tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41300750843144686882024-03-05T10:08:32.527-08:00Once Upon a Time In Spring... A Journey of 30 YearsLaurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622935566675729292noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130075084314468688.post-44922151215409457272014-08-10T08:11:00.002-07:002014-08-10T09:04:11.732-07:00A Recap - One Year LaterIt has been nearly a year since my last blog post and the great journey that literally took me "home." This blog was meant to be my own personal diary to remember and reflect upon my trip- but it turned into so much more. Thank you to all for accompanying me on my journey, staying tuned, sending encouragement, making comments, and adding your thoughts each time I wrote a post. I am truly grateful that I could share this with all of you- and also that I didn't have to repeat all of it once I got back!<br>
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Adoption is not always something that people talk about often or openly, so I'm glad my journey and this blog have opened up the conversation and made it so organic. I am still surprised and humbled every time someone comes up to me - a friend of a friend, a distant relative, a long ago acquaintance - and tells me how my story affected them, or their thoughts on adoption, or that they even read my blog. I have been so happy that it has touched so many people. Thank you again.<br>
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There were a few things I had wanted to write about a year or so ago and never got around to writing, that I will try to remember and piece together now. But in the meantime, I will answer the age old question that is still everyone's first curiousity,<strong> "Are you still in touch with them?!"</strong><br>
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The answer is yes. Kind of. In as much capability as you can be with two people half a world away, who don't speak your language, are not in a relationship anymore, and haven't shared your life's existence with anyone in their own families. So, does that count? I don't know. My father and I still send each other messages via KakaoTalk, but mine mainly consist of photos of the children, and his consist of words that I try to piece together (unsuccessfully) on Google Translate and a bunch of emoticon hearts. They were frequent and daily in the beginning, but these days I have to remember to send a few pictures every few weeks. He always writes back.<br>
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My mother and I have not spoken since I left, but I did send her a letter via my translator and a care package a month or two ago. I'm pretty sure she received them but I have not heard from her. I have however called her sister who, as it turns out, lives in Belgium (not France). Today! Of all days. No reason for today except that Tom kept prodding me to call her and finally bought some Skype credit last night and gave me an hour of time to make the call today so I did it. I think she was pretty surprised, although she did know the whole story and told me that my mother had called her to tell her everything and they had looked at my Facebook page together. She said that my mother was doing fine, although after we met she was "very unhappy and cried a lot." She told me that I should not think she is a bad person- and I told her I definitely did not. It is sad that that is what they are still so concerned about and want you to immediately understand; it's still about saving face in Korea.<br>
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Which leads me to some of the things I had wanted to say last year and am still processing now. My views on (Korean) adoption have definitely changed since I visited. I was raised to believe that if I had stayed in Korea, I would have lived a very poor and destitute life. I'm not blaming this perspective on my parents, but I do think that was what they were told and probably still believe (my mother still thinks Korea is a third world country. Mom, if you're reading this, it's not. It's really not.). Everyone believed that. It's an American perspective- that through adoption we are "saving" poor children (especially back in the 80s when Korean adoption was so common). That these children had no future and no families and no chance at life. I'm not saying that that story is not true for many unfortunate children but what I have learned since visiting Korea is that there is much, much more to it than that. Every child's story is different, and every adoptee has a different experience. For me, my parents were simply not married and it would not have been socially acceptable for them to keep me. They have both since separately raised two children of their own who seemingly have completely normal lives. Their children work in hospitals, schools, are married, have children. They are not poor. They are not beggars. But they were born to parents who were married (at least at the time). That's our only difference, and what decided my fate from theirs. I think that's my biggest takeaway from all of this. Yes, my life would have been drastically different than it has turned out to be (and I wouldn't change it for the world) but it would not have been a life in the slums. When it comes to Korean adoption, I believe that there should be more support and focus on the single mother and Korea's issues with stigmas and saving face, and NOT just "saving the children."<br>
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When I returned last year, I wanted to write about where I envisioned my place with my birth parents today, my feelings toward the other participants, my sister, and the GOAL staff. Since I never got around to writing that post I can only briefly comment today about where we all are now, and how I am still so grateful for this journey I was able to make, thanks mainly to all of the hard work of the people from GOAL. A few of the adoptees have already returned for a "second trip home." A few have decided to move to Korea and teach English. A few have put the trip behind them. Most I have not kept in touch with, unfortunately. I have been too involved with my busy boys and sweet baby girl to think of much else. But I would love to go back sometime in the next five years with my family- hopefully to meet more family, and also to really enjoy the country and its food and customs and scenery. <br>
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When I first returned home, I wrote down a few words describing how I felt then: tired, curious, disoriented, frustrated, annoyed, grateful. Luckily, all of the negative feelings have subsided (although I will say I am still pretty tired these days, with three little children!). I was also determined to learn Korean in some way or another- through classes, a private tutor, Rosetta Stone. I was never able to begin that; I couldn't find any local classes or a tutor, I knew I would never have the time or motivation to use Rosetta Stone even if I bought it, so that intention has diminished. But recently I've made contact with a local Korean church and have been renewing my interest in participating in their language and culture classes with my oldest son Tommy, who will be 5 next month. I think it would be really special to do that together. We will see.<br>
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I hope to keep this blog alive, in some way, albeit sporadically. In the future, I plan to update whenever I see fit. Maybe I will have some familial breakthrough, maybe I will go back to Korea, or maybe something else will happen. Who knows. I know I want to give back in some way, and my husband and I have been brainstorming a few different ideas, so keep an ear out for that. These days I'm taking each day on its own. I am loving my life with Lila and my boys. I am so grateful for this life I have and will be forever grateful that I had the opportunity to go back and discover the truths to my past. Now I have the end to my story that began once upon a time in spring. I may not be a princess or have a glamorous past, but at least I know my true beginnings.<br>
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Thank you,<br>
Lauren<br>
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<em>If you have enjoyed reading my blog, please consider </em><a href="http://goal.or.kr/content/support-goal?reset=1&id=2" target="_blank"><em>donating to GOAL</em></a><em> so they can continue to help others pursue their own journey. First Trip Home 2014 begins at the end of this month, and GOAL volunteers are paid solely from member dues and donor contributions.</em></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622935566675729292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130075084314468688.post-1817393442633658632013-09-23T16:42:00.001-07:002013-09-25T05:29:48.581-07:00Until We Meet AgainMy last morning in Korea was a blur- I got up early and left around 7:30 for the airport. I didn't have time for a proper breakfast, but I had one of the apples my father had picked from his farm before I left. We had two volunteers take us on the subway, which was really helpful. I was so grateful that they helped navigate us through the airport, assisted with my bags, and most of all, provided translation services for me. A few cool things I saw at the airport:<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX88Wl9EEIDK4LL3jBa09Rjql_5ZKb4BjXiOu8Gi4gPBSWhhmMuC5ZHiMzkCsP9BtwLQ0dCvwztL-WnyGE9FnvXiuV3Q3l5AII2slcApYfc_F2yymfbhWdkY0IZ_-9vCGuFrg-Ur0qEy8/s640/blogger-image--1359982095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX88Wl9EEIDK4LL3jBa09Rjql_5ZKb4BjXiOu8Gi4gPBSWhhmMuC5ZHiMzkCsP9BtwLQ0dCvwztL-WnyGE9FnvXiuV3Q3l5AII2slcApYfc_F2yymfbhWdkY0IZ_-9vCGuFrg-Ur0qEy8/s640/blogger-image--1359982095.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYI53HkHCNTRARG9JV8-6TqXtBs64bLDegEkD2ej5Tc5BwoFAM2XS_-qUT9Vu0hJhuni8XSFMtCnpUQsNGBvYcZzFj-9HbfsmnGKlIQbYFav7b9H-ytDOrwdB9ITaLnLhE6p9W0pv-AU/s640/blogger-image--1506261405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYI53HkHCNTRARG9JV8-6TqXtBs64bLDegEkD2ej5Tc5BwoFAM2XS_-qUT9Vu0hJhuni8XSFMtCnpUQsNGBvYcZzFj-9HbfsmnGKlIQbYFav7b9H-ytDOrwdB9ITaLnLhE6p9W0pv-AU/s640/blogger-image--1506261405.jpg"></a></div><br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqGg2qlej_J1MEnY3WSNfXTo4aTw6K_8_EXmbXFLhXAu2ZKPKEfeGx_SoWw5biiogIDBreUbhU_7m4H8wRejWN0s3FiFXR3cHbireYDPqvD3_dnhNBld6Jdg_JsrRa1ImyL7WNKcxRIA/s640/blogger-image-1616687861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqGg2qlej_J1MEnY3WSNfXTo4aTw6K_8_EXmbXFLhXAu2ZKPKEfeGx_SoWw5biiogIDBreUbhU_7m4H8wRejWN0s3FiFXR3cHbireYDPqvD3_dnhNBld6Jdg_JsrRa1ImyL7WNKcxRIA/s640/blogger-image-1616687861.jpg"></a></div><i>These people strolled in with a crew of security and paparazzi so I took a quick pic. Later I found out she is a famous actress in Korea, Lee Youngae, who starred in 대장금 Daejanggeum - a very popular drama in Korea and Asia.</i></div><div><br></div><div>Little did I know, my birth father had also come to the airport to see me off. This was definitely not planned or communicated beforehand- I wouldn't have even known he was there, except when I was returning my rented Korean cell phone, I showed one of the girls a text message that had come through and she said, "Your father's here!" <div><br></div><div>I spent the next thirty minutes in a mad rush to return the phone and exchange currency, all while looking for my birth father. Finally we connected, with about 5 minutes to spare before I had to get through customs and board. It was really nice to see him one last time, and I even managed to refrain from crying. He was worried about me traveling alone, but we were able to have a good quick conversation before I left. One of the volunteers even told him about the apple I had, and he seemed pleased. After we said our goodbyes, I was determined not to look back as I went through customs, but I did. He was still standing there, watching me go. His was the last face I saw before leaving Korea. Then the tears came.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfJ7OrzIn30gR7hhHl7Vj5y-qoN3zsBknUxydLupJ7cVE04YzPUIIoNacBRrnxOfBde3KW2Z3KqdIsvCvpRoQDeqgF1fDI8IvBimoQZsYdSOUxzHwNNiPTRmnwSi-0UHE6sISLmgYAPU/s640/blogger-image--311311656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfJ7OrzIn30gR7hhHl7Vj5y-qoN3zsBknUxydLupJ7cVE04YzPUIIoNacBRrnxOfBde3KW2Z3KqdIsvCvpRoQDeqgF1fDI8IvBimoQZsYdSOUxzHwNNiPTRmnwSi-0UHE6sISLmgYAPU/s640/blogger-image--311311656.jpg"></a></div><i>I would have dressed a little nicer if I had known he was coming!</i></div><div><br></div><div>Since I've been back, we have kept in touch through a messaging system called KakaoTalk. He doesn't know any English and I don't know any Korean, so it makes for some really interesting Google translations. But, I'm really happy to have a way to contact him, and I've gotten more information about his family, including pictures, than I had before.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqA6RdlWrr9SDvn-ZHJEmLds_MwPxuwpg3UrBGF49QaPl7simc3N4iiQeRFMqbO1QErv6i4VzilSCsJMcjif2ChGl0uw_MX4PZVuEIdkh15GBsFceT2vLwCKb3i4JMYo9DOy55PGbsB8/s640/blogger-image-702842678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqA6RdlWrr9SDvn-ZHJEmLds_MwPxuwpg3UrBGF49QaPl7simc3N4iiQeRFMqbO1QErv6i4VzilSCsJMcjif2ChGl0uw_MX4PZVuEIdkh15GBsFceT2vLwCKb3i4JMYo9DOy55PGbsB8/s640/blogger-image-702842678.jpg"></a></div><i>My half-sister Mimi, the fencing instructor. I think she's beautiful.</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32CNVYeYUFgj2_4pxwH3ERw9e-euQSEEUO6W9VXWh8pHjY1nK8xSWee7KI0vvUiW18vfZfnFt8cWynaZXCL0PL3du6ayeT9WZNCI5BfrKyevaxOVHyoqE5UpWnH9qMJ2qRJ1t0AEJGJw/s640/blogger-image-1659616414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32CNVYeYUFgj2_4pxwH3ERw9e-euQSEEUO6W9VXWh8pHjY1nK8xSWee7KI0vvUiW18vfZfnFt8cWynaZXCL0PL3du6ayeT9WZNCI5BfrKyevaxOVHyoqE5UpWnH9qMJ2qRJ1t0AEJGJw/s640/blogger-image-1659616414.jpg"></a></div>His family. I love their matching Hanboks!</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div>He is so sweet over text messages and KakaoTalk. It is nice to see this side to him, as Koreans aren't naturally very expressive in person and he didn't show his emotions too openly when I first saw him. I probably wouldn't have known how he felt about me if we didn't have this means of communication, so I am really grateful for it. He is constantly telling me that he misses me, and loves me. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivimdrgeKpbjsiI-G4p3syy4OxSJjQd7EjfRiKXBsn4F1rB8-9FyeqF-rZySovGutb2JbC0KVSNQTN1rXxKFMJizrngg_kjLlH45IKq2rwzoyHiGwqlxvuelatGvRXji0J57apiHeIm98/s640/blogger-image--72948217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivimdrgeKpbjsiI-G4p3syy4OxSJjQd7EjfRiKXBsn4F1rB8-9FyeqF-rZySovGutb2JbC0KVSNQTN1rXxKFMJizrngg_kjLlH45IKq2rwzoyHiGwqlxvuelatGvRXji0J57apiHeIm98/s640/blogger-image--72948217.jpg"></a></div><i>Translated texts</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgpT6r6I7fwtqwMxqKnzycBeziHfUdRDgScKDbEDqGROnxq1a2-9VNrIDA_M77cKB2Hc-46j9JHt7kwbhVoo5_1ohHecwtx8skS74MpRR_s9Eu8j8JXwysvl9gjCErT0Kmq3O-7dtqyc/s640/blogger-image-895564330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgpT6r6I7fwtqwMxqKnzycBeziHfUdRDgScKDbEDqGROnxq1a2-9VNrIDA_M77cKB2Hc-46j9JHt7kwbhVoo5_1ohHecwtx8skS74MpRR_s9Eu8j8JXwysvl9gjCErT0Kmq3O-7dtqyc/s640/blogger-image-895564330.jpg"></a></div>What the texts actually look like- and why I need to learn Korean. He loves emoticons :)</i></div><div><br></div><div>We usually text at least once a day, which is nice and something to look forward to each day. But I do worry that his family may find out about me if he isn't careful. I don't know if he has told them yet or if he will ever tell them, but I worry nonetheless.</div><div><br></div><div>Since I've been back, I've also been able to share more of my life with him. Like my son's 4th Birthday party- which, in fitting with the theme of this month, was held at a Korean taekwondo studio this past Sunday.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGpQJw3HhCji5yaJ9iGRg0T5yigAvsHhWOoT7J8q0KrZyf9_neVCaAsmLyvzc-1QZGj-qjCJ6unXlM7HSz4HTAzbwu3xV3sf5tG-8EtUKmpQ-Pv-1wKHR7EAU50Fn0GHKSrXu5yLS_yM/s640/blogger-image--655399036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGpQJw3HhCji5yaJ9iGRg0T5yigAvsHhWOoT7J8q0KrZyf9_neVCaAsmLyvzc-1QZGj-qjCJ6unXlM7HSz4HTAzbwu3xV3sf5tG-8EtUKmpQ-Pv-1wKHR7EAU50Fn0GHKSrXu5yLS_yM/s640/blogger-image--655399036.jpg"></a></div><i>Before the party</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBWcOuSH5SjDJVol5riWNiw_b3kxE_0U2RIyvYeYdXx10rrk-6no-Gdk-tf81Ltge-HE7XSdC2Qar8LHoKY7nw848KednF5k-bvDaFjbpBOalT4kqfmVzQJFyL-5pZFuTTRRuiK2y0Ug/s640/blogger-image--294840635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBWcOuSH5SjDJVol5riWNiw_b3kxE_0U2RIyvYeYdXx10rrk-6no-Gdk-tf81Ltge-HE7XSdC2Qar8LHoKY7nw848KednF5k-bvDaFjbpBOalT4kqfmVzQJFyL-5pZFuTTRRuiK2y0Ug/s640/blogger-image--294840635.jpg"></a></div>Both boys</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4uW_pEvkeCtYCF9mfFY2XLh_Ps6q81U6eoWnLZt5phsiyZLp7a_-YpCbKI6PYsS_Hw7cKNV3aassS98i4Y9fuT559ZEKELeDmbS3IFH9VH7pSJPGgfV-8QdvBHU2rETbNW_b6pGKRds/s640/blogger-image-1840104372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4uW_pEvkeCtYCF9mfFY2XLh_Ps6q81U6eoWnLZt5phsiyZLp7a_-YpCbKI6PYsS_Hw7cKNV3aassS98i4Y9fuT559ZEKELeDmbS3IFH9VH7pSJPGgfV-8QdvBHU2rETbNW_b6pGKRds/s640/blogger-image-1840104372.jpg"></a></div>With all his friends</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPPAiX5P82eVZjRZab2EHQl7yXyj25VXydOeitDvxyhLYaCMe0PfhUhvxcCA0wOsr0b6UMntjaFs5Fhk3Q_LY91WyBIhSMeTZw6CE8qzh55e-ec22lKDr_G852YnHg3naHrNItyQtFwg/s640/blogger-image--923237668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPPAiX5P82eVZjRZab2EHQl7yXyj25VXydOeitDvxyhLYaCMe0PfhUhvxcCA0wOsr0b6UMntjaFs5Fhk3Q_LY91WyBIhSMeTZw6CE8qzh55e-ec22lKDr_G852YnHg3naHrNItyQtFwg/s640/blogger-image--923237668.jpg"></a></div>Cutting his cake</i></div><div><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBu7TJ2ksCNeoLxOACfHiVcbzIlx1tTlUAAlOiiEqjWfxJ_wrOko-u6BJhYXXS7VSjMehptKtz4Z5Aw7q9EJ-Fswxt2-d9mnPCa5d8aY_a8Ip6Pk-0zXf8ZGvexMBNDLP1fYr8I0qWaE/s640/blogger-image--1765671601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBu7TJ2ksCNeoLxOACfHiVcbzIlx1tTlUAAlOiiEqjWfxJ_wrOko-u6BJhYXXS7VSjMehptKtz4Z5Aw7q9EJ-Fswxt2-d9mnPCa5d8aY_a8Ip6Pk-0zXf8ZGvexMBNDLP1fYr8I0qWaE/s640/blogger-image--1765671601.jpg"></a></div>Breaking a board</div><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx44wQmWx0kx9mui0rBWQykijxiTrKN-2c8mqVwJ21URG7R4bM7T0FKoPzxdQFvr19J1IGu2NTpChE0HignB1_OuFI7WMHk_LR_UMoUglfmg_fuyu8INuC3b2TQtji3koIIXYjL-XPc7Q/s640/blogger-image--771167614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx44wQmWx0kx9mui0rBWQykijxiTrKN-2c8mqVwJ21URG7R4bM7T0FKoPzxdQFvr19J1IGu2NTpChE0HignB1_OuFI7WMHk_LR_UMoUglfmg_fuyu8INuC3b2TQtji3koIIXYjL-XPc7Q/s640/blogger-image--771167614.jpg"></a></div>So proud, with his instructor Master Yi</div><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">I have not had any contact with my birth mother since returning. This is solely because of the language and communication barriers- she does not have KakaoTalk or email- and calling is futile. Eventually I will write her a decent letter, but I just haven't had the time or energy to do that yet. I need to contact her sister in France that speaks English, but haven't been able to do that yet either. And I'm definitely looking into taking a Korean class at a local community college, or at least buying Rosetta Stone. The language issue makes things so hard, but it's not something that can't be overcome.</div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">My next post will be some closing thoughts on all of my time in Korea, the program, and how it's been since getting back home. I plan on updating the blog at least once a month after that, to keep track of any changes or major updates, and show the progress of the relationships I may or may not build after this experience. I will also post links to any media coverage, once I get them, like the Korean TV show I was on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwqIs48TLMPNUVURR6D5xrprYP8ox5JNh2MdBEiYijRU7R2V7JV6piLnnfelk1WjNHEtO2aEKRXDHH_ekCDPt82y_wCwW4cp58-UHRQ5xYI8J12xVxnYDqcCGujoANhEWa9GA7mzmPx4/s640/blogger-image-670415577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwqIs48TLMPNUVURR6D5xrprYP8ox5JNh2MdBEiYijRU7R2V7JV6piLnnfelk1WjNHEtO2aEKRXDHH_ekCDPt82y_wCwW4cp58-UHRQ5xYI8J12xVxnYDqcCGujoANhEWa9GA7mzmPx4/s640/blogger-image-670415577.jpg"></a></div><i>They liked to focus on my belly</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDf3RYPZwtHh-5ufM2mPUMpe6WbHSHTZrOYp53rj4QMU9X8zjjNuRMwxISYbRL6OuKc1z7rS8wRft9mselRk1YC2Q4maru6KitT36_ZRvyOajSJOgrm8JlkyPLuB3HKEut8T4zRYYyW0/s640/blogger-image-2082699556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDf3RYPZwtHh-5ufM2mPUMpe6WbHSHTZrOYp53rj4QMU9X8zjjNuRMwxISYbRL6OuKc1z7rS8wRft9mselRk1YC2Q4maru6KitT36_ZRvyOajSJOgrm8JlkyPLuB3HKEut8T4zRYYyW0/s640/blogger-image-2082699556.jpg"></a></div></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">Again, thanks for reading and following along. It means a lot to me that so many have been interested in my journey and my story. ♥♥♥♥</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622935566675729292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130075084314468688.post-90477834631297175752013-09-19T19:19:00.001-07:002013-09-19T20:13:49.334-07:00Last Days in SeoulThis post has been a few days in the making. As I said before, even if you don't hear from me for awhile, it doesn't mean the blog is "dead." I simply needed some time with my family to catch up and more time to myself to rest. I do, however, intend to finish telling the rest of my time in Korea as well as closing thoughts, and plan on continuing the blog whenever I see fit in the future. Who knows, I may return to Korea and pickup where I left off. T<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">he end to my trip is only the end of the beginning of my journey. </span>So here goes...<div><br></div><div>We had some much needed free time the last few days in Seoul. After a pretty emotional three days, I was ready to unwind and explore the city. Some of the staff gave me a few recommendations on places not to miss so I added all of them to my Korean bucket list and off we went.<div><br></div><div>On Wednesday evening, my sister and I set out to see the Banpo Bridge. It's not something that most tour books recommend (or even mention) but it sounded neat and I needed something relaxing. We headed on the subway and got to the right stop; when we got out we stopped in Shinsegae for a quick dinner. I wasn't too hungry so just opted for dumplings and a popsicle. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipuWmFKCUTDV2H91ADMmRJSNkI6ET_aSDYPPQRtCRQV7gaJCXxJ9sQozv38YKoEXJjPyEq8RrLxE24qsbJucVMDBVz29pMsLW2o4JifPRd2dmj47sIDfFzSghgbBZ8hvMQJDXlD30kTLU/s640/blogger-image--1837289081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipuWmFKCUTDV2H91ADMmRJSNkI6ET_aSDYPPQRtCRQV7gaJCXxJ9sQozv38YKoEXJjPyEq8RrLxE24qsbJucVMDBVz29pMsLW2o4JifPRd2dmj47sIDfFzSghgbBZ8hvMQJDXlD30kTLU/s640/blogger-image--1837289081.jpg"></a></div><i>Yes, those are tomato popsicles on the top row</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjWe6Hyz6S5o-oXP8Pl7sNBQFYUOUjYJcwxr36aG3Z8I6iKqWrD1_dL5LFj2xsP7modfSHOSPpafwyH_udC_IymrhRN4LIhLb3tqLYAln5WDd_PHiKx7zypENcy16XHYs_0x7qZ9SXbo/s640/blogger-image--1298398339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjWe6Hyz6S5o-oXP8Pl7sNBQFYUOUjYJcwxr36aG3Z8I6iKqWrD1_dL5LFj2xsP7modfSHOSPpafwyH_udC_IymrhRN4LIhLb3tqLYAln5WDd_PHiKx7zypENcy16XHYs_0x7qZ9SXbo/s640/blogger-image--1298398339.jpg"></a></div>Cute desserts</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div>After walking a bit, we found the bridge. It's the longest bridge fountain in the world, and moves with lights to music being played.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3VqxYzX7nfhzI0mhQYCwoVnDxJKw58CcQ9QuNx0K5HZaP2MYDyRtT2Fi5HbevUh4cq20POKugEBJkRYLucro5ucdS-4g-57otbPRH-K_rGzIxdOSd5FPqvwc-GLKOj84Pc_i-rt9zStc/s640/blogger-image--1062819216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3VqxYzX7nfhzI0mhQYCwoVnDxJKw58CcQ9QuNx0K5HZaP2MYDyRtT2Fi5HbevUh4cq20POKugEBJkRYLucro5ucdS-4g-57otbPRH-K_rGzIxdOSd5FPqvwc-GLKOj84Pc_i-rt9zStc/s640/blogger-image--1062819216.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaL_7A9JRBLQvDYemD08vzmtYJAyjOVy8Zeh-x360-73EREAQg3-q-6Rit66ZasV_mlKOai7CP2Wqmyuxey5QlsNx5gx1m1kv7VouY63Z8l-_azYT3EoJbe9hNDs1F6ol42it0a-Oqc-A/s640/blogger-image-1940492731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaL_7A9JRBLQvDYemD08vzmtYJAyjOVy8Zeh-x360-73EREAQg3-q-6Rit66ZasV_mlKOai7CP2Wqmyuxey5QlsNx5gx1m1kv7VouY63Z8l-_azYT3EoJbe9hNDs1F6ol42it0a-Oqc-A/s640/blogger-image-1940492731.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNAiePYsJ_nCPzVhLgpI5glPRb1m1gL-ka1t2JrtPMvcYeWgym6zYULHQ4hoJyxOUcMvS4p1aP6tJxsLf3vJFta-xboEIORx0gK9-P3xg-LMdX1INjF2a8NGZndRt5l6hhHtvYM6Mhbg/s640/blogger-image--1295351346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNAiePYsJ_nCPzVhLgpI5glPRb1m1gL-ka1t2JrtPMvcYeWgym6zYULHQ4hoJyxOUcMvS4p1aP6tJxsLf3vJFta-xboEIORx0gK9-P3xg-LMdX1INjF2a8NGZndRt5l6hhHtvYM6Mhbg/s640/blogger-image--1295351346.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Not long after we got there, the music came on, and it was my wedding song (<i>Lucky</i>, by Jason Mraz). It felt magical, and so fitting. Great end to the day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Lucky I'm in love with my best friend</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Lucky to have been where we have been</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Lucky to be coming home again</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The next morning, we had a cooking class at the Institute of Royal Cuisine. I had really been looking forward to it. It was tucked away in a really neat neighborhood full of traditional style homes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYx4Xp2qypwLx0B_1FXONhsAnhYgDhNlVKj-NWd3wJ2PgazfJRfDWmYEy_VShPmuNX5RR4bDDZ1FO1Jgkj3S52lnJWuajqYpg2mCsE3nT1VYkKqac2sjCp-0brLNSzsHih8OE2IuwEks/s640/blogger-image--1573655844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYx4Xp2qypwLx0B_1FXONhsAnhYgDhNlVKj-NWd3wJ2PgazfJRfDWmYEy_VShPmuNX5RR4bDDZ1FO1Jgkj3S52lnJWuajqYpg2mCsE3nT1VYkKqac2sjCp-0brLNSzsHih8OE2IuwEks/s640/blogger-image--1573655844.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWqpQtwZ-vp7n8IuWCkpvvBZD1zPmBXZbl91QQuABfgu2n4r6tL-NQmgq47qNpG-nI9scfiRePyCCzA7CLi8d8gmACIyxM_4ZeDAEdJgu2RoGBVE9l-NvTAEUqYmLVILVL50SCeucyIA/s640/blogger-image-574269051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWqpQtwZ-vp7n8IuWCkpvvBZD1zPmBXZbl91QQuABfgu2n4r6tL-NQmgq47qNpG-nI9scfiRePyCCzA7CLi8d8gmACIyxM_4ZeDAEdJgu2RoGBVE9l-NvTAEUqYmLVILVL50SCeucyIA/s640/blogger-image-574269051.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVVc-h1OpMQJ3WB_EgPh_VHevzhr2Wo62uqKfwKoeW4u7L0uPLP_OTHZxst6MEWy01OLMr4j-_VpoCn_FvDysRRU9t5-89tuK9vLx4dXPPkZxQ9JunoUUPuCELzShgfqaAIHMw5DgKD8/s640/blogger-image--2018133974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVVc-h1OpMQJ3WB_EgPh_VHevzhr2Wo62uqKfwKoeW4u7L0uPLP_OTHZxst6MEWy01OLMr4j-_VpoCn_FvDysRRU9t5-89tuK9vLx4dXPPkZxQ9JunoUUPuCELzShgfqaAIHMw5DgKD8/s640/blogger-image--2018133974.jpg"></a></div><i>Entryway to the Institute</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0o-mkgz7Mo9jugUFnIeZ1jrHtiFYGDIIN9uTX8JdZmS1Lfy_o8Xk2vhWqwsE62GM21S4qyeMMSlCNZZnVOHafWiWjzXxEpDoYMwzxDWBjcMmb1m2ijBivWMNFk0t7K5tVNrxgBsTG6Qg/s640/blogger-image--1020178766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0o-mkgz7Mo9jugUFnIeZ1jrHtiFYGDIIN9uTX8JdZmS1Lfy_o8Xk2vhWqwsE62GM21S4qyeMMSlCNZZnVOHafWiWjzXxEpDoYMwzxDWBjcMmb1m2ijBivWMNFk0t7K5tVNrxgBsTG6Qg/s640/blogger-image--1020178766.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDo69f2FRqEn0fbf80ZDptjvEGW9FAD_WvLZ8layU1lHposZTsj2SyRjrGVrlqHiSZbxkYetIMIZ5XDAlU6eJEtqaADuNlEJUAWId6A9blpn8XZp8wfza3aqzniJNiqJnIssSCaJndqdw/s640/blogger-image-1776868180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDo69f2FRqEn0fbf80ZDptjvEGW9FAD_WvLZ8layU1lHposZTsj2SyRjrGVrlqHiSZbxkYetIMIZ5XDAlU6eJEtqaADuNlEJUAWId6A9blpn8XZp8wfza3aqzniJNiqJnIssSCaJndqdw/s640/blogger-image-1776868180.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ20Mc9QT8QpVJC5rn41c3B9w2BMRoDEdbbvr54QF8GpHMlORqjAoF1yThCtLD9y4vjbqg3C7hFageSQJ3Mk92GqEcwY9VUtSXy4mLAwoRi-xTZLCKz5dB3gL3omZx4RS5au5nVffQw4M/s640/blogger-image--1218340580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ20Mc9QT8QpVJC5rn41c3B9w2BMRoDEdbbvr54QF8GpHMlORqjAoF1yThCtLD9y4vjbqg3C7hFageSQJ3Mk92GqEcwY9VUtSXy4mLAwoRi-xTZLCKz5dB3gL3omZx4RS5au5nVffQw4M/s640/blogger-image--1218340580.jpg"></a></div></div></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmfV6JWpEJeTVRpFPwhQbIHJIzQXBYDvTnIaeY3G73Y0YHMbaMNrHa0joNLGKc29nDZsYSjiQ9APz9e0fIlPSWwW8h-pdmYvyrPqxOPmRB7MYdzEFAGmafnZwE_lHjlAo-zy1tKnZ3sA/s640/blogger-image-275786483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmfV6JWpEJeTVRpFPwhQbIHJIzQXBYDvTnIaeY3G73Y0YHMbaMNrHa0joNLGKc29nDZsYSjiQ9APz9e0fIlPSWwW8h-pdmYvyrPqxOPmRB7MYdzEFAGmafnZwE_lHjlAo-zy1tKnZ3sA/s640/blogger-image-275786483.jpg"></a></div></i><i style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Team 1: Mike, Anders, Me, Constance & Trina (not pictured)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">The class revolved around the food from the Royal Banquet from Han Bok-rye, the Title Holder of the Royal Cuisine of the Joseon Dynasty. The royal cuisine indicated social status and dignity of those who were served. It's the essence of Korean traditional food, that's eco-friendly healthy food and contains the best culinary culture of the day. Royal cuisine was the peak of Korean culinary culture, expressing traditional aesthetic consciousness through food.