J.L.Only: Reasons Argue & Feelings Arise

Sooner or later your thoughts confronts you.
Selfishness deminished only in your mind.
In time you realize that you are still,
selfish and centered solely on your pride.

Once in a while you face the truth,
of your deceptive ways to find love for one,
selfless reason. You are a victim too.
A victim of wanting to love for purely selfish...

Reasons argue and feelings arise.
Deception fades and the time comes to decide.
You settle for the commitment...
and hope that somehow it's not as realized.

Personal Space in Seoul Korea

Life in the Eastern Hemisphere of Earth has been a cultural enlightening experience. For most of my life the Western Hemisphere and all it’s cultural norms have been the place of my growth. One significant cultural difference that people should be aware of when coming to Seoul, Korea is the lost of your personal space.

For most of the Western Hemisphere, more specifically the North American Continent, people have an unspoken understanding of a minimum of an arms length of space that we call our personal space. A bubble of security and safety that we all maintain and honor between individuals. We live by this rule. We live in this bubble of personal space and mutually respect the bubble religiously.

In Seoul, Korea things aren’t as spacious as the life you may be familiar with back in North America. Seoul boasts 10 million residents just within the city limits and has a metropolitan area of over 20 million people. It is listed on wikipedia as the second largest metropolitan area by population. Imagine, if you will the massive amounts of people commuting to and from work, school and other extra activities throughout the city.

In Seoul, the personal bubble space that you may be use to growing up in North America becomes about as far away as the tip of your nose. When commuting during peak hours you will find yourself being pushed, shoved and even find somebody’s head in your armpit. Please do be warned, it is not an offense targeting any particular person. It is the cultural phenomena of a city living as the second largest metropolitan area on Earth.

The next time your on the Seoul Metro and your commuting through peak hours, take a big breath and remember the humor of finding yourself living, for a moment the life of a sardine.

Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival

It’s April in Seoul and the ice has melted away as new life begins to reintroduce itself to the world. The hibernation of all things living has come to an end. Spring is here and Korea is happy to announce the return of the sun.

Throughout Korea there are many cherry blossom festivals under way. One such festival recently took place in Jinhae, South Gyeonsang Province from March 31st - April 11th. This festival is held annually since 1963 and features three hundred thousand trees. The festival averages over a million visitors every year.

This year’s festivities in Jinhae have been a trial of adversity for the people of Jinhae. Recently, a Korean Naval ship based out of Jinhae came under the world’s radar as it sank into the waters off the coast of Korea in the East China Sea. Due to this event some of the festivities that take place during the cherry blossom festival have been cancelled. This news however, didn’t deter the visitors from making the pilgrimage to Jinhae.

Every visitor to Jinhae’s Cherry Blossom Festival would recommend as do I, that this is the event to mark into your calenders for Spring.

Direkitor! by Joshua Overbay

Direkitor! from Joshua Overbay on Vimeo.

Click here for link.

The B.LuisGrey EP

I've had some time on my hands this week. This has given me some time to mess around with music, which is a hobby I enjoy doing. Lately, due to my limited equipment I've been taking songs and chopping out the breaks to form a short break/mixtape. For those interested in remixed music check out the B.LuisGrey EP <------ Click on the link.

Teaching at Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea

Since my return from South East Asia my days have been filled with daily excursions to see Ms. Pearl. Being away from her for three weeks took it's toll and opened my eyes to the attachment I have to her. It's been good to be back with my best friend.
My first week back I Began looking for a job. I got an interview at the university mentioned in the title. Classes were to start on the 29th of March. I was interviewing for a part-time gig with potential for more hours. The contract was and is for 10 weeks. Just long enough to not get dreary.
So, I teach for an hour in the morning, conversational English. My students are great.
My days begin at 6am. Makes my days feel longer.
Now all I need is another gig for late morning and something for mid afternoon.
In short... I've got a great gig but need more work.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

grey image is now on tumblr

Greetings everybody,

I'm sure your aware of the web 2[point]0 frenzy that is sweeping the world. In humility I to have been swept up in the fad that has taken networking to another level. It particularly great if you happen to have a smart phone which allows you to bring your networking sites with you anywhere you go.

