Thoughts from Greece... after the fact, now, I guess

I love sunsets over the ocean.

For several reasons.

Here's one.

Have you ever noticed that when you watch the sunset the golden rays that run along the water's top always come directly to you? It's like that sunset is just for you.

It's pointing to you as if to say, "I wanted you, and just you, to see me right now, in all my orange and red and yellow beauty, and so I'm extending my arm along the edge of the rippling waves to you sitting there on the shore. Please take my hand."

And I say "yes, why of course, I would love to" and sit there in happiness for the hour or so of our dear friendship.

And what's more, if I were to get up and go for a walk, that sunset would go with me. Like it really was holding my hand.


Here's another. Along the same lines. Kind of.

You know that part in The Little Mermaid where Ariel is walking out of the water towards Eric on the shore? Well, in that moment her father sends golden shimmery dust along the top of the water towards her, so that it becomes a part of her dress.

Watching the sunset, and how it looks like its sparkling right towards me, I close my eyes and think that it's changing my clothes from jeans and a sweatshirt to a shimmery dress too. It's lovely.

Montenegro... Probably the Most Beautiful

We got in Wednesday afternoon. Supposed to leave on Friday. Then Saturday. Then Monday.

We left Tuesday.

This is why.
Oh, and this.
I like it here. It was really hard to leave.I'll be back.

20 Days Out

I'm constantly amazed at how you can find normal life anywhere. Or, to put it another way, you gravitate to that which makes you feel normal, even when life is different.

For example.

Dubrovnik.

Maybe it's being by the ocean again. Being able to walk down to the sea when I need space, or time, or time and space. Standing there against the rocks that spill down into the crashing waves. Getting sprayed with every 7th wave, or something like that. Feeling the need to back my way off the cliff because I was told to never turn your back on the ocean as a kid. And I listened. The sound.


Maybe it's the streets of Old Town. They're old, go figure. They feel it. Especially at night when there isn't anyone around to make you feel like the place doesn't really belong all to you. Because, at moments like this...

...it does.

Maybe it's the fact that there really isn't a whole lot to do. I can sit and read my book for hours. Or I can walk up and down every small, neatly stacked, stair-street, and feel like I've done a lot without having actually done much. Or I can sit out in "the yard" with coffee and good, albeit sometimes ridiculous, conversation. Or I can just enjoy the company of the wonderful people around me.


Maybe it's being in a place where familiarity has continued to come out of the thick cracks. Through random connections, try ten or so, informing me or my family or friends, that, "Dubrovnik? I've been there. It is so great." Through, after my first half hour walk around the city, I inform Carry that "here is a place I feel like myself... kind of like trains," though of course with not as much intensity (nothing but bridges rivals trains in that), but the feeling is still there. Through finding my favorite place to be, and staying there for two hours with music in my ears I haven't heard since a very different time in my life, and at a very different place - oh, Matt Wertz - and feeling okay about it all.


Even though leaving tomorrow seems a million miles away at this point (besides the fact that my packed bag is sitting right next to me), it'll come sooner than I think, and will make the two long weeks I've been here (two weeks feel like a month when it's usually two days to a place) seem like nothing.

But no. Not nothing.

The 3 times I've felt like Myself on this Trip (so far)

3. Conversations with Two New Friends: There's a bare wooden Dance Floor. Waiting. Music playing. Waiting. For me? Yes. He's small enough so I don't feel intimidated, but big enough for me to get lost in the erratic movements that I call dancing across his broad shoulders. Dancing. Mmm. I love the freedom that comes with rhythm and sound and my body creating its own unique conversation with it. I also love dancing around fires. Which I proceeded to do after I felt that my friendship with Dance Floor was solidified by a long and detailed introductory conversation. Next talk, with Fire. What a warm presence he has. On my face at some points, on my back at others. Always intruding, in a pleasant way of course, on my continuous movements round and round, through the silky smooth mounds of sand under my feet and between each toe.