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469);"><br></span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We started out watching a quick slideshow about the history of it all and then watched the instructor do her thing. It was a little simplified since she had two sous chefs and most items were pre-prepared but we got the general gist of everything.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-Gi9TLnceiA_tAec3xv9diS2N2fcgoNiOCed33v4MZdlVDOAa0k9bn4baelt4vSKPtch4XgXJBlKz5t0kiJxDqm3bxUcCaWiKS8Lv0GZZ_es9HDHImLUmlVWuxejEmYyuJLOeJmsiP4/s640/blogger-image--1201474081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-Gi9TLnceiA_tAec3xv9diS2N2fcgoNiOCed33v4MZdlVDOAa0k9bn4baelt4vSKPtch4XgXJBlKz5t0kiJxDqm3bxUcCaWiKS8Lv0GZZ_es9HDHImLUmlVWuxejEmYyuJLOeJmsiP4/s640/blogger-image--1201474081.jpg"></a></div><br></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblIMVtzHAsBtRHowkY6Yd-1D9t8H4xFCiwbafNO9cL6W2jpfc2qPRhZNw9Ciu7rcLVk-x0zig49RxL845z3yQj4pL6y1i3FsJqb2H_mTqT7igcsK2s_FEdVUiDCI5k4AK9Op9T6X3TpA/s640/blogger-image--1822397656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblIMVtzHAsBtRHowkY6Yd-1D9t8H4xFCiwbafNO9cL6W2jpfc2qPRhZNw9Ciu7rcLVk-x0zig49RxL845z3yQj4pL6y1i3FsJqb2H_mTqT7igcsK2s_FEdVUiDCI5k4AK9Op9T6X3TpA/s640/blogger-image--1822397656.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On the menu was bulgogi, japchae and fried tofu. I was a little disappointed because I already make bulgogi and japchae on a pretty regular basis, but it was good to learn how to make the tofu and a few sauces that I hadn't tried before. Our group, though self proclaimed as "number 1" did manage to mess up the bulgogi a little bit (eh hem...Anders ;)), but everything still tasted great. Probably also because we were all starving by the time we ate. Afterwards we were given a drink that was supposed to stimulate all five senses of taste (sweet, salty, sour, bitter, spicy) that was pretty interesting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawljvwFtFGDRJRYguQOrWCs5N2ufjU3QXaF2uvuoyPhrYBc37S6LOAvBbM_ZyFBn0z0rIt830l9yxzgQ__rWlRsj-nx3PBUo4EWiM8z6YQ6PfH2_8Z9ZoMCOFLAJccjyLEupv8YzPzHs/s640/blogger-image-1467341202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawljvwFtFGDRJRYguQOrWCs5N2ufjU3QXaF2uvuoyPhrYBc37S6LOAvBbM_ZyFBn0z0rIt830l9yxzgQ__rWlRsj-nx3PBUo4EWiM8z6YQ6PfH2_8Z9ZoMCOFLAJccjyLEupv8YzPzHs/s640/blogger-image-1467341202.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We finished up and went outside for some pictures. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHURirkvoGKHU6Y4mn0gGVfYdDoVbrPrE7IePXn2gxiyekkYKSj4CyUjxvE52iHJ_IwdBleswonXRq9vOao_tvxTVvO6EY3mjLG2jUXEEANXO-m_LQ_hyphenhyphenfo9cHvynBdqUfhBk3qP-WU8/s640/blogger-image-1092797800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHURirkvoGKHU6Y4mn0gGVfYdDoVbrPrE7IePXn2gxiyekkYKSj4CyUjxvE52iHJ_IwdBleswonXRq9vOao_tvxTVvO6EY3mjLG2jUXEEANXO-m_LQ_hyphenhyphenfo9cHvynBdqUfhBk3qP-WU8/s640/blogger-image-1092797800.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNqScmgT6vrQUzkK2BID8dWkX_MibgELKX520lxZSHRwiHZmNXE6l_bivNJB-buAg5seca9rUfUH7hVpkvTvXKtsmHPnfN8jnSiv5_rruB9eRXxRjduAC11QNJKq2O4LUaeQMD_St5gY/s640/blogger-image-1464024698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNqScmgT6vrQUzkK2BID8dWkX_MibgELKX520lxZSHRwiHZmNXE6l_bivNJB-buAg5seca9rUfUH7hVpkvTvXKtsmHPnfN8jnSiv5_rruB9eRXxRjduAC11QNJKq2O4LUaeQMD_St5gY/s640/blogger-image-1464024698.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnEUbuI9YVa8idgz-5Edewcchh6K9g9TTcEcM9-rRG5cVcvy5-8nKNu-kcM2uq7t9mC2VvqD7pBAeatBBDotE4p_jWpGQKEr7y1awwkgc28xbxz7oytEwqMbiTezBucQuf0zAOFaiZenY/s640/blogger-image-1221509917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnEUbuI9YVa8idgz-5Edewcchh6K9g9TTcEcM9-rRG5cVcvy5-8nKNu-kcM2uq7t9mC2VvqD7pBAeatBBDotE4p_jWpGQKEr7y1awwkgc28xbxz7oytEwqMbiTezBucQuf0zAOFaiZenY/s640/blogger-image-1221509917.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div>The owner came by to greet us and gave a sweet speech about sharing our Korean culture through food with our friends and family back home. I ended up walking back out of the neighborhood with a few other group members to head to Insadong, a touristy shopping area by the palace.</div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPv-SWbySc9SSP4dJaOQM8MwQlxhqDFRiz7LNGfIitz2VP80dmzexWZW21h5CN3dLG9lWX5R1C_Fee5prZZObk5a1zpgkpeojBqS-OlJR_mSQ_z9Q4gKBaqL5s3UN-rRq39oM8BILwsAE/s640/blogger-image-1362971803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPv-SWbySc9SSP4dJaOQM8MwQlxhqDFRiz7LNGfIitz2VP80dmzexWZW21h5CN3dLG9lWX5R1C_Fee5prZZObk5a1zpgkpeojBqS-OlJR_mSQ_z9Q4gKBaqL5s3UN-rRq39oM8BILwsAE/s640/blogger-image-1362971803.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECty-kK5gvdwyb_dWng_OsghJKvsnGeCniwKrouj7QnrqNZRRqT8LR_j5ItZ6YEjO9ZfDGzudzV0tqOiTpvPlZBiNIx_cVROOR33IqJeWSWKb2jHgGkmdJYILIvX9Yox_YOdbHTBJzIs/s640/blogger-image-1819901280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECty-kK5gvdwyb_dWng_OsghJKvsnGeCniwKrouj7QnrqNZRRqT8LR_j5ItZ6YEjO9ZfDGzudzV0tqOiTpvPlZBiNIx_cVROOR33IqJeWSWKb2jHgGkmdJYILIvX9Yox_YOdbHTBJzIs/s640/blogger-image-1819901280.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIRwbkWsAkZZSMNl3c1shTQLOmd0xgJxsp-I2L5KnulHwyqfLttmVMPX6unnM2ycnaFfRkhcwOxnEzObfGixYdxiTtFRGIucx5eaW44LuHm-vSzt9eHVJ0avXuUkvhPAzPu7WmjWEweQ/s640/blogger-image-747443608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIRwbkWsAkZZSMNl3c1shTQLOmd0xgJxsp-I2L5KnulHwyqfLttmVMPX6unnM2ycnaFfRkhcwOxnEzObfGixYdxiTtFRGIucx5eaW44LuHm-vSzt9eHVJ0avXuUkvhPAzPu7WmjWEweQ/s640/blogger-image-747443608.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; ">We spent some time shopping for gifts and other interesting treats. One of the cooler things we saw were these ice cream "cones" - I swear they would make a killing in the US at festivals, amusement parks, malls, etc. Franchise anyone?</div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnCRqYSHvLtSnWLVqVr1SqCadykYj3RWPa6xvM9ijYqBRjm8KIMykce00ENkQUEnPwCqMDH7p3hCoGz27TfgyCX_ewMe3MAOQsVgUXiCWtEC_nfm0a1ftI8R57HJhJZMnvLuqnPukHTY/s640/blogger-image--852223041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnCRqYSHvLtSnWLVqVr1SqCadykYj3RWPa6xvM9ijYqBRjm8KIMykce00ENkQUEnPwCqMDH7p3hCoGz27TfgyCX_ewMe3MAOQsVgUXiCWtEC_nfm0a1ftI8R57HJhJZMnvLuqnPukHTY/s640/blogger-image--852223041.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIX6u1LUe0Y12NfglYy8WW6trOysN7jFy8FlLYxZleTxW9hVgKKyi_mROW7hXpc1EaXIuNNkav_689F0AfTwkU69ILOCmM3wUQRBguHT4z-vIwVeYsZmABVfOrfV5doZjM-3mMdH9urI/s640/blogger-image-596293905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIX6u1LUe0Y12NfglYy8WW6trOysN7jFy8FlLYxZleTxW9hVgKKyi_mROW7hXpc1EaXIuNNkav_689F0AfTwkU69ILOCmM3wUQRBguHT4z-vIwVeYsZmABVfOrfV5doZjM-3mMdH9urI/s640/blogger-image-596293905.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKAEtao1JKoybIyrA3vD_F63b1UMa8httvwSumq8Q8FC_rJ3pe0eYpwxtv1U9nIrGt5NfZViSnMPlWDIJyyzKL4FT03FZT4tm-aZY5FQE25cbhBsOcXEDPX5XVgBIsVgiwReE8Ub6-Ro/s640/blogger-image-1803390322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKAEtao1JKoybIyrA3vD_F63b1UMa8httvwSumq8Q8FC_rJ3pe0eYpwxtv1U9nIrGt5NfZViSnMPlWDIJyyzKL4FT03FZT4tm-aZY5FQE25cbhBsOcXEDPX5XVgBIsVgiwReE8Ub6-Ro/s640/blogger-image-1803390322.jpg"></a></div><i>Trina couldn't resist</i></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; ">We walked around a bit more then headed to the palace.</div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgka7_AD7KrGM3PaoGic0z_xtv7odLQ-u8exhB0tlk9Xw9wPnMjSz4QHdTBWGCqpcdg9CH3jFr-GJ-BKJv0WM5zC0fdhghUn3eIP51I0NReN7V7lj4wfg2RyW9AqU2XY1cRJUh3y6tkmpk/s640/blogger-image-352066422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgka7_AD7KrGM3PaoGic0z_xtv7odLQ-u8exhB0tlk9Xw9wPnMjSz4QHdTBWGCqpcdg9CH3jFr-GJ-BKJv0WM5zC0fdhghUn3eIP51I0NReN7V7lj4wfg2RyW9AqU2XY1cRJUh3y6tkmpk/s640/blogger-image-352066422.jpg"></a></div><i>Passed a Korean photography studio; modesty apparently does not apply to babies here</i></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWiytn9Wb2uYIatUOo96OlWNtor0sXGZp7CGp7UXKful9rpO5o_w3Z_3tpb3Qmrp6bg0bMvlrWLFQe6p9CccB7JZ989qk7W-cHHGUQ_kq0q4o9NwCfLUz8xN5jyWCcXc1Gee9gFpoq98/s640/blogger-image-817567992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWiytn9Wb2uYIatUOo96OlWNtor0sXGZp7CGp7UXKful9rpO5o_w3Z_3tpb3Qmrp6bg0bMvlrWLFQe6p9CccB7JZ989qk7W-cHHGUQ_kq0q4o9NwCfLUz8xN5jyWCcXc1Gee9gFpoq98/s640/blogger-image-817567992.jpg"></a></div></i></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">Gyeongbokgung</b>(경복궁), also known as <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">Gyeongbokgung Palace</b> or <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">Gyeongbok Palace</b> -- is a royal palace located in northern Seoul. First constructed in 1395, later burned and abandoned for almost three centuries, and then reconstructed in 1867, it was the main and largest palace of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon Dynasty. Fitting that we had our cooking class earlier in the day. Here are just a few of the many pictures I took.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzVD_-488lGOau6-Qjk2UpFAkHH9ewUYlOHrCh7Yi0ORCNxsp3Ut4UXG53CLKEnc1IhO2Ln9Kuf1RoMCMb46HI3D63I5GhdQxsVg8vXXdPFJdn2ZYvl59AeDeKVq4MCOZ7FLUKPBS56A/s640/blogger-image--412166845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzVD_-488lGOau6-Qjk2UpFAkHH9ewUYlOHrCh7Yi0ORCNxsp3Ut4UXG53CLKEnc1IhO2Ln9Kuf1RoMCMb46HI3D63I5GhdQxsVg8vXXdPFJdn2ZYvl59AeDeKVq4MCOZ7FLUKPBS56A/s640/blogger-image--412166845.jpg"></a></div><i>Approaching the entrance</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><br></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEyAbqlekdpOL7jB4ev7zmiEeBPWjB5jLSHywO7RGGnhTdwEGXYV9BTApflgxS02QsC9tKzlPd-WQPk7pI8h41sRMG2K1xiQHLkDB9wC-cfkGLXd6I5J3fx9orKbX1zERzaNep71tjOk/s640/blogger-image-863424939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEyAbqlekdpOL7jB4ev7zmiEeBPWjB5jLSHywO7RGGnhTdwEGXYV9BTApflgxS02QsC9tKzlPd-WQPk7pI8h41sRMG2K1xiQHLkDB9wC-cfkGLXd6I5J3fx9orKbX1zERzaNep71tjOk/s640/blogger-image-863424939.jpg"></a></div>Standing guard</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><br></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkno22Ux5bS7Ax9QAD9irKu2YaCzM50nX0ZzrUScoz1A15RtK8dimiA_D0X8zU7n7flBnG5AedKnN5VcZnuvaJSoaP_D17Jvl7MLAzDVJf-TQB7QzZXVI49WuFEIOg6QIk_wqANli118U/s640/blogger-image-380159010.jpg"></a></div><br></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvT8V9NXUGNnO8E38u2thLAwLVGqJC-m4HNiB8oZUsGhCEXG4lgAZbMmtJZvgy5Zkm0Lo5inlMaUT4CxdSKW4bEtMhYPabGQ5xB6hCNFwQNqDXKK-ntZ7eylY88DtgMbcAoLburMdHFo/s640/blogger-image--965494974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvT8V9NXUGNnO8E38u2thLAwLVGqJC-m4HNiB8oZUsGhCEXG4lgAZbMmtJZvgy5Zkm0Lo5inlMaUT4CxdSKW4bEtMhYPabGQ5xB6hCNFwQNqDXKK-ntZ7eylY88DtgMbcAoLburMdHFo/s640/blogger-image--965494974.jpg"></a></div><br></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zk98K4pJr8YX0I6dxOySkfnWme4zXuVr-ZsGiBcrMheF8L7Ipa5dQXM01e8waMPJ2YgogocWXhYlrS9hWv4RpBIUZlN1z5g-IzHhFi4xbmWlUbE2n8vEeues0umvBBwslkYI5BMyy8Y/s640/blogger-image--601044264.jpg"></a></div><br></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieE_xchAPfISGO3mCceM1G0_qX5EhxJdetIlVuQITeKWAUxo0IZCxbBgFhhAQp41x1QkGXa5mhILdMf2mWoNxV1X7gjuf32zZ72z2n-KOtDiAcpOHh8JJ3NkDlIoMNeHmTTJVdzOb3s2Y/s640/blogger-image--813580878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieE_xchAPfISGO3mCceM1G0_qX5EhxJdetIlVuQITeKWAUxo0IZCxbBgFhhAQp41x1QkGXa5mhILdMf2mWoNxV1X7gjuf32zZ72z2n-KOtDiAcpOHh8JJ3NkDlIoMNeHmTTJVdzOb3s2Y/s640/blogger-image--813580878.jpg"></a></div><br></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDeUTIjb5sWce4vEZhQPZ_wfPtPPp3ESGf3oqvI1eh7JXskHRXfmXelxKeY2bQRKh8x8NZQF18-J_it_qi4dBoNu4z_JdPoXZe2XuT9AkmZlxIk0dbPLuXoSWt2qw3ZbYfG7TScSbJck/s640/blogger-image--1423630667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDeUTIjb5sWce4vEZhQPZ_wfPtPPp3ESGf3oqvI1eh7JXskHRXfmXelxKeY2bQRKh8x8NZQF18-J_it_qi4dBoNu4z_JdPoXZe2XuT9AkmZlxIk0dbPLuXoSWt2qw3ZbYfG7TScSbJck/s640/blogger-image--1423630667.jpg"></a></div><br></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtw_x2z2KkA76uuaoqZHunzDLhlNzIk78_TVfxncAZgTAIOOXhmSnF0I3zT7unWgB85-vORoPvoLFuFEdx08reObTF7cVSYjPZwVRQ0iTl3RrXIK9V8n14R9nF0MZ2j15eVEvAmAwrdIw/s640/blogger-image--1914814665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtw_x2z2KkA76uuaoqZHunzDLhlNzIk78_TVfxncAZgTAIOOXhmSnF0I3zT7unWgB85-vORoPvoLFuFEdx08reObTF7cVSYjPZwVRQ0iTl3RrXIK9V8n14R9nF0MZ2j15eVEvAmAwrdIw/s640/blogger-image--1914814665.jpg"></a></div><br></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">That night, a few people went to a pizza place close to our hotel for dinner. They came back saying it was "the best pizza they'd ever eaten" so naturally I had to try it. Unfortunately my expectations were set a little too high (I was comparing this to the likes of Mack & Mancos and actual pizza from Italy) so it did not quite live up to the hype, but it was still pretty good. Again, we were starving so that helped.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrr8wicFos4SO-_SbQieFhhAr-XpkSrcGHvpUjegCKZCCe2q4zQ7bHATCgthoLqiD_3DOQz4rcEFu4flfP9b3qOQkcyH6SgaHZFWiNSDFKFj6Fidv7FihcAJ4TgCoHsT9IELgCP8hOJ9A/s640/blogger-image--529322728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrr8wicFos4SO-_SbQieFhhAr-XpkSrcGHvpUjegCKZCCe2q4zQ7bHATCgthoLqiD_3DOQz4rcEFu4flfP9b3qOQkcyH6SgaHZFWiNSDFKFj6Fidv7FihcAJ4TgCoHsT9IELgCP8hOJ9A/s640/blogger-image--529322728.jpg"></a></div><i>Bulgogi pizza; all pizzas had black sesame seeds in the crust</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><br></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQK9_mMPMQITe_1oMIVtwJC_C4M61IJIcMKG13_RQxngNqPLQ1E4SmwM3F8SWP8n-XJ4YoqfoCUVcjYE4UQYE546N47Za_mUvDNe6Frn4pV-edOVgC8nrD8_MbloWvmu2yRpfm9iAhiXk/s640/blogger-image--1018934753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQK9_mMPMQITe_1oMIVtwJC_C4M61IJIcMKG13_RQxngNqPLQ1E4SmwM3F8SWP8n-XJ4YoqfoCUVcjYE4UQYE546N47Za_mUvDNe6Frn4pV-edOVgC8nrD8_MbloWvmu2yRpfm9iAhiXk/s640/blogger-image--1018934753.jpg"></a></div>My "summer salad" pizza- literally had a salad on top of it.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><br></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We ended the night with an interesting panel of speakers from other adoptees who were living in Korea and were in the process of searching for or had found their biological families. I find all of this so interesting; everyone's stories, views, and opinions are completely different.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfBbnT9rEE1Kd8IQA_rO7xKcMQQfi52Z6hh2CnumoBdZMmCrUH6KWkPNcXXe32tEN2Vj9rJlNEpw5nca4bt_7CBGjh6iknRMAyujqJtT557BG7TRpNUSVuqmi4Vb1UX-uXsjXqULqY9w/s640/blogger-image-55825999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfBbnT9rEE1Kd8IQA_rO7xKcMQQfi52Z6hh2CnumoBdZMmCrUH6KWkPNcXXe32tEN2Vj9rJlNEpw5nca4bt_7CBGjh6iknRMAyujqJtT557BG7TRpNUSVuqmi4Vb1UX-uXsjXqULqY9w/s640/blogger-image-55825999.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">My last full day in Seoul was a bit underwhelming. It was raining, so that really dampered our plans- I had also been trying to meet up with a friend who was also visiting Korea at the same time but it was difficult due to my crazy schedule and communication issues. Anyway, I decided to head to Coex, which is supposedly the largest underground shopping mall in Asia. It's located in Gangnam- yes, the place from the popular song- that was unfortunately about an hours' cab ride away from our hotel. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvN4Z_lecvhWB74AtNtjJjrOdHrsHoYwU4c0AyZeJRLJIXiSj-EsorHfYMSUF_YMi5XbDuaZevq_vzoX3jK5Xmy-TMG5L9T63BgGZR0UqlO8vahfZwHF54sM07t4UPzbPOgPE09n_YzkM/s640/blogger-image--1830726794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvN4Z_lecvhWB74AtNtjJjrOdHrsHoYwU4c0AyZeJRLJIXiSj-EsorHfYMSUF_YMi5XbDuaZevq_vzoX3jK5Xmy-TMG5L9T63BgGZR0UqlO8vahfZwHF54sM07t4UPzbPOgPE09n_YzkM/s640/blogger-image--1830726794.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">When we got there, we realized a lot of it was under construction, so I literally got back in a cab and headed to Namsan/Seoul Tower- where I had really wanted to go that day anyway. Luckily, the rain had stopped by then, and the moment I got out of the cab, my sister and some other participants had arrived.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The Tower is located on Namsan Mountain, the highest point in Seoul. From there, you can see the whole city, stretching out from all points. First you take a cable car to the base of the tower, then pay an additional fee to ride a cheesy, space themed elevator to the top of it. But it's all worth it for the views.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgswG2-JDYDjzVefVM_NhlwV1aUWB-jGCTu8aqw7s364FKmSs7pvCCsPJwD_pNrFpTC-UihGo5VLgNobVYUYi3By4Zlnx6ckWxODkbIX3z_jgqi9izTHGNhaSCDstHsB4uUOZbliZGc0/s640/blogger-image-1210129344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgswG2-JDYDjzVefVM_NhlwV1aUWB-jGCTu8aqw7s364FKmSs7pvCCsPJwD_pNrFpTC-UihGo5VLgNobVYUYi3By4Zlnx6ckWxODkbIX3z_jgqi9izTHGNhaSCDstHsB4uUOZbliZGc0/s640/blogger-image-1210129344.jpg"></a></div><i>Departing on the cable car</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><br></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevnYSrADmi7A9uqL3xOEh9vXzkkg7F1xZA319GCK-HUCdmJYniyDYJq_JfXAuonc15Tv8lrMmX8l1Br85FiOiyLdpyln0F-n12SjUFRAllzo1lfY0k4aJVUm_Z_TeNVTQIRg95htAtK4/s640/blogger-image-2100118634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevnYSrADmi7A9uqL3xOEh9vXzkkg7F1xZA319GCK-HUCdmJYniyDYJq_JfXAuonc15Tv8lrMmX8l1Br85FiOiyLdpyln0F-n12SjUFRAllzo1lfY0k4aJVUm_Z_TeNVTQIRg95htAtK4/s640/blogger-image-2100118634.jpg"></a></div>Riding up</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><br></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAgEBLw9M_lmN-SGk3mqlgLsyjmYmFDJF5hdTTt-MPwMtRipCuXBeiqWvRHhArlXzaDFZTLsKLSwpV0ZZN2Hsz7hd310VTiaRFR8xPoLE5jtebO6yl8ntELvu4QJJ-8AVx8vF9IQAlAE/s640/blogger-image--1639813795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAgEBLw9M_lmN-SGk3mqlgLsyjmYmFDJF5hdTTt-MPwMtRipCuXBeiqWvRHhArlXzaDFZTLsKLSwpV0ZZN2Hsz7hd310VTiaRFR8xPoLE5jtebO6yl8ntELvu4QJJ-8AVx8vF9IQAlAE/s640/blogger-image--1639813795.jpg"></a></div>At the base</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><br></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_QpAQF_oSQMSuJpuknl_jCjRWO__eBmt3NenNiech9nRyS-WTv65Yr64iv3fQcheZoRtaVTMh3fHKHAhNQOkztYdFYU3m_2_oOePPMR2lAJVPTrFN7BMpomWwJ0RUDvhvTMNCG_RlhU/s640/blogger-image-1965732868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_QpAQF_oSQMSuJpuknl_jCjRWO__eBmt3NenNiech9nRyS-WTv65Yr64iv3fQcheZoRtaVTMh3fHKHAhNQOkztYdFYU3m_2_oOePPMR2lAJVPTrFN7BMpomWwJ0RUDvhvTMNCG_RlhU/s640/blogger-image-1965732868.jpg"></a></div>The Tower</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><br></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCDKCEVoHp65YV5kGuqkAaTiJpq5x0gmW_hecfR_aF-wrLERG3tii61FXOkPypZI6dcSs2dEg489Ntr5ZDviHSaAqmJpxFxRmT0pJ9sfrn1F7SXCAzk-nr7oaxEoy5aGAVzeD_CHuLVc/s640/blogger-image-106271130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCDKCEVoHp65YV5kGuqkAaTiJpq5x0gmW_hecfR_aF-wrLERG3tii61FXOkPypZI6dcSs2dEg489Ntr5ZDviHSaAqmJpxFxRmT0pJ9sfrn1F7SXCAzk-nr7oaxEoy5aGAVzeD_CHuLVc/s640/blogger-image-106271130.jpg"></a></div>Seoul</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><br></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRDuEjtus2ZpxopG1hMYNvxBhN0J3YGgnQVeM6TaSWACfwrJ5x4LZOtRQ40wjvRk-aMdw_1_jepPmgk8h3ZR89A0-r09EXh5PsLSngt4wTxk0wWVNi4HM0zIz4B46ZL59QaxZq7Mcbg4/s640/blogger-image--1612270257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRDuEjtus2ZpxopG1hMYNvxBhN0J3YGgnQVeM6TaSWACfwrJ5x4LZOtRQ40wjvRk-aMdw_1_jepPmgk8h3ZR89A0-r09EXh5PsLSngt4wTxk0wWVNi4HM0zIz4B46ZL59QaxZq7Mcbg4/s640/blogger-image--1612270257.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_teVWsSDsgG_ONh1Bgu1PiW2Dnaqg7zz5aOD82nT99C07rd7g3ibOWhba1RxFQDYOgVXLn2wvh4e5fUt4MHcbkBiDrtes3a4Wqjx0VAE0gvtH7jCyVs554CuE0GxD9O2eIPanHNIdVk/s640/blogger-image-2024893385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_teVWsSDsgG_ONh1Bgu1PiW2Dnaqg7zz5aOD82nT99C07rd7g3ibOWhba1RxFQDYOgVXLn2wvh4e5fUt4MHcbkBiDrtes3a4Wqjx0VAE0gvtH7jCyVs554CuE0GxD9O2eIPanHNIdVk/s640/blogger-image-2024893385.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLxVm4yJsiRJCOjtYXVsccvyMDjTyqme2nZOCps9UDB2ku88UsPLTQZvESgv-YxkDxFhklVUCElRhQuDtZnUXep6HFjQr9N230aUL2aqWuKkYbLkuE2ldkguRZr86eAUjaSbwzDiQy_M/s640/blogger-image--384957574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLxVm4yJsiRJCOjtYXVsccvyMDjTyqme2nZOCps9UDB2ku88UsPLTQZvESgv-YxkDxFhklVUCElRhQuDtZnUXep6HFjQr9N230aUL2aqWuKkYbLkuE2ldkguRZr86eAUjaSbwzDiQy_M/s640/blogger-image--384957574.jpg"></a></div><i>Neighbors to the North </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SeB7tUADpsJ7Cz4tZZINCFVkf9h9APQndyjtfgYrIQIOzALJBulfOEFUbGUoU_wie6a_6n7EgPDa9sgRXWkyByUxsvm4w6nnajAMSnVaf6vyVz5n_A4-4Auykf6oAfJWV4uclbL_ZGI/s640/blogger-image--1547653194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SeB7tUADpsJ7Cz4tZZINCFVkf9h9APQndyjtfgYrIQIOzALJBulfOEFUbGUoU_wie6a_6n7EgPDa9sgRXWkyByUxsvm4w6nnajAMSnVaf6vyVz5n_A4-4Auykf6oAfJWV4uclbL_ZGI/s640/blogger-image--1547653194.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzl0jcZGvLrGq6pWSqcPuANMf0_KcAzUDFimPLClXJAHLOE9S4Py-k3pcfaJr8JE6-sAfg8aC9GjIBW3NOSRZ8wnsF4-zby4KgWlrDP4T_829s9JklKjgYfE24YLB3aWASc43OGqAVXw/s640/blogger-image--2107004828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzl0jcZGvLrGq6pWSqcPuANMf0_KcAzUDFimPLClXJAHLOE9S4Py-k3pcfaJr8JE6-sAfg8aC9GjIBW3NOSRZ8wnsF4-zby4KgWlrDP4T_829s9JklKjgYfE24YLB3aWASc43OGqAVXw/s640/blogger-image--2107004828.jpg"></a></div><i>Ready to go home</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><br></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">When we came down, there were a few performers and people dressed in traditional clothing for pictures.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><br></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_oj7OfoBNivOb36PPk2KLpT1pweuOS1_bMy98hrwfCEZhfb2NOqDFwlbKqKipkey376SlbCuzOqdfB94tZTXoUE7HvEM6-MZDZCr14peLsPI2sUllLvwJXTPFM4xr14BaQ6SagOGt2dM/s640/blogger-image--271768308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_oj7OfoBNivOb36PPk2KLpT1pweuOS1_bMy98hrwfCEZhfb2NOqDFwlbKqKipkey376SlbCuzOqdfB94tZTXoUE7HvEM6-MZDZCr14peLsPI2sUllLvwJXTPFM4xr14BaQ6SagOGt2dM/s640/blogger-image--271768308.jpg"></a></div><br></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4EMC_bje7Q2HWztnaMx7x1keHmoCPOodmjMFI1Yryg4mNzO35n3Df1b0nvt6FRkO3be-kBR-m3vJT7R_p2mfU0FzAuyiSjn6m5CB5TVP5O7XBd1n3m9p8rl_6e9DaKhsbdWixQyHi0Gs/s640/blogger-image-2134512155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4EMC_bje7Q2HWztnaMx7x1keHmoCPOodmjMFI1Yryg4mNzO35n3Df1b0nvt6FRkO3be-kBR-m3vJT7R_p2mfU0FzAuyiSjn6m5CB5TVP5O7XBd1n3m9p8rl_6e9DaKhsbdWixQyHi0Gs/s640/blogger-image-2134512155.jpg"></a></div><br></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIls1AlWwxwLyIuiy0LifaE9NE3M6Uf5yXjvJ34AVLEVoA-_9Lf6wJHsX7la2wzDvTb0tgi36MwTMd6i3X47qK-FYYaO-_c5y2d_fMELI7NQfW63jT2fjlS6_SObidgiGC__a9Vs45qs/s640/blogger-image--1654937852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIls1AlWwxwLyIuiy0LifaE9NE3M6Uf5yXjvJ34AVLEVoA-_9Lf6wJHsX7la2wzDvTb0tgi36MwTMd6i3X47qK-FYYaO-_c5y2d_fMELI7NQfW63jT2fjlS6_SObidgiGC__a9Vs45qs/s640/blogger-image--1654937852.jpg"></a></div>I was embarrassed to take this picture</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><br></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASJsAwkajsAGzGiU8iV6PCMjo2aADMjIK0brW5-H6NYqEPIF55P0VZDvnWwB_wtL8_oTFyfownou4no2sgK59mDO-TH1VDnUEmJGxoa7nw6BjYvXW8NTvOgc-Dj-9A7ScbvB3gTqvRMQ/s640/blogger-image--597556617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASJsAwkajsAGzGiU8iV6PCMjo2aADMjIK0brW5-H6NYqEPIF55P0VZDvnWwB_wtL8_oTFyfownou4no2sgK59mDO-TH1VDnUEmJGxoa7nw6BjYvXW8NTvOgc-Dj-9A7ScbvB3gTqvRMQ/s640/blogger-image--597556617.jpg"></a></div>Haechi is Seoul's symbol, an imaginary creature that helps realize justice and enhance safety and happiness </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjuuRrIRONNST5_dynJUuHMBINwA1G0lbdTKCJKgnDLY_drtJb-kV7McPtnXrwxX7Ua7QkPfKWfcQRSNw1kkOFTb-OMQgvn5mTsIIBpgkpE4SG-5i2kKBF_kX8NkAt3Z4z4LSWziZqv0/s640/blogger-image--960012398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjuuRrIRONNST5_dynJUuHMBINwA1G0lbdTKCJKgnDLY_drtJb-kV7McPtnXrwxX7Ua7QkPfKWfcQRSNw1kkOFTb-OMQgvn5mTsIIBpgkpE4SG-5i2kKBF_kX8NkAt3Z4z4LSWziZqv0/s640/blogger-image--960012398.jpg"></a></div>More love letters & locks- this practice (as seen in Busan) actually originated here</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCoQ07xX4t7QJe-Q0g0GNNNfwNa08kMAbnjOuMuI4cN5RSmbSTDcDp-90Gx2-Ah7zC1b8mKptvF98FIZcVV2rrLGD24X6F7WB3mvgoW67WVXDERXvrR-fks1AyGwMpYySbqR5NMDTT13w/s640/blogger-image--1849217639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCoQ07xX4t7QJe-Q0g0GNNNfwNa08kMAbnjOuMuI4cN5RSmbSTDcDp-90Gx2-Ah7zC1b8mKptvF98FIZcVV2rrLGD24X6F7WB3mvgoW67WVXDERXvrR-fks1AyGwMpYySbqR5NMDTT13w/s640/blogger-image--1849217639.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsi3vOtaGBuTmT8epXmwbKF5enZ8E3IS9KzViaEqxAuGXR0uM-_VUYE4jR58OAZ1YFkeFfRr2YFcZM4MNm60aeajTkg9YzDLKrC7Ur8TnNjkzXwDmxqp3pIi_QFHKVLsP0yURCrBYmZg/s640/blogger-image-498624609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsi3vOtaGBuTmT8epXmwbKF5enZ8E3IS9KzViaEqxAuGXR0uM-_VUYE4jR58OAZ1YFkeFfRr2YFcZM4MNm60aeajTkg9YzDLKrC7Ur8TnNjkzXwDmxqp3pIi_QFHKVLsP0yURCrBYmZg/s640/blogger-image-498624609.jpg"></a></div>Heading back down on the cable car. I had wanted to walk, but since it was raining and we were short on time, we did the round trip option.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><br></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We actually had to get back to the hotel by 4 to meet up with everyone to go to a cultural performance. We had no idea what it was going to be, so it was quite a surprise - the show was called Nanta (aka Cookin'). The best way I can describe it is that it was a non-verbal cooking/magic/comedy performance incorporating samul nori rhythm. This sounds a bit weird but in Korea it all made sense. And the audience loved it. I actually got in trouble for taking these pictures, and they don't do the show justice at all.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrJ1A5xs-yQ1nVa6B2QwQIR3q2g9ZgoPWqT0DXWY2878lMgIXK1nNBBo-pJ5tm8BTh1Fh5qG1MJdkBwee10yJZphnXju5iAX8vh2A3f6G1sfSuMqV6OVCNDKjAwTs3PzeRB7Qivr_LTo/s640/blogger-image-576465363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrJ1A5xs-yQ1nVa6B2QwQIR3q2g9ZgoPWqT0DXWY2878lMgIXK1nNBBo-pJ5tm8BTh1Fh5qG1MJdkBwee10yJZphnXju5iAX8vh2A3f6G1sfSuMqV6OVCNDKjAwTs3PzeRB7Qivr_LTo/s640/blogger-image-576465363.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjFZPNXgbycLfvuwVX5f6y5jugNHqK12bIpqkeuygEpSIsbrFhVE5g5cROKA38XUOew0ZnupIxdfDin1XTOjt9_k9rg1P_7uFlPWRYePsWU5dxn4WefgbteCNNmQukI5wP0hye_Fj7yI/s640/blogger-image-867036890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjFZPNXgbycLfvuwVX5f6y5jugNHqK12bIpqkeuygEpSIsbrFhVE5g5cROKA38XUOew0ZnupIxdfDin1XTOjt9_k9rg1P_7uFlPWRYePsWU5dxn4WefgbteCNNmQukI5wP0hye_Fj7yI/s640/blogger-image-867036890.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After the show, we went back to change and then headed to our closing dinner. We had come full-circle back to the cooking studio owned by one of the GOA'L staff members (where we had orientation the first day), who actually prepared an 18-course feast for us. It was really special. They had made a ton of Korean dishes and named each for one of us, with an explanation of our "food personality."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KvzP5e0g77rTPolZK1nWw2ZaL7-qnmTQLkhj50gsr9Eb8XVRX5Ns19c1Gt2l2o0uOwu5-Re-31Q_Wle5T-qlKxfgV8MpMAWhAfEN0dwswLmxgGya-GE1xr6DjEaYzkRno48NjpBBQj0/s640/blogger-image--1854566417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KvzP5e0g77rTPolZK1nWw2ZaL7-qnmTQLkhj50gsr9Eb8XVRX5Ns19c1Gt2l2o0uOwu5-Re-31Q_Wle5T-qlKxfgV8MpMAWhAfEN0dwswLmxgGya-GE1xr6DjEaYzkRno48NjpBBQj0/s640/blogger-image--1854566417.jpg"></a></div><i>Hoya, the master chef & studio owner</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IGal7nQdeCcIUGjFlV_21kpONM8SAWdk1eriBDL7abNDDWB68Zh46kFx5yS07BrRtq0JdKOMwYXU94elRwU-jgibo6BcgnYP_kUTAbd137kJ700C6HjqW0nXTc7bNd3Uyq7qFdnmEfw/s640/blogger-image-1685532788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IGal7nQdeCcIUGjFlV_21kpONM8SAWdk1eriBDL7abNDDWB68Zh46kFx5yS07BrRtq0JdKOMwYXU94elRwU-jgibo6BcgnYP_kUTAbd137kJ700C6HjqW0nXTc7bNd3Uyq7qFdnmEfw/s640/blogger-image-1685532788.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NWFHWAcZxVSFzlVDrjdrKwMA5h__qj8VPSh0hHCiezzWpanVOZxK5hMeIdwCx4hIBpRImDfoe8fJQ7tWFM0pMGhSVPCoIvJ9hf0fBdq3YOL1YBa0TdOvib4wJOd9tcb9ceIcBuCWiQU/s640/blogger-image-418795761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NWFHWAcZxVSFzlVDrjdrKwMA5h__qj8VPSh0hHCiezzWpanVOZxK5hMeIdwCx4hIBpRImDfoe8fJQ7tWFM0pMGhSVPCoIvJ9hf0fBdq3YOL1YBa0TdOvib4wJOd9tcb9ceIcBuCWiQU/s640/blogger-image-418795761.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both; ">My dish: Oiseon is a Korean royal cuisine appetizer, consisting of cucumbers stuffed with beef strips and fried egg yolk and served with a sweet vinegar sauce. "Similar to the ingredients inside the cucumber, Lauren also has a beautiful baby inside of her belly. She has a fresh personality like cucumbers and is sweet just like the sauce. But Lauren is also a strong and straightforward person like vinegar.</div><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">It was a little enlightening reading that description of myself. I didn't realize I came across so "straightforward" but was told that on more than one occasion this trip. I think it was my "no bullshit, I'm pregnant" attitude that I took for the most part, but I'll take it as a compliment. :)</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVZZt5PD1j51tWTSuAeGhK09m0nEM2V3uNX7KqSWkEIiq8MRWh84nMTnHdAfD3C8VzPnzd9VXRQVhm13OdP9KRSV16LgHyOAOKYM4Tslh90DPoK_Wzput9tW3FBQltQ0D6b9sNNbXNSY/s640/blogger-image-1961261418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVZZt5PD1j51tWTSuAeGhK09m0nEM2V3uNX7KqSWkEIiq8MRWh84nMTnHdAfD3C8VzPnzd9VXRQVhm13OdP9KRSV16LgHyOAOKYM4Tslh90DPoK_Wzput9tW3FBQltQ0D6b9sNNbXNSY/s640/blogger-image-1961261418.jpg"></a></div><i>My sister's dish: Ggul-dduk is a Korean dessert made of round rice cakes that are brightly colored and stuffed with a sweet Korean syrup. When eating it, you should put the entire rice cake in your mouth before chewing or else it will burst everywhere. "This food reminds us of Constance because she is spontaneous, candid and colorful. The sweet taste of this dessert also reminds us of her sweet and reflective personality." So fitting. Especially the bursting part.