Halloween!

Yesterday, we had a Halloween party at school. All the other teachers apart from me did face painting and made masks with the children. I on the otherhand, had to wear a ghost costume all day and stand in our haunted house scaring the kids when they were brought in. It was funny at first but after a while it got hot and I was sweating. Then some of the children who do Taekwondo decide to start kicking me in the shins! I definitely made some of the children cry. Robert's class wouldn't come in because they were too scared!

The Title Chase Is On!

Today we won 1-0 against the Cheongju Tigers. It was the biggest pitch I've ever seen, I'm sure Old Trafford isn't that big! It was the third clean sheet in five games, which is always good from defences point of view and means we now have the best defence in the division. We're back into second, five points behind with one game in hand but we also play the leaders once more. Basically if we win the next five games, we win the league.
I had about as much energy as a stick of celery today, I assume it was because I've had a cold all week that still hasn't cleared up. I changed that after the game with a dinner of Burger King and a whole pizza, such a healthy day!
I could do with going to bed but I'm still waiting for my laundry to finish.

Trivial Pursuit and the war museum

Last night I went out for dinner with some of the teachers from work. After, we went to a bar and played Trivial Pursuit. The only problem being it was the 1982 edition and the American version so not only am I the wrong nationality, but I wasn't even born then! Even so, I still did fairly well.

This morning I went to the National War Memorial Museum in Seoul. It's a nice big place with lots of exhibits and not surprisingly, a lot about the Korean war. Everything is in English and Korean and they don't just focus on Korea during the coflict. They have a lot of exhibits about the other 21 countries involved (why did Luxumburg bother sending 83 troops?!!). It only cost 3,000 won to get in so was a morning well spent. I discovered John Prescott must have been here recently as there was a wreath laid by him next to the memorial for the 1,000 dead British soldiers.

Part of the war memorial

A statue dedicated to three Koreans who used themselves as human bombs to try and defeat the enemy and save their own men. Either very crazy or extremely brave!

Tomorrow we have a footy match against Cheongju. It's at home yet it's still an hour south of Seoul, and nowhere near us work that one out!!

I think autumn has arrived

On saturday I was wearing a t-shirt outside and it was warm. On Sunday it rained so it was a little chilly. On Monday, it felt like we had just arrived in Siberia! (Well, not quite). There must have been a sudden temperature drop of about 8 or 9 degrees overnight. It meant breaking out the sweaters. As if by magic, everyone at work (including me) suddenly came in with a cold the same day as it got cold. Spooky!

My head hurts!

So this weekend was all about playing two footy matches. On Saturday we played against Anyang in Seoul and won 2-1. Only problem was I ended up giving away a penalty in the 15th minute. The fact there was no contact and the guy dived like he'd been shot was another matter!
Today, we went to the middle of nowhere in north Seoul to play against Goyang. We won 5-1 and it was just an easy game. They gave us loads of space so we just kept running at them, I spent plenty of my time in their half which is always good! Only one problem, I have a huge lump swelling up under my right eye from an elbow and the left side of my head is throbbing from a collision with another guys head!
This means the record of the team since I've been playing for them is: played 8, won 5, drawn 2 and lost just 1.
I want to get my haircut but am a little scared of ending up looking like a Korean!

It's Friday!!

I thought it would never arrive!
The only thing planned this weekend is a football match on both Saturday and Sunday. I may head to the electronics market tomorrow on the way to football and try and pick up a small gameboy or something for my journeys on the subway. I'm starting to get bored of travelling so much at weekends! At least the travelling will be worth it as we're determined to win both matches. As long as my defence keeps a clean sheet in both matches I'll be even happier! I wonder if Watford will win at last tomorrow against Charlton?!!
Only 11 days until the NBA season begins, yay!

Teachers Sick!

Teacher sick was the students favourite comment yesterday! I think I had food poisoning from the night before as I was throwing up and pooing all day! That was real fun but I was determined to make it through the day at school. I got home and slept for 14 hours. I haven't eaten for about 40 hours now! I think I'm going to go to Subway and get a 12 inch sub! Feel so weak now!
My internet is back up now as the guy from Korea Telecom came round to set it up. I had lost it as the person in the apartment before me needed it in his and he couldn't have two accounts.

It's my birthday!

