TGIF

Dear Eunice,

I met your mother. She is a wonderful woman (and also pictured above). My work at the daycare is worth it because she is so fun to be around.

Beautiful Remembrance

So I teach this student, his name is Matt, and he doesn't know much English. The last time I met with him, I was really frustrated because he was clearly not having any fun, and I wasn't having fun, and neither of us were having fun and it was terrible.

This week wasn't shaping up to be much better, but then his mom came home and she brought the two of us to the Korean National Cemetery. It was a somber moment because we were in a cemetery, yes, but it also was one of the most beautiful places I have been in South Korea so far. The landscaping was meticulous, and the weather was 70 degrees with a slight breeze that cooled you off just enough to enjoy the day. I felt privileged to have visited it.

Pork Belly

Tonight I met with Mr. Kim at a Starbucks, and he told me that the original purpose of our meetings-preparation for an English job interview-was no longer needed. It turns out that he "decided his future" yesterday and took a job with another company. Just when I thought I was saying goodbye to one of the most interesting students I have, he told me that he wants to keep meeting with me and just having normal conversation. What a relief.

After finishing our coffee, he told me that he wanted to "show me how a salary-man [white-collar worker] eats." He took me to this hole-in-the-wall restaurant in the middle of Seoul. The tables have big holes in them, and when you come they put a big grill in the middle of the table. After which they big you a big portion of raw pork belly (thick, thick, bacon) and you cook it for yourself right at the table. It was extremely tasty. The grilled Kim Chee was better, because you grill it below the pork so that the juices can soak into it.

Yum.

We talked about a lot of things: the economy, North Korea, beef, the current Korean President, etc. He also introduced me to a Korean drink: Soju. It's like a weak vodka that is distilled from rice and much, much smoother. Don't worry everyone: I didn't get drunk.

Next week we go to a Korean micro-brewery. Yay!

Music

I am very thankful that I took the time to download some new music before I left for Korea. While I am on my two or three hours of commutes every day I am listening to the following albums:

"Everywhere at Once" by Lyrics Born

"The Craft" by Blackalicious

"Matisyahu" by Matisyahu

"We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things" by Jason Mraz

"All Time Greatest Hits" by CCR

I'm also checking out a few sermons from House of Mercy, which are always enjoyable.

That's all for tonight. See you tomorrow!

---CJ