Weekend Ride to Ansan, Love my friends @ Dongsan Presbyterian Church!

E-n-g-l-i-s-h a-s a S-e-c-o-n-d L-a-n-g-u-a-g-e ESL

I've found myself teaching ESL for a second consecutive year in Korea. Teaching in Korea is like a "body-building competition", you have 12 months with these English learners which demands all your patience and dedication, but it's worth all of it. The Korean children are everything, they are a challenge and a gift to have in the classroom. There isn't a day that passes where I am not "surprised" by something they say or do. It's particularly exciting to see them reading fluently, answering questions on a dime, and being able to communicate ideas using English. In the beginning, my former students were not efficient in English, though they have studied for several years. I've found success in the results from my lessons and teaching methodologies so far. It's a process of learning how they learn, then assisting them to learn quickly. My new job is great. These students have learned English for years (from 3-4 years) or they have lived abroad for English immersion. It's amazing to discuss lessons from our "Teen Talk" conversation book, they can talk for 1.5 hours! My lessons are complex, layered, and sequenced to consume 90-minute blocks. It's challenging, but rewarding at the same time. If your interested in teaching ESL, send a message, they are always hiring in Korea! ^^++ Warm wishes & Seasons Greetings!

English is a Big Business in South Korea!

I completed a mega-teaching experience over the past 12 months, crossed the finish line, and saved $ for the baby expenses coming soon! We moved immediately following the contract completion. I'm in a Chicago-ish city 1 hour from downtown Seoul. I haven't ventured out yet on my own. I've only taken a cab to work on Thursday (first day at the new job) and rode the bike yesterday. It's only blocks away (1 metro stop) from our Officetel, which is a giant and modern living complex that has studio units with heated wood-floors, and is cozy. With a baby, this one-room bungalow will be really small. Mi Sung is almost 7 months pregnant, we know it's a boy! His name will be Matthew James. Of course, Mi picked his given name, I chose his middle name (middle name chosen to remember my #1 friend from the UK/USA...James P.), and the name combinations are quite unique. We're excited, but we just snug and spend quiet time together now awaiting his birth. Mi quit her teaching job last Wednesday with me, she worked there for 16 months, and I worked there 12 months. Glad to move on...and I never worked so much in my life as I did in the past year. I've started another teaching job at an Empire English Academy, they have 1000+ after-school students at one location, with 5/6 other schools around Seoul! I estimate this academy grosses $350~400,000USD per month at this single location. English education is big business in South Korea. Anyways, Christmas is just 24 days away. I wanted to get this note off early. Hope to hear from all my friends and family. Blessings and hope all is well for everyone back home. Have yourself a warm and cheerful holiday season! ^^++ Brian in Korea.

Cheonan weekend ride, Gyunggi Province, Korea

105 Diaper-Free Days left, Reflections of Baba

I thought the title would look inventive. Actually, it's true Mi Sung is expecting our baby #1 in February 2008. I'll be 35.1 years old when the baby's born, and I can already imagine the diaperama, and I have been browsing the ailes in the supermarkets to check on prices, about $25-30 CDN a pack in South Korea. Maybe we should use the old towel wrap that my Romanian Baba (grandmother) used on me back in the early 70's when all the diapers ran out? By the way, Baba just celebrated her 98th birthday in Windsor, 82 years since she left a small town in Romania coming to Canada without a single relative. She the "Rock" or "Corner Stone" of my family in Canada, always without fail setting the best example for all of us to follow (if we choose to). Baba is my personal Hero, the one person in my life that took care of me as a baby, always shared her unconditional love, was unbiased, undistracted by her own priorities, and survived a lot of tremendous obstacles including poverty, destitution, and being an endentured servant upon arrival to Canada on a remote farm in Saskatoon. Later in life, she met my grandfather (Stoijon, Stephen in English), he had been born in 1887-1889 in Bosnia. In his early teens, he traveled to Germany and later Italy to find work. He eventually landed in Detroit, and laid brick "cobble stones" when the roads were crossed by horses, and only a few cars. He had many friends living across the Detroit River in Windsor. He crossed the border since he wasn't a citizen of either country, and settled in Windsor. In the 1920's, he worked for the Ford Motor Company, in fact, his employee # is in the hundreds, he worked in the Foundary and later became a supervisor. Ford's required all management at the time to purchase a new car every year. So the last healthy-working year for my grandfather was in 1935. He purchased his last Ford, a 1935 Ford V-8 Deluxe with spoked wheels and straight-8, aluminum block engine, no heater, no air conditioning, two bench seats (first model to have a back seat after the earlier coupes. If the engine didn't start by battery, there's a hand-crank in the front grill, turn it to start the engine. The Great Depression wiped out a lot of my grandfather's legacy in Windsor. After years working in the foundry, he developed many respiratory illnesses (Black Lung Disease in short), and was continually in/out of the hospital while my father was only an elementary school student. My father learned to drive at 12 years of age in order to drive my grandfather to the hospital or run errands for my grandmother. My dad said that many of the streets in Windsor were either dirt, pavement or brick "cobble stone" in some areas. My father drove this 1935 Ford after the Depression into the late 60's (1967 to be exact) when he graduated from St. Clair College as a general accountant. He worked for the Toronto Dominion Bank on the corner of Ouelette Ave and Riverside Drive (Chrysler Building today) and then moved to become an accountant and business manager at the Windsor Star newspaper. He devoted the next 18 years to the Windsor Star and recruited my sisters and I work in the mailing department. Together my family worked for the Windsor Star for 43 years combined, but the Windsor Star downsized my father two-years before he would be eligible for his Retirement Pension. After 18 years of dedicated service, working many Saturdays for free, the newspaper betrayed his loyalty and the memory still haunts me till this day. Back to the past, my father and his sister had tremendous responsibilties to support their family in Windsor. As a result of my grandfather's departure from Fords for his health problems, and the financial liquidation that took place during the Great Depression, they had limited means. Baba left Romania at 16, she had little formal education and left school to work at a young age (perhaps grade 3 education), but her practical knowledge to survive in this world took her around the world without English. In Canada, Baba was always a hard worker because her life depended upon it. To this day, she cannot read/write in English, she never had time to learn and the people she worked for in Canada, used her for cheap labor, which made literacy an impossible task. Today, Baba will still talk-your-ear-off because she learned to speak English so well. She used to live with my family in Windsor, there were 8 of us living together in one small house. She used to cook fresh donuts at home and give me the four/five to tuck under my shirt, before my sisters and cousin came to get theirs. She always treated me with respect, she taught me about life through stories of the sometimes terrible and funny experiences she had been through in her life. I have learned so much from my grandmother, it would not be possible to express it here. She has set the best examples of honesty, integrity, morality, compassion for others, and unconditional love that I seek out everyday in this world. I want to live to be like her, it will take a lot of patience and understanding to succeed as she has in her lifetime. She used to love watching wrestling WWF (Hulk Hogan, Rowdy Roddy Piper, etc.) and eat KFC in the paper buckets, cooking, cleaning, washing clothes (sometimes by hand) and hanging everything out back on the clothesline. She loved spending winters in Daytona, Florida in her early 70's and 80's watching the party-animals, the Bikers, the College Partyers tearing down the hotels nearby her. She's my grandmother, and I love her. In total, my family has overcome many difficulties in our history in Canada, it's never been easy... ^^++

It's Saturday & Sunday, I ride on every weekend in Korea

Funky mountain bike ride on Sunday in South Korea.

