the bike. I took night pictures of the fortress and tempura stand.

10-27-09

Tuesday

Today I rode my bike through the fog with my gloves on. It is uphill most of the way to CIFLE. But, the way home is mostly downhill.

I wore my Amherst polo shirt and Amherst Golf hat. We had students on a one day camp. They were elementary students. Gloria and I did Clinic and Pharmacy.

I took a lot of pictures with my new Sony digital A380 SLR camera—200 pictures on one charge. It works to brighten the mood.

For the children’s breaks I put a ping pong table together.

Lunch with the teachers was good—we had hot chicken and tater tots with honey dew melon.

I got my 4 CDs—Best of Gordon Lightfoot, America, Bread and Three Dog Night.

I biked into town and posted my letter recommending David Chang to WH Pritchard and Amherst for helping me in Korea.

I got an invitation to the Amherst vs.Williams football game in Tokyo (television) on Nov. 29th.

10-28-09

Wednesday

I rode the bike to CIFLE. Good exercise it is. I asked around for help with going to Tokyo.

I worked on Hamlet all day and got it finished by about 4 pm. I felt so happy when it was done.

I helped load the bus for tomorrow’s TEL. The bus had been partly painted—they have yet to put the littering on. Right now there is blue and white background painting on it.

At lunch we sat together—the teachers. We must be a fine group of people.

At the training and evaluation office they served some food, kimpap, ducpoky and soup. They called it my food.

I wrote an email to Amherst alumni office regarding getting a signed copy of Rules for Old Men Waiting for Ms. Chee, the director. They were nice enough to make it easy.

Bible Study—asked a new lady, good translator to help me translate my poetry.

10-29-09

Thursday

The bus trip was a long one. I brought my camera. Upon arrival at the school (middle school on an island) I started taking pictures. I was surprised later to see how brightly colored flowers were to the Sony A380. I’m thinking of making a book of Korean flowers.

At the school we set up. Then we went to lunch. Lexi and I had pork jigae, the rest had crab.

At the school was a photo/camera man who went around taking pictures.

While I was teaching, Myoung took pictures at the other venues. The pictures came out well and I was able to download the photos three times. Maggie eventually downloaded the pictures for the CIFLE homepage.

It was a tiring day. We stopped by a seaside port on the way home. Upon arrival we unloaded the bus. I hurriedly got my suit on at home for the concert. Won Tic got Daniel S. and I there. Scott E. and Andrea were there. It was a very good concert. I owe Andrea 3,000 won for the 5,000 won ticket.

10-30-09

Friday

I got up and saw the convenience store lady. Lexi and I took a cab into CIFLE together. She was wearing a skirt for the first time since I’ve been here.

Many of the others went on a “You Call We Go” function. Mrs. Kim asked me last night to judge an event.

I worked on King Lear sketch. I managed to get the summary of the play down on index cards. I also wrote lyrics for “Ventura Highway”, “Peaceful Easy Feeling” and “Wild Horses” for the 4 day camp on Monday (middle school children). I made 36 copies. I then wrote out the chords on one of the packets so I could play them without turning pages.

I rode my bike to the KB bank and withdrew 500,000 won. On the way I nearly got run over by a car. I stopped at Hi-Mart to look around. I ordered a pizza and tried out the camcorder. I decided not to go to the Amherst/Williams telecast in Tokyo since there are events and I would have to be off for 5 days. I talked to mom on the phone with Skype. I’m thinking of getting a Fender guitar.

10-31-09

Saturday

I woke up at 11 am and took a shower. I wasn’t very hungry at first.

Last night I had a break neck idea of going to Osan Mall and getting my overcoat (300,000 won) at Mr. Oh’s tailor, but upon waking up I was much more rational. So, I called Mr. Chong at Mr. Oh’s tailors about picking up the overcoat next month. It wasn’t ready yet, anyway. He also said I should bring the wool suits pants that were too small for me. He will alter though I offered to pay for it.

So I did laundry. I took some shirts to the dry cleaner. I went to the convenience store to get water, candy, cookies and ice cream. I gave a boy a candy bar (his father was with him). I took the garbage out.

I ordered chicken. It was expensive, but Gut Pizza wouldn’t answer their phone. I considered USC Marshall’s PhD business offer and wrote Prof. Starr about advice. He said it may be risky. I decided to stick with my Cambridge plan. I read two chapters of Dubin’s Course Design.

Chapter Five

November

11-1-09

Sunday

I had set the alarm so I could get to church, but I overslept a bit and had some indigestion from the chicken last night. Just after I got dressed I thought it might be best not to go at all rather than go late. But Mrs. Kim called me and when I asked her if I could skip, she said “No.” So I hopped a cab and went to church.

I helped with the dishes after church lunch. After church some of us went to Baskin Robbins for ice cream. The others then left, but Andrea and I went to the Coffee Bean across from Primus Cinema. We saw District 9. She laughed out loud several times, I had seen it before, though.

Once home I ordered a pizza from Gut Pizza. I then read three or four chapters of Course Design by Dubin and Cambridge University Press.

I went to bed at about 9:30 pm.

11-2-09

Monday

I wore one of my suits today and got a lot of remarks about wearing one—all favorable remarks. I will wear another tomorrow.

I sat next to Chris as he watched the Phillies lose in the World Series (game 4) to the Yankees. I had told him before that I had known George Steinbrenner in Tampa. I know that Yankees will win—so I have no doubts.

Today I was encouraged to take pictures again, which I did. I also took some videos with my camcorder, to try it out.

I had made CDs of music I would play for “Walk and Talk.” I gave students the lyrics, the CDs, had them listen to the original artists. I played each song almost three times, but they were reluctant to sing along. They said the songs were too hard.

I took a cab home with Lexi and Jonathan.

I ordered pizza after picking up my shirts at the cleaners. I only had a 50,000 won bill and the young man brought back change.

11-3-09

Tuesday

I went to bed early last night and got up feeling like weekends sleeping till noon used to feel, but at about 8 am.

On this day the 4 day students from middle schools, some in the Gongju area, were still about.

Michelle and I did restaurant and hotel venues. I played guitar for one of the groups and sang “Ventura Highway,” “Peaceful Easy Feeling” and “Wild Horses.” It went very well.

There were camera crews around making a new video for the CIFLE public relations.

All day Chris watched the World Series, Yankees vs. Phillies which the Phillies, in game 5, outscored the Yankees. I had told Chris about my knowing George Steinbrenner and he was very vocal about the game with his earphones on.

I went home and read Listening chapters 1 and 2.

I was in bed by 9:30 pm.

11-4-09

Wednesday

I got to CIFLE right about 10 or 15 minutes early. My first class was restaurant and later on hotel venues. I played guitar and sang at about 4 pm and the camera crews waited around till then to capture me on video tape.

Lexi was not happy about my lesson, but I think she is jealous that I’m getting attention for singing and playing though she’s the one with a music degree. I told her the listening practice was good for them—backed up by the Cambridge University Press book on Listening.

One student asked if he could use my guitar for a skit. He left it in the seminar room, so I locked it in the case. He came to me later and I explained that I needed it at 4 pm lesson.

I took a lot of pictures at Tonight at CIFLE and BBQ party. I ran out of charge in my camera when Maggie was downloading pictures.

11-5-09

Thursday

I wore a suit again. I enjoyed taking pictures with my new Sony A380 and Maggie used the pictures, but not all of them, for the slide show at the closing ceremony.

For Star Quiz I asked the question about wake up calls that separated the first and next two.

After the children left CIFLE I watched some of the World Series game 6 in which the Yankees beat the Phillies. We watched for a little while in Chris’ classroom. But Mrs. Chae asked us to move the party since there was a conference going on.

I had to lie down for a little while because I was feeling tired. In the afternoon I had a cough.

I walked from CIFLE with Peter and we had a nice conversation. He’s a well-mannered guy.

I ordered a pizza and went to bed at about 9:30 pm.

11-6-09

Friday

Today I felt feverish but arrived at work anyway. I looked up at the white board to see we had a meeting at 11 am. That knocked out the prospects for seeing Prof. Jolly.

Mrs. Chae gave me back the gifts I gave her at the KOTESOL Conference—a Cambridge Press Pocket calendar and a KOTESOL pin.

I worked hard on the play King Lear getting shorter version done and typed right at 6 pm.

Maggie gave me herbal and western medicine for my cold. It helped clear my head so I could finish King Lear.

Gloria, Myoung and I got some backgrounds changed for the TEC’s on Monday and Tuesday.

I got my apartment cleaned for 20,000 won and she did a good job. I paid my carrot juice bill for 31,000 won. I’ll have to make the money last for food.

Gloria gave Peter and I a ride from CIFLE.

11-7-09

Saturday

I came down with a cold today. I am enjoying the clean apartment.

I ordered a pizza at about 1 pm, with a Coca Cola.

I read about three chapters of Listening from Cambridge University Press.

My ribs are sore from the coughing I’ve been doing lately.

I ordered a fried chicken dinner with cola since I dropped the left over pizza from lunch.

I watched Monty Python skits on the internet, funny stuff.

I called mom and talked for about 2 minutes.

Dr. Kaywell is confident she will be nominated NCTE President. She will send my email about the Shakespeare sketches to a friend for publisher’s information.

11-8-09

Sunday

It was a rainy day. I dressed in my corduroy sports coat and took my umbrella into the rain to hail a cab.

I gave the cabby the church card and he started to take me to Mrs. Kim’s apartment. I realized he had read the wrong side of the card and I corrected his destination.

At church, Andrea was there, and so was Mrs. Kim. Daniel S. did not show up.

Andrea gave out tangerines and we had lunch of curry and rice.

Mrs. Kim, when we were moving the tables to clean the floor of the church, got her thumb caught in the mechanism. She was in so much pain and I reacted as quickly as I could to help her. I was so worried about her pain that I kissed her thumb, as you would for a child.

Andrea and I went to see the movie Inglorious Basterds.

I went to bed at 9 pm.

11-9-09

Monday

Today I got up early and took a cab to CIFLE.

We rode the bus after loading it. Mr. Cho came along. Jonathan called in sick and we began our journey.

The elementary school was very nice. Gloria and I set up the Photo Zone and then did the mini-book making class in the science room.

I had gotten a lot of sleep and I had also just gotten over my cold. I was a bit quieter than usual.

We had lunch on the wooden tables.

We did photo zone which went well.

We packed up and headed to CIFLE. Many of the teachers napped as we stopped at a roadside stand for apples.

At CIFLE, Chris, Lexi and I got a cab.

I ate left over pizza and listened to music. Mrs. Kim called about Friday’s judging TEE.

11-10-09

Tuesday

Today I awoke very early and took a taxi in. The bus was already loaded. We pulled out just as Chris and Lexi were arriving

The elementary school had a couple of very pretty teachers—one American and one Korean. The principal reminded me of Anthony Marx.

We set up the book carnival. I was not so enthusiastic. I had my camera ready much of the day. Mrs. Kim and Ms. Chee showed up at the school to look around.

I did mini book making with Gloria. Getting the students to write, at first, seemed much like pulling teeth, but somehow word got around as to what they had to do.

Book carnival and photo zone went well. I then helped get the bus loaded up. At CIFLE Mrs. Chae spoke with me nicely. Gloria gave me a ride home as Mr. Cho said we could go home at 4:45 pm.

I ordered a pizza and got into comfortable clothes.

11-11-09

Wednesday

I got up and into work after dressing in my purple Amherst sweatshirt.

At CIFLE I worked on Macbeth. I worked hard on it and it is proving to be the most difficult play to condense. I am often forced to quote Shakespeare form his plays in different spots.

I had lunch and it was pretty good. My favorite—chop chae—they know it’s my favorite food.

Maggie took Angie and I back to a restaurant where they served fish soup. But the fish filet appetizer was the best.

At Bible Study I spoke against Fathers and for Women and the students who feel so much pressure that they want to kill themselves when they fail. My diatribe got a lot of attention. The group said prayers for me.

Jonathan had bought a Sony book reader, or e-reader, as it is called.

I went to bed at midnight.

11-12-09

Thursday

I took advantage of our 10 am start time today, granted by Mr. Cho. Still, I was about 30 minutes early, though Peter was earlier than I.

In the morning I worked further on Macbeth, almost finished it. Mrs. Kim called me about those papers needing to be judged. She gave me about 13 papers that I started on after lunch.

The papers were in reverse order. E-1 to E-13 is roughly how the papers progressed in quality. I started with E-1 and took them one at a time, correcting each one for mistakes. (Mrs. Kim came up to my room 202 to see how I was doing).

I finished perusing them at about 5:55 and grabbed a cab with Chris and Jonathan.

At home after getting out of the cab I ran into Chris again at the convenience store. He was buying beer. I bought a liter of drinking water and ordered pizza delivered. Listening to music and thinking of getting a Sony e-reader like Jonathan’s. That way I can download books.

11-13-09

Friday

It was one day camp today and we had middle school students. I got myself to CIFLE without rushing, just getting a taxi is never a problem. I wore my suit.

Gloria and I had not pre-planned our lesson. I had thought everything was ready, but we ended up scrambling around for our materials. Even so, the teaching was better than ever and the students knew, somehow, who I was. I must be famous in Korea.

At about 2:30 pm the venue classes were done. I got to the seminar room for the CAPEE TEE Case Study presentation. I had volunteered to be a judge. Until 7 pm we watched the presentations. The presenters I rated won (Saturday announced). Afterward, the CAPEE people all went out for a galbee dinner. Ms. Rowly and I had a nice conversation.

Andrea gave me a ride to ee-dungee (my apartment building). I fell asleep on the couch.

11-14-09

Saturday

I got up at about noon and got dressed in my suit and went to CIFLE for the second day of CAPEE seminar.

We saw several presenters. Daniel S. and Andrea’s friend, Mr. One Tic, were book shopping. I had a tangerine.

Ms. Rowly gave a talk about team teaching.

I saw one of the presenters before the announcement of the winners. She was so beautiful. I took her to the teacher’s room and signed a book of poetry for her. She was excited that I was famous.

Maggie and I had a delivered Korean dinner at the teacher’s room after the CAPEE event. She is studying to be a supervisor. I think she would be a good supervisor. She told me her son is a policeman in Jeju.

11-15-09

Sunday

Today I got to the church a few minutes late. Kayla and Daniel S. were there. Kayla, Daniel S., Won Tic and I went to a movie after church lunch (we had delicious noodles).

We gave a hard time because he doesn’t know the song “Yesterday” by the Beatles. We were so surprised since he is a bass player.

Before the movie we four had coffee at the Coffee Bean.

The movie was 2012, a story with many special effects of self-destructing landscapes.

It snowed a little this morning.

I stopped at the bank and got 150,000 won. I bought CD R’s from Hi-Mart and CD jewel cases from the stationary store.

I spent the early evening recording on CD “Ventura Highway,” “Peaceful Easy Feeling” and “Wild Horses.” I think the students in the 4 day camp will like them.

11-16-09

Monday

I woke up and showered. I took a cab to CIFLE and it is very cold today.

It was a long time before the 4 day middle school children could make it to registration. Mrs. Kim asked me to give her my bank account number. I thought it was bad news since she seemed troubled. I asked her “What for?” and she said “For judging at CAPEE.”

I gave students opening ceremony by being MC. It was said I had done a good job.

At 4 pm I did the three songs. It went pretty well. For performance, Michelle and I split the class into boys and girls. The boys finally decided to sing the Beatles “I Will.” A great choice, I think.

Gloria gave me a ride home. I ate a pizza delivered and took all my dirty laundry to the dry cleaner. I then went to Hi-Mart to get a voltage converter.

I’ll go to bed at 9 and listen to my IPod for a few hours now that I’m plugged in.

11-17-09

Tuesday

I got a taxi, went to CIFLE.

I did my class of three songs and passed out CDs of the 3 songs for the students. It was the first class of the day at 9 am and the students were appreciative of that class. I enjoyed it more than anything.

Michelle and I did the Fast Food/ Restaurant and Hotel venues.

Performance practice went well and we practiced on stage, I used my battery powered amplifier—worked well.

I had taken my clothes in the evening yesterday to the dry cleaner and picked them up in the evening. They were heavy but I had just enough strength to get them up into my closet.

Maggie, Mrs. Chae, Chris and I had chicken together at CIFLE because I stayed since Johnny decided not to come.

Gloria gave me a ride back to ee-dungee.

I listened to my IPod as I tried to sleep as soon as I got home.

11-18-09

Wednesday

I got up and out a little late. I got to CIFLE 15 minutes late—Michelle had started the venue talk and I eased right in to the day, arriving as if on cue. I brought my camera and took a lot of good pictures of the students for the 4 day.

Mrs. Kim and Maggie and I had dinner together. They gave me advice to lose weight—cut down on the carbs!

I got another chance to shine today—I played the songs, performed the Beatles “I Will” at Tonight at CIFLE.

Peter said he could get his accordion fixed at Peace Music. I had referred him.

All went very well today. I got a lot of everything done—even cleaned and organized my desk. I did the spelling game for Language Game activity.

The performance was a success and the BBQ party was fun. I took pictures for Maggie.

I got a taxi with Chris, Lexi and Jonathan.

Came home and downloaded pictures.

11-19-09

Thursday

Got to CIFLE early enough. It was just a normal day there with the middle school children in the last day at CIFLE. Lexi emceed the Star Quiz and I got some pictures.

The second floor teachers were all present in the teacher’s room. After the Star Quiz and the closing ceremony (Maggie made the slide show a little longer with photos I took with her camera at the performance and BBQ party).

I decided to get pictures of the students in the lobby for a group photo—Maggie also got photos.

Myoung got our medical check-up forms done. Lexi, Jonathan, Scott E. and I all got to fill out our forms.

I studied Statistical Analysis for Language Assessment for a couple of hours after Maggie’s dinner meeting (chicken and pizza). Angie, Jeff, Lexi and I walked to the galbi restaurant and ate. Chris showed up a little later.

I walked home.

11-20-09

Friday

I got up at about 8:10 am. At CIFLE after Mrs. Kim and her husband picked me up while I was waiting to hail a cab.

At CIFLE I read a chapter and a half of Statistical Analysis. I really know it pretty well and would like to teach it for the next TEE. I had forgotten to bring my TI-85 calculator to CIFLE.

I really got moving on the Drama techniques class. I wrote an article using the book I got at the KOTESOL Conference.

In the mail came the book from Peter Pouncey, signed for Ms. Chee. I gave it to her and we talked in her office for a while. My new debit card also arrived. Maggie and I had dinner at the table of the teacher’s room. We had worked on her essays for her supervisor’s interview tomorrow.

I talked to mom once home. Janet is living in her truck because she won’t give up the dog. Mom sounded happy and will come next year.

11-21-09

Saturday

I got up early in the afternoon. I started typing my autobiographical novel on my computer and listened to the new music I had gotten a month ago: America, Bread, Gordon Lightfoot, Three Dog Night.

I walked into town for bread at the Paris Baguette (also Philadelphia Cream Cheese). I also went to the bank ATM for 100,000 won.

After that I went to Hi-Mart to buy some earplug/earphones for my IPod. They were nearly 20,000 won, but were of high quality from Sony.

I got to Andrea’s apartment for her dinner party. She had spaghetti and curry for the guests. I met Scott E., another Scott, Stephanie, Mike, Lisa and a few other ex-pats. I got into a conversation with Mike Bryant (also emailed me later). I was the first to leave and took a cab to Hi-Mart (which was closed after 9 pm).

I got home and did some more typing. I got to bed about 11 pm.

11-22-09

Sunday

I missed church. Mrs. Kim called me at about 10:45 am. I said I would miss this time because of being just woken up.

I stayed in bed until about 4 pm. I haven’t slept all day since my arrival in Gongju 5 months ago.

I ordered a pizza delivered. Ate dinner of half a pizza and saved the other half for later. I cannot eat after 9 pm for the medical check-up tomorrow.

I typed some more of my novel. I’m on Chapter 9 now.

Scott D. sent me an invitation to Linkedin. I sent invitations out, too. I don’t know how to add a photo, but updating my profile is something I should do.

I cleaned the kitchen and set up garbage cans in the kitchen.

I filled in my Linkedin profile.

11-23-09

Monday

Nothing much happened. After arriving at CIFLE, Myoung took Johnny, Lexi, Scott E. and I to the hospital for a check-up.

We had our eye sight checked, teeth examined, talked to a doctor, chest x-rayed, urine and blood sampled.

After that the others said they wanted to stop at Dunkin Donuts for breakfast since we basically had nothing to eat for the exam.

Once at Dunkin Donuts I got an iced mocha latte and two donuts—one purple and one white coconut.

Back at CIFLE I did more reading and writing. I got some of my articles down, though relying heavily on reference material.

I got a cab with Peter and Chris.

I ate a half of my pizza delivered from Gut Pizza.

I tried to contact Scott D., but we seem not to be able to coordinate. I went to bed about 9:30 pm.

11-24-09

Tuesday

I woke up at 7 am and tried to connect with my childhood friend Scott D. on Skype, but didn’t have his number.

I went to CIFLE and got there 8:40 am.

We had a one day camp. The students were middle school, first time I saw them with school uniforms on. About 100 students, I think.

Gloria and I did Clinic and Pharmacy. I let the children be doctor—they liked that. They got vitamin C candy at Pharmacy.

Lexi was out sick—though I know she’s just taking a sick day since she complained about them on Friday and Monday.

I was emcee for closing ceremony and Star Quiz. The others (Maggie and Michelle) said I did a good job.

Mom’s package of popcorn arrived. We popped two bags for everyone at CIFLE.

We left at 5 pm, as we are allowed on one day camp days.

I ate the second half of my pizza and listened to music.

11-25-09

Wednesday

I wore my rugby shirt to CIFLE. It was a day with little to do.

Gemma, Gloria, Michelle, Myoung and I changed the backdrop for Photo Zone.

It was a wet and cold day.

There were many tangerines being given out among the teachers.

Maggie let me watch April and Scott E. on Arirang television. It was great. April is very pretty.

Mr. Cho asked me to judge a high school competition on Friday, but to be quiet about it. I will get 100,000 won extra for it.

They installed a humidifier in the teacher’s room.

At Bible Study, Maggie drove me there. At CIFLE, before that, Mrs. Kim, Maggie and I had jambon and chicken and talked for a while.

Andrea gave the Bible Study lesson. I made a lot of jokes—I was in a funny mood.

After, Mi Ok, One Tic and I had pizza at my apartment.

11-26-09

Thursday

I got to CIFLE plenty early. Someone had loaded the bus already for us.

I brought my IPod to listen to on the bus ride. The bus was cold, but the heater was fixed on the way back; Mr. Cho made a point of pointing that out.

We went to a boy’s school. They were very rambunctious.

Debbie, Lexi and I did the book report. At lunch Chris made fun of Gloria’s way of introducing herself. I put a gloss on it by saying “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”

Photo Zone was run by Gloria and me. We had a good day. I listened to my IPod on the way home.

I let Myoung use the chip from my camera to download pictures. Lexi and Mr. Cho argued about her two sick days while I was there in the office.

I took a cab home with my guitar. Gordon Lightfoot sheet music arrived. I ate pizza leftovers and read the sheet music while listening to the songs.

11-27-09

Friday

It was a decent day at CIFLE. I took pictures of Mrs. Kim and Ms. Chee and then learned how to send attachments. I sent many of my best pictures to the ladies at CIFLE.

I skipped lunch to go to the bank. I was going to get a bank check for 100 pounds to send for corrections to The Isle of Yoo but the money was too small an amount for a bank check in foreign currency. I went to the post office at the university. I sent my Shakespeare plays (condensed) and corrected copy of my poems. I’ll have mom send a check on December 3rd to Athena Press.

At 2 pm, Peter and I went to Gongju High School to evaluate about 100 student’s English abilities in interview. Afterwards we were treated to dinner with the Korean teachers of Gongju High School.

We were treated well by a fine Korean English teacher at dinner.

Julia sent me an email responding to the Linkedin network email sent out. I asked her to lunch in Osan.

11-28-09

Saturday

I got up early as the alarm went off—though I didn’t attend to it to sleep in. I took a shower and dressed and got to the bus terminal in Gongju. There were beautiful Korean women hovering around me.

I sat in the back of the bus, not a seat empty. I listened to my IPod music.

Once at Osan Gate Mall I went to McDonalds and had a Big Mac meal. There were some boys enjoying a birthday cake next to me—yesterday, one of the interview questions we asked was, “if you could invite any celebrity to your birthday party, who would it be and why?” I smiled thinking I felt like a celebrity thanks to the children.

Mr. Chong at Mr. Oh’s gave me my cashmere coat. It is magnificent! He recommended a camel hair sports jacket and slacks. I gave him 50,000 won on deposit for 185,000 won left to pay. I told him I would see him next month. He told me that Peter had stopped in a bought something and mentioned me.

At Peace Music (Peter had been there, too) none of the sheet music was appealing to me.

11-29-09

Sunday

I got up early and called mom using Skype. I asked her to send a check for $163 to Athena Press for me. I also asked her to send $12.95 to Susan Engelhardt at Amherst College.

I walked with my umbrella and suit (and now my cashmere overcoat) to church. Saw the pastor driving the new bus.

At church Andrea and I talked. Mrs. Kim and two other ladies played violin. Daniel S. brought Kayla, Mi Ok and Victoria to the church. It was the church’s two year anniversary. I received a golden brown Bible from Mrs. Kim. Andrea picked it out.

After church, Kayla, Mi Ok, Victoria and I went to a coffee shop, had coffee and talked.

On the way home I bought more ramen and rice and also bought four liters of drinking water.

I worked on the lyrics of “If You Could Read My Mind” for singing. I finished typing Part 1 of my novel.

11-30-09

Monday

I got up by myself even though I had set my alarm clock wrong. I somehow got up without an alarm clock.

I wore my suit and overcoat. I walked all the way to CIFLE in about 30 minutes.

At CIFLE it was a non-busy day. I had written a cool message to Myoung for more business cards and I was greeted with a price—300 cards for 20,000 won or 600 cards for 40,000 won.

We worked out the details and I gave him the money.

I got an email from Mr. Michaels regarding the loan. I responded that I would like a check sent to my address.

For most of the afternoon I read the Stats book, highlighting on the pages. I had lunch with Belle, Gloria and Peter.

My package of music books arrived. It was exciting to get them. It really felt like Christmas!

I took a taxi with Lexi and Jonathan.

Made Beatles CDs for One Tic.

I also made ramen and rice.

I played America and Bread on the guitar with the music.

How wonderful to play beautifully in Korea!

Chapter Six

December

12-1-09

Tuesday

I got up early and got dressed in the TEL/TEC shirt and Amherst skull cap, scarf and Amherst College jacket. I arrived at CIFLE 30 minutes by foot. My legs were cold from walking.

The bus was loaded and we set out at about 9:10 am with no problem (like someone oversleeping). I tuned into my IPod and listened to music for the 45 minute bus ride.

Asan Middle/High School had a commons area of synthetic turf. Many of the boys were on the playing field.

In Lexi’s book report class, the activities went well. Myoung took my Sony A380 DSLR around and snapped some pictures. There were so many students at Photo Zone crowding around for the candy and questions. Lunch was bulgogi. I sat next to Peter, Gemma and Gloria at lunch.

Arriving back at CIFLE we unloaded the bus. I gave Angie a Bit’s and Pieces wooden puzzle box for her birthday. Mrs. Kim gave me a ride home. Mrs. Kim wants to perform Christmas carols. We practice next week.

12-2-09

Wednesday

I got up a little before 8 am, so I had to take a taxi into CIFLE.

I wore a suit and my new cashmere overcoat to work.

At CIFLE I read the Statistics Assessment book and got through a chapter of it.

Yesterday I sent pictures via cool messenger that Myoung took. I got a lot of accolades from the teachers and even Ms. Chee, the director.