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><br></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The night was bittersweet. All of the hard work that GOA'L put into the whole program culminated with that dinner, and we were all sad our time with them was ending. We were given special gifts of stamps with our Korean and English names on them. If you ever need to do official business in Korea, you would use that stamp as a signature. At that point in time, I was super tired and a little overwhelmed with knowing I still had to pack, so being the unfun pregnant person I am, I bowed out early to go back. I heard that the night went on and there was more karaoke and fun to be had- on my next trip I hope to partake a little more in the Korean nightlife. But for now, it was time for me to prepare for my return home.</span></div></div></div></div></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622935566675729292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130075084314468688.post-34646477335327514152013-09-12T09:13:00.001-07:002013-09-12T16:58:43.479-07:00Meeting My Sister's Birth Mother<div>This post is a little delayed due to extreme exhaustion - mentally/physically/emotionally - as well as our crazy hectic days. I haven't been in my room since 8am this morning; and it's already midnight. Yesterday I had a headache and couldn't devote the time I wanted to to write this. So even though I might break for a day or two (or even awhile after this trip ends) please don't think it's because I don't care, or don't have anything to say or have stopped. I may just need time to process or simply take a break!</div><div><br></div><div>I also wanted to say that even though this trip might end for me on Saturday, the journey will continue. The past three days have been the most emotionally exhausting, confusing, breathtaking, and fluctuating days I have probably ever had. And may ever have. So much goes on after the initial reunion that you have to think about and keep on processing - forever forward. My life has changed. I am wracked with questions about how I will move forward; how do you keep in touch with someone who doesn't speak your language? Someone said it's like you are from different planets- not only is the language a barrier, but the culture is so different that there will never be a true understanding of each other. How do you leave a country that you came from, that you now have family in, and reconcile that into the life you have back home? We have been having conversations and discussions around all of this, but in truth, there is no one who will understand exactly what we are going through. None of our stories are the same. It's a lot to take in. And it will be something I will have with me for the rest of my life.</div><div><br></div><div>With that said, I am going to write about my sister's reunion from a total outsider's perspective. I wasn't there for the initial meeting, so I really can't comment on what went down the first few moments, or the first hour for that matter. What I can comment on is what I observed when I was able to interact with her and her mother together. And I am glad that I was able to have that time with them. Just as I am so thankful to have had her here with me. To have her on this trip with me will be my best support for the future; we can understand each other's past and, as both adoptees who have met their bio-families, can also somewhat understand the post-reunion issues that go along with it. </div><div><br></div><div>Anyway, yesterday we woke up and had to meet at 9:30 to meet with her translator and head over to Korean Social Services (KSS), my sister's adoption agency. KSS is very different from Holt, my agency. It is in a remote part of the city, and a small building that is no longer used for current adoptions. Luckily, they still do post-adoption services. After a subway ride and a cab, we got there. Her birth mother had already arrived. I waited in the lobby when she went in. The only thing I heard from the first moments was what I can only describe as a very loud wail; my sister said that her mother was very emotional in the beginning. Since I wasn't in the room, I can't comment on anything else except that pretty soon after, I heard a lot of laughing and talking and it sounded like it was going really well.</div><div><br></div><div>They eventually came out, and I got to meet her mother in the waiting room where I had been sitting. She seemed very energetic. She went outside to get her car and brought in a photo album full of pictures of my brother and sister when they were younger. I loved seeing these.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKZPF2Y-H7IPTcQAYRBdpdDNcbctgp3u53KvaTXk9Cc5Sa_XNc80IHb1SctTbuE64C2BZ6gVhWMYAzNj-Jgx33hls0li-hOrhNYdbP6EFfaQt9nFwa3hB7F6YUlQHZBXWmVIPozhpiw8/s640/blogger-image-1457915342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKZPF2Y-H7IPTcQAYRBdpdDNcbctgp3u53KvaTXk9Cc5Sa_XNc80IHb1SctTbuE64C2BZ6gVhWMYAzNj-Jgx33hls0li-hOrhNYdbP6EFfaQt9nFwa3hB7F6YUlQHZBXWmVIPozhpiw8/s640/blogger-image-1457915342.jpg"></a></div><i>Cool shoes, bro</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhKvjUr2xnaj9-6szcDaV9ffy3qwRrizOV6PfEv_n1U5fNj45YikjnDhSGYrIuhNE0ztW0QyBmKqhDv6tYShrR0-LDokahriQ8PvLLQ80P0vQxVIHBdNqczTJF2U7JHfiMOzEvr4h7js/s640/blogger-image-1082447845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhKvjUr2xnaj9-6szcDaV9ffy3qwRrizOV6PfEv_n1U5fNj45YikjnDhSGYrIuhNE0ztW0QyBmKqhDv6tYShrR0-LDokahriQ8PvLLQ80P0vQxVIHBdNqczTJF2U7JHfiMOzEvr4h7js/s640/blogger-image-1082447845.jpg"></a></div>Proof that at one point, my sister was a total girly-girl</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZaRJcT-1r3ToE9csx5nZcl8s2xVHjZgnr0um2n6cMsH-pe83BjI8188H4pJNmvUToUurFAMYrcFkv4jdBV4fj5XoEZ8YuXHIfdSUox_g-zLCzpIVGuaCPGlsDy-djXDHNBfj33BXkHDE/s640/blogger-image--312558287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZaRJcT-1r3ToE9csx5nZcl8s2xVHjZgnr0um2n6cMsH-pe83BjI8188H4pJNmvUToUurFAMYrcFkv4jdBV4fj5XoEZ8YuXHIfdSUox_g-zLCzpIVGuaCPGlsDy-djXDHNBfj33BXkHDE/s640/blogger-image--312558287.jpg"></a></div>Love the expression on her face; this picture of my brother really reminds me of his oldest son</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmWxJwKtY43oIr-HIIqmDFSd50CobkcYNNZKtAF8Xfd1crhkXNO6yu251KcRRaUi9rnjKgvusESEI4skJmVgWmhtw25BXcW6o2Zs2K0BGCK6uOK54CXsuNkmSkgpcbyDsxhsFg-7Cy2w/s640/blogger-image--927359374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmWxJwKtY43oIr-HIIqmDFSd50CobkcYNNZKtAF8Xfd1crhkXNO6yu251KcRRaUi9rnjKgvusESEI4skJmVgWmhtw25BXcW6o2Zs2K0BGCK6uOK54CXsuNkmSkgpcbyDsxhsFg-7Cy2w/s640/blogger-image--927359374.jpg"></a></div>This picture makes me very sad. It's a picture of them at KSS one time when their mother was visiting them before they were adopted.</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div>I was prepared to be emotional for this reunion; mainly because I had had a very emotional time the day before, so I was gearing up for something similar. But the meeting with her birth mother put me at ease pretty quickly. She talked a lot. She seemed very excited to share all of her stories, and was pretty open with everything. She was quick to give her DNA, even though I had no doubts that was my sister's mother.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48Y96fVUbE-TZH49mJ_vBKz6YUAB3xUPPhjPow3ue6uGHL8yUYn4AjASiNRY1DaI-T-Qo_yxFf0n1hgcURFt0k0oFv7DYqgbGhy0ecXBXhCmIt46AXh1G0oNe7DFgsTNIO0fLwEdTrlg/s640/blogger-image-66193249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48Y96fVUbE-TZH49mJ_vBKz6YUAB3xUPPhjPow3ue6uGHL8yUYn4AjASiNRY1DaI-T-Qo_yxFf0n1hgcURFt0k0oFv7DYqgbGhy0ecXBXhCmIt46AXh1G0oNe7DFgsTNIO0fLwEdTrlg/s640/blogger-image-66193249.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwn7Wge9v5xhctdf68-hvozHRXVOtHvK4UvJ-0H3-R5EGeIiYRK5hZHAzGhlsJpJkXO759ua4FXFTj9FZCU93slRur6NSDzvSRuCxGB_lJOp6gCJ24hOorcSiesFfhlpWag7toMRGwL4/s640/blogger-image--1753342304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwn7Wge9v5xhctdf68-hvozHRXVOtHvK4UvJ-0H3-R5EGeIiYRK5hZHAzGhlsJpJkXO759ua4FXFTj9FZCU93slRur6NSDzvSRuCxGB_lJOp6gCJ24hOorcSiesFfhlpWag7toMRGwL4/s640/blogger-image--1753342304.jpg"></a></div><i>I think their eyes crinkle up in the same way when they smile</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tc96loBT5f9uEnBQL-i1jrh0b_n18AsgZ7UjqLav6SUPcSfbn6iEOrMAJ3b_4CiTjJ0lpr03Ln1WpjNnwIC5n4peoIWzXGcou7D0FLp2MX_JJJPFf0T1qzXQUSZIaAmFRxaSXURgC-Y/s640/blogger-image-2117277543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tc96loBT5f9uEnBQL-i1jrh0b_n18AsgZ7UjqLav6SUPcSfbn6iEOrMAJ3b_4CiTjJ0lpr03Ln1WpjNnwIC5n4peoIWzXGcou7D0FLp2MX_JJJPFf0T1qzXQUSZIaAmFRxaSXURgC-Y/s640/blogger-image-2117277543.jpg"></a></div></i></div><div><br></div><div>After she brought the photos in and gave her DNA, we went out to her car to drive to lunch. It was apparent that she was very religious; she had many Christian relics in her car and on her dashboard, and at one point had rosary beads she was going to give my sister. Halfway through the car ride we were talking about how she had gotten into a bad car accident a few years ago, and then another one a year or two ago- and all I could think of was, I hope she is a better driver than my sister! Because sorry C, but you're a terrible driver. I was a little scared being in the car.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffqYuknHKjDUeC3NwqTWwBsM7TXjcRotb69qwC8-lPzRApcJnRLqOpSZQItichffNaMVT0ib034PgLMwBj9CM0qNiq7eAw_i2gP0h6OHqjCG6lehurrkgFoMc7B4rYo9DrEiVrOSC0IY/s640/blogger-image--505547560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffqYuknHKjDUeC3NwqTWwBsM7TXjcRotb69qwC8-lPzRApcJnRLqOpSZQItichffNaMVT0ib034PgLMwBj9CM0qNiq7eAw_i2gP0h6OHqjCG6lehurrkgFoMc7B4rYo9DrEiVrOSC0IY/s640/blogger-image--505547560.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQQzuunsSchlwcqvJ4EljefIA3LdYdjsWT0I71UQqzbcxtnmmMrykxDYdd4DpsCa2LUCHqL1X094toMQkZunpr6_sX_PIvZ7ow67e1kvjeMPxVElimNV7_wA8KcQfxjNLc6e_beZKv6c/s640/blogger-image--1739455771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQQzuunsSchlwcqvJ4EljefIA3LdYdjsWT0I71UQqzbcxtnmmMrykxDYdd4DpsCa2LUCHqL1X094toMQkZunpr6_sX_PIvZ7ow67e1kvjeMPxVElimNV7_wA8KcQfxjNLc6e_beZKv6c/s640/blogger-image--1739455771.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We didn't die, so that was good. It was kind of funny because at first she asked us if we liked bulgogi, then duck, then pork ribs- and at that point we were all hungry and would just go anywhere. The translator told us it was because she had taken a few wrong turns and had to keep changing it up where we might go. It was just like something my sister would do. Anyway, we got to a restaurant that was actually really big, but there was hardly no one in there. It was nice to have that casual time with her to really observe her body language and expressions and the way she talked (and boy, did she talk). </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpTR3ArKHQ6evsRKUGsamVGPJ6U_OfPvHUwvRB_bRo4BK-rLFld4Zg2FKSGWZ-ANKx1ojO7oe8Uo1Cw3SQI4L1AAJfXzGXptR8wY-b8nySREXXh9ZQSY86r2ZIgTVc4NTVf4fFbJr0m0/s640/blogger-image-47442721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpTR3ArKHQ6evsRKUGsamVGPJ6U_OfPvHUwvRB_bRo4BK-rLFld4Zg2FKSGWZ-ANKx1ojO7oe8Uo1Cw3SQI4L1AAJfXzGXptR8wY-b8nySREXXh9ZQSY86r2ZIgTVc4NTVf4fFbJr0m0/s640/blogger-image-47442721.jpg"></a></div><i>She kept telling Constance to eat more, because she was too skinny (funnily enough, my birth parents told her the same thing)</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcF4spM-9A4YbRC3c2i1FCAgHLY-yNhNrGjzghhPCXTH9xvR5OWvWWsJJ_nleQRvGKMqry-65gFdmsZZcg1LxV4G2KnSXoUqDQpb0WB2Az87W0ERu9Fu5bG3VrITaBbmM_J-7sznvtd8/s640/blogger-image-168735404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcF4spM-9A4YbRC3c2i1FCAgHLY-yNhNrGjzghhPCXTH9xvR5OWvWWsJJ_nleQRvGKMqry-65gFdmsZZcg1LxV4G2KnSXoUqDQpb0WB2Az87W0ERu9Fu5bG3VrITaBbmM_J-7sznvtd8/s640/blogger-image-168735404.jpg"></a></div>Pointing out her wrinkles</div><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">I could really tell that she was my sister's birth mother. It was interesting, because I didn't feel any physical connection to my own birth mother, but with my sister I could sense it immediately. They had the same mannerisms, the same animation, the same smile, even the same wrinkles. She was very proud of how young she was for her age. My sister was happy about that too. It was like talking to my sister in 30 years. Weird. I teased her about it a little, but I think she liked it.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9jXv3cA93a-YKYaWmmT9Cy88Wz4fXrKagTxHi_pzNEEQ9BE7HJz0B_fqnddd_jeQyJgG_cRx2yvzNZcp4pA9hYLB3iCouRKgbscKAuoMTy_X0XygbzkH0-GwQvc2cUFiqf-1itWccao/s640/blogger-image-2030220580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9jXv3cA93a-YKYaWmmT9Cy88Wz4fXrKagTxHi_pzNEEQ9BE7HJz0B_fqnddd_jeQyJgG_cRx2yvzNZcp4pA9hYLB3iCouRKgbscKAuoMTy_X0XygbzkH0-GwQvc2cUFiqf-1itWccao/s640/blogger-image-2030220580.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpwT0Ht_UDwC1CRRq5ZFpSRM9c3Zcj0WHeZrOMOToZXalmqqeJhNbhXQG-bnD53qH3yQnMukppEh8cz3DM0cZU02u8E0Eq09IZl3o2pbwrdbemJ-DYhNsPk1tNEcc_6igUEyEVD3DtnA/s640/blogger-image-1429290035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpwT0Ht_UDwC1CRRq5ZFpSRM9c3Zcj0WHeZrOMOToZXalmqqeJhNbhXQG-bnD53qH3yQnMukppEh8cz3DM0cZU02u8E0Eq09IZl3o2pbwrdbemJ-DYhNsPk1tNEcc_6igUEyEVD3DtnA/s640/blogger-image-1429290035.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I don't want to compare this to my own reunion(s), but there was lots of smiling and laughing in it, which was nice, and different from mine. Her birth mother really liked to talk, which helped, although it did have a totally different vibe as well. There's not a perfect word to describe it, but their reunion felt "casual" to me. Like old friends reuniting. There was no doting like my mother had done to me; no hand feeding or extravagant gifts or wistful looks or handholding or tears. Which was cool, because it was kind of like how my sister is. Just kind of cool with it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Her mom believes in fateful things like that she was going to meet [my brother & sister] in 33 or 40 years. Kind of crazy because my sister was 3 when she was adopted, and is 36 now, so 33 years later, here they are. It seemed like she felt like this was all in God's plan and she wasn't at all surprised this was happening. It was kind of happy-go-lucky. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We did get into some deeper conversations about what happened when they were younger, and why she had to give them up for adoption. It sounded like she had a very rough life. When she was pregnant with my brother, their father went off to serve in the Korean military. When my brother was born, he went AWOL and they spent a year or so together. I hope I am getting this all down right. Apparently he wasn't very nice to her (was prone to jealousy and drinking, etc.) and so when she got pregnant with my sister, she reported him to the police and he went to jail (for going AWOL). I'm sure that didn't help things with their family situation, so when he got out and they lived together for a bit longer, things got worse. He didn't have a job or means of supporting the family so they didn't have the financial means to keep the children. His mother had had a stroke and that was hard on their mother. They ended up getting a divorce. There were other details to the story, but I don't want to put down anything inaccurate so I am kind of writing down the basics.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Once it was decided that the kids would have to go up for adoption, their mother was very depressed. She was suicidal, and talked about that very openly with us. She said that now that she has her religion, she knows how big of a sin that would have been, but at the time it was all she could think about- especially at night when the kids were in the orphanage and she wanted them back so badly. She said she would go back to visit them but wasn't in her right mind; and eventually they wouldn't let her in or somehow blocked her from the agency. She went with them to the airport when they were leaving, the whole time thinking about how to get them from leaving. When they made the boarding announcement, she realized it was too late. I can only imagine the pain she was feeling at that moment.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">She told many stories of how they were as children; she confirmed the few memories my sister had. How when they were given some money, my sister would go and buy herself a piece of candy and eat it really fast, then make my brother share his; which he always did. How my brother was a prankster, and used to go with her when she would sell things door to door, only to hide the goods or hide from her; how one time he got lost and she was looking for him but he had put his sneakers down and ended up with a Buddhist monk. She said when she explained to my brother, who was 6 and a half at the time, that they had to go to America to be adopted, he asked, "Why can't she go, and I just stay here with you?" My sister seems to think that's funny, but it makes me sad. Because I can't imagine being old enough to comprehend the reality of the situation and wanting so badly for that not to be your reality. She was insistent that they be adopted together so my brother could be a "mother and a father" to my sister; and I know everyone is grateful for that. For them to be together through it was probably the best way for them to survive it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There were other things we learned, like that she actually had another baby (boy) in between them, but he was a preemie and died after two days. We learned all about my brother's surgery when he was two months old and how much he loved his grandmother and she loved him. She wants him to visit his grandmother's grave when he returns to Korea. How she had a daughter (their half sister) when she was 42 or so and how she was kind of selfish and practiced the piano. Her daughter's name is Dominica- I thought that was very interesting because that's our mother's mother's name too (and very rare, especially for a Korean). She and her husband own an interior design shop. She said she isn't crazy happy but seemed content with her life. Their birth father actually lives in Hawaii. His sister owns a hair salon there. Before he left, he took a picture of them with him because she thought it would be easier for him to find them when he was in the US. She seemed to think he would be a nicer man today, and it would be okay for them to contact him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">She talked so much she didn't have much time to look at pictures or videos. I think it was because for so long she couldn't talk about this to anyone, and this was her chance to get it all out. But it did leave me wondering why she wasn't asking any questions about my sister and brother's current life. She didn't get my sister's phone number or address, or ask how long she was staying. It was like she just assumed they'd be hanging out, and her daughter had come back to her, and she was here for good or something. That part was a little strange for me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We asked if she was sad my brother was not there. I think she was just grateful that my sister was, so she didn't have room to be sad. But she also mentioned that she thought he might remember what happened and resent her for it. I think she thinks he will come in his own time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I felt like there was so much laughter and almost a sense of relief in the initial visit that there was no time working out the future. I am still unsure how my sister feels about all of it; the extent of their relationship or how often they will keep in touch, or when they will see each other next. It was just so different from my own reunion, as I think it was different from other's too. Every reunion is different. But I was left with a feeling that it was a happy reunion, if not resolved. Luckily, my sister is staying on in Korea until the end of the month so she does have more time to figure things out with her mother. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcNnIsOyuhBR0wPvRXa9VMMJk0kYOwK5-MZlxssosT47SiC5H9ld7Ib5Kti6yj02KZ4GeIB5wEExmgntCIHuNpqc3J4xlqDQ0Hk_FSFqVwzxPKBhq0if84Wis_3ntkUTlAPHGauvRXZo/s640/blogger-image--1485748688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcNnIsOyuhBR0wPvRXa9VMMJk0kYOwK5-MZlxssosT47SiC5H9ld7Ib5Kti6yj02KZ4GeIB5wEExmgntCIHuNpqc3J4xlqDQ0Hk_FSFqVwzxPKBhq0if84Wis_3ntkUTlAPHGauvRXZo/s640/blogger-image--1485748688.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2FnuCzNlJpKCJpdZJpXL2ta-boLbSV2YA-Lo1hyYDmgQrwtj60uYa_lQFRSbBWiw9Ng6mpM9CdDm7ktT371lHC_SIDw5MaGbWP-K9Ve9kUTmROSvRuHeDT-tHrHdsuI3wucIYFEUuLI/s640/blogger-image-727058751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2FnuCzNlJpKCJpdZJpXL2ta-boLbSV2YA-Lo1hyYDmgQrwtj60uYa_lQFRSbBWiw9Ng6mpM9CdDm7ktT371lHC_SIDw5MaGbWP-K9Ve9kUTmROSvRuHeDT-tHrHdsuI3wucIYFEUuLI/s640/blogger-image-727058751.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzBZxZ3AAVgv5p3MIAV3euevn9MHk9_qlwYked51WnvDbJdDwhXGKU_AvhXGqSjdul1fHe5rkHRykDTyFcKz7b4X7y2ou1M69JCZ63kcwUWcVz-xgDfukBkR-6NLMIlk_ga11eAs6Bvk/s640/blogger-image--341005010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzBZxZ3AAVgv5p3MIAV3euevn9MHk9_qlwYked51WnvDbJdDwhXGKU_AvhXGqSjdul1fHe5rkHRykDTyFcKz7b4X7y2ou1M69JCZ63kcwUWcVz-xgDfukBkR-6NLMIlk_ga11eAs6Bvk/s640/blogger-image--341005010.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>We said our goodbyes mainly at the restaurant. When we got back in the car, she drove us to the subway station and just kind of dropped us off. She was sweet and kissed my hand and said something in Korean but it was not a dramatic exit like it had been with mine. She gave her a bag of ginseng as a parting gift. I think that kind of jives with the way my sister is, so it felt almost natural- like it was assumed they would see each other in a few days, even though nothing was ever said about the next time. The ball is now in my sister's court about where their relationship will go, and I think she needs time to think about what she wants and respond to her b-mother in her own time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">I hope I have done her reunion as much justice as I could have from a 3rd party perspective. I am just glad to have had the opportunity to meet her and see them together. I am grateful that she had this chance too. I don't think either of us know what the future holds with our crazy extended Korean families, but I'm glad we are in this together.</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622935566675729292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130075084314468688.post-29582559034477647422013-09-10T10:25:00.001-07:002013-09-10T16:45:19.278-07:00One Day with my Birth ParentsThis post has been difficult for me to write. While yesterday was "easy", today certainly was not. It was not hard in a bad way, but it was very sad for me. I am filled with conflicting feelings: of happiness at finding out the truths to my past, but sadness for it being such a fleeting moment; gratefulness for my birth parents' generosity but guiltiness for their sacrifices; wanting to leave Busan desperately but feeling so much sadness when leaving; and mostly, knowing how hard it was for me, it was probably much harder for my birth parents. To have someone who was "lost" come back to you after 30 years only to leave again so quickly is incomprehensible. As our bus was leaving Busan, I was filled with a longing that felt similar to mourning the death of someone you've loved. <div><br></div><div>I'm not sure if it was because meeting my birth father made me miss my adoptive father so much (he died 6 years ago), or what - but today was filled with many more emotions than yesterday. I felt like I couldn't spend another day with them, but at the same time I was so sad knowing it might be the only day in my life that I would. One day with your parents. How do you sum that up in a blog post?<br><div><br></div><div>After the reunion yesterday, I was actually content with what I had learned and felt like this trip had been a success. I was ready to go home. This wasn't a trip for touring, or enjoying good food. Even though I haven't even had time to explore Seoul, I've gone back to the place of my birth and gotten so many answers to my past. I miss my family. I'm tired. Exhausted, really. Physically, mentally and emotionally drained. This has been the toughest trip I have ever gone on. <div><br></div><div>I spent a few hours processing everything while I typed up my last post, in the lobby of the guest house since that's the only area that got decent wifi. My sister was napping in the room where I had left my purse, which had my Korean cell phone in it. She said she kept hearing Korean music (my ringtone) but didn't realize what it was til about the 3rd or 4th ring. When she brought it out to me, a staff member got on the phone- it was my birth mother. She was calling to tell me to pick up my phone (so bossy!) - my birth father had been trying to call.</div><div><br></div><div>Apparently she had followed through with calling him right away, and had gotten him when he was away on a business trip. He was about an hour or two outside of Seoul; three or four hours from Busan. When the staff member started talking to him, he said he was unprepared and he wasn't ready to see me, but he sounded very unsure. She said his indecisiveness prompted her to push a little further, telling him that I was leaving in a few days and I was pregnant. He said he would leave right then and come to Busan to meet me. I was in shock.</div><div><br></div><div>We made plans to meet- my birth mother, father, me and my translator- at 10am the next morning at the Chosun Beach Hotel. I tried to get some sleep but all of the ups and downs from the day made sleeping difficult. I still had doubts that he would even show up. </div></div></div><div><br></div><div>At 9:45 the next morning, before I even left the guest house, my birth mother called to say they were there. Hurriedly I grabbed a taxi with my sister and took it to the lobby of the hotel. I was nervous because my translator was meeting us there, and I didn't want to meet them before she arrived, so it was a relief to see her in the lobby before I saw them. Turns out, my father had driven down to Busan the night before so he had his car and he was somewhere in a park around the corner from the hotel.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAeZ3uqsL8uzmKA-hgcv7hHsc6cS-gru7U2N0KfGjNU7KCr7eGu-WAQ8U1nUcC8cdCECEl6YQoa8nMIAQuZzZjFKYWZj2-xVn21ZSmNQ3VNXyPTboUnGEVVMGzYauO4GcyyO8Chx7Po5Q/s640/blogger-image--1188475081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAeZ3uqsL8uzmKA-hgcv7hHsc6cS-gru7U2N0KfGjNU7KCr7eGu-WAQ8U1nUcC8cdCECEl6YQoa8nMIAQuZzZjFKYWZj2-xVn21ZSmNQ3VNXyPTboUnGEVVMGzYauO4GcyyO8Chx7Po5Q/s640/blogger-image--1188475081.jpg"></a></div><i>Nervous in the hotel lobby</i></div><div><br></div><div>We followed my birth mother on this long, dramatic walk through the park...I had no idea what my father would look like or which man he was so every time we approached a man I got nervous and wondered if that was him. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsV9Ufswi5yOCHEYj6zVSu6UN8592N3VtGcnsgmiZ31AFc7BBXHaJbXUTFJlPaDN2hq3c4frCvc6XgDoHqzg5ATk7VfEFNXGLMFNEK0MWB55ptGlAz1a_IHp80Oz5QV1bBIGIzH2eA4k/s640/blogger-image--325668617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsV9Ufswi5yOCHEYj6zVSu6UN8592N3VtGcnsgmiZ31AFc7BBXHaJbXUTFJlPaDN2hq3c4frCvc6XgDoHqzg5ATk7VfEFNXGLMFNEK0MWB55ptGlAz1a_IHp80Oz5QV1bBIGIzH2eA4k/s640/blogger-image--325668617.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8juhDDX_H1O-3mRCwu3-GUTI9wS89UWZx2ppKeo_Gj_0ZnaKnmJNup574cQnLwgmi8IaAsVTFTE1UK56TeyaHFz-06zshaGpawnx0EWJbDk6fbKnmda4wNByf_oWCsewuu9J4HOV8Yo/s640/blogger-image-1695476757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8juhDDX_H1O-3mRCwu3-GUTI9wS89UWZx2ppKeo_Gj_0ZnaKnmJNup574cQnLwgmi8IaAsVTFTE1UK56TeyaHFz-06zshaGpawnx0EWJbDk6fbKnmda4wNByf_oWCsewuu9J4HOV8Yo/s640/blogger-image-1695476757.jpg"></a></div><i>She gave me this umbrella and insisted I use it to shield the sun...so Asian</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We turned a corner, and there he was. My first thoughts were: he is so tiny! So small. I have no excuse to be fat anymore. Man.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8T8d8Mh1HgrthVrKosYOFyEZABwifR3zAI4C5V-hxCy19Um5uAEFZRWdYdF91wcRCJe8GkRM7TCFWFvPgdj-ePINubnX0ZtEYu6rzbm7kMHWv75sajiVgtNH_Vcb-vNhaE150nXOwwA/s640/blogger-image-1331508770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8T8d8Mh1HgrthVrKosYOFyEZABwifR3zAI4C5V-hxCy19Um5uAEFZRWdYdF91wcRCJe8GkRM7TCFWFvPgdj-ePINubnX0ZtEYu6rzbm7kMHWv75sajiVgtNH_Vcb-vNhaE150nXOwwA/s640/blogger-image-1331508770.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3AWE9YAcWfVdyNDmRKhZ9cV313FrkoBaLRuKoYbnkcDxKypPj9SFZnidzp7fH4qKKOy4dgBfcJ6qoTFsN7mVDfiHVtNU4wioU-93IT1bMIqY9OwLuD_xuz3lhSvOGhSk-Kip6NhLUFE/s640/blogger-image--470209706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3AWE9YAcWfVdyNDmRKhZ9cV313FrkoBaLRuKoYbnkcDxKypPj9SFZnidzp7fH4qKKOy4dgBfcJ6qoTFsN7mVDfiHVtNU4wioU-93IT1bMIqY9OwLuD_xuz3lhSvOGhSk-Kip6NhLUFE/s640/blogger-image--470209706.