full circle

Two years ago almost to this very date, I was a collage of so many emotions.  Not only was I a week away from starting my final quarter as an undergraduate at UCI, but I was about to end it in the most beautiful way possible: as a SPOP coordinator.  

Fast forward a bit and here I am, almost done with my final term at the Graduate School of Life, 2 year accelerated program in the Republic of Korea, and I find that I'm smelling those same nostalgic emotions as they waft just under my nose.  I've been out of the US for quite a reasonable stint, and recently, I've been dabbling with the idea of how to plan my return route home.  They say it takes about a year to prepare for a big move like that.  It seems easy enough though.  Just buy ticket and return.  But for some reason the thought of it has been quite intimidating.  It shouldn't be right?  After all, it is just home.  

It took me about 8 months to really get adjusted to living here, 8...long....months.  They say it takes about a year to get acclimated to a new place.  But after that excruciating period, I can definitely say I started to understand what it REALY meant to be independent and also learned to  appreciate it.  Then slowly I was about to start building something in Seoul; building a new life.  During that time of constructing this foundation, I just knew in the back of my head that the day would come when I'd have to leave here.  It actually made me a bit sad, just thinking about all the things I had come to love, and would dearly miss.  Well, I'm at a point where I do have a pretty solid foundation, and just as I expected, the time has come...although a little sooner than I had anticipated.  But, such is life.

I've just been given this undeniably special opportunity of a lifetime.  Over the phone, they told me in these words, "If you are selected, you need to know that you're going to embark on a life changing journey that will change the course of your life."  That's a pretty big promise to make to someone.  I'm still in shock.  Too many things to try to compute at the moment.  

Almost 2 years ago I left the US with the most amazing send off any girl could ask for, and now, I get to return with a welcoming of the century.  God is so good, that's all I gotta say.  

Only 2 1/2 more months here in the mother land then look out America...I'm coming back home!!!  See you in June!!!

http://roadtripnation.com/

<3

  

poetry in motion~

where to begin?

there seems no end to this...

jumbled words foaming from the corners of my mouth,

trying to breathe i squeeze,

the last molecule of O2 from my weak lungs.

with one note the song's begun.

a forgotten hum...

picking up on left off beats,

stored away in a pantry next to the sweets,

and goodies, 

of all sizes and proportions, 

left just there exactly, 

as was,

as is.

like old friends standing at attention,

waiting for the reinvention 

of the word.

the sweet, sweet words.

flowing from the fingertips,

bringing saliva, drenching lips.

colliding through memories

in cold garages where words

filled.

silvery dew,

vibrations off the throat, 

lyrical melodies breathing stories into life.

past tales and new beginnings,

creations behind a closet door.

pleasing sounds palpitating to the heart beats,

keeping time with the toe tap,

the flap jacks,

flipping pleasures on a frying pan.

two hands,

painting pictures in the air,

sitting with an open mouth

and wide eyed stares.

creating the creation process,

in real time.

a jam session of heros,

for realz yo!

2 minutes of bliss,

i reminisce,

and smile on those moments, 

in those places,

with those poets. 

 

Korea Animal Rescue Center/ ASAN Shelter

Dear Previous Pet Owners of Korea,

Please stop abandoning your dogs....

The ASAN Shelter

<3

1997

The Verve, Bitter Sweet Symphony 1997
Uploaded by harrison73. - See the latest featured music videos.

press play.

reminisce,

on colors

streaming at 

10000 megahertz,

buffering...70%

and counting,

down,

town

strolling with open windows,

breathing in fresh sounds emitting 

from the familiar streets.

walking through the crowded memories.

jean jacket,

leather boots,

swirls of smoke mix past the ears

harmonizing with the the damp remnants 

of perfume

on the neck.

wet,

black,

pavement

drenched by the rain.

reflecting 

primary colors

of mostly

red,

smeared

red

dancing.

just blink

fresh

gradients

flashing

...

sketches

going along

Girl behind the counter stuffing her face with ramen.  

She looked like a kid caught with her hand in a candy jar when I asked her if she had any hot pads for shoes.  With her chubby checks stuffed with food, she answered, projecting little bits of ramen onto the counter.

Little boy in big, floppy yellow shirt.

He came hopping out of an 어린이 집 like a wild steer at a rodeo.  His one boot crunched in the snow as he held his other bootless foot with one hand.  Tongue out, eyes big, he hopped like a professional - narrowly escaping the lady who was holding his other boot...until the ice took him down.

Watching everyone outside in a panic as we woke up to a morning knee high in snow.

The biggest snowfall in over 40 years in Seoul.  Old men were out on my street scooping the snow away with shovels, wooden boards, and big rice paddles.  My usual 20 minute commute to work took 10 as the deserted, snow covered streets made me feel like I was in a winter setting of Seoul in war time.

Sitting on the floor of Kyobo Bookstore and reading the first chapters of 3 books.

A kid tripped over my legs as he was reading a book. In one fluid motion without even looking up from his reading, he found a way to land on his bottom in a comfortable position with his back to the bookcase.    

~