죽도록 살자

本杰明·富兰克林曾说过: 人的一生只有两件事是确定的. 一是死亡, 二是缴税. 人就算能避得过缴税也逃不过死亡. 在韩文里, 横跨今生和往生的桥被称为三途川桥. 过了这座桥人今生的记忆将全部被清空. 面对无法改变的结局, 与其说生来就是为了死, 不如说为了死, 我们都应该好好的活着!

Bukhangang Railroad Bridge in Yangpyeong

별것도 아닌 인생

A wooden plaque hung down from a wooden beam with these words engraved: 安 드려워마라 벌것 아니다. It means 'be calm, don't worry, nothing matters'. To say nothing matters may not always be helpful. We probably know, without admission, deep within, something does really matter. We cannot say, without hesitation, there is no light in shadow when the shadow is an effect of light. In the same light, we are already affected by something when we have to remind ourselves nothing matters.  

I think to truly achieve calmness, we have to be detached and unplugged. We need all the time and space to breathe slowly and regularly. This is the reason why we have chosen to lodge at a hanok, with a long history, hidden in a remote village midway up a mountain. A location not accessible by public transport and the nearest mart ten kilometres away. Getting to the nearest city required more than half-hour drive and food delivery service absent. There was no continuous supply of hot water; a hot shower could turn cold halfway, leaving you shivering to the bone. A visit to bathroom at night meant walking out into the open and braving near-freezing temperature. 

Inconveniences are under-appreciated. Life does not necessary get better with more conveniences. In fact, too much of them breed impatience. We get irritated, frustrated and discontent more easily on overdose. On the contrary, inconvenience teaches us to appreciate the things we have and to afford a little more time for everything around us. It seems a sanctuary should be this healing place which is built with 'inconveniences' in exchange for more time to be with yourself doing nothing - Don't Worry, Be Calm.

격세지감 (隔世之感)

My last overseas trip was four years ago to Dubai. Since then, it seems like I am living in a different world. I can no longer recall how falafel tasted like then.

If a tree falls in a forest and if no one hears it, does it makes a sound? What if one saw the tree fell and heard the sound but forgotten completely about it? It will be like I have not been through anything although the truth is I have.

Operation Falafel: mission to make street-food falafel upmarket

Falafel with lemon tahini dipping sauce

평범의 삶

French revolution led to the abolition of feudalism. In modern parlance, it was a good riddance. No one is satisfied to live in dire poverty forever and no one can enjoy their power and wealth without limit. Extreme social divide has never ended well for the aristocrats. I think a healthy society is one that is made up mostly of middle-class. However, human greed predisposes humanity to the perpetual back and forth along the scale of social division. We are always fighting the demons we create.

I do not care how big or small my residence is. What is more important to pleb like me, I can have a good night sleep. 

Château de Chenonceau over scenic river Cher

A stately residence that is no longer out of bound to plebs 

봄은 또 온다

I have not made peace with Lunar New Year happening in winter but the word 'spring' used everywhere almost like synonym. I should not have bother since seasons are non-existent at equator. I knew Lunar New Year falls on the first new moon after 'lichun' (Start of Spring) but many people, who celebrate it, are still wrapped in thick clothing. There isn't a soothing sense of spring warmth in the air yet. The spring in the Spring Festival is not the same as the seasonal spring we are used to. Same same but different, I can live with that under the name of tradition.

새해 일출

For many years, I planned to wake up early to witness the first sunrise of a new year but slept through each time. I don't have a habit of making new year wishes and that may explain why I have little incentive to get out of bed early. Perhaps I will make another attempt this coming year, not to wish for a good year ahead but to say thank to myself for making it through 2023 better than expected. What I have done is more meaningful than what I can wish for. 

갈 길이 멀다

"It's a long way to go". It was not as daunting as I thought. As long as I started walking, I realized I would eventually reach my destination. Of course, there will always be obstacles along the way to test my resolve but overcoming them were much easier than trying to meet the expectations of others or moving along with the flow without idea of where I was heading. When I look back, I am reminded of the things I did, people I met and the experiences I encountered. Distance and time are not part of the equation of fulfillment.

Beach at Imja Island, Shin-an County, South Jeolla Province. Took me three days to reach with stay over at Seoul and Gwangju. Transportation involved air, land and sea.

강한 햇빛

The sun was blazing hot recently. The year is almost near its end, the heat was not what we expect at this time of the year. Who's afraid of heat? Like they say, if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen. We have put out many fire along the way, this heat wave pale by comparison. The high temperature doesn't bother me but I appreciate the tree shades and intermittent showers. The weather will cool down soon, I am sure. No worry, chill.

Santa Monica Beach

두려움

I used to sit by the Han River at the end of the day, trying to subdue my fear about the uncertain future. There were many questions and no answer. The belief that answers will eventually be revealed was not at all comforting. Now that I have lived through what was my 'future' previously, my best advice to my former self: you do not need courage, you do not need to be a person of courage, all you need is to face your fear head on.

맑은 봄날

This is the third spring after pandemic started and probably the last. Korea is going to further relax its pandemic control measures from May 1. After being away for a long time, I do not feel I am familiar with the place anymore. It would be nice to say distance breeds fondness but reality is the opposite. The further apart the less you have attachment to anything until nostalgia bites.

Changdeokgung Palace many springs ago (2015):