This is for Bernie.
He seems to be the only one who posts comments, so the rest of you are invited to read this 'Open Letter to Bernie'.

Bernie--
Thanks for the questions and popping up in Yahoo! Messenger to keep me abreast (hehe) on the KC sports scene. I value our time and I am glad you offer up Gramma Pat's 'Hellos' and 'kisses'.
All is well here, I have been out doing some major exploring. You see, Debby's nephew, Ben, has this school project and I volunteered to help him out. It's based on 'Flat Stanley' and it has proven to be a lot of fun. The gist of it is: Stanley is a child, who gets flattened one day and is sent through the mail to all of these cool places, sending pictures back to his family. The idea of the project is to make a 'Flat (insert name here)' and send him to friends, family, or take him everywhere and get pictures taken of him. Debby has done this for her other nephews and I came along during Ben's project. He went to Montreal, Burlington, Omaha, and has been a lot of places with Debby. So, I thought it would be cool to bring him to Seoul and have him see Korea. It's good for me, too, it gets me off my duff and I take him with me wherever I go. Today, I took him to the Olympic Stadium and the World Cup Stadium, we had a good time and he got to go on the field and see the inside of the the stadium.
I also took him to Dongdaemun and Handaemun and we had a pretty good time. He has met my students and they loved him. He will be coming to Hawai'i with all of us and he will see some pretty cool things there, too.
Oh, if you aren't Bernie, a group of us are going to Kauai next week I am flying in from Seoul to see Debby, Gavin, Susie, Stuckey, and Mike and Melissa Murphy. NONE of you are invited. I am racking up some serious miles with Northwest and I should have over 25,000 by the time I get back.
No, Pat, they won't be in kilometers, I will be Stateside and we don't subscribe to the 'Communist' way of measurement.
The subways, .80 a ride and a little 'transfer' fee sometimes, are proving to be a training ground for Offensive Tackles, Guards, and Running Backs. So, if you know someone (Reece) who will need training, send them here, first.
These people are nuts.
They love to walk against the grain of oncoming traffic. I watched a lady try to do it one day, cringing, bracing, and getting plowed into by other people. I mean, what does she expect? A couple of hundred people have just exited a train and they are running, pushing, tripping, and otherwise making sure they get to the next train or their exit. I find it very humorous. I do not initiate contact, but I cannot avoid it. If I tried, I would never get anywhere. So, if I get hit, I just keep moving, just like everyone else. I think another lady is still having headaches from my shoulder. She came around a corner as I was coming up to the last step and there was NO WAY I was falling back down those steps into a bastion of people. I would have been killed. I am sure those of you reading this (other than Bernie, but I'll never know) think I am bowling through Seoul's Subway looking for contact, but that is not the case. The Koreans are worse to each other in those circumstances, I am considered nice. But let's be honest, you have to look out for 'Number One' and in this case, that's ME.
I have seen some very cool things, met some cool people, other than Russians. Christmas Eve, Richard, another teacher, had a get together at his place. In attendance, was an artist who has worked on 'The Family Guy' and 'Futurama', I have pictures of her, which I am using as blackmail(she hates to have her picture taken). I promised not to post her picture on the web, if she drew a picture of Bender and Stewie for me. I haven't received those pictures, yet, so you may be seeing them soon.
Prior to the gathering, Chris, one of the other teachers (who teaches curse words) and I went looking for small gifts to bring to the party. We headed up to Dongdaemun, cited earlier. It's one of the world's oldest open markets. It dates back more than 500 years and it is a site to be seen. no words can do it justice. Think of The Plaza on Thanksgiving Night. Thinking? OK. Now quadruple that. Think of the size of the Plaza. Thinking? OK, multiply that times ten and it still doesn't qualify. If you cannot find what you're looking for, you don't need it.
Seriously.
They have everything you need, want, envy, or cherish. Multiple buildings. Some seven stories, crammed with inventory and people. Side-by-side, the buildings, that is. THEN, Dongdaemun Stadium has a covered Flea Market type area. It's like a trade show.
Every night.
Oh, and the area doesn't really start to jump until after midnight.
Namdaemun has another market, not as big, but the Flea Market idea applies. It, too, has operated for centuries. There is a place to buy American goods. I'll be back.
Namdaemun is near Seoul Station and City Hall. The City Hall area is pretty cool. One of the older palaces is located there and for 1.000 won ($1)you can go in and check it out. Pretty cool, considering the people who have been there. There's an ice-skating rink and another area of shopping. A lot of hotels are in that area. No, ice-skating was OUT OF THE QUESTION. there were well over a thousand people lacing their skates up as we walked through.
a cool area to have your picture taken was there, too. A lot of Christmas lights and decorations
Namdaemun is one of the gates in the city. You see, Seoul used to be walled in, but the Japanese took the liberty of tearing the walls down. There are a four gates in the city, Dongnimmun (EDIT: NOT a gate. Just a cool arch. Sorry to misinform, y'all), Dongdaemun, Jongno, and Namdaemun are just a few (-mun means gate). These are the Romanized names of these places and these names show up on maps and it sounds as though, the cater to the English speakers when putting the names down on paper.The architecture is amazing and the fact they are still standing, is a testament to the builders.
You have to consider the fact the Japanese, North Koreans, and Chinese have all invaded. The history here reads similar to Europe, only those of us in the US aren't exposed to it as much as European History. It's a shame, too, these citizens are proud of their history and they embrace it. I have butchered the history here, but it is the main idea.
As you can tell, I use Wikipedia as a reference. I find it to be pretty informative and it gives you outside links to help in any area and subject. Bookmark it, you will find yourself using it, if you aren't already. That goes for the rest of you eavesdroppers, too.
Today, I went back to Jongno and found myself entranced. It's another market. In a city of 23 million people, they all seem to survive. Jongno is the artsy area, a lot of jewelry stores (Debby, you will go nuts when you see it), crafts stores, and nick-nacks abound. I prefer it to any of the other markets, as it is less crowded (if that's possible) and there is a lot to see.
I have also been to Gangdum which has underground shopping. It's also a very upscale area. It is also the area where the shopping mall collapsed in the early 90's.. It has been torn down and high rise apartments have been put in it's place.
I am glad i will be here for a year. There is no way anyone could see everything in a week. We will try, Debby, but there will be some things you will miss. I have a list started, so you will get to see all of what I am talking about.
Axton wants me to tell you, he wants to add a story about what we have done to upset the balance over here, but this 'Blovel', as you so eloquently put it, has become long. He has set up another site, so we can do it there. It will be up and running, soon. His girlfriend, Alzena, will be part of those stories and I know she can't wait, either.
Well, Bernie, I am glad you have taken the time out to read this. I am glad you are enjoying my ramblings. It is also appreciated. The number of responses and people contacting me is low. Yes, I know there are people who reply by e-mail, I appreciate them, too, but I feel as though people are peeking through a window to watch me and not saying anything about it. I have been told by the few that reply to this, there are many reading this, Oh, well, I guess they can't take one more minute out of their day to say, "Hi!!"
It's funny, they take the time to read, but they won't write.
To those of you who have replied, and you know who you are, THANK YOU!!!
I don't feel so disconnected. I love seeing e-mails in my inbox and I enjoy replying to them.
Give my love to Gramma Pat and the rest of your brood!!!!
Sincerely,
Axton (and his personal secretary)

