A quieter week. Didn't have to teach extra classes, for the winter program, as I thought I would. In fact, I've got one less class than before. Still like to go in early and lesson plan so that I am on top, especially on a Friday, where it's one class after another. One kid wrote in his diary about how he hates study and his Korean teacher, but loves teacher Philip. He even drew a pie-chart of how he wants his lessons arranged in the future. We've got a few n...

Happy New Year!I've just returned from Seoul, where I have spent the last three days and nights. I visited Namdaemun Market, Yongsan Electronics and Techno Market, Lotte World, Olympic Stadium, Deoksugung Temples, and Seoul Tower before joining in the New Year celebrations at City Hall, last night.I also had a blind date with Seo Young Sun, a 28 year old from Jamsil. Simulataneously I enjoyed the company of Kim Sun Suk - a best friend of Kim Ja Young (Monica)...

So, Christmas Day in Changwon was spent filming a video for an Arcade Fire song. Garry Roffe was my camera or, as he likes to call himself, standby wardrobe. It was one of the more enjoyable Christmas Days, quite different from this time last year - which was probably the most amazing. Doing something I really enjoy - filming. Only bettered by the Editing Process, which comes after.Anyway, the video, which comes with a warning, is now online (you know where to...

It's Christmas here in Korea. We have a new conservative president, Kim Myung-bak. The students are in holiday mode. School has broken up for a month. Thankfully, there doesn't seem to be the same excess here as back home. Turn on the TV and there are hardly any festive ads, walk round the neighborhood and there a couple of trees but not much. There are always neon lights in town, some department stores have trees and a Christmas display, but there is not t...

11/52. Christmas approaches. Have got over the cold and the general stress which was making me irritable and not looking forward to work. It's a lot colder now, although I have started to wear short-sleeved shirts in the office to prove a point that we don't need all of the heaters on full-blast. The kids like to use the word 'crazy' a lot, as well as 'delicious' and 'funny', especially in their diaries. The worst oil spill in South Korean history dominates t...