Chemical castration is now legal in Korea.

This article via the LA Times says that Korea has just become the first country to legalize chemical castration as a method to punish child sex offenders.  If you didn’t know, it’s been legalized in a number of other places, including where I’m from, the state of California.  I only know so much about this because I did some research on it after seeing an episode ofLaw & Order: SVU or something like that a while ago.  I have mixed feelings on the issue and I feel that Korea jumped the gun on the issue, but I guess I can’t blame them for taking action against child rapists.

I came to work in style today.

I woke up this morning and it was raining.  Evan stole my umbrella and I keep my spare at work, so I was ready to just walk to work and get wet.  Luckily, right as I was leaving my apartment, the girl who lives in my building was leaving.  Her dad, a cab driver, was taking her to school so they offered me a ride, which I accepted without hesitation.  I've never actually seen the man before, so it was a really nice gesture.  Plus I made it to work dry and early and I had a free cab ride.

That's not cool.

So, the co-teacher I have trouble with pulled a weird surprise on me today.  For the first class of the day the bell rang and I said hello and all that to the class.  She then proceeded to just stand in the back of the classroom for the next few minutes while I'm standing in the front awkwardly waiting for class to start.  After a few minutes of this, she just says, "Can you teach the whole class by yourself?"  I do it, no questions asked but it was weird as fuck.  For one thing, it was a third grade class where she usually leads and I assist.  She also didn't tell me what we were going to be doing either.  Anyway, I get through the class using the textbook and some pictures.  When it's all over, she says that I did it all wrong and proceeds to pull out a board game from her desk and says that it's what we were supposed to do.  I just don't get it sometimes.

There's a manga for everything.

Like most things I take an interest in, I usually check to see if there is an anime or manga about it because I like animated stories telling me how thing should be in real life.  What makes me say this is because I just finished the manga Ping Pong today, which is about two childhood friends and the high school ping-pong team they're on.  To be honest, it really isn't that great.  The artwork is alright and the plot line is pretty linear.  However, it did teach me a few things about ping-pong, but most importantly, that I have to think, breathe, and live table tennis if I have any chance of becoming a professional.  Just take a look at this one panel from the manga:

That's right, it's blood on the handle.  It looks like I have chosen a rough path.

The USA is out of the World Cup

and so is Korea.  Now I can finally stop pretending that I like soccer and move on to more important things, like what happens in the world of professional table tennis.

Gyan...

the guy who scored the winning goal against the U.S. soccer team, looks a lot like Dikembe Mutombo.  He's even got the finger waving down.

2NE1 is in my 'hood.

I saw this picture of Park Bom on Sandara Park's me2DAY.  I'm able to tell because she's eating In-n-Out.  God only knows how much I miss the Double-Double.

Summer vacation is coming up.

Plans are starting to materialize but things aren't set in stone yet.  It looks like I'll be headed to China in the first week of August.  All the details aren't set yet, but I do know that I want to go to Beijing and Shanghai.  I might also be taking the ferry, but I'm not sure about that yet.

Immortal Regis

My school is eerily quiet today because all the students are taking their finals.  However, it means I have no classes today.  While pretending to work on the lesson plan for the upcoming summer camps I have to teach, I've decided to indulge myself by reading some manhwa (Korean comics).  I've tried reading a few since I've been here, but nothing I was really able to get into.  The only one I've been following is Veritas, which is one of the most entertaining comics I've read in a while.  Yesterday I stumbled on Immortal Regis though, and I have to say that I really like it.  It's a little like Chrono Crusade, with their being demons and all that, but probably not as good.  It's still solid though.  You should check it out here if you have the time.  I have to warn you though, that the plot line is a little hard to follow at the start, but it all comes together a few chapters in.

I speak in code.

Whenever I get a phone call at work and I'm just in my office, I usually just answer because that's what my co-workers do.  However, I like to talk in the worst slang possible just so they can't understand me.  This is what my co-workers hear when I'm on the phone:

• Yo brotha'.  What's crackin'?
• Oh fo' realz?
• Tight.
• I'll see you in a minute then.
• Peace.

One of my co-teachers actually gave me a confused look when I got off the phone earlier so that's why I bring it up now.

The quest for work begins.

