U-Taek's Sijo For Spring

Sijo on Spring by U-Taek (1262-1342)


청산에 눈녹인바람 건듯불고 간데없다

적은덧 빌어다가 머리위에 불리고저

귀밑에 해묵은 서리를 녹여볼까 하노라

The spring breeze melted snow on the hills then quickly disappeared.
I wish I could borrow it briefly to blow over my hair
And melt away the aging frost forming now about my ears.


Does spring seem to mock one the older one gets?


U-Taek’s poem contrasts wistfully the youthfulness of the season and his own physical decline. If only one’s white hairs could vanish as easily as the melting snows. I’m more worried about the frost between my ears, though. Slip sliding away into senility doesn’t keep me awake at night but I find myself working at Sudoku puzzles a little more earnestly than before.

sources:
http://www.ahapoetry.com/sijo.htm
http://www.sejongculturalsociety.org/writing/current/sijo_samples.html
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_photo_detail.htm?No=16127

Expect The Unexpected This Spring

If you're planning a trip to South Korea this spring and wondering what to pack - I'd suggest that you include some winter woollies. Last spring was a bit of a meteorological roller-coaster so be prepared for some unpredictable weather again in 2011.  See below.


Photo on right - 10th March 2010 - Snows fell on spring blossoms ( Yonhap)

From KBS Website:
No Unusual Weather Conditions Forecasted for Spring

"Temperatures in South Korea have been warm this week, but forecasters are predicting the weather to be highly variable into mid-March.The Korea Meteorological Administration predicts that this spring will see similar temperatures to previous years, except for the unusually low temperatures recorded last spring. However, a cold front from the north will expand to the Korean Peninsula around mid-March, temporarily driving down temperatures.Also, the eastern part of Korea will witness low temperatures in April. Precipitation in March and May will be similar to that seen in previous years, but April will likely be relatively dry."

Photo on left: Snow fell in Seoul  on 22 March 2010

Photo on right: Strong winds ravage Seoul on Tuesday, with wind chill temperatures falling below zero degrees Celsius. 27 April 2010



Let's see how accurate this KMA is in its predictions for this year.

sources:
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?No=79669&id=Dm
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_photo_detail.htm?No=14619&current_page=16
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_photo_detail.htm?No=14539¤t_page=16
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_photo_detail.htm?No=14788¤t_page=14

Spring's Here, For Some At Least

Snow on Haeundae Beach, Busan - 14 February 2011

While those in the east coast may still be shovelling snow from their rooftops of their houses and cars or pathways outside homes or shops, those on the west coast of the Korean peninsular seem to be enjoying balmy temperatures already.

Snow-covered roofs in Gangwon-do, 17 Feb 2011

Let's hope this spring will be a mild one and more predictable than last year. The cherry blossoms didn't oblige photographers and enthusiasts by appearing on schedule.  There were also unpleasant surprises for Korean farmers last spring.  

Red plum blossoms have appeared at the UN Memorial Park, Busan

KBS reports: "Spring flowers are beginning to bloom on Jeju Island. Rape blossoms, which are regarded as harbingers of spring on the island, are blooming in some coastal areas. The blooming will be at its peak in March and April. Japanese apricot flowers are also in full blossom, signaling that winter is giving in to spring. The temperature even reached as high as 15 degrees Celsius on Jeju last week. Tourists to Jeju are busy bidding farewell to the severe winter and ushering in spring on the southern island." 

White plum blossoms in Hallim Park, Jeju

sources:
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2932471
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?No=79584
http://www.korea.net/news.do?mode=detail&guid=53309
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_photo_detail.htm?No=16025&current_page=
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_photo_detail.htm?No=16077&current_page=