Friday, June 23, 2006

Topia Just Got Older

So, like, on June 5th, the Megacorporation known as Topia got birthified a while back. As such, the hagwon shipped us out East to Gangchon Resort: t'was a lush little spot with fields, trees, a super-cool hotel thing and -oh yeah- free ice creams all day.














We played some b-ball and tried really hard to 'bring it'. Unfortunately, there was no 'bringing' and we lost by one point. This, of course, after they change the rules mid-game and tell us "only 3 foreigners!" like we have much of a choice in our 7-person team anyHOO. Hmm, I taste just a hint of bitter in that story...














We were able to huddle really well though and thankfully we got a picture of that moment.














There was also a soccer match that we green shirts also lost. But then came the tug o' war and we wollopped em goodly. T'was a monumental occasion. THEN we had the relay race: Ah yes, 12 runners on each team passing the baton - Hilary as the first runner for our team and I as the last. As soon as the whistle blew Hilary started makin' some serious tracks and left the other teams in her sprintly dust. It was SO cool to see her running (and also cool to see her kickin' some butt)!!! Me proud of wifey. She had taught us all prior to the race how to pass the baton so we were pretty confidant in our skills. It got pretty close some times and though we lost the lead on one lap, our second last runner made up the space and regained our lead. She passed it to me and I took off with me wee legs churnin' away. I was so thrilled about the possibility that we might actually win and maybe get some prize money that I kinda failed to notice the baton getting stuck in my pocket. Of course, the next second, it was flying through the air. I could just see all my fellow green-shirted tpoia-ites dropping their jaws as their hopes for gold were suddenly dead-ified. But I am not one to just give up -nor am I one who doesn't run away quickly when incredibly embarassed in front of 350 Koreans. So I grabbed the red stick, put the 'Chariots of Fire' theme in my head and ran like only big tall lanky white boys can. I ended getting 2nd instead of last so that was cool, and it was also a good reminder that pride cometh before your baton gets stuck in your pocket. Alas and alack.

The grounds there were pretty nice, but the ladies were FANTASTIC!!!!
















After the games (we got 3rd place; you may not think it much, but let me tell you - no-one else got 3rd place. That's what makes us winners) they gave us free reign at the sauna and we partakedened muchly to our most esteemered joy. Then we had a beautiful dinner over-looking a scrumptious vista.














And then, there was 4 HOURS of strange entertainment, skits, karaoke and sing/dance alongs. Behind us there was a group from Samsung practicing a 80's-ish Star Wars space-dance routine. It was eclectic like only Koreans know how to do it.

A great Sunday though! We didn't win any prizes but we got some tupperware, hand towels and oodles of life experience. We are now better people for the world. Thank you Topia. Thank you for being born in an economical sense.

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