Stephy in Korea!

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CNN.com: "Bush spars with Roh on Korean war"
2007-09-07 13:32:00
From CNN.com:--------------------------------- ----- Bush spars with Roh on Korean war SYDNEY, Australia (CNN) -- In a rare public exchange highlighting the delicacy of political diplomacy, President Bush told South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun a formal end to the Korean war begins when North Korea halts its secretive nuclear weapons program.Both leaders met in Sydney ahead of an annual Asia-Pacific economic summit, spending much of their meeting discussing the international diplomatic stagnation over the communist North's nuclear arms program."We spent a lot of time talking about the six-party talks and the progress that is being made in the six-party talks," Bush said. They agreed there had been progress, with Roh characterizing it as "positive" and "meaningful."Then, in a rare back-and-forth exchange before the cameras, Roh pressed Bush to be "clearer" on his stance to officially ending the Korean War , which ended in 1953 with a truce, and not a peace treaty -- meaning on paper ...
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New school!
2007-09-02 05:38:00
Here are the first photos of my new school! Students playing soccer. Water fountains in back of the main building.The school's mysterious underbelly, consisting of a long passage and lots of mysterious rooms. The teachers' room. The vice-principal kindly permitted me to snap some pictures. My desk! The library.While most students stay in the dorm, the school provides buses to those who live nearby.
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New town, new school, new start!
2007-08-21 16:57:00
Hello, all! I recently relocated to Changpyeong, a small town 20 minutes from Gwangju. Tomorrow is my first day of teaching at Changpyeong High School , a co-ed boarding school that's had seven previous ETA's. Wish me luck!Now that I'm teaching again, I'll try to regain my momentum for blogging.
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Big changes: The end of a brief era
2007-07-04 12:11:00
First off, I would like to apologize profusely for neglecting the blog. During the last month or so, I've been overtaken by a desire to live in the moment without analyzing things too much, as is generally my habit. So, it's been a long time since I've posted in this space. I hope this hasn't caused my loyal readers too much disappointment or frustration.As you may know, Friday was my last day of teaching at Chungryol Girls' Middle School. It was hard saying goodbye to so many people who've touched my life during this past year. Hundreds of students, twenty-six teachers, and other school personal have been very kind to me. For a year, I walked among them, but after Friday, my daily life diverged from theirs. I can only hope that I've left them with a positive impression of foreigners. I know they've left a lasting impression on me.My students have never failed to amaze me, and last week was no different. The letters and cards they wrote for me are the greatest treasures I ha...
More About: Musings , Changes , Chang , Chan , Brief

Blogger's Choice Awards
2007-06-20 02:02:00
Hi everyone! I've been nominated for a Blogg er's Choice Award under the category of Best Education Blog. So exciting!Please click here to vote for my blog!
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Buddha's Birthday: Munsuam Temple
2007-06-01 08:44:00
On Buddha's birthday (Bucheonim osin nal), the first place Ok and I visited was Munsuam Temp le in Goseong.As is customary for Korean temples, Munsuam was adorned with colorful lanterns to commemorate the occasion.Yaksa, the second temple we would visit, is visible across the way. Many people turned out to visit the temple and pay their respects.The temple provided lunch for all visitors in the form of rice and vegetable balls. There is a special legend behind these cliffs stating that if the visitor has a clean spirit, he/she can look up and see the image of Buddha in the rocky crevice. Ok and I couldn't see it. Uh-oh!
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Happy Birthday, Buddha!
2007-05-24 15:04:00
Happy birthday, Buddha !School was closed today on account of Buddha's birthday, which is a public holiday in South Korea. To celebrate the occasion, I accompanied my friend Ok to two breathtaking temples in nearby Goseong. Look for pictures soon!
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More Mireuksan (part 2)
2007-05-23 15:04:00
Here are a few more snapshots from last weekend's outing to Mireuksan. Enjoy!
More About: Tongyeong , Hiking , Part

More Mireuksan (part 1)
2007-05-23 15:01:00
Angela and I enjoyed another lovely Sunday of hiking on Mireuksan. Enjoy and be jealous! Angela and someone's cute dog. You'll note the adorable faux-pearl collar.
More About: Tongyeong , Hiking , Part

