SF Short Stories Coming Soon!

I think one reason I've become so lazy with blogging is because... well, writing about myself and my own opinions is pretty damn boring and uninteresting.

“We have to continually be jumping off cliffs
and developing our wings on the way down.”
― Kurt Vonnegut

I'm going to take a new approach in the coming weeks -- I'm going to have a lot of free time on my hands in January and February since I will not be working. For the first time ever I'm going to try dabbling in some (very) short stories that are in the realm of science fiction (my favorite fictional genre) and science-fantasy. No more non-fictional, autobiographical stuff after this for a while!

I'm not quite sure where this kind of writing will take me, nor do I know exactly where I want it to take me. I've always had a fascination with poetry, experimental writing, and sci-fi. I suppose I simply want my mind to leave its sacred philosophy nest and spread its wings a little. This is extremely new territory for me and I may break a few Sci-fi / short story rules here and there (I don't really care). So hang on and enjoy the ride.

A Quarter Century Old

The good part is I seem very young to most of my students in Korea. When I tell them I'm 25 (26 Korean age), I get looks of shock, envy, and even contempt. But some tell me that I look older, I act older, and I seem older than what I am.

 

I guess I appear quite enlightened. This is true to some extent... or so I like to think. Yes, it sounds cliche, but philosophy has really opened my mind to the world. I'm not saying I'm a genius, but I would say that my worldview is definitely a mature one that has considered quite a bit for a 25 year-old. In years to come, I will likely laugh at my naivety, but that's not to say that I can't give myself a little credit where its due.

So, I give myself a pat on the back. Here's to many more to come.

Digital Aristotle

I've been thinking about education and how to improve my teaching for quite a while. This idea of a 'Digital Aristotle' is interesting not because of its novelty, but because of its simplicity. I agree that traditional education methods are outdated and need to evolve to our ever-growing technological society. Although, I'm a little skeptical about sticking children in front of computers; age is naturally a limiting factor for how useful the Internet is to a particular user. We also see in adults that mental agility is a limit. I waste a lot of time on my computer. Games and movies plague my hard drive. A lot of the time I spend an hour or two Googling something only to remain scratching my head. I think being able to harness the Internet as a learning tool takes a lot of finesse to master and isn't as intuitive as it may seem.

A Positive Reflection

Episode 1: "The Expat Life" from Semipermanent on Vimeo.


I think this video really hits home on my experience of living in Seoul this year (outside of work). Seoul is a daunting place at first, but remarkable once you become familiar with it. It amazes me how much I've actually adapted to living here -- I've become quite familiar with it not only geographically, but also culturally and socially. I would say Seoul/Korea is a second home for me in the sense that it's no longer this big, mysterious place with all these confusing details. Would I want to live here for the rest of my life? Probably not. But it will always be a place that I come back to.

Back from the past

Arrived safely in Seoul yesterday. It's so tiring to be on a plane for 12 hours. Time managed to pass a little too quickly, per usual. I was quite busy having dinners and beers with friends, going to appointments, etc. The main highlight was my 3 day trip with my sister and brother-in-law to Monterey, which was very pretty and just how I remember it in times past.

An interesting psychological phenomenon that I've observed while on a plane is the following: passengers (yes, myself included) act much in the same way as dogs during the meal times. It's very strange. People wake up, others begin moving around. Soon everyone becomes so focused on "food" that they all but forget that they're flying 35,000 feet above the ground. People immediately dig in to their cheap, economy-class, microwaved chicken and rice like a weimaraner puppy on Christmas with a new kind of kibble.

I bought a lot of clothing in the US. Clothing shopping is one thing that is almost too overwhelming for a person like me. If I don't know the brand I want, I will literally walk through all the shops until I find the right style. Then, when I do finally choose a brand to go with, I need everything to be consistent -- if my clothing doesn't all match in the right way I won't buy it, or I will continually second guess my choices and go back and look again. Very silly, indeed.