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>He was so sweet. He didn't cry, but I could see his emotions in his eyes. He wanted to hold my hand the whole time, or keep his hand on my leg. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqG6EkeF8QJwQGu_WBgFrkhx0ZhGpjYVwMcny0uFVHb8TFB4K25b75Z3VF8_AC6I-cI-TbERyWUaibeGZZeuqYpwy1ijl-SkvGuZ08yG4OEunB9plUNev-wSGan0UFr4iDf1Wpyk-nDc/s640/blogger-image--2093926432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqG6EkeF8QJwQGu_WBgFrkhx0ZhGpjYVwMcny0uFVHb8TFB4K25b75Z3VF8_AC6I-cI-TbERyWUaibeGZZeuqYpwy1ijl-SkvGuZ08yG4OEunB9plUNev-wSGan0UFr4iDf1Wpyk-nDc/s640/blogger-image--2093926432.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgHhg2Ji3FG3AaqraEPM8v6Ua5q0DaXHzOClwE3YYtJHYkyWyRaLDEvUdIvlf5NSeOB84qX2TAOU4Yn_dXgvqvv_j3MB9Ua0lao4fRvh5XNGtJHkk3HzqHU3wAij52Ht4N9cjd0ExhE8/s640/blogger-image--683098854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgHhg2Ji3FG3AaqraEPM8v6Ua5q0DaXHzOClwE3YYtJHYkyWyRaLDEvUdIvlf5NSeOB84qX2TAOU4Yn_dXgvqvv_j3MB9Ua0lao4fRvh5XNGtJHkk3HzqHU3wAij52Ht4N9cjd0ExhE8/s640/blogger-image--683098854.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXTOJrfiIDtOk5HbJP2y3pt61MYvFtozL8iWZRBcDiVZGvXev2SY5a6iuufeZdnClUUNgspeuMdN9X2TLvYrSkj8a0mHc-1e6yjXCKKRGOwIk6nLmmQZYNCK6Ws9AE6eWMXEquD7-bpE/s640/blogger-image-837806245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXTOJrfiIDtOk5HbJP2y3pt61MYvFtozL8iWZRBcDiVZGvXev2SY5a6iuufeZdnClUUNgspeuMdN9X2TLvYrSkj8a0mHc-1e6yjXCKKRGOwIk6nLmmQZYNCK6Ws9AE6eWMXEquD7-bpE/s640/blogger-image-837806245.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>As we sat down, the story unfolded. In truth, it's a rather bizarre story. They met when he was in Busan, working at the Chosun Beach Hotel- the very place we met today. That felt so surreal to me. If it wasn't my real life, it seemed like it would be in a love story.</div><div><br></div><div>He was 25, she was 31. He is only 6 years younger than she is, even though the paper work says differently - they both gave me their birth dates so now I know the truth. I guess they moved to Seoul, where they lived together, along with my b-mother's younger sister, when I was conceived. He said he was very young, and immature, and could not look into the future - but he loved her. And she nodded confidently when I asked if they had been in love. My b-mother knew that he was not ready to settle down so I guess they ended things and she moved to Busan where she had me. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpslWuCWGK1VlFOPjLKnbCacQ8T25fNNtbXtN_m1mEvNOJ-5MGUyDCwD3QGcyOcbCzxBM5VhAD95AK99mpOgL3p9vzTtVa74juKxsmZVE6WnNnnDfzPLHzMKBzH8VZonhJZtymBx9Nlt8/s640/blogger-image--592940395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpslWuCWGK1VlFOPjLKnbCacQ8T25fNNtbXtN_m1mEvNOJ-5MGUyDCwD3QGcyOcbCzxBM5VhAD95AK99mpOgL3p9vzTtVa74juKxsmZVE6WnNnnDfzPLHzMKBzH8VZonhJZtymBx9Nlt8/s640/blogger-image--592940395.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>I never really did ask why they gave me up, but I could assume that she was a single mother, who already had two grown children, and the stigmas in Korea at the time did not allow for her to raise me on her own. He said that he had wanted to raise me, but again he "didn't have plans for the future" and things just didn't work out, so I think he just wasn't ready for real life. He was 30 when I was born. I think it's ironic that I am 30 now and having my 3rd child and so much more ready for real life than he ever was at this age. </div><div><br></div><div>Anyway, turns out I guess it didn't take him too long to get ready for real life- because he got married and had two more children, my half-siblings, who would now be 27 and 26, only a few years later. Nothing like more kids to really make you grow up.</div><div><br></div><div>But all these years- they have kept in touch. His wife and children know nothing about me, or my birth mother. He was too scared to meet me in Seoul where they live so that is why he drove to Busan to meet me, even though he had to take time off work and go so far out of his way to make it happen. I felt like he was risking a lot to come down to see me; if his wife was at all doubting, she would definitely question his time down there today and the money he spent. But more on that later.</div><div><br></div><div>This is what else I found out about him:</div><div>His name is Jung Jong-Oh, born on May 7, 1952. He was born in Chungcheongnam-do but grew up in Seoul. He works with boilers and electricity with large buildings (so if a "boiler technician" is the correct term, that is what he does) and he is the representative for his company so it sounds like he is higher up than just a worker bee.<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "> It sounded like he works a lot. </span>He lives in Incheon with his wife, son (who is 27 and works in surgery at the hospital, unclear if he is a doctor or surgeon or what) and his daughter (26, a fencing teacher). Their names are Chong Hoon and Mimi. "Chong and Mimi." Cute. He gave me a picture of them when they were younger. I wished I could see them current day.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEurNgLYNG-X7PoZg5UnlGgGc1eHJUfSKKlxKVm7CjgONSL7ABGwIC-Et8eWOaO8Jc1_kvAAUq1xjib_2dFjsB3Iu_G2MdiqcWxM9F8JDa7QuvtTDgIWtNKFSMWqvjNpPWumVCOjfLj0/s640/blogger-image-1339877529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEurNgLYNG-X7PoZg5UnlGgGc1eHJUfSKKlxKVm7CjgONSL7ABGwIC-Et8eWOaO8Jc1_kvAAUq1xjib_2dFjsB3Iu_G2MdiqcWxM9F8JDa7QuvtTDgIWtNKFSMWqvjNpPWumVCOjfLj0/s640/blogger-image-1339877529.jpg"></a></div><i>I think the picture is dated from 1988. Which would make his son 3 and his daughter 2, and he would be 36. I think he was so cute!</i></div><div><br></div><div>He owns a farm where he goes to on the weekends. We sat on the ground and had a little fruit picnic with apples he had gone out and picked last night, anticipating our meeting. It was all so surreal. Having a picnic with my birth parents in the middle of a park next to the hotel where they met some 35 years ago. <span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">He said that he enjoys traveling around Korea; his favorite spots are Jeju Island and the mountains.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIbEL2BnolH4B8DQ4LMVggX224CAvKRDZpFgak8NK3YyO2OTDx-fFOeTG6vHIiDX5A2feSCtCapsVNGWRaQDIvMBRHNo1t9BRkN4RfCvDxJJQUOIDJp6lB0bSkPaHbcq0aF8KlLw6dkU/s640/blogger-image--882724571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIbEL2BnolH4B8DQ4LMVggX224CAvKRDZpFgak8NK3YyO2OTDx-fFOeTG6vHIiDX5A2feSCtCapsVNGWRaQDIvMBRHNo1t9BRkN4RfCvDxJJQUOIDJp6lB0bSkPaHbcq0aF8KlLw6dkU/s640/blogger-image--882724571.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhDZPHy18-LxZNCUZ6okyqaKxr3y9RUOCXOPd8cFs9pHEC1HORhUOPkslRl2TbgfEIoFQCn2OBjynekly_XGkoyECwEx8D2D5EvwQVe9XvvDJviL9c8g7OLsjyJIb4fsVeyTbhbACw-s/s640/blogger-image--775423922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhDZPHy18-LxZNCUZ6okyqaKxr3y9RUOCXOPd8cFs9pHEC1HORhUOPkslRl2TbgfEIoFQCn2OBjynekly_XGkoyECwEx8D2D5EvwQVe9XvvDJviL9c8g7OLsjyJIb4fsVeyTbhbACw-s/s640/blogger-image--775423922.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwvxd8XLJjZ3Ye10GXpnvT447hknVbkimxqq2gbv1ZeQPSO1laOz5tZff57RO5eKgpgY9JnHdVN3Sve_jr6hCqYgplr9yCs4YR1WBArTcft2VzQ19vpQwT0f7es0ngH5R0VYIODjLE10/s640/blogger-image--686776175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwvxd8XLJjZ3Ye10GXpnvT447hknVbkimxqq2gbv1ZeQPSO1laOz5tZff57RO5eKgpgY9JnHdVN3Sve_jr6hCqYgplr9yCs4YR1WBArTcft2VzQ19vpQwT0f7es0ngH5R0VYIODjLE10/s640/blogger-image--686776175.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBW0u_gm_DXmAW0AEvi3ZpT8NnTpfoLNwjfQEv8jHcRwVMZ1YuczImuGyg4Q06tSPr3JOCqzlEZv2IcJnsu0ldui5g9AQot_qnozYC9PjcQ9jst5IapD3x91OShC0hmxP-weUOv_vaQg/s640/blogger-image-1895181295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBW0u_gm_DXmAW0AEvi3ZpT8NnTpfoLNwjfQEv8jHcRwVMZ1YuczImuGyg4Q06tSPr3JOCqzlEZv2IcJnsu0ldui5g9AQot_qnozYC9PjcQ9jst5IapD3x91OShC0hmxP-weUOv_vaQg/s640/blogger-image-1895181295.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjv0nGB4l_ZxM2GUOo1aO_qnJmO5SdGAwCelGScX1KeoJyFzzuBwhaZEN2AGFQo3r8bR3fm6JPOMJn_nSQv1Uak7SMHeUn9INN4LJqjw6p9dHOOzgg54bWyf_mN24dZdUF1_nuCNMt8ns/s640/blogger-image--1771543906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjv0nGB4l_ZxM2GUOo1aO_qnJmO5SdGAwCelGScX1KeoJyFzzuBwhaZEN2AGFQo3r8bR3fm6JPOMJn_nSQv1Uak7SMHeUn9INN4LJqjw6p9dHOOzgg54bWyf_mN24dZdUF1_nuCNMt8ns/s640/blogger-image--1771543906.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><br></div><div>He had three brothers, who have all died, and a sister. His parents had died as well. After serving in the military (which is required for all Korean men), he worked at the Chosun Beach Hotel and the rest of the story is history.</div><div><br></div><div>I think it is bizarre that they have kept in touch over the years and still seemed so familiar with each other. It was like they were an old, married couple- except they weren't. He teased her for being overbearing with me- she didn't seem at all nervous to see him. She kept saying how he used to be a handsome man, not so thin. She was upset that he was in "work clothes" and he apologized that he hadn't dressed formally to meet me since he had come straight from work. I thought he looked fine- neat and clean, but she kept saying he always dressed formally for her. They were just so comfortable together. It was so weird.</div><div><br></div><div>I asked when the last time they had seen each other had been and he said, "I have a family now...so it has been a few months." Well, a few months ago you had a family too! So I was thoroughly confused. It seemed as if they had this bond that prevented them from ever really saying goodbye. Perhaps that was me. If so, now they really won't be able to. He wants me to keep in touch with him through my b-mother. I felt lucky to have the chance to meet both of them, and together. Not many adoptees get that opportunity if their parents are no longer together.</div><div><br></div><div>I understood the importance of keeping this whole thing a secret for him; it would be devastating to his wife and children to know that he had a daughter before they came along, after all these years. I did not ask him if he was going to tell them, because I don't see the point in why he would. All it would be is disruptive. I couldn't believe his wife didn't even know my b-mother existed. All these years. Such a big secret. Korean drama!!!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgta1KmS1W_91VhFM7HoHCaZlqykW6jgqMw92WKmPJGOh2wk1nvcyO1Ia-xbiKo-pn0202QJsWkjY-PbALXBIZH1Rw2_63Ci0-IqVoAGvjF4mq_0p50CtO9-AsFYJ1tKAGLOe8NyF-9CDA/s640/blogger-image-292465833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgta1KmS1W_91VhFM7HoHCaZlqykW6jgqMw92WKmPJGOh2wk1nvcyO1Ia-xbiKo-pn0202QJsWkjY-PbALXBIZH1Rw2_63Ci0-IqVoAGvjF4mq_0p50CtO9-AsFYJ1tKAGLOe8NyF-9CDA/s640/blogger-image-292465833.jpg"></a></div><i>Family photo</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsv7UpewXhbZQhAb1AAuOdeVr2yZJuszzWaaG4Tf9w7i1P-WSFQqPWUEdS_FKAOAIuHmmAvdEenfvVK7qfdY4RCAoeqpuBYTZ7HOTUr_wJyN0VZrIxvroLeRcxduWSYpnLa66Jb3un7NM/s640/blogger-image--1505498881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsv7UpewXhbZQhAb1AAuOdeVr2yZJuszzWaaG4Tf9w7i1P-WSFQqPWUEdS_FKAOAIuHmmAvdEenfvVK7qfdY4RCAoeqpuBYTZ7HOTUr_wJyN0VZrIxvroLeRcxduWSYpnLa66Jb3un7NM/s640/blogger-image--1505498881.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGnp2gW1YMJIfrDRwUqMy5FXHG8AXR42caFOiewgC1N20PQlf4cvkGAEgPM1SceP5ZWtS2vY_md5qkMJ7QklSOK6rKh8gMpCYO7sPPliAZBTYat_IdDVVaiAe30uxUlqU-IaD_AXdRXI/s640/blogger-image--784109498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGnp2gW1YMJIfrDRwUqMy5FXHG8AXR42caFOiewgC1N20PQlf4cvkGAEgPM1SceP5ZWtS2vY_md5qkMJ7QklSOK6rKh8gMpCYO7sPPliAZBTYat_IdDVVaiAe30uxUlqU-IaD_AXdRXI/s640/blogger-image--784109498.jpg"></a></div>Everyone thinks I look more like him.</div></i></div><div><br></div><div>Despite the need to be so careful, he still gave me his cell phone number and address. He has been texting me ever since our meeting. His texts make me sad. I'm surprised at how open he can be in writing. I'm surprised at how you can feel love for someone- and tell them that- after only meeting them once. My mother's description of him in my paperwork was definitely accurate; he was a kind and gentle man.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigS_tjKqYpaihiUxth2-0H4apG5q0guJt0hKWRWZA9Ef7AZqBxXFDgr_R4lEOY0pRfimfGwYfT-TYGVjnXbCVe6hfwpw29lbiGEORVFfGbwuQHomfVfTNflcr-AfqYiG3b0_w1ZIiCG4E/s640/blogger-image-128319174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigS_tjKqYpaihiUxth2-0H4apG5q0guJt0hKWRWZA9Ef7AZqBxXFDgr_R4lEOY0pRfimfGwYfT-TYGVjnXbCVe6hfwpw29lbiGEORVFfGbwuQHomfVfTNflcr-AfqYiG3b0_w1ZIiCG4E/s640/blogger-image-128319174.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>He said he had no medical problems I needed to be aware of. He willingly gave me his DNA (he was actually very interested in me sending the results to my mother). It was kind of funny because when I asked him he just grabbed a whole tuft of his hair so I didn't have to pluck individual hairs out or anything. The taking of DNA has been easier than I expected.</div><div><br></div><div>I had a chance to ask a few questions to my b-mother I had forgotten to ask yesterday. Like where I was born: at Sehyun Hospital, even though it "moved" last year so it is no longer in Busan. She gave me a picture of her mother. She said that my aunt in France has two daughters and two sons. That she visits her often in the winter. She emphasized again that my aunt would want to know me. I need to try to contact her once I get home, because she couldn't find her email address. Neither of my b-parents use email. That makes keeping in touch a bit harder.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSs1gdW8lqB6wl1GZtbvyVHfxOa-SXHt3mQ6bC-wO_SCNVj_XqXZ-DQcvDF3prTXdUs5nOJQ9OnznVaJJm-5KJrH0eAGX9OsROpkxU55XMhy3H1xvs40TGpDzjEDFal3Byrt6OBgexbg/s640/blogger-image--240619734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSs1gdW8lqB6wl1GZtbvyVHfxOa-SXHt3mQ6bC-wO_SCNVj_XqXZ-DQcvDF3prTXdUs5nOJQ9OnznVaJJm-5KJrH0eAGX9OsROpkxU55XMhy3H1xvs40TGpDzjEDFal3Byrt6OBgexbg/s640/blogger-image--240619734.jpg"></a></div><i>My grandmother, who is now 98</i></div><div><br></div><div>Anyway, after the initial meeting in the park and our little picnic, it was decided that we were going to the mall. My mother still wanted to buy stuff for me. It felt so weird driving to the mall with my father behind the wheel. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HL7Cc6mEALuTFpRFQ1_WQwNs8GBYMSdxDZOpBhhv3nnMXgo5KkoUDrHa9eTQjy43W3cLVZMhAAXkMJsUNlw7mbNBTkqRg_GKLi2tcxUamWP2aIdKDQ7rkGbxQ_F9SXFg_gHvgbO5C28/s640/blogger-image--11200601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HL7Cc6mEALuTFpRFQ1_WQwNs8GBYMSdxDZOpBhhv3nnMXgo5KkoUDrHa9eTQjy43W3cLVZMhAAXkMJsUNlw7mbNBTkqRg_GKLi2tcxUamWP2aIdKDQ7rkGbxQ_F9SXFg_gHvgbO5C28/s640/blogger-image--11200601.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahIsY04UUnJSRn-TE8HPGUZT7rbqj_yiJhP5YiCLiGebftKHqsHYlKQmfQ6-zB3vLXPLd-Fnkjh6aR2YrQOXRY0o3MmsXWvnLUWH_PBUbm7gW_QHBchSp0Q9WPlkKISEQCATz36Gv1tc/s640/blogger-image-378207719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahIsY04UUnJSRn-TE8HPGUZT7rbqj_yiJhP5YiCLiGebftKHqsHYlKQmfQ6-zB3vLXPLd-Fnkjh6aR2YrQOXRY0o3MmsXWvnLUWH_PBUbm7gW_QHBchSp0Q9WPlkKISEQCATz36Gv1tc/s640/blogger-image-378207719.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>When we got there, it was awkward; we went to the big Shinsegae department store again - and everything is pretty high end there. They kept asking me to pick out things. They weren't going to stop until I did, and I was completely overwhelmed and exhausted, so I just consented. They wanted to buy matching outfits for the boys. Two sweaters, and two pairs of pants later, my father spent about $500. It was sad for me. I couldn't tell if he had the money to afford to do something like that, let alone I would never spend that much money on kids' clothes myself. But it was something he wanted to do. They kept saying that after 30 years, this was nothing.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3gLXBS_vEty2YyijLycIgqAyw5xHCmD0GZN0vYGqqsU83ab2kpNSkpwfS13-r0FCVo7SsFXVrtxRBlaDaFMJaroWxZVY1AUeUwu9JqcpGzUvnkcCAwWFDAdzf9xDIfKUSkKF9F4are4/s640/blogger-image--1161783802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3gLXBS_vEty2YyijLycIgqAyw5xHCmD0GZN0vYGqqsU83ab2kpNSkpwfS13-r0FCVo7SsFXVrtxRBlaDaFMJaroWxZVY1AUeUwu9JqcpGzUvnkcCAwWFDAdzf9xDIfKUSkKF9F4are4/s640/blogger-image--1161783802.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZ5cWqKbBeAtTgyHIgjJ_l-ZXi7ZT8zy5l-BbhBHmlPgZyBwAZ8BYVOJvykj16jwQJ3eTSqzFbfDaxG8ud0ekTRK58Koqj5UsnituD2bd-jRG5gTRLViXwLQaryrY0phd1GZTD3rGXWk/s640/blogger-image--1986019378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZ5cWqKbBeAtTgyHIgjJ_l-ZXi7ZT8zy5l-BbhBHmlPgZyBwAZ8BYVOJvykj16jwQJ3eTSqzFbfDaxG8ud0ekTRK58Koqj5UsnituD2bd-jRG5gTRLViXwLQaryrY0phd1GZTD3rGXWk/s640/blogger-image--1986019378.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>Next, my mother wanted to shop for me at a maternity store. It was tiny- literally three walls of things- and she picked out this formal looking blue dress with gold zippers. My father liked this grey and ivory silk top. I tried them both on and chose the cheaper option. My mother bought the dress; it was about $155. I was glad that she was satisfied after that. In the park she literally cupped my boob and looked down my shirt and said I needed a new bra. So I was a little nervous she was going to want to buy me a bra. But she had forgotten.</div><div><br></div><div>Then they wanted to shop for Tom. I was very hesitant to let them spend any money on Tom, especially on clothes, because I doubt he would fit into the clothes there. They were picking out cashmere sweaters and dress shirts- but I didn't remember his size and knew that all the arms would be too short. I told them a t-shirt would be fine. My b-mother scolded me for "not wanting to buy anything for my husband." We moved on. Sorry T, didn't end up getting you anything. She wanted to buy me new shoes (again with the shoes!) and something for my mom back home. I told her that perhaps we could look after lunch; I was getting hungry.</div><div><br></div><div>We headed up to the 9th floor where the restaurants were. They were concerned again if I liked Korean food and asked what I wanted. I said Korean food was fine- I liked Korean food- so we went to a bibimbap restaurant. My b-father ordered before we even sat down, while we waited for a table, so everything was ready when we got the table. He watched me use my chopsticks and said I had good form; that I was a true Korean. He said that the next time I am in Korea, he hopes that we can speak together. That they are "old and learn slow" so maybe I can try to learn Korean. I think I may try to take a class or at least buy Rosetta Stone. The language barrier is just so huge and both him and my b-mother said many times how they wished they could just talk to me alone, but they couldn't.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYu8jogoQAjWSFbZig7LojN3Er_owKJCqMo1ut6WhQaRqmC7R2CLlgqW2Tm3hbpqzGqe4ctmvCQspTslzQfrVRDcmzJK506aucb39-9LgDhDHtM9N4DFPDjzg9JCth0pnrhNWnL_ovmc/s640/blogger-image--1926224241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYu8jogoQAjWSFbZig7LojN3Er_owKJCqMo1ut6WhQaRqmC7R2CLlgqW2Tm3hbpqzGqe4ctmvCQspTslzQfrVRDcmzJK506aucb39-9LgDhDHtM9N4DFPDjzg9JCth0pnrhNWnL_ovmc/s640/blogger-image--1926224241.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-AfkSkYCwugS_S96qRPCe1kmyHeXerfHZAeoSrbs2VjXFS2qx71f7w9zxDUUlE4CJZuCERvfWdbVZcc82gDATgFlPVt6FXM4D3BKanxk08F-bJlHvwZuHEnXzUI6P0Dswzogh1T7vuc/s640/blogger-image--2102131297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-AfkSkYCwugS_S96qRPCe1kmyHeXerfHZAeoSrbs2VjXFS2qx71f7w9zxDUUlE4CJZuCERvfWdbVZcc82gDATgFlPVt6FXM4D3BKanxk08F-bJlHvwZuHEnXzUI6P0Dswzogh1T7vuc/s640/blogger-image--2102131297.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>After lunch, I was relieved when they seemed to be tired and done with the mall. They asked if I wanted coffee, which I really didn't, so when I learned that they didn't drink it either it was a good excuse to skip another stop. We went down to the parking garage to find the car; that took a few minutes because none of us remembered where he had parked. Eventually we found the car, after my b-father ran around the parking garage for awhile.</div><div><br></div><div>The whole time we had been together, my mother kept talking about this white blanket she wanted to give me. Apparently she has a matching one, and she likes it very much, and has had it for awhile and just really wanted me to have it. My b-father teased her and said, "What is so special about this blanket?" He relented and drove us to her place for her to get the blanket. Turns out it is like a big down comforter that is going to be tough to get back home- but whatever makes her happy.. </div><div><br></div><div>We got to her place and she invited me up. He did not want me going up there. I don't know if it was because he didn't want me seeing it or because he needed to get going, but he told her to just go and get it; I figured I might as well see the place so I jumped out and followed her up. It was a second story walkup. She talked to me in Korean and pointed out some plants outside her door, but I didn't know what she was saying. It was the first time we had been alone together. </div><div><br></div><div>When we walked in, I wanted to cry..it was so tiny. It was smaller than a New York apartment. Her kitchen and bathroom were the size of my kitchen table, if that. There was no shower or toilet in the bathroom that I could see; just a bowl of water on the ground. There was a small room off to the side that literally held only a laundry drying rack. She opened the door to her room and although it was larger, it certainly was not large. There was no bed - Koreans prefer to sleep on the floor (in this sense I am certainly NOT a true Korean), just a wardrobe and a small shelf with pictures and a mirror. The shelf was covered with pictures of her and her family, and front and center was the picture we had taken of us at the Aquarium and the one I gave her framed. Next to the shelf was the photo album I gave her of my family. She had shown the album and explained everything to my father the night before. He could not take any pictures with him because of his situation, but when I offered him the small gift I had made him earlier (a photo of me and my family on a dog chain) and my mommy card with contact info, he took them both willingly. She told him he shouldn't take them, but he said he would take care of it and he wanted them. </div><div><br></div><div>The apartment felt so small and lonely. I couldn't imagine where my father had slept the night before; they must have shared the bedroom somehow. Their relationship was so confusing. On our way out, she kept pointing to her shoes; she wanted me to try them on. She hates my shoes. She says I need to be more comfortable. Earlier in the day she gave me a bag filled with things; including three pairs of her own shoes that I gave back to her. They were about a half size too small, and I knew I would never wear them. I think she was disappointed because she kept saying that she wanted to buy me new shoes, but her friend said that would be an awful gift. But she wanted to anyway. She never got the chance.</div><div><br></div><div>She gave me a bag full of things - apparently she had gone shopping after our meeting yesterday and gotten more things for me. Inside the bag was a baby blanket - she wanted me to wrap the baby in it in the winter. More facial creams and cleansers. A little green jacket for one of my sons that her sister's children had worn, and some kids' flip flops that were apparently "very fashionable" here. A little utensil set for the boys. A zip up that she had bought for herself but that was "a little too small" and would be "good for the weather today." A blousy shirt that she thought I could wear when pregnant. Three handkerchiefs - one with a map of Korea on it that I am supposed to bring back the next time I visit. The rest of the fruit from the picnic. Green tea for my mother back home. And tissues. Lots of tissues.</div><div><br></div><div>After retrieving the white blanket, they drove me back to the guest house. I had told them I needed to get back to pack and catch a bus at 4. Truthfully, I could have stayed longer. But I was feeling like I needed to go. I didn't want to take the train back by myself, even though it would have been much faster, and much more pleasant. A direct, 3 hour ride vs. a 7.5 hour bus ride. But I wanted to leave with the group. I just felt like I had to go.</div><div><br></div><div>My father parked the van and everyone got out and said goodbye. I did not want to look back at them. I could feel their sadness. My birth mother said earlier that she thought I was staying in Busan until Saturday, so she was pretty upset that I was leaving for Seoul today. She was upset that my sister could stay for the rest of the month but I had to get home, and she asked me why I couldn't stay. They understood that I had to get back to my family. But I could feel how sad they were that we had only had a day together - the three of us. I felt bad for coming into their lives for such a brief moment in time. It was heartbreaking.</div><div><br></div><div>Before parting, my father said that when we come back for the Olympics he wants to see me. I was surprised that he would want to see me again despite the situation. But he did seem like he wanted to keep in touch. He told me not to cry; that it was not good for me. He gave some words of wisdom: to be good to my parents back home who raised me. To be brave and be strong. To take care of myself and the baby. To be happy.</div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">My birth mother said she was going back to the foot spa later that afternoon. I think she goes there regularly. I felt like if I ever returned to Busan, if I waited long enough, I would find her there. One day I will bring my children there and explain to them about my past.</span></div><div><br></div><div>When we were waiting for our bus at a small coffee shop, my translator got a phone call. It was my mother; she had tried calling Holt too. She was at a department store trying to buy me another piece of luggage so I could check all the things she had given to me. I told my translator to tell her that I was okay; that I didn't need the bag. I knew it would cost a lot. I didn't want her spending any more money. The translator said she wanted her to come get it and bring it to me, but we finally talked her out of it. I'm sure she was disappointed. She scolded me outside the mall for not picking out a bag, if that was what I needed. The thing is, I probably do need a bag but the last thing I want to do is have her buy it for me. Not after seeing her apartment. Not after knowing her life.</div><div><br></div><div>My translator, Minyeon, was amazing. It felt so great having her on this journey with me. She went above and beyond for me these past two days. It wasn't uncomfortable at all having her there during some very uncomfortable moments and emotional times. When we had said goodbye to my parents, she gave me and my mother a parting gift- matching phone plugs (for the earphone jack). My mother thought they were earrings. Hah...She also gave me a very sweet note. I was happy to get her email address so we could keep in touch. Her English was impeccable. She translated all of the pictures that I was given, the letter my mother wrote, and anything else I asked her. She was so patient and attentive. She said she enjoyed the experience too; it was different than she thought it was going to be. I was glad she was there for it. She helped me to the bus and carried my bags. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpfil2klKQmRylIZQUU9a3k7RKd1_2n69kTG8V2Up6ezz4Dn3lRxxiND3BhRAduAflAomIuvyMq0XdIBMh5Iw7fp_YGqROtU9-GCAKjoNfpN9o-J2GwEGgS2Bwtw6Iz07eImTOm86cvI/s640/blogger-image--1427260663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpfil2klKQmRylIZQUU9a3k7RKd1_2n69kTG8V2Up6ezz4Dn3lRxxiND3BhRAduAflAomIuvyMq0XdIBMh5Iw7fp_YGqROtU9-GCAKjoNfpN9o-J2GwEGgS2Bwtw6Iz07eImTOm86cvI/s640/blogger-image--1427260663.jpg"></a><i>Me & Minyeon</i></div></div><div><br></div><div>On the bus ride away from Busan, I passed my mother's building. Just leaving the city, I was filled with inexplicable sadness. Sadness because who knows if I will ever come back. Who knows if I will ever see them again, or if they will die before then. Who knows if I will even keep in touch. As hard as it was for me, I could imagine how much harder it was for them. My mother had followed me to the door where I was going up to the guest house and waved through the glass. She was crying. I hope they will be able to get through this. I hope they remain friends, or whatever their relationship might be. I hope they can ultimately be happier from all of this. But for now I just felt sadness. For all of us. It has been an emotionally overwhelming 48 hours. I am happy to return to Seoul. But tomorrow starts a new journey- the one of my sister's. We will meet her birth mother tomorrow at 11am. The journey continues...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGjdG2LFkfwEVeLA_cLSWsad3oRrl-8U9KQT9_nAFQH4AaTHkqSbr3TE5xaCbmPK7bU78x8NpNIt-JhD2qsUrLMmQomNl_seH7SJneDrrEzOoyE7nV_JnizemWxky2wrfgiLc8VqSzo8/s640/blogger-image--1748590529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGjdG2LFkfwEVeLA_cLSWsad3oRrl-8U9KQT9_nAFQH4AaTHkqSbr3TE5xaCbmPK7bU78x8NpNIt-JhD2qsUrLMmQomNl_seH7SJneDrrEzOoyE7nV_JnizemWxky2wrfgiLc8VqSzo8/s640/blogger-image--1748590529.