Greetings from Changwon

1/51 (1 down, 51 to go - thanks for reminding me, Garry)

Having decided not to write any more blogs, I have now decided to do a U-turn on that and write the occasional entry. I'm thinking of doing a separate participant observation study into the dating game in Korea, but that is not for this (publicly accessible) site.

It's good to be back in Changwon, after seven weeks in Wells. I missed it. I didn't really need that long in Wells. I was kicking my heels by the end. It did give me plenty of time to wrap up watching my Six Feet Under DVDs with Dad. Everyone dies, by the way.

Getting back was straightforward, with no delays this time. I even had half a coach to myself on the trip down from Incheon Airport to Changwon, last Sunday, arriving at midday. I've sorted out my cell phone and spent the first evening sorting things out, and meeting up with Garry - who had been 'house-sitting' while I was away. I am now watering his plant and looking lovingly at the huge blue fan he left behind (won't actually need it til next Summertime).

I am alarmed at the current exchange rate. I realise their is a global economic crisis right now. The exchange rate (KRW - GBP) is not good. Currently, is 2,305 KRW to 1 GBP. It is fluctuating wildly and is not good for sending any money back home.

Having set off to the news of nuclear missle testing, at least North Korea has now been removed from the US list of nations sponsoring terrorism, which will hopefully swings things back toward nuclear disarmament.

I seem to be suffering from some kind of dizziness. I thought I was simply jet-lagged at first. It may be my new specs or a lack of the right kind of food.. maybe it's a salt deficiency, but I keep thinking I am going to faint.

I have completed a week back at Jungchul hagwon. The reaction from the kids has been great and the staff seemed pleased to see me, too. I had the joy of Ju-mi's J1/6 Level Ceremony on Wednesday (see pics). These little darlings are possibly my favourite class. They have now graduated to 'New Junior' - a more interesting study program now being rolled out across the school. I wouldn't have come back here had it not been implemented. Everyone who works at any Jungchul must get incredibly tired of the Andy & Euri dialogues.

Andy celebrated his 46th birthday this week, too, and his 50th year at the school - sorry 5th.

I've now met Philip Hardwick, my colleague for the next 11 months. He is 28, a Londoner, Sports Management degree graduate from Bedford Uni. He has the same 1st names as me, we both new neices (Lily and Daisy, respectively), we both have an i-to-i TEFL qualifcation (he also has CELTA), we have both volunteered teaching in Africa (me in Tanzania, him in Malawi), he once worked in a vinyard near Perpignan, South of France - I did a season in Canet Plage. He also knows two words in German - same as me! The similarities are endless.....;-) He is keen on having an active social life, as I am this year. Through him, I have already met the handsome Luke Jones, a Welsh History graduate from Cardiff.

So I have the reassuring familiar sights and sounds of Changwon and the desk I left back in August... but I will be branching out further this year... exploring more and making more time to meet others.

It is 26 degrees today. Warm and Sunny.

Phil.