Stephanie in Suwon

I’m feeling pretty good about the fact that it’s Friday. This week was one of non-stop stress, climaxing yesterday evening with an incident in one of my classes, involving me, a group of four thirteen year old boys and a serious flashback to a memory of me in junior high school. In this memory, which took place on a Wednesday afternoon (funny how stuff like that sticks with you), I was late for class and running down the hallway. I passed by a group of guys I knew in passing, who were undoubtably skipping class, who proceeded to chase me down said hallway, barking at the top of their lungs. You know. Cause I’m ugly. Like a dog. Get it? I ended up missing class because I was holed up in the girl’s washroom, bawling my face off, and too scared to come out in case they were waiting for me outside the door. This is a moment for me; I’d just like to point out. I just revealed an incredibly humiliating memory, and am allowing myself to be brutally honest with the three of you who actually re...

I miss theatre. I miss it so much. I’ve been a total slacker on the blog as of late. Apologies to the both of you who actually care☺ Actually that’s only partly true, not the both of you who care comment…if there are indeed that many sad, sad individuals who have nothing better to so then read about my so-called life….just kidding B! I know how valuable your time is and I love that you care enough to check in! Oh yeah…you too mom. Ahem. I was referring to the total slacker part; it’s not that I haven’t meant to write. But a writer requires inspiration in order to deliver the goods, and I’ve been lacking in that department as of late. The past little while has been pretty tame, no pig roasts or other such animalistic sacrificial proceedings to report, the nervous breakdowns have been reduced to one a week at most, by and large brought on by one of the many near death experiences I experience on a near-daily basis courtesy of the “drivers” here who seemingly peruse the streets in their d...

I was a deprived child. It’s true, Sure my parents gave me food, shelter and clothes to put on my back. Yeah, they made sure I was raised with a sense of responsibility for my own actions and an awareness of the people around me and how we all affect each other in some way, shape or form. Yes, they showed me that two people could survive three kids, two big moves, one amazing dog and a thirty-plus year marriage and still be in love with each other. And ok, they loved me more then I will ever know or possibly be able to understand. BUT. As a child, I was never allowed to go trick or treating. I know. I know. You have to pass through hell fire to get a drivers license these days, but they’ll let anyone have a kid. It’s sad. So sad. They told me they were concerned for my safety. Whatever. Give me a freakin break. Miraculously, I survived this grave injustice and have somehow managed to become the intelligent, rational, judicious, stunning individual you all know and love. Thank you, than...

Feelin some love for where I am right now. Not bad. Not bad at all!

Since moving to Korea, I have felt decidedly, un-at-home. I do not belong, in every way one can conceive of. I look different, sound different, behave differently, think differently. My cultural circumstances are obvious to anyone and everyone, and the ironic thing, is that those are the reasons I was asked to come here and do what I am doing. I feel envied and alienated at the same time. It’s odd. At the risk of sounding redundant (and….like…….duh……), I have never before felt so far removed from what I know, like, love and understand. And when one is faced with a situation as thus, I suppose it becomes a natural reaction to gravitate towards things, places and people that remind you of where you have come from. Living in Korea, as amazing as it has been so far, has had its fair share of unpleasant moments. Like being smoked by the handlebars of a speeding scooter while your walking…on the sidewalk. Like getting gawked at in an ungracious way on a very regular basis. Like wanting nothi...

So I actually started this post on Sunday night and this week has been such a gong show that I’m only now getting to post it. My life is insane right now. I realize this post is roughly the size of the Bible….and it’s not even finished☺. Ok, this past weekend was possibly one of the most random experiences of my life. Our story begins on a Friday night which accidentally turned into Drunk Fest ’07 courtesy of Melissa and Amber, 2 of the functioning alcoholics currently employed by YES Youngdo, teaching future leaders of the world how to speak English so as to enhance communication skills and bolster international relations between the west and the east. Functioning alcoholics. But I digress…… There is no such think as one quick drink on a Friday night. Do yourselves a favor and write that one down. I promise you it will come in handy. What do you mean you don’t have a pen? No you won’t remember it……trust me…..alright then fine. But don’t come crying to me when you find yourself stumbl...

Missin my mom☺ Just sayin. Apologies for the lack of postings as of late. I’ve been busy coping. And rediscovering certain gems of wisdom I had forgotten. Example: Everything in life is a little bit better when you’re half-cut. Or fully cut……either/or works really. I will be investing in a few bottles of red. It’s been decided. It’s been a rough go the past few weeks, and I have a sinking feeling we’re not in the clear quite yet. Inner strength that could bend steel non-withstanding, it turns out that uprooting your life, saying goodbye to everyone (well, almost everyone) you love, leaving behind passions that feed your soul and keep you sane, and trading it all in for a job that has you juggling kids and their fucking temper tantrums while smack dab in the middle of a place that is simultaneously technologically supercharged, and devastatingly old-fashioned all while suppressing your urge to vomit/scream in frustration at not being able to communicate with anyone without resorting to...