Halloween just wasn't at our hagwon (Academy)

Can you believe the Spirits of the Jack-o-Lantern, inventive costumes, games and fun could be absent in an after-school academy in South Korea. Anything is possible, or impossible here, and Halloween was no exception! ^^++ Boohoo! We did have the grace to hand out some candy to our students which was nice, but one sneaky class told my owner that I threw candy at them, after clarification everything was alright. Hmmmm. I wish we had a pumpkin with a candle burning all night, and here there's no children visiting door-to-door. Well, that's a tradition we shouldn't take for granted in the West, and definitely celebrate to the fullest each year. ^^++ Remember us "Kids" deserve it! The countdown continues...T-minus 14 days

My teaching contract ends November 28th, 2007!

I'm in the final stretch of a 12-month teaching odyssey in South Korea. It's finally been almost one entire year that I've been living/working in Korea. Of course, there is no summer holiday familiar with teaching in Canada. This is a 12-month teaching contract, and you work 12 months of the year. I evaluated 80 students progress this month, and created 80 examinations for all of them. Could there be more work, the answer is clearly NO. I am looking forward to moving into a new teaching position, new students, new environment, new city around Seoul. It's been an incredible year because the challenges are daily, and just routine isn't. Korean elementary and middle school students keep me on my toes almost 7 hours per day, and that is an incredible level of teaching. ^^++ Ready to roll onto the next job, new students, new apartment, new city!

Jinny's Wedding in South Korea

I received my first wedding invitation in South Korea, I was so excited to attend Jinny's wedding today! ^^++ She looked fabulous in her long, white wedding dress and her new husband is handsome. Getting ready for the wedding took some work. I decided to give Jinny a photograph on Mt. Tohamsan with the following words written on it, "Blessings on your wedding day, May the road rise to meet you and the winds be at your back, May all your dreams come true and may God bless you together." The wedding went really smooth, it was a beautiful place, and yes...the food was delicious! Jinny gave me a cute invitation card last week...and gave directions written in English across from the Junggang Station, also written in Korean Hangeul. Unfortunately, the subway station has a city built around it, so I started out on the wrong side of the tracks and went to another wedding hall. I was redirected by the BANG BANG shop seller to the other side of the train station. Funny thing, I was in a shirt/tie and dress slacks tucked into my socks, while toting a paper bag with my framed print and wearing a backpack, of course I'm riding my almost famous MTB. ^^++ I pulled up to another wedding hall, went inside and showed my invitation, they directed me down the street to another wedding hall. I realize now how the movie "Wedding Crashers" got it's start, finally at the third wedding hall I found the Noblesse Room and lovely Jinny and her husband-to-be were on the alter getting ready to exchange their vows. The ceremony was wonderful and the music in the reception area was played with a classical flute and two violins, very relaxing!!! I took my wedding photos and by this point, was happy to finally talk to the bride. We never took a photo together, I completely forgot about it when I gave Jinny her gift. ^^++

Autumn rules in South Korea!

We're having some of the best weather of the entire year right now! Sunshine. Blue skies. Warm days with cool breezes. Very cool nights. It's exceptional weather. I went to Dongsan Church to see the guest speaker David Wakefield, a Missionary who spent 20 years working in Papua New Guinea in Bible translations. He gave a very detailed sermon about his life's work, and experiences living in native communities. Next Sunday, it's Professor Phil Galley, another gifted speaker who has a wealth of experiences abroad, considering he's lived outside of the US for more than 40 years! Our church is one of the largest in South Korea, take a look, and navigate through the Korean if your browser supports East Asian languages, you'll need an XP cd to see Korean Hangeul. Ansan Dongsan Church After the worship service (very touching, exceptional music too), I joined a few friends for noodles in the express cafeteria serving warm noodles on the first floor to hundreds of devotees. It's a wonderful experience being apart of this Christian organization, ^^++ After worship and the warm noodles, I needed to redesign this blog, eliminating the Slide Shows, they took too much CPU for most of us. So, it's just a simple/positive blog, the way bloggin' should be. ^^++ Late afternoon, I rode through Ansan and crossed paved service roads which pass countless rice fields, some harvested, others being harvested today. The weather was glorious and I rode all the way to Suwon, and took the subway back to Ansan for 1400 Korean Won, $1.50 ^^++ Simple pleasures, especially with the bike... Blessings to my friends and family from South Korea. Happy Birthday Nan & my grandmother Baba, and nephew Rian! Sanna Chukka Ham-Ni-Da! Only five more weeks to go till i start my new job teaching, new city, new students, new experience, looking forward to all of it!

Sokcho to Gyeungju to Busan Bike Trip (FINAL)

I'm back home from the bike trip! It was awesome, F-R-E-E-D-O-M for 4 straight days, no teaching, no classrooms, no students, just time to explore South Korea. During the trip I bicycled across many coastal mountains, passed seashores, forests, and met many kind and friendly Korean people of all ages.

In Gangneung, I stayed at a Jim-Jil-Bang and repaired my Ipod at a local PC Bong. I met a helpful guy named Sanghwan Lee "Mr.Lee" who gave detailed directions to find my Jim-Jil-Bang (sauna/sleeping house) for the night. Sanghwan sent word after my trip, Thanks Mr. Lee! ^^++ After I repaired the mp3 player, I soaked in hot tubs and saunas for a few hours and relieved all the stress from my muscles. The sleeping rooms are spacious, but people are moving around for most of the night, if you want to sleep eight hours, better take a motel room ^^++. The bike ride was already paying off, I had seen so much beautiful scenery already from Sokcho down to Gangneung, a 6 hour bicycle ride for the first day.

The next day, from Gangneung, I rode through drizzle and occasional pouring rain (cats and dogs!) and finally stopped at a cozy restaurant in Samcheok. The meal was delicious and I was sleepy, everything I was wearing was completely wet, everything else in my clothing selection was also soaked. I spent an hour and a half reflecting on the rain outside, while watching a wooden waterfall paddle-wheel rolling in the front yard. When I paid the bill, I explained that I was traveling to Gyeongju, the mother/owner and her two sons urged me to take a bus, they suggested it might be 350km's to Gyeongju...and it was still raining. I agreed with them, and the truck/bus/car traffic was noisy along the highway with the wet pavement. In a way, I "wimped out" and rode to the Samcheok Express Bus Terminal.

In about 30 minutes, a bus was arriving bound for Pohang in Gyeongsanbuk-do province. It would slice 3.5 hours off my entire bike trip, but considering my circumstances and the weather, I chose a warm, dry, and comfortable bus ride to Pohang. Since, I shortened the trip by an actual 20 hours (my average speed on those mountains was a mere 10km/h...and 50km/h on steep descents). Only 3.5 hours to travel an actual 200km on the deluxe express bus, unbelievable!

I arrived in Pohang around 6pm, and asked around for directions to the nearest Jim-Jil-Bang (sauna/sleep/family guesthouse). Everyone was helpful again...Koreans always want to help, I see this everywhere I have gone on this bike, truly sincere people, I love them! ^^++ The Jim-Jil-Bang in Pohang was clean, comfortable, and welcoming too! It was also so inexpensive, I stayed the entire night, soaked in jacuzzi tubs, saunas, and cold tubs, and ice rooms, and ate traditional Korean food, and had a 20-minute massage ($1.00 automated leather chairs) all for less than an entree at an Outback Steakhouse or something similar. I also met an amazingly friendly family whom I spent most of the time with. They took some pictures of our group together...I really hope they send them shortly, so I can post them on this blog ("POHANG FRIENDS" photo). The father worked for POSCO Steel 30+ years, and had three children, 2 daughters (Josette/Eun) and her sister(both attending universities in Seoul, and his son Matthew who was a middle school student. His English name is Matthew, and he and his cousin and another close friend followed me around the Jim-Jil-Bang...the restaurant...the cold rooms..the hot sauna rooms...and the family recreation/relaxtion area where I met their entire family! The boys told funny jokes and playfully made fun of each other. They also suggested names for my first baby, we're expecting this coming February. I really miss them and hope they send email soon to keep in touch!

