because different shades of blue made sense...

Rain is what I see, D'Angelo is what I hear, and Americano coffee is what I taste. What is it about rain that makes the day seem to be in slow motion? Well wait, let me rephrase that, what is it about rain that makes ME move slowly... because my kids seems to be fueled by it.
This last weekend, I went to "Phantom of the Opera" ~ the play was amazing and completely sung and spoken in Korean and thankfully for 'baby Obama' he was able to "drop some knowledge" on it for me prior to watching the play. We were both surprised at how the language barrier didn't seem to matter after a few minutes into the play. It just goes to show that- its not what you say, its how you say it. Body language is way more powerful than then spoken word.

I would like to close with this,

Dear Korea,
I was outside today, taking a smoke break when I see the Home Chicken dude from down the street come flying by on his scooter and as he took a turn too quickly he fell off his scooter and seemed a bit dishevel as he tried to regain himself. A good 8 people walked around him without offering him help and soon he rode off after adjusting his chicken box, his scooter and his helmet by himself. I have also noticed that when an ambulance is flashing its lights and sounding its sirens, the cars on the street seem oblivious to it and the ambulance often finds itself stuck going at the same pace as the others regardless of the fact he may have a person dying the in back. So what I ask of you Korea is if I happen to need assistance on the street or if I find myself in an ambulance, will you just hand me a bottle of 소주 and 담배 - I think its best for me to just shake it off then accept your cultures kindness.

With Love,
The foreigner

A spring morning

Shoes laced tied up, turn the music up to appease my ears and hit the up arrow on the treadmill. I begin my morning with a run and clear my mind as I look out the window and watch the morning traffic move through the streets of Daechi. Cherry Blossoms are blooming but falling raindrops are weighing them down littering the ground with small little white petals. Spring is here. Although I miss the smell of Minnesota spring and green grass, Seoul's damp streets and colorful umbrellas are enough for me.

Bali Bali

I walk up the stairs and hear- "Ms. Amazing, Ms. Amazing!" I blow kisses to the crowd of children as if I am star and they are my fans. I have changed my name several times since I started teaching. One month, I wrote a different name each day on the board which varied from Ms. Beautiful to Ms. Sunflower to Ms. Pretty Pink Petal. Ms. Amzing seem to stick, however it is the kids that are truly amazing - they are the future of Kimchi Land. Korea focuses strictly on education, education, education. Korean school, English school, Chinese lessons, ballet class, piano lesson, violin lesson, art class, Bible study and Taekwondo. I had my kids do a timeline on "A usual day" - Hands Down...these kids work harder than any American child.... and most adults. Over 90% of my kids didn't go to bed until 1am. Keep in mind these kids are 7 years old!! One kid didnt go to bed until 3am on some nights. These kids aren't staying up late watching TV, they are doing Homework!! At times, I have felt sorry for them but then I quickly remind myself that this is the Korean way, this is their culture, this is what they value, this is their future. An average household Korean family has 1.4 children. The average family spends over 1/3 of their income on their child's education. Not only are the Korean children growing up in a fast pace society but the adults are like energizer bunnies. Work hard, play even harder, sleep when you die. Work 12+ hour days and then go out and eat, drink and drink some more. Resturants, clubs, bars, singing rooms, jimjilbongs, and PC bongs are all open 24 hours a day. Koreans call this "bali bali" meaning "quickly quickly". My life here has also become bali bali. I hold a lot of respect for the Koreans and for the people that have built this cutlure after being taken over several times by the surrounding countries. Korea doesn't have natural resources that help them to compete in the global economy, so instead they rise above with education. For this, I smile when looking into the eyes of my students and blow kisses with love.

Honey Nut Cheerios

Fresh out of the bed. Still have sleepy eyes. Sippin' on come coffee and eating a bowl of Honey Nut Cherrios. You may be wondering, 'Can you really buy them in Korea?'- The answer is 'No.' but I have friend in the Military that can hook me up with all the must-haves of America.

-- So as I crunch on them, I get flashbacks of my old house in Kasson, sitting on my kitchen counter watching Inspector Gadget before my mom calls "THE BUS IS HERE!" and Shelby and I start rushing out the door as Mom stamps her kiss on us. - - - Is this homesickness? Can the taste of my childhood past make me miss America? I ofcourse miss my family and friends but if I had to list what else i miss, the list would be short.. and it would be as simple as Honey Nut Cheerios.

