Sadly, many of those who leave Sung Bin set forth into a very uncertain future. A near absence of social welfare support coupled with the stigma of being an orphan, set them on a path that almost invariably leads to hardship and poverty. In a nation where children routinely remain in the parental home until well into their thirties, you can imagine the difficulties faced by a teenager trying to cope with the responsibilities that come with independence. Desperation leaves the girls vulnerable to a variety of risks, and it’s no wonder that some fall into dangerous situations.

As someone who’s been visiting Sung Bin for the past six years, there have been moments when I’ve wondered if the efforts of our volunteers and the generosity of the wider foreign community would ever bear fruit. Progress has not always been easy to gauge, and at times it seemed as if we were spinning our wheels. Although fund-raising efforts had resulted in a modest nest egg, we were still at a loss as to how to direct these resources in a way that would have a lasting impact.

However, things took a turn recently when the administration of Sung Bin approached us with a need that seemed worthy of the hard work that so many have put in over so long. Although the orphanage does what it can to assist those who are required to leave the facility, this year it’s transpired that one girl is still without stable living arrangements. Because of our long relationship with Sung Bin, the administration felt comfortable in asking for our help to provide the girl, who is to attend Dongkang University later this year, with a place to live.

A Call to Action

The kind of help we require to bring this endeavor to a successful conclusion is more varied than you might at first imagine. For the last couple of years, as we debated how best to utilize the money we’d raised for Sung Bin, our fund-raising efforts (with the notable exceptions of the scavenger hunt and Christmas bake sale) took a back seat to other priorities. With this new challenge ahead of us, however, we are once again looking for the support of the community that has responded so well in the past. To that end, anyone who has a fund-raising idea they’d like to help bring to fruition, we’d love to hear about it. We especially welcome ideas that provide donors with some kind of enjoyment beyond the feel-good factor of knowing that their contribution is going to a ‘good cause’.

Secondly, thanks to the fundraising efforts of the Gwangju community, an apartment is being provided free of charge for one year. However, we are hoping to find people to help us get things ready in the new accommodations. This assistance could take various forms. For example, we need people to help with tasks such as cleaning the space, moving furnishings, hanging drapes, as well as any general maintenance that might be needed. The apartment is also unfurnished, and Sung Bin has also provided us with a list of required items, which you’ll find printed below. Should you wish to donate one of these items, I would ask that you first contact us (details below) to ensure that it’s not already been arranged by someone else. If the item you wish to donate is used, please see that it is clean and in good working condition. The Underground Grocers have generously agreed to store items for us until we are ready to move them into the space. For heavier items please contact Tim Whitman directly to arrange collection.

The last type of help does not relate to this appeal directly, but is much needed nonetheless. As I mentioned previously, I’ve been making weekly visits to Sung bin for the better part of six years. In that time I’ve seen many volunteers come and go. We are always looking for new recruits to help us out on our regular Saturday visits. Of particular need are people to help us in planning activities to do with the girls. It’s not necessary that activities relate to English in any way. In fact, we most often spend our time playing games or doing crafts. If you’re creative and good with kids, please lend us your time and your talents. It will make a world of difference.

In our view, this opportunity to provide safe, clean shelter for a young girl in need constitutes a watershed moment for Gwangju’s international residents – a chance for us to demonstrate our commitment to enacting positive change in Korean society. Be a part of it!

List of Items for Donation
small refrigerator
desk lamp
plates/bowls
rubber gloves
toiletries
washing machine
alarm clock
pots/pans
mop
condiments
TV
mirror
utensils
broom/dustpan
food items (rice)
radio/CD player
bedding
sponge/dish soap
small trashcan
cups/mugs
computer
fan
knives
laundry detergent
iron/board
rice cooker
hair dryer
clothes hangers
bath towels
extension cords

Contact Information:
Cash Donations / Fund Raising Donation of Items Volunteering
Elton LaClare Tim Whitman Al Barnum
eltonlaclare@hotmail.com timothyw@chosun.ac.kr al_barnum@yahoo.com

Make a Difference

We’re looking for creative/active/energetic/outgoing/enthusiastic volunteers to join us to take part in our regular Saturday program. Do something useful with your Saturday afternoons, give back to the community, and make a difference in the lives of these girls. Meet every Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in front of downtown Starbucks. All welcome. 

Apartment provided by Donations

1. January 14th – Diary Day
At the beginning of the year, people usually make resolutions and buy a new diary for the New Year. In Korea, on January 14th, couples give their sweetheart a new diary for the year, wishing that he/she will have a nice and happy new year.

2. February 14th – Valentine’s Day
February 14th is the famous Valentine’s Day. It was first introduced to Korea from the West, but a few changes have been made. In the Korean version of Valentine’s Day, the people who prepare chocolate and cards are not the men, but the women. As Valentine’s Day approaches, girls get busy preparing special presents for their lovers. All the bakeries and stores sell chocolate as well and they sell like hot cakes during this period. Nowadays, girls even make special DIY chocolate to show their boyfriend how much they love them and how much effort they put into making a special present for them. In return, men prepare a romantic dinner for their sweetheart.

