Something wicked this way comes.

My mom just arrived in the Philippines today. That's not really a big deal since she goes to the Philippines every year. However, this year, she's planning on visiting me in Korea. It's not definite yet, but I'm really hoping that she doesn't. I really just don't want her to see what my life is like in Korea. She will have a lot to say about how late I stay up and how often I drink. Im already trying to think of which hotel I should put her in so she doesn't have to stay with me, but I probably wouldn't be able to do that since I know she wouldn't be able to fend for herself. Don't get me wrong, I really do love my mom, and it probably wouldn't be that bad, but something in the back of my mind keeps telling me that there will be hell to pay when she steps foot in this country.

I'll get first place one of these days.

So it's Tuesday afternoon and I'm getting ready to go to another Magic the Gathering tournament.  For the past two weeks, I've pretty much gone to every Magic event that I've had time to go to.  I'm doing pretty well for myself now.  Not only do I win more often than I lose, but for the past two weeks I've finished 2nd or 3rd in every event.  However, I've never finished first and it just gets me so angry.  I know what I'm having issues with (U/W control and the Mirror, for those who know what I'm talking about), but since I don't know anyone that runs those decks personally, I'm having issues practicing for them.  I just want to take first in an event before I leave for Korea.  How else can I make my momma proud?

It's a constant struggle.

In her old age, my mom's only two joys are not my brother and me, but the Filipino Channel and computer solitaire. This doesn't bother me one bit, but since the big screen TV in the living room is currently not working, it means that the prime real estate in the house is now my brother's room, where one can enjoy cable TV while sitting at a computer desk. I particularly enjoy this spot because I can indulge in internet browsing and daytime Law & Order marathons. So now my brother's room has become a heated battlefield while my brother is at work/school in the day between my mom and me. My mom is surprisingly sneaky. When I get up to use the bathroom she will sneak in and firmly plant herself in the computer chair. Since I enjoy computer games myself, I know that it's pointless to interrupt someone when they're in the middle of a game, so once those cards are dealt on the screen there's no moving her until the game is done. If I miss that window where she completes a game and starts another one, then I'll be stuck with my iPad and now television for hours. I'm fairly sneaky myself, so sometimes when I want to use the computer, I'll call the house from my cell phone and when she gets up to answer it, I'll take over the computer. I'm able to defend the position for a while by telling her that I'm applying for jobs, which I actually do sometimes. However, my mom is a hardened veteran of subtle mind games so I always have to be on the lookout.

My mom's not capable of making many facial expressions, but this is her most common one, displeased.  She'll probably make this face when I tell her that I've posted pictures of her on the Internet.

Farewell, my Korean mother.

Last week, I had to say good-bye to my mom in Korea. She was this little old lady that worked at a BBQ restaurant that I went to all the time. She was so nice to me, she would hook me up with some food every once in a while, and would hug me whenever I walked in the door. She would even step out of the restaurant just to say hello when I walked by. A few months ago, you could collect six soju caps and then trade them in for a free movie ticket. She saved a whole bunch from people drinking in the restaurant and gave me all the caps. Now the restaurant is closed down and she's moved to Suwon. It really is sad. I figured that I would be going to that restaurant until I left Korea, but now when I walk past the Chinese restaurant that's there now, I feel a loneliness that only the saddest men have known. I know you'll never read this, but it's Mothers' Day and I would just like to say 감사합니다 [thank you].