Monthly Archives: December 2011

YOU WERE BORN TO BREAK BRICKS

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As many of you may well know by now (because I can’t help but bring it up about every five minutes), I have officially earned my black belt in taekwondo. My journey started in April 2010 and ended (or brought on a new beginning as a black belt, as my master likes to think, hahaha!) last week on December 22nd.

I was absolutely terrified. Kathleen, who started the journey with me (and successfully received her yellow belt) has supported me the rest of the way, through cheering me on. When the day of the test came I texted her, almost positive about the fact that I wouldn’t be able to break the bricks… and if I didn’t break the bricks I would NOT receive my black belt. Kathleen’s response?

YOU WERE BORN TO BREAK BRICKS.

Amen, sister. And break them I did! I honestly cannot believe that I actually did it, I got my black belt. WOOT WOOT!

I broke 2, my friend Lim who was also testing for his black belt, broke the other two!

I wouldn’t recommend picking a fight. Yeah, I just broke two bricks. What’s next???

Honoring Grandpa

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I took a nap today. A four-hour nap (oops). I honestly cannot remember the last time I took a nap. Just saying the word “nap”, it sounds so lovely. Thank you Lord for inventing sleep.

The reason for my nap wasn’t from a lack of nothing to do, I was actually supposed to get a lot of work done on my grad school thesis (oops, again!) today. Heartache caused all motivation to leave me.

So… after doing absolutely nothing with my day I realized I needed to get out of the apartment, take a walk, and remember my grandpa. I took my camera with me for comfort and set out in the cold. In between looking for inspirational photographical (I may have just made that word up) moments, I reflected on my grandpa’s life.

I will remember him in his plaid button-ups at Christmas, having a stock of envelopes (Christmas gifts for his children and grandchildren^^) sticking out from his chest pocket. I will remember him always waving to me when he saw me drive by his house while he was out working on his lawn. I will remember his voice, something I never thought about until my walk today… he had such a unique voice (like me). His voice was comforting, yet rugged too. I will remember my brothers getting to go with my dad to Grandpa’s church once a year, feasting on the game hunter’s got that season (what? I am from Michigan!) and sometimes wishing I could go- just once- even though I am not so sure I could handle eating rabbit stew and venison! I will remember grandpa for his faithfulness in taking his son’s family (of nine children) out to an all-you-can-eat restaurant every year.

And I will always remember grandpa for his smile, the same smile he passed on to my dad.

I love you grandpa, and I miss you.
Say “hi” to grandma for me up there.
Love,
Your Grand-daughter

Some of the pictures I took on my walk:

I have been published!

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Hello friends. Good news. In my spare time, I am now a freelance writer for Yonhap News. I find this pretty exciting. My first article came out this morning:

CLICK HERE TO READ (like do it. now.)

In other, equally exciting news. TOMORROW I take my in-house BLACK belt test. Word. I have to break two bricks. So… if I don’t do that, I don’t get my black belt test. Not even joking. I also have to do my poomse (form) and other jazz, but the bricks is the main event. The big shebang. etc.

On Saturday I went to take my belt test at a place called “Kukkiwon”. I have no idea what that stands for, anyone? In order to take my “in-house” black belt test, I need to pass a test at Kukkiwon. I was terrified. And cold, the arena was NOT HEATED. First we watched a bunch of kids go in groups to show their punches and kicks and forms and sparring techniques… Then they ushered us in this waiting room with over a hundred other kiddies (and like twenty adults). During that time these three kids saw me (the only white adult in the room) sitting my a blond girl (the only white child in the room) and they freaked out. As the smiled and waved the strategically placed themselves to sit in front of us and then a parent asked if we would take our picture with these three kids. It. Was. Hilarious. A lot of random strangers have my picture in this country.

Still thinking of a sign off, kind of want it to have something to do with laughing. (Laugh loud. Laugh often. -????) We shall see.

 

birds and bubbles, and the magic they bring…

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Colorful scarves, disappearing batons, birds (where do you keep LIVE BIRDS? I still want to know… in your pocket, your sleeve? your hat?), metal linking circles, tables that fly across the room, and… bubbles? Now… I am not an expert when it comes to magic shows… but,  bubbles?

First of all, where else are you going to get a request for your students’ parents to hire a magician for your Christmas party? Only. In. Korea. I, personally, think it is ridiculous. But since I don’t have to plan anything, there is no way I am going to turn down their offer to organize the party!

And… let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good ‘ol fashion magic show? The BUBBLES though, now that was an added bonus. It was. SO. COOL. One second grader turned to me with a huge grin on her face and said, “Kids just love bubbles!” this was after we yelled at the students about four times to stay in their seats (they kept jumping up, wanting to pop the bubbles… I had to resist the urge myself).

Oh man, I still haven’t come up with a great sign-off. That is so on the top of my to-do list.