Yes We Can! YES WE DID!! HOLD ON! CHANGE IS COMING!!!

"Rosa SAT, so Martin could WALK, so Obama could RUN, so our children can FLY!"
Our First Family is Black! Somebody pinch me!
We did it! Not just Black people, but ALL people. WE DID IT! AIN'T NO STOPPING US NOW!! November 4th, 2008 will be a day that is forever remembered throughout history.
So now that the pieces have been put into place, we all need to begin to change. We can't place all of our hopes and dreams as well our problems on the shoulders of our new President elect. Change needs to begin with us and here is our chance.

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We've been waiting on the world to change, and I think the playing field just leveled out. We are no longer standing at a distance. But first we need to start with ourselves. As arrogant as we may be, the world watches the US. As I was walking home, there was a man on the corner listening to Obama's speech. Clearly, everyone sees everything we do, and lately, it has not been too good. So maybe with a new President, we can again be seen as a nation of achievers not only making our country a better place, but also our world (if anything, I know the world is celebrating out victory as well).
American has been handed back to its people. "Manifest Destiny" has a whole new meaning.
Yes we have a new President. Yes, it is very possible that there is a better future in the sights of most Americans, but how can we expect things to get better if we don't do what is needed to better ourselves. We need to recognize the power that is in our hands and use it to acheive a common goal.
We as African Americans need to encourage Black children that they can become more than athletes, drug dealers and rappers. They can be doctors, lawyers, CEOs, and even President. We need to stop bringing each other down with violence and drugs. And we need to remember our roots, our culture, where we came from. We need to go into our communities and initiate the change that we so desperately desire.
As Americans, we need to stop looking at each other like we are crayons in a Crayola box, but individuals with character, dreams, hope, and so much more. This is a big step, so we all need to step up.
Don't be upset when the Heavens don't immediately open because we have an African American man as President; when the stocks don't magically rise on Wall Street because we're chanting "O-BAM-A;" and last but not least, don't be quick to cast judgement because Ganja still won't be on the approved list of drugs and all minorities don't suddenly become wealthy because Barak is a minority in the White House and can "relate." Change may come slowly, but it will come (but probably not the Ganja). And it will be because of the combined effort of Americans. Barak Obama is not God. He is human like the rest of us. So treat him as such. When he makes a mistake, don't stone him. All we can hope for is that he rises above the corruption and scandal in Washington politics and beats it, keeps his promises, and works hard for a better America.
Also, keep him and the safety of his family in your prayers. Just because a Black man is President doesn't mean we still don't have "Crazy Bubba" and his redneck hillbilly buddies running around.
And have you heard the new ISH? "Obama's not Black...he's bi-racial." I'm not even gonna comment.
"They didn't give us 40 acres and a mule, but we D*** sure will take 50 states and the White House!" ~Brittany H.'s Facebook Status (I Love It! LOL)
So who's is going to the Inaugural Ball in January? If you are, can I PLEASE be your guest? I have a gorgeous dress I could wear. Or maybe Barak and Joe (yea, I'm on a first name basis with them like that. lol), will have a big 'ole cookout on the White House lawn and serve fried chicken, sweet potatoes, greens, corn bread...you know, the works. Not all of us can afford a $1,700 ticket.
But anyway, be proud. WE JUST MADE HISTORY!
UNTIL NEXT TIME!!!!!
By The Way... BARAK OBAMA IS MY PRESIDENT!


(Kory, I too would like to be America's first lady...::wink::wink::)

Welcome Back World!

So this week has been pretty good. I got my diploma back, and my classes went well (except for you know when). Christina and I went to look for cellphones on Wednesday but there was such a big language barrier, we just left frustrated and phone-less.
I still don't have a computer in my classroom, but I did take some pictures of it to show you what it looks like.

I told you it was small. But it's good for me. I can say "My classroom." I also took some pictures of my EC3 class (yea, one of my classes who wants to blow up Japan, do away with Lee Myung-bak and also Bushy (as they call him).

*Them being nosey. Someone was getting yelled at in the hallway**My chicken lover, Pi, drawing you guessed it...a chicken on the board*

I've also been eating quite well. My trips to E-mart and Costco have left me happy. Mommy also sent me brown rice, flavored rice, and tasty kakes so I'm in hog heaven!

