Addicted to Kimchi.

I have been here for a month now. Does it feel like a month to you? To me it feels like about two weeks.

And I really am addicted to Kimchi. I just bought a bunch of it for my fridge so I can have it when I need it-- don't know what I'm going to do when I can't get it in the states.

I haven't been able to sleep at all. I just lay in bed all night, or if i do manage to fall asleep i wake up at about 4am every morning and don't know what to do. Does anyone know if it's normal for jet-lag to last a month?

So, i mentioned to someone a bit ago that i think it's cool how everyone here follows the rules. Normally I wouldn't think that was so 'cool' but it kind of is here. I have only seen a handful of police officers. People are all fairly nice and helpful, there is no bullying, cruelty, etc. At least that I have seen.. Pedestrians even wait patiently for the lights to change. These people take pride in their country very seriously. Seoul, for example ,was almost completely leveled in the Korean War just over 50 years ago and since then has been built into this immense metropolis.. it proves without a doubt how committed these people are to carrying on their traditions. Adults work usually 6 days a week, 12 hours a day and their children go to school for the same. What I find really interesting is that now many Koreans ever actually leave Korea, despite the current trend of learning English. When i ride the subway I am usually the only foreigner on the car, however crowded. It has to be one of the most homogenous areas in the world.. (or maybe I'm just used to the American crucible.) Anyway, it's comforting to be able to feel that you can trust most people. Take tipping-- they don't tip ANYWHERE here and if you try to tip in a restaurant by just leaving money on the table, they will literally chase you down the street thinking you forgot it. I have heard tell that if you leave your wallet on a park bench, the odds are good that it will still be there in six hours. And if not it will show up in your mailbox.

I mentioned i hadn't seen many police because i don't think they are necessary. But, a few weeks ago there was some white 40 year old in a club getting drunk and out of hand, as soon as he kicked this random guy we decided to change venues, and not 30 seconds after we walked out the front door came 3 0r 4 thick, non-uniformed Korean dudes with sticks to escort the poor man out. Some kind of mafia that takes care of local businesses? Interesting.

School is up and down. i still love my afternoon kids.. they understand for the most part and listen to me. The kindergarteners I may never get used to. I just don't understand how i can get by when they only understand a few things. I can't even begin to fathom how many times I say 'listen to teacher' 'don't fight' 'be quiet' 'no hitting', etc. in a given day. I am already starting to lose my voice. And the days seem long, but I have also never had a real job so what do I know about anything.

I don't have a lot of energy right now to go out much in the week, save for the Pens games.. but i try to take it to the limit on weekends. It'll be a lot of fun here when I get paid, and I have a whole week off at the end of June. Might try to take a trip down to Busan, a southern city about 5 hours away, or just go rent a cheap hotel on the west coast close to Seoul. Dunno. I was hoping i would get to choose when my 2-week breaks were but they are designated end of June and around Christmas. After Christmas I still have 4 months left...

When I get back I am planning a motorcycle trip or two, so if anyone wants to go along, you should work on getting a motorcycle license/motorcycle. I want to go see Newfoundland and then drive across the U.S. Should be fun and dangerous-- ooh lala.

Presently, I am enjoying living alone in my own little place. I have neighbors and sidewalks, alleys and corner-stores, windows, a bathroom, kitchen, and my very own bed that I sleep in every night. Sometimes I lay in it and read. And a plant-- I have a plant. I'm considering having a dog friend live with me in the near future. I do my dishes and sweep the floor. I do my laundry and let it dry and then I put it away. I have coffee in the mornings and listen to music while I get dressed. I go to work and come back home again. I sit here and write.

I have been doing an impressive amount of pushups daily, the number of which increases weekly. I am a little sick right now but hope to begin my running plan on Saturday.

Not dating anybody now because, well, "girlfriends are expensive."--Jeff Craig.

Speaking of J.C., if anyone from the restaurant is reading this (you better be) I need a few things. The first is gossip. All of it or at least the good stuff. I know I have other things to worry about but I have to know what's going on there.. come on my TV is broken and I need the drama. The second is either Liz's address or Geoff's email or both. I promised Liz a postcard when I send them out (August Henry will get one too) and Geoff an email. How is Lisa's baby? Everything okay? Get Verni on the horn and make her type. Blaire?

How is everybody? If anyone sees Abby Fudor, please remind her that it was ME who moved to Korea and not her so she has no excuse not to return my messages.

This is my address if you are feeling writey.. I promise all letters will be reciprocated.

John Steffenauer

c/o English Friends Academy

2F Hanjin Town B/D

346 Haengdang-dong, Seongdong-gu

Seoul, South Korea, 133-070

Eh, that'll do you for now.

Think of me always.

Love,

John.