Since Jan 8th I was busy with office hand-over, moving&shipping arrangements and saying goodbyes.
For a third time I hand over my position to a local person. I continue with my track record of selecting and training "locals" as successors. In two previous locations the local successions worked well and I am confident this one will be successful too. My successor has been in banking for about 17 years. Has sharp analytical mind. He's straightforward and most importantly has better access to local information than any foreigner. Surprisingly my successor shared with me some of his concerns with respect to taking over RM position. Given that he takes over a position from a woman it is extremely important he (as a man) performs well - if not better. What makes it worse for him is not only that I am a foreigner and a female - I am also single, with no kids and living with a doggie. All these attributes make me an outcast in Korean society. Given my "you cannot get lower" standing in society if he does not perform well, he will be in trouble. I truly wish he succeeds and he can count on my support from Kiev - if he asks for it.
During my last weeks everyone was extremely nice to me in the office. On Jan 28th I had a nice office farewell. Warm - if not entirely true - words were said and I got nice presents. You can see office party photos at http://picasaweb.google.nl/gordie26/Farewell
I had my private farewell on Jan 23rd. Darrell organized it perfectly. It was very nice to have friends around and made them promise to keep in touch and visit me in Kiev soon. For photos of that party go to http://picasaweb.google.nl/gordie26/FarewellParty23Jan08?authkey=K9_jSlBCG1A
There was another party on Saturday night and pics are available on
http://picasaweb.google.nl/gordie26/AboveAndBuddhaS02
Sunday morning I spent with Chaitanya and Chester. I got 50mm lens from Chaitanya as a present and made few nice photos of Chester. The rest of my last Sunday I spent with Ylona. We had a delicious samgepsa for lunch then drove around Bukakhsan. I enjoyed fantastic view from her house.
View's from Ylona's home.
Later in the afternoon we watched Australian Open and cheered for Tsonga. I watched only until 3rd set as I could not bear watching Tsonga losing. I joined Darrel and Johnhwa for a dinner at Sortino's. We had few bottles of wine and many rounds of martini mojitos. We were last guests to leave.
Being with close friends and knowing I leave them behind made me regretful.
However two incidents on Tuesday - first with the rental broker and second at the hotel - made me feel very good about leaving.
On Tuesday evening - my last in Seoul - Andre and Jimmy arranged an Indonesian dinner for my friends (Jill and Saul, Ylona, Jennifer) and me. Jimmy's Indonesian food was fantastic. The only hiccup was I forgot to mention Jennifer is vegetarian so Jimmy had to make an impromptu meal.
During the dinner Korea and Korea related things dominated our discussions. It was Andre versus Jennifer and Gordana team and I think it was a tie. I had great night. We stayed until 2.30 am .
Next morning I packed my suitcases. Decided to take Bongo in the hand luggage. Said goodbyes over phone to Faye, Ylona and Karen and checked out. Got on the bus. Checked in on Inchoen. A girl on the check in counter assigned me the wrong seat. I showed her the email confirming my seat booking made two weeks ago. (I am very particular about my plane seat arrangement.) Then she wanted to check my luggage straight to Kiev although I stay one night in A'dam...
Sunday morning I spent with Chaitanya and Chester. I got 50mm lens from Chaitanya as a present and made few nice photos of Chester. The rest of my last Sunday I spent with Ylona. We had a delicious samgepsa for lunch then drove around Bukakhsan. I enjoyed fantastic view from her house.
View's from Ylona's home.Later in the afternoon we watched Australian Open and cheered for Tsonga. I watched only until 3rd set as I could not bear watching Tsonga losing. I joined Darrel and Johnhwa for a dinner at Sortino's. We had few bottles of wine and many rounds of martini mojitos. We were last guests to leave.
Being with close friends and knowing I leave them behind made me regretful.
However two incidents on Tuesday - first with the rental broker and second at the hotel - made me feel very good about leaving.
On Tuesday evening - my last in Seoul - Andre and Jimmy arranged an Indonesian dinner for my friends (Jill and Saul, Ylona, Jennifer) and me. Jimmy's Indonesian food was fantastic. The only hiccup was I forgot to mention Jennifer is vegetarian so Jimmy had to make an impromptu meal.
During the dinner Korea and Korea related things dominated our discussions. It was Andre versus Jennifer and Gordana team and I think it was a tie. I had great night. We stayed until 2.30 am .
Next morning I packed my suitcases. Decided to take Bongo in the hand luggage. Said goodbyes over phone to Faye, Ylona and Karen and checked out. Got on the bus. Checked in on Inchoen. A girl on the check in counter assigned me the wrong seat. I showed her the email confirming my seat booking made two weeks ago. (I am very particular about my plane seat arrangement.) Then she wanted to check my luggage straight to Kiev although I stay one night in A'dam...
At the immigration counter I happily handed my residence card.
In the lounge someone tapped me on my shoulder. This was - to my enormous surprise -Andre!!! He was going for a business trip too! It was great to spend last minutes in Korea with him. We made plans for visits in Kiev, A'dam and whatever other place.
In the lounge someone tapped me on my shoulder. This was - to my enormous surprise -Andre!!! He was going for a business trip too! It was great to spend last minutes in Korea with him. We made plans for visits in Kiev, A'dam and whatever other place.
During the takeoff I had my mid fingers in the air. The Dutch guy sitting next to me regretted for asking me why and after my passionate "why I hate Korea" monologue remained silent for the rest of 11 hours flight.
Photos of Siberia
Photos of SiberiaBongo and I arrived happily to Amsterdam. And I started the Ukrainian chapter.
1 comment:
WHO HAS THE POWER TO FORGIVE SINS? BY STEVE FINNELL
ONLY GOD CAN FORGIVE SINS
Luke 5:20-24 Seeing their faith, He said. "Friend, your sins are forgiven you." 21 The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?" 22 But Jesus, aware of their reasoning, answered and said to them, "Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins have been forgiven you,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? 24 But, so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,"---He said to the paralytic---"I say to you get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home."
Jesus did not disagree with the Pharisees when they said, "only God can forgive sins." The problem was the scribes and Pharisees did not realized that Jesus was God in the flesh.
The scribes and Pharisees were correct in saying that anyone, but God, who claims the authority to forgive sins is committing blasphemies. What about the men today who claim that they have the authority to grant absolution? Would that not be included the blasphemies category?
No preacher, priest, evangelist, pastor nor any other man can forgive sinners nor saints for the sins they commit against God.
NOTE: There is no mention of the office of Christian priest under the New Covenant. That is a man-made position.
JESUS IS THE ONLY PRIEST MEN NEED!
Hebrews 7:23-25 The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater number because the were prevented by death from continuing , 24 but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
No man-made priest is able to save anyone. Jesus is THE PRIEST.
Romans 8:34 who is the one who condemns" Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercede for us.
Jesus is the priest who is at the right hand of God.
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
There is one mediator between man and God. No preacher, priest, not the Virgin Mary, no apostle, no pastor, nor any saint dead or alive is standing between man and God. Only God forgives sin and Jesus Christ is the only mediator between men and God.
1 John 1:5-9 ....God is light.....9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
There is nothing in these verses that indicates we are to confess are sins to anyone other than God.
It says, He (GOD), will forgive our sins. There is nothing about absolution from a priest, preacher, pastor etc.
Those who are already Christians can confess to God and have their sins forgiven.
JESUS IS THE PRIEST FOR ALL CHRISTIANS---THE ONLY PRIEST MEN NEED!
ONLY GOD CAN FORGIVE SINS!
YOU ARE INVITED TO FOLLOW MY BLOG. http://steve-finnell.blogspot.com
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