The Real Eric Choi

okay... Cupid?

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:21:34 -0500

I signed up for an OKCupid account a few days ago. Why? I don’t know.

LET THE AWKWARDNESS COMMENCE!

Thailand: A tale

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:14:42 -0500

Foreword: A little bit of a spoiler, but on our second to last night in Thailand, in a remote bungalow near the beach in Ko Phangnan, we left our door unlocked. While we slept, I’m thinking around dawn, someone came into our bungalow, and stole as many valuables as he or she could including my video camera. Thus, all of my recorded adventures, which I hoped to share with you (such as views of Khao San Rd, clips of Ryan sleeping or deeply enthralled in his ridiculously thick fantasy novel, girls we hung out at the club who might or might not have been hookers, a hilarious audio clip of our verbal meanderings while watching the sky after we drank mushroom shakes, etc) were sadly taken from me and are floating around in a market somewhere in Thailand. For this I apologize, I will supplement my recollections with pictures from my digital camera, which was thankfully overlooked by the cat burglar who civilly left our ATM cards and passports with which we could wipe our tears.

Anyway: The Beginning

Charlie and Ryan, two other English teachers from Korea and my dear, dear friends, accompanied me to Thailand. We met up bright and early at Incheon Airport to get on our 10:00 am flight to Bangkok. After our four hour flight, we arrived at the airport in Bangkok and bought bus tickets that took us straight to Khao San road, the central backpacker area filled with knock off (but awesome) Busted Tee shirts, bars, guest houses and weird old ladies who peddle wooden frogs. Like a bunch of noobs, we searched around for a good deal on rooms and were cajoled into renting two rooms (because we have three people and rooms are normally made for two) at a cheap and frightening guesthouse a couple streets away from Khao San rd. We immediately set our bags down and decided to walk around.

The Khao San area is a bustling market that never sleeps. The hippie backpacker vibe battled the intense heat for superiority while Tuk Tuk drivers (basically motorcycles with a death cage in the back) solicited their driving wherewithal with constant badgering and popping of their mouths to signify that they knew where the good ping pong shows were. Around evening time, we came back to our guest house for a cool shower, and set out for a night of heavy drinking. Everybody knows that the first night as a tourist is the worst. We fell into overpriced trap after trap, getting our arms grabbed and caressed by cute thai girls dressed in incredibly tight, spandex like dresses with big beer signs emblazoned over their curves. We finally ended up at a bar which was nothing more than a small cave like room that had just enough room for the bar itself, where the patrons sat on kindergarten style mini plastic chairs ordering bucket after bucket of strong mixed cocktails for 200 baht (a little less than six dollars). After about three of these we were led by a curiously young foreigner who had been living in Bangkok for many a month spending his parents hard earned money to a club that was aptly named “The Club.” I wish I could tell you how nice it was in there, but after so many buckets, a man’s memory takes him only so far. Charlie was immediately grabbed by a beautiful young woman who, after careful deliberation, he decided had to be a hooker. He graciously pawned her off to me, where I gladly (drunkenly) bought her 120 baht beers until I had nothing but my credit card. After realizing I had no more money for the night (I had a strict 1000 baht (30 dollars) in the wallet policy), I waved the credit card toward the bartender. He looked at me with the “are you fucking kidding me bro? Get outta here” kinda face, and I knew my night was over. Thankfully Charlie and Ryan were done getting creeped on by the multitude of hookers in the club and we hit the high road to our mangy guesthouse. First day in Bangkok: (relative) success.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Do you guys remember mousetrap? This is like that times a...

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:13:38 -0500

Do you guys remember mousetrap? This is like that times a bajillion.

starcrossed1: allcreatures: Bejamira Neira Zapata caresses her...

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:16:41 -0500

starcrossed1:

allcreatures:

Bejamira Neira Zapata caresses her dog after a tsunami caused by the massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake almost destroyed her house in the village of Penca, Chile. Much of the village was washed away. At least 723 people died in the quake and tsunami.

Photo: Evaristo SA / AFP / Getty Images (via SFGate)

The sadness on her face is heart-wrenching.

"To me, a fetus is on the bottom of the totem pole. A fetus does not feel emotional pain, does not..."

