I got 63 problems but a bitch aint one

Hit Me!!

So last week i went to this tourist attraction called the 63 building... aptly named because it is 63 stories high. The thing is, your only allowed to go on like 3 of them hahaha. We went to the art gallery/view point (like the 60th story or something) a wax museum and an aquarium. Strangly enough my favorite part was the wax museum cuz i usually hate them and find them creepy, but it was actually really fun. heres a few pictures of me trying to look presidential then trying to look revolutionary

It was very cool, very fun. for more pics of me at the wax museum check out my facebook profile. Got some with Abe Lincoln, Batman, Mickey Mouse etc... def good times.

I had an ugly christmas sweater party friday night, ill write about it when my friends post the pics of it (my camera died)

and a 5,6,7,8

Mt. Bukak (trying so hard not to make a bukkake joke here)

Happy Holidays friends!!!

i'll be honest, this is about as consistant as i get for posting, but you already knew that.

I went with my coteachers for a hike 2 weeks ago to a mountain called bukak... which is by the presidents house. Security there was super tight because apparently north koreans used to try and sneak in there to assasinated the president (you can actually see his place and i guess potentially snipe at him from parts of the mountain) during the heat of tensions between the 2 countries the mountain was actually closed from the public, but now its a pretty popular free site to see and is also the site of a military training center the mountain itself is actually kind of a fortress, so you can see the walls with barrel holes and the barbed wire and such all around. When i went, i had to register my name and my ID number, plus i was only allowed to take pictures from certain areas.

also, i guess because im a foreigner, there was almost always a soldier right behind me pretending he wasnt watching me... it was pretty funny.

After we finished we went down and i took a picture in front of the presidents house.... ok i lied its the building in front of the presents house. whatever

and thats the bottom line...

im so cool

He Had Nothing to Say...

Hi friends and family ...

So i finally have the time and motivation to update my blog only to realize i dont have anything to write about ... So im just going to pick a random picture taken from seoul and write about it.

First things first tho, just want to say ive had 3 korean lessons so far and they are going great, im gettin an ok grasp on reading tho my pronunciation sucks ... If you ever here a korean person speak english and wonder why they have difficulties with some sounds its because korean and english both have letters that dont even remotely exist in the others language. For example they have neither an L or and R sound, but they do have one that is in the middle. They also have a vowel that sounds like the grunt you make when u get punched in the stomach ...

One more quick note, played a decent hockey game last sunday and had a 4 point day including my first goal for the CBHK. I will do a post on that once the season is done ...

Ok, this picture wasnt an overly boring one... A few weekends ago i went to the Seoul Lantern Festival. It was basically an entire strip of a street along this man made mini-river/ditch (for lack of a better term) that was filled with these really cool lanterns. This particular lantern is of a few dragons, cuz dragons are sweet! It was freakin cold that night but it was really cool getting to see something that was simultaneously cultural and kickass. If you wanna check out all of the pictures hit up my facebook i have them all posted there.

Hey that wasn't too bad of a post right?

maybe ill just do this from now on when i cant think of anything to say.

Anyways i love you all

Gentleman goodnight

Ladies... good morning (ya i was listening to JT on the Ipod today)

Blackout Korea

So,

I have recently been reminded that i once again have neglected to post on this blog...

As i am at school right now and can't really get a solid blog post in again, i hope to temporarily curb your appetite with a hilarious website that is legitimately exactly how Korea is.

you want to find out more?? Well get your ass down here and visit me!!
http://www.blackoutkorea.com/

Love D

School of ROK (get it?)

OH You so weren't ready for the triple post!!!! (Am i forgiven for neglecting this thing for 3 weeks??)

While writing my other 2 posts today I realized that i haven't really said about teaching or my school which is really quite ridiculous considering that it's (technically) the reason why I'm here.

