Aaron's Banjo Debut

Presenting....Aaron's banjo debut with "Fly Around My Pretty Little Miss."  Enjoy!

(a bit embarrassing as he made me sing, but he's getting great on the banjo!!)

Birthdays, Baseballs, and Bridges

Aaron and I at the Lotte Giants game on my birthday.

The weather's getting warmer, the days are getting longer, and I'm getting older.  I have to say that turning 25 kind of caught me off guard seeing as though if I were to properly round up my age now it would be to 30!  But, after an amazing weekend of physical and "virtual" celebrations with people I've come to know and love across the globe (thank goodness for skype), it was a fantastic day!

I just wanted to share a few pictures from the weekend.  On my actual birthday, Aaron organized all of our closest friends to go to a Lotte Giants baseball game.  The Lotte Giants are our local professional team in Busan.  We discovered that Koreans LOVE baseball.  From the constant cheering, to getting the entire stadium to do the wave twice, and to the fact that you can bring in in all of your own food and beverages, Aaron claims it was the most fun he's ever had at a baseball game in his life.  Needless to say, it was a great way to spend a birthday.  

The most adorable Korean boy who had on an Illinois sweatshirt!

Our friends Chaz and Kate came prepared with newspapers to make pom pons. 

And then came the bags.  In the 8th inning, bags are passed out for the fans to pick up their garbage.  Yes, the FANS actually pick up their OWN garbage!  But, of course, you must first wear your bag on your head.   

Eric sported the bag beret.

Then, Aaron and I walked across the Gwangan Bridge the next day.  It is the largest bridge over the ocean in Korea.  One day out of the year they block it off and allow thousands of people to walk the 8 kilometers across.  It was a gorgeous sunny, clear day which allowed us to not only see Busan in a way we never have before but also see Japan!

Just beginning our journey...note the bridge in the background.

Looking away from the coast and towards Igidae Park from the bridge.

The view of Gwangan Beach, Busan from the bridge. 

In Remembrance...

On Sunday morning I was checking my e-mail, facebook messages, and newspapers as normal when an article in the Winona Daily News caught my attention.   There was a single-car accident in which 3 young girls were killed.  To my horror, all of these girls attended Lewiston-Altura High School where I taught last year.  One of the girls killed was one of my prior students.  The sole survivor, an eighth grade girl, is still in critical condition.  She is also the penpal of one of my Korean students. 

After hearing the news, another one of my former students began talking to me through facebook.  She told me how scared she was to drive to school and how she can’t understand why it wasn’t her that died as she drives to school everyday just like those girls.  We had a fairly lengthy conversation, and while tears dripped from my lashes to the computer keys, I was reminded of what a precious, beautiful gift life is.  It seems it’s not until moments like this that we’re reminded of that truth.

Just the day before, Aaron and I had what I would consider a perfect day with amazing friends.  We hiked mountains in the sunshine, baked homemade banana bread, relaxed and watched some Planet Earth, and discussed the ins/outs of life over some Korean BBQ and beer.  My thoughts were far from the fear of death or the consideration that this hike or piece of banana bread could be my last.  

But that next morning, reading about the story of the girls’ deaths, reminded me of how frank life is.  The good, the bad, the sad, the joyful, the boring, the embarrassing, the surprising—these feelings are all real and an inevitable part of what this life has to offer.  We’ve always been told, you can’t appreciate the good times without experiencing the bad.  Like Yin and Yang or winter and spring, it’s the balance of these emotions/experiences that allows us to live full lives.

And so I asked my student, if we live our lives in fear of death, then how can we truly live?  The important thing is to cry, scream, grieve, laugh, smile and embrace each emotion attached to each experience in the present moment, but then, let the emotion go.  Our life should be lived for the present moment. Events like what happened to these girls can happen, but we can’t let them hinder our daily lives.  

In the case of these girls, today I cry for them, especially Shauna. I remember her smile, her incredible dislike for speech class (well, mostly just talking in front of others;), her sense of humor, and her daily visits to my classroom just to chat.  I wish her family and close friends peace, and I hope they can feel her love in this precious present moment.   

Quirky Korea

On one of my first grade (7th grade in the US) students' pencil cases:

Experience

Experience is a comb which nature gives to men when they are bald.

Home is where the kimchi ferments.

For those who don't know, Aaron and I have officially decided to call the land of kimchi home for another year. Our contracts are up this August and we will extend them another year. During our time here we've made some incredible friendships, immersed ourselves in the culture, acclimated our digestive systems to rice and squid, and had a fantastic time exploring our new home. However, we feel like there are so many more mountains to climb, kimchi to eat, lessons to teach (and learn), and ways to grow that another year is necessary to do just that.

BUT we WILL be back in the good 'ole USA for a little over 3 weeks in August in order to spend some quality time with family, friends, attend a wedding, and, of course, eat Chipotle. :) So, if any of you will be around in August, we would love to see you!!

One spring day...

Poor, dear, silly Spring, preparing her annual surprise! -Wallace Stevens

The naked earth is warm with spring,
And with green grass and bursting trees
Leans to the sun's kiss glorying,
And quivers in the sunny breeze.
~Julian Grenfell

Awake, thou wintry earth -
Fling off thy sadness!
Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth
Your ancient gladness!
-Thomas Blackburn

Five busy bees on a lovely spring day.
The first one said, "Let's fly away."
The second one said, "We'll drink some nectar sweet."
The third one said, "Let's get pollen on our feet."
The fourth one said, "And then we'll make some honey."
The fifth one said, "Good thing it's warm and sunny!"
So the five busy bees went flying along,
Singing a happy honeybee song.
Bzzzzzzzzzz!

April hath put a spirit of youth in everything. ~William Shakespeare

Check it out

Just want to recommend this documentary. It's a fascinating three part series on North Korea. Sit down with a...well, maybe a good beer, and check it out. Disturbing, enlightening, provocative and fascinating.

Check it out here:

VICE North Korea