3. March 14th – White Day
Not familiar to White Day? This day is as famous as Valentine’s Day in Korea. On White Day, it is the men’s turn to prepare special presents for their sweethearts. Boys buy fancily decorated candies, cards and other presents for their girlfriend. Unlike Valentine’s Day, however, girls don’t necessarily have to prepare fancy dinner. This is usually taken care of by the boys once again.

4. April 14th – Black Day
Those days mentioned so far are special days only for couples. Then what about the people who are not couples? Black Day is for people who are lonely. People who spent Valentine’s Day and White Day gloomily, eat jajangmyeon (자장면 – noodles in black sauce) on this day alone. They eat jajangmyeon, hoping that they will find their love soon.

5. May 14th – Rose Day
On May 14th, lovers buy beautiful roses and give them to their sweetheart. There is no rule about who should present but most of the time it is men who prepare flowers.

6. June 14th – Kiss Day
On Kiss Day, kiss your sweetheart.

7. July 14th – Silver Day
You have to present something silver to your girl/boyfriend on this day. Some people call this day “Ring Day”, on which you give a ring to your lover. Some couples buy couple rings and put them on their fourth finger as a symbol of their love.

8. August 14th – Green Day & Music Day
Couples go to the mountains or forests to enjoy green scenery and fresh air and that is why it has been named “Green Day”. Some people say that it is Music Day when couples listen to their favorite songs together. It would be best to go to mountains and listen to music there, enjoying the beautiful landscape and relaxing together.

9. September 14th – Photo Day
Take a picture with your boy/girlfriend and share it with him/her.

10. October 14th – Wine Day
Enjoy nice wine with your sweetheart on Wine Day.

11. November 14th – Movie Day
On this day, you go to the movies with your girl/boyfriend.

12. December 14th – Hug Day
You give your sweetheart a big hug on the Hug Day.

13. November 11th – Pepero Day
On November 11th, boys and girls buy or make Pepero, a stick-shaped cookie covered with chocolate, and give to their lovers. Pepero Day was chosen as Nov. 11th (11-11) because the number eleven looks like two standing sticks. Although Pepero Day is not one of the “14th” days in Korea, it is an equally famous special day for couples in Korea.

With so many special days, it doesn’t seem to be easy to be a couple here in Korea. In fact, except Valentine’s Day, White Day and Pepero Day, the remaining days are not so popular and some people don’t even know about them. Also, some people criticize those days as being over-commercialized. Methods don’t seem to be so important in expressing love to whom you love. If you are in love, make everyday your special day and don’t hesitate to express your love.

Paintball is often misunderstood as a dangerous sport. Paintball has a lower rate of injury requiring a hospital visit than inline skating, soccer, volleyball, and even using exercise equipment. In fact, paintball has a lower injury rate each year than trampolines, televisions, amusement park rides and attractions, or even clothing.

For those unfamiliar with the game, paintball is a very safe sport and a joy to play. Great efforts have been made to separate the sport of paintball from gun culture. Instead of guns, players use markers that shoot balls, not bullets and if you are hit, you are “tagged,” not dead or shot. Paintball is then viewed as a sport, not a hobby for gun-crazed enthusiasts (though there are those as well).

There are a few simple safety regulations that, when obeyed, make for a safe and enjoyable game. First, proper safety equipment (namely, a mask) is essential, and you should never remove it while the game is in session. Second, no blind shooting. If you can’t see where you’re shooting, don’t shoot. There are other rules that change depending on the field, but these two are basically universal. Combined with common sense (stretch properly before the game, exercise caution when playing, don’t clean your trigger while looking down the marker), these two rules will result in a fun and safe game for all involved.

For me, I love paintball and was very excited to find out that there was a field in Gwangju. It was better than expected, though certainly smaller than the forty-acre fields you often find in Canada. Roughly the size of three soccer fields, the game takes place in a wooded area about five minutes away from the Duam Dong Home Plus. In the past, we met at the Buk Gu fire station and had the field marshal meet us there, ferrying everyone into cabs.

I have been twice: once in the summer and once in the fall, and had a lot of fun. The first time, we went with about twenty or so people, and the second time we went with about thirty. The rivalry and trash talk is always a highlight with our last team names being “Kill Jon” and “Kill James” (the captains of the two teams). Post-game, the comparing of welts, bumps, scrapes and stories is almost as good as the game itself.

The field is next to a large grass soccer field (how many of those do you see here?) plus a large covered area with tables and chairs. The second time we went, we finished the game with barbequed hot dogs and pizza. There is also a barbequed meat restaurant (slow cooked smoked meat, not meat fried at the table) that definitely looks like it’s worth trying out.

Once at the field, the equipment, which includes a face mask, marker, 40 balls per round, gloves, plastic chest and back protector, and coveralls, is handed out. The teams are made and safety rules are explained. As the field marshal is Korean, he explains in Korean, so it is a good idea if you have someone willing and able to translate at least the basic meaning of what is being said. He does speak some English but prefers to do the explaining in Korean.

Once this is finished, you head into the field to start playing. The most basic game is simply team elimination: tag the other team before they tag you. The last team standing is the winner. ‘Capture the flag’ is also popular with each team having a flag at their end. The team that is able to make it to the other team’s flag and wave it is the winner. Third is ‘Rambo’ where nobody is actually ever out. You simply keep marking someone until they call themselves “out” or you run out of shots.