I'm working at Kyungmoon High School in Dongjak Gu Seoul. The school itself is an all boys highschool and i teach the equivalent of grades 10 and 11 (the school is 10-12). At this point, everything about the school is absolutely amazing. The principal and vice principal are both really cool guys and love me (i actually have a sweet little story involving myself and the principal from last week, but it's a touch sappy so you'll hafta special request to hear that one) the teachers are all really awesome and are going out of their way to help me as much as possible, and the students think i'm the greatest thing since the PCbang got the latest WOW expansion. (my nerdier friends should get that one)

I have 5 different co-teachers, and teach each of my classes with one of them. I am fortunate enough to not only have 5 really nice people to share these classes with, but 5 teachers who geniunely seem very passionate about their jobs and the kids. They also each have their own teaching style, so it's fun for me to get to have some classes where I really work together with a teacher and try to provide multiple experiences for the kids, and some classes where i just completely take the ball and get to lead the class my way the whole time (while the co-teacher stays present in the background as a translator if need be) For me, the latter is definitely my preferred style (I think I work best when i have full control and can dictate the entire pace and feel of the class) but i think i've really learned alot from having to adapt to a more team like atmosphere as a teacher.

My job is simple, expose the students to as much english language and western culture as possible. Engage them in english conversation and get them practicing speaking english. It's a pretty straight forward job and certainly has its challenges, that said it is by far the most satisfying and rewarding job I've ever had. It's nice to actually have a passion for the work you do, as opposed to just going in collecting paychecks and spending the day flirting with cute co-workers. As far as the kids go, they are all super cool, but have varying levels of english prowess, in general it is actually very low (for now).

Needless to say, this experience so far has done exactly what i hoped it would do, and that is re-affirm my beliefs that i do indeed want to make a career out of teaching. Sorry if this post was lame for some of you, that said if anyone reading this is reading in order to obtain some information before potentially coming here yourself, this is probably the first one ive written that is of any remote value to you ...

Wow, that was a marathon ... I'm not going to post again for probably at least a week, but I'll try really hard not to let it be much longer than that.

Next time on Domingo meets Seoul .... Halloween in Korea????

Will Darren finally embrace a celebration that he has long ignored?

Will Domingo have the forsight to actually bring a camera to his partying? (and not break it)

Will Korea be able to handle the hoards of foreigners dressed ridiculously on a Saturday night?

You'll find out next week, same Seoul place same Seoul Channel

Love you mom

Dare

(Most of) October in Review

So now that i'm kind of hitting my groove here in Seoul, I've done a lot of really cool shit.

I was gonna share a number of different stories and pictures including my first ever soccer game (an international friendly where Korea beat Senegal 2-0) and my first ever Dol (traditional Korean celebration for a baby's first bday which is a huge deal here) but i was an idiot on both of those occasions and didn't bring my camera. I do have pics of them on my cel phone but i have no idea how to load pictures from these crazy korean phones to a laptop so i'll just summarize.

Soccer game was unreal! Korea's got a pretty decent team (as evidenced by their semi-final finish in the 02 world cup cup) and getting to see this game has gotten me really excited for getting to legitimately cheer on a home country for the upcoming World Cup. Being Canadian it's not something i've ever really gotten to do (until they event and popularize ice soccer). A Park Ji-Sung international jersey is definitely in the works.

The Dol was a really cool celebration itself. The kid was the 1 year old daughter of a teacher at my school so all the teachers were invited. I nearly ate myself into a food induced coma as it was one of the best meals i've had in seoul and one of the best buffets ive ever had. It also had easily the best sushi i've had since being here (not saying much, altho it was really good sushi). To me the 2 biggest questions i have about Seoul are why is Sushi so much better in Vancouver than in a freaking Asian country, and why is Pho cheaper in Vancouver than in a freaking Asian country (I've promised my mommy I'd swear less.) sigh, at least everything else here is ass cheap. (sorry ma)

One story i do need to share with you however is the Jinjaebong (sp?) A Korean sauna. After leaving the Music Festival (see previous post) it was far too late for my friends and I to train back to Seoul, so the decision was made that we would go to a Sauna aka Jinjaebong to sleep. This is a common practice in Korea, as they have 2 seperate areas for men and women to get down to their skivvy's and relax in hot tub's, sauna, cold tubs, and showers ... After that, clothes are put back on and everyone can relax and sleep on floor mats in a mixed gender common area.

As this occured at the end of our music festival trip i was indeed rather sauced and after hamming back a few more bottles of soju with a couple buddies, was ready to get all naked and sauna'd.

