Christmas is almost here.

Less than 12 hours from now it shall be Christmas, my second at home with family and also my second separated from my love, Sun-Joo.  I have promised to make this the last, all Christmases  from now on shall be spent with her.  I plan on watching "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" provided we can find it online, There are some Korean Websites that have streaming video of English programs where we might find it.  It would be fun to watch with her.  Addendum, I shall be watching it with her on Christmas Day. 
I just finished watching Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.  It has been over a year since I have watched the extended version of this movie,  and I hope that in the future I am able to share this with my children (when of course I have them). 
I have often been thinking of the future in the past few months, there are many things I wish to accomplish. 

Update 2

Well Sun-Joo and I have finished watching the third season of Battlestar Galactica.  She caught fairly quickly who four of the new cylons would be.  Of course we are now awaiting the 4th season to start and I have sent her Razor for Christmas.  I was hoping that the 3rd season would be out on DVD by now but I am still waiting. 
Next week I shall be heading down to Halifax I think.  It all depends on when my pay comes in.  I am hoping to spend some time with old friends and have a good new years bash before I go back to St-Jean Garrison and complete my training.

How it looked when I was last there....

Just checking something

 
As most of you know I have been accepted into the Canadian Armed Forces as an Officer and have been in St-Jean, Quebec for quite some time.
On a more personal not I should have mentioned something about a very special event in my life...... I am engaged, Sun-Joo and I got engaged in August and are in the midst of getting all things organized. 

An apology

Mainly an apology to those who have read this blog, as I have not been as faithful in the posting that I would like. Much of this is due to the lethargy that has set in during this protracted winter. Spring seems non-exitstent and the annoying thing is that I would love to be walking the beaches or some park but the wind has been horridly cold.

I am hoping that the weather will warm up a little more that I might be able to do more outdoor activities. As can be seen from the picture above, this area does have a lot to offer. I have always loved the sea, it enthralls me but not enough to become a sailor. The airforce calls more so.

Update

I have really been busy over the last few weeks, schedule at work has been switching around som much that I know not if I am comming or going. As a result I have been unable to post until now. So much to say.....
My birthday and Sun-joo's has come and gone, we both wish we couldhave been together for them. considering they are so close to one another we shall probably celebrate them together on the mid day( the 11th of March) . As well our 200th day as a couple has come. Every day that comes I see as a blessing with her.
I am continuing to prepare for the rewrite for the Nav test. That in itself os a little daunting. So much math to remember, its hard to know where to begin. Trying to remember all the functions and how to do the math is a pain. I have not done math in my head for more than 15 years (simple math is easy ).
I have been putting together a package to send out to Sun-Joo and her family, I look around and see so many things that I would like to send. For instance, her father enjoys different types of beer, and there are so many here that I would love to send a huge crate of samples; everything from Sleaman's Honey Brown to Clancy's Amber Ale, I can hear Ian now "Why not some Schooner?" yes Ian some schooner and Kieths and Pumphouse, Rickards, Proppeller and all the micro brews I can find.
So hard to choose what to send....

I went to a hockey game this eveinng, Summerside vs. Moncton, I know I live in Summerside but for some reason I was wishing that the Moncton team would win. Maybe I always have had a soft spot for the underdog. The game was quite good. Many shots on each side, but I I found that the home team (Summerside, white and boue shirts) seemed to not have any spirit in playing. The Moncton team (in the Black above) overall played much better, thier passing was almost perfect and they definately seemed to work better as a team.

Heraldry

I've been thinking about my family history again. I realize that it has been many years since I have done any research in this area, now that I have my credit card I really should get a membership at one of the geneology sites. My friend Ian uses Ancestry.com I think. It would be interesting to be able to trace my family back to 1066 in England. I am aware there are two branches of my family name, one possibility is a German background, the other is Norman French, (Norman French leads back to William the Conqueror). Either way I am hoping to find interesting information. As stated in a previous post paternal grandfather was a memeber of the RCMP. And my maternal grandfather was a Clipper ship captain.

Amazed

I arrived home from work last night and was surpised to find the gifts above had arrived from Korea. Traditional cookies for the Asian New Year which is this weekend, and a Valentines gifts. (Begining the Year of the Pig, a year of good luck and enterprise). Needless to say I was completely amazed and very thankful to Sun-Joo and her mother for these delicious treats. The last time I had them was when I was in Korea, and I have missed them very much. Also included in the package were some packages of Jajamyung, a wonderful noodle dish that I have missed as well.