I also bought a coffee maker with a delayed timer for the cool price of 25 bucks (to begin brewing my own coffee in the mornings). One thing my father pointed out that is missing from Korea is a reliable coffee franchise that serves good "drip" coffee before 7 in the morning (I'll get back to the importance of this time in a minute). Most coffee shops always tell me there's no hand drip coffee available at the time. Why? Because it takes too much effort to make and they only do it during the busiest hours of the day. Firstly, by that logic shouldn't it be the other way around -- only brew coffee during the slow hours because you have more time? Secondly, it's not rocket science to brew a cup of coffee. For starters, stop calling it "hand drip" -- that name alone sounds like you're squeezing the coffee beans with your damn hands or something.

Now, on to the time part. When my father visited during the week of 추석 (Chuseok), it was literally the laziest week for coffee shops. They were all closed for the holidays or opened very late in the morning, some as late as 10:30. This drove my father nuts because he woke up around 6-6:30. He had to sit around for a good 3-4 hours before he could actually go into a Starbucks or Cafe Bene. I didn't mind, but it was kind of funny to see my father's reaction, since he usually drinks his coffee right after he wakes up.

Didn't know what I had 'till I moved to Korea

I thought I was going to have a reverse culture shock when I came back to the US. I wouldn't describe my experience as that at all. I would say that I'm getting the chance to experience California (particularly my hometown, Davis) through a completely different lens. I've never had an "eye changer" quite like this before. I'm ashamed and almost a little embarassed -- I didn't realize how good I actually had things at home until now.

First off -- holy crap, am I American. And I never considered myself that American until now. I think I'm so American that it blinds me from understanding what's 'acceptable' and 'not acceptable' in Korea. It's no wonder I have such a hard time understanding Korean culture. I've been judging what's right and wrong -- good and bad -- in an American context, which simply doesn't make sense. I used to think I could completely accept a different culture other than my own, but now I see that crumbling.

Which leads me to a fundamental question: can one fully embrace (i.e., assimilate into) a different culture other than their own? For me, it doesn't seem possible anymore. I can try really hard. I can even pretend and appear to blend in. But in the end, I think there are too many traditions, values, and mannerisms from my culture that have shaped who I am, psychologically. I believe when we become adults, our native culture makes it all but impossible to become completely accustomed to others.

Feelin' good!

So Yesterday, after 11 long, yet short months, I was reunited with my father. It felt so good to see him again!

It's amazing to me how much time has gone by while I've been here in Korea. I can't believe I've almost been here for a year. Watching my father's reaction to things in Korea isn't as bad as I thought it would be. Though he does give funny looks to things that I've become accustomed to, like the old drunk men in the subway, old women selling squid, people making a lot of noise, people who won't move out of the way, even when you're trying to take a picture, etc. Normally I'm around people who are all used to Korea and the people. I remember how shocked I was when I first came here, every other comment started with an "oh my god..." Now I feel like I've become more or less numbed to a lot of the little annoying differences between American and Korean culture. I just accept it -- that's the way the people are here, I'm sure as hell not going to change anyone's mind!

I've grown a lot while being here in Korea, and I think for the better. I realized just how independent I really am and how hard (if not impossible) it would be for others to do what I've done. For that, I'm quite proud of myself. I've gotten used to a culture that is seemingly the polar opposite of my own. I've assimilated into one of the most stressful working cultures of all time. I overcame one of the biggest hardships: switching jobs only a month after starting work. I've gone through the stress of being threatened immediate termination without even being given so much as a warning. In the end, it's made me a smarter, tougher, more careful person. I guess for that I owe a great thanks to Korea. So thank you, Korea, for giving me some damn tough love. But damn you still for making my life a miserable one for so long in the beginning!

The Benefit of Teaching

Is teaching (especially in a foreign country like South Korea) worth it?

I've been thinking about this question for a while now. As much as it seems that my health has suffered and that I've been unhappy at several points this year, I would say my overall experience has been worth it. There's no doubt in my mind that I've helped many people through teaching this year, and that alone makes it all worth it. That alone makes me feel like I've made my little dent in the world, which is what I think life is all about.

Today, I concluded teaching some of my intermediate students that I've taught for 6 months in a row. It's remarkable to listen to them speak with proper grammar. It's amazing that they can understand everything that I ask them. I feel proud. I feel very content with my work as a teacher.