After a helicopter filled hour or 2 of sauna, my buddies and i headed to the common area to meet our lady type friends for some sleepy. Already being drunk and (slightly) obnoxious foreigners, i made great friends with the old korean lady in charge of running the common area. As she was setting up some mats next to me (with her back turned) i proceed to continually give 2 of my female friends the helicopter with a connection of glowsticks i had from the concert. (I was drunk mom, cut me some slack) Everytime the lady turned around from the laughter i quickly laid back down and pretended i was sleeping. After 3 mins or so of this game she finally caught me mid helicopter, and proceeded to beat me down with a sleeping mat as i cried helplessly for her mercy ... Good times

Anyways thats the story, maybe it's kind of one of those had to be there moments ... but i was there, so to me it's hilarious. The picture is one of us taking the train home the next morning from the concert / sausage show.

I'll see ya there or I'll see ya another time ...

Love Domingo

Serengeti!!!! PARTY!!!!

Hi friends and family

So it turns out there are actually people who read this semi-regularly and get slightly annoyed if i don't post consistantly. That said, those of you who actually know me well enough to want regular updates should've known better than to think that my regular blogging would last longer than 2 months. But's lets look to the future not the past, I'll try and be a little more consistant from now on.

I have tons to talk about, so I'll start with the SSamzie Sound.

2 Weeks ago i went to a big ass music fest just out of Seoul called the SSamzie Sound music fest with a small handful of other western teachers and Korean buddies Jin Young and Woojin (two of the coolest guys you'll ever meet). Jin Young is also a drummer so needless to say, we pretty much talk about music and drumming all the time.

So i get to this festival with slightly low expectations, after all I don't know too much about Korean music and so far, haven't been a huge fan of the K-pop (I wouldn't have liked it in English, so i don't see how i can be expected to like it in Korean.) But when i got to this festival i was blown away but some seriously killer acts. There were all kinds of bands here, Korean versions of everything from No Doubt to Bob Marley to Ozzy (the Korean ozzy is freakin hilarious by the way) to Linkin Park to Alanis Morrisette and Weezer. Some of these bands were unbelievable and i often found myself deep in Korean mosh pits rockin out harder than i have since i was 16. The best part about Korean pits is that even at 5'7 (don't argue) I can still see the band no matter where on the floor i am. What can i say, life is good.

So i thought i'd give you a little taste of my 3 favorite bands

Windy City is a reggae band who are in the picture up top

Pia is a Nu-metalish/popish type band that i would've been absolutely crazy for in high school - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoowqIbkZK4&feature=PlayList&p=6C9EC2940C965AE1&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=78

and by far my favorite were Serengeti, who can did a pretty wicked cover of Sergio Mendes, but can only truly be appreciated through my new favorite song, Afro Afro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfKp9NsSUgM&feature=related

Well that's it for this post ... I'll try and rush another one in tonight .... could it be the elusive double post???

You stay classy Coquitlam / Seoul / Wherever you're reading from

Number 1 Reason I Need to Learn to Speak Korean

Hey, hopefully you weren't holding your breath ... I've been really busy lately. Actually that's a lie, i just haven't felt like updating.

I've had a lot of stuff i wanted to write about including the crazy stripper pole / pikachu costume karaoke bar that my friends and I have recently been frequenting, but that's just gonna hafta wait til next time ...

ALL MY FREAKING HAIR IS GONE !!!!!

i tried to really hard to explain, a certain length on top and then very short on the sides and back so i can wear my hair in the trademark spikes ive had since i was 11. He said ok, took the razor and just when i thought he was gonna get it right, buzzed the fucking thing through my whole head!

OK, I'm over it now. All part of life's adventure i guess. Good thing i have this freakin sweet Michaelangelo Hat. thanks Howi

Next time Gadget ...

Music with Seoul

Hi Mom!! (and anyone else who reads this)

So yesterday i spent the day in Hongdae (which is fast becoming the major hangout spot around here ... lots of good drinking spots and the sort) and i had 3 very cool music experiences.