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioEHalIl4vlorDCSAPndjtTI81sibIz2gUn-Y8JuEoKDGnLHC3YqDyCVq5boMlW8w2GHPhrvVFtprXjETuDu21vOH4H7bIuNhRNU7ZHWrGEWjh93QgDlH1RqsrH77ruKZGa9gOtu7gaVQ/s640/blogger-image-1974961252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioEHalIl4vlorDCSAPndjtTI81sibIz2gUn-Y8JuEoKDGnLHC3YqDyCVq5boMlW8w2GHPhrvVFtprXjETuDu21vOH4H7bIuNhRNU7ZHWrGEWjh93QgDlH1RqsrH77ruKZGa9gOtu7gaVQ/s640/blogger-image-1974961252.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622935566675729292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130075084314468688.post-70867906356188904072013-09-09T02:35:00.001-07:002013-09-10T16:44:03.108-07:00Reunion with my Birth Mother<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Today I met my birth mother.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The morning started off well; I actually got some sleep last night and woke up <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://0" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0">at 7:15</a>, more continuous sleep than I’ve gotten this whole trip. I had a quick breakfast and then hopped in a cab with a GOA’L staff member and another adoptee who was also going to meet her birth family. We had been told we would be meeting with a social worker first to review our case, then have the meeting with our family. But when I got there, the social worker told me that my mother had already arrived and was waiting for me. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UxJlnagZfBHku-GnGZvlHpphvk8L30KOeyi4-lvuPft7dNL5-B5M73RFV1s-iA5NcWaGMyfkEfARaDJXJa9ARPP4kFtp0ILw3nV4faqA-5WHdGPtZI4KOdaJp-w-MI9Nizj-dAhjGx0/s640/blogger-image-1108156190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UxJlnagZfBHku-GnGZvlHpphvk8L30KOeyi4-lvuPft7dNL5-B5M73RFV1s-iA5NcWaGMyfkEfARaDJXJa9ARPP4kFtp0ILw3nV4faqA-5WHdGPtZI4KOdaJp-w-MI9Nizj-dAhjGx0/s640/blogger-image-1108156190.jpg"></a></div><i>A little nervous at breakfast</i><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2zXfat7-uoHi3_Lwh2DyqazYldxNxa0634a-2rJItF5tptx1YQjFcIfTDR6SqLrCLi8w5_PF3tXadEjdKIhhKZrSXq_mOrTbmX4KYSC-8pb_uda3eWYXBBqJkoW1R0Em4C1Sl2xD5aw/s640/blogger-image--175785918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2zXfat7-uoHi3_Lwh2DyqazYldxNxa0634a-2rJItF5tptx1YQjFcIfTDR6SqLrCLi8w5_PF3tXadEjdKIhhKZrSXq_mOrTbmX4KYSC-8pb_uda3eWYXBBqJkoW1R0Em4C1Sl2xD5aw/s640/blogger-image--175785918.jpg"></a></div>Me and Cecilie, the other adoptee reuniting today</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0iuuBQ4JSwRYd0eLsDNuHj5ASoYXg5BR3RV0hX2HlZ-Oa9P4k5aAn84x4Izi1yLDaSwapRAQ1hgqWJoc8L5oxEtVpph1uT38XXSR8fJjzVwc2xTTE-v6Jy3mIwUkqKTYjo2Gre-hI5hY/s640/blogger-image-465206943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0iuuBQ4JSwRYd0eLsDNuHj5ASoYXg5BR3RV0hX2HlZ-Oa9P4k5aAn84x4Izi1yLDaSwapRAQ1hgqWJoc8L5oxEtVpph1uT38XXSR8fJjzVwc2xTTE-v6Jy3mIwUkqKTYjo2Gre-hI5hY/s640/blogger-image-465206943.jpg"></a></div>In front of the Holt Busan office </i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNsvxKAbIQ7o1Md23qCUqePTMHg26wo7rE7HMcI98mTfZpeX5GQriA6jh1TFd2giAK9Mg_BNaeAn_R10798Y4e1HUD1XQeyfXkVNX8zWcocJkeZMvzDvVtC-n9Hfrcm6GcPh6w3bI3Uo/s640/blogger-image-1263503172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNsvxKAbIQ7o1Md23qCUqePTMHg26wo7rE7HMcI98mTfZpeX5GQriA6jh1TFd2giAK9Mg_BNaeAn_R10798Y4e1HUD1XQeyfXkVNX8zWcocJkeZMvzDvVtC-n9Hfrcm6GcPh6w3bI3Uo/s640/blogger-image-1263503172.jpg"></a></div><div><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniGgAjAnHYv6K7oNo9x879ktWHP2unWRMHuZsHq5loNvIhFW5Lyy8kIvtcPyeZYPoC4WPQyOD_VECepOBybs9ByFyn5Lwk_qMA6Yb__Qt1U6Ahhhmesp4RKav6EiXcXnAg5Nw8GkY9a8/s640/blogger-image--454540409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniGgAjAnHYv6K7oNo9x879ktWHP2unWRMHuZsHq5loNvIhFW5Lyy8kIvtcPyeZYPoC4WPQyOD_VECepOBybs9ByFyn5Lwk_qMA6Yb__Qt1U6Ahhhmesp4RKav6EiXcXnAg5Nw8GkY9a8/s640/blogger-image--454540409.jpg"></a></div>Inside Holt with my sister </i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSPU3KKBrSjp4kYq3NriYNtf8E-QmOXpdCLTlvpizvFPnBhYGwCkuBQs54fk-gG7dCEiayqen021kGsP_BOVaHqyQ4j5hXZlhevvwAtJg42JEAHNzZaHJewxtU_XTob7NQ-r-PzEZ5B4/s640/blogger-image-1370639866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSPU3KKBrSjp4kYq3NriYNtf8E-QmOXpdCLTlvpizvFPnBhYGwCkuBQs54fk-gG7dCEiayqen021kGsP_BOVaHqyQ4j5hXZlhevvwAtJg42JEAHNzZaHJewxtU_XTob7NQ-r-PzEZ5B4/s640/blogger-image-1370639866.jpg"></a></div>Waiting to talk to the social worker with our interpreters</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It all seemed so quick. I was taken to a room and there she was. I</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "> have been preparing for this since I found out I was going on the trip and I guess I have been preparing for the worst. I have been hearing all of these extreme stories and watching filmed reunions and thought it would be a huge crying fest with a lot of touching and tears. Apart from the initial first hug, there really wasn’t much crying. And for the most part she gave me my personal space too. I was pleasantly surprised.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6w9uESItbig-D9OusHvbLH9OfePbTsJfePCOoWQzpUQ21QYjksgEMxBUqjGZzBcE_s8XqG6r1fjlpruDr9evXTitt_vMjo5IdwKYdZvQWKR2FX1HdqVugf5zOJR37HINYShCnoFxVJg/s640/blogger-image-1165179689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6w9uESItbig-D9OusHvbLH9OfePbTsJfePCOoWQzpUQ21QYjksgEMxBUqjGZzBcE_s8XqG6r1fjlpruDr9evXTitt_vMjo5IdwKYdZvQWKR2FX1HdqVugf5zOJR37HINYShCnoFxVJg/s640/blogger-image-1165179689.jpg"></a></div><i>The first hug</i></div><div><br><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At first I went in with the two social workers, but then I brought in my own interpreter and eventually my sister. The first thing that struck me was that I didn’t think I looked like her…at all. She said I looked like my father. Some people there thought we had a similar nose, but that was about it. She kept saying that she was happy that I had grown up so well. She was saying thank you and sorry and she missed me. She gave me a very sweet letter that she had written “through many tears.” She wanted me to call her Oma (the Korean word for mother). She said that the day after she gave me up, she went back to the hospital to look for me, but they couldn’t tell her where I was because she was only talking to doctors, and they had already taken me away. She felt like this was all a dream come true – that I had come back and found her. I asked her why she had agreed to meet with me, and she said I had come from so far away, and she had been waiting for so long.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDq-OxmVpO5hKEEgU5lnvO7VT1xKduEgnKUm7bDf5O8xf3hj3K_A6kD9OeV5DBtzVT-Fz8MYn-aBThseneTG6OSJ42qdjqg035r7PDhR3hpuMblmIpAcF9FI4RBgr6zWAStQcVqzloQFg/s640/blogger-image--1946544853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDq-OxmVpO5hKEEgU5lnvO7VT1xKduEgnKUm7bDf5O8xf3hj3K_A6kD9OeV5DBtzVT-Fz8MYn-aBThseneTG6OSJ42qdjqg035r7PDhR3hpuMblmIpAcF9FI4RBgr6zWAStQcVqzloQFg/s640/blogger-image--1946544853.jpg"></a></div><i>Answering questions</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUZ9tfAPBx3CCBTm7KQ7MhG8PUgbdbJZur9r-MJaLDH7K1YN0mg8JCc3JIOLjUDb8cv6L6q-j4guKmEE7WrTpx8Vu6Em4qT6XRNpLaWYWtClYwI-6T29ue-Crt3jFoixkwcOT5utAqKI/s640/blogger-image--1605018812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUZ9tfAPBx3CCBTm7KQ7MhG8PUgbdbJZur9r-MJaLDH7K1YN0mg8JCc3JIOLjUDb8cv6L6q-j4guKmEE7WrTpx8Vu6Em4qT6XRNpLaWYWtClYwI-6T29ue-Crt3jFoixkwcOT5utAqKI/s640/blogger-image--1605018812.jpg"></a></div>The meeting room with Holt social workers</i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "> </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqu-aCYaHe3BPn94ZBKnIZVJURQ0AXQvdowCJARsHJcglnzOQQ9bvizjm3sKFPFbkD_-qaTsW6l3mzXUpz7UjsBiwai8rfj02TfVQhqEc9w_nXZx_c4bJsNtSddQZOWHVwMeKtEWVLUFs/s640/blogger-image-1799456657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqu-aCYaHe3BPn94ZBKnIZVJURQ0AXQvdowCJARsHJcglnzOQQ9bvizjm3sKFPFbkD_-qaTsW6l3mzXUpz7UjsBiwai8rfj02TfVQhqEc9w_nXZx_c4bJsNtSddQZOWHVwMeKtEWVLUFs/s640/blogger-image-1799456657.jpg"></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i>Most of the pictures taken were her looking at me; someone finally had to tell her to look at the camera</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><br></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlu-aHVHjrqy_kpH9Mo0UtKTbD8MRubAYdsUd90B-DgtWkK8FLc7Hk1CvMLb20XzWQPZWdyXAY28PmpA3in-iC7vbd5m6CI2IRPRueG1yGpAY81KTHc-YmSuOl6XPtKHPeaXWX2MaKGo/s640/blogger-image-1864999858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlu-aHVHjrqy_kpH9Mo0UtKTbD8MRubAYdsUd90B-DgtWkK8FLc7Hk1CvMLb20XzWQPZWdyXAY28PmpA3in-iC7vbd5m6CI2IRPRueG1yGpAY81KTHc-YmSuOl6XPtKHPeaXWX2MaKGo/s640/blogger-image-1864999858.jpg"></a></i></div><i>Same nose? She says I have my father's eyes.</i><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQL8XlLpnfWkusNX5QWIIGAyP8oy3cZE1BAERGvsgxrVNAvDiG1qQ3Gp5icdEbbleYu213UNhCc0hV131-VVP_th7NMcWE_R2ocUgFrsXmzo_nvtYEQgzbK4zwWr0aulGMpeZFTYS0RR4/s640/blogger-image--1879659442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQL8XlLpnfWkusNX5QWIIGAyP8oy3cZE1BAERGvsgxrVNAvDiG1qQ3Gp5icdEbbleYu213UNhCc0hV131-VVP_th7NMcWE_R2ocUgFrsXmzo_nvtYEQgzbK4zwWr0aulGMpeZFTYS0RR4/s640/blogger-image--1879659442.jpg"></a></div><i>She willingly gave her DNA</i></div><div><br><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There was a lot of time for us to cover all the questions I had, and I was happy that she was so willing to answer everything. I found out that most of the things I had been told by the social workers at Holt from my file were wrong. She was not a widow; she had been divorced from her first husband. She only had two children. After me, she never remarried. This was not a secret reunion for her- she had just been told by Holt to keep it a secret. There was lots of misinformation between her and Holt and me. I asked who knew about me: my father, her younger sister, her mother, and her friends. Her mother had seen her when she was pregnant with me. But her mother did not know that I was adopted, which I thought was weird. It wasn’t clear what she thought happened to me. But I found out that her mother is still alive – 98 years old! Sorry Tom, I may be here to stay for awhile. Her mother lives in Seoul with her [mother’s] younger brother. There’s a possibility she may want me to meet them and go to her house; I am worried that I will give her a heart attack.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">She had two children from her marriage; one girl and one boy- my half siblings. She gave me pictures of them. I don’t think I look like them, but someone said I looked kind of like my half-brother. They both have children too, all boys! I am cursed. My half-sister, Kim Min Sun, lives in Kangwondo, not too far from Seoul with her three boys, and owns a hotel. My half-brother, Kim Hong Sool, lives in Seoul with his two boys. He is almost 50 and my half-sister is 47; neither of them know about me. She said she would tell them if I wanted her to, but I'm not even sure if that's what I want anymore. My half-sister looks a little scary from her picture. I’m actually not sure if I want to meet her. She may beat me up.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0T3KnoG2HcZE43GKaqNDKOpbNqod4U-QLcVPVjxzUp3lq08t1wsbwYtkOWRprX2Er-WYalOknOxsEHIM1nM2pgkVnt0YTPBO4KCE-Cg4pKh1glJmJbF8C-uORM60SVzKrbyyMSxGqtwk/s640/blogger-image-147728177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0T3KnoG2HcZE43GKaqNDKOpbNqod4U-QLcVPVjxzUp3lq08t1wsbwYtkOWRprX2Er-WYalOknOxsEHIM1nM2pgkVnt0YTPBO4KCE-Cg4pKh1glJmJbF8C-uORM60SVzKrbyyMSxGqtwk/s640/blogger-image-147728177.jpg"></a></div><i>My half-sister - I think she is with her husband here</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBwGgRjARfIrh-d3HlSPssijMGF5gd36HWuie_r1TnGxk8_nRnQwjqWGh7kvNVU8P30sxzjH-fqPd6U0bO2SWyGMnYdUqiXPiBzdJd7XhcEoKB-lvz_ScuIs1iQJt4kHwUsY8Jeys5wE/s640/blogger-image--1528269086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBwGgRjARfIrh-d3HlSPssijMGF5gd36HWuie_r1TnGxk8_nRnQwjqWGh7kvNVU8P30sxzjH-fqPd6U0bO2SWyGMnYdUqiXPiBzdJd7XhcEoKB-lvz_ScuIs1iQJt4kHwUsY8Jeys5wE/s640/blogger-image--1528269086.jpg"></a></div>Tommy would say this is a mad face...</i></div><div><i><br></i><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RvRGfsSnIsiy8W7CiAaRDO1Gwc8VA4RdZHATE56Ma8AqKw1w7pIs3fFS62wQEL1nBVUfZRJwF3n1iT4lMjm5_zP5hJbuRv88DyHJJZPSQdzWoRUeuLlbCtVSzCVqXWfCx0GIuAs_cKs/s640/blogger-image-260873128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RvRGfsSnIsiy8W7CiAaRDO1Gwc8VA4RdZHATE56Ma8AqKw1w7pIs3fFS62wQEL1nBVUfZRJwF3n1iT4lMjm5_zP5hJbuRv88DyHJJZPSQdzWoRUeuLlbCtVSzCVqXWfCx0GIuAs_cKs/s640/blogger-image-260873128.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>My half-brother with his wife and one of his sons (2008)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">She was born on June 22, 1946 in Seoul, where she also grew up. She now lives alone and stays at home (doesn’t work). She lives very close to where I am staying; right in Haeundae Beach, near the Chosun Beach Hotel (the Westin Chosun). She pointed out where she lives; it’s behind an apartment complex in a place that kind of looks like an office building. The whole time I was looking out the Tower, she was right below me.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkhLBUNqxLWzPFr18OEoe8NBRXubNgSeIaz7zIUMXzTQZwuvQOlwf9JyyIrq_jJhphZgX7gSjmhJW5gUayDZFWf9DWmbjjZEkWKPi6wW6aPBkeaBIqKsrIoX9oicSymI6tiojhfcUfd6g/s640/blogger-image-637391995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkhLBUNqxLWzPFr18OEoe8NBRXubNgSeIaz7zIUMXzTQZwuvQOlwf9JyyIrq_jJhphZgX7gSjmhJW5gUayDZFWf9DWmbjjZEkWKPi6wW6aPBkeaBIqKsrIoX9oicSymI6tiojhfcUfd6g/s640/blogger-image-637391995.jpg"></a></div><i>In Hong Kong (March 2005); in the background is the floating restaurant Jumbo that Tom and I went to in 2008</i><br><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NKP9G4bEIIRaYZsNOIfBw44gYu-L83kl0C0pwSqcRIFTrt7fov_jsf5tARr-tHJweeWHLd1nJY7UH86qE5G0neElcUUXVotU1FxDeEol1rz6-9IXBddpyGH2wu16UzWNLE2EurIsDeg/s640/blogger-image-2065806165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NKP9G4bEIIRaYZsNOIfBw44gYu-L83kl0C0pwSqcRIFTrt7fov_jsf5tARr-tHJweeWHLd1nJY7UH86qE5G0neElcUUXVotU1FxDeEol1rz6-9IXBddpyGH2wu16UzWNLE2EurIsDeg/s640/blogger-image-2065806165.jpg"></a></div><i>At Jeju Island (Spring 2008)</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GYqA4m-Y3wuP6tXZh1EYE6lz6JOO0V_WUWEFnvJrr62k6Y6SedB4Ota3GShLFQC2PwVbwcOA0pBkYorMzy0_T9UziRYV30eGFLAmM-GyXwuIdjC2eXDsTKlM2yIZInd8Be2Ouy2WvtM/s640/blogger-image-1113602829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GYqA4m-Y3wuP6tXZh1EYE6lz6JOO0V_WUWEFnvJrr62k6Y6SedB4Ota3GShLFQC2PwVbwcOA0pBkYorMzy0_T9UziRYV30eGFLAmM-GyXwuIdjC2eXDsTKlM2yIZInd8Be2Ouy2WvtM/s640/blogger-image-1113602829.jpg"></a></div>In France visiting her sister (November 2008); I was in Paris in 2006</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaRMA_XmHmN0a6AY57Wfo13-rmTehYLqB0Abz7_yCdDUjru1WVh1GdMhEToBJnpGZGF1_M7jTyo5RtIvIKycwb6_QdqhThWPHyBZOFZZ2i6SQjFUHJUQSAJncKS6l3bZhBR0iSmlKKUx4/s640/blogger-image--2142128279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaRMA_XmHmN0a6AY57Wfo13-rmTehYLqB0Abz7_yCdDUjru1WVh1GdMhEToBJnpGZGF1_M7jTyo5RtIvIKycwb6_QdqhThWPHyBZOFZZ2i6SQjFUHJUQSAJncKS6l3bZhBR0iSmlKKUx4/s640/blogger-image--2142128279.jpg"></a></div>My birth mother, the cowgirl - at Jeju Island (Fall 2009)<br></i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">She has one sister, who is younger (54) and lives in France. She is married to a Caucasian Frenchman and has four children. I forgot to ask if they were boys or girls. She said that she speaks English and is fluent “wherever she goes.” She travels a lot and when [my mother] travels, it is usually with her. She said that her sister was in high school when she was pregnant with me, and living with her. She asks about me often and misses me. She gave me a picture of her; everyone thought I looked like her sister.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoJKU0FUUrTUuYk2oSmMNv7Bj5aP3aNtLcZ1qmwLmYOmnJMg_ipaH7-MkHEvac9sfwexFKoZ0EWclKireVWLZP8SEj2_WJr04jG5bfNr-uQag0eOZhlsDmItxB29xnjD0n9GSPjRcl8Y/s640/blogger-image-224854494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoJKU0FUUrTUuYk2oSmMNv7Bj5aP3aNtLcZ1qmwLmYOmnJMg_ipaH7-MkHEvac9sfwexFKoZ0EWclKireVWLZP8SEj2_WJr04jG5bfNr-uQag0eOZhlsDmItxB29xnjD0n9GSPjRcl8Y/s640/blogger-image-224854494.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0x-UKDz4aFuwA3o1z309aLCxoKgVhglnA-xiZ_HFaFexVfUHNURpEAnMeXrzSFy1xXez_7ciWCrlvUIjC7gfs6M1El84cyx4mz4k1_tKkogYs7sSFwDs4G9Rvf3Zj4C0fWMXVoANjac/s640/blogger-image-78579379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0x-UKDz4aFuwA3o1z309aLCxoKgVhglnA-xiZ_HFaFexVfUHNURpEAnMeXrzSFy1xXez_7ciWCrlvUIjC7gfs6M1El84cyx4mz4k1_tKkogYs7sSFwDs4G9Rvf3Zj4C0fWMXVoANjac/s640/blogger-image-78579379.jpg"></a></div><i>With her French husband- she said Tom looked like him. Cuz all white guys look the same, right</i>?</div><div><br><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I was shocked to find out that she is still in touch with my birth father. His name is Jung Jong Oh. He is about 57 years old, much younger than my mother. He was 25 when they met; she was 35. She said they broke up because at the time, he was not ready to get married. But she knew he would eventually leave so she broke things off with him. He saw her when she was pregnant with me, so he knows of my existence. Apparently, they met up about 10 years ago and he asked about me, and where I was. She told him she did not know. He now lives in Incheon (Seoul) with his family (supposedly 1 boy and 1 girl). My files said he was a “boilerman” and I assumed he was a laborer, someone who worked on trains. But she said he is an electrical engineer for very large buildings. The staff thinks he is a boiler technician. She is going to call him <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://2" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="2">tonight</a> and see if he wants to meet with me before I leave. She was mostly worried that he would not have time or be there because of Chuseok coming up. I am so surprised that she still has his contact information, and she is comfortable enough to just call him up and ask him this. In America I think it would be a huge deal, and the wife would probably be pretty pissed off. So who knows what will happen. **<i>UPDATE ON THIS TO COME TOMORROW**</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Her best friend was there with her and she was pretty cool. She had dyed purple hair and younger clothes. She said that even though they had only been friends for 2-3 years, they were so close because they had been in the hospital together when my mother had breast surgery. [My mother] had breast cancer, but discovered it in its early stages and has now fully recovered. She said she still goes to the hospital 3 times a month to make sure she maintains her health. She had no family in Busan when she went through all that, so her friend was the one who was there for her. She said she would talk more with her friend there, so it was good to have her. Her friend said that my mother is a “cool lady.” Too funny.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAp06xRcul27lt-rWqWRUz3vgRKeDNZ6Yyaxbb1RfFzaMb8DFT9OWslM_fJsKwD5y6l5NFmx8Fvc0qab3beKB5X9M0OSSooaYJ5cdIJiDj5mkg5GOXaP8PqwAj3iGqzrMaH8-_AJ6BBY/s640/blogger-image-1966043281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAp06xRcul27lt-rWqWRUz3vgRKeDNZ6Yyaxbb1RfFzaMb8DFT9OWslM_fJsKwD5y6l5NFmx8Fvc0qab3beKB5X9M0OSSooaYJ5cdIJiDj5mkg5GOXaP8PqwAj3iGqzrMaH8-_AJ6BBY/s640/blogger-image-1966043281.jpg"></a></div><i>Her friend, and my interpreter Minyeong</i></div><div><br><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I found out other things about her, which were also interesting. Like that she has great eyesight, even though I don’t. That she has the same size feet as me. That she doesn’t dye her hair, even at 67, and she hardly had any grey hairs. She said I would not have to dye my hair. And that I shouldn’t, because it makes your skin worse. She said she had great teeth. She's a good cook- especially kimchi. She wants to give me a jar to bring home (I'm nervous about stinking up the plane). She had good health, despite the breast cancer. She doesn’t like having her picture taken. She kept saying how ugly she looked in the pictures and how pretty I was compared to her. She thinks my hands are small like hers. Her friend said she is always running around, eating too fast, and rushing; I think I am the same way. One funny thing she said was that when she had a gift for someone, she had to give it to them right away- she couldn’t wait. Tom can attest that that is exactly what I am like. I try to give him Christmas presents in July. She also said that she has a lot of stress, and I think I may get that from her. I asked about any other medical history or illnesses I should know of, and apart from breast cancer she didn’t say anything. Except that her blood type is O and so is my father’s. I’ll have to check on that when I get home.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">She kept saying how happy she was. That she had not eaten or slept for a week since she found out I was coming. Her friend said she had lost a lot of weight over it and gone down a few sizes. I felt sad for her that she was so wistful that I had not come sooner. She kept saying that she wished I had come years ago when she was not so old. That she could have helped with my wedding. She said my sons look like Tom and that she hopes I have a daughter who looks like me. So do I! She also said that she had called Holt many times since she found out I was coming, asking about me – if I was married or have children. She wanted to be prepared for the meeting with the right gifts, but since they didn’t have any information on me, she said she didn’t know what to get me.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">She wouldn’t let me carry anything. She wanted to give me everything in her purse; she basically did. Even down to the container of gum she had. She kept trying to give me a makeup mirror. She asked if I wore makeup; I think she was a little disappointed when I said no. She wanted to buy me makeup and lipstick. She gave me the necklace she was wearing. It is gold with a ruby; she has the matching ring. I think she wanted to have that connection with me. She had been given it as a wedding gift by her son's wife (I think it was a thank you gift). She gave me a bag with a bunch of practical items in it; a towel, a toothbrush, pens, lipstick, creams, a belt – in her letter she said, “the things I brought for you are all basic things that you’ll need here. Forgive your foolish mother.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">She wanted to buy everything for me. She was so worried about my feet that she wanted to go to a store and get me new shoes. She wants to buy clothes for my sons and the unborn baby, clothes for me, clothes even for Tom. She tried to buy me things in the gift shop. She bought pictures of us from the Aquarium. She wouldn’t let me pay for the cab or the aquarium fee. She tried to pay the translator, and pay the Holt workers but no one would take her money. It is Korean custom to give money and gifts, and helps them to feel like they are giving you something, but it’s hard to accept gifts that I do not want or need. We have plans to meet <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://4" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="4">tomorrow morning</a> to go shopping. Everyone here says I need to just go and do it with her and let her buy anything she wants because it is what she needs to do to feel okay with everything. It should be an interesting day.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After the initial meeting at Holt, we went out to lunch. She was so concerned about me eating and not getting hungry, since I am pregnant. She kept feeding me and rolling bulgogi up and putting food on my plate, then scolding me for eating too fast. It was pretty amusing. She even handfed my sister. She didn't eat much because she said she was too happy, she didn't need to eat. I tried to pay for lunch but she would not have it. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV57aoMyWLULr03q3hJgJ1hCgUzvNGMOkiES7bJmSc132-V0LsxSHmGM4a-eRa6vK3OsExXGxO6SBiS-EozIfhndxKVZYGi3WiNwY0zKRTVsU47GlacC2q-LG_Hn2yfw8neHLBqqVgx0o/s640/blogger-image--1579060042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV57aoMyWLULr03q3hJgJ1hCgUzvNGMOkiES7bJmSc132-V0LsxSHmGM4a-eRa6vK3OsExXGxO6SBiS-EozIfhndxKVZYGi3WiNwY0zKRTVsU47GlacC2q-LG_Hn2yfw8neHLBqqVgx0o/s640/blogger-image--1579060042.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1kMxlFn1JDlCjCCIzPMC_S5FH6QSMlQBpq7gVw28W_OCdovWbBFd2_YW8PG9LyeD607CDxhzRroqEX-Zwz2tHtOK_hW7l_C_1unknQJy9PmG8_DXS9WlvjSZaga7M858FuLgDMf19SIs/s640/blogger-image-751374062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1kMxlFn1JDlCjCCIzPMC_S5FH6QSMlQBpq7gVw28W_OCdovWbBFd2_YW8PG9LyeD607CDxhzRroqEX-Zwz2tHtOK_hW7l_C_1unknQJy9PmG8_DXS9WlvjSZaga7M858FuLgDMf19SIs/s640/blogger-image-751374062.jpg"></a></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Then she wanted to go to the Busan Aquarium. I actually had wanted to go (I have a thing for aquariums) so it was fun. She was a sport; there was this small show that they put on with a little bit of dancing and magic and other weird Korean things, and she participated. Kind of unlike me..usually I shy away from doing that kind of thing. But I followed her lead. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2oxIxAAVE1W3cOo-F-3eL0f7gx-NAe7LuYWvSYNegBTExXyvJkprHt2r-PTONPS7rTSIoTaHqVawP_71n3o1bBCQUSd32NCFWyMJRuTJ1FNjJbIfutO8Jd4jX6wf9lWfIekMPD-NGbw/s640/blogger-image-676858239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2oxIxAAVE1W3cOo-F-3eL0f7gx-NAe7LuYWvSYNegBTExXyvJkprHt2r-PTONPS7rTSIoTaHqVawP_71n3o1bBCQUSd32NCFWyMJRuTJ1FNjJbIfutO8Jd4jX6wf9lWfIekMPD-NGbw/s640/blogger-image-676858239.jpg"></a></div><i>C came along. My birth mother kept thanking her for taking good care of me, and asking her if she had had a hard life (since she wasn't adopted til she was 4).</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPgrgZbcapKD9lUh0kCDN7K9o4U2UV0disLI0GlhhiAsC4iXmCKhFusUs-csL_XuTCNpiB_gLqrwkIBd6r18cXXn-_7e92LpEnDyopOMK9frW3LIx5mVj1yVYWEtaL4Gd_NUxWF3bARs/s640/blogger-image-674652848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPgrgZbcapKD9lUh0kCDN7K9o4U2UV0disLI0GlhhiAsC4iXmCKhFusUs-csL_XuTCNpiB_gLqrwkIBd6r18cXXn-_7e92LpEnDyopOMK9frW3LIx5mVj1yVYWEtaL4Gd_NUxWF3bARs/s640/blogger-image-674652848.jpg"></a></div>Cool fish- at one point there was a touch and feel section where I picked up a starfish. She made me put it down and wash my hands because I shouldn't have been doing that pregnant. She was very concerned about me taking care of myself.</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUNMc-luVwJ_hvsVlBUG4KqO0XJdkP89XSmbUDBG3QQIQk_8sid7rgtYgSQn3VEDuN596-3W6dtAweWH6APCgOoQ8r0NRAwiMC5sqBvmbJnEinc4OMvGx7r5g-fbVTL5m4F_WBcBsFJ4/s640/blogger-image--663137645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUNMc-luVwJ_hvsVlBUG4KqO0XJdkP89XSmbUDBG3QQIQk_8sid7rgtYgSQn3VEDuN596-3W6dtAweWH6APCgOoQ8r0NRAwiMC5sqBvmbJnEinc4OMvGx7r5g-fbVTL5m4F_WBcBsFJ4/s640/blogger-image--663137645.jpg"></a></div></i><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_hXsHIFNYutJQrGqR7psw1SQAyS3WTjbb-7AJmhnb6-XyWuHcaCuStNgQl5T-hnp6DLtKSapDJ7S0af6sWnx7i5oE8P0BtiuXttbj0R8Z7Oj8p8H-UoxJvYhVyzEMHjLlrKc1seCQsQ/s640/blogger-image--977103347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_hXsHIFNYutJQrGqR7psw1SQAyS3WTjbb-7AJmhnb6-XyWuHcaCuStNgQl5T-hnp6DLtKSapDJ7S0af6sWnx7i5oE8P0BtiuXttbj0R8Z7Oj8p8H-UoxJvYhVyzEMHjLlrKc1seCQsQ/s640/blogger-image--977103347.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik7N3NTk5Bf5iRMSI2NJl5C27NEZ3GO5fG1re-qC6dPzotMtvPTrKSalIxLTUG8su09WQN9ASevoN3ioKwyTnCFVz9_9D2goYn54IKW44fx9UodTMethbZ304SROPI47xUmKmnWPRX2SI/s640/blogger-image--1853749191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik7N3NTk5Bf5iRMSI2NJl5C27NEZ3GO5fG1re-qC6dPzotMtvPTrKSalIxLTUG8su09WQN9ASevoN3ioKwyTnCFVz9_9D2goYn54IKW44fx9UodTMethbZ304SROPI47xUmKmnWPRX2SI/s640/blogger-image--1853749191.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qMN4hOwoDNCriFY18Quf06is-IkdEBXkc7N5Gnu52ern7elf9EwyvBNly9zKrdAQ5MhZp9ikoSUH_hhy_n74unFP8m3eFEmqoVvYMIVDAsHUKAZkOB4vzxc5v7rOYSlavdDamrExtZg/s640/blogger-image--1023714458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qMN4hOwoDNCriFY18Quf06is-IkdEBXkc7N5Gnu52ern7elf9EwyvBNly9zKrdAQ5MhZp9ikoSUH_hhy_n74unFP8m3eFEmqoVvYMIVDAsHUKAZkOB4vzxc5v7rOYSlavdDamrExtZg/s640/blogger-image--1023714458.jpg"></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After the aquarium, she wanted to go to the beach and put our feet in the water. The translator, my sister and I all thought we were going to the ocean, but instead we went to a small foot spa right by the beach. It was interesting. First you walk up and clean your feet in a shallow pool. Then you go to the foot spa area where there are pebbles inlaid in the floor and the water is super hot. She said it was good for our health. She seemed to know other people there and even told a man the whole story about what we were doing there and told him I was her daughter. We just sat for awhile and relaxed. My sister and I went down to the beach quickly to put our feet in the ocean. Then we all said our goodbyes; it was short and sweet since I’ll be seeing her tomorrow.