I checked my name on the Google Search engine and found that my book is now being offered on a Portuguese website. Didn’t JK Rowling live in Portugal when she was writing Harry Potter?

Watched President Obama on the NY Times website.

Bible Study—afterwards I had pizza with Daniel S., One Tic and Jim. I got home at about 10:45 pm. I talked to Daniel S. about David Foster Wallace and James Joyce.

12-3-09

Thursday

Today I had to take a cab to CIFLE. I got up with just enough time to get ready. I forgot my watch, though.

It was the day for CEO camp. Mrs. Kim was dressed especially nicely and Peter wore his sports coat. I wore my business suit and overcoat.

Mrs. Chae has been saying hello to me again. Jonathan started picking an argument with Margaret (Maggie). It irked me, his bad mouthing such a fine lady.

Maggie and I did the Hotel venue and the CEO’s were formidable. I think it went well.

I went to NH bank to pay my bills—walked the wrong way for a while then finally came back to find it. About 50,000 won in bills. Maggie gave me a ride home.

At my apartment I played a little guitar. Julia said she would see me the day after Christmas in Osan.

12-4-09

Friday

I set my alarm but fell back to sleep. Got a cab (I had planned to walk) and arrived at CIFLE at 9 am.

At CIFLE Gloria was dressed like a condor, a furry ring of fur in red around her neck—but I didn’t say anything about it.

I read my emails.

I got a memo book from Myoung. I printed up my articles for January so that I can do my lesson plans for January on the weekend. I also wrote a couple of chapters of my novel. I walked home with Peter.

I’m sticking to my diet of ramen and rice.

12-5-09

Saturday

I got up and out of bed at about 2 pm.

Not much done except that I practiced “Beautiful” by Gordon Lightfoot. Maggie would really like the song since I told her when we first got to know each other that she was beautiful. The chords are difficult but sound very pretty. Also, my voice sounds good singing the melody.

I ate ramen and rice three times today. Since I’m also taking Centrum vitamins I’m not worried about my health.

I wrote out the lyrics of “If You Could Read My Mind” but the chords were in two parts—for two guitars—so I guess I’ll skip that one.

I did the laundry and hung up the clothes. I didn’t see anyone else today. I just stayed inside my apartment all day and night.

12-6-09

Sunday

I was so tired this morning that I didn’t go to church—Mrs. Kim called and I heard singing in the background, but she didn’t say anything.

I woke up and made ramen and ate it.

I took a shower a little after. I worked on “Beautiful” by Lightfoot. I also worked on “Muskrat Love” by America a little later.

The news from the Royal Family is that they want not to be disturbed by the paparazzi.

I packed for tomorrow—guitar and math CBL material.

12-7-09

Monday

I got up late today, for one of the few times so far. I put on my Amherst sweatshirt and headed to the taxi for CIFLE.

I only slept about 5 hours, but was not so sleepy.

I got the math CBL lesson plans down. I emailed the lyrics and chords to “Ventura Highway,” “Peaceful Easy Feeling” and “Wild Horses” to Sally for the TEE textbook.

I was pretty quiet all day. I monitored my emails vigilantly and read a lot of news.

I took my puzzles and labeled them for the math CBL.

I got a taxi with Chris. He’s going to Bangladesh and India (and thereabouts) for Christmas onward.

At my apartment I filled in addresses for my Cambridge calendar. Ate ramen and rice.

12-8-09

Tuesday

Today was a good day. I got a cab to CIFLE. I wore my purple Amherst sweatshirt and my Amherst jacket.

At CIFLE I worked on my writing lesson plans and syllabus. I also typed up my article on “Listening,” minus the classroom maze game (for Lexi).

Mrs. Kim had me check over her rules for the TEE. I volunteered to type it up for her since the corrected copy was so messy. She was very good to me. She gave me a ticket for Handel’s “Messiah” in Gongju for next week.

But tonight we went to Daejon for “Messiah.” The bus loaded up Peter, Chris, Myoung, Debbie, Mrs. Chae, Ms. Chee, Gloria and Maggie along with some people at the invitation of Ms. Chee.

Ms. Chee sat next to me in the concert hall. I was so happy that she was next to me. She’s a beautiful, proud and strong woman. She’s really got my attention.

Scott D. called from Atlanta. I will Skype him at 7 am tomorrow. I got home from Daejon at about midnight.

I ate some ramen and rice.

12-9-09

Wednesday

This day I got a cab to CIFLE. Cabbies have raised their initial starting rate from 2,000 won to 2,300 won. A ride from my apartment to CIFLE costs 2,900 won on average.

I talked to Scott D. some more.

Gemma, Belle, Gloria and I played ping pong before going home

I talked to mom on the phone once home.

At Bible Study Andrea and I talked like old friends. She invited me to spaghetti polonaise once again.

After church, Mi Ok, Daniel S., One Tic and I went to Coffee Bean for waffle ice cream. I was talking brilliantly.

12-10-09

Thursday

I got up at about 8:45. Not enough time to shower or shave. I got a cab with Lexi who I let pitch in 1,000 won for the 2,300 won fare.

I wrote my syllabus for Drama and Listening. Later in the day I wrote my lesson plans. Sally wants them by Friday and I thought we had till next Friday on the lesson plans. Anyway, I worked hard today and got the work done. Now it’s time to prepare copies and little parts of the lesson.

I decided to pick up my camel hair jacket and trousers this Saturday, so I called Mr. Chong at Mr. Oh’s Tailors. He will also sell me three dress shirts for 35,000 won each: white, off white and blue.

We played ping pong again—first two on one then Gemma joined us.

Mrs. Kim called me about practicing tomorrow for the Christmas show. I’ll wear my suit tomorrow.

At home I had a pizza delivered. It was lightly raining and I hated to call, but there was nothing much to eat.

12-11-09

Friday

I got up better today than usual. I had time to get dressed after a shower and got a cab on time.

At CIFLE I did the usual surfing the net—really just reading news, etc…

Peter had nachos to serve us in the teacher’s room. Everyone cheered that.

Lexi talked to me a bit more than she usually does, which is not at all. She’s been rather nice.

Gloria, Belle, Gemma and I did not play ping pong today. We just had Christmas music rehearsal with Mrs. Kim. Mr. Lee played saxophone and had his music hooked up to a laptop and amplifier. Scott is really pretty excellent on the guitar. I was pretty sorry. Mrs. Kim played violin. Lexi sang a bit.

About 5 pm I came down to Mrs. Kim’s office after finishing my work for Sally at the upcoming TEE. Mrs. Kim ordered pizza and coke. Maggie and Myoung joined us. Mrs. Kim told me she was raised on a farm. I told her I like her.

Called Ruby Emo on the phone and we talked for a while. I called Julia. She couldn’t talk to me.

12-12-09

Saturday

I got up this afternoon at about 2 pm. I showered and shaved and dressed in my golfing clothes and Amherst scarf and jacket and walked to the bus station, stopping at KB bank ATM to get 500,000 won.

I got a bus ticket for Osan for 6,900 won. Didn’t have to wait long to get a bus. The bus had one fellow reclined all the way back and I took the seat behind him. The curtains of the bus were green like the shirt I was wearing.

I got to the base—Mr. Chong at Mr. Oh’s tailors warmly greeted me. He fitted my new slacks and sold me three more dress shirts (custom made). He said he would have my camel hair jacket ready next week. I gave him 300,000 for the shirts, slacks and jacket.

I had a chicken lunch at Popeyes next to Peace Music where I asked about baritone ukelele’s. He said he could order them and I got his card.

I got a bus back to Gongju. I listened to my IPod each way and the ride didn’t seem too long.

I made a Facebook page in the evening.

12-13-09

Sunday

I got up today at about 9:10 am and showered to get ready for church. I wore my wool suit, the one that needed new parts that I picked up yesterday from Mr. Oh’s.

Last night I started account with Twitter and Facebook. Today Twitter was featured on BBC Live news.

At church Andrea didn’t show up though Daniel S. and Kayla did. One Tic (Lennon), Kayla and Daniel S. and I went to Bean Café to have conversation and waffle ice cream and coffee.

At home I got in touch with Scott D. on Skype. It was very early for him, 5 am EST. We talked and talked, but he sounded more and more desperate as we talked. We talked for approximately two hours. It didn’t cost anything and conferencing is really realistic.

I wish I could help Scott D. He’s really at a low point and wants to come to Korea for a personal visit. I ate pizza for dinner delivered from Gut Pizza. I bought a Sony Handy cam for 299,000 won from Hi-Mart. It will be delivered to CIFLE tomorrow. The salesman gave me a tripod “service,” he said. It was worth about 6,000 won.

12-14-09

Monday

I got up really early, before the sunrise even: about 5 am. (That’s fishing time!) I looked at my emails, Facebook and Twitter. I also dressed in my wool gray suit. I looked very sharp in my suit and cashmere overcoat.

I got kimpap for breakfast and was at work by 8:25 am.

I began making copies from Trudy Smoke’s book for my students coming for the TEE. But, about a third of the way through the copying stage, the copy machine froze. Gloria tried to fix it, but no results. So, I’ll pick up on the task when the technician fixes the machine.

I got my Sony Handy cam which was delivered at CIFLE. It took about an hour to set it up and test it out. Cool beans.

Maggie showed 2012 (the movie with John Cusack) and Chris and I watched most of it when the chicken and pizza arrived. I paid 5,000 won for my share.

I got a taxi home with Jonathan, Chris and Lexi. We joked about having a bad taxi driver.

Got my packages today—cold weather clothes mom sent—Eagles Guitar Tabs, Harvard Business School Brochure, Health Insurance verification. Tonight I’ll video call Scott D. I’ll call mom about receiving the packages.

12-15-09

Tuesday

I got up early enough. I got a taxi to CIFLE about 8:55 am.

At CIFLE I worked hard all day collating documents (3 chapters of Trudy Smoke’s book). Yesterday I had started the task and by 4:30 pm I had finished it. Like Hercules and the Aegean stables I made a super human effort to get the three chapters copied (40 copies of 60 pages).

At lunch we had those little hockey pucks made of seafood. We talked about the octopus who picks up and carries half a coconut across the ocean floor.

There was also a video of a little Asian boy playing ukulele and singing. It delighted me. I showed it to Lexi and Johnny who thought it was really cute.

At Handel’s “Messiah” I sat with One Tic and Daniel S. (he fell asleep again). I made a fuss over April and her Arirang appearance. After the concert One Tic, Daniel S., Kayla and Mi Ok came to my apartment for chicken and Coca Cola.

I got Moody Blues Greatest Hits CD in the mail today.

12-16-09

Wednesday

I got up this morning thinking I was late, but I had read my clock wrong. I was actually up an hour before I needed to be up.

I got a cab. The driver was correcting me for not saying the honorific “yo” with “wea goo go.”

At CIFLE I helped with registration for the two day native teachers program. I was cold in the lobby and a group was very late, so I stayed a while alone.

Sally and I had a meeting about the classes. I told her about all my teaching plans. Just like that she said she could order a student guitar and baritone ukulele for me. She offered just one of each.

I edited the Director’s message for “CIFLE Windows” for Michelle. I took pictures of Belle, Gloria and Maggie knitting—they were really nice about it.

Performance—the lady’s string ensemble with Mrs. Kim, Scott and Lexi did “O Silent Night.” There was a party afterwards. I took pictures and opened the curtain from the control room. Lexi and I left CIFLE at 9 pm. I paid the taxi fare in honor of her beautiful song.

12-17-09

Thursday

I got up and dressed in my suit, but no tie. I got to CIFLE on time.

I worked on the lyrics at the end of the day and I worked on Facebook and Twitter.

Belle asked me to take a picture of her with her caps. It seems my photography has gotten popular.

I got a bright idea for Christmas. I decided to get digital frames, two of them, one for Ms. Chee and one for me. So, I went to Hi-Mart after dinner out with CIFLE Korean staff (to celebrate help with the native speaker’s camp).

We had duck and I had some rice.

At Hi-Mart I got 50 blank CDs, Memory Stick Duo for the Sony Handy cam, JVC headphones and that’s it I think. I walked home and spent from about 8 pm to 12 pm recording the 10 songs I will perform for the Club Activity.

I went to bed after recording the 50 CDs and putting them into jewel cases.

12-18-09

Friday

I got up at about 8:50 and got into CIFLE about 9:15.

I felt that putting up a frame of my own would be selfish this Christmas, so I gift wrapped both frames and gave one to Mrs. Kim and then one to Ms. Chee.

Mrs. Kim was so touched she gave me a hug! Ms. Chee was delighted and said that I shouldn’t buy her any more expensive things, and that I should save for Cambridge. Her saying that made me feel better about actually saving.

Peter, Scott E., Jeff and I played ping pong after lunch. It was a good time.

I read the three chapters of Listening. I also prepared text from Drama Techniques for copying. I helped Mrs. Kim with a paper she was writing.

We had a meeting of native and Korean teachers regarding next year’s schedule. Mr. Cho got accolades along with Scott during the meeting.

I got a cab home with Peter.

I ordered pizza.

I picked up shirts from the dry cleaner.

12-19-09

Saturday

I awoke early but went back to sleep. I then got up about noon when Scott D. called me for a video call. We talked for more than an hour. It didn’t cost anything and we caught up on everything—it was good to talk with him and see him, too. Skype video calling is something I’ve always to do and calling with Scott D. is great.

I then got the bus to Osan. I took my Sony Handy cam and IPod. I took some movies of the bus trip, but none of the Osan Mall.

Mr. Oh’s tailor, Mr. Chong, gave me my camel hair jacket and I bought 5 ties (he gave me three) for a total of 8 ties for 70,000 won. I then went to Peace Music for two guitar tuners, a music stand, a blue harmonica, and a foot stand. I priced an Ibanez classical guitar at 220,000 won. I bought a black hat to go with my overcoat. It cost about 20,000 won.

At home I practiced my repertoire once through. I got TV for PC for 2 years at $50 and put $10 on Skype credit.

12-20-09

Sunday

Mrs. Kim gave me a wake-up call at about 9 am, just a few minutes before my alarm went off. She said I could be picked up by the pastor (her husband) in the bus.

I dressed and waited for the bus. It was snowing, about three inches of snow on the ground and flurries. I was picked up right on time.

At church Andrea and were there. Mrs. Kim was preparing something with her sons. I showed everyone my new hat. Christmas decorations were up there. Mrs. Kim translated for us as her husband preached. Lunch was then served. There will be church on Christmas day. Daniel S. wrote a new prayer.

Andrea and I went to a movie—it was the prison/lawyer thriller. Totally abominable. We had coffee together afterwards at the Coffee Bean.

Once home Scott D. called me. We talked on video phone for about two hours. I eventually told him he was once again my best friend. I told him I would send him a copy of Infinite Jest, and gave him the title of Arthur Zajonc’s book written with the Dalai Llama.

I ate pizza.

I watched some TV for PC.

12-21-09

Monday

I got to CIFLE at 9:05. Teachers remarked about my new hat. Peter said “Is that a fedora?” I looked up “fedora” on Google and found out the hat I had bought was a “trilby.”

Scott E. and others wondered why I wasn’t playing at the nursing home. I just felt too nervous about it. I had to repeat that several times—the others didn’t believe it. Also, I had a pain in my gut.

At the nursing home, Ms. Chee ceremoniously gave food supplies to the nursing home. She also sang operatically at the concert CIFLE put on. She was quite good. I got the hour long concert on my Sony Handy cam.

Sally said she wanted more writing for my article in the book for TEE. I went to Mr. Cho to get Myoung to scan some of the books for me. He said he would speak to Sally.

We had a dinner at the dok restaurant. I was honored by Mr. Lee who fixed my scarf and tucked it inside my overcoat.

12-22-09

Tuesday

I took a taxi in. At CIFLE were seminars presented from 10 am to 3 pm with an hour break for lunch.

I saw three seminars. The first was using the movies to teach English, the second, a print view of an Aussie teacher. The third, a Finnish diplomat who was Korean born.

Mr. Cho remarked that he was like me, raised in another country and come back to Korea.

Sally asked me to type the essays I will be using for the writing course. I did so, but my neck and back hurt a great deal.

She had a meeting with us elementary teachers in Peter’s room. She wants us to have our rubrics ready for Monday and to also have our rooms decorated.

It is twice I’ve seen men in my classroom talking on their cell phones. Maybe about the letter from Buckingham Palace I have displayed there.

At home I called Ruby Emo and ended up talking to my sister, Janet.

12-23-09

Wednesday

Today we saw a seminar of three educators—two of them pretty new to Korea. One educator is teaching math in English in Korea. He did Fibonacci numbers and his presentation was good. A young woman showed us a power point presentation of her story telling. Then there was Robert Capriles on Writing. He seemed not to remember me from the KOTESOL convention where he asked me for my vote. He became the president of KOTESOL.

We entertained Albert O. from England. He’s pretty sociable, likeable and not rude. He didn’t join in our Christmas party.

The Christmas party went well. I got a pair of wine glasses. Invited by Scott for caroling, but decided not to go. I went to Bible Study, instead.

I told Mrs. Kim about my problem with Jonathan. She advised me to go to my classroom, which I didn’t like.

12-24-09

Thursday

I got to CIFLE on time, no trouble getting up. At CIFLE I worked on getting my pocket calendar filled in with the dates, color coded like my desk calendar. I also color coded a home calendar from the chicken restaurant given to me as a gift from the delivery driver.

I also read a couple of chapters in Fields’ Listening. I’m getting some flak from all sides about nothing really, as if I’ve done something wrong. When I went to the Cambridge Press website I realized I am simply in the mode of trying to sell books, like my publishing company. I also got my CDs given out to CIFLE staff. Everyone seems so nice—they are, really.

I got my shoes shined for 20,000 won. Went caroling with Andrea, Mrs. Kim, Jessica, Joy and Amy (Joy’s from Australia and Amy’s from China). We went there by the new church bus.

I lent Andrea 100,000 won. We saw Mrs. Kim’s new apartment. It’s nice. Went to One Tic’s home and exchanged gifts. We then watched Slum Dog Millionaire.

I walked home with Daniel S.

I wished professors a Merry Christmas and got some answers back.

12-25-09

Friday

I woke up and turned off the alarm, then went back to sleep. Half hour later, Mrs. Kim called me happily as my wake up call. I was picked up by the Pastor in the church bus.

Christmas Service was wonderful. Angie came to the service and Andrea brought a chicken curry for lunch. The service started with the congregation starting to sing “Silent Night.” The pastor joined in with a piano accompaniment. Daniel S., One Tic and the Filipino woman, Annett, showed up. I had forgotten to bring my Bible. Mrs. Lee gave everyone a pair of socks for Christmas. One Tic gave Angie, and I a ride home. I got ready to go to Osan to buy myself a Christmas gift.

I bought 11 prints for 300,000 won and an Ibanez Classical Guitar (and some classical guitar books) for 220,000 at Peace Music. As the bus made its way back to Gongju, it was dark outside. I saw Joy and Jessica at the bus station. They were going to Seoul, I had my new guitar and art in hand.

12-26-09

Saturday

I got up at about noon. I dressed in regular clothes, no suit and no long underwear, and went into town.

First I went to the bank. I got 200,000 won and checked my balance. I walked to Hi-Mart and got a CD Player so that I could easily play my music CDs and checking to see if the CDs I’ve burned are actually working (they aren’t, I found out).

I then got a short haircut. The lady only charged 7,000 won and was wearing a purple and white blouse. I asked her where I could get my nails done and she pointed me to the hair salon just on the corner.

There the manicurist made the nails of my right hand smooth and even a certain length (as I explained to her about classical guitar (though she didn’t speak much English)). I then ate dosolt bibimpap for lunch. I went to the grocery store for a couple of packs of garbage bags. I went home and cleaned up. I did laundry, made a schedule, talked to Scott D. on Skype. I practiced guitar for an hour and played the 10 songs once through.

12-27-09

Sunday

Today I went to church and Mrs. Kim sat with me and translated. Andrea did not come to church but Kayla and Daniel S. did. We had mondu for lunch.

At home I took a nap. I had gone to Paris Baguette and got bread, cream cheese and a sandwich for dinner.

I couldn’t find a diary for next year at the stationary store. I wonder if CIFLE will give a book for the New Year.

I plan to write a blog starting next year. I’m waiting for publishing contracts from Athena Press.

12-28-09

Monday

I got to CIFLE at about 9:05 am. A few of my co teachers were there.

I decided to first put the art up in my classroom billboard. I used thumbtacks but they were hard to find. I asked Myoung who said he did not have any. He said he would give me some whenever he gets some.

There was some snow on the ground from last night’s snowfall. Tomorrow’s weather will be 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but on the internet it seemed they reported two temperatures—tomorrows and Tuesday’s. I asked Maggie which was which.

At the meeting with Sally I checked my schedule and proof read the textbook articles. All is now set. Mom called me during the meeting. I called her back on my cell phone, expensive as that is.

Korea got a big contract with Saudi Arabia to build four nuclear power plants. That’s the biggest outside job in history, 40 billion USD.

At home I ate chicken and practiced classical guitar between 7 and 8 pm.

12-29-09

Tuesday

I woke up at 8:30 am and didn’t have time to shower, but freshened up before getting my suit, overcoat and hat on. I brought my electric classical guitar, music stand, blank CDs and jewel boxes. Lexi grabbed a cab with me and I treated her to a free ride.

I was able to eventually, in the afternoon, to record sing along CDs.

For lunch we went to a mountain restaurant, the teachers and Mr. Cho. It was a very nice winter walk and I wish I had brought my camera, the views were so beautiful. Debbie, the beautiful young Korean woman who taught in Taipei, walked with me along the mountain road.

On the way home I rode with Gemma and talked about getting a blog up and running with philosophy, theology and EFL strands. She advised me that this was a good idea.

Mrs. Kim gave me a beautiful flashy purple tie for Christmas and a beautiful note that I will always treasure. I met with Sally and she wants me to put the lesson plans and syllabi in another form.

At home I practiced classical guitar and talked to Scott D. for about 5 minutes on Skype.

12-30-09

Wednesday

I got to CIFLE on time.

Sally continually admonishes me to decorate my classroom with things about me. I had bought about 300,000 won worth of art of Korean origin for the bulletin board. Six gold impressions on rice paper and five hand color drawings of Korean village life in the old days during different traditional times of the year. I had thumb tacked the borders of the pages were set in. I this day I spread them out more around the bulletin board. Still, not good enough, says Sally.

Andrea stopped by the teacher’s room and discretely gave me the 100,000 won I had lent her on Christmas Eve. Sally wanted to meet with me about my lesson plans. In my room I felt underappreciated when she said she wanted the lesson plans in box rubric form. I stayed till 8 pm to work hard on the lesson plans.

12-31-09

Thursday

Yesterday I got the CDs recorded for the sing a long class. There were 30 blank disks in a stack where there should have been 50. There were a number of disks with info on them. I haven’t brought it to Sally’s attention, but I will, eventually.

It was hard to get started today. Last night I was so tired and hungry after doing lesson plans for Sally that I went to my apartment at 8 pm and ordered chicken. Problem is, you shouldn’t eat chicken on an empty stomach, if that is all you are going to eat.

I was able to finish the lesson plans after the closing meeting in the conference room. Ms. Chee had the flu for a number of days and so had been out. She seemed a bit weak. I was the only native speaker to sit among the Koreans. Mrs. Kim bid me, as she usually does.

I ordered pizza from Gut Pizza to lunch alone. I gave Belle a slice. I left CIFLE alone at about 3 pm.

Mrs. Kim called at about 5:30 to invite me to visit her new apartment. I got a new diary for 2010—a bit bigger

2010

Chapter Seven

January

1-1-10

Friday

I awoke at 2 pm having stayed up last night until about 3 am. We (Mrs. Kim, Andrea and I) had a house warming dinner at Mrs. Kim’s new apartment. Then I went with others to the church where we got a New Year’s service. We had kimpap afterwards. Pastor Kim drove me near my apartment in the church bus.

Today I spent alone. I showered and my hair, short now, looks better to me. I dressed in my Amherst College sweats. I thought a lot about what to do if I don’t renew my contract at CIFLE. I may email Alistair near the renewal date.

I walked into town and at the bank checked my balance. About 2,268,000 won. I withdrew 200,000 won and told myself I must spend as little as possible. I decided to keep track of my money better and save 2,000,000 won per month. That’s my resolution—save 2M won per month.

I got delivered fried chicken for brunch and had bread and left over chicken for dinner.

At 7 pm I practiced classical guitar for an hour. My right hand coordination is getting better. I couldn’t practice yesterday due to the dinner party at Mrs. Kim’s.

I listened to BBC World News radio from 8 to 9 pm. I viewed Mi Ok’s pictures from NYC on Facebook. She is looking very beautiful to me. I commented on many of the photos. I usually go to bed at 11 pm on weekends.

1-2-10

Saturday

Last night I thought of writing a poem a day. Today I woke up at 10 am and rested on the couch to listen to BBC News Live program. Soon I was asleep. I slept on the couch until 3 pm.

I went to the dry cleaners. The pretty, nice lady there said something to me in Korean, I know not what. But, my suits are clean and my shirts are, too.

I wrote an email to Alistair about getting another job after CIFLE. It just seems there is a limit to how well people can get along. It’s been six months for me at CIFLE and I’ve saved only a little bit. My resolution to save money is a necessity.

I set up a SocialGO.com blogging page. It is bare bones at this time and I put a profile up and a couple of pictures of students. It’s at efl-teacher-trainers.socialgo.com. I am starting with the free plan since it is my first blog. Now I’m on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin in and SocialGO. Now all I need is a large number of friends.

I practiced classical guitar for an hour, 7-8 pm. Now I’m just listening to music and writing. I’ll be starting my blog in February.

Church tomorrow: 10:30 am.

1-3-10

Sunday

It’s church day. I woke up and took the phone into the shower in case Mrs. Kim would send me a wake-up call. She did.

I waited for the church bus at 10:10 am. I got to church where Andrea and Angie were. Mrs. Kim sat next to me to translate.

Today we did a song that was one of Mrs. Kim’s favorites. At lunch Angie and I sat together. One of the church members said they saw me knitting on television.

At the apartment I got out of my suit and put BBC radio on. I listened and dozed.

I ordered fried chicken delivery for dinner. I saved the spicy half for later in case I’m hungry and can’t sleep.

I practice guitar for a good hour.

Tomorrow is the ETT training beginning. Angie said no matter how often she does the program, she still gets nervous. I am somewhat nervous, too.

I’ll go to bed at 9 pm with no IPod music. Registration for the teachers is 9:20 am.

Mom will have her operation on Wednesday. I am praying for her.

1-4-10

Monday

I woke up at about 5 am. Last night I went to sleep at about 9 pm without listening to my IPod first.

AT CIFLE I did some Xeroxing for my class. Then I worked on the setting up of a math class from K to pre-K math books. I helped with registration.

Ms. Chee, at opening ceremony, told the story of a bathtub in an institution. She seemed a bit weak while telling the story. She has been fighting the flu.

My math CBL class got off to a good start. The students worked on the Bits and Pieces puzzles and that went pretty well. There were some “a ha” moments.

Scott E. said he was waiting for the delivery of a left handed guitar today, but it never arrived. A South African joke it must have been.

I got lyric sheets with chords ready for tomorrow’s sing a long club activity. “Ventura Highway,” “Peaceful Easy Feeling” and “Nights in White Satin” are the songs I will cover tomorrow night.

Got an email from Alistair who said April would be a better time to talk about relocating in a different province.

After dinner at CIFLE we had a wine seminar, but I didn’t stay for the tasting, just the lecture.

Got home and legs felt a little sore, probably the circulation stopped by my socks.

1-5-10

Tuesday

I got up and into CIFLE in plenty of time.

The day was a good one. I wrote an email to Myoung about keeping an “eye out” for my package, which arrived later in the day. He thought “eye out” was a funny expression.

