Ah, Springtime in Korea!  Really the best of the famed 4 seasons of Korea.  Perhaps this year feels all the sweeter with the knowledge that this is my last spring here.  Bittersweet is probably more accurate.

Anyway, these pics were taken outside my office.  Literally.  Not the best possible location for photography, but it will suffice.  Actually, the blossoms will probably peak in a couple of days, so these shots are a bit premature. 

Magnolia flowers starting to open…

A cherry tree with the Korean War Memorial building in the background…

A Yongsan Garrison street scene…

During the occupation, this was a Japanese military base.  Rumor has it they planted these cherry trees.  I don’t know if that is true or not and I guess it doesn’t matter either.

They sure are purdy though, don’t ya think?

Comments (0) | Permalink

One of the nicest things about living in the D.C. area was the bicycle trails along the Potomac river.  Well, we’ve got ‘em in Seoul too.  Not as scenic, but pleasant enough in an urban kind of way.

Anyway, seeing as how I’m working on living a healthier lifestyle and given the fact that I’m growing bored with my “walks” on the treadmill, I decided to reintroduce myself to the joys of bicycling.  It’s been probably ten years since I last rode, but it’s something you don’t forget, er, like riding a bike.  Sunday morning was a fine day in the Land of the Morning Calm, so I hit the trail…

So, I purchased this fine bicycle on base for $422.  You might notice the bike rack on my car behind me.  I barely have the courage to drive on the streets of Seoul, ain’t no way I’m riding a bike on the road.  But once you get to the riverside, it’s all cool.

Jee Yuen came along on her tiny one speed bike.  The lack of gears meant she had to work a hell of a lot harder than I did.  She was whupped pretty good after a 3 hour ride…

Signs of Spring were in evidence as the Gaenalee (Forsythia) was in full blossom…

…and leaves were sprouting on the trees.

Across the river is the National Assembly Building.  The cherry blossoms weren’t in evidence yet, but any day now the streets of Yeouido will be lined in pink…

Hey, it beats competing with buses and taxis.

The church on a rock.  Heh, maybe it’s St. Peter’s…

A river crossing…

Sunday morning soccer…

Archers.

Taking time to smell the flowers…

…and watching the horses graze.

Lunchee in a bag.  Dried squid. Yum!

A rest stop along the bike road…

And actually, this is where I leave you for now.

Comments (5) | Permalink

This week our yoja has a Gamecock connection, tenuous though it may be.  More on that later.

Allow me to present Korean model Hwang Mi Hee for your consideration.

You usually see her at motor shows, but this horsepower ain’t bad either…

And I’ve got a little YouTube action going if you want to see more of Ms. Hwang.

So, the Gamecock connection I mentioned comes from this fansite, which had the photo of Ms Hwang above.

And this, which is pretty funny:

Comments (3) | Permalink

You absolutely cannot make this stuff up:

The federal stimulus act has performed “exactly” as the Obama administration expected it to, Council of Economic Advisers Chairwoman Christina Romer said Sunday.

Ok then, let’s hop into the WABAC machine  for a reminder of what the Obama administration promised us:

I’m gonna give Romer the benefit of the doubt here and agree that the stimulus produced exactly the result expected.   Which would be this:

A Goy and his Blog deems this “fiscal suicide by Democrat”.  As apt as it is sad I’m afraid.

Comments (0) | Permalink

I guess this goes in the category of a broken clock being right twice a day.  CNN offers a first hand account of a reporter embedded with The Tea Party Express.   

When it comes to the Tea Party movement, the stereotypes don’t tell the whole story.

Here’s what you often see in the coverage of Tea Party rallies: offensive posters blasting President Obama and Democratic leaders; racist rhetoric spewed from what seems to be a largely white, male audience; and angry protesters rallying around the Constitution.

But here’s what you don’t often see in the coverage of Tea Party rallies: Patriotic signs professing a love for country; mothers and fathers with their children; African-Americans proudly participating; and senior citizens bopping to a hip-hop rapper.

Last week, I saw all of this during a five-city Western swing as the Tea Party Express national tour made its way across the country. CNN was along for the ride, and I was charged with planning CNN’s coverage for five stops in two states: St. George, Provo and Salt Lake City, Utah; and Grand Junction and Denver, Colorado.

Together, we beamed out images of the anger and the optimism, profiled African-Americans who are proud to be in the Tea Party’s minority and showed activists stirred by “God Bless America” or amused by a young rapper who strung together rhymes against the president and Democrats.

The CNN Express traveled with the Tea Party Express buses for hundreds of miles, from rally to rally to rally.

Being at a Tea Party rally is not quite like seeing it on TV, in newspapers or online. That’s the reason CNN is covering this political movement — and doing so in ways few others can or choose to do.

It is important to show the colorful anger Americans might have against elected leaders and Washington. But people should also see the orange-vested Tea Party hospitality handlers who welcome you with colorful smiles.