Sometimes I'm very pessimistic about my future and fall into this pit of despair. I feel like I'm working some torturous job with no benefits and only detriments to my well-being. Perhaps I took too much for granted. I don't know what my future holds, but I can see something bright. I guess for me it's hard to notice progress when it's happening right in front of me. Taking a step back now, I feel grateful. I've really developed as a person this year and I'm thankful for the opportunity I've been given.

When people say teaching is rewarding, it really is true. I couldn't feel more rewarded and I've just begun.

Work-life in South Korea

One of the major topics that I want to discuss in this blog is Korean work-life.

Let me start out by saying that when I was in the US applying for teaching jobs, I had no idea what the working culture was like. Nor did I know that working in South Korea was going to be so arduous. Also I didn't know that having a block schedule, e.g., a schedule where you work non-stop, was so important for health and happiness.

I'm often concerned about my physical and mental health.

On a typical day, I start work at 6:50 AM. I teach for 3 hours back to back, then have a two hour break from 10 -12. I usually pass out in a computer chair from 10:30 to 11:30. After my noon class, I go home to get as much rest that I can before going back to work and getting off at 9:50. Rinse and repeat, five days a week. On many occasions, I've worked 10 to 12 hours (with no overtime pay) in one day and only get 5 hours of rest for the next day.

South Koreans have an admirable work ethic on the outside, albeit one that borders on masochism on the inside. 

Every month, many students tell me that they often work over 10 hours every day. In extreme cases, some don't sleep at home much during the week, see their children , or talk with their spouses for more than a few minutes. What's puzzling is they don't show much resentment for this kind of schedule, even after many years of doing it day in and day out. To them it's normal. It's even funny -- I've had whole classes chuckle, smile, or nod in agreement when talking about the insane hours they work. This lack of resentment seems like there's some sort of enjoyment that's derived from all the pain.

I don't mean to generalize to all my students. This is an observation from a good portion, but certainly does not apply to everyone. Most of my students realize that something needs to change. And of course I know realistically there's nothing that they can do by themselves to change a work culture that is a way of life.

Lots of alcohol + lots of work = anti-productivity?

I've had students who've shown up still tipsy to my 6:50 AM class. I've taught students who were drooling on their desks at 9 PM because of a 회식 that lasted until 5 AM from the previous morning. Rare, but it has happened on several occasions and is pretty funny. 

Korea is a beautiful country with a lot to offer the world. But it desperately needs to learn how to nourish happiness and well-being in the workplace.

I think over time Koreans will find a more efficient, creative, and productive working culture that works for them, while still holding onto the values that are important. Perhaps after the current Baby Boomer generation  retires. Hopefully it happens sooner rather than later. Good luck, Korea! Fighting!

At any rate, this is a deep topic that I will surely bring up again. Stay tuned for more posts! And don't forget to say hello and leave me a comment below! 

Starting again!

Hello everyone! Welcome to my new blog! For those of you who don't know me, my name is Nick Graham and I've been teaching English in Seoul for nearly a year! 

I have decided that now is a good time to start my blog again. I'm nearing the last stretch for my current teaching contract at Pagoda (ends in December, but I have a break next month in October). But more importantly this means that I need to figure out what the hell I want to do! I've been juggling the ideas of teaching again next year, going back to school, or finding a compnay job. So this blog will hopefully not only serve as a good glimpse into my life teaching abroad, but also a good way for me to self-reflect and find the right path.

I've taken quite a hiatus from writing. As you can imagine, I've had A LOT of experiences in the past 11 or so months living abroad here in good 'ol South Korea. Some of them good and unfortunately a lot of them quite... well, not so good! But it's okay. I feel like I've grown tremendously as a person because of them and I'm here to share them with all of you.

First thing's first: I going to TRY to stray away from making this the kind of blog I usually make -- one that seems to overextend the importance of what I'm trying to say with fancy words and pros. I'm going to try and keep this as simple as possible, which is harder than it sounds (for me!). Oh, and all the above stuff doesn't "count" for this post! Okay? Okay. Good!

So today, about an hour before my noon Advanced class, I had one of those thoughts that I used to get all the time while being a philosophy undergrad. Here it is:

What does it take to become famous?

By "famous," I don't mean celebrity famous or Bill Clinton famous. Although, you all should watch his most recent speech at the DNC, it was awesome. Bill's such a great speaker. Anyhow, what I mean by "famous" is someone who many people know about through social media.

What does it take for millions of people to follow you on Facebook or Twitter or read your blog on Blogspot? What kinds of things do you have to do to make yourself leave that small, but noticeable impression on the world? It seems obvious -- I should do something unique to stand out from the crowd and put it somewhere, like YouTube.

That's all well and good for some people. But I don't want to try to win a popularity contest on YouTube (or any other site). Nor do I want to be famous for some self-serving purpose, i.e., for money. I want to get famous doing something that's 100% "me" -- doing whatever it is that I'm doing.

I can't really answer the question of why I want to become famous. I'm not entirely sure. The best way I can describe it is that I have a desire inside of me that wants to connect with others in a more global way.

Well, my fellow readers, that's it for now. Feel free to leave a comment and discuss. Is my consciousness being a little princess or do we all have this desire to become famous to some extent? Let me know.

PS Need suggestions for a good blog name!

On Day9.tv and StarCraft 2

Sean 'Day9' Plott has been a large figure in the eSports scene for more than a decade. He runs an internet television website and stream that airs daily at 7 pm PST. If his dirty blonde 'do and contagious laugh aren't enough, I guarantee you will find his lessons and cunning whit magnetizing.

Using Blizzard Entertainment’s RTS game StarCraft 2 as a tool, Sean’s mission is to teach his audience one thing: “how to be a better gamer.” StarCraft is a real-time strategy game where you control one of three races on a chosen galactic arena or "map." You must harvest resources (minerals and gas) and build unit-producing structures that allow you to amass an army. You play against an opponent who starts out on the exact same footing. Make all of your opponents structures go boom -- or force them to hit the surrender button -- and you win.


From basic mouse and keyboard mechanics to in-depth strategies of all three races --Terran, Protoss, and Zerg -- the Day9 Daily is your one-stop guide. Need help figuring out how to analyze your own replays? Check. Need to learn how to hold off that seemingly impossible-to-defend Terran rush? Done. Can’t spread creep, overlords, and inject like South Korea’s IM Nestea? Easy peasy lemon squeezy.


Sounds easy enough. But I can assure you it isn't. As a long-time StarCraft player, I myself can attest. And that's from a casual perspective. Professional players take thousands of hours to reach a mastery level of the game. And I mean thousands. An average SC2 game lasts about 20 minutes. The most games played in the past month by a professional gamer is nearly 1000 games. Multiply that by 24 months since SC2 was released. I'll let you do the math.

South Korea is the Mecca in the SC2 world. GOMTV hosts it's world renown GSL tournament which has monthly seasons. The South Koreans practice-ethic is indeed the definition of dedication; they live in team houses and keep to a solid practice regimen of over 8 hours a day. Foreigners from around the globe make it a goal to live in Korea in hopes of learning from the South Korean play style and make it to the top. With a first place prize of 100 million Korean won, it's no surprise that StarCraft is a way of life in South Korea.

StarCraft is a very cerebral game. It takes utmost mental and physical agility and endurance. And it's engaging even to the naive viewer. It's maps and units are intriguing yet simple enough to make the game the first truly recognized spectating eSport for the male, 18-24 year-old demographic. Don't believe me? American-based tournament Major League Gaming  (MLG) reached an astounding 1.35 million unique online viewers this past tournament, far surpassing rose bowl television viewing numbers.


To me, what's fascinating is the Day9 Daily teaches one how to grasp and understand difficult concepts of SC2 in an extremely intuitive way. It's its own breed of show on the internet. And I believe it has the potential to create a new generation of educational social media.


With a little know-how, a good computer, and a decent internet connection, anyone can create their own 'daily' free of charge.


Sean packs his shows with life lessons and humor in a very candid way. He suavely captures his viewer-base in a much more personal manner than popular YouTube celebrities because of his inherent uncut, live style. You feel like your in the room sitting right there with him. It'll make you laugh. It'll make you cry. It'll make you laugh so hard you cry. It's simply something we need more of on the internet.