The base package includes three rounds and once you are tagged, you have to head to the designated safe area for the rest of the round. Everyone is back in at the beginning of each round, so don’t worry too much if you’re eliminated in a hurry. The price depends on the amount of people participating, but you get the equipment, use of the field, the field marshal and 40 shots per game included with the fee. The more people you get out, the cheaper it is. As the field is not very big, it won’t easily accommodate groups much larger than 30. You can play additional rounds for about 3,000 per person.

The name of the company is 빛고을레포츠 (Bitgoeul Reports) and the website is http://blog.daum.net/han23480/6895958. The phone numbers are 010-7733-2144 (cell) or 062-269-3114 (office). You’ll need to talk to Han Seok Bong. Although his English is not great, he’s willing to try to communicate and is very foreigner friendly. For larger groups, you’ll have to put down a deposit in order to make a reservation. Also, confirm the price ahead of time (price is based on numbers but usually is around 25,000 per person) and remember what was agreed upon as you’ll need to pay cash once you’re done playing. The field is located at 장구의땅 (“jang-gu-i ddang”, General’s Land) and most taxi drivers seem to know where it is. If in doubt, meet somewhere near (Home Plus or the Buk Gu fire station) and the field marshal will meet you and explain to cabs how to get there.

Good luck and happy playing!

The Tea Making Process

1. Plucking
2. Sorting
3. Cleaning
4. Primary drying/withering
5. Tea Specific Manufacture
6. Final Firing/drying
7. Sorting
8. Packing

China is not only the largest tea producer in the world but also the largest consumer. Tea grows readily in almost all provinces of the country except those that are too cold and dry. With so many varying areas and climates the variety of tea in China can be overwhelming. Green tea is the most consumed type of tea and likewise it is the one with the most choices. It would be possible to spend months in China drinking only green tea from different gardens throughout the country. Fortunately many tea merchants in the major cities stock a good selection, but even then, selections will vary according to region. Very generally, the eastern provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui are well-known for excellent green teas. To the south Fujian province is well known for oolong as well as neighboring Taiwan. In the west, Sichuan and Yunnan are famous for pu-erh tea and some black teas. This is only a cursory glance as within each region there are excellent teas of each variety. Japan, like China, mostly produces and consumes green tea. Besides leaf teas like those in other countries, the Japanese have a special fondness for powdered green tea, called matcha, which is whipped in a large bowl with a bamboo whisk. The best tea plants in Japan are reserved for matcha, and the first picked leaves of a prime tea plant are legendary. Most tea is produced in the southern provinces. Of important esteem are the teas from the island of Kyushu and those from the prefectures of Shizuoka and Uji. The latter is especially renowned given its proximity to the ancient capitals of Kyoto and Nara. In Korea, tea is found throughout the south. Both Jeolla-do and Gyeonsang-do have tea gardens producing mainly green tea. In addition, Jeju Island with its temperate climate and high altitudes produces a large quantity of tea. Of special concern, however, is the area around Jiri mountain which has historically produced Korea’s best teas.

Moving out of East Asia, India produces much of the world’s black tea. Darjeeling in the north is famous for its delicate, fresh, golden black teas. Assam and the southern region of Nilgiri produce fine robust teas. Neighboring Sri Lanka is also an important producer of similarly strong black teas. In terms of domestic consumption, India is well known for its spiced milk teas, referred to as chai, which simply means tea. Personally, I appreciate the pronounced flavor of cardamom in my spiced teas. Most other South and Southeast Asian countries produce tea as well. Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia and Nepal all produce and consume tea to varying degrees. Northern Thailand has a noticeable Chinese population that has transplanted tea making and producing traditions from China. For example, in the areas around Chiang Mai it is easy to find oolong teas similar to those found in Fujian or Taiwan. Vietnam also has a developed tea culture, obviously influenced by its proximity to China. Interestingly this tea culture coincides with an intense coffee drinking culture. It is common practice to drink strong green tea together with strong Vietnamese coffee in cafes throughout the country. While coffee drinking is more widespread in Laos, it is easy to find a cup of domestic tea to drink with your coffee like in Vietnam. The scenic Cameron Highlands of Malaysia, once the summer getaway for British colonizers, is now a well known tourist destination with its ideal climate and undulating tea gardens. Nepal produces high mountains teas like those found in Darjeeling and Indonesia, with is tropical climate and vast land, tends well growing gardens of black tea used mostly for export. Beyond Asia, Kenya and Tanzania are both important tea producers exporting large volumes of black tea. Some of these teas are specialty teas while others are mass-produced teas used for blending. It all depends on the method and the destination of the final product.