The following day was rainy (what a surprise!) but I had laid out all my cycling clothes in the 40 degree Celcius sauna rooms (never do this in Korea!!!) and everything was dry. I geared up after grabbing hot shower and another 3 hard-baked sauna eggs at the Jim-Jil-Bang. I ate those eggs everyday of my trip! They are full of protein and easily digested on a light stomach...makes cycling a lot easier. I loaded my thrifty tupperwear travel case on my rack, and started off the next morning for Gyeongju. It was an easy ride for a single day, although it was still rainy, it was only a mist and this was certainly a blessing compared with the previous day's ride.

Well, I arrived in Gyeongju and it started to rain, so I just kept riding until I found the Train Terminal, and when I did it stopped raining completely, and then the sun came out, oh yeah! It was gorgeous, glorious, and I just couldn't believe I had finally arrived. At the information center, next to the train station, they gave me directions to the Seo-Cheon Guesthouse, which is the cheapest accomodation with rooms for two, I stayed alone in a private Korean-style room complete with TV,etc..for only $15 a night. Most guests were staying 2-4 per room, or $7.50...$2.50 per person. What a deal for a clean and comfortable accomodation...better than the HILTON! Ha! ^^++

Here's a complete list of Gyeongju accomodations for you to choose from - Use this link to the Seo-Cheon Backpackers & other inexpensive hotels/yeogwons. The Seo-cheon Guesthouse or Yeogwon in Korean is operated by Mr. Park. The yeogwon was basic, but the rooms were comfortable and clean, the owner is very friendly and helpful too! It's located two blocks from the Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal, easy to find from the train terminal downtown. First, I cycled through the shopping district downtown and had a few tasty cold ones before returning to the Guest House. There, I met a group of Economics majors from Shanghai and did a night tour of the Daereung-won Royal Tombs. Later I met a group of Super-Cool, Expat-American English teachers that invited me in for cards, and conversational English (heehee!) they were all warm and welcoming. I had coffee and Korean Song-Pyong with them in the morning and gave Jenn (NYC) my contact info before riding south to Seokguram Grotto and distant Busan. These Song-Pyong are similar to Mooncakes I ate before in China. Later the same day, I met Dirk from Belgium in the early afternoon nearby Bulguksa Buddhist temple and ate Bi-Bim-Bop under deep blue skies with white pillowy clouds rolling overhead. Gyeongju was miraculous, full of history, interesting places, and friendly people (Korean & foreign) from everywhere. I recommend reading Jenn's accounts of Korea, she's informative and entertaining in her reports. Link to: Jenn's Adventures of an Ex-PatI also met a couple who are teaching at the English Village in Paju, they really recommend that job for enjoyable ESL teaching/living conditions in Korea. You can find more information about Paju English Village by searching Google. Finally, it was farewell time for Gyeongju city, and time to ride 18km's southeast to Bulguksa Buddhist Temple, and Seokguram Grotto home to a well-hidden treasured stone Buddha. ^^++

After visiting Mt. Tohamsan, I was back on my bike heading south along Route 7 to Ulsan. After passing Ulsan-si (city), it was getting late and the highway was not well-lit (completely dark actually, apart from headlights of the passing cars). I climbed a 3km grade over a mountain and stopped 50m from the top. My energy was totally consumed. I ran out of water and didn't have even a candy bar to nibble on. I dreamed of falling asleep standing up. Finally, I gave it one last push and reaching the Hyundai Oilbank station. There I met two more wonderful Koreans, Gwang Myeong Lee and Mr. Park and they welcomed me for Korean Thanksgiving with hot coffee and Korean Ddukk rice cakes. They were extremely welcoming and they took some photos of us together. They gave me a place to rest so I could finish the final 40kms into Busan. Thanks Guys! ^^++ Heaven!

The ride from Gyeongju city to Busan was very long for a single day. I was a little rushed to get back to Mi Sung, so I started at 10:30am and didn't quit until 9:30pm. I finally reached the Busan city limits and followed directions from people I passed along the way towards the Express Bus Terminal. It was impossible to miss, and my bus to Seoul was leaving in just 30 minutes, the timing was perfect...my return bus trip during the Chuseok Thanksgiving holiday, took 8.5 hours, traveling only 400kms, now that's a lot of traffic!

In just one day, I rode from Gyeongju city, to those shots of Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple on Mt. Tohamsan. Then, onto Ulsan, South Korea and finally Busan, South Korea. The trip took two parts, each segment took 20 hours. I completed the trip in 40 hours crossing over 450km of mountains, peaks and valleys, police, new friends, 4 holes in the rear tire, free coffee at every gas station we stopped along our route, and a return to the bike, my two-wheeled friend. I haven't ridden any distance like this since 1990-1991 when I rode to Grand Bend, Ontario with Ciro Viviano a couple times, those trips were 240km each way relatively flat terrain, it took us 10 hours each way (6am Windsor, 4pm Grand Bend, vice versa for the return). What I learned from all those hours of huffing and puffing over one mountain and the next, was that Korea is a really mountainous country!

The missing second half of this trip took 2 days and I completed the entire journey a few weeks ago. Samcheok, South Korea to Pohang, South Korea covered 200km. Since I missed this segment of the trip during the rainy Korean Chuseok (Thanksgiving), I returned to complete the entire distance on a bike.

From Ansan-city, Gyunggi-province, I took a subway to Seoul Express Bus Terminal, and traveled back to Samcheok to complete the northeast to southeast route. It was tough to pack 200kms in a weekend, so I rode 'like a Phoenix rising out of the ashes', and with Mr. Cho-In Gwang's help, we covered 140km in a day together. The weather was extraordinary (near perfect with lots of sunshine and only a few clouds in the sky) we hammered the pavement for hours and hours together. I started off from Samcheok, Kangwon-do province at 11:30am...while Mr. Cho started from Gangneung north of me at 10:00am. After my police escort to leave the Asian highway, then a miserable 4km mountain climb to the coast (photo of the red posted "danger" sign written in Korean Hangeul), I dropped into a small Korean town and had ice cream with Mr. Cho. He happened to be riding in the same direction that day, actually his destination was Daegu, South Korea. We didn't know each other previously, and had no idea we were heading in the same direction until that moment. So, we decided to team up and I shut off the mp3, I didn't need it anymore because I had someone to talk to. It was an amazing ride that lasted until 2am! We were both so beaten up from riding the distance we finally rode into a small town and Mr. Cho located a comfortable Yeogwon/Guesthouse. These accomodations have spacious single rooms, traditional Korean style, similar to the Seo-Cheon Yeogwon in Gyeongju. We slept like rocks in the bottom of the ocean that night, all for $20 split between the two of us. Korea bike travel is simply, inexpensive. ^^++

"Life is a highway, I want to ride it all night long!" Tom Cochrain.

