24-7

My day never ends.  Even in sleep, there is something going on and something to do.  There is no concept of boredom here.  I woke up this morning @6am to travel around 20 miles to the Seoul immigration office to make papers for my foreigner status.  That was one hellofa journey through Seoul and the Subway station.  After the journey, me and some friends ventured to get some food and eat, then I finally went to the gym in Korea and worked out. 

I definetely stood out, not only because of my appearance, but because Koreans here are not used to lifting as much in America.  In the states I lift a good amount, but here I must have appeared as body builder or something. 

I have gotten tremendously lost on campus many times, and it is taking me a while to get adjusted to being here.  More than once I have gotten rides from kind people to my dormitory, Yonsei is more than a university, it is a small city within a city. 

I am tired now and it is around 7:45pm Korea time.  I will take a shower, and some friends might be going out tonight and I am considering if I should go.  Nevertheless, my heart aches a bit when I think about the loved ones back home and I wish they were here to enjoy these experiences with me.  I look forward to that time though..

A Good Pair Of Sneakers

 Well, the name of the game in Shinchon is walking, and I’m getting pretty good at it.  In one of the largest cities in the world, having a car is a luxury, not a necessity.  Walking is the dominant mode of transportation, supplemented by taxis, an intricate subway station, and trains.  This is what I am somewhat unaccustomed to, but nothing less than what I expected.  Unfortunately though, I twisted my ankle playing basketball in the States before I departed, something that is starting to bother me a little now.  But not really a problem…

I meet new people everyday, and it is enjoyable seeing new faces and getting to know a person..having a little peak into someone’s life.  Somehow, it is a delicate dance, in presenting the information you want them to know, while retrieving the information meaningful to you, all the while restricting personal information that will only cause harm.  They are after all, strangers, all on personal quests for self-fulfillment.

Many interesting things happened today, and I will start chronologically.  I slept in pretty late, and chatted to my wonderful girfriend online and on the phone for a short while.  Suddenly, I realized that a group of people were going to get foreign registration cards, something that I needed, and I joined them.  This trek soon transformed into a journey, all the while I became more acclimated to the subway station and different lines.  However, we decided to get cell phones first, and again the process became a succession of stops in Seoul to retrieve money, cheap cell phones, and plans to fit them.  I am so happy though that I finally have a phone!! I dont know the number now..but it doesnt matter. . . I have one!

Afterwards, I ate lunch with my French friend, Atif, who I discovered is Muslim.  This lead to an interesting topic on religion and philosophy, an introspective look into the Muslim culture.  Atif is a great guy, someone I would like to learn more about, and perhaps imitate his good natured personality. 

Finally, after searching for a cheap basketball, me and Atif went to the basketball court to play some ball.  We met some Chinese ballers, who were pretty good, and Atif and I were soon involved in a 4 versus 4.  We got our buts kicked, but I was definetely the MVP, every time I made a shot there was a chorus of….”ohhhhh….”  and “ahhhh”  LOL.  It seemed like the whole court, bigger than a gymnasium had their eyes on me and Atif, but I am already used to it and I live under pressure.  I am a true baller.  That was my day..Atif and I went back to the dorms..and I drunk like a liter of OJ..my all time favorite drink.  I probably will go shopping tomorrow to get some more, i cant survive without it.  Everyday is busy, time is short.  Already the dorms have become somewhat clicky, and people are somewhat annoyed and complain a bit.  I really dont mind at all, I find myself getting along well with everyone, and I try to stay focused on things relevant.  My roommate Ben is pretty popular, and everyone makes pit stops to his room, but we get along very well and he always invites me places, but I think he is a heavy drinker and our schedules dont really match.  Maybe in the future we will have some time…but life is running full speed ahead.  Life is becoming redundant, which is good, and I see patterns developing, which is good, but could be bad.  I have to keep in mind that I am here to explore and stay uncomfortable, outside of my box where we learn and grow in wisdom and knowledge.  That is the purpose I have taken this trip.

A long day out..

I  just got back from being out and now finally I have time to reflect.  Today was pretty interesting from start to finish, and I definetely had a fulfilling time meeting new people and getting established in Korea.  Unfortunately, there is a lot of construction outside of my building and when I woke up this morning, it was to the sound of banging and the crashing of hammers and drills.  I can now tell you, that is not a good sound to awaken to. 

