A Month of Gratitude: February 2012

Mid-day cappuccino. First Thursday night Meet-ups in Gung-dong (my favorite Daejeon neighborhood). Friday nights. Coke and Red Wine while laughing and speaking with a Redneck accent. Sacred Places. Feeling personal progress in regards to 'hatred'. Home 'theater' dates with the man (Mr. Popper's Penguins and Kung Fu Panda 2). Giggling 'with' Lady Annyeong as she discovers the joys of bed-top forts (i.e. being under the covers). Creativity and Laughter from students. Unexpected encouragement regarding married life. Teaching with Hyunhee. Earl grey tea with milk and sugar. Brown Bone China Mug. Matt and Jen's arrival, tears of joy, warm embraces and picking up where we left off. Drinking a White Russian, snacking on walnut pastries and chatting with Jen and Whitney. French Fries. Rooftop dining in Ho Chi Minh City (fried goat in coconut milk and cheese wrapped in tender beef slices atop lettuce and tomatoes, all topped with fresh cilantro). Supporting former street children and orphans by eating delicious and beautifully presented food. Being broken hearted for past crimes of war and those of this century. Shade of coconut palms on deliciously warm days floating through the Mekong Delta. Waking before the sunrise to enjoy peaceful strolls and the beginning of a new day. Carrot Smoothies. CouchSurfing Hospitality. Vietnamese coffee enjoyed ina Vietnamese Garden Cafe. Being spoiled by my man. Reading on the beach. The view from plane windows. Tender and flavorful roasted chicken wings at 4am. Returning home, to friends, new and old, good food and rolicking good times. Kiva. Being reminded that I am a valued and cherished friend. Knowing that the beauty of the friendship trumps the pain of transition and the changing scene of our imediate community.

(Typed while sipping oolong tea from Taiwan)

Goals Update: February 2012

It's leap day where I am, but I've been thinking a lot about how well I managed my February goals and figured now was as good a time as any to reflect and post on how things panned out.

As I discussed at the beginning of the month, our Vietnam travels and visiting friends convinced me not to attempt to many new and challenging goals other than what was in the works from January. It's a good thing I went with that method, because it turns out we lost all sense of routine in February for a number of reasons that I am extremely grateful (friends crashing our couch and floor, the fabulous Vietnam vacation, etc.) So, on a technical level, I failed most of my goals. But below, I'll expand on how each was and wasn't fulfilled and why I feel content having accomplished what I have.

Daily:

• Drink one glass of water when I wake up and before I go to bed AND mid-day: this worked well when we were functioning in our routine and I was more conscious of drinking water when we were off our routine, so personally, that's a win!
• Stretch at least once a day: Again, this was good during routine type days...which were only about 1/3 of the days in February, still a win, I think about stretching a lot more.
• Do a minimum of 15 push-ups and 50 sit-ups: Read above observations
• Floss daily (or at minimum 3 days a week): Same idea as stated above. The winning factor here though is how desperately I wanted to be flossing in Vietnam and how disappointed I was in myself for forgetting to pack floss.
• Daily journal about 5 things for which I am grateful: I've conquered this one.
• Read a minimum of 2 chapters from the Bible each day: Routine days, good. Non-routine days, not so much.
• Begin stretching time in child pose - meditate on the Lord's Prayer: Same story.

Overall I feel good about these daily goals and think that I can easily keep stretching, a bit of exercise, drinking water and gratitude journaling alive and kicking without having to put forth too much effort.

Within the Month:

• Write about a minimum of 5days in the travel journal I started for our world tour in 2010 -- REALLY hoping I get on that: Just a difficult task, not sure what I'm going to do for motivation to finish this up, but I'm thinking one delicious chocolate per finished entry...thoughts?
• Finish at least 5 books toward my 2012 reading goal of 50 books in a year: Barely. Thankful for lazy days on the beach and long flights/layovers.
• Update my food blog within 3 days of preparing a meal: Almost could have nailed this one except for all the 'distractions' so I think I'm getting close to having this become the norm.
• Finish blogging about Taiwan before heading to Vietnam: And then some.
• Blog more about what I'm processing/thinking -- (i.e. comparisons, individuality, complaints -- things I've been thinking about lately and would do well to think through): Not as much as I'd like, but did you read about how I'm struggling with hate? That was good and beautiful for my processing soul...maybe not for my blog, but for my processing.

