The Shouts of Reds

Matthieu and I bought our World Cup shirts today. We checked out 신촌 로터리 but realized that it only had one screen. We're thinking about doing 광화문 instead since it has four screens. If you have no one to watch the first game with, we'll be in the streets! Less than two weeks away!!

Days Remaining: 13

Thought of the Day: No XXL for Simon
Song of the Day: Lifehouse-Spin

This week's persecuted church: Pakistan

Three Muslim men kidnapped a 14-year-old Christian girl in August and raped her for a month. One of the men married her after she became pregnant to avoid being prosecuted. She escaped and reached her family in December. The men could not be arrested and got away with murder and kidnapping after they produced the wedding certificate in court. Last week on May 13, they were declared innocent. The girl who is now eight months pregnant and her family are receiving threats from the men for pursuing justice.

Thought of the Day: Freakin' Lakers
Song of the Day: I'd Rather Have Jesus

World Records

(can you see me in the picture?)
May has been a pretty crazy month for me. I know nobody likes reading about my tutoring lifestyle, but I feel like I have bragging rights for breaking three personal records in the past two weeks.

Record #1:
I have a total of 18 individual students that I teach. I've never had this many nor have I heard of anyone having this many either.

Record #2:
The latest I'd ever taught until was 11:30PM. I'd literally run out the building and J-walk across the street to catch the last running bus. But last week, I finished my last class at midnight and taxied home. Just to hype up this record, I didn't even get to eat dinner until I got home that night.

Record #3:
I used to think that teaching six kids in one day was an exceptionally busy day. But with my current schedule, I have one day where I teach 6, two days where I teach 7, and one day where I teach 8. Today was the first time I ever taught 8 kids in one day. 10:30-10:30 won't stop, can't stop. You can throw dinner out the window.

Sometimes, I don't know whether to feel more sorry for myself or my kid. But I am glad that I have a handful of kids who are really fun to work with. For example, I am convinced that my student, Joshua, will one day be very famous in Korea.

Take 1


Take 2


Take 4


Joshua decided his first shirt "wasn't good," so he changed into something better. Take 8.


Take 9.


Take 13.


Take 26. Joshua's lost it.

He finally got it right on the next take just as our time was up. Great students make great teachers.

Days Remaining: 16

Thought of the Day: 고의적으로
Song of the Day: Big Bang & Transfixion (feat Kim Yuna)-승리의 함성 (The Shouts Of Reds Part 2) (Feat. 김연아)

This week's persecuted church: India

Two pastors were falsely accused of forced conversions of Hindus to Christians. They had organized a three day VBS that had 35-40 children, but about 30 people from Hindu Radical groups forced their way into the meeting hall with false accusations. The pastors were taken to the police station and sent to jail. Fortunately, they were granted bail on Thursday.


Last Sunday, Haokip showed us this video of Christians being fed to lions in a colosseum during Nero's persecution. I had always heard and read about Daniel and the lions' den and many Christians in the past who were fed to lions. But after seeing that clip, it really made me think twice about how far I'd really go with dying for my faith. Pray for persecuted Christians!

Days Remaining: 20

Thought of the Day: 모기!
Song of the Day: Big Bang & Transfixion (feat Kim Yuna)-승리의 함성 (The Shouts Of Reds Part 2) (Feat. 김연아)

Where should we meat?

Tonight was my fourth day of meat in a row. Two days of 삼겹. 갈매기 last night. 미국산 steak tonight. My dad doesn't even bother to ask me what I feel like eating. He just goes ahead and buys meat. What a good father.

I wonder what I'd look like if I didn't eat any meat for one month. Probably really sad.

Days Remaining: 21

Thought of the Day: 단국대
Song of the Day: After School-Dreams Again!

Eugene Instinct

I recently checked my old yahoo email account and found out that Euggie had gotten married last month!

hey phykas... long time no chat... i hope you are doing well and things in korea are good... i don't know if you heard but i am engaged and getting married in may... i thought we had sent you an invitation, but it appears not...can you send me your address? our wedding is may 15th, do you think you can make it? let me know... thanks. eugene

What a surprise. From his "Tira Chore"s to studying for finals while playing hold'em, I have very fond memories of Eugene Song. I remember him having a passion for anime, video games, and food...all of which were very detrimental to his studies. I remember his prayer requests during clusters about getting kicked out of Irvine but ending up breaking the system and graduating. What a hilarious guy...who is now married. I'm confident that he will be very good to his newly wed wife. Congratulations, Euggie. I don't think I'll be able to make it out to the wedding.

Thought of the Day: Matthieu & 성은
Song of the Day: 2PM & SNSD-Cabi Song

소개팅s, 미팅s, and 화이팅s?

I average one blind date per year. But this year, I had two that were back to back, so I feel all 소개팅ed out. And just like the rest, they were unsuccessful. One funny thing about these meetings is that I've noticed a commonality of questions that the girls will ask me. For example:

1. Where did you learn Korean?

2. Why did you come to Korea?

3. When are you going back?

4. How do you eat so well and stay so skinny?

5. Do you live with your parents?

6. How many students do you teach?

7. Do you like America or Korea better?

I know it makes sense for them to ask me these things, but it always surprises me how they ALL ask me these same exact questions. But one habit that I've developed is telling the girl to not think of this as a 소개팅 and to just have fun. One 아저씨 told me to say that if I was interested in the girl, but I find myself using it more because I don't like the girl. Ha. Isn't that terrible? For all you ladies who end up on a 소개팅 with me, if I insist that we go to 노래방, I'm sorry but that means that you're a no-go. More singing, less talking. =D

I know I'm no Brad Pitt and looks aren't everything, but give a dog a bone!