I had four hours of math CBL to teach. It went well, and the puzzles got solved and presented upon with fantastic result. Also, the students worked on creating problem of the day practice mats. They seemed to be enjoying collaborating.

At dinner I sat with Mrs. Chae and Sally. It was a nice little conversation. I felt lucky to sit with two beautiful and intelligent Korean women. So, I flirted a bit.

I set up the seminar room after dinner for the little sing a long concert. I played “Ventura Highway,” “Peaceful Easy Feeling” and “Nights in White Satin.” They like “Nights in White Satin” very much. Eventually they sang along with every song. Sally said I did really well. I even recorded on my camcorder the concert. I got a lot of compliments on my singing.

Once at home mom called me. We talked for about an hour. She says she’s proud of me and always had confidence in me.

I ordered my two books for Scott D. via Amazon.

1-6-10

Wednesday

I got to CIFLE thinking that it was the day for our field trip, but Lexi informed me that is tomorrow.

Well, I didn’t have a class until 2 pm, but I had three classes in a row—the same group for three hours. We did math CBL and I think I laid out a case for math CBL that cannot be beaten.

Sally had given me a Fender acoustic/electric guitar last night. She said she put it in my classroom. I think she believes it’s a good thing.

Today I spent most of my time checking out Facebook. I also found a web site of pictures of Ana Ivanovic on the tennis court and other pictures. I realized it’s my love for Dushka (a Serbian like Ana), my high school sweetheart, that still survives in my spirit.

My books will reach Scott D. on Monday. He thanked me via email.

My classes went well. Played a little ping pong with Belle, Gloria and Jeff. Ate dinner with Angie and Myoung, and Jeff also came. Ms. Chee was on the second floor and asked me how it was going. I told her I prayed for her good health. She seems to be doing better.

I went to Bible study. I got 200,000 won from the ATM. I walked to church. Mrs. Kim, Andrea, Annett, Daniel S., Kayla eventually came. Annett was already there.

1-7-10

Thursday

I got up tired at about 7 am to get to CIFLE by about 7:50 am for the field trip.

We went to Seoul and the Korean National Museum. We got two buses, one for the secondary teachers, and one for us elementary teachers. I wore my hat, overcoat, suit and tie.

I took a few pictures at the Inca exhibit. Sally was happy to tell me to take pictures of the trainees during the field trip for the end of program slide show.

The Inca exhibit was interesting. I learned that the Incas were wiped out after being discovered about 1300 or 1500 AD by the Spaniards. There are even paintings of Inca chieftains. I walked around the Museum with Daniel B. who tried to tell me all he knew about the exhibits. We had bagels and cream cheese at the museum cafeteria and looked at Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese exhibits. We then had lunch. I had tuna fried rice. I talked briefly with Mrs. Chae about the Incas and my Social Anthropology course insights. She’s so elegant.

We then got on the bus and went to the Kyungbo Palace. I decided to take a cab to Kyobo bookstore. There I got four advanced math books: matrix, combinatory, Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometry and a small study book on discrete math. I left my camera with Sally who took some pictures.

At my apartment I had pizza and Sprite for dinner.

1-8-10

Friday

I got to CIFLE at 8:50. It was really cold this morning.

I had a 9 am class and it was the first writing class. It went really well and gave me a great deal of confidence.

I wrote Norton Starr an email telling him what books I had bought at Kyobo. He said they were all good books and the Schaums was better than the Rhea. I emailed him about it before my class and he answered me by the time the break came around. That encouraged me further.

I had another first hour writing class and it, too, went well. Then I had the last Math CBL class. That was an extremely good class, each group presenting their puzzle solutions. I was amazed by the students’ presentations. They are amazingly smart for elementary teachers.

I wrote my blog “Why Math Content Based Learning?” and it is the first blog of mine ever. I tried to persuade the reader of the need for Math CBL. I think I put my case across well.

Mom called in the morning, too, saying the operation went well and she was at home resting. I was very happy to hear it. I hope she lives a long life.

1-9-10

Saturday

I slept last night at about midnight. I woke up at about noon on Saturday. No plans today. Just hoping to relax and play some guitar.

I eventually took a shower. How cold it is in the morning in my apartment.

I was listening to music and lying on the couch when I decided to ring Scott D. up. He was having a grinder with his roommate Ed. I was waiting for my pizza. Dominoes delivered a free pizza to me because they had the wrong order.

I called Scott D. again and we talked for a while. He wants to make me famous, a famous teacher.

Mrs. Kim called me and we all got together at Mrs. Kim’s new apartment for a going away dinner party for Kayla. It was Mrs. Kim’s family with Andrea, Daniel S., Kayla and I.

There we ate bulgogi and rice, drank orange juice. Kayla marveled at the digital picture from and after Andrea left we talked and viewed the DVD Bible I had given the Pastor as a gift.

Mrs. Kim’s youngest son drove and Kayla and I home. Daniel S. got out at Kayla’s, and I went to the convenience store for water and soda.

1-10-10

Sunday

I went to church. Andrea didn’t make it, but, of course, brought Amy (a Chinese girl) and Kayla. Mrs. Kim sat by me and translated. I prayed for her added benefit and power. She seemed to respond.

Amy and I left by taxi early. We then excitedly hatched out a plan to tour China together. We went to my apartment then she gave me her number. I had joked at church asking if she needed a boyfriend. Things seemed automatic after that. Walked Amy halfway home.

I cleaned my apartment after inviting Amy to dinner, but I called her again to cancel.

I ate delivery chicken and practiced the Beatles songs to do on Tuesday night. I had gone to the store to spend on necessities: eggs, soy sauce, and plastic containers.

1-11-10

Monday

I got up at about 8 am. I thought I would wear my camel hair jacket today, but decided instead to wear my black suit and the purple tie Mrs. Kim gave me for Christmas.

I taught writing today. I taught four classes in a row in the afternoon. The classes went well, though some students were a bit reticent to speak.

I went to Tim Dalby’s lecture on team teaching. Mrs. Kim sat next to me at the back of the auditorium. Scott E. and Peter sat in front of us. I took a photo of him with Sally and then with Ms. Chee. In the second hour Ms. Chee gave Dalby a scarf. I have been wearing my Amherst scarf, like a priest.

I gave Mrs. Kim the Missionary in Korea photo book that I had bought at Kyobo Book Store. She really liked it and said she would show her husband, the pastor.

I asked Maggie about moving my desk or, at least, changing my computer.

At my apartment I ordered chicken and made some idiom tests. I then listened to some music.

1-12-10

Tuesday

I got to CIFLE on time. I used coins for the taxi ride since I have run out of currency.

The room 202 was my magic room as I taught very good writing lessons. The students were working hard and I assured them of the method often. We use writing to educate at Amherst College and Trudy Smoke’s first three chapters were articles relevant to my Amherst experience.

I taught four hours of writing, revised four early essays and did a club activity with the guitar. I played Beatles songs: “Hey Jude,” “Let It Be” and “In My Life.” I asked Sally to take some pictures that I could email home to mom. I let her use my camera.

After the sing a long, Belle gave me two little seedless oranges as she left for the evening.

I took a taxi to ee-dungi then walked to the bank for food and taxi cash. I bought some index cards at the stationary store.

1-13-10

Wednesday

I got up late today and got dressed without shaving and got into CIFLE at 9:15. Since I didn’t have any classes till 11:00 am, I was safe.

I worked on getting the index cards of idioms written for Speaking 2 and 3. I gave one of the classes the pre- test in idioms.

Some students gave me their papers to grade and revise. I worked on them later in the day.

I graded the idiom pre-tests.

The Superintendent of Chungnam Province visited us at CIFLE. I was the first native speaker to greet him. He liked Debbie and chatted with her a bit. She’s a looker! The supervisors stood by.

My posters arrived from Athena Press. I put them up in my classroom.

My books arrived. It cost $133.00 for delivery. I won’t want to do that again.

I went to Bible Study. Mrs. Kim was a beautiful leader of the study. I felt like I knew all the answers.

1-14-10

Thursday

I got to CIFLE on time and had a speaking class right away.

Mrs. Kim watched my class and the students (trainees) had fun in their activities making sentences that contained “supervisor” or “superintendent.” Mrs. Kim said it was a pretty good class (or, at least, she didn’t think it needed to be changed).

Sally also came to my class. First, she came to listen in with Mrs. Kim. Later she brought a camera crew in to film me and the students in a lesson. One of the students was asked to speak in front of the camera. She had many out takes but eventually got it done.

I was very busy all day grading tests and correcting papers. The students (trainees) seemed to enjoy the activity. I did, too.

When in the teacher’s room I listened to the BBC that was reporting on the Haitian earthquake disaster. Haiti was mentioned in my class with the third chapter of the “Education of Berenice Belizaire,” a story much similar to my own experience. Berenice, though, was from Haiti. I had prophesied.

At home I had fried chicken. I went to bed at 9 pm.

1-15-10

Friday

Today I got into CIFLE about 20 minutes early. We had a “say it with a song” workshop with Johnette Downing. Her guitar playing was very good and I was impressed with the session (I even gave her a book of my poetry.) I sat with some of the trainees and we did some activities together. Johnette is from Louisiana. After the workshop she thanked me for the book and then went with the ladies at CIFLE for a luncheon.

My trainees did speaking exercises “you’ve said a mouthful.” Some took a post test. Bo Kyeong gave me her papers and took the post-test early since she had to leave CIFLE early.

I worked hard between classes to correct papers. I had just enough time to get the work done. This EET is trying. Sally gave us pizza and chicken in a meeting and gave Lexi and Jonathan a little talk about getting along. Peter and I have good relations and mutual respect—professionalism.

Mrs. Kim wants me to come to church to teach English on Saturday at 3 pm.

1-16-10

Saturday

I got up at about 11 am and took a shower. I reheated pizza from Dominoes and drank some Cola I had saved form a few days ago.

Mrs. Kim had wanted me to teach English to the little girls and boys at the church at 3pm.

I took a read of Greenberg’s Euclidean and Non-Euclidean Geometries and read the first two or three chapters. It was really interesting stuff and I really enjoyed learning about the mathematical proofs, the discrete types. I read and enjoyed.

At 2:30 pm I took a cab to Streams of Living Waters church and began to teach right away. The little girls picked out the books Little Red Riding Hood and The Enormous Turnip and we read them together. I closely followed their aloud reading and I could see their improvement. After that we played Scrabble.

Two boys arrived for their lesson at 4 pm. They read the same books and Mrs. Kim’s sons helped me teach the boys and girls. We then played more Scrabble.

The little boy and I teamed up against the other three guys in Scrabble.

I went to bed early.

1-17-10

Sunday

I woke up at about 9 am. I showered and then dressed in my golf clothes (plus my cashmere overcoat) and waited for the church bus. It arrived in less than a minute.

I noticed the Pastor was driving the bus and shifting with his other hand. His ribs and collarbone injury must have been hurting. I mentioned this to Mrs. Kim at church and I prayed for him to be healed.

Daniel S., Amy and One Tic came to church. I gave One Tic one of my Beatles CDs, the one that I bought many years ago on my first visit to Korea. Mrs. Kim thanked me for teaching English yesterday.

We had bulgogi for lunch. One Tic drove us home.

I ordered Gut Pizza and while I was eating Scott D. video called me. We talked for more than an hour.

I ordered chicken since the pizza got cold. Now I have 10 coupons for a free order of chicken.

1-18-10

Monday

I got up at 7 am this morning and showered. I had to dress in my camel hair jacket and khaki chinos with a short sleeve shirt and tie, different from my usual black suit. I got a cab. It was a black deluxe cab. I really like the cabbies with their sixth sense in finding me when I need a ride.

At CIFLE I gave Sally the camcorder and showed her how to use it. She asked me how much it cost.

I had a speaking class with a drama techniques class. It went very well. Afterwards I felt as though I was too aware of everything.

I taught Hotel EEC. The trainees seemed to like it. I tried to make it interesting.

When I got to my desk in the teacher’s room I found a couple of letters and a couple of packets. In the packets were KOTESOL Journals and a KOTESOL calendar. I also got a nomination ballot for Amherst trustees. Saw Andy Nussbaum (a former class of ‘85 friend) wanting to be nominated.

At home I had to get my dry cleaning and my water. The shop keepers are so sweet. I love Korean ladies!

I ate pizza and chicken from yesterday. I called mom and she says she’s feeling fine.

1-19-10

Tuesday

Today was a great day. I got up at about 7:30 am and put on my suit and tie with blue shirt. I arrived at CIFLE about 8:30 am and got organized. I had a lot of classes. I had a culture class and talked about my Korean relatives experience in America. I nearly started crying because the realization that they had been so good to me until I got sick and abandoned my pre- med studies, but I never stopped loving them. Anyway, see pg. 193 in the EET text book for the article I wrote about their lives in America.

I was observed by Mrs. Kim and Sally at 11:00 am. We did “you’ve said a mouthful” activity and I thought it went really well. My evaluation was mixed.

I sat with Sally and Angie at dinner and then practiced a bit for the sing-a-long. Tonight it was “Horse with No Name,” “Muskrat Love” and “Wild Horses.” The trainees applauded after “Wild Horses” and they chose it for the encore. They also sang the songs beautifully—like a choir of angels.

Maggie and I talked about God’s blessings to those who tithe. I am convinced she is right. I’m going to miss her. She said I will get a renewed contract. She asked me how long I wanted to work at CIFLE. I said about four years then I could get my PhD at Cambridge and come back to Korea to teach.

I gave back papers.

1-20-10

Wednesday

Today I awoke very early, 7 am, to get to CIFLE early so as to get some papers corrected. I was the first to arrive, but there were cars of the trainees in the parking lot that I thought were cars of the staff.

I was busy today with Drama Technique and grading and correcting papers. A whole slew of them! I got everything done before 6 pm, but had to pass on Sally’s invitation to the archeology museum.

The Drama Techniques went well, being the moderator was great. I got them doing mime and other activities. It’s just a good way to finish off the session. The hard stuff first—Math CBL and then Writing. Mrs. Kim spoke with me about my observation.

I went home after telling Mrs. Kim I would see her at Bible Study at 7:30 pm. I ordered fried chicken delivery (I got a free dinner with my 10 coupons). I ate and then went to church. Mrs. Kim later rejoined me at church and sat behind me to translate. The Pastor was on fire. It was great!

I stayed for Bible Study with Daniel S, Mrs. Kim, Annett, Lennon, and Na Ri. I said the prayers.

At home I checked the emails. I prayed to get my PhD at Cambridge on scholarship after five years at CIFLE.

1-21-10

Thursday

I got to CIFLE at about 8:45 am. I had only two classes today, both Group—Speaking. We did an hour of activity with Idioms.

I went to Mrs. Kim’s office. She was on the phone through her computer asking if it was necessary to deposit some money. I thought she was talking to me. We had a good laugh about that.

I showed Mrs. Kim my International Driver’s License. I told her I was volunteering to drive the church bus for the Pastor. She gave me a hug. I asked her if I could change desks, one to the right, for two reasons. One—the computer is bound to be better, (the media player needs to work). I’ve got club activities with music to listen to! Two—there’s more leg room and book space to the right.

Gloria gave me a ride home. I got a pizza. I typed up my blog on “Miracles” and modified the site to indicate a cloud motif.

1-22-10

Friday

I got up to Paul McCartney and Wings on my IPod. It was a smart move to turn it on. I got up in time and into CIFLE about 8:40 am.

I had a whole schedule full of drama classes today, one right after another. It was grueling, the pace of activity.

I was able to collect and grade papers, many of them at 6 pm to 7 pm. It is cool to edit the papers with a red pen—I get into a mood where it’s like a puzzle or SCRABBLE game. I just get really focused and don’t mind the hard work. I believe it is the best way to teach writing.

Chris’ computer, now my computer, was opened to me. I must delete his files. Sally said she would actually USB flash drive it on Monday. I will bring my flash drive to transfer my files to the new computer, but the computer’s CD drive is broken, I discovered. The computer was the main reason I wanted the desk. Not sure what to do about it.

It’s about 11:40 pm.

I can play and sing “Horse with No Name” and “Muskrat Love” from memory.

1-23-10

Saturday

I got up at about noon. I showered and shaved. It is going to be a busy day.

I talked to mom on the phone about starting a social networking site with SocialGO.com. She said it would be okay last night but called me in a rush to say it was too costly to do it now. I was in the middle of setting up my web site when she called, so I cancelled out and sent an explanation to SocialGO.com.

Mrs. Kim called me at about 2:50 pm. She wanted me to teach at church at 3 pm when I thought she wanted me to come at 4 pm, at least that’s what I thought she said. I took a cab right away anyhow.

Once there I started teaching. A little later Mrs. Kim showed up with a cheesecake and oranges. She and I team taught. I also played guitar and we sang “Jesus Loves Me” with the children.

After church we went to Mrs. Kim’s home for dinner. We talked in the kitchen while she prepared. She also said she would get the computer lady to replace my computer in the teacher’s room that’s broken.

I got 500,000 won out of my account for tithing tomorrow.

1-24-10

Sunday

I got up thanks to the Pastor’s phone call. He would pick me up in the bus at 10:10 am, even though last night the bus wouldn’t start.

I wore my wool-like fabric suit and blue and white polka-dot tie.

At the church Mrs. Kim was hard at work cooking for the congregation. Neither nor any of the others showed up. Mrs. Kim kindly translated for me. I noticed she was wearing lipstick.

The rice at agape was perfectly cooked. I even praised that when asked how my lunch was.

I got to my apartment and cleaned the kitchen. I then went for a walk to find a bookcase. I found a bookcase and an office chair (for the apartment). The bookcase cost 20,000 won and the chair 90,000 won. The store immediately delivered the bookcase to the CIFLE building with me where I set it up. Then they took me to my apartment and carried the chair up. The fellow was a young student. I tried to tip him 4,000 won, but he wouldn’t have it. “It’s my job,” he said.

I started a network blog and put in four articles, though one of them couldn’t attach.

I had chicken for dinner and read a little geometry.

Na Ri texted me saying she would teach me Korean.

1-25-10

Monday

I got up at 7:30 am and got to CIFLE pretty early. I set up the bookcase and put my desk books in it. The computer didn’t work since I didn’t have the password.

The Englishman temporary teacher was preparing in the morning. I tried to help him as much as I could but I was busy with my Culture 1 and 2 classes.

My computer in 202 wouldn’t make sound for a while.

In the Culture class I discussed my Korean relatives, aunts and uncles. The class chuckled when I said “emos.”

Sally stopped in to give me some good feedback about my teaching. It told her I told Mrs. Kim how well she was encouraging us.

I taught handwriting and read Prof. Aaron Jolly’s article on ER (Extensive Reading). I listened to some news on the old computer to my left.

I found the computer lady wandering the halls. I showed her that my computer was broken. She also gave me the password I needed.

I went to KB bank to check my balance and get 200,000 won for the month. I ordered Christmas classical guitar books to practice with during the February break. Mom approved the purchase on Amazon.com.

1-26-10

Tuesday

Today I got to CIFLE early and saw Peter on my way. He was walking.

At CIFLE I got to my computer in my classroom. I checked my emails as I usually do. Then I set up my guitar and tuned it with my “Dame” electronic tuner. Also, I set up the music stand and footrest.

In the first hour I gave my lesson. I covered several children’s songs. I prepared copies for each trainee. They sang most of the songs as if they knew them. It may have been that they had the ability to read music, though. We finished with “On Top of Spaghetti.”

I got papers all morning and spent a number of hours correcting writing. The English chap was at the teachers’ room with his laptop.

I ate alone, good food.

I got a ride from Sally to the bank to pay my bills. I paid about 157,000 won this time.

I loaded my blog with my Shakespeare short plays. (I had learned to cut and paste them from a word file to my blog site last night when I put my novel in progress on my “efl” blog.)

I complained to Maggie about not having a decent computer yet. I got home, half starved.

I ate a pizza and did little else.

I went to bed early.

1-27-10

Wednesday

I had a pretty easy day. I ran some drama lessons and some children’s songs. It was a pretty easy day.

I got my computer semi filled with my music CDs. I would finish loading them on Thursday.

In the teacher’s room I corrected papers. The trainees came in and out submitting papers and collecting them for revision.

I have been wearing a suit and tie for months now.

I complained about not getting my computer fixed and Maggie suggested I get a laptop computer. I talked to Mrs. Kim about such an arrangement.

I got to church at 7:30. Mrs. Kim called me to remind me it was Wednesday.

At church the Pastor gave a sermon.

Bible Study was led by Daniel S. I had thought he was in LA but he was here in Korea. He goes to LA on Monday.

Na Ri said she would teach me Korean, for 20,000 won per hour.

I talked with Scott D. about 10 pm to 11 pm via Skype video call.

His production is getting off the ground.

1-28-10

Thursday

I got to CIFLE at 8:45 and immediately apologized to Maggie for complaining about the computer.

I spent the day revising papers.

First was EEC Hotel. The students like the venue.

In my last class of the day I was asked to play songs for the trainees instead of the planned activities. They were happy to sing-a-long.

Ms. Chee, the director, sat with me at lunch. I told her everything was going well. She was in better health.

Mrs. Kim told me I could get a Sony Vaio laptop but that I needed to authorize it for the wireless internet connection when I get it. I think about how hard it seems to save money.

I finished loading CDs into the computer.

At the meeting with Sally all went well. Mostly Peter and I showed, but Lexi and Johnny didn’t show up.

At home I ordered fried chicken and called mom to let her know the package arrived. She was happy to hear from me.

1-29-10

Friday

I woke up at about 8 am and got to CIFLE. The taxi driver joked around about being hungry, so I gave him an orange. When I called a taxi for a ride home, he came to pick me up, orange peels on his dashboard!

At CIFLE I didn’t have any classes scheduled, but my students seemed to come to the teacher’s room one by one to give me their papers. I did little all day except correct papers, put more CDs on my computer and eat lunch. I also watched a lot of videos of David Foster Wallace reading his fiction and others commenting about his books (and life). It was engrossing. I started to realize how he took a page out of Ray-daddy’s strategy to pre-figure his own death. On the YouTube videos he also read Happy Birthday—what I wrote about in my poem in Poems from Songtan.

I left CIFLE at 5 pm and got 1,000,000 won form my bank account after looking at computers at Hi-Mart. I hesitate about making the purchase, though, as I have had my computer fixed. Better to save for the PhD at Cambridge.

I ate dinner at the restaurant. I had ohm rice and don gass.

At my apartment I read a little about the Gospel of John. Mom called and we talked for about half an hour.

1-30-10

Saturday

I got up at about 11:45 and showered. It was good to sleep in and get some rest after this long session of teacher training.

I ordered a pizza delivered from Gut Pizza. The lady on the phone said “Nay” to everything so sweetly. “Nay” means “yes” in Korean.

Mrs. Kim called me and said that she was sorry not to answer her phone yesterday. I asked her if she thought I should buy that laptop. She said that I have three computers, why get yet another.

“Keep your money,” she said to me. I was able to get the laptop off my mind after that.

I played the Bible songs once through to rehearse. The one song “Deep and Wide” I had to look up a chord or two in my Chord Encyclopedia.

I took a cab to the church. I waited about 10 minutes for Mrs. Kim’s son to let me in. He filled up the heater with kerosene before the two boys arrived for their lesson. I played guitar and we sang the songs. It went well.

Afterwards we dropped the children and I got a ride to my apartment. I bought some ice cream (nutty buddies) from the store and a bottle of water. At my apartment I typed and blogged articles about God from the Oxford Companion to Philosophy. I wrote an email to my Amherst friends.

I went to bed about midnight.

1-31-10

Sunday

It is the last day of January, as Mrs. Kim told me in church. I woke up at about 9 am and got dressed. I waited for the church bus at 10:10 am in front of ee-dungee. I am the last parishioner to be picked up by the bus.

Daniel S., Amy (from China) and Lennon came to church. Tomorrow Daniel S. flies to LA. At church Mrs. Kim gave him a special gift. Lennon gave Daniel S. and I gifts, too. They were book markers (got the one with the purple string). Amy, so timidly, talked with me for a while.

I came up with the idea of giving her one million won for a translation into Chinese of my second book The Isle of Yoo. We talked about it for a while and later in the evening I called her and found that she was already writing the translations! A brilliant result!

I wrote up a little blog about “Agape” on my blog “Divine Studies.” I wrote praise for Korean church custom of a meal after service. Then I slept on the couch for a while with the BBC World Service in the internet.

I got the news that Federer beat Murray for the Aussie Open. I wonder if David Foster Wallace would be happy in heaven about that.

Tomorrow CIFLE papers are due. I have no classes to teach, though.

Chapter Eight

February

2-1-10

Monday

I got to CIFLE and we immediately had our monthly meeting. Ms. Chee was wearing a blue dress shirt exactly like mine. I thought the coincidence propitious. Mr. Lee of General Affairs office spoke some English for the first time, it seems. We cheered his speech.

At 11 am we began the trainee’s teaching presentations. They were all very good. They seemed to get better as each one progressed to the next.

At lunch we had a sweet and sour sauce with yellow rice. Jeff used some really foul language about “whores.” I left the table first.

During the judging of the presentations I sat between Peter and Jonathan. Jonathan and Lexi were chatting away. Each evaluation was criticized in detail by the others, but Sally and I thought it best not to criticize too much. I made only positive remarks.

Bok Young and GiGi caught my attention especially. GiGi seemed so natural, like an actress, in front of the other teachers. I mentioned this to Peter at the end of the day. He agreed with my observation.

After a chicken dinner at home I called Amy. We went for coffee and bagels at the corner Angels in US coffee shop. Scott E. was there with his girlfriend and her friend. Amy and I walked and talked. We went to her graduate office. She said I reminded her of her father.

2-2-10

Tuesday

I got up and got to CIFLE at about 8:45 am. I didn’t drink coffee for a while.

I had to teach two hours of drama techniques. The students were very cooperative. I told them I was going to have a very non-stressful two hours with them and give them plenty of time to prepare the lesson.

At lunch Scott E. told a joke about having wives for richer and for poorer—4 + 4, that’s 8 wives. I was the only one to laugh at his joke—he seemed to appreciate that.

There was a lecture from Prof. Davies from Yonsei University. He talked about internet tools and blending the English lessons that way. His speaking style was very good and I talked to him some afterwards. I think I might use his method, but first I will check with the leadership.

My ring finger of my left hand has a nail cuticle problem. When I played guitar for the class I made a lot of mistakes owing to that pain.

We gathered for a beef and pork dinner with all the trainees after I turned in my grades and sample papers to evidence my teaching. Peter and I were driven by Mi Ae and we got to a dead end and got there late. We got gifts from the trainees and Peter said a few words. Sally drove me and Peter home.

2-3-10

Wednesday

I woke up at 8 am and took a shower. While I was taking a shower, Scott D. called me on Skype. I had left on my computer overnight. I couldn’t answer Scott D.’s call as I was just in the shower without much time. I hoped he wasn’t worried.

At CIFLE I got a few pictures of a couple of trainees. Sally gave me a group photo and said “Happy Birthday.” A Korean CIFLE staff member gave me a cake and Angie did the honors of celebrating and decorating the cake with candles.

At closing ceremony I was honored by In Sook with a thank you for teaching them writing well, too. We saw a slideshow (“Hey Jude” played about 5 times during the slideshow) and I was in a few of the pictures. I looked a lot like my brother Richie.

Ms. Chee told a funny joke to start her speech off, the one about the elevator. We had lunch at a crab restaurant. I got to sit next to Mrs. Chae (she was gorgeous).

After Mrs. Kim drove us back to CIFLE I worked on my grammar tickets for next year’s program. I’ll do more tomorrow. I got mom’s birthday card from Myoung today.

Jeff, Daniel B. and Angie took me to a seafood restaurant and let me order a delivery pizza at the restaurant. We talked and joked and had a great time!