Sokcho to Gyeungju to Busan Bike Trip

I am currently enroute to the historic southeastern city of Gyeungju. I have pedaled for almost 6 hours today, from Sokcho to Gangneung. I currently write from a PC Bang, an internet gaming cafe. My upper upper legs are still burning, so I stopped to buy some metholatum to rub into these cramping muscles. It was a rainy day for most of the ride. I am relieved the rain finally gave it a rest, it's currently clear. ^^++ Still many miles to go. Tonight I am spending the night in a Jim-Jil-Bang, which is an incredible public bath/sauna/family that has full-facilities including fitness clubs, a restaurant, the saunas, and the general relaxation areas with big-screen TVs and sleeping mats. Tonight the Jim-Jil-Bang is only 4,500 KR Won, less than $5. This place is extremely clean, relaxing, and I can stay all-night, sleeping on mats in "quiet/sleeping rooms." The eastern Korean coastline is beautiful, miles of untouched beaches and barb-wired fences and numerous seaside villages. There were also numerous small-scale military bases throughout central Kangwon-do Province, reminder that the country is still fortified against invaders from North Korea. South Korea itself, is a beautiful country, and this bicycle trip really has been "eye-opening" to the beauty of a country that has history stretching back 1000's of years. The route I am taking is Route 7, along the spectacular route bordering the Pacific coastline. I have met numerous Koreans, all were extremely helpful, and really genuinely interested in my cycle trip. This is a safe, welcoming country to travel across, and either in English, Korean, or body-language, it is easy to communicate with everyone, and everyone is willing to help! ^^++ Thank you! I have no idea when I will stop, I will to try the "deep heat" treatment and see if my legs can take more pounding. Peace and love out to all my friends and family in Korea and around the cosmos. I love my honey, she's lonely at home without me. Stay tuned for more...

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EXPLORING KOREA CLICK HERE!

Two weeks until "Chuseok" // Letters to my family in Canada Returning to Korea, 2007 //

South Korean "Chuseok" is a celebration for Thanksgiving. 

Families will gather and eat Duk (sticky rice cakes), fresh fruits and cooked fish are the selected cuisine. Buchinggue (Korean veggie pancakes) are also popular on this holiday. Chuseok (Korean: 추석), originally known as hangawi (한가위 from archaic Korean for "the great middle (of autumn)", is a major harvest festival and a three-day holiday in Korea celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar.

Most foreigners I know are traveling abroad outside of Korea. The most popular destination this time of year is Cambodia. Another former English teacher "Ben" is mountain biking along the coast of Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia and finally Thailand with another former teacher and outstanding guy, Scott. If I had the time/$, I would like to ride on a similar adventure, but our baby is coming, and it could be dangerous. 

1994 KONA Explosif mountain bike around Daegwallyeong

Mountain biking in South Korea

There is a cheaper alternative to expensive overseas vacation travel - this year, I will ride my mountain bike across the eastern coast of South Korea. So I'm taking that option and riding from Sokcho to Gyeongju starting on September 22. It'll be an East Coast trip to the southeast corner of Korea. This will be my first adventure crossing the country on a mountain bike. Looking forward to the trip!

According to the Lonely Planet, For almost 1000 years, Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla Dynasty...it has it's origins as far back as 57 B.C. 

The area is well known for it's royal tombs, Buddhist temples, and numerous other options to check out. ^^++ Question is, can I find a riding companion in so little time...I'll put the word out, it would be cool to ride with someone having a similar interest. But, I'll meet Mi Sung in Gyeongju around the 24th of September if I ride 10 hours per day. We'll have a great time. ^^++ 

It's also been 14 years since I first motorcycled across the USA on my Suzuki GS500. 

I did similar rides in 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1998. I rode "cinco" times across the United States, and once from Alberta to B.C. all alone on my own motorcycle. I totaled more than 24,000 miles in 60 days (including two winters in Ontario). My photo albums are non-digital, so for now it's not included in Blogger. Maybe I'll update those old stories and scan the photos to share next year. My last ride was on a 2005 Honda CBR600, from White Cloud, Minnesota (where I bought it from eBay) to Windsor, Ontario. I totaled only 1200 miles and sold the bike before returning to Korea. I'm too old for "crotch rockets" but they make touring more exciting...Dad, good luck with those Spanish, Korean and ??? lessons.

Music :: And Life

I wish my life could be as smooth as the music I listen to. Turbulent weeks in Korea have passed and continue to root out my contentment. Some days are the best days of my life because the challenges I throw off are endless, so it moves my life forward with a deep pulse. Thanks for visiting my blog, Blessings to all my friends and family!!! ^^++

Facebook & Blogger ^^++ Ode to friends!

Hopefully some of my old friends and family will find their way to my diary about Korea. Hello friends and family! I've come down with a cold the past two days, following the looooooong intensive teaching month for elementary and middle school students. I think when you push so hard working long hours, and suddenly stop, you catch a cold really easily. It's great to see my buddies from the surf days in San Diego. James is missed too!!! Hard to believe it's been more than 7 years since we were all played soccer at USD fields and having the BBQ in Long Beach. Moreso, I am meeting up with friends from elementary, high school and university on Facebook after 10...15...20 years! How the years go. Some friends I met over the past 10 years while traveling/working/schooling...I really miss you all! I miss everyone who has called me a friend in the past/present, who are now living in distant places, but you know guys, your never forgotten. Take Care & Blessings to you! ^^++

Rain to clear the air

Interesting weather pattern in South Korea. Obviously, we have enough humidity and pollution that on many summer days would call for smog-advisories. I have lived downwind of Detroit, and now Seoul which adds to pollutants coming from not-so-far-away China. One day I want to live Northwest of all the cities, away from this smog, one day it'll happen and we'll be healthier. ^^++ Rain is our best friend in Korea. Rain flushes out this Eastern air, and the following days are always the best days of the entire year! Please, more rain, more rain! The month of August is a our definitely hottest and the most humid month of the year. "Clear blue skies" are only dots on a map, or diamonds in the rough when living near Seoul. I've changed my mind about rain, I love it! Please, more rain, more rain! It flushes out our grey sky ^^++ Coworkers are going to Sokcho for the weekend, they may summit one of Seoraksan Peaks, the highest of all South Korean mountains, sounds like fun. Should I stay or should I go...tomorrow is the last 10 hour teaching day, I don't think I can muster the strength to do another 4.5 hours on buses and trains. Hope Sean & Erin are having stupendous breaks...God Bless their safe arrival back to Korea!

Summer Sizzle Almost Over!

We've been hit by high temperatures, steamy humid air masses, and intensive summer teaching days (which would have been better spent on holidays!). 1 week of hammering English classes to go. It will be easy for our students, they're only in the school for a few hours a day, it's the teacher's that really deserve all the glory (if there is any?). The meek, or easily-tired need not apply for ESL teaching jobs...a lesson easily learnt in the course of a year contract in South Korea. Otherwise, we are very happy, and we have nothing to complain about either! Mi's in her first trimester, so she had headaches and feels nausea often through the day. Poor girl! I tried to give her a scalp and neck massage, it seemed to work! She is now reading "Anne of Green Gables" and is quiet, the massage must have been therapeutic. We rested most of the weekend, and today went into the computer market in Yongsan. The place has every gadget associated with computers, gaming, audio, or entertainment(minus Xbox's and true commercial US products). We realized in all their gagetry for sale, their are no printers available. Maybe Homever, Lotte Mart, or Homeplus will solve that problem. The weather has cooled off, with rain showers throughout the day today. In Sokcho, along the east coast...I read about flooding and other problems in Kangwondo province and other provinces south of here. We've been spared, but I still wish we could see more sunny, smogless days. This is not the ideal environment to be cancer-free, so the daily exposure to Seoul's washout isn't appetizing if your looking up. We spend the majority of our times in school, teaching English, hoping the lessons will eventually hit home...and more Korean children will learn to be fluent in their official second language. Hope all is well when you read this! Greetings to Andrew in Washington, you'll be long missed in Ansan! Farewell!

