culture shock, or not?

So, I did my laundry today. I love pulling my clothes out of the dryer and feeling how soft they are. And, they smell good too. (I didn't use a dryer to dry my clothes in Korea; I did the hang dry option, as many locals do too.) The other culuture shock issue I've been experiencing, on a very mild scale, is the feeling that people don't understand me here, or why I took off to Korea, or the experiences that I had abroad. Sometimes people ask me seemingly strange questions. But, overall, my culture shock has not been as heavy as I would have expected, so far. And, that's okay. Thank God, thank God!!

remember

I want to take some time to remember. I want to remember all the good things God has done in my life. This list is by no means exhaustive, but, it is a start of remembering His faithfulness to me.

1. God has always provided food, clothing and shelter to me. Shelter through Hanna when I was in between places summer of 2005; shelter through Jo when I needed a home; Jo gave me sister-hood, mother-hood, family-ness.
2. Jobs and employment~God has often provided me with just the right job at just the right time: my job at Polly's when I was in college; my job at the Warehouse where I worked for one Christmas season; my job teaching at Little Fox; even at Jung Chul; He never fails!
3. My friend Andrea from college; when I prayed for and needed a friend, God gave me her. He's also given Cate, Jo-Jo, and many others; Hanna, and Dave, are some of my lifelong friends.
4. Food and provision~God has never failed to feed me enough, and has provided for my needs. Should I not be thankful? Of course I am, that's what this blog entry is all about.
5. TBC...to be continued...

Become a Better You, excerpts from Joel Ostteen's book

1. "Time is short. Find one thing that you're passionate about and start giving yourself to it. And God will lead you one step at a time." p.80
2. "If we're going to live in peace with ourselves, we must learn to put our food down and say, "I may not be perfect, but I know I'm growing. I may have made mistakes, but I know I am forgiven. I have received God's mercy." p. 86
3. "Nothing that you've done is too much for the mercy of God." p. 93

forgiveness

When someone apologizes to you it's an amazing thing. It takes guts and courage to do that. So, when my dad made his apology to me last night, needless to say I was pleased yet flabbergasted. We all make mistakes, hurt each other and say things we later regret. It is such a nice feeling to have this situation cleaned up, especially before the holidays!! I have something to really be thankful for this year; a newness and freshness in my family relationships, at a time before I leave abroad again. What a gift family time can be!! We should choose forgiveness, no matter what. Let God deal with the other person. Forgiveness frees us to live, and, we might even get a response from the other person in due time. Let us follow the way of our Master and Creator.

movies

Mr. Magorium's Toy Emporium
Lions for Lambs
Bee Movie

Pretty Woman
The Wedding Planner

So, I've been spending some of my time lately, with family and friends, at the movies. This is a list so far, of the movies we have seen. Lions for Lambs was a way too serious movie, just know that ahead of time if you go see it. Bee Movie was cute and lighthearted. Mr. Magorium also enjoyable for kids and adults.

God strengthens me~

And the God of all grace, who called youto his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strog, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
1Peter 5: 10, 11

God promises to restore and revitalize us after a time of suffering. How thankful and encouraged can I be to know that God is a God of his word, and that he will keep his promise to me, to us, in due time. God strengthens and refreshes me.

sunday life

Hmmm....today up by 11am....ah, what to say...SHOULD be getting up by 9am...well, weekend was good...though the girls were tired, we played together anyways...mom and I made breakfast for the family...waffles, bacon, hash browns, orange juice, eggs, sausage, plenty for all...my sister mia came over to bless us with her wonderful presence...joeseph and stephanie came as well...after breakfast and cleaning up, we all went shopping...i got my much craved for fructis by garnier shampoo and conditioner...and, sephoria, you could become my new best friend...a makeup store...afterwards, we headed to the grocery store to get this delicious salad mia wanted to make...and, we got home, dad cooked lamb on the bbq...we ate like royalty, and laughed and talked during dinner hour...mia made chocolate cake, which pleased my dad to no end...i'm very glad that i'm here this month to enjoy some family time...mia's leaving the day after thanksgiving, so it'll be a long time before I get to see her , and other family members, again...

reverse culture shock

So, it's been a week since I've been "back". How many people would love to be "back"? How many people would love to be in my shoes, having the opportunity to visit and see family and friends? I expected to have more reverse culture shock than I have actually experienced so far. Well, there's been some interesting things that have happened, such as thinking in Korean when I'm trying to speak English or even Spanish!! I'll think "nay" for "yes" or "si". I thought I'd miss Korea more than I really do. Of course, I'm walking everywhere, and taking the bus; but, that doesn't seem strange to me; I like the exercise; I just hate not knowing how to read the bus schedules; they seem so confusing to me. All the bus drivers have been SO NICE, I told my bus driver last nite, "you rock!" LOL. I don 't like the unknown factor; that is, which job will I choose after resting through November. I haven't had a desire for kimchi yet; last time I flew away from South Korea I CRAVED kimchi alot. Maybe because it's only been a week, or maybe because I was readier than I realized to come back; whatever the reason, I'm not experiencing the reverse culture shock to the degree that I expected I would.

family reunion

Sunday was brunch with my family. How amazing it was for ALL 7 of us to be together. We had an El Torito brunch; the waitress, Norma, seemed to be on my dad's "good" side. We reminisced together, as a family, and were unable to remember when was the last time we were all together as a family. It was an unplanned event, but, nevertheless, a very special one. A special time of being together; I can't wait until the pics are developed, and until we do it again. By the way, last nite, my brother and his girlfriend and I went to see "Bee Movie" with Jerry Seinfeld. I liked it simply because Jerry's voice was in it!! Like one friend recently said to me, perhaps I needed a time of rest, even if I didn't realize it. I got caught up this week on some items of business. Now I hope to enjoy the rest of my time with family and friends. Until next time...

trip home

I'm just amazed at what a wonderful trip I had from Korea to North America. And, what a godsend it was, and what a blessing it was, to interact with people who were NICE to me. One act of kindness from others really can, and really does, make a difference in people's lives, this time it was my life. From the time the taxi driver picked me up at the hotel, to buying my bus ticket for the airport, the ticketing woman who checked in my bags, the man from immigration who asked me a few simple questions, and the security officers, all were cordial and helpful. The way it should be. Amazing; amazing. And, I have a heart full of gratitude because I had been experiencing the hardness of life lately, and needed some gentle refreshing rain fall down soon. And, it did. It was no problem getting out of the country as some had predicted I heard through the grapevine. My layover was in Taiwaiin, Tapei; the airport was so nice!! Lots of museums and scenic artistic tapestries to look at while waiting for one's plane. The other good news is that this month my sister is also in the neighborhood, so I'll get to see her and have some time together. I am much appreciative for having this month to spend together as she'll be leaving for her new job after Thanksgiving. If I wasn't home this month, I would have missed her for another year!! Praise praise praise the Lord~! I could write more, as usual, but wish to keep it short. Blessings to each reader of this blog!!