Uncle JJ

Year of the Hospital

Posted on 24. May, 2010 by Johnathan.

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Not wanting my spine to get all the attention, my jealous limbs conspired to get me back into the hospital for another set of xrays and CT scans. They waited for the perfect moment where I was inline skating with Hwajung to spin and slam down on the pavement with torque and fury. Drunk off [...]

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Sports for Teacher’s Day

Posted on 23. May, 2010 by Johnathan.

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Teachers are still thought of as important in Korea, and are afforded their own day off complemented with a celebratory sports afternoon. This year had fewer events to reflect South Korea’s mourning of recently murdered soldiers. But the show went on and featured tug of war battles between classes for more than just bragging [...]

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Parents Day (or Nurimaru Part II)

Posted on 22. May, 2010 by Johnathan.

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North America celebrates Mother’s & Father’s day separately, but in Korea they parsimoniously merge them into one ultimate, mega-amazing Parent’s Day. This was set a couple of weeks ago and we enjoyed a nice lunch near a temple called Yong-gun Sa, followed by a digestive walk around Nurimaru–a 10 minute drive apart. I failed to [...]

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Take me out to the ball game

Posted on 08. May, 2010 by Johnathan.

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Went to the baseball game today and watched Busan’s team, the Lotte Giants, pull an upset over the Dusan Bears. Lotte is the worst team in the league, but they were able to pull off 13 straight runs after giving up the first 4 in the opening inning. Baseball has a special culture in Busan, [...]

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Afternoon around Nurimaru

Posted on 02. May, 2010 by Johnathan.

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Back in 2005, Busan was the proud host of the APEC Conference and furnished a local island to receive its international guests. Today, the venue is reserved for display, but visitors are welcome to walk around the island and enjoy the view. It leads into the largest beach in Korea (Haeundae), making for a picturesque [...]

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Trip to Kamloops

Posted on 18. Apr, 2010 by Johnathan.

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Aside from acclimating myself with some acute pain, Kamloops was a success. Seeing Katherine again was pretty special and I finally got to meet my nephew, Connor. Many like it when kids are “that age,” the one where they motor around looking cute and speak with their eyes rather than their mouths, and I agree [...]

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What do you do when you fall off a horse?

Posted on 17. Apr, 2010 by Johnathan.

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You go to the hospital. For anyone who has ever uttered the rhetorical question of falling off a horse to encourage someone to try again, I suggest finding a new phrase. A rugged cowboy might hop back on without batting an eye, but the less hardy, including you, probably won’t get up anytime soon. And [...]