The Old Man and the Mountain

I'm assuming this story will appear in the Ulsan Pear (newspaper). Since my friends and family that don't live here won't have a chance to read this nice article, I'm posting it here:


"A path gently covered in this years fallen leaves leads up a stone staircase, the sidewalls built with skill and love. At the top of this trail one might find a pleasant afternoon of rock climbing, only a short drive from the hustle and bustle of bbali bbali Korea. Rising on the shoulder of Munsusan are the cliffs that allow an escape from modern machine-made madness, away from the clamouring crowds ironically trying to find some solitude during a day's hike. On a clear day the city, and the ocean beyond are revealed; to the south, the majestic peaks of Naewonsan rise.

Surrounded by beauty and majesty sits one man, who weathers typhoons and winters. Like a spirit from classic mythology, he is an old man of the mountain. He is a strong believer in Buddhism; so strong that he has neither a name nor an age, he simply is. The Old Man stepped out of society and moved to Munsusan 3 years ago, and has not left the mountain since. He lives on Munsusan, and specifically at the feet of the cliffs, because he believes that the rocks of the mountain have a very strong spirit of the Buddha. The mountain is like the body of the Buddha, and the cliffs are like his face. The spirit is so strong that he wants to protect the rock, and connect with it. The Old Man lives on the mountain to study, not books or people, but Buddhism.

He survived typhoon Maemi, which was the worst recorded storm in Korea’s long history. Comfortable and content in all seasons, Buddha protects him, as he tries to protect the mountain. His family lives in Ulsan and visit him on the mountain. He eats only rice and noodles, refusing even naturally grown fruit and vegetables, which would upset the purity of his body. To protect Buddha, he must have a pure body. When he needs food, Buddha provides and a truck arrives on the mountain with a bag of rice for him. He has no needs, and no wants.
Munsu Mountain is home to two temples today, and the ruins of at least two others. The mountain has been recognized since early Silla times, when Buddhism first came to this part of the world, over 1500 years ago. The warmth and power the rocks emit is still present today. There are some holy caves on Munsusan that candles and incense are continuously lit in, carrying prayers on their flames.

A special note to the rock climbers: The rocks at Munsusan are considered holy. The Old Man has no problems with people climbing them; in fact he is down right hospitable. But, he asks that everyone remember that the cliffs are the face of the Buddha, and to drill a bolt, write a route map, or deface the rock is defacing something holy. Bolting the rock is piercing the face of Buddha and will bring misfortune to the driller. Even paint will bring misfortune, until it has been removed. This is a sacred place, and all should respect that.

I came away from my interview with a warm feeling from meeting this nameless man. Like stepping into and out of a myth during a lunch break. Special thanks to Chung Eun Young who translated, and of course, to the Old Man on the mountain. "

by Fin Madden

Comparing Seoul to Ulsan

One of the girls that I know here, Dee, wrote up a nice paragraph in where she compares Seoul to Ulsan. As usual, I didn't bother to ask for permission. If you want to look at her site, click this writing. Here's where she compares the two cities:

So, this weekend I finally made it up to Seoul - Korea's capital and largest city (people wise). In many ways it was rather similar to being in Ulsan - unique architecture is not a strength of Korea, and Ajumma's are Ajumma's... In other ways it was very like other large cities I've been in around the world- somewhat cosmopolitan (which Ulsan is NOT!), with things like art galleries, museums and Starbucks every 2 blocks. There are some buildings that were created with style, and some areas even have a bit of a European or Toronto feel to them, with lots of little artsy stores and cafes along the streets. It really hit home just how backwater Ulsan is - basically a small town with a million people in it.

Weekend Retreat

As usual, I don't remember the name of where I was. Peace Valley? Pretty View Valley? Church in the Valley? I'm not sure. Just so it's clear though, this was an adult church retreat that I took part in.

I arrived at the church (which I forgot to take a picture of again) on Saturday afternoon. I, along with a number of other people that I either knew or was about to know, were wisked away into the Korean countryside by a caravan of vehiches. Just so it's clear, I was not blindfolded. Neither was a "strongly encouraged" to drink Cool-Aid.

There were about 50 people in all, ranging from the ages of infant to gray hair. The highlights consisted of a large speghetti dinner, singing some songs, a Bible study, me talking about why I was wearing Calgary Flame socks, roasting Australian marshmellows (too much sugar in those things) over a natural gas element, playing a campfire game (without the campfire) outside called "Mafia" with people the same age as me, going to bed (aka. a blanket on the floor) at 4am after a late night conversation about having your Buddhist parents angry because you're a Christian, listening to some guy snore loudly all night, waking up at 8am, eating french toast and bacon for breakfast, going back to the church in Ulsan and attending the service there.

