吾爱吾语

有人突然这样的一句：你怎么还在读华语圣经，应该是时候读英语圣经了。
突然鄂了一会儿，心想：有问题吗？

还记得，在加拿大那段时间，也认识了不少亚洲华人。
有的，呆在国外久了，连口音也变得像西方人了；有的，仍然保留着亚洲人的口腔。
曾经问过一个大姐，为何她在英语国家住三十年了，可还说着华人的英语口腔，她给我的答案很值得反思。
“我们是华人，为何要学洋人的口腔”。

语言，是一个民族的灵魂。
失去母语的民族，就是失去了自己民族的灵魂。
这就是为何我国的华人先辈，在开国时期，咬紧牙根都要建立华文学校，以保留我们华裔民族的文化与灵魂。

我是华人，读华文圣经是理所当然的。
英文圣经和华文圣经都是翻译本，也没有谁比谁好啊。

都是崇洋惹的祸，让人误解了语言本身的价值，提高了英语的价值，同时也贬低了母语的价值。

潜逃

               @pic by leon - Nami Island

生活的烦躁
工作的忧烦
情感的缠绕
当所有的不如意
霎那间的突击
只有潜逃
让人享有那稍微的气息

带上了我和我自己
潜逃到一个陌生的荒岛
隐藏在枯枝燥叶中
秋景衬托着心里写照

我和我的相处
在单身潜逃的日子里
紧紧相系了
我和我说话、聊天
肝胆相照
原来，在无人的日子里
人对自己更诚实了

我把我留下了
结束潜逃的日子
那个我，不再回来了
这个我，还在思索他的道路

Everything happen in accordance...

Everythingg happen in accordance, everyone on street might heading to the same destination, every stranger can be a friend, any people can become a light to others.
The agenda was happen like this...
On the night when I back to Seoul, i get the information from the tourist information center regarding the Spa around this area. The lady officer recommend me to Siloam Sauna, which is located near the Seoul Station. However, I was missing my direction on the street while looking for the Siloam Sauna.
In a sudden, when I was still searching for that place, a French old lady came to me asking if I can speak English (most Korean doesnt understand English). Following, she asking me if I know the direction to Siloam Sauna. Amazing isint? 2 stranger, both foreigner, met on street, and looking for the same place. Well, since both of us having the same destination, we tag to each others. We were blessed as not long after that, we manage to get someone who are able to show us the direction, which is actually opposite the direction where we came from.
Here, the second agenda rise. While both of us walking pass the Seoul Station, a Negro young lady crying to us, asking if we can speak English. She is totally frustrated, losing control, and couldn't get help from others, she had standing there asking for help for half an hours, yet she couldn't found one. In fact, she was just looking for help to get to a destination, but she couldn't communicate with the taxi driver, thus none of the taxi driver willing to fetch her.
She came to us, but both of us don't speak Korean as well. I was actually thinking of calling Hywyoon or David to help to make the interpretation, then I realize I keep the card of the tourist information center in my wallet (this is only because the card is nice). She had a korean phone, so we can just use her phone to call the center, and ask the operator to help to do the interpretation, and talk with the taxi driver. Finally, she happy went on the taxi. I can see her emotion turn from helpless and frustrated, to peace and thanksful.Wow.....thing happpen in sudden and in accordance....

What actually I wanna say here, is...GOD is really amazing. I am just no body, but still He take care of me, and use me. If I not missing my direction, I wont met the 1st French lady; If not I like the design of the card, I wont take the tourist information card, then I wont be able to help the lady on street. If I didnt miss my direction, everything would had change and different story is going on. Missing direction, doesn't always a bad thing. I love the words in Bible, everything work in accordance and together, for the benefit of those who love GOD.

Nami island

Anyone that know the famous korean drama " Winter Sonata", should know Nami Island, the place where this heat drama is taken. In fact, this drama actually make this island become famous.

Since there are few people recomment me to come to Nami island, I decide to come back Seoul 1 day before just for Nami island. I was really glad and thankful, that I able to booked the last seat for the bus to Nami island at the day before departure. God is really amazing, He never dissapoint me on my journey, and prepare everything that I need all the time.

Hmm...how should I describe Nami island? It is gorgeous, a earthly paradise island on the middle of river. Although, I came in the wrong timing, but still it is nice for visit. Goshh~~ I should really visit here last week before most of the leave drop. haha...But, I still found the bold trees had it's beautiful as well, just learn to appreciate the difference of beautiness of it. Some part of the island, you still be able to found the yellowish trees along the path.