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4x-K479H64gQkO2uIF6ygjIX1kQ6yzM2zMLdBFgHMP-w6lDAhpxoxSg9PejZ-KCf_qqUnMyp7Zpg2SNVP03ezmKSiY3mrD8e4qeZ7enwfNJwBNnJTrBqAGvpQ03sr0B10AfQ-gRkoA7I/s640/blogger-image--185793081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4x-K479H64gQkO2uIF6ygjIX1kQ6yzM2zMLdBFgHMP-w6lDAhpxoxSg9PejZ-KCf_qqUnMyp7Zpg2SNVP03ezmKSiY3mrD8e4qeZ7enwfNJwBNnJTrBqAGvpQ03sr0B10AfQ-gRkoA7I/s640/blogger-image--185793081.jpg"></a></div><i>I am pretty sure only elderly people do this</i><br><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkeEFw4UoggFzxVh0P1vi0Y3Urkl4kimQe4f_-BK0GME9sSa-2BlczdUuxffz2o_nKIUyZvUtb_gkZG-GmeXqh3LBQQjmWuRK8S2Z4NZDxW3BFF-wOSfIlRuxGkmEMXa8Cu4leOd-UCc/s640/blogger-image--1044696880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkeEFw4UoggFzxVh0P1vi0Y3Urkl4kimQe4f_-BK0GME9sSa-2BlczdUuxffz2o_nKIUyZvUtb_gkZG-GmeXqh3LBQQjmWuRK8S2Z4NZDxW3BFF-wOSfIlRuxGkmEMXa8Cu4leOd-UCc/s640/blogger-image--1044696880.jpg"></a></div> <i>She asked me how I got my scars and scolded me for riding on a dangerous motorbike</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhgPpYqDcZC9bxqfnYHM-C6WM0RKHzRwGWxG5j89nohYaoSVtVYgfgke9x_T-4ML0YPFLuEHDU0b7bW7nFQFLwY8tNVlHBkc1fgjWmGvwQTLZr8FpRs9CKtAI0blen51tkxx1ha6eupE/s640/blogger-image--1412524557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhgPpYqDcZC9bxqfnYHM-C6WM0RKHzRwGWxG5j89nohYaoSVtVYgfgke9x_T-4ML0YPFLuEHDU0b7bW7nFQFLwY8tNVlHBkc1fgjWmGvwQTLZr8FpRs9CKtAI0blen51tkxx1ha6eupE/s640/blogger-image--1412524557.jpg"></a></div></i><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I am grateful for GOA’L for preparing me so well for this. Truthfully, the whole thing was so much easier than I thought it was going to be. I had mentally prepared for it to be emotionally overwhelming, and it really wasn’t. I do have feelings of sadness for her; that she is alone here in Busan, but I think she is actually OK. She has a good friend who obviously cares for her, and two children not too far away. I am pretty sure she is living a good life. She does not work, so she isn’t financially strapped- I asked her if she was okay and she kept saying yes. She felt like this was all a happy dream. She willingly gave her DNA – so we will have confirmation that she is my true birth mother soon.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I feel surprised that I do not feel a strong emotional connection with her. My feelings may change later, but it felt like spending a day with a stranger, who just wanted to buy me everything and take care of me. I think it was a healing experience for her. It was a lot less dramatic than I thought it was going to be. It was nice having my sister there to add conversation. The interpreter (Minyeong) was also great. It also makes me feel better about my life and confirms my feelings of happiness and content with where I am today. I think some people come here hoping to find their family because they have a void or feel as if they want another family or another life, but I don’t feel that way. I really am one of the lucky ones. I feel sad for her because I do not know how often I will keep in touch. She asked me to write her letters; she tried to learn “the computer” two years ago, but that was when she came down with breast cancer and never continued with it. The man at the foot spa told her that she needed to start reading English books so she could talk to her daughter. I was surprised by that; I thought they would expect me to learn Korean and not the other way around. I think we may keep in touch through her sister, who speaks English and has email. That will be the easiest way.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">One thing that was a little sad for me was that my Korean name, Han Bo Reum, was given to me by a social worker and not by her. But, I am happier now to know the truth. And I know even more about my past. I got all of my questions answered. I am actually okay if I do not meet my half siblings, though I am hopeful I will meet my birth father. At the least he will know about me and that I am alive and well. And I can still tell my boys the ending to my story that begins with “Once upon a time in spring…”</span></p></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622935566675729292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130075084314468688.post-11370376135251912992013-09-08T07:07:00.001-07:002013-09-08T15:47:02.053-07:00The Views<div>This afternoon & evening were busy spending time with the group. We went on a bus ride to Yongdusan Park, where you can ride up 120 meters to the top of Busan Tower to have 360 degree views of the city. It puts into perspective how sprawling Busan is (the second largest city in the country), but to be honest, the whole time I was looking out over it I just thought about how I was born somewhere out there, and my birth mother was out there too. It's a crazy thing to wrap your mind around, coming back to a place you never really thought about only to realize there's such a huge chunk of your personal history left to be discovered here.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7P5ms6rtY8bnFOLV_pGOXMDIhKzJbVlCQJU8qsb1eEnxzkZWU_FSkVAPGDbiU-GFxsG5AXw6cKWNK6i4xT6SN0tdZrRCAb2MB5sARSSiBIMaaBLJ7ZBN8QSCRhS7TOsUeydFveU3NJbY/s640/blogger-image--2121439848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7P5ms6rtY8bnFOLV_pGOXMDIhKzJbVlCQJU8qsb1eEnxzkZWU_FSkVAPGDbiU-GFxsG5AXw6cKWNK6i4xT6SN0tdZrRCAb2MB5sARSSiBIMaaBLJ7ZBN8QSCRhS7TOsUeydFveU3NJbY/s640/blogger-image--2121439848.jpg"></a></div><i>We took an elevator up to the top</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEC43nlExfo7flcrJiC1jCJWWdssOs0XRoprIRe5db5FyyzGJvSlHJf6TcFWkX6t1ckha6D1F83XpoDGXW-Y4XkMjFAXKzcEdF776Th5Hfw9uSz3RMQQx1XJ49ZlIs0CS2iMDYj7ukcs/s640/blogger-image-142861908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEC43nlExfo7flcrJiC1jCJWWdssOs0XRoprIRe5db5FyyzGJvSlHJf6TcFWkX6t1ckha6D1F83XpoDGXW-Y4XkMjFAXKzcEdF776Th5Hfw9uSz3RMQQx1XJ49ZlIs0CS2iMDYj7ukcs/s640/blogger-image-142861908.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBpbbGETtUV6m4O9z7tKegzhi6a87BIsPPveS9qZ9PBxrFlMeTOrEG3KUwiNHzTizLFMg5LdLGWgYjU0VykkWA9KpsN4aL0zQZBXQkR_-FC8p2QXykAVUljNKD9lI6P7iOWs6_nCej5A/s640/blogger-image--170309244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBpbbGETtUV6m4O9z7tKegzhi6a87BIsPPveS9qZ9PBxrFlMeTOrEG3KUwiNHzTizLFMg5LdLGWgYjU0VykkWA9KpsN4aL0zQZBXQkR_-FC8p2QXykAVUljNKD9lI6P7iOWs6_nCej5A/s640/blogger-image--170309244.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGvgdD4pW8idd8tmIJWygKOu5F8y-3wQfSykgub8S8uCEhl2pnxMep3ao7CUgkdHHYgD8XhT8lKVGLIDqirZe2Lu1kZHQ4QHIIL1TUnxQA6D8AbrnelE14TFo1Uy0vxeUh81G7LQArhk/s640/blogger-image--836965328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGvgdD4pW8idd8tmIJWygKOu5F8y-3wQfSykgub8S8uCEhl2pnxMep3ao7CUgkdHHYgD8XhT8lKVGLIDqirZe2Lu1kZHQ4QHIIL1TUnxQA6D8AbrnelE14TFo1Uy0vxeUh81G7LQArhk/s640/blogger-image--836965328.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX83qTpPW8NLSSIOgU8zOsDDyN_NH-s5dKAeB4T9ORPTQEmuMSmuX503gbbRTEYBQ3Z8cK5Nr1VYNEwdGYdaJf4ibdqPv-EfONL9Z5JEdm0SPMQ-6jHJN2AyMbO2AS-SHri_NvEauPxIo/s640/blogger-image-584057958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX83qTpPW8NLSSIOgU8zOsDDyN_NH-s5dKAeB4T9ORPTQEmuMSmuX503gbbRTEYBQ3Z8cK5Nr1VYNEwdGYdaJf4ibdqPv-EfONL9Z5JEdm0SPMQ-6jHJN2AyMbO2AS-SHri_NvEauPxIo/s640/blogger-image-584057958.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiich9nkEYfMZdahqvU64VVyB0Wiuu8zih426eCI4s70y5KQOdbsJURSrio87qchT2L3op3Mo5YRcRSw0vf-4JuLV9S17IhBMO0SlIhP3Z9MMnl2YfJ2audiLUgFupOiMfKzxUYLdTdhoY/s640/blogger-image-973663816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiich9nkEYfMZdahqvU64VVyB0Wiuu8zih426eCI4s70y5KQOdbsJURSrio87qchT2L3op3Mo5YRcRSw0vf-4JuLV9S17IhBMO0SlIhP3Z9MMnl2YfJ2audiLUgFupOiMfKzxUYLdTdhoY/s640/blogger-image-973663816.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rg0rlMkufYZ5omiCKai9jQkXIZ1ffXnbUpRczqGDQJCG5hU8ViaiyLL_S4kSjCa_a_F6Im3nYBP9k_udUY14VqomiH14MoxldkU54NnxjLrEK9sapEwWaNDlDeRQHULINdkEG_NCHZE/s640/blogger-image--829857687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rg0rlMkufYZ5omiCKai9jQkXIZ1ffXnbUpRczqGDQJCG5hU8ViaiyLL_S4kSjCa_a_F6Im3nYBP9k_udUY14VqomiH14MoxldkU54NnxjLrEK9sapEwWaNDlDeRQHULINdkEG_NCHZE/s640/blogger-image--829857687.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Other notable areas around the park...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzgLdluku4zyAIou0dtzj0xfC0v_iUr8a8ht7OeLAvarZs-NfXQSs1whg2bU1C3CAfccVnGSGTrQwtuviQ4JpYNBiFvhRC3v89xosbuyQleh5agZSZEgqD7G-s5hSDiNdz0R1mQ_A6MU/s640/blogger-image--1598615650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzgLdluku4zyAIou0dtzj0xfC0v_iUr8a8ht7OeLAvarZs-NfXQSs1whg2bU1C3CAfccVnGSGTrQwtuviQ4JpYNBiFvhRC3v89xosbuyQleh5agZSZEgqD7G-s5hSDiNdz0R1mQ_A6MU/s640/blogger-image--1598615650.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Young lovers leave hearts and lockets to proclaim their everlasting love on the archways and fences around the tower</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLzwIc8Kg2PWupbjJqkJDp84ySL9ouQcLJC2Bp9x4H1tMiPGe39gK4Kfu_NSTPyRI3rU8CO9x05P4KaUWv-WqOeKn9DZaGA9DwaON2fz1j93AsiVRudarq11OAvPKhk39lZCs65w9H40/s640/blogger-image-1970155447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLzwIc8Kg2PWupbjJqkJDp84ySL9ouQcLJC2Bp9x4H1tMiPGe39gK4Kfu_NSTPyRI3rU8CO9x05P4KaUWv-WqOeKn9DZaGA9DwaON2fz1j93AsiVRudarq11OAvPKhk39lZCs65w9H40/s640/blogger-image-1970155447.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYr2xQLepeRJeP4GezBpvg14vDmGDZdJrG9uNNdrgTBc-5sPfofiGT42R4dTRgcGRogJCHtCwEdkIY3r5LK5nmmJ4VmgvV-orR3DKlueC-hesikr6xFxjR_8NmXD6-Gsi-9BwBWiaor8/s640/blogger-image-507758066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYr2xQLepeRJeP4GezBpvg14vDmGDZdJrG9uNNdrgTBc-5sPfofiGT42R4dTRgcGRogJCHtCwEdkIY3r5LK5nmmJ4VmgvV-orR3DKlueC-hesikr6xFxjR_8NmXD6-Gsi-9BwBWiaor8/s640/blogger-image-507758066.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPyRxveWe5QRjDNy7JzTqA6XA5q7hno2M-zHeQoU9Dh-8dzwyLCp3WMVpCTD3fpXYuX7f6p1mSR3DC9EwphETeyPPHLzzNZ0RmtjX3ctki5CWlJWwdlTYzPpVSg33h09H_maW-odqn-Q/s640/blogger-image--1148583734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPyRxveWe5QRjDNy7JzTqA6XA5q7hno2M-zHeQoU9Dh-8dzwyLCp3WMVpCTD3fpXYuX7f6p1mSR3DC9EwphETeyPPHLzzNZ0RmtjX3ctki5CWlJWwdlTYzPpVSg33h09H_maW-odqn-Q/s640/blogger-image--1148583734.jpg"></a></div>This huge bell is rung on New Years</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-YFc_u54IDK40A6zLP3VEaVE4Jdg_9Kideu1_4_WmO_eIdanjLjKlSTXOGJPUK0sXo_t_gKCZ0Uz9wPzSgylgzegizCcJOPx1q-nslYI9yzFF60Gpo9YelEcT7-KWyqa5m7__Qcfl2I/s640/blogger-image-34176583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-YFc_u54IDK40A6zLP3VEaVE4Jdg_9Kideu1_4_WmO_eIdanjLjKlSTXOGJPUK0sXo_t_gKCZ0Uz9wPzSgylgzegizCcJOPx1q-nslYI9yzFF60Gpo9YelEcT7-KWyqa5m7__Qcfl2I/s640/blogger-image-34176583.jpg"></a></div>I love those trees in the background</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We hopped back on the bus to drive to Gwangalli, a part of the city that claims to be one of the most popular and romantic destinations anywhere in Korea. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrm-aFzvh_jjdHjfVl4q-WLiHJpsLTDShwXcIAcQ5U6KdEEIP9Y3KeTWEhWXXE6icZYlnBHoLKfVWBQSc-kcAj6zJPnUezdKHAD4914zsaneAQsJkqaxtNT3cGGUhdpyteWUNiikS_Lk/s640/blogger-image-1286507235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrm-aFzvh_jjdHjfVl4q-WLiHJpsLTDShwXcIAcQ5U6KdEEIP9Y3KeTWEhWXXE6icZYlnBHoLKfVWBQSc-kcAj6zJPnUezdKHAD4914zsaneAQsJkqaxtNT3cGGUhdpyteWUNiikS_Lk/s640/blogger-image-1286507235.jpg"></a></div>Gwangalli Beach</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwOknC9AboenxCF2fl-jXRVerQRgqPkqPdy2qjini9zgWmfVM8QOd882_d2hKt0u2oc7mdpHWm4GNxuu46r6nQSy-Dd6R9EeAfRNGPu8dHmnU13U9dgfyT2ES-fxwCEKpidFuPB44D890/s640/blogger-image--508915261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwOknC9AboenxCF2fl-jXRVerQRgqPkqPdy2qjini9zgWmfVM8QOd882_d2hKt0u2oc7mdpHWm4GNxuu46r6nQSy-Dd6R9EeAfRNGPu8dHmnU13U9dgfyT2ES-fxwCEKpidFuPB44D890/s640/blogger-image--508915261.jpg"></a></div>Starting to get darker</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozKnvC53DLlAO5ptICgf_7qTMR5svmwGUMW74ZvJZh10wBf8dHM4BWpbdPzDpxPLxyfM_BIrIxdLvnUcuUiBEO6CMSGM-zD0GD-fEjVDylQYkrCt3EUBcgl4GDYDhw18RtesIAxbnEqo/s640/blogger-image--41647367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozKnvC53DLlAO5ptICgf_7qTMR5svmwGUMW74ZvJZh10wBf8dHM4BWpbdPzDpxPLxyfM_BIrIxdLvnUcuUiBEO6CMSGM-zD0GD-fEjVDylQYkrCt3EUBcgl4GDYDhw18RtesIAxbnEqo/s640/blogger-image--41647367.jpg"></a></div>Terrible picture, but you can see the strip of neon-lit restaurants and hotels that make this area light up at night. For a Sunday, it was hopping!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEXUJ1abRoy0wbF0YencSrZAzzUGwv2ZUkwg-4pAk7ZT-x1Xx1-5DRN2Dtf3kainG6V-7JIzOI2gLuzu7ke9OdyzUqvZzLhM4U4otZlUoovkchDtNIKVwOwqjd0k00YJPlhv6i9V64BU/s640/blogger-image--2090596590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEXUJ1abRoy0wbF0YencSrZAzzUGwv2ZUkwg-4pAk7ZT-x1Xx1-5DRN2Dtf3kainG6V-7JIzOI2gLuzu7ke9OdyzUqvZzLhM4U4otZlUoovkchDtNIKVwOwqjd0k00YJPlhv6i9V64BU/s640/blogger-image--2090596590.jpg"></a></div>Another bad shot, but this is Gwangan Bridge, one of the most striking features of Busan due to the 100,000 LEDs that light up at night and create a variety of multi-colored effects</div><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Dinner was an experience. First, we went to a small fish market where all these Korean women were hawking their wares.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlJTMTrJcVI7rF5i0agEnSeiETVRyzxqI04a0Gl862MkPJbeJGhOSH3VZtSXQydCIx3PAyw_aqfm4rZ_sxE4hvF25P-NWkU1EY-DAtCIh3LJhWqMiwk7TvkYHK30zWsRiCEo1GU7uJrw/s640/blogger-image--1925567965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlJTMTrJcVI7rF5i0agEnSeiETVRyzxqI04a0Gl862MkPJbeJGhOSH3VZtSXQydCIx3PAyw_aqfm4rZ_sxE4hvF25P-NWkU1EY-DAtCIh3LJhWqMiwk7TvkYHK30zWsRiCEo1GU7uJrw/s640/blogger-image--1925567965.jpg"></a></div><i>She was quite animated</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFQ7AihynWl2v3Wtb4w8JzETJgeEsojLbnop2EOvj9hGK3mt2WAI_APn2SePYV9xLmMdEiSfq6ARuxvCOhVp2SkKMFMNeMHHcVjEderJqvtBpAWBcPHVqESN9TbK1Y05d4OLnXjKoSUk/s640/blogger-image--1944806542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFQ7AihynWl2v3Wtb4w8JzETJgeEsojLbnop2EOvj9hGK3mt2WAI_APn2SePYV9xLmMdEiSfq6ARuxvCOhVp2SkKMFMNeMHHcVjEderJqvtBpAWBcPHVqESN9TbK1Y05d4OLnXjKoSUk/s640/blogger-image--1944806542.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29fNJDQAPw1DxThttJ7ygCF2D6D04ZEkxRolzYu6A0A34_cTYGJij7SdLNlooirc0rUcjNt_SipEWSfzpia6U6C3tw290AYTxhFeWZUdBetELHlwXg_C5wzoqhDl__hkHwpUkQeMyBWk/s640/blogger-image--411821914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29fNJDQAPw1DxThttJ7ygCF2D6D04ZEkxRolzYu6A0A34_cTYGJij7SdLNlooirc0rUcjNt_SipEWSfzpia6U6C3tw290AYTxhFeWZUdBetELHlwXg_C5wzoqhDl__hkHwpUkQeMyBWk/s640/blogger-image--411821914.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">They shout at you to look at what they have (they all essentially have the same things) and go kinda crazy showing off all their fish. There were also squid, octopus, prawns, eels, sea cucumbers and urchins, and endless other iffy looking things. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Sz9AwUnFiiL99RuBiyDa6QbMsXOqtMKpeSBX4sJhqT2DaL0jlGXwgnKcl_7sgT6IlPCxu-MSX-sA9MqLfWUNnUUjIwDJR9-gQExS3j4Wy3v_VAABhVEOEj_P-Ym4mF2D-XFsOT-Dv0Q/s640/blogger-image-1167790099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Sz9AwUnFiiL99RuBiyDa6QbMsXOqtMKpeSBX4sJhqT2DaL0jlGXwgnKcl_7sgT6IlPCxu-MSX-sA9MqLfWUNnUUjIwDJR9-gQExS3j4Wy3v_VAABhVEOEj_P-Ym4mF2D-XFsOT-Dv0Q/s640/blogger-image-1167790099.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6rNf_U3xElyhJ62ahgJtOZT6Cfe1-0YeqdiCNM105UmzjmBUlfTaazev7jtehGyROzNg9vTmiCWfprLQGKUgyqR3S-Bs_CtTNFfdGaaIF8f7t4raXV5PJjGs8jjacZ-E22P6z_AFjns/s640/blogger-image-728621195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6rNf_U3xElyhJ62ahgJtOZT6Cfe1-0YeqdiCNM105UmzjmBUlfTaazev7jtehGyROzNg9vTmiCWfprLQGKUgyqR3S-Bs_CtTNFfdGaaIF8f7t4raXV5PJjGs8jjacZ-E22P6z_AFjns/s640/blogger-image-728621195.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0bEVJRJM9l11geLZ3qXUS1f_7xIY6pyL7hWBaestdUPx0dEtCI__3BbO_pRVhYhlK6lCfpFqOugN4Y4EgVQidzaleqdOgGDErV_Kfk2RSxir8z1hQPEaR861hHTz9lN-bBznufzvWcM/s640/blogger-image--793008887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0bEVJRJM9l11geLZ3qXUS1f_7xIY6pyL7hWBaestdUPx0dEtCI__3BbO_pRVhYhlK6lCfpFqOugN4Y4EgVQidzaleqdOgGDErV_Kfk2RSxir8z1hQPEaR861hHTz9lN-bBznufzvWcM/s640/blogger-image--793008887.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBdBezB6oYSFvx7EctAw49zNwUKXU8QGvki52mb1s-Hc2xQN6HtVBIhJAlFQKYmCPVPkpBa2Q0UJohRYtgJcVQ3OmXTI5i9rRkWSOIGd7vG0cXxOKOQP3o6vhi3mjrQh9LNwjk6rhbEo/s640/blogger-image--124771479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBdBezB6oYSFvx7EctAw49zNwUKXU8QGvki52mb1s-Hc2xQN6HtVBIhJAlFQKYmCPVPkpBa2Q0UJohRYtgJcVQ3OmXTI5i9rRkWSOIGd7vG0cXxOKOQP3o6vhi3mjrQh9LNwjk6rhbEo/s640/blogger-image--124771479.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaC8Tucnnyd9SMxCQzrqzmGdkKxpmROCsqfTxhhLVhmwb75mz-TZVa1Fe8dzYvn-KkN5dDQNmRQoIYEdYP0g1S-QHOOpVcYnOgBgWXapg5P6hVm6Bza19uPObUE1pj3-3jRuhji-5O77M/s640/blogger-image--662129344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaC8Tucnnyd9SMxCQzrqzmGdkKxpmROCsqfTxhhLVhmwb75mz-TZVa1Fe8dzYvn-KkN5dDQNmRQoIYEdYP0g1S-QHOOpVcYnOgBgWXapg5P6hVm6Bza19uPObUE1pj3-3jRuhji-5O77M/s640/blogger-image--662129344.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisL-47uWPQo_xj2QLnttrBeFKGbVRTAW8TLiyOFQNF8hJEuIxNZqH8xh-V6Zo7idOJnA8RfnApvZrWIHAIq07zveN_9YEqZoTZ0WkQAwJHX15ML53f73R4eI9Uu_OcX1h6jV1Hdqx-eAA/s640/blogger-image-1074542582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisL-47uWPQo_xj2QLnttrBeFKGbVRTAW8TLiyOFQNF8hJEuIxNZqH8xh-V6Zo7idOJnA8RfnApvZrWIHAIq07zveN_9YEqZoTZ0WkQAwJHX15ML53f73R4eI9Uu_OcX1h6jV1Hdqx-eAA/s640/blogger-image-1074542582.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Once you've picked out what you want to eat for dinner, they literally wrangle them into a basket, pound on the fish or cut their heads off, and give them to a guy with a bucket, who will take them up to the restaurant. We followed him up to the 5th floor and they turned all that yucky looking stuff into some pretty yummy looking stuff. I have to admit..I played it safe with prawns. This is not a time for me to be adventurous with eating.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgLcfU4X_JJhCz_ih3OMajaWFMH3ed_-numerUefZHQgEBJr2BHF0EFBPXdEA7SXgtqWnNhSrVnmwg8PtXuT6h2hAWgvg_vQnbz75JpyPJicXwbf3LLEuTj2xR2AdX68Co15YAoK7kqc/s640/blogger-image-1967428857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgLcfU4X_JJhCz_ih3OMajaWFMH3ed_-numerUefZHQgEBJr2BHF0EFBPXdEA7SXgtqWnNhSrVnmwg8PtXuT6h2hAWgvg_vQnbz75JpyPJicXwbf3LLEuTj2xR2AdX68Co15YAoK7kqc/s640/blogger-image-1967428857.jpg"></a></div><i>Getting the group's fish</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QjBNvz3s_tS4IMu9I3DbHLu5gujTWMvoS8q8mA9V2pOB5eGbynX3lX3w3OHrFcZtDDvdfmpal-h0MQxYJvku5G0c4gYdYJCkndFzSuIQTIColLQGd-a0ZAUnSZASFIcS8SI6-c2cZxE/s640/blogger-image--1040400376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QjBNvz3s_tS4IMu9I3DbHLu5gujTWMvoS8q8mA9V2pOB5eGbynX3lX3w3OHrFcZtDDvdfmpal-h0MQxYJvku5G0c4gYdYJCkndFzSuIQTIColLQGd-a0ZAUnSZASFIcS8SI6-c2cZxE/s640/blogger-image--1040400376.jpg"></a></div>Cutting off heads</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgHrCiFRHGNdq9z0w5kqQTMsfT-M9AGek0ENTRwKEsrhVMKHRzktNka86Mmj-7YZTLnR1x1SAQ0ecY9fh3ooivByL9V4PECRy3RdMxc6ve39E1iweRFY_s8Oq74xldKGHD8BaPovHeuU/s640/blogger-image-273549783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgHrCiFRHGNdq9z0w5kqQTMsfT-M9AGek0ENTRwKEsrhVMKHRzktNka86Mmj-7YZTLnR1x1SAQ0ecY9fh3ooivByL9V4PECRy3RdMxc6ve39E1iweRFY_s8Oq74xldKGHD8BaPovHeuU/s640/blogger-image-273549783.jpg"></a></div>Mmm..nothing like some sharp teeth with your fish stew</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wIH3yTs_IN-Lxw8jjneaGnDJer-w_z3IFg2i4qGiKQc2BDfr-zmhJV6MVUs-VtQ62epRKk-J0fzmj4rbCKnrhSS9mw2FVHA4haiGPtkEclujP0lS23ThOCWy50wkI8oMhxCNSOVal-A/s640/blogger-image--1672022601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wIH3yTs_IN-Lxw8jjneaGnDJer-w_z3IFg2i4qGiKQc2BDfr-zmhJV6MVUs-VtQ62epRKk-J0fzmj4rbCKnrhSS9mw2FVHA4haiGPtkEclujP0lS23ThOCWy50wkI8oMhxCNSOVal-A/s640/blogger-image--1672022601.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My prawns</div></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMuXZsPamiRzuVqmCn-FPx5LyFp_0D6PYeyHs8e5rIUdsTMcsdUi6BIKaKvVtUD2aJsx35S5l8xFRXI2Pl96NFc3De3itAmCcQuoeTP7nX8OoiyOfyfRX4p86A8-LhwgSVRpejkoJeQgI/s640/blogger-image--1975017748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMuXZsPamiRzuVqmCn-FPx5LyFp_0D6PYeyHs8e5rIUdsTMcsdUi6BIKaKvVtUD2aJsx35S5l8xFRXI2Pl96NFc3De3itAmCcQuoeTP7nX8OoiyOfyfRX4p86A8-LhwgSVRpejkoJeQgI/s640/blogger-image--1975017748.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both; ">Michael eating "live" octopus. The tentacles are still moving around and squirming as you put them in your mouth, and you have to chew really well, or else they will stick to your throat on the way down.</div><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufuJ-2yjGlK6wRrpYBEMYOAR7s8i59qmazH2c-CGMDgh3j0LeFgwA_9Syjr4t3GbUEHt_Fw65cDerwhxtyPFE1pYRFuXf-Ti3-WABSWNlkaSZ9Tg_4J-8dCcNNisaKOlhbl7zY6sfyUE/s640/blogger-image--213516980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufuJ-2yjGlK6wRrpYBEMYOAR7s8i59qmazH2c-CGMDgh3j0LeFgwA_9Syjr4t3GbUEHt_Fw65cDerwhxtyPFE1pYRFuXf-Ti3-WABSWNlkaSZ9Tg_4J-8dCcNNisaKOlhbl7zY6sfyUE/s640/blogger-image--213516980.jpg"></a></div>Jenni, Noelia and Trina; I forgot to mention that the fish freak out in their tanks when you walk by. Noelia and I got soaked by one of them. I vowed to take a shower the moment I got back.</div><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">The night quickly turned into a soju fest, and it is actually two of the staff member's birthdays today and tomorrow, so we left dinner to head to another venue, called The Party Room. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQz0A2CTZYHOPgwNZlXYSde1CoWDHET8FmclPMG2UBFjyZaQ6gP1nOKNHpfj-b5mPdXECWxrkdclbzRYhViuWlMYIvdHBzjveH9s69HCHh6IpXKChNGcWW-pV5HcCnYNDeZwtCZOGMho/s640/blogger-image-1215440377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQz0A2CTZYHOPgwNZlXYSde1CoWDHET8FmclPMG2UBFjyZaQ6gP1nOKNHpfj-b5mPdXECWxrkdclbzRYhViuWlMYIvdHBzjveH9s69HCHh6IpXKChNGcWW-pV5HcCnYNDeZwtCZOGMho/s640/blogger-image-1215440377.jpg"></a></div><i>Quite literally, it was a party room, complete with an indoor pool if things really get rowdy</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPvsEtbnd-apDm_y6uZlwGTJxWI5P-vPxPdVcRyNL5MpsKYbEr3IC0uxvq4ohBWSI5HsYTN1m-TBjy0Zy-W6NteED913aLGX6lr7nHvvOc6ntSpnje19WWuPEj5KoM_XnDd1dWbh2lg8/s640/blogger-image--187565734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPvsEtbnd-apDm_y6uZlwGTJxWI5P-vPxPdVcRyNL5MpsKYbEr3IC0uxvq4ohBWSI5HsYTN1m-TBjy0Zy-W6NteED913aLGX6lr7nHvvOc6ntSpnje19WWuPEj5KoM_XnDd1dWbh2lg8/s640/blogger-image--187565734.jpg"></a></div>Weird</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">At this point in the night, I was completely sober from my lack of soju, and feeling a bit faint from the dinner adventure, so I actually headed out. I heard that not long after I left, the karaoke started. They were also supposed to have a group discussion and watch a movie about adoptees, but I have doubts that will happen. I took a cab back to the guest house and took a nice long shower - alone. It feels so nice to have this place to myself for once. No one else is here, since they are all still at the Party Room so I can actually blog in peace and quiet, and get mentally prepared for tomorrow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">I couldn't really think about it too much this weekend or I would literally feel nauseous. I don't know how my nerves will hold up tomorrow, let alone how much sleep I will be able to get tonight, but I'm pretty tired so I'm hoping my body beats my brain. It's difficult to comprehend how monumental it is to meet a complete stranger who brought you into this world, only to give you up the day you were born and then be reunited with 30 years later. From the adoptee point of view, we have tons of conversations and discussions around the crazy feelings and emotions we have, post-reunion services like mental health talks and support systems, and it's an ongoing process to understand and grow from all of it. One adoptee told me that when he met his birth family, the thing that stuck out to him most of all was that they did not understand or comprehend anything he was going through internally. To them, we are simply members of their family that were sent away and have now returned - a joyous, if not guilt-inducing, event. But there is so much more to it than that for us.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">I went into this journey thinking that the reunion would answer my questions of the past and give me some kind of closure - but what I have been told is that the reunion is only the very beginning. What happens afterwards can sometimes be the hardest part. I have no idea what to expect tomorrow. I am still trying to go into it with an open mind, although I do have a lot of answers I want to get out of all of this. It may take awhile for me to get my head wrapped around everything that happens in the morning, but I will update as soon as I can sort things out. Tomorrow will surely be life-changing, good or bad, I have no idea. For now, I just need sleep.</div></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622935566675729292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130075084314468688.post-22113816052442703932013-09-08T07:03:00.001-07:002013-09-08T07:03:23.971-07:00Time to Reflect<div>This whole trip has been busy from the start. I didn't have any time to explore Seoul for the first few days, so it has been nice having the weekend "off" in Busan, even though I have something huge hanging over my head. Today I had time to walk around Haeundae Market, basically a small fish & food stall alley by the popular Haeundae Beach. This is the area we are staying in while in Busan.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjigv5EeKReSRhHTA3KsDXJNQ5pPP4IECE_fXNopZqAaEQmCWo33lU7APaK1NzltqGn0QldA6LwLgtKSRvO5dmI15L7R9mFRTx5G7zY7CBb6QjbPdP626qVTHgfGrGZPwThJwf1e0xVRpA/s640/blogger-image--1895094996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjigv5EeKReSRhHTA3KsDXJNQ5pPP4IECE_fXNopZqAaEQmCWo33lU7APaK1NzltqGn0QldA6LwLgtKSRvO5dmI15L7R9mFRTx5G7zY7CBb6QjbPdP626qVTHgfGrGZPwThJwf1e0xVRpA/s640/blogger-image--1895094996.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7NLczGuwp8gk0w32rdwaNylKYByCvG7hUkbsxnTrR6AQ5lOX9ew-Dyju3J9pAncROtgcwkRzTBd1izQ0ZzdKbb3X9g_Aif283qbWWoy2H0JlKvMmVnT4sRu407mcLTL3WzhMTnkbOLE/s640/blogger-image-1535839470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7NLczGuwp8gk0w32rdwaNylKYByCvG7hUkbsxnTrR6AQ5lOX9ew-Dyju3J9pAncROtgcwkRzTBd1izQ0ZzdKbb3X9g_Aif283qbWWoy2H0JlKvMmVnT4sRu407mcLTL3WzhMTnkbOLE/s640/blogger-image-1535839470.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIZKEfRiUKHvXBOCDvkF5qUGL1tMYVsrmGl-9zcSF8Coaa7QTObk19vmYc5WSAhEDdTLKx8B7qerKlqaygAiBkXX8o6WJmQj0G_MkdpdGb8urYtsc-qSgULYbuKCEomknj_Jp3sqrJWs/s640/blogger-image--371189014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIZKEfRiUKHvXBOCDvkF5qUGL1tMYVsrmGl-9zcSF8Coaa7QTObk19vmYc5WSAhEDdTLKx8B7qerKlqaygAiBkXX8o6WJmQj0G_MkdpdGb8urYtsc-qSgULYbuKCEomknj_Jp3sqrJWs/s640/blogger-image--371189014.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfu7bELeGtMjhtH9X6dGIxnNIVsEVxm5N2BSAP_9k2SXsBff2Jq-xCn81Emm_payxvqLwbKf6bEGpJ3WzeBn8K80F6Sku9W_iRcqHY3pmJnJaxArYc6W4q2QF-vplhIP-imSNbYZgDy5I/s640/blogger-image--796023266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfu7bELeGtMjhtH9X6dGIxnNIVsEVxm5N2BSAP_9k2SXsBff2Jq-xCn81Emm_payxvqLwbKf6bEGpJ3WzeBn8K80F6Sku9W_iRcqHY3pmJnJaxArYc6W4q2QF-vplhIP-imSNbYZgDy5I/s640/blogger-image--796023266.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtxe6SuE5FpRhsqntAl9wb25OZpA79YMXdAfYwz-scUA6IidDYEyGDGn31g4dMeBzXDpBUOP2oVyKjN5kwW0tLFDCXAXSRPMkpv0JiqmGIVFBWlTVgdGtZM6k49nu_ywgAmWB2F5VZ1Mg/s640/blogger-image--392669502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtxe6SuE5FpRhsqntAl9wb25OZpA79YMXdAfYwz-scUA6IidDYEyGDGn31g4dMeBzXDpBUOP2oVyKjN5kwW0tLFDCXAXSRPMkpv0JiqmGIVFBWlTVgdGtZM6k49nu_ywgAmWB2F5VZ1Mg/s640/blogger-image--392669502.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojX042riiQ6odmqIlTpzHxp8D9wwuKxVkS13373on3lDM045IR8NR1fQcdY6ZJ1s36JYO2iaBZNK1OSLUzE3RrfYHjbQKP55yrmnM321m37Gj7dFeSq33C8w2oNUMRa5BsvBACizXGQg/s640/blogger-image-1509483462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojX042riiQ6odmqIlTpzHxp8D9wwuKxVkS13373on3lDM045IR8NR1fQcdY6ZJ1s36JYO2iaBZNK1OSLUzE3RrfYHjbQKP55yrmnM321m37Gj7dFeSq33C8w2oNUMRa5BsvBACizXGQg/s640/blogger-image-1509483462.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx77xDZW5C_DwHBPeoUOhsdp2dBZU0IsQkgjekVUtkF1bAV3niwkotOz2-Q-BMi8kgWv-YOTBfn1RbCnlrt4qle-wAP-AIV1wD-iRlRKWCS7VR6oa9uE73EaVIAymO_kbz5TYawN5l0bc/s640/blogger-image-318617085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx77xDZW5C_DwHBPeoUOhsdp2dBZU0IsQkgjekVUtkF1bAV3niwkotOz2-Q-BMi8kgWv-YOTBfn1RbCnlrt4qle-wAP-AIV1wD-iRlRKWCS7VR6oa9uE73EaVIAymO_kbz5TYawN5l0bc/s640/blogger-image-318617085.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBZMGZjUQgf07pZute8zs1de1_eHZyC17fLt2GrnsUFWNGSI4At4YtWLiXFcPWR3mxMY18wIkYjw669kV0Ee6hxNx5QBS6jFL_BQeAKClMnA1EDI1EZMzuh8pl2VinIzUHkEcmsZ6GTc/s640/blogger-image--2120426083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBZMGZjUQgf07pZute8zs1de1_eHZyC17fLt2GrnsUFWNGSI4At4YtWLiXFcPWR3mxMY18wIkYjw669kV0Ee6hxNx5QBS6jFL_BQeAKClMnA1EDI1EZMzuh8pl2VinIzUHkEcmsZ6GTc/s640/blogger-image--2120426083.jpg"></a></div><i>At least they looked happy...</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkl4EE6s0FhVf8qk87UBTfWliM9dqlm1XzaF-W4ksJaeEd27h_TDsBttHL6ClJEcrFw46lJHRJcbgSNgWLS9l9WSGVIYvAXKHyDXmvRH1cm6rCzt1s6pYAuBS5mD3q4PdlO6XmZyI-xkk/s640/blogger-image-1969791963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkl4EE6s0FhVf8qk87UBTfWliM9dqlm1XzaF-W4ksJaeEd27h_TDsBttHL6ClJEcrFw46lJHRJcbgSNgWLS9l9WSGVIYvAXKHyDXmvRH1cm6rCzt1s6pYAuBS5mD3q4PdlO6XmZyI-xkk/s640/blogger-image-1969791963.