8 Years in Asia

Next month will be my nine year anniversary of coming to Asia. Now of course there was a one year break thrown in there when I came back to Canada to get my teaching credentials, but I have lived eight out of the last nine years in Asia. This was never my plan. In late 2001, when I hatched my plan to move here, I was working as a software developer in Canada and only planned to come for one year. After that one year, I would head back to Canada, refreshed, travel bug having been fed and resume my career as a 3D modeler. Eight years later I am now a certified teacher and still here!

I spent my first five years bouncing between three cities in South Korea and for the last (almost) three years here in Kobe, Japan.

In this post, wanted to write about the Kevin who arrived in Asia in February 2002 versus the Kevin who lives in Asia in January 2011.


Then (2002): I had a small apartment in Ilsan, South Korea.
Now (2011): I have a bigger apartment in Kobe, Japan.

Then (2002): I was getting pumped up for the World Cup coming to Korea/Japan.
Now (2011): No World Cup this year. Could care less about football/soccer.

Then (2002): Was struggling with crappy Korean language skills.
Now (2011): I am struggling with crappy Japanese skills.

Then: Was single and looking for love.
Now: Happily married with a beautiful son.

Then: Ate out at restaurants most nights.
Now: Eat at home every night.

Then: Eating out at restaurants was really cheap.
Now: It's not so cheap.

Then: Lived in a city with few fellow foreigners and very little English around me.
Now: Live in a city with many foreigners and English everywhere.

Then: Was awe-struck by everything I saw.
Now: Somewhat awe-struck, but not so much.

Then: Was 26 years old.
Now: 35 years old.

Then: I trained in Tae Kwon Do.
Now: I enjoy long-distance running.

Then: Worked from 4:00pm to 10:00pm.
Now: Work from 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Then: Smoked heavily and went to bars several times a week.
Now: Don't smoke, rarely go to a bar.

Then: Kimchi everywhere.
Now: No kimchi.

Then: Was told everyday by locals why Japan was bad and America wasn't much better.
Now: Simply don't don't hear that sort of talk.

Then: Had a crappy boss.
Now: Have a boss that respects me a lot.

Then: Guys desperately tried to show me that they were stronger than me at the gym.
Now: Guys don't even notice me at the gym (they're to busy working out).

Then: Everyone around me spoke Korean.
Now: Everyone around me speaks Japanese.

Then: Wasn't a very productive/responsible person.
Now: Am both!

Then: Thought Korean food was great.
Now: Think Japanese food is great.

Then: Kim Jong-il sucked.
Now: He still sucks.

Then: Traveled a lot around Asia.
Now: Save up for trips back to Canada.

Then: Think about the short term.
Now: Thinking about the long term.

Then: Was a PC guy.
Now: Am a Mac guy.

Then: No such thing as You Tube.
Now: I'm a You Tube partner.

Then: Missed Tim Hortons.
Now: Miss Tim Hortons.


Life is different indeed. I may be still in Asia after many years, but as you can see, life for me in Japan is completely different than life for me in Korea. Some of that of course has to do with the time (2002 vs 2011), some has to do with the culture and of course, some has to do with my age.

Long story short; life was good then and life is good now. I suppose that the life I lead is just completely different!

Happy Reading :)

Back in Japan

My trip to Korea is all over and now it's time to lick my wounds and let the healing begin. Fun it was, fun indeed! Too much fun at times. A good "liver punishing" is all part of the "Korean Experience" I suppose. I was in Busan with my wife for four days and we got back to Kobe this afternoon. We had an amazing time with all of our friends. I'd have to say that there were three main highlights to the trip:

1. The Hermit Kings reunion show (that's my old band).
2. Hanging out with all of my old friends!
3. Korean food (we ate a lot of great stuff).

We were staying at the Novotel along Haeundae Beach. Although the weather was nasty pretty much the entire time we were there, it was still nice to be so close to the water.


On Friday night, the Hermit Kings had their reunion show at Soul Trane in PNU (Pusan National University) area. It was cool. It was the first time I've played drums in almost 2 years.

Of course, a major part of any vacation is the enjoyment of food. We had some great stuff and I took a lot of footage. I'm planning to start making more "foody" videos on my You Tube Channel from now on and later this week I'll post a few about some of the awesome food I had in Busan.


Check out this little treat I picked up at the duty free shop. That's right! Soju chocolate. I'm pretty sure it will be nasty, but I had to buy a box.


Here's a little taste of what I saw in Busan!

Cool Machines - Korea Short Video #2


More videos and pictures to come in the next few days!

Almost time for Korea

One day of classes left and then it's pretty much all said and done. Friday is Graduation at my school and then it's time to relax for a few weeks. I'll be siting in Busan, South Korea in exactly a week from now. I'll be there for 5 days and plan on a reunion show with my old band "The Hermit Kings." The majority of the original band is still there and we'll play a gig at an undisclosed (I will disclose it as soon as I know) club in Busan.

Life in Kobe is still great. The weather is warm and Prime Minister Taro Aso still has a gruff voice and wears too many pins on his suits!

Today, during my break I wandered through a neat little neighborhoodclose to my school. I say "neat", but then again, I still consider most little neighborhoods in Japan "neat."

An Old Japanese House


Although I have no burning desire to become reacquainted with Korea's "famous" drink, soju, I do plan on reminding myself just how bad Korean beer really is! Luckily the Korean won is in the toilet at the moment (not so good for all of the ESL teachers there), so my Japanese Yen will go really far! That's a lot of cheap beer and grilled beef!

Soju. Some of what Korea has to offer that I'll pass on!


Galbi. Some of what Korea has to offer that I ABSOLUTELY love and plan to fill up on! Galbi-jibs of Busan...here I come!


Although it was again a slight change from my normal style of video blogs, I recently posted a video I called "Fear." It was another attempt at a "light" video. It has gotten a great response so far. Hope you enjoy!

Fear

You can see the original here on my channel.

Now, it is coming up on St.Patrick's Day all around the world and here in Japan. The Japanese really love the drink of course and are quite fond of Irish style pubs and Guiness as well. I'm not sure exactly what happens in Kobe or Osaka on St. Paddy's Day, aside from he various pubs holding parties. Since I'll be heading to Busan the following morning, I plan to just stay home, have a few pints of Guiness in the comfort of my living.

Here's a little about what you can do if you happen to be in Tokyo this Sunday, March 15th.


Tokyo’s St Patrick’s Day Parade – It’s a long way from Tipperary

TOKYO —
On Sunday, March 15, Omotesando-dori will be transformed into a bustling Celtic cultural fiesta. This year’s St Patrick’s Day parade is sure to be one of the best in years with over 2,000 participants and some 30,000 spectators expected along with dignitaries from Tokyo’s diplomatic community.

This fun-filled international parade offers a unique opportunity for all to enjoy the delights of Irish music and dancing, Celtic art and design, colorful paraders from throughout Japan and a even a chance to sample a free glass of Guinness or Baileys – two of Ireland’s finest liquid exports. Read More at JapanToday