There's No Place Like Oz

I got to do something unimaginable this morning. Although I live in Seoul, I went to a party in Prairie Village, Kansas.

There was a big engagement party for a few very close friends and with the help of another close friend, I managed to make an appearance at the fiesta via webcam. Many other close friends were in attendance and we managed to keep the whole thing a surprise until the second I appeared on their screen and a room full of many of my best friends appeared on my screen.

There was a moment when everyone appeared that bowled me over. I was sitting at my computer screen reading an article on ESPN.com drinking a cup of coffee and then right there in front of me flashed these people that I miss so much. The element of surprise and the applause that the room erupted with filled me with an indescribable happiness. I was literally speechless for a few moments (which doesn't happen to me very often.)

"I" was set in the corner of a room and somebody pulled a couple chairs up to the screen. For an hour and a half I got to share stories and laughs. Seeing familiar faces and hearing familiar voices forced my mouth into a permanent smile. TO be honest, I couldn't stop smiling after the webcam session ended.

I've been living in Asia for well over a year. Throughout the past 13 months I have had minor bouts with homesickness, but I have become so far removed, I think I forgot how nice it is to be able to talk to good friends. I had forgotten what I was missing.

The only bad thing about the party was I could never talk anybody into cyber-sex. I did flash my tits and came close to taking my pants off, but no go. I thought I heard some mentions of a 3-way, but it never materialized...

Technology has really improved my quality of life over here. I am able to stay connected to friends all over the world. I instantly know the scores to games that are happening back home. And now today, I got to travel hafway across the world and have conversations with the poeple who mean the most to me.

It was a great pleasure to see many of you this morning. I can't wait till we can do it in person.

Much love from Seoul

Mr. Roboto

Put this together last Friday night.
Thought some of you might enjoy it.

Keep On Keepin' On

I think I have found my way out of the funk I recently found myself in, and if last night isn't proof of this, I don't know what is.

I decided to go to Costco to stock up on frozen items, booze and other essentials. I was going solo after I got off work at 6:00. It was sprinkling outside, but I am never one to allow the weather to dictate my plans, so I decided I would make the trip anywho.

To get to Costco you have to get off at the nearest subway stop and then take a cab a mile or two up a hill to the bulk-buying, bargain-hunter's paradise. By the time I came out of the proper station, the sprinkle had turned into a downpour. I was able to flag down two different cabs, both who tried to explain in Korean why they couldn't take me there. Both of them got an ear-full of English cuss words and slanders. I tried to bribe both of them with extra money and still they both said no.

I continued walking in the direction of Costco, all the while trying in vain to hail a cab and getting soaked to the bone. There comes a point when you are in the rain when you realize it will be impossible to get any wetter. I reached that point and said, "Fuck it." I turned the iPod up a little louder and began hiking. I made a wrong turn and ended up along a gorgeous river-walk area. I saw actual wild life (some gigantic white herons and a couple badger-like creatures) as I jammed to my tunes. (I just used a couple phrases that will baffle any of my friends reading this that have spent time in Korea: wild-life and gorgeous river-walk.) Wherever I had ended up, it was a beautiful little corner of Seoul and I felt lucky to have found it. The air smelled thick of the pine trees I was surrounded by and it smelled fresh - two smells you don't smell often in Seoul.

I was soaking wet, couldn't figure out the taxi system, lost, hungover, and incredibly content with life. I consider that a victorious evening.

I finally made to Costco. I got some strange looks - I am sure I looked like a vagrant who had come from under the bridge to Costco just trying to get out of the rain. Even though I have been here for a year, I am still having surreal Asian experiences and I need to enjoy each and every minute of them. As sick of Asia as I have been lately, I know I will miss certain aspects of the place once I return Stateside and I have realized that now is the time to keep on keeping on.

Much love from Seoul

Seoul Survivor

It's been awhile since I've written anything. I was hoping I would have something more positive to say than my last posting, but my mood hasn't improved all that much.

I hit my one-year mark this past weekend. I didn't do much to celebrate. To be honest, I am now quite regretting my decision to stay. I really want to leave Korea, but it sure looks like I am going to be stuck here for another half year.

I'm not sure if I am just experiencing these feelings because I know that I could have gone home last weekend and they will go away once I get back into the swing of things, or if they are going to be a permanent problem.

One of the big things I have noticed is a clash of emotions I feel. Being here for a year, I now feel like a resident. Seoul and Korea are my home. I am used to them and feel like this is where I live. At the same time, I feel more and more alienated from the population. I am viewed as an outsider and a foriegner once I walk out the door of my apartment, but in my own head I see myself as one of them. I consider myself a part of this country, but am realizing that I am not seen that way by the populace. This is a frustrating fact to realize.

The mystery bumps that took over my body a couple weeks ago have mostly gone, but I have been experiencing other problems that have made my life difficult. I am powerless to help myself when it comes to most things in Korea. Again, at first I found delight in the challenge of succeding in a foreign land, but now it just frustrates me and makes me yearn for home.

Also, since most contracts in Korea last for a year, virtually everyone I was friends with when I came to Korea have left. A good Scottish friend had her big goodbye night out this last weekend and headed back to her home. It sucks that every time I make a good friend over here they disappear.

My world in Korea is constantly evolving and changing. I guess I need to be optimistic and realize that in the natural ebb and flow of my life over here, this valley I am stuck in will eventually turn into a hill and I will be back on top of the world again. I just hope I find myself there soon.

Sorry to be such a Debbie Downer...

Much love from Seoul