The first was a Korean hardcore show, which i went to with my buddy Craig whose pretty in the scene. I must say it was a pretty cool experience, i hadn't been to these kind of local shows since i was like 16, and the koreans really know how to rock it. The highlight of this show was definitely the singer of the headlining band, who can't speak a lick of english trying to encourage the 'fans' into a circle pit. A few of them obliged and it was definitely entertaining.

Next, i went to hang out at this park which was in the middle of the club area for about 5 minutes, and while there saw this super lame Korean hip hop crew who were trying to bust it out overtop of their boombox ... i'll attach the video and you can enjoy the musical stying of the group i call the Korean LFO.

Finally, after a night of chilling in Hongdae, me and some buddies headed back to the park to see if any of our fellow SMOE'rs were chilling and the park and we bumped into a few. However, i did stumble upon a few Koreans rocking some Djembe's. (djembe. .. my only weakness, how did you know?) I asked if i could pull a little jam and they allowed me to rock out with them which was certainly one of my highlights of this trip already ... I've put off buying a djembe at home for years now, but im definitely picking one up here when i get my first paycheck!

Enjoy the vids, the jam sesh one features myself and a random Korean guy on the drums, My new friends Gavin from England on the massive orange cone, and Mo from canada with the sick dance moves ... either that or i won't figure out how to post these damn videos and itll just be lame text.

** Hockey Update ** had my first season game with my new ball hockey team the Honey Browns today. We won both games 5-4 and i've been playing defence with them. Although i had a few lapses (after all i 've never played defence before) i think i did quite well all and all and did a succesful job checking the other teams top player with a few minutes left and the game on the line. My team seems pretty content with me (I'm the only rookie on the team) but i think i pissed off at least one member on the other side with my moderately physical style of play ... tough shit, that's how we do in Worms: Armageddon!!!

And one last note, I just talked to my recruiter Shane and it looks like this blog may be getting used for new recruits thinking about coming over to Seoul. If that proves to be the case and you are thinking about coming to Seoul i say hello! and i hope you make the decision to come on down. It's only been a month for me and I'm obviously very much still in what they call the, "honeymoon," stage ... but this month has been amazing and I haven't regretted it for a second ... I'll try and provide some actual insight that may be helpful, but no promises. Hope you get something out of my blog.

and that's that!
N2

Wow ... posting a video is freakin difficult lol ... i posted some pics and heres the youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77Xlgl9vDWA

Highlight of My Day

anyung haseyo!

so i know this post was spose to be about little things i miss from home, but the great thing about a Blog is i get to write about anything I want and can fully disregard previous ideas if i so choose. (If you must know, the answer is wooden chopsticks, forks and knives with every meal, drinking water from the tap and the smell of BC air ... no actual BC air)

That said, I was walking through the subway on my way to get dinner tonight (I am ashamed to admit i went to get KFC, and not so ashamed to admit that they have the best chicken burger here ... THEY PUT A FREAKIN HASHBROWN IN THE BURGER !!!!) when i walked past the subway performers at my station. My subway station is called Seoul National University (it's not actually that close to a university) and it is special from most subway stations as it has an area reserved for musical performances. Now usually i walk past these performances without paying much mind (busking acoustic guitar performances are basically the same anywhere in any language) but today I was treated to an amazing old Korean duo performing what i could only assume was in a traditional Korean style .. . the best part was they were a Trumpet and Accordion duo and they kicked ass. *** Attention future wife, these guys are playing our wedding. Love Darren ***

These guys were popular too, as there was a crowd of over 100 (mostly old) Koreans rockin their shit out to Seoul's Simon and Garfunkel. There was dancing and clapping and laughing, but easily the greatest part of all of this was one group of old folks sitting on the floor swaying and clapping. I mention these old folks cuz while they were all having a great time, one of them was Hand Jiving ... That's right, full on Danny Zuko HAND JIVING!!!! I've had a lot of times in Seoul where i've stopped and said to myself, "damn i wish i brought my camera," and yet i still hardly ever bring it with me ..... So instead i google searched a Korean dude with an accordion for you. it's almost 1/10th as cool as what i saw tonight.

