I went to the orphanage yesterday. It was good. It was a very warm day.
Part of me wants to write, but I simply can't be bothered.
I've also decided to do the trans-Siberian railway with Matt next year, after visiting North Korea. We're going to find the dodgy Russian man Matt met in Seoul that owned a nightclub that only allowed goddesses in.
Sunday, 18 April 2004
Tuesday, 13 April 2004
Monday, 12 April 2004
Toothless But Painless
Well, the tooth extraction turned out to be a pretty smooth process. I was expecting to be butchered and left bleeding, with a vastly swollen face and in pain for days.
Of course, not meaning to belittle the traumatic experience of war veterans, but getting a tooth taken out is on a par with a limb amputation, so it was still a very distressing experience for me.
As it happened, there was absolutely no pain, and against dentist's orders I was even perfectly able to go out and get drunk. I was hoping that combined with my medication, I could get completely messed up, but no more so than usual as it turned out.
I did wake up with pizza EVERYWHERE though. God knows what I did when I got home, because I have no memory, but somehow I managed to smear pizza all over myself and my apartment.
So now I've got a gap in my teeth, but it's pretty hidden and I've got to show people for them to notice. My face didn't swell up at all. I'm considerng not bothering with the implant, because it's going to cost me about 1.5 million Won, almost a months wages, and to be honest, I'd rather save the money for North Korea and keep the gap. Already the gap has become a familiar friend. I'm sure I could still a lump of chewing gum up there and it'd be indistinguishable from a real tooth.
So, my weekend was simply a case of getting my tooth out (and covering the dentist with blood, incidentally), waiting to suffer but not, then getting drunk on a fairly average night out.
Tonight I'm learning Spanish. Kristi used to be a Spanish teacher for 6 years so is doing Spanish lessons, and I reckon there's no way it can be as hard as Korean so I'm going to give it a go.
Of course, not meaning to belittle the traumatic experience of war veterans, but getting a tooth taken out is on a par with a limb amputation, so it was still a very distressing experience for me.
As it happened, there was absolutely no pain, and against dentist's orders I was even perfectly able to go out and get drunk. I was hoping that combined with my medication, I could get completely messed up, but no more so than usual as it turned out.
I did wake up with pizza EVERYWHERE though. God knows what I did when I got home, because I have no memory, but somehow I managed to smear pizza all over myself and my apartment.
So now I've got a gap in my teeth, but it's pretty hidden and I've got to show people for them to notice. My face didn't swell up at all. I'm considerng not bothering with the implant, because it's going to cost me about 1.5 million Won, almost a months wages, and to be honest, I'd rather save the money for North Korea and keep the gap. Already the gap has become a familiar friend. I'm sure I could still a lump of chewing gum up there and it'd be indistinguishable from a real tooth.
So, my weekend was simply a case of getting my tooth out (and covering the dentist with blood, incidentally), waiting to suffer but not, then getting drunk on a fairly average night out.
Tonight I'm learning Spanish. Kristi used to be a Spanish teacher for 6 years so is doing Spanish lessons, and I reckon there's no way it can be as hard as Korean so I'm going to give it a go.
Wednesday, 7 April 2004
The Joy Of Implants
Please, read my miserable previous entry which I have just written. I looked up some details about dental implants on the internet and found this.
I've heard that dental implants are expensive. How much do they cost?
Well, first you must determine the measure or the gauge or yardstick by which you would evaluate VALUE. An implant costs, in Australian dollars between $3,500 to $4,500 - which is a small amount to pay for a Jumbo Jet or cheap to pay for a Bionic Ear. Compared to what is an implant cheap or expensive? A holiday for the same price is gone after 2 weeks, the memories faded after a year and 5 years later, you might actually lose by forgetting some of those tranquil expensive days.
Dentistry is HIGH VALUE. It is with you walking, talking, eating, singing, and making love, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week probably for the rest of your life. The same money spent doing up the car or the front fence is far less VALUE given that your interaction with it is less frequent and that a moment of absent-mindedness could reduce it to rubble.
So, obviously my annoyance is for nothing, as a new tooth is a joy to behold whereas a holiday is just a waste of money and memories.
I've heard that dental implants are expensive. How much do they cost?
