We Pick THAT One!

A few days back
I referenced all the homes we looked at
But didn't tell you which we one chose...
Well, today I will tell you -
It's the one with Air Conditioner. Two Bedrooms. A Park for a Backyard (kind of - it's a short walk). It's Brand New as of April. And, It was our Korean Teachers Favorite. Some other highlights of our new home:

• It sits right on top of a 24/7 Convenient Store - How Convenient! (And, we've totally taken advantage of it)
• We're 5 minutes from a Sub Station, which puts us within quick assess of some of the cities finer attractions (and makes many Westerners a bit jealous).
• 2 Minutes walking and we can get fresh fried calamari and other goodies for less than a quarter a piece!
• We are smack dab between two E-Mart's -- Everyone's favorite shopping stop, especially when they've just arrived in Daejeon.
• Our neighborhood is relatively quiet for living in the big city - for this Wyoming couple - that's a HUGE plus!
• Plenty of room for visitors....so, who'll be the first to come crash our couch...or spare room for that matter?

(Typed while enjoying a mug of Earl Grey Tea with Milk out of an adorable Asian mug with random English writing)

Food Secrets: Thailand

I've been updating The Harrington Times and writing about Thailand. Thinking about Thailand often turns my thoughts to food, so I figured I ought to keep with the theme of my tea blog and let you know some of my favorite food trends discovered in Thailand.

• First of all, if you can find a way to make your own Thai Tea - do it! Otherwise, drink it every chance you get. And, if you don't live near a Thai Restaurant or in Thailand, at least consider adding Sweetened Condensed Milk to your tea occassionally - it's simply pleasant.
• If you find a recipe for Chicken Pad Thai - play with it and perfect it, the dish is absolutely AMAZING!
• Eat unknown fruits, especially when travelling in natins with large markets - just point, smile and walk away with a new, exciting, usually extremely affordable treat.
• Heat up a little coconut milk, throw in some bananas -- maybe some other things -- and enjoy, because, if you do it right, it should be Delicious!

(Typed while finishing off a bottle of pineapple soda - even this tea lover takes a break on occassion, plus, if you come visit me, you'll want to try this soda ;) ).

What is REAL?

I received this passage from the Velveteen Rabbit from a dear friend of mine.
She helped me become REAL.
I have a LOT of friends
who have made me REAL.
I hope I can bring Real-ness to Korea.

What is REAL? asked the Rabbit one day. Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?

Real isn't how you are made, said the Skin Horse. It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become REAL.

Does it hurt?

Sometimes. For he was always truthful. When you are REAL you don't mind being hurt.

Does it happen all at once, like being wound up, or bit by bit?

It doesn't happen all at once. You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't often happen to people who break easily, or who have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are REAL, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are REAL you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.

I suppose you are REAL? And then he wished he had not said it for he thought the Skin Horse might be sensitive.

But the Skin Horse only smiled. The Boy's Uncle made me REAL. That was a great many years ago; but once you are REAL you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always.

The Rabbit sighed. He thought it would be a long time before this magic called REAL happened to him. He longed to become REAL, to know what it felt like; and yet the idea of growing shabby and losing his eyes and whiskers was rather sad. He wished that he could become it without these uncomfortable things happening to him.

To those who have made me REAL.

Thank you.

And thanks for working to keep me REAL

by loving me, even though there are many miles between us.

(Typed while enjoying a Brown Bone China mug of Lichee Black Tea that I picked up in San Francisco)

Pick-A-Home, Any-Home

Upon Arriving
We were given a choice
4 apartments
One Studio: Utilities $200
One Two Bedroom, No Air-Con: Utilities $100
Two Bedrooms, Private Patio, Character, No Air-Con: Utilities $100
Brand New, Two Bedrooms, Air-Con, Korea Teachers Favorite, Large Deposit:Utilities $30-40
We chose the one with a Park
as our backyard...

Can you guess what else we went with?

(Typed while sipping on Lady Grey Tea by Twinnings from a favorite brown bone china mug)

It's Okay

"It's Okay"
I hear this
when my Korean language skills aren't up to par
when my teaching experience seems to be lacking
when I don't know the answer

The Koreans say
"It's Okay"

It's Okay
that you're not sure
that some days your sad
that you have ups and downs
It's Okay

It's Okay
that you desire
that you hope
that you dream
It's Okay

It's Okay
that you're faraway
that you're falling in love with Korea
that you miss home
all in the same breath
It's Okay

So...
It's Okay
and
I'm Okay

I'm kind of loving it
I'm occassionally questioning it
or others
I'm doing this
I'm living a dream
I'm going to stay connected
to those at Home
whom I love and have loved
and will continue to love.

Friends.
It's Okay.

(Typed while enjoying a nice yellow teacup filled with Lady Grey tea by Twinnings)

Struggling and Seeking

This is hard.

I knew it would be.

I miss these moments.

Having community.

Meaningful Friendships

.

At the age of 25

it's hard to make friends.

I know I can do it

and will

But, it's hard.

I just want someone who

is ready for me.

Why did we leave?

I'm not quite sure.

However, I find encouragement from this prayer

found on a friends blog:

O Lord God, who has called us, your servants, to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through peril unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. – Holden Prayer

(Typed while in enjoying a cup of Lady Grey Tea by Twinnings from a delicate white and yellow teacup in Jeonju, South Korea)

Tirbute

On the Morning of 18 August, 2010

this world said good-bye to a good man.

Allison Moser. My Grandfather.

His life was marked by

loving God and people boldly

serving country and family faithfully

singing joyfully

I am filled with joy knowing that his pain is gone.

That once again he dances and sings

He imitates a train - running his feet and making a whistle with his hands.

He is with the Savior he has known all of his days

To be sure;

Heaven is a more joyful and energetic place

for on the morning of 18 August 2010

they said hello to a good and lively man.