Sun., Nov.20, 2011

I propose a change to the old expression, “ It you want something done, ask a busy person.”  I suggest that if you want real action you ask a Korean.  Tammy, the Korean woman I met at Mo’s dinner last Sat., contacted her friend June in Kelowna who phoned her friend Misoon in Vernon, who called me on Tuesday about getting together.  We met at 2:30pm on Thursday, at the carwash that Misoon and her husband own on 25^th Ave., went to a nearby Tim Horton’s and had our first lesson.  I think it’s going to be wonderful.  Both Misoon and her husband were teachers in Korea; they came to Canada eight years ago.  In that time, they have moved around and done a lot.  The best part is that both Misoon and I know a bit about language learning and will be able to help each other.  I could tell by the comments she made in our first meeting that she has an ear for my mistakes and is able to make helpful suggestions.  She even gave me 2 sites to go to.  I’ve gone to one so far, and after downloading some free software, I’ve been able to work on a couple of lessons with sound.  I still think that Korean will be a big struggle, but now I’m much more keen to give it a try.  If one has to use it or lose it, I certainly prefer learning a language to doing puzzles or playing Bridge as a way of keeping my mind alive.  Also, I’m eager to go to Korea to see Jay and that’s a good enough reason to make an effort to learn Korean.  I think I’ll be able to help her too.  She is much more advanced in English than I am in Korean, but even in our first meeting I was able to suggest a couple of things and she was happy to think about them. 

Last Sunday night I went to the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra’s presentation of Mozart’s ‘Requiem’.  I didn’t decide to go until the day before, but was able to get a ticket near the front and centre because I only needed one seat.  The soloists were good and the orchestra and chorus were very good.  Beginning and ending with music of eternal rest and light, it passed from wrath and doom, through grace and mercy.  I felt drained by the end, and thought of Jim often.  Yesterday I went with Priscilla and a friend of hers to see Philip Glass’s opera, ‘Satyagraha’, live from the Met at the Vernon Cinema.  It was a much more spare experience.  The music was chant-like, repetitive, and ultimately very moving.  Satyagraha is Sanskrit for the power or the force of truth.  The concept behind the opera was based on the ancient Hindu epic, the Bhagavad-Gita, much more cyclical than the Christian.  Gandhi’s early life and work in South Africa was presented as if he had been one of the great persons who appear throughout human history to help lead people out of their misery.  What gave the production its creative exhilaration was the combination of the music with the sets and stage work, which were breathtaking.  The final act was less moving than the first two, but the experience as a whole was well worth it.  I’m entering the cultural stage of my Vernon experience.

 After the opera, I walked to the rec. centre to vote in the municipal elections.  I had tried to find out something of the candidates, but I ended up depending heavily on the advice of a woman who knows the community well and whose judgment I trust.  I woke up this morning to discover that my candidate for mayor had beaten the incumbent and that all the people I chose for council had won, so I guess my acquaintance had her finger on the pulse of the community. 

I went cross-country skiing twice this week.  The first time, I went alone and began as I always begin things, by thinking that I don’t really want to do it.  Getting started was the usual season-opening fiasco.  It took me ages to find my gear, put some of it on, get the rest into the car and decide which wax to use.  As it was, I had the wrong wax, but the woman who was running the lunch counter and shop helped me with the trail map, so I headed out slipping but not gripping.  Just as I got to the opening of the trail, I met Colin, the soul of the Vernon Outdoors Club, and his group of friends.  He took my picture with them and then I started out, still slipping and going slowly but feeling less lost.  By the time I had finished the short and easy trail, I was red cheeked and glad I had done it.  The next time, I went with Marie who showed me a good run.  Next week I’ll have to go through the whole rigmarole again when downhill begins.

Skiing at Sovereign Lake 

Cathy with her grand daughter Cleo on the ferry to Victoria

Marley with her niece Cleo at Lindsay and Matti's

Dad with his great grand daughter Cleo 

Mom with her great grand daughter Cleo