I had me a fantastic birthday this year! My work took us all out to the most expensive Mexican restaurant that I'll ever go to in my life. Here are some pictures of my coworkers...

We have our Filipina Berkeley graduate, Johanna,...

our very hardworking SAT teacher, James,...

our Texan alcoholic, Brian,...

and finally, their superior. I LOVE the look on 실장님's face!

Lots of food, fun, and laughter. We went to a really dope noraebang afterwards too.

One of my TOEFL students made it into an international school, so she gave me a white dress shirt and cd mix as a thank you gift since she was going away. I wrote a thank you email later that night and confessed that I was able to understand all of the mean and nasty things she had said in Korean in class. Her response went something like, "으아악!!!" Haha.

Here's the testimony I shared at church today:

My name is Phil, and today marks exactly 6 months since I’ve come to this church. I was born and raised in California all my life, so this is my first time living in this country. I came to Korea in September 2006 right after graduating from college and originally came with the main purpose of improving my Korean and knowledge of the culture. However, I ended up coming as a full-time hakwon teacher in Mokdong.

Before coming to Korea, many people in the U.S. told me that it was really difficult to find a good church in Seoul. No one could really give me any strong recommendations, so I just planned on joining a church where I would be surrounded by non-English speaking Koreans to improve my Korean. As soon as I arrived in Seoul, one of my old church pastors contacted me and asked me to serve as a bilingual Bible study teacher at his church all the way in Sanbon. For one full year, I attended a Korean service, taught Bible study in English to elementary school students, and attempted to get to know the young adults every Sunday. It was a very difficult year full of language barriers, no accountability, teaching burdens, and ultimately, no spiritual rest.

One thing that I have come to learn about Korea is that everyone is so busy from either studying or working too much. I will even admit that I have become a workaholic with little or no social life. But because of the long crazy days throughout the week, the need for spiritual rest is that much greater. I think working hard and being diligent during the week is great, but if people do not have a Sabbath rest, they are going to die in this country. This can be seen in the heavy drinking and smoking that has become a normal part of the culture. You know something is terribly wrong when you see one of your own students coming into class with a hangover and going out for smoke breaks after class.

As many of you know, being a hakwon teacher is no joke. There is a high level of work and stress that can easily discourage people. I am no different from this. But more than the disobedient students or ridiculous working hours, my number one prayer request to my friends was that I would have worshipful Sundays at my church. No matter how hard Monday through Saturday was, if my Sunday could be centered on Christ, I knew that I could be alright. By the grace of God, I was able to survive my first year in Korea without much spiritual accountability and encouragement.

Fortunately, in October 2007, God brought me to this church where I really felt like I could worship Him. I believe that this English ministry is really unique with its various age groups, English and Korean levels, and people constantly leaving or coming into Korea. To be honest, I felt really out of place in the beginning and felt like I could not relate to anyone just as no one could relate to me. However, the beautiful thing about the Church is that we can embrace our diversity because we also have unity in Christ. Even though my Korean is lacking or some people’s English is not as strong, I can still encourage and be encouraged by others because we all speak Christ.

I have been blessed by this church in so many ways. Through small groups, I have amazing accountability that I have never had before. I have been so encouraged by all of the native Koreans who are learning and worshiping in English as I know how hard it can be sometimes. I love the fact that Mike does his best to preach and teach God’s Word faithfully every week. But most of all, I praise God that I am able to worship Him no matter how busy or difficult my life gets in Korea. Church of Christ, “let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Thank you.

Thought of the Day: Nara.
Song of the Day: Lift Your Voice

Earlier tonight after I got off work, I was walking to David's house and saw two drunk men walking on the street holding hands. Now that's what I call a Korean Kodak moment. Speaking of David, his TOEFL score comes out later today in the afternoon. Scary stuff.

I saw this clip on Eddie Park's xanga a while back.


Thought of the Day: Discuss about.
Song of the Day: Hamasaki Ayumi-M (Above & Beyond Remix)

Did you know that 김밥천국's 김밥 went from 1,000won to 1,500won? They first hit Mokdong. Now Shinchon has gone mad.

I visited Seoul National University for the first time today.


This is where every visitor takes a picture.


The thing behind me is supposed to a combination of Korean letters that spells out the university's name or something.


Awesome choco waffle for dessert.


This is where my good friend, 종성, spends the majority of his life studying for his crazy test. Look how encouraging the building looks.