This is what happen during my travels through South East Asia. Although my device wasn't a smart phone it worked in similar ways. On my iPod Touch there is a application called BlogPressLite. It's a free application that allows you to write blogs while not being connected to the internet via wifi. This allowed me to utilize any free time to write quick blogs through out my twenty two days of backpacking through South East Asia.

My experience with the blogging via hand device sparked a desire in me to purchase a device that could take my blogging adventures to the next level. I am happy to say that 2 days ago... I became the proud owner of the iPhone.

It has opened a few avenues and so with this purchase grey image will be expanding to new networking sites in conjuction with blogger. If you are a follower of grey image then I'd suggest you don't miss out on grey image at tumblr & twitter.

twitter: bluisgrey

tumblr: www.greyimage.tumblr.com

Seoul, Korea

I've been back for two days now. I love Korea. I went from 33 degree's celsius sweating non-stop to be greeted by snow. Thank you Seoul. So thoughtful of you to save a little snow for those who missed it a few weeks back.

I had a great time in South East Asia. Pictures that I can muster up will be on the way. An epilogue of the journey is also on the way. Thank you for following me through the 22 days of random facts of our journey through a enriching part of the Earth.

A phenomenal sight in Bangkok was the red shirt rally. They greeted us with smiles and were so excited about their rights to oppose their present government.

Day Twenty One: Bangkok

8:15am - we leave for Bangkok today.
We stayed in backpackers haven. Near khosan Road.

Day Twenty: Koh Chang

7:16am - up early in the morning. Feels good.
Today the plan is to ride scooters down to the south side of the island.
8:06am (next day) - go south to Bao Bay. There's a pier that stretches out into the bay.
Two days left.

Day Ninteen: Koh Chang, Thailand

7:00pm - I woke up late today. I spent the day doing nothing. Did a little reading and plan to go eat dinner soon.
11:22pm - finished the book while laying on the hamick. "They Killed My Father First" the story of a young girl and her family during Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge.
I'm tired.

Day Eighteen: Blue Lagoon Resort

10:03am - Ate the usual eggs with toast for breakfast. Settled our debt and caught a ride to the ferry. It's a nice package deal from the guest house to the island.
11:59am - Checked into the Blue Lagoon Resort. Staying in a bungalow built on stilts over the lagoon. The lagoon isn't blue. It's more like green. Minor discrepency.
The beach is about a 2 minute walk from the bungalow. Maybe a minute from the restaurant which is part of the resort.

Day Seventeen: To Elephant Island

8:44am - At the airport in Saigon, Vietnam. Flying to Bangkok. From there, a bus to Trat, Thailand. Destination, Koh Chang. Translated it means Elephant Island.
11:01am - funny quotes:
"let's cross the street to get on a side walk, doesn't look like there's one on this side."
In mid-flight.
McJ. - "guess what day it is?"
Grey - "Wednesday."
McJ. - "nope".
Shows todays exit stamp on passport. It's the 16th of March. Shows a calender. It's Tuesday.
1:33pm - caught a taxi to the Eastern bus terminal. Why does being in Bangkok make me feel like everybodys running scams. Maybe it's just the taxi drivers. They like to take the most round about way to the destination. then they ask for a tip. Here's a tip for yah. Make you customers feel helped and they'll actually be more than happy to reward you with money.
It's like they want to sheer tourists like sheep.
8:33pm - Made it to Trat Province. Checked into Pop's Guesthouse. Simple rooms with a bed, fan and bathroom.
Tomorrow we catch a ferry to Koh Chang (Elephant Island).

Day Sixteen: Saigon, Vietnam

11:48am - woke up at nine. Ate breakfast and came down with painful stomach ache.
Went to the toilet three times. McJaguar scored some medicine. Should be feeling better soon for our trip to the art museum.
8:30am (next day) - We didn't end up at the museum. We did see the cathedral and the old colonial French building renovated into a large post office. We walked along the markets and did a lot of bargain shopping. Picked up a few watches.
My impression of Saigon, gentle chaos.
The evening motorcycle traffic is a breathtaking phenomena.

