Cost of Living

Before I went to Lithuania I sent an excited email with info about my destination out. It included costs for basic items, as an indication of the cost of living generally. I stated the average cost for a litre of vodka, a bag of potatoes and a mars bar. Dad retorted with an exclamation about the potential health problems and lifestyle that a diet such as this inferred I would suffer.

So... herewith the essential for the Republic of Korea, where the currency is the South Korean won:::

all bottle of water: W800.00 - AU$1
litre of petrol: W1,250.00
small bottle of beer: W1,500.00
souvenir t-shirt: W5,000.00
local newspaper: W600.00
tteokbokki snack: W2,000.00 - AU$2.80
food-court lunch: W6,000.00
cinema ticket: W7,000.00
steak dinner: W25,000.00
tailor-made suit: W200,000.00 - AU$280

Changed the Locks

When I worked in London my boss used to play Lucinda Williams all the time... It drove me crazy. But I heard this song on the radio this morning and it resonated... I'm vunerable in the mornings....

I changed the lock on my front door
So you can't see me anymore
And you can't come inside my house
And you can't lie down on my couch

I changed the number on my phone
So you can't call me up at home
And you can't say those things to me
That make me fall down on my knees

Yes I changed the kind of car I drive
So you can't see me when I go by
And you can't chase me up the street
And you can't knock me off of my feet

I changed the kind of clothes I wear
So you can't find me anywhere
You can't spot me in a crowd
And you can't call my name out loud

I changed the tracks underneath the train
So you can't find me ever again
And you can't trace my path
And you can't hear me laugh
And honey, I'm laughing all the time!

I changed the name of this town
So you can't follow me down
And you can't touch me like before
And you can't make me want you more

I changed the lock on my front door
I changed the number on my phone
I changed the kind of car I drive
I changed the kind of clothes I wear
I changed the tracks underneath the train
I changed the name of this town
I changed the name of this town
I changed the name of this town

Leo Slatter Hut

The two-roomed Joe Slatter Hut was named in memory of an HEC engineer who met a tragic and untimely death in Melbourne in a railway accident. We stayed there on our second night in Tassie. It was freezing. There was a lot of straw on my pillow.

Hold On

Well, God bless your crooked little heart
St. Louis got the best of me
I miss your broken-china voice
How I wish you were still here with me

Well, you build it up, you wreck it down
You burn your mansion to the ground
When there's nothing left to keep you here, when
You're falling behind in this
Big blue world

Oh you go to
Hold on, hold on
You got to hold on
Take my hand, I'm standing right here
You got to hold on

Thank-you, Mister Tom Waits.

Decision

The last post I made spurred one freaked-out phone call from Luis and one freaked-out text from Teach, which was kinda funny. Thankfully I'm over the panic I had on Friday about what to do. Maybe Alan is right and the real freak-out happens after the decision has been made, and that's what I was feeling. One of the things that causes me the most anxiety is resigning... Tomorrow! I'll do it!

Anyways, looks like I'll be leaving on or about the 19th June. So I've less than 8 weeks to get all my shit together. And I'm doing a 10-day Vipassana in that time too! Sheesh.

AND plan a *byebyebaby* party...

Korea

Decision-making is killing me. I've told the recruiter in Seoul that I'll sign the contract today to go teach there from the 19th June for 12 months. But is this the right thing?
Not having someone to housesit for 2 months is stressing me out. And I need someone to look after my car. And will I have enough money? And 12 months! One whole year of my life in a place like Korea? What am I thinking?

Back from Tassie

Twas ace.
Revisited Deloraine! Saw a gimp! Hiked in the snow! Nearly died of smoke inhalation!
Saw wallabies! Met friendly local cop in Bronte Park! Saw extreme bumper stickers!
Wore thermals! Popped a cap in yo ass!
Took photos! Took more! Ate pies! For breakfast!
Ate yummy figs! Drank yummy pinot gris!

Helena

I'm a father!
Photos to come!
The pregnant one slid out the little one this morning. Both are gorgeous, well and happy.
I'm sooo happy!