Guess I'll be here until Feb 2008!

In Thailand, Asoke monks made a point of being honest, and I am sure, staying within the law. They may have broken the law on certain instances but if so, I'm sure they had a good reason. Koreans monks, perhaps, are less strict about honesty than Asoke monks. Asoke people, and monks and nuns in particular are pretty strict with rules and things though.

So, at the meeting last night, I was asked to stay on until the end of the school term, and as long after the first term as I can. I asked when the end of the term is and the monk said it ends in February. I said I'd stay. I told him the main reason I want to go home, to be closer to aging parents. He understands. He said he'd quit the English program after I leave. I told him that I don't think it'd be hard to find someone to continue after me. I told him I'd be happy to find someone. So we'll see if he asks me to find someone. So, it looks like I'll be here until February next year.

Sorry to extend my stay here. I really really had intended to be home for the holidays. But I understand the monk's situation. And I thought, "Well, just a few more months won't be that much longer before I can get home to family." So, again, I apologize for delaying my return, but I didn't want to say no. Plus I see this as a really good opportunity to learn Seon and to make some more money.

The thought of another winter here isn't a warming one by any means! But winters here are probably warmer here than in the S.F. Bay Area!

Went to look for some teaching material today. Borrowed a few books (!) from a book store, at my ex-boss' guarantee (Thank you Mr. Mun). Took them back to the temple. Looked them over with a teacher and my friend Sunmi. We won't use them. So tomorrow I'll return them. We'll use some other books that some company brought over for us to use. They'll be good.

There was a teacher's meeting a little while ago. I won't start tomorrow. One teacher wants to start the English program next Monday. So tomorrow, I'll return the books and go to the dentist again. Yeah, this is another blog entry I could write. My dentist visits!

Well, I guess that's enough for now. It's about time to get into the main hall for a some chanting and some meditation.

The chanting and the wooden knocker thing are another blog entry. Someday. I've got my laptop hooked up in the office right now. I bring it in here when I want to use the internet. So I expect to have frequent internet access.

I welcome any comments. Especially from anyone who doesn't dare call! I hope to get my Skype connection working again soon. Real soon.

Love,
Troy.