Just as a final note, i got an email from the hockey team that drafted me this morning, only to get an email from them 4 hours later informing me that I'd been traded ... I wonder if these guys know im under contract and all transactions involving my services must be approved by Worms: Armageddon ...... I guess we can let this one slide;)

TTFN

Little Things (pt 1)

Little things…

So having been in Korea for about 2 and a half weeks now, I do have a lot of first impressions and have noticed quite a few cultural differences. So I thought now might be a good time to highlight some of these things that I think are awesome, and maybe even think about some of the little things I miss from home. So today I’m going to do a list of the top 6 little things I love about korea, and next time I’ll give a list about some of the little things I miss about home.

*Disclaimer* these are all just small superficial things, of course there is a lot about this country that I absolutely love and there are tons of major things about home that I miss a lot… But I’ve only been here for under 3 weeks and it is definitely way too early to be making reflections on anything major.

So here we go, the top 6 little things I love about Seoul

6- Sandals to work- I’ll admit I am yet to take advantage of this (I’ve been too cheap to buy a decent pair of sandals.) But I’m allowed to wear sandals around at work… Looks like I’ll have to break my own socks with sandals rule for a year ;)

5- Air conditioning everywhere- Literally every room ive been in in Korea is airconditioned. Even my dumpy 1 room apartment building has A/C. The subway, my classroom, my office, every restaurant… seriously awesome

4- Soccer Tennis- I can’t remember what the actual name of this sport is… but it’s awesome. It is exactly what the name implies, a mix of soccer and tennis. I played it once at the training ctr (we played Canada versus Korea and did surprisingly well) and the teachers at my school have informed me that I will be playing with them every Wednesday (didn’t get to play today because I had to go to a seminar, but in the future it’s on!!)

3- Bowing- Everyone bows in Korea. Students to teachers, teachers to teachers… everyone. I pretty much bow everytime I see anyone and they get a good kick out of it. But bowing is not only respectful, but pretty damn fun too. I’m implementing bowing in all Canadian schools when I go home

2- Cost of living- 1200 won (about a buck) for a bottle of Soju. 2-3 bottles of Soju to get hammered…. Nuff said

1- Drinking Customs- I must say, we are harsh lacking behind the Koreans when it comes to drinking customs. Everyone here drinks Soju in shots and believe me, after a few bottles you will be hammered. The rule is anytime you see someones glass empty you have to fill it, meanwhile you aren’t supposed to poor your own glass. When I first heard about this I asked my co-teacher, “Is this so no one drinks too much?” and he replied, “No, the opposite.” Suffice to say it’s a good party when you drink in Korea

So there it is, top 6 little things I love about Korea… I’ll do the top little things I miss about home later this week (or maybe even later today… looks like I got a lot of time to kill in my office today)

Bulgogi Birthday

Hey Everyone,

So for those of you who either don't know me that well yet, or just straight up don't know me... (if you don't actually know me and you're reading this i ask you to strongly re-evaluate your social life)... today is my 24th birthday.

But wait Darren it's only your 23rd birthday, you may say to yourself yet address to me...

To which i reply... That's right, but in Korea when you are born you are 1 year old, therefore as per the local system i am 24. So i bid you adieu sweet 23, you are the age i will never be....

Anyways, I'll be honest, I've bless with some amazing birthday presents in my lifetime. When i was 6 i got a Super Nintendo from my parents (possibly the most vivid memory of my childhood), When i was 19, my ex got me a wicked expensive double kick pedal (which i still use a lot yet am somehow remarkably shitty with) and almost every year my best friend writes me these hilarious home-made stories which can only be explained by seeing them and are really only funny if you are "in" with some of our many inside jokes...

But today i may have received a present that beats them all, for out of nowhere one of my 15 year old korean students who speaks maybe 4 sentences of english gave me the amazing birthday gift that is.... A giant garbage bag filled with pork.