In each country and in each region there are proprietary methods of production. Often subtle differences in technique are applied to produce substantial differences in the final tea. Not only are production methods different between styles of tea, but each region or individual garden exemplifies differences for the same style of tea. It is a matter of the hands of the producer and the terroir of the place. Generally, however, all producers follow a similar procedure. The first step is plucking or harvesting the leaves. In a country like Korea or China with distinct seasonality, leaves are picked three or four times beginning in April and lasting until the first heavy monsoon arrives. Depending on the region, leaves can be harvested in the summer and into the fall. In tropical areas, leaves are harvested almost year round with relatively consistent quality. Throughout the year the each progressive plucking is referred to as first flush, second flush, third flush et cetera, or by names traditionally used by the region or even still by confusing new names made up by different producers. Not all harvesting is done the same way either. In Japan, for example where labor costs are high and the rapidity of processing is essential, machines are used to cut the leaves from well tended plants. In other countries, for economic, aesthetic, or logistical reasons (sometimes the land is too steep), plucking is done by hand. Generally, the first teas picked in early spring from tender buds have the most concentrated flavors and produce the finest and most expensive teas. As tea leaves grow the amount of flavor disperses throughout the larger leave, in essence large leaves and small buds from the same plant have the same fundamental flavors, except the smaller buds have more flavor per unit of weight. This makes it possible to infuse young leaves several times in water, but also makes the leaves more temperamental and it’s easy to make the liquor too bitter. Several people have told me that when they tried fresh expensive tea they did not like it because it was too bitter; this not a fault in production, but a miscalculation in brewing. In any case, all producers have to pick their leaves, and ultimately the flavor and intensity of the tea varies according to the flush.

Next, after plucking, all the gathered leaves are sorted by quality and then cleaned. Once cleaned, the leaves are dried of excess moisture and in the case of black tea, left to wither. Primary drying is traditionally done in the sun, but it also can be done indoors on drying racks, or in modern stainless steel dryers. From here on, each type of tea has its own special process. Most green teas undergo some form of shaping or other manipulation to release the leaves’ juices. Black teas will also be shaped but they must be left to oxidize as well. The shaping, cutting, rolling, and resting of leaves in this step are done by hand or by machine, or both. There is no rule – particular techniques belong to each producer. Once the leaves have undergone their tea specific manufacture, the tea must be dried to stop oxidation and to rid the leaves of moisture. Again this is done in many ways. Large manufacturers use computer monitored industrial ovens. Smaller manufactures often use wood or gas fired ovens. But one effective and traditional method is to pan roast the tea. Roasters hand-toss the leaves several times in a large metal pan to evenly dry the leaves without burning. Another ancient method found in China is to dry the leaves in a bamboo basket over a fire. Whatever the method, this step is imperative to ensure the lasting quality of the finished tea. An improperly finished tea will soon lose its flavor and spoil. Often leaves are fired several times to ensure complete dryness. Once fired, the leaves at all manufacturers are again sorted for quality and finally they are packed and send off to market. Whatever your preference, green, oolong, or black, loose leaf or tea bag, hot or cold, it is important to remember how far your leaves have traveled to flavor your delicious cup of tea.

By Warren Parsons

The damage and devastation was horrendous. At the time of writing, and estimated 212,000 have died, 300,000 injured and more than 1.2 million people have been made homeless due to the quake.
International relief efforts immediately went into action, but are struggling to deal with the enormity of the situation. Basic human necessities such as food, water and shelter are badly needed. Furthermore medical supplies and proper medical facilities to care for the sick and injured are practically non-existent. There have been many television reports demonstrating the makeshift hospitals that are constructed from old tarps and bed sheets.

Aftershocks are still hitting the country, making relief and recovery efforts even more difficult and dangerous. The country’s already poor infrastructure has been destroyed, so moving around and distributing aid is very difficult. Civic unrest has further complicated the situation.
In the short term, stabilizing the situation there and supplying food and water is of desperate importance. In the longer term, clearing the rubble and rebuilding this shattered nation is a project that will take years and years. International charities are all in need of aid and monetary donations to help fund this work.

Living here in South Korea, on the other side of the world, it’s easy to feel disconnected from the plight, and forget about it once we’ve turned off the TV news. However, one English teacher in Jeollanam-do was moved into action and has initiated a local aid campaign. Riann Arkinstall, a Canadian living in Gangjin, started the Korean Change For Haiti appeal.

Like so many good ideas, it’s its simplicity that makes it great. Like so many fund-raising efforts, it relies on the concept of a lot of small things adding up to something great. A single 100- or 500-won coin might not amount to much, but many people put them into change jars, where, over time, they can accumulate to quite a large total. As the name suggests, the campaign encourages people to donate the contents of their change-jars to assist Haitian people. If many people can come together and all donate the contents of these change jars, a significant contribution would be very quickly made.

In an e-mail interview, Arkinstall revealed the moment he was inspired to start his campaign. “As I was watching the news about the tragedy that had occurred in Haiti, I felt a bit removed and numb. I stood up and walked past my change jar holding open my living room door and the idea struck me: I could do something and maybe others might join,” he explained. “The name for this campaign also hit me and I enjoyed how it had a kind of double meaning, Korean Change for Haiti. I had heard from a few other native-English speaking friends who had change jars like me and I also felt the name could inspire some hope for improvement for Haiti, one of the poorest nations in the world.”

Arkinstall contacted the Korean Red Cross for details on how to donate. “I had some challenges to get the necessary details from the Red Cross as to how people could donate and also how people could qualify for charitable donation receipts for Korean income tax purposes,” he said. “But Park ‘Jay’ Ju-seong (박주성) at the Red Cross provided me with the information and I was pleased to hear that she was very busy with phone calls from other Koreans hoping to make a difference.”