Wednesday was my anniversary with Kory. It was really hard being away and there was a problem with communication, but it was worked out. The day was good. We had bagels for breakfast and penne pasta for dinner. I got dressed up and curled my hair. Kory also got my present and he seemed to really like it so I'm happy.

Christina and I decided to give looking for a cell phone another try (3rd times a charm)... and we got them! Yes, I am an official member of LGTelecom (LG...Life's Good!). And my phone only cost 10,000 won, which is about 7 USD. And it's a new phone. I bought a phone number on skype so everyone at home, to call me you won't have to pay the international fee. Just call my skype number and it will be like you're calling me in NJ. I am officially reconnected to the Cell Phone Community! I missed you all.

My grandma is a little sick so please pray for her. She'll be ok, but I don't like it when someone is sick, and now that I'm on the other side of the world and can't do anything, I really don't like it. I'm just glad that she'll be fine.

I went to look for somewhere to take Korean classes but so far, classes have already started and I won't be able to join a class until January. But Christina is taking one so whatever she learns she will pass on to me. I definately need to know how to say more than "thank you." But a good thing is that there is an English-Korean translator on my cell phone. So I will be using that quite often.

I performed my civic duty today! I received my absentee ballot in the mail on Tuesday. Because I am in an Asian country, I was able to FedEx my ballot back for free!! Now, don't ask me what an Asian country has to do with American voting...I don't know. It was free and the Board of Elections will have it tomorrow. So who cares!? I also watched the last presidential debate Thursday morning. I'm very happy that Obama didn't talk about past administration, just about his plans which was good. And I dunno, maybe I'm being biased, but McCain can't hear. Every time Obama answered a claim he made, he would respond as if Obama never spoke on the topic. And this is who some people want for president?? An old fogy who needs to change his hearing aid battery? (And please, I am not dissing people with hearing aids, I need one at times)

Him and his pit bull need to go enter the Kentucky Derby because all they're good for is running their mouth.

Anyway... I know I've been jumping from one thing to the other in this entry. I've been having a little trouble focusing lately. I figure I just need a little more sleep.

I hope everyone is doing well. I miss you very much. I'm bout to go eat and watch some Gilmore Girls.

Until Next Time!