So that was February. I feel good about it all things considered and have spent the past week or so thinking about what to bring into March, what to state as goals and what new thing I can add. Thinking about changing my home work out routine, possibly studying the Korean language (but may put it off a month), being more conscious and proactive about good posture as well as trying to make some home-made yogurt. Surprisingly, I'm quite looking forward to March...even though we've just said a significant amount of good-byes to significant people in our Daejeon Community.

And here's the Calendar of February - beginning is pretty impressive, no?

(Typed while drinking my 'mid-day' water from a Jeonju University mug) 

Book 2012: To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Hadn't read through this story since high school, so nearly 10 years. It was great to re-read this classic and to understand it better and more deeply, although I would have loved to have 'classmates' and an instructor to discuss with as it's most definitely a story which lends itself to such.
A favorite quote:
"People in their right minds never take pride in their talents," said Miss Maudie. pg. 98
View all my reviews

A few other notes: I read this as a paperback which I acquired from a friend prior to her leaving South Korea. I read the majority of this book, during this reading, while in an airport or on an airplane in Vietnam or Malaysia.

Book 2012: 20 Miles per Cookie

Twenty Miles Per Cookie by Nancy Sathre-Vogel

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


What I enjoyed most about this story was the inspiration to live boldly and adventurously regardless of whether you have careers and children or not. I found their back stories of travel and settling down as well as the general idea of traveling by bike around the U.S. refreshing and exciting. I could have used more development in the writing and as another reviewer mentioned, a greater explanation and elaboration on some scenes in the story. Regardless, I'm inspired, and I suppose that's about half the purpose!
A couple highlights:
"In my many years of traveling I've found adventure is, many times, only one step away from disaster. It springs from the unknown - from having no idea how we will meet our basic needs. It is stressful, but the kind of stress I can look upon and say, "What an unexpected turn of events!" It's those days that make for the most memorable experiences, and are, therefore, the most rewarding days of a journey." (location 1405)
"We continued talking well into the night about how it seemed like the poorest regions on earth was where generosity and warmth of human spirit flowed the most abundantly." (location 1446)
View all my reviews

A few other notes: One of the primary reasons I find this inspiring is basically...my own issue of pride. Let me explain. Living the life that we're living, abroad in Korea, 40 day road trips prior and around the world travels sprinkled between often garner this response from wise, honored and practical friends: "It's great you're doing that now, you won't have the time (funds, energy, -insert noun of depravity for parents here- ) once you have children." I smile, nod and say "yeah." In my more prideful quarters however, I'm thinking "I value and love the life we're living and I'm sure kids will change the way it plays out...but, I think we'll still travel."

Now, this isn't to say I don't trust my wise and good and practial friends, I think I have no idea what parenting will cost as far as time, responsibility and sacrifce of my own desires. BUT, travel and adventures are important to us, we value the experiences gained through such and I don't think it's impossible to bring offspring along for such adventures and I'm increasingly confident that we will do just that. In planning for our recent trip to Vietnam our research lead us to a variety of blog posts. One blog With 2 Kids in Tow, chronicles one family (Mother, Father and 2 young girls) travelling all over the world for a year. AND, while travelling in Vietnam, we saw SO MANY families. It can be done. It is not impossible. It is something I'm again, increasingly confident, Mike and I will incorporate into parenting.

So, 20 Miles per Cookie is inspiring. AND, it's just the story of their travels across/around the United States and Mexico. A year or so later the family took off on a tour going from Alaska to Argentina - wild. And beautiful.

You can read more about the author, her family, their travels and other related details a Family on Bikes.

(Typed thinking about lunch...that is all).

