where to be

before you take a job, you should ask which subway stop you'll be living closest to. i live in pyeongchon, off the blue line 4 towards oido (bottom middle left of the map, ignore the red arrow). i love where i live, but it can be hard b/c it sure is easier to socialize when you live in/close to seoul. im a 45 min subway ride south of itaewon. if i go out to a bar or club, or run late hanging out with friends, i have to be mindful of catching the last subway at 11pm-ish, or the last bus at midnight, to get home. if not, then im out all night and catch the first train in the morning around 5:30am, OR i can take a taxi, which can run 20$ on a good night, $30-something on a bad one. sometimes people stay in a hotel (i think love motels are 20 bucks a night?) or stay in a sauna which are 5 to 10 bucks i think.

fan death

i dont know how to upload videos on blogger...

so, click this link to watch a video my friend made

about the dangers of fan death.

anyang, pyeonchon

i live in anyang, in pyeongchon. it's 45 min south of itaewon on the subway. as of this writing (500 plus days of living in south korea/pyeongchon) ive done no site seeing here. yeah, im lame. there's no point to this post, i jsut wanted to put up those links in case i want to find them again.

book: korea w/blk perspective

just helping out a friend, promoting. check his blog for updates. ~Supa Fly.
==============================================

Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 8:11:43 AM
Subject: It's Christoph from DC. Be included in a new book.
Hey,
It’s Christoph from DC! I am contacting you to let you know that I am in the arduous process of writing a book. This book will pretty much be the first of its kind. The premise of this book, basically, has to do with “Living in Korea as a Black Person.” That is not the title. The title has not been finalized however that is what the book is about.

Obviously, it is impossible for me to present to the masses the many experiences a black person goes through and has gone through while residing here in Korea . In this book, I would like to display the many different happenings, experiences, misfortunes, benefits, love stories (with Koreans), marriages to Koreans, all of what has occurred as a result of being a black person in Korea.

I have collaborated with a reputable writing company that has a whole portfolio of experience when it comes to creatively piecing together a literary puzzle masterpiece such as this. They have pretty much guaranteed satisfaction to the point where this book really could become a project not just black people would be proud to read but Koreans and other nationalities as well. It is my goal to get this book in the hands of as many people as possible. I’m sure aspiring ESL teachers would like to read it just to get a heads up on what to expect.

I am asking you if you are interested in submitting one or two of your fondest, amazing, hard to believe memories and/or experiences you’ve had while living in Korea . Keep in mind that this book is intended to present the perspective of the African American. Lets show the Koreans how intelligent we are. I know that there may be some experiences and memories that may seem like it’s a little Korea-bashing so if you could just tone down textual tone of the situation. I’m not saying be fake but be respectful even if sometimes you feel like Koreans don’t deserve it.

Pictures, letters, notes, all will be great to supplement your story. The book will be written kind of like a narrative. So the story that you submit will be presented as is so please proofread and revise to the best of your ability. It will be revised in house and sent back to you for your approval. Please submit pictures and supplements that accurately and colorfully complement your story. Immediately following your story, will be your due credits. So along with your story, please submit your information (where you are from, blog address, where you stayed in Korea , your purpose for being in Korea , e.g. teacher,). When you submit pieces, we will get back with you, letting you know if your story aligns with the book’s angle or if we already have a story on that particular subject.

Be apart of history in the making. Go ahead and google books from black authors about Korea and see if you see any to date. I’m not saying there aren’t any out there but I haven’t found any to read. LETS DO IT!

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: July 1, 2008
P.S. My personal blog is below.
Christoph J.
http://www.exodus7.com/
http://www.myblackseoul.blogspot.com/ The Seoul of a Black Man
Travel with me as I expound on how, I, a black man, strives and thrives in Seoul, South Korea. Read along as I discuss, in literary manner, the many experiences and insights that will transform how I view life and the world as a whole.

more blogs

yet another blog way better than mine, brian at http://kissmykimchi.blogspot.com/

ive not been to many clubs here b/c my music tastes are not satisfied. i have been to harlem in gangnam ($20 to get in?) and kings club in itaewon. i think these two places may be where you'll see the most blk people in one place in south korea. miltary cant be caught out on the street after a certain hour, so if these clubs arent their first stop of the night, it's their last, and they stay until the morning. i find brian's critique of said clubs rather accurate. pero anywayss, do check out his blog for all kinds of info for things to do in korea: historical, social, restaurants, clubs, etc.

well said

in answer to the constant question of possibly experiencing racism/discrimination if you move to korea:

"I never had any serious problems... If you can’t handle being black anywhere else in the world, I don’t see why you’d have an especially difficult time in Asia."

thank you iyori. :)

described as "Davey and Goliath...meets South Park."

using the computer at home, i sometimes cant access some sites. there will be a message, something like "this is not available in your country" or something. i dont have this probem at work or at the internet cafes. anyway, im home and not allowed to watch moral orel. dammit. i could really use a laugh right now. maybe i can watch... something else... i dont know. man, if youre in the mood for moral orel, there is no other!

costco

hello blogworld. i am running out of oatmeal. my homegirl keena gave me the rest of hers before she left... *sniffle* i miss you, keena!!! anyways... im nearly out and now i dont konw what to do. i never ate oatmeal at home. but here it's like the perfect thing to eat for breakfast everyday. i must have more.

i know there is oatmeal to be bought at costco in seoul, but ive only been to one of the stores and damned if i can find my way back. they're all far for me, like an hour on the subway? i dont love oatmeal that much.

im sure some of the coworkers go... but im not asking them for help. a personal aside here: im really not game for asking anybody for anything these days. the last few times i needed help, i got none. and as a grown ass woman, it's really embarrassing to not be able to do things for yourself, which happens so often here being in a new place and unfamiliar with geography, customs, lanugage, etc. So im taking the punk way out, and asking my parents to send me oatmeal. BUT i did just learn that you can order costco online, to be delivered to your front door:

http://www.hellocost.co.kr/

http://www.ezshopkorea.com/

the websites are in english. but key money is still being pulled from my paycheck and loving parents make it easy to lean on them, so perhaps i'll try the website another time.

one of the last one on one times i got to spend with keena was going to costco, and she bought me my first costco hot dog. deeeee-licous.