I really have to start looking for a new job now that I only have two months and three days before my contract with Yeonhak Elementary School expires.  I've decided to move go into the hagwon system and that I should have started a few weeks ago, but I'm not too worried.  I'll be able to find a job no matter what, it's just that I want to work in an area that I would want to live.  I'm pretty much set on living in Seoul.  There's still an off-chance that I'll stay in Incheon if an offer that I can't refuse comes up, but that's not really likely.  Anyway, I've narrowed where I want to work to three places:

1. Mapo: Around Sinchon hopefully, but it's not too huge a deal.  I think it'd be nice to live near Hongdae.  It's not as if I'm into the clubbing and all that, but it's still a cultural hub in Seoul.
2. Gangnam: It's a nice area.  I don't go there often enough now, but it's been nice every time I've gone.  The pay is also a little better in Gangnam.
3. Jongno: Central Seoul is where it's at.  It's close to a lot of cool shit and I'll be able to walk to a lot of places.

Mostly, I've been using craigslist and Daves ESL to look for jobs.  With the help of some friends, I've already found a few jobs that I'm going to apply for this week.  I just need to edit my resume a bit and take a decent picture of myself, since that's required with every application.  The job I'm applying for in Gangnam sounds really great, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  Hopefully all goes well.

The quest for work begins.

I really have to start looking for a new job now that I only have two months and three days before my contract with Yeonhak Elementary School expires.  I've decided to move go into the hagwon system and that I should have started a few weeks ago, but I'm not too worried.  I'll be able to find a job no matter what, it's just that I want to work in an area that I would want to live.  I'm pretty much set on living in Seoul.  There's still an off-chance that I'll stay in Incheon if an offer that I can't refuse comes up, but that's not really likely.  Anyway, I've narrowed where I want to work to three places:

1. Mapo: Around Sinchon hopefully, but it's not too huge a deal.  I think it'd be nice to live near Hongdae.  It's not as if I'm into the clubbing and all that, but it's still a cultural hub in Seoul.
2. Gangnam: It's a nice area.  I don't go there often enough now, but it's been nice every time I've gone.  The pay is also a little better in Gangnam.
3. Jongno: Central Seoul is where it's at.  It's close to a lot of cool shit and I'll be able to walk to a lot of places.

With the help of some friends, I've already found a few jobs that I'm going to apply for this week.  I just need to edit my resume a bit and take a decent picture of myself, since that's required with every application.  The job I'm applying for in Gangnam sounds really great, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  Hopefully all goes well.

Ping-pong lessons start today.

I'm so fucking excited.  In about 8 hours, I will be on my way to becoming a professional table tennis player.  I didn't ask him last time, but I'm hoping that he has gear that I can buy at the place.  I would like to buy my own paddle.  Maybe I'll even get a uniform.  That would be fucking sweet.

Bros Icing Bros

I'm a little late on learning about this, but I guess it's the new craze.  Basically, you take a Smirnoff Ice and surprise your bro with it.  Your bro then has to get down on one knee and chug the entire bottle.  I'm not sure what the penalty is for not chugging it, but I'm sure it's something along the lines of losing all honor.  There's another rule that if you try to ice your bro, but he has his own Smirnoff Ice with him, then you get ice blocked and have to chug your bottle.  Anyway, people are getting really creative with icing their bros like sending a package to their office with just a Smirnoff Ice in it.

I think this is ridiculously funny.  There are tons of videos on the Internet on the subject, but my favorite is Coolio getting iced on stage.

Tae Kwon Do!? Fuck that shit...

I'm going to take lessons in something useful instead, like ping-pong.

I just signed up for lessons.  The gym [or dojo as I am going to call it] is about a 15 minute walk from my house.  The only reason I decided to do this is because I want to leave Korea with one awesome skill.  My buddy, Ian, used to take lessons at the place I'm going to and he said it's pretty legit.  The guy speaks English to some extent, although when I walked in with Ian today he asked us if we wanted to "ping-pong duel" each other.  It should be okay since I should be able to get by with my minimal Korean.  I was able to discuss when I wanted to go and all that.  I'll be going three days a week.  Each lesson will be an hour.  The lessons are later than I wanted, 10PM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but it'll be fine.  If anything, it'll keep me away from the weekday drinking.  I also have lessons on Sundays at 3PM, so I'll be getting some exercise instead of just bumming around and eating pizza like I usually do.

I'm regretting that I decided to do this so late in my contract, since I can really only take lessons for the month of July because I'll be on vacation for half of August.  I'm still looking forward to it though.  It's the most active sport that I'm going to get into since I quit baseball in high school.  You know, since I really enjoy bowling, darts, and competitive videogaming, which make up the trifecta of pseudo-sports.

What I learned in Korean today:

Hangul/Pronunciation

• 탁구 ë°°ìš°ê³  싶어요/tak-gu bae-oo-go ship-eo-yo

Translation

• I want to learn how to play ping-pong.

I'm going to sign up for lessons next week at the place in my neighborhood.

This guy is a bad man.

I'm going to a bar to watch the game.

