Just My Thoughts #3: Lazy

It is so easy to get into a rut. The path becomes a cycle, and my subconscious puts up bars that make it hard to escape. The only way out is to parkour out hell’s circle, and into an emptiness, where new things are learnt, things are done, and experiences to be had all fill up that space… before I move onto the next piece of dry land.

Just as any problem, first part is to Realize Your Condition. I see my problem with open eyes, which takes us to step two: Finding Motivation.

Most people know they are just going through the motions, but many are content with how things are. For people like me, i need to explore to live. My motivation is knowing about all the things i have yet to learn, and the thought of discovering things I don’t know I don’t know. Once you find your motivation, comes the most difficult part: Getting Off Your Ass and Do It.

For me? Stop lying in bed and start working out again. Stop wasting my time with tv series and start learning Korean seriously. Stop spending my weekends doing absolutely nothing and go hiking and exploring. My trip to Japan has now come to an end (travel blog will be up soon). The moment it ends, everything I’ve said will come into effect, and I hope all of you will keep me accountable for the promises I am making to myself.

Until next time,

Richard T.

Trainee Polymath

Just My Thoughts #2: Age

“How old are you?”

“I only date people in their 30’s.”

“you are in your 20’s. What would you possibly have to contribute?”

Age seems to run deep with people. It affects many of our decisions, and rightly so. However, it seems to be used in the wrong context every time, and boy, it irks me so.

Case 1: People often compare maturity with age. It seems that the general public think the two have a very strong correlation. Age is simply a measure of time, and the measurement of time is simply a man made invention. Maturity, on the other hand, is the knowledge of how to function has part of a society, and your contributions to such a society. This is not dictated by time, but rather the level of comprehension of each individual. Of course, it does take time to build such cognition skills, but the time varies so widely between every individual. Just as many mature adults I’ve seen, so have I witnessed in a child, and vice versa.

Case 2: Cheese and wine is better with age. I agree. Time to move on.

Case 3: For the western society, it seems dating someone within your age is very important. To date someone outside of your age bracket often earns the title of “pedophile” or “cougar”. We somehow made ourselves believe that love, and similar emotions are only appropriate if they are between people of a similar age group. With all evidence pointing otherwise, people still seem to think that age is the only determinant of a person’s emotional capacity. On the other side of the coin, eastern society tends to have a much larger age range suitable for dating. It seems that when you hit the special age of 30, your life being magically stable, your ability to be interesting increases, and you become better looking with absolutely no effort. Another thing.  Why do people go around shaming those who date people outside of what you consider an acceptable age group? why can’t people forget the gap in years, and focus on whether you enjoy that person’s company instead?

All I am trying to say, is that before you look at someone with judgemental eyes and ears, give them a piece of your time and open mind. You never know, they just might be brilliant, or someone with useful advice, or even perhaps the person you would want to spend a lifetime with. Age is simply a man-made invention. It should dictate a person’s capacity and potential as much as a vacuum, or toilet paper would.

 

Until next time,

Richard T.

Trainee Polymath

Travel Blog #4 – SEOUL!

Ahhh, what a journey.

It still amazes me that a short 4 hour bus ride takes me more than half way across this tiny little country. Back in Canada, 4 hours would get me, well….to and from work.

 

After coincidentally taking the bus with a friend from Naju to Seoul, I waited for another friend at the bustling bus terminal when I arrived in the evening. This was a fellow student back in high school, someone I never said a word to, Yet somehow we connected through Facebook, and as we awkwardly found each other, it was not awkward as I would have presumed. It was as warm a welcome as I had received from when I returned back to Toronto from Jasper. That night we had a wonderful Korean evening snack before I headed to a Jjimjilbang.

Man, how to describe Jjimjilbangs…I would have to say relaxing, entertaining and most of all, carefree. For those who don’t know, this is essentially a bathhouse amusement park. It is a place loitered with showers, baths, saunas, and other unique treatments that families and individuals can enjoy. It also includes other entertainment (based on location, of course) such as computer rooms, arcades, theatre rooms, and food bars. It essentially has everything a wandering traveller needs…if you are comfortable with your body. Just as swimming pools have its own dress code, Jjimjilbangs also have their own: birthday suit. segregated into genders, everyone must don their birthday suit (proudly) to the communal bath. Unfortunately, I currently lack the self confidence to attempt it. However, you can believe that I will continue going until I get over my irrational fear of naked men scrubbing me down! I did find a wonderful leather reclining chair to sleep for the night, and was ready for the festivities that awaited me in Seoul.

