It's too bad when you're in a the position where foreigners criticize your homeland. While it doesn't help to neither defend nor attack back in this occasion, what do you do? Say that this discussion is inappropriate and try to drop it as soon as possible?

...

I've encountered Owl City's songs in the recent months in unexpected places. There's the occasional "Fireflies" song over the speaker at the local coffee shop. But then also, there's been O_C's songs on 2 counts of advertising commercial's. The last of these was for a telephone commercial feature one of his more obscure songs. Also, just today in the coffee shop, they were playing a really obscure O_C song from his latest album: Hospital Flowers. It's a very strange pick to play in public, but then again it is the right of coffee shops to play more "off-beat" music. It's just interesting considering this "Hospital Flower's" song includes references to faith in God.

...I used to say that I would become "independently wealthy" for my future job whenever someone would question me about my career plan when I was still in junior high. I had liked to use that reply, because I had never found it easy to focus my interest into one field, and because I guess I assumed I would be good at whatever I would end up doing thereby not needing to worry about the money.

Well, unexpectedly--as I just realized the other day--I think I've achieved that side goal unintentionally. Having saved about $xx,000 from working as a teacher, I can pay for housing, tuition, daily and other expenses for a good while now, at least through the year's end. (I guess it helps not having to worry about a car to take care of its upkeep, lolz) I am thankful I have been blessed with this provision, and I do mean to give the rightful portion back to the Kingdom Buidling. For now, I'm thankful I can be an independently wealthy student with no need for a job for the next few months.

(Notingly, I will probably get a job anyway.)

The following is a series of good-bye letters from a few students in the academy I have been teaching at. They were written in the last week of my teaching. They come from mostly middle school aged kids, with a few elementary students as well. For the vast majority, they are unedited and remain in the original form.

I publish these to exhibit insight into how much I appreciate our students. I will miss teaching them and the special in-class memories. Some of these letters also give insight into some of our memories and inside-jokes. It's been a great year teaching students such as these.



To Mr. Cole

Hello~ ^^ Teacher? I'm purple class student Emily. I know you leave soon. I was happy, fun interesting when I learned English with you. Your class is very fun. So, I want to listen. Sometimes, I was feeling not good. But, when we finished lesson with you, my feeling is better than before class. I will miss you!! If you go to Seoul I will call you sometimes.  ㅎㅎ bye-bye teacher ~!!^^

-2011.8.22-
-from Emily-

Dear Mr. Cole
Hi ~ My Name is kate How are you? I'm good. you will go to the Seoul university. Congratulations I went to UNI first. First class is you! I saw you your hair color is very strange ㅋㅋ You are so funny. you are good for teacher you will go to the university I'm feel so miss. You can do it. Fighting!!

-2011 Aug 22th Mon-
From kate

To Mr. Cole
I had one time left to study with you. I was happy when I studied with you. You are kind to listen other student's speaking. I heard that you will move to Seoul University. I hoped you will goot at in. My hometown was in Seoul, so I hope we will meet at Seoul. Thank you very much!!!!!
From Kevin

To Cole
Hi Cole? I'm Jenny.
I'm so sad because I heard you leave You & I. but I'm happy too. You are in Korea! (Just in seoul) so I belive we can meet you. When with your time, I have a happy day. why? because you are a very kind and Good for our. I'm so sorry for do not homework, not very hard in your class. I'm repent of them. I think I have meet any teacher but not like you, Cole teacher! I'll miss you forever, I spend happy time in your class. please don't forget You & I... ㅠㅠ Hope you have a wonderful time in You & I! because, i have a heaven time with you.. bye~! I'm so sad! bye..bye, bye, bye! and see you next time..

Good Bye, Mr. Cole!
Hi, I'm Betty. Soon, you will go Seoul.
I want something. That's please shave your hair. I don't like your hair. That looks ghost. Like a hairy ghost. Second, I want to see your bald head. Before you said to want to bald head. That means you will have bald head, I think. Thank you for your teaching. Don't eat a lot of butter. That makes you, butter. Good bye, and maybe I will miss you. Have a good time in Seoul. Maybe you'll make a girl friend. Good luck!

To mr. Cole
Hi? I'm Jane. I'm sad you're leave here before Setember. Your girlfriend [*PERSON'S NAME*]'s story is good. Are you love [*PERSON'S NAME*] now, too? I pray for you and [*PERSON'S NAME*]!! Your class is great! and i will missing you after you leave You & I english Academy. you're great teacher. Don't forgot me! I will remember you.
Be happy and
Good bye...
- from Jane

Hi, Mr. cole. I'm Byung gill [BOY'S NAME]
I was so happy during with you, because you are funny. now I am sad because are go out. If you go, I will miss you alot. Please, come back again. If we meet again, I want you have girlfriend. goodbye. cole. see you late

To Mr. Cole (Trashcan Teacher)...
Hello? I'm Erica. nowadays night & sometimes afternoon, the weather is cold. be careful!
If you go to Seoul, You & I will be quiet. You said "I am a Trashcan!" then you ate dirty pringle?! (프링글스) that is very amazing and funny thing. I'm excited when I study with you. you teach me then I know a lot.
If you go to Seoul then
1. Make a friends! Make a new girlfriend!
2. Study Korean!
3. Make happy days with your new girlfriend!
4. Be happy! Be healthy!
Ok? Promise!
Tuesday. August. 23rd 2011 From Erica..

Hello? Mr. cole
I'm Mac.
Thank you for teaching me.
I think you are good teacher. I hope to you teach more. When you come to Suncheon, please see to me and Aiden. Because our like you! and our miss you. We always thinkg of you. So, you don't miss we too. Good bye! teacher.
-Mac-

How silly of me to forget that OWL CITY RELESED THE NEW ALBUM THIS PAST WEEK!! 이제부터 난 이 새로운 노래들이 밖에 생각 안 할 거야!!