Baseball Game+Teacher Training

Jamsil Baseball Park, home of the Doosan Bears and the LG Twins.

Me and my friends

This stadium has a great feel because it is not huge. I do miss the roar of a 45,000+ crowd, but it is really an intimate experience when you see a game at Jamsil.

Me and Mr. Kang, the social studies teacher at my school. He has season tickets, so he brought me to one game. Every time I've gone separately since, he has also been there. Unfortunately, the LG Twins will get 5th or 6th this season. You need to get 4th to make the playoffs. Mr. Kang said he was interviewed by a Korean Baseball Association reporter and in that interview he mentioned me. He said it was due to our discussion about the long-term struggles of the LG Twins and Seattle Mariners. When it comes down to it, you can not leave your team in spite of inability to win consistently. "Once a fan, always a fan," we agreed.

Teacher Training

Pork Ribs 돼지갈비. Mr. Kang and I ate to our hearts' (or stomachs') content. This was the second-highest grade of pork ribs, I believe, so we had a good time.

Our School's teachers. We went on a trip together to a lake close to the border with North Korea.

Here we are having lunch, everyone's favorite part of the trip.

Notice the side dishes (반찬). They are very fundamental in Korean cuisine.

Ms. Oh Hi Gyun

Me and Mr. Kang Seong woo

May 2011 pictures

My first ascent of Donbongsan. It is relatively close to my house, so I enjoyed coming here during the hot summer evenings. On this day in May, I decided on the spur of the moment to climb to the top without any supplies and only wearing a T-shirt and shorts. That's quite easy for you and me, but it goes against the grain of most Korean hikers, who wear brand name hiking gear and bring snacks. Needless to say, I suppose many were shocked by my casual attire.

On the way down, I thought I heard someone say "Nowon Middle School" (in Korean), so I turned around and said, "Nowon Middle School? That's my school!" In the long run, it turned out they had mentioned a different school (Nohan?) but I formed a friendship with the man I spoke to. I have not contacted Mr. Jung recently, so I think I should very soon.

Mr. Jung's elementary school friends

I believe this is 파전 (pajeon), green onion pancake.

Mr. Jung himself.

Sports day at my school

Heats

Relays

The most memorable event of this day for me was running in the 1500m race. I ran as a pacemaker, but the kids ran out way to fast. I pushed to reach them, finally passed them, and then had to bring them across the line. The fastest kid has since been expelled from our school, but I saw him today. I wonder if he remembers running with me.