Amsikle - December 3, 2007 12:50:38 AM GMT+09:00

So a little procrastination is in progress right now...I am supposed to be working on my second to last word test in Korean and I'm getting super distracted. Meh. I wanted to post more pictures for the last post so that you guys could see some of the fashion that is happening around town, but I've been doing everything but taking pictures. I think I need to get on that considering I feel like I've definitely been slacking on the photo taking the second half of this journey. I know I went photo crazy in the beginning, but nowadays I really don't feel like carrying my camera around with me everywhere. It's not necessarily the most convenient piece of technology. In any case, I'm going to try and do some photo taking this week, and make an effort to get around Seoul for my last 2 1/2 weeks. I need to take some pics of buildings, architecture, as well as the new Christmas decor that is dressing the city right now. 

I think the plan for this weekend is to make some nice day trips, come back at a reasonable time, study for a couple hours and then go out i.e. clubbing or a bar with the ching-a-lings (friends). I want to go see the Van Gogh exhibit, as well as the Contemporary art museum that is in the Shigol (countryside). I also want to go back to the art building in Hongdai to see the videos and new exhibit that just went up. So I'm basically saying this to hold myself accountable that this will happen because I feel as though if I don't, I may change my mind and regret the decision. I also need to do some last min gift shopping for family and friends as well. Maybe Lotte department store??? hrm...we'll see. 

So I just heard that Anna might be coming up to Korea in February. That will definitely be really cool and a great thing for her. I need to find out which language school would be best for her, because I'm not necessarily convinced Yonsei would be the best choice. As a reputation and name it's worth it to put on the resume, however, I am not a fan of the way they structured their classes. I feel as though the way the classes are structured as well as the material is a little shaky and I think there are better language programs out there where you can learn Korean better and faster. I heard about a really good language institute but I'm not sure how the courses would transfer to U of L. (I will check the name soon for you Anna). Anyways, I think its awesome if she comes out for a 10 week course. She will avoid the mosquitos, monsoons, and the weird sand that comes blowing through in April/May. I think it might be a perfect time. Plus I can live vicariously through her while she is here to experience the things that I will miss dearly. 

I think I got a job offer in Korea today by the father of one of the girls that I'm teaching English to. It was kind of weird in the sense that I was really thrown off by it, but I guess cool? I don't know, we were talking about future plans of mine, and  what I will be up to after I get my masters and he basically said that if I wanted to work for his marketing company I am welcome to. I really didn't know what to say but thank you, because god knows where I will be in three years or what I will be interested in doing. It was cool to think it can be that easy to get jobs out here though. I mean honestly, it feels as though the job market for English natives is huge. The other enticing aspect is that for Arts Administration there seems as though there are lots of jobs, and it's extremely easy to get a internship if not a job. One Austrian girl here just went up to a manager at a famous Arts complex and they basically said that if she is willing to sign a year or two year contract she is in. This is only talking to her for about ten minuets. It's pretty crazy. The only thing that I am weary about is the fact that the labor market here is a little shaky. There doesn't seem to be that much accountability in terms of how they treat employees as well as when and what they pay them. From what I gather there doesn't seem to be a minimum wage, and the usual pay rate for McDonald employees in Shinchon is 2,000-3,000 Won. That's about 3 dollars kids. Waiters and waitresses get paid 4,000 and they don't get tips. It's pretty intense, and I think that would be my major concern if I were to take a job here. 

I'm starting to take interest in some social injustices such as the problems with the welfare and labor issues here. I'm reading more articles and journals on the subject and wondering if this is something that I should write one of my 5-7 pg. papers on...On thursday I'm supposed to go to lunch with Anna, my professor, and a woman who is involved with a large NGO that deals with Social programs among all the Asian countries. She is supposed to talk about the status of social programs in terms of welfare, the elderly, homeless in Korea which will be really cool. Unnnfortunately I have no idea what the organization is called, but she will be speaking in my class before lunch so I can get a gist of what's going on and not feel stupid. 

Crap, I need to get working again. bleh. ok, I will hopefully write soon!