Perspective on North Korea

Tonight an important distinction was made—the North Korean regime is truly despicable, but the North Korean people are simply desperate to survive.  From what I have read about North Korea in the world news it is very easy to demonize the entire nation for the actions of a few wishing to assert their power and spread fear.  Tonight I saw a different side of North Korea--the human one.  In my present situation, it is so easy to put on the blinders, thank God for the incredibly blessed life I have, and carry on.  Tonight, however, put a face on the inhumanity occurring just a few hundred miles away, and although I'm not sure what to do about it, I was affected by what I heard and saw.

I was aware that the situation for most people in North Korea was bad, but until tonight I was unaware of the gross human rights violations taking place there.  How desperate would I have to be to risk imprisonment or death to escape from my homeland?  Would I consider leaving my family behind, knowing I may never see or speak with them again, to secure basic freedoms?  Freedom most certainly is NOT free and I don't know if I would have the courage to risk everything...even if it meant I would live and die in poverty.

Tonight I listened to a North Korean refugee, now living in South Korea, as he detailed growing up in one of the northern provinces.  He recalled his early years nostalgically, much in the way I would talk about my middle class upbringing.  After seeing an execution at age 15, joining, and leaving, the military, and seeing his countrymen starve to death before his eyes, a 20 year old Joseph Park decided that something was wrong with the picture and he made plans to escape to China in order to make money.  Crossing the river to China was only one hurdle that started a seven year journey to freedom in South Korea.  Joseph didn't even inform his family that he was planning to escape--it was simply too dangerous and his parents were committed to the communist ideals of their nation.  In his absence, Joseph eventually learned that two of his sisters had contracted tuberculosis, one died.  During the next month our school is raising money for a tuberculosis clinic in North Korea and the medicine we purchase will save lives...but only a few.  It costs over $2,000 to treat one person and there are thousands infected.  While these efforts are important, it just doesn't seem like enough.  Over the next few days I'm curious to see where God will lead me in terms of getting involved in supporting the North Korean people.  I'm listening...

30 Days of Photos

Exactly one month ago I was scrolling through status updates on Facebook and came across the post of one of my former students from Ferris.  For the last three days, Ashley had been posting photos as part of a 30 Day Photo Challenge.  I loved the idea and decided that I too would take part.  So, here we are on the 30th, and final, day of the challenge and here is a link to my photo album.  I hope it helps showcase a bit of who I am and what I love.  Enjoy!  


Click here to see my 30 days of pictures...

Nooribang, Nights Out, and another New Year!

It's been a few weeks since I've written about what's going on in Seoul.  I feel like I've got the teaching part down pretty well by this point in the year, but since it has been so cold out it has been harder and harder to force myself to leave my nice, toasty apartment and venture out into the city.  Thankfully the last two weekends have given me reasons to get off the hill.  Here's why...


On January 29th a group of the ladies gathered to celebrate the February 1st birthdays of Rosalee and Erin with a night out in Sinchon.  We started off the night with takalbi (spicy chicken, beef, veggies, and noodles) at a cozy little restaurant.  Eating in Seoul is usually an interesting experience, especially when your meal is cooked at the table directly in front of you.  The restaurant even provided us with special aprons to wear while we cooked and dined.

Takgalbi being prepared at our table.

A very pregnant Ashley (just a few days before delivering twins) and Myleah.

The birthday girls!!

All of the ladies!

Lovin' my apron!

Smile Kristen!

After filling our stomachs we walked over to the nooribang--we even scored the VIP room for our singing party.  We all started adding songs to the playlist and before long we were rocking out to an eclectic mix of tunes--everything from Girls Just Wanna Have Fun to Sweet Home Alabama, all of which had interesting Korean videos playing in the background.  It was so much fun to see everyone letting their hair down and getting a little crazy.  See for yourself...

Jenny and Hillary

Myleah, Rebecca, and me

Showcasing my awesome vocals...NOT!

Sing it ladies!

Jenny and Ashley rockin' out!

 We went back to school on Monday rejoicing in the fact that our school week was only two days long because of Lunar New Year.  I decided to stay in Seoul for the five day weekend and boy did my body appreciate the extra rest.  After two days hanging out on campus it was time to get out in the city and enjoy the empty streets (people typically clear out of the city to spend the holiday with family and friends in other parts of Korea).  Misty, Kristen, and I have been working on a book study on Thursday nights so we made plans to go out to dinner and go up to Seoul Tower.  We chose one of the expat hot spots for dinner--our local On the Border for a little mexican food.

