Tioman Island, Malaysia - Spring Break 2011

It's funny to think I'm here writing to you about Spring Break when it was already 7 weeks ago and Summer Break is only 5 weeks away! But needless to say, my Spring Break 2011 trip to Tioman Island, Malyasia this past March was such an unforgettable experience and a vacation that truly encompassed the idea of "relaxation" in its entirety, it must not go unheard! It must not go untold! It must not go unspoken! ;-)
This trip truly was the vacation of a lifetime and really was a firsthand experience with paradise ;-)

Me and five other girls from SFS began our journey to Tioman on the evening of Friday, March 18 where we left at 11 o'clock at night to catch a flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Once we arrived early in the morning on Saturday (3/19) amidst the strong heat of the bustling airport, we journeyed another hour or so to a smaller airport on the eastern side of the country where we caught yet another flight to the small southeast island of Tioman. After what seemed like a long layover and a delayed flight before catching our final leg of the trip to the island, we made it safe and sound.

As soon as we landed on Tioman Island, we knew we weren't in Kansas anymore! The view of the tropical paradise was truly only something I'd seen in movies and to experience it first hand for the first time with 5 wonderful friends was something beyond wonderful. We stayed the week at a resort on the island called Bejayra Tioman Resort and when we checked in, we knew we must be in the tropics considering the lobby of the resort was open and had direct passageway through the entrance and the lobby desks.

Knowing full well that Amos and one of our other girlfriends would be arriving three days later from our initial landing on the island, one of the girls (Rebecca - a HS Science teacher) and I began our PADI Open Water Diver instruction that we might become certified scuba divers! Considering Amos and Jojo (our other friend who'd be coming later) already had their diving licenses, we wanted to be sure that we too had accomplished this great feat of scuba diving so that we might all scuba together by the time Amos and Jojo arrived :-)

Rebecca and I began our course certification on Sunday (3/20) with a Malaysian dive master named Khairil. Khairil was truly a man of no worries and relaxation. Considering the fast pace we were used to in both the U.S. and Seoul, this culture was a bit strange to us considering how relaxed its people were and Khairil was no exception ;-)
Khairil led us in a 3-day diving certification frenzy and by the time Wednesday rolled around, all Rebecca and I had left to do was take four 50 question quizzes followed by one 100 question test to certify we "knew our stuff" and were ready to become licensed divers...whew! Luckily, Rebecca and I passed with flying colors and I officially became known as "Scuba Poz" (see picture below):



Since Amos and Jojo had flown into the island on Tuesday night, they waited for us as we completed our testing on Wednesday before we all agreed to try and sign up for a dive outing together! Unfortunately tho, Jojo never ended up coming out with the three of us on a dive, but Rebecca, Amos and I enjoyed two dives together on Thursday and Rebecca and Amos went yet again on Saturday! Here is a pic Rebecca took of Amos and I after one of the two dives we did that day:



Since I'd decided to not go diving with Amos and Rebecca on Saturday, I instead treated myself to a full body massage and facial at the spa - talk about AMAZING relaxation!!! My body had never felt so good and my face had never felt so smooth! :-)

Aside from our diving adventures and spa treatments, a few of us went sea kayaking one day (SO amazing!), swam in the ocean, enjoyed drinks and meals at the poolside, and simply just relaxed and enjoyed each others company!

Most evenings, we ate our meals at one of the resort restaurants, but a couple different evenings, we ventured off the resort's premises and went to a few local Malaysian restaurants! Here's a picture of all of us on Tuesday night (3/15) after Jojo and Amos had arrived:



Because we truly were on a tropical paradise, the sunsets were breathtaking and Amos and I truly experienced every romantic setting a newly engaged couple could experience! He took several pictures of me and the two of us one night as we watched the sunset together:







By the end of the trip (we got back late Sunday night, March 27), we didn't want to come back to the cold of Seoul, but the memories we made and the bonds we created between each other were something none of us knew we'd soon forget! I was so grateful for the chance to spend time with these wonderful women and my amazing fiance - I can't wait to see what other adventures are in store for us in the coming years and can only hope that our future spring breaks will be as amazing as our Spring Break 2011 trip to Tioman Island!

