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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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Ilsanman
Joined: 15 Aug 2003
Location: Bucheon, Korea
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 Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 3:38 pm Post subject: Working Saturday vs Not Working Saturday |
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I have been working Saturdays pretty consistently for more than 2 years now. At times I wish I didn't, but the extra money is nice. Not only what I earn, but what I don't spend.
I am on vacation now and about to go back to work. Yesterday I didn't work my usual Saturday.
I woke up early due to being jetlagged and used the computer for a bit. Then I went to Seoul. Just before getting on the train, I almost stepped off. I realized that there is jackshit to do in Seoul anymore.
It got me thinking...what do people do here for fun? With the baby, it's pretty impossible for my wife and I to go to a singing room, movie theatre, etc. I don't drink, don't eat sam gyeop sal, and I despise mountain climbing. What is there to do here?
This place is boring as piss. A few years ago I said my home town was boring and this place was exciting and full of life. Now I feel the exact opposite.
I think I'll keep working Saturdays to stay sane. |
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xingyiman
Joined: 12 Jan 2006
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| Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 3:55 pm Post subject: |
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I simply refuse to work saturdays. Usually families go trekking outside, nature walking or some Korean things. I take kick ass vacations twice yearly whereas when I lived in the Midwest US making $8.00 an hour I took marginally afforable vacations every ten years. There's lots of things to do in Korea but often times you have to create your own opportunities. We are close to lots of other exotic places.
Last edited by xingyiman on Sat Sep 27, 2008 4:02 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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ciccone_youth
Joined: 03 Mar 2008
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 4:00 pm Post subject: |
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Actually I love Seoul.
I don't drink or go clubbing, but during the day I enjoy just walking around in different neighborhoods- every weekend I pick a new area to go see, or I return to the ones I like. I try a new cafe, new restaurant, and just browse. I like museums, and going to the movies. I think Seoul has a lot to offer! But yes, maybe it's different with kids... |
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Cohiba
Joined: 01 Feb 2005
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| Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 4:25 pm Post subject: |
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| People in civilized countries don't work Saturdays. End of story. |
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Ilsanman
Joined: 15 Aug 2003
Location: Bucheon, Korea
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| Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 4:59 pm Post subject: |
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Well if I have the choice of sitting on my ass at home being miserable or out earning some money, it's a pretty easy choice, isn't it?
When I was single, I spent my Saturday (and Sunday) chasing girls, watching movies, exploring, drinking, etc.
Now I am married, so no more chasing girls. I have a child, so movies and singing rooms are out. I've been here over 5 years, so exploring is a waste of time.
This is going to be a long 2 years. |
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semi-fly
Joined: 07 Apr 2008
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| Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 5:32 pm Post subject: |
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| Ilsanman wrote: |
Well if I have the choice of sitting on my ass at home being miserable or out earning some money, it's a pretty easy choice, isn't it?
When I was single, I spent my Saturday (and Sunday) chasing girls, watching movies, exploring, drinking, etc.
Now I am married, so no more chasing girls. I have a child, so movies and singing rooms are out. I've been here over 5 years, so exploring is a waste of time.
This is going to be a long 2 years. |
Aren't there a number of festivals this time of year in and around Seoul? I take it since you've been in Korea for a number of years you've done all the touristy things natural museums and art exhibits, etc. You and your wife may have seen everything there is to see but what about your child (granted he/she could still be an infant and would care less about seeing anything)? |
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poet13
Joined: 22 Jan 2006
Location: Just over there....throwing lemons.
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| Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 5:41 pm Post subject: |
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"Actually I love Seoul.
I don't drink or go clubbing, but during the day I enjoy just walking around in different neighborhoods- every weekend I pick a new area to go see, or I return to the ones I like. I try a new cafe, new restaurant, and just browse. I like museums, and going to the movies. I think Seoul has a lot to offer! But yes, maybe it's different with kids..."