Movies, movies, movies !!!!!!!!! Sun-joo also included 3 vcd's of Korean movies that she had been telling me about, Shilmido (a really great film), The king and the Clown, and the third which is Welcome to Dngmakgol. I have been looking forward to these movies for a while.

I'm going to have alot of fun this weekend watching these films and enjoying the traditional treats with my parents.

A very big Thank-You to Sun-joo and her mother. Everything is amazing and really appreciated!!!!

고맙습니다!!!

No such luck

Well weather has been a pain so I am unable to travel to Halifax perhaps until tomorrow. Freezing rain and snow will be keeping me here until further notice. Hopefully I'll be able to travel by noon.

Hali bound

I could be headed down to Hali this weekend. My Grandmothers 88th brithday is this weekend so I should go down to see her. I think there is a large gathering this weekend so that means seeing many relatives. Should be interesting. I'll be sure to Keep in touch with Sun-Joo this weekend. Posting more in a little bit.

Toward the weekend

Last night I watched my favourite show Battlestar Galactica, it is really well written and I find the characters to be more enjoyable the more I watch. You can't help but get caught up with the flow of the story.

Had a good day, was let off work early due to the call volume being low. Went to the gym and had a really good work out, can still feel it in my shoulders and arms. Supper this evening was Bebimbap, a great Korean dish of mixed greens and rice with Gochu Jang (chilie pepper paste).

Eyes are strange

Well I had my eye exam yesterday. Rather interesting when you have to run to your car with your head under your coat and try to find your sunglasses. I had drops put in to open the iris and well for the rest of the day my eyes were extremely sensitive to light. Must have been an strange sight for people to see someone running with a jacket over their head. It took about 15 hours for my eyesight to get back to normal. I could not focus on anything and wearing my glasses was useless.

Back to cooking

Well, now that I have a job again, I am also able to help put food on the table. This evening I made one of my favourite soups, Pho Bo Tai. Unfotunately the picture above does not do justice to the flavourful food that it is. It is a realtively easy dish to make provided you have the proper ingredients and the patience to prepare everything in advance. The hardest thing to get is the fish sauce needed for the added flavouring. I forgot to ask Sun-Joo if she likes this particular food so I'll have to check with her tomorrow when I speak with her.

Good memory

This picture was taken during Chusok in Seoul. I had been invited to a picnic and we decided to go to the Han river. As the sun was setting I had wanted to get some good pictures of the river and surrounding area this is one of the best to have been taken that day. There are many memories that I carry with me from Korea, most of which are pleasant, this day was one of the best. Spent with some good food and former students, we played frisbee and spoke about the future and wondered where all of us would be in the comming years.

...the one less traveled by,

As I think about the days to come, my thougths drift to Sun-Joo and the future I wish for us. There are so many paths that two people may travel in life and the chances one has to make a life worth living come only once. I see all the choices I have made in my life spread out behind me that have led inexorably to the paths that lay at my feet. I was born into a military family, my brother has joined, as well as some of my cousins. It is a wise career choice, and I have finally set my mind to this path. One not all in our country take, yet in many ways one of the most honourable, and respectable careers one could take. So I have chosen the "one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference"- Robert Frost
I know how many things I would like Sun-Joo and I to experience together. Camping, horseback riding, even ballroom dancing to name a few. I know that there are many challenges ahead for us, long distance relationships are difficult. I also believe in us.

Driving Conditions

Today's nominee for foolish people, would be me. It's too bad that "work" didn't consider the roads to be foul enough for me to not drive in. The conditions for the early morning drive were fairly good provided you remained under the speed limit and drove cautiously. The evening however was another matter. I was expecting the roads to be, if not clear, passable. Nice to know that I was wrong. I keep forgetting that I live in PEI where the definition of a city can be a place with only 12,000 people. (Anyone else think this is a little ludicrous)? The "mainstreet" was still covered as are most if not all of the sidestreets. Still, I did take some satisfaction in the knowledge that there were school delays, (not closures) today. All those poor children having to get up early and realize that "Yes, you have to go to school today!!!!" (insert evil laugh here). If I have to go to work then most assuredly they must go to school.......
I'm hoping the driving will be better tomorrow as I must head to Charlottetown for my medical exam. I am really hoping that I can get into the Forces. Somthing about working for Resolve as a Customer Service Rep. for the rest of my life just does not appeal to me.