A Musical Birthday :-)

Today is Easter and although I should be shouting from the rooftops "CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!", I'm instead writing to you as a 25-year old blogger, excited to share the news of her first birthday overseas that took place last weekend.

And yet my thoughts are whirling....how can I not mention to you the excitement of Easter, the joy of the Risen Lord on this most glorious day of the church year??? As I think about it, I suppose my first Easter overseas is something to take note of as well, considering after two church services and an Easter brunch in between, I'm still smiling at the mere fact both services were filled to the brim with people of all ages, shapes, and sizes! People were literally almost sitting on top of each other at the later morning service, all to proclaim and celebrate that Christ is Risen from the dead!!!! How amazing!!!! I had the privilege of singing at both services too, along with the church choir director, a Korean woman named Young-sil. We sang "He Shall Feed His Flock" from Handel'sMessiah and it was so meaningful to be able to give an offering of music. There were two cornet players that heralded the joy of Easter and one of our fellow SFS Teachers played numerous piano and organ duets with Young-sil throughout the service! What a Happy Easter it was indeed!

Last weekend was a celebration in its own right, too! After 3 months of hard work, our High School Musical, "Fiddler on the Roof" debuted on Friday, April 15! And what an AMAZING show it was!!! I was SO proud of the kids and so happy that they'd accomplished so much! It was truly inspiring to see where they'd started and where they ended up! Here is a picture from the opening scene/song "Tradition"!



After the Friday show, a fellow teacher who'd celebrated her 30th birthday the evening before, had several of us over to her apartment for a combined birthday celebration!! We had both planned to have an evening at the Norribong (karaoke) since we are both singers and would be celebrating "big birthdays", but considering Fidder was a three-hour long show, we opted to just stay in and celebrate with cake & conversation ;-) We had two different cakes, one of which a few of our girlfriends brought for us, and one that Amos and our friend Chuck brought. We had a wonderful time celebrating our birthdays together and it was so wonderful to celebrate with such good friends this first birthday overseas!

On Saturday, 4/16 (my actual birthday), Amos and I ran a few errands in the morning and later went to Myeongdong (the shopping mecca of Seoul!) to hit up H&M for a few birthday presents! Amos went above and beyond, buying me everything I wanted (although I begged him to NOT pay for everything and allow me to pay for at least something!) Afterward, we went for a delicious buffet lunch, where we had our fill of anything and everything! There was sushi, kalbi (Korean meat), lasagna, salad, salmon, pasta, seafood, and so much more! It was the perfect birthday meal and I was so happy to spend it with my honey :-)

After we left lunch, we headed back to Yonhi-dong on Amos' scooter, loving every moment of the spring weather shining down on us! By the time we got back, it was already time to start thinking about getting ready for Saturday's performance of the musical! The show that night went just as well and what made it even more special is that two of my friends that have been working in Korea this year, Molly and Justin, came up for the performance! Molly even brought me a birthday gift!! It was so sweet of them to come and it meant the world that they were able to make it!!!

After the show Saturday night, the kids had their cast party, filled with food, fun, and dancing! It was a great end to an awesome show and I don't think anyone had trouble sleeping that night!

It truly was an eventful birthday weekend - the best birthday gift was being with Amos and seeing these students rise to the occasion of excellence and perform a great musical...two nights in a row!!! I couldn't be a happier 25-year old and am grateful for all the memories that I know I'll always look back fondly on :-)

March Magic :-)

March is referred to College Basketball's month of "March Madness", but I experienced something a bit different last month....there was no "madness" about it really, but rather "magic" that filled the days of my March 2011...although I've been wanting to share my "Lunar Adventures in Hong Kong" with you for quite some time, I'm afraid those stories will have to yet again be postponed...the month of "March Magic" has just been too good to go very long without mentioning its exciting and spectacular events...

I had the opportunity to head back to Chicago last month for the American Choral Director's Association National Conference as part of my professional development allowance from SFS (which in and of itself was magical, amazing, and rejuvenating!). I arrived on Saturday, March 5th and while the conference didn't start until Wednesday, March 9th, I was able to enjoy a few days with friends and family before the long conference days took over later in the week.