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:08:02 -0500

“

To me, a fetus is on the bottom of the totem pole. A fetus does not feel emotional pain, does not have conscious thoughts, and does not have dreams to be a big shot football player some day. It does not have friends or families that it has made intimate connections with. It does not have career or life goals. It does not fear death because it does not have the mental capacity to understand what death is. It does not have a fated trajectory in life (you can’t argue that this was the person who would go on to cure cancer). And in the case of a woman seeking abortion, it will not be missed by loved ones because it is not even wanted to begin with.

And to me, these are the things that make us human and give us worth. Not heartbeats or brainwaves or unique genetic composition. If a woman decides that continuing a pregnancy will severely detrimentally affect her life, she has every right to have an abortion. She has all of these attributes, and her quality of life far outweighs the existence of insentient cells.

Yes, quality of life, not just her life itself. To me, the value of an unwanted fetus is low enough to not outweigh quality decisions. An unwanted pregnancy going to make you have to drop out of school? Quit your job? Be depressed and stressed? Feel free to choose an abortion.

”

- Blag Hag: Abortion & the value of human life (via bmckinney)

hell yeah

(via clingtomymouth)

(via ihatethismess) (via tiredofbeingignored)

(via alexfelt)

(via xvernishax) (via zombieslutfromhell)

I’m most definitely pro-choice. The only weakness I see in this argument is that it assumes that everybody who heeds these words are responsible. Most dumb young people are not responsible. You should not look at abortion like a get out of jail free card. You just destroyed something that millions of women would murder to have but can’t (Actually some do) because of medical or biological reasons due to the fact that you and your spouse were being irresponsible. I know there are honest accidents that happen all the time, and that is what abortions are for. But seriously, let’s not bring totem poles into this discussion. Moving on…

3.5yr College Ex.

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:31:15 -0500

datinginkorea:

Facebook keeps urging me to send him a message to ‘reconnect.’ Um, no thanks, FB? I’m good not knowing how he’s doing. But thanks. Really. Thanks for reminding me about him every day I login. I really appreciate it.

It’s worse when the person is dead. I get all like “SRSLY FACEBOOK!? What are you? Some kind of mindless, emotionless robot that can’t leave the memories of people where they ought to be left?” And then I realize I’m yelling at facebook and I get sad, because even with all of it’s flaws, it’s still facebook.

Back from Thailand, getting ready for school tomorrow.

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:06:40 -0500

Sorry for the lack of updates, I got back on Saturday night and have been recuperating for the past couple days.

A little taste of things I’m going to recap:

1. Bangkok - Khao San road is almost as dirty as people say.

2. Chang Mai - Mountain tribes, elephants, and delicious curry.

3. Ko Phi Phi - Resorty Island with nightly fire dance shows, cliff diving, snorkeling, and beautiful people.

4. Ko Phagnan - Another big island, “special shakes,” hookers, and getting cat burgled while asleep on our last night there.

It was a trip of a lifetime that I will not soon forget. The beaches were incredible and the warm weather was such a needed break from the bitter cold of Seoul’s winter. The jungles were beautiful and the mountain top balcony overlooking the bay where we had the special shakes was maybe the most breath taking experience of my life. When I have more time, I’ll be sure to recap each place in detail. But till then, cheers!

REC

Ko Phi Phi!

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 01:54:18 -0500

Ko Phi Phi is warm and entertaining, striking a good balance between being a family friendly resort and a Ko Phangan-esque party island. It’s beaches aren’t the biggest, as the main strip is enclosed by a bay with cliffs jutting out of water on both sides like protective guards. The scenery is incredible though, with the jungle carpeting the top of pocked, stone side cliffs. Cars aren’t allowed to go through the beach side town, which is made up of restaurants, guest houses and shops. This small but remarkable absence keeps everything pretty quiet, perfect for people watching (a rewarding activity considering the number of beautiful people walking around so scantily clad), or just taking a break from the equally peaceful beach area.

