self-awareness

Hello All,

Another week has passed here in Cheongju. Within that time I have thwarted an alien takeover, broke up a major crime-syndicate, and reached the peak of Korea's largest summit.
Hmm perhaps the last sentence was an exaggeration. Here is the real story............

Now that I am teaching full-time the time passes much quicker than before. Perhaps my distorted perception of time is a reflection of the content of my daily activities. which have undergone a remarkable transformation following my relocation to Korea:
School starts at 4 pm, but we arrive early to prepare for the students. Prior to school, my day is rather unremarkable. After waking up I toast a bagel in a skillet pan(yes, yes it is possible). While eating breakfast, I typically perform online research on whatever oddity has captured my interest. Then I walk down to the market to pick up some fresh produce and enjoy the usual stares of the resident employees. Following the store, I go for a run and lift some 250 pounders( you know the usual). By the time I shower and have lunch I begin work. Then BAM work is over at 10:30ish and I am ready for bed. So I have related this delightful narrative to illustrate the odd life I am experiencing; a simple stream of unalloyed perceptions and experiences.

As a result of my current lifestyle, I am learning to more thoroughly enjoy the small pleasures of life. Lunch is typically the highlight of my day; I have perfected a delectable balsamic chicken bell pepper skillet and a superb ranch-cajun chicken salad. the local Dunkin Donuts has morphed into my reading spot. My daily market-trip is banal, but nonetheless enjoyable.

My walks and time spent at Dunkin Donuts are a gateway for deep thought and observations of the many that lives that bubble past and fall behind. Now more than any other time in my life I am an observer. I watch the gossiping middle-aged women, endless supply of laughing schoolchildren, the soju-greased men, and stooped ajummas. My observations have reinforced many of beliefs about people and culture. Some facets of culture are important parts of daily life and deeply connected to particular thoughts and actions. Despite some superficial differences, all people seem to share most of the same basic motivations. My observations leave me more passionately against racism and ethnocentrism. If people are essentially the same, it is illogical and cruel to judge another individual as inferior because of their fashion-sense and culinary practices. Yet, who said humans were always logical and kind?

The constant sightings of happy groups leave me pensive and hungry for close contact. Although a lot of my time in California is spent alone, with family and nearby loved ones, I rarely disliked the solitude. I still usually enjoy my solitude, however I frequently wish I had someone to share it with.

After another week I am more confident with my Korean existence and hopeful for the upcoming weeks , but still unsatisfied with my cheeseless pizza...........