The funny thing was, Amos Lyso (the Christian Ministries Coordinator here at SFS and my serious boyfriend at the time) also happened to be in Chicago for a conference of his own! While we were both still in Korea matching up our schedules, we noticed that Monday, March 7th was an available day to have dinner together, so I made reservations for the two of us at the Signature Room restaurant downtown Chicago atop the 95th floor of the John Hancock building. I received a confirmation email later that week about my reservation and also was asked if I'd like to add any "special sentiments" to my booking for a small additional fee (i.e. flowers, chocolates, champagne ready a waiting to drink, etc.) - I replied quickly and without hesitation: no thanks.

As an aside, Amos and I had already seriously discussed marriage and I knew he'd already placed an order for a ring via an online jewelery shop, so when I arrived into town on Saturday, my Mom had helped arrange for her, my Dad, and I to visit a few wedding reception halls on both Saturday and Sunday. By the time Monday rolled around and before we met for dinner, Amos came with my Mom, sister Melanie and I to look at the "final two wedding hall options" so that we might make a decision together. Once we finally decided on the Meridian Banquets as our chosen hall, we quickly left to get ready for our dinner out on the town!

Once we arrived at the Signature room that Monday night, I should have realized something was up....as soon as we sat down, our waiter commented on the lovely pink tulips that so prettily sat upon our table....."What are these doing here, Amos?" I questioned anxiously, "These flowers aren't supposed to be here! I know for a fact that I didn't order these flowers to be placed on the table and if we don't find sooner rather than later who put these here, we're going to have to pay extra money!"
"Gee...I dunno, honey," Amos replied, "They sure are pretty tho, huh?"
"Well yea, sweetie!" I answered knowingly, "they're my favorite flower! But regardless, I don't wanna have to have us pay extra!"
"Don't worry about it, Allison - we'll figure it out and in the meantime, let's order something to drink".

We went on to place our order and while we waited for our food, I noticed Amos working up the words to engage us both in a "serious conversation". I was a bit puzzled by his fumbling and wondered why he seemed to desperate to share in such a serious talk rather than just enjoy our time together and gaze into each others eyes. Not that we've never had "serious conversations" or that I don't enjoy them, he just seemed to be awkwardly attempting to have one rather than letting it happen naturally. Regardless, he started to talk and as he talked, parts of me wondered where he was going with the conversation....my mind drifted...."He couldn't be asking me....no! Of course not! But maybe he's.....no! Don't be silly, Poz!!!"
As he talked, he shared the following words with me. He'd written them out on a page he gave me later. I share with you now those words he both said to me and gave to me:

My sweet, sweet, Allison Joy,
I love you so - L.Y.SO.!!!! (I just love that you though of that clever acronym!) Never would I have believed that I would be sitting here with you now 95 stories above your home town. As we gaze out on the lights below - I am struck by the power of perspective. Down on street level, life is a flurry of activity. It is easy to get lost in the busyness, overwhelmed by distractions, and the immediacy of the urgent calls on our lives. Sometimes we just don't see how, in the midst of it all, there is a plan or purpose or certain future in which we can place our hope. But then, from up here, there comes a perspective of peace, beauty, and even order to it all. I imagine, in some way, that this is a bit of a glimpse at the difference between our eyes and God's.

I see this so clearly in my past, a life with its hopes and hurts, fantastic experiences and failures extraordinaire. So often I get lost in the street view of my life and miss the God story that He is weaving in and through all that is me. Little did I know, too, that at the same time He was working in me, He was at work in the life of a young woman across the ocean, rustling up in her the courage, hope, and mighty confidence in her God to take a giant leap of faith, to venture out away from all she has known and to risk an unfamiliar life in a foreign land across the sea. And little still could I see from my street view that He was bringing these two lives together to create a relationship, a friendship, and a love like neither one had experienced before.

So, in this moment of elevated perspective and peace, I am reminded that although I truly have no idea what "street view" experiences await us in our future, I have confidence and hope in our Lord and Savior that He will be there in the midst of us, that He has a greater plan and purpose in store for us both, individually, yes, but collectively as well. And so, Allison Joy, I have a question for you - a question rooted not in my own strength, but in my faith in Christ and the power of His Holy Spirit living in each of us: Alison Joy, will you spend your life loving me and letting me love you, will you be my lifelong companion, my best friend, and my bride? Allison Joy, will you marry me???