Hello, to every single one of you.
Yes, to those of you who choose not to tell me you look at this, HI!!!
I am contemplating putting a 'hit' register on this, but I am afraid Grampa Bernie would be the only one who would let me know he is checking this out!!!!! (I know Debby looks at it, she tells me I am crazy, but we all knew that already)
Merry New Year!!!! I apologize for not updating this sooner, but Axton has been dragging his feet. I have been ready and willing to update but he keeps telling me, "NO!!!! Not yet, we have so much to tell, I have to get my thoughts in order."
Today, I finally talked him into dictating to me, he agreed, reluctantly.
I have been asked, S-E-V-E-R-A-L times to reveal the origin of Axton Kinneman. A few know, a lot don't. He is going on 15 years old this year and he is just hitting his stride. He was born out of fear and what was thought, a necessity. He wasn't used in the capacity we once thought he was going to be needed, but he refused to die. He was born in Andy's mind and adopted by me. That is all I will tell you. No, Gavin probably doesn't know the whole story, he may, but knowing him, he forgot the key details. So keep on speculating, I ain't talking!!
A Lot has happened since December 16th, the last post made here.
I have mailbag questions, I have stories, I will have pictures, and I will have a bunch o' other stuff.
Where to begin???????
I will do the mailbag first.

First.
My dad is curious as to who Grampa Bernie, Gramma Pat, Grampa Ed, and Gramma Cathy are.

Funny story, really.
It started in Hawai'i in 2005 at Shannon and Stephanie's wedding. You see, Stuckey and I ran around with Gavin and Susie quite a bit, always wanting to do stuff that could be, well, questionable and life threatening. One example, we wanted to run the guard over at Pearl Harbor (The signs said, "Pearl Harbor: This Exit," so we exited, just like the sign SAID) and Susie talked us out of it. He was a pretty big Marine and he would have damaged the Jeep, not to mention the .45 he had his hand on. (Kind of like the time Andy and I thought it would be funny to drive across Miramar, just like Maverick did. that Marine warned us FOUR times, before he started shooting) Then, Stuckey and I wanted to run into the Ocean with our nice wedding clothes on, again, Susie talked us out of it. Then, we wanted to go four-wheeling on the beach, yep, you guessed it, Susie talked us out of it. So, we started to call her Mom and started to call Gavin, Dad. They adopted us that week, Susie kept us out of trouble (and jail) and Gavin rolled his eyes at us, just like every father does.
EDIT: Susie is NOT a killjoy. No way, No how. She's just smarter than the rest of us and doesn't want to spend her vacation money bailing us out of jail!!!! She is always right there, when the fun is to be had. Just ask her 'Super-Fun Twin Sister'!!!!!!
When we got home, Stuckey and I were presented as Susie and Gavin's 'kids', at the time, neither the James or the Burns had grandkids (this has changed DRAMATICALLY, right Amy and Alan?) and we were glad to fill the role. I started calling them Gramma and Grampa and it stuck. So, that's how Gramma Pat, et al. started.
Don't worry, Grandma (my biological one), YOU will always be my favorite!!! (Tell her that, Dad)

