Balance into 2007

Following my return from Korea I have had some conversations about the future of this blog. Writing about life in Korea was not part of the rationale justifying this space. The adventure in North East Asia was simply the catalyst to get going on it. The four points Être ou Avoir was founded on are still relevant even though I am back in Canada. The details are in the original post, but in summary the rationale is:
-become a better writer
-discuss balance, and the struggle many of us are in to find it
-stay close to current on how information is shared
-share cool stuff that I come across our people point out to me

While many of the posts here have been about Korea the prevailing theme attempted has been balance. There was an honest attempt to write about experiences, opinions or impressions that dealt with balance. This will continue to be the focus of the blog, at least for the time being. I have decided to continue with Être ou Avoir for at least another six months, and focus on the search for the elusive fulcrum – as I sometimes term the struggle for balance.

However, this blog is not intended to be a one way stream of communication. Nor, is it meant to be the sole means of communication on the issues brought up. As mentioned in previous posts, this is not the place for journal entries. This is a public space and posts are not intended to be stand alone entities either. My goal is for this place to hold pieces of conversations – conversations that are meant to continue, and evolve, here or elsewhere (hopefully in person with some people). That means there is a bit of onus on the reader. A conversation needs back and forth. Comments are always welcomed. If you prefer email or phone that’s okay. Better yet, if we can, let’s get together and continue the conversation as people should – face to face. But it begins with comment in some form. I have a hard time believing my thoughts and posts could ever be definitive. How this blog serves in communication will factor in to the decision about its future in June.

Personally, I am about to enter a stretch where my life will be completely unbalanced. I begin a new job in January that I will be giving a lot of myself to. I take some consolation in that I am aware of the unstable scenario I am heading towards. Further, it will be important to keep in mind that I am in control, and I give a lot of myself to the experience rather than the experience taking a lot from me. Hopefully this blog can bring a bit of balance in being something to do that is separate from my work.

So, bring on the New Year, and new adventures. After all, that’s how I’m actually looking at this new job. It’s the next adventure and I will bring what I have learned from my past adventures, and get the most out of this one. I hope you have some adventures in store for the New Year.

Hoping that you have a balanced 2007. Hear from you soon no doubt,
IR

Also:
-Should have some new photos up from a great little overnighter in the snow with some friends.

Merry Christmas

Wishing you Hope and Joy.

Joyeux Noël – Merry Christmas – 즐거운 성탄

Closure on Korea

After about 26 hours of travel I wound up back in Canada on Wednesday, my adventures in Korea having come to an end. As mentioned in previous posts, there were many highlights of my time in Northeast Asia, including food, hiking, taxi rides, dong-dong-ju, drums, weather, temples, and Hangeul, just to name a few. However, it was the people of Korea that made the experience completely fantastic.

In September I wrote about my early impressions, and how Koreans were always keen that I should be left with positive feelings regarding their country. This continued right up until my final day in Korea. During December I was often asked where I had visited, what I had enjoyed and what my favourite parts of Korea were. I told of the sights I had seen and the unique experiences I had, but I always emphasized that my fondest memory of Korea, and what made the adventure so worthwhile, was how I was treated by the people.

There were some I got to know well, like some students, and there were others I only had a passing connection with, like the family that ran the local corner store. Yet they all went out of their way to be helpful, kind, and accommodating. Two groups in particular will always represent the people of Korea for me. Firstly, the Daejeon Gold Eagles Ice Hockey Club Team. I always had a smile on when I was around these guys. Their welcoming attitudes, humour and amazing work ethic never made me think twice about playing hockey in a city an hour away at midnight. Each ice time, game or practice, was an exercise in joy.

Secondly, the core group of students who attended our English Clubs were quite simply the best part of Korea. I got to meet hundreds of students at CNUE, probably got to know about 30-40 a little bit, and then there were about a dozen or so students that I will always remember. It all started back in August with some clubs to help students improve their English. It finished in December by saying goodbye to a group of students that I sincerely hope I will meet again. The core group of students that came to the clubs were the best ambassadors any country could hope for. They genuinely cared about my Korean experience. They took us to special places in Korea, taught us about Korean culture, and shared their hopes, dreams and fears for the future of Korea. They opened their homes, went out of their way to help me get settled, cared about my welfare, and were genuinely interested in learning about me and Canadian culture. I hope we will meet again because they were much more than just students. They became friends, and were without a doubt, the best part of Korea.

Korea is an amazing nation. Its progression in the last half century is mind boggling, and the credit goes to the Korean people. There is still a lot ahead for the peninsula. In just my short time some key issues came to the forefront: nuclear testing, free trade with the US, cutbacks in Education. However, I believe the work ethic, hospitality and genuine caring of the Korean people will see Korea through the challenges ahead.

I will miss the mountains. I will miss the colours. I will miss learning about the culture. I will miss the people.

Thanks must go to Selma, Mark and Cam. While they are not Koreans they certainly showcased Korean hospitality and were incredibly inclusive. Thanks to Colette for being a great colleague. The biggest thanks to those I have already described: the core group of students that attended the English Clubs regularly. Korea would have been a completely different experience without them. It would have been good, but they made it great.