I of COURSE replied without hesitation and with a resounding "YES!!!"
We hugged, we kissed, we cried....and before we knew it, the whole restaurant was looking at us and shouting "congratulations" and clinking their wine glasses! Here we'd been engrossed in our own little world, only to realize others around us had been watching the whole time!!!! It truly was a magical moment and I was left speechless....the pictures below are of the engagement evening together, moments after the proposal....





The next morning, I took Amos to the airport to catch his flight back home to Korea. Afterward, I immediately went with my Mom and sister to give the down payment for the reception hall, called Our Saviour's (my home church) to confirm the wedding date for June 30, 2012, and then went wedding dress shopping.....

Melanie had suggested the dress shopping and both her and Mom were eager to have me try on gowns. Knowing the conference would be starting the next day and the fact I was already exhausted from all the excitement, I wasn't necessarily itching to go. I knew, however, that having the two of them would be wonderful, so we looked at a couple of different shops and before I knew it, I'd picked out a wedding dress that same day, too! We left the dress boutique feeling wonderful (and surprised!) that everything had fallen into place so quickly!!!

Later that night, my family and close girlfriends celebrated the news of my engagement with cake and champagne. Here is me with some of my friends that night, as well as a photo of the cake (and pink tulips form the restaurant) below:





Once I returned to Seoul the following week, Amos arranged for some of my friends at SFS to throw me another small engagement celebration! More cake, more friends, and more fun!



(the girls this time insisted I cut the cake while showing off my ring...haha!)


Upon my return to Korea from Chicago, Spring Break was on its way and after only four days in the classroom, me, Amos, and 6 other women journeyed to Tioman Island, Malaysia for one of the BEST Spring Breaks EVER!!! But more on that next time.....
;-)
Blessings to all of you and sending you love, my dear bloggers!

Romance in Seoul is: Movies, Food, and Hiking Work-out Equipment

I've been itching for a while now to write a new blog post. I'd been holding off these last few weeks in an effort to upload pictures, videos, and memories of my time in Hong Kong over the Lunar New Year (Feb.2-6), but alas, I still have many pictures to go through (let alone upload and edit!) and so I've finally given in and decided to go ahead anyway and write to all of you lovely bloggers. My adventures in Hong Kong will have to be delayed for yet another time....(hopefully soon!)

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to see a movie here at the theaters in Korea for the very first time! And what do you guess was the movie we saw? None other than the Disney/Pixar film: "Tangled" - a Rupunzel story. And get this! Not only was it my first movie in Korea, but it also happened to be a 3D movie in Korea! Yahtzee!!! No holding back here! Go big or go home! Go 3D or be LAME!

This movie was seriously awesome. I mean, no joke. I was smiling the whole time - I loved that there was music, there was romance, there was action, there was horror - everything you could ask for in a Disney feature film! Honestly, it brought be back to the days of Ariel, Belle, Jasmine and Pocahontas! This was truly a fabulous flick and I couldn't help but secretly desire that I was Rupunzel herself, singing, frolicking, and letting down my long hair.

The next day, in order to release my inner longings of wannabe-Repunzel/Many Moore who did the voice for the character, Amos and I had a delicious blueberry pancake breakfast followed by a hike on a trail not far from the school's campus. We had a great view of Seoul and had a blast taking in the scenery. And, like most hikes in Korea, we ran into several spots where work-out equipment was available to get your blood pumping even more....because God knows that when you're already doing an intense, physical workout, you need to CONTINUE doing an intense, physical workout by taking time to lift a barbell, do situps, crunches, and perhaps even some pull-ups. See photos below:





Luckily all that moving around paid off because Monday night (Valentine's Day!), Amos took me out to a fabulous little Italian restaurant (about a 15 minute walk from campus) and we had our fill of delicious food and drink! It was definitely fun to get dressed up, too! I even sported some black tights - the winter fashion essential for Korean women. Amos brought me roses and gave me the THIRD card of the day (he'd given me two earlier) and we enjoyed a lovely Valentine's evening together.



Last night, I took a taxi to the Hapjeong subway station so that I could arrive in Itaewon later that evening to meet up with a few friends. After nearly having my taxi cab crash into another vehicle as we were arriving at the subway station, I quickly got out, thanked the embarrassed taxi driver, and was on my way. I had a lovely time meeting up with my friend Molly and her fiance Justin at a delicious Greek restaurant called "Santorini" - amazing food and great conversation!