With this off-season, our Kansas City Royals have been making some changes. Well, A LOT of changes, mainly pitching and at this press release, trading away second tier minor league 2nd baseman. I haven't been able to sit in Burns Manor to discuss these moves. So here is my opinion, if you don't like it, I really don't care.

Gavin asks:
Does the signing of Meche make more sense if you were to say it in Korean?
I like the signing. It shows Dayton has the salesman skills he was advertised to have. Is $55 million a lot? YEP. But, we needed to show we are willing to spend the bucks and this could have impact in the future on getting another good pitcher. I like the signing of Dotel, too. Why not? Anything we do this year with the pitching staff is an improvement. I mean, c'mon, SISCO? PLEASE. That guy wasn't going to do sh, er, anything with the Royals, he proved it and it was time for him to go. Fatelvys Hernandez? Um, yeah, "The buffet line is now open, folks, get there before he does or it will be ALL gone.

Why trade for Ross Gload?
Well, who would back up 1st? Huber? Brown? German? Sweinie? Or do we got out and sign some dufus to do it? With Gload, he can spell Shealy, who can DH, since we all know Sweinie will be hurt on April 5th. He gives us another, proven outfielder, since Reggie Sanders will probably be traded or get hurt and Emil Brown will be able to spend some time at DH, too, God forbid we have that guy's glove in the OF everyday. Gload can play four positions for the Royals: RF, LF, CF (although not every day and don't jump on this one quote and hammer it in the ground, Gavin, he has played CF, so if anything happens, he can go there, a better option there than German), and 1st base. I like the trade.


Why do I get excited about the Royals in December and the Chiefs in July? Is it because I don't have to watch them play?
Yep. everything is fresh. With the Royals, Dan Glass hasn't had a chance to screw them up and veto trades which would make sense. And with the Griefs, um, Chiefs, King Carl and the Reverend Edwards have filled our minds with hope. Only to yank it out of our stomachs, again.

Bergs asks:
Are the folks there approachable, do they wave and smile or say 'Hello' without being asked?
Yes they do. Those who speak English loooooooove to speak to English speakers. I always say, "Hello!" back to them. ALWAYS. I am in their country aand I have to respect them. I try not to seem like a pissed off 'Ex-Pat', so I may be more approachable, than say, some of the idiots who only go to Itaewon---A foreigner hang-out. I try to reply to them in Korean, which they appreciate, and they will say, 'Have a nice day!!!!!'


Bill and Carolyn ask:
Based on the pictures you submitted of your quarters, you must not spend too much time in your abode, do you?
Um, no. Although, I do spend some time here, just not too much. The apartment isn't as small as the first apartment I had, which was as big as any of your's bathrooms.

Cindy still wants to know:
Have you tried dog, yet?
Nope. I will though. But I have thought a lot about it. The dogs raised privately are not treated very well. They need to be tender and there is only one way to make them tender. I am not going into detail about it, so you have to do your own thinking about it.

Reid ponders:
Did you catch the K-State/Texas game?
Kind of. I was keeping track of the game on ESPN's scoreboard and chatting with Gavin while it was going on. Nice win for the Wildcats. My brother was talking to me when it ws over and his phone was going NUTS, as was he.

Do you ever jerk with people and them the wrong word for something?
I couldn't get away with it. There's always at least one student in the room who speaks pretty good English so I would be called out on it. I do try to teach them American slang, like"What's up dawg?", "Hanging out with your friends" "Cool!!" and other phrases I can think of. NO, I DO NOT teach them curse words, I leave that up to Chris, one of the other teachers.

How do you think Bob Huggins is doing? We know he's not one of your favorites.
Well, Reid, I was mostly yanking your chain about him. Trying to keep you K-State fans grounded. I think it's good for K-State, they needed some national attention and got it. Now, they do need to stay out of trouble and win some games, but that will come. I just hope Huggy stays around for a while.

Bernie had asked:
I notice on your receipt from BK, the numbers were Arabic style, is that for English Speakers, or do they use these numbers?
Well, they use both. Every place has Arabic style numbers. They use them for almost everything, but they also use Hangul numbers, too. You will see more Arabic style numbers throughout the city.
Good question, Bernie, you never cease to amaze me.

That's it for the mailbag, if you have anymore questions, please let me know. I will not call anybody out this time, but if you wait too long, I will not answer your questions.