Book 2012: Little Women

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I absolutely loved reading Little Women. It came at a time (and perhaps it's timeless enough that this would always be true) that I could truly and deeply relate to so many of the characters, their personalities, their perspectives and their positions, absolutely fantastic! Aside from simply enjoying the story, I continually felt like this was a story my Grandma would tell, about her perspective on life and the way things were simple and beautiful even growing up in a not so wealthy household, and that just makes a story pleasant and enjoyable to the utmost (if you love your grandma the way I do ^^).
A few favorite quotes:
"Our burdens are here, our road is before us, and the longing for goodness and happiness is the guide that leads us through many troubles and mistakes to the peace which is a true Celestial City." (pg. 14 - location 130)
"I want my daughters to be beautiful, accomplished, and good. To be admired, loved, and respected. To have a happy youth, to be well and wisely married, and to lead useful, pleasant lives, with as little care and sorrow to try them as God sees fit to send. To be loved and chosen by a good man is the best and sweetest thing which can happen to a woman, and I sincerely hope my girls may know this beautiful experience." (pg. 137 - location 1329)
"Money is a good and useful thing, Jo, and I hope my girls will never feel the need of it too bitterly, nor be tempted by too much." (pg 284 - location 2764)
"It's very curious, but the more I try to satisfy myself with all sorts of natural affections, the more I seem to want. I'd no idea hearts could take in so many. Mine is so elastic, it never seems full now, and I used to be quite contented with my family." (pg. 329 - location 6019)
View all my reviews

A few other notes: I started reading this in the fall just to discover that it would be one of my book clubs reads so I should hold off on finishing it. So, this February, I picked it up again and spent a lot of time reading it while sitting in a cold Korean Elementary school, on the bus, on a plane bound for Vietnam and finished the read laying out on a beach on Phu Qouc Island, Vietnam. And it fit each of those locations so beautifully well.

Above in my review, I mention how I really connect to the characters of the March family. I also admire the characters and hope so desperately to acquire some of the same traits expressed by each as I continue to 'grow-up' - the servant-heart and compliant spirit of Beth, the passionate fire and spark of Jo, the wanderlust, formality and roots of humility of Amy, the maturity, insight and comittment to a healthy marriage of Meg and the hospitality and wisdom of Mr. and Mrs. March.

(Typed with a slight hint of that Caramel Machiatto still resting on my lips...)

Book 2012: Surfing Vietnam

Surfing Vietnam by James A. Hockings

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


The writing and the story line were good and interesing enough, just not entirely within my style and genre norm, hence the 2 stars. However, the book was interesting and I'd be interested to know people's feelings about this book who served or protested or simply lived during the Vietnam war. But, the story isn't just about one boys experience of the draft and avoiding the draft, it's also a story of love and love lost and the dirt and grit of life and Hockings did a fine job putting it all together.
A couple standout quotes:
"Danny had tated love, and would never be the same, even if love tasted sour this fall." (location 764)
"In the din of the bar and in the haze of a thousand cigarettes, this man had created an oasis of calm reflection that somehow pulled in a crowd." (location 2481)
View all my reviews

A few other notes: I finished this right before arriving in Vietnam and seeing the story as told from that side of the equation and ultimately served as the main motivating factor for reading this story, to put Vietnam into a more complete or historical/travel destination perspective and for that, it was a valuable read.

(Typed having recently finished an instant Caramel Macchiatto from a silver thermos)

The Gift of Laughter

A dear, dear friend of mine recently sent me an email that included a challenge to find Joy in the form of Gifts throughout the month of February. If you happen to be familiar with the popular book (unlike myself) One Thousand Gifts, this idea/challenge may seem more familiar.  Regardless, I was intrigued and encouraged by the PDF that landed in my inbox and thought I'd make an earnest attempt to keep my eyes posted for various gifts. One which I most recently enjoyed was the gift of laughter, three instances of laughter to be exact.

To find Joy in your daily life, check out these ideas for February and/or stop by One Thousand Gifts Facebook Page.

So as I opened my eyes to the subtle gifts and suggestions for finding joy in the day to day I was beyond thrilled to see that laughter was on of the gifts I was to give my attention to. The day which I set aside to listen for and appreciate laughter offered ample opportunity to soak up this joyful gift of human nature.

As a teacher, working with children, I've had countless opportunities to laugh and to hear laughter, it's an aspect of this profession I forget to give thanks for on a regular basis.

