A New Hope

Not to sound too cliche and steal the title from a Star War's movie, but I thought it appropriate. 2009 was a year of struggle for many people, not excluding our family and it has definitely been a challenge to go through so many things so far from the one's we love. I got this clip from an old friend of mine from my Scouting years whom I have worked with (twice now) and kept up with through everything our lives have experienced and it got me thinking about the capacity for greatness within each of us.

Some of you may not know the project I am working on right now, but I am trying to use my position within the footwear industry and the government to help bring aid in conjunction with an American footwear charity. We are currently trying to figure out what kind of tax breaks are available and if import duties can be reimbursed. All of the administrative details are rather annoying, but the end result will be worth the effort if we can provide any kind of relief for the survivors of this catastrophe. Not to damper the mood, but going back to what finally got me to write, this little video clip from my good friend Scott. I see 2010 as a chance for everyone to grow together and build through our faith and love. Noone need be without hope, there is good that every single one of us can accomplish if only we awaken to our purpose. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did. It is most certainly worth the 20 minutes you will spend.

http://www.thedoorpost.com/hope/The%20Butterfly%20Circus/

Stranger in a Strange Land

Some days I feel as though I'm floating through the ether of some netherworld able to fashion whatever dream I happen to fancy at that moment. I'm sitting in my carpool with two of my coworkers listening to Seals and Crofts on my iPod as we crawl through the morning commute traffic. The rain beats the staccato rhythm of the summer monsoons in time with the song, flowing into my soul. I sit thinking of the day ahead with its seemingly insurmountable mountain of work to scale. Yet, I find nothing but joy in the fact that I have finally found a task deemed impossible, a daunting feat for any to even dare to attempt. In fact, I'm fairly certain they expect me to fail and use my failure as an excuse to save face, but I love the multi-faceted assault on my abilities. I say to the whole industry... bring it on! The family motto ringing true: Illegitimi non carborundum. It's strange to think that my work will bring me, not only halfway around the world, but practically to the doorstep of my family come the end of this month. Life is a strange entity. I had to go 6,389 miles away from home to find the same type of job as my sister. I understand exactly how difficult it is to explain your job now, babers, as it evolves on a daily basis into something unlike whatever it was supposed to be the day before. I can't wait to see you soon mom and dad! We're goin to Vegas baby! The WSA won't know what hit em.

I wanna put on my my my my my boogie shoes

Well, it's official, I have changed industries... I got the job and am now working for the shoe industry. I am in charge of overseas promotion for an international shoe conference that will be occurring here this coming November. Besides the pay being very nice, which almost makes up for the 1.5 hr commute across town (each way), I have found a job that has me written all over it, just call me sir schmoozalot. I am very busy trying to re-write all of their promotion materials and get the advertising and website in place so I can actually start to invite manufacturers and buyers to this show. Working websites help alot. They have never had a U.S. company show in this show, I'm gonna do my best to change that this year. It's kind of cool knowing all the trends in the shoe fashion world for next year already, strange how they already know what will be popular a year from now. Anyway, I'm off to go get some more emails off. I'll inform you about my business trip next time... Ciao!

The Beach!!!

Finally after long delay some much needed photographic evidence of the good life here in Busan! Happy Father's Day! My pics are being a little funny about uploading, but here we've got some surfers and my feet on the beach and a little shot of the Sand Festival and last but not least a little regatta out in the bay.

N.K Nuke scare??

Just a quick little line letting everyone know what the situation is like over here. People, media, government don't really care much about the current nuclear testing going on in Bukhan (North Korea). They have put the troops on ready alert, but the entire country is more concerned with swine flu and the repercussions that will ensue from that. This last week, 12 new American teachers infected an entire school which has been quarantined and shut down temporarily until it is resolved. This is much bigger news than anything going on in Bukhan. Just a little blurb about the state of the union. Anyway, I'll talk more later and let you know how the Sand Festival and International Dance Festival go. Ciao!

