Coron, Philippines

Jolene and I decided to head south for the winter instead of braving the winter weather like we did last year. It was a great choice. We stayed 7 days in Coron, Philippines. We made a total of 15 dives in and around WWII Japanese Cargo and War Ships sunk by U.S. Planes. The Bridge, Cabins, Boiler Room and Turrets were still intact on some of the ships. Jolene got her longest (41 min Bottom Time) and deepest dives (118 ft) on the trip. We also had time to tour the town, try some local grub and ride horses through the Jungle. It was a great trip. We are trying get back into gear at Home in Korea while planning our next vacation (only 2 months away). Love you all and hope you have a Happy New Year.

Changing of the Guard

This season begins a season of change here in Korea. With Christmas approaching, new teachers replacing our year-long friends and the weather gifting frosty mornings by way of snowy nights, our routine has been pleasantly interrupted. Most of all we are really excited about the snow. Here are some pictures of our city. Yeah for a White Christmas!

Life...

Here are some of pictures of the past few weekends. We've slowed traveling a bit because the weather is getting really cold. We're getting excited for our Christmas trip to the Philippines. Love you all and miss you all very much.

빼빼로 데이

Question: How do you market an unspectacular variety of chocolate biscuits to an overly healthy conscious country?

Answer: You start a new holiday!

On November 11th, or 11/11 it is becoming customary for children and adults to pepper their friends, family, lovers and would-be lovers with a box of chocolate dipped cookie sticks. We have documented the recent phenomenon to give you just a glimpse of the "Pepero craze" thats seems to keep growing every year. In is sixth (or so) year, the annual "Pepero Day" continues to bankroll the Korean chocolate biscuit niche. Lotte, the Korean manufacturer, accounted for 55% of its Pepero sales during the first two weeks in November.



Today one of my students cried because she realized that all of her money is gone and she doesn't even like Pepero. "Teacher it gives me a headache and I can't sleep deep at night. I hate Pepero Day". Hmmm, Western commercialism connects with Eastern diets...bad combination.


...This is just about half of the goodies Jolene and I got from our kids...

A short piece I wrote about the local zoo...

Breathtaking images and footage, products of decade-long research, along with top animal care facilities in major cities all over the world have introduced a new educational standard for animal awareness, animal habit and human interaction. Zoos, such as the one in Seoul, Everland’s Zootopia, are continuing to develop innovative enclosures that enhance the view of the onlooker as well as provide a safe and natural environment for the animals themselves. Despite the progress and improvement in the major metropolitan cities and among the general population of the modern world, there remain many institutions across the globe that far fall below the new minimum standard of animal protection.

Unfortunately a prime example of unacceptable animal treatment resides within Gwangju. Kumho Resort’s Woochi Park, near Ilguk Dong boasts over 50 enclosure and more than 100 species of animals including elephants, giraffes, tigers, lions, bears and other classic residence of typical zoos. However, despite well intentions it is an abysmal residence, home of many abused and maltreated animals. From the scar laced bodies of the hyenas and jaguars to the oozing, raspberry-layered calluses of the baboons to the forlorn face of the lone Dalmatian, the mini-zoo serves more as a depressing reminder of animal cruelty than a functional, educational facility.




According to Kim Hong Moon, full-time staff at Kumho Resort, Woochi Park and FamilyLand have been financially stressed due to a worsening economy and an H1N1 conscious community. Also, for Woochi Park, at an entrance fee of only 1,500 Won, the resources to support the animals let alone renovate or improve the facility must be fairly, if not impossibly, difficult. While Woochi Park has had some success with elephant rides (5,000 Won for ten-minutes) and elephant feedings (2,000 Won for a bag of carrots), the monetary struggle is physically obvious upon first setting foot in the premises. Like a long abandon theme park, many of the enclosures display over-used and under-maintained features. Many of the water areas for animals such as seals, hippos, and penguins including the arboretum are either at extremely low levels or completely empty. Organic materials, as simple as dirt, grass or trees, are non-existent, save for seven enclosures. The simple irony of the wolf enclosure situated next to sheep, contributes to Woochi Park’s shameful exhibition of animals. The general poor health and mood of the animals is clearly evident. Limited ventilation provides a very repulsive stench to the areas as well. According to multiple foreigner interviews Woochi Park is very depressing to the western viewer.




However, while the responsibility for the condition of the animals ultimately rests with the park, the visitors’ display of the same disconcert for the animals’ well-being is as depressing as those who built the ill wrought cages themselves. On a moment-by-moment basis the malnourished animals greedily accept food from visitors. Baboons eagerly choke down stale popcorn and chimpanzee battle to soften the dried squid, meanwhile, the health of the animal are being compromised by the influence of non-natural feed. At all modern parks this type of behavior is not tolerated. Shockingly, this behavior is not only demonstrated by children or adolescents, but by parents with their eager, supple-minded toddlers in tow.

Woochi Park may be amusing for those who disregard the condition and well-being of animals, however, it serves as a truly sad image of reality where good intentions and ill planning intersect with underfunding and poor execution. This, in turn, is also breathtaking.

Jeju Island

Jeju: Honestly the best place we've visited here in Korea. Black volcanic stones littering the country side with a rising cylindrical cone backdrop visible from every city on the Island. With crater islands, sheer waterfalls ending in turquoise/emerald pools, sub-tropical vegetation and all the chocolate you would ever want to buy, it ranks at the very top of our visited spots...well in Korea anyway. Our three-day vacation with Louis and Lisa was really enjoyable and it served as a much needed break from the kids. Enjoy the photos.

Everland

Everland.

Not to be confused with the former pop-star mansion Neverland. A place, like many others in Korea that fail to fully capture the identity of an American concept. Still it served its purpose to provide a day of entertainment that was surprisingly comparable to the "Happiest Place on Earth."

Surprise.

4:08 A.M. Sept. 19th. I bound onto the Jolene-shaped covers, bearing gifts of her soon-to-be most happy birthday.

"Ah!!! Go away!,"
"It's your birthday."
"Not yet..., what time is it"
"It doesn't matter, it's your birthday."
"(moan)..then let me sleep."
"Nope! Can't do that." (Watching for the swinging fists, thanks for the tip Chris)

After several belabored minutes, I rouse the sleeping monster and slowly watch her transform back into my wife as she opens up the presents: A Book, A Bag, A Movie. She says thanks and falls on the bed with far flung hopes of reversing her hasty metamorphous.

"If I were you, I'd get dressed."
"Ahhhh... why?"
"Cause I don't think you'll be comfortable in those pajamas all day."
"...If you were me how long would I have to get dressed?"
" about ten minutes."

Ten minutes later. Knock-knock.

"What is wrong with you people... the sun is not even up yet."

Louis and Lisa join the pre-dawn fun and bustle us out the door. We are later joined by Paul as we proceed to march Jolene towards the bus stop in the pre-dawn coolness.

"Where the heck are we going?"
"Not on your life...hehe"

We continue to harass her as she sits, shivering on the sidewalk waiting for the phantom bus to arrive. She makes a feeble effort to read the sign as it passes by but the four-against-one strategy worked well in our favor. Jolene boards the bus at 5:10 in the morning of her most Happy Birthday swearing under her breath about how she's going to get me back next year.

5:30 On the bus
6:30 On the bus
7:12 The sun rises
7:30 Still on the bus
8:30 Still, still on the bus
9:20 Approaching Everland (Korea's Disneyland)
9:22 Fastest-ever witnessed transformation from grumpy, morning-blues to squealing, clapping, happiness.

"WE'RE GOING TO EVERLAND!!!!"


Thus ends the birthday surprise and begins my wife's most Happy Birthday.