It is a really relaxing and enjoying day, a day of immerse myself totally in this big nature, in the wonders of His hand.

I was glad to see David and Hyeyoon again for the dinner. Since I will be leaving tomorrow, this dinner is consider a farewell dinner for me as well. We had shabu shabu near their university. Since both of them seen getting busy now, I don't really wish to go further place, or bother too much of their time. We had a great dinner, perhaps the best dinner I had in Korea. We shall meet again next time, in MALAYSIA....haha...that time will be my treat.

Guang Ju, Damyang, and Daejeon

Just realise I left too many empty spce in this korea journey, these few days had been busy and couldnt found a place to stay which provide wifi service.
basically, these few days had been to Guang Ju, Damyang and Daejeon. However, honestly speaking, there is no much place to visit in these few place, but Damyang is great to have the bamboo field which I found it quite worth and interesting.
However, I would love to take this opportunity to thanks to few people in Guang Ju, which had been very nice to me. First, the worker in the jin ji bang, a very young guy, probably around same age with me. He had given me too many hand. I stay in the same jin ji bang for 2 nite. the first nite, i ask him for the wifi password, but he dont really know. So, he asking here and there, search here and there, after an hour, finally he got the password for me, then only I can online in Guang ju and update my pic. The second nite, I was actually asking him of where can I find a laundry nearby, but there isint any laudry at here. So, he asking permisson from the boss for me to make the laundry, he help me to find a place to hang the cloth, and go to find a few hanger for me. I was so embaress with him. I keep on saying sorry, then he said he felt very happy to help me oso. i was glad, and really give thanks for all the help he given.
The second people, is the pretty lady in tourist information office of Guang Ju. This lady was very nice, she help me to sarch a lot of information, and give me good guide of where to go, where not to go. Damyang is the place recommend by her, and I glad i went there. Then she also recommend me to go Nami island, and look for the information of Nami island on internet for me. raelly thanksful to her.
Then, a nice guy i met on the bus station when I took the bus to Damyang. Since I not really know where is Damyang, and not even know where to get down from the bus, he help me to take to the bus driver, and ask the bus driver to drop me directly at the bamboo field. At first, i was just asking him direction, but end up we have a few chat on the bus. He was impress that I travel over korea wihtout knowing a korean word.haha...

I spend my Sunday in Daejeon, the main reason I went there is because of Deonne, a girl I knew years ago from my blog. This is the first time we meet, and it is in korean. Both Malaysian meet each others for the first in korea, is the amazing? haha...anyway, I went there because I was thinking of going to the church she attending on Sunday. Since it is Sunday, sabbth day, I dont really planning to travel as well. So, I spend almost the whole day in church, attending the church service in chinese, then following her cg to hiking, then went to bible study group with her, and in the end having dinner with her church member. This is basiccaly a very relaxing Sunday, day for GOD.

Day of hiking in Geumjeongsamseong fortress and Beomeosa temple

After a long rest in Dongnae Jin Ji bang. was greet by the fresh breeze of chilly morning wind. It is a great day for a hike!!
Without any knowlewdge of what is in Geumjeongsamseong, I just went up to the bus and get there. Was really blessed, as I looking at my tourist map, the lady sat beside me notice of my innorent, and she asked me of my purpose going there. Initially, I not even know Geumjeongsamseong is a place for people to hike, cause there is nothing said on the map, only with nice picture and direction to get there. The lady was very nice, she told me about the fortress, and guide me to the direction to get to Beomeosa. Now only I know I can get to Beomeosa from here, go through the mountain. I was actually plan to come see the fortress, then take a bus back and go to Beomeosa...Interesting! haha...God is wonderful, HE prepare the best for me before I had plan my trip.


The hiking journey was never easy, it is very hilly along the road, and the road condition wasn't good. But the scene was great, the air was fresh, and the voice of nature was very

harmony, birds and some tiny creature singing to each others all the time.

It took me around 1 and half hours to get to the north gate of the fortress. which is the nearest gate to Beomeosa temple. There is another branch road at the north gate, which lead to the peak of the mountain, 800 meter high above sea level. However, I dont really feeling to hike up there, it will took me another 2 hour. So, i just keep forward to the temple. There are 2 temple along this road, Beomeosa and another anonymous, both are located on the half way to the fortress. But I actually like the anonymous temple more than the famous Beomeosa. I belive it must be very difficult for people to hike up there, that's why it is not famous as compare to Beomeosa. However, after visiting so many temple in korea, I felt myself get saturated with temple, all look similar to each others, only the size matters.