Fond Foods

As my time in Korea has now finished I will soon devote an entire entry to the conclusion. However, just before I do, the food in Korea deserves an entry all itself. I will miss Korean food and the style of eating. No doubt when I first go out to eat in Canada I will long for numerous side dishes and being able to steal food from across the table. It just won’t be as fun not cooking your food right at the table, or not using metal chopsticks. It will also be a lot less fun paying quite a bit more to eat out.

I was impressed with the variety of Korean food, and how most meals were very well balanced. Vegetables and dark greens seemed a mainstay of almost every meal. I never grew tired of rice, and took to kimchi more than I had expected. With so many local restaurants, and so many special ways of preparing dishes the tastes were never boring. Up until my last night in Korea I was able to continually try new things, and yet there was still so much I did not get to sample. Patrons were always welcoming and I was never disappointed with service.

Of course, no talk of eating in Korea should be left without mention of dong-dong-ju. On my final Friday in Korea a few of us went out for the infamous drink at a restaurant featuring oysters. Like most Korean restaurants they specialized in one particular ingredient (or even on particular dish) and make incredible meals surrounding it. The oyster pancakes that night were exceptional. But the dong-dong-ju of this establishment was even more exceptional. It was both tasty and refreshing, and of course fueled the good times.

Now that I have returned to Canada I will always be on the lookout for good Korean food. My standards will be high however, as the culinary experiences of living in Korea have set the bar so.

Little Extras

As my time in Korea quickly comes to a close I look back on the experiences that made it a success. The most important ingredient in making this adventure a great one has been the people I have met, but there will be more to say on that later.

One of the everyday things that has made Korea unique to me, and that I am going to miss is the Little Extras. When I go to the market, the woman at the fruit stall will throw a couple more oranges into my bag after I’ve paid. When I go to the grocery, store the clerk will ignore all others waiting in line to run back and get me something with a better expiration date. When I eat out, the patron will come along with an extra dish, dessert, coffee, pop or something else – on the house. When I eat in the cafeteria, the cooks always make sure I get an extra dessert. When I’m in a car visiting a gas station, everyone is offered coffee, tea or a little prize.

All of these little gestures are delivered with a big smile and an honest appreciation of your business. The other night when we had a wrap-up party with students the patron – a wonderful older woman – was working alone to cook and serve for us and she made up two extra dishes. I’ll miss these little gestures, these honest signs that people care about your enjoyment while at their establishments.

Also:
-I racked up big scores at Norebang the other night – lots of fun.
-That’s a karaoke room for the uninitiatied
-Some good final skates with the Daejeon Gold Eagles Ice Hockey Club Team – including a victory over Suwon.
-I’m no Gumdo master, but it was fun.
-Again, congratulations to you! (see previous post)

Congratulations to You

Your outstanding year has been recognized. If no one has yet to commended you, let me be the first to say, congratulations on you being named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year.

Quite frankly, I agree with Time. I feel you had a year like no other, and here’s why.

Your impact – like any Person of the Year’s – was broad, deep and traversed new territory. You influenced the thoughts, beliefs and actions of millions. You have become more aware of the world around you, furthered the sharing of knowledge, become more open about your life, been able to positively influence other people’s lives, and it has all been thanks to… you, and you… and yes, you over there.

It should also be noted that there were some negative things that you back there were up to. Time’s Person of the Year has not always been a positive being. Some years, some fairly nasty individuals have had a resounding impact on people, culture or the globe. This year, some of you, brought your hatred out into the light and it was accessed by millions. You were able to put people down with ease by using means never before available as you hid in your home. You shied away from real human contact more and more often (it’s so easy for you just to text them). Also you exposed the entire world to your atrocious use of language and spelling.

Take heart though, in my mind your impact was more positive than negative. You brought your thoughts, opinions, humour and dreams to life using so many different media. You shared your creations and were open to feedback. You stayed in touch with family and friends from around the world in ways like never before. You met new people from places you had never been and will never see. All the while you took the methods of expressing you content to new heights as well.

Interestingly enough, in this same year that you had such an impact, I did many new things as well. No doubt I made a lot of mistakes and could have done more positive things, but there’s a lot I’m happy about. This blog got started. I picked up a digital camera. I began commenting on people’s content online. I even tried to positively correct a bit of open content online. I stayed in touch with people in real time on the other side of the world. I tried to keep my horizon wide when selecting software and services – and encouraged others to do the same. I spent the time and effort to get a lot better at slideshows, a medium I’ve used for a while but needed to update myself on. Your inspiration helped inspire me to try these cool things. That’s why I’m glad to see you recognized by Time.

