Answers Part Dul

Question 1: Have you been dating, and, if so, who's the lucky lad?

No. I'm beginning to think I'll never date again. Or even meet a single cute smart funny interesting guy who isn't condescending and arrogant. I've met single guys. and cute guys. and funny and interesting guys. and arrogant and condescending guys. But none who fit all of those qualities (minus the last two of course).
I'm not bitter at all though. Clearly.

Next question!

Question 2: What's the nightlife like?

Before I answer this, it should go on the record that I'm not really a "nightlife" person. I'm more of a "lets go get coffee and read/chat person". I did go to a few bars and clubs in Daegu for Halloween, and it was pretty similar to the ones back home. I even got to play fooseball! But the epitome of Korean nightlife is in Seoul (in Hongdae), and its apparently a real happening place. It's close to a lot of the major universities, so there's tons of dance clubs and bars. Also, the subways close around 11:30! You would think this would make people leave earlier. But, it actually just means everybody stays out until the following morning. Clubs and bars don't have a specific closing time. They can stay open as long as they want. Also, the noraebangs (karaoke) and DVDbangs are open 24 hours a day.

One night, my friends and I went to Sinchon (right next to Hongdae) and stayed at a bar until around 1am. Since we couldn't get home cheaply, we went to a DVDbang until 5am when the subways open.

They have tons of movies to choose from. You pick one, they put it in for you, and it shows up on a big projector screen in your room. Although they tend to be popular for couples (if you know what I mean), ours was very clean.

Korea is also famous for their public baths or saunas. These are open 24 hours a day, and usually cost about 6,000 won to get in ($6). I haven't been yet, but there's hot tubs, pools, and nap rooms. The thing is...you take a shower first, and then you're naked! I get stared at so much with my clothes ON. I don't want to think about the stares I would get if they could see ALL of my white skin.

As much as Korea has a variety of fun things to do at night....my friends and I went out in Suwon last weekend (city of 3 million people and 14 universities). Every single place was D.E.A.D. I asked a girl I know who has lived in Korea for 2 years why, and she said "Everybody works hard during the summer to get a boyfriend/girlfriend, so they just stay in together during the winter when its cold." Come to think of it, this paragraph should probably be moved to question 1.

Question 3: Do you live near a U.S. military base? Do you ever run into any U.S. soldiers?

A) Not really. There's an air force base maybe 30 minutes away, but I never go that far south on the subway.
B) I met one guy (his fiance is an english teacher) in the army, and he is a really cool, nice, down to earth guy. But he's from Texas, so that's a no brainer.
However, unfortunately, the other soldies I've come across have been complete jerks. I realize they didn't choose to live in Seoul, but they were embarrassingly rude to other Koreans and extremely close minded about other cultures.

I KNOW I KNOW I KNOW that's not how most of the soldiers are, but I've only come across a very small group, and they were all like that. Which is probably why they were all hanging out together. But really-I know a girl who used to be stationed here, and she is nothing but nice and polite, so please don't get the wrong idea!