At church Mrs. Kim eventually showed up. She gave me “mother cake” and said I could give my Bible Study the next time!

2-4-10

Thursday

I talked to mom in the morning.

I got to CIFLE about 8:50 am. My taxi driver was really old and could barely drive, but I’m not complaining.

I was working on my grammar component for my writing TEE. Debbie came to me to secretly give me a note saying that Ms. Chee wanted to see me. I didn’t say a word. I went to see Ms. Chee.

She looked quite well, very healthy and cheerful. She said that she learned it was my birthday. She said that I had given her so many things, books, etc. . . that she had a little something for me on my birthday. She said it was wrapped in a preproduction of King Sejong’s first manuscript of Hangul. It was a USB for my anthology. She also sent me a nice card in my mailbox at my apartment. We sipped some tea for a little while. She showed me that she got the picture frame set up with pictures of her grandchildren. It was a very nice time to talk with her. She is such a sweet lady.

Mr. Cho had a meeting about upcoming 4 day camps. Native teachers were debating the University of California video program.

Daniel B. had a curry going away get together in the EEC. Scott E. and I went for a photo walk in the woods. He and Myoung were mischievously at the Dunkin Donuts to tease me about my “date” with Na Ri. I insisted it wasn’t a date, but they were being funny. Na Ri’s English is very good and we will meet again on Tuesday.

At my apartment I took out the trash, took clothes to the dry cleaner, washed socks, towels and underwear.

2-5-10

Friday

It was a terrible day. I got to CIFLE at about 8:45 am. The taxi driver seemed happy to take my fare.

Other teachers seem perky for some odd reason. Lexi gives a class to visiting CEO’s (I think).

I worked more and compiled my grammar examples to improve my writing program. I finished this today, at least the first step—actually making a copy of the pasted proofs.

Gemma brought in a large box of brad and gave everyone, absent or not, a block of it on their desks. I got two, somehow.

Sally walked in in the morning and asked us to meet with her individually. My meeting would prove disastrous.

During the meeting Sally and I hit an impasse. I couldn’t understand certain things, like why she says that my course “Speaking—Idioms” would include things that are not idioms.

“Should I do what you tell me or do whatever I want to, I was doing what was expected,” I said. That was one of three or four points I had to make. Eventually she called Mrs. Kim to meet with us. After arguing even further with Mrs. Kim, Sally seemed eventually to want to get me back.

I would apologize later, she said.

Mrs. Kim and I talked further on the phone after I got home to my apartment.

2-6-10

Saturday

I slept well. It was about 1:30 pm or 2 pm when I got up. I didn’t shower after waking up. Last night Mrs. Kim had said she would get me a University position—but I said I didn’t want it. That may have to change though. I would rather work longer at CIFLE.

I ordered chicken from Na Na Chicken. Scott D. sent me a little note about chatting. My lunch arrived and I ate it.

I hung out to dry the clothes form the broken washing machine. The clothes were cold and wet and my fingers got really cold from the chore.

I played some guitar—I’m practicing “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” on the classical guitar. I spent about a half hour on that song.

Scott D. and I eventually began talking. He was very understanding as I told him of the petty politics going on that was troubling me. I also read him the poem I wrote last night and posted on my two blogs. I tried to explain the meaning of the poem so that if anything happens to me he can explain, etc.

I practiced guitar a bit longer. I ate a lot of little mandarin oranges. My sense of smell seems to be coming back. I watched some David Foster Wallace film clips. I listened to some music. I’m finally relaxing.

2-7-10

Sunday

I had a wonderful day.

I went to church. Mrs. Kim said she couldn’t sleep well because of what I said to her Friday night. She is going through a three month training course to be a principal at a new school. She seems to have gotten over the trouble. Amy came to church and I came up with the idea of taking her to Osan Base.

I took her from church directly to the bus station. We rode to Osan. At the mall we saw Mr. Chong outside of Mr. Oh’s tailor. He came out to say hello to us. I introduced him to Amy (my Chinese translator).

We bought the U2 music book and a foot rest at Peace Music. We then walked around shopping for her. We got her K-Swiss shoes, a leather jacket, caramels, a little Swiss army knife and a pair of gloves. We went to the Blue Opera restaurant and talked. I had a Bailey’s and coffee and she had a green tea.

We then went home. The transportation all day was really good. I thanked her again and again for promising to translate my poems. I joked about winning a Nobel Prize for literature.

Once home in Gongju we took a cab to my apartment and talked. We shared a pizza. We listened to U2. She surfed the internet a little. Eventually she went home. It was a good first date. She is 25 years old. I am 47. We have twenty-two years difference. It was a good time.

I listened to U2 18 Singles and read the music for a while—till 10:30 pm.

2-8-10

Monday

I got to CIFLE early. I dropped my cashmere overcoat at the dry cleaners in the morning (it was ready in the evening when I got off work.)

At CIFLE there were no meetings. Peter, Scott and Angie are on vacation. Jonathan was absent but showed up for the last two minutes of the work day.

I worked on an article about writing using anecdotes about writers that I had heard over the years. I wrote about Guy de Maupassant and Flaubert, Flannery O’Connor and Elizabeth Bishop, and Emily Dickenson and Robert Frost. Then I mentioned David Foster Wallace and Scott Turow as well as Joseph Brodsky in the context of Amherst College. I also began to write about the writing program at the college.

I listened to U2 songs on media player. I also followed the Super Bowl on the internet. The Saints beat the Colts. I thought they would.

I ate sunflower seeds and finished the bag I had brought with me to Korea so long ago.

At home I ordered chicken. Scott D. and I video called for about an hour and a half. My mother also called and we talked for about an hour. I told mom to get Skype.

2-9-10

Tuesday

Today I got up early and got a cab to CIFLE before 9 am. I worked on my essay “On Writing” and finished it at the end of the day. It is a fine piece of writing and I’m happy to give a hardcopy and e-attachment to Sally for the next session’s course.

We had a curriculum meeting with Mr. Cho and Mr. Shin. The plans are set for the four day camps. I will teach Mission Impossible, Sports English (Golf) and other venues. I wrote a cool message to Mr. Cho regarding what I plan to do.

I listened to the Sundays all day, their “Static and Silence” album.

The Korean teachers gave me walnut cakes and Maggie gave me some hot cocoa. Only a few of us native teachers were here today.

I got two packages form mom—Myoung brought them up. Ms. Chee gave us foreign teachers gifts of toiletries via Mr. Cho.

I finished my essay and published it to my blog.

I changed my batteries for the cameras for tomorrow’s trip.

Na Ri wanted to meet at Angels-in-US instead of Dunkin Donuts. We talked over coffee and cheesecake. I made her laugh a lot with my stories of my three marriages. She waked with me home under her umbrella. She held my arm as I escorted her, escorting me, toward my apartment. Then she turned and left.

The pearls arrived.

2-10-10

Wednesday

I got up and to CIFLE at a little before 8 am. On the bus I sat near Belle who worked with me during nearly the entire bus trip on editing an important curriculum document for CIFLE that she had to translate. We worked on it for about 2 or 3 hours. She thanked me a lot when we were done.

I got a lot of pictures. At the English Village (which was like a movie set or Disney World theme park) we had a guide who spoke in Korean. We saw a play based on Dickens A Christmas Carol. Then we saw the museum exhibits with Gramophones and Currency from Around the World. We then painted designs on T-shirts at one of the workshops. My design was like Picasso’s Tuft of Flowers. We watched a video of the English village with the village’s director. Then we got into a group photo. I saw a commercial being shot up close. The day was wet and I almost lost my camera bag. On the bus trip home we were near the DMZ. We stopped at a rest stop in Anseong on the way home. I got a couple of sausages and ice cream. All of us were in a good mood.

We got to CIFLE at about 7:30 pm. I got a cab home with Jeff (who insisted on giving me 2,000 won for the fare).

Dr. Kaywell (at USF) and Amherst College sent me emails. Amherst has a telephone lecture series on Shakespeare. Dr. Kaywell really liked my essay “On Writing.”

It was too late back from the English Village for Bible Study.

2-11-10

Thursday

I woke up at about 9:20 and showered and dressed. I got a cab and it snowed all day. A lady, a nice lady, tried to give me an umbrella for my wait for a cab. I refused, but God bless her.

At CIFLE a few of the Korean teachers had already arrived. I surfed the net for a while. Before lunch I gave Myoung the chip (SD card) for the camera so he could download the pictures from the English Village.

Once Lexi and Jonathan arrived I went ahead and put my earphones on. I listened to “Ghost in the Machine” by the Police. The songs were relevant.

Lunch was chicken in hot sauce. There was a nice little salad with moist green sprouts. Succulent!

I put the Sony A380 software in the computer. Maggie helped me to switch the program to the English language setting. I got the SD card back from Myoung and loaded the pictures. I watched a slide show of the pictures for about an hour.

I signed up for the Amherst College Shakespeare lecture series. I got a couple of phone numbers and a time in March. I mended some sunflower seeds, drank some hot cocoa and listened to U2 after making a play list of U2 18 Singles. I read the music while listening. I got a real kick out of that. Jeff and I shared a cab to sam dungee and ee dungee at 6 pm.

Dinner was left over pizza, fried chicken and oranges.

2-12-10

Friday

Today I got to CIFLE in the snow in a cab. I was there before 9 am. Mr. Cho wanted a meeting in the teacher’s room but Jonathan and Jeff weren’t there. So, we had the meeting a little later when they did arrive.

What did Mr. Cho want? Hard to say. . .he talked about getting the 4 day camp dialogues into a book. We saw samples of Incheon’s CIFLE (funny, we saw Gyounggki’s CIFLE on Wednesday) They had books called “Little Einstein,” “Little Picasso,” “Little Gaudi,” etc. . .what seemed like unimpressive workbooks Cho wanted to imitate.

We had lunch and it was good to see the ladies in the cafeteria after Wednesday in Pagu at the English Village.

In the morning I sent a lot of photos off to various staff members. Nearly everyone, except the cafeteria staff and the janitor, got pictures emailed to them. I was wearing the slippers mom had sent. They were really comfortable.

Gloria, Belle, Jeff and I played ping pong after lunch. We played five games to 21 and the girls won the last three. It was a great time!

We saw a lecture on LCC. The slide show had April in it. The teacher presenting was somewhat young, but a CIFLER, they said. The native teachers didn’t like the LCC idea for our 4 day camps, but Mr. Cho really wants it.

I went to the bank, forgot my passport, but it closed.

Scott D. and I video called for about an hour. Mom and I talked about an hour.

I ordered puzzles and U2 CDs.

2-13-10

Saturday

I slept in today. Last night I went to bed about 12:30 am. I remembered what mom said about cleaning my apartment, so I got a bit of motivation. I ordered Na Na Chicken for lunch, saved half of it in a plastic sealed container for dinner. It was 14,000 won and it was delivered very politely.

I cleaned my apartment for a few hours. I had no trouble with the washing machine. I did two loads. I washed my socks, underwear, pajamas and bath robe.

I took out the trash—that took two trips. I wanted to take my shirts to the dry cleaner, but they were closed. There was a nice lady taking Soleil off for the holiday. No big deal.

The kitchen was cleaned and I cleaned just about everything. I’ve got oranges in the laundry balcony to keep them cold. I must have eaten a dozen oranges so far today.

Read that Mark S. (on Facebook) had two early start days and golf with friends. The Afghanistan offensive is starting in earnest at this time (media reports).

I listened to U2 during the day, Fine Young Cannibals and some tunes I played in TEE.

2-14-10

Sunday

I slept until about 1:30 or 2 pm. I heard my cell phone ring, but I did not answer it since I don’t want to go to church today. I had decided that I probably would be better off resting on the weekend. Also, with Mrs. Kim leaving CIFLE in three months, I feel that it would be better not to meet with her at her husband’s church.

I ordered Domino’s Pizza for lunch (ate leftover pizza for dinner) that was delivered.

I didn’t do anything today—just showered and ate, rested and listened to music and surf the net. I also watched NASA TV.

I had originally planned to write the continuation of my novel, but really wanted the time to rest, instead.

I listened to Pretenders, Police and U2.

I watched BBC News, WSJ News videos, etc. . .

I sent an email to SocialGO support center to ask about why my site will not accept my blog posted from MS Word. They will get back to me tomorrow.

In the news, the US begins the Marjah offensive in Afghanistan. I don’t care about war, but it seems like big news.

2-15-10

Monday

I got out of bed near dinner time. I figured it is best to relax deeply on this holiday.

I cooked ramen and rice and ate it for dinner.

Then I went to the corner store for water, cola and cider.

I thought a lot about what to do next. Stay in Korea and get another position after CIFLE or go to Amherst and study at UMASS, or get my PhD in English. Or start my program over with mathematics, physics and computer science.

Then there’s the idea of traveling and teaching English in other countries like Hong Kong or Japan.

Then there’s what to do for Scott D. Should I hang out with him for a while?

I have a laptop, an electric guitar and clothes.

I need somewhere to go to, somewhere to teach, somewhere to live.

2-16-10

Tuesday

Today I got to CIFLE at 8:40 and saw Mrs. Kim as I entered the building. She resembled a cat caught in headlights, not at all as confident as she once seemed.

I had just sat down to my desk in the teacher’s room when the director, Ms. Chee, stepped in to say hello. She noticed that I was the only one there at the appointed start time. She was wearing her Korean dress and looked cheerful.

Mr. Cho later walked in, twice, in fact. I spent the morning listening to “The Sundays” and trying to get settled in. Peter needed to get caught up with the happenings. I gave him the LCC paper to copy.

At lunch it was Gloria, Gemma, Lexi and I. We ate a lot of rice, kimchee soup and fried zucchini.

I straightened and organized my classroom—many things left from the previous teacher that I didn’t want to throw away, but eventually did.

I got an email from Amherst Association of Japan—Professor Tawa will be in Tokyo for a March 20^th welcoming party.

2-17-10

Wednesday

I got up late—9 am. I got ready, took my shirts to the dry cleaner, got a taxi and was off. I arrived at CIFLE at 9:30 am.

Once there I talked with Peter a bit. After lunch we talked about books and stuff.

In the morning I got a letter (email) form Cathy R. She was my friend at Amherst who went to Harvard Law School. She’s now partner in a law firm.

Her letter was nice. She even attached a recording of her playing flute with a drum and classical guitar. She mentioned the ILS paper she wrote and I helped her with. I’ve told that story a thousand times.

After writing her a lengthy reply I talked with Peter about how I almost got to Harvard Medical School. Then we walked about writers and books. It was a nice talk.

At the end of the day Mrs. Kim emailed me with cool messenger. We went to the restaurant for dinner together, then to church.

Andrea Henderson had returned to church from her vacation in South Africa. I hadn’t brought my Bible Study lesson but will do that next week. After Na Ri, Andrea and I healed Mrs. Kim’s body from a fall, she said she felt better.

Na Ri and I went to talk for a while at Angels in US coffee.

2-18-10

Thursday

I got up at 9 am, an hour late. I got to CIFLE at about 10 am.

I gave Belle the video camera—the AIPTEK that I got from the USA—and I gave her its charging cord.

I went to the Planning and Curriculum Office and Mr. Cho wasn’t there at first. I saw Michelle and Myoung and gave them some drink packets, powder like Kool Aid that I got in the mail from mom. Later I was to find that they used the punch and lemonade flavors in hot water instead of cold. I guess I should have told them it should be mixed with cold water.

After lunch Belle, Peter, Mr. Cho and Jeff played ping pong.

I worked on my Math CBL article. I got notes from several math books, but most valuable was the Princeton Companion to Mathematics. I got information about the branches of math and spent the afternoon paraphrasing from the giant tome. It is almost ready to be written up in an article.

I left CIFLE with my slippers on but the taxi driver waited until I got back from changing my shoes. I had prepared for Michelle the Clinic and Pharmacy pages for student camp.

At home I got my shirts at the dry cleaner.

I ordered chicken and surfed the net for a while.

2-19-10

Friday

I woke up late and put on my Amherst golf polo shirt and pants. Lexi was waiting for a taxi and I got one and gave her a ride for free, as I usually do when we share a taxi.

At CIFLE I got to work right away on the Math CBL article. I typed and got it done—what a great article! I sent a copy to Sally and posted a copy to my internet blog. I emailed Professor Starr asking him to read it.

I tried to give Belle the silver heart pendant, but she couldn’t accept it. Maggie, instead, received it. She is leaving soon. She was very, very gracious in accepting it. She said she would always remember me and hoped I would pray for her sometimes. She was so sweet and nearly cried. Mrs. Kim then came upstairs to talk with them.

I gave Sally the string of pearls in apology for our argument. She seemed very doubtful that the pearls were real (they are cultured pearls), but eventually she accepted them saying “What a beautiful apology.”

Maggie, Debbie and I rode in Maggie’s car to the restaurant for Mrs. Kim’s dinner. Then we all went to Mrs. Kim’s housewarming party. I was the only foreign teacher there among all the Korean staff. Maggie drove me home and I talked to Scott D. and mom till 1:30 am.

2-20-10

Saturday

Today I got up at about 12 noon. I put on some shorts and a T-shirt (Amherst College purple).

Professor Starr edited my Math CBL article and attached it to me. He said I could easily omit mention of his help, but I think I might possibly write a little thank you.

Scott D. and I talked on Skype video phone for over two hours. He is so very earnest and persuasive. I really tried to get him in gear. If I didn’t have my heart set on getting my PhD at Cambridge University I would either do my PhD at UMASS Amherst or math BA there. If none of those, I’d go into business with Scott D.

I played “Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” for about half an hour. It’s coming along.

I ate pizza from Gut Pizza for lunch and for dinner I had Na Na Chicken. I have half of both waiting in the refrigerator for later.

I sent an email to Athena Press. I’ll not send an installment just yet. I’m going to support the publishing the Chinese translation in China with Amy.

Mom said she will get Skype set up today.

I will go to bed about 10:45 and wait for her call.

2-21-10

Sunday

Got up early today—9 am. I got dressed and went to church—the Pastor picked me up at 10:10 at the entrance. (I wasn’t sure if I’d get picked up). The dry cleaner’s store was closed. I thought “it is good she is resting—she’s so good to me.”

At church Andrea was there. She’s still complaining about the church service—she’s threatening to go to a church in Daejon. I told her she was one of the founders of this church—she was satisfied with that and said no more.

After church I came home by car with Mrs. Kim’s oldest son. I saw Peter walking near the university.

I changed clothes and went to see about gloves at the sporting goods store. They were closed—maybe it’s a tennis store anyway. On the walk back I checked my balance at the ATM. I bought a box of mandarin oranges. I carried them home. They cost 10,000 won.

At home I rested on the couch for a while. Scott D. called via Skype, but he couldn’t get Skype three-way. I told him I would talk to him later. After I ate my chicken dinner he called me back. He was tired and wanted to go to bed. He had wanted me to connect with his son.

I corrected my math CBL blog with Norton’s corrections. I watched some CNN news videos.

2-22-10

Monday

Mom called me just before the alarm went off and we video called using Skype (CJ had hooked it up for mom). Her camera was very clear and she looked in good health. It was a nice 15-20 minutes I talked to her until I had to tear myself away and get to CIFLE.

I got there about 8:50 and typed in my corrections for the math CBL and then sent the corrected copy to Sally.

Then, I got to work on the speaking article. I took about 3 hours to write and type it and then submit it to Sally. It was an article of high quality.

She gave everyone a copy of the book that the teacher trainers had put together. In it were essays they had written for us in my class. It was a great joy for me to see them. Sally really surprised me in a good way. Lately, I wondered about her appearance though.

Mr. Cho arranged a guest speaker from Berkeley in California who was trying to get an ESL certification course started in Korea soon. Her presentation was very informed and similar to the high quality presentations we are used to at CIFLE.

I traded some Facebook chat with Min Young—fun stuff.

At my apartment I just had a chicken dinner then listened to music for a while. I called mom by cell phone for a few minutes to see if she wanted to video call. She was sleepy, though.

2-23-10

Tuesday

I got up early. I got to CIFLE at 9:05 am.

I worked on my article on Drama Techniques. Got it done by 6:30 pm, but have to type it tomorrow. I really am getting into writing those EFL articles.

Michelle needed me to write a little form for the Hotel Venue. She wrote me a little cool message that she thought I was a very good teacher. I loved that.

We played “yut” in the cafeteria. I won three out of four matches to finish in third place in the individual. In the all-around we got eliminated. My prize was three boxes of Kleenex tissues.

I had played Ms. Chee to determine third and fourth place. I barely edged her out. I was sweating though as I really wanted her to win. Mr. Lee and I drank shots and moccoli together. It was a really great event and I thought about taking pictures, but it inhibits the natural action for the eyes.

Jeff waited for me to get a cab—he paid 2,000 won of the 3,000 won fare. Nice guy.

I watched David Letterman on the internet. It is getting me para-famous.

I helped Belle with an editing task. She’s wonderful. I like her best.

2-24-10

Wednesday

I got up and played Steely Dan music on my IPod. I got to CIFLE about 9 am.

I got some packages from Amazon, KOTESOL and a letter from Athena Press with a royalty check.

I received U2 CDs (“Pop” “All That You Can’t Leave Behind,” “U2 18 Singles”) That was what was in the Amazon package. Why is it that they always damage the jewel cases?

“Pop” has a really good mix of music, titles and lyrics that make me believe I’m the one they are singing to. I ripped the CDs to my three computers.

KOTESOL sent two copies of 2006 Proceedings. In it I noticed a pretty useful paper on typical Korean mistakes on English Grammar.

In the cafeteria the ladies were very sweet to me—so cute.

Jeff, Peter, Belle and I played four games of ping pong. I’m a bit sore from the pace of the exercise.

I typed the Speaking article and then sent it to Sally. She said that she’d like me to do a listening article—so, in the afternoon I wrote one, typed it and sent it to her. I’m very happy to be so productive.

Mrs. Kim and Maggie left so I could not go to Bible Study. I went home. I heard this morning that Mr. Cho will be leaving CIFLE.

2-25-10

Thursday

I got up at about 8:20 am and got to CIFLE about 8:50 am. Peter was there early as I walked into the teacher’s room.

I felt very hungry early in the morning. I read Kih Choi’s email Bible Study as I do every day.

I sent Mrs. Kim a cool message about not going to her husband’s church any more. We talked for a little while—under the eaves of her hallway exit door. She didn’t want the other supervisors to hear us since I was looking to get out of the church her husband operates. She said that she’s not leaving CIFLE, after all, that Mr. Cho was leaving. I was happy to hear of that, so I said I would be at church on Sunday. She said she checked out Wednesday for a doctor’s appointment.

Myoung gave us our pay statements. I might be able to save 5,000,000 won up to March 25 if I spend only 400,000 this month.

I shopped for golf stuff (I told Mrs. Kim I was going to start playing golf).

Set up Skype in my classroom. I may be able to hook mom up to my class via webcam to answer questions family for Culture Class. At the very least, during down time I can talk with her at a more comfortable time for her.

Maggie was acting very suspicious after I asked her for a ride. I had fried chicken for dinner after getting a cab from CIFLE to KB bank. I withdrew 400,000 won. A little more than 5,000,000 won total in my account so far. I watched Craig Ferguson Show on the internet. He’s pretty funny.

2-26-10

Friday

Today I got up and to CIFLE about 8:45 am. Got there and was the first one in.

I had brought my web cam and headset to set up Skype in my classroom so that I can talk to mom or Scott D. and not at crazy hours when I’m home in my apartment.

I got two letters from America. The first was a card for Mrs. Kim from mom and the second a note from Mike A., class of ‘90 secretary, looking for news. I wrote him a long email about what I am doing.

I wrote several chapters of my novel about childhood. It’s betting easier to get myself to write.

I got another webcam and headset at Hi-Mart—69,000 won for both.

I ordered pizza after getting bibimpap at the restaurant.

2-27-10

Saturday

Today Mr. Cho called me and asked if I could help him with a paper that needed editing. I was sleeping and it was about 10 am that he called. I told him I could be at CIFLE in a half hour, but he, instead said that he would pick me up at 3 pm.

I got up out of bed and began the day with a call to mom and a video call to Scott D. I found a seven carat Amethyst ring from Stauer on special sale—really cheap. Since I forgot her birthday I decided I would get her that ring for a late birthday present. It comes with a $100 gift coupon—I will order it on March 3rd.

I took out a lot of garbage. I got rid of the mandarin oranges that were rotting in the boxes. I saw a lot of children playing in the parking lot. I thought of my novel and what I remembered of Scott Spear.

I ordered a chicken with Cola for when Mr. Cho arrived, but he didn’t arrive. It was 3:30 pm so I walked to the store for a pack of garbage bags. While I was walking back I got his call. He had thought he said 4 pm. He picked me up in front of the GS 25 store and we went to CIFLE. I edited the paper for him. It was on a musical composition written by one of his friends. He didn’t seem very upset about leaving CIFLE. Mrs. Chae will take his place.

At the apartment I had a pizza and surfed the net.

2-28-10

Sunday

I got up even though I didn’t feel very good. I dressed in my suit and tie and waited for the Pastor to pick me up in the bus at 10:10 am. There seemed to be many people out and about around me, more than usual.

The Pastor had me sit behind him in the bus.

At church Mrs. Kim nicely translated for me. Today’s sermon was about humility. There was a cute little Korean girl that Mrs. Kim put in her lap. I saw how the little girl sat next to Mrs. Kim after that and it was a beautiful moment. I’m in good hands. Mrs. Kim is so—divine?

After church I went to KB bank and checked my balance and got 1,000,000 won out of my account. I’ve got 4,000,000 still in.

I went to the grocery store and shopped for food. I’ve decided to save money by cooking.

I made a pie chart to save for the publishing of my next book. But, I’ll wait to place the installment until I know if I’m renewed or not.

I decided to use the T-shirt painting I did at the English Village as the cover design for a book. I’ll just attach it to an email to Athena Press.

Found my book on the Yahoo “We Read” website on the home page. Good for my ego. If I save well enough I can publish a book a year.

Chapter Nine

March

3-1-10

Monday

We had the day off today. I slept until about 4 pm. The IPod alarm went off and I listened to the Diana Ross music that came on.

I got up and tried to get motivated. Felt pretty much like an empty shell.

I made a bowl of rice, soy sauce and egg. A little later, a few hours later, I ordered a pizza and a large coke from Gut Pizza. I ate half of it and put the rest in the fridge until about bedtime.

I got a video call from Scott D. He was getting down to work, he said, on his fishing show.

I read and watched videos on the internet for a long time—feeling very bored.

I didn’t shower today, didn’t shave. I wore my pajamas and robe.

I noticed the weather outside was cold again, for the past few days we’ve warmer weather and I thought I might ride my bike into work tomorrow, but it may be too cold.

Today everything seems somewhat slow and depressed.

3-2-10

Tuesday

I got up at about 8:30 am and got ready. I arrived at CIFLE at 8:55 am.

At CIFLE I got on the Skype with mom. She was happy that Skype worked. We talked for about a half hour.

Then I found out about the conference meeting that introduced the four new people: Jennifer, Abeed (Monty), Susan and a new trainer. Ms. Chee gave them flowers. Susan gave us rice cakes she got as a gift.

I worked on my Prezi presentation for Drama Techniques article. It wasn’t as hard as I thought I would be, though. That took about an hour.

Lunch was terrible, mostly rice and soup.

I listened to U2 for part of the afternoon. Jennifer introduced herself to me. I gave her the password for the middle computer, but it was Monty’s.

At the end of the day I got my package from Myoung—the puzzles, I think.

I got a cab home—too cold to ride my bike this morning. I got my shirts from the dry cleaner. I ordered Na Na Chicken for dinner. I ate rice, soy sauce and egg with it. I saved half for later. I watched a lot of videos—funny stuff.

3-3-10

Wednesday

I got up at 8:35 am and rushed to get ready. I forgot to put on my watch (I noticed that while getting a cab).