Tons of different island-y activities are just a few baht away. Make sure to book with professionals, if you get hurt while with a random longboat guide, he probably won’t be able to help you. We asked a longboat guide to take us cliff jumping, and while the actual cliff jumping was amazing and intense, climbing up to the cliffs were a painful and trying affair. To climb up to the cliffs, my friends and I had to scale a rock wall that reminds me of the surface of the evil looking asteroid that Bruce Willis has to destroy in Armageddon, but in smaller sharper form. This rock wall we had to climb, aptly named “razor mountain,” had such sharp points all over the rock that after our first friend climbed up, wincing and gingerly testing each foothold on the way up, we only needed to follow the trails and puddles of bright red blood that had formed over each jagged piece of rock. It was painful but the 10 and 15 meter jumps we were doing into the ocean was an experience that was ALMOST worth the hundreds of cuts I have on my fingers, toes, and any other body part that was unlucky enough to touch this surface.

Well, gotta go, this internet is not free.

REC

Chiang Mai

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 06:36:50 -0500

After three days in Bangkok (That’s honestly one more day than I wished to), we hopped on a night train to Chiang Mai, a northern city that’s pretty close to the mountains and jungles. We arrived at 7 in the morning from a horrible night of trying to sleep on the bus and decided we should start by looking for a room for the day. While eating, one of our buddies looked on one of the posters on the wall of the cafe and was like “you guys wanna do this jungle tour?”

We immediately agreed that resting up for the day and heading out bright and early tomorrow morning would be the absolutely pussiest thing in the history of Thailand, so we immediately shopped around for a two day- one night jungle tour and left right after.

This jungle tour was amazing by the way. You guys are going to poop yourself out of jealousy (does nobody else do that?) when you see these pictures Imma put up in a week or so. We saw some long neck people, hung out- ate- and slept in a remote village, rode elephants, and jumped off some small waterfalls. It was money, I’ll talk more about it when I can accompany all of it with some photos.

One thing though. When we were in the village in the middle of the jungle, the stars were shining in the millions. It was maybe the most beautiful night sky I have ever seen, and it’s so funny that none of the villagers, who were hanging out by the fire thought anything of it. They were like, “yeah, so? Who hasn’t seen a beautiful tapestry of lights strewn in miraculously random points that threaten to retreat into the enveloping darkness when looked at hard enough?” or something to that point. Just thought that was funny.

ps. I’m burnt like a lobster, and I like it.

REC

Muay Thai and Temples

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 23:38:47 -0500

Went to a Muay Thai class and honestly lost about 5 pounds in sweat.

Saw the reclining buddha also. It was large.

Leaving for Chang Mai at 5:30 today. We going to see Elephants and Monkeys and Jungles.

Pictures coming soon!

REC

BANGKOK

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 06:27:48 -0500

Touched down in Bangkok about three hours ago, got to Khao San Road, found a nice guest house and ate some linner. Now, for some heavy drinking.

Can't wait.

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 06:36:35 -0500

Laura referring to southern Thailand:

It really doesn’t matter where you go, there will be
drugs/alcohol/promiscuous people everywhere.

Urmmmmm… yes please?

If a girl sleeps with too many guys she's a hoe, but if a guy does then he's a pro.

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:13:43 -0500

(via ilovepocky)

No. He’s just REALLY gay.

proofmathisbeautiful: cello143: fuckyeahbisexuals:basementlily:...

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:50:57 -0500

proofmathisbeautiful:

cello143:

fuckyeahbisexuals:basementlily:cristiesays:(via ilovecharts)

Wow, this guy created this from facebook polls! Amazing. Go gay marriage!

Sorry: Preparing for Thailand > Blogging

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 03:41:04 -0500

Hey kids.

I’ve been a little bit busy this past week so please excuse me. I’ve been getting ready to hit Thailand, for which I’m leaving this coming Sunday. Sorry ladies, if you were thinking of getting me chocolates on the 14th (only girls give boys presents on actual Valentine’s Day), you’re going to have to slip them under my door, for I will be absent.

THAILAND: warm weather, beaches, jungles, cheap accommodations, beautiful women, cheap booze, elephants, monkeys, islands, goodness gracious, I may never come back.

Picture taken from Laura’s blog. She went down ALL OVER South East Asia, so check out some pictures and in depth coverage if you want some more info.

