Too busy to adjust

Well, I'm employed.  I got a dishwashing job at a french restaraunt downtown.  I'm pretty sure this is going to make the summer much more enjoyable, because as nice as it sounds, having nothing to do started to be pretty boring.

Having a Monday through Friday gig makes everything seem normal and familiar again.  I have to say that coming back was never too weird for me (although it really hit home when the bar closed at 2 last night... those in korea know how different that would be).  But about the job, it makes me long for the days when I was an "english teacher" back in Seoul.  The pay was about 3 or 4 times better, and the work was exponentially easier.  Washing dishes is making returning to Korea sound pretty appealling.

But, I'm about to sign a two year cell phone contract with verizon, so it looks like I'll be around here for about that long.

Comments

[Armando]

Hello, I dont know your name, but I have to say that keeping an online journal about your experiences in Korea, and now about your new experiences of being back home might be a good way for you to look back and analize where you are at the moment. Well, at least now you can view America from a different perspective. Today I went to an underground concert. That is what I was told, but I really dont know if it was underground. Any how, I was fortunate enough to see T.A-copy and Super Kidd. These guys are really good and very original in their sounds. Well, to make things quick and short. I decided to look for any info that I could find about them in English, and I found your site. I guess it was half chance that I ended up running across your site, but then again who knows. Good luck with adjusting to American life.
I studied in Yonsei in 2001-2002, and when I returned home, which is Los Angeles, I noticed that things were somewhat the same but I could see differences in how people walked, how they talked, and how they thought about things. Now I am back and working as an English teacher. I don't know how long this will be, but so far I am able to manage to live a calm life.
Once you go to China you might appreciate the Korean tourist a bit more. Atleast they dont litter profusely. Once you are in China you will know what I mean.
Well, good luck with everything.

good day,

Armando Ortiz

[Becky Perry]

In the wake of North Korea's first successful nuclear test, The Washington Post's PostGlobal and Oxford International Review are sponsoring exclusive blog responses to a question posed by former South Korean President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kim Dae-Jung:
Why do you think the current US Administration has refused direct negotiations with North Korea, despite North Korea's proposal to do so?

OIR posed this question to a panel of students from the United States and Asia gathered at Hong Kong University to participate in the Asia Institute for Political Economy, a program conducted by The Fund for American Studies. Click here to read their commentary, in light of recent events: http://blog.washingtonpost.com/postglobal/debate/korea/

Because of your interest in the region, you are being invited to join the conversation and pose questions to our panel. OIR and PostGlobal would love your input.
http://www.oir.org.uk
blog.washingtonpost.com/postglobal

[Nice Pictures, bad comments...]

After reading some of your commentaries to your photos in South Korea, I have to say you sound like a fool. However, considering you're from Oregon and finally seeing the world for your very first time, I forgive your lack of taste in choice of words when describing Guan Yin and the statues of praying monks. Hope you enjoyed your stay in S. Korea and next time try to sound more educated when describing something that is foreign to you. Enjoy!

[Scott]

Dude, that sucks that job market at home is lacking, even for college graduates. I looked for a year and a half in the US after graduating and found nothing rewarding, but only low paying office work in accounting, customer service, and sales. If I were you, I might consider something else over dish washing for low pay such as coming back to Korea. I will stay until I can't stand it anymore or until I saved enough money to use as a stepping stone up to a better career or lifestyle. No offense, if you like restaurant work and being controlled by American cell phone companies with long costly contracts. When I get home, I will go with a prepaid phone so I can drop should I need change my plans at any time to move elsewhere for work. I know I hated low paying work and struggling with dire straights in my young years and longed for more in life.

[MikeHu]

Working as a dishwasher and an English is teacher is quite different. I know by experience but at least your getting paid. If you don't like it, you can always go back to Korea and teach English. Personally, I preferred working as an English teacher.