Sitting, Waiting, Wishing - (Jack Johnson)

The other day, I was sitting and waiting at a subway station. I spotted a really nice construction wall and thought it would make a great photo backdrop. So I started snapping some pics. Of course I was shooting from the hip and pretending I wasn't (I wanted candids). Some day, I'll probably get punched, but it'll be worth it. I think these pics show the different aspects of Seoul life. Old/Young/and everything in between.

Once again, I'm going to leave these small because there are so many. But if you want a larger view simply click on the picture.

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Lovin' that Piano

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Behind the Scenes... The Traditional Korean Wedding

Lots of pictures, so I'm leaving them small. Click on the ones you like for a slightly bigger picture. I finally got a chance to view the traditional Korean wedding ceremony. Usually it takes place after the western style wedding and is reserved for a small group of family and close friends.

My friend Jin was the one getting married, and he invited me in... so I took off my shoes and jumped around taking pictures. It was cool. There was no translation, so I don't know the significance of many of the things they did... but it was still interesting.

In short...They bowed to and poured tea for both sets of parents and some distinguished aunts and uncles. They also caught some chestnuts (thrown by the groom's mom) in a cloth. The fathers introduced various family members. Next they shook hands and the mothers hugged. Then the groom had to carry the bride on his back around the room... and then he had to carry each of the mothers as well, with the bride running behind. Finally they poured tea for each other and the groom put a chestnut or cake or something in the brides mouth and then had to eat it as well.

It was all pretty interesting. The couple actually met in China while working at a Christian school for Korean immigrants. They look like a happy couple.

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Me

I had a tough week of negotiations. I've been asking for several months now to be paid my ending bonus (from my first year), health bonus (didn't take any sick days my first year or this year), and one missing pay check (from this year). They continued to delay and make excuses. Finally I'd had enough (it's been almost 6 months). I'm not really the confrontational type, but I tossed aside my smile and spoke some bold words to the boss. He continued to delay, breaking promises left and right. Finally, I let him know that if the proper amount was not in my bank account by the end of the day, I would not be coming to work.

I was paid this evening. Even the final amount was not exactly as it should have been. "Taxes" were taken out of several separate amounts. I know these taxes are not legit, but one grows weary of the endless pettiness. More delaying would have resulted. I'm just glad it's over for now. I think it's dumb to worry about money, and this thing has just been weighing down my mind.

But why... why did it have to come to that? Why did I have to feel bad about asking for something that was owed to me? Why did I have to have meeting after meeting? Man, it really makes me mad when people make and break promises so easily. I'd rather have the straight truth. Sometimes people need to man up, admit their mistakes, and take responsibility.

Hopefully I won't have to resort to such threat tactics again. Sigh. It's draining.

In other news, I plan to attend a wedding in Busan this weekend. I hope to have some good pics to post.

Here are a few pics I took for a fun photo club. They aren't meant to make any sense.

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