CNN.com: "Venturing into North Korea"
2007-05-23 08:16:00
Here's an informative piece from CNN.com about Mount Kumgang, a tourist resort in North Korea .----------------------------------- --- Venturing into North Korea POSTED: 10:45 a.m. EDT, May 22, 2007By Adam LevineCNN WashingtonMOUNT KUMGANG, North Korea (CNN) -- Hiking on North Korea's Mount Kumgang gives you the uneasy feeling that despite the majesty of the natural scenery, even nature cannot escape politics in one of the most closed-off countries in the world.The four-hour walk to Kuryong Falls is the centerpiece of the Mount Kumgang resort in southeastern North Korea. The trail winds along a river with glistening pools of water and picturesque scenery all around.But you never escape the country's dictatorship -- there is the propaganda carved into the mountainside and rocks by the North Koreans, and the Chinese before them. There are also the North Korean employees working as vendors and rescue workers on the trail. They are always in pairs, and always seem to be watching you.Ku...
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It's official... I'm extending!
2007-05-23 02:19:00
Fulbright Korea and IIE have approved my request to extend my teaching grant for the 2007-2008 school year. I'll post details about my next placement as soon as I have them. You can look forward to another year of Stephy in Korea! postings. :-)
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Happy birthday, Walter!
2007-05-22 03:12:00
To my dear brother back in the US: Happy 26th birthday! I hope you and Meaw have a great time celebrating.
More About: Birthdays , Birthday , Happy Birthday , Alter

Korea Herald: "Korean-Americans head to N.K. for family reunion"
2007-05-16 07:22:00
From the Korea Herald:---------------------------------- ---- Korean -Americans head to N.K. for family reunion2007.05.16A group of Korean-Americans will fly to North Korea on Wednesday for what will be the first family reunion for those living abroad, Yonhap News Agency said.The group of 15 people will enter Pyongyang through Shenyang, China, by airplane and begin an eight-day visit that will include face-to-face reunions with family members, a view of the North Korean Arirang Festival and a tour of the Panmunjom truce village.South and North Koreans began family reunions in 1985, but this is the first time that ethnic Koreans living abroad have been officially allowed into the North to see their kin.Shin Nam-ho, head of the Los Angeles branch of South Korea's National Unification Advisory Council, visited Pyongyang in February to negotiate the reunion.The group takes with it some 2,000 bags of fertilizer and vitamin sets for children in the North.Click here to read the full article...
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CNN.com: "Two Koreas take historic rail trip"
2007-05-16 06:58:00
From CNN.com:--------------------------------- ----- Two Koreas take historic rail trip POSTED: 0422 GMT (1222 HKT), May 16, 2007SEOUL, South Korea (Reuters) -- North and South Korea will send trains across their heavily-armed border on Thursday for the first time since their 1950-1953 war, a move Seoul sees as a milestone in reconciliation.Celebrities, politicians and even a conductor on the last train to cross the border in 1951 will be on board the two trains -- one starting in the North and one in the South -- that will go about 25 km (15 miles) each across the Cold War's last frontier."The government in Seoul and the South Korean people themselves have been starved for some signs of reciprocity," said Brian Myers, an associate professor of international relations at Dongseo University.South Korea, fearful of the hundreds of billions of dollars it would cost to unify with its impoverished neighbor, has sought a series of projects to gradually bring the two together.But the South...
More About: News , North Korea , Historic , Trip , Stor

Mireuksan hiking (part 2)
2007-05-14 17:39:00
Here is the second set of pictures from yesterday's hike at Mireuksan. Behold the breathtaking splendor! Hi Mom! Hi Dad!After hiking, we enjoyed a nice picnic lunch in the harbor.
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Mireuksan hiking (part 1)
2007-05-14 17:13:00
Yesterday was a brilliant summery day, so I accompanied Jeongyeong and a hometown friend of hers for a hike up Mireuksan Mountain in Tongyeong. Thanks, ladies, for a lovely day! Jeongyoung decided that she simply had to take this shot of yours truly resting against a tree.
More About: Hiking , King , Part

Daewonsa Temple
2007-05-10 06:46:00
Daewonsa Temp le is situated on Mt. Moaksan, a provincial park near Jeonju . Please enjoy the following snapshots of this lovely mountain temple. A hiker enjoys clean water from a spring near the temple. A temple visitor relaxes and takes in the scenery. A collection of painted stone tablets is on display at the temple.In springtime, Korea is filled with luminous red and purple azaleas.
More About: Hiking , Buddhism