I don't much like Seoul, but I like what you said... |
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itaewonguy
Joined: 25 Mar 2003
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| Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 6:48 pm Post subject: |
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| Ilsanman wrote: |
Well if I have the choice of sitting on my ass at home being miserable or out earning some money, it's a pretty easy choice, isn't it?
When I was single, I spent my Saturday (and Sunday) chasing girls, watching movies, exploring, drinking, etc.
Now I am married, so no more chasing girls. I have a child, so movies and singing rooms are out. I've been here over 5 years, so exploring is a waste of time.
This is going to be a long 2 years. |
I worked saturdays for 4 years and sundays for 2 years, liked the extra money I had to drop one of them becuase we never did anything as a family cause I was just making money all the time..
so I dropped the sundays.. and we did things on sunday etc..
after 2 more years of saturdays I decided working saturdays was not really worth it, we couldnt take any weekend trips or pretty much do anything on saturdays at all.. so I gave that up also.. WOW what a difference it made. I mean waking up saturday and not having to go to work just sit around the house and do nothing if I wanted.. we would take trips from friday night and come back sunday night.. was cool!!!
I told myself money is not everything and instead loaded up the car and took the family places, its fun just driving somewhere and seeing different parts of korea knowing I dont have to rush back home becuase I have to work sunday or saturday...
now maybe you are following the same path I was on..
in those days my daughter was4-5-6-7-- so as she got older she got more demanding of doing things.. so everland, movies, etc. was always on the cards
but now that my daughter is 10 she is happy doing her own thing ahahaha
so dude there is only a liitle window there before your child doesnt want to hang out with you much,3 years from now she will be forced to come hang outn with me 5 years from now! forgettabout it..hahhaahhaa so do things with your family , take pictures etc.. YES korea is boring! we drive around saying it all the time.. but there are places to go...
im back to working saturdays now becuase I own my own business so I have to but im thinking about dropping that too, life is to short..... |
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the_beaver
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 6:54 pm Post subject: |
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| ciccone_youth wrote: |
| I don't drink or go clubbing, but during the day I enjoy just walking around in different neighborhoods- every weekend I pick a new area to go see, or I return to the ones I like. I try a new cafe, new restaurant, and just browse. I like museums, and going to the movies. |
Someone after my own heart (except the museum part).
Do that and end it with a bookstore - coffee shop finale and it's a perfect day. |
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Ilsanman
Joined: 15 Aug 2003
Location: Bucheon, Korea
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| Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 7:20 pm Post subject: |
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My daughter is 10 months old. It limits us a lot.
In exactly 2 years, we'll be out of here. We have a budget and a plan to leave, but in the meantime I have to stay here for 2 more years not to ruin our plans.
It's gonna be a long 2 years. I am thinking about a daily countdown.
| itaewonguy wrote: |
| Ilsanman wrote: |
Well if I have the choice of sitting on my ass at home being miserable or out earning some money, it's a pretty easy choice, isn't it?
When I was single, I spent my Saturday (and Sunday) chasing girls, watching movies, exploring, drinking, etc.
Now I am married, so no more chasing girls. I have a child, so movies and singing rooms are out. I've been here over 5 years, so exploring is a waste of time.
This is going to be a long 2 years. |
I worked saturdays for 4 years and sundays for 2 years, liked the extra money I had to drop one of them becuase we never did anything as a family cause I was just making money all the time..
so I dropped the sundays.. and we did things on sunday etc..
after 2 more years of saturdays I decided working saturdays was not really worth it, we couldnt take any weekend trips or pretty much do anything on saturdays at all.. so I gave that up also.. WOW what a difference it made. I mean waking up saturday and not having to go to work just sit around the house and do nothing if I wanted.. we would take trips from friday night and come back sunday night.. was cool!!!