I might not like soccer much, but I do love the U.S.A.

me2DAY

For those unfamiliar with it, me2DAY is a micro-blogging service used in Korea.  It's a lot like Twitter, but I actually think it's better.  It has more features than Twitter, but it's not overly complex.  For one thing, you can actually post pictures on it.  There are also a lot of celebrities on it like Sandara Park from 2NE1.  Here's a picture she posted earlier today in response Korea's loss against Argentina.  God only knows how much I love her.

 

I thought about making an account today, but I wasn't sure what I would do with it.  I know that I would never update, but it would make following all the hip k-pop stars easier.  Oh well.

By the way, you can check out the list of celebrity me2DAY accounts at aa-chan.net.  There's also a tutorial on how to make your own account on that site too.  If you decide to make one then let me know.  I might be convinced into actually making one if some people I know are on it.

Korea lost...

but at least I got to sit next to this adorable kid.

formspring.me

What do you think of this? http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/games/hidethefart

• I like this game more than I should.  Everyone should check it out.

 

Ask away.

The Nintendo 3DS.

Well, Nintendo has officially confirmed the Nintendo 3DS at their E3 panel.  The top screen will be in 3D and the bottom screen will be the normal touch pad.  Another thing they've added is the analog stick which they're calling the "slide pad."  Apparently it'll be able to play 3D movies also.  The link also says that 20 different companies have already signed on to make games for it as well.  Even when I was a kid I never dreamed of a portable 3D gaming system.  Technology is ridiculous these days. 

Korea vs Argentina is on Thursday.

It's not going to be the first time that Huh Jung-Moo, the current coach of the South Korean team, and Maradona are going to be facing each other.  They've faced off in the 1986 World Cup as players.  He's famous for this picture where he's kicking Maradona.

Zubbles

I don't know what made me remember Zubbles today, but I want them.  If you don't know what they are, they're colored bubbles:

Awesome right?

I remember my brother spouting some crazy nonsense about this shit a few years ago and how the guy spent all his time trying to make a colored bubble.  Anyway, now they're on the market and I might have to order some.  Luckily they deliver internationally.  I'm also trying to see if I can get my school to just buy a case of them for my summer English camps.  If they won't then I'll have an inappropriate amount of colored bubbles all to myself.

Aw man.

Looks like I'll be having another open class next week.  I'm not really bothered by that, but it's the fact that I have to do it with the co-teacher I don't get along with.  It means that we're going to be interacting more than we usually do.  Lame.

The Pentaport Rock Festival line-up was updated.

Not any real major changes, but at least they're saying what days the bands are playing on.

It's officially coming to an end.

I just turned in the papers saying that I won't be teaching at Yeonhak Elementary School for another year.  I'm a little sad to be honest because I've really enjoyed my time here.  However, Seoul, being able to wake up at 1PM if I work at a hagwon, and making more money are reasons enough for leaving.  What all this really means though, is that there isn't much time left at Yeonhak and that I should probably take more pictures and things.  I should also probably start looking for a job.

Mother fucker.

This machine stole 1,000 won from me earlier today.  I would have yelled at it, but I'm sure it only spoke Korean.

The most awkward moment I've had teaching.

 

Working yesterday with Hae Song Elementary turned out pretty well.  It was an ocean themed English field trip.  We went out to Jebu Island off the coast of Incheon.  I was in charge of 10 kids, ranging from 8-13 years old.  The trip would have been a lot more fun if it didn't rain the entire time.  It also wouldn't have been as bad if one of the 1st graders in my group didn't pee in her pants.  I'm not really mad at her for peeing in her pants, she's a kid and these things happen.  However, it was a really awkward situation because I couldn't even figure out what the problem was in the first place.  It's lunch time and she's sitting there crying and I ask her what's wrong.  Of course she's telling me in Korean and I can't figure out what she's saying.  After about two minutes of this, I finally notice what happened.  Even after I figure it out, it's like, what the fuck am I supposed to do?  I try and tell her it's okay.  I try telling one of the other students to go and get another teacher.  After a few blank stares, one of the sixth graders figures out what I'm saying, then he brings another foreign teacher at the camp and one that speaks less Korean than I do.  It all got straightened out after a while, but it was probably one of the most difficult situations I've come across my whole time here.

As a side note, the same girl peed in her pants on the bus ride back home.  I wasn't aware of this issue until the bus stopped and she started screaming.  Luckily there were Korean teachers in the bus to remedy the issue.

Working on Saturdays is killing me.

I have to be at work in seven hours.  Working on Saturdays has really taken it's toll on me, but I need to get paid, ya' heard?  Tomorrow I'll be going to an island with students form Hae Song Elementary School.  I signed up since it's my friend's school and I can use the money.  It really sounded like a great idea at the moment, but I didn't realize that it was the weekend of the World Cup game.  Also, it's going to be raining, so I'm not sure how fun an island is going to be.

