Dig

'"I always look at that well there in the plaza. And I think to myself that before, no one knew where there was water. Then Saint Savin decided to dig and found it. If he hadn't done that, this village would be down there by the river."

"But what does that have to do with love?" I asked.

"That well brought many people here, with their hopes and dreams and conflicts. Someone dared to look for water, water was found, and people gathered where it flowed. I think that when we look for love courageously, it reveals itself, and we wind up attracting even more love. If one person really wants us, everyone does. But if we're alone, we become even more alone. Life is strange."'

Excerpt from By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept, by Paulo Coelho

School

Our academy moved across the street to a much larger space this past week. Now the rooms are more spacious and sound-proof so we hear less high-pitched chantings of our phonics learners. Right now, we only have an after-school program but things are slowly falling into place and in the next year or so, plans are to establish an independant school for Koreans who want private education in English without leaving the country. This way, families do not have to be separated. We just need grounded teachers to jump-start this dream. I love that I work for an unconventional boss and can be part of teaching and learning that doesn't have to follow all the rules.

There's an opening for a part-time art teaching position at a different international school about 40 minutes from home. If I get the position, I may be teaching art to middle school students. I'd love that but I don't plan to stretch myself too thin...maybe I can go in 2 mornings a week, and get a taste of what it's like to be an art teacher in a school setting.

I love teaching my first-graders story-telling through Cray-pas and water-color. But I'm itching to do more than that...

I never thought I'd be teaching art to children, helping to establish a school, living in Korea, as well as considering settling down here, and loving it, what in the world? As they say, life never happens the way you plan.

Reconnecting

Yong Jun came out for his second vacation leave and it's been a good time so far. Met up with Steve and Rendy last night and reminisced the good old days, been having some good relaxed family time, etc etc. Wish he could stay longer but he leaves tomorrow.


I can't believe that Melissa is flying in to Seoul in just one week. I'm so excited to catch up with her. She asked me what I was craving that she could bring from America. To be honest, I don't really know, except my friends over there. I wish she could fit them all in her suitcase. Actually, I don't miss anything about the US except for these people. Everything else, I have here. I'm quite comfortable life here now, getting around places is easy, nature is all around me even in the middle of the city, I have my own space I can create however I want, I have family, yummy healthy food, a great church, a stimulating job, new friends, etc etc.

Did I just jinx myself by saying all this? Seems to be the pattern as I've seen so far is that I can't ever get too comfortable in one place. Once I do, it's time to leave. Oh well, that's not happening yet so I might as well enjoy it now. I appreciate the adventure that it is to combine all parts of me, years before with what I am now, and what I can look forward to or brace myself for in the future.

Life is an adventure and although I don't have all the people I love near me at all times, it's comforting to know that they still stay a part of me no matter where we are placed in the world. And every once in a while, like with Melissa and Yong Jun, I can see them and enjoy moments with them. And, of course, with those of you I'll see later rather than sooner, there's always cyberspace that keeps us somewhat connected and growing together.

Pirates III

Johnny Depp and insanity: just fabulous. In another life, I'd have chosen a career in Hollywood. I'm in awe with all the artistic talent out there.