The next step was to get the word out to others to spread the campaign. To do this, Arkinstall has set up a Facebook group page to attract friends and friends-of-friends (If you do an Internet search for “Korean Change for Haiti”, you can find all the details). Popular Jeollanam-do blogger Brian Deutsch also promoted the campaign on his page. “I was so pleased to see the Facebook group I created grow quite quickly and I was soon calculating the total donation for the Haitian people if all members were to donate their change jars as well,” said Arkinstall. “I also appreciate that my campaign was given more exposure through the JLP provincial office (the coordinator there forwarded my info to all the native speaking English teachers in the program), as well as [by] Brian Deutsch.”

Full details of how to donate can be found on the Facebook page, as well as at the end of this article. Of course, any donation is welcome: change-jar or otherwise. As Arkinstall says, “if we pool these small sums, we can make a difference.” Those donating can also receive an ‘Acknowledgment of Donation’ from the Korean Red Cross if they wish, which could qualify them for a tax-deduction from the government.
Additionally, independent of the Korean Change appeal, you can make a small donation the Korean Red Cross using your cell phone. Simply dial 060 707 1070, and listen to a short recorded message (in Korean). You don’t need to understand or respond to the message: just stay on the line until the beep sounds, and then hang-up. Two thousand won is donated for each call, and you can call as many times as you like.
The final word goes to Arkinstall: “Please don’t let your good intentions pass without action. As the story gets ‘old’, people will naturally begin to forget about the plight of the Haitians. I urge you to do your best no matter how small.”


Donations should be made to the Korean Red Cross (대한적십자사) to Nong-hyup Bank (농협) Account No. 301-0042-3408-21.

She picked me up in her older-model SUV at a neighboring bus stop and immediately, I was struck by her adapted modern style. Wearing the traditional gray attire of the Korean ordained and a small woolen cap covering her shaved head, her smile beamed as she greeted me. I was equally surprised that her touch screen mobile phone was more sophisticated than my used push button one.

A friend from Sri Lanka was seated in the front seat, as she drove me a few short blocks to her temple, the Sangay Choeling Tibetan Buddhism Studies Center. At the altar were photos of His Holiness the Dali Lama and other Buddhist dignitaries carefully placed around the room. Colorful lotus flower decorations adorned the ceiling with blessings written in Korean. I found out later I had just missed the Lunar New Year celebration the previous day, so I only saw what was left.

Finally, Marme received me in her private chamber, a cozy room just off the main altar room. An avid table tennis player, she has certificates on the wall showing off her number one ranking. Originally from Seoul, Marme has been ordained for nearly 20 years in the Jogye Order, the largest in Korea. She knew she always wanted to be a nun and recounted to me the story of her mother’s wish to have a boy. After 100 days of prayer for a boy, she was born. When hearing this story as a child she made the decision at an early age to be a nun. “It was my Karma,” she says. “It was my dream to be a student of Buddha.” After more than two years at her center in Wolgook, however, she is at a crossroads between teaching and practicing.

As part of the Jogye Order, Marme must remain celibate as she practices a life of asceticism. Before becoming ordained, she practiced her vows for three years. Even though after six months it is possible to become an apprentice nun or a monk, then pass a 4-year course to gain more knowledge. Although nuns and monks perform the same tasks, monks take 250 vows while nuns take 348 vows. Despite reports that nuns are under appreciated and even discriminated against elsewhere, nuns in Korea, she says are “very well respected” because of the structure in place to become a nun. “Nuns in Taiwan are very similar, because of the structure there,” she adds. Even her name “Marme” Sunim was given to her by a high-ranking holy official from India, which means “bottle lamp” and Sunim which is the respectful title for a senior nun or monk in Korea.

She already had some guests visiting and was serving them gangra tea from India. Soon after I arrived her doctor friend arrived and she stated her reticence in talking to me. “Wait until I talk to my friend, and we’ll see,” she said. I sat quietly sipping tea and taking it all in as she spoke Korean to her guests.

Her doctor friend seemed to put her at ease, when he said to me “I feel like we’ve met in previous life,” he said. Soon afterwards, Marme felt comfortable enough to invite me for lunch. We moved to the kitchen area, where her cook served us a filling meal of traditional vegetarian side dishes. “This is made without garlic, onions and other [pungent] spices. It is forbidden to eat them,” she says. “Really? I never knew that,” I said. I learned later that in the Buddhist faith, this is to avoid lustful arousal and sparking a temper as well as risking rejection of one’s flesh and blood by the gods and saints. The meal was delicious and ended with a tasty dish of persimmons marinated in honey, ginger and pine nuts called sujung gua.

Finally, she agreed to a short interview and continued serving me some tea. “What is the difference between Tibetan and Korean Buddhism?” I ask. “Well they are very similar in that they are about getting enlightenment and using the Mahayana sutras (holy scriptures thought to have come directly from the Buddha). Tibetan Buddhism however proposes a different way of thinking about compassion for others, wisdom and bodhistava (aspiration in attaining Buddahood or a state of liberation and knowledge).”

She proudly tells me she recently traveled to New Zealand to study abroad and met many westerners who were eager to learn about Buddhism and her beliefs. Marme tells me she is now attending Donggang College in Gwangju to pursue a degree in social work, and tells me through her study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism, how she has embraced community service more than ever. “The first social welfare worker was Buddha,” she declares. “Ten years ago, a monk asked me to study social work, and I refused. Today I am studying social work.”

