There goes God showing off agian ;-)

It amazing me when I look around this world how much beauty there is, and how easy it can be missed if you don;t pay attention to it.

Here is a clip from one of my all time favorite movies, American Beauty


To this day, Santorini in the Greek Islands is probably the most beautiful places I have ever been in the world

The Philippines sunset wasn't bad either ;-)

Nor was the Egyptian & Israeli desert...(until my camel took off with my backpack and passport and I was left stranded with no food, no water and no possessions, in the middle of the freaking desert).

The ultimate #FAIL

Take a look around today and see the "entire life behind things" as he says in the movie.

Life is Beautiful.
Enjoy it.

Check Out of Society & Check Into 10 Days of Silence...

I was just inspired by a friend  who has started leading meditation workshops in Vancouver.

However I realized that 99.99 percent of the worlds population does  not live Van to attend my friends wicked workshops but may also be interested in mediation programs & retreat centers in their areas, so I wanted to share a great world wide meditation retreat resource that I have experienced first hand in a few different places around the world that was absolutely amazing...

Out all the personal development conferences, coaching programs & seminars I have done, this was the ultimate 'self mastery' experience:

Its called "Vipassana" www.dhamma.org

Its a 10 day silent meditation retreat.

Here is a video I took in 2008 after my 10 days of silence, and I could finally talk again


 
Imagine, 10 days of not only "no talking", but no cell phones, no computers, no writing, no reading and even no touching & no eye contact is a rule.

Its hardcore.

And yes, its freaking intense.

Here is a blog post I did after my 1st retreat :
http://www.quintoncarlin.com/2009/04/sitting-in-slience-inside-outfor-10.html


A lot of people have breakdowns, freak outs and leave the center before the 10 days is over...but a lot also stay to complete it, and in return get a ton of value and breakthroughs from it (like I did).


Its an awesome grounding and stimulating sense of self & serenity that is created in that silent space, that is so rare and pretty much non existent in our busy, loud and active business centered society.

BTW it's not connected to any specific religion and its non profit donation run organization by people who attend their retreats.

I call Vipassana "the ultimate vacation" :)

So if you ever get (or create), 10 days of no commitments or schedules, I highly recommend checking in, and checking out of society for 10 days of silence and enjoy a intensive meditation retreat.

I think every one should try it once in their life, so put it on your Bucketlist and lemme know how it goes...

Warning / Disclaimer: You'll probably go through cell phone & internet withdraw and need to detox for the first couple days, but after the nightmares, cold sweats & shakes are over, its totally worth it ;-)

Lots to Update..."2012 Summer Summary"

Been quite a while since my last post / update, and in that time a lot has happened both personally & professionally.

Firstly, I have finally finished my contract from "hakwan hell".

I always finish what I start, however long or painful it is, I do what needs to be done.
 

 Even though I wanted to quit this past gig so many times but I wanted to fulfill my commitment to keep my integrity of the contract agreement I signed even though my director was a total North Korean style dictator.

I will NEVER work with someone like that again, money is not worth personal happiness. Period.

Since then, I got offered a absolutely incredible new contract at a university as English professor, working only 4 days a week, on average only 3 hours per day and getting the same pay from when I was working a full 40h per week in my last contract to now working only about 12h / week currently, with TONS of vacation time. Freaking awesome!

Talk about a sweet upgrade, and my new director is incredibly cool, creative and very supportive at PKNU a Korean National University and I work with a couple of my good friends, so that makes it even better.

Also, I moved (once again), into an absolutely AWESOME new apartment on the most crowded beach in the entire WORLD (according to Guinness Book of World Records)

Here is a picture of it at its peak season.

Its insane.

Here is my view from my bedroom:

Its quite a comfy view and difficult to get out of bed...but the beach is just a couple steps away and its the #1 surf beach so that is awesome to wake up and see waves from 11 stories up to go for a morning surf :-)

                                                                 Surfing = Smiling

                                                                  Insane Crowds.

Went to a few fun events & parties

Traveled to Boracay Island in the Philippines. Awesome trip!

Stayed in an awesome Beach Bamboo hut with great view the whole trip

Went on a number of interesting & entertaining dates with some great girls...

                (btw that is a piercing above her lip, not a birthmark...it took me a while to realize that)

 

After many close calls (and tempting opportunities) with these stunning Korean Barbi Doll Princesses, I was somehow still able to stay single (by choice).

My current new mantra is: Single & Solo = Simple & Sane.

(Disclaimer: nothing against women, I love them. I actually think women and waves are God's two most incredible, beautiful and pure creations, and in a way I am addicted to both of them (the opposite sex and surfing). But just been in too many relationships recently that were stressful and unsatisfying so I'm consciously changing it up to simplify my lifestyle these days....for now at least while focusing on my work, the new side online business I am starting. and most importantly developing my # 1 relationship, which is with my son :)

And for the record, just because a full on "relationship" BF, GF status never materialized with these lovely ladies recently, I still have still remained very close friends with all of them, that has been a practice of mine s
since my first ever girlfriend back in high school, which I think is important.


Recently ent to The BIFF Asian Film Fest Red Carpet Movie Premier wearing my new comfy grey slippers...ya. #ThatsHowiRoll

I also turned 32 on August 17th. Hard to believe.

 Great dinner at my favorite restaurant ever, Saori.

Also, my son Ethan just started grade 3, which is even harder to believe. He is 7 in this picture, but looks 13. Once again he is the biggest in his class, just like I always used to be...Can't wait till my trip to California to have my month long vacation with him soon, planing some fun stuff, Disneyland and lots of other stuff. Gonna be great :-)

I also just bought what may be the best investment I have ever made as a birthday present to myself.

                                                                         Easy Rider.

Riding this thing is sooo fun, fast and efficient cruising on this beast, its brand is "The Beaver" so I named it "The Beav" for short.

So all in all, its been a busy but eventful and awesome summer here in Asia...

I'll post more pics and videos from my last trip to the Philippines soon...been too busy (aka lazy) to do so yet.

Hope your 2012 summer was as sunny & fun as mine was, but it always goes too fast.

Hoping for an "Endless Summer" this year...


PS I am getting back into the blogging / marketing biz game again harder than ever and will be making a pretty exciting post shortly about a fun new project I am working on, if you have ever wanted to start your own blog or website, I will be sharing some incredible tools, resources and opportunities to do so in the near future...fun times ahead my friends. 

Cheers to the good life,

Quinton