We love On the Border!

Then it was off to Mount Namsan for an evening visit to Seoul Tower.  I had gone shortly after arriving in Seoul, but the other two girls missed out on the city tour so it was their first time to the Tower.  Amazingly enough our taxi driver delivered us at the base of the hill that leads to the tower and we headed up, stopping to marvel at how cool Seoul Tower looks lit up at night.  

Posing for a photo with the Hi Seoul little monster!

We bought our tickets and made a quick stop in the gift shop to buy "love locks" (more about that in a minute).  Just inside the base of the tower building, Kristen spotted a photo booth and we had to stop for some fun photos!

Being silly!

Pretty smiles!

Misty calls this our "family portrait"--ha!

A line was starting to form so we took that as our cue to catch the elevator to the top of the tower.  As you go through the security checkpoint there's a spot to get a commemorative photo taken.  We decided to invite a special guest to join in our photo to remember our fun night.

Yep, that's a friendly clown who was wandering around at the tower.

The view from the top was surprisingly clear and you could see all of the city lights sparkling below.  Seeing Seoul from above reminded me exactly how gigantic this city is!

City lights!

Cute boys!

At the bottom of the tower we had each bought a lock to add to the thousands of "love locks" that adorn sculptural trees and railings.  Before heading back down to place our locks we took a few minutes to write a note to God that pledged our love and commitment to Him.  While we are all praying to find that one special man here on Earth, our first love is the Lord who is at the center of all things.  

My love lock and the chorus from one of my favorite praise songs...."Take my heart and form it, take my mind-transform it, take my will-conform it, to yours, to yours, Oh Lord."
A pledge to Love God and a prayer for Him to work his transforming powers on me!

Placing the lock.

Securing my promise to God and giving Him my heart.

It's all about the LOVE!

Taking a taxi up the hill was fine, but we decided to go down the hill in style.  This time we took a ride on the cable car which let us off in Myeongdong (a great shopping area and vibrant part of town).  Walking down the street, we greeted the New Year and welcome 2011 as the year of the rabbit.

Whoa...I hope this cable doesn't break!

Our car.

Happy New Year...welcome to the year of the rabbit!

A night with these ladies is always a good time!

Celebrating Lunar New Year was a great reminder of the goals I made at the start of 2011.  I've been working really hard over the last month to improve my physical health and I think I'm off to a good start.  I found that I enjoy doing Hillary's awesome Zumba class twice a week and I'm at the beginning of a couch to 5K workout plan that should have me in shape in no time.  I'm also making a concerted effort to eat healthy food and to try not to stress out as much about my IBS.  With another month and a half left in my three month goal, I should have some great habits integrated into my life by the end of March and ready to take on the next three-month challenge...growing my spiritual self.  Perhaps the evening at Seoul Tower was the perfect start!  Overall, the Year of the Rabbit is looking pretty promising so far...stay tuned for more from Seoul soon!

Travel on the Brain

During spring break 2009 I met my mom, aunt Duty and cousins Kim and Bri in Paris for the most incredible week of sightseeing, eating, shopping, and hanging out.  With my next European adventures rapidly approaching I thought it was finally time to finish up my photo book.  As I turn each page and look at the photos I can vividly remember the sights and sounds of each setting.  I imagine sitting at an outdoor table at the fun little creperie I discovered on my first trip to Paris, watching kids playing and passersby near the Stravinsky Fountain and modern art museum, I can hear the street performer up on Montmartre singing American pop songs, and I remember the feelings of safety and comfort I experienced as I spent time with my family members each evening hanging out at our adorable apartment.  I am reminded of the reasons I travel...to experience differences, to get out of my comfort zone, to make connections and feel linked to the people and places that surround me.  Though my body doesn't always agree, I love the life of a traveler but I want to spend more than a day or two in a new place.  This is why I decided to move abroad--to immerse myself in an environment that is different, challenging, and sometimes uncomfortable.  