“I have no teacher in Korea though,” she says. Today, while constantly in pursuit of wisdom, she is unsure if she will stay at her present temple or move on, but is leaning towards inviting other nuns which would make the temple even better. As such, Marme tells me she is considering moving to another temple in the Himalayas or inviting other nuns to stay with her at the temple. She says she is torn between practicing Buddhism and teaching it. Soon, she will be preparing an upcoming pilgrimage to India where she will participate in Tibetan New Year on March 3, 2010 and meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama and other ordained friends and teachers.

Upon her return she may decide what her next steps will be. In the meantime, she enjoys receiving visitors most mornings at her temple in Wolgook, including the occasional foreigner. Some of her friends are in a local rock band called Euphoria, she tells me and insists I meet them. “They are like my family,” she says of her friends and followers. “Family.”

To visit Marme at the Sangay Choeling Tibetan Buddhism Studies Center, take Bus 29 or 40 to Wolgook Market. Call: 062-956-2351(2) for additional directions.

This festival, which has been held since 1997, takes place at Maehwa Village in the Dap-myeon region nearby Gwangyang City, and was originally created to help boost the local economy. However, these days during the event, the area is packed with tourists coming from all over the country. The village gets its name for the abundant maehwa (apricot) trees that grow in the area.

The main attractions in the festival are the maehwa trees’ white-flower blossom, and the chance to taste a variety of apricot-based foods. In addition there are cultural and musical performances. It will be a very memorable event for everyone, as the flowers will be a very beautiful sight and very picturesque.

Directions:
To get there, from Gwangju take a bus to Gwangyang city (20 buses a day) then get off at the Gwangyang Terminal. There will be shuttle buses from the terminal to the festival venue which depart every 2 hours and cost 2,500 won per person.

For more information, visit www.gwangyang.go.kr/02en/sub05/06/index02.jsp
For transportation time and schedule, visit www.gwangyang.go.kr/culture/tour/traffic/04/index.jsp

2010 Gurye Sansuyu (Cornus Fruit) Flower Festival
Date: March 18 – 21, 2010
Venue: Jeonnam Guryegun Jirisan hot spring area
HYPERLINK “http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_2_1.jsp?cid=292969″ www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_2_1.jsp?cid=292969
Photo credit: www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2010/01/203_20685.html

Sansuyu, or cornus fruit, is the reason for you to come to Gurye every March. The festival only lasts for four days, so make sure that you can go there to enjoy the full bloom of the bright yellow Cornus fruit flower that fills the whole area of Gurye.

The venue itself, which is in Mount Jiri hot spring area will be perfect not only for sightseeing but also for relaxing. There will also be fireworks and many cultural performances. While enjoying the sights, you can also taste various kinds of snacks and products made from sansuyu. Many kinds of programs will be scheduled that involve sansuyu, which include making fans, kites, tasting sansuyu rice cakes, tea, and so on. The festival has been voted as one of the best in the country.

Directions:
Take a bus from Gwangju Terminal to Gurye, which will take around 1 hour and 20 minutes. From Gurye Terminal, take a county bus (around 40 minutes) and get off at Sansuyu Village. You can also take a taxi from the terminal to the venue (Mt. Jiri) taking about 30 minutes.

2010 Gwangju Spring Flower Expo
March 26 – April 4
Opening time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Venue: Kim Dae Jung Convention Center, Gwangju
Ticket price: 4,500 won for adult; 2,700won for children

If your travelling time is limited, you can still fully enjoy the beauty of spring and the blossoming of flowers right here in Gwangju. Gwangju Spring Flower Expo, held annually since 2007 at the Kim Dae Jung Convention Center will showcase various kinds of flowers, exhibitions and events for ten days.

Around 100 exhibitors are participating, which guarantees a full enjoyment the flowers showcased.
The exhibition is divided into 3 themes:
‘Flower & Music’ which includes Entrance Garden, Music Garden and Orchid garden
- ‘Flower & Women’ which includes Women`s room, Big-sized Accessory Garden, Flower Art Works and Multi Shop for Fashion 
- ‘Flower & Leisure’ which includes Yacht Garden, Table Decoration, Golf Garden, Camping Garden and Sculpture Garden
There will also be various other pavilions such as ‘Potted Flowers’, ‘Kids Garden’, collections of wild flowers, bonsai and cactus, exhibitions of flower-related products, gardening interior and flower species.

The exhibition is completed with lectures on gardening, a flower decoration competition, stage performances and a photo contest, so even though you have participated in the other flower festivals, these exhibitions will surely add another wonderful experience of spring flowers.

Directions:
Kim Dae Jung Convention Center is located in the West District (Seo-gu) in Gwangju. Buses no 64 and 38 will take you to the venue. The bus stop is Kim Dae Jung Convention Center (김대중컨벤션센터)

2010 Yeosu Odong-do Camellia Festival
Date: Early March
Odong-do is one of the many beautiful islands around Yeosu, located south-east of Gwangju. Odong island is famous for camellia flowers, and during spring bloom beautifully.

