20 weeks down, 32 to go. Reflection so far...After 4 nights away in Gangneung and Seoul, I went to bed on Sunday night only to fall sick with gastroenteritis. This was diagnosed by a Changwon doctor on Monday morning. My boss drove me to hospital and his wife, who has better command of English, had to request that I take my pants down, for an injection to the rear. 2 days later, and a lot of medication and juk (rice porridge) and I was back to work, having missed...

Lunar New Year. The population of Korea get in a car, on a train or take a bus and go to see their relatives.. eat rice cakes, wear traditional costumes ('Hanbok') and younger ones bow to their elders for money. With time off work, I decided to go on a little adventure with Garry, again, as company. Wednesday 6. Also Cleaning Day for a lot of people. Took the 7.50am bus from Changon to Chungju, and not Cheongju as I originally bought a ticket for, in the midd...

Groundhog Day (Nan's 101st birthday). A quiet weekend in Changwon, doing very little except shopping and cleaning. It's what I need after going to opposite ends of the country over the past two weekends. I will be heading off again, however, next Wednesday... determined to do something different over the upcoming Seollal / Seol-nal - Lunar New Year Holidays. The plan is to go Gangneung on the North East coast, but I would have to change at a central place, like ...

Hello again from Seoul.I'm a third of the way through my year in Korea, now. Yes, I've returned to the capital for the weekend. This time, at the invitation of Garry and his skype debating group. None of the group, who meet online twice a week to discuss topics in English, had ever met in person. But Stella, the organiser and instigator of the group, arranged for a few of the Seoul-ites to meet at Gate 7, Gangnam Station, and a meal nearby. They are all Kore...

Hello from Busan (Pusan) After a difficult week, I thought I would get out of Changwon again. Workwise, I have fallen out with a couple of co-workers this week in what has been a more stressful time. Misunderstanding of expectations has led to me to having outbursts at innocent colleagues. I am still not good with last minute changes to plans. Essentially, I got angry very quickly, a consequence of which was having to explain myreactions as 'rushes of BLOOD...