My Weekend

So this weekend went pretty well. I went to school on Saturday and then met up with Christina later on that evening. We went to Itaewon to have dinner and look for cell phones. We ate at a Thai restaurant and I had red curry with beef. I Love Curry! I love spicy food so me and curry go hand and hand. Let me stop... I LOVE FOOD. PERIOD! Food and I have always been very close.
We decided to get a prepaid phone instead of a phone plan, so after dinner we went looking. I guess we went too late because there was only one store open. He had a lot of used phones, but he wanted 180,000 thousand won!! Not for a USED phone. So we are going to go to the techno mart Wednesday morning and hopefully we have better luck.
I went to E-mart this morning to do a little food shopping. It was a lot less chaotic and I was able to find what I wanted without people running over my heels and being pushed and shoved every which way. I found the right kind of pasta this time so hopefully, I want have a glob of yuck on my plate again and I also found 'Pasta Sauce." I also got some steak, rotisserie chicken, and snacks and things.
After I came, home and put my groceries away, I went and met up with Andrea. We went to lunch at On The Border (yea, I came to Korea to go to a Mexican restaurant...) and I must say I was actually full when we were done. The we went to Costco. There are some things there that I can't find at E-mart. I got hash browns, muffins, stuffed pasta, and chicken fingers.
After we finished our shopping (which was a lot more chaotic than my morning), I decided to take the bus home. Someone at the store told me that I could catch the bus and go right home and since I had a little bit of stuff, it sounded like a good idea. Andrea caught a cab and I headed for the bus stop. Well, every time my bus came and I told them the stop (in Korean mind you), they would shake their head and tell me no. That should have been a sign for me to walk my butt back to the train station and take the subway, but I was convinced that I was gonna learn how to navigate the bus system. While looking at the map, I noticed that another bus that serviced the stop went to my neighborhood so I decided to get on that. The bus came and I got on and about four stops later, things weren't looking right. I saw a huge mountain in front of me and I had crossed the Han River. Now, I know I live by a lot of mountains, but that one just didn't look familiar, and I live on the other side of the Han...Da Da DAAAA!!!! I'M GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION!!!! I ended up back by Andrea's house (where we went for lunch)! I was quite upset, but I didn't let it get to me. The man at Costco took me to the bus stop and told me to get on the bus there...WRONG...I needed to be across the street. So I just got off the bus and took the subway. I KNOW how to get home from the subway. So as a result, I am through with the Seoul bus system. Two bad encounters is enough to tell me that I need to stick with what I know...the subway.
So I made it home, reorganized my refrigerator so everything would fit and started to wash my hair. I love the feeling of clean hair. So I washed it, combed it out and talked to Mommie. I decided to blow dry it and call her back. So I plug my blow dryer into my converter and set it on high (what I normally do because my hair is so thick), but high was sounding and feeling like low. I tried adjusting the settings and still it wasn't working right. I just figured it would take me a little longer to get the job done, but I would manage. NOT!! Next thing I know, my dryer blows out and my converter started smoking...The roof, the roof, the roof is on fire! We don't need no water let the M'nFer burn! Burn Burn! Burn baby burn...OK, I'm back (LOL). Yea, so that's two converters gone. And of coarse they are the ones that I paid 13,000 won a piece for. So now, I am sitting here letting my hair air dry and it is just poofing up. I look like a poodle...
So what did you think of the VP and Presidential debates?? I wish I was in school. Being a poli sci major, any election can be very exciting. I just want to be able to discuss politics and what not but I haven't found a buddy for that yet. Still looking. But that Palin... she can't seem to answer a question! 'Question: Gov Palin, what do you think of alternative ways of energy? Answer: Well, being the governor of a great energy producing state, I just love to drill for oil. DRILL BABY DRILL! And I love this country. And the Maverick, Senator McCain, is such a great man and I can't wait to be VP of this great nation. And I wanna give a shout out to all my Hill Billy friends. And if I don't like you, you will be fired! Thank you. Audience: WTF??!!!?' And this is who the Republicans put their faith in?? I'm sorry, but I think I would prefer Shamu... but that's just my opinion. Really though, IT'S TIME FOR CHANGE!!! GO OBIDEN!! And my kids feel the same way. Maybe I can finagle a way to get them some ballots...any suggestions?
I would love to keep writing but I need to figure out something to do with this Diana Ross doo I have going on... man I miss Shavanni!! Anyone wanna come do my hair? I give you a couple thousand won!
Until Next Time!

Nothing Much...