There were a few signs that could be seen as offensive to African-Americans. But by and large, no one I spoke with or I heard from on stage said anything that was approaching racist.

Almost everyone I met was welcoming to this African-American television news producer.

And though speakers railed against the “lame-stream media,” activists and their leaders praised CNN, especially for being the only national media outlet riding along for the post-weekend stops. Some of them e-mailed me after my trip, thanking our crew for fairly giving them a voice.

Meanwhile, in another universe:

On March 20, there was an “anti-war” demonstration in Lafayette Square Park, across the street from the White House. AIM went there to see what sort of activity was occurring, and as we show in this video, which was all shot at the scene of the demonstration, it was a mix of 9/11 Truthers, Code Pinkers, socialists, anarchists, and a large contingency of pro-Hamas, anti-Israel zealots.

The Washington Post covered it, but never mentioned the name Obama, though he was clearly a target of the protesters. The group that organized the protest, International ANSWER, claims there were 10,000 people there. Our estimate: 2 - 3 thousand tops, at least prior to the marching part of the demonstration. We didn’t stick around for that part.

One thing for sure, no one burned an American flag at any Tea Party gatherings, but they sure did here. Did you see any reporting about the hate-speech and flag burning? I guess MSNBC was too busy that day.

It makes me sad that so many are filled with a mixture of hate, fear and loathing for their fellow Americans.  But it is encouraging that an ever growing majority of Americans are rejecting the leftist dogma and embracing the freedoms this country was founded upon.

Comments (8) | Permalink

And no, I’m not going to get snarky over the reception Obama got from Nats fans.

Baseball has always been a game of statistics, and this story in Popular Mechanics about some new metrics is quite fascinating.

Play Ball!

Comments (1) | Permalink

So, we kinda sorta arranged a blind date between nephew Justin and the yochin’s daughter Sohee.  Her English is only slightly better than Justin’s Korean skills, but they managed it pretty well I think.  Let’s tag along on their “date”, shall we?

The evening started at Dolce Vita with Sohee whippin’ Justin’s behind on the pool table.  Er, not literally of course.  She won the game while Justin’s balls were still on the table.  Um, figuratively speaking.  She sank the 8-ball first and won the game.  That’s what happened.

So, we headed out to Don Valley for some Korean barbecue.

Been pretty much a regular there these past 5+ years so the wait staff always caters to our every desire.  Food and beverage wise anyway.

Galbi (marinated pork) and mushroom was our entree of choice.

Grilled right at the table Korean-style.

with the requisite side dishes of course

You can almost smell that Korean goodness, can’t you?

And Justin sez it all tastes as good as it looks.

Appetites satisfied it was off to the noraebang…

Searchin’ for the perfect tune…

Singin’ is serious business for Justin…

Sohee has the voice of an angel…

…and momma ain’t bad either.

The ceiling in our singing room was out of this world… (ahem).

I’m old enough to remember when we had to “follow the bouncing ball” at sing-a-longs.

Having exhausted our voices it was time for some country music at the Grand Ole Opry…

The tackiest honky tonk in Itaewon.  I love this place…

Not sure what this is about, making plans for a future get together without the old farts along perhaps?

The Opry tradition at midnight is to play “God Bless the USA”  and as you can see many in the audience stand and sing along.

Anyway, it was a fun night out on the town with the young folks…

Comments (0) | Permalink

It is no secret that I am planning to move to the Philippines after I retire later this year.  My reasons are varied and numerous, but I do appreciate and have a comfort level with a predominately Christian, English speaking population.  Pretty much the only place you’ll find like that in Asia.

I recall my first visit to Cebu back in 2008 coincided with Easter week celebrations.  I was somewhat surprised to discover that Maundy Thursday (which I had never even heard of) was a national holiday, akin to Christmas in the USA.  Everything was basically closed up tight and I was left to spend a pretty boring day in my hotel room.

Of course,  Maundy Thursday is just a warm up for the Good Friday festivities.  Well, if you can call being crucified festive.  No kidding, I’m talking being nailed to the cross here folks.

The Daily Mail from the UK has a fascinating article (from which I borrowed these photos) about the amazing demonstration of faith by the devoutly Catholic Filipino people.

During my Cebu visit I did not witness anyone being crucified (nor do I think I’d want to) but I did see a huge procession being led by someone like this:

You know, I’m not Catholic or even particularly religious, but I obviously respect the faith of others.  And to be honest, people who live their faith I think are most worthy of honor.  Still, demonstrations of faith by reenacting the suffering of Jesus Christ are pretty impressive don’t you think?

Certainly preferable to the suicide rituals of those whacked out followers of the pedophile Mohammad.  Just sayin’.

Comments (0) | Permalink

Another week, another yoja.  This week I am pleased to present Korea’s sweetheart, Lee Jee Yuen.

Ain’t she sweet?

Comments (0) | Permalink