Hey, I just wrote about my entire weekend in one long, run-on sentence, isn't that great? Doh! Why can't I write a run-on sentence when I actually try to? Oh well, here's some pictures from the weekend.

















We were getting hungry, waiting for the speghetti to be served. While waiting, we took pictures!
















This is the chapel where we sang songs and talked amounst ourselves.
















Look! There's people here!
















I told them to smile for the camera. They turned around instead.
















It's a picture of some hills. Haven't you seen enough at this site already?

Wait though!... The leaves! The leaves are all fall colourish!
















Here's the church, located in the middle-of-nowhere, Korea, where we spend a large part of the weekend.
















Camera #2.
















We're going for a walk, we're going for a walk...
Hi-ho Korea-O, we're going for a walk.
















For some reason, I feel like going hunting...
















It's leaves in the water.
















We found a shrine for some dead people! Yipee!

He door was locked. I checked.
















Graves.
















An outhouse in the middle-of-nowhere, Korea. The sign says "toilet". Funny how you see English everywhere in the middle-of-nowhere, Korea. Pretty soon, Korean's will forget what "Hwa-Jun-Shill" means (toilet).
















It's bamboo growing up the wall. I took a picture.

Made in China

Today at school, I made Canada the theme of my classes. I talked about beavers, moose, cariboo and polar bears. I tried to explain how Queen Elizabeth could be the Queen of Canada, while she is also the Queen of England, Australia AND New Zealand (and then some). I spent every class passing Canadian coins around and showing the kids a picture of my family. I also handed out little Canadian flag pins to all of the students. One of the smarter kids explained to me when I was supposed to pronounce "a" like "ah" and when to pronounce it like "eh". I told him that Canadians just always say "eh". He didn't get it. Things basically went smoothly all day. There was one funny thing that happened though...

While closely examining his pin, one of my students yelled out something that made me laugh.

"Blake-teacher", he said.

"What is it?", said I.

"This Canada pin says made in China!"

Dubai

Just out of curiousity, I priced out a round-trip to Dubai, United Arab Emirates from Seoul. It's quite reasonable at only $1164.17 USD.

Ganjeolgot, Jung An Sa temple, and going to church

Kevin, our friend Jared(sp?) ad myself went touring around on our motorbikes around the coast between Ulsan and Busan on Saturday. Here's the pictures:

















Ganjeolgot, the most eastern point of Northeast Asia.
















It's always pretty here.
















The three of us sat down for some drinks in the sun. The weather was cool, maybe around 10 degrees.
















Ulsan is in the distance.
















Those are some large sea vessels.
















Here's some ajosshis (older men) making the best of their day. The one guy was having some fun on the swing. I like how they dress. Lots of class.
















There's a nuclear power plant here.
















Do these people actually catch any fish this way???
















Maybe I should rent a boat and go fishing sometime.
















Here's where they keep the wave-breakers.
















Entering Jung An Sa (temple).
















There were some pretty scenes.
















Temples are so nice to visit.
















Here's a nice photograph.

















Who's been feeding this rock?
















One of these things just doesn't belong here;
One of these things just isn't the same...
















We sat down and had some tea here. I had cinnimon tea.
















Hey, I didn't know that Gandolf came to Korea!




After we got back to Ulsan, Kevin and I decided to go to a Jimjillbawng (bath/sauna house). There's a decent place by my house, so we spend a few hours relaxing in various saunas and hot and cool pools. The saunas ranged in temperature from - a few degrees to 94 degrees celcius.

After that, we went into a few board game cafes. We were hoping to find Risk, but couldn't find it (we found a futuristic version, but that's not what we wanted). The board game cafes feature a number of different board games that you can play. You get a table and it costs 1500 won an hour.

After that search in vanity, Kev and I headed into a PC bawng (room), looking to play some computer games. We played Counterstrike for a bit, but the computers weren't liking us very much. We gave up on them (I did long before Kevin did) and went to my place and played a bit of X-Box and watched some TV. Then it was late, so Kev went home and I went to bed.

I woke up on Sunday with the ambition to go to church. I managed to make my way to the Ulsan Simin Presbyterian Church, which is the closest church to me with an English service. I wish that I took some pictures, because the church looks really cool. Futuristically cool. Maybe I'll get some next week.

The English service was at noon, and headed by a guy names Missionary Bill. It's a really huge church, but the English service had maybe only about 40 people today. There's a seperate sanctuary for the English service. The main sanctuary is much larger. The service itself consisted of a number of songs, a sermon and then some announcements.

Following the service, one of the Korean members took the entire English congragation of for lunch. Sweet! We had Korean pork BBQ, and it was awesome as usual.