BBC News: "Alcohol damages for Seoul woman"
2007-05-08 03:11:00
From the BBC News :------------------------------------ -- Alcohol damages for Seoul woman A South Korean woman pressured by her former boss to drink alcohol at company dinners has been awarded damages by a court.The unidentified woman's ex-employer was told to pay her 30m won (£16,275) by the Seoul High Court."It's a violation of human dignity to force one to drink against his or her will," Judge Kang-Young-ho was quoted as saying by the Associated Press (AP).Heavy drinking sessions are common in South Korea's corporate culture.A lower court had already ruled in favour of the woman's case and awarded her 7m won (£3,800) in compensation, which was increased by the high court's ruling.If he or she suffered mental stress through forced drinking, it constitutes an illegal actJudge KangThe court had heard the drinking sessions went on as late as 0300, twice a week.Her employer, according to AP, once threatened he would get a male colleague to kiss her if she did not take part in the ...
More About: Culture , Woman , Oman

Scenes from two jim-jil-bangs
2007-05-03 05:13:00
During my trip last week, I stayed in two different jim-jil-bangs (Korean public bathhouses). For your enjoyment, here are some snapshots! Before entering a jim-jil-bang, it's customary to remove one's shoes and place them in a locker.Sleeping caves where I spent the night.Women enjoying each other's company while relaxing at the jim-jil-bang. Most jim-jil-bangs have a restaurant that's open late. Although there are specially designated sleeping areas, it's normal for jim-jil-bang guests to just bed down anywhere.Jim-jil-bangs usually boast a snack bar as well as a sit-down restaurant.These ornately tiled saunas are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. To the left of the tiled saunas are specially designated sleeping rooms for men and women. A play area for small children.
More About: Jeonju , Bang , Scenes

Video post: A Thursday evening in Jeonju
2007-04-29 03:36:00
Click here to see my latest experiment in video editing: a montage of photos I took Thursday night in Jeonju . Make sure your sound is on for the full effect!
More About: Video , Post , Evening

I'm back!
2007-04-27 18:11:00
I'm back in Tongyeong after a lovely few days in Jeonju, a bustling city flanked by majestic, hiker-friendly mountains. Check back soon for pictures!
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Be back soon!
2007-04-23 09:46:00
The students have midterms this week, so starting tomorrow, I'm taking the opportunity for a few days of travel, fresh air, and sunshine. Be back soon!
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Korea Herald: "Koreas to test-run railways on May 17"
2007-04-23 06:42:00
From the Korea Hera ld:---------------------------------- ---- Koreas to test-run railways on May 17By Lee Joo-hee(angiely@heraldm.com)2007.04.23Wra pping up five days of economic talks, the two Koreas yesterday agreed to test run cross-border railways on May 17 after a military safety guarantee is finalized. Seoul also agreed to send 400,000 tons of rice aid to the North beginning at the end of next month.After an almost year-long hiatus caused by North Korea 's missile launches in July 2006, the two Koreas held their 13th economic cooperation talks in Pyongyang."Both sides agreed to make positive efforts to actualize a military safety guarantee prior to the test runs of the railways," a 10-point agreement released after the talks said.Further discussions will be held on April 27-28 in Gaeseong for the operation, it said.The two Koreas also agreed to meet on May 2-4 to discuss the South's provision of raw materials for light industry to the North in return for minerals starting from ...
More About: News , Railways

Korea Herald: "Deadly shooting at Korean Army base"
2007-04-22 05:27:00
From the Korea Hera ld:---------------------------------- ---- Deadly shooting at Korean Army base Two Korean soldiers were found shot dead yesterday at an Army engineer unit in Hoengseong, Gangwon Province.The two 21-year-old corporals identified with their surnames Lee and Han were on guard duty outside an ammunition depot, Army spokesman Col. Kang Duck-chan told reporters.The cause of the incident was not immediately known...********************************* ************The Army said it is still investigating the incident.In June 2005, a soldier bullied by senior comrades hurled a grenade into a barracks and went on a shooting rampage at an Army guard post near the border with North Korea, killing eight colleagues and wounding two.Suicides or weapons-related incidents ignited by mental or physical abuse of soldiers have been a problem in Korea, where every physically and mentally fit man must serve more than two years in the armed forces. The country maintains a 650,000-man strong m...
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CNN.com: "Nuclear pact not reached; S. Korea still to give North food"
2007-04-22 05:22:00
From CNN.com:--------------------------------- ----- Nuclear pact not reached; S. Korea still to give North food POSTED: 10:50 p.m. EDT, April 21, 2007 SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- South Korea agreed Sunday to send 400,000 tons of rice to impoverished North Korea despite the communist government's failure to meet a deadline to shut down its nuclear reactor.The agreement was reached early Sunday after five days of economic aid talks in the North Korean capital. It was seen as a setback in South Korea's attempt to use food aid as leverage to pressure the North to honor its pledge to shut down the reactor under the Feb. 13 nuclear disarmament deal with the United States and its regional partners.The first batch of rice will be sent in late May, the agreement said. The South will ship 350,000 tons, and the remaining 50,000 tons be driven over land, across the world's most heavily fortified border. There were no conditions attached to the aid delivery, according to the agreement.The Kore...
More About: News , Food