Asking the question...

Today is a day of reflection for me... I came to Seoul to answer the ultimate question, "What is my purpose in life?". The question has been asked and now I just need to keep the noise quite so that I am able to hear the answer. I don't feel like I have had my epiphany yet but my heart tells me I'm on the right track. I sense my time here in Korea is coming to an end, with 6 months left in my contract, I feel it's time for a new adventure and a new country. I'm not sure where this new place will be or what it will entail but it will come in do time- this I am confident of. I call my mother to ask for advice - "What should I do after Korea?" "Where should I go?" and her answer is the same as it has been since I was a little girl, "Follow your heart!" Frustrated at times, I think to myself- what kind of advice is that? what does that mean? And then on days like today, its dawns on me. Go back to the basics- reflect on my God given talents, keep my feet grounded, and my mind open. The question has been asked, and now I shall await the answer.

absorbing the station

I never know when the writing vibe is going to come so I often use my itouch to note certain moments that I'm having or experiences that are taking place at that twinkle of time. My latest one was in the subway station -- It was close to midnight and I was waiting for the subway to arrive. At this particular station a glass wall separates the subway tracks from station. Glass doors open and close when the subway arrives (this is in part due to that fact that many people have committed sucided by jumping out into the tracks as the subway approaches)-- My moment began when I sat down at a bench -- looking to the right was a korean man leaning against the white wall dressed in a suit talking on the phone , to the left sitting on a bench a few feet away were 2 british girls half drunk talking about some guy they had just met- My eyes then focused on the glass reflection in front.... and there I saw - me. Sitting on a bench, at some random station in South Korea, blond hair swiped to one side, tall black leather boots, and a green winter jacket with soft white and brown fur rimmed around the hood. Who was this girl? Do I know her? I wasn't having a bad day, in fact it was considerably good but I couldn't help but realize how alone a person (or I) look sitting on a bench. It was like I was seeing myself from a 3rd person point of view. I was seeing myself as this estranged foreigner. I reached for my itouch and noted this.....

"I live a life that is unknown. The normality of society will not be the life that I lead.... The subway still hasn't come. Maybe they stop running at 12?? but i thought it was 12:30? I'm not sure if this subway will come tonight or if I will have to find another means of transporting home... (I reflect back to a conversation I had with a friend that tonight)... Contrast: constrast in life will ultimatily decide what we want and what we dont want in life. The definition of contrast art refers to the arrangement of opposite elements (light vs. dark colors, rough vs. smooth textures, large vs. small shapes, etc.) In a painting, contrast is what creates visual interest, excitement and drama. My life is like a contrast painiting - but am I the artist of my life? Am I the one holding the brush? or does something else control the brush and I am the visual form conveyed on the canvas?..... the bell is ringing- the subway is approaching"

***Although this is more of a journal writing vs. a blog piece- I thought I'd share one of the many moments of my self reflection and my never ending search for the 'purpose of my beating heart'.

Expat Thanksgiving

I watch as a single leaf becomes detached from its tree and spiral down lightly and freely to the ground --- Winter is here. As the new season approaches a familiar face from home pays a visit for the Thanksgiving holiday. While potatoes are being peeled and homes across the States are scented with turkey and warm pie, my school is scented with hot peppers, radish, cabbage, onions, green onions, and garlic - Today is Kimchi Day! Children are learning how to prepare their country's most common side dish. Served with every meal and in several different ways. I've acquired a liking for it, a sort of appreciation.

This is my first Thanksgiving away from home- although I may not be eating the tradition meal - I still have taken the time to think about what I am thankful for:

* Skype: for helping me stay connected with friends and family back home
* Warm coffee with whip cream on a chilly winter morning
* My family's health
* Korean kindness: The simple "hello" head bow
* My coworker's (Brandon) great hugs each morning
* My other coworker's (Brydan) home cooking
* My students: Not only are they adorable but their youthful energy is contagious- A simple "bbo-bbo" - kiss makes me melt.
* And most of all: For this experience that I am on. The things I've learned and the things that are soon to come. I plan to keep my mind open, my heart filled with love, and my pride humbled. For everyday I am given a new experience- and that alone is worth being thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone. I love you