Saturday Morning Cartoons

My sister and I were not allowed to go downstairs until a certain time Saturday mornings. I have forgotten but I think the time was 6am. The saturday morning rule was that whoever turned the TV on got to pick the first show. Every Saturday morning we would both be awake by 4am. We would sit at the top of the stairs try to distract each other from the clock. When it was finally six, we would make an all out rush for the TV. My sister was so aggressive that she rolled me down the stairs a few times trying to be first.

Truthfully I never wanted to be first. I only wanted her to believe that I wanted to be first. If she went first it meant that it would be my turn to pick when all of my favorite shows came on, and the only show that came on at the time we were allowed to turn the TV on was the one she had to pick and my favorite.

I had a game called 'The Dark Tower' which I used once to distract my sister from the time. I have forgotten the game except that there was an electronic black tower. Anyway, I set the game up in a way that forced my sister to sit with her back to the clock. Because I was watching the clock, I played so poorly that my sister won two games and was about to win a third when the time came to go downstairs. I was almost at the bottom of the stairs before she realized what was going on.

When she finally got to the TV she looked at me and asked "What's wrong, why didn't you turn the TV on?"

I had to think fast and the only thing I could come up with was, "I feel bad because I tricked you. You can pick the first show"

Triumphantly, she immediately clicked on the TV and started to flip through the channels. She started to realize there was only one show on and said I could pick first if I wanted.

"oh no," I said "You turned it on, you pick" and from that day on the rule became, Whoever turns the TV on HAS to pick the first show.

The next week she did not even get out of bed. I woke her up when it was time to go down. We both stood in front of the TV arguing about which one was going to turn it on. We argued until 7 when the second show would normally start. At that point I turned the TV on and picked my favorite show. (I will revise this later.)

Whenever I think about saturday morning cartoons, the things I remeber most are that 11 my dad would make his only pick which was loony toons.

I pledge my what?

I am christian. I don't care if the phrase 'under God' is a part of the pedge or not. As a child I never really wondered about what under God might mean in the pledge, but why I was being forced to recite the same stupid pledge over and over again. If reciting the words 'under God' is a violation of religous freedom, then so is the whole dumb ritual. Where is the movement to stop the brainwashing of children whose parents aren't willing to do whatever it takes to protect them from the state.
Please see The Calico Cat.

Differences of living in Korea versus the United States

It was suggested by someone that I should point out some of the ways that living in Korea is different than living in the United States. Here are a few things that I recognize right away.

First fast food here is much different than that in the US. Korea has McDonalds with the Big Mac and Burger King still has the Whopper, that's not what I am talking about. The difference is that here in Korea, fast food really is fast.

In the states if the que at Burger King had three people in it, I knew that I could count on at least 5 minutes before I would be able to place my order. After that it could be as long as ten minutes before my product is thrown carelessly together and dumpped on a tray. If there is more than five people I just leave the restruant.

At almost any fast food franchise in the states you must specify that you want the product to be made fresh if that's the way you want it. I know that's not what thier operations manuals say, but if you have eaten at any of these establishments you know it's not what the book says but what the staff does that matters. If you want fresh product, asking for it that way increases your chances even if it's not by much.

In Korea it is much different. At Burger King at Coex Mall for instance I have seen more than 40 people in the que but was so desperate for some american food I decided to wait the hour or more that kind of line would mean in the states. With the language barrior what it is I did not specify fresh, I was willing to take whatever ended up on my tray. Not even five minutes after entering the que a Whopper with Cheese was carefully presented neatly placed on a tray with french fries, drink and two napkins.

The cashier had been polite, I am not sure what she said but I doubt it was the Korean version of "What do you want." because she did not seem sassy at all. I got the sincere feeling that these people wanted me to be in thier store. As a matter two of the people who were cleaning the dinning room had both taken a moment to welcome us to the store.

One problem we did have is that the typical american restraunt has an abandoned dining room. That's not the case with the Korean version. But we only waited about a minute before one of the people cleaning the tables led us to a spot that was going to be empty and cleaned it off for us.

Now the big kicker, the food was hot, fresh and made exactly like a by the book Whopper should be. The french fries were right out of the fryers and perfectly salted. The coke even tasted better and I don't even like Coke. I was amazed by this one occurance but what is even more amazing is that every time I eat at Burger King I get exactly the same outstanding service, the sandwhichs are alway hot and fresh, made by the book and as I said the food is Fast.

Kang's Kid's Club

Becky and I have been trying to get a lot of children intrested in Children's Club at Kang's Language School. Each week we prepare a short bible story and I perform a magic trick. There is also a lot of songs and we are going to start playing games. I hope to start having a bible drill with the children soon.

We are going to take the camera with us so that we can post some pictures online at my Photo Log The children love to have their picture taken and hopefully we can use the pictures for publicity. Be sure to check out the pictures and keep the Children's Club in your prayers.

Ronald Regan

Today I learned that the man I considered America's greatest president has passed away. A president who believed that goverment was meant to serve the people and not the other way around. Ronald Regan made the world a better place.

Second Kid's Night Over

We were overjoy to have seven children show up for our second Kid's Night Over (Parent's Night Off) this evening. First we hiked to the top of Bongwhasan. In addition to the wonderful forest we were able overlook our homes and could even see Shin-A-town in the distance.

After the children played in the park until just before sundown when a minivan began releasing huge volumes of smoke in the area. We assume this was to help control mosquito's and not just for the entertainment of the dozens of children following the minivan around.

We return to the apartment where we ordered pizza and had a short devotional whear each of the kids shared at least one thing that they were thankful for in the beautiful day that God has given us.

We would like to thank Anelize and her boys who provided most of the money for Pizza and also brougt some other snacks.

We watched a live action version of Pinochio and before we knew it the parents were picking thier children up. Becky and I had a spectacular time with the kids.

Sadly this will probably be the last time we are able to host most of these children since most of them are moving to Thailand at the end of this month. These children and thier parents will be in our hearts and prayers. As for those who will remain in Korea are already making plans and looking forward to Kid's Night Over 3!

Be sure to head over to my photo blog for a few pictures.