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWuaoDSgHiIEzUAe3fDLns6FngOPdgTEsWzhlC2qONDUO-MwT4MdLMA4mvaFGm369WucMRcqd41ExzIO5fXiOCpEj3MvZhhWlOp8gkuElTtJplq41fwWiugzxO3z3JDcYJKDifZuy3Ysw/s640/blogger-image-1347240279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWuaoDSgHiIEzUAe3fDLns6FngOPdgTEsWzhlC2qONDUO-MwT4MdLMA4mvaFGm369WucMRcqd41ExzIO5fXiOCpEj3MvZhhWlOp8gkuElTtJplq41fwWiugzxO3z3JDcYJKDifZuy3Ysw/s640/blogger-image-1347240279.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div>After walking around for a bit, I headed back to have a meeting with one of the GOAL staff members to discuss my reunion tomorrow. I think my stories and pictures may throw you off a little bit, because even though it may look like all fun and games, this is the farthest thing from a vacation that I have had probably ever in my life. Yes, I'm away from my home and my normal life in a faraway and exciting place, but all of the newness and fun parts of normal traveling are completely overshadowed by constant feelings of unexplained emotions that, to be honest, no one except the other participants of this trip truly understand. I am constantly battling feelings of loneliness with wanting to be alone, anxiety and nervousness with excitement, and gratefulness to have this experience with the heaviness of the reality of my past and present life. It is a lot to take in.</div><div><br></div><div>I felt the need to visit somewhere spiritual so headed off to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple after my meeting. This is a popular temple because of its unique location right on the rocky shoreline. I didn't realize how touristy it would be. It was pretty crowded at the time we went, and getting hot too, but it was still beautiful. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmwgx7EDA8-c1nho_7KcazbRo_-00_BUUFFFYRw2hXYc840ZHjyKMIpNSScrnMu_6B5J1Kz3WXH65bLryOxhvVQ6K6bqiufSN5y-XhRDf4xoH0LbC4CjVvmnSA5RnGDkL19jJO214XYI/s640/blogger-image-907133810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmwgx7EDA8-c1nho_7KcazbRo_-00_BUUFFFYRw2hXYc840ZHjyKMIpNSScrnMu_6B5J1Kz3WXH65bLryOxhvVQ6K6bqiufSN5y-XhRDf4xoH0LbC4CjVvmnSA5RnGDkL19jJO214XYI/s640/blogger-image-907133810.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>There is a legend that your wishes will be granted if you truly pray for them at this temple. I made two wishes, and one of my trip companions totally guessed one of them on the first try, so I hope it's not like birthday wishes where they don't count if they're told out loud. Anyway, pictures are better than words, so here goes:</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxGzf6UhF63Gr0UXnn5xh9JvXUwIt0WlXZ9H_ImTlZYKArQI24gBY_hN-MjC7SLwRUgjfKH-uZtYk1u5Rc9WPMbStLzWKKOD2CVFWz9e_kTh1v7EqoIRs2VcCDLgK2CnkXJlgUxb88Pk/s640/blogger-image--1097724861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxGzf6UhF63Gr0UXnn5xh9JvXUwIt0WlXZ9H_ImTlZYKArQI24gBY_hN-MjC7SLwRUgjfKH-uZtYk1u5Rc9WPMbStLzWKKOD2CVFWz9e_kTh1v7EqoIRs2VcCDLgK2CnkXJlgUxb88Pk/s640/blogger-image--1097724861.jpg"></a></div><i>The 12 figures of the Chinese Zodiac line the steps leading down to the temple</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEt48cK8PAOuAi3tDNDX3Zk7jItcaNs0kJvWHtTsky-yGW5H5XuDeIuE2rksYSzVBzeaQ2bIQdw1kK6E6mjVE0naKuQ8psFbf4deE5wx2qtj0dhSBpYJPOCrIj6PSgObiq77kh4Fc34A8/s640/blogger-image-377889147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEt48cK8PAOuAi3tDNDX3Zk7jItcaNs0kJvWHtTsky-yGW5H5XuDeIuE2rksYSzVBzeaQ2bIQdw1kK6E6mjVE0naKuQ8psFbf4deE5wx2qtj0dhSBpYJPOCrIj6PSgObiq77kh4Fc34A8/s640/blogger-image-377889147.jpg"></a></div>Good ol' 1982</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfF6_vwhpCJoyZCXjIBLONAKRf5CYT9wjcyHBQSLwLgyvaeBCwsJdKBK2Ohd9LWrJ1z6Eg6NPXiNAOu3JIfNMz7jOLv4TvMImaKhq_EK6dZj9DQDYpxemFoN1D8PCqd8lZrgUrqxRQTos/s640/blogger-image--1401026820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfF6_vwhpCJoyZCXjIBLONAKRf5CYT9wjcyHBQSLwLgyvaeBCwsJdKBK2Ohd9LWrJ1z6Eg6NPXiNAOu3JIfNMz7jOLv4TvMImaKhq_EK6dZj9DQDYpxemFoN1D8PCqd8lZrgUrqxRQTos/s640/blogger-image--1401026820.jpg"></a></div>This is the pagoda for traffic safety</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33Oz9EbjWP1cQxDgQDQ-xZ133lulyJpZs3EcN6P8ELfQM8jH6SP4Ehswc6pkgPs_DxSWwUb8tXjdKngEjU-nOAv5tpj2nDVm8q03hWZxQCqqBp0mdiE4lIfdHaM7BiP52Z-IWcXzBjzo/s640/blogger-image--127430848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33Oz9EbjWP1cQxDgQDQ-xZ133lulyJpZs3EcN6P8ELfQM8jH6SP4Ehswc6pkgPs_DxSWwUb8tXjdKngEjU-nOAv5tpj2nDVm8q03hWZxQCqqBp0mdiE4lIfdHaM7BiP52Z-IWcXzBjzo/s640/blogger-image--127430848.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNedtVomuy4nWzDXbMxQkqPRYtFX-oSMcDaBDHH46wW3zxqzqlSfJjz_XEWgNpkgVeeiNkGD_wjgTG8t6jZU2nuOO7oI6TLJrM06eHfbPs3xim05NE_k84qEwNVM3o8HVvTP31pOX7B-E/s640/blogger-image--589813045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNedtVomuy4nWzDXbMxQkqPRYtFX-oSMcDaBDHH46wW3zxqzqlSfJjz_XEWgNpkgVeeiNkGD_wjgTG8t6jZU2nuOO7oI6TLJrM06eHfbPs3xim05NE_k84qEwNVM3o8HVvTP31pOX7B-E/s640/blogger-image--589813045.jpg"></a></div>The Status of Mother & Child...there was a statue for wishing for the birth of a son, but I thought I'd skip that one this time around. Where's the statue for the birth of a daughter?? So sexist.</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEges1ZwNpjhpbtr-cqowGI_GoMVUbUPGgG57CMWdCthOVCh7GxPnPZiDy-mGNUZOTpm2zHXuiJb1QsuANbVl4qX0gXBDUH37jlrHI_bMFkNJa6TCR7HWUIvsXfwcv_aK8CXctOhDYapbPg/s640/blogger-image--760122357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEges1ZwNpjhpbtr-cqowGI_GoMVUbUPGgG57CMWdCthOVCh7GxPnPZiDy-mGNUZOTpm2zHXuiJb1QsuANbVl4qX0gXBDUH37jlrHI_bMFkNJa6TCR7HWUIvsXfwcv_aK8CXctOhDYapbPg/s640/blogger-image--760122357.jpg"></a></div>Me & Trina, one of my roommates</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3fglVsBqpXqje0dGG8alj7H4J5E_hhWtdjzjMGQB3lHRMHMu_KCQZcR_fWVQ7lhCHwDmydv1cT8KLyYelrSI-nWjuxzj6P04GoKTySEt9RR_rQg6SNK8bFkJyujIdzJ9xKmqg8IDYD4/s640/blogger-image-993325982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3fglVsBqpXqje0dGG8alj7H4J5E_hhWtdjzjMGQB3lHRMHMu_KCQZcR_fWVQ7lhCHwDmydv1cT8KLyYelrSI-nWjuxzj6P04GoKTySEt9RR_rQg6SNK8bFkJyujIdzJ9xKmqg8IDYD4/s640/blogger-image-993325982.jpg"></a></div>Statue of Buddha for Academic Achievement...these Koreans.</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjul5kVwxK0TYtwbLqmV9RAt66PHVuC_Gz57GZWtZiqp0ix5y3Gy5dbr24b_6tjMowbrt36-MMDglOLMDEBpwrmudFQY8iqTds2ZmedAwCLbhxjPlkhsDIovWIIsIySlztIP7G0fvOTkCA/s640/blogger-image-1988043538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjul5kVwxK0TYtwbLqmV9RAt66PHVuC_Gz57GZWtZiqp0ix5y3Gy5dbr24b_6tjMowbrt36-MMDglOLMDEBpwrmudFQY8iqTds2ZmedAwCLbhxjPlkhsDIovWIIsIySlztIP7G0fvOTkCA/s640/blogger-image-1988043538.jpg"></a></div>The rocky coastline</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghrTJlz8PKHTiIvC84gY7wToJkz3mBMhX7H_goyOEEtW0D1xTkoDWbdLf9HaOL7iS2FR_tWjld5OasvhEyZa4RlklltI8hIPLbBikWT75bnqmP_OFKffbxKZ5lqUG6ZPzxzH0Csr2s0Ts/s640/blogger-image--965986707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghrTJlz8PKHTiIvC84gY7wToJkz3mBMhX7H_goyOEEtW0D1xTkoDWbdLf9HaOL7iS2FR_tWjld5OasvhEyZa4RlklltI8hIPLbBikWT75bnqmP_OFKffbxKZ5lqUG6ZPzxzH0Csr2s0Ts/s640/blogger-image--965986707.jpg"></a></div>The temple</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-gtAnWQuvx5H76dY2jKl76EMzPUpD23Jin-t9oQ5AzVxScPGrFI5n2IGxCYuGK105P5JyJ68WrtxB7wjoYZ8ce7lQrlwUd6Bx_kUfmy4CdGxM3dhPMxRewrnMzM8BcHwGhHcTGg1Skg/s640/blogger-image-873548625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-gtAnWQuvx5H76dY2jKl76EMzPUpD23Jin-t9oQ5AzVxScPGrFI5n2IGxCYuGK105P5JyJ68WrtxB7wjoYZ8ce7lQrlwUd6Bx_kUfmy4CdGxM3dhPMxRewrnMzM8BcHwGhHcTGg1Skg/s640/blogger-image-873548625.jpg"></a></div>#templeselfie</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPAZG8mUw3nmzxmlS5vJDoLpkVsdKtDKsfCXZNosdk6mOky-YP0NuwfqNqF_1hoa3OB4t7wkJyqx-zYCDCTx_pAyVmG2JZZrPxRNh_6DgwT2N5ItEN7am2tLsQMjTrgFgsxktdYW9p43c/s640/blogger-image--2020439711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPAZG8mUw3nmzxmlS5vJDoLpkVsdKtDKsfCXZNosdk6mOky-YP0NuwfqNqF_1hoa3OB4t7wkJyqx-zYCDCTx_pAyVmG2JZZrPxRNh_6DgwT2N5ItEN7am2tLsQMjTrgFgsxktdYW9p43c/s640/blogger-image--2020439711.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGDwM9aDfpk5QrIMzu-61W91MJYfjEC1KEwZWCdGp4YxyD-Rzxgq0U-sB10ejVZAIHZgSQgxfOSbGOqr8SkcvP6rmPwffeWJhB6SJuzWfRq-9QpS5CGH7OH1zjotTsNWJyZ3MCP8wluQ/s640/blogger-image-1477210860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGDwM9aDfpk5QrIMzu-61W91MJYfjEC1KEwZWCdGp4YxyD-Rzxgq0U-sB10ejVZAIHZgSQgxfOSbGOqr8SkcvP6rmPwffeWJhB6SJuzWfRq-9QpS5CGH7OH1zjotTsNWJyZ3MCP8wluQ/s640/blogger-image-1477210860.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcVSip56TmBNKRq4RRSZo-fHv_bDbwEh6qnvKOn34TgHb-9gqASVoKYWsq7c8iOiPiYy-zni3rZ-sF-o97IqOhT5Sx8UpyLRKgpQSFgOrRNRwc8e4QR5o75PbDBDJIHagXphwe6Hnj-g/s640/blogger-image-271165292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcVSip56TmBNKRq4RRSZo-fHv_bDbwEh6qnvKOn34TgHb-9gqASVoKYWsq7c8iOiPiYy-zni3rZ-sF-o97IqOhT5Sx8UpyLRKgpQSFgOrRNRwc8e4QR5o75PbDBDJIHagXphwe6Hnj-g/s640/blogger-image-271165292.jpg"></a></div>From another vantage point</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlY5-4IruR9Jb04of58i-vKv5uWSdI4jAHm0oRiQfiY8Aj04hG_pBInJkzSwZgkij6uO-T-PntRRVlEA_zy-RCHNxV5yiHucARs77kHF0fuX0HixKepou5DSKX-guwYgCF5iILrNG2Dw/s640/blogger-image--1324171291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlY5-4IruR9Jb04of58i-vKv5uWSdI4jAHm0oRiQfiY8Aj04hG_pBInJkzSwZgkij6uO-T-PntRRVlEA_zy-RCHNxV5yiHucARs77kHF0fuX0HixKepou5DSKX-guwYgCF5iILrNG2Dw/s640/blogger-image--1324171291.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVaXPZOLLIssW_Xs5vLYG_GF0RzFoY7zBHeZcWBbAXt2yKMVZAQI2Y31f_FMpyMb4wdqk8FohaUQkcq19hKsps6_1vo-Dgfm9dwAJ8unKDFAgSltgbanaHTL_SrxlIb4EJUh4aR5s-_U/s640/blogger-image-980761352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVaXPZOLLIssW_Xs5vLYG_GF0RzFoY7zBHeZcWBbAXt2yKMVZAQI2Y31f_FMpyMb4wdqk8FohaUQkcq19hKsps6_1vo-Dgfm9dwAJ8unKDFAgSltgbanaHTL_SrxlIb4EJUh4aR5s-_U/s640/blogger-image-980761352.jpg"></a></div>My coin fell on the ledge between the top and bottom parts of the fountain. Yet another sign that my wishes may not actually be granted.</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfpz_6AlYEYk4t2PtkGN7H5x-biVKUB2dd0CPs5gsumJgDemCXpVjz-4i3Vlp-9eFfX59N79Q999c8NlEpDeZc2MKjt2UZhG9ARHtG8oaSVp0jX3mM6YNue4gTvwK0-p8mupArzGh3oI/s640/blogger-image--780537242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfpz_6AlYEYk4t2PtkGN7H5x-biVKUB2dd0CPs5gsumJgDemCXpVjz-4i3Vlp-9eFfX59N79Q999c8NlEpDeZc2MKjt2UZhG9ARHtG8oaSVp0jX3mM6YNue4gTvwK0-p8mupArzGh3oI/s640/blogger-image--780537242.jpg"></a></div> Inside the temple</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZffVQpqmEn1wf87tLlzn6yJ81Fqh1JYrOsDSrwa-wM0Jep5_II1jFt_lxOeu5bCrORoUa1f8-zo-gnOF97HHlGlOCTs7qyVrHyhHE65n1irE0EY8Sf7hdvi_lRTiseZ-C0CIjke2TgU/s640/blogger-image-610607731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZffVQpqmEn1wf87tLlzn6yJ81Fqh1JYrOsDSrwa-wM0Jep5_II1jFt_lxOeu5bCrORoUa1f8-zo-gnOF97HHlGlOCTs7qyVrHyhHE65n1irE0EY8Sf7hdvi_lRTiseZ-C0CIjke2TgU/s640/blogger-image-610607731.jpg"></a></div>This guy was huge. Love the way the light is shining on him in the picture. I'm a professional iPhone photographer, can't you tell?</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGVJ8DIljec9vegyk2973VfsggewSfKLIgdGXH13P-GarFu9Syn4yySnLTiANMt3w4wgeC1HlkAm9LrIsbHVx1vd6JaA3ZYTeIf9hUF2lSuGIaKU3q-aN-zKkU8ys-EJA1wcI_Ys0dEE/s640/blogger-image--407745264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGVJ8DIljec9vegyk2973VfsggewSfKLIgdGXH13P-GarFu9Syn4yySnLTiANMt3w4wgeC1HlkAm9LrIsbHVx1vd6JaA3ZYTeIf9hUF2lSuGIaKU3q-aN-zKkU8ys-EJA1wcI_Ys0dEE/s640/blogger-image--407745264.jpg"></a></div>The little kids at the temple were so cute. They would put their little hands together and pray or bow down. Probably wishing for an ice cream cone...</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERyVyxidePNjQBTz83llh0TeAQkrcr5LEoAsborvYPgvR3wmqO6foCw60PUYDGWSNLs8Lc8L_gtwhqMAf1PaTz4pIwxoXQoTOlYKkP-WKIbQULC4UfWExcGZbPHEYkjEWZeGCrZQpnJo/s640/blogger-image--1466805255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERyVyxidePNjQBTz83llh0TeAQkrcr5LEoAsborvYPgvR3wmqO6foCw60PUYDGWSNLs8Lc8L_gtwhqMAf1PaTz4pIwxoXQoTOlYKkP-WKIbQULC4UfWExcGZbPHEYkjEWZeGCrZQpnJo/s640/blogger-image--1466805255.jpg"></a></div>If you look closely, you can see little tiny Buddhas...</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHS0EU_PkhbiZN89BxbS62XW6N_kcOcdfvuIjNcvwgLzapSABj2gzFeW5pZ880PnAHu6mLKcTNIEQ4Vxcy_ZyhEzgYFYfduS1zhyP7b1c9jk9-dmDfn6kNywkA3Q2RE0PZ5DICmYTGiwI/s640/blogger-image--1383793685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHS0EU_PkhbiZN89BxbS62XW6N_kcOcdfvuIjNcvwgLzapSABj2gzFeW5pZ880PnAHu6mLKcTNIEQ4Vxcy_ZyhEzgYFYfduS1zhyP7b1c9jk9-dmDfn6kNywkA3Q2RE0PZ5DICmYTGiwI/s640/blogger-image--1383793685.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-AGous-RQfWAlINDZdk4HUHI63kBeS_PbmJq3DsaF-3f8IiCC7_yoqxXHIQuB-7ODhzCh5Myut1lnUg-FN1ZZQYvvLye43yQtinFCEi2udrYk46tzVhRboNqml3rr-YbKQQYAEisFNk/s640/blogger-image-1246106729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-AGous-RQfWAlINDZdk4HUHI63kBeS_PbmJq3DsaF-3f8IiCC7_yoqxXHIQuB-7ODhzCh5Myut1lnUg-FN1ZZQYvvLye43yQtinFCEi2udrYk46tzVhRboNqml3rr-YbKQQYAEisFNk/s640/blogger-image-1246106729.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bvn-ffkRGT8WyIzQe8q8xMRveMqD9nDWsZGXk0jqSKobN75nzkXAxubSalZiywFBhgL3dsQxCd0PsrelUNuSwxEBHlsrT5e1BIpWtOrazEc12ihKJA9HR8qpggFFyWnOthOWm4eFFoM/s640/blogger-image-1449652426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bvn-ffkRGT8WyIzQe8q8xMRveMqD9nDWsZGXk0jqSKobN75nzkXAxubSalZiywFBhgL3dsQxCd0PsrelUNuSwxEBHlsrT5e1BIpWtOrazEc12ihKJA9HR8qpggFFyWnOthOWm4eFFoM/s640/blogger-image-1449652426.jpg"></a></div>He posed for me, I swear</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div>On the way out, there were some vendors and snack stalls. I can't get over how bad these things smell. Exacerbated by pregnancy-heightened olfactory senses, it's almost unbearable.</div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4TRtCaf38eXNKMjsfXeD1LAnpcLdIM8ZKzW2RezZpqMsrjPfXeTHMz2NJz9YLHPrmQg4FA0TNCXKdnkoj_4kxxYSHMhQotUE2g-V4jAL59Q-wb23Kwq4aezCq04GEf37CkwRiN38XcM/s640/blogger-image-18202434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4TRtCaf38eXNKMjsfXeD1LAnpcLdIM8ZKzW2RezZpqMsrjPfXeTHMz2NJz9YLHPrmQg4FA0TNCXKdnkoj_4kxxYSHMhQotUE2g-V4jAL59Q-wb23Kwq4aezCq04GEf37CkwRiN38XcM/s640/blogger-image-18202434.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaCQMiaEtZU-1bl1CMx6-gzZ2QI5PC9bjeRGllaUjw93GYX-J0ovgrQHGIsJZ8OQ3XC4qIyRUQdASQpbTBIkfbIRMEPXbbQeiydG9LkGdacAIliEQWvmMosY1n2eZciLUqCseg47K-mQ/s640/blogger-image--121093318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaCQMiaEtZU-1bl1CMx6-gzZ2QI5PC9bjeRGllaUjw93GYX-J0ovgrQHGIsJZ8OQ3XC4qIyRUQdASQpbTBIkfbIRMEPXbbQeiydG9LkGdacAIliEQWvmMosY1n2eZciLUqCseg47K-mQ/s640/blogger-image--121093318.jpg"></a></div>I have yet to see anyone actually buy or even eat these things</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOW4IfGEqf3JC1ktk8LvlcUHIVaZbiGfOIPrzVjvKkbojtNq2LNayQ2cd6lfdxKkuOCesh0MaSCfi6mZEQTTJP8uH0kJh3x-zX3ieMfiivGOMgTOpHQs10BDXDET8Z5zloppO0GtkdcDI/s640/blogger-image-1222661490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOW4IfGEqf3JC1ktk8LvlcUHIVaZbiGfOIPrzVjvKkbojtNq2LNayQ2cd6lfdxKkuOCesh0MaSCfi6mZEQTTJP8uH0kJh3x-zX3ieMfiivGOMgTOpHQs10BDXDET8Z5zloppO0GtkdcDI/s640/blogger-image-1222661490.jpg"></a></div>I thought this hat was super cute..for a little girl..til I saw it said "Baby Boy" on it. </i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div>Cabs are really inexpensive here in Korea. We took a cab back and it was only about $8 - a 20-30 minute ride. I am surprised by the low cost of most things here. Money spent to-date: $140. I caved and bought a bunch of stuff for the kids again. Back to the hotel for some R&R before a big group outing.</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622935566675729292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130075084314468688.post-23286697744896963092013-09-07T16:54:00.001-07:002013-09-07T18:49:10.699-07:00Shabu Shabu<div>Last night for dinner, we took a bus to this big store which I can best describe as a Korean KMart. It was multi-level, and had a lot of cheap stuff, like knock off clothes (most notable: knockoff North Face called The Red Face, which is kind of funny considering that's what Asians turn into when they drink).</div><div><br></div><div>Anyway, the restaurant was on the 3rd floor and it was a Shabu restaurant, with unlimited food (buffet style) and beer. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhmB-mSYFqKx8ChKwEh1LOrkgAfXNxBoRS2Cij4akB0uxRUI4qJ5ObfxWYC15hT1GrfssYQ3HH3mS7LpDCjpy43kmnCnzHVB_Nme280spioicZHlF0TIC1MA5slsrmGHwto6AC9LcBHc/s640/blogger-image-990711979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhmB-mSYFqKx8ChKwEh1LOrkgAfXNxBoRS2Cij4akB0uxRUI4qJ5ObfxWYC15hT1GrfssYQ3HH3mS7LpDCjpy43kmnCnzHVB_Nme280spioicZHlF0TIC1MA5slsrmGHwto6AC9LcBHc/s640/blogger-image-990711979.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GXntP652A1_kepSVM0VTePkGTdxMhoep12KsdAuwS7P-9PPAG1phG4-7-Vvqnae-6Z2CPrmkFR2mJH_P6vFGniIp9CxcukqoO9Gos357vMR_ZTj_0if6LvwpfzV6PsbX7ITu-IR1vXM/s640/blogger-image--1935185938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GXntP652A1_kepSVM0VTePkGTdxMhoep12KsdAuwS7P-9PPAG1phG4-7-Vvqnae-6Z2CPrmkFR2mJH_P6vFGniIp9CxcukqoO9Gos357vMR_ZTj_0if6LvwpfzV6PsbX7ITu-IR1vXM/s640/blogger-image--1935185938.jpg"></a></div><i>The group</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_NtyRAKT4O_xrkXmV4vtdmjB7E_QcVGo0-kbsx2A9WWfTN7it_-NtmGioglkxq1q-tgZ2vbu_7938uE_T9Mqo9dZntzoD-s0NHikk6NfowYlFJkeBlPIzsxQS9OhQKV7pEXDgLVX2hw/s640/blogger-image--627371522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_NtyRAKT4O_xrkXmV4vtdmjB7E_QcVGo0-kbsx2A9WWfTN7it_-NtmGioglkxq1q-tgZ2vbu_7938uE_T9Mqo9dZntzoD-s0NHikk6NfowYlFJkeBlPIzsxQS9OhQKV7pEXDgLVX2hw/s640/blogger-image--627371522.jpg"></a></div>Random food</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div>To be honest, I feel like I am continually eating so there is never a time when I'm actually hungry- it's like a constant full feeling. I didn't eat very much. I started to feel a little sick so I went for a walk.</div><div><br></div><div>One thing I've been surprised about in Korea is how they take their children out at all hours of the night. There is lots of baby-wearing here, so I'm always seeing babies and toddlers on the fronts and backs of moms and dads. It makes me miss my babies even more.</div><div><br></div><div>There are a lot of kid friendly areas and family spaces here too. The US needs to take note. At the restaurant, there was a "Kids Club" where all the kids go to while the parents eat. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsXiNoKyWslajF4Qo8hkpvpMyvWFU5JpBr7F4fQzpY3k-gkWgoMo5O0X6glRQ5I97byALi-avmOofo-9zTBMBatXdjzpbqgHhiKT4U7kYuVU51VHTrUvSt9y8WW-qGkaKSyb9VQQNwgM/s640/blogger-image--1337138239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsXiNoKyWslajF4Qo8hkpvpMyvWFU5JpBr7F4fQzpY3k-gkWgoMo5O0X6glRQ5I97byALi-avmOofo-9zTBMBatXdjzpbqgHhiKT4U7kYuVU51VHTrUvSt9y8WW-qGkaKSyb9VQQNwgM/s640/blogger-image--1337138239.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGywhzM07O22_RB6_PcIztEb-S43XbT49dqhERYziphYJ9GfAf1TUOjLkbzmcg7GsXNhgoyQ0cYDVmF-wosDLsAggFoNI2fnCJFbdaAa9F4D96N36jiw6XMvlip1emSfhFPJ5McRxS8Y/s640/blogger-image--575453822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGywhzM07O22_RB6_PcIztEb-S43XbT49dqhERYziphYJ9GfAf1TUOjLkbzmcg7GsXNhgoyQ0cYDVmF-wosDLsAggFoNI2fnCJFbdaAa9F4D96N36jiw6XMvlip1emSfhFPJ5McRxS8Y/s640/blogger-image--575453822.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>It had arcade games, and a tv, but no chaperone. Wish there was an area like that in every restaurant!</div><div><br></div><div>Then, in the store I also found another kids' area.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLV86YpjlHsbadSZKX3KnUJW2EJtU2dANVzREhFMxZaXwee9NRXeJy8SrYRcc-0tDc6LybiC9Rg5iNNqAEIQV0Or4tUotT8JrrlpVB7h3GEaMo82fXQBzl0BhAudwPKDwMPb_lih9bI8/s640/blogger-image--1389772483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLV86YpjlHsbadSZKX3KnUJW2EJtU2dANVzREhFMxZaXwee9NRXeJy8SrYRcc-0tDc6LybiC9Rg5iNNqAEIQV0Or4tUotT8JrrlpVB7h3GEaMo82fXQBzl0BhAudwPKDwMPb_lih9bI8/s640/blogger-image--1389772483.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNZg2Qeb40Dy66pKbywuyHmNgVsC4NPC-itH8vfM2jlcC_GK0iaTJKgoUD-CMjurzaPmGABeAWVLa4BZZydtTG3PJa0IuNH7LtMSqfsKMKXjp08Ul2grMUQ1yD_CHC0ObqJS_iurGPjI/s640/blogger-image--1591974076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNZg2Qeb40Dy66pKbywuyHmNgVsC4NPC-itH8vfM2jlcC_GK0iaTJKgoUD-CMjurzaPmGABeAWVLa4BZZydtTG3PJa0IuNH7LtMSqfsKMKXjp08Ul2grMUQ1yD_CHC0ObqJS_iurGPjI/s640/blogger-image--1591974076.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16kscFe1bejwyQBSzFIy3XLo1LScB0O6LrYH2SlQe_NScYAaPnm6fuxIYTQGrpUxUAaXjfoVAgdhDoojz0jC_D6CPOTlsRcm5PAJee4pi1d5zKBjMKNUez7wtrqUsXp_u88ZsRFXKTRc/s640/blogger-image-949626111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16kscFe1bejwyQBSzFIy3XLo1LScB0O6LrYH2SlQe_NScYAaPnm6fuxIYTQGrpUxUAaXjfoVAgdhDoojz0jC_D6CPOTlsRcm5PAJee4pi1d5zKBjMKNUez7wtrqUsXp_u88ZsRFXKTRc/s640/blogger-image-949626111.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLO3g3_IkEklRf1lzo4Ir0HfgAD72ZHQBbluRw0gRBGvuVeGdiotDHuGqoH9ZMo1JMcrk_mdO62AOvJDfTBUAGlUCZR3V8Z5IOVouezIRs_ttSdIYu4YP7ar6qhA9yBhZmSwbUJTyZVc/s640/blogger-image-1866629097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLO3g3_IkEklRf1lzo4Ir0HfgAD72ZHQBbluRw0gRBGvuVeGdiotDHuGqoH9ZMo1JMcrk_mdO62AOvJDfTBUAGlUCZR3V8Z5IOVouezIRs_ttSdIYu4YP7ar6qhA9yBhZmSwbUJTyZVc/s640/blogger-image-1866629097.jpg"></a></div><br></div>My boys would love this! It was huge, with a sand pit, various play areas, a Mom's Cafe - and it was all gated off so the kids couldn't get out. </div><div><br></div><div>After dinner, we headed back to the hotel and I needed some time to myself. It's been hard because there is nowhere to go to be alone here- not even our room- so I felt frustrated. I got a few hours of sleep, but woke up around 4:45 with too many things racing through my head, so I got up and wrote down all the questions I have for my birth mother, and a letter to give her too. After the reunion, I will update on any answers I got. </div><div><br></div><div>Today I went to a brunch cafe with my roommates, then had a meeting to go over my files and prep for the reunion. I'm about to set off on my own for an hour to explore the surrounding area, then we are headed to a temple and the big fish market of Busan. It will be nice to get my mind off what's happening tomorrow.</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622935566675729292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130075084314468688.post-55217409883160185672013-09-07T01:07:00.001-07:002013-09-07T05:44:29.432-07:00Take me to the markets (& the mall)The rest of the day yesterday we actually had some free time- so a bunch of us decided to go to Namdaemun Market. It was a little overwhelming with over 10,000 shops, but pretty neat. I will need to go back there on my own time, because I definitely want to get some souvenirs, but we were with a big group and it was hard to stop and browse for too long. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlebX_qmQQ75M8zkdAXeB3XIl7FxFEcTrGI2O_KBnEYD6ClJzvAAeZ2BwD-2Bxi86GIRrKo0aCxGt6NPf4-uislaQMIRo8TRGDuibiFoK9PM5qFpHB_ByIAcXGSfGJdZjnV-sImhw6mo/s640/blogger-image-1315754134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlebX_qmQQ75M8zkdAXeB3XIl7FxFEcTrGI2O_KBnEYD6ClJzvAAeZ2BwD-2Bxi86GIRrKo0aCxGt6NPf4-uislaQMIRo8TRGDuibiFoK9PM5qFpHB_ByIAcXGSfGJdZjnV-sImhw6mo/s640/blogger-image-1315754134.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXw1yt3h8WN9stnaEtiCea0ERqbY4f2komswIqw5dMeJlCX31vNPGJnFMy0CEzN5l92LOU8D_fZIACznsZCw9pv-W7Qwe7RXUbjyMLLkAsUVZYKK-NMHFFx4va8bZ8U6OHR5duvHnyks/s640/blogger-image-484723911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXw1yt3h8WN9stnaEtiCea0ERqbY4f2komswIqw5dMeJlCX31vNPGJnFMy0CEzN5l92LOU8D_fZIACznsZCw9pv-W7Qwe7RXUbjyMLLkAsUVZYKK-NMHFFx4va8bZ8U6OHR5duvHnyks/s640/blogger-image-484723911.jpg"></a></div><i>Pigs feet...yummy</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7jJ1yVbh_KG57UTunBZ4jjiIZkRsdF-fZcNkgg6TkGxzHBHQ242u5wGnJdNxEsKxfO1jbe12WvfBUUCOfVkw87hZx-93Bxc_W_QnpoZYrrb6dI8ntpH3A-4TTeYnQcuSSmJuIvX6qDM/s640/blogger-image--367467312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7jJ1yVbh_KG57UTunBZ4jjiIZkRsdF-fZcNkgg6TkGxzHBHQ242u5wGnJdNxEsKxfO1jbe12WvfBUUCOfVkw87hZx-93Bxc_W_QnpoZYrrb6dI8ntpH3A-4TTeYnQcuSSmJuIvX6qDM/s640/blogger-image--367467312.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuyAapkhz2NFnGdLubnMuEdgy2Wb_6kuWIy7RgrRHYLcE61s8z9QEP5LRyG2gR9KLLs_6r2NZuCUfpc9YmeGuS0fpa7HaQArIpnWefzoSA5CIeMQGjcVfz8Gpg3DZPZpgH4KKWOGz8RM/s640/blogger-image--434741915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuyAapkhz2NFnGdLubnMuEdgy2Wb_6kuWIy7RgrRHYLcE61s8z9QEP5LRyG2gR9KLLs_6r2NZuCUfpc9YmeGuS0fpa7HaQArIpnWefzoSA5CIeMQGjcVfz8Gpg3DZPZpgH4KKWOGz8RM/s640/blogger-image--434741915.jpg"></a></div><i>Bugs bugs bugs</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvi2f0oY3urEPd4czw9bnMX6SprLChFO_4WylUMhxZ-Q6CrCVHFjVudp5reGDhd9-4B0zwhvGAGpxbFw3EG40YXuraGommqqOWrsGsRCM82fCa0N35niVTByyDymP64oP14yR0HyCccg/s640/blogger-image--199673323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvi2f0oY3urEPd4czw9bnMX6SprLChFO_4WylUMhxZ-Q6CrCVHFjVudp5reGDhd9-4B0zwhvGAGpxbFw3EG40YXuraGommqqOWrsGsRCM82fCa0N35niVTByyDymP64oP14yR0HyCccg/s640/blogger-image--199673323.jpg"></a></div>Ginseng</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_O0NUDCrYL6Y0QoPgfG5oPhUq27sF5gKSjJp-3jFgzaCiCLj4BGkAEzLnxL7TdzQQxDmL3X9_rFJJS9qpNS6t9EWb7HeNNiaFO8KXoaaYrVL4d8gt9U6KquUOY54GNiWg_09eEFetqrw/s640/blogger-image--1549977506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_O0NUDCrYL6Y0QoPgfG5oPhUq27sF5gKSjJp-3jFgzaCiCLj4BGkAEzLnxL7TdzQQxDmL3X9_rFJJS9qpNS6t9EWb7HeNNiaFO8KXoaaYrVL4d8gt9U6KquUOY54GNiWg_09eEFetqrw/s640/blogger-image--1549977506.jpg"></a></div>Food alley</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrr4fOkZ6Igu1RpIzoc9V3GyiOXKOuIYfKli73B9pO_ybtancV8Yk-VpwuQPrxcMZ2lAOtvaReLcA9ZfITNgAex0yxJNw4DoYjOJHa1iuOGBM7uuHuMhD82zv8cfLbEAbNM4HH6lb1_fg/s640/blogger-image--395748206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrr4fOkZ6Igu1RpIzoc9V3GyiOXKOuIYfKli73B9pO_ybtancV8Yk-VpwuQPrxcMZ2lAOtvaReLcA9ZfITNgAex0yxJNw4DoYjOJHa1iuOGBM7uuHuMhD82zv8cfLbEAbNM4HH6lb1_fg/s640/blogger-image--395748206.jpg"></a></div>The pancakes were delicious</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tHxZ34tU4OP4ML4o5-xaBgaa7XZymMiY75ZlStIzCSmNxMtrc0DTQgbN6AILvaTuRc06IoWG9pNYB9uVl56sX5UmnbnnUg_YNCKdpG7tjSHayprzQROdD9g-TXJjdLF0ccgzNvTuRfs/s640/blogger-image-346260988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tHxZ34tU4OP4ML4o5-xaBgaa7XZymMiY75ZlStIzCSmNxMtrc0DTQgbN6AILvaTuRc06IoWG9pNYB9uVl56sX5UmnbnnUg_YNCKdpG7tjSHayprzQROdD9g-TXJjdLF0ccgzNvTuRfs/s640/blogger-image-346260988.jpg"></a></div>Mandoo (kind of like a steamed bun)</i></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGR28kgxZ8w1cSQDVvUNq_R6HtVUqsAEtt4ggYWqpTpgoAdjR6i8_pR0A1ddTsSfS7OipuC2KN0DC1xjxugQYZl6Gf4xES5J1hC_TUqz_eimqGvTD-epl-1wSLSHbu_6xDalS_gNaWeVc/s640/blogger-image--1775388366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGR28kgxZ8w1cSQDVvUNq_R6HtVUqsAEtt4ggYWqpTpgoAdjR6i8_pR0A1ddTsSfS7OipuC2KN0DC1xjxugQYZl6Gf4xES5J1hC_TUqz_eimqGvTD-epl-1wSLSHbu_6xDalS_gNaWeVc/s640/blogger-image--1775388366.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Korean tranny and the coolest kid I've seen </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div>Afterwards, we went to a place for my first taste of patbingsu (Korean shaved ice). It was a little underwhelming, but I need to try the more traditional version. We had oreo, mango and green tea. They were huge so we split three between 9 of us.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSb5Ht9aVDLAS4FgyZQpgqlHh_9JkyHOt2jTwPXdtWVeX3ucjZQANciw5CWncCOqzpS7vhsL8RL054ynjLEnN08-Is3GmJf0J1KWIUOd-IUcA9xcj3dULePCdDu6VENoFSz-v92Q588yw/s640/blogger-image--429382663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSb5Ht9aVDLAS4FgyZQpgqlHh_9JkyHOt2jTwPXdtWVeX3ucjZQANciw5CWncCOqzpS7vhsL8RL054ynjLEnN08-Is3GmJf0J1KWIUOd-IUcA9xcj3dULePCdDu6VENoFSz-v92Q588yw/s640/blogger-image--429382663.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>Afterwards we walked through a fancier shopping area (Myeongdong) and then headed back to the hotel. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGRiNG6W2zuDMvfR2BO6zPE-hYvAviFHi1tnogr8SediX-ml1oiq0lQ-wnqHWLhPjDTMg75ZAc1ybVcaXwFRBz4GT641K0GoRs10N2otyul-n443z3g8yxUx_Dvsbn7jlONV9j30-1WrM/s640/blogger-image--932062352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGRiNG6W2zuDMvfR2BO6zPE-hYvAviFHi1tnogr8SediX-ml1oiq0lQ-wnqHWLhPjDTMg75ZAc1ybVcaXwFRBz4GT641K0GoRs10N2otyul-n443z3g8yxUx_Dvsbn7jlONV9j30-1WrM/s640/blogger-image--932062352.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FU-D20rIpZZZJAW8FLXlMuLVAn8cn8F43K5FiuuTC2gh4IxzeJjRdqmCijp6kLfZ7xaobm-mTH4uubLqUvXFh4mtjNyCXHUVfM_EWT89Wiyph0t_p95OTqtKUcDmup1hmHx3Cz2dtKw/s640/blogger-image--1479536596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FU-D20rIpZZZJAW8FLXlMuLVAn8cn8F43K5FiuuTC2gh4IxzeJjRdqmCijp6kLfZ7xaobm-mTH4uubLqUvXFh4mtjNyCXHUVfM_EWT89Wiyph0t_p95OTqtKUcDmup1hmHx3Cz2dtKw/s640/blogger-image--1479536596.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vr4ukWwWykmCB8HQyzioe66tClKRhcaZGz-HlG2THq5zMXqpOLruhgjZtvIH4e578eLL5ihwGq_RAozSbLCONH7LWe1PXRHl2t5_KC7930RY2v9GRuABiYVee9GeUqPLDhSOyjg21eI/s640/blogger-image--305043539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vr4ukWwWykmCB8HQyzioe66tClKRhcaZGz-HlG2THq5zMXqpOLruhgjZtvIH4e578eLL5ihwGq_RAozSbLCONH7LWe1PXRHl2t5_KC7930RY2v9GRuABiYVee9GeUqPLDhSOyjg21eI/s640/blogger-image--305043539.