Day Fifteen: Saigon

11:09am - woke up late today. Chillin in the hotel. Plan to see the city today.
Went to Independance Palace. The home of the South Vietnamese President before the fall of Saigon to the Socialist government.
We also went to the war museum. History from the victors perspective. A war against western imperialism and the freedom of the people of Vietnam.
In the evening I got a haircut with a straight razor shave.
Dinner was kabab.

Day Fourteen: Vietnam

7:43am - on a bus headed to Vietnam. The bus is packed.
6:35pm - At the Vietnam border. Been here for about 40 minutes waiting for our passports.
We ate lunch in Phnom Penh. I ate a club sandwich.
Looking forward to relaxing a little in the hotel tonight.
10:15am - checked into hotel last night. Ate pho for dinner and a few drinks before sleeping.

Day Thirteen: Ream National Park

Today I went to the Ream National Park. This consisted of a ride down a river boat to the delta. Where the river meets the ocean.
When we arrived to our first stop we trekked through the forest down a path. We arrived at a secluded beach.
I took off my shoes and walked along the beach.
My shoes are finally broken in. They feel comfortable.
The beach was wonderful.
We hiked back to the boat. They served us lunch. Baracuda, French bread and salad. It was delicious.
We traveled back up river towards the start of our journy.
One last stop. The tower platform. We climbed up a tree top level platform.
Dinner was at Bayon Restaurant on serindipty hill. Green sign.

Day Twelve: snorkling & bamboo island

5:30pm - this morning we woke up early. We began the morning with coffee. Then we boarded a van. We sat in the back. The van made it's rounds to other pick up spots. The van brought us to another location where we were given breakfast.
I ate French bread with a glass of water.
We ate at a table with a gentleman from Iran and a lady from Australia. They spoke of there journy through India.
We were then loaded onto the vans. The vans drove us down the road towards the beach. At the beach were tourists/back packers huddled on the beach in groups.
When I exited the van I immediatly take off my trekking shoes and socks.
The boats took us out to sea. We passed a few islands out to a snorkling sight. We snorkled for a while.
A majority of the people on our boat were Dutch. Nice older folks.
The boat then took us to Bamboo Island. There was a restaurant, bar and about 30 bungalows along the beach. We laid in hamicks drinking a beer and reading a book. McJaguar went out for a swim.
The ocean looks blue with teal highlights.
At noon we gathered at the boat to eat fish and salad served with more... French bread.
The bred is stiff to chew. My jaws hurt.
I laid on the beach after lunch. I thought of her, people, geography, culture and the future.
I swim in the ocean awhile.
I am always fearful of the ocean. Of what lies beneath and the vastness of it. It's power to spare life and take it. The ocean humbles me.
The boat takes us to another smaller island. People snorkle off the boat. I read a book. An autobiography about escaping the Khmer Rouge.
The boat then takes us to Serendipty Beach. I see a few Korean flags. We approach and find out the owners are Korean. We pre ordered samgyupsal wiith soju for 7:00 tonight. It's 5:55pm now.
Another hour in South East Asia with Mr Grey & McJaguar.

Day Eleven: Sihanoukville, Cambodia

11:24am - We moved hotels. Downgraded to a cheaper hotel with a bungalow feel in atmosphere. Two large beds. I'm sort of sick and have had stomach pains all morning. My stool is soft as in diarrea.
Plan to relax and read a book.
5:03pm - Slept until mid afternoon. Checked Internet and strolled over to the beach to eat. I ordered spaghetti.
We plan to watch the sunset. Sihanoukville is a Tranquille place where time slows down.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch

Day Ten: Sihanoukville, Cambodia

5:55am - arrived at the hotel in Sihanookville. Suns beginning to rise.
6:48pm - we hit the beach in the late afternoon. After cheching in, showering, resting, breakfast and a shower. The news weather predicts storms tomorrow. Maybe it will slow us down a little.
The days seem to blend inbetween bus rides. Long sunny, hot swealtering days blended with evening sweat.
9:30am - early afternoon we shot over to the Vietnam consulate to get our entry visa's. 45$ total.
We then walked down a long deserted road with nobody else walking on it. In fact we felt like the dumb Americans who don't know how to stay out of the heat. We stopped at a small shop on the side of the road for water. Can't get enough water here in South East Asia.
We caught a tuk tuk back to our section of town and began to look for a cheaper hotel for the following night which we were lucky to find.
The rest of the evening was spent relaxing at the Beach Club Resort.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch

Day Nine: Leaving Siem Reap

2:33pm - Spending the day feeling the fan blow on me. The plan is to bus it down to the Cambodian beach tonight in a comfortable bus. Well be arriving at the beach in the morning.
McJaguar is purchasing a iPod touch 3rd generation. Mr. Grey is drinking beers and staying out of the heat thinking about Ms. Pearl Pull. Misses her a lot.
iPod hand held devices are essential in today's travel. No heavy laptops to carry. The convenience of a computer in your palm.
Thanks for following. Love you earthlings.
3:23pm - spent 40 minutes picking out music to upload on to McJaguars new iPod touch. Over 70 albums.
558pm - ate Mexican food. Still waiting for all of the music to be uploaded onto iPod. Leaving Siem Reap at 800pm on a night bus.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch

Day Eight: Ankor Watt

The ancient temples if Angkor Wat bring history to life. It's breath taking and full of wonder. These ancient temples were built to show the power of yesteryears Khmer kingdom. The defeaters of Siam (present day Thailand).
The people of Cambodia are friendlier than the Thai's. I hate to make such generalizations but for a people living in poverty they are happy people.
My experience in Siem Reap and Angkor Wat has been breathtaking.
The children merchants are persistent so be friendly and show some love and you'll have a wonderful time getting to know the future of Cambodia. At one point I said "I dint want to buy that dear, I just want to eat my lunch". While sitting at a open market near one of the temples. They wanted me to spend a dollar on a gift for my girlfriend. "Why aren't you all in school?" in unison thy respond, "Its Sunday"!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch

Day Seven: Border Crossing

4:12pm - Got through the shadiest border crossing ever. Still about 3 hours out from the border. I need deorderant bad. Spent all day traveling and still not at Siem Reap.
4:45pm - We crossed over into Cambodia in Pompeii. Before crossing over we bought visa's at some claimed consulate. The visa was slightly rushed on us giving us the feeling of being dooped without choice. In the end we purchased our visa's from Adam at the border.
Once we crossed into cambodia we haggled for what we thought to be a bus to siem reap. However, the bus stopped so we can be crammed into another bus about 5 kilometers down the road. It's crazy traveling in a country where the language is unfamiliar. Damn I'm hungry too.
An hour outside Siem Reap the bus stops at an unplanned rest for an hour. It's already dark and the bus driver wants to rest here. Feels like a scam the Internet warned against. We eventually made it to our hotel, king Angkor via Tuk Tuk upon departing the bus on arrival.

Day Six: Bangkok

A Korean, Brazillian and a Californian walk into a go go bar...
McJaguar made it into Pattaya eventually making it over Buddah Hill, heading south to find Gibby and I in Jomtien.
If your ever in Jomtien or the surrounding area and want affordabe clean rooms, look for Jomtien Hostel.
The three of us are now heading into Bangkok now. I've got my headphones on and the Thai guy next to me is talking on his phone and his voice resonates in my head. They sort of have a nasal sounding voice. I wonder if it has anything to do with the location of Thailand to the equator. There language carries in the low barometric pressure. His voice is in my dome even when my music is playing.
ตคพะขวรนยไใหกดเจบาลสแผปองชทม฿ This is how Thai looks in written form.
I'm now checked into a hotel at Bangkok. Schedule for tonight, rest.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch

Day Five: Pattaya, Thailand

9:44am - when you dehydrated from the heat and lack of water, it only takes a few beers together elevated.
6:36pm. - tired. Going out for Korean food in Thailand.
I miss understanding what the hell is being said around me?


