Sean and I in Busan.
Ice sledding at the Korean Folk Village.
Street food in Busan.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Sean's Pictures
Early this month my brother Sean visited me here in Korea for 10 days. Here are some of his pictures from his time here:
Sean and I in Busan.
Ice sledding at the Korean Folk Village.
Street food in Busan.
Sean and I in Busan.Ice sledding at the Korean Folk Village.Street food in Busan.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Happy New Year!
Today marks the Lunar New Year holiday here in Korea and the beginning of the Year of the Cow. It is more commonly referred to as the Year of the (two-letter bovine animal), but I'm not typing one of those letters (see previous entry).
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Lipogram?
The other day while I was vacuuming my apartment I noticed some dust on my desk and started vacuuming there. Then I noticed that my keyboard was a little dusty too. Long story short, a letter key (the one between "Z" and "C" on your QWERTY keyboard) was ripped off and I have not been able to satisfactorily repair it:
That said, I am thinking about turning the blog into a lipogram - a constrained form of writing in which one or more letters are purposefully not used. One of the most famous lipograms is Gadsby: Champion of Youth, a 260 page novel that Ernest Vincent Wright published in 1939. He wrote it with the "E" key on his typewriter tied down so that it was impossible to type an "E." Needless to say, my task should be easier. Any takers on how long I can go without my missing letter?
That said, I am thinking about turning the blog into a lipogram - a constrained form of writing in which one or more letters are purposefully not used. One of the most famous lipograms is Gadsby: Champion of Youth, a 260 page novel that Ernest Vincent Wright published in 1939. He wrote it with the "E" key on his typewriter tied down so that it was impossible to type an "E." Needless to say, my task should be easier. Any takers on how long I can go without my missing letter?
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Good Luck Mr. President
I realize I haven't been posting often enough lately, but today's significance in the United States provides me with an opportunity to reflect on what it is like to live outside of the country for an extended period of time. Those of you who read the blog probably know that I am enjoying my time in Korea. I like teaching, I am learning new foods and how to exist in a different culture, and I have made new friends. That said, I remain an American and there are definitely times when I can't help missing life in the United States. Not being able to take part in parties with family and friends, and on patriotic holidays, I often find my mind wandering to the US. Today is one of those times. As I read the news, I can't help imagining the mood across the United States as Barack Obama becomes the President. Don't get me wrong, I didn't vote for him, but I do wish him well. And I also recognize the significance of a new President taking office. Especially during a time of war and economic uncertainty, and after two eight year presidencies (the last time two presidents both completed 2 full terms was Jefferson and Madison). As Inauguration day is beginning on the East Coast, Tuesday the 20th is ending here in Korea. It was a very ordinary day in which I found myself surrounded by people who were more or less oblivious or uninterested in what is going on on the other side of the world. Tonight, I will have to stay up until 2AM if I want to watch any of the Inauguration live. As all of this unfolds, I find myself feeling removed from the concerns and thoughts of my country. In the long view, I believe my time and experiences here will be worthy. At this moment, I can only say that I hope everyone in the US enjoys the Inauguration and joins me in wishing President Obama good luck.
Correction: President Monroe (5) also completed eight years as President, marking the only time in our nations history where three consecutive Presidents completed 2 full terms. Interestingly enough, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe do not hold the record for the longest combined time three consecutive Presidents were in office. That honor goes to Roosevelt, Truman, and Eisenhower who held the office for 28 years.
Correction: President Monroe (5) also completed eight years as President, marking the only time in our nations history where three consecutive Presidents completed 2 full terms. Interestingly enough, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe do not hold the record for the longest combined time three consecutive Presidents were in office. That honor goes to Roosevelt, Truman, and Eisenhower who held the office for 28 years.
Monday, January 12, 2009
I'm Back
As many of you know, I went home for Christmas. When I returned to Korea on December 31st, I brought my brother with me. Sean stayed for 10 days, leaving this past Friday. Needless to say, my travels home and around Korea with Sean kept me pretty busy. In any case, the five days I spent in the States were very enjoyable. Back in Korea, Sean and I spent a lot of time in Seoul, and traveled down to Busan on the south coast.
Here are a few pictures from the past couple weeks:
This was taken at Jagalchi Fish Market - the largest fish market in Korea. It is located in Busan.
Ice sledding on a river in the Korean Folk Village. This is a historical recreation of life in Korea in the past. It could also be described as a Korean Old Sturbridge Village.
And these are a couple pictures from Gyeonbokgung Palace in Seoul:
Here are a few pictures from the past couple weeks:
This was taken at Jagalchi Fish Market - the largest fish market in Korea. It is located in Busan.
Ice sledding on a river in the Korean Folk Village. This is a historical recreation of life in Korea in the past. It could also be described as a Korean Old Sturbridge Village.And these are a couple pictures from Gyeonbokgung Palace in Seoul:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
