Happy Birthday Alissa!!!

Alissa thought it wise to celebrate her birthday this year in both the Korean and Canadian time zones. How brilliant- a two day birthday!

Friday (her Korean time zone birthday) involved a surprise cake at work.

Look those drooling ladies with chopsticks in hand. After work we were off to an amazin' homemade dinner at our friends Scott and Gale's house.

Saturday (her Canadian time zone birthday) was when the big party took place.

16 of our closest friends in Korea.
8 cakes of brie cheese.
21 empty bottles of red and white wine.
And one surprise Baskin Robins cherry cheesecake ice cream cake.

Needless to say we all had a good time!
Happy Birthday Alissa!

This Old Abandon School Makes Koreans Contemplate

This rural school in a once busy traditional farming town was once filled with the sound of Korean children playing rock, paper, scissors, and of teachers sternly lecturing. Now there is only eerie silence. It is a popular tourist attraction among Koreans. It forces them to come to grips with the implications of rapid industrialization in their country.

As I approach the abandon building an old Korean man outside weeps.

Kickin' It Ol' School!!!

Cool Things I Saw Near Namhae City After Running My Marathon

Cool eh?

Supper Prep!!!

This was a famous resturant just off the southern cost of Korea. They catch'em the old traditional way from the sea to your plate in minutes, I'm sure. Could a meal be any better after running a 21 kilometer marathon???

Look At Those Eels Twitch

It is rumored that these creatures will give men more stamina- virility, virility, virility!!

What the Shit is This?!?

Walking home from work one day I passed this on the sidewalk. Actually, at that time it didn't look at all like this. It was covered in a thick layer of dirt that didn't wipe away when rubbed. You could hardly make out what it was behind the dirt, grease, and advertising stickers that coated it. It was just put out by a labourer that was completely gutting an old worn down building that was to be demolished days later. The sky was a heavy grey- soon it will rain. The labourers didn't much care that I toke it home with me, to them it was no different from the old drywall and bricks they slowly lugged out.

After hours of restoration it sits in the corner of our tea drinking and mediation room.

What does it say? Its all in Chinese.

My Korean friend that knows Chinese translated it as this...

One should not give in to ones greed or desires if one wishes to live true to themselves.

Quickly run to the door of desire, but don't go in.

A typical Confucius lesson. A far cry from the liberation of ones mind- an act so common in our little room.

Still it holds some beauty and offers us something to ponder, so it will stay.

The First Signs of Spring in Daegu

an inclement winter day

the sky is blue overhead

children play nearby

Spring is here?