Well, first you must determine the measure or the gauge or yardstick by which you would evaluate VALUE. An implant costs, in Australian dollars between $3,500 to $4,500 - which is a small amount to pay for a Jumbo Jet or cheap to pay for a Bionic Ear. Compared to what is an implant cheap or expensive? A holiday for the same price is gone after 2 weeks, the memories faded after a year and 5 years later, you might actually lose by forgetting some of those tranquil expensive days.
Dentistry is HIGH VALUE. It is with you walking, talking, eating, singing, and making love, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week probably for the rest of your life. The same money spent doing up the car or the front fence is far less VALUE given that your interaction with it is less frequent and that a moment of absent-mindedness could reduce it to rubble.
So, obviously my annoyance is for nothing, as a new tooth is a joy to behold whereas a holiday is just a waste of money and memories.
Pissed Off About My Mouth
I'm still pretty pissed off about my damn teeth.
The pain, mercifully, had subsided last night but I woke this morning to find the left side of my face so swollen I couldn't see out of my left eye properly. I looked like I was disfigured.
I had a dentist's appointment at 10am anyway, where they messed about with my mouth, spurted some blood, and made the left side of my face swell up to lunatic proportions. Half of me looked like me, the other half looked like a fat cartoon version of me.
They don't take the tooth out till Saturday, and this ruins all my Saturday plans. These were to go to my new Korean learning class at 11am, and then go to the orphanage later that day. However, as I'll be bleeding and in great pain, all these plans are scrapped in favour of home suffering.
I also can't drink for a while. I can't even drink anything cold for a few days.
I have 8 months of treatment ahead.
I suppose there are a few silver linings. Obviously I'd have preferred none of this was the case, but given that it is and it was going to happen at some time, it's better it happened now than last year, for example. Last year, in Scotland, it would have been more expensive and I had no money. At least in Korea it's cheaper, and I've got the money - just. Also, if it had happened next year or maybe the year after when I have pencilled in plans to travel, it would have been disastrous.
Still, the prospect of an entire month's wages being blown on numerous dentist's trips and lots of pain doesn't fill me with excitement.
They gave me some drugs, but I don't think they'll be of the quality to make it all worthwhile.
I was going to describe my weekend but can't be bothered now. Basically, went to a learning Korean class on Saturday, then had a brilliant night out that night with Matt, Denise, Greta and Rebecca. All sorts of stupid things happened, like me making this fat bearded man with a silver helmet dancd with me, and stuff like that. Sunday, I spent the first stages with Denise and then with her and Greta went to a barbecue which was good, but eventually the toothache retired me.
Anyway, I'll be cheered up later. I'm just pissed off now.
The pain, mercifully, had subsided last night but I woke this morning to find the left side of my face so swollen I couldn't see out of my left eye properly. I looked like I was disfigured.
I had a dentist's appointment at 10am anyway, where they messed about with my mouth, spurted some blood, and made the left side of my face swell up to lunatic proportions. Half of me looked like me, the other half looked like a fat cartoon version of me.
They don't take the tooth out till Saturday, and this ruins all my Saturday plans. These were to go to my new Korean learning class at 11am, and then go to the orphanage later that day. However, as I'll be bleeding and in great pain, all these plans are scrapped in favour of home suffering.
I also can't drink for a while. I can't even drink anything cold for a few days.
I have 8 months of treatment ahead.
I suppose there are a few silver linings. Obviously I'd have preferred none of this was the case, but given that it is and it was going to happen at some time, it's better it happened now than last year, for example. Last year, in Scotland, it would have been more expensive and I had no money. At least in Korea it's cheaper, and I've got the money - just. Also, if it had happened next year or maybe the year after when I have pencilled in plans to travel, it would have been disastrous.
Still, the prospect of an entire month's wages being blown on numerous dentist's trips and lots of pain doesn't fill me with excitement.
They gave me some drugs, but I don't think they'll be of the quality to make it all worthwhile.
I was going to describe my weekend but can't be bothered now. Basically, went to a learning Korean class on Saturday, then had a brilliant night out that night with Matt, Denise, Greta and Rebecca. All sorts of stupid things happened, like me making this fat bearded man with a silver helmet dancd with me, and stuff like that. Sunday, I spent the first stages with Denise and then with her and Greta went to a barbecue which was good, but eventually the toothache retired me.