New Realization, though somehow FAMILIAR: I love to dance. ALOT.


2. For five mornings in a row I woke up, to the early warmth of that sweet little island off the coast of Cambodia. I didn't put shoes on and I walked out the door of the bungalow that faced the quiet surf of the crystal blue water. Walking along the path, feeling every crack in the sidewalk and at one point the shell of a snail (sorry, little buddy, didn't see you). Sitting at a table by myself, though there was room enough for 4. I was up earlier, selfishly inhaling all the good, clean, bright, cheery air of the day. Reading quiet words of wisdom, letting the familiar thoughts flow over me and work their way into the tendrils of my twisting and changing spirituality. Eating breakfast, of delicious tomatoes and eggs, accompanied by a small loaf of bread, with a cup of sweet Vietnamese coffee to wash it down. Welcoming in the day. With a sigh and a smile.

New Realization, and it's very REFRESHING : I love waking up early.


1. Since that fateful night in Nha Trang, when, among other things, my iPod was lost to the swirling mist of that grayish beach city, I've been without the gentle ebb and flow of the sound tracks of my life. I love music. But more than I love music, I love bridges. And more than I love bridges, though only slightly, I love trains. So, here I am, sitting on a train watching the picture show of the German countryside slide across the windowpanes of my enraptured eyes, listening to the beats of my newmagictouchsoundtrack-Pod, and feeling most like Myself. More than I have on this entire trip. To this point. But I'm not sure how much better it can get than this. I'm on a train. Crossing and watching bridges span green pasture to green pasture. Listening to beautiful people put beautiful feelings and thoughts to beautiful beats and rhythms. Oh God, I just passed over a cemetery. I love cemeteries. To make it even better, it's fall. Things aren't dying, oh no. They are reaching the glorious season of maturity. They show it in the way they no longer care what traditional color they must wear or not wear to fit in with everyone else. They don any radiance they choose, and live happily in the knowledge that they have loved life. I hope I live my life like these fall trees. Rooted (don't even get me started on roots). Growing. Changing. Renewing. Colorful. Radiant. Myself.

New Realization, THAT'S A LIE... it's not new at all: I love trains, and bridges, and music, and cemeteries, and fall, and roots, and trees. Now you may ask, "Mindy, why don't you just say you love everything?" and I would tell you that "these are very specific things I love, for very specific reasons, hmmm, maybe I'll do a blog series about them... but I don't love everything."

Oh wait, and tomato soup, but, alas, there was none to be had on the train. Next time.

So, Where Are You From?

That question is one of the first asked when you meet people traveling.

I was realizing, during one of these conversations today, that if, in any way, shape or form, I had a connection to that area I would always ask more specific questions. Like "are you from the city of London, or somewhere nearby?" Or "what part of California?" Or even, "do you know Bundang?"

I wondered to myself, if I was making these connections for my sake or theirs.

Then I thought, when someone KNOWS where Whidbey Island is, or has taught English in Korea, or lives in Brea with their family, I get excited. There's a sense of, "Hey, you know what I'm talking about" that is very comforting when you're a gazillion miles from home, exhausted from dodging motorbikes and crawling through war tunnels all day.

Because no matter how incredibly big the world seems, especially when you're out in it, it's always nice to know that other people love talking about home as much as you do.

Korea... What You Mean to Me

Three more days.

The Blessing of Wilderness

So much to say. But this is what I've got.

Saying Goodbye

There are those faces I will miss.
Of course, there are those I won't.

But Mini, Alice, and Jessica. I will.
Mini is really smart, always coming up with new ways of saying the same old things, which is impressive considering how redundant most of the class can be.
Alice and I laugh together. A lot. I had her for a reading class as well, and she and I would share books, and make jokes. Sometimes mine would go over her head, and sometimes hers would go over mine. I don't know much Korean. Yes sir, Chee-sol, ma-di-ga-sol. Still not sure what that means.
Jessica is so determined. And beautiful. They all are.


