an update

the last little while has been a mess of activity: from traveling to planning other trips, to getting new jobs to buying cool things; this last month has been awesome.

first: geoje-do. this is the name of one of the largest islands in korea, second only to jeju. i got to travel there a couple of times this past month, both times being incredible and refreshing. the first time was a weekend spent with jessie's parents, and the second was a camping trip in which kevin, meaghan, jessie, justin, becky and i went camping on the edge of this amazing pebble beach. (for pictures see here)

second: vietnam. throughout our one year contract becky and i get a week of vacation, and that time off has already begun. tomorrow is the korean 'memorial day', in which the country pays tribute to its fallen soldiers. on saturday becky and i will board a plane traveling to da nang, vietnam. we'll stay 8 days there, with the theme of the trip being scuba diving. i like having themes to things - they are like having 'goals', but they are easier to obtain (probably because they are not called goals).

third: magazine writer. so a little while back i responded to an ad that spoke of a magazine looking to expand throughout all of korea. after sending in a few articles, the publisher emailed me back and asked if i wanted to become a staff writer/photographer! i was, and still am stoked. it's a monthly magazine called the korea sun (check it out!), and my trash or treasure article is actually the 'feature' for june! i actually suggested that each issue have some sort of history article (cause the history of korea needs to be shared - it's really interesting), and so, among other articles that i could send in, i get to write the history section! gregg finley would be so proud...

fourth: motorcycle. i am now the proud owner of a 1997 daelim 125cc motorcycle. i'm sure i'll have a picture soon. it was a bit of a hassle to get it, but all in all, i'm pleased with my purchase. this bike will do many a trips to geoje, and hopefully to festivals and events at which i can take some sweet pictures, or write an article. busan drivers suck by the way (just in case you were wondering). i feel like they receive their license free when they buy a cell phone and a satellite tv for their car (why wouldn't you want to watch your favorite tv show while you talk on the phone and drive?).

yup... it's been busy - but it's been fun. oh! and i moved to a bigger apartment too!! the new apartment news deserves to be more than just a sidenote, but i'm done with the update. all you need to know is that this apartment gets natural sunlight (a giant step up from the last one).

if you are into history at all, check out the history of korea - i'll post the history article i wrote for the magazine soon, if any are interested - it's on one of the hero's of 'the land of the morning calm', king sejong the great.