I met up with a friend earlier, and we took a tour around Yonsei, looking at different sights and getting used to our surroundings.  To our amazement, we found a basketball court in the middle of the open with many people playing.  .   .   .  and the temperature was cold.  very cold.  However, the baller in me took over and I decided to play, right then and there.  Taking off my jacket, I shot around with a couple of Korean guys generous enough to share the ball.  Soon enough, we were drafted into a game, with the stakes being respect on the court. 

This one Korean guy, however, was totally prepared for some crucial basketball.  He had the whole basketball attire, and strangely enough, he actually was good.  Being that the temperature was freezing, I couldnt manage to make but one shot, but this guy was killing from the 3 point line.  I automatically felt insulted with every shot he completed.  Yet, I gave him his due respect..yet furthermore…the baller in me is now coming out.

I met up later in the day with a couple of friends, one I just met, and took the train to some area in Seoul.  There we met up with Joon and decided to go out and eat since tomorrow he is leaving to go back to America.  We met him in a bookstore in a famous mall.. CoEx I believe is the name, and went shopping for books.  There we also saw a Burger King, and I was more than excited to actually see an American shop in Korea.  A little later we met his father,  in a very scary restaurant where the people were overly nice and there were actually bodyguards outside who checked me and a couple of friends to make sure that we were safe.  .  .  like i said…man. that place was scary. 

That was my day.  Now I am cold and tired..and i think that i am in the beginning stages of coming down with a cold.  However, this is my life here and now and I have to live with the cards that I have been given. 

I will perhaps be getting my cell phone very soon, and for this I am very excited.

Insomnia Part 1

It is now 4:43am Korean time and I cannot sleep.  I awakened an hour ago, with an annoyance that I didnt brush my teeth before I slept since I was so exhausted.  Taking a mini-tour of my dormitory, I found the shower about 20 meters from my room…and that really sucks.  Taking a quick shower, and dutifully scrubbing away at my teeth, I decided to upload some photos on Facebook to share some of my experiences.  I actually deleted some photos I already uploaded to my labtop..hopefully I will have those up as soon as I can access the Internet.

I am alone on the first floor computer lab..and im getting sleepy again.  Tomorrow is going to be an interesting day..me and a friend will take the subway to my friends place.  I wonder how that will go.  Until then, I cant wait to start playing some crucial basketball..man i get excited just thinking about it. 

I met some very interesting people today, I wonder who else will I meet…cannot wait!

I still cannot believe that I am here doing this..I sometimes wonder when the cultue shock will come in as everyone says..but I truly feel like I am at home around Korean people.  I have absolutely no problems so far..but I cross my fingers and knock on wood.

Chasing the Sun

…an odd phenomenon I have encountered is a day without night.  Flying in an airplane West into the sun at 600 miles per hour causes a strange phenomenon to happen.  You will avoid night by figuratively…yet usuably literally term..chasing the sun.  For this reason now I can say that I am positively exhaused, my brain shocked from the tension of not resting. 

..today was an interesting day.. and every moment in Korea I am learning something about myself as well as Koreans.  For lunch, me and a couple Korean friends went out to a little shop in Shinchon called the Strawberry…i forgot.  The food was so delicious.  I had Oo Jing Oe Bok em, while they feasted on other delicious foods.  Afterwards, I registered for the Gym membership that will come into affect on the 3rd of March..costing 80000 won.  Running back and forth to establish accounts and meet deadlines..i started to feel the strain of what it is to truly be independent and self-sufficent.  Yet, the most enjoyable part of my day started only after dinner tonight.  Walking with a group of my new Korean friends in the beautiful city light of night-time Seoul, whilst engaging in meaningful conversations with people from around the world on subjects offered from unique perspectives, I had a sense of why I was indeed here in Seoul, thousands of miles away from my friends, loved ones, and family. 

Earlier in the day, I attended an orientation that talked about Yonsei and the university, as well as differing programs that aim at including international students into the university life.  I decided to apply for all 3 clubs, as well as a Christian fellowship that will hold meetings on Tuesdays.  I have met many people from all around the world, from the Netherlands, Germany, Japan, Europe, France…there is just so much of a mix in Seoul that I am constantly amazed.  The hospitality I have been shown is also amazing, and I see why Korea is such an amazing country.  However, life is what is made of it, and I try to be as open and understanding as possible.  Shopping in the grocery stores, and looking for food will be a constant hassle for me, as well as avoiding sellers who constantly nag you for over-priced goods. 

Nevertheless, my top priority now is to get a cell phone to communicate consistently with my loved ones home and stay in touch with my new friends.  I definetely see a lot of signs of shallowness in the Korean culture, but I see an inner beauty that I have yet to clearly categorize. 

