The Doug cameth

Despite my work schedule, I’m still managing to get a post out (finally) after only 2 weeks or so. Aren’t I great?

Since it’s been a while since my last major blog, I have quite a few pictures to post. But before I get into those, I guess I should do a little update on the microcosm that is my life.

First, since my new promotion, there has been a large increase in my workload but I expected that from the get go. What I didn’t expect was the necessity of more effective time management skills. I know, I know, that’s essentially what an increased workload requires if one would like to maintain his/her free time but I didn’t know I’d be tossed right into the fray without any time to adapt.

But adapting I am.

For instance, this past Tuesday I had a veritable assload of work to take care of but still wanted to maintain my streak for hitting the gym everyday. Knowing this, I took care of certain things within a time frame which allowed me a 2 hour window to leave the company and come back. After working out and burning some accumulated stress, I got back to the office at around midnight ready for the evening onslaught.

So yay to adaptation; one of the key tools used in the daily struggle of the cubicle jockey.

In other news, the well-spoken beam of truth that is Doug came to visit me in Seoul. As is often the case in our meetings, we cut a drunken swath through the surrounding areas and left no brain cell unscathed on our way to the longest weekend binge I’ve been on in years. It was great seeing a Japan-familiar face against the background of my current city of residence and I’d like to think Doug had just as much (if not more) fun than I did. I look forward to our next meeting and hope he gets Japan ready for me. *wink wink*

Finally, after months of not following a workout plan, I’ve embarked on my 12-week beach body workout schedule. As an added incentive to follow it through (rather than go back to meandering around the gym and randomly doing sets of stuff), I will post a before (Circa March 23rd) and an after (June 15th) picture in one of my June blogs.

Make sure you guys hold me to it.

So onto the pictures:

Doug as he arrives in Gimpo.

Our group for my promotion party/Doug's arrival. Clockwise from left: Beehaam, Doug, Micah, Heejung, Glen, Dave, Jayce, Me.

Me and Darg.

Jayce gave me this candle for my birthday "cake". Yes, my face looked just like that as he explained it to me.

Me, Dave and Jayce celebrate.

Okay, so Micah had the perfect angle for this drunken shot, which is perfect in and of itself but knowing me, I had to take it and make it into this:

Yeah, I'm a ass.

At least, I'm a funny ass though.

Help out a fellow human in need

I'm a little late plugging this due to my work schedule the past 2 days, but here is a story you need to read.

http://www.billkapoun.com/

http://metropolitician.blogs.com/scribblings_of_the_metrop/2008/03/nows-your-chanc.html

http://www.rjkoehler.com/2008/03/05/donations-for-severely-injured-english-teacher/

Basically its the story of a 26-year old English teacher here in Korea who sustained 3rd degree burns over most of his body when his apartment burned down a few days ago. Unfortunately, due to his lack of insurance here, his bills are astronomical and his parents aren't in the financial position to accomodate all of them.

The really wonderful (and honestly a bit surprising) thing is that the foreign community in Korea has pulled together quite a bit of money. However, it still pales in comparison to the cost of the many operations he will have to endure. Therefore, I ask anyone who can pull together some money to donate what they can to help his chances of making it through. I've already donated an amount close to a few nights out on the town and I don't think that's a large sacrifice to make in order to help someone who really needs it.

This issue hits home with me because this could have happened to me or any of my friends here just as easily as it happened to Bill.

There are ways to donate money whether you live in Korea or the States, just find the links on the site I posted above.

Thanks for your time and donations.

-Mike

My Bertday and other updates

Time to update and show a few pics from my birthday party which was held at my house (mostly) this year.

Turning 27 has its ups and downs I guess. So while it does bring you only 3 years away from the big 3-0 and only 13 years before you have to start regularly having a doctor stick his finger up your ass, it also starts bringing a sense of accomplishment in life. By accomplishment, I mean a good reason to get rid of a few of those brain cells that happen to be lying around collecting dust.

I decided this year's party would have tacos-- which I painstakingly created myself. It turned out to be a fairly successful idea as I only had a small fistful of ground beef at the end of the night when I started with close to 5 pounds. I also made sure to stock up on the good ingredients and have the drinks and PS3 ready to rock. I was determined to have a successful party.

Part of the fresh ingredients I lined up for folks. Avocados were close to 6 bucks apiece!

So after setting everything up, people started to arrive adding yet another display of my uber sense of timing (luck?.)

The guys parked themselves in front of the PS3 while the girls were watching "House" on my computer.

Even a few co-workers showed up to take part in the festivities.

After everyone had satisfied their taco cravings and screwed around on the PS3, the drinking games started.

My new mascot, KIWI!!!, as he enjoys a nice stiff one.

We ended the night at a luxury Karaoke room where we sang, drank and danced for 2 hours into the early morning.

Overall, it was a great night and everyone had a great time. Just ask Gyu-Hong.
Now, if making a really cool birthday party wasn't enough, I went on this week to receive some more great news. Namely, yours truly has gotten a promotion. Yep, ol' Mike is moving up the corporate ladder into the realm of middle management and Dilbert comic strips. Of course this brings more responsibility, more hours, and more stress, it also brings more money and of course, more money. So it all evens out in the end. Let's see how this turns out.


Finally a video which was filmed at my house: KIWI ATTACK!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiYh-bXX9iI

enjoy