Walking and Hiking Tours of Busan

HER HANDS FOR MOM Her hands held me gently from the day I took my first breath. Her hands helped to guide me as I took my first step. Her hands held me close when the tears would start to fall. Her hands were quick to show me that she would take care of it all. Her hands were there to help me pick out my clothes and to put on my shoes. Her hands were often there to comfort the hurts that didn't always show. Her hands helped hold the stars in place, and encouraged me to reach. Her hands would clap and cheer and praise when I captured them at length. Her hands would also push me, though not down or in harms way. Her hands would punctuate the words, just do what I say. Her hands sometimes had to discipline, to help bend this young tree. Her hands would shape and mold me into all she knew I could be. Her hands are now twisting with age and years of work, Her hand now needs my gentle touch to rub away the hurt. Her hands are more beautiful than anything can be. Her hands are the reason ...

My first presentation shouldn't be that difficult, after all, I have been making presentations everyday for my students.  Just that in this case, my students would be my peers.  Teaching English idioms and expressions through television was the topic I had to present, a topic I have been using and studying about since 2004.  Fast forward to the 2015 KOTESOL International Conference and I was ready to give my 80 minute workshop presentation.  To my delight, the room was packed full of eager learners.  I was glad to see some Korean faces in the audience, knowing full well that they were curious and willing to help their students with this nontraditional method of learning. My presentation went off without a hitch.  Many people left partway through my presentation to go to a different speaker.  When I was done speaking, the remaining faithful were first broken up into groups to act out a lesson as an ESL student.  I believed, through personal experie...

GRANDPA’S CEREAL  FOR ONE PERSON   Half cup of milk and half cup of water, put into cereal bowl.   Table Spoon Lecithin   3/4 table spoon of ground up seeds and nuts   Heaping tablespoon of flax seed   Heaping table spoon of oat bran or 3 heaping table spoons of porridge   Microwave for 7 minutes full-power   At 3 minutes stir well.  Watch it, at 1 minute stop and let it settle.  Don’t let it overflow.    

Hi There. Did you want the Tim Horton's coffee Regular or Dark Roast and should I grind it and what type of grind (Fine or Coarse)? That's all I can think of for now. Let me know if there is anything else you want or need. Love Dad Hi Dad, About the ticket: looks good to me! Can't believe you are really coming (again)!!! And flying "business class"!!!???!!! SWEET!! Can we ask you for a favor? Please bring some goodies (you can pack it in a box so you won't have to lug around an empty suitcase, unless you will have room for these in your one suitcase). I'll pay u back for these items. 1) 2 dozen white sesame seed bagels (Carol, LOL) 2) Several bags of that COSTCO super-food mix, if they've got it in Canada. 3) 2-4 containers of sugar free Metamusil, but only if it's a good deal, like at the COSTCO in Florida. 4) Tim Horton's coffee (Carol). 5) FIREBALL (or any other cinnamon infused whiskey from duty free in LAX). 6) Four Old Spice deodorants (n...

Hi Mike, These courses are also a more in-depth method of research connecting (Networking) to some high level thinkers in different subjects for , of course, my own purposes. But for a young man like yourself this may be something to involve yourself with because it is part of the evolution of of learning. It will constantly change, so it is necessary to be a part of it to understand it.  The possibilities for future careers are possible. Not for myself, since I am on a course of destiny at this time :-) The full extent of this is better communicated over some brews and philosophical thought and meditation along with good humour.  Maybe one day. Your friend, Russ

Hi Mom, Your card was very touching.  We always love receiving your cards, as they are always so special. Amazing about the old/new #.  Too bad Jim had to threaten them, but that's the way it usually goes. Let's talk soon. Love Mike Hi Michael, Glad you got your cards and not too too late!  Yes, I received your card last week.  Very nice, thank you.  We are finally settling in and feeling at home.  We now have Wifi and TV.  Of course, they had to mess up one thing - they assigned us a new phone no., when we specifically asked for our old one.  The technicians couldn't change it, but Jim called our provider and practically threatened to go to a different provider if they didn't give us our old no. back and, lo and behold, it worked.  We should have our old no. back tomorrow, Saturday. Looking forward to seeing you soon. Love, Mom Hi Mom, I got your card today, as did Carol. I am going to open it with my gradwe 1 students at 1pm....

My sixth grader has a blog.  She told me that she wrote the story when she was in grade 4, so there might be some spelling mistakes. Still, pretty darn nifty for a 13 year old to be blogging like this!! http://www.wattpad.com/user/ LightoftheDarkness Mike

I know that this email is quite long, but I have not emailed you for a long time. Reading/writing this helps us feel as though we still have a connection. Enjoy the good read. :-) How are things going at work and home, Glenn? How's church and the family, Brian? How is the house coming along, Mom and Jim? Neil, how goes it in Ottawa? Dad, how is volunteering going? Sharon, what's new with Stowe and Montreal friends? Erin, any plans for Xmas? How are the girls? Maybe you can read this to Norah or Leah. Carol and I are basically trying to start off here by making a good impression at work and making our apartment look nice and comfortable. We are homebodies (yes, we are 35 and 38, it's not 2001 anymore), so that's why we got the IPHONE4 landline, Internet cable TV package. We also went to a 2nd hand thrift shop to buy a PC desk/chair, bed (design issue, not used), lamp, dresser, make-up burrow with mirror, lamp table, and shelves. We also went to a Malay market to buy curt...