At CIFLE I ate four oranges I had put in my pockets at home.

We had our monthly meeting in the conference room. At 10 am, Ms. Chee had distributed a poem by Mother Theresa.

I then attended a meeting with Mrs. Chae, who took Mr. Cho’s place in the administration. She wanted an 8:50 am daily meeting but Lexi and Jonathan were set against it even though they’ve got less than a month to go. I didn’t say much except that when Mrs. Chae spoke about her email address she alluded to her beauty and I said that I agreed that she was certainly beautiful.

After lunch I worked on my Prezi for the Math CBL. I also asked Ms. Chee some questions about religion. When I asked her ring size she seemed to get a bit shook up. It was a nice little talk.

The Bible Study went okay. I’m starting to realize something about Jesus. My first Bible Study, John 8:1-30, Andrea, Mrs. Kim and I had dinner before the meeting. I paid the bill. At the end of my Bible Study Andrea read Psalm 139. It was so relevant!

3-4-10

Thursday

It was a good day. I got to CIFLE at 8:45 and Mrs. Chae chatted with me a bit before anyone else arrived. She served us pomegranate.

I got to work on my Prezi presentations. I did Prezi’s for Speaking and Listening. That took me about 3 hours.

We had two meeting, one with Michelle at 10:30 (I took notes on the new log book Myoung gave me and later wrote minutes for Michelle’s meeting and sent it to Ms. Chee, Mrs. Chae and Mrs. Kim.)

We played ping pong with the new guy Monty (Abeed), and we had fun—Scott E., Jeff, Monty and I. Peter showed me how to download images. I’ll use it tomorrow for my Prezi on Writing.

Scott invited me to see Alice in Wonderland by Tim Burton. Many South Africans were there.

Jennifer asked me some questions and I helped her. She plays clarinet and wants to play Beatles songs with me.

I had a chance to order an Amethyst ring from Stauer for mom’s birthday. I also ordered a couple of books, Robert’s Rules of Order and Rolling Stone’s 500 Rock Songs for guitar.

3-5-10

Friday

I got to CIFLE at about 8:40 am. We had the morning meeting with Mrs. Chae. I brought seedless oranges for everyone while Mrs. Chae brought little crunchy rice squares.

I spent the early part of the day making a Prezi for the “On Writing” article I wrote. Peter had shown me yesterday how to download images from Google Images and I got a line of pictures of the writers and poets in my article: Guy de Maupassant, Gustave Flaubert, Emile Zola, Flannery O’Connor, Elizabeth Bishop, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, David Foster Wallace, Dan Brown, Scott Turow, Theodore Baird (Professor of English at Amherst College), Joseph Brodsky and I.

During the day Jennifer sat next to me trying to get to know me. Until Lexi leaves she’s got to share the computer with Monty next to me.

Monty’s room is really decked out with wall visuals, etc. . . He is an elementary school teacher with a degree in it.

Belle and I played ping pong against Mr. Shim and Susan. Belle and I won the first two but lost the last one. Mr. Shim is really good.

I got a cab home.

At home I tried to contact mom via Skype, but it won’t make a connection.

3-6-10

Saturday

I slept until about 4 pm. I was so tired.

I went to the convenience store and got some grape juice, orange juice, water, candy bars, cookies, and ice cream cones. I gave the two little girls there a couple of chocolate bars.

I spent most of the day reading stuff on the internet and watching news videos.

I got to bed about 11 pm, but, since nothing was going on, I did laundry before bedtime.

3-7-10

Sunday

I intended on going to church today, but when my alarm went off, I was so very tired that I didn’t have the energy to get up. Then, the Pastor called and I could only manage to say that I was sick.

I must have a cold. As the day wore on (I got up at about 2 pm) I ate chicken delivered (saved half for later) and Mrs. Kim called, eventually.

I told her I would get a cab to night service.

I cleaned the dishes and hung up the clothes from the cold wash.

I made it to church eventually, and the Pastor went over the lesson (Psalms). He asked Mr. Nam for his opinion and then asked me for mine.

When I got home I got a Facebook message from Amy, the Chinese girl.

She said she would see me on Sunday.

Mrs. Kim told me she was going to Principal training and is looking forward to getting her own school. She asked me to come with her. I just might.

I ate left over chicken for dinner. I went to bed about 10 pm.

3-8-10

Monday

I had not slept well, a bit of a cold. But, I got a cab and arrived at CIFLE. Angie had just arrived in a cab before me and greeted me with a hug—Welcome back!

At CIFLE we had our morning meeting with Mrs. Chae. She’s so tall and thin! Anyway, pretzels and sweet potatoes that Gemma brought.

We had a meeting in the conference room with Mr. Shim. Scott E. sort of took the reins on that one.

We had lunch

I began practicing “Yesterday” by the Beatles. It was really good to learn that song, I’ve heard it for almost all my life. It requires down-tuning of all the strings, the chords are difficult and there are many quick changes.

We then had a meeting with Sally at the auditorium. All the Korean teachers and foreign teachers (except Scott E.) were there to practice our ice-breaker. I’m the doctor in the skit/song.

At the end of the day, Angie took a cab with me to the apartments.

I was so tired. I ate some mondu and rice and kimchee, I then went to bed. It was about 7 pm when I went to bed.

3-9-10

Tuesday

I got up really early, about 5 am, since I went to bed last night really, really early (about 7 pm). I have had a bad head cold.

I ate a couple of hard boiled eggs for breakfast. I then got a taxi, then into CIFLE at about 8:30 am.

Mrs. Chae had her meeting with us. TGIF was officially changed to TGIT (Thank God It’s Tuesday). We guessed other variations when Mrs. Chae asked us to guess the change. (Thank God I’m Tall was my guess).

Michelle had her meeting at 10 am with KT and NT. Gareth sat next to me at the meeting, but didn’t seem to have a lot scheduled for the 4 day camps.

I let Gareth listen to “Peace on Earth” by U2 where his name “Gareth” is mentioned. He thought it was cool.

I got some medicine and cold herbal drink form the training and evaluation people, the computer lady.

I needed to sleep after lunch. I went to the EEC Clinic and slept for three and a half hours. Scott E. welcomed me back to the Teacher’s Room with a loud “Good Morning!”

I showed Gareth where the security guard was.

I got a cab to town and bought three sets of earphones/speakers for the new teachers since it is Jennifer’s birthday.

I talked to Scott via video call. I then talked to mom.

3-10-10

Wednesday

I woke up and got ready. There was snow two inches thick on all the cars and on the ground. I got to CIFLE early.

Mrs. Chae didn’t arrive early enough due to the snow for a morning meeting.

I gave Monty, Jennifer and Gareth the earphones I got them for a welcoming gift. Thursday is Jennifer’s birthday. She gave me a big, warm hug of appreciation for the gift.

I got on Skype and talked to Scott D. for a while from my classroom. Later, Jennifer knocked on my room door and I introduced her to Scott D. on Skype. (She said he knew the right things to say)

I practiced “Yesterday” and eventually played it for Angie who said she liked my upbeat version.

I gave Monty and Gareth a copy of The Isle of Yoo inscribed. They seemed to like it.

Mom’s package with the sunflower seeds, poetry book from the American Academy of Poets, and a couple of other things arrived.

Mrs. Kim and Andrea and Sung Duk and I ate dinner at a restaurant. We then went to Bible Study. Na Ri brought three girlfriends from school. After Bible Study I took the girls to a coffee shop. I was especially nice to the tall one. We might play badminton on Saturday.

I talked to mom. She is looking forward to visiting Korea. I’m trying to convince her to live in Korea.

3-11-10

Thursday

I got to CIFLE on time.

It is Jennifer’s birthday today, so she got a cake from CIFLE. I was surprised by a request to take pictures of the party, but I found that my camera battery had run out. So, I tried to use my camcorder, but found that it isn’t possible to download the video.

Later in the day I copied the materials from the Clinic and Pharmacy. It was a large stack of handouts.

In the morning I read the poems in How to Live on Bread and Music. It is a great book of poems.

Later in the day I typed in a few more chapters of my novel. I did it on the SocialGO website.

I got to the apartment. I ordered fried chicken delivery and had that for dinner.

I went to bed early, about 7:40 pm.

3-12-10

Friday

I got to CIFLE on time, about 8:45 am. Mrs. Chae had her meeting with us.

I spent most of my day drinking water with the powdered drink mom had sent last week.

Scott E. gave us a class in using the movie maker software and the camcorders.

There was some sort of gathering of many important men on campus. At lunch, the cafeteria was full. We native teachers had a table and joked around and talked.

On the computer I watched a lot of news videos. I saw a story of CRN’s who make more than family physicians. Have been thinking about nursing school if things don’t work out with teaching English.

My books arrived—Robert’s Rules of Order and Rolling Stone’s 500 Best Songs.

Sally had a meeting to discuss the summer session of TEE. She has changed it to two two-week sessions where we would repeat our classes in the second session.

At home I ordered pizza and read the first two parts of Robert’s Rules of Order. I talked to mom briefly.

I went to bed about midnight.

3-13-10

Saturday

I slept till noon but lingered in bed till about 1:30 pm.

I took a shower and got dressed and walked into town. I had dolsot bibimpap at the little restaurant.

I then waited for a haircut at the hairstylists for about a half hour, but when she served a lady who walked in and ignored me, I just left.

There were many people out on the streets. I guess the weather is a bit warmer is why.

At home again I ordered fried chicken, delivery.

I then listened to the music I have of the Rolling Stone’s music book and read the music with the songs. I was surprised to see how many good or great songs I have.

I’m thinking about getting new glasses.

I picked up my shirts from the dry cleaner.

I bought some soda and ice cream cones and candy bars from the convenience store.

3-14-10

Sunday

I got up at about 9:10 am and took a shower.

I got a call from Mrs. Kim. She told me I left my Amherst “muffler” (as she called it) at the church.

I waited for the Pastor in his bus. We picked up Na Ri, Amy and a Vietnamese woman.

At church, Mrs. Kim was there.

We had soup, rice and kimchee.

I got a bottle of rare Chinese liquor from Amy. She said it was from her home town in China. She had brought a little white dog to church.

Once home, I took out the trash. I went to get a haircut. The lady’s shop was empty.

I went to Davich Eye Glasses for a check-up and replacement lenses (had to scramble back to my apartment for my other lenses). Total cost for 2 sets of lenses? 100,000 won. They will be ready for pickup on Friday or Saturday. I then went to Hi-Mart and got some electronics wipes.

There is a neighbor upstairs moving out.

I ordered chicken after Skype video call with Scott D. We talked about an hour and a half.

I watched a lot of Craig Ferguson show videos on line.

3-15-10

Monday

I got up on time and got into CIFLE as just a hint of rain had me refiguring the Mission Impossible game.

I brought five mandarin oranges with me to the teachers’ room. Mrs. Chae asked me what I was doing when I was changing the outside stops for inside only for the MI game.

The lobby was filled with children, nearly a hundred elementary school children.

Angie emceed the opening meeting. She did a fine job. We all remarked about how well she did.

I took a lot of pictures during ice breakers. My camera’s SD card filled up—don’t know how—switched to memory stick—more pictures.

The Mission Impossible activity had the students running all over the building. They were cute, breathing hard and red in the face. (Yahoo announced that the actor who played Jim Phelps on the original Mission Impossible television show died today).

I had to play the spelling game and sing BINGO when we had so much time left over. They liked the spelling game.

For performance, Gloria was strangely asking me what they would do for performance. “On Top of Spaghetti” I decided on. We practiced it for a while.

At home I had pizza for dinner. I had Steely Dan to listen to.

It’s nice to be active again at CIFLE.

3-16-10

Tuesday

I stayed late at CIFLE. We had arts and crafts. Jeff yelled really loudly at the group of children, making them silent and visibly frightened. By the third time he did this, I realized he was enjoying it.

I said to him “Christ, Jeff!” hoping he would get the hint, but he would continue to do it the next day.

3-17-10

Wednesday

Got to CIFLE today and taught three Clinic and Pharmacy classes with Gloria and two Mission Impossible classes.

The Mission Impossible classes went well. I put signs up instead of hiding envelopes. The children were happy with me and my classes.

Between classes I stopped off at my desk in the teacher’s room. I spent an hour listening to U2 18 Singles and reading the music. Scott E. asked about borrowing the book.

The students make me think that I would have been happier growing up Korean, in Korea.

The “Tonight at CIFLE” show was lacking the magic of previous shows. But my group doing “On Top of Spaghetti” seemed to enjoy themselves.

At the BBQ party it was snowing. A few students wore no jackets. Two notable girls who were my favorite students didn’t wear a jacket. I realized that my coat was warm and dry.

Cab with Peter—he had his accordion.

3-18-10

Thursday

Got to CIFLE pretty early thanks to Abeed (Monty) who saw me and Gareth and offered us a ride. The car was covered in snow and he brushed it off with his snow brush.

At CIFLE I had just the morning sessions of the last 4 day camp day. We had academic carnival. Angie emceed the Star Quiz. Scott E. emceed the talk with teachers. My camera had filled its SD card and Memory stick, so I wasn’t able to take any more pictures. But after the Star Quiz the students gathered for a photo. It was great to see the honored students get their pictures. Then we all had lunch.

After lunch we all wound down in the teacher’s room. I listened to “U2 18 Singles” and read the music.

I was worked up about Jeff’s yelling at the students when we had a teacher’s meeting. Jeff started saying the kids were running around and destroying everything. I took exception to that. The teachers were surprised by my passion, they said.

After the meeting I asked to have a word with Jeff. I tried to explain to him that his yelling was wrong. He tried to justify the use of such yelling. To illustrate my point I yelled at him suddenly, not expecting it, he flinch. I had made my point. If my yelling at him frightened him enough to jump, what kind of effect was his yelling having on the sensitive young children? I said I would see Ms. Chee about his yelling.

I got a cab home. At home I ate a pizza. I went to bed early.

3-19-10

Friday

I got to CIFLE at exactly 8:50. Mrs. Chae arrived to have our meeting. Mr. Shim stopped in. The chatter in the teacher’s room didn’t betray any thought of opposition to me and what happened at the meeting or with Jeff’s yelling. Johnny was much livelier, which only betrayed that a plot was stirring.

I loaded SCRABBLE and Chess in the computer and played a game of SCRABBLE, beating the computer badly.

I met with Ms. Chee. I told her about Robert’s Rules of Order and gave her that book as a gift. She gave me a cup of tea. I started talking to her about my recent problems with Jeff. I described Jeff’s yelling and my yelling at him, in private, to stop him from yelling.

I talked to Scott D. on Skype video.

I got a cab home. I ordered a pizza and ate half of it. I walked to Davitch Eyeglasses. The nice optometrist made my glasses right there. They gave me popcorn and a soft drink. I gave the fellow one of my business cards and he gave me one of his. I could see business had picked up.

At home I did the laundry. I dropped off clothes to be pressed—my suits. I talked to Scott D. awhile on video call. Mom had called earlier to let me know there was no brain tumor in her system.

Mrs. Chae asked about Facebook.

3-20-10

Saturday

On this day I got up at about 9:30 am.

The morning was cold and I ordered some fried chicken delivery because the pizza restaurant was not answering the phone.

I spent most of the day typing my new chapters of the novel, my first, that I’m working on.

After typing all day I posted it on the blog and erased the old version from the blog.

I did some laundry.

I went to the convenience store and bought three liters of water. I also gave a candy bar to their little girl at the store.

I stopped off at the dry cleaners. I carried the suits, shirts and overcoat to my apartment just as my strength was giving out.

I went to bed early and listened to U2 on my IPod before falling to sleep.

3-21-10

Sunday

I got up at 9:00 am. I got dressed and went to wait for the bus for church. Once I got there I waited for the bus for church, but the call came from Mrs. Kim saying that her son would pick me up in the white car.

At church Andrea and I hardly talked. A beautiful yoga instructor named Olivia was new to church. I wanted to see her beautiful face. She was very beautiful and I told her so.

I asked Amy, the Chinese girl, if she had translated any of my poetry. She became sad after that.

Amy and Olivia sat with the men for lunch at the church.

I went with Amy and Olivia, in Olivia’s car, to the Coffee Bean. We talked for about an hour. Amy bought the drinks. Olivia had lemonade and I had café latte.

The conversation went mostly between Olivia and I.

At home I wrote the last 6 chapters of my novel. Then I edited it. Not sure if I should post it. Scott D. video called. It was a great conversation. Susan S. contacted me on Facebook. She was happy to reconnect. I hadn’t seen her since the volleyball tournament at MIT.

I went to bed about 9:45 pm.

3-22-10

Monday

I woke up about 8:30 am, a little late. I dressed, did not shave and got a taxi as fast as I could. I got to Mrs. Chae’s morning meeting a few minutes late.

I quietly enjoyed the knowledge that I had written a great story. I thought more about the yoga teacher.

At registration I was particularly able and kind. I took a lot of pictures of the day’s activities. Debbie guided the students to their dorms. I got pictures of that part.

Mission Impossible was a big success. I had two classes. The first went especially well. The second was passable.

Gloria got me out of performance. She actually said she would teach a skit instead of me. So I got a free hour since I taught performance last week.

I volunteered to video the “Tonight at CIFLE” on Wednesday night—Angie sent me a cool message regarding that.

Taxi home—pizza for dinner. I watched some video of Obama’s speech about the health care bill’s passage.

3-23-10

Tuesday

I was a long day and I got to CIFLE just as the morning taxi was ready to pick me up. I got to CIFLE at 8:30 because I had to make sure the Mission Impossible signs were still up.

Mostly, the day was spent teaching with Gloria and doing Mission Impossible. I think the students were getting to like me and many were admiring the Korean art in the back of my room. They would feel the gold on paper and think of how valuable it is.

Travis, the new guy, sat in the chair where Jonathan sat and we said some good things to him to welcome him aboard.

I didn’t take many pictures until the afternoon. And, in the evening I took pictures of the students doing arts and crafts. Peter, Travis and I headed up the arts and crafts activity. I had to borrow two jewelry kits from the team upstairs. Jeff was kind enough to make the loan of the jewelry kits.

I got home late—after 9:00 am. Angie and I rode with Monty (that saved me cab fare).

I talked to mom and she was so happy for me. I talked to her about her problems with Janet and Richie. She started to cry a bit. I told her I would fly her to Korea as soon as I could.

3-24-10

Wednesday

This morning I woke up very late—I got to CIFLE about 9:01 am. I apologized to Mrs. Chae and got right to the classroom. Gloria was there and hadn’t started yet. She gave me a little grief, but just seemed like a little cold shoulder.

I went through the day a bit hard on the students. I so much want them to succeed. They are so cute and adorable. The boys play a lot, which is good.

Jonathan was back in his chair and I felt bad for Travis. Travis reminds me of my little brother Jim-Jim. I even told Travis that. He didn’t seem to mind the admission.

I saw Mr. Cho today. He came to CIFLE and said hello to Jennifer and I in the teacher’s room. I think he was doing well. He greeted us warmly.

I listened to “The Sundays” and watched Tina Chang’s video “The Birth of a Poem.” It was nice.

Gloria had been taking the performance classes for me. She got the students to perform “You are my Doctor.” (to the tune of “You are my Sunshine”).

The BBQ party was a big success! I taped “Tonight at CIFLE” for Angie. She will download it tomorrow.

I got home and went to town to get Travis his earphones. I talked to Ruby Emo and she said she was reading my book “The White Door.” She loves it.

3-25-10

Thursday

I got up and to CIFLE on time. Mrs. Kim saw me on the side of the road and picked me up. She gave me a ride to CIFLE. She said it was so nice to see me on the road and to give me a ride. I really like her a lot. I have missed her.

At the teacher’s room I gave Travis the gift of a set of headphones. But Jonathan was still at the computer and Travis was left waiting around.

It was closing day for the 4 day campers. I took a lot of pictures. Angie sent me the video’s of the performances. I sent them to all the supervisors, etc. . .via cool messenger.

They served spaghetti for lunch.

The day was good. Peter organized the props and sports equipment. I did the trash for Debbie.

I went to the bank. I bought a memory stick from Hi-Mart for the camcorder. I bought some bananas. I bought some bread and peanut butter from Paris Baguette. I had dosolt bibimpap. I had a banana split at Baskin Robbins. I got fitted for a Korean hambuk for 250,000 won.

At home I listened to REM on Grooveshark.com. Monty gave me the web address. I got a question form Chloe at Athena Press.

I went to bed at 9 pm.

3-26-10

Friday

I got to CIFLE on time.

I used grooveshark to do a little play list making. I worked on being a bit reserved today.

We practiced our job performance for the one day camp. We had pom-poms (for the others without roles for the job performance skit). It was a lot of laughs.

Scott, Jennifer, Gareth and I jammed a bit. We played “Danny Boy” and “Imagine” and did a little Blues. I was so happy to jam that I gave Scott one of my Jazz Fake Books. He was smiles after that.

Susan S. sent me an email and I wrote her back. Chloe from Athena Press also sent an email.

We had a meeting with Mrs. Chae, we got our foreign teacher handbooks—I had helped in editing it.

Gareth and I played ping pong. I showed him a bit of how to slam.

I spent much of the afternoon using grooveshark.com to make a play list matching my Very Best of the Eagles and Rolling Stones 500 books.

Today, the Republic of Korea’s ship, the Cheonan, was sunk.

I had leftover chicken for dinner and some bread and cream cheese.

3-27-10

Saturday

I got up at about noon.

I ordered pizza after finishing making my play list for grooveshark—The Rolling Stones 500.

After the pizza (saved two slices for later) I made a list of things I had to do today. I took a shower and dressed. Then I walked into town.

In town I first went to KB bank to get some money. I got 300,000 won out of my account and that leaves 6,099,000 won.

I bought a broom.

I bought some water with my change. The lady at the convenience store had a friend there.

I dropped 5 shirts to be pressed and the lady ironed a 5,000 won bill for me. I thought it was funny and we laughed.

I got a message on my phone from the seamstress. She wanted to know if she could use a different color for the hambuk. I said okay (I walked to her shop in person).

I took out the trash.

I did my laundry.

I ordered fried chicken for dinner.

I made some playlists—Erasure, Sugarcubes, Kansas, Seals and Crofts, Bruce Hornsby, Last Emperor Soundtrack.

I went to bed at about 11:15 pm.

3-28-10

Sunday

I felt good today. I got up at about 9:15 and took a shower. Last night I wore the leather cross that Gloria gave me when we were first friends. When I got ready to take a shower, there was a redness that flushed my face and V-neck chest area. We (Scott D. and I) called it a “stigmata.”

I got picked up by the Pastor in his bus for church. Amy or Olivia weren’t there.

After the service, Mr. Lennon took me to the store where I got a 10 kg bag of rice and containers, eggs, and a few other things.

Later I went to the store and got a dish rack and some dishes since I’m going to afford this month’s food by making it.

I listened to grooveshark.com. I talked to Scott D. about two hours on Skype—also found a share button that I installed on the computer for Facebook.

I discovered (re discovered) Joan Osborne and made a play list with every song I could find. I made 7 or 8 play lists of her alone. It’s perfect. Her songs are perfect. I posted her “St. Theresa” on Facebook with the share button.

3-29-10

Monday

I got to CIFLE on time. We had a one day camp. I had an hour to prepare my materials for Clinic/Pharmacy with Susan. I made about 100 copies of 3 pages from the book proofs.

The children showed up in buses, but I did not use my camera. I sort of got hinted that the others would take pictures. I didn’t mind.

The children, about 97 of them, were 4th graders of the surrounding areas. They seemed less well prepared.

I ran both clinic and pharmacy with Susan’s help. I was a bit worn out at the end of the day. At opening ceremony we did job performance. I played doctor all day, too. Most of my classes ran through the break. The children got vitamin C candies.

At Star Quiz they were not very well prepared. So we decided to make it easier. We will have Star Quiz on Wednesday and Friday.

I got a KOTESOL magazine in the mail. Many of the articles reflected my thinking. I didn’t boast, though.

At home I got an email form Mark S. at Athena Press. I decided to publish my first novel and his emails were encouraging. I told him that tomorrow I would send the first installment. I would also send a signed copy of the contract I downloaded.

3-30-10

Tuesday

I woke up at 9:05 am. I would be late, but did not call ahead. When I got to CIFLE about 9:45, Mrs. Chae was on a business trip. I told Michelle I would be out in town after lunch. I also told Sally that.

I listened to Joan Osborne and Cowboy Junkies on grooveshark.com. It was a quiet, downtime sort of day.

Joan Osborne’s “Relish” is a pretty good roadmap of the situation at CIFLE, at least for me.

At the bank, Mrs. Cho did my international transfer of $1,400 which cost me, in total 1,630,939 won.

I then went to the University Post office to send the contract to Athena Press.

Back at CIFLE, more preparation. I made copies of an easier set of pharmacy dialogues. Michelle had a meeting with us at 2 pm, for gifted 4 day camp. Jeff said he would set up the T-shirt painting.

I read the first article of KOTESOL Magazine. It mentions EPIK rather off-handedly.

I wrote a lesson plan for Mission Impossible for Michelle.

At my apartment I ate dinner. Olivia called me and invited me to her Yoga place. We talked a little. She wants to learn golf with me. I have a dinner date with her tomorrow at 6 pm.

3-31-10

Wednesday

Today I got to CIFLE on time. It was drizzling all day and I had forgotten my umbrella at CIFLE yesterday.

We practiced our opening ceremony job performance for about an hour with Sally in charge.

The children were numerous. They were elementary 4th to 5th graders. Susan and I taught Clinic/Pharmacy and it went pretty well. The children liked the vitamin C and band aids.

I had a meeting with Olivia for today at 6 pm. I arrived about 5 minutes early at her Yoga place. She had dozens of people lying and relaxing on the mats and whispered for me to wait. I waited downstairs.

We went to a coffee shop/bakery called “Mellow.”

I asked her if she would like to vacation with me when I have one coming. I talked about the Bahamas, she asked about Las Vegas. I said I would buy her dinner and teach her English. We meet tomorrow at 6:30 pm and will go to Berkeley restaurant/hof.

I walked with her beneath her huge umbrella.

I think I practically love her. She’s 27 and I’m 47. I’m old enough to be her father.

I received the author checklist in an email from Athena Press.

They received the first installment.

I ordered Evelyn Waugh books and Christopher Sykes biography of Evelyn Waugh sent to mom’s house.

I talked to mom.

Chapter Ten

April

4-1-10

Thursday

I got up off the couch at about 3 or 4 am. I had fallen asleep on the couch after my date with Olivia. We had talked about taking a vacation to Las Vegas. I didn’t sleep well.

I got to CIFLE early and had taken a cab there. All day it was wet and drizzling.

I listened to grooveshark.com. I met with Susan and discussed the one day camp coming up tomorrow. Everything is ready.

“The readiness is all,” as Hamlet said.

Mrs. Chae had a little guessing game—what’s in the bag? I guessed “chocolate” and it was vitamin C.

We had a meeting or TEC with Mr. Shim. Half the teacher had not been on a TEC. My language game—the spelling game—I showed to Travis who will be my teaching partner at TEC.

At 6 pm I took a cab to the dry cleaner and got my shirts. I then checked my emails and took my umbrella for a 6:30 dinner date with Olivia.

Olivia and I went to Berkeley (a restaurant) and she wanted to learn a little about count and non-count nouns. She ordered the rice pizza. I had the cordon bleu. We then went to Baskin Robbins. She asked me if I had money. I said I was not wealthy. I said I was just a good teacher and writer. Amy walked by the Baskin Robbins. She had the shooting star and I had the mint chocolate chip. Date tomorrow at 6:30 pm, we three again.

4-2-10

Friday

I got to CIFLE at about 8:40 am, very early.

We had a one day camp. I really hustled and tried hard, and Sally and the others noticed my hard work. I taught Clinic/Pharmacy, as usual. Susan was a great help—I told her so. Not much break time.