A well cared for blade.

Well my cleaning kit finally arrived, and I shall be busy this evening cleaning and caring for my sword. It is a good feeling to be able to clean and polish the blade again. It has been a while since I have had the oil to properly care for it.
As well it has now been about 2 months since I have practiced any forms or related exercies regarding Gumdo. I really miss it. I wish there were more do-jangs in Canada for this wonderful art. At the moment there are only 8 or so. Its a great Martial Art for mind and body, you really get alot of spatial awareness from it.

Talking to Sun Joo this morning really brightened my day. We usually speak for about an hour or two everyday, but since I started my job that time has been reduced to about 15 minutes a day. However we do text message each other and that brings a smile to my face every time I receive one.

Looking to the past

It's interesting to look at things from a different perspective. I mean take the picture above, much has changed in my life since I played hockey. As I grew up I stayed small and had to quit playing as everyone else got much bigger than I. Now, looking back, I really miss playing. I'm hoping that whenever I have children of my own that they become interested in some sort of activty. It really did help to develop my confidence as a child. (Oh if you take a close look at the stick I am holding it was my favorite as it was signed by Howie Meeker).

I am now on a health kick of sorts as I have joined a gym and will be going at least 5 days a week to exercise. I really feel out of shape and want to drop a few pounds and improve my endurance. My work out is fairly good and I am enjoying it. Its interesting to come home and feel your muscles ache in a good way.
At some point I have to start doing Haidong Gumdo again. I need to find a large area with hight ceilings and open space to practice my forms. By mixing both my gym work out and Gumdo I might be able to get the endurance I'm after.

Ever down the road.

Second day of training, and second of Gym. Muscles are telling me "hey don't do this" to which I replied: "Suffer in silence!" an argument insued and I won. (Though tomorrow that may not be the case, short lived victory and all that stuff).

I have to call the recruiting office tomorrow and set up an appointment for a madical exam. This should be interesting. I'm just praying they don't say "well, you're a little overweight". That would be ironic due to the fact that when I joined the Forces when I was 18 I was a little underweight.

We'll see what happens...... Until then I will sign off by saying I miss you Jagi. (Mani ta mani bogoshipeyo).

semi-worn path

I started work today at Resolve, (a customer support position). 3 weeks of training to do this job. Pay is OK roughly average for CC so it will keep me in money enough to take care of my bills and such. This is the third job as a customer care rep. that I have had in my life.

Honestly I really feel not like posting as I have a horrid cold and just got back from the gym. The work out was negligible but when I got to the crunches it really took a toll on my abs. I'm really needing a shower. Mostly for the hot water against aching muscles.

The picture above is in Summerside along the boardwalk. Strange weather today started snowing about mid-morning then rain in the afternoon and night. The roads will be horrible if this freezes... Global warming, what a nasty thing, and most people walk around saying "what beautiful weather...." or "It's so warm lets play golf" and grab the mini-van or the SUV and chug their way to the Golf Green. All the while adding to the green house emissions. Joy oh Bliss.

Pirates in the tree

(picture used without permision)

Just spent the evening watching Pirates of the Carribean: Deadman's Chest. It's amazing what a movie like that can do for the imagination. The longing for the open sea, wind in the sails, the crashing of the waves.

I've just been told that my Great, Great Grandfather (mothers side) who was a Clippership Captain, was also a Rum Runner. Interesting to have a pirate in the family tree. Oddly enough the Paternal Great Great Grandfather was a member of the first RCMP sea unit to be huning down these scallywags. Arrrrr!!!!

Canada Gold

(picture used without permission)

18th straight win at the World Junior Hockey Championships and Canada comes home with the gold medal for three years running.

Normally I'm not that much on following hockey but I must say I was thouroghly impressed with our team at the WJHC. I watched both of the last two games. The shoot out to determine the winners between U.S. and Canada left me on the edge of my seat. But as well, watching the final minutes of the last game deciding the gold medal between Russia and Canada was riviting. A six man powerplay with Russia pulling thier goalie to attempt to even the score and take the lead. Canada won with a final score of 4 to 2. That brightened my day.

