5-25-77

I remember the first time I saw Star Wars.
It wasn't on opening day, after all I was only one year old.
I saw it when it premiered on HBO.
I believe I watched it every time it was on.
Thus started my fever for everything Star Wars.
One of the earliest memories I have of seeing a movie in the theaters was
Empire Strikes Back.
In school when we played outside I always wanted to be Han Solo.
What little boy didn't?
Return of the Jedi was one of the first films I saw multiple times in the theater.
For the twentieth anniversary in 1997 I was there to see it in the theaters for the
first time.
Then there is the night in Cheonan where we freaked out my friend's girlfriend
 by reciting full passages from the script.
What can I say, I grew up watching Star Wars, and I hope to introduce my son
to it sometime soon.

By the way, today is Nerd Pride Day.
Coincidence?
You decide.

Multicultural

Universities here in Korea love foreign students.
Is it for multicultural reasons?
No silly, it's for the money of course.
Recently in Korea there have been an influx of Chinese students.
These students provide a lot of money, but for universities struggling with enrollment.
Such is the case at my university, although in truth we're not struggling that hard.
Today we had a visit from a foreign dignitary who might possibly strike a deal with our university.
If that deal goes through then er can have some special students next year-Saudi Arabian
student beauticians.
(waits for laughs and giggles)
I know what you're thinking-probably the same thing I did.
Saudi Arabian student beauticians?
Hey, Arabs have to look good  too!
Seriously though it could be a boon for our university, but it could be a challenge as well.
The Muslim community here in Korea is tiny, no wait, minuscule.
In fact, I'd be willing to bet that 99 percent of the community is in Seoul.
You'd be hard pressed to find Muslims in the country.
I don't know if the deal went through or not, but come next year we could have a very
diverse student body.

Summer is officially here

Foreigners catching rays-courtesy of the Chosun Ilbo.

That's because the newspapers online have started with their pics of people on the beach
enjoying themselves.
Big deal you're thinking right?
It happens all the time.
Yes, but here in Korea there are never any locals in the pics, just foreigners-and usually foreigners in bikinis.
Every year at least one time every paper will feature foreigners on the beach.
This phenomenon really hits its zenith when the mud festival happens in July.
Somehow foreigners in bikinis seem to fascinate the locals.
Actually from my last few visits to the beaches of Korea, it seems like more and more locals
have discovered the two piece.
Still many of them go into the water completely clothed.

A funny thing happened in one of my classes today.
Just as my one o'clock class was starting, some random student walked in.
She didn't say anything, or seem to know anybody, she just sat down.
I had a feeling that she didn't speak much English (most of my students don't-they thought this
was going to be a pass-fail cakewalk), so I wrote down  "who are you?" in English.
She answered in Korean.
Then I asked her, "what are you doing here?", again she answered in Korean.
Turns out that she's a student who wants to take the class.
That's great except that there are only three classes left!
In all my years of teaching here this is the first time something like this
has happened.

Strange indeed.

(KIA Tigers fans) hurt

It all came down to the last inning.
KIA was down 2-5 against arch rivals the Lotte Giants.
It didn't look like it was going to end well.
But, have hope Tigers fans!
KIA scored a run!
The score is now 3-5.
More hope fans!
KIA scores another run, and there's only one out!
Could the Tigers come out on the winning end of today's game?
You gotta believe!
So, are you all waiting with breathless anticipation?
You know I was.

Gutted.

A slow double play ends the rally for the Tigers.
Oh you should have seen the face of our starting pitcher.
He was hurt, and so were the fans.

To end on a happier note, big bake sale in town tomorrow!
Bake sale goooood.

Let's get sporty

This is a legit reason to get out of class!

Korean universities don't have spring break because they start there first semester
in the spring.
Instead, many schools have a spring festival, which is like spring break except it takes
place on campus (yes, drinking on campus! Korea rocks!).
Universities in Gwangju have their festivals in the fall (still, it's drinking on campus!), but their is
something they all have in the spring-sports day.
Sports days is when freshman and sophomores participate in a series of activities, most of them having
nothing to do with sports.
However it's outside, and here that counts as a sport.
Sadly, there is no drinking involved.
The past two days at my university were sports days, and while we were no allowed to
cancel classes, we let the students out anyways and just showed up to an empty classroom.
All of the Korean professors though cancelled their classes.
I watched a little bit of the proceedings, and took some photos (the one you see at the top) and some
video as well.
Is there really any sports happening on sports day?
No, not really, but then that's not the point.
The point is-they're not in class and that's all that matters!

Reeling in the years

Yesterday I became another year older.
They say age is nothing but a number.
Unfortunately that number keeps getting bigger.
Still, I had a good day with family and friends.
Yes, I was still kind of feeling it today.
It's Mothers Day today as well, so I want to wish my Mom, my wife, and
all the mothers out there a happy one.
Lets face the facts-mothers deserve all the credit!

Upgrade

I'm typing this on our new Galaxy Tab.
I have to say it's pretty sweet.
Is this an early birthday gift?
I guess so, but it's not just for me-it's for the Mrs. as well.
Well I have one more hour left to be 35.
How am I going to ring in my birthday?
I will probably be in bed.