I’ll try to stay updated during my two week trip. BUT, no promises. PEACE!

REC

Korean not-so-useful, but amusing, phrase of the day.

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:49:06 -0500

jessicainkorea:

The game “rock scissors paper” in Korean is called:

가위 바위 보(kawi, bawi, bo)

Pronounced something like CALLY BALLY BO! said really fast.

가위 바위 보

is used to settle pretty much any dispute you can think of in the classroom: who will go first? who will get food first? who will get to ask the teacher a question?

It’s pretty great.

Not useful? This is the most important cultural commodity, second only to the all important kimchi!

As Jessica said, yelled very fast. In the case of ties or tournament like elimination, secondary rounds only require a quick and decisive “BO” to get play (for example: GAWI BAWI BO! BO! BO! BO!)

ewokgia: Teaser for A.D. animated zombie movie !!!

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 04:32:40 -0500

ewokgia:

Teaser for A.D. animated zombie movie

!!!

The problem with being open about my identity

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:23:59 -0500

is that my friends in the expat community, the girls with which I get romantically or sexually involved, and even my parents and relatives can easily read into my personal thoughts and opinions (some being about the readers themselves).

It really sucks because there is that conflict between anonymity (as in, getting to share your deepest thoughts, opinions, and desires without the slightest inhibition of someone you know reading about it) and ownership (as in, this is what runs through my head and I secretly wish the people I was directing it towards would see it and know it was me anyway).

A lot of people have their normal blogs and another anonymous blog, but after a couple months of doing that myself, I got lazy. It was too hard trying to divide my life into the “can share as Eric” and “have to share as bloggerdude.” It was fun (boy did I put some filthy and vivid posts on there), but it was also bothersome.

There are times where I ranted on people, and I’ve even been called out by someone who found out I was talking about them (Seriously though, Illogia?), but I can never really say all that I REALLY want to say.

I guess that’s a good thing though. Places like 4Chan, and even Tumblr, shows you how depraved and idiotic people can actually be. Although I can’t share everything I’m thinking, just because of some of the people reading my blog (hi dad!), maybe that’s a good thing. Sometimes sick, ridiculous albeit humorous idea should be shared in person, among friends, instead of to the entire world.

ON THAT NOTE

So I met a girl this past weekend

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:23:39 -0500

And she’s cute and smart just the way I like em.

Not like this is a drawback but she doesn’t drink and is also a vegetarian.

My first dates ALWAYS consist of going to bars, and even though she doesn’t mind that I drink, I feel bad ya know? Don’t really know what to do. I guess I’m going to have to look for one of those black tar heroine dens I’ve been hearing so much about. I hear they have couple specials.

Also, I love meat. And I love cooking meat. So that is sad too. By our third or fourth get together normal Eric Dating Protocol (EDP) calls for me to invite her over and then I cook her food. This food will 100% contain meat, it is standard procedure in Eric Dating Protocol. But I have to change this up now. No tofu though, do you know that shit raises estrogen levels? You heard me fellas, soybean is a great big womanizer (Isn’t that what the actual term should mean?). So you know, if anybody knows a great vegetable dish, please let me in on that, for I am out of my element.

lauraallover: You know when you grow up speaking a certain...

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 01:53:10 -0500

lauraallover:

You know when you grow up speaking a certain language or celebrating a certain holiday, and you think that everyone in the world lives the same way you do? Until you go to grade school (or college, even) and find out you were wrong?

For me, it was the Gondola sandwich. These are a staple to any Bloomington-Normal child’s diet, but are mysteriously absent from anywhere outside of central Illinois. There is something very specific about an Avanti’s or La Gondola sandwich that is much different from any average sub sandwich, and I am pretty sure you can’t find it anywhere but here. That’s not to say they are spectacular by any means, and most people who haven’t been eating them their whole lives probably think they are kind of gross or bland.

Anyway, the Gondola will always hold a special place in my heart. Much more so than Blo-No’s other claims to fame, such as Beer Nuts, State Farm, and David Davis. (Who is that? Exactly.)

My brother went to Illinois Weselyan, and let me tell you, we had our fair share of these when I came to visit. Delicious, especially when slathered in mustard and mayo.