Not forget to mention, I accidentally met the 2 pairs of old couple from Hong Kong again at Beomeosa. We were so suprise as we see each others, in chinese we said we very have " yuan fen". They take a cab back to the metro station and ask me get on their cab together. hahaa, wishing that we will meet again in the future, as we already met each others for 3 time inaccident.

city of Tradition and culture - Gyeung Ju

Gyeung Ju is a world cultural heritage city rich in thousand years long history and tradition, and was recognise by UNESCO as one of the most historical city in Korea, there were many of heritage left from the Silla dinasty, and were embedded in strong Buddhist environment and culture.

Was actually plan to explore Gyeung Ju with Deonne, but in the end she couldn't make it, so I just have to travel by my own again. There were 2 pairs of old couple from Hong Kong taking the same bus with me to Gyeung Ju, and we went to Buguksa temple together.

I am an adventure lover and very energitic. so instead of taking the shuttle bus up to Seokgurum temple, which is on the top of the mountain, I choose to hiki up a 2.8km mountain road to there. It was crazy and tire, but were filled with great satisfaction and achivement. The scenic along the road was amazing, especially the changing color of the maple from green to red. it took me a whole 2 hours to hike up and came down.

After that, I went to some of the others famous spot in town, all in walking distance. Anapji Pond, Nati0nal Museum, Observatory tower, and Royal tomb. In summary, only the National Museum is worth for visit, a lot of cultural history knowledge was gain from here, and the building on museum is spectacular as well. The others was not really good, although some were the land mark of Gyeung Ju, I dislike the Royal tomb the most, nothing to see at all, just a big hill which look like a tomb and were protected, thats all. Wonder why we pay to visit something for nothing.

Was plan to overnight at the Buman lake, but change my plan as the original plan had changed. So after the great meal of Beef rip soup and baby crab kimchi, I took the bus back to Busan, as I wanna to go to the fortress walk on the next morning.

all about Busan

leaving Seoul and came to a totally new place, Busan. Although, this place had been heard for a long time for it beach and film festival.
Had been here for 2 day, and almost finish everything that worth to visit here. So, basically I can say that Busan is a small place and can finish visit in 2 days. In deed, in a very relaxing and slow step, as I walk most of the time. Had visit Jagalchi, PIFF, Yondosun park, and Taedaejong on the 1st day, and overnight Taedaejong Spa, which is a very good and luxury Jin Ji bang. Oh ya, not forget to mention that, i met 2 young malaysia couple in Taedaejong Park, when they ask me to taking pic for them. I actually recognise they are malaysia on the 1st sight after I heard their very Malaysia english: SO Mah Fan!!........haha...we hav some chat, but couldnt have dinner together...
The next day, I took a bus to YongKungSa temple, which is very nice. The temple were build just on the cliff beside the sea. Then went to Haedong, nothign much to see at the beach, as Langkawi beach are LOT better than here. But the journey to Apex buidling was a good walk. SInce time still early, I decide to walk all the way until Gwangwalli Beach, it took me about 1 and half hours. But still, notihng really interesting over there. I am a bit dissapointed, as I heard too many good thing about it. Still, Langkawi beach a lot better than here. The only scenery here worth to see is teh Gwangan Bridge, is also called diamond bridge, as the bridge is light on in the night, very nice.
Plan to visit the fortress tmr morning, which mean I had cover almost everyplace in Busan.
So, in my conclusion, Seoul is a lot more better to visit than Busan, 2 day is enuf to walk through the whole Busan.

Seoul-day 4- Relaxing Hang Gang park walk.

Back from the Jin Ji Bang this morning, and everyone was so tired. More over, today is saturday, is weekend for everyone, so we decide not to have a heavy travel and have a long rest this morning.
Have a rest until noon time, I went to have lunch with Hyeyoon family together. Her father had treat me with a wonderful full set of korean tradition food. 20 side dishes include kimchi, oyster,tofu, dik bug guk, dessert, cold noodle, and many more. It was a very full lunch, and everyone was very satisfy.
Me and Hyeyoon went to visit the parliament building after the lunch, while others went back home for a rest. Nothing much to do, we have a slow walk along the Hang Gang river while chating, time flies fast and we had walk for more than an hours, take a sit and hot coffee at the riverside coffee house, and continue all the all until the end. i think the walk had around 3 to 5 km. It was a great exercide after the full lunch.
There was a topic shock me in the conversation with Hyeyoon, I just found out how blessing is Malaysia high school student. In korean, starting from elementary school, they have to go to school in the morning around 8am, and back to home at least 10pm. can you believe that?? They have school from 830am to 3pm, then have to stay back in school for study until 10pm every weekdays. So pity of them....
Anyway, we finally reach home by 6pm, walk in the park for 5 hours long....but it was a relaxing day.
Hmm...there is a strong feeling along the walk in the park, and this feeling always get back to me whenever i am in the park. The feeling of Victoria's life, relaxing and lay back life.....There were so many in the park cycling, roller skating, playing baseball, putting kite, fishing, picnic, dating, partying, playing some korean games.....a wonderful weekend for everyone. I suddenly felt sad that, back in my home town, although there are park yet not really utilize by the people. Everyone is too busy to share such a wonderful time together.
it was early in the night, but it was a relaxing day. traveling should be like this, slow tempo and enjoying each moment in sharing with others.

