skiing

I went three weeks ago. I fell on my face five times, not once did I roll, so I did rather well. I went down some "Black Diamond" courses. I doubt they were real Black diamonds, since there were only a couple lumps resembling moguls and considering that I didn't have a rough time on any of them.

I didn't know about the trip until the night before, in a "pub" with some buddies.
Josh gets a phone call from friend Grant, asking if we wanted to go skiing. We finish our beers, go home and start packing, get up at six, onto the subway, and we're on a bus off to someplace in Korea that has mountains and skiing on those mountains. Grant didn't come because he had diarrhea.

The snow is melted away, Spring will bring smog and my parents for 10 days, and I may start running soon. I joined a gym this morning, I've been sedentary my entire five month stay. Time to move.

A morning conversation with mr. che, Josh and me

mr. che: did you know all Korean teachers at wonderland are not married?

Josh and Me: oh... yea?

mr. che: yes, yes. they are all not touched. {walks over to Josh, rubs his arm} like this. No skinship. Skinship.

Josh and Me: {nervous and awkward laughter}.

mr. che: {walks away then abruptly turns around} did you know that, um, the no touched Koreans also, um, no sexing?

Josh: {turns head away, eyebrows raised, lips pinched and curling up on the sides}

mr che: {approaches me, wide-eyed, brings his face close to mine} have you heard of sex?

Josh: {pinching the inside of his thigh in order not to laugh in mr. che's face}

Me: Sex? Ah... yeah, I've heard of it.

mr. che: all Korean teachers, except Carrie... no sex. You must watch for Korean women with many {rubs lips, indicating lipstick} red and many {touches eyes, indicating mascara}. They look like lion. rarrrr. {moves arms like he thinks a lion would} They will follow you and you must stay away. Koreans with no {rubs lips and eyes} are okay.

Josh: Yes...? Are you talking about makeup?

mr. che: yes, yes.

Me: {silent}

Josh: {silent}

mr. che: {silent}
{the female korean teachers come into the teacher's lounge, and mr. che points at them}

mr. che: see. no make up. {walks off}

On Thursday I get my wisdom teeth pulled.

It'll take between 15 and 30 minutes. Today the dentist looked at them. "Simple extraction." I plan on teaching a Kindergarten class with gauze in my mouth. After that, my two hours will have expired, and I can spit the gauze and go about my business unhindered.

Maybe I'll get laser eye surgery within the next seven months.

New Years

Instead of a big ball dropping from the sky like in Times Square, a bunch of men battering-ram a huge bell. Then the fireworks explode. Everyone has a delicious time with beebimbap and soju, and then the next thing you know, you're waking up on someone's floor where a dog's resting his sleeping head on your crotch.