In just a second, you will enjoy my adventure with me. But before that, a little background information. South Korea is a rather conservative country, and has yet to really embrace differences in others as well as some parts of the world. That being said, the Seoul Gay Pride Parade 2014 was very well received by a large amount of people…for the most part. As the parade began, two groups of protestors did everything in their power to stop the merriment. the first group were homophobes (religious or otherwise), and the second group were those still mourning for the ferry accident here in South Korea. While it was disappointing that previous suffering had to impede on the happiness of others on a completely different celebration, it was very interesting to have witnessed it in person. Anyways, reading is for chumps. Lets look at pictures instead!

A wax statue of a prisoner at Seodaemun Museum Jail, during one of the Japanese Occupation (Independence Movement 1910-1945).

a guard at Gyeongbokgung Palace.

A bridge at Han river, where many people suicide. The words along the bridge offer encourage to souls that might have lost their way.

Police standing guard against protestors during the 2014 Seoul Gay Pride Parade.

Two people, any two people loving whoever, and whatever they want.

Gay (in both senses of the word) and proud!

One of the few LGBTQ that unfortunately had water/garbage thrown at them. why must people impede on other people’s happiness when it harms no one else?

A Fantastic drummer.

A weird group (even to koreans) that were praying, mumbling or summoning something the whole time. (one korean said they were trying to communicate with the souls of those who passed away in the ferry).

The outside of the National Museum of History. An AMAZING museum to visit. Themed art galleries are also present.

This was truly an amazing journey, one that made me appreciate a few things, both new and old.

1. Thrill of exploring new things.

2. Understand that a plan is necessary, but it should be loose so that many changes can be made to it.

3. The wonderful feeling of companionship wherever I am.

Culture truly is a fascinating thing. My favourite thing about culture is how it shapes people’s thoughts and ideals, for better or worse. What is your favourite thing about culture?

Until next time,

Richard T.

Trainee Polymath

Travel Blog #3 – A Wonderful School

Yeongsanpo Girls Middle School.

In a previous blog, I briefly mentioned how extremely alien this school was to me.

It still is.

However, I am starting to settle in and learning how to teach and have fun with the students and the same time. Now, over a month and a half, it seems I am learning how to fill the outrageously large shoes of my predecessor. The fun piles on, while the work diminishes. A lot has happened since then, so where to start?

Well, for starters, the lunch here is phenomenal. Variety, taste and Nutrition, It has it all! There is always a healthy helping of vegetables, followed by a meat, rice and soup that never repeats itself within the month! (a little cookie and cream ice cream that you squirt into your mouth also helps give this a step in the right direction =D ).

If you think that is impressive, how about the school? Well manicured lawns, Spotless hallways, and sweet offices and classrooms. Take a deep breath, and let it all in, because that’s what I do everyday.

But that’s enough admiration. Let’s move on to Sports Day. I am not sure about other schools, but at my school, the enthusiasm rivals that of pop concerts. Kids designed their own class uniforms, frantically beating together a pair of thunder sticks, all the while shouting in plastic cones and putting impressive dents into handheld gongs. Trust me when I say that THIS, was a lot to take in. Their competitive spirit was even greater, demonstrating speed, endurance, and determination I didn’t know was capable within their dainty little selves. All I can really say is that I am beyond impressed.

Lastly, the one certainty of South Korea is not the spiciness of food, nor the obsession of looking immaculate…well it is these things as well (students in my school who are nearsighted will avoid wearing glasses just to look cuter). However, the constant I’m referring to is the weekly volleyball match touted for its skill, spirit and serious matches. Luckily, after watching a video and googling “how to play volleyball”, I came out half decent. It definitely earned me brownie points with the other teachers!

After reading all of this, you may think I am in a fortunate situation. Well…that’s because I am, and I am thankful everyday for such a wonderful opportunity. As David Steindl-Rast says: “We all know people who have lots of misfortunes that we ourselves would not want to have, and they are deeply happy, they radiate happiness. Why are they like this? Because they are grateful. It is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy.”

Until next time,

Richard T.

Trainee Polymath

Just My Thoughts #1: Time

A month has disappeared since I first landed in South Korea.

…What?