You and I have had a lot of firsts this year in the world of communcation, technology and culture. We’ve learned a lot: what to do more of, what to avoid, and what to improve. We are pushing the boundaries of creating, sharing and communicating. This is a good thing. We must engage in the evolution of our society and not sit idly by while it washes over us. However, along with this new level of engagement comes a new level of resonsibility. We need to recognize that emotions and feelings are still best conveyed and received human to human. Much can be mistaken and construed in our new methods. As we explore the new territory we must keep in mind that the others we are sharing with, learning from and communicating to on the other side of the screen are humans. They are very much like you, and there are times when they will need a real voice, or a real touch, or a real ear in the room with them. Like many other aspects of life, there is a need for balance here. You and I will need to find it together, as we continue to build on all of our accomplishments this year.

Congratulations to you! I expect we’ll see even greater things from you in the future.

Breaking Barriers to Peace

It was announced in October that Muhammad Yunus and the Grameen Bank which he founded would receive the Nobel Peace prize. Since then I have been contemplating a post on his achievements. A few days ago the ceremony for the award was held and I should no longer put off comment.

The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to an individual and organization focused on the social consequences of economic development is fantastic. The Nobel committee’s announcement summarizes the achievement while highlighting its undeniable importance:

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2006, divided into two equal parts, to Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank for their efforts to create economic and social development from below. Lasting peace cannot be achieved unless large population groups find ways in which to break out of poverty. Micro-credit is one such means. Development from below also serves to advance democracy and human rights.

The link between economics and peace is evidenced by the debilitating effects of poverty. Many of the personal and societal tragedies which swamp daily newscasts take root in the absence of or collapse of positive communities. Positive communities deteriorate as individuals fail to gain a sense of belonging, balance or purpose. With the possible exception of prejudice, poverty is the greatest global barrier to creating well balanced communities. Poverty fractures positive communities into unbalanced pieces and can cause negative communities to grow. Hatred, vengeance, and the trampling of human rights thrive outside of positive communities. Peace has difficulty taking hold in environments fueled by poverty.

The global anti-poverty campaign is spearheaded by organizations, politicians and celebrities who seek to lobby governments, sway cultures and bring the struggle against poverty into the media and entertainment world. These large scale efforts have a place, but greater recognition for the type of work Muhammad Yunus carries out is long overdue. Rather than fight to “change the system”, or go on a media frenzied tour of impoverished regions, or hold a celebrity fundraising concert, Yunnus makes a difference at the individual level. More specifically, and more importantly, his work allows individuals to help themselves, help their neighbours, and thereby build positive communities.

Business, loans, marketing, profits, production. These words can conjure images of greed or “evil capitalism”. Admittedly, they often do just that in my mind. But Yunnus’ efforts make clear that individuals can engage in the world of these terms and be free of greed. Business, loans, marketing, profits and production can be combined with social development to help individuals find a role, become a member of a positive community and make peace a reality.

The results of what Yunnus began some thirty years ago are remarkable. In the mid seventies he took $27 from his pocket and lent it to a group of villagers in his native Bangladesh who were trapped in a cycle of insurmountable debt. They were able to establish a production that gave them meaningful income, and pay the loan back in full. By 1976 he had started the Grameen Bank which has loaned out more than $5 billion US to more than 5.3 million people. Money is only lent to groups of people, promoting accountability and a sense of community. Borrowers boast a 97% repayment record (1). The overwhelming success in Bangladesh has inspired micro-credit initiatives across the world, from Africa to South America. Yunnus even inspired micro-loans and similar collective assistance programs to begin in the bastion of capitalism that is the United States.

While peace is a global effort, it takes individuals to make it a reality. I cannot think of more worthy recipients for this year’s Nobel Peace prize. While there is nobility in and a necessity for the work done to change corrupt systems and alter national and global economies, these top-down strategies are cumbersome. Yunnus and all those like him work to make a difference at the level of the individual. Peace, human rights and balance cannot take hold at a global or national level if individuals are consumed by poverty. When individuals break free from poverty they can build positive communities that in turn can influence peace locally, nationally and hopefully even globally. Peace can be grown up, it does not have to be pushed down, as this year’s Nobel Prize rightly recognizes.

Not to forget:
-I am aware that “positive” and “negative communities” are not well defined here. Perhaps another time.
- Interestingly enough Yunnus is also the recipient of the 2006 Seoul Peace Prize

1. Answers Corp. – Encyclopedia of Company Histories. www.answers.com/topic/grameen-bank

Striking Entertainment

The five week student strike at CNUE will come to an end tomorrow. For more than a month now it has been a challenge to fill the time. A completely unbalanced schedule has meant a lot of time to explore, eat Korean food, read, and watch films. Through no conscious plan, two distinctive parts of my entertainment have been Canadian literature and Korean films. Fortunately, the works I have read and watched have been good, and I recommend them, particularly The King and the Clown.

I have been quite impressed with Korean cinema and will be sure to explore it more, during my remaining time in Korea, and when I return home. While certain instances in the past have put me off of Canadian literature, the recent offerings I have digested are beginning to turn the tide. Apparently it only takes a spell in Korea to renew interest for Canadian writing.

Also:
-Details of recent books and films are here.
-What’s not to like about candles on all celebratory cakes – not just birthday ones?
-Yes, it’s cold.