I’m finally back home after having spent a week away. I arrived back in Kunsan yesterday and have proceeded to do absolutely nothing. I have plans to go somewhere else in a week, but until then, nothing. I’m not working, so I have the whole day to watch TV, eat ramen, forget to shower, and mutter to myself how cold my air-conditioned apartment is.

Ras’ birthday came and went without anything too crazy happening. Although, there is a side story that needs to be mentioned. It’s been bothering me since it happened.

Before we left Kangneung last Sunday, we told Melvin that he should come to Seoul and hang out with us on Tuesday (Ras’ birthday). He said he would, especially since Brad’s birthday was near the same time. When Tuesday rolled around, Ras received a text message from Mevin, saying that the weather was too nice in Kangneung, so he would come to Seoul on Wednesday instead (skipping Ras’ birthday). In the meantime, he also messaged Ras, asking where we would be staying - Sinchon or at Philippe’s in Hongdae. We were in Sinchon.

The next day, we had lunch with Philippe and somewhere in between mouthfuls of spicy tofu stew, he says, “Hey, I ran into Melvin last night.” Blink. Blink. What?!?

“Oh, you didn’t know he was here?”

“No! He said he wasn’t coming up until today.”

“Well, I saw him in Hongdae with two girls at a bar.”

“Hmmm, that’s interesting.”

(more questioning ensues)

Now we understood. He came up to Seoul on Tuesday to hang out with Polaris21, instead of us. It’s sad, but… whatever. But please, don’t make up stories for our sake. We can handle the truth, you won’t hurt our feelings. Your friends are your friends for a reason. …just saying.

Yesterday, Raswan and I arrived in Seoul.  It was Brad’s 30th birthday and we met him and Philippe in Apgujeong to have dinner at Casa Loca.  The restaurant is across from Cine City movie theater, on the second floor.  The food there was delicious!  It was the best Mexican food I’ve had in Korea, and definitely the best margaritas.  The tortillas were handmade and the mango and lime margaritas were to die for.  You could taste the fresh pieces of mango and lime.

Afterword, the four of us went to a bar called Nori People, a soju bar with a flat screen TV to watch the soccer game.  Among the drinks we shared were mango soju, honey soju, and peach tea soju.

There are no big plans today, except to shop and eat.  Tomorrow is Raswan’s birthday, so we’ll find something fun to do, even though his birthday falls on a Tuesday.  Maybe Reardon and Melvin will come up and hang out with us too.

Anyway, I really do hope they do better in 2010.

Korea lost to Switzerland early this morning.  Four years from now, I bet we won’t be seeing shirts with "2002 Again Corea".  Thank god.  I think what Korea did in 2002 was amazing, but replaying the same soccer games over, and over, and over again was getting old.  The party is over… boo hoo hoo. 

The bitching by Koreans is well under way.  The name calling has begun (Fucking Swiss).  Ahh, the memories.  Remember when Koreans used to call us that during the Ohno speed skating incident?  "Fucking USA"… I remember when 10 year olds would say that to me.  To quote Robert from The Marmot’s Hole: Run, fondue eaters! Run for your lives! 

We’re leaving soon to go downtown and watch a couple soccer games.  The Korean vs. Switzerland game is at 4am.  I hope I can last for that.