As a teacher in South Korea these laughing-stock opportunities continue to abound, yet occassionally require a bit more coaxing on my part. Students are committed to study and are all-to-familiar with rigourous classroom rules, lecture style presentations and straight repetition of facts. I'm lucky to at least work in one of the nation's more 'controversial' and 'independently-minded' subjects, that being the English language. Language learning requires a loss of inhibition, mine have been barely holding on for some time, so I find it relatively easy to bust out 'baby' voice or funny pictures or put on a short song and dance number.

But the joy of laughter, the gift, that I most recently relished was student generated and all the more glorious as such.  With a co-teacher and insanely dear friend, students were enouraged to create their own short role-play based losely on an 'old favorite' such as Cinderella, Tom & Jerry, The Ugly Duckling, Snow White, etc.

Our students have shown a deep and unflagging love or role-plays throughout the year, so they jumped into the project with two feet and hilarity ensued. I believe our students found themselves to be capable of such ridiculous re-interpretations of famous stories using minimal English that there was no hope in holding back th laughter. A personal favorite moment was watching students re-enacting some innocent Disney classic or anotherand confidently inserting a Matrix-esque fight scene. Not only were they doubled over with laughter, but we the teacher's were equally amused and overjoyed by the students use of their prior film and acting knowledge.

It's been cold, gray and a bit dreary in South Korea for some time now. The school year is just ending and with it will go some of the stability of partnerships and professional relationships I lean on so heavily. Regardless, there is reason to laugh, and laugh we did and laugh we will.

(Typed while finishing up a thermos filled with instant Maxim Mocha Latte, thanks to this Korean life)

Book 2012: The Year of Living Biblically

The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible by A.J. Jacobs

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I really, really enjoyed this read and found it one of the more spiritually insightful reads I've picked up in a while. It's so refreshing to have someone without a spiritual-advice-giving-agenda go to the word of God and pick out things that seem amazing and beneficial and ... like great advice. I'm finding myself reflecting on the frequency for which I give thanks throughout the day, how I acknowledge the Sabbath (or rest), and how I view the future among other things.

A few highlights and passages that I enjoyed/stuck out from The Year of Living Biblically are as follows:

(Handing over a bottle of wine to a colleague and the ensuing conversation)

"What's this?"
"It's because you're depressed. The Bible says to bring wine to the heavy of heart."
"The Bible says that?"
"Yes. It also says that you shouldn't sing to people with a heavy heart. That'd be like rubbing vinegar in the wound."
"So you're not going to sing to me?"
"No" (pg. 70)

"I think there's something to the idea that the divine dwells more easily in text than in images. Text allows for more abstract thought, more of a separation between you and the physical world, more room for you and God to meet in the middle." (pg. 106)

"There's something relieving and paradoxically liberating about surrendering yourself to a minimal-choice lifestyle, especially as our choices multiply like cable channels." (pg. 143)

"If you roll up your sleeves, even the oddest passages - and the one about edible bugs qualifies - can be seen as a sign of God's mercy and compassion." (pg. 176)

"I find it a profound reminder of the murky instability of the future" (pg. 237 referencing his habit of tacking 'God willing' to the end of any future plans including 'See you tonight.')


View all my reviews

A few other notes: I began this book while taking off from Incheon International Airport in South Korea in route to Taipei, Taiwan for a weeks worth of vacation where I read it off and on interspersed with Unconventional and Sherlock Holmes. The book has been borrowed from a friend so was the first paper book I've read in 2012 whereas all others have been Kindle format.  I've finished this book on our one and only February Saturday to spent at home while sipping a glass of Jacob's Creek Shiraz Cabernet ~ (2009, Australia), and enjoying a homemade Thai Green Curry. It's been nothing but a pleasure.

(Typed with the taste of Red Wine still on my lips)

All-consuming Hatred

I believe that my heart and soul have a great and deep and beautiful capacity to love.
I believe that that is true for all of mankind.

Love for people, animals, topics, concepts, words, and more are so easily brought forth from my heart of hearts, I know this to be true.

