Well, it has been a long time but thought I should get back to making entries again. I really haven't done much over the last few months. I have been home for Christmas and have enjoyed unseasonaly warm weather while here. My son, Chris, and his family took me to Branson Mo. and I have some pics from the trip on this link (http://flic.kr/s/aHsjxDkc4r) of the lights and the beautiful sunset. Enjoy and I will post again soon.

Singapore: Lunar New Year 2011

Well it took me a while but I finally made it through the 350 plus pics and came up with some to share. It was nice to get away to someplace nice (thank heavens for milage programs). I know some pictures may not mean much but they are basically China Town, Marina Bay, the Financial District, Little India and the Sands at Marina Bay (the tall place with what seems like a boat on top). Anyway, I hope you enjoy them.

Click for Pics

2011 has started with a bit of a chill in the air. My trip to Kansas City was fast (except for the four plus hours delay due to fog at the Incheon Airport in Korea) and sweet. It was great to see everyone and spend some time with the grandkids. Two weeks at Christmas time goes by pretty fast. I didn't get tome to visit some friends because of the hurried schedule but at least I will have time this summer since I have no classes to take, Yeah!! Of course no posting is a posting without some pictures to share and of course all you have to do is follow the link. If you think some of the pictures could be better just consider the subjects and give me a break.

Those of you not knowledgeable about Kansas City, the place with all the pretty lights is know as the Country Club Plaza which has been lighting the holiday season for over fifty years. Of course what is Christmas without family pictures? Enjoy my family, Mom and my sister Sue, my son Chris and his family, my daughter Rachel's family and Michelle's family.

I wish you all the best in the coming year. May you be found in the place you should be at the time you should be there doing what you should be doing. May you feel the love of God daily and take time to tell Him thanks for all he has and will provide for you, even when you don't deserve it (most of the time for me). Last, be sure to be God's hands extended and reach out to someone in need even when it does not fit your schedule or mood.

Blessings to all!

Chrysanthemums!!

The end of October and first of November are a celebration of color here in Korea. One example is the Daecheong Lake Chrysanthemum Festival. As you can see when you look at the Gallery of pictures the variety is marvelous. I took a few of my students last weekend so there are a few pictures of them and some of a colleagues kids too. It has been a really great fall. The trees are in full color this week and the air is crisp. It has even been a little windy the last couple days so it feels a bit like home back in Kansas. It is hard to believe that Christmas is right around the corner but it is coming fast. I hope I can keep up with all the things that need to get done in the next four or five weeks. Enjoy the pictures!

Baekjae Festival-Gongju

This years Baekjae Kingdom Festival in Gongju was going strong last weekend. The festival lasts for a month and has has some great weather. My visit was short this year and I did not make it to Buyeo but hope to next weekend. The festival was combined with the annual Chestnut Festival where all kinds of chestnut products could be sampled and bought. Events happen around and on the Geum Kang (River) and is a great place to spend a sunny afternoon in October. Click for pics.

Chuseok Road Trip

This week we enjoyed one of Korea's major holidays called Chuseok. We had 6 days to relax and I chose to take a road trip on my motorcycle to the northeast boarder DMZ. The ride went through some of South Korea's highest mountain ranges to the East Sea (Sea of Japan), south following the coast highway which has been recognized as a major highway in Asia and is officially Asian Highway 6 (AH6) and then back west through the mountains to Daejeon. The 1,100 kilometer trip took me four days to complete, about a day and a half were pretty rainy but not too bad.

Take time to look at the pictures and get a sense of the beautiful Korean mountains, city markets in small towns and the ocean along the coast highway. The city market in Goesan was too colorful to pass up and as you look at the pictures you will see why I had to spend a little time walking the path and enjoying a traditional Korean snack.

Wet September

Well, after one of the wettest August in Korean history, we have begun the month of September with what has to be one of the wettest first 14 days for the month. It did dry out enough to take in the annual Nangye and Grape Festival in Youngdong on the 4th. In fact for a day, it was actually bright and on the hot side, but you can see from the pics it was a good time for all that attended.

This weekend kicks off the annual Baekjae Kindom Festival held in Gongju and Buyeo. Pictures for that will be in the next entry. The middle school students took part in a Love-All-Serve-All (LASA) trip to the Nuri Center and got a little hands-on experience working with young people with various disabilities. Yes it rained most of the time but was a great experience for them.