Jeff. Won-young. Jeff. Well, Jeff and I have had some problems. Andy was always great. And Alex, he had a slight lisp. It was awesome.

One year complete. It's hard to believe, but great to look back on. It was a great story.

Gap

So, first off, sorry.

I realize I have never written anything pertaining to my future plans after I wrote about decision-making.

And yes, I have made a decision.

I'm packing up my whole life and love and leaving Korea. Please don't ask me why. I know why. But it doesn't make any sense to me right now because I "couldn't wait to get going, but wasn't quite ready to leave".

Looking at what is ahead, I can tell you that I'm excited for the plans that have been made.

First stop: VietnamNow I normally don't like using pictures that I haven't taken, but I couldn't resist. This is Phu Quoc Island, off the coast of Cambodia, but still a part of Vietnam. This is our last stop on our month trek around the southern coast of the country. I'm traveling with Shmeepants and Carry.

Next, onto Bangkok. For the weekend. I've noticed that I have several of these "weekend" trips, as our trip was orchestrated around cheap air tickets, Bangkok to Berlin being one of them. But why not spend more than an hour there?

From there, like I said, it's onto Berlin. Carry has some friends that we'll meet up with, and I'm excited to see Germany, as I missed it on my last time traveling. Train down to Munich, and stay there for a couple days before, tentatively, heading to Switzerland to see an old friend.

Now the whole trip started as a haphazard plan to get to Croatia and Montenegro because Carry's mom owns a kayaking business in the former, and a house in the latter. What?!? I know, right. Call me silly, but I've always wanted to go to Montenegro because, every time I studied WWI, that's the country that I liked the name of most. See, one of those silly, rather whimsical reasons of mine. Kind of like my love of Latvia over Estonia or Lithuania.

Anyways, we'll spend the next three or four weeks hanging out around there. Making trips to northern Croatia, Albania, Serbia, and Kosovo. Unless we do that on the way out. Which takes us to Thessaloniki. The trip gets kind of fuzzy at this point because we don't necessarily have to plan all of it right now since we will have plenty of time in Croatia to do this planning.

So, either fly from Thessaloniki to London, or take a train from there over to Istanbul for a few days (depending on time) and then fly to London. Either way I have to be in London by the 19th.

That way, I'll have "a weekend" in London, a city that I love, before my flight home to Seattle on the 22nd of November.

Whew. Deep breath.

Just in time for Thanksgiving. Huge smile.

A Taste of This Life

My heart. Rooted so deeply in this life.

Howard Shore plays on repeat as I recall this day.

A hike through the woods.
Going slow, of course. I was still concussed.
Happened upon this open space.
Kind of what Korea was. An open space.
We all became ourselves.
Whit kicked a ball around, took a nap on the bench, then talked to Tay.
Tay played with Cha's hair then listened to Whit.
Kel soaked in everyone's presence, then went for a walk.
Cha planted herself firmly on the ground. And read.
Katie and I took over the bench. Took naps, then talked about God.
We all breathed deeply.
It was a good day.
Korea has been a great day.

"It's Up to Joe"

So as many of you know, I've been struggling with a pretty big decision. I've been living in Korea for over 10 months now, which is probably the longest I've lived in one location in a long time. It feels good to have that consistency. I've lived here. I've grown here.

But now I'm coming to that part of the story where I must choose something. I must choose to stay, or choose to go. This decision is hard. I have people I love and care about in either choice. I've been struggling for the last two months with this knowledge. And of course I know that my decision cannot be made solely on people. I can't stay in Korea for people. And I can't go back for people. That can be a huge factor, but not the sole factor - people can also make the choice to stay or leave.

So I came to God one night. Asked Him for an answer. "God, just reveal your will. Whatever you want me to do, wherever you want me to go. Just tell me." And then I waited. And kept waiting. And wondered why He wasn't answering. I would feel absolute certainty for one direction for about 5 minutes, and then everything would change and I'd be completely sure in the other direction. It was painful. And no fun at all.