I told myself money is not everything and instead loaded up the car and took the family places, its fun just driving somewhere and seeing different parts of korea knowing I dont have to rush back home becuase I have to work sunday or saturday...
now maybe you are following the same path I was on..
in those days my daughter was4-5-6-7-- so as she got older she got more demanding of doing things.. so everland, movies, etc. was always on the cards
but now that my daughter is 10 she is happy doing her own thing ahahaha
so dude there is only a liitle window there before your child doesnt want to hang out with you much,3 years from now she will be forced to come hang outn with me 5 years from now! forgettabout it..hahhaahhaa so do things with your family , take pictures etc.. YES korea is boring! we drive around saying it all the time.. but there are places to go...
im back to working saturdays now becuase I own my own business so I have to but im thinking about dropping that too, life is to short..... |
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aquagirl
Joined: 09 Jan 2007
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| Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 8:00 pm Post subject: |
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| I find that there are always lots of things to do in Seoul - more than I can fit into my weekends. Check out the weekender sections of the Joong Ang Ilbo and the Korea Times/Herald. So many things going on all the time - festivals, art exhibitions, events at restaurants and bars...plus as others have mentioned there are many interesting neighborhoods to wander around. If you enjoy taking trips out of Seoul the RAS and other organizations have lots of tours including day trips or weekend trips. I think the key to enjoying Seoul is trying new things and meeting new people. It's the same with any city you live in - there are always lots of new places to visit if you keep yourself open to new experiences. |
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Scott in Incheon
Joined: 30 Aug 2004
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| Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 11:07 pm Post subject: |
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| When our daughters were young, Saturdays used to be freedom day. Give your wife one Saturday off where she can leave the house and do what she wants...and the next week you take the Saturday. This was really helpful for us. A bit of a sanity break is good for all parents of young children. |
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seoulteacher
Joined: 18 Nov 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 11:46 pm Post subject: |
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| Ilsanman wrote: |
| My daughter...10 months old...We have a budget and a plan to leave, but in the meantime I have to stay here for 2 more years not to ruin our plans. |
Ilsanman, how blessed you are: a daughter, all of 10 months old! And (am I right?) if we asked, you'd say that she's beautiful and that she means so much to you and your wife. A family, and you've got plans...
How about going down to the Han one evening soon, the three of you, and just sitting there in the cool Fall night air, and realising just how lucky you are to be a threesome, and to revel in your plans for the future, and to daydream about where those plans are going to take you all.
I kinda suspect that it's all in how you look at things...maybe you just need to remind yourself of all the promise the future holds: two years in Seoul, then on to the next stage of your adventure. Maybe you'd then be re-energized about working once again on Saturdays, if your plan calls for those savings. Or, if you could get by without Saturday work, look again at all the good sugestions for things to do that you've received on this thread; make a list and start by doing the things that don't cost so much.
And, if you're a bit burned out, that's all, then treat yourselves now to a li'l weekend trip to Busan or Kangneung or wherever...and, every coupla months or so, come back on here, and tell us how she's growing and what hijinks she's been getting up to, eh? (I'd say post photos here for us, but not possible...  ).
Enjoy! |
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aka Dave
Joined: 02 May 2008
Location: Down by the river
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| Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 2:05 am Post subject: |
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On Saturdays I go to the gym, play basketball, and maybe study Korean and correct essays. I'm a college football fan so I usually watch the Thursday night torrent, but I accidentally found out USC lost to Oregon State (WTF????) so that was too depressing to watch.
Life is short, man. You really want spend 6 days a week working? Find something you love to do. And do it. (if you love working then I guess you're set). |
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marlow
Joined: 06 Feb 2005
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| Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 4:20 pm Post subject: |
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If your money is good then load up the Saturday. You have evenings for your daughter, and do something really special Saturday evening. All day Sunday is open.
Unless you're independently wealthy, your daughter is going to appreciate money by the time she knows what's up. Saturdays can add a good 15 grand a year to your salary.
Being busy for money is not a problem as long as you do have time left for your family. |
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