Hi, Makes it more competitive for guys like us.  I'd better hold onto the job I have!!  I'd have to say, this is partly why I am overseas, too.  Remember how I could not get a full time job in Ottawa as a teacher, too?  Joel, Neil and Bruce's neighbour, had to move to Malaysia to live, as after 10+ years as a substitute in Ottawa, he could not get a full-time contract, and he has a bachelor of education... Actually, years ago, the running joke was; why are there no Canadian International School?  Now, there are dozens around the world....  Maybe after a few years, and when Carol's PR is ready, we can give the far North a shot.  We'll be acclimatized, after having experienced winter here, LOL. Love Mike http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ new-canadian-teachers-head- abroad-amid-tight-job-market- 1.2426110

  I THINK MY MOM USED EVERY ONE! 25 REASONS WE OWE OUR MOTHERS  1. Mother taught us TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE .   "If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."     2. Mother taught us RELIGION.   "You better pray that will come out of the carpet."     3. Mother taught us about TIME TRAVEL .   " If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of     next week!"     4. Mother taught us LOGIC.   " Because I said so, that's why."     5. Mother taught us MORE LOGIC.   "If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to     the store with me.."     6. Mother taught us FORESIGHT.   "Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."     7. Mother taught us IRONY   "Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."     8. Mother taught us about the scienc...

Man, I can feel Yoshi flowing through me right now.  I've got goose bumps as I write this like I've never had before.  I am not a religious guy, but whoa, there must be something in the afterlife...   Yoshi is gone...  You can read more in the facebook group link I pasted below.   Yoshi drowned in Vang Vieng while "tubing" on Aug. 2, 2011.  For those of us who have never been to Laos, tubing is riding in an inner tube down the river and having fun at different restaurants and bars in the river.  Some people jump off ropes like Tarzan or kayak the river.  I kayaked the river while there in 2003.   I still have photos of him on my memory card.  I am going to post them on Facebook, since they are some of the last photos ever taken of him, doing what he loved the most: dancing, travelling and hanging out with good friends in Taiwan.   There will be a memorial for him:   Saturday, October 1st: ...

Hi Mom and Jim, Thank you very much for the wishes.  Carol really appreciates your kind words at a time like this. Love Mike FROM MOM Hi Carol, Michael told us the news regarding your father. Hopefully, he will leave this world peacefully and without pain.  Sincerely, Mom and Jim

SATURDAY: Walked up & down Su-Young River with Andy, Gill & their daughter, Nicole.  She is pregnant, so she'll go to England soon, to meet up with Rikard, who is currently in South Africa, waiting for his work visa.  The River was something new for me, so I was quite pleased.  A nice boardwalk & bike path on either side, paddle boats, artwork... We ended up at a cultural centre to see Gill's student's artwork.  Then we went to COSTCO to eat chicken bakes, basically a cannoli without the sauce.  Taxied home, finished X-Files and had soondae again for dinner. Michael

Hey : Check it out. I was boarded in my office. And I went on Astrology web site.  Here is the result about you and me.    I think it is fun and kind of true, specially the last part.   what do you think it ?  ha... carol's Sun Conjunct mike's Sun:      You strongly identify with each other and are very much alike in important ways. It is easy for you to be together because you do not have to explain yourselves to one another. An innate appreciation and understanding of one another's essence exists between you, and this is vitalizing and ego-affirming for both of you. However, you share the same flaws and weaknesses as well as the positive qualities, and you may find it difficult to be with someone who so clearly exhibits the very things you like least about yourself. The more you accept yourself, the more beneficial and delightful your relationship with one another is. carol's Sun Opposition mike's Neptune:     ...

Hi Mike, I am so far out of the loop and South Korea is much in the past that I have no contacts that I can even think of that are viable.  I cannot recall a "Derek" that I know, but many of us knew about each other on an informal basis or as brief acquaintances.  If Larry says that I know him, then I probably do in some way.  It seems so long, long ago now, like another lifetime. With your credentials you should be a valuable asset to any university in South Korea.  I would just send out resume emails to the universities of my choice to get a start.  Make sure you ask for danger pay in case of North Korea (biggest mistake of their history if they do try anything).  All kidding aside, many teachers may stay clear of South Korea for awhile, especially from the U.S. which makes a teacher coming into South Korea even more valuable and sought after.  Ask for the "Big Bucks" and perks. Take care, Russ