Teaching is a conquest in Korea

Either conquest or be conquered in the institute (henceforth, Hustle or Be Hustled) Our summer intensive session has been a pounding on the body/mind/voice, tremendous efforts in 44+ hours spent mainly teaching. Of course, spare moments in the office are used to speed-prepare for the 10 daily classes, 4 hours in the morning, and 8 more on MW and Fridays back-to-back. Tuesdays and Thursdays I add another 8 hours of work...Overtime Overtime Overtime, uh oh! No paid overtime, no union, nobody with the nerve to complain about it either. Ouch! Democracy is only a fairy tale in the world I work in. Tis' Tis' ^^++ I'll keep my chin up and try to enjoy more classes...the next job will be much better! But hard work will pay off in professional teaching experience abroad, a salary, and a life I could only have dreamed of years ago. ^^++ Korea is an excellent adventure, a challenge, never easy, but a very rewarding place live/work!

JEJU ISLAND - GETAWAY

We just returned from our petit vacances d'ete, we visited famed Jeju Island. Our first stop was Jeju International airport at the north end of the island. The elaborate plans I made in advance of our trip melted away on day 1. Instead of catching the 3:00pm ferry to Biyang-do from Hallimhang, we took a taxi directly to Geumneung/Hyeopjae Beaches which are within 1km view of the Biyang island. Geumneung Beach was our final destination for the first day. There we found clear Pacific blue waters, white sands and coal-black lava rocks dotting the coastline. The two beaches were separated by the campsites in a mixed palm and pine forest over the sandy dunes. The campsite was excellent for "day-camping or picknicking", we rested in the shade after our swim under some thick palm trees. The windy day was accompanied by warm sea breezes and salt water that felt like a bathtub in many shallow areas. The sealife was abundant, there were countless small crabs, sea snails, and tiny fish passing through the shallow waters. This beach was ideal for photography, snorkling, relaxing, or beaching like a small whale. Night camping was another story. The wind completely stopped blowing in the late afternoon. It was extremely hot and humid and we found no relief from the temperatures far outside our comfort zone. We went into the village and found an awesome restaurant, there we cooled off with a delicious food, and I had couple pints of CASS. We should have taken a room for 40,000Won/night, but thought the camping was more ideal. We were wrong, we spent the night sweating and imagining a cool breeze that wasn't there. Then a group of 12-15 noisy teenagers decided to have a midnight picnic nearby, the noise kept going despite all the sleeping Korean families tenting around us. Finally, I went over and warned the group to keep quiet, they mouthed off in English, and I let them know I would call the police if they didn't keep quiet. They kept on partying and screaming, and of course the police arrived, and they kept on screaming at the police, and then they started to clean up the mess, and they were all free to go. We finally got back to sleep about 1:30am, and by 3:00am it was cool, we slept until 6:00am. We got up and started to clean out the tent, and prepare to leave. As soon as the sun was in our path, we began to melt. I couldn't believe how hot and humid it became with the suns return that morning. We struggled to fold up our "Quick Setup", and brutally difficult to put down camping tent. Thank God someone had a brain, Mi Sung figured it out and collaped the tent properly, I offered a hand but no brain impulses, probably because I was sweating so profusely, I was overheated. We hit the road immediately, and we eventually caught a local bus running to Seogipo. We passed beautiful scenery along the way, both coastal nature and farming areas on our way. It was an inexpensive trip by bus, and with all the open windows, we enjoyed the fresh sea air. In Seogipo we stayed in a Minbak, or efficiency with a kitchenette and they did our laundry and the place was air-conditioned. It was such a relief we booked two nights immediately, cranked the air-conditioning and slept until mid-afternoon. Jungmun Beach was nearby and a lot of tourist attractions. We ate in a fine Korean restaurant, walked around, relaxed, and just enjoyed the place. I swam in the Pacific and in a fresh mineral water river that eventually finds it's way to the Pacific Ocean. This place had more to see, but we didn't do more than scratch the surface while staying cool most of the day either in the sea or river. I'd go back tomorrow, but we will be teaching again. It was worth every penny! ^+__+^

JEJU ISLAND - ROADTRIP

Finally we are out of the Hagwon and awaiting our domestic flight to Cheju-do, or Jeju Island. Are we excited, the answer is yes! The notice board says the weather is sunny in Jeju and I hope so. We want to see Mt. Hallasan, the guide book suggests that there are many car accidents there, due to the steep grade and curvy roads. I think it will be best to hire a car when we arrive there. Mi's thinking "take a bus around the island," but I don't think that would be convienent for two of us. First stop is an island 30 minutes from the airport. More to come to complete this entry.

Meeting with Chris Daniels in Hwasung City!

Thanks Chris!!! It was a great reunion that couldn't have happened anywhere but, Hwasung City (South of Suwon, South Korea) near the Kia-Hyundai Research and Development center. Your English accent, Detroit-style, and Rocker attitude made the reunion even more exciting! Rollin Hills was definitely cool too. I still wonder what happended to the car that drove off Rollin Hills Rd...then we were off to the Noribon for some English/Korean kareoke. Thanks for inviting me on, can't wait to see you again in February 2008. Mi Sung sends her regards too, hello! Blessings...

SOUTH KOREA SOCCER, 2007 PEACE CUP KOREA

Yesterday we went to the 2007 Peace Cup, a soccer tournament in South Korea. The two teams were from professional leagues in Spain and England. The stadium is the former 2002 FIFA World Cup stadium located in Ilsan, near Daewha subway station, exit #3. Mi and I attended with many other foreign teachers and tickets were 24,000 KRW each. Scalpers were also selling tickets for 10,000 Korean Won a piece, outside the stadium. The match lasted 90 minutes, which is a standard length game. Jeremiah had the best time of all when he found "the danger zone" with his Soju-Gatorade Big Gulp! The last subway left Daewha Station at 10:30pm, we were just in time, and the trip back home lasted 2 hours. Last weekend's trip to the Boryeong Mud Festival cost almost the same price, I would have loved to have done that again, but the holiday provided the R&R I needed to keep pace back at school. Our intensive sessions will start on the 24th of July. Longer teaching hours and the same money...hmmm. Well, it's good keeping busy during the off moments in Korea. ^_____^ Take Care!

Typhoon - Man Yi

I've been tracking the tropical storm-turned Typhoon Man Yi for the past few days. There is the annual "Mud Festival" in Daecheon this weekend on the western coast of the Korean peninsula. Mi is opposed to the trip for the general inconvienences, also the rest of our teachers are all going to camp in the pine forest along the beach. What kind of weather can we expect this weekend is cloudy and humid. I believe the typhoon has crossed Taiwan and will curve northeast along the southern islands of Japan before it dissipates into the East Sea (Sea of Japan). Mi's mountain bike had front-shock failure so we sent it back on warrenty. My bike has clocked hundreds of Kilometers since I started riding in February of this year. The weather has been humid, but the frequent showers flush all the pollutants out of the air, the following days feature the rare blue skies in Korea. Surrounded by water on all sides except for the border with North Korea, we find intense humidity and cloudiness common almost year-round. Boryeong Beach would be exciting for this coming weekend, but I'm not sure if I'm "allowed" to go.

Friendships in Korea

It's difficult to maintain the level of friendships we might take for granted in our homelands while living overseas. Though I work with many foreigners, it is easy to be out-of-touch, and hence, it forces me to look elsewhere for renewed friendships and fellowship. Dave and Andrew have filled the gap, and with our recent trips to some islands on the west coast, hike across Bukansan in Seoul months ago, and other trips around Seoul have helped bite off the boredom here in Korea. I value their friendships. Dave's off to Canada today, and Andrew will be leaving for law school in the fall. With the exception of the occasional "staff-sponsored BBQ", it's just Mi Sung and I to spend our days together. So, I think one of the toughest challenges is finding true friends ^^++. Teaching English in Korea is not considered a profession by most, it's just a way to save money, pay college loans, and see more of asia for a year in transition after college. Unfortunately for me, life in Korea has more of a permanent tenure and with it comes a responsibility to reside longer than most foreigners I see...I miss alot of things back home, friends, family, and everything that's connected to the life I value. It's too easy to be a stranger here, and it forces you to make the best of each day, regardless of how others treat you...boohoo! I miss my world, I miss Canada, I miss my friends and especially my family!!!