It must be something I ate.

 

Curry donkasu from Kimbap Cheonguk in Guwol-dong.

It’s a great remix of the regular donkasu.  This kimbap place is the only one that I know that serves the curry variation.

It's funny when...

animals think they're delicious.

Well, another day off for me.

I've done nothing all day except watch more Law & Order.  That's about to change since I'm going to walk out of my apartment in a few minutes to get something to eat, but it looks like I'll be getting a pizza and coming straight back to my apartment for more L&O.  Probably a nap after that.  I actually do feel sick today.

I took a sick day today.

I didn't take an entire sick day.  I went in and stayed one class and then they sent me home.  Here's what I did today:

• Took a two hour nap
• Went to the bank
• Had Lotteria on the way back from the bank
• Got ice cream
• Watched 3 episodes of Law & Order

It's been a good day.  I'm thinking I might be too sick to go into work again tomorrow.

formspring.me

Do you go to Taco Ria in Bucheon? If so, I think I might have seen you.  Great blog, especially about the Pokemon stuff.

• I've only been to Taco Ria once, but I guess it's possible that you saw me.  I went on Cinco de Mayo, if that helps.  I should probably go more often since it's not too far.

 

Ask away.

Hurrah for me!

I just made my 500th post joseph-gutierrez.com!

To all my friends in the class of 2010,

There are a lot of you and some of your graduations have already passed and some of them are still coming up, but I would like to tell you congratulations.  You're probably all bummed that I'm not home to celebrate with you, but don't fret.  Just remember that at some point during this week, I'll have a beer in your honor.

Sincerely,

Joseph Gutierrez

Romantic porn is coming to Korea from Japan.

Check this article out from the Korea Times. It's another example how the Korea Times is always reporting on porn. I gather from the article that "romantic porn" is a little more plot-centric, but who seriously watches porn for the story line?

Romantic porn is coming to Korea from Japan.

Check this article out from the Korea Times.  It's another example how the Korea Times is always reporting on porn.  I gather from the article that "romantic porn" is a little more plot-centric, but who seriously watches porn for the story line?

It must be something I ate.

 

Fried Chicken from the Fry Pan near the Incheon Arts Center

The place is pretty cheap and everything’s boneless.  The only thing is that they don’t have any beer on tap.  I’ll probably be going back again though.

Eun Bi: 1, Joseph: 0

This fourth grader today, Eun Bi, was being pretty rude today.  He's one of the students that my co-teacher has problems with.  Today he kept saying "fuck" and was throwing stuff around.  Anyway, I got mad at him, which I don't usually do, and made him sit in the back of the classroom by himself for the rest of class.  After the class, his homeroom teacher brings him into my office and then makes him say that he's sorry in English.  The teacher even apologized for him too, which was really nice.  Anyway, after my next class, the same kid walks into my office and says, "I'm sorry no," as he's making an X with his arms to show me that he's not sorry.

What I learned in Korean today:

Hangul/Pronunciation

• 취했어요/chwee-haess-eo-yo.

Translation

• I'm drunk.

It must be something I ate.

 

Shrimp chips with a Cass from a mini-mart in Bupyeong.

I’ve eaten shrimp chips when I was a kid, so this isn’t anything new for me.  However, it’s finally warm enough that mini-marts are setting up their tables outside and that’s awesome.  You really couldn’t ask for much more than being able to sit outside on a nice night with a beer.

What I learned in Korean today:

Hangul/Pronunciation

• 냉면/naeng-myun
• 지금/ji-geum

Translation

• naengmyun (a cold noodle dish)
• now

I get a lot of messages on the school messaging system that I just don't even understand.  However, I do try to read them when I'm bored.  I got one about 20 minutes ago that said a whole lot of shit, but I saw these two words and figured out that there was naengmyun to eat in the teachers' lounge.  Little things like this make me feel like I'm making progress.

K-POP STAR INVOLVED IN AN ELECTION SCANDAL!?

Not really.  Miryo from the Brown Eyed Girls got into trouble for posting a picture of herself with her election ballots on her twitter the other day.

I'm not exactly sure which part is illegal, because using your phone and taking pictures inside a voting booth don't sound like they are, but the allkpop.com article says that photographing the photos and publishing them is what got her into trouble.

It hasn't been fixed yet.

It might would be too complicated to really explain what the issue is in updating my blogspot, but I'm working on it. If you're actually reading any of the shit I say on here, you haven't missed much. The only thing I did worth mentioning is a 12-hour marathon at a PC bang but you can read about that here.