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvo5Jg7wmTXQvK17IuIYYgzYsVR-pjHAakx7g6EC8G7jtVWnYy4G5yoMV-iL-BG38wzqQEy-bXSQE-E7IyNDRSodLLB5i_4CuxiKQFdFDvf1_RzQl3IGoxfiLGH1spTg9lyvukSytZ4Pw/s640/blogger-image-1461552120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvo5Jg7wmTXQvK17IuIYYgzYsVR-pjHAakx7g6EC8G7jtVWnYy4G5yoMV-iL-BG38wzqQEy-bXSQE-E7IyNDRSodLLB5i_4CuxiKQFdFDvf1_RzQl3IGoxfiLGH1spTg9lyvukSytZ4Pw/s640/blogger-image-1461552120.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUulTeJl8pDxZb0sWogFQY3s8aQRT4DQO9EgCdLhZ_SW1TPYLn_Pf_wci9DOdytCE3crZSX3o33002uTb7zwzA9yv1nGZv9o4sNQNysPuksHUuioGXXFuy-6yczIUhnWkA8LDWTlEfsyU/s640/blogger-image--1511367350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUulTeJl8pDxZb0sWogFQY3s8aQRT4DQO9EgCdLhZ_SW1TPYLn_Pf_wci9DOdytCE3crZSX3o33002uTb7zwzA9yv1nGZv9o4sNQNysPuksHUuioGXXFuy-6yczIUhnWkA8LDWTlEfsyU/s640/blogger-image--1511367350.jpg"></a></div><i>Interesting store name</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2JsqYBHfmN6lGL-mSw7c0bXxaOw-jIOq_csTN-8uY6qICn8AKKzdBr92GsMxvrVIKiv2m986Snr5iRjc7TRHek7bjyvMQt934NCZqk8onHt2gVQI2gxj48rHKDhd2aTx_aEKCBopQ3I/s640/blogger-image-230271013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2JsqYBHfmN6lGL-mSw7c0bXxaOw-jIOq_csTN-8uY6qICn8AKKzdBr92GsMxvrVIKiv2m986Snr5iRjc7TRHek7bjyvMQt934NCZqk8onHt2gVQI2gxj48rHKDhd2aTx_aEKCBopQ3I/s640/blogger-image-230271013.jpg"></a></div>Missing my Toms</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhViklEq220PyNFf2y1CJY1Snq9FVRKkzKDij5qPXh2qkNGhKg81vaM84oXL6mXnSXsOlFJCNTbgUyh_bvIHmna-TSni2ayLltgvFODMB65NPu_2iFTeoWXRazo0xYv0r1MCox_4aENk-c/s640/blogger-image-2071547081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhViklEq220PyNFf2y1CJY1Snq9FVRKkzKDij5qPXh2qkNGhKg81vaM84oXL6mXnSXsOlFJCNTbgUyh_bvIHmna-TSni2ayLltgvFODMB65NPu_2iFTeoWXRazo0xYv0r1MCox_4aENk-c/s640/blogger-image-2071547081.jpg"></a></div>Seoul Tower</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div>A few of us grabbed a quick dinner before we had to get on the bus for Busan. It ended up being a 6+ hour ride, with a few stops, and we didn't get in til about 3am. This new hostel is TINY. It is centrally located, but the rooms are ridiculously small. I have considered getting a hotel room somewhere close, but I think I can stick it out for a few days. I guess I am one of the "lucky" ones because we got in a 4-person room as opposed to a 6-person room, but I haven't lived like this in quite awhile..or maybe ever. There are bunk beds and hardly no floor space, and tiny lockers for us to store a few things. The showers and bathroom area are also shared- this may take an adjustment.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZj4-BDEjs3C3yZPSBbMVz_y0k-nzkDU0NjBPVCD7W1wEw0ZoqQly9cvgKL76qyGeEF9TWsBQj5P-t_La2wJp1qC_wjnexexXF7nO0EkOA8TvG1dOmolEmDmdKXPRDoD-yepDl50zcnq0/s640/blogger-image--1255005275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZj4-BDEjs3C3yZPSBbMVz_y0k-nzkDU0NjBPVCD7W1wEw0ZoqQly9cvgKL76qyGeEF9TWsBQj5P-t_La2wJp1qC_wjnexexXF7nO0EkOA8TvG1dOmolEmDmdKXPRDoD-yepDl50zcnq0/s640/blogger-image--1255005275.jpg"></a></div><i>Packed in like sardines</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoW2sUUEIPwHKvBuEEgK6W26_lF15oRf9hzU-SQjonvXrcQFngojOcHqL8bsz_tS-ayQjRmZE9PMupr_ik3DbjnGih7Wt71JeGmi_j4yvIJh45raMTakPrZOkYfgP5AW0VmjCP85t8wE/s640/blogger-image--170018418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoW2sUUEIPwHKvBuEEgK6W26_lF15oRf9hzU-SQjonvXrcQFngojOcHqL8bsz_tS-ayQjRmZE9PMupr_ik3DbjnGih7Wt71JeGmi_j4yvIJh45raMTakPrZOkYfgP5AW0VmjCP85t8wE/s640/blogger-image--170018418.jpg"></a></div>Took my first group shower this morning</i></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCsE_6S__eg2Zh8nI6vyYK_DgZURJ2tTg83Rd4CxTV2iYUPu7zkETNV0f1klDUz0-AkapzYPsJHj_WrkXF_sGHeX9uuuHDKyQRMvXJ_5-9OCNDZSOQvxmlJWwJUT-GVdyibDPd3uJidc/s640/blogger-image-1795875313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCsE_6S__eg2Zh8nI6vyYK_DgZURJ2tTg83Rd4CxTV2iYUPu7zkETNV0f1klDUz0-AkapzYPsJHj_WrkXF_sGHeX9uuuHDKyQRMvXJ_5-9OCNDZSOQvxmlJWwJUT-GVdyibDPd3uJidc/s640/blogger-image-1795875313.jpg"></a></div><i>Story Guest House</i></div><div><br></div><div>We crashed pretty hard and only had to be up by noon for lunch. It was raining this morning in Busan so our plans to go to a temple by the sea were changed instead to go to Shinsegae Centum City, the largest department store in the world (not to be compared to the largest mall in the world in Dubai, but it is still pretty huge). Besides all the shops, there's a huge food market and food stalls on the bottom floor, a restaurant floor at the top, an ice skating rink by the food court, an outdoor Dinosaur Zoo on the roof, a golf range, a preschool, an academy, a movie theater, and a bunch of other fun areas. My kids would love it there. I hope to be able to take them one day.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5T58Mx66NYImfxnPJ9wyXywU-1I0mgDFocvW4NhgfYRAKNs_5L3v-FHuPQ3as72JiItfKQCUMOdqcKc9X4w69AtUHWdA1V69ftkH2ZoLsme4Lu4_1kKN2oGSkFbKejPRo3IpaM3MwC8Q/s640/blogger-image-637837478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5T58Mx66NYImfxnPJ9wyXywU-1I0mgDFocvW4NhgfYRAKNs_5L3v-FHuPQ3as72JiItfKQCUMOdqcKc9X4w69AtUHWdA1V69ftkH2ZoLsme4Lu4_1kKN2oGSkFbKejPRo3IpaM3MwC8Q/s640/blogger-image-637837478.jpg"></a></div><i>View from food court of the ice rink</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzs2caA6MWWxzeZ8PBKVo1nOGJFSY6bfTNbjJR63AUnDFHtjM5QbLo17RF9zTGguxIEKk-I624AlArefMDJKHOJqyKTadE_Q5TPiALzkTzLQ7nZwNeXwSsdxWb19RZ7ueLcCO9tuauQfA/s640/blogger-image-1428527940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzs2caA6MWWxzeZ8PBKVo1nOGJFSY6bfTNbjJR63AUnDFHtjM5QbLo17RF9zTGguxIEKk-I624AlArefMDJKHOJqyKTadE_Q5TPiALzkTzLQ7nZwNeXwSsdxWb19RZ7ueLcCO9tuauQfA/s640/blogger-image-1428527940.jpg"></a></div>Every mall has to have a kids play area</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJL1JBRokingzaiQkxfO88qJ7PLLx2-wvP_-2bTXkO1ZGrR_P0_oZGwL97ZL1y3iKO8x1vJcPxFslcUA3hPezXJlTXzSkYZGuIWpz7O8hdkbeuxkLROf3S7XzT9vajRwE76Ymdx8hlGaE/s640/blogger-image--513724922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJL1JBRokingzaiQkxfO88qJ7PLLx2-wvP_-2bTXkO1ZGrR_P0_oZGwL97ZL1y3iKO8x1vJcPxFslcUA3hPezXJlTXzSkYZGuIWpz7O8hdkbeuxkLROf3S7XzT9vajRwE76Ymdx8hlGaE/s640/blogger-image--513724922.jpg"></a></div>Dunkin Donuts- still in search of the Korean cronut</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCC_sM7eecdHoawYuX0IiMEt-MtJ1yd6FdUzjNyS0bKGPnqLBpaK8JzHDQlHqY9DWsP1FJKf1nd37rsZoB3Ts6fDie0P-mgIsX-qvrgmkg-ggmJ__07TlRaEglQCbMm4Ns2u7lr6FNYGM/s640/blogger-image-165434881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCC_sM7eecdHoawYuX0IiMEt-MtJ1yd6FdUzjNyS0bKGPnqLBpaK8JzHDQlHqY9DWsP1FJKf1nd37rsZoB3Ts6fDie0P-mgIsX-qvrgmkg-ggmJ__07TlRaEglQCbMm4Ns2u7lr6FNYGM/s640/blogger-image-165434881.jpg"></a></div>Music room by the academy, in the mall- only in Korea</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8pciht2qP4D6zICwOLeA0WOzwt1emE9Rr_vr-C1a1TmaQzjUZZmMi9Hf2Of4u5wjYN7zwaulNAXmfaYZUm3skhb6mM55riliiYbMw197JaHyl3rDs2GgfJASoor5xeNCP-1vsb2kxXX4/s640/blogger-image--1940474005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8pciht2qP4D6zICwOLeA0WOzwt1emE9Rr_vr-C1a1TmaQzjUZZmMi9Hf2Of4u5wjYN7zwaulNAXmfaYZUm3skhb6mM55riliiYbMw197JaHyl3rDs2GgfJASoor5xeNCP-1vsb2kxXX4/s640/blogger-image--1940474005.jpg"></a></div>Blowfish soup is a Busan specialty</i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyu6xEiWm632OC9WlyohhMKmm8XQl_DHrXA6VgbPvH2qv6IPDWxSn9gBrb_0UZC_wgk5GMFq9uqgTQ-MAT0U4rZXNybF-Q4vSsHAm7U3gO0Du9s1E_IiH0Xq2c5Z08oQvt_mrvnb9dMnY/s640/blogger-image--2014617909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyu6xEiWm632OC9WlyohhMKmm8XQl_DHrXA6VgbPvH2qv6IPDWxSn9gBrb_0UZC_wgk5GMFq9uqgTQ-MAT0U4rZXNybF-Q4vSsHAm7U3gO0Du9s1E_IiH0Xq2c5Z08oQvt_mrvnb9dMnY/s640/blogger-image--2014617909.jpg"></a></div><i>Zooraji on the rooftop- the coolest dinosaur play land</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsrgy-g9Oo_ag1URaq4sl3f-Us2IFAcN2_Q2J5Jy3O8VDNcVkttzKs7A4Q8EZqTh8LokgXDrFDQYSE0kC1Y2sfrDd4SlPo9XLjs7naEN50nABkogLhTQtVJ3c2lp7Pwl6s0QlZs9VfIk/s640/blogger-image-357390836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsrgy-g9Oo_ag1URaq4sl3f-Us2IFAcN2_Q2J5Jy3O8VDNcVkttzKs7A4Q8EZqTh8LokgXDrFDQYSE0kC1Y2sfrDd4SlPo9XLjs7naEN50nABkogLhTQtVJ3c2lp7Pwl6s0QlZs9VfIk/s640/blogger-image-357390836.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzm0-QJ_onGuxyOn0h7m8yZ0OEkIw0vYv4IRBrJmkDAZU6rRTYYV83ItaUM31Vyndi9eeJSdZy0DLtwp06wLahchgWVLMQBUfM1teMvz2OCL0SmpHQtr_MINVxWqeb9yjQJl3WA-MxMqA/s640/blogger-image--854870240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzm0-QJ_onGuxyOn0h7m8yZ0OEkIw0vYv4IRBrJmkDAZU6rRTYYV83ItaUM31Vyndi9eeJSdZy0DLtwp06wLahchgWVLMQBUfM1teMvz2OCL0SmpHQtr_MINVxWqeb9yjQJl3WA-MxMqA/s640/blogger-image--854870240.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9lfIWEBw7WGXwOzcqkIn5Yt4WsxkqGdlga5aODqWrelFQeNZTmgFtH6jjGHYLkug1FcYtVmwUgV1jsBfD_imc9n_vS90n2-6SGoqVfzu2o0pnBjLlZBJG_BbobmkjBqtrlswfB4GEiA/s640/blogger-image--1522133808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9lfIWEBw7WGXwOzcqkIn5Yt4WsxkqGdlga5aODqWrelFQeNZTmgFtH6jjGHYLkug1FcYtVmwUgV1jsBfD_imc9n_vS90n2-6SGoqVfzu2o0pnBjLlZBJG_BbobmkjBqtrlswfB4GEiA/s640/blogger-image--1522133808.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmUuCb414a_3_6xFpFr41y8RNPYn-zzz4TZ_TTcY5i9FEK7zjVE9AyagFc_wkWtpmAjdM1ua5mYueTJ9Jc9wEBzdUH05lx6o_8w6znOua6DRs8j4O24eEpblDKB5CJZ8zG4DuHq5EZXw/s640/blogger-image--1242392208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmUuCb414a_3_6xFpFr41y8RNPYn-zzz4TZ_TTcY5i9FEK7zjVE9AyagFc_wkWtpmAjdM1ua5mYueTJ9Jc9wEBzdUH05lx6o_8w6znOua6DRs8j4O24eEpblDKB5CJZ8zG4DuHq5EZXw/s640/blogger-image--1242392208.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVzcxnPmWM8BnKdnNB1Cf0MpEQSmBcpPt_LrKdMK-NVyM0zPV-QfWjNFbOUcOnKPctnIDtijaMgGmqgx-UxIbNjHxud9Llu8WPzArBMgsRL_0dkE6wjYM_SsAoEK-GwfCEggwpUPfKlI/s640/blogger-image--1532651784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVzcxnPmWM8BnKdnNB1Cf0MpEQSmBcpPt_LrKdMK-NVyM0zPV-QfWjNFbOUcOnKPctnIDtijaMgGmqgx-UxIbNjHxud9Llu8WPzArBMgsRL_0dkE6wjYM_SsAoEK-GwfCEggwpUPfKlI/s640/blogger-image--1532651784.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2cc3ot3k36fgfQTsudeulDyYlFIl0fXbc_gIPznCn9GsxnDD-5R38l2ddit2vwCSkG3gRuX-HWepIxoaMhPOjOkFMp4Y-Tz62yFz364PRwW0JE5t5EuI_2ljM6m-nVU4YpUw5JibtlY/s640/blogger-image-139342160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2cc3ot3k36fgfQTsudeulDyYlFIl0fXbc_gIPznCn9GsxnDD-5R38l2ddit2vwCSkG3gRuX-HWepIxoaMhPOjOkFMp4Y-Tz62yFz364PRwW0JE5t5EuI_2ljM6m-nVU4YpUw5JibtlY/s640/blogger-image-139342160.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJHGE1YWW5G9BoZwSU9fCb8DwUOvnt-sCtGcVQEv_tiQtUqIfZOtafmA14teWbDSDmCczBI3pbV1zi7w9YchBROdi8VeRYOtPjq-Rrfs9IMltybSPLb38L9bLDZGf8UWy5wmuz-7f4u98/s640/blogger-image-206633374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJHGE1YWW5G9BoZwSU9fCb8DwUOvnt-sCtGcVQEv_tiQtUqIfZOtafmA14teWbDSDmCczBI3pbV1zi7w9YchBROdi8VeRYOtPjq-Rrfs9IMltybSPLb38L9bLDZGf8UWy5wmuz-7f4u98/s640/blogger-image-206633374.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalIMGooStrmuaYPFznmLzBKFC-S_2qbnsD9b59EkCZYH7vnu9hH5DCRLgIf6mu3v4ZH_IvPvjidbdHmrJEHLw0vp8B4KfyH6-n7AyCn6oYD7wLMjBn0eFJuyJoMTvQupp4oYScqYStWk/s640/blogger-image-1973843980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalIMGooStrmuaYPFznmLzBKFC-S_2qbnsD9b59EkCZYH7vnu9hH5DCRLgIf6mu3v4ZH_IvPvjidbdHmrJEHLw0vp8B4KfyH6-n7AyCn6oYD7wLMjBn0eFJuyJoMTvQupp4oYScqYStWk/s640/blogger-image-1973843980.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85aNAWXHhpHj3B2YUGuoQL36XPEjFqVelnOTu4z-0zwhyVVlOE24QqGakMxyoiV90Vshp0bNPclZjAQ1bvRZMIgJ9EdD6O-1-N8X2FGnkve60vZziugjpRw1iVGlBxS9AyjBSKTNq2B4/s640/blogger-image-1469371817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85aNAWXHhpHj3B2YUGuoQL36XPEjFqVelnOTu4z-0zwhyVVlOE24QqGakMxyoiV90Vshp0bNPclZjAQ1bvRZMIgJ9EdD6O-1-N8X2FGnkve60vZziugjpRw1iVGlBxS9AyjBSKTNq2B4/s640/blogger-image-1469371817.jpg"></a></div>Yes, I'm the creepy mom taking pics of other kids, but these boys made me miss my own..</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjla0HXQj4x5OkAb5NJ4LsMpJnr-LyQ4gLQB9iapAqpS6f6E9AS0gvTB1Jc3xmGQDIReQvGliYypV_GR5E2HZUoT4Iy7KKlChE2OFHZk-eM2bwWG4WQFDaFidlKiuiXzYetXw0HjfrTjcc/s640/blogger-image-1482430504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjla0HXQj4x5OkAb5NJ4LsMpJnr-LyQ4gLQB9iapAqpS6f6E9AS0gvTB1Jc3xmGQDIReQvGliYypV_GR5E2HZUoT4Iy7KKlChE2OFHZk-eM2bwWG4WQFDaFidlKiuiXzYetXw0HjfrTjcc/s640/blogger-image-1482430504.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUiek6RU5kXAuZrQ3A9DDg16_iO4EmnOSRfbQYVFJcANp5RPBsWvHkcpf8Mz_p4qk7TrSIicQVTrGOMrLfgfgBf9onK-g2WyAB2MZUT1-BAODHwrb0uurvpBvAvlkB2VOjquk6YToQ24/s640/blogger-image-1696576706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUiek6RU5kXAuZrQ3A9DDg16_iO4EmnOSRfbQYVFJcANp5RPBsWvHkcpf8Mz_p4qk7TrSIicQVTrGOMrLfgfgBf9onK-g2WyAB2MZUT1-BAODHwrb0uurvpBvAvlkB2VOjquk6YToQ24/s640/blogger-image-1696576706.jpg"></a></div>Views from the roof</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div>My favorite part of the store was actually at the basement level where there was a supermarket and a bunch of good food stalls. I got a mint milk bubble tea that was probably the best bubbles I've had. I couldn't resist a dumpling from one of the stalls either. They had cute ones in the shape of small animals too.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9GICMPSiWf1cb9PdtZKWhVCwx3Bdty_2YGQancNJ32R-IB7gywRhyolCBTK16hHmXTVOfDcfx7X1f1jPkVdxaYCEKpaEGlYJreWTtO0HHG0kU-U4a47D65Gyi5OFUPCjH0cdUMmMuwA/s640/blogger-image--406224871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9GICMPSiWf1cb9PdtZKWhVCwx3Bdty_2YGQancNJ32R-IB7gywRhyolCBTK16hHmXTVOfDcfx7X1f1jPkVdxaYCEKpaEGlYJreWTtO0HHG0kU-U4a47D65Gyi5OFUPCjH0cdUMmMuwA/s640/blogger-image--406224871.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcleUTZBX8-IwEHQ7mhS0k2PHZieA8Mhk0sbBUW7zJoNcMgSA8HYU0yeIxjukW0JdHBmP7EepFNC3WIXJ1lxFLeMbSfdAbZBe68kRo5k7cLk6t4dfRDtnS0EKBZ2OcySC0BUGihCiohE/s640/blogger-image-1658800304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcleUTZBX8-IwEHQ7mhS0k2PHZieA8Mhk0sbBUW7zJoNcMgSA8HYU0yeIxjukW0JdHBmP7EepFNC3WIXJ1lxFLeMbSfdAbZBe68kRo5k7cLk6t4dfRDtnS0EKBZ2OcySC0BUGihCiohE/s640/blogger-image-1658800304.jpg"></a></div><i>This was the Delicatessan- nothing like Kroger or Food Lion!</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwlkzoVJdtvQ0-GGluRNU3RQyyzWmKyF8y5jYTIpqzBByJr1lxYPe4e2veVLj4K__qQ3Jqx2HarhyzIcpwi40YsU-QgMw10wKQcaLqMOwxPNEcJmK_WYS154ubKHT0keiaM_xw-W_GhA/s640/blogger-image--558407215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwlkzoVJdtvQ0-GGluRNU3RQyyzWmKyF8y5jYTIpqzBByJr1lxYPe4e2veVLj4K__qQ3Jqx2HarhyzIcpwi40YsU-QgMw10wKQcaLqMOwxPNEcJmK_WYS154ubKHT0keiaM_xw-W_GhA/s640/blogger-image--558407215.jpg"></a></div>Kimchi bar</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiH2fGo7hmgUoYAahTo6AVsoetyVLBzH500CQSexCACSzXGgPtXvdecbL905G-3HzjUe2O2_Q3WbWcgRAWC0kgxPAtk8Ff3xsJkLYNdlcZr5eX-xtGHIX1AxufY6GNsTQXUHLn_oL9Qww/s640/blogger-image--1408605433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiH2fGo7hmgUoYAahTo6AVsoetyVLBzH500CQSexCACSzXGgPtXvdecbL905G-3HzjUe2O2_Q3WbWcgRAWC0kgxPAtk8Ff3xsJkLYNdlcZr5eX-xtGHIX1AxufY6GNsTQXUHLn_oL9Qww/s640/blogger-image--1408605433.jpg"></a></div>Unlike the buffets back home</i></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TiMWQRVAPw_JAoD9wCguyAWwAZMk1aoENvQtZd-guC6-18LYqHFGxKEqdfyJ-IlJtRANI-YkvytIhWVqFh33dH0JaBKNiOgP1ajrumxUJSa6fLBKyD0BlV4adBR_-OpzCDVave0KDbA/s640/blogger-image-1688028119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TiMWQRVAPw_JAoD9wCguyAWwAZMk1aoENvQtZd-guC6-18LYqHFGxKEqdfyJ-IlJtRANI-YkvytIhWVqFh33dH0JaBKNiOgP1ajrumxUJSa6fLBKyD0BlV4adBR_-OpzCDVave0KDbA/s640/blogger-image-1688028119.jpg"></a></div><i>Dumplings!</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMaAjP26Zv6fp_PmhqSIMdAZE6N2h6AvmddEczJndj_QNOmI586cZ2fwfSOLfCa-7xwDRdpe9EUaCjflhREoofWiaRx8YcZYtjKFiLqg8ieX3S-SslgaJcU3BakJ-3XU96PvfLb3ngpkw/s640/blogger-image-1793356119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMaAjP26Zv6fp_PmhqSIMdAZE6N2h6AvmddEczJndj_QNOmI586cZ2fwfSOLfCa-7xwDRdpe9EUaCjflhREoofWiaRx8YcZYtjKFiLqg8ieX3S-SslgaJcU3BakJ-3XU96PvfLb3ngpkw/s640/blogger-image-1793356119.jpg"></a></div>Cute shaped dumplings</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQpFE-OxFn7QNk2sQD5wJzX0xzOCQejzmMc0IzCLXM31JcYoUW90X6q5LeGYnOgbqfHC17mHDhjvd68dm3Ql8NVJe7fcwx4bCPs458uBUyUJ6-mz5p1tz_w-7cmsE92QIX_B7TB5NStA/s640/blogger-image--1699082498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQpFE-OxFn7QNk2sQD5wJzX0xzOCQejzmMc0IzCLXM31JcYoUW90X6q5LeGYnOgbqfHC17mHDhjvd68dm3Ql8NVJe7fcwx4bCPs458uBUyUJ6-mz5p1tz_w-7cmsE92QIX_B7TB5NStA/s640/blogger-image--1699082498.jpg"></a></div>My bubble tea</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTqLhphEIXCFtRJCT-VyzHSBg1MGRFcYpUgYZb_UHVMK_g-5uz8Ms0R6JcLrPRAZBtXCPkiUqylCF-v9BERvFi2948fK7OXJdLQMirTLdZ940YICJbQTOU_giSlSJAKlPjlbho8tKRn0/s640/blogger-image--459562851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTqLhphEIXCFtRJCT-VyzHSBg1MGRFcYpUgYZb_UHVMK_g-5uz8Ms0R6JcLrPRAZBtXCPkiUqylCF-v9BERvFi2948fK7OXJdLQMirTLdZ940YICJbQTOU_giSlSJAKlPjlbho8tKRn0/s640/blogger-image--459562851.jpg"></a></div>Stuffed squid</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnvM4sPfFLm4wF0IZw7MqnDVzMkj6RyrhyphenhyphenPUPczvwY5X22t93_U7SoUWoBJHxoAjtm29NcIV3sqAANoCRk-T-ZkcyWCaIDRNsTwfzYPU8bAEU1bTInao_gJE5UWPSv44WDF6LRAqQ5qU/s640/blogger-image-693618602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnvM4sPfFLm4wF0IZw7MqnDVzMkj6RyrhyphenhyphenPUPczvwY5X22t93_U7SoUWoBJHxoAjtm29NcIV3sqAANoCRk-T-ZkcyWCaIDRNsTwfzYPU8bAEU1bTInao_gJE5UWPSv44WDF6LRAqQ5qU/s640/blogger-image-693618602.jpg"></a></div>Not really sure what these were, but they looked good</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div>I finally found some cute gifts for the kids; a chopstick learning book for Tommy, a fun stuffed animal pencil case for Emily, some play Pororo cars for all the boys (Pororo is the Korean equivalent to Hello Kitty in Japan), and a car puzzle track set for Everett. I still need to get some more gifts but hope to find them at the markets.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99vpmeiTCmNbZhuUQQdnK_sn2Xs-yhejnmAIXxPzJq-kf3tmN1NA7OShqeJiQxM9l54LUrWSPaN9Vd48HEuC_apzQK9cjC8K3PsPfWte_G2AUtgcKZABwlDgOQU7i39DC7M2fwGRq1LU/s640/blogger-image-335958418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99vpmeiTCmNbZhuUQQdnK_sn2Xs-yhejnmAIXxPzJq-kf3tmN1NA7OShqeJiQxM9l54LUrWSPaN9Vd48HEuC_apzQK9cjC8K3PsPfWte_G2AUtgcKZABwlDgOQU7i39DC7M2fwGRq1LU/s640/blogger-image-335958418.jpg"></a></div><i>Interesting shaped balloons...let's just say I wouldn't want these at my boys' birthday parties</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6N8RRvFv8iwda_nbx4MwOJoHxrT8HClHeGwynYBAPUpROegqeOf2KkTQMK97UpLdFx5ST4IvH5gryHcPOWyFnFFrbd2oqd7fpvQCYereHbshE3bNtK-ttezZdmdork-hXJBmjRP5yWLg/s640/blogger-image--628661616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6N8RRvFv8iwda_nbx4MwOJoHxrT8HClHeGwynYBAPUpROegqeOf2KkTQMK97UpLdFx5ST4IvH5gryHcPOWyFnFFrbd2oqd7fpvQCYereHbshE3bNtK-ttezZdmdork-hXJBmjRP5yWLg/s640/blogger-image--628661616.jpg"></a></div>Korean play food sets- loved the dumpling maker</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQy1uXrxUXmZAo2Ku1S7crYIsvRNkgySSEMsgbVfJBtmh4Jc_HOBn_fl20pjVGNq5_eUIj85ko6Fewj4smifesHPZxOsrikHzkmFZcMX0_eSSqCdhOCrOJOSalMZLq34XHl8vh1Pvynw/s640/blogger-image--596547954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQy1uXrxUXmZAo2Ku1S7crYIsvRNkgySSEMsgbVfJBtmh4Jc_HOBn_fl20pjVGNq5_eUIj85ko6Fewj4smifesHPZxOsrikHzkmFZcMX0_eSSqCdhOCrOJOSalMZLq34XHl8vh1Pvynw/s640/blogger-image--596547954.jpg"></a></div>Couldn't resist taking this picture</i></div><div><br></div><div>I couldn't believe the prices of some of the gift items - anywhere from thousand dollar beef packages, to $500 seafood boxes to $200 fruit boxes and more. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimeAOcD8jatxwXmfIof7H0emGyTmMtaQSIRjGXzbV5-oElkzBk8eICdKKoP5fNNrkrrTNGD2p2hq3toxeYBQXmcfSOMEirODhDA0_qkuDYrcgbX9tfx-cfDDx9-Osyrfr8RnYU0-WAu7E/s640/blogger-image--2025882168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimeAOcD8jatxwXmfIof7H0emGyTmMtaQSIRjGXzbV5-oElkzBk8eICdKKoP5fNNrkrrTNGD2p2hq3toxeYBQXmcfSOMEirODhDA0_qkuDYrcgbX9tfx-cfDDx9-Osyrfr8RnYU0-WAu7E/s640/blogger-image--2025882168.jpg"></a></div><i>Spam gift set anyone?</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblybogFL-BIjoLbKtaehXeWZ-WBdBlds4nYCxIIaHWAX-G0VT5j5v1Sc6j43pmBX10wXN93XL3VX7i_FnDllnU5jNdOERJ-NR7ow-ikwaxCQx6pefgxgEoLu_jJqPHmo42PHgmqZyqLM/s640/blogger-image--1658326094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblybogFL-BIjoLbKtaehXeWZ-WBdBlds4nYCxIIaHWAX-G0VT5j5v1Sc6j43pmBX10wXN93XL3VX7i_FnDllnU5jNdOERJ-NR7ow-ikwaxCQx6pefgxgEoLu_jJqPHmo42PHgmqZyqLM/s640/blogger-image--1658326094.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFy276c6v2JJ0oqYoMhNvbkdE73Z601xuAOuNdvTIxXV9Le4o_XVgl5gmHjkK4Q6-64DC-Lyhgdxbxf0wFtKLE9UFQVCFXE81eavr9FgkNGiQRqY3B08zjRplNSzqI7bDlIot8CF0bfX8/s640/blogger-image--960192009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFy276c6v2JJ0oqYoMhNvbkdE73Z601xuAOuNdvTIxXV9Le4o_XVgl5gmHjkK4Q6-64DC-Lyhgdxbxf0wFtKLE9UFQVCFXE81eavr9FgkNGiQRqY3B08zjRplNSzqI7bDlIot8CF0bfX8/s640/blogger-image--960192009.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpkKEAVooHkIcrfqNW-xcb3NjT85wmrZ1siAetNeCY3HLSwgysKEJ0PSSb6NdbZEoB9-KG4Dqfa670hUM4TN_93A6654tS7arFRK3W5vmqnkrvXrIadAH6s6kGOshLDdX2y-vRSF8AJ0/s640/blogger-image-481156309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpkKEAVooHkIcrfqNW-xcb3NjT85wmrZ1siAetNeCY3HLSwgysKEJ0PSSb6NdbZEoB9-KG4Dqfa670hUM4TN_93A6654tS7arFRK3W5vmqnkrvXrIadAH6s6kGOshLDdX2y-vRSF8AJ0/s640/blogger-image-481156309.jpg"></a></div>About $400-500</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEWievWH6dEP96zLalmfdVJwrBCZtv1QkK22alPJBZv9h0rn_ueIJ0utr6h0lQhAVnh24t3CxwhuelJ00Oxip2WBI3URYqjISvt0J2HU3LfW761QqS2cziaPRi6z5eJnnjz1t_Iug1rk/s640/blogger-image--2002568115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEWievWH6dEP96zLalmfdVJwrBCZtv1QkK22alPJBZv9h0rn_ueIJ0utr6h0lQhAVnh24t3CxwhuelJ00Oxip2WBI3URYqjISvt0J2HU3LfW761QqS2cziaPRi6z5eJnnjz1t_Iug1rk/s640/blogger-image--2002568115.jpg"></a></div>No clue what this stuff was but they were packaged nicely</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjywwxllbnHOmMreGtGE9fj808KpLJNzq5OhMEmD8HEIStKxRE8A04MUkqWvqsgTU8jprAP6HUldVYlvsf9zS6AvHriaZncg1fIqlki7SivvZZqJ_t-RBRG0lPCuX_bQ3nCFeyiXBiNP4U/s640/blogger-image-1772563431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjywwxllbnHOmMreGtGE9fj808KpLJNzq5OhMEmD8HEIStKxRE8A04MUkqWvqsgTU8jprAP6HUldVYlvsf9zS6AvHriaZncg1fIqlki7SivvZZqJ_t-RBRG0lPCuX_bQ3nCFeyiXBiNP4U/s640/blogger-image-1772563431.jpg"></a></div></div></i></div><div><br></div><div>I needed a little time to myself today (all this group togetherness is a little much for me) so I shopped on my own and on the way home I stopped by the beach.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-FjY_VBSywUkomC0tFBuyeeEQA-XV54EXla8ybO_8pwHJvhAn2m3Vall1W3oogRXSKtlJS1ZRGC5JbWVLdLL9MnoIwaOonRDYQnEGX4Lgszo9o3dS2pK5O4fJSYyF3nibvdySAbc7YA/s640/blogger-image-427186014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-FjY_VBSywUkomC0tFBuyeeEQA-XV54EXla8ybO_8pwHJvhAn2m3Vall1W3oogRXSKtlJS1ZRGC5JbWVLdLL9MnoIwaOonRDYQnEGX4Lgszo9o3dS2pK5O4fJSYyF3nibvdySAbc7YA/s640/blogger-image-427186014.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUc-jM5rwbdcOEdT-MKLisPDRo0c5_wFk3_Ct9W9JZlBHd4fkano2AbsvROKSwbaL2oSkQV1v6RZLqLGUBlYQv9CAxk4A6DWqiMC25-20Q6HA_l7FlMilwgAkbK_UDRgqhUkX8ldUVlk/s640/blogger-image-2093226592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUc-jM5rwbdcOEdT-MKLisPDRo0c5_wFk3_Ct9W9JZlBHd4fkano2AbsvROKSwbaL2oSkQV1v6RZLqLGUBlYQv9CAxk4A6DWqiMC25-20Q6HA_l7FlMilwgAkbK_UDRgqhUkX8ldUVlk/s640/blogger-image-2093226592.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJ-HG7WKJ6NDOIbVqIKgTVhvJUCnPSqS8zxC4_4QEHBMshfGVFdxrpWwKDPW5IG1VZwDbBEnjS3C0ZcJTGRj75fY6HrH3AExQ7u1hKm1w4vaT_ZYqRmrFkT5Z1KabMu3TVxDfwKozX5A/s640/blogger-image-213357916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJ-HG7WKJ6NDOIbVqIKgTVhvJUCnPSqS8zxC4_4QEHBMshfGVFdxrpWwKDPW5IG1VZwDbBEnjS3C0ZcJTGRj75fY6HrH3AExQ7u1hKm1w4vaT_ZYqRmrFkT5Z1KabMu3TVxDfwKozX5A/s640/blogger-image-213357916.jpg"></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhds2x-dW2sj4Gv32VqhIYtqrnwdubXqPkabHCNOrzkopNl3uTBetMylSVTsidaaGH-5UQTZfSgh76V5_0x8zaIY4qbKb5SKCdDEa9ZS7bOjwnyCvrD8HxihxATFKBB_gFOCho8TKUTN10/s640/blogger-image-1672490940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhds2x-dW2sj4Gv32VqhIYtqrnwdubXqPkabHCNOrzkopNl3uTBetMylSVTsidaaGH-5UQTZfSgh76V5_0x8zaIY4qbKb5SKCdDEa9ZS7bOjwnyCvrD8HxihxATFKBB_gFOCho8TKUTN10/s640/blogger-image-1672490940.jpg"></a></div><i>Food alley by the beach</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div>Ever since we drove into Busan last night, I've had this weird feeling looking at buildings and thinking, "my birth mother could live there," or looking at older women and wondering if that could be her. It's a surreal feeling. There's this book that I read to my kids sometimes called <i>Are You My Mother?</i> and I find myself wondering that when I look at the faces of these women that pass me by. I'm getting increasingly curious about my birth father now. Maybe it's because I have finally returned to the place where I was born. It's weird, but I feel comfortable here. Like I could navigate myself around; almost as if I have been here before. I know that's ridiculous because I was only here for a short time when I was a newborn, but I still have these familiar feelings. It's hard to believe that I will meet my birth mother in two days and I am starting to get more nervous about it. There's no time to dwell on that for now..we are on the move again.</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622935566675729292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130075084314468688.post-29784953403192499312013-09-06T18:01:00.001-07:002013-09-06T18:01:23.659-07:00Holt, and finding out my birth mother's name<div>Today started off so much better- I finally got some rest and woke up at a normal time. We're going to Busan tonight so we had to pack up because check-out was at 11 and we were going on Agency visits during that time, so we stored our bags in a room until we return. My sister and I went out to breakfast; I had lemon berry ade and a bacon egg BLT. </div><div><br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMD5l96l2KHhQ-aYXJGrdF-prncSKEPyVlWyAenNZScY99z1jDD-0Mi5AJL9jhhzVVlcimLyW8YxwF9EMjEYUgN2LOO12clO5hGm-Hqpqv1xIUVI2xdQhNJwyC8rBOuRMSOupFIB973Cw/s640/blogger-image--1332937243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMD5l96l2KHhQ-aYXJGrdF-prncSKEPyVlWyAenNZScY99z1jDD-0Mi5AJL9jhhzVVlcimLyW8YxwF9EMjEYUgN2LOO12clO5hGm-Hqpqv1xIUVI2xdQhNJwyC8rBOuRMSOupFIB973Cw/s640/blogger-image--1332937243.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div>We split up into groups to go to our Agencies. My sister was adopted from KSS but I was adopted from Holt (there are a few others too). Holt is a huge agency still operating, whereas KSS is no longer running so she visited the abandoned buildings she was in. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1o_nv8eoR65tojYBUHxECLo3Dj-m-Ic84QMw9jnPEuEwbfb9sUBnEeyYsq-AxUIOXBei12zNLdBoUpGQWLBTuOFvI5Lomo9QifnUuPUa_U0tliJCI-ZLNSLbHGHSjUA40BhhKwyGTw8/s640/blogger-image-273369420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1o_nv8eoR65tojYBUHxECLo3Dj-m-Ic84QMw9jnPEuEwbfb9sUBnEeyYsq-AxUIOXBei12zNLdBoUpGQWLBTuOFvI5Lomo9QifnUuPUa_U0tliJCI-ZLNSLbHGHSjUA40BhhKwyGTw8/s640/blogger-image-273369420.jpg"></a></div><i>The main Holt building</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbLVGqpS1UIYXV6Eu1WRxnRbpLgyZONzHrWHp2kefWNajCuiKo6FGfBY4NvxvTsvcHPbVkr-9IpOASF7SwLH5BqU5aRBHFkXSjJCv7738EfF-BeoO3jTyIGJ4Tfmsy3Z9GECTKxWpXPI/s640/blogger-image-98799406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbLVGqpS1UIYXV6Eu1WRxnRbpLgyZONzHrWHp2kefWNajCuiKo6FGfBY4NvxvTsvcHPbVkr-9IpOASF7SwLH5BqU5aRBHFkXSjJCv7738EfF-BeoO3jTyIGJ4Tfmsy3Z9GECTKxWpXPI/s640/blogger-image-98799406.jpg"></a></div><i>The post adoption building around the corner</i></div><div><br></div><div>When we arrived at Holt, we were greeted by a bunch of social workers who would review our case. While we waited for our turn, we were allowed to go up to the nursery to see babies that were waiting to be adopted. I was the first one up there, and spent the longest in there. The first few moments there were the first time I've gotten emotional on this trip; I couldn't stop crying. The kids probably thought I was crazy. But I felt so sad for them. I was surprised it was all boys (5). Almost immediately one of them, Tung Han, latched onto me. He lifted up his arms and wanted me to hold him and wouldn't let me go for the rest of the time I was there.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmF8Wpw85u_bTkWKQUbjdyWj7u7limuNP9VNG9guIqVqNLpGmFDQO2Kx4UcUwzojvlA7O7RsgjeV_7sm7hIMLGsnTnvGApTl-DXFcoyVF_lTYDQQZKHqxmFgKONln1piRy43rQUlnDrEo/s640/blogger-image-2006822882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmF8Wpw85u_bTkWKQUbjdyWj7u7limuNP9VNG9guIqVqNLpGmFDQO2Kx4UcUwzojvlA7O7RsgjeV_7sm7hIMLGsnTnvGApTl-DXFcoyVF_lTYDQQZKHqxmFgKONln1piRy43rQUlnDrEo/s640/blogger-image-2006822882.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKh75mLoK-zmvxBWC3ZfE6_9yNDSm7FCBJCORrbuVsmHn-q_37pkdGB64oIlqN9VhQlgeNCCb1yGlmdyhd64oDmtf-hWWrCLe78e7hAlUhG8kiaucsr92UPb6FRlhsW3linfEPM6L93o/s640/blogger-image--2090542974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKh75mLoK-zmvxBWC3ZfE6_9yNDSm7FCBJCORrbuVsmHn-q_37pkdGB64oIlqN9VhQlgeNCCb1yGlmdyhd64oDmtf-hWWrCLe78e7hAlUhG8kiaucsr92UPb6FRlhsW3linfEPM6L93o/s640/blogger-image--2090542974.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The space for the kids was a series of rooms (one with cribs, one with toys, one that seemed like it was for the little babies) all interconnected by a hallway. The kids all seemed to spend most of their time in the hallway.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7IS23mX7Rw1wkJ2H_qiOY4MKC7xcuxyXSF8_vc_V3zXu66SQCKRqIzSB-Fz6uAMonaiYzf5K_dZj2TtU8K7F4jbg9VEq3_uBStKhGB3RCUtf-rqOiouIb7Z4jