Specifically, what you're not getting is an apology, or for that matter, an explanation. Where have I been for the last god-knows-how-long? Well, Korea, duh. Sure, okay, and why the hell haven't I posted word one in that time? Or checked my email? Or, like, any fucking thing? Honestly, would anything I say really help? Not that I'm not sorry, and not that I don't have a Hefty bag of excuses (both things I'm excellent at), it's just ... look, you don't deserve it. You might think you do, but you don't. Not in a bad way, I just mean you don't deserve an earful (eyeful, whatever) of bullshit. Where have I been? Korea. Why haven't I written? Cause I'm the world's worst correspondent. And frankly, most of you know that.
Okay, I guess I could put that better, but I really needed to get that off my chest. This blog has been a millstone of guilt for, yes, the past seven months (I have blog notes on my cell phone from a concert I went to on New Year's Eve which have become a fantastic little symbol of laziness and reproach), and I needed to exorcise a portion of that. So, to those of you all set to fire off a "Where the hell do you get off?!?" comment, know this isn't aimed at anyone -- or at least not anyone on your side of the computer. Assuming there is anyone on that side of the computer anymore.
However, you guys (those of you left) do deserve something. Rather than try to explain everything that's been going on for the past semiannum, I'll get you up to speed on my future plans, in particular, my plans for heading back to the States.
Yes. Heading back to the States. Not for good, of course. Christ no. You'll be happy (or surprised) to know that Korea still KICKS ASS. Every day I'm here convinces me more that moving here was the single best thing I have ever done in my entire life. But you may be surprised (or happy) to know that I miss the hell out of all of you (And public trash cans. Sweet Jesus, you people don't know how good you have it.), even if I don't tell you, like, ever. So I'm coming back to visit.
Goes like this: I've been planning the next step in the Grand Korea Adventure, which is to settle into a job at an area university -- something that I am assured is possible, even for me. Ideally, I'd finish my contract here this month, take July and August off to go Stateside, negotiate a filler contract of six more months at Segye -- i.e., September to February -- and start at the beginning of the school year in March. Ideally. As it happens, I've extended my stay through the summer (it's the busy vacation season, because Koreans are krazy enough to enjoy spending their vacations studying English), and am now slated to come back in September and October. I'd be flying back to L. A. and spending a couple weeks there seeing Dad and all, getting my head around not saying "Gamsa hamnida" to everyone I see, then take a few weeks to travel and visit the rest of you guys (by rail, I'm hoping, because it'll be easier to get a pass for a few weeks and hop on and off trains, and also because after fourteen hours on a plane, any more flying will probably send me murderously round the bloody bend), and two more weeks back in L. A. getting good and sick of the U. S. before I head back out here. Then four more months at Segye, and then the sweet life teaching college kids to steal our jobs.
Maybe. The handful of you I have talked to in the last few months know about this little alteration, but things have very recently taken a turn for the decidedly frantic. Due to the muddy economy here -- and a few other things I'm not going to go into just yet -- I've discovered that, despite the fact that I am a surprisingly well-liked teacher (I know, I'm as shocked as you are), I'm not actually guaranteed a job here in November, especially not for such a shortened contract. Consequently, I'm ratcheting up the job hunt now, and looking for something in September. Not a huge fan, I must say, but that's when the second semester starts, and I'm anxious not to get stuck teaching kids for another year. Or, worst case scenario, getting nailed without a job here at all and having to spend the next six months (or longer) Stateside burning through what little cash I've managed to accumulate. All's not lost, though. Should I happen to land a college gig, I expect to be getting some considerable vacation time, which could be coming as early as January and/or February. So there's that.
I am, to put it lightly, a bit on the maddened side these days. Don't worry, I think I can put something together. And I will, the universe and my unreliable compulsions to write willing, let you know how things go with that.
The other thing I suppose you ought to have is some slightly more trustworthy contact information from me. I have a Gmail account for work, which I check far, far more often than my spam-clogged Yahoo addresses, and the address there is niko "dot" fru etc. Forgive the roundabout delivery, but, while Gmail is pretty together with dealing with spam, I'm still unreasonably paranoid about it, and I don't need herbal dick-lengthening bots trolling my blog looking for someone to shill to. (To that end, incidentally, DON'T, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, FORWARD ANYTHING TO ME. Seriously. Anything. Not to my work account, anyway. Lolcatz, spurious virus warnings, and bestiality videos can live quite comfortably at my old Yahoo digs. And if you can't get your heads around that and don't talk to me because you can't be bothered to type anything your own sweet selves, well, you're no worse than I am.)
Also, for those of you with mics and/or viddys, I'm on Skype these days. And, believe it or not, if you can negotiate the time difference and catch me at home, I do answer. My ID's niko.fruechting -- make sure you spell it right.
By the way, have you figured out what day it is? Yeah, it's my anniversary. As of today, I've been in Korea a year. Fucking sweet.
7 comments:
dude honestly - i was getting worried. i haven't even read the whole post yet; just wanted to say i'm glad you're alive.
Yay Niko! I'm glad you like Korea. What's up with no street trash cans? What if you have to blow you nose. Where do you put the nasty hankie? Or you drop your ice cream sandwich on the ground. Do you just leave it there?
Basically, Nic, yes. Or carry it. I had an annoying experience a few weeks ago when I had to toss my water bottle somewhere and got hollered at by a security guard at for dropping it in a nearby planter -- a planter that I had been directed to the week before by another security guard. Now ... well, let's just say I'm a little more circumspect about my impulse buys. And I make sure I wear jeans with pockets. *sigh*
Well, it only took me 7 days to discover that the blog was updated...
Congratulations on your anniversary. It really is a milestone.
So, maybe we will see you in Sept or Oct, but possibly not and we shouldn't make any plans but keep alert to developments, is that right? How does the visa stuff get handled if you don't make the trip back in the prescribed timeframe?
That's about the size of it. I could be coming back in September, unless I'm not. Otherwise I'll be back in January, maybe. If something else doesn't happen.
Regarding the visa, the answer is somewhere between "No problem" and "Who the hell knows." Like pretty much everything else these days.
Oh, today's verification word is "stfulce." Saint Fulce, of course, being the patron saint of maudlin drunks and other annoyingly cheerful people.
Niko -- Wonderful to see your post! Wow -- a year -- congrats!
Have you contacted Jenn about the university gig -- she may have some helpful suggestions?!?
I love the photo and miss that beautiful face:) I'm not at all surprised that you are a fabulous teacher.......and can only get better and better. I do miss those earlier post of your escapades -- and delivered with your unique sense of humor. Thanks for the patron saint info:) Take good care.....know you are missed.
Love, Ronnie
Niko,
I got so used to your not updating the blog that today was the first time I've bothered to check it in months. Was surprised to find a new entry (BTW, in case there was any doubt, a career in public relations is _not_ in your future).
Hope you find something there job-wise because there's _nothing_ here. I had lunch last week with a guy I used to work with many years ago. In his words, he's been "involuntarily retired" for the last five years, i.e. he's been unable to get work. The next day, I ran into another guy I knew at the theater and found out that he's been out of work since January.
Anyway, I hope things work out for you. Also hope you make your way here for a visit when you get back.
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