I'm usually indecisive and generally stay as far away from decisions as I can get. But big things like this - once I make a decision, that's pretty much it. Done deal. Except for now. And all of a sudden I wasn't making a decision about what I was doing in 2 months, rather, I was hinging my whole life's course on the step I took now. Or in other words, I started exaggerating everything in my mind. What was I supposed to do with my life? Where did God want me to do it?

Amidst all of the confusion, anxiety and frustration that this brought, He answered. Clear and simple. But unlike I had expected, as God usually answers.

"My purpose for your life, Mindy, is not a direction. It's you. You following me. Do you think that I am only found at the end of one pathway? That if you walk down a road right now you won't find me there? No. You are seeking me with all your heart. So you will find me, wherever that is. Whichever way you choose to go, I'm going to bless you. Stop being afraid you're going to make the wrong choice. It doesn't exist. You wanted me to tell you what to do? I am - choose."

There's so much freedom in that. To know that my God trusts me.

As for the title of this blog - random movie quote, because I couldn't write a completely serious post.

Hannah Face is 6!!

I really can't believe it.

But as I told Nemmy.... I thought she was turning 7, so this is a lot better.

Love this girl like whoa.

Day 307

Let's just say that today was awesome.

Whit had a soccer game on Yongsan Army Base and I, as a good roommate, naturally went to support and encourage. Little did I realize what this meant.

Yes, I knew it was an army base. An American army base. And I've been to this exact base two times before, all standard and smooth trips. Now, before you get worried, no, I did not get arrested, wreak havoc, or lose my citizenship. Oh no.

We were about two minutes' walk away from Gate 10, where my friend Logan could sign us on, when I realized something very important. It was an American base. With all it's American goodness.



TACO BELL.



I pause for dramatic effect.

Yes. I did, in fact, have a Grilled Stuft Chicken Burrito today with hot sauce (sidenote: I will never admit to how 20 of those little packets ended up in my purse and back to my apartment with me), nachos with nacho cheese, and a Dr. Pepper. What can I say, it's not every day I have access to such as this. What a great day.

Now for my daily run at 7 tomorrow. Perfect.

Heidi Myers, this story was for you.

A Little Story

There once was a girl who wanted so many things in life.

She wanted to run and never stop running.
Through fields and fields of tall grass.
Definitely through a cornfield.
Maybe even a desert.
Just for the challenge.

She wanted to dance all the time.
While walking through crowded streets.
By herself, in a forest with no one around.
Underwater, gasping for air as the song ended.

She wanted to stretch and stretch.
Til her bones were so limber and free she could touch the sky.
Til her feet reached through the ground and stood on the roots of the trees.

She wanted to sing so loud the echo came back to her from around the world.
Sing from a mountain, very quiet so it'd get lost in the fog.
Sing from a bench sitting in the park in the rain.
And yes, sing underwater so that her words became jumbled.

She wanted to tell a joke so funny people cried.
And then peed.
And then cried again.

She wanted to climb a tree so high she couldn't see the bottom from the top.
So high the wind knocked her about and she was terrified.
So big she could stretch her body out on a branch and read a book. And then take a nap.

She wanted to pack a lunch made of tuna fish sandwiches that got soggy by the time she sat down to eat them.

She wanted to see everything.
She wanted to close her eyes.

Once is now. The girl is me.

The Incident

As you may notice, some of my stories are old. Deal.

The following tale is one of compiled stories (well, one account) and tidbits of my own memory. Take it for as much truth as you wish.

FOR THE RECORD - OFFICIAL INCIDENT REPORT

Heading to work one bright sunny day, Kelsey and Mindy, aboard the faithful and true 90cc Veteran, were happily basking in the beams of Thursday morning Bible study and dear friends. Little did they know that a mere 10 minutes away from their destination something ominous was waiting.

Cue: men with fire hoses spraying down 3 lanes of traffic.

To avoid being lacerated by the streams of cold water shooting into their lane, Mindy, after concluding that it was safe to do so, merged into the far left lane of the road.