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch

Day Four: Pattaya

11:55am - Good morning sunshine with beach waves crashing on the shores.
Gibby made it into town last night. Right about the time I'd given up hope.
After eating dinner last night I checked into a hotel. There after I walked down the beach towards the busy section. It was 2 kilometers one way. There and back and my puppies were hurting. I sat down to check Internet/facebook and read that Gibby was here. With a smile I press respond and look up and guess who I see.
We walked back down the beach drinking and getting hit on by the prostitutes. Gross, ladyboys too. I kept saying, no thank you. I have a girlfriend. No sucky, I love my girlfriend. It was fun.
2:10pm. - got a chance to jump in the ocean with my new swimming trunks. The water is warm. My trunks are what I thought to be billabong. Turns out there billaboard. Fail.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch

Day Three: Pattaya

7:45am. - Im in back pain from carrying the backpack yestaerday and the Thai massage. It feels good to be awake this early.
1019am. - Sitting on balcony waiting for check out time. Will be reading a book on the beach there after.
I'm sure I mentioned this but if not... There a lot of old men here with super young Thai girlfriends. It's sort of sad and mostly gross.
My book on this journey is "Phenomenology of Perception" by Merleu-Ponty.
My buddy Gibby will be coming into Pattaya today. Till then it's just me and the book.
1257pm - The one major thing about travelling alone is that you don't feel secure about leaving you bag around. I need to piss so bad but don't want to go through the hassle of taking my bag with me. Where's Gibby, I need to whizzzzz.
630pm - got tired of waiting. Just finshed dinner and going to a find a room for the night. It's beautiful out here.
Dinner was chicken curry.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch

South East Asia: Day Two

I woke in the airport seating area with my right ear in pain. The pressure from the borometer is causing my entire head to hurt. I can barely hear out of my right ear. It's 5:46am and I'm still waiting for my bus to Pattaya. Bangkok can wait. First order of action, go to the beach.
Gibby is already in Thailand, Koh Chang and plans to meet me in Pattaya on Tuesday.
Today, is my alone time of adjusting to my new environment. Damn my ear hurts.
I make it to Pattaya beach by 9am. Tied my shoe laces and marched to the beach. It's fucking hot here. I still can't find Internet. Still writting though.
Marched up the beach for an hour. Now eating breakfast, eggs, a hotdog wrapped in ham with a large Chang beer. It's 10:10am.
I finally found internet. 40baht an hour. Updated my first day.
400pm. Checked into the budget hotel across from beach. Been here a little over an hour now. Hiked way up the beach and was getting tired. Stopped at cafe la mars for a nice cheese bacon hamburger.
Now, a little rested I feel like getting a Thai massage. 200baht which is equivelent to about 7$ American dollars.
Oh, I forgot. My balcony looks out to the beach.
900pm. Sitting in the front area of hotel facing beach drinking beer.
Good night multiverse.

Welcome to Thailand folks.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch

South East Asia: Day One

Today I spent the day with the girlfriend. My last time to see her for 22 days. We jumped on the bus in East Seoul towards Incheon International Airport.
I wished we were going on this trip together.
This was all yesterday in retrospect. As I sit on a plane I'm excited for the 22 day adventure. I arrive in Bangkok early morning of March first, approx. 145a.m.
The plan upon arrival is to jump on a bus from the airport heading to Pataya Beach.
Shout out to Dumbfoundead and his Jam Session 2.0 and the original beat by Handsome Boy Modeling School 'the truth' which is playing on the iPod touch.
Landed at 1am.
Bus to pataya is at 7am. Going to wait it out at the airport.

Check in daily as I log my travels via iPod touch and the blogger application.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch

Why?

Grey: "teacher studied philosophy in university".
Student: "whats that".
Grey: "nothing. It's mostly about nothing important.
What do you want to study Zohn (not real name)".
Student: "Art".
Grey: "really? You want to study art? That's good".
Student: "Why?"
Grey: "Art comes from the inside. There isn't a wrong in art it's all opinion and a mirror to the person who creates and observes.
Student: "Why?"
Grey: "Art doesn't have a right or wrong per se. It's an expression of energy.
Energy is what people use and are composed of".
Student: "Why?"
Grey: "Thats how humans are designed. It's part of how the Earth opperates, energy.
Student: "Why?"
Grey: "Thats the design of the Earth and everything that is on and in it".
Student: "Why?"
Grey: "Thats a good question".