Warmer weather seems to be peaking its head out from behind corners here in Seoul, but the cold still remains. Luckily, my 5 minute walk to work every morning allows me to keep warm most days and considering what I believe was "Korea's coldest" was when I was back home in Chicago over the holidays, things have been bearable and long underwear has become my new best friend when out and about on some of the bitterly cold winter weeks and weekends walking around Seoul.

Sending you all warm wishes and looking forward to hearing what's new in your lives! Stay tuned for my next blog post on my "Lunar Adventures in Hong Kong" ;-)

Weekend Wonders: Vienna Boys Choir, Beatboxers, and Lash Extensions

Last weekend was quite the eventful weekend - I had the chance to do a variety of activities and thoroughly enjoyed my days off. Unfortunately, I've waited a week to share any of it with you, oh faithful bloggers, and find myself in the midst of yet another eventful weekend. Perhaps I can share mostly with you the fun had last weekend and dabble and dip a bit into some of the fun had this weekend.....yes?

Random side note: "Fiddler On the Roof" has been echoing over and over again in my head (the High School is performing it this semester as their Spring Musical and I, as vocal director, have been unable to get any of the tunes out of my head - this morning as I jumped out of the shower, listening to the soundtrack on my iPhone, I was caught by surprise at the tears I shed upon hearing the song "Far From the Home I Love", in which the daughter Hodel tells her father Tevye that she must Anatevka and join her fiance Perchek in Serbia.....very heart wrenching....very intense...very moving...) - its been a fun week and I reflect fondly back now on the memories of this past weekend....

Friday evening, I ended up going to City Hall with the High School youth group where we went ice skating!!! It was SOOO much fun (despite the cold!), and I was amazed that I only ended up falling once (er...twice...er....shoot....I think it was three times....yup....definitely three times....FAIL)! There were a ton of people out and about on the ice and I loved that one could enjoy such a fabulous winter activity right in the center of downtown Seoul! Here's a photo of me putting on my skates:



Here's another few shots of me and some of the other teachers that helped out with the event, as well as a variety of other skaters that were enjoying the evening, too!





Later, I headed back with the youth group to help chaperone their lock-in for the evening where we indulged in all kinds of junk food, played a variety of games and sports, watched a movie, and simply enjoyed each other's company before finally heading to bed.

We woke up Saturday morning (slowly, but surely!) and quickly readied ourselves for a delicious pancake breakfast! It was so wonderful to have the chance to connect with so many of these kids from outside a school classroom setting. It was cool to just see them "be" - to see how they interact with one another....to see how they play, how they have fun, how they socialize! It was just a different side of them that was very humbling to witness and to experience! I was so grateful for the chance to hang with them and in return, get to know them a bit better in a social setting!

Saturday mid-morning and early afternoon consisted of lounging, lunching, and laughing (primarily with the boyfriend) and by 4pm that day, I readied myself to head down to Seoul Arts Center with several other teacher friends to hear a concert of the Vienna Boys Choir! We all made sure to leave enough time to grab dinner before the concert and once the show started, we were all captivated by the amazingness of these 25 little boys (ages 10-14) that seemed to so flawlessly make beautiful music! They sang an hour and a half program (all from memory of course), and aside from their ability to create such beautiful sounds, their focus, stage presence, and ability to so confidently perform astounded both me and my other teacher friends. I decided then and there that I have a new life goal (among the many I already have and intend to keep!): one day I hope to solo with the Vienna Boys choir! No...I don't mean magically become a boy, audition for the group, and hope I make it so I can sing a solo with them kind of solo singing....I mean to be asked as a professional musician...as a professional singer...to sing some sort of arrangement of any variety of beloved vocal/choral literature, and solo with the Vienna Boys Choir as they accompany with their angelic, flawless sounds! Perhaps its a far-off hope....perhaps their may never be such a chance...but the hope is strong and the idea is a wonderful one....I can only imagine what it might be like....:-)