Enter: Seoul City Bus with a straight, shiny bumper.

Being as Korean roads are, with no drainage, and the amount of water being spewed forming a small lagoon in the aforesaid left lane, the ill-fated Veteran and his passengers were in quite the predicament.

Apply brakes: reduced speed at impact from 40 kph to 30 kph.

Being in an unconscious state, Mindy was of no help for the 2 minutes that followed. Some might say, her presence of mind was lost from that entire day, and may very well never be recovered. Kelsey, on the other hand, who was of sound and wise mind, though banged up in body, called their boss. After ascertaining that Mindy was neither dead, paralyzed, or broken, the police and ambulance arrived soon after to escort our two girls to the hospital.

Results of Incident: Severe concussion and bruising for our driver, yours truly, and deep-cut stitches and heavy bruising for the Lovepot, Kelsey.

Recovery is almost, if not all completed, but the repercussions of the not-so-straight bumper and the demolished Veteran are still working themselves out. The fire-hosing hooligans walked away unscathed and unknown.

Moral: Never play chicken with a Seoul City Bus. YOU WILL LOSE.

RIP Veteran
Oct 2009 - April 2010

For All Those Who Don't Know...

... Taylar is no longer a Manning! She is an Evje. Pronunciation is hard. Don't worry about it.

I recently journeyed all the way across the Pacific back to the vast and unpredictable land of opportunity to celebrate with my friends Taylar and Tim at their wedding.

Wait, wait. Did you catch that?

I WASN'T IN KOREA.

What?!?

I know, my reaction too.

Yes, after 8 months of being on a little penninsula-more-like-an-island-because-of-our-northern-neighbors, except for Christmas in Thailand and Cambodia, I left the land that I lov... well the land that I have strong and mixed feelings about for the smoggy, wonderful, vibrant, intoxicating, sunny place that is southern California - which I also have strong and mixed feelings about. I realize this was a long sentence. You made it through, well done you.

The kindred, Heidi, met me at LAX, where I was worried because no one was looking at me and I could understand almost all the conversations around me, and we drove straight to Chipotle. Oh, how I've missed you. Of course from there it was only a short walk to Target, my other love, for a little sight-seeing. Yes, walking through Target is theraupeutic, what with it's simple signs and well-organized abundance. It was a great time. But alas, too little time with the kindred. That's for sure.

Only a few short days in LA. But I also got to see my parents and my seester, Bethany. Which was great. They're great. Seester got me caught up on the word of choice, nugget. It used to be tiny. I took the fam to Venice Beach to see the sailboat I lived in, and the beach that I walked to nearly everyday this last summer.

Wednesday of my week home my parents drove me out to Palm Springs where I met up with Taylar and some of the other girls for spa day. It's a rough life, but someones got to do it, right?

It's hard to really explain how much fun the wedding was. The whole 3 days of being a part of something so special. I loved getting to be a part of it all. I loved being great friends with both Tim and Tay, so that the day was like a double celebration. I loved dancing to songs I didn't know the words to because the only music I'm caught up on is the K-Pop that my students show me on their phones during class. I loved laughing so hard I nearly peed my pants. I loved watching Tay, who looked stunning, and her dad walk down the aisle and being so excited and nervous my knees were shaking. I loved crying at John's speech and laughing at Sam's. I loved getting slapped in the face 3 times during the Ninja game at 4 in the morning when I was supposed to be driving to LA. I loved getting lost in Palm Desert with Sam-u-lous and hitting up the nearest gas station for Bubbalicious and other stuff for the Wang. I loved the drive back to LA with Canis, talking and laughing waking up to her punching me because I fell asleep for 2 seconds.

I loved so much about my time home. And I loved coming back to sweet friends here in Korea.

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Evje! Love you both like whoa.
Consider yourself updated.

Sweet Darling of Spring

Text message conversation:

Whit: Uh mins... might be cming hm with a new friend of sorts.. its life or death, i choose life!