Camellia flowers can be found in East Asia. In Korea the trees are mostly found in the southwestern region. The dark red color of the flowers symbolizes a woman’s chastity, as according to local legends, the trees grew over a grave of a beautiful maiden, who died by drowning to escape bandits.

The camellias actually start to bloom on early October, but it will reach its peak on early March.
From the main ticket office in Odong-do you can either take the Camellia Train, or go by motorboat. Both ways will give you wonderful sceneries of flowers and wild trees which cover almost the whole island.

Directions:
To reach Odong-do, you can take bus from Gwangcheon Terminal in Gwangju to Yeosu, which runs 30 times a day and costs 9,400 won. The island is connected with the mainland by a 768-meter-long bridge.
You may walk along the way for about 15 minutes or by a 10-minute drive from Yeosu city downtown.

Release Date: 04 Mar 2010
Genre: Children
Language: English

Synopsis
Director and subject matter make for a perfect marriage in Tim Burton version of the Lewis Carroll classic. “Alice in Wonderland” stars frequent Burton collaborator Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, “Defiance” Mia Wasikowska as Alice, and Anne Hathaway as the White Queen.
HYPERLINK “http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/johnny_depp/”HYPERLINK “http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/anne_hathaway/”HYPERLINK “http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/helena_bonham_carter/”HYPERLINK “http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/crispin_glover/”
Cast & Crew
HYPERLINK “http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/john_hillcoat/”HYPERLINK “http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/tim_burton/”Director: Tim Burton
Screenwriter: Linda Wolverton
Producer: Richard D. Zanuck, Joe Roth, Suzanne Todd, Jennifer Todd
Composer: Danny Elfman
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Starring: Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham-Carter, Crispin Glover, Alan Rickman, Mia Wasilkowska, Stephen Fry, Michael Sheen, Timothy Spall

Up In the Air
`
Release Date: 11 Mar 2010
Genre: HYPERLINK “http://www.rottentomatoes.com/movie/browser.php?genre=200005″Comedies
Language: English

Synopsis
After getting Oscar attention for “Juno”, director Jason Reitman turns to this adaptation of Walter Kirn’s comic novel. Academy Award-winner George Clooney stars as Ryan Bingham, a businessman on the verge of reaching five million frequent flyer miles when his company decides to cut back on travel. But his goal isn’t the only thing just out of reach: he now won’t be able to see a fellow frequent traveler (“The Departed” Vera Farmiga) who has caught his eye.
HYPERLINK “http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/george_clooney/”HYPERLINK “http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/vera_farmiga/”HYPERLINK “http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/anna_kendrick/”HYPERLINK “http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/melanie_lynskey/”HYPERLINK “http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/jason_reitman/”
Cast & Crew
HYPERLINK “http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/1221685-oren_peli/”Director: Jason Reitman
Screenwriter: Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner
Producer: Ivan Reitman, Jason Reitman, Jeffrey Clifford, Daniel Dubiecki, Tom Pollock, Joe Medjuck, Ted Griffin, 
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Starring: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Melanie Lynskey, Danny McBride, J.K. Simmons

Shutter Island

Release Date: 18 Mar 2010
Genre: Dramas
Language: English

Synopsis
From Oscar winning director Martin Scorsese, “Shutter Island” is the story of two U.S. marshals, Teddy Daniels (Leonardo Di Caprio) and Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), who are summoned to a remote and barren island off the coast of Massachusetts to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a murderess from the island’s fortress-like hospital for the criminally insane.
HYPERLINK “http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/leonardo_di_caprio/”HYPERLINK “http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/ben_kingsley/”HYPERLINK “http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/1033789-michelle_williams/”HYPERLINK “http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/mark_ruffalo/”HYPERLINK “http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/martin_scorsese/”
Cast & Crew
HYPERLINK “http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/john_musker/”HYPERLINK “http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/ron_clements/”Director: Martin Scorsese
Screenwriter: Laeta Kalogridis
Producer: Mike Medavoy, Arnold Messer, Bradley J. Fischer, Martin Scorsese
Composer: Robbie Robertson
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Starring: Leonardo Di Caprio, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Mark Ruffalo, Emily Mortimer, Jackie Earle Haley, Max Von Sydow, Patricia Clarkson

Movie info from www.rottentomatoes.com

Take Off
Directed By: Kim Yeong Wha
Starring: Ha Jeong Woo, Seong Dong Il, Kim Ji Seok, Kim Dong Wuk, Choi Jae Hwan, Lee Jae Eung
Time: 137 mins
Review: 8 out of 10

I really enjoy watching Korean films that are based on actual events. It gives me a chance to get a glimpse of a real-life event in a way that is usually entertaining. I recently watched the film 국가대표 (“Guk-ga Dae-pyo”, Take Off). The film chronicles the development of the South Korean Ski Jump team. Now, to say that the movie is only about Korean ski jumpers is like saying ‘Cool Runnings’ is only about Jamaican bobsledders. The movie is chock full of drama as well as comedy.

The film is set in 1997. Korea is bidding to host the 2002 Winter Olympics and is demonstrating to the Olympic Committee and the world that it has more winter sports than only short track speed skating. The coach is assigned the task of finding athletes to compete in the Ski Jump.