I've been regularly attending a Lutheran Congregation here in Seoul for the last several months since I've arrived, and recently, I've taken on a few "duties and responsibilities" during the worship services at "International Lutheran Church" in Itaewon, headed by Minnetonka, MN native, Pastor Steve! Last Sunday, Pr. Steve asked me to do the readings from Isaiah and 1st Corinthians....it was fun to finally feel like I was a part of the commnunity by having a way to participate! Pr. Steve says he wants me to sing sometime soon as my next contribution in the coming weeks....hopefully we can make it happen :-)

Sunday afternoon was filled with excitement and flurry as I looked forward to my first rehearsal with the Camarata Music Company - a community choir founded by a fellow Luther grad, Ryan Goessl, who's lived here in Seoul the last several years. After a somewhat lengthy commute in the fresh-falling snow (that had a habit of sticking to my face...brr!), the 4-hour rehearsal resulted in the meeting of new people from all over Seoul and thoroughly practicing Mozart's Requiem (to be performed by the choir this May!). It was an interesting experience and although I'm unsure of how time will play into my participation in the group, it was fun to get out and meet some new folks!

Speaking of musical experiences, this weekend offered up yet another chance to listen to some great vocalizing! Last night (Friday night), the High School Sophomore student council sponsored a Music Festival in the hopes of raising money for charity! The event was outstanding and although it was unfortunate the publicity had not reached as many folks as hoped for, those of us there were BLOWN away! The first group was an all-male 5 person group that sang a variety of well known opera tunes, as well as a few other mainstream hits. The voices of these young men (probably all my age or a bit older from the looks of it) where breathtaking - I honestly had my mouth to the floor the whole time - I'd SO wished I'd known to advertise something like this among my students (especially my middle school BOYS!) so that they could SEE how cool it is to sing....how BEAUTIFUL it is to sing....

The next act was a professional beat-boxer! This dude was outa SIGHT! I couldn't believe some of the sounds he was able to create! He honestly sounded like he could have held up his own club, performed all the music at it, and only been in need of a lighting man to create cool effects on the dance floor...ha! Hopefully I'll get a chance to post a video I took of him later....he was fabulous!

The final act I unfortunately had to miss, but I heard only good things! Regardless, it was an amazing show and I was so glad that the folks who WERE there and DID get to see it seemed to have such a great time! :-)

As I'm looking forward to Saturday night and the rest of this weekend's events, I leave you with one more story:
After meeting up with a few friends for some conversation and fun last night in Itaewon, I spoke to a friend of a friend who was talking up the idea of eyelash extensions. This girl herself had had them done and mentioned that you can get lash extensions done in a variety of places here in Korea because of the Koreans' obsession with big eyes, big lashes, and beauty overall. I was intrigued by the conversation and knowing full well that there was a place nearby my apartment that offered this service, I went ahead and tried it for myself this afternoon to see if it really was a beauty technique that is as cool as it sounds! After about an hour (and the equivilant of $40 USD later...), I walked out with seemingly long, gorgeous lashes, feeling nothing but lightness from the tops of my lids! Who knew something so crazy in the world of beauty could be so satisfying..haha!

Blessings to each of you, oh faithful bloggers, and hope your weekends are filled with relaxation and fun, regardless of Boy Choirs, Beatboxers, or Lash Extensions...;-)

A Korean Homecoming

Homecomings are usually celebrated events, filled with joy, excitement, and reuniting and this past holiday season was no exception. After numerous stresses leading up to the three-week long Holiday Break, including the loss of my maternal Grandfather (Louie Justin), endless concert preparations, holiday parties, and gift-giving, my return to the states on Dec. 17, 2010 was truly a joyous and exciting event. It really was a "Homecoming" of friends, family, and loved ones and I was truly grateful for the chance to see so many and to reconnect with so many beloved people in my life who were more than curious to hear about what I'd been up to here in Korea ;-)

On Dec. 9, 2010, I learned of my Grandfather's passing while walking home late from work after an evening choir rehearsal. I felt so trapped...so isolated....so helpless....what could I do? Nothing. There was nothing I could do. I was so far away and so many miles away, that the thought of even thinking I could do something was an impossibility. And so I cried. I cried and cried and even despite the overwhelming help I received from so many of the wonderful people I've come to meet here at Seoul Foreign School, there was still an emptiness of not being able to be there when Grandpa passed.

But he was home. He had his own "Homecoming" with the belief that he had come home to the Lord...the KNOWLEDGE that he had come home to the Lord....and even tho we were driven to tears here on earth, the knowledge of Grandpa's homecoming was enough to bring back a sense of peace - an event that truly WAS filled with joy, excitement, and reuniting.

And so upon my own "Homecoming" to the states, although I'd felt so far and so distant from being able to see Grandpa is his final hours, I was humbled knowing I'd be able to attend his wake and funeral. What a glorious thing to be reunited with family and friends and to know that I too could find closure in such a miraculous Homecoming.

And so the "Homecoming" I had in saying farewell to my Grandpa and the "Homecoming" I had over my three-week break with friends and family, soon led me back to a "Korean Homecoming", where I was once again reunited with my new life here in Seoul, my new friends, and my new loves. Strange how something that was so foreign and so unknown has now become something that is also "home"...

The High School here at SFS had it's "Homecoming Dance" this past Saturday, Jan. 15. I got to go and, just like the "good ol' days" from my own high school experiences, kids were dressed to the nines and enjoyed an evening of dining, dancing, and fun! The gym was completely decked out and transformed into a "Homecoming Haven" - I found it strange that one would celebrate Homecoming during the month of January, considering most U.S. schools do it sometime in the early fall, but then again...there's no distinct rule of when a Homecoming should or shouldn't take place....because let's be honest: Homecomings happen all the time! Like when you "come home" from work at the end of the day, or when you "come home" after a long trip. Or what about when you reunite with friends and family (like I did this Holiday season), or when, like my Grandpa, you come home to the Lord? I seriously doubt in that sense of the meaning that "time of the year" has much to do with anything, especially if Homecomings are happening all the time!

But "Homecoming" is a word to me that exudes comfort. It exudes happiness and it exudes contentment. Maybe I'm so fond of it because of my own memories of past Homecomings...but whatever the reason, this new year has put a new perspective on the word "Homecoming" and what it means to truly "come home" and to "be home".

Blessings to each of you this new year and promises for many new and exciting blog posts (from yours truly!) in the weeks to come!

Macs & Mexican

I FINALLY got a cell phone yesterday!!!!!!....after 3 and a half months of waiting for the arrival of my new iPhone 4, I am now "somebody" in this bustling metropolis of many! They say nobody knows (or cares) who you are in this town unless you have a cell....guess I finally can be "known" now! Ha! But seriously.....I'm definitely feeling the love of Mac! I'm the proud owner of TWO MacBook Pro Laptops (thanks to one I'd already purchased a year and a half ago back in the states and a 2nd I received upon my arrival here at Seoul Foreign), an iPod Touch, an iPod nano (pink of course!), and now....an iPhone 4!!! Geez....what does one DO with so much technology????

I can't believe I've lasted so long without a phone. It was an eye-opening experience to realize just how much people rely on their cell phones these last few months without having one. Trust me....there were plenty of times I really wished I could have called up a friend on the spot or texted a pal to say "what's shakin', bacon?", but now that I have my phone and I can do all those things, I don't seem to be as excited as I thought I would be. I guess I just don't want to become a "phone obsesssor" - too many people get too attached to their mobiles (I know I did back home in the states) and I'm hoping I can find a balance where I can enjoy the amazingness that IS the iPhone 4, but not get too caught up in the mayhem of cell phone frenzy!

Aside from the fabulousness of my iPhone 4, I've had the unique pleasure of eating Mexican food the last four weekends in a row. Take a pleasurable 25 minute walk to "On the Border Mexican Grill", and you can have yourself a taste of American inspired Mexican food....with a Korean twist. Sure their sour cream doesn't really taste like sour cream and sure they don't completely know how much tequila to put into a margarita, but hey....its good fun and its a "taste of home" being that its a western based restaurant chain......but four weeks in a row???? FOUR????? Honestly, it has not been me personally that has been venturing to "On the Border" by choice these last few weeks, nor have I gone there alone and pathetically sat by myself in the corner eating deep fried beans! It just so happened that varying parties of friends and colleagues have unanimously declared "On the Border" as their "go-to" gathering spot for large groups for the Fall of 2010!!!
Don't get me wrong...I've always been a Mexican food advocate! Thus, in theory, I should be counting my blessings that I've had the chance to dine so many times off the Mexican grill this season....but wow.....Mexican food in Korea??....that's a funny thought......

...think about it ;-)