Me: I hv no clue what ths means but i like it

Whit: Haha a sweet darling of the spring needs a mama. or should i say mamas

Me: Well we got plenty of those!

Whit: mongs

Me: mongs longs for wongs

Translation:

Springishness

Spring has been slow in coming. I argue that it's not all the way here yet.

But whether or not the weather has come

the weather has weathered me some

And weathering me in the whether or not

new pictures in this weather I've got

With springtime in the air, I can look forward to many more picnics and reading aloud time in the park.

Spring semester is well into it's midterm and Kelly comes in twenty minutes early to talk. She's teaching me Korean. I have a video of her that I've been trying to upload, but apparently blogger doesn't like it for some reason. I'll keep you updated on further developments.

New Book Club commences with the spring. As of now, we have a book, a tentative date to meet Grandpa in the park with coffee, and enjoy an afternoon of reading Alice.

I love Spring. Now if it would only really come. No more of this Springishness.

God is a God of Pictures

During my morning runs this past week I've been listening to a lecture by Ray VanderLaan, the founder of That the World May Know Ministries, and it has been an incredible time of growth and worship.

Since my Jesus' Life and Ministry class with Dr. Lunde my last semester of college at Biola, I have wanted to better understand Jesus' Jewishness, and the Jewish heritage of my faith. Jesus was a Jew - lived, ate, spoke, prayed, and worshipped like a Jew. What does that mean for how I should understand his teachings and read God's Word? It should have EVERYTHING to do with how I read and understand God's Word.

In Ray's message he focuses on the truth that God is a God of pictures - He doesn't tell us; He shows us. The most beautiful picture of all being that of a blameless man condemned to die for the evilness of all men - paying the penalty for a blood covenant that both parties knew was broken the second it was made.

I love my Bible time. But to realize that there is a whole Bible that I haven't even read yet... one of depth and texture and detail... one that comes rooted in Jewish culture and landscape... one that is a single whole brilliant picture that radiates with passion and love and truth... how do I read that one??

-----

On another note - I wanted to give one such picture to my Bible Study this morning, and so I brought a jar of honey to place a droplet on their Bibles for them to taste (as Ray related was done in Jewish classes and schools). Well, so happens it opened in my bag and, being the sticky thing it was, clung to everything that was within. Which, because God has a sense of humor, also included my Bible.

I wanted to learn in pictures: I now have a Bible that I can taste each page - and it is sweet.

God is Awesome.

Fav Babes

With Spring comes a new set of kiddos, but here's to the Fav Babes

to teach

to laugh with

to tilt my head sideways and wonder what in the world they are saying

to make random allusions to K-pop songs and have class sing-alongs

to say one word in Korean and have them think I'm fluent

to play with their hair when they stand next to my desk

to get giant bear hugs from

to hear their laughter when they call me "mandu teacher"

to make jokes way over their heads and make myself laugh so hard that they start laughing too

to hear "he'p me teacher, he'p me" during Review Tests

to get to know them in all their personalities and challenges

to listen when they want to speak, whether in Korean or English

to have them stick their toes under my bathroom stall and then run away

to challenge their minds with creativity and new words and bigger ideas

to love that I get to love them

to love

William

And then he was.

William, when he's sitting, stately, in conversation with Red Chair. Just so classy together, those two. They know how to appreciate each other's taste in the higher things.

Billy, when we're kicking back and having a good chat. He knows some good stories and he'll listen eagerly to my scattered, yet well-meant ones.

And yes, as in Billy Joel.

A Second Childhood... but Different??

So I haven't necessarily gone back to those days of tent-pitching in the backyard, or rollerblading lemonade stands, or even the gymnastics performances in the front yard, but I have discovered a new sort of childhood bliss in having a roommate.

My friend Whit and I have now spent just over a week in our new place and there have been those moments of incredulity at what living with someone does to you. Such joy and joy-ness.

