Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Seoul Day Trip

By bus from Kunsan to Seoul takes me as much time as going to Gwangju. And only costs me 10,000 won more per trip. Go figure. I popped up to Seoul to see Jae, one of my students from 2002 INTERLINK Language Center program at Valparaiso University in Northwest Indiana. Jae was home for the holiday. He studies mechanical engineering at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. We had lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant, shopped the underground mall at the bus terminal and finished with tea on the 10th floor of Shinsaegae Dept Store. It's cool to visit with Jae. He's really open and energetic. He's a little sad to be leaving Seoul as he may not be back for another two years. Jae is one of my heroes. I remember the tough kid who walked into my classroom four years ago and am inspired by the kind, sophisicated guy he's become. Jae has carved his own way in the US education system. Instead of only being willing to attend a "certain" university, Jae forged his path by leaving his Korean university, going to a language center (INTERLINK at Valpo), transferring to Ivy Tech, and then transferring again to PNC (Purdue North Central) - a satellite community college. By transfering to PNC, he was then able transfer to the main campus in West Lafayette to finish at one of the best engineering schools in the country. Rock on, Jae! Best of luck on a busy 2006 for you! Posted by Picasa

Monday, January 02, 2006

Songgwangsa Survivors

Chang, 8ball, Maddie & I survived the Temple stay at Songgwangsa in Jeollabukdo. While the younger folk, traipsed up the mountain, I sat quietly & contentedly, warm and dry, in the Tea House nearby. Posted by Picasa

Unlocking 2006

New Year's Eve at Songgwangsa Temple near Sunchon, Jeollabukdo. The itinerary: 4pm check-on, 5 dinner, 6 Buddhist temple prayer & chant, 7 lecture from the Chief Monk, 9pm lights out. 3am prayers, followed by breakfast and a hike to see the sunrise. Posted by Picasa

Frosted Stone Warmed from Within

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Snow Leaf

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Winter Temple Trees

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Temple Protectors

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Entrance Ceiling

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Lotus Om

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Buddha Patterns

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Unlocking the Budding Buddha Within

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Temple Art

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Dragon Dung Farts

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Tea Time

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Tea House

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Portals

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Temple Buildings

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Portals Emerging from the Mud

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Temple Patterns

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Portals of Light & Dark

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Tigers, Dragons, & Turtles

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Sunday, January 01, 2006

Bus Curtains

I love Korea. Detailed silliness abounds. Posted by Picasa

Muju Ski Resort

Good god, I survived. First time on skis since I was 16, and no broken bones. Mi Seob, her son, Yong Jin, her niece Ha Ryoung and I stayed at the Resort. Not too busy since it was during the week. Posted by Picasa

Maisan

Do you see the Horse's Ears of Mai San Mountain? Posted by Picasa