DMZ - DEMILITARIZED ZONE, KOREA

I went on the USO DMZ tour a few weeks ago with Andrew & Dave. We took the early morning subway to Camp Kim, a US military base located in Samgakji, Seoul, South Korea. The tour bus rode the "Freedom or Unification Highway" and took us to Camp Bonifas. Bonifas was a victim in the Axe murders in 1976, when a US-ROK tree-trimming exercise went wrong. The US and ROK (Republic of Korea) soldiers were unarmed and went to trim a tree near Check Point 3, and were ambushed by North Korean soldiers wielding axes. We saw the Military Armistice Commission building and the "Bridge of No Return", where at the end of the Korean War, POW's were allowed to cross over. In the distance, we looked into North Korea's Propaganda Village. It's a small apartment complex development that was uninhabited until opening of the Kaesong Industrial Complex in 2004. We also visited the Third Tunnel that was discovered by South Koreans in October 1978. There were 4 infiltration tunnels dug under the DMZ by North Korea, the third was said to be a "coal mine" by officals in North Korea. The tunnel was dug through granite rock, the walls of the tunnel were painted black to look like coal, though none was found in these North-South underground throughways. South Korea build a water reservoir dividing the 3rd tunnel from North Korea, there a series of concrete walls dividing the countries today. There was an eerie silence along the border we visited. The untaxed, sprawling rice farms along the southside, generate 70 Billion Won (75,000,000 USD/annum) were maintained by direct decendants of their Korean families. They live in simplicity, although they have a 9:00pm curfew, and must be present on the farms 240/365 days of the year. The profile of traditional Korean farmers is probably propaganda to the visiting North Koreans, the few who actually do tours on the north side. It was an interesting site, and a definite reminder that these sides are still divided along the 38th Parallel. Though few North Korean soldiers were visible spying on us (from watch towers), knowing that more than 1,000,000 soldiers were posted within an hour into North Korea is chilling. The DMZ is 248 km/155 miles long and approximately 4 km/2.5 miles wide, and is reportedly the most heavily armed border in the world. I won't visit the area again, though, it gave a better perspective while living in the southern half of the divided country.

Deokjeokdo - Island Trip

Last weekend we decided to visit an island in the Yellow Sea. Deokjeokdo is 77 km's to the southwest of Incheon's Yeon'an Pier. Unfortunately, the high-speed ferry smelled like a urinal, fortunately, we got into a private side compartment and enjoyed the 1.2 hr ride directly to the mysterious island getaway.

Upon arrival to the ferry terminal, w were offered a lift to the Seopori Beach by a Halmoni (grandmother) who ran her own yeogwon/hotel. We accepted the ride unaware of that the group of hikers accompanying the Halmoni were family members of hers expecting us to stay together. We promptly declined the invitation because they didn't seem genuine. She followed us for a while and wasn't ready to take no as the answer. Then she kept saying, "S*x, s*x, s*x..." We took a trail through the trees to the beach and lost her.

The beach was spectacular as the guidebook described. We stayed in a very rustic yeogwon right on the beach. We swam in the Yellow Sea, it appeared clean. A little sun came out, I had a few Cass's from the old women running the Beachside Yeogwon. A Good time.

The night came with our small fireworks celebration, in fact, it was July 1 - Canada Day, so Dave and I had a good reason to celebrate. It was getting cool, and we watched a modified pickup circle the bay with a Fogger smoking for mosquitoes. We took a short walk along the bay, and finally returned to our room in the Yeogwon.

The rain pounded the Yeogwon all night, I thought we might get washed away. The building was a mixture of cement, wood, fiberglass (center courtyard cover). It was noisy, I wish we had spent the night in a hotel. I listened to my MP3s to drown out the thunder and pouring rain.

The following day, at 10:00am we were standed in Seopori Beach. Dave wanted to catch the bus, I wanted to relax more. Once the bus left, I was ready to go too. Unfortunately, buses don't run often. The next bus didn't return until 2:10 pm. Then we met a Korean-Australian nurse, she was really cool and invited us into her mother's clinic for juice and tea. We stayed there until the bus was coming. The bus zig-zagged the island and we finally reached the ferry landing at 3:20pm.

Our ferry pulled up at 3:30 pm, but...it wasn't leaving till 5:20 pm. We walked to another pier and the slow boat, a car/passenger ferry pulled up. They were leaving right away, it looked clean and had relaxing patio chairs on outer decks, it looked like heaven compared to the tin-pot we had arrived on. We bought extra tickets for another 18,000 Won, and caught the ferry, yippee! We were off the island!!!

The trip would have cost 18,000 Won/each roundtrip had we bought from the correct ferry! We spend about 40,000 Won each. Hmmm. Double. It helps if you can speak Korean

The ferry was awesome, it was a 3-hour ride, it had big-screen TV's and a heated floor to stretch out on (on one deck), and there were other places to hangout or sight see through many islands. We made about 5 stops (10 mins each) picking up more passengers and cars on different islands on the return to Incheon. We slept a little too, it was great.

Overall, it was a good trip with beers, fireworks, and a beach to celebrate Canada Day. Maybe I'll return in August with Mi Sung...it would be fun to do it again. ^^++

Ganghwado - Island Temple Trip

Dave, Andrew and I had a good weekend break on a northwestern coastal island called Ganghwado.According to the Lonely Planet guide, we bused from Sinchon Stn in Seoul to the Ganghwaeup bus terminal. From there we hitched a ride with a Pastor's daughter to their farm/church property, a Methodist Church. We enjoyed some watermelon in the shade and they lifted us to Oepo-ri, a small coastal village on the western part of the island. The ferry took us to Songmodo Island in 10 minutes. The short ferry ride was fun, it cost KRW 1,800 r/trip, or about $2.00. We took a bus directly to Bomunsa Buddhist Temple and hiked to the Buddha statue carved into the rock cliff. It was really humid, but we rested near the top at the foot of the Buddha before returning to the Temple grounds where Koreans were sitting around collectively. Earlier, we had been asked to leave the temple, when I asked a burly young monk if we could sleep at the temple. We had been told by the Methodist family and the ticket clerk at the shuttle bus terminal on SOngmodo, that it was possible. So, I looked for an elder monk, handed him my cellphone to speak to my wife. She explained in Korean that we were English Teachers and needed a place to stay for the night. He spoke mild English and was smiling from ear-to-ear, he was welcoming and wanted to do anything to help us. It was afterdark, we were tired and wanted to rest. He showed us to our dormroom, and where we could wash up (no showers, but there are large plastic bowls and scoops and soap, bring a towel...) They opened the dining hall for us, and prepared a full-course Korean meal, rice and many different types of Kimchi, very delicious and generous! The dorm room smelled like a mosquito coil, and was full of mosquitos. It was breezy outside and we could see alot of stars around 1am. The three of us went outside, and decided to sleep next to one of the temples. I spotted a corner spot next to a temple and parking lot. Dave and I decided to sleep there, Andrew opted for inside the dormitory. We awoke at 5am to loud Korean drums, and brass gongs going off inside the buildings next to us, and above in the open pagota on the cliff. I had wet-toilet paper earplugs in, I didn't hear it over the murmur of the water fountain spring also on our right. The drumming went on for awhile, then the gongs, finally we went back to sleep. There were mosquitos out there, since we had no repellant, donations were happily accepted. ^^++ It was a great adventure for a night. In the morning, breakfast was being served already in the cafeteria, we ate and hiked back to the lower lot to catch the bus to the ferry terminal. An inexpensive get-away, we left donations for the monks and I turned the prayer wheel with the older monk that befriended us before we left. Good times...