I know that when we do something we don’t like, time will seem to drag on. On the other hand, time flies by as soon as we engage in something we enjoy. I must be really enjoying my time then. =)

However, I prefer to think of time as if I’m driving in a tunnel. As I drive, everything seems to go by really fast. It does not matter whether it interests me or not because our focus is only on the one thing.  As I glance at the cars going the other way, everything seems to pass by unnaturally quickly, and things disappear off into the distance as if it barely existed. As I imagine reaching the end of the tunnel, it seems a long way away and that we will never get there.

Time is a major reason as to why I take photographs. It records my past, and gives me definitive proof that this exact moment, really did exist. It will fool me in thinking that everything I have done seem just a little less distant.

And that, makes me feel at peace.

Until next time,

Richard T.

Trainee Polymath

Travel Blog #2 – First Week of Experimentation: the Saving Grace

Yeongsanpo Girls Middle School.

Intertwined within those 4 words are the many mysteries I realize I was not ready for. For starters, Yeongsanpo is a new area to me; I have no clue where I am going, where to shop, where to eat, or where to catch a bus. Next, Girls Middle School!? I haven’t even been to a boys middle school. It is definitely different than a mixed classroom. I also haven’t been to middle school for almost a decade, which makes all of this even stranger.

There have been so many mistakes in such a short span of time. From not knowing which bus to get on, to not being able to communicate with anyone, all the way to simple conversations gone awry with my english co-teachers. I sometimes feel a little alone at school because no one can talk to me. I am going to use this negativity to fuel my need to learn Korean.

To be honest, the main point of this post is to introduce everyone to the man with an indefinite amount of generosity: Marius Van Der Westhuizen. He is the amazing teacher that I replaced here in Naju, and although I have only had one Skype call, a handful of emails, and half a day with him, I can honestly say that he is my lifesaver. His welcoming was above and beyond, and I thoroughly enjoyed the amazing orientation he gave me of the area. So to you, I say this: “I wish you the best of luck in everything you do, and if you ever need anything, just ask”.

All is well though and it excites me just thinking of the
growth I’ll go through in the next two years! Continue
following the blog; there will be more posts specifically
for travel, photography, my general opinions and thoughts,
and other stuff! I tend to put my best effort towards my RebirthofLife!

Until next time,

Richard T.

Trainee Polymath

Travel Blog #1 – 28 hours later…

From the moment I left home on the 15th of April at 6:15 am, to the point where I arrived at the SBC building here in Gwangju on the 16th of April at 11pm, it took a ridiculous 28.75 hours. I love travelling as much as the next guy, but I have yet to find a way to enjoy long flights. Perhaps some of you have tips?

Anyhow, the start of my Korea “Excursion” began with an 8-day orientation, chock full of information, teaching tips and advice, cultural experiences and the best part: meeting 60+ people that are just as curious and clueless as I was am. For most of us, the only person we knew in Korea were ourselves. That is probably the reason why everyone bonded so well. Unfortunately, we also knew that we would all be going to the different corners of Korea, and that “goodbye” would be inevitable. I guess this is one thing I will have to get used to if I want to continue living the life of a wanderer. However, there is a bright side! With Korea being so small and having such an extensive web of busses and trains, it is entirely possible to visit someone at the other end of Korea and still make it back by nightfall!

As I stand in my apartment in Naju-si, I cannot help but think:

“This is going to be a wonderful nest”.

I hope you will all join me on this journey, to travel and be amazed with me, and to grow with me.

Until next time,

Richard T.

Trainee Polymath

 

 

Welcome Welcome Welcome!

Welcome!

If you have no clue who I am, My name is Richard. And now you know me! I love travel, photography, and trying new things. I have odd ideas, unique perspectives and an extremely odd and multidimensional personality.

As you may have guessed, this is my not-so-secret haven for everything and anything I decide to learn, do and experience. Ultimately, as the name of the site suggests, this is a site for everything. This is a site for me to broaden and hone my skills in my attempt to become a Renaissance Man. This is also a site that shows the stories that come along with it. My travel, my experiences, my thoughts.

This will be messy. Mostly humorous; sometimes serious. New ideas will be explored. Good luck keeping up 🙂

If you want to know why I started this site, it is to practice many things. my photography, story telling, and identity discovery and creation to name a few. The rest can be explained by clicking here to “A Renaissance Man”

I hope you will all join me on this journey, to travel and be amazed with me, and to grow with me.

Until next time,

Richard T.

Trainee Polymath