At the moment mom and I are making plans for our trip to Venice this spring break.  We are hoping to spend five days of our stay creating mosaic art in a glass studio--we are willing to sacrifice loads of sightseeing time for a more authentic experience in the city.  And I have decided that I'm going to eat it up...I mean that literally and figuratively.  I've been to Italy twice, and I'm ready for some real Italian food!  Yes, this might mean I will pay dearly every day for my choices, but I'm tired of playing it safe all the time.  Plus, I've made myself a goal to try as many types of gelato as there are days in our trip!


After spring break I am looking forward to the possibility of attending a workshop in Vietnam.  The two day class takes place in Ho-Chi-Minh City and it's timing couldn't be better.  The class falls on the Monday and Tuesday after Easter, which gives us some time prior to the class to sightsee.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the course gets confirmed soon!


This summer I will be heading out on my first ever solo travel excursion to England.  Prior to my Oxford course on Jane Austen I will be spending four or five days in London entirely on my own.  I don't know if I'll feel lonely or if the entire experience will be freeing since I don't have to answer to anyone's agenda but mine.  More to come as these plans take shape in the coming months.  


Can you tell I've got travel on the brain?!  Living in an environment where you are surrounded by veteran globetrotters, I think it's almost impossible not to have your senses flooded with the possibilities this amazing planet holds.  With midnight approaching it is time to quiet my frenetic brain activities and leave you with my finished photo book from Paris and the inspiration for tonight's recollections.  Bonne nuit!

Click here to view this photo book larger

Enjoying the Old and Embracing the New

I've been back in Seoul for a little over a week and I still feel like Christmas vacation just FLEW right on by!  I am so thankful that I was able to make a trip back to the States to spend time with my family and be a part of Erin and John's New Year's Eve wedding.  So, here's a quick recap of my trip home...and a few thoughts about what I'd like to accomplish in 2011.

Luckily, the flight back to the States went off without a hitch.  It was such a blessing to have travel companions--Hillary and the Zimmer family trekked all the way back to Portland on the same flights and we were all thankful to make our super tight connection in Vancouver, BC.  Although I was in Oregon for two and a half weeks, my body never did adjust to Pacific time again, so I had a lot of late nights and late mornings (not such a problem when you're on vacation I suppose!).  The first week home was spent catching up with friends and shopping for clothes and shoes (a definite necessity when you live in a country where the average shoe size for women is 6 and Western clothing sizes are a tough find).  Christmas came and went, and although our Christmas day celebration was simplified at the last minute, it turned out to be a very low key sort of day spent hanging out with my family--just the kind of thing I like.  The day after Christmas saw us hitting the road for Grandpa's house in Eugene, Oregon.  It was a super fast trip--just one night, but it was great to get a chance to visit with gramps, my aunt and uncle, and our family friend Patti, who we refer to as an auntie too!  I should have scanned snapshots from the visit to post soon!


The week after Christmas, preparations for Erin's wedding were in full swing.  We kicked off the festivities with a bridal tea at the Lavender Tea House in Sherwood, Oregon.  It was a lovely afternoon spent with friends and celebrating Erin and her upcoming nuptuals.  

Erin, the bride to be!

Me, mom, and Alice (the MOB)

Me and Diana (a friend from high school)

Delicious tea treats 

The group of us at the Lavender Tea House--mom, Diana, me, Kim, Alice, Peri, Elissa, Brynn, Erin, and Betsy

The next day all of the bridesmaids gathered for pre-wedding pampering (mani's and pedi's) and the families of the bride and groom came together for the wedding rehearsal and dinner.  

The bridesmaids and bride getting pampered.

Me at the rehearsal dinner.

Before we knew it, New Year's Eve was upon us and we had so much to do to get ready for the evening wedding.  All of us girls had our hair and makeup professionally done (who doesn't love a little beauty enhancement?!), put on our dresses (it was a bit of an adventure getting Erin into hers), and were ready to walk down the aisle.  

Erin with hair and makeup wedding ready!

Carefully helping Erin into her dress.

Kim and I in our tag team effort to get Erin laced into her dress!

The bride, bridesmaids, and flower girls all ready for the wedding to begin!

Waiting for the bride to make her entrance.

Sealing the deal!

Mr. and Mrs. Canova

Formal photos taken after the ceremony...

I love this one!

Having a little fun with the professional photos--gotta hold that smile for a long time!