Seoul - Day 3 - Lotte world, Lantern Festival, Jin Ji Bang

David was very excited to show me around Seoul, and since Seoul have some great amusement park, he strongly suggest to bring me there together. Honestly, I haven play in amusement park for 10 years, time flies fast and I couldn't remember any of those childhood memory in Genting Highland. Hyeyoon has a meeting for her volunteering work in vietnam, so she couldn't join us, that is too bad!
Anyway, we both were blessed a lot. The admission fee for Lotte World was initially 30 dollar, but today were in the promotion period for the BC bankcard holder, which allow us to get the ticket for only 10 dollar, which is just 10000 won. This is the cheapest price ever for a big amusement park. Both of us know nothing about this, until the ticketing ladies ask if David had a BC bankcard. Are we blessed? or it was just coincident to come on the right day? You judge it.
We had a lot of fun time together, playing more than 8 kind of extreme roller coster. The most tiring was the spinning cup, we spin too fast, and I almost get threw out after that. In fact, I am almost immune to extreme game like this, not scary, not afraid, but it was tiring of log Q up at each of the game. Is just feel like the time had twist back to 10 years ago, when we were small; now that we getting older, happiness had become more complicated, not more merely candy and game. But it still nice to see so many small kids running here and there to catch up the play, making me feel even less energitic compare to them.
We meet up with Hyeyoon after dinner at the Lantern Festival in the evening time at Chengguk Cheung, the famous stream in Seoul. David orders some very good korean food for me, very special, pork back bone cook in korean soup. very nice. I would love to try this again anytime.
Once again, I am blessed. The lantern festival is just start today, and this was the 2nd lantern festival since last year. In associate with G20 summit in Seoul, the theme of this year Lantern festival is promoting World peace, with a lot of lantern representing each country that participate in G20, UNESCO, and also introducing korean culture through the lantern. It was nice to have 2 korean with me, telling me the fairy tale of each of the lantern as we pass by one by one. You could never know the meaning of the lastern without someone telling you, and you will not be able to enjoy and appreciate it as well if you dunno the story behind.
It was late when we reach home, around 11pm. As promise before, Hyeyoon's mother bring me and Hyeyoon to Jin Ji Bang - steam room. I was really amaze by the Jin Ji Bang over here in Seoul, it was so good and the facilities inside was more than completed. Before going into Jin ji Bang, everyone have to be naked in the shower room. but the shower room is not just to take shower, there are suana room, steam bath room, hot tube, and a complete jacuzzi set inside. I went into Jin Ji bang to meet with Hyeyoon and her mum after clean up, and we went to steam together. There are different kind of steam room, salted room, wood room, cave room....and few more...each with different temperature and they believe each of the room have different function which help to keep your body healthy, the salt and wood room can provide mineral for skin to have a better skin. I was too tired, after 1 round of steam room, I felt asleep while just resting. We stay in the Jin Ji Bang until next mornign 7am. Incredibly, I lost 2 kg in just a night. I weight before and after as there was a weighting machine in the shower room. However, it was too bad that I didnt bring my camera along, as I thought it is not allow to take picture inside, infact it is allowed.
I feel so great today, and it is such a relaxing day!

Koraen - 2nd day - Great Palace and great fellowship dinner.

After the full korean breakfast with Hyeyoon and her mum, we went out together to catch the bus and subway. Hyeyoon had a lot of worry, and a lot of concern, so she send me to the subway where I can take the direct train to GyeungbukGong, then only she went to her University to attending class.

It was amaze to see the splendor of GeungbukGong, the largest and oldest palace in Seoul. 1st was the GuangHuaMun, which is the front gate of GeungbukGong. The Royal Guardian of the palace standing in front , very serious, not even a movement for few hours. A lot of tourist taking picture with them, yet they never move, never smile, just standing there looking around with their static head.