I wish you were here with me to share these beautiful moments nae epoun sae.  Please watch over my mom. 

I am so exhausted..i will check a few things and head to sleep.  I am more than ready. .  . see yo soon. 

Until next time…Goodnight. 

A Strange World

I remember reading visceral novels, in which the protagonist is swept away into a magical world, where everything is a quirky evolution of something usual, thus making everything unusual.  In such books, he or she traverses mountains and great plains and vast wastelands to uncover some hidden secret that all has forgotten except a select few.  Well, of course, that protagonist is me…and indeed I have traveled far.

While gazing out of the window which for 20 intermittent hours was my link to reality…I witnessed landscapes as distant and foreign as an astronaut gazing out of a spaceship unto uncharted planets.  Mountain peaks souring into the sky topped with snowy caps, and city scrapers reaching higher and higher into the heavens, only to shrink away amidst the roar of powerful turbine engines.  Geomoetric patterns and blurry lights testified to mans creative ability, nevertheless, in comparison to nature’s majestic glory such creativity without doubt was eclipsed.  Arriving in DC, I fortunately met up with a friend of mine, who gave me a gift for a friend… without time unforutnately this was our encounter unless I was to miss my flight.  Yet, the very small encounters in life seem to have some meaning and importance, as I am constantly reminded and ponder the greater scheme in such situations.  The most beautiful sights, which tragicially I could not catch on camera, were the clouds pompous and radiant in the wailing sun’s light, capturing a different hue and majesty rarely have I seen from things above.  I wonder what our great thinkers in history, such as Newton or DiVinci would have considered if offered such spectacular views in such a godly unnatural way.  Everything about being on an airplane absolutely protests against what is dutiful in the laws of nature, and inwardly I cringe how man struts in his glory until inevitably his greatest creations undoubtedly will crumble and fail…

Arriving in Seoul was beautiful.  Movie-esque, the snow was softly falling and a plane full of Korean people in their glory seemed to sigh a breath of relief as they returned to their homeland.  Me, being somewhat a foreigner, having not remembered anything about Korea from days past, felt intrigued and curious to what new wonders the top rated airport in the world would present to me. . . Similar to Japan, I sensed a genuine pride and difference in the Incheon airport, almost like being present in someones home.  Most striking to me was the cleanliness, and efficient/aesthetic layout of the airport without annoying odors that nag the senses.  Being surrounded by Asian people and not at all uncomfortable, I soaked in the surroundings and the fluid languages spoken rapidly and sometimes hushed.  Arriving in Korea is a chapter in my life that will not soon be forgotten.  Meeting up with my friend with his mother, we drove in his somewhat expensive car to a Soon Doo boo Chi Geh restaurant that offered more varieties of the dish than condoments on a hot dog.  Yet, the drive in Korea, with foreign signs and strange flashing colors made me feel alive again, immersing myself in a culture to learn more about myself.  I will put up a few pictures that should compliment this narrative..including the flight over and my arrival.  It is now 2:13 AM and I am exhausted…as I should be in my first day in Korea… yet I have so much to do tomorrow and my journey has just begun. 

Nae Epoun Sae..I miss you a lot.  .  .  .

Goodnight.

Time to…..go.

The last couple of days since my last post a lot of things have happened.  Time has transpired and now I find myself in the calm before the storm..viewing life from the event horizon before the point of no return.  I feel depressed.  I feel frightened.  I feel alone.  Tired.  Excited.  Wary.  

 I worry about my mom, who now sits beside me cleaning my clothes with the dust, lint remover, herself anxious knowing that her son is soon to be departed to another land.  Her cumbersome conversation is a testament to her anxiety, her postponement of the inevitable.  I feel guilty that I write this post and cannot ease her tension that cannot be eased.

What can I say?  I put myself in this position..and at moments I cannot remember why.  What is the purpose for this journey?  What is it that I will gain?  Learning about myself, testing my limits, living on my own and hopefully surviving all the while gaining wisdom.  This is the purpose of life right? 

It is now 2:16AM Eastern Standard Time, and I glance at the small digital display at the bottom right of my screen as if it was alive..  A force of enormous power and immovability that slowly grasps at my life… beckoning me to the unknown..  menacing without compassion.  It eats away at all that I know to be, in such an easy fashion that it must be evil to cause such grief without any remorse.  It is now my enemy.  Soon I know that I will again learn to love this thing, but now only it separates me from the uncharted abyss.   Tomorrow is a new day.  Tomorrow I will be on an airplane, in a place I have never been before, seeing sights never seen.  I will perhaps forget about this worry, but I will remember the struggle to get here.  I will never forget the sacrifice and love of those who cared enough to even say goodbye, true friends are so far and few in between.