Wedding Anniversary in South Korea :: Birthday

Sunday, May 27th is Mi Sung's 30th birthday and our fourth wedding anniversary. We were officially married in Seoul, South Korea on May 27, 2003. We had an apartment rooftop BBQ today with all the foreign teachers and our supervisor Sophia and her daughter Anna. We had delicious Americana BBQ'd beef, three types of salads, and appetizers all thanks mostly to Sean & Erin (Toronto) and Aaron (Calgary) who prepared the amazing feast for all to enjoy!

We had unusually clear weather today, absent of smog or the likeness we have not seen in the West. So, I rode the trails and streets loop around Ansan 3X's today. I just returned from a night ride. My bike is a Korean (built in China, as most are) LESPO...it's aluminum with a mix of Shimano parts including rapid fires, annodized rims with semi-radial spokes. It's looks and rides great for $250. ^^++ It's quality for the price, bought in Korea is as close to buying in China that we can get.

Our BBQ today was good, it's a little odd seeing the supervisor allowing her underaged daughter drink Captain Morgan's until she was flush, but this is Korea. ^^++ Tomorrow is our anniversary, am I ready?

Recovered from the fall, illness

Korea has an excellent medical service system. I have recovered from the food poisoning, concussion, and stiches are out. I'm grateful. I still need to see Dr. Yoo in Seoul, whom is considered an recommended Chiropractor for my back. An Orthopedic surgeon in our neighborhood recommended the titanium screws in my L-5/S-1 as a last-resort. Otherwise, I just need to return to regular exercise on the bike and also do Yoga to strengthen my spine. School is going good, we started a new session this month, with new students and many returning from last month. I enjoy teaching and can't complain about the comfortable apartment or location nearby the school and subway system. I just wish there was more time to relax in the sun. Other teachers are returning to "happy spirits" after our spring picnic fiasco. Thank God.

Insa-Dong, NamSan Tower, Gyeungbokgung Palace, National Museum of Korea

Mi and I hiked to the peak of Namsan and saw the tower until the lights. The next day my Windsor buddy Dave & I returned and did a straight vertical hike up Namsan the following day. I wanted to show Dave more places in Seoul, and we went to many landmarks within a few hours. The weekend was brilliant because the yellow-dust from Mongolia sandstorms combined with Chinese and Korean pollution was at a minimum for the entire weekend. Smog returned to our area today, but we were all teaching, it's just not so nice to look at through the grimmy school windows on the 5th floor.

I am grateful for all friends in Korea. This is the constant change in Korea, living each day as a foreigner isn't easy, so good friends are a valuable resource.
Well, here's some photo's of the weekend. God Bless all Souls!

Bi-Bim-Bop Poisoning 8-9 people

Last weekend I blogged about our fantastic hike on Chiaksan (Chiak Mountain) but on Sunday night following the Saturday outing I started becoming ill. I was tired all day Sunday, whereas, I usually go out mountain biking for an hour or two normally. I couch-potatoed and watched TV most of the day. I felt sweaty and sleepy, but thought nothing of it. At 2am Monday morning, I awoke in a complete sweat. My t-shirt was soaked and I felt nausea, so I went to wash my face and brush my teeth to freshen up. I passed out and did a face first dive into the edge of the bathroom door before landing face down on the wood door frame (in korea, it's a 4"-5" thick wood beam) at the entrance to the bathroom. Mi found me there with my eyes open breathing rapidly but unresponsive. I must have been in shock for several minutes, then I revived and got up. "Time to go to emergency!" There I was treated for head injury and lacerations to my face, but not food poisoning. I had a CAT Scan, X-rays, Stiches, Blood work, I also had a bum-shot for Tetanus, all services for $240 USD. From 2:30am-6:00am, it was a long night. I rested at home Monday, but in the evening starting dashing to the bathroom. On Monday night, I had to go #2 every hour, then every 1/2 hour, then every 15 minutes...and it seemed to never end. Finally, by 5:15am I felt like I'd lost 50% of my body fluids. With my face plastered in stiches and bandaids, I went to a local hospital for 3 hours of IV hydration before returning to work for another 8 hours of ESL Fun! Apparently 8-9 others were really sick too. The source of the poisoning was Salmonella bacteria in the raw egg yolks served in our Bi Bim Bop. This is a popular rice and vegetable dish served at most Korean restaurants. Thanks for the rotten eggs! ^^++ Never eat uncooked eggs or poultry in a Hillbilly backhills restaurant anywhere! It's a most regrettable experience.
Hope all is swell back home. I just wanted to report: "I'm still alive!" ^^++

Chiak Mountain Spring Picnic

We took a trip to Chiak Mountain yesterday with the entire school staff, enough people to fill a coach. The mountain is designated a Korean national park. The trees in the area were deciduous, and many were only bearing buds. Therefore, the view wasn't spectacular at all, but the ascent was physically challenging. Before the hike, we departed the bus and had a group "warm-up" exercise led by Miah, Lindsay, and Michelle. It was a stretching and aerobic workout, it was a funny way to start the hike. We all got warmed up, and had some laughs in the process. I set out with Ben, Lindsay, Michelle...and Lindsay and I reached the top of Chiak first, followed 15 minutes later by Ben and Michelle, then Aaron, Sean, and the rest of our fellow participants. The decent was quick, Mi and I hiked together and reached the restaurant just outside the national park entrance. We didn't know if the place was actually open, or it was ready to serve all us hikers. To our surprise, inside everyone was drinking Makkali Soju (fermented rice wine) and eating Kimchi. We joined the Korean staff, shuttle bus drivers, hall monitors, friends and a few parents for the appetizers. Then we ate delicious Acorn Tofu, served with red pepper sauce and leafy greens. We also had more Tofu and finally Bi-Bim-Bop and large bowls of rice and red pepper paste served on the side. It was delicious. After dinner, we played a Korean version of "foot volleyball" on a dirt sports lot, setup nearby the restaurant. It was a tough game to play, I took the first two hits off my chin (sorry Erin!!!) and couldn't serve inbounds. It was fun though, and we headed for the bus after losing two matches to the Korean pros. We sang kareoke or Noribon on the way home, and songs were in Korean and English, it was hilarious! I'm exhausted today, I have a cold and didn't go to church. Well, it was a busy weekend, but it was nice to have a trip somewhere without our own expenses. Hope all is well back home, miss everyone, wish I could return (my wish everyday) but I have to save enough to make this teaching worth all the effort. Cheerios and milk ~^^++

Sleeping past times in SK

Usually we go out for dinner with everyone from school on Friday nights. This past week was exhausted, I was past-empty, so we went home for dinner and slept early. Saturday, we rode our bikes past Ansan Lake Park. Afterwards, we slept for three hours and had Tak-Kal-Bi (BBQ chicken and noodles, served with side dishes of coleslaw, Kimchi, dark-green leaf lettuce). The huge meal served for two with all the side dishes (free refills) all for $15.00 USD. We checked shops for baby-clothes for Christie's newborn, sets (shirt/pant/sock) combinations were selling for $125.00 USD. We will find a nice card I'm sure! Baba sounded good when we spoke last weekend. Spoke to Dad and he still has two-years worth of firewood in the backyard, that's ^^++ too. Donald didn't take off during today's phone conversation, "Good Boy!" Hopefully, in December 2007 we can plan a family reunion in Thailand (if there are any takers???). I am hoping to take an extended holiday between contracts. Friends from school visited the The Islands - Ko Phangan & Ko Samui, very nice!

