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.
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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.

i wonder

these red levers under my sink... what are they for? are they supposed to be turned upward or downward? upward in winter, and down in summer? or UP all the time? OR DOWN all the time?

i dont know.

tips for when youre brand spankin new

with thanks to seoul's own groove magazine.

• pronunciation: korea is so homogenous. many residents are not used to having to decipher mispronounced korean words. to avoid confusion, have a k-friend write down your request (destination, item to buy, etc) to show to taxi drivers, store owners, whatevers.
• atm: atms at banks are open from 8am to 10pm, they're not 24 hrs. some atms at convenience stores or subway stations may have 24 hr service, but their dependability is limited and they may not be in english.
  
• phones: the local area code doesnt have to be dialed when calling from a landline or pay phone. however, area codes must always be included when using a cell phone.
• phone etiquette: it is not uncommon for koreans to hang up the phone without saying "goodbye." A simple "ok, or "ya" or nothing at all is common practice for ending a phone call.
• yes, no and maybe do not always mean yes, no, and maybe. in korea, yes could mean "yes, i heard what you said," and maybe would mean almost anything. double check with who youre talking to.
• laughing: if you show anger or share sad news, koreans might respond with a smile or laugh. they're not laughing at you; this is their uncomfortable response to what they consider an awkward situation.
• red ink: dont write someone's name in red ink b/c it's reguarded as an insult or unfriendly. you use red ink if you want someone to die...
• No.4: some buildings dont have a 4th floor, or it'll say F instead of four. this is b/c 4 is a bad luck number, the korean word meaning four "sa" sounds like the chinese character for "death."
• 24/7 free korea info in english: (02) 1330. they'll translate, give directions, ask them anything, they can answer. from your cell phone, dial 021330.

question: getting hired

read all the emails/questions that i get here.
find more people to talk to here.

----- Original Message -------
From: a myspacer
Date: May 22, 2008 11:31 AM
Greetings,
I was wondering if you had any advice about getting hired..I am working through footprints recruiting right now (have you heard anything about them). I would like to be over there by the 2nd week in August that is my goal, trying to make the right steps to make that happen. Also besides Seoul what are some other major cities I should be looking into. Thanks in advance for the help. T

hi t. you dont need advice for getting hired, actually getting a job is pretty easy, as soon as you put your resume out, you'll have plenty of offers. footprints is a reputable agency, and they'll help you sift through your offers. when they tell you about a job, ask what subway station it's closest to. this will give you a sense of where you'll be. then you can get on the blk korea groups and see who's in the area, and get some better info.

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facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=25747883752

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as for what other steps you can do to get the job: footprints will help you. there have been many changes to the visa laws since i arrived, so i cant be much help to you on the technical side. if you've any other questions, do email me, im always around. ~i_teach.