I had so much fun at the wedding--it was a fantastic way to ring in the new year (and Erin and John will never forget their anniversary!).  We ate, celebrated, danced the night away, and counted down the minutes until 2011 together.  The reception also gave me the opportunity to reconnect with friends I hadn't seen in years!

Chihiro (Erin's friend from college) and Takuto

Dad and Mom looking snazzy.

Mom and me

Erin, me, and Diana at the reception

Getting ready to ring in the new year with our super cool hats

Oh wait, there are more of us!

Kentaro and Chihiro who came all the way from Tokyo!

Me and my bestie, the beautiful bride!

Although the wedding was over, I still had several things to cram into my last few days in town.  On the day after New Year's, mom and I headed to the In Good Taste cooking school in Lake Oswego for a hands on class that taught us to make Italian gnocchi.  This was the first experience taking a cooking class for both of us and we had a blast!  I learned so many new techniques and we took part in creating a delicious meal that was shared with the 12 other participants.  I will definitely be looking into taking several more cooking classes in the near future!

The chefs putting the finishing touches on our gnocchi dishes

Ricotta gnocchi waiting to be cooked

Lots and lots of delicious gnocchi

The spinach gnocchi that mom and I worked on.

Four types of gnocchi--heaven on a plate!

My time in Oregon came to a close far too quickly and on January 5th I got back on a plane bound for Seoul.  The journey back to Korea took something like 30 hours and I arrived back in Yonhi Dong exhausted with a splitting headache and ready for bed.  Life in Seoul picked up right where it left off with a trip to Costco, laundry, planning for school, and hanging out with the girls.  

Before the weekend ended I thought it was important to sit down and think about what I'd like to accomplish in 2011.  While I usually make my goals for the new year at the start of each new school year, I recognized that there were some big areas in my life screaming for attention!  Rather than make a laundry list of goals, I decided to focus my resolutions on four key areas and work on implementing changes in each area over a three month period.  In January, February, and March I'm going to work on my physical health.  Since the move to Korea I haven't been paying enough attention to what my body is telling me, so these changes are long overdue.  My plan is to eat better (back to meal planning and weekly shopping), exercising at least three times a week, and getting more sleep (bedtime at 10 rather than midnight).  I know it is going to take some time for my body to respond, but I'm hoping to start feeling better soon!

April, May, and June I'll be focusing on spiritual health.  While I definitely feel much more connected to God here because of the nature of the environment, I haven't been actively searching for a church or devoting time regularly to connecting with God.  I'm hoping to begin my search for a church sooner, but I want to be sure I explore several different options and choose the place that will meet my spiritual needs and provide opportunities for small group study, etc.

In July, August, and September I'll be working on my finances and world travel plans.  Before I leave Korea I am determined to pay off my student loans and save enough money to pursue teaching in Europe (if I choose to remain abroad) or purchasing a place to live (if I return to the States).  I also want to continue exploring the world, so it is important to me to make sure I have the resources set aside for lots of new adventures!!

The last three months of this year I'll be working on growing my social circle in Seoul.  I absolutely LOVE the people I work and live with at Seoul Foreign School, but I also believe it is important to meet other people, foreigners or not, who live in this fabulous city too!  I guess I could also mention my hope that I'll find a lovely man to share my life's adventures with...but I'm not rushing into anything here:).

So far 2011 is off to a good start and we're about to say good-bye to the first semester of the school year.  Time flies, doesn't it?!  With the second semester comes new curriculum to teach (chemistry, yay!), more opportunities to bond with my colleagues and students, and more time to explore my fabulous new home.  Although I desperately miss my family and friends, I am starting to find myself a part of a new family here at SFS.  Last night we celebrated homecoming in the high school and I joined some of my favorite single ladies in supporting our students at the basketball games.  Afterward, we headed down the hill for a quick trip to the grocery store, which turned into an adventure of its own.  We ended the evening at Pizza School where we chatted and scarfed down the most delicious pizza ever (sweet potato pizza and cheese pizza with corn, YUM!).  Oh pizza, how I have missed you!  As the things I once thought were novel become more mundane, I am always surprised that there seems to be another adventure waiting for me just around the corner.  With this in mind, I welcome another new year and the hope and promise it brings!  Merry New Year everyone--I pray 2011 is filled with much joy and many blessings!