Hello again old friends. Family. Folks. Fellows.
I've been away for a long time and I truly apologize for my absence. If you've ever had a blog, you know there are just some times that nothing exciting happens for a bit, you figure you'll wait to write until your next _____, then maybe some bad stuff happens that you don't want to write about just yet or you're sick or busy or all of the above. As more time passes you feel that once you do write that next entry it had better d*** well explain your absence, and make up for the words missing and time lost.
Well, I can't promise that. I will tell you that I have been sick, busy, and some bad things have happened. As of yet, I'm not interested in delving into those details as it's summer and we should all be in our best spirits (maybe I can maintain mine as well if I don't dwell). I will also say that I've chosen to write at this very moment because I feel regret about neglecting my responsibility to write to you, because I've resigned myself to being sick for a while longer (as prescribed by my doctor), and because whatever bad things that I have the power to resolve have resolved. The remaining negativity is outside of my jurisdiction to control and I've decided to accept that, however hard it may be.
OK, on to happier topics. I will have 2 weeks vacation in August and still have no concrete plans. I'm hoping to find a friend to sightsee more of Korea with, and possibly spend a few days in Japan. I can only go so long without true Japanese ramen noodles, fresh sushi, and draft Sapporo before I start to wither a bit. The ferry from Busan, coupled with a 7-day unlimited bullet train ticket is marginally cheaper than a flight to Tokyo, and almost as fast. Of course, I'm talking about the 3-hour high-speed hydrafoil trip to the southwestern port city of Fukuoka, a vastly different city than Tokyo. Fukuoka is cute, safe, and moderately more affordable but in fact, I've been there twice and never Tokyo, so who knows? I just may need to get my flying fix after all.
In other news, it's July. Did you get the memo? I just canNOT believe where the time is going. I mean, I feel like I've only just moved to Busan when in fact I've been in this city for just over 10 months!! I now live in a small country area north of Haeundae Beach (part of Busan) and at the end of August, I'll be moving into a new apartment closer to the beach and inside the city. I will need to take the bus everyday to get to my school but it's worth it to me to be closer to where my friends live.
Before that time, I have some busy weeks coming up. This weekend, as you know, was Fourth of July. This holiday has been a source of some sadness for me during my time in Korea. There are rarely, if any, fireworks. No fry bread for "indian" tacos, no lakes with docks and pontoon rides, no traveling carnivals with rides to make the change fall out of my pockets and the bottom out of my stomach. It's usually the mid-point of the rainy season, overcast, and just a typical weekend. This year was no exception.
It's Monday afternoon now and I'm leaving work, on my way to more bad news unfortunately. But I'll be sure to write more soon.
Promise.X
View one of my pretty photos "On Black"
This final beaver sculpture is part of the city's annual Bemidji Sculpture Walk and was the subject of a recent controversy centered around it's portrayal of the female form. The sculpture's artist, Deborah Davis, said she didn't intend her work to be sexual or offensive in any way. Unfortunately, Bemidji city manager John Chattin decided last Thursday to remove the statue after receiving about 20 complaints. 20? Out of over 15,000 people residing in the area?! That's what a lot of my friends and I said over the past few days on social networking site groups dedicated to reinstating the sculpture, Gaea, to her place among her beaver friends.