Here Comes the Sun

After a predominantly rainy month, the weather has been clear for the past two weeks and the weather is a constant 75-80 degrees. Pura vida! It's been a bit windier than usual, now if only I had some time to go rent a windsurfer to take out (can't imagine anyone wanting to check that out though). The Sand Festival and the Busan International Dance Festival start this next Friday and the timing couldn't be better.
But I digress from why I wanted to write today, I was sitting in the bar tonight and thinking about all of the cultures that converge in this city as I am surrounded by a plethora of languages. Within fifteen feet of each other I can hear groups or couples from around the world conversing about any number of topics. There are the Korean and Japanese businessmen discussing the day, behind me I can hear the Germans and Norwegians in town for the climate change conference, a group of English teachers from America, England, Scotland and Australia are playing pool and off in a booth are a couple of Russian boat captains. This is not an unusual evening here, if I see an evening without five different languages being spoken I am extremely surprised. I wish I had picked up some of the ole Sven and Ole dialects because they sure would come in handy with quite a number of regular patrons, both Norwegians and Danes that frequent this establishment (sorry grandpas, I picked Russian).
People come here for so many different reasons, whether they are here on business or just vacationing, the reasons and philosophies never cease to amaze and amuse me. I was talking to a Canadian friend of mine today and he was telling me how he met this guy from NYC who came over primarily because he felt persecuted living in the states as a smoker and wanted to be in a place where it was socially acceptable. Another friend of mine, just moved back to Korea for the third time and is some high up officer within a shoe company that has its production based out of Korea and China. The main reasons people come to Korea are desire to travel and live in another culture, lack of jobs, relatively easy way to pay off student loans, or they are running from the law, like this guy I've heard about that is here teaching in order to not give alimony to his ex (that's not gonna turn out good).
That's about all I've got to say right now, I'm pretty tired and think I'm gonna turn in for the night. I hope everyone had a phenomenal Memorial Day and are enjoying the beautiful change in season over there as well. Until we chat again. Annyong.
~c

Busan Summer Lineup

Since Busan is an international port city, there are always festivals of some sort happening here, with most of them occuring on or around Haeundae Beach, home sweet home. There are 21 international shows, 20 cultural events and hundreds of smaller festivals and sporting events through the year. The most popular festivals in Busan are The Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF), The Sea Festival, Rock Fest, The Fireworks Festival, and Jagalchi Sea Food Cultural Festival.
Although May is nearly over Busan Men's Open Tennis Championships and the 19th Arirang Yaching Championships are currently underway and at least one of them is enjoying the particularly windy weather that we've been having lately. Although its past, May 1-10 was the 6th Annual Busan International Performing Arts Festival (BIPAF)with plays from around the world including Russia, Germany, U.S., and many others. More information can be found at www.bipaf.org.
June starts off with a couple of fun festivals with the International Dance Festival which will be on a floating stage on Haeundae Beach. Check out more info at www.bidf.or.kr. Dad needs to make it over before June 5th to catch out the first Nakdong River Windsurfing Championships held on Eulsuk Island at the mouth of river. There is also a World Health Organization conference on Children's Health and Environment, the Mayor's Cup Canoeing Championship, a College Dragon Boat Racing Meet and the Jang-Bo Rowing Championships.
Once we hit July and summer kicks into overdrive so do the sports. July 3-10 are the first Busan International Surfing Championships and the 27th-29th are the World Women's Beach Volleyball Championships. Like most of these events they are free to the public. While the waves may not be the biggest, there is nothing like sitting on the beach and enjoying the beautiful weather and gorgeous view.
August brings us The Sea Festival and Rock Fest. Rock Fest brings us bands from around the world playing free shows on Dadaepo Beach for a weekend filled with free beer, fireworks and even a kiteboarding competition. Check out more info at www.rockfestival.co.kr. This year Rock Fest will be held during the weeklong Sea Festival from August 1-9. The events haven't been finalized yet, but last year there was a Guiness drinking competition, a magic show and competition, several fireworks shows, numerous sporting events(skateboarding, kiteboarding, boat races, and swimming), a two day hip-hop show, a dance festival and an ultimate frisbee tournament. They are held on Busan's five major beaches, yach clubs and hte Nakdong River. You can read more about this must see event at www.seafestival.co.kr.
Most of Busan's festivals are held during the summer and fall while the weather is the most favorable. Later on, I'll have to tell you about the Pusan International Film Festival and The Fireworks Festival, both of which draw tourists from around the world for these famed events. The Fireworks Festival makes any North American show look like child's play as there are more than 100,000 fireworks expoded during this festival. It is renowned throughout Asia and so popular that Japanese and Chinese tourists will book the hotels and all tours months in advance. If you want to learn more about what is going on in "Dynamic Busan", check out www.dynamicbusan.co.kr.
Hopefully, I won't be so busy with work that I get some time to take in most of these wonderful events, and maybe, just maybe it will help some of you plan your vacations to come over and visit me. I look forward to talking to you all again soon.