I spent about $300.00 today getting a gym membership and some good running shoes. Its high time to get myself back into shape. I need to improve my endurance and get rid of some of my weight. Ideally I'd like to drop about 15 pounds (7 kilos). I plan on getting the full worth of my money and putting myself in the best shape that I can. First thing they say though is to take a picture of yourself before you start so that you can see the results later on. I'll post that picure later.

Played a few games of Uno over the web with Sunjoo this morning. She won more often than I. It is great that technology keeps making communicating overseas easier. We are often on msn together via web cam. This has definately allowed our relationship to grow as we learn more and more about each other.

Portage

It never ceases to amaze me how many impatient people there are driving on the roads these days. Speeding down the highway at 120 km/h when the speed limit is listed at 90 km/hr. I was passed twice by the same car only to arrive at my destination 5 minutes before the person who was in such a rush. (And I did the speedlimit all the way).
I had to go to Charlottetown today to get one of my suits finished. The drive was good as the roads were clear and the temperature was about +5 celcius.

Interestingly enough, I was reading today that 2007 is supposed to be the hottest year on record. Certainly noticing the mildness of the winter here in Atlantic Canada. Just wondering what will go on in the future.

Tomorrow I have to register at the local gym and start a work out. I'm hoping to lose about 15 pounds and put some muscle back on. It has been a while since I have worked out. (before Christmas). I am really wanting to get back into shape.Mainly I'm wanting to get back into shape to increase my endurance. I know that when Sun Joo gets here I'm wanting us to take dance lessons and perhaps do some horseback riding.

Employed

I Guess that there are advantages to leaving a job on good terms. I walked into Resolve (formerly Watts Communications) and no sooner did I drop my resume off than I was asked to fill out an application then had an imporomptu interview, and was offered a slot in the next training session to start next week. That takes a load off my mind and allows me to focus on other things.

To illustrate the wandering nature of my life the above photo is of a temple in Kyeong-ju Korea that I visited last year just before my birthday. The Temple is Bulguk-sa and is one of the oldest in Korea (if not the oldest). The serenity that one feels walking the grounds is amazing.

Breaking Camp

Welcome, this marks a new chapter in my journey and a continuation of the constantly evolving path that I have walked for these 35 years. I look forward to many new experiences and realizations that will allow me to grow and perhaps not be stunted.

January 2007, and my only regret is that my girlfriend and I are separated by so much distance. Sunjoo, is in Korea, and I miss her immensely. We have been speaking every day on the phone and through web cam since the day I left Seoul. By far she is the sweetest and most amazing woman I have met. She is a nurse, and we have plans to be together here once she finishes her international certifications for nursing. Long Distance relationships are difficult but so far we are doing quite well.

Well, eveything is in place now fow my application to the Canadian Forces. To some I imagine this would come as a shock. However I had thought of rejoining the military before I went back to Korea the second time to work at YBM. The only thing that prevented me from completing the application process in 2002-3 was that the security clearence check could have taken as long as 2 years to complete. The fact that I had been given conflicting information by the recuiting officers I talked to in Edmonton annoyed me as well. Now however it is just a waiting game as the centre has sent for my previous military records (from archives in Ottawa) and my medical history.

Those who know me are probably wondering if I have lost a nut or two. Yes, Injury and I seem to be well acquainted however, it is possible for me to change. Being back in Canada has changed me in a number of ways. I am no longer sullen and lethargic. Though I do find that I still get inordinately tired after eating certain foods. (Not a good thing when one has to drive for 3 hours). I am as well more optimistic, the change has been a good thing for me.
Looking back I did enjoy my time at YBM, though really wish I had been more socialble with my co-workers. I do tend to get into a rut if I become depressed and that really did a job on me in my last months. Suffice to say I miss Peter, Sonober and the gang back in Shinchon and hpe that they are all well.
It is the new year and I have spent the time with Ian Ross and Yeji here in Halifax. It has been over 6 years since I spent a newyears in his company. As with any time under his roof there is much thought given to song and wine. Though copious amounts of burbon and soju flowed as well.
For those out in the world, I wish you well and hope that the new year gives you new beginnings and new opportunities to excell in all you desire.