Am I 23 or 24? Koreans count the time in the womb as part of their life. I think I will remain 23 although the children all say I'm 24. Not sure what I'm doing this evening as I have a class until 7:40. I think I'm going out on friday night in Seoul with a few of the football guys.

We lose at last

So after almost four hours of football without conceeding a goal we let in three today. We lost 3-1 with a bad defensive performance which I would claim is because I wasn't in charge of defense today. We were fine at 2-1 down and then our goalkeeper kicked the ball into the striker and it rebounded into an empty net. I've taken to drinking my bottle of Bell's to get over it!!!
I've decided I need a dog. Mack brought his puppy to the game today and Korean women would cross the street just to stroke it!!! Like moths to a flame.
I have now convinced one of my children that I am a Hanguk (korean). Just by saying the right phrases at the right time he believed me!!!

Namdaemun

At the weekend I went to Namdaemun, which is one of the big markets in Seoul. Namdaemun means 'Great South Gate' which is why there is a picture of some old looking Korean building! I was also going to go to Seoul Tower but the line was too big and my legs were tired so I'll go another day! This weekend is a big match down in Cheonan as we play the second best team in the league. If we win, we go four points clear at the top. If we lose, we're two points behind.

Oh joy. Our next door neighbours have gone nuclear!!!

Press release from the North:

"The field of scientific research in the DPRK (North Korea) successfully conducted an underground nuclear test under secure conditions on October 9, Juche 95 (2006) at a stirring time when all the people of the country are making a great leap forward in the building of a great, prosperous, powerful socialist nation.
"It has been confirmed that there was no such danger as radioactive emission in the course of the nuclear test as it was carried out under a scientific consideration and careful calculation.
"The nuclear test was conducted with indigenous wisdom and technology 100%. It marks a historic event as it greatly encouraged and pleased the KPA (Korean People's Army) and people that have wished to have powerful self-reliant defence capability.
"It will contribute to defending the peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and in the area around it."

Korea 1 Ghana 3

It appears that Korean footballers haven't heard of the word 'defence'. They can't defend to save their lives! Eyal and I went to the match last night. We had some Korean street food outside the stadium and then went in. The stdaium wasn't full as it was only a friendly but there were porbably still nearly 40,000 people there. I lost $10 due to a wager with Eyal that Korean would win!!! The atmosphere was amazing though and we definitely want to go back again. Next summer Korea is hosting the U17 World Cup so I might go to some of the games. The funniest part of last night was when the Korean team was announced. Eight of the squad had their surname as Kim!!

Happy Chuseok!

Today is the actual day of Chuseok, which is Korean thanksgiving. It means that nothing is open and no-one is walking about. As nothing is open, I may starve as the only things in my fridge/cupboards are processed cheese, plum juice and spam!!!!

Hanging on to my life.....

Today a group of us went to Bukhansan National Park which is just north of Seoul.

I thought it would be regular hiking but no! We got to near the top of the mountain and suddenly ropes appeared and we were climbing up vertical rock faces! We were clinging on for our lives as we were inches from death! It took six hours in total and we were fairly tired by the end of it. Can't wait to get some shoes and do it again. There's something fun about climbing up vertical rocks hanging on to a rope!

Some of the gang

Part of Seoul

Oops, turn your head sideways!

We're top of the league!!!!

We won 1-0 yesterday to take us to the top of the league. It wasn't a pretty game but we managed to win without playing too well. I'm pleased with the clean sheet as I was in charge of defence yesterday. I was playing last man so I had to shout to defence and midfield to make sure everyone was doing their job for the whole match. My voice is going a bit! It was so played with so much passion that everyone went ecstatic at the final whistle, celebrating like we'd won a cup!!
Afterwards, I went with Eyal to Namdaemun as he needed some things. I now have a Korean flag in my apartment!
Today I'm off to Everland, the big Korean theme park. Do not want to go on rides!

Osan Mustangs 0 SUFC 8

So we completely obliterated Osan yesterday. Right from kick off we scored and then kept doing it all match! Still think there is something wrong with our midfield though as defence gets put under pressure too much. If we win tomorrow, we go two points clear at the top of the league. Check out the action shot of me!

Today is my last day of work before Chuseok. I start late today as our first classes are cancelled. We're hoping the kids will bring us lots of gifts as they normally do this!