The Pill I'm getting ready for my two month trip around Southeast Asia. My first step was to get my shots. I got three shots and took the oral typhoid fever pills which cost me $5 more because I didn't want to have four needles. Anyhow, on March 5th I'll be flying out of Seoul to Bangkok, Thailand where I will start my adventures. I'm going with my friend Derek. We're going to start by relaxing in Bangkok and taking Thai cooking classes. I'm very excited. Other fun things we plan to do is work in a zoo with the animals in Jakarta, drink Singapore Slings in Singapore, SCUBA diving, a tiger sactuary, tailor made clothes in Vietnam and a host of other exciting things. So get ready everyone I will have stories and pictures to bore everyone with.

I really am excited about coming home. Who ever picks me up at the airport is lucky because you get to take me to the Sea-Hi. As for all those at home: Joanne you'd better buy some dates, Mom get some V8, Tropica Orange Juice, Dad I want a turkey, Diane - get you oven mit ready because I want some gravy, and Billie Jo don't forget about the broccoli salad. I want a feast when I get home in May!

Getting my shots at the International Clinic in Seoul

Trouble in Paradise For the Christmas holidays I went to the Philippines. For the first few days and the last day I stayed with Jenn's Family. For the days in between I went to Boracay. I'm not a very good photographer and often don't think of taking out my camera - as a result forgive my photos as they are not astounding or even that interesting.

Here is one of many lizards seen throughout the Philippines. They were in restaurants and at Jenn's Grandma's.

Lechon Monok, Christmas dinner a specially prepared Filipino meal.

In the province on Christmas Eve.

White Beach on Boracay Island

Lovers watching the sunset in Boracay.

To Heck With Old Santa Claus It was our first major snowfall in Seoul and we were all so excited to have it. Here are some pictures. It was also the celebration of Jenn's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Oh, and will somebody please leave a comment.

Doesn't everyone use an umbrella when it's snowing?

In Itaewon, out for Jenn's birthday.

We were so excited we tried to dip. It didn't work out as we had hoped.

Jenn, Andrew and I enjoying the first major snowfall in Seoul.

Country in my Genes

It's Seoul Fashion Week here in Seoul and last night Elvis, Wade and I went to a show. The designer was Park Choon Moo, a Korean designer. I'm not sure how Elvis worked it but we arrived at the venue and there were hundreds of people waiting in line either with tickets or trying to get tickets. Elvis made a contact earlier that day and we walked in, asked for his contact and we were promply seated before most of the other guests and in the VIP section. It was a fabulous experience. I highly recommend being a very important person.

Elvis and I enjoy the VIP seating before they allow the commoners in the room.

Elvis and Wade

The models strut their stuff.

Clearly, I'm not going to be a fashion photographer any time soon.

After the show on the runway.

Is Elvis posing?

Thanks Elvis for whatever you did!

Fist City
I went to Hong Kong for three days. I was there from October 5th until early Ocotber 9th and it was an amazing trip. I can't beleive how much fun I had. It's funny how some cities are so spectacular and others are not. I have been having a hard time explaining why I liked it so much there but I was stimulated there. Hong Kong has a vibe that is hard to translate into words or even pictures.

The buildings were so interesting. You wouldn't find this in Seoul.

I went with my friends Elvis and Mark. The buildings along the harbour light up in the evening for a light show that is timed to the music.

I really do love Hong Kong. I'm trying to go back in November for a weekend.

Take a moment and enjoy the view.

Even the culture was incredible. We took cable cars over a lake and mountains to find Buddah nestled in the middle of nowhere.

How could one not be stimulates with streets like these?

There's something to see down every street and every alley.

Of course, the night life had a lot to do with it all.

Coal Miner's Daughter

What follows is an essay written by one of my students. We were discussing biographies in class. As an assignment I had them write a brief 5 paragraph essay on someone they admire. However, I mentioned that I would give bonus marks to anyone who chose to write about Loretta Lynn. I received essays about Einstien, Edison, Madame Curie and but only one wrote about the Coal Miner's Daughter. And this is one of his better essays. It's not always an easy job.

I like somgs about pop. Of all of the singers in the wide world, Westlife or Beatles were very poplar singers in the world, but I like (know) an old singer. Her name is Loretta Lynn. I will write about her life.

In 1935, Kentucy, in America, she was born. Her father was a miner. She was a nice woman but even though she was poor, because in that time, people thought expensive life with a good career is better than good and nice mind.

The hardships fallow hardships. She married with a man, that was only fourteen age. She fell into anguish, she would get pain. All of doings were hard.

Many people were same. If they fall into agony, they always find out gods or songs. Loretta sang to her babies, it feels very touch. Her husband decided to make her a singer in 1960. her songs were the best, her songs were hits that American Country music.

I heard her beautiful song it's named "Coal Miner's Daughter". It feels very soft and quiet as whisper. Now I know her life and why my teacher likes her.

Have Mercy
I have been teaching in Korea now for almost 10 months and I haven't heard anyone tell this story before. I wonder how often it happens?

The children I teach range from 10 to 16 years of age. This afternoon while teaching a group of teenagers, one asked if he could use the bathroom. As I'm a strict teacher (I have serious problems for I can hardly discipline them but today I thought I would try it out) I told him, "No, you should go before class or during the break." A few moments later he asked again, but this time I could tell there was something wrong so I told him to leave. Upon returning I didn't notice anything until one girl came to me and whispered that there was an awful smell coming from her side of the room. Fortunately the bell rang, so I dashed off to the teacher's room wondering what she wanted me to do about it. When I returned to the class there was a commotion and that's when I noticed the stench. I borrowed some aerosol spray from Sara and tried to teach the class as normal. The other children would not have it. They were covering their hands and whispering. I walked over to them and that's when I noticed. This poor boy pooped his pants and I could see it. It was all over his shirt! I was standing behind him at this point and I told the others to not mention it and pretend like there was nothing wrong. I did all this with my eyes and my hands. It looks like those sign language classes finally paid off. Perhaps I should have handled it differently but I wasn't properly trained for this. No one ever mentioned teenage boys and explosive diarrhea when I signed up for this job.