Thought of the Day: Ecuador
Song of the Day: Wonder Girls-So Hot (English Version)

"I have a fever..."

Matthieu, 성은, and I decided to go out and watch the first game in the streets with the rest of Korea. I cannot describe how excited I am for this year's World Cup. My dad's prediction is that we're gonna make it to at least 16강. I literally get chills whenever I hear "대한민국!" being cheered. Man, June's gonna be nuts!

Thought of the Day: 직감
Song of the Day: Train-Hey, Soul Sister

"Give thanks with a grateful heart"

I'm getting more and more excited for World Cup with each passing week.

6/12 - Korea vs. Greece: 7:30PM
6/17 - Korea vs. Argentina: 7:30PM
6/22 - Korea vs. Nigeria: 2:30AM
(Korea time).

Thought of the Day: Ugi
Song of the Day: 한국 With A Grateful Heart

Sunday Surprises

Last year, when Sang shared about how he struggled with spending too much time on nfl.com, I didn't really understand what he was talking about. But after recently discovering nba.com and following the highlights of every playoff game this season, I am now able to sympathize with Sang. I wouldn't say that I struggle with spending too much time on it, but it really does make time seem non-existent.

Man, I really miss watching basketball games with my brother though. I remember being in my room during March Madness and suddenly hear him screaming "OOOH!" in the living room while holding his cheeks in his hands. "Dude, Phil, you just missed the craziest shot!" It was so funny cause his reactions were always so explosive. Absolutely silent for a few minutes and then suddenly, "OOOH MY!" Haha. I think he gets it from my mom. She's hilarious when she gets all surprised and laughs by herself.

Speaking of surprises, Ugi unexpectedly came to Korea a few days ago, so he visited our church today. It was so good seeing him again that I'm now struggling with temptations to go to Mongolia again this summer. But alas, I know that it would not be financially wise for me or my family. Oh, money. Why can't you just grow in my wallet?

Today, at church, we sang the hymn, "I'd Rather Have Jesus."

1. I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
   I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
   I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;
   I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand
   • Refrain:
     Than to be the king of a vast domain,
     Or be held in sin’s dread sway;
     I’d rather have Jesus than anything
     This world affords today.
2. I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
   I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
   I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame;
   I’d rather be true to His holy name
3. He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
   He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb;
   He’s all that my hungering spirit needs;
   I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead

The thing that moved me about this hymn was that I realized that I often would rather NOT have Jesus or be faithful to Him. I'm always chasing after gold and silver while seeking applause and fame. I really would rather be held in sin's dread sway. But the amazing thing is that God made it possible for me to even "rather have Jesus." After singing this song and listening to Mike read Romans 8:1, the floodgates opened and I remembered what it felt like to worship again. Praise leaders, please sing more hymns!

Thought of the Day: Ugi
Song of the Day: Jars Of Clay-God Will Lift Up Your Head

Royal Spoil

Today is the day after Children's Day. For some reason, this holiday was more outstanding to me this year compared to any other year. Not only was every single stadium in Korea completely sold out and filled with kids, but it really felt like a holiday to me this time. Anyway, I asked all of my students what they got for Children's Day and here were some responses.

4th grader
Me: What did you get for Children's Day?
Joshua: iPad.
Me: I thought that was for your dad.
Joshua: No. It's mine, but I'm sharing it with my brother.
Me: That's a really nice gift!
Joshua: Yeah, my friend only got an iPhone.
Me: (How unfortunate)

6th grader
Me: What did you get for Children's Day?
범주: This (shows me PSP Go).
Me: How is this different from the PSP?
범주: I don't know.
Me: Then why did you get it?
범주: I don't know.
Me: What did your brother get?
범주: This (shows me PSP Lite).
Me: Don't you guys already have a PSP?
범주: Yes, but it's broken. See? (turns on old PSP). Hey, it works!
Me: (Can I have it?)These conversations remind me of the scenes from The Blind Side when Sandra Bullock buys all those nice things for Big Mike...only my kids kinda aren't poor. But even as I was watching those scenes or seeing the real life versions through my students, I couldn't help but wonder what kind of effect this all has on the recipients. It's not like they're particularly obedient or diligent either. In fact, these kids owe their parents some outstanding grades and behavior, which is the empty promise they make every birthday and Christmas as well.

If you're feeling the same injustice I've been feeling, then you've also joined me in being the older brother of the prodigal son. As soon as I said, "I deserve..." I just shot myself in the foot and made myself deserve the condemnation of a self-righteous works-based man. If you're poor, don't hate on the rich. If you're rich, don't hate on the poor. Cause when it comes down to it, we all were the poorest people who have been taken into the house of the richest person who ever lived and have become rich just like him.

Besides, I don't really need that PSP. I don't even like video games.

Thought of the Day: "Roses are red. Violets are blue. Whatever"
Song of the Day: Lala Sweet-good bye

mydadisafob.com

I saw this on Tiff's gchat status:

Whenever my friend and his family visits American restaurants, they only order hamburgers because that’s the only food they know how to order in English. However, they’ve always desperately wanted to try eating an American steak, so one night at a Sizzlers, my friend’s dad wanted to be adventurous and try ordering a steak (remember, he doesn’t know ANY English)…

Waitress: Hi guys, have you guys decided what you want?
Dad: Steak.
Waitress: Okay, how do you want that cooked?
Dad: …Steak.
Waitress: Right, okay, so how do you want it? Rare, medium, well done?
Dad: Yes.
Waitress: Yeah I know… umm, do you want it pink? Red? What color?
(Dad puts his head down in shame)
Dad: …Hamburger…

Happy Children's Day.

Thought of the Day: Reformat
Song of the Day: J-LOVE