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch

Lunar New Year

Happy Lunar New Year! It's been a culmination of many events and holidays. We've got the Winter Olympics, valentine's day, presidents day in the United States and in the Asian countries... The lunar new year.
Have a great culminating february weekend.


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Presentation Rehearsal

Our school has been preparing for the end of the year presentation. It's a three hour presentation of songs and plays. The morning starts off with a lot of energy. Two hours later and both my classes are exhausted. We're watching another classes play and waiting for lunch. The presentation is on the 20th. Yup, it's a Saturday.

The lunch menu today is rice with kimchi soup.

19 more days till I take off towards South East Asia... Bangkok.

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Friday

Fridays creep up on you when your not paying attention. The week is the beginning of the light that plans to shine at the end of the month. The light being a 22 day backpack through Thailand & combodia.

What sort of things are there to do in Seoul on a Friday? Plenty, depending on your budget.

What will you do this Friday?

This Friday started with work. Yup, kindergarten. Off by six. Tonight... Meeting the girlfriend and some of her friends for dinner and some light drinking.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch

Groundhog Day

Winter has been ruthless to the children of the Earth.
Groundhog please usher in the Spring, my bones hurt.
The cold has had it's way with us poor inhabitants...
The season is set to inflict wrath. This time, hell bent.
This year, little ground dweller... The believers gather,
To see if you'll signal the time for great weather.
With songs of praise for winters end. We look to you,
to bring life to our friends that hibernates till the cold seasons end.
Hello little fellow. Hello, hello. Let's say together, goodbye cold weather.
Spring love, Spring mating, Spring birth to a few.
All of which springs us up out of the blues.
Celebrate, celebrate... Groundhogs Day with me.
This might be the end of Winter and the beginning of Spring!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch

Antarctic Freeze

The type of searches that lead visitors to 'grey image' is inspiring and comedic. Seems there are a lot of people who are trying to find employment opportunities/adventure in Antarctica. The second largest blog that brings random folks from all over the world... "Antarctica Needs You".

The number one blog entry is about tattoo's in Korea. With the recent popularity of tattoo's it seems reasonable that people would search for unique tattoo's from cultures all around the world. Korea's definitely's got it's own cultural niche in this diverse world.

How's the new year treating you?

It's been very nice on this end of the multi-verse. This season's theme, relational growth.

This winter season has been the coldest Winter I've gone through here in Korea. It's extremely cold. I'm not sure if it's as cold as my years at Trinity International University in the Chicago area. I was younger back then and probably had better blood circulation. This year has made it official. I do not like winter.

Despite the blistering freeze, life has been good. Everyday I find my view of the world broadened by the people that are in it. It's such a wonderful place, Earth. Sure, there are people dying, lives are ruined in corporate greed, people are starving, wars are being fought over ideological differences... and the list goes on. Despite all of this, life is good... on Earth.

If all else falls to hell, we've still got Antarctica.

Happy New Year!

I hope all are blessed with the passing of one year to the inception of the new. It's been extremely cold here in Korea. Much colder than I remember it being the past few years. It's official... I hate winter. Other than that, I'm braving the cold to walk to work every weekday.
I've also taken up a new hobby of mountain hiking. I heard through word of mouth that Korea is 90% mountains. It explains why there are so many people wearing hiking gear on the subway, most likely heading to their destination/hike. I've climbed two mountains since making this my new hobby and I love it.
In the past, I've tried to join a gym to lose weight and get myself into shape. The bad thing about joining a gym is that it's hard to stay motivated. I find myself unmotivated to go to the gym. I also can't wait to get out of there when I am there.
The thing about mountain climbing is that you can't stop midway. No matter how tired I feel or anybody feels there's still always a journey back down. I've made it to both peaks of both mountains I've climbed.
1. DoBong Mountain
2. BukHan Mountain