The one where my heart cries out

I've watched from afar as hate-filled, foul-mouthed radicals grabbed their guns, figuratively and otherwise, in ignorant or feigned offense to resist the inevitable tide of human evolution.  Not dispassionately, I have participated in elections and discussions, when discussions have been possible, about the need for our species to overcome its basest animal instincts and learn to cooperate for the good of us all rather than the good of only the lucky few.  If I believed in any of the gods mankind has created, I might be forgiven for thinking that Man's recent history was a divine test to see whether or not we are worthy, worthy of the very gift of life itself.

Nationalism had its heyday in the 20th century, but it is far from gone.  Humankind still attaches fierce loyalties to their paternal, or maternal, homelands, suspiciously paranoid, jealous, or both about any people who are not members of their group.  People so given to parochial fealty will not, and perhaps they cannot, see beyond the nearsighted goals of their immediate environment, their group mythology, and their immoderate impulses.  In the times of my life, I have witnessed the blossoming of greed beyond all that has ever gone before us, from big business bilking us in the marketplace to Christian prosperity evangelists robbing the gullible masses.  The sense of entitlement has grown from the simple notion of a fair shake for all people to a savage scramble for the brass ring.  

What is most distressing in my lifetime is the baptism of this culture of greed and entitlement into the christian faith.  Though Jesus was not a real person of history, the words placed in his mouth are sometimes wise beyond the ability of his disciples to understand or accept.  Meekness and peacemaking have been abandoned.  My own mother said more than once, "Jesus never told us what to do after we turned the other cheek!"  The implication being that after strictly fulfilling a religious duty, we are free to violate the spirit of that duty in order to satisfy our baser instincts. 

The new christians have wearied of trying to convert the world to their way of life.  They have failed even to convince each other of the proper way to live, so they have turned to do what the christians of the 4th century also did, plunder the government for the resources necessary to enforce their dogma on believers and non-believers alike.  The current chaos created by the religious is witness of their failure.  If their ideologies were worthy, people would adopt them willingly.  As it is, they must turn to coercion and fear to maintain their dying religions.  Though they rally against the government when the majority are not in their favor, they are thoroughly devoted to the government when they are in the majority.  Honesty and fairness are now relative values.  They somehow believe that they must install the kingdom of God by force rather than await the coming of their Messiah.  Maybe they really don't believe that God will come to save them.  Maybe it's this doubt that makes them behave so badly, to set themselves in the place of God on earth to judge mankind in God's stead.  Whatever the cause, it is humanity's responsibility to not waver in the face of this onslaught, to stand firm in the knowledge that, live or die, what is right is right, and evil cannot prevail.   At all costs, it must not prevail.  

The one where I have had it up to here.

I doubt there is anybody who knows English who would say that this sign was ready for public posting.  However, with that ever-present Korean attitude of  "eh, it's good enough" this sign passed muster for the National Parks Service at least without so much as an eyebrow raised, I'm certain.  Any English speaker on the street could have made this sign better without even breaking stride.  They could've called an English speaker on the phone and made this sign better.  Yet, the Koreans continue to indulge their woeful lack of experience with their would-be second language to create near gibberish that puts them and their country in a less than favorable light.  Why won't the Koreans learn English?  It isn't that they can't; it's that they refuse, though furtively.  Korea has been a consistent pool of work for thousands of us native English speakers for about three decades, maybe more for some.  It's not in our best interest to criticize the system, but there just comes a point of exasperation where the lack of progress in adopting a useful, productive, and beneficial second language can no longer be excused or explained away.  This week, I told my learners that they are no longer to say "study English."  They are to say "practice English" from now on.  My bully pulpit allows me the advantage of imposing penalties for the sin, and I hope to see measurable results by the end of the semester.  It's that change of perspective that must take place before any progress will realize itself.  They have to stop trying to master esoteric minutiae of grammar and start using the language to communicate.  Perhaps they have nothing to say to the world, I don't know.  That seems unlikely, but the world will never know what is in the hearts and minds of the Korean people until they grow out of their Confucian attitudes about language and make use of English to interact with the world community. 

The one where I walked through the bamboo forest

The struggle seems intense at times, but the final outcome is assured.  Though today the clouds and chill held sway, Nature's grasp upon the frigid hilt of winter eases hour by hour.

It was a cold stroll to Mount Sogeumgang this morning, but I was rewarded with the beautiful sight of pear blossoms!  Small, and not yet prevalent, they gladdened my heart nonetheless. 

This afternoon is full of Super 14 rugby on the internet channel in the background as I work on lessons.  Speaking of lessons, there was a serious and debilitating glitch in Second Life last Thursday when one of my groups was supposed to meet on the Grid.  We all had the new viewer, the program that allows you to see and interact in Second Life; however, nobody's voice chat worked, not even mine.  I zipped around to other locations trying to see if it was just my parcel or not, but it was Grid-wide.  The company was apparently doing maintenance on voice just as the learners were gathering to meet, and for most, it was their first time in Second Life.  How especially unfortunate for them.  There was no option but to call off the meeting for another time.  One of the disadvantages of being in Asia while Second Life is headquartered in California is that prime times to meet for us here are the middle of the night in California, a common time of day to do computer maintenance.  Bof.

The one where it snowed when it's supposed to

My apartment has no view, but I stuck my camera out the laundry room window sideways and  snapped this of the neighbors'.  This is about the time it snows like this every year, and you'd think I'd learn.  Spring can't start until the fat snow falls.

My voice is gravely and hoarse, but I have to persevere and go teach.  You can't take a day off at our university unless you go to the hospital, so if I have to get dressed to go to the hospital to sit for a couple hours, I might as well get dressed and go teach for a couple hours.  The hospital and university are right next to each other.  What's the difference?  Last night teaching at Cypris Village (online) I didn't think I'd make it, I was so sick, but I did!

 

The one where I said goodbye to the Daystar

Some sadness in my life:  I sold my little 125cc Daelim Daystar to one of the new teachers.  It was a great first bike, but she's the new teacher's first motorbike now.  It was silly to keep her under a tarp all the time, so selling her was the best thing for us both.  This is my last picture of her at her new home.  It's a covered car park, so she's in a better location now to keep out of the rain and snow. 

Last Photo

I met one of my Second Life classes in real life last evening.  Most of them seemed quite excited about getting started.  One learner demonstrated how to sign up for an account and download the viewer while I supervised, the class observing on the overhead computer screen projector. They "oohed and ahhed" at all the stuff you can make your avatar do.  :)  Monday morning at 9 I meet the other Second Life class in person and do the same intro.  This whole thing was giving me stress, but after seeing the first class's positive reaction to Second Life, I think we'll end up having a lot of fun.