So nothing exciting has been going on. My voice is still hoarse and some mosquitoes tore my hands up last night. Its been pretty warm here. Yesterday was beautiful. 80 degrees and its supposed to be like that until Friday. Then the rain comes.
Anywho, today is Thursday (ugh!). I hate Tuesdays and Thursdays with I passion. I have my worst class on these days. Memory English Mega (the 7th - 9th graders). On Tuesday, they were out of control, and one boy put hiss foot in another boy's face. I yelled and asked him if he wanted me to put my foot in his face. He just looked at me. And I had to catch myself a couple times. I almost told them to SHUT THE F*** AND SIT THE H*** DOWN!!! Maybe I should have. I think I'm going to try cussing at them in Spanish. Maybe it will relieve the stress. I'm sure they're doing it in Korean. Yea. I think that's what I'll do. Every time I get the urge to smack one of those little A*SHOLES I'll just say "budah" (sp) or another choice word that I learned back in elementary school. And I'm sure that my English Chip class at 4pm will put me in a good mood. Enough so that I'll be able to cuss with a smile :)
My English Chip class are one of my classes that want to punch Lee Muyng-bak, blow up Japan, and get rid of Bush. They are so funny. There is also a girl, Pi, who loves chicken. Every time I ask her to make a sentence using one of our vocabulary words, she talks about chicken. How she likes it in her mouth. How it runs across her lips and in her stomach. Chicken, chicken, chicken. She is funny.
Oh, and my Monday/Friday Memory English Mega class wanted to know if I was from South Africa because we were studying the apartheid. After I told them no and showed them where I was from on the map, they still asked if I spoke Afrikcaans, if I was allowed to play with white kids, and if I knew Nelson Mandela. Geesh. I should have told them not all Black people live in Africa like all Asians don't live in Korea. Well, I'm sure it will come up again and I'll use my analogy.
I had some McDonald's yesterday. I had to go to the stationary store and there's a McDonald's a couple feet from there. I figured it was ok since I don't eat it often. It's my luxury since there isn't one anywhere close to where I live. I had chicken strips which are extremely spicy, fries, and a vanilla milkshake. Oh it was so good. I think my eyes rolled up into the back of my head as I was eating. I've been wanting sweet stuff and since my refrigerator is practically bare, I think it is time for me to go on a grocery run and sweets will be on the top of my list. Mommie sent me some stuff last week and this week she is sending me Tasty Kakes, sticky buns and cookies. I probably won't get until next week but I am so looking forward to it. And three of my bagels and my last muffin started to mold. I was so upset. It never dawned on me to put it in the fridge. I never had to at home, but I guess now I know.
I haven't gotten a good nights sleep since I've been here. I keeping waking up multiple times in the middle of the night. Why? I have no idea. And I don't want to become a slave to Tylenol PM but that's what it looks like it will come too. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm welcome to anything... almost anything.
My first Anniversary is in a week and six days. It's a bitter sweet feeling because Kory and I have been together for a year and are still going strong but I can't be with him on that day. So it's exciting and a little depressing at the same time.
Have I told you about the lack of non-matching people I've seen during my 25 days here??!! I'm not talking about not matching your underwear to what you are wearing (that would just be asking way too much), and I know its OK to wear plum nail polish on your toes and red on your finger nails (Katt Williams told me so), but WHO TOLD THESE PEOPLE THAT FLORAL AND STRIPES MATCH!!!!!????!!!!! Are you kidding me?? Polk-a-dot and plaid, purple and orange, socks and heels!!! And some of them have the nerve to look at me on the subway with a stank face. Ho, have you looked in the mirror today?! WHAT YOU ARE WEARING IS STANK!! I think I need to make a color coded chart. Better yet, I'm going to report these people to TLC's "What Not To Wear." Clearly non of them have been to Seoul's Fashion Week.
OK...I'm sorry. I just really needed to vent about that for a minute. I'm not a shallow person, but I'm use to seeing people who take time and pick out their outfit in the morning or even the night before (I went to Hampton remember. Wearing pj's to class was against the "Standards of Excellence." And I'm sure so was Polk-a-dot and floral patterns on the same person at the same time).
Wow, I said I didn't have much to talk about but it seems as though I've found a couple things. I have to go now and get ready for school...UGH! Please pray that the 7-10 o'clock hours pass me by in haste.
And can someone please let me know if I can watch the VP debates anywhere online. That is something not to be missed.
Until Next Time!

My Breaking "Trough" and "Expansion"...

