Getting to Singapore: The Ups and The Downs

We'll I got up early Saturday morning, 7am, Daniel (my fellow teacher) and I left for the bus station to Seoul, which is about 4hr from Geochang. After watching Slumdog Millionaire and some other shorts films we arrived in town. With a few more hours to spare Daniel and I had to go buy him some new shoes (as he has big feet and shoes in his size is hard to come buy). We went to the part of town called Etwon (sp). This place is like a “little America” and as Daniel was getting his shoes; I found it. After months of looking and drink their cheap crap imitation I found real Mt Dew from America. It was 12oz of Heaven straight from the good old US of A. It cost me about $1.50 American but it was so worth it. Needless to say, as Kohute would put it, “I crushed it like 3 fatties in dodgeball!!”. After that we made it to the other bus station that would take us to the airport. This was a rather unpleasant experience. I won't go into all the details, but let's just say that in a one week's time they completely reorganized their buildings layout of ticketing distribution, and this coupled with stupid people working the help desk; we ended up walking around the terminal 3 times until we found the place we needed to be.

At the airport, the flight got delayed by 1hr, so Daniel and I got dinner, at which I dared him10,000won(~$10) to kiss this poster of a pretty girl on a cart in the public eatery and of course being a guy..he did it..lol Mind you he is Canadian and once said one could fly from the America to the US, implying to travel internationally..(love ya Daniel if you are reading this). The Flight from Seoul to Beijing was short, but man was it awful the plane was so hot, 200+ people and a half ass working a/c is rather terrible. I am not exaggerating when I say the plane was a least 80 degrees F. Warning, never fly Air China, unless you really have too. Upon, landing I can now say I have been to China, sort of if you count the airport..lol. On a side note if you every do go to China, don't order the drink “sex on the beach” and except to get what they serve in America. But rather expect something like a “sex on a dirty polluted river/beach” or something like that. There was nothing fruity about this drink. It was just small brown and reeking of vodka and something else I couldn't id. Last side note, if you have seen Slumdog you may get this joke, if not please read on. But we met a Scottish guy, who may have lived by the Big Ben Lock next to Sean Connery's Flat.

Anyhow, other than the random silliness in China, mostly brought on by about 18hrs of continues traveling that day, we got on the 2nd plane from china to Singapore. The 6hr flights was really really cold, which is ironic compared to this 1st air china plane and was a little bumpy, but mostly uneventful, but again don't fly Air China, they are cheap but well…you get what you pay for a to say. After 23 hrs of being awake and traveling for most of that I arrived in Singapore, Met Andrew Law my friend from college, whose house I'll be crashing out at this week, and after we got to his place I showered and napped. Boy is it Hot!! Go Equator Living!!…I'll post my Singapore experience itself in my next post. God Bless You All!!

July 3, 1776 - July 3, 2009

As any one who knows me well enough knows I don't care much for American History, say for the Revolutionary period. Here is a segment of some letters that John Adams Wrote his Wife, Abigail, on July 3, 1776.

Yesterday the greatest Question was decided, which ever was debated in America, and a greater perhaps, never was or will be decided among Men. A Resolution was passed without one dissenting Colony "that these united Colonies, are, and of right ought to be free and independent States, and as such, they have, and of Right ought to have full Power to make War, conclude Peace, establish Commerce, and to do all the other Acts and Things, which other States may rightfully do." You will see in a few days a Declaration setting forth the Causes, which have impell'd Us to this mighty Revolution, and the Reasons which will justify it, in the Sight of God and Man. A Plan of Confederation will be taken up in a few days.

But the Day is past. The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.

You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. -- I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. -- Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.

I don't know about you, but Adams' letter, though maybe hard to understand a bit here and there. Without a doubt though it is clear that Adams had a hope about this country that it would be something great. Even before the the actual idea of victory in this war was even a thought to be considered as sane or reasonable, Adams believed that Americans for generations to come would look at this event as the turning point in American history, the world would change because of it,and we should celebrate it as such. He encourages use to give Thanks to God Almighty and to celebrate with the loudest joy and pride we can muster for this great nation of ours. So as America in 2009, faces great challenges and hardships let us remember the greatness and potential that our forefathers saw in this democratic experiment that is America, and may we once again in the midst of chaos and trouble reach for the Hope that Adams had.