The next post I write, I will be thousands of miles distant from this very place I now sit.  I will have entered a new world, culture, without the support of the people most precious to me.  My beautiful girlfriend, wonderful parents, endearing friends.  I would not be writing this now if not for my Hyo.  She has been so understanding and such a blessing to me with her patience and wisdom.  For her I owe much.  If you are reading this Hyo..don’t forget the 3 date rule.  I will remember our promises and your great love.  Thankyou.  She is the reason why I started this blog, and I pray that the good Lord above will continue to watch over and bless this relationship.  Words cannot capture the essence of what life is like an affectionate embrace can. 

Well..here is to life..and to journeys.  I will see you guys later, and in another world.  

 HERE WE GO!!! HUITING!!!!!!!  AJJAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  Goodnight.  Nae Epoun Sae.

valentines day

wow. what a day.

 i will never forget.

 simple the time was spent.

 meaninful, every second.

I will see it every day of my life.

In my heart it now resides.

The love of my sweetheart by my side.

What more can I ask?

Sad as time is so close.

Yet happy to see your precious smile.

Grasping Sand

Currently, I am feeling a bit depressed and down.  Every moment that passes, every instant and second is lost time never to be recovered, never to be seen again.  Life is so short, many ask, what is the purpose?  Philosophically, one might define his or her life by the end, or some consider worth by the mean, the journey.  The defining attributes of what has been accomplished, or the sights seen, places visited, people met, activities complete…”check, check, check on the handbook of life.”

Nevertheless, I feel relationships are the only true merit in life.  The ones you love, who are loved, the legacy of sharing time with someone…stranger, family, friend.  We all enter into the world alone, and we all leave the world alone.  For the first time, recently, I have witnessed the passing of a person from this world.  To see the conclusion of life, in the honest details that reality does not restrain, strongly has characterized perspective for me in terms of what is important and not.   

Like a bucket of cold water thrown in my face, I saw the blatant truth.   Truth, for all its worth, is something that cannot be argued against.  It cannot be debated or contradicted.  How a person perceives truth, I dont know, yet something in the soul of who I am, of all of us, humanity, I believe, can sense it.  When we are presented with it, like two dogs who fight the moment they sense aggression, we too must consent to it, regardless of like, distaste, or the choice of ignorance, it is there and requires our acknowledgement.  And so I encountered truth, and because I cannot deny something so poignant, I choose to learn and examine it, to be a better person and apply this lesson.

Something a little political, a little inspirational

Ok, so in the previous blog I mentioned a once little known, now cultural icon Barack O Bama.  The senator from Chicago Illinois, who amazed the world at the Democratic National Convention, and who currently is running for the President of the United States.  The Barack O Bama, who defies race, culture, politics, sterotypes, traditions, statistics, odds…carrying on the legacy of legends such as John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy, nostalgic of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in his speeches of hope and faith, and the value of unity.  The Barack O’ Bama who will probably once again bring prestige to this country, and on whose shoulders the weight of an entire nation, an entire world rests.  Well, tonight, I met Barack O’ Bama, in person.  It is almost overwhelming to be in a room with this great man, amongst thousands of others who strain their necks only for a glimpse..but for me that was not enough.  Seeing was unbelievable, but to come so close, I figured why not go the distance.  After jumping gates and picket lines, cutting through crowds and apologizing for bumps and pushes again and again…i finally had my chance.  With my girlfriend in hand, we closed in on the media frenzy, with cameras snapping and microphones and bodyguards close at hand.  With my girlfriend distracted, and the moment almost gone, sucked away by the void of time, i saw an opportunity, and grasped it until it was realized.  Jumping over more metal picket lines, I rushed through the crowds to an empty spot where Barack would eventually come.  Estimating his route, I cleared a space for myself so I was sure to at least stand near the Senator.  Yet, fortune was on my side, and unbelievably, I stood face to face with OBama, he mere inches away.  In tremendous awe, yet still conscience and thinking, I extended my hand to Obama, and he grasped it firmly.  I looked into his weary eyes, after an invigorating speech, and offered the best support I could.  “Barack, I believe in you…Barack, I believe in you..”  With a slight grin on his face in spite of his weariness, he replied, “thankyou, i won’t let you down.” 

 Truly, tonight was an experience of a life-time, and regardless of what happens from this day hence, I know I have captured a memory that will hold endearing value all of my days. 

 Go Obama!!