Well all, on Saturday, September 27th at 9:33am (Sept. 26th @ 8:33pm EST), I had a complete meltdown. I computer randomly shut down while I was talking to my mom, I had only had about three hours of sleep, I was sick, lonley, no one seemed to be available when I needed to talk, Kory and I seemed to be not seeing eye to eye, I was frustrated and my computer was "the straw that broke the camal's back." I'm sure my neighbors thought a mad woman lived in their building. I balled up in a corner and scremaed and cried. I just completely shut down and was ready to head for the airport.
I am now hoping that that was my "trough" as it's known in economics. The lowest point or level of output/production. The good thing about a trough is that there is no where to go but up... "peak." Now I can't go directly from trough to peak...I need an "expansion," and that is what I'm going through right now (that macroeconomics class paid off. I'm putting my Hampton education to work! lol). So my expansion is looking pretty good right now. I went out last night with Andrea (one of my co-workers), Christina, one of her co-workers, Sam, someone who trainedwith else, and a host of other people. But I think I would have had a better time if I wasn't so fresh out of my trough. After we went to the COEX, had dinner, and sat and talked at this really nice bar, some people decided to go a club and others headed home. I didn't really feel up to it and didn't have my "club" attire on, but I was talked into going to the club. When we got there, the guy at the door said 20,000 won. What?? I've gotten into clubs for less and got a couple of drinks but at this particular place, the 20,000 got you into 2 clubs and A free drink. Now you know I like to shake my booty, but unfortunately, I had to pass this go-round. And since I haven't gotten paid yet, and probably going to need to go grocery shopping again, I figured I would wait to try it out when I'm in the right mind to party and can pay for a drink. Maybe Kory and I will go if he comes to visit. Speaking of, Kory and I have worked out our misunderstandings. I was upset with him but it was really my computer's fault.
I've been reading my Bible (I kind of skipped from Leviticus to Psalms, but don't worry. I'm gonna backtrack. But I felt as though Psalms and Proverbs is where I need to be right now).
I had some McDonald's and a milkshake (what I was craving for a while) and that also made my day.
I've prepped my lessons for Monday-Wednesday and a little of Friday's and now I'm heating up some chicken (I'm about to turn into a chicken at the rate I'm going with all of my consumption of chicken. I feel like I'm back in Hampton with its 33 different ways to make it) and jammin on my Gospel play list.
Oh, did I tell you I have to work on Christmas and New Years!!!!! I'm so hot. I knew I didn't get holidays off, but I thought that meant we had those days off and would just make up the missed hours. NOT!! So while all of you are gathered around the tree with family, and bringing in the New Year at church, a party, or watching fireworks, I'll be in class. Well, not at midnight, but you know what I mean. No one to kiss under the mistletoe this year. And ain't that a B**** cause I have a boyfriend.
Anywayz, have I told you about my Tuesday/Thursday Memory Mega class?? Well they're 7-9th graders and I just wanna slap the s*** out of them. OMG! All I do is mostly yell. Then my head instructor Janice (who I found out isn't actually the head instructor so I have no idea what her position is) comes in and yells at them and hits some of them. That's right, in Korea, teachers can hit their students (if I did, them little heathens would have black eyes. I wouldn't hit them...I'd fight them). Before I knew this, one of my students was telling me how his teacher hits them. I was thinking "should I report this?? Call child protective services?? But then they all started talking about it, so I figured it must have been the norm, which I later confirmed. But back to the heathen class... they are horrible. I told one of them to go home. I was tired of looking at him and what did he do??? That little monster had the nerve to show up to class on Thursday! UGH!! And the thing is, this is one of my lower level classes. My 2-3rd graders are at a higher level but they are so cute and adorable and well behaved... all but a couple, who cannot be compared to "Satan's seeds" on Tues/Thurs. Go figure...
I've also learned that my kids want to blow up Japan... that's right. They're obviously upset about the Korean War but when they started talking about what they wanted to do to the Japanese, my mouth hit the floor. I had to quickly move on to another topic which wasn't much better. They started to call the kids that they didn't like "North Koreans." Yea... they don't care for North Koreans either. They all want to kill Lee Myung-bak, South Korea's President. Clearly my kids have some built up resentment. And number three on their sniper list... you guessed it... George W Bush! They told me how Bush for some reason wants to personally take out South Korea. I don't blame them. I'd have a pool in that pot as well. And they all love Obama!!! They tell me "Teacher, Obama good, McCain bad!" I wonder if they know about Palin.
Speaking of that pitbull, have you seen her interview with Katie Couric?? Geesh, she is truly a dumb pile of rocks! How do you not now where your running mate stands on some issues. I think she took pieces of her speech and put them together and came out with that BS. I actually feel bad for the republicans... it's not too late to change parties, but if Palin is ever sworn in as President, I don't want to hear how she spent all your money to go drill for oil in Alaska and you are reduced to Section 8. I'll be chillin in someplace other than the U S of A.
And what in the world is going on on Wall Street?? All I know is America is in some deep doodoo. Maybe I'll just have my family pack up and join me in South Korea until the US gets its ISH together.
Well I should be going. My chicken is calling me.
Until Next Time!