Monday, June 30, 2008

algae bloom in Yellow Sea

And you wonder where all the seaweed comes from to wrap your sushimi...? hmmm

Here's an interesting slide show of what's going on in the Yellow Sea. West Sea to Koreans. Bounty of the Sea just in time for the sailing competitions for the Olympics.

Multimedia

BEIJING: With less than six weeks before it plays host to the Olympic sailing regatta, the city of Qingdao has mobilized thousands of people and an armada of small boats to clean up an algae bloom that is choking large stretches of the coastline and threatening to impede the Olympic competition.


Local officials have initiated an all-out effort to clean up the algae by mid-July. Media reports estimate that as many as 20,000 people have either volunteered or been ordered to participate in the operation, while 1,000 boats are scooping algae out of the Yellow Sea. The official news agency, Xinhua, reported that algae currently covered a third of the coastal waters designated for the Olympic races.


Water quality has been a concern for the sailing events, given that many coastal Chinese cities dump untreated sewage into the sea. At the same time, rivers and tributaries emptying into coastal waters are often contaminated with high levels of nitrates from agricultural and industrial runoff. These nitrates contribute to the red tides of algae that often bloom along sections of China's coastline.


But officials in Qingdao said pollution and poor water quality did not have a "substantial link" to the current outbreak, according to Xinhua. Instead, scientists blamed the bloom on increased rainfall and warmer waters in the Yellow Sea. Algae are now blooming over more than 12,900 square kilometers, or 5,000 square miles, of the sea, according to Xinhua.


"We will make all our efforts to finish this job," said a propaganda official in Qingdao. "Now, forces from the entire province have become involved." He said ships and boats had been sent from two other coastal cities, Rizhao and Yantai, to help haul away the algae.


Yuan Zhiping, an official with the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Committee, said Sunday that the government would attempt to block algae from floating into the Olympic sailing area by installing a fenced perimeter in the sea that is more than 50 kilometers, or 30 miles, long.


Much of it was being transported to farms as feed for pigs and other animals, according to news reports.



Ya think? Sounds like mystery sauce for the food vendors at the Olympics too. yummy seaweed.


Teacher in the Land of the Morning Calm.



Some of you may have noticed my recent interest in things Asian lately. This is because next week sometime the son of Kiko, aka Wario, aka the T-rev, will be off to the Land of the Morning Calm.

It's been a whirlwind month as he researched jobs, found recruiters, organized documents, found a job and now he has a visa issuance number from Korean Immigration sponsored by his employer and is ready to schedule a face-to-face interview at the Korean Embassy. whew... Talk about jumping thru hoops and red tape.

Wario's going to love this place... He was nurtured with a sense of adventure, love for travel, and he really is a kind soul. He's gonna love it.

"Through knowledge, perspective and companionship we better ourselves and gain a greater appreciation for what we have."

Interesting Facts
recruit.com>Did you know?tab

  • Korea is one of the safest countries in the world. In fact, many westerners attest to feeling safer walking around here than in their own countries.
  • English has almost reached second language status which makes everyday life much less complicated and allows ex-pats to function with little or no Korean.
  • Korea spends $15 billion (usd) on English education every year, roughly three times that of Japan.
  • The KTX, which is a high speed train or “bullet train”, will get you to wherever you are going quickly and affordably. You are usually no more than 3 hours from any destination in the country.
  • All of the seven major Korean cities boast a strong and effervescent foreign community.
  • Korea is the most “wired” country in the world.
  • There are nearly 500,000 foreign nationals living in Korea.
  • After only a few months most westerners can read Hangul, which is Korea’s official language.
What types of people are inclined to go on such an adventure?

What makes an ESL teacher?
3rd tab on top in blue


You’re someone that has the courage to travel hundreds of kilometers from home to start, what may be, you first teaching job ever!

You’re curious and excited about new opportunities.

Someone that is motivated to grow and learn through doing. (this is how you get karma)

Lack the complacence to settle for the status quo and desire the chance to explore. yeehaw!

You’re affable and kind spirited. yup

You have an open mind towards new people, cultures, languages and experiences. the best :)

You enjoy a challenge, whether you find it in the classroom or attempting to buy groceries. (And remember, you don’t speak the language!)

All of these traits combine to make the people and communities we live in. They are what bring out the most in our experiences abroad and compel us to pursue the road less taken, but ultimately more rewarding. Through knowledge, perspective and companionship we better ourselves and gain a greater appreciation for what we have.


Land of the Morning Calm.
I love it.
Korea
What an exciting journey
Cherish these moments
treasures from afar.
Love,
Mom

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Unknown Author (but I'm loving it)

With George Carlin passing away last week, I can't help but think this is something he might have said. Message from the Great Beyond:

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Good Eats

Been finding lots of good Korean blogs, but this is one that deserves a spot of it's own, posted by Lasagna's Got Seoul. T-rev must try one of these. Great pics, Lassy!



But this. THIS is my newest awesome discovery: Ju Meok Bap Mix. This is the tuna melt of Korea. I love it. This is the outside, rice and spicy sesame seeds and seaweed.




Inside is Kim Chi and tuna salad served hot (and it's spicy). I know it doesn't sound good but it was so good. AND only $1.50. I love it!



Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Social Harmony in the Land of the Morning Calm

Some of you may have noticed my recent interest in things Asian lately. This is because next week sometime the spawn of Kiko, aka Wario, aka the T-rev, will be off to the Land of the Morning Calm.

It's been a whirlwind month as he researched jobs, found recruiters, organized documents, found a job and now he has a visa issuance number from Korean Immigration sponsored by his employer and is ready to schedule a face-to-face interview at the Korean Embassy. whew... Talk about jumping thru hoops and red tape.

Wario's going to love this place... He was nurtured with a sense of adventure, love for travel, and he really is a kind soul. He's gonna love it.

"Through knowledge, perspective and companionship we better ourselves and gain a greater appreciation for what we have."

Interesting Facts
recruit.com>Did you know?tab

  • Korea is one of the safest countries in the world. In fact, many westerners attest to feeling safer walking around here than in their own countries.
  • English has almost reached second language status which makes everyday life much less complicated and allows ex-pats to function with little or no Korean.
  • Korea spends $15 billion (usd) on English education every year, roughly three times that of Japan.
  • The KTX, which is a high speed train or “bullet train”, will get you to wherever you are going quickly and affordably. You are usually no more than 3 hours from any destination in the country.
  • All of the seven major Korean cities boast a strong and effervescent foreign community.
  • Korea is the most “wired” country in the world.
  • There are nearly 500,000 foreign nationals living in Korea.
  • After only a few months most westerners can read Hangul, which is Korea’s official language.
What types of people are inclined to go on such an adventure?

What makes an ESL teacher?
3rd tab on top in blue


You’re someone that has the courage to travel hundreds of kilometers from home to start, what may be, you first teaching job ever!

You’re curious and excited about new opportunities.

Someone that is motivated to grow and learn through doing. (this is how you get karma)

Lack the complacence to settle for the status quo and desire the chance to explore. yeehaw!

You’re affable and kind spirited. yup

You have an open mind towards new people, cultures, languages and experiences. the best :)

You enjoy a challenge, whether you find it in the classroom or attempting to buy groceries. (And remember, you don’t speak the language!)

All of these traits combine to make the people and communities we live in. They are what bring out the most in our experiences abroad and compel us to pursue the road less taken, but ultimately more rewarding. Through knowledge, perspective and companionship we better ourselves and gain a greater appreciation for what we have.

Land of the Morning Calm.
I love it.
Korea
What an exciting journey
Cherish these moments
treasures from afar.
Love,
Mom