Weather in South Korea

We havn't seen winter for more than a month. It has been off/on between days of 0 degrees and balmy 50's weather. We've had snow flurries and even rain this past week. School is ever changing, with new classes and scheduling, best to keep up, be more prepared than necessary. Korean society is known to be very "BALI BALI" and it has the opposite meaning of the Indonesian island paradise. In English, it means "HURRY, HURRY" and even middle school students would describe "KOREANS ARE..." as, "VERY BUSY!" The massive development in Korea spurred following the end of Japanese colonialism after WWII and end of the Korean War. Since then, Korea has experienced a period of 50+ years of peace on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula. Home to numerous US military bases with 30,000 personnel. Korea is now as dynamic/modernizing as it is ancient. Working conditions are generally acceptable for a foreigner, but you are never settled here. Most enjoy weekends, as weekdays are demanding with blocks of classes that seem, at best of times, unending. The rituals continue until the Friday 9:00 class signals that in 40 minutes, we will soon be free. Saturdays are for rest, cycling, or shopping. We walk everywhere on Saturday. Friday nights are usually reserved for dinner w/ colleagues at Puffin's, and this past weekend we spent five hours at a local Jim-Jil-Bong, or public sauna/spa. It's an enormous department store sized, two-storied complex with numerous sauna rooms, some in the shape of caves with extreme heat and flat screen TVs. Other rooms have spas, the Green Tea spa is nice. There are also wet sauna (steam rooms) and dry saunas. They sell beer and soda and water at the refreshment counters. There is also a co-ed area where men and women and children can use sauna rooms in their pajamas (provided with $8 admission fee). You sweat and it is invigorating, a must is drinking plenty of water before/during/ and the day afterwards. These saunas are everywhere in Korea, and you can spend the entire night there for $8 bucks! Canadians should think about this idea, we have nothing that really compares. Sunday is service at Dongsan Church, a good Ansan hangout, Pastor Nick delivers great services in English. The band is great, I'm the bongo player. Spring is around the corner, can't wait!!!

Progress in Korea :: Astrological

Astrological predictions in my life ^^++:
These days you're building your life from the ground floor up, Brian. You're working hard to improve yourself and to focus your life in a productive direction. Today you could have the sense that you are making some headway. You could get some encouraging news about progress that you are making. Or you could receive some nice feedback from someone who is supportive of you. Look upon these events as signs that you are on the right path.

Week of February 12, 2007
Monday you may want to take the day off to relax so that you can face your work week more energetically. (Ironically, in Korea, Monday marks New Years on the Lunar Calender, so it is a holiday!) Tuesday you should be ready to face the world again. You and your lover should have a wonderful time together, too.

Race Through Life

RACE THROUGH LIFE VIDEO, CLICK HERE

Bowling in Ansan :: Bon Voyage Party

How goes it? Hope your all well. We finished the intensive month of teaching! We finished off the day with bowling after a pseudo-Chinese-style dinner party for two teachers that are leaving (Scott...heading to China, then India & Wendy, heading to New Zealand to study for her Bachelor of Education). My Secret Santa also gave me a Team Canada Jersey, very cool! My boss bowled incredibly well, he scored a 147, 163. Our team on the otherhand, won both tourneys with combined highest scores, we did alot of dances with spares and a few strikes, Sean and I were probably the MVP's. How do you finish a perfect night, the boss and his wife and my manager say goodbye, and tell us it's a short walk to our apartments...that was the only let down of the night, considering I had been up for 20+ hours and had to trudge home in the cold on foot. The boss/wife/manager slipped away in his Benz.

Skating Trip

Saturday, Ben, Jeremiah, Erin, Sean, Scott, Beth & I went to a public skating rink near Junggang station. Beautiful sunny weather. We stopped by TGI's for dinner, then the movies, we saw Blood Diamond starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Sunday was sleepy, played drums with the Worship service at Dongsan Church. Need to buy CD's to play some sing-songs with the elementary classes this week. Still teaching intensives...long days in Korea!

How's the weather in Chicago?

I met this amazing lawyer in San Diego, California in the winter of 1999...his name is James. We both took risks leaving our native U.K. and Canada to venture to the southwestern American city to enjoy the beaches, hostels, and party life that could only be dreamed of back in our homelands. I met James at the Ocean Beach Hostel, a seedy hostel with a brilliant social life on an afternoon in late December. James was out on the front porch reading a newspaper, and he immediately clued in that I had just arrived in town and desperately needed a job. From that moment on, and over the past 6 years I have known the guy, his generosity and intelligence have shined. From roadtrips to the desert and Grand Canyon, to soccer games on the fields of USD (University of San Diego), James was always in the middle of the action, and made introductions to many internationals that would have not have had so much fun together had James not been there. James has a natural magnetic personality and his perserverence has taken him from the backseat of beaters in NYC studying for Bar Exams, to pinnacle US tax corporations across the United States. This is just a blog-thanks to James for being a friend through good times and bad over the past 6 years, and to his wonderful parents whom I spent a few days with in Thunder Bay during their roadtrip around Ontario/Michigan/Quebec this past fall. You can never have too many friends, but James proved to be the best of them. Thanks James! Have a great weekend in the windy city & Hello to Anna too, his lovely wife. ^^++

Still Burning the Midnight Oil

Title refers to the number of hours required for teaching + teaching office hour preparations (10+ hours/day) for the month of January. It's a Korean custom that is followed when elementary and middle school students have winter vacation, that is the time when their intensive studies begin for the entire month. Some learn basic English grammar, some learn spoken English, some are preparing for high school or university entrance examinations or the TOEFL/TOEIC tests before studying abroad. Whatever their personal reason, the hakwons swam with migratory Koreans trying to edge further ahead of the competition and become more fluent bilingual speakers. My job isn't easy for these very reasons. The expectations of the students and their parents footing the expensive costs each month, make teaching a tango with academic scrutiny and entertaining lessons that don't turn students away. It's a fine line between the worlds of ESL learning (creative) and TOEFL learning (academic) where multiple syllables and correct grammar and extensive vocabulary score the biggest points. I still give it my best efforts everyday to keep students on pace with their goals, further pushing their capabilities micrometers further towards their present goals. Korean hakwons operate with last minute decisions made from the top-down. The orient is known for Confucius philosophies and the collective process of Confusionism making which generally comes from the top and trickles down into direct instructions from other superiors. It's a learning curve for a freelance ESL teacher with Canadian roots, but I am letting old man river show me way. ^^

Hakwon Teaching Continues

Just another 10 hour day at the hakwon. We are teaching intensive English lessons this month. I walk to school around 9:30am and walk home around 8:00pm. There are breaks in the daily schedule, but it's generally a long day! This month offers one extra class for $500.00 bonus, but I teach the extra 45-minute lesson everyday, in addition to my regular schedule. I hope all my Christmas cards made it to their destinations. The Holidays will come again soon, next month is Lunar New Years in asia. This celebration will be big in Korea, Japan and China. Some teachers are taking holidays in Thailand, I wish I was one of them. Unfortunately, I must save more $ to payoff US school loans, so the trip is out this year. Another possibility, I'll finish this contract & take the free return flight to Detroit and plan a motorcycle trip to Costa Rica. Problem is, I complete the contract in late November 2007, so it will be unseasonal to start a trip to Central America at that time of the year. Otherwise, I could extend my contract another 6 months and leave in the summer 2008. Korean teaching is from year-to-year, the salary doesn't change much. Hence, departing on an adventure from here is quite a possibility. Besides, I could use the rest after spending the last several years studying in Michigan, such is an open book, the pages have yet to be written. For now, I look forward to my free evenings at home, or at the gym burning off extra energy. Right now, I am awaiting the two final classes I teach for the day, then I can take the 5 minute walk home.