We had about 100 students and 4 of them were mentally handicapped, but were accompanies by special teachers and other students. I said it was a very good thing to see the unfortunate students being cared for.

Mrs. Kim returned to CIFLE. She had done her 2 weeks principal’s training.

After being allowed to leave at 5 pm by Sally, I got ready to meet Amy and Olivia for dinner.

We went to the little Japanese style restaurant and I had the usual dolsot bibimpap. They had the same and some U-dong noodles. Amy was troubled at seeing Olivia and I together before—vexed by our liking one another.

We had Baskin Robbins ice cream cones and talked over upcoming plans to have lunch next week.

At home I went to bed early, feeling tired. Mom called, Jim-Jim and family had come to Clearwater beach to visit her. She said she was sending stuff.

4-3-10

Saturday

I got up today pretty early for a Saturday.

I tried to call Na Na Chicken for delivered lunch, but they didn’t answer, so I called Gut Pizza.

I decided, since it was such a sunny day—and less cool, to see if the flowers were blooming and try to get some photos of flowers. Well, I walked to the river and on the way found some white flowers outside a flower shop for the best photo of the day.

I also got some pictures of red flowers by the river walk. On the walk I got to sit behind a new 24,000,000 won Sonata. It was nice. I gave my card to the dealer there, he gave me his card. It would be nice to get mom a silver one like the one I sat behind today.

I also checked out Hi-Mart. Then the sports shop where I thought about getting some baseball gloves, or a ping pong paddle. I bought a bunch of bananas for 4,000 won and some bread at Paris Baguette for 1,000 won.

I had a peanut and jelly sandwich at home and a banana. I then watched some video on WSJ, CBS (David Letterman) and the Masters at Augusta. I ordered Na Na Chicken and saved half for later.

I found a way to watch the Masters on line on April 8th. Can’t wait!

I called Mrs. Kim earlier in the day. She was coloring Easter Eggs!

4-4-10

Sunday

I got up early for church. I wore my suit and tie with a white shirt.

As I walked outside to wait for the church bus, it turns out that it was already there and just about to leave. I scampered up the driveway to get it.

Mrs. Kim translated the service for me. Angie, Andrea, Olivia, Amy, Annett and Joy (a physics teacher, new to the area) were among the international group there. The Pastor had me light the candle at his lectern. The sermon reminded me of Ray-daddy and I wept. Mrs. Kim comforted me a bit. We had seaweed soup for the meal with fruits and cake. I was given three Easter eggs by the children.

Mr. Lennon gave Angie and me a ride home. Angie needed to go to DC Mart and I decided to go with her. We talked and shopped and walked home. Various things to talk about like issues at CIFLE. She concluded that I was a writer.

At home I felt rather tired from the “catharsis” at church. I called Scott D. via video phone and we talked for more than an hour. It was really late for him, but he comforted me a great deal. Scott D. was rather knowledgeable of Biblical things and I talked of how much I liked Olivia.

I ordered pizza from Gut Pizza. I decided to begin riding my bike and put my suits at CIFLE to change into.

4-5-10

Monday

I wanted to get up early and get an early start, even thought I would bicycle in early and change into my suit at CIFLE. No such luck—I got up so late I could only get dressed—no shower. I got to CIFLE exactly in time for Mrs. Chae’s meeting.

We had gifted 4 day camp to begin. So, it was a long day. We had a monthly conference meeting. Myoung and Angie got their awards and I noticed Mrs. Chae about running everything at CIFLE.

I set up Mission Impossible. It went well.

Performance went well with students being self-starters. But the remaining costumes are woefully inadequate.

After lunch, Belle, Susan, Mr. Shim and I played ping pong (doubles). It was an impressive match. Mr. Shim and I won two matches. Then Belle and I won the first but lost the next two. Susan was impressed with my playing. I got a bit overheated with my suit on. The children were all around.

We did T-shirt painting. That went really well.

I got the package with golf shoes in the mail along with two letters from Athena Press. One was a contract and the other an author’s checklist.

I signed up for information on Liverpool Masters in International Law.

I sat with Ms. Chee at dinner.

4-6-10

Tuesday

I had a pretty busy day at CIFLE.

I got to work by cab and paid with my coins. I think I gave the driver 100 won extra.

At CIFLE I taught Mission Impossible (the “run around the campus and then try to remember” game.)

The young students seemed to understand the game very well and I believe nearly every student completed the mission.

The children came back from the mission with heavy breath, completing the mission report very well, most of them.

They asked me to lay a tune on my guitar, so I played “Spagnoletta,” the Renaissance tune I know by heart.

I played “Horse with No Name” on another class, but couldn’t remember all the words. They applauded anyway.

I practiced playing “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” by the Bee Gees, but could not play it through smoothly because of the chords. I must check the chords in the Chord Encyclopedia.

It was video call with Scott D. today that lasted 2 hours.

In ping pong it was Belle and I against Travis and Mr. Shim. We won the first, but they won the next two.

4-7-10

Wednesday

This day Monty gave me a ride with Travis and Gareth. We got to CIFLE about a minute late for Mrs. Chae’s meeting.

It was the day for more Clinic and Pharmacy. Also there were two hours of rehearsal for the skits for performance.

It was Travis’ birthday. I gave him the earphones as a gift and he accepted them this time. I talked up my book and before CIFLE, on the ride to CIFLE with Monty, I talked about my manuscript “The White Door.” Travis asked for the blog site so that he could read it. I think he might be impressed.

On this day was Clinic/Pharmacy and Mission Impossible. There was also “Tonight at CIFLE” and the BBQ party. I got a lot of pictures. I tried to record “Tonight at CIFLE” on the camcorder, but found out it would not download its contents. I had given the camcorder to Sally a few weeks ago as a gift to CIFLE.

I talked with Ruby Emo for a while, but her phone cut out twice. I think it was Skype, she thought it was her cell phone.

I got home after 9 pm due to the overtime, as I did Monday and Tuesday. We had a great time at CIFLE this night, though we didn’t do the egg-drop activity.

4-8-10

Thursday

This morning I saw Travis at the parking lot near Gareth’s apartment, near Monty’s car. But, we were going to be late, so I took a cab, instead. The other, Monty, Gareth and Travis were a bit late for Mrs. Chae’s meeting

Today we did not have a Mission Impossible class. However, more importantly, we had “Talk with Teachers,” which was about a game of musical chairs and write on the back game.

We then had Star Quiz, which Angie hosted quite well. We had pictures taken, many came out very good (and I sent everyone at CIFLE photos via cool messenger).

Many of the students asked for email addresses. I gave some cards out, but Susan advised me to wait until after the certificates were given out to give my card out. But, they didn’t ask after the certificate.

We had a meeting at 4 pm with Michelle, but it went well. It was Monty’s birthday today and I gave him some math puzzles—the 10 wire puzzles I didn’t want to use in my lesson.

Pictures from the Luau came for my book, and my graduation picture.

Olivia called for talk over drinks at Mellow at 9:20 pm.

4-9-10

Friday

I got up at 8 am and took my shirts to the dry cleaner. I asked if the shirts could be ready tomorrow and she said “yes.”

At CIFLE Mrs. Chae was wearing a black outfit. She gave us little chocolate confections. She was confident and forthright and I was happy to see that I had not seemed to bother her much.

I read the first two thirds of Decline and Fall in the teacher’s lounge, of all places. It seemed really funny, for the most part.

At lunch I sat with Myoung. He talked about my talking with Mrs. Chae, sort of condescendingly. He also mentioned how big his feet were when he was young. His feet are big. His hands are very big, too.

I talked to Scott about the 4 day camp classes. We will be co-teaching.

I prepared for Monday’s classes.

I listened to Steve Martin on grooveshark.com. I was amazed by how it helped me think of my present situation—seemed to prefigure what I am going through now.

Got to Olivia’s work a little late as we had to share a cab—she wasn’t there though her car was parked in front. After I went home Amy called about lunch tomorrow noon.

I picked up my new Korean hambuk. It’s beautiful. I will get more Korean style clothes.

Finished Decline and Fall in the evening.

4-10-10

Saturday

Today I woke up early, about 9:30 am. I showered and got dressed. I wore my Amherst hooded sweatshirt and khaki slacks. Before I went to meet Amy and Olivia for lunch, I went to the dry cleaner to pick up my shirts.

I waited for quite a while at the yoga place, downstairs near the hambuk shop. I then saw Amy. She had come to fetch me.

We waited at the restaurant for Olivia who arrived after about 10 minutes. We three ate pork and rice sizzling over a hot grill. Olivia was wearing a white hooded sweatshirt. She looked beautiful.

Amy and I talked about the poetry once we had eaten. I told her I would support her on the translations publishing in China. (Later in the day I sent her an email for the NY Times Book Review article “Why Translations are Important”)

Amy had to go and study and Olivia and I talked about what to do. I suggested shopping and she said she wanted an MP3. We ended up getting a PMP (a little phone sized TV), though an item I’ve never thought of having: about 400,000 won. She had the receipt, in case it doesn’t work. She won’t be at church tomorrow since she is going to Seoul.

At home I ordered pizza, got some water, ordered chicken. I read a good number of Evelyn Waugh’s stories. I listened to Steve Martin.

I went to bed at about 11:15 pm.

4-11-10

Sunday

Got up and Mrs. Kim called to tell me we were all going to the fortress and I should wear my old jacket, which I was wearing, and a pair of comfortable shoes, which I was planning to wear.

Amy and Na Ri were at church and it was a nice service, as usual.

We had pork soup for lunch and after the others were driven home, I helped Na Ri teach some English there to the children at church.

We walked all around the hilly fortress. I was asked by Mrs. Kim to take a lot of pictures. She took some pictures of me, too.

Na Ri and I went to Coffee Bene house for a little talk. She was tired from her busy schedule and church work, and concerned about Mr. Lennon’s wrong ideas about his retarded son.

I bought her a blueberry waffle and I had a bagel and cream cheese.

Once home, I ordered a pizza (ate the leftover chicken before).

I listened to Joan Osborne, Ella Fitzgerald and the Rolling Stones. Read a lot of Evelyn Waugh’s stories.

4-12-10

Monday

I got up at 8:10 am and found Travis—we split a cab—he put in 1,000 won and I put in 2,000 won.

The 4 day English Camp began. I set up the Mission Impossible course and other preparations.

We registered the children. The MI classes went well. I adjusted the difficulty so they would have a better experience.

Opening ceremony was funny—I was told about the students by Scott E. that I was a “Doctor.” I could only laugh.

Scott E. and I worked on the performance class. The students seemed very unenthusiastic. Scott E.’s plan was pretty good. I watched as he presented the ideas and got the children working.

After dinner I decided to go home. No overtime today. Scott D. called me on Skype. He has something really important to tell me about his relationship with Sue S.

David Chang called me. We talked for a while. We got connected on Skype.

I talked to mom for a while. She is going to check out Korea to see if she can live here.

I found she wants me to write a book about her life.

I went to bed about 10 pm.

4-13-10

Tuesday

I got up at about 8 am. I wore my suit. As I walked toward the taxi area, Monty, Gareth and Travis were waiting by Monty’s car. I got a free ride.

At CIFLE we team taught, Scott E. and I. The children were either learning Mission Impossible (my version) or Clinic/Pharmacy. Scott E. did the pharmacy part—the children liked the venues.

Jeff was still sensitive about his loud voice and yelling (which I would like him to stop) and we heard him through the wall when he was yelling in the ping pong room.

For performance I got the students to sing a bit louder, as they used to to make the show great.

For arts and crafts the students mostly made jewelry. It was Travis, Jennifer, and I on the second floor and Jeff, Gareth and Monty on the third floor. Some of the girls made egg cages without parachutes and laughed about the impending results.

At 9 pm, Monty, Gareth, Travis and I rode together—they gave me a ride to ee dungee.

I talked to mom. She is flying here April 29th. She will bring my guitar, golf bag and Belle’s “Tinkerbelle” T-shirts.

4-14-10

Wednesday

Today I got to CIFLE a little early. Scott E. and I had a good time acting out stomach aches for the kids. He’s a pretty relaxed and relaxing teacher. I’m a bit more intense. I enjoy teaching with him. Of course, it would be nice to be relaxed with the students as he is, but I am, myself, relaxed in my way.

Mom called me, panicking about her trip to Korea and not being able to afford three months of her expensive medicine because of the donut hole of her insurance.

I talked to Mrs. Chae about not renewing my contract, but, I have been having second thoughts. It might have been my feeling tired that made me jump ahead like that, but I think I will, save it as a surprise, my renewal. As I rest in bed, I add up the dough and realize I should really try to hang on here at CIFLE.

Clinic/Pharmacy, Mission Impossible, Tonight at CIFLE, BBQ Party, all went well. I was asked to take pictures by Michelle—so I did.

At home I ordered a late dinner: chicken.

I got a package with Christopher Sykes’ Evelyn Waugh inside. It looks like a library book of some sort. I’ve got to send original pictures to Athena Press. Jeff went to pick up Belle, physically, shocking us all at the BBQ egg drop.

4-15-10

Thursday

This morning I got a cab with Travis. I got to CIFLE early.

We had closing ceremonies, picture taking, Star Quiz, and Talk with Teachers.

The students were very good. The tension with Jeff, though, was rough. He doesn’t even realize his booming voice is not a good way of teaching little children.

Pictures went really well. I sent, via cool messenger, pictures to everyone. I got a really great shot of Ms. Chee. The others were appreciative of the pictures, as well.

We went to the fortress and had lunch together across the street from it. I got many good pictures, even one of the ladies jumping in the air. Also, pictures of flowers (it’s spring). We then went to Gongju Museum.

I talked to mom a couple of times. She will bring a guitar and a golf bag for me.

I mailed photos and checklist to Mark Sykes at Athena Press, along with photos form the Luau (when I was 10 years old) as Chloe requested. I also gave Ms. Chee a card holder from the Museum. Mrs. Chae turned down the one I got for her.

I read the first chapter of Sykes book of the life of Evelyn Waugh. I got my hambuk.

I talked to Ruby emo.

I video called Scott D.

4-16-10

Friday

Got up early and got a ride in with Monty, Travis and Gareth.

At CIFLE I was wearing my everyday hambuk—the new one. We had about three meetings: one with Mr.Shim, one with Sally and one with Michelle.

I drank a lot of water in the afternoon to re-hydrate from the 4 day camp.

Lunch was meager. I avoided the fish soup.

For Mr. Shim, Travis and I thought we had to present our language game—“The Spelling Game” of my invention. But, instead they were more interested in our rehearsing job performance.

With Sally we were asking about our training session in the summer. Monty was having a difficult time with his schedule. He challenged me to a golf match—he said he was a 10 handicap.

In Michelle’s meeting we saw TEL program photos. I was asked to explain how photo zone and making a mini book would go.

I listened to music and read chapter 2 of Christopher Sykes’ Evelyn Waugh.

After a pizza, I went to the hair stylist for a haircut and color.

At home I listened to some Lisa Stansfield and Joan Osborne.

4-17-10

Saturday

I got up at about 2 pm. I showered and got dressed. I ordered a pizza and ate it with a Coke.

I checked my emails—nothing important.

I watched David Letterman’s monologues and Craig Ferguson monologues.

I went to Coffee Bene across the street and read a couple of chapters of Syke’s book on Evelyn Waugh. The life described is one that I seem to be nearly living myself—very odd.

At the café I had a new kind of beverage that tastes like wine but without the alcohol. I also had a bagel and cream cheese.

On my left were two couples dressed nicely on dates. I noticed that the girls and guys were university aged.

On the way back to the apartment I saw Travis. He said, jokingly, that he was going to look for girls. I said I was going to eat some leftovers for dinner.

Here in the apartment I talked to Mom for a while. She said she will send my guitar and golf bag and I will send her $1,000 in Traveler’s checks.

4-18-10

Sunday

I went to church. Mrs. Kim had called to ask me to bring my camera since Angie’s mom would be at church.

The Pastor in the bus picked me up. He came from the other way this time and five minutes early: 10:05 am.

Na Ri played the piano, but wasn’t as good as she usually is. She was getting some coaching from the Pastor, who I learned, had majored in music in college. He got his religious degree at 40 years of age.

Mrs. Kim translated the service for me.

My time after church I spent about 2 hours with Na Ri and her Vietnamese friend (a museum curator)

Na Ri was trying to fix me up. I appreciated it, but even if I were attracted to her, what hope would there be of any fun? I talked of Evelyn Waugh’s relation to my publisher.

At home I listened to music on grooveshark.com and talked to Scott D. on video call. I also talked to mom on the phone. She said she would be coming to Korea, after all. She’ll be bringing the stuff I asked for. I’ll pay for it and give her one million won.

I went to bed about 11 p m.

4-19-10

Monday

I wore my everyday hambuk again. Monty gave Gareth, Travis and I a ride to CIFLE. We listened to George Thoroughgood on his car CD player.

At CIFLE I listened to grooveshark.com and then I began to think of what to do for the summer session teacher training. I read and highlighted three Cambridge Press books—”Teaching English to Children,” “Task Based Instruction” and “Listening.”

I’ve got a pretty good handle on things. It should be possible to write more.

Mrs. Kim had a meeting. I think she wanted me to sit with her, but I sat with Debbie. But Mrs. Kim often has that disappointed look that comes across her face.

We then loaded the bus. I’m thinking now that we should not let the gals carry anything—as we are gentlemen.

I read a few pages of Waugh, his stories.

Monty gave me a ride home. Angie got the front seat (I gave it to her) and Travis and Gareth squeezed in on either side of me. Gareth and I joked a bit.

I walked into town—did not see a thick enough notebook. I bought three more everyday hambuks for 60,000 won each.

4-20-10

Tuesday

It was the first TEC today—Traveling English Camp. We left CIFLE and the bus was pretty quiet. Not snacks were given out by Mr. Shim, the one in charge of TECs now.

We went to a pretty rural elementary school. It was very rural: just an exit on the highway, really. Travis and I didn’t have anything to set up, but we had to put tables and chairs in the classroom we were assigned to. We then had lunch. The principal of the school, an ancient lady who looked face-lifted, interrupted my lunch seating. I thought, first, how rude it was, but the others assured me that it was just the seating arrangement.

Before classes started we had about an hour to look around. Jennifer and Peter played with the children on the slide and playground. The others went for a walk around the little town. Myoung, Gemma and I watched the children play. One boy got a funny boomerang type toy caught in a tree. I tried to reach it but couldn’t. Myoung used the broom and jumped to get it free.

Myoung took pictures all day for me. They were really good pictures. But, most of all, he was nice to try so hard and get the toy down from the tree. He’s my pick for best employee.

At home I went to be early after a shower. I was feeling a bit tired from the excitement of tour travel.

4-21-10

Wednesday

I got up really early and went back to sleep. The alarm didn’t go off, but I woke up at 7:50 anyway. I showered and dressed in my best aqua marine golf shirt and slacks (off white slacks) and waited for Monty with Travis and Gareth for a ride to CIFLE.

Mrs. Chae wanted to have a meeting in the teacher’s lounge. So, she asked for volunteers for community teaching. Peter spoke up and so did Monty and Jeff. Peter was concerned about the time commitment, Jeff about being deported and Monty about his son, Jonny, not being about to go to a school in Gongju because of the waiting list. I think it is unfair that his son does not get a place in the school here, obviously a problem.

We had a meeting with Mr. Shim about the TEC of yesterday. How wonderful, I thought, the day was. I decided, in the morning, to send everyone pictures from the day. Yet, I didn’t get confirmation that everyone received pictures via cool messenger. Obviously there is a problem with the new computer technician and the training department or curriculum department. I’ll meet with Ms. Chee about it sometime soon.

Sally had a meeting. Monty complained about prep time. I tried to signal to him that complaining might not help. He said, “OK, so I’ll shut up.” Mom sent my American Poet Magazine. I got it today. Monty gave me a ride home for free.

4-22-10

Thursday

Today I was awake at 2 am. Mom called to tell me something about my guitar order—it will be here soon. Mom will be in Korea on the 29th of April! Hurrah!

I ordered a set of Callaway Clubs for about $524 in average condition used. They will reach Mom at the Tuscola house before she leaves for Korea. I will give her money for her ticket and 1,000,000 won for spending money, as well as money for the clubs and guitar.

With not much sleep we all went to Cheongyang elementary school. Travis and I had the library as our venue. He did excellently in running the game. I think we tweaked it pretty well. By the third class I had lost track of how many were left to do. We don’t have equipment, so we help the others set up.

We foreign teachers walked the very short distance to the GS25 (actually the store across from it). Others bought drinks or ice cream. I bought a memo pad.

Our last class was handicapped. There were a couple of teachers helping the students. We tried to adjust ourselves to the game.

Once home I ate a pizza delivered. Also, Mrs. Ahn had a problem letter about a Las Vegas teacher who had been cursing in classes.

Pete and I had a great conversation on the bus home. We stopped off at a park and get some pictures of cherry blossoms.

4-23-10

Friday

Good day, very productive.

I was tired getting up, but did a lot of planning and reading.

I got an email from Mark Sykes, my publisher. He told me about how Evelyn Waugh’s son, Auburon was a friend of his. Also, that Evelyn was “scary.”

I read a number of pages, highlighting as I read. I used KOTESOL sources and I used my books. I was kind of sleepy, but drank some coffee in the afternoon.

I copied tables from the book Listening and glued them into my notebook.

Jennifer was especially in a good mood today. She let me use her book on music that I was able to copy for myself.

I played ping pong with Belle, Susan and Mr. Shim. It was a pretty good time.

Susan got close to me in asking a question. I saw her close up. She is a beauty!

I picked up my hambuks after work. Shopped for strawberries, bananas, bread, etc. . .

I sent manuscripts of White Door to Zajonc, Susan S., Mrs. Ahn.

I talked to mom for a good hour.

4-24-10

Saturday

I woke up at about 2 pm.

I showered, ate a vitamin C popsicle and checked my emails. Mark Sykes, head of Athena Press, sent me a thank you email. He received the gift of the mother-of-pearl business card holder. He said he would ask the others about the cover images I wondered about.

I cleaned up the apartment a bit.

I read a chapter of Christopher Sykes’ book on Evelyn Waugh. It is really in depth and closer to stuff I think about as a writer—how to make a living, etc. . .

I walked to town and bought a full length mirror and some bathroom attachments.

On the way home from the store, with mirror in hand, I saw Andrea. She asked me if she would see me at church tomorrow night. I said I would go to daytime service.

At home I ate fried chicken and bread with cream cheese for dinner. I had chicken for lunch.

I did a lot of grooveshark play list making with as many groups as I could remember.

I thought about math, physics and computers.

My vision was pretty good today.

4-25-10

Sunday

Mom woke me up with a call to tell me that the Gibson Les Paul had arrived! She said it was beautiful—I believe it. She said “Get some sleep.”

Mrs. Kim called. I was very tired and not up to church, she said it was late, but come anyway. I said I hadn’t even showered.

I put on one of my suits. I took a cab to the church. Angie’s mom was there with Angie. Angie’s mom apologized that her daughter was “spoiled” but I said she was well liked by everyone. I had to say it twice this morning to her.

Once home I started reading Evelyn Waugh by Sykes. I was halfway through a chapter and Mrs. Kim called. She wanted to meet with me at Coffee Bene about the language game.

I put on my suit again and went there.

I bought everyone something to drink and eat. Mrs. Kim and I had the strawberry yogurt smoothies. There were six of us in total.

She said she wanted to alter the language game. She wanted to make pictures for the youngsters.

Once home I worked about 4 hours with Google images and did three words for each letter in the alphabet. I had to get more printer ink and paper. I talked to mom before bed.

4-26-10

Monday

I got up early and got to CIFLE at about 8:30 am. I had the images prepared for the language game. Travis and I worked hard to laminate as many images and words to go with them as we could just before leaving on the bus.

At the school (Yesan Elem) I was impressed by similarities to Waldorf Schools—very small classes and other ideas. Travis and I had to help the others with their venues. Standards are heavy!

I took some pictures of flowers and blossoms around the school grounds. Then it started to rain.

Jennifer said she had gotten to chapter 4 so far of my manuscript for the book White Door. She seemed very excited about it so far.

Travis and I got an activity together. It worked pretty well. On the way home on the bus, I joked about etymology words (fly, mosquito) for images and words for the children to swat with the fly swatters. Travis said he liked the idea. I talked to Susan about Anthroposophy—the herbal medicine she shares with me is from Weleda Pharmacies. I told her how I knew that.

Susan and Gloria gave me a ride home.

4-27-10

Tuesday

Monty gave Gareth, Travis and I a ride to CIFLE.

I enjoyed Mrs. Chae’s giving out of the black bags. She toyed with is a while and I thought I would have to pay for mine, but she eventually fessed up that they were a gift. Mrs. Chae is a beautiful creature and I fell for her a long time ago. Perhaps she is out of my reach. She is stunning.

I arranged my chapters for the papers for the summer teacher training. After lunch Gareth and I played some ping pong and talked. He’s a really good guy. I like him.

Travis and I worked on our “Swat the Bug” language game in the project room. We got images and later laminated them. I was impressed with his manner. I learned that he had pretty much grown up in California and not moved around much. At the end of the day I put the magnetic tape on the back of the laminated words and images.

At home I got pizza and chicken. I put the clothes (the shirt for TEC) out to dry.

4-28-10

Wednesday

We traveled two hours by bus to the seashore, to a school. It was a rainy day and I read two chapters of Sykes’ book on Evelyn Waugh on the bus.

We got to the school and carried the standards to the classroom. It was drizzling and cool.

We gathered in the gymnasium and waited for lunch. Susan and Belle, Scott and Gloria and others played badminton without a net. I admired Susan’s playing style. Yesterday I told Susan how much I liked her and found out she knew about Anthroposophy (that was the day before yesterday, actually). Susan was the best badminton player of the bunch. Travis and I sat by and watched them play. We had a little bibimpap and soup in the cafeteria.

Travis and I ran our insect languages game “Swat the Bug.” It was a great success. Travis is confident and commonsensical. It is great to team up with him. We don’t have many things to set up or tear down. The game really did go well. We adjusted the game as we went along.

On the way home we stopped at a port. I got pictures of fishing boats.

At home I loaded Fleetwood Mac on the grooveshark.

I talked to mom. Turns out she leaves and arrives on the 30th. I’ve wasted a vacation day.

4-29-10

Thursday

I woke up about noon. Today I would have picked up mom at Incheon Airport, but she told me the wrong date of her arrival. I had gotten the day off to pick her up and get my guitar and give her 4,000,000 won (total) for her vacation, but since she is arriving tomorrow, I just took the day off.

I ordered pizza for lunch.

I video called with Scott D. for about three hours. I confess that I’m worried about him. He’s stuck in life and pretty much bummed out, living on his friend’s couch.

Chicken for dinner.

Put some of my best photos on Facebook: flowers, the beautiful women of CIFLE and the port.

Daniel S. liked the photos and commented on them on Facebook.

I went to bed about 10 pm without the IPod playing. Slept well and got up really early.

4-30-10

Friday

I woke up really early, about 5:30 am, and didn’t feel tired. I got to CIFLE an hour early.

I told the story of how mom got the wrong arrival day, so yesterday was a wasted vacation day. I told the story about seven or eight times as someone would ask me about mom.

We had a one-day camp today. Susan had prepared laminations. Mrs. Chae delighted me with her bothering Jeff about his shorts—“Do you want my resignation?” asked Jeff over and over again. I wanted to pipe in “yes” for Mrs. Chae. Mrs. Chae, the beautiful creature she is, skipped in her low heeled shoes like a child across the floor. She was happy about something. I was happy to catch a glimpse of her unbridled, joyful playfulness. I don’t think she saw anyone noticing her. I did, though. (She was wearing a string of pearls)

The clinic and pharmacy classes at 25 minutes were rushed. There were a couple of tempers flaring among the children. These children seemed rough and tumbled. One young boy was so incensed to fight another, bigger boy that the lady teachers (Susan, too) had to man-handle him.

