Chrismas Blessings

Well it has been a year almost exactly since I have made so many changes in my life. There was a lot of uncertainty, kicking, and screaming for and against all of these changes. What I know for certain is that everyone in my life made a major impact on me seeing this Christmas. No matter if it was harmful or helpful, I am here and I am grateful.
Now that I am straddling two lives, I am turning my observation skills on myself at this time. I have figured out that change, no matter how big or small, is scary but can sometimes end in great things. I know that being afraid of something doesn't always mean it will end in hurt. Sometimes if you can push through that fear it will lead to some great adventures.
I have also learned that the hardest person to face is yourself in the mirror everyday. Next to God, the only person you have to really answer to is the one you see in the mirror every day. Sometimes that can person can be the toughest judge to face. Sometimes I wish that my GSIS family could meet the person I was and often am when I am in Idaho. Other times I am glad they only know the person I am now. It's a pretty big gift to have this chance to redefine myself at this age. I don't think I would have been ready or appreciative of it earlier on. No matter what you think of me now, I am pretty darn happy and proud of the person I have become. I think I have stayed true to the person I want to now be. That is extremely liberating. It's also kind of scary.
No matter what, it is the people in both of my worlds that mean the most to me. I am very glad to be home for the holidays. I now really understand what that means and appreciate it. I love the traditions we still hold dear. Meeting with family, driving around town looking at Christmas lights, dad putting on Christmas music to subtly tell us to get up then turning it up louder and louder until we get out of bed. I love that. At the same time I am eager to get back to the new life I have started and the people that are there. I know that I am going to have to deal with changes as many people will be moving in and out of my life much more frequently. That will be hard as I tend to be possessive of these friendships. It will be an amazing learning lesson and one that I will not always enjoy. I value those who welcome me to Boise. I value their willingness to accept me for who I am now, good or bad. At the same time I value the new friends in Suwon. I am thankful that they open their hearts and are patient with me as I get used to this new life. It is my plan to keep checking in with myself and logging my adventures somewhere because they are all special. It's great to get up each morning and know some sort of adventure good or bad awaits you. You don't have to move 7000 miles away from home to find that though.
I just really want to say thanks to everybody. I am so humbled by those who come and go in my life nowadays. I know it is for some reason and I just want to enjoy each moment with the people who want to be a part of my life. So my thanks go to you. I just hope that no matter what  happens from this day forward, we all have some great adventure ahead of us. We all can be heroes for a day to somebody else. We all need to cut ourselves a break from time to time. And above all, we need to just stop and look and listen to the events of our lives. Do one nice thing for ourselves or another and just try to take back some of the ugliness in this world. It isn't always going to be sunshine and roses, but maybe we can eek out one more smile each day. Hey if I never planned on seeing this Christmas, I might as well take each day from here on out as the gift that it is. I hope you all can do the same. If I can help, just give me a shout.
Good luck to you all...

Winter Wear of SoKo

As I sit in the somewhat warm confines of the family home in Idaho, I felt a need to fire up my blog posts again. While I watch many Idaho folks walk around in t-shirts and even shorts in this 32 degree (0 degree Celsius) weather, I feel compelled to talk about the changes in my own winter wardrobe. Above you will see many of the items that I now have as part of my winter gear in Korea. You see, Korea seems to embrace the idea of playful yet functional winter wear. It is a way that you can express your inner child during the dreariest of months. I find it quite entertaining yet highly practical.
Although I have yet to "enjoy" the coldest months of January and February in the Land of the Morning Calm, I have already had a taste of what is to come on more than one occasion in December. If you look on any map you will see that South Korea is actually further north than Idaho, thus prone to some very cold and damp weather. I can now begin to understand the term bone chilling cold in an entirely new way.
With winds that can take your breath away, one must bundle up for the outdoor treks to school and to the shops on a daily basis. To help get through I have added some things to my own arsenal for warmth and convenience. So far all have been great purchases. You will see above the endless circular scarves that just wrap around your neck and ears. Accompany that with the Made in Korea lined hat with flaps that button up or down and a yarn ball that is easily locatable from space if needed.
There are also gloves and mittens of every kind imaginable. I have the more traditional junior fleece mittens complete with the yarn string attachment that can wrap around my neck for portability. Then you have the fancier bear mittens for days when you feel a little more intimidating. Of course I have gloves for those more sophisticated days but really, why be an adult when you don't have to.
I do have rabbit earmuffs of which I have yet to wear but my confidence was bolstered when seeing what looked to be a very well off business man sporting some white furry earmuffs with pride while getting into his very high end black sedan the other day in Suwon.
Of course you still see many well dressed ladies with high heels and skirts dashing from place to place and I am told they will maintain this look throughout the year. THOSE are the real risk takers in fashion I say. When high heels meet ice and move to marble or hard flooring and they still can walk or even run from place to place I give them mad props.
As for me I plan to be fully content in my Ugg boots, full on parka coat, hat, mittens, earmuffs, and whatever I need to make to work each day.
So for all my state side friends, go to your closet, find the most random winter gear you can think of to put together and head out the door in warmth and with pride. I guarantee you that someone in SoKo will out do you within five minutes. I can't wait to snap some photos of what walks in my door over the next several months. Should be quite a show.