This was a time in South Korean sports history when a lot of people weren’t really educated about the full nature of the sport. Most people had never even really heard about it because no South Korean had ever done it before.

In the story, the coach gathers together a “team”. I use the word loosely as he chooses individuals that will directly benefit from doing something remarkable for the nation. One of the members, for example, is under the impression he’ll never have to do any military service if he wins a gold medal. Another is doing it so he can find his birthmother, as he has returned to Korea from overseas looking for her.

The team undergoes a large amount of training to prepare, and this is central to the film. The coach doesn’t know much about professional ski jump training, so they have to rely on what little they know and improvise. In one instance, to simulate the feeling of the rush of wind going down the hill before they jump, they bolt boots to the top of a van and the jumper stands on the van while they drive around at speeds of 90 km/hr on a highway.

The entire film was shot in Korea. There are two major competition scenes, one in Germany and one in Nagano, Japan. The film’s producers built a large set with no audiences and then took footage from the actual sporting events and mixed the two. They did a good job as I couldn’t really notice the combination.

The film culminates at the Nagano Olympics. Here, you get a really good impression of what happens to a nation that’s never seen its athletes compete in a particular winter sport. This is especially evident by the dramatic behavior of the sportscasters.

There are numerous subplots occurring throughout the film which make it more than just a typical sports movie. Each athlete participates not only for their country, but also because of certain circumstances in each of their lives.

In my opinion, the most interesting subplot was the captain’s story. In the 1970s a lot of Korean children were put up for adoption, and many of those children were adopted by people in other countries. The captain’s adopted parents were from the United States. He came back to Korea and went on a television show to try and find his mother. I think it’s great that he was looking for his lost birth parents, but when he went on television and appeared on a talk show, I think it kind of cheapened the moment.

Overall, the film was great. It’s a rollercoaster ride of emotions as you watch the development of the Korean National Ski Jumping team.

When Korea lost the Olympic bid to the United States, they shut down all construction and wanted the team to give up. However, after the Nagano Games, Korea decided to bid for the Olympics again. The area that was to host the Olympics was Pyeong-chang, and they were almost awarded the Winter Olympics for 2010, but lost to Vancouver in the final round by only 3 votes. Keep your eyes out for Korea’s ski jumpers – there are only 5 of them.

Russo-Japan war/peace treaty was arranged by then U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt at Portsmouth, U.S. and it was here that Katsura-Taft Secret Agreement was signed which gave Japan’s supremacy over Korea. After this secret agreement, Japan’s design on Korea became naked and they set out to make Korea their protectorate. The 1905 Protectorate Treaty with Japan completely deprived Korea of the sovereign power to maintain relations with foreign governments, leading to Korea’s annexation to Japan five years later in 1910.

There are stories around the Annexation Treaty on August 22, 1910. It is the official start of colonization of Korea. When the Treaty was known to the public, the reaction of the public was violent. Several patriots committed suicide lamenting the loss of the country. Some raised righteous army ( HYPERLINK “javascript:hanjaLink(’義’);” 義 HYPERLINK “javascript:hanjaLink(’兵’);” 兵) only to be put down by mighty Japanese force. Uneasy times drifted on for several years. Early in 1918, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson announced a 14-point peace proposal in dealing with the aftermath of the World War I. One of the points was a “national self-determination” policy, which undoubtedly caught the attention of weaker or colonized nations all over the world. In December 1918, there was a news report that Syngman Rhee and two other Korean residents in America would attend the Paris Peace Conference as the representatives of the Korean people. This news encouraged the Korean students in Tokyo and they formed Korean Independence Youth in secrecy. Early 1919, their leaders managed to draw up a Declaration of Independence and they proceeded to proclaim independence on February 8th, 1919 at the Korean YMCA in Tokyo. But this plan leaked out somehow and leaders were arrested by the Japanese police.

The students’ movement in Tokyo gave an impetus to the independence leaders in the country. Thirty-three leaders (16 Christians, 15 Buddhists, 2 Chondogyoists (Heavenly Way)) secretly prepared their proclamation of Korean independence on March 1st, 1919 at Pagoda Park in Seoul. With the sounding of noon, one of the leaders read the Declaration of Independence. The thousands of people gathered there exclaimed “Manse! Manse!” (Long live the country!). Then they marched toward Deoksu Palace waving the national flag. This national frenzy spread all over or even beyond the country like wildfire.

The declaration was a peaceful one, barehanded only with a piece of printed paper. But the Japanese colonial authorities’ retaliation was immediate, ruthless and decisive, such as the Jeam-ni massacre, for example. Jeam-ni is a small village near Suwon. The Japanese troops rounded up the whole of the village’s people into a church building, closed the doors and shot them all indiscriminately and burned down the building. Another example: Yu Gwan-sun, a 16-year-old Ehwa Girls’ High School student was arrested leading “Manse” movement in Chungcheong Province and was put into prison and tortured to death. Over nine thousand people were arrested and imprisoned nationwide, of whom more than 2,000 were Christians.

Even though the barehanded uprising failed to achieve independence, 3.1 movement became the symbol of Korean independence movement and its spirit is inscribed in a clause in the Korean constitution. After the independence movement, a new governor-general (Admiral Saito) was appointed, who said he would take a cultural approach in colonial administration.