Got a taxi home, Gareth sprung for it. Scott went with April and another friend. The others went to Busan.

I read about three or four chapters of Sykes’ book. Mom has not called yet. I’m listening to grooveshark music, stuff I loaded today—Billy Idol and Wang Chung.

Chapter Eleven

May

5-1-10

Saturday

I got an early start. I showered, shaved and went to the bus terminal. I took the bus to Cheonan and transferred and went to Pyeongtaek. There I got a cab that took me to Ann ajima’s house. Mom was waiting there.

She looked so tired. I decided not to tax her with her having to fuss all over me. She showed me the guitar—what a nice piece of equipment it is: Gibson Les Paul Studio Faded. She got me earphone amplifiers to go with it. I tried it out. It worked pretty well.

Anne ajima fixed me a Korean meal for lunch.

I was soon to head back to Gongju. We walked down the road. I had given mom 400,000 won in 50,000 won bills until she can make it to my apartment where I will give her the

4,000,000 won.

We got a city bus. I was concerned about mom’s jet-lag. She was unsteady on her feet.

I got the bus to Cheonan—Anne and mom said goodbye. On the city bus Julia had called me, but I told her I was busy—she must have known that I was in Pyeongtaek. I told her to call back later.

I took the Cheonan bus to Gongju. At home I took a walk for some backed goods. I practiced some E minor scales. I watched David Letterman and Craig Ferguson monologues. The monologues were pretty funny.

Mrs. Kim called. I had taken a nap before dinner. She will be at church tomorrow.

5-2-10

Sunday

Woke up early today—8:50—and showered. I put on my everyday hambuk, the purple one, to wear at church.

At church Mrs. Kim translated for me. Andrea didn’t show up, but Na Ri and Amy did.

The sermon today was about children. Matthew 18. Mrs. Kim said the sermon was very good. I got it in translation, so couldn’t appreciate its better qualities. For lunch we had curry and rice.

After cleaning up, Mrs. Kim and I went to her apartment with her two boys. They had to prepare kimchee for Song Chul’s visit to Anyang.

We then went to Andrea’s to visit her. First we stopped at the grocery store. I bought some grapes for Andrea and Mrs. Kim bought OJ and baked goods.

At Andrea’s we talked. I assured her that it was just the yellow dust and she would get better. I explained the immune response. That seemed to ease her mind a bit. She ate some and said she was feeling a bit better.

Mrs. Kim then took me to the apartment and we waited for her sons to drive me home.

At home I ordered chicken for dinner. I played my Les Paul. I read two chapters of Sykes’ book on Evelyn Waugh. I did the dishes. I talked to mom about her upcoming visit to CIFLE.

I went to bed about 9 pm.

5-3-10

Monday

I got up a couple of times in the morning, but about 8:10 am I got my shower and dressed.

I put the goodies mom brought from the USA into my Nike bag and headed out. Angie, Travis, and Gareth were waiting by Monty’s car. I joined them to get a ride.

At CIFLE I put my goodies into my desk drawer. We left at 9:30 am for Dunpo—one and a half hours drive.

There we were delayed by a wickedly narrow road that the bus couldn’t pass through. Eventually, we unloaded the bus and put the stuff on a truck, which was driven down to the school.

Travis and I taught “Swat that Bug.” I let him go with leading the lesson and he did well. He’s pretty good about repeating the important points of the lesson. He had also put more magnetic tape on the cards yesterday.

On the way home I read a couple of chapters of Sykes’ Evelyn Waugh. I read a couple of chapters on the way to, as well.

I walked with Peter home. We had a nice talk.

Mrs. Ahn asked me about an American she was having trouble with. She asked me to proof her reprimand. I wrote a few paragraphs delving into the insecurities of Americans teaching English in Korea.

5-4-10

Tuesday

I got to CIFLE thanks to Mrs. Kim picking me up on her way in. She said she was having a hard time and said she will tell me about it someday. I prayed for her, that her problems are solved and that things go her way.

We got set for one day camp. I taught Clinic and Pharmacy with Susan. The children were especially adorable. I had fun doing “Head and Shoulders” song three times with increasing speed. Susan said she liked it, too. My camera ran out of SD card space halfway through the day.

Sally and I chatted a bit while directing the children to watch the movie after lunch. I like her so much, but cannot think of interesting enough things to say.

I went to NH Bank to pay my bills for the month. They amounted to about 170,000 won.

My golf clubs arrived—Callaway x-tour irons, Crimson 550 putter 35,” FT-I driver, Callaway x-tour wedge and x fairway wood. (I didn’t open the box until I got home)

I went to buy an 8 GB SD card, SD card adaptor, and a voice recorder. Spent about 165,000 won total. Walked home and did laundry.

I played a little jazz guitar. My Les Paul is fabulous—I am so happy. Talked to mom—she will come here for Children’s day when traveling is easier.

We have the day off tomorrow.

5-5-10

Wednesday

I got up at about 12 noon. I was expecting mom to arrive.

I showered and put on my new red hambuk.

Mom called last night and said she would come here today.

So, I waited downstairs on the benches beneath the vines and read Sykes’ Evelyn Waugh.

Jeff, Travis and Gareth walked by as I was waiting for mom’s cab to arrive at my apartment building. They were going to the river for a time with some beer in a bag. They jollily tried to get me to go with them, but I told them I was waiting for my mom. Travis even volunteered to change apartments with me if she wanted to live here (as I thought she might).

Later, Angie walked by. I told her mom was on the way. She wished me well.

Mom no sooner arrived and gave me a hug. She had a backpack and a box of dok.

We talked for a while. I gave her the 3,600,000 won to reimburse her for her plane ticket, her part of the money for the guitar and golf equipment, and a million won for her spending money.

We talked for a while. We ate some Korean food delivered form “Grandma’s Kitchen” (in Korean). She had taken a nap before that. She was so tired, so I bid her sleep.

She slept on blankets on the rug. It was about 8:45 pm when we slept. She snored softly and I was glad she could sleep comfortably.

5-6-10

Thursday

Mom got up pretty early. She started cleaning and I wanted to sleep a little more. I still got to CIFLE at 8:00 am.

Mrs. Chae spoke to me privately about my wanting to renew or not. I said “yes!” and she said she would have the result of my evaluation by the end of next week.

We left CIFLE by bus at 9:50 am. Ms. Chee stepped on the bus to say “have a good time, EBS will be filming.”

Scott was reading his book about food. I was reading about Evelyn Waugh in Sykes’ book. I then took some notes for my sequel to “The White Door.”

At the school we unloaded the bus and then went to a restaurant adjacent to the school for some galbi tang. Debbie sat next to me and we fooled the Korean teacher about “plastic surgery” I was responsible for. It was a daring gag.

Travis and I taught “Swat that Bug.” I got a bit more comfortable with it. We were like a comedy team at times. It got very fun for the students and we were enjoying it, too. Our teacher from the school was very cute. I think she liked Travis.

Riding back, Gareth and Monty got beer. I didn’t drink any this time. Jeff said he was responsible for the pizza we enjoyed. At home, mom had cleaned the entire apartment. My golf bag arrived. We ate Na Na Chicken. We got along much better today.

5-7-10

Friday

It was an interesting day. I got to CIFLE about 8:45 am. Mrs. Chae had her little meeting with us. There was a form that she sent us to fill out. It required our working information. The Canadians were up in arms about having to provide any personal info at all and cited questions about ID theft, etc. . . Jeff led the group.

We had a meeting at 2 pm with Michelle, about the TEL program.

Mom had arrived at CIFLE at 1:15 pm and we talked to Mrs. Chae, Michelle, Myoung, Ms. Chee, Sally and Mrs. Kim. I left mom with Mrs. Kim while I attended the meeting.

We worked on the library activity. Peter told us how he organized his library activity and we (Travis, Gloria, Peter and I) talked about how we would get the activities organized. Gareth, Gloria, Michelle and I worked on the murals for the photo zone.

At home mom and I went to a restaurant in town. She had kimchee jigay and I had don gas and ohm rice. We then stopped by the hambuk shop to see the blankets they had.

Mom told me how screwy everyone, especially Janet, had treated her at home, nearly killing her.

5-8-10

Saturday

I got up today with Mrs. Kim calling. She wanted to take us to the spa, she with her mother and me with mine.

Mom made an egg sandwich for me and she had one, too. We waited for Mrs. Kim to pick us up.

The spa was not so far away. It was a motel and sulphur spring spa, not very far, just the other side of Gongju.

We spent an hour there. I wore my waterproof watch. I liked sitting in the warmer pool. Then I rested on the wooden deck.

Soon, the hour had passed and I was waiting for the others while watching TV and drinking a Pepsi. On TV was a Japanese gondolier in Japan. I thought of the beginning of my book, Poems from Songtan, the first line of the first poem.

We then went for lunch at Mrs. Kim’s house. We watched the robotic floor cleaner. Mom and the other two ladies talked a lot in Korean. I was so relaxed from the spa. Lunch was great and the Pastor and Mrs. Kim’s first son jointed us.

After cleaning up we got a cab in town and got back to my apartment. Mom tried to do laundry, but it was a broken hose that had us calling Myoung for it to be fixed. Bought some bananas, some baked goods. At home we had galbi. I recorded mom for 45 minutes of talk on the little click voice recorder. Boy, does she mesmerize.

5-9-10

Sunday

We got up for church. Mom and I waited for the church bus. At the church the Pastor gave a sermon from Exodus about the first commandment: “Honor your parents.” I felt pretty good about my choice to do that. After church we went to the restaurant in the county and had some “chicken”—pretty big chickens, I think.

I snapped some pictures of kimchee pots, flowers and church members. Na Ri, Amy and Andrea were among the members. Andrea and I talked pleasantly.

At home I read about three or four chapters of Evelyn Waugh by Sykes. It is really interesting reading.

Mom says she will come to live with me and help me save for my PhD at Cambridge.

She napped while I read Evelyn Waugh.

For dinner I had leftover chicken and galbi.

Mom tried to do the laundry, but broke the connection for the water. That was yesterday.

She is going to Anne’s for the day.

The apartment is spotless, thanks to her.

I listened to some Joan Osborne and Boz Scaggs.

Dr. Kaywell has a course of Young Adult authors she sent a newsletter about. I wrote her back—maybe one day she’ll study “The White Door.”

5-10-10

Monday

I got up and dressed in my suit. Monte gave me a ride to CIFLE with Gareth and Travis.

At CIFLE we were waiting for the parent’s camp to start. I had given mom the keys and the cell phone, waiting for her to go to Anne’s after the mechanic/engineer came to fix the hose on the washing machine.

The parents trickled in. I check in the ones from F group. We teachers introduced ourselves. Jeff, earlier in the teacher’s room, announced that he had tendered his resignation due to his changes not being incorporated in the new textbook/handbook for the Parent Camp. I fought back the urge to applaud.

Angie had prepared the Clinic/Pharmacy venue by announcing me as “Dr. Wellens.” It was even written in the textbook: “I have an appointment to see Dr. Wellens at _______.” Angie had put the sign up on my door and above my desk. “Dr. Wellens.” Angie is a really good teacher and I’m glad I encouraged her to get her Masters.

At the end of the day the call to mom resulted in my learning that she had gone to the doctors and was getting an IV for energy. Mrs. Kim’s mother was with her.

I got a cab with Travis (he gave me 1,000 won) and I found the door to my apartment locked. I went to Café Bene for a cookie and a strawberry/yogurt smoothie. At home mom cooked me dinner telling me what had happened.

I read about three chapters of Evelyn Waugh.

5-11-10

Tuesday

Today was CEO Camp.

I got to CIFLE by taxi on time.

Mom had gone to Pyeongtaek, Anne’s house, saying she would return with her stuff. I gave her the cell phone.

At CIFLE, Susan, Angie and I taught Clinic and Pharmacy. We did a great job and I heard that the CEO’s were very much pleased.

They had a CIFLE video for adults about the program. I was, for a few moments, in the video: playing guitar, teaching a class, etc. . .

The CEO’s were about 100 in number and we had hardly a seat open in the auditorium. Mrs. Kim emceed the event.

With frequent breaks the program went smoothly.

Once home I picked up my dry cleaning. At home I ate leftovers form the refrigerator. Eventually, mom and Anne had made their way up the stairs.

We went to a knife-noodle restaurant for dinner—the total for the three of us? 9,000 won.

I walked into town to see about golf travel vacations. The travel agent had closed down and the shop had changed into a lottery shop.

Once home, Julia called. She had emailed earlier.

5-12-10

Wednesday

I took a cab to CIFLE. I was on time.

There was news that David Cameron is the new Prime Minister of the UK.

We had a couple of meetings today. Mrs. Chae presented Sally and Scott their awards for best employee of the month. I voted them in. We went to our teachers’ room until they finished their Korean part of the meeting.

We then had a meeting for TEL with Michelle. We then loaded the bus.

I worked on the Korean Curriculum for the nation. I wrote (highlighted) various relevant passages for speaking, reading, writing and listening, as well as assessment.

After lunch, Peter, Jennifer, Mrs. Kim, Sally and I went to Gongju elementary school to watch a music class. It was run very well. We enjoyed the teacher’s ability to conduct such young students in a class where they were well behaved. It was an honor to watch the classes. I took a couple of pictures of flowers and students. We then went to Capetown (a café) and had some drinks. Sally drove Peter, Jennifer and I to and from the school and café.

At CIFLE again I worked on the articles some more. I also gathered my guitar and music equipment and went to my apartment. Sally again gave me a ride with Peter home. He helped me by carrying my guitar.

5-13-10

Thursday

I got to CIFLE about 8:30 am.

We got on the bus and headed for Bauyong.

The bus cut through the mountain passes. I listened to my IPod—Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon.”

Once there we set up the book carnival stations. It was an efficient time. We then took a break in one of the teacher’s classrooms. There were apples and oranges. Gloria was cutting some up for the others.

Travis and I did the Photo Zone and Character Corner. At first we were trying to figure out the best way. Then we had a lunch break. I sat next to Myoung and across from Debbie. I complimented Debbie and Myoung joked that she and I should go off somewhere to be alone. It was very funny.

Gloria and I did the Photo Zone like old times. Ms. Chee showed up when Travis and I were working. Mrs. Chae was sitting on the sidelines, watching.

I sat beneath a lilac vine shade area and watched the boys play a soccer game. Peter blew a whistle like a referee. I met Obed (Facebook friend). He gave me an ice cream cone. I shared it. A boy called “Mr. Kim” talked to me in English. So did some girls. There was a boy who seemed to want to be an architect.

Sally, Susan and I met about tomorrow’s emcee.

5-14-10

Friday

The bomb was dropped today. And they waited for the last hour to let Mrs. Chae break the news. I pulled off my acceptance of their decision not to accept me for another year with questions about how to get my severance pay, how to arrange my vacation time, how to get my flight home, if they don’t write recommendations or give references from CIFLE then it is a dead end.

We had a one day camp and I was emcee for the day. Susan did most of the detailed work, power points, etc. . .. I thank her for that.

I took a lot of pictures. I will be able to take the camera with me and recharge the batteries with an adaptor. It was a good purchase.

When I got the news from Mrs. Chae, I got back to my desk in the teacher’s room and began to pack my books and other things, golf shoes, etc. . .

Peter wished to help me carry my stuff in the cab. He insisted on paying the cabbie and wouldn’t let me pay. He helped me carry my things to the door. Nice fellow, just nice.

At home I broke the news to mom and slowly got indignant of her talking about it. Scott D. skyped to me and we talked a bit about the problem. He and mom talked.

5-15-10

Saturday

I woke up at about 9 am. I took a shower and talked more with mom about the plans and situation. I was not in a good mood.

We went to a bath house after she got back from the herb doctors with her medicine. She had paid $300 for it and didn’t want to miss out.

At the bath house, which cost only 4,000 won per person, we spent about an hour there. In the men’s bath was a man with his kindergarten aged little girl. It was strange. Mom had told me a couple of days ago about how Japanese women are allowed to go to men’s baths, but men are not allowed to go to women’s. I didn’t like being there with the little girl running around in her underwear, so I left the bath after a few minutes and waited for mom at the entrance. After waiting a long time, I wanted to give a message to her to go. Just as the desk was calling, mom popped up in the elevator.

We walked home. Mom stopped and got some food on the way, next to some children playing on the trampolines.

At home we talked about how to ship my things home. I listened to grooveshark.com for a while, watched YouTube, Late Late Show (Russell Crowe talking about “Robin Hood”). Na Na Chicken for dinner. Tomorrow we take a bus to Osan.

5-16-10

Sunday

Mom wanted to go to Church, I told her to go ahead.

I didn’t go to Osan, either. Helen facebooked me to say she couldn’t make it there. I told her “it’s okay, call me sometime.”

I wrote Norton Starr an email about going to UMASS to study computer science. Mom like the idea so much she offered to trade her newer Saturn for my green junky car. Prof. Starr urged me to reconsider my plan to go to the Amherst area. “Could be costly and risky” he said.

So, I researched MIT. With my background in science, I think MIT would be about right. I’ll wait for his reply. He will check out furnished rooms for rent, but I’ve hit upon a plan to golf in China.

Mission Hills in Shenzhen and Hainan has twelve courses in Shenzhen, most of anywhere in the world. That’s enough for me. I wrote emails to Alistair and Oxford Seminars Placement about jobs there. I can save about $10,000 per year and take two months in Tampa between contract years.

Mom cooked a nice beef dinner. I listened to grooveshark.com. She’s going to visit her brother tomorrow. I’ve got a 4 day camp.

5-17-10

Monday

I got up on time. I took a taxi to CIFLE. Mr. Lee was in the doorway of CIFLE. He made me squeeze past him. “Odd,” I thought.

I was pretty much in a funk until Mission Impossible class. I didn’t speak much. Mrs. Chae wrote about my plane ticket. Norton Starr sent an email with room to rent telephone number in Amherst.

The children, some of them, came in late. So we were a bit delayed.

Mom took the cell phone and keys (left at dry cleaner’s).Mission Impossible today—it went well. I played the Mission Impossible theme on grooveshark.com. I had two MI classes. Both completed the assignment on time.

We had a performance class, Scott E. and I. The skit book had my versions of condensed Shakespeare and the students saw Romeo and Juliet and went with it.

Monty gave me a ride with Angie, Gareth, and Travis. They hopped out near sam-dungee.

I remembered my keys were missing after getting halfway up the stairs. They were at the dry cleaners. I got the keys from the dry cleaner.

I had Na Na Chicken free with 10 coupons.

Alistair contacted me via email, wanting to talk it out. I wrote back that I could talk on Thursday.

I listened to music. I wrote a plan for a year contract to China.

5-18-10

Tuesday

It was raining nearly all day. Travis and I waited for a taxi, to no avail. Eventually, Monty gave us a ride.

At CIFLE, since it was impossible to go outside, I had two morning groups solve the Bits and Pieces puzzles I bought for the TEE this upcoming summer (and will not be used since I won’t be in Korea). The children seemed to like the puzzles, and a surprising many got solved. I was all smiles.

Scott E. and I taught the Clinic and Pharmacy class. It was great to work with him again. He’s very cheerful.

Monty and Gareth told me about Dubai and Saudi Arabic for teaching English. I considered it. I found out there were a great many golf courses in Dubai, like Shenzhen.

We had Arts and Crafts after performance. A young fellow, family name “Ham,” is a natural actor. He really leads the group well and has a good face, complexion and all. Travis and Jennifer helped me with beads and egg drop parachute. It went really well. Jennifer told me a great compliment.

I had packed up my art work since someone had nearly vandalized two of the paintings on rice paper.

I also brought home the rest of my math books and puzzles. Gareth and Jennifer helped me with a cab. Mr. Shim said he played golf. I said maybe he, Monty and I could play a round.

At home it was time to run the air conditioner.

Romeo and Juliet (my version) going well.

5-19-10

Wednesday

I got up and out to CIFLE well ahead of time. Thought I might have needed to put signs up for Mission Impossible not having the schedule with me at my apartment to review. But, at CIFLE I found that MI could be done after lunch.

Scott E. and I taught Clinic and Pharmacy together for three classes in a row. It went well. I allowed the students much more freedom in what they were doing and I allowed Scott E. to show Mr. Bean at the Hospital at the end of the period.

At lunch Ms. Chee sat alone and I did not sit with her.

Mission Impossible went well. I snoozed a bit after lunch in the teacher’s lounge, but did not fall asleep except for about 15 minutes—power nap!

The Group had the last MI and then 4th hour of performance. They were really having a great time and rehearsing. I was all smiles as the play I wrote was being learned by the students. I felt good about being a teacher today.

Julia sent me an email wanting to meet on the weekend. I suggested Saturday in Osan.

Angie and I got a cab home after Tonight at CIFLE and BBQ Party. They went really well. I was proud of my group. At home mom and I talked of Dubai teaching.

5-20-10

Thursday

I got up without a minute to spare and Monty, Gareth and Travis were by the car while it warmed up.

At the morning meeting, Mrs. Chae asked me if I could meet with her after lunch. I was doubtful that it was anything good. So I felt a bit troubled all day.

It was the last day for the 4 day camp. We did Teacher Talk (the Fruit Salad game, the Write on the Back game) and then Star Quiz.

Finally, we had picture taking then closing ceremony.

The rest of the day I spent just listening to grooveshark and reading the rest of Sykes’ Biography of Evelyn Waugh. I finished it today. It was really quite moving, the ending of his life. I could really see, though the account, how Evelyn Waugh’s life was one of a craftsman, not necessarily a genius or prodigy or grotesque. It was a great ending paragraph as well, a telling testimony from his daughter.

I met with Mrs. Chae who was adamant about my concerns. She showed me the invoice of the plane ticket to Korea, spoke of Ms. Chee’s concern from the beginning. I basically summed up that as long as I am to get what I am contractually promised, I will have no complaint.

At home I had pizza, talked with mom of future plans.

5-21-10

Friday

Today I slept until about 11 am.

I ordered a pizza and Coca Cola. I was so hungry I ate the half pizza then the rest at 6 pm.

I wrote an email to Mark Sykes regarding the Evelyn Waugh biography that his father wrote. I had finished the book yesterday.

Mom sent me to the dry cleaner and the store for cigarettes. The dry cleaning lady is a hard worker, mom and I agreed. I said she was my kind of woman (warm between the sheets!)

I sent some emails with my resume to Joan Kaywell for a Florida teaching job and to Marijane Harvey for jobs in China.

I got mom to eat some nangmyon delivered. She has lost her appetite and was suffering from high blood pressure all day.

I found out Singapore, Hong Kong and the USA are best cities/countries for economic development. I’ll see about Singapore along with Hong Kong.

I found Tom Jones’ song “What’s New Pussycat” and Linda Ronstadt and Olivia Newton John today on grooveshark.

5-22-10

Saturday

I got up at about 9 am or 10 am.

Mom and I got a taxi to the Gongju bus terminal and got a direct bus to Osan. We got a taxi to Osan gate. We went to McDonald’s. I noticed they had put a coffee and ice cream section near the entrance since I had been there last. Mom got a chicken sandwich since she couldn’t get a filet-o-fish (they don’t sell them in Korea).

We asked around about golf club luggage and a nice lady told us the Royal Luggage (behind Mr. Oh’s) shop sold them. We found out they personalize them. I paid 70,000 won for a bag with my name on it. The fellow there said he would ship it to me. I gave him my card. I got theirs.

Mom then bought a scarf. I bought a pair of Oakley sunglasses (finally, as style I look good in) for 10,000 won. Mom said hello to Mr. Chong (Mr. Oh’s) and he had a customer, so she left.

Mom bought some souvenirs and I bought a business card holder. (Very fine modern mother of pearl style). I’m thinking of going back and getting many more as gifts.

We got a cab back to the bus terminal. I had to sit next to a pretty young Korean lady. She didn’t speak English. Mom and I ate dinner at the bus station upon arrival in Gongju. We started getting things ready for packing.

5-23-10

Sunday

I got up at about noon.

It was drizzling outside all day.

Mom gave me rice and soup for my lunch, just enough to keep me from being hungry.

I went to get water at the local convenience store.

In the afternoon we went to the bath house. I stayed for about half an hour and put on my shoes—the counter lady scolded me for putting my shoes on a few feet from where I should have. I laughed it off—the rudeness. I drank two Pepsi Zero Calories and Debbie from CIFLE stepped out. I exchanged a few words with her. She had a Magic Kingdom umbrella.

Walked with mom to the grocery store and we got fish and other groceries for dinner.

At home I was so hungry. I ate a bowl of rice egg and soy sauce while waiting for dinner. Mom cooked galbi and rice. It was really good to eat some beef.

At home I read the internet news for a while. I listened to some grooveshark with one ear open for mom’s constant monologue.

I went to bed at 9:15 pm.

5-24-10

Monday

I got to CIFLE about 8:45 am. It was a slow day until the children arrived for the 4 day camp. I was under the impression that we were going on a TEL, but it had changed to a 4 day camp.

I prepared Mission Impossible for the children and it went well, as usual. The first group of girls asked me about my name—I showed them that on Google I could be found—I was famous!—they were impressed.

I asked Mrs. Chae if I could take my mom to the airport on Friday and take the day off. She said it was okay. So, I called mom and she sounded happy, relieved.

I filled the KOTESOL tote bag with more books. Monty gave Travis and I a ride home.

Monty had given me a bit of a scare with an identical Gretsky Hockey shirt Jeff was wearing. I didn’t say a thing about it, but was tempted.

Mom cooked fish for me, fit for a king! (I didn’t like the taste, though.) Mom had boxes all over the place ready to ship. The total cost will be under 300,000 won and I was glad to hear it.

I got water at the store. I filled out the forms for the boxes.

Michelle K. asked me about my books and publisher on Facebook. I had complimented her with a remembrance from our school days.

5-25-10

Tuesday

I got up a little earlier than usual so that I could make sure the MI course was laid out and that the supplies of Vitamin C and forms were well stocked up.

I felt pretty rough in the morning and afternoon. I didn’t eat breakfast and the cleaning lady was following me around, it seemed.

I got an email from Anthony Marx, President of Amherst College, thanking me for the update of what I was doing—though my plans have since changed—and giving me a link to access job openings at the college. I talked with mom later in the day and decided to go to China on a year contract. With year contract at a time and a couple of months between contracts in Florida with parents, I can see the world and build up my resume. I could try Singapore, Hong Kong, Europe, etc. . . and teach a year at a time to keep from overwork. Golf, guitar and galloping gourmet!

I ran the Arts and Crafts and rewrote “The Man with a Lump” for 8 ghosts instead of the regular 3, so the boys could have a part. Gareth and Jennifer ran Arts and Crafts with me and Scott E. helped organize the Performance Practice. At 9 pm I took a cab to KB Bank. The Korean Military was featured on the TV in the cab. I have more than 3,000,000 won. I took out 1,000,000 won.

I talked with mom. She’s nearly packed it all. I watched the Queen’s speech with David Cameron’s new government.

5-26-10

Wednesday

I got up and took a taxi to CIFLE. I got there early enough. Scott E. and I had three Clinic and Pharmacy classes and they all went well. The students are adorable and had fun at the venues. Scott E. and I had a good rapport. We even had time to show Mr. Bean short video for the students to have a laugh about a doctor’s or dentist’s office.

At 2 pm I had to meet with Ms. Chee. She was quite stern, but I held my ground. I asserted my importance and tried to make her see the absurdity of the situation and attitudes. Not sure what the game is, perhaps they are crooked, but I know they aren’t fair.

I had spaghetti for dinner and tater tots. It was some good stuff. The performance at “Tonight at CIFLE” went very well and Ms. Chee was in attendance. It was good to see her take an interest.

