"Runaround"

Today was a pretty long day. I got to work and sat around and basically did nothing. I am way ahead in my lesson planning, and will probably try to pump out another week or two of lessons based on American Holidays just so I don't have to do them later in the year. It's pretty easy to do a PowerPoint presentation on Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Instead, I spend a whole 30 minutes this morning editing audio and video for YouTube. I found out about a couple of music companies that do movie trailer music. One, X-Ray Dog, and another which is amazing called Two Steps from Hell. There are a few more you can preview on YouTube such as GRV music and some others. (note: I didn't edit the original video, which was done for PBS - I just added the music and did some video cropping.) Hey, it's my first attempt at using Final Cut Express - I have to start somewhere!

Anyways, here is the video I did this morning. The information can be found in the info section. (Lauren please don't let DCI sue me!) - I hope you enjoy!



Later in the afternoon I was supposed to accompany my co-teacher Sarah to the immigration office to apply for my ARC (Alien Registration Card). She came to the office a couple hours before we left to make sure I had all the paperwork. Apparently, I needed to bring my hospital exam test results, but I was told to pick them up after 4pm. Sarah called the hospital so they could have them ready for me within the hour - and they did. (Sorry, I didn't get to see the cute nurses again - just the nerdy male receptionist.)

Around 3:00 Sarah drove me to the immigration office and we sat around for about a half hour even though she made an appointment (I think we were early). I think she thought she would get lost and was frantically trying to get me there on time. By the way - her version of GPS is honking at people after every mile and asking them to point the way. They all just stared at the big white dude in her tiny car.

After my paperwork was done she wanted to drive to her mechanic that was nearby. I wasn't looking forward to this as I know how long it takes to go to mechanics in the States - usually you end up leaving your car overnight and paying hundreds of dollars. She only needed her door handle replaced and we were the only customer, so we were done in a half hour and she only paid 10,000won ($8) - I wish!! In the states that would take an hour and cost you at least $50 just for the labor, the part would cost you another $60 easy.

While we were waiting we watched a televised game of what she translated into "foot and ball" - it was nothing like football. The game is played on a narrower tennis court with a mid-level net, and the teams have to either head or kick a soccer ball over the net. It's basically tennis, soccer, and volleyball all rolled into one.

After the repair she asked me if I wanted a nice dinner of cold noodles (sure, why not?). She said she wanted to walk from her apartment though (about 1/2 mile -- ok, I only am lugging around my backpack with a laptop - but sure, why not). Turns out the place is in downtown Sanbon, so it's close to my apartment at least. On the walk she wanted to discuss her ailments and her knee surgery and why she needed to walk everyday. Then threw in how her knee was better because her reverend prayed for her. Then mentioned "did you get the sermon of Daniel I sent you in an e-mail?" (I hadn't) - good thing I knew which one it was because I felt that she would probably go on to tell me the story. (It was about Daniel and the furnance - I related it to myself and how hot I was in her car which doesn't have A/C).

Dinner was ok. I wouldn't recommend it. It was a soup (surprise surprise) that was served cold with crushed ice on top to make it colder. It had cucumber shavings, chili paste, half a hard-boiled egg, a slice of pear, and some root-based noodle that was chewy and kept choking me. Needless to say, I didn't finish it on the basis of I wanted to live at least another day.


I can see myself at the pearly gates now:
St. Peter: "Hey Nicka, how's it going? So dude, how did you kick the bucket so early?"
Me: "Hey Petey - choked on some Korean noodles that I couldn't swallow."
St. Peter: "Man, that's pretty lame."
Me: "Tell me about it...wanna open those gates bro?"
St. Peter: "Nah, ever since Bush choked on that pretzle a few years back we felt we had to change the ruling on choking deaths."