Case One: I came home tonight with the apartment, yet again, rearranged. And love it. Whit's on a week break from work and has proceeded to tinker. She is an excellent tinkering. With Red Chair and William in conversation, guitars facing off across the room, and precariously balanced paintings - consider yourself tinkered Obelisk 1717.

Case Two: Two nights ago we decided to have a slumber party. Isn't that every night, you might ask? Well yes, yes it is. But this was better. For, you see, we stayed up til 3 am watching DQMD (for those of you not down with DQ, your loss - actually, really interested to know your guesses), and slept on her bed of yos (mats that Koreans lay on the floor to sleep on) as she has not yet found a bed. It was reminiscent of Futon Days of Yore (you'll get that Sisters).

Case Three: The morning after. Woke up at 10, of course. Had to. Imagine if you will - Whitney making whole-wheat pancakes in the kitchen, because she makes me eat healthy (and I secretly love it), and me reading aloud from none other than Jane Eyre. Does life get better? Why yes, yes it does. Sarah Jane comes over (or up, depending on how you look at it- she lives on the 14th floor) and we proceed to devour pancakes and sip Tim Hor(not Mor)ton's Coffee - the taste of Canada, listening to Oh Happy Day from Sister Act. What a morning.

I'm sure there will be much more ridiculous awesomeness (because that's what I know you all are describing the aforementioned Cases as) to add to this presentation, but, alas, I have another blog to write about William, and so must leave them for other times.

We're All in the Mood for a Melody

Rosy: My red guitar.
Red Chair: My red chair. Obvi.

Now, what does one name a piano (though not red, sadly) that one gets in Korea?

Here's the thing.
So, the thing is.

I'm getting a piano. And I can barely contain my excitment. There is a little sadness over the fact that I don't have any of my music from home, as, let's face it, I didn't really expect to be in possession of a piano in Korea. But one has fallen in my lap (not literally, ouch), and by fallen I mean I am buying it for 250 and don't feel bad about it because I make money and more importantly - I'LL HAVE A PIANO.

Having a piano doesn't just mean - "oh, I'll have something to play." No no.

Having a piano means - "Ugh I can't take the stress of teaching today!!!" or "My kids were beautiful, this subway ride is beautiful, life is beautiful!" or maybe even a "It's been raining for ten straight hours" as I've heard it does in June. I always feel like playing the piano when it's raining. Sometimes its "I need to think through this puzzling thought" and I'm sure I'll have several of "what am I going to do with my life after Korea?"

Whatever your name yet shall be: my piano.
Can't wait.

A Gem Found Yesterday Morning....

...while sitting in Red Chair by the window and drinking my coffee. Best ever.

But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself;

The Lord hears when I call to Him.

Tremble, and do not sin;

Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still.

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And trust in the Lord.

Many are saying, "Who will show us any good?"

Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O Lord!

You have put gladness in my heart,

More than when their grain and new wine abound.

In peace I will both lie down and sleep.

For you alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:3-8

5 Months and Counting...

It's been a roller-coaster, for sure.

And now I need advice. I've realized, after teaching English as a second language for the last 5 months, that I don't like teaching English as a second language. At least under the specific conditions as I have been, i.e. to younger children and with a pretty set teaching structure. Question is: where do I go from here?

I know I've still got quite a while to consider another country, a new place, and new life, or remaining where I am, but time seems to go by quicker than that and I have absolutely no clue what life will look like 7 months from now.

Cambodia? Working with a missions organization there? An adoption agency? Teaching - if God desires that of me again?

America? Grad school - my Masters in Teaching, hoping that teaching English as a literature will be way better than as language (a 'hoping' that costs a lot of money and two years)? Some other form of school?

Korea? Could I do another year here? Maybe with an international school, teaching drama, or English lit? Is that even possible without a TESOL certificate? Do I get my TESOL?

Overseas? Grad school - some unknown major that would be beneficial to a future career and well worth the money? Teaching again? Torchbearer's Bible School?

Any opinions, suggestions, ideas?

Thailand and Cambodia

Sorry it's so long. Shut up, Kel.

