Breaking news for the bored

Should i have decided to renew a contract and stay in Korea, the past weekend would have seen me return from an extended vacation home. I'd have been soggy from the UK weather, longing for the cooler temperatures of Korean autumn and probably highly un-sure of another 6 months teaching.

Instead, as i sit here crafting on my keyboard i can correctly state that i'll be home this time next week. And living in the Netherlands this time next month. Weird.

Yesterday, i took a much needed break from thinking about packing and went to Bundang, a recently built area south of Seoul. Bundang is a Korean rarity in the fact it's a residential area that's actually been planned before being built. Escaping Korea's peak economic boom and the mass migration to hastily planned cities.

I'd like to think Bundang was planned using Sim City. For the most part, a younger Korean mind was busy with the mouse, emphasising function to everything within their new city. Then just before 'save' was pressed, a French guy sauntered in, swept the mouse off it's tiny feet and sprinkled the new city with tree-lined streets and roadside cafes. C'est tres magnifique.

As the Beijing Olympics draws to a close, it seems fit to reflect on feats of incredible physical and psychological achievement and i'll take two highlights from the games. 1) Jang Mi-ran and 2) the diet of Michael Phelps. Tres impressionnant.

We'd have made Phelps proud with this brunch yesterday:

In other news, if you're an English speaker in Korea with a taste for John Grisham novels who wants to learn the guitar & Korean language and enjoys the occasion game of tennis, please get in-touch, i have some items to giveaway.

Getting ready to go and clearing out an apartment can dent the ego. It was almost like there was a special box for failure next to my desk; the guitar, Korean language books, teaching books, TEFL notes and a heart shaped frying pan i never got to use. After 2 weeks friends & family time in Northampton, i'm going to make another new years resolutions/to-do list... and stick to it.

And finally...

Check out my final two Korean purchases:
1) A hat to cover up the half-way fluffy hair which occurs as you 'grow out' a shaved hairstyle.
2) The most delicious juice that i ever did taste, made with plums you know.Glenn Billingham, no lessons all-day, Korea.