I had the craziest subway ride tonight. This seriously DRUNK guy was swaying left and right while trying to keep his balance and finally took a seat. After a few minutes, he was bent over in vomiting position. While I was stealing glances at this suspenseful scene, a midget came into the train. A few minutes later, drunkard was blowing chunks and causing everyone around to scatter. After another few minutes, the midget yelled out something in Korean, bowed to the man sitting in front of him, and ran out. People laughed. More minutes went by and an angry passenger stood Mr. Vomit up and told him to get out of the train. After showing some reluctance, the angry man pushed Mr. Vomit out the open doors.

Unfortunately, I had to transfer trains to one that would take me all the way home. After getting on a new train, there was a girl who sat down next to me. However, the oil from her shower-less hair was so pungent and strong that I could not concentrate on my book. To make matters worse, she kept scratching her scalp, which only upgraded the odor. Finally, after my train had arrived at Hongdae, everyone got out since it was the very last stop of the night. I turned to look at shampoo-deprived girl only to find out that it was a guy the whole time. I really should have gone towards Jamsil, Jae.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Every Sunday ought to be an Easter Sunday. Happy Sabbath!

Thought of the Day: Small Group Leader
Song of the Day: Dashboard Confessional-Vindicated

What do you call a guy that's left-handed, deaf in his right ear, and hungrier than you'll ever be?

Answer: Terrible 24 Turned Terrance.

Thought of the Day: 한국에 꼭 나우세요.
Song of the Day: 2Pac-Dear Mama

A French woman severely disfigured by facial tumors is found dead just two days after a court rejected her request for an assisted suicide. It was not immediately clear how 52-year-old Chantal Sebire died but her case has prompted nominally Roman Catholic France to reexamine its stance on euthanasia (CNN.com).

She was the same age as my mom. We often take our health and APPEARANCE for granted. We want to be taller, thinner, stronger. We want bigger eyes, clearer skin, and better hair. If you had to choose between being blind or deaf, what would you choose? I would choose being blind, so I wouldn't be so concerned with physical beauty. I'm sure that more than the physical pain, Chantal Sebire probably suffered more psychologically and emotionally. God, save us from vanity!

Thought of the Day: Angu.
Song of the Day: Loveholic-신기루

You guys remember this?



Thought of the Day: You are very honest.
Song of the Day: Loveholic-너는

Remember these guys? These past several months, I must have read Roald Dahl's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" about four different times. Elite even has a drama class where the kids memorize and act out different plays written by one of our brilliant teachers. Anyways, I also ended up teaching a "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" play to two different classes too. After reading and teaching it week after week, I am officially tired of this scrumdiddlyumptious story. I didn't think that could be possible.

Today, my private student told me that he didn't want Jesus to come back until he was married and had a family. I told him that every pleasure and happiness that we experience in this world is nothing but a glimpse of what we'll have in heaven. I felt really proud of my knowledgeable response. But now that I think about it, I don't really live like I know it. Too often, I'm focused on fleeting goals and purposes and forgetting eternal and glorious things. You guys need to help me to recognize.

Thought of the Day: Borrowing clothes.
Song of the Day: Lupe Fiasco-Never Lies

For the longest time, I had heard that it wasn't good to shampoo your everyday cause it's not good for your hair or something. Well, I just found out yesterday that you actually ARE supposed to shampoo your hair everyday to keep it strong, healthy, and clean. I guess the only plus was that I was able to save some money over the years...like $20.

So long as we're on the issue of health and wealth, I just thought you'd like to know that I ate 삼겹살 on Friday, Saturday, and even today, Sunday. If tomorrow was a holiday, I bet I'd figure out a way to squeeze in one more hog to keep my record going. My goal is to try every single 삼겹살 restaurant on my "Meat Street." Xzibit put it best when he said, "Some call that a problem but I call it a gift." The funny thing is that my dad is totally proud and supportive of my goal. In fact, homeboy's the one who made the goal! He's a great father.

Thought of the Day: Enoch's back!
Song of the Day: Lupe Fiasco-Kick, Push II

Yesterday, my student told me about how he was so lonely during P.E. because all of the other students already knew each other and were playing while he was the only one without any familiar classmates. As a result, he just played basketball by himself on a court all alone. After picturing this sad story in my head, I realized how pathetic it was and began to laugh obnoxiously at my student. Being the sinner that I am, I took the advice that Brian gave on Simon's xanga. I rule!

In other news, I have to teach classes every Saturday now. So much for laughing.

Thought of the Day: Life of Pi
Song of the Day: Finkl-Ruby