I feel a difference in myself when I'm choosing love.
I know a distinct sensation of overwhelming love that occurs when

I recall the love story that is unique to my man and me

I feel Lady Annyeong snuggle up to me and beg for my affection

I hear the voice of beloved friends on the other end of the 'Skype' phone

I receive a gift of words or thoughtfulness from friends or family

I hear the quiet whisper of my Lord, speaking truth into my life

I recall how far the quiet whisper has brought me

Thus, I've been horrified to come face to face with an all-consuming hatred.

Not a hatred of poverty around the world

or injustices and prejudices doled out by the 'Church'

or poor and thoughtless governmental policies

Not a hatred I could easily justify

Rather a hatred that I so desire not to speak for fear that making it real and admitting it's there will only bring further destruction.  A hatred that is directed toward, dare I say it, another human, an image-bearer.

Humbled. Embarrassed. Ashamed.

How I currently feel admitting that this has so forcefully come into my life.

Confused. Unsure. Helpless. Hopeless. Desperate.

How I feel in attempting to address this issue of hatred.

I've spent hours in prayer and anguish, in hopes that this feeling would subside, that there would be an 'easy' answer or a clean-cut from this image-bearer so I could love her from a distance without frequent interactions which cause my heart rate to increase, my eyes to roll and a heap of cynicism to surface.

I feel like the love that is commonly so easy to cultivate toward this broken world is being challenged.

I'm daily having to decide if I'm going to mutter in the gray matter my hatred for this being...

or seek to be compassionate.

Muttering hatred has won out far too many times.

But I'm not sure I have what it takes to battle this in swiftness.

The road ahead is seeming a bit threatening and overwhelming.

(Typed while sipping coffee mix from a paper cup which claims "Break Time for U & Me" and snacking on a tangerine...at least I've got that going for me today.)

Goals: February 2012

I've been thinking a lot about what to do for February and the truth is, I don't think I'll actually change the goals up to much, I think I'll primarily stick to what I got. It's still kind of vacation here in Kimchiland. I have a week and a few days of teaching coming up. We'll also have some friends visiting in just over a week. Then it's off to Vietnam for just under two weeks and then hosting a few friends before they leave Korea for good...so, it's not really the month for starting new routines, so I'm not going to push it. I will however try to change a few things up and up the anty on a few things.

So here's, what February Goals are looking like...(bold word note a change from January's goals)

Daily:

• Drink one glass of water when I wake up and before I go to bed AND mid-day
• Stretch at least once a day
• Do a minimum of 15 push-ups and 50 sit-ups (or some variation of stomach toning excercise) everyday -- funny thing is, I kind of came up with this idea last night and initially thought, I'll do 20 push-ups and minimum 20 sit-ups (remember last month both numbers were 12 but I frequently did 12 sit-ups of three varieties, hence the striving for 50 all of a sudden) anyway, I started doing push-ups and about the time I hit 15 I thought 'Well, that's surely enough, more than I did before' and stopped -- I am not that strong.
• Floss daily (or at minimum 3 days a week)
• Daily journal about 5 things for which I am grateful
• Read a minimum of 2 chapters from the Bible each day - I'm doing this during my stretching w/ the Kindle because it's quite nice for reading and makes me feel like I'm making the most of that stretching time.
• Begin stretching time in child pose - meditate on the Lord's Prayer

Within the Month:

• Write about a minimum of 5days in the travel journal I started for our world tour in 2010 -- REALLY hoping I get on that
• Finish at least 5 books toward my 2012 reading goal of 50 books in a year
• Update my food blog within 3 days of preparing a meal
• Finish blogging about Taiwan before heading to Vietnam
• Blog more about what I'm processing/thinking -- (i.e. comparisons, individuality, complaints -- things I've been thinkig about lately and would do well to think through)

And the calendar has moved onto February so I will post it again here (turns out the calendar naturally progresses, so if I return to the January post I won't see my January calendar - hence the screen shot yesterday...oh well.)

(Typed while drinking a convenience store White Coco Moca, French Cafe brand. There's a lovely cartoon woman on the container with coffee bean rain falling behind her, magical.)