The students enjoyed the BBQ and all the egg drop parachutes were successful. I had to judge many of the eggs and one of them were too quickly pronounced broken when I looked closer to see and show that it was unbroken. Perhaps they were running out of prizes.

At CIFLE I gave Angie my green bookcase—gratis. Scott E., Gareth and Angie got a taxi to sam dungee with me.

At home mom and I talked about my applying to Amherst College for a job. I will apply but prefer China with Oxford Seminars.

5-27-10

Thursday

I got to CIFLE just in time. Scott E. ran the Fruit Salad Chairs game and then the Back Writing game before the Star Quiz and closing ceremonies.

I got a note in the morning from a girl student. I just read it and put it in my pocket. I’m thinking I must be more distant to the youngsters, somehow.

Ms. Chee watched the Star Quiz from the back of the auditorium. I didn’t speak to her but realized she just wants to be in touch with the students.

We played ping pong after lunch. Scott E., Jeff, Travis and I played three games and I won all three of my team up matches.

Travis and I played a little bit, too.

Jennifer wanted to talk to me about psychological warfare. She eventually showed me her paper on rhythm music teaching. At the end of the day I told her what was good about it, etc. . . Michelle had a meeting for the TEL program.

I stopped at the bank.

I got 1,000,000 won out of the bank and bought seedless grapes for mom for 3,000 won.

5-28-10

Friday

I woke up at about 11 am. I had plenty of sleep. Mom had been up since about 8 am and had been about town walking and getting a few last minute details.

She and I had a pizza and coke from Gut Pizza for lunch. She says she likes the taste of it and I, of course, do because I order it all the time. I’d hate to count how many pizzas I’ve bought from them, that one restaurant.

Mom and I then got a taxi ride from her taxi friend. We were dropped off at the post office and mailed the last box. It cost 31,000 won to send via surface mail.

We got a cab back home.

A little later the original cabbie (wearing a Boston Red Sox cap) took us to Cheonan Bus Terminal. It cost 51,000 won on the meter—Gongju to Cheonan.

We had to wait about an hour for the bus. I listened to the Beatles on my IPod.

On the bus mom and I sat just behind the driver. After about three and a half hours we got to the Incheon Airport. We eventually got a KFC half chicken meal and split it. Then we went to the spa in the basement and eventually slept there. I didn’t sleep though. I listened to the IPod all night till 6 am. Mom slept beside me in the spa and got some sleep.

We got mocha coffee from Dunkin Donuts. I had a bagel and cream cheese.

5-29-10

Saturday

I listened to my music on the IPod and just closed my eyes. No sleep at all last night. Not feeling bad, though.

We checked out of the spa and checked in for the flight. She got her middle aisle seat and the guitars didn’t cost extra to put in oversized luggage.

I got a bus to Cheonan. I was comfortable and didn’t want to sleep, listened to more music. I watched the world go by out of the window.

I took a bus to Gongju. Then I took a taxi home.

I checked my emails, ordered a pizza and coke.

I groovesharked some more music—Beach Boys, Journey, etc. . .

Played electric guitar and got about finished with lesson two. It is good to get active.

I emailed Susan S. about playing some golf together. She emailed back with info and dates available.

I’m getting slow as it nears bedtime.

I’m thinking of China in the future. What to bring—what will I need to teach?

Alison at Oxford Seminars accepted a copy of my novel as attachment. She hopes I succeed in China.

5-30-10

Sunday

I woke up at about 11 am. Mom called me earlier in the morning to let me know she arrived in Florida. She told me to get some sleep. She sounded healthy and strong.

I had some leftover chicken for lunch.

I spent the day listening to grooveshark music and adding a group or album to my play list as I thought of them.

I also made some progress on jazz guitar.

I am on lesson two and the chord exercises are staged so that they are just difficult enough to improve the left hand skill with each mastered chord progression.

I realized that if I continue to study jazz guitar in this method, I will be playing jazz in a couple of years.

I thought of more things to do to approach teaching in China. I wrote them down in my Cambridge Calendar.

I thought about bringing my Les Paul on the bus to TEL. It is a travelable set up I have.

I thought about ways to visit Susan S. without breaking the bank. Bus or car drive to Texas? Plan just a day of golf?

I ordered chicken and beer for evening snack. I’ve got to stop drinking beer. It plays havoc on my digestion.

5-31-10

Monday

I got up really early, about 5 am, with the sun up. I ate the rest of the pizza and coke for breakfast—not a really healthy choice, and later in the day I had a sour stomach.

We got the bus (CIFLE bus) to Seochan. We had an hour’s drive and I wrote some notes on note cards for my next book. I also listened to my IPod. Mostly Sting.

At the elementary school we set up. Peter led us for library activity. I complimented his lesson.

Photo Zone and Character Corner went well. Travis, Peter, Gloria and I worked together this day.

On the way home I listened to more Sting. I also read my notes for future plans in my calendar.

At CIFLE I got my edited manuscript from Athena Press. Angie said she wants an autographed copy of my new book. At the stationary store I got a green pen for corrections to the edited manuscript.

I saw Olivia in front of the Pharmacy. She and I will have dinner tomorrow night at 7:10 pm.

I edited the manuscript of “White Door.”

I had pizza at 9:30 pm.

Chapter Twelve

June

6-1-10

Tuesday

I got a cab to CIFLE, but didn’t shower—not enough time. I put on my Osan golf course cap to cover my messed up hair and went into work.

Once there I looked at news and checked my email. I occasionally listened to songs on grooveshark. The others were very relaxed: Monty, especially. I think they all went drinking last night.

We had our monthly meeting. Ms. Chee presided. Gemma, Mrs. Chae and Peter got the awards from Ms. Chee as outstanding Korean Teacher, Staff and Native Speaker, respectively.

At lunch Scott E., Peter, Travis and I chewed the fat. It was a nice, relaxed lunch. Jeff had gone to the immigration office—that or the embassy.

Sally met with me and gave me two lesson plans to proofread. She asked me about my “We Call You Go” reading and writing articles. I told her I would have it ready for her by Monday. I realized I could use my manuscript of “The White Door” for an editing/reading/writing lesson for “You Call We Go.”

Michelle had a TEL meeting for Thursday’s TEL. Travis and Scott joked about seriously using the mikes. I didn’t go to Mr. Shin’s dinner meeting. I met with Olivia at 7:10 (should have been 6:10).

I bought Olivia a set of earrings and pendant—blue circles that she picked out. They cost 60,000 won.

At home I listened to grooveshark.

Mrs. Yoo called me and told me about her position at Anyang.

6-2-10

Wednesday

We were off today since on Election Day in Korea, government institutions are closed.

I got up at about 10 am and showered. I got a cab to the Gongju bus station. I had to ask around for the right bus, just to make sense.

The ride was about an hour. The driver dropped us off near the Osan terminal, but didn’t pull into the terminal.

At Royal Bag they had my golf luggage ready. It looked nice—“David R Wellens” embroidered on the outside of the bag.

At the gift shop nearby I bought about nineteen card holders as a gift to various friends. I’ll give mom three of them so she can give them to her doctors, as she requested. I got them for about $12 per item. It might be good to sell them if things turn sour.

I didn’t eat lunch or anything substantial till I got home. I had kimpap before the bus out. I had leftover fried chicken at home.

My dinner date with Olivia was nice. I showed her my edited manuscript. She wanted to know the name of my editor.

I got a haircut after dinner. Saw Garth at the intersection—we saw Myoung and a former teacher at Café Bene. My right index finger hurts a bit.

6-3-10

Thursday

Got a cab with Gareth and Monty in the morning—Gareth and I put in a buck, Monty 800 won.

We were off to Sinjang. I listened to my IPod on the way.

At the school we noticed the children were especially bright and good. They were sixth graders. There was the young boy with green glasses who wanted to be a scientist: he was part of a 4 day camp. I was surprised to see him in the crowd in the opening ceremony. Then later he had stopped by at lunch. At closing he was very helpful in helping us and gave me a hug. Peter remarked what a nice boy he was. I remembered him completely—I do know my students.

While we were finishing loading the bus, I got a liter bottle of Pepsi from the corner store. Angie said the funny thing was how I walked around following her remote directions.

At CIFLE, Mrs. Kim, Mrs. Chae, and Sally greeted us. Mrs. Kim got a position as a principal, I think.

We took a cab—Monty, Gareth and I, back to GS25. We put in the same amount. Monty said he would ask his wife if he could buy my home desktop. Gareth wants the bicycle. 200,000 won for the computer and 50,000 for the bike.

I wrote to Alison at placement that I would like to go to France if China doesn’t come through.

6-4-10

Friday

I got to CIFLE on time.

Mrs. Chae was haranguing Jeff for wearing shorts all the time and Jeff was determined not to give in to the dress code. She seemed to be having a good time and it was fun to hear Mrs. Chae nag.

It was an elementary one day camp.

We did job performance.

Six classes of Clinic and Pharmacy I taught with Susan’s help. I complimented her on her teaching. She is such a sweet lady. I have to say I like her.

At lunch we watched CNN report on the choosing of a new Japanese PM.

Jennifer asked if she could watch me teach the Clinic and Pharmacy. She told me I was a good teacher with some sincerity in her voice. No Star Quiz.

We had a meeting with Mr. Shim about the four day camp for middle school children about a start on Monday. I was glad to see the green cover of the textbook and the green shirt I wore today.

Monty got my number and said he would stop by to check out my computer. He said he would buy it for 200,000 won.

Peter took me to Lotteria for dinner. I talked up a storm. At home mom called. They want to welcome me home. On Skype, Scott D. told me that his TV project is coming along nicely.

6-5-10

Saturday

I got up without much planned for the day. I took a shower and checked my emails.

I was listening to grooveshark when Julia called. She’s called before. She said mom didn’t want her and I to see each other.

Eventually she agreed to see me, but she wasn’t happy that I was thinking about making love. Still, she consented. I took a bus to Cheonan and bought a ticket to Pyeongtaek. It was nearly dinner time. I realized that I wouldn’t be able to see her but briefly, so I came back to Gongju from Cheonan.

She called while I was on the bus back to Gongju. I thought she may have had something sinister in mind for me. I asked her not to call me anymore—we are through.

Mrs. Kim called me a few minutes later. She wanted to meet me for dinner. I refused. She wanted to meet me for coffee near the movie house. Again, I refused. I just want to relax. No church, either. Like two snakes around my ankles.

At home I began to pack my clothes with the golf clubs.

Jung Hwa will meet me for lunch on Saturday. I’m looking forward to it.

I went to bed a bit late.

6-6-10

Sunday

I got up about noon time and showered. I ordered a Na Na Chicken and had some chicken and pizza leftovers for dinner.

Mrs. Kim called in the afternoon since I didn’t go to church. Na Ri called to invite me to go to coffee or dinner with Mrs. Kim, her and the Pastor.

I listened to music and checked my emails all day. Nothing from Chinese recruiters yet—Alice later said she will keep looking for something for me.

I didn’t go out all day. I went to bed early as my day tomorrow at CIFLE is something newer—middle school four day camp.

I went to bed about 10:00 pm. Ate an evening meal and went back to bed.

6-7-10

Monday

I got up early and showered. Put on my red hambuk and went to CIFLE.

I set up the Mission Impossible signs. Mrs. Chae was nowhere to be seen.

It was after lunch before I had to teach. I enjoyed teaching MI. I really like that class.

They had snacks for the students—a great improvement since I’ve been at CIFLE that I wanted to see.

Sally gave me some correcting work and some editing so I wouldn’t have to do ice-breakers.

Gareth is emcee—I feel like Jeff had partied out Gareth.

During T-shirts activity (2 hours) I got assigned with Angie and Gareth. We sweated it out while we waited for the paint to arrive. I gave two students my shirts to paint.

At home I called mom. “Don’t sell the car” I said. I will get my New Yorker magazine in about 10 days.

6-8-10

Tuesday

I got up without time to shower. Since I shower before bedtime in the warmer days of spring and summer, it was not a problem. Also, I was wearing my hambuk—the green one. (My sky blue hambuk is missing now, though)

At CIFLE I taught Clinic and Pharmacy with Belle today. It was pretty nice. She wanted to have the middle school children watch Mr. Bean at the clinic. Her addition to the class was scrambled dialogue scripts for students to put together.

There was a girl with an eye-problem, she had a stomach ache earlier in the day. Later in the day she played doctor at the EEC which went pretty well.

A youth was kicking the door down at the multipurpose room. I brought him to Mr. Shim.

We had MI in the morning. It went pretty well. One girl paused to tell me she liked it.

I got from Sally my article “On Writing” but she changed the title. I only had to make a couple of changes. I am happy that I get to speak on writing and the authors I have especially liked to read and read about.

At home I listened to some music—Joan Osborne and Sarah McLachlan. I also watched David Letterman’s monologues which seemed to be funnier.

6-9-10

Wednesday

The middle school children at CIFLE are a change of scene. I got a ride from Monty this morning.

It was a pretty good day. I taught three Clinic and Pharmacy classes with Belle. (At the second class she got a bit testy with the shy students who wouldn’t respond to her)

Scott E. and I showed Mr. Bean at the Clinic video to a few classes. The students liked it.

I did Mission Impossible in the afternoon. It was a pretty good thing to give out snacks early.

I read thirty three chapters of Anna Karenina on Bibliomania. It was good to see I’m not bad as a novelist. Of course, I know Anna Karenina is considered one the best novels of all time—and so is Madame Bovary.

I asked Mr. Shim if I could miss the show and BBQ party. Since I don’t like to emcee, he said it was okay.

At home I ordered a pizza delivered and the owner of the pizza (Gut Pizza) asked about mom’s whereabouts.

6-10-10

Thursday

I got to CIFLE with a cabby who wasn’t sure where it was. He nearly turned into the other institute across the way.

I was reluctant to participate today.

At the end of the day Mrs. Chae talked me into going to the director’s house for a party.

We ate dinner at the director’s BBQ. Sally and I talked for a bit.

Belle gave us a ride—Debbie, Me, Jennifer—a ride to our apartments.

At home I listened to grooveshark and ordered a Mandarin Chinese language book from Amazon.com.

6-11-10

Friday

I didn’t shower. I wore my purple hambuk shirt and green Dockers. Wimbledon colors as the tournament is coming up. Wouldn’t it be nice if Ana won it?

It was a prep day. I sat at my desk in the teacher’s room all day—listened to music on grooveshark.

I jotted down some notes concerning the elementary teaching reasons for studying writing.

Mrs. Chae called a meeting. We talked about some programs that I won’t be here for.

Myoung had an Amherst Magazine that arrived for me. On the cover an Indian Midwife from the class of ‘78 who got an honorary degree.

I felt my vision troubled and thought about seeing the eye doctor on Monday—I could take my sick days.

I wrote Mrs. Chae a thank you email. It was her birthday today.

Mrs. Chae wished that we would stay from 8:50 am to 6:00 pm each day. We had no quarrel with that.

I watched some David Letterman monologues and Craig Ferguson monologues.

David Chang skyped and I talked with some of his students. It was really cool!

I practiced a little guitar and considered buying a house.

6-12-10

Saturday

I got up at about 10 am and took a shower. I checked my emails. Joan P. with the Hillsborough Community College adjunct position contacted me via email in the morning.

I talked to mom about that position and she hoped I would get it.

I put on my red hambuk and watched, from Capetown Restaurant, the traffic and the river. I waited about 30 minutes, but Jung Hwa did not show up. So I got a taxi home.

At home I listened to grooveshark. I began to Twitter and Facebook broadcast—about 50 songs, from Led Zeppelin to Supertramp. It was like being a DJ.

Joan P. asked if I could work during the day. I said “yes!” I might get the job.

Kyu Hee (one of my students from Songtan a few years ago) emailed me that she arrived home. She asked me what I wanted to do. She can bring her brother!

I ate pizzas and chicken today. I bought some writer’s magazine subscriptions and a book of Chinese History and Culture. There is another $100 to Amazon.

I got a call from Jung Hwa asking if I were mad at her. I said no. We are to meet tomorrow at Capetown for another try.

6-13-10

Sunday

Got up today and showered, eventually.

I set a date with Kyu Hee Lee via Facebook for Saturday. We’ll meet at Osan gate mall 7-11 at 2 pm,

Nothing at all happened today.

I stayed at the computer all day.

Was supposed to meet with Jung Hwa at Capetown, but I called it off at the last minute.

I slept for about 4 hours instead. I didn’t realize how tired I was.

Thought about University of Florida costs vs. getting a house when I return to Florida with my severance and last month’s pay. It is possible terms would be easier, but it’s also possible it would be better to use that money as University of Florida BA in business back-up money. If I were to go back to school without getting a PhD I would best do University of Florida BA from mom’s house. It’s possible there are jobs that way, or better yet, entrepreneur opportunities I could learn about. Also U of FL undergraduate is less expensive.

U of FL law school might be a good route, too. Well, I should just take it slow. Maybe HCC adjunct position will come through. Till then, only a few hoops to get through.

6-14-10

Monday

I woke up at 5 am, feeling funny, so I went back to bed. I overslept by an hour and called Mrs. Chae and Myoung letting them know I would be late.

At CIFLE, Sally had a meeting with us. She wanted me to write an article on writing before 5 pm.

I decided to talk about teaching handwriting.

I wrote a 5 page article and set up for a demo presentation for her. It went well. She liked it, but said I need to do more to fill up the time.

So, I prepared a Phonics reading lesson and worked on it at home.

I took a cab with Monty, silence for most of the ride.

I worked on the Phonics paper—still much more to do.

Mom called and told me about my cousins Tony and Vincent. Vincent got married.

My New Yorker magazine arrived and I got it from Myoung’s desk. Reading it was very clear. I like that style of writing.

Got an email form Sean W., from his learning that I was considering teaching in China.

I dropped off some laundry. I picked up some, too.

6-15-10

Tuesday

I got a cab with Monty.

I didn’t sleep until about 1 am last night. As Sally was getting things ready, I was trying to catch a nap in the teacher’s lounge. She called me to get going.

It was Monty and I with the computer lady—we three sat in the back seat. Peter, Travis and Jennifer rode with Sally. It was a long, quiet ride for us to a Cheonan Elementary school. I tried to sleep in the back seat of the bronze car.

We all had a lunch of pork, rice, lettuce and soup. I was the one to cook the pork. I didn’t have to go to the bathroom even once all day while we were traveling.

At the elementary school I saw teachers we had at the winter Teacher Training. There were five there in total. One gave the lesson in front of the television cameras, one was pregnant, one was the fellow I gave the grade to in Drama Techniques, and one was Mi Ae (the Poetess).

Peter then gave a visual lesson after we critiqued the teacher’s show-lesson.

On the way home I told Monty I would give him the computer right out.

At home I ate the left over Domino’s Pizza.

6-16-10

Wednesday

I got up late today, and it was also a long wait for a cab to show up. But Mrs. Chae didn’t seem to mind.

She had me sign for my 10 vacation days coming up at the end of my contract. (I get fourteen days by contract)

I taught Clinic and Pharmacy for the last six times today with Susan. It really was a pleasure. The children played Doctor and all got cartoon band aids with vitamin C candy.

Ms. Chee walked out of CIFLE just as Myoung and I were talking about the leftover bill fund.

Peter and I got a taxi home. I gave him a ride to repay him for the Lotteria lunch we had.

We had cut out the white boards for Star Quiz.

The computer lady was so beautiful yesterday and today—I think I’m falling in love!

I worked on my second novel today—“Beyond the White Door.” I thought of a nice convention for the book, to tell it from Janet’s point of view and starting with her talking to the police.

I worked on the note cards with a method Vladimir Nabokov suggested in a PBS show—use note cards to organize the novel.

I wrote for an hour and a half at Café Bene. It was very productive. I cried quietly thinking of the time Ray Daddy died.

I went to bed about 11 pm.

6-17-10

Thursday

I got to CIFLE at about 8:45 am. We went to Asan with Sally.

There in Asan, Sally, after driving us so far, tried to find a restaurant. We got stuck in the Sonata trying to back out of a dead end. I thought running over the nails would pop the tires.

At the elementary school was young Ms. Park. She was the one who said she wanted to buy a guitar after I played for the teachers in club activity for winter TEE. I remembered her. She was always so attractive to me.

She gave her presentation lesson in front of the cameras. She was a lot like me and showed she liked what she had learned from us at CIFLE in the winter. I think I was staring at her—she was so beautiful to me—even more lovingly beautiful than anyone else. She gave me a big hug when we were loading up the car to leave. She’s the first Korean woman to hug me since I’ve been here this year. I think I would fall in love with her. I thought of her the whole hour and a half riding home.

At Coffee Bene Jennifer found me. We talked until 2 am there, drank ice frapenos and ate breads and bagels. I talked such outrageous ideas. Mostly we agreed not to follow Jeff.

6-18-10

Friday

I got to CIFLE about 8:55 am. I was a little late for the meeting with Mrs. Chae.

I wrote note cards for handwriting and phonics. Sally wanted my paper for phonics. I gave it to her.

We have EPIK teachers at CIFLE, but I’m not involved in that.

For lunch we had bibimpap.

After lunch Peter and I played a little ping pong.

After that I took a nap in the teacher’s lounge.

I woke up at about 5 pm.

Jennifer and I got a cab to her apartment to drop off her box at her apartment. We then went to Imsil Pizza.

She had put in her resignation letter but was having second thoughts about it. She asked me for advice, but I couldn’t think of much to tell her except that the “die is cast.”

I stopped at KB Bank’s ATM and got 1,000,000 won.

On the walk to the apartments we saw Gareth and Travis as they were walking to town.

At home I started packing.

I ordered chicken for a late night dinner.

Mom called me. I will see her soon.

I went to bed about 12:30 am.

6-19-10

Saturday

The day started out pretty nicely. I got a 12:30 bus to Osan.

Got to the 7-11 at Osan gate at 1:50 and Kyu Hee snuck up behind me and said hello.

We walked around the shops a bit. There was a live band blaring music.

She caught me up on her news. I caught her up on mine.

Eventually we got a table at the Blue Opera. She had a strawberry smoothie and I had a strawberry milkshake.

After that I bought her a 24K gold cross at about 250,000 won. She lovingly called me a “dork.”

We didn’t eat lunch.

I got a cab back to the bus terminal.

The bus driver said “Gongju-Chungnam.” So I thought I had the right bus. Five hours later I was in Gwangju.

The supervisor gave me a ticket to Cheonan.

The ride took two hours. At Cheonan the buses were not running so I had to take a taxi.

Mom called me. I told her what had happened.

Back at my apartment around 11:30 pm I ordered chicken. I had only kimpap at noon, a Snickers bar and a Nestea.

6-20-10

Sunday

I woke up at about 11 am.

I took a shower.

I packed some of my things.

I ordered pizza and gave the man a business card holder. Thanked him for all the deliveries he made for me.

I listened to more music on grooveshark.

I found a way to share my book info on Facebook and Twitter. I hope I can do that from Florida.

I packed my guitar.

I gathered things for packing.

I folded my underwear that was hanging out to dry.

I read my emails all day as they trickled in.

I wrote Joan Kaywell an email about my getting a PhD at University of Florida, Florida State or University of South Florida.

From 5 pm to 7 pm I wrote some of my book “Beyond the White Door” at Café Bene. I ate a bagel and drank a white mocha frapeno.

I tried to sleep at 9 pm. Got up and listened to more music.

I ate leftover pizza about 10:30 pm.

I finally fell asleep in bed.

6-21-10

Monday

I got up late and got to CIFLE about 9:20 am. I showered and shaved anyway since I had my last presentation today.

Sally drove Peter and I to the restaurant. I met Alice B., a coordinator for the district. She was young and pretty with pretty good English. She had studied in New York City for less than a year. I gave her my card.

We got to the school. The teacher, Patsy, gave a really good lesson with her Korean co-teacher. The cameras were on them and they performed magnificently.

I gave my presentation, strapped for sound with the cameras rolling. I spoke first for the need to teach handwriting and then I spoke about phonics. I felt choked up at times with this being my last class in Korea for a while.

Sally took us to Capetown and bought us dinner. Peter didn’t eat. Sally and I had the seafood spaghetti. She talked more to Peter. I offered my help if ever she wished to live in the USA.

At the end of the day I had pizza. I gave the dry cleaning lady a business card holder as a gift. I gave Monty the computer and other things from my apartment. I have his son the bicycle.

6-22-10

Tuesday

I got to CIFLE sort of early. Mr. Lee greeted me at the entrance with a smile and a handshake. I gave him my music stand since he could use it while playing saxophone.

I said wistfully to Angie that I would miss her most of all.

Gareth was happy to get the two guitar stands.

Peter got a bookstand and so did Angie.

I didn’t listen to grooveshark because the flash player is broken.

For lunch we had spicy noodles and watermelon.

A game of ping pong started in the multipurpose room. I played a bit with Travis. Michelle was playing—first time I’d seen her play—her form is not all that bad. I paid my bills at NH Bank.

Myoung took me to the long distance company, but they couldn’t help. We then went to the pension office. I will be getting nearly 10,000,000 won in total from the final month’s wage, severance pay and pension refund.

Myoung let me go home about 5 pm.

I ate and ordered Na Na Chicken. I did final packing and final cleaning.

I listened to Led Zeppelin on my IPod between trips to the dumpster and during my final packing.

6-23-10

Wednesday

I slept on the couch for the second night in a row. I had gotten every-thing packed for the flight as Myoung advised. I was at CIFLE in the morning.

At lunch I sat with Jeff. Patience is a virtue. I had been very patient with him and he seemed edgy. After lunch he slept in his chair. I was only two feet away.

Myoung took me at 1:30 pm to the bank, the pension office and the SK store I got my cell phone at. I gave it then to Myoung. The phone can be used again cheaply.

KB Bank across the river gave me a preferred rate of exchange. I got about $5,800 USD.

At the pension office I had to give my US Social Security number. The amount of 2,800,000 won will be converted to USD and wired to my bank account in Clearwater.

We picked up my bags. Then we put them in his car. He took me to the bus station. We said goodbye and good wishes.

Before leaving CIFLE I said goodbye to the supervisors and the director. I had nothing for them but praise.

By taking the bus to Cheonan, I saved 50,000 won of cab fare. I thought of selling seedless watermelons on the side of the rode in Tampa for spending money when I’m old.

On the bus from Cheonan to Incheon Airport I thought of being a gerontologist and Registered Nurse.

At the airport I ate at KFC. I slept in the spa and got some sleep in a private sleeping room for $32.

6-24-10

Thursday

I checked my baggage and got my boarding passes at the Korean Air ticket counter. I had spent the night at the airports spa.

I got mom a couple of cartons of Esse Lights at the duty free shop on the other side. I bought a caramel coffee frapeno at Starbucks near the gate.

I got a seat on Korean Air flight KE 035 between two older Vietnamese women. We didn’t talk much and got along quite well.

I listened to my IPod the whole way. The battery was still good for the long flight.

I was surprise that to upgrade would have cost $1,200, so I didn’t upgrade.

On the flight I met a fellow who was like someone I knew before, many years ago. We talked briefly. He was a flight trainer.

At Atlanta airport we went through customs. A Homeland Security guard admired my Gibson guitar for a brief time. At the restaurant I had a chicken burrito and refried beans and watched the World Cup on the television. I left a poetry card for the waitress with the tip.

The Delta flight to Tampa was short. I gave my card to the guy on my right. We talked about what looked like oil or algae on the water.

Mom met me at the airport. At home I was a bit tired, but not nearly as tired as I could have been had I not stayed at the spa.

Table of Contents

Introduction

2009

Chapter 1: July

Chapter 2: August

Chapter 3: September

Chapter 4: October

Chapter 5: November

Chapter 6: December

2010

Chapter 7: January

Chapter 8: February

Chapter 9: March

Chapter 10: April

Chapter 11: May

Chapter 12: June