Less than a Week to Go...

Well my 2 year working vacation to Korea is coming to a close and I am flying home March 1st.

I've already packed one suitcase and half way packed my second one. I am not sure what my plans are when I return home but one of the first orders of business will be to get my British Passport and I'll next be exploring Europe. I have some irons in the fire with some interesting teaching options in Switzerland and England so we'll see what pans out.

This post is more of a dedication to the friends I've met in Korea.

Lee (the Crazy White Umbrella Brit) and Karen (The directionally challenged American) met fell in love and married in the span of 5 months who decided to become my adoptive parents. Hey can I have a car for my 35th birthday guys? Anyway, they skipped out on Korea and moved to New Jersey - for awhile anyway.


Lee is on the left his wife - well I should not have to point her out. My friend Victor the Chinese Australian who grew up in Singapore (yeah sure he's probably a secret agent) and who I try to get to speak in Aussie tongues is probably going to call Korea his home. Yeah Victor if I come back to Korea I'll take you up on the job despite those terrible split shifts.

Next is Angela - I met her in my building (well Starbucks next door) in Ilsan when I worked for Kids College. We have those deep intellectual conversations at 2am about life, love, politics and religion. I am her husband of sorts - long story - no we didn't really marry but her offer is on the table if I can get her an EU visa.


Here is Jessica and Adam - they're from Nova Scotia and came to C.I.S 6 months ago. Great couple really sweet. Adam's a writer/teacher/trouble finder like Lee. The picture isn't great - I have since bought a Nikon - sorry Lee but Nikon is better - hahaha. The little cocker spaniel is Tintiny which means healthy and strong apparently.


Here's a picture after a night out in the Nori-bong - which are private singing rooms. On the right is Colin and over by Lee on the right is his wife Melanie. They're off in Japan having more adventures. My audiophile friend Dave is second on the left. Have you made it back to Korea yet with those new Korea entry requirements? Crazy new rules since that pedophile have made it very tough to work in Korea. You now need police checks two drug tests and an interview with the Korean consulate in Canada. Dave and I toured all the audiophile technology departments of Yongsan. And we both love Sarah McLachlan - sorry I outed you Dave but if an ex-bouncer can admit he likes Sarah then so can I.

And then there's Tom. Tom came to Kids College and we have been good friends since, often going hashing together. I don't have a picture - must be on one of my hard drives that I already packed. Anyway, Tom is responsible for giving me the greatest book I've read so far - "Confederacy of Dunces" and it has renewed my interest in reading for pleasure. He's the Mcgiver man - he can turn white board pens into hose connectors for fish tanks all with a pocketknife. Look after my fish for me - though to be honest they're probably better of with you. And if I come back I'm staying with you - 3 bedrooms, two balconies, and a real BATHTUB. It's been a long time since I have seen a bathtub. Showering over the toilet is something I definitely won't miss.

And to my current coworkers - I am pleased to have known you and perhaps we'll meet again.

Now it's time to close on Korea and perhaps open a new blog on the next chapter, wherever it will be.