I am blessed, as it was just the right time for chinese language tour to the palace, my tour guide is a Korean whitch can speak chinese very well, Miss Kim. She told us about the history of the palace, design of the palace, and introduce us some of the great emperior in Korean History. I found it was interesting, without the explanation, the tour in GeungbukGong will be just a sight seeing without leaning anything. The design of the building in palace is a great knowledge, which they actually have this knowledge 600 years ago. It is very difficult to explain the architecture work over here, to know more, ask me and i'll tell the story with the picture tgther.

The scenery inside GeungbukGong is comparable to its hsitorical value. I was told by Ms.Kim that this is the best season to visit, as the trees and leaves just start to change the color, full with yellow and red.

In fact, you will found that there are a lot of similarity between the ancient culture between Chinese, Korean, and Japanese. All using the 12 horoscope, have the same tales of " journey to west", using "si xiang ba gua", believing the same ancient creature of Dragon, there are still much more alike...

After GeungbukGong, I walked to Insa-Dong, which is told by my friend is a worth place to visit. I was initiall thought that it will be a cave or something like that, but it is actually a cultural street with a lot of commercial activities. I have my lunch there, eating korean Ramen, but the taste was very similar to Malaysia curry maggi mee. hahaha....finally found some food having malaysian taste. I am not a shopperholic, so Inso-Dong is not a place for me.

Take another walk to ChangedeokGung, it is good, but not as great as GyeungbukGung. In fact, all the palace in Korea look similar, with same design, just having different history. I would suggest people to go just GyeungbukGung, others palace had loosen their splendor if you had been to GyeungbukGung. There is a Secret Garden at Changedeok Gung, but I decide not to go in, as my leg start to get tired. I just take a rest at the road side, and eating some Korean street food. I dont know what it's call, but it taste good.

Last, went to DongdauMun, which is the biggest wholesales market in Seoul. They have a lot of thing to sale over there, and the compartment is very clear. Shoes street, fashion street, cosmetic street, food street, utilities street.....is very clear and very easy to find the thing you want, and it is cheap compare to others place. In others word, it is like Chi Cheong Kai in KL or pasar malam. For ladies, you can found a lot of cosmetic and skin care product over here, in very reasonable price.

We had a good gathering at Gang Nam, which told by David, it is the entertainment city of Seoul. There are a lot of people at night, a lot of pub, bar, disco, restaurant, game station...all you can name it. This is the first time for Dennis to have a gathering together after they come back to Korea, and he said I made tham together. We went to have some very good Korean 3 layer pork barbeque, which is a very popular korean food, and then went to a bar to have some drink. You must try So-Ju in Korea, it taste perfect with the pork together.

It was a tiring day, yet a lot of happening as well. I had a very good time with those old friend in Canada, and it was great to see them again. Sharing about cultural different, story in canada, and our story back in home.

Seoul - day 1

It had been a long journey yesterday, came out from my home 7 in the morning, and reaching the Soul of Asia-Seoul at 10 in the night. It was great to see Hyeyoon again, as she coming to pick me up, and I am going to stay at her place. Suprising me, her parent are so welcoming!! they were very nice people, keep on worry about me. And they giving a lot of guide on where to go and what to eat in Seoul.
Her mom made some very good Korean breakfast, korean sticky rice with beef and kimchi, I love it and ate 2 big bowl of it, haha!! Hyeyoon have a whole day class today, so she left the house early in the morning, her parent were off today and going to play golf. They send me to the Subway station at Dongjak, and her mum gave me her Pass to use for the subway and bus. I was very thanksful.
Following her mum recommendation, I went to Nam Sam park and the N Seoul Tower as the first destination. Nam Sam Park is beautiful, the weather is cold( chilly yet not freezing), and the air is very fresh. It remind me a lot of Canada as I walk in the park, the nature, air and weather. One of the best part about this park, is the public washroom, this is the best I ever seen. A public washroom with trendy design, full with scent of flower, and even with peaceful classical music playing in the washroom. It was amazing to see how good is the public welfare, and it show the civilization of korean nows day. However, many were told that this is just a mask to welcome the G20 that is going to be held in Seoul.
Went to NanDaemum, a street full with commercial stall and market, crowded with people. It is big, and i almost lost in side. Then to City Hall and Deaksugong. I was bless, as starting today there were a booth in front of Daeksugong witch offereing free korean tradition custume for poeple to take photo and experience it, also due to the G20. then to Myeng Dong.
Meeting David at their Univesity, and we having dinner together. It was great to see him again, talk a lot with him before we going to meet Hyeyoon. He is very nice, accompany me all the way from 6 to 11pm.