After that, we went back to the church. They were having a large and entertaining service. It consisted of 12 different acts, equipped with lights, smoke, etc.; each doing something different. I found out that the English group had an act. We were to sing a couple of songs in front of the Korean congragation. Much to my delight, the main sanctuary is a good size. It, including an upper balcony, probably seats around 500 or more. It was a packed house. We were the 8th act. During it, we sang one Korean song and one English song (The Lord's Prayer in song form). Some of the other acts included a lot of choreographed dancing and people singing songs. One group, a group of about a dozen children, sang a song (in Korean of course). The kids were probably between the ages of 7 and 12. Each one of them had to sing a solo line. The little ones were adorable. They were great to watch.

By the time that I left the church, it was around 8 o'clock. I'd spent 8 hours in church! I guess that makes up for some of the time that I hadn't been going to church since I've been here.

I love Asia

There, I said it.

I love Asia. I think it's great here. I have no intention of leaving anytime soon. So just in case you didn't get the joke after I posted the definition of "rib", I AM NOT LEAVING ASIA. I'm not even leaving Korea at this point. I'm having too much fun.

I have an easy job that pays well and only makes me work for 30 hours a week. The cost of living here is very reasonable. There's tons of good people to meet and good food to eat. I feel really free here. Something tells me that life in Saudi Arabia would not give me that feeling. The UAE maybe would... Dubai anyone? ;)

Eddie Guerrero

His with the Lord now. I'll definetely miss watching him.



This post is for Mike and I.

Definition of "rib"

rib (rĭb)
n.

1. Anatomy.
   1. One of a series of long curved bones occurring in 12 pairs in humans and extending from the spine to or toward the sternum.
   2. A similar bone in most vertebrates.
2. A part or piece similar to a rib and serving to shape or support: the rib of an umbrella.
3. A cut of meat enclosing one or more rib bones.
4. Nautical. One of many curved members attached to a boat or ship's keel and extending upward and outward to form the framework of the hull.
5. One of many transverse pieces that provide an airplane wing with shape and strength.
6. Architecture. A long, narrow, usually arched member projecting from the surface of a structure, especially such a member separating the webs of a vault.
7. A raised ridge or wale in knitted material or in cloth.
8. Botany. The main vein or any of the prominent veins of a leaf or other plant organ.
9. Slang. A teasing remark or action; a joke.

tr.v., ribbed, rib·bing, ribs.

1. To shape, support, or provide with a rib or ribs.
2. To make with ridges or raised markings.
3. Informal. To tease or make fun of.

[Middle English, from Old English ribb.]

...from www.answers.com

I'm going to have a great RIB dinner.

After playing the offer over and over in my head for the week and a half month, I've decided to go for it.

I've accepted a job as an ESL teacher in Khobar, Saudi Arabia.

I know, I know. The Middle East is apparently dangerous. I'm not worried at all though. I mean, South Korea is technically still at war with North Korea. The North could invade at any time. It's just a cool new job in an exciting new city.

The pay is the main reason. The offer is for $4112 USD a month, tax free. Plus my flight is paid for as well as my accomodations. Where else could I make this much money by teaching kids English? I well even have my own private chauffer to take me from my apartment to the school everyday, as well as for my daily shopping needs, etc. I think that's so cool!

Anyway, this is just a quick post because I'm so busy with everything right now (as you can imagine)! Hopefully I'll find the time for another update on this soon!

To celebrate, I'm going to go out for ribs tonight. Aren't ribs great?

Google Earth; Northwest Ontario

Northwest Ontario

















Lac Seul
















Dryden
















Chamberlain Narrows, Lac Seul

















Kenora
















Fort Frances, Ontario; International Falls, Minnesota
















Emo
















Stratton area, Ontario

Google Earth; Korea

I've been playing around a lot more with Google Earth lately. As you can see, I had fun labelling a bunch of places where I've been.

















The Korean peninsula, along with western Japan and the east coast of China.
















South-East Korea.
















Ulsan, Korea















Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul

















The Fukuoka Dome and Korean consolate, Fukuoka, Japan

Google Earth

I was playing around with a computer program today called "Google Earth". Basically, they've mapped out the entire Earth with Satallite photos and the program lets you zoom in wherever you want to. Here's a couple pictures that I copied. For my family, see if you can recongize what these photos are of:

Giant Squid

In an interesting bit of news, photos of the first live giant squid that has ever been recorded have been release by the Japanese group that found the giant sea monster. It is said to be about 8 metres long, or 25 feet. That's as large, or larger, than a city bus! The largest of this species ever examines (found dead) was 59 feet long. It's said that these beasts may be even larger in the deep ocean. Who knows what's down there? This one was found at a depth of about 900 metres.