Yes, after informing me earlier today that his favorite food is a Korean marinated Pork called Bulgogi, a fine young Korean man asked me after my last class today to confirm, "today is birthday???" After affirming his hypotheses, this wonderful child pulled out a rolled up black garbage bag filled with raw meat out of his backpack and said. "I get you present. It's Bulgogi." Now i have no idea how long this pork was in his backpack for and i'll be honest, i didnt get home to my freezer for at least 4 hours later (the 3rd grade... which is actually 12th grade teachers in Korea, wanted me to join them for an amazing Korean Beef dinner tonight)... So this Korean delicacy, "Bulgogi," my very well just straight up kill me. That said, I'm never one to turn down a gift, and im so flattered that one of my students actually got me a birthday present, that after freezing this meat for about 3 days, im gonna cook me up some. If i dont post again for awhile, its cuz im in the hospital with salmenella.

Anyways, just thought that was kind of a funny story. And to confirm how my birthday went (I was kind of half joking at home when i said i would spend my birthday this year crying myself to sleep alone in my apartment) I actually went out and got food and drinks with the teachers from my school. The vice-principal treated us to some Korean Beef which i will go out on a limb here and say is probably the best beef ive ever had in my life.

These middle aged Korean men love to buy me liquor and food... Now i know what it feels like to be female and hot.....

Until next time

PS, the picture is what bulgogi is supposed to look like.... i dont think im gonna be so lucky

Dong Jak-ing it

Wow.... it's been a crazy few days.

I left the SMOE training yesterday and met Mr. Song, the head of the English Department at Kyungmoon High School in DongJak Gu where i will be teaching for the next year. After meeting the vice principal, and a few of my co-teachers i quickly grabbed my apartment and some furnishings...

Since then I've spent some time walking around the school, having a few meals with the english teachers at Kyungmoon, and even going for a few drinks with them. As it turns out, these guys love to drink and apparently my 'In' at this school will be the fact that i look like i can drink them all under the table (It's probably kind of true)

In Korea everyone drinks soju... its kind of like watered down vodka and even though Koreans love to drink, their tolerance isn't very high apparently. Being able to go toe to toe with a middle aged korean man is apparently a great way to make friends... sorry ma, if i come home an alcoholic its because i needed to advance my career ;)

Anyways,

What i really wanted to talk about in this post is my place... I live in this crazy little back alley apartment building in Dong Jak (a district in Seoul) which is pretty central and close to all the good major areas (which i haven't seen yet)

The room is.... tiny, the place is called a one room, which isn't really an exageration. I guess technically its 2 rooms, one bed/living/kitchen/laundryroom. and one bathroom/shower. When i got here i didnt have anything in it so my coteachers brought me to furnish it (courtesy of the school). As you can see, for the first night i didnt have a bed (i do now). And no, neither SMOE nor Kyungmoon supplied the adorable Yoshi Slippers...

The pics are of my room, bathroom, and entrance to the alley which leads to the alley which is my street

Chapter 1: Enter Seoul

And I'm here!





I arrived in Seoul at around 6PM local time and got to my bunk at around 10ish. I'm rooming with a guy named Andrew from Hamilton for one week while I have orientation, he's a cool guy so so far so good.





Anyways, first thoughts on Seoul... looks kind of like Vancouver actually. It's pretty overcast and there's lots of mountains and trees so I'm pretty happy with that.



The picture is just one i took of the city from my dorm. Haven't really started orientation yet, but I've met a bunch of really cool people, played some soccer (turns out I'm awful at soccer) and ate some kimchi. I'm sure I'll like it eventually.

This post was lame, but i really don't have much to say right now.

Until next time

First Post aka Problogue

Wow, I think i just set up my first Blog. I've now joined the elite company of Perez Hilton and your 12 year old little cousin. The only difference is I'm not naive enough to think of my opinions posted here matter to anyone besides myself, my momma and maybe a few of my friends.

Anyways, the reason for me rocking the Blog is so that I can keep you up to date with what's what as I travel to Seoul South Korea to teach English for the next year.

As of this post, I am still sitting in my room in Coquitlam BC Canada and won't be heading to Seoul for another week and a half. But any great novel has a prologue, so i guess these first few posts will be my proBlogue. (SHAZZAM!)

My goal is to post something at least once a week (we'll see how well that works out for me) so that I may actively reflect on what I am sure will be a huge experience for me.

Anyways, welcome to the blog, feel free to post a comment (which I'm assuming you can do on a blog) and I will probably post later this week or something to talk about the whole application process.