Spring comes to Chungryol Girls' Middle School!
2007-04-20 08:04:00
As the weather gets warmer and the days grow longer, I can once again stroll the school grounds with my camera, photographing students, plants, and whatever else catches my eye. Here are a few snapshots of our school campus in bloom. Look for the cherry trees "Where's Waldo" style. "Hi teacher!" The school staff maintains some amazing gardens all around the campus.
More About: Girls , Spring , School , Ring , Middle

Korea Herald: "Korea mourning shooting victims"
2007-04-20 06:41:00
From the Korea Hera ld:---------------------------------- ---- Korea mourning shooting victims Korean society is sharing the sorrow and shock of Americans following the deaths of 32 students and staff members at Virginia Polytechnic Institute Monday...* * *Following grief spreading across cyberspace, citizens are making moves to take the action offline through a massive candlelight vigil this weekend."This is a tragedy that we should all share the sorrow for. To express our consolation to the victims and family members, we should gather in the central city with candles this Sunday," Choi Sung-sik, owner of an internet cafe on daum.net urged other cafe members yesterday.Set up Tuesday, the cafe now has over 5,000 members who are expressing their shock and concern following the shooting rampage.Thirty-two black ribbons were hung on a tree in front of the American Embassy in Korea Wednesday night to express solace to victims.About 60 members of civic groups including Right Korea and the ...
More About: News , Shooting , Victims

Anderson Cooper 360° Blog: "Korean-Americans' backlash fears lessen"
2007-04-20 06:29:00
From CNN's Anderson Cooper 360° Blog :------------------------------------ -- Korean -Americans' backlash fears lessen Jill Dougherty, U.S. Affairs Editor for CNN InternationalThursday, April 19, 2007Given that Cho Seung-Hui, the Virginia Tech killer, was Korean, we decided to ask some Korean-Americans if they are worried about a potential anti-Korean backlash here in the United States.We first tried reaching people in Fairfax County, Virginia, which is a half-hour drive from our bureau from Washington, D.C. This county has a large Korean community, but as we called restaurants and other Korean-owned establishments for interviews, no one wanted us to talk to their patrons. Too sensitive, they said. Our customers won't want to talk about it, they added. Many of them don't speak English, others said.So through friends we got in touch with 36-year-old Christian Oh, a "budding" (as he puts it) filmmaker, IT contractor and president of an Asian-American film festival. Christian's next ...
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Korea Herald: "Massacre puts ethnic Koreans in U.S. on alert"
2007-04-19 02:32:00
From the Korea Hera ld:---------------------------------- ---- Massacre puts ethnic Koreans in U.S. on alert Roh holds emergency meeting to discuss necessary measuresConcerned that the recent massacre by a South Korean student in Virginia, the United States, would spark prejudice or confrontation against South Koreans, the Seoul government held emergency meetings yesterday to discuss any necessary measures.Leaders from all political groups in South Korea also expressed their condolences to the victims and their families after the deadliest shooting in the history of the United States.A 23-year-old South Korean student who moved to the United States with his parents in 1992 reportedly shot to death at least 33 students and then killed himself on Tuesday, triggering shock and disbelief throughout the nation.President Roh Moo-hyun expressed his condolences twice in statements on the day of the shooting and again showed his grief after the summit talks with the visiting Italian Prime Mini...
More About: News , Ethnic

As I'm sure you've all heard, something unspeakabl...
2007-04-18 10:57:00
As I'm sure you've all heard, something unspeakable has happened involving a Korean national in the United States. My purpose in blogging about these events is to provide a bi-cultural perspective on this tragedy.This morning, one of my favorite co-workers commented that although the killer was born in Korea, "his thinking was American," rendering him capable of this act. I'm sure she didn't intend it as a personal insult, but I was saddened to learn that she had this perception of Americans as "natural-born killers" whose only recourse is violence.While surfing the web today, I learned of the deep impact this event is having on Koreans both here and in the U.S., and the fears that it will arouse hatred toward the Korean-American community. I also heard from a fellow ETA whose colleagues apologized to him for this incident, shamed by the actions of one of "their own kind."On this mixed-up planet of ours, some things can never be fully understood. This atrocity is one of them. Ho...
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