magnetonic

Yes. I am back from an oh-so-long hiatus. Why? If I sit here and think about it, I can maybe come up with a few answers.

I did get married. But that was nearly a year ago. Let's see I've posted maybe eight times in the last year. Pathetic!

I think this is what happened: About a year ago, we were in the heat of wedding plans. Pictures needed to be taken, gifts for new family members bought, hanboks fitted and made, plane tickets bought, music chosen, honeymoon planned, rings made, and so on and so on.

I never had time to even think about mag. My parents and brother came. Then the wedding. Then the honeymoon. Then the move. Then summer vacation schedule at work (which means I work more hours for the same pay, essentially). Then Chuseok as a newlywed (family obligations become much more important). Then the trip to Toronto. Then the reception. Then teacher's college applications AND immigration applications. Then Christmas. Then winter vacation schedule. Then New Year's. Then Lunar New Year's (family again). And now, magnetonic.

I think I'm missing something. Not another "Then ...". I'm missing the reason for me not writing. I'm actually quite available most of the day. I don't start even getting ready for work until about 2:00, sometimes later. I don't work weekends, usually (I do some privates sometimes, like now). I would usually get up fairly late, anywhere from between ten and twelve. I'd make coffee and maybe have breakfast. Cereal or toast. I'd watch two episodes of Friends and maybe That 70's Show or 3rd Rock. I've watched the entirety of Friends (yes, that's count them ten seasons) at least four of five times since being in Korea. Probably more. I'd mess around on the computer wasting time reading mind-dumbing posts on Slashdot (which I've weaned myself off, recently) or downloading entire seasons of TV shows and watching every episode end to end most waking hours (there's not much else other than Friends to watch on TV here save the rare K-Drama that I can a] understand and b] actually enjoy). Recently, I've subscribed to one of the English newspapers here in Korea (need to keep up with the Korean news) and so I've become quite adept at finishing the crosswords and Jumbles. Since I've paid for it, I try to read everything, and so that takes up part of my day. I'd get home from work at around 9 and eat and relax by watching TV or above-mentioned downloaded TV show. I'd just forgotten about magnetonic.

There is one thing I've found that has crossed my mind many-a-night: I want to leave Korea. I've been here for 1299 days. I like Korea a lot. I don't know if I love it. There are some things I love, but not many. I'd really just like to get back home to Canada and start the next chapter of our lives. I'm going back to school to start a new career and Jackie is going to a new country to start a new life. We're basically just waiting. It's killing us.

My job is absolutely nothing special. I'm paid well and don't work that many hours so it's sweet. But it's not at all pleasurable or rewarding. I'm in a rut. In that rut, I'm an English teacher. With me in that rut are a hundred students that don't have a basic grasp of English conversation. They don't have any drive to improve their skill and so in turn, neither do I have the drive to improve their skill. I try not to give up on them because they are my students and they are here to learn from me. Somebody told me: "Remember, you're teaching children, not your subject." It's stuck with me. But these children do not understand my language and that has made it really hard to get out of this rut.

This is the crux of my post here, I think. I'm in a rut with a bunch of Korean kids and I want to get out of this country. I won't go without a fight.

So here, in writing, I solemnly declare that henceforth I will to the best of my ability post at least one message a week if not more or less often.

Also, I need to exercise more. I walk twenty minutes to and from work every day, but it's not enough.

Also, I need to read more. Not just the newspaper. I haven't touched a book in months.

Also, I need to take care of my wife. And her sisters. And her parents. I have to grow up. I'm a husband. And I'm a son-in-law. The first at that.

Also, I need to edit.