December 25-26

So we were supposed to arrive in Bangkok at 2 pm. By we, I mean Katie, Tay and I. Well, we did. But I have to say that this is the only part of our Christmas Day trek that turned out the way it was supposed it. We then took a bus to the Eastern Bus Terminal that took 45 minutues. Wrong. Supposed to. Ours took us 2 hours. No worries, we'll just catch our bus to Rayong to meet up with some friends for the night. Bus leaves at 6. Perfect, it's 6:05.

Since Rayong wasn't really an option any more we decided to head down to Trat for the night before catching the ferry to Koh Chang where Kelly and Charissa were waiting for us. 5 hour bus ride later. Arrive at the creepiest bus terminal in all of Thailand. I'm not making this up... the stranger we made friends with told us so. But he also told us of Jane's Place where we could spend the night. So, after being dropped at JAME PLACE (close enough right?), we decide that we should just sleep our troubles away. No door. Pretty sleepless night.

We awake to realize that the world actually doesn't have a personal vendetta against us. We had a door all along. It was just hiding. With a cockroach in the toilet and a dollar fruit smoothie to send us on our way we headed to Koh Chang. And we were there... minus the 2 hour wait about 10 minutes from our resort, as we had to wait at the second ferry landing for more taxi passengers. Then we were there. Finally.

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December 26-31

2 scooter rides around the island.

5 dinners on the beach.

7 fire dancers in love with Jana.
2 nights dancing at an empty club.

5 new friends. The best.

1 whole day snorkeling, 4 different islands, 2 South African friends, 0 anenome attacks.

2 hours on the back of Milo the 9 year old elephant.

3 times I was afraid Milo was going to drown me during our swim.

4 roti desserts. So good.

50 helpings of pineapple for breakfast with Dr. David.

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December 31-1

Cambodia

I will never be the same
So broken, yet so hopeful

I'll be back

To love in any capacity

I can't wait

I spent the first part of New Years Eve dancing around a table with the Cambodian people, falling in love with the sweetest 2 year old who ran into my arms, eating vegetables, and realizing that I never want to leave.

The second part of New Years was a little crazier. Meeting Katie, Tay, Chris and Jordan at Pub Street, which was so full you could hardly walk through it. More dancing, more eating. Lots of laughing. We came back about ten minutes before midnight but I wanted to go back out because Katie, Chris and Tay had stayed out. Maurie, Simone, and some other people were heading to cara-kay (which after some discussion I realized to be karaoke), so Jordan and I had them drop us off at Pub Street again. Proceed to shout Happy New Years with everyone, and not find our friends. Oh well, Jordan goes home and I hop on the back of a taxi-scooter. Side-saddle of course because that's how ladies ride.

I arrive back at Ta Som Guesthouse only to just meet Katie, Tay and Chris coming to meet us. Perfect. Back to Pub Street for some 3 hours of dancing. So fun! (which also happens to be the name of one of our guesthouse friends - Sofun).

Hop in a Tuk tuk on the way home. Easy enough right? Apparently I shouldn't trust people as much as I do. Whoops. Scared my mom with this story. Let's just say I made it home after some persuasion. "I'm a very strong-willed girl."

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January 1

After 1 hour of sleep, and a very cold tuk tuk ride to Angkor Wat, we are there finally watching the sun come up over the temple. The best start to a new year if you ask me. Hard to beat the entire day actually. 13 hours later, after exploring ruins, swinging on vines, getting lost on the TOP of a temple, talking with the Cambodian children, lots of pineapple, and singing the Indiana Jones theme song who knows how many times - on the top of the hill watching the sunset over miles and miles of Cambodian beauty.

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January 2-3

Head back to Bangkok. Exploring, finding Chinatown, sitting in the street, eating amazing food, having great conversations.

Stay up all night in the airport - "this is the worst idea ever." Too cold to sleep inside. Sleep on the pavement outisde. Hop on the plane back to snowing Korea.

So much change in 10 days.