Anyway, I'll be cheered up later. I'm just pissed off now.
Tuesday, 6 April 2004
Toothache
Due it being "Arbor Day", something to do with planting trees, we had a long weekend with Monday off. The first half of that weekend was great, and I hope to catch up with it later, but the second half was dreadful.
I had toothache which just gnawed and gnawed away at me. Sunday night I got perhaps half an hour sleep, I managed a little more last night. The pain is less today but the left side of my face is swollen.
I went to the dentist (the upside here being that I got to miss my Cosmos class, who can be pretty hard work) and the problem appears pretty serious. Removal of a tooth or two, and replacements needed. Estimated cost: 2 or 3 million. That's up to £1500.
There may be cheaper options but I think that whatever happens won't be cheap. But I've got little choice, seeing that I'm not spending the rest of my life with a swollen face and gnawing pain. Plus, I've barely been able to eat for the last couple of days.
So I'm not at my cheeriest right now.
I had toothache which just gnawed and gnawed away at me. Sunday night I got perhaps half an hour sleep, I managed a little more last night. The pain is less today but the left side of my face is swollen.
I went to the dentist (the upside here being that I got to miss my Cosmos class, who can be pretty hard work) and the problem appears pretty serious. Removal of a tooth or two, and replacements needed. Estimated cost: 2 or 3 million. That's up to £1500.
There may be cheaper options but I think that whatever happens won't be cheap. But I've got little choice, seeing that I'm not spending the rest of my life with a swollen face and gnawing pain. Plus, I've barely been able to eat for the last couple of days.
So I'm not at my cheeriest right now.
Thursday, 1 April 2004
Teaching Hungover... Again
Teaching with a hangover is not any fun.
I ended up getting carried away last night, and drinking till 5am, finally finishing in a galbi restaurant. At 10am, when I somehow woke, I was an almighty mess.
Somehow, though, I survived the first few classes really well, my teaching wasn't affected. I think I'm adjusting to Korean lager now, although I pity the kids in my first couple of lessons because I was hellishly flatulent. Mind you, I don't think 6 year olds care.
Last night was an Irish girl's - Jane - leaving night, which basically meant meeting up in Communes and drinking. Not meant to be a heavy session, but all it takes it for one other person to still be drinking and I'll keep going. I like to be last man standing. In this case, it wasn't pansy Matt who wasn't drinking (again) because of a morning class the next day, but a Canadian girl Denise. She doesn't work till 3pm though, so it was fine for her. Alas, after a few drinks all my sense dissipates and I work myself further into a frenzy of alcoholism.
On a different note, I've noticed I'm becoming more violent with the kids recently. If they're not paying attention I like to hit them on the head with a book. Not a big book, or a hard hit, but it's escalating at a worrying rate. It's possible I'll be spearing them within a couple of months.
All I can think of right now is Carrefour pizza and how good it will taste.
Hang on! Today is Thursday which means David buys pizza for the staff! Yes, this is a good day after all. I'm going to be munching pizza like a god damn dervish.
I ended up getting carried away last night, and drinking till 5am, finally finishing in a galbi restaurant. At 10am, when I somehow woke, I was an almighty mess.
Somehow, though, I survived the first few classes really well, my teaching wasn't affected. I think I'm adjusting to Korean lager now, although I pity the kids in my first couple of lessons because I was hellishly flatulent. Mind you, I don't think 6 year olds care.
Last night was an Irish girl's - Jane - leaving night, which basically meant meeting up in Communes and drinking. Not meant to be a heavy session, but all it takes it for one other person to still be drinking and I'll keep going. I like to be last man standing. In this case, it wasn't pansy Matt who wasn't drinking (again) because of a morning class the next day, but a Canadian girl Denise. She doesn't work till 3pm though, so it was fine for her. Alas, after a few drinks all my sense dissipates and I work myself further into a frenzy of alcoholism.
On a different note, I've noticed I'm becoming more violent with the kids recently. If they're not paying attention I like to hit them on the head with a book. Not a big book, or a hard hit, but it's escalating at a worrying rate. It's possible I'll be spearing them within a couple of months.
All I can think of right now is Carrefour pizza and how good it will taste.
Hang on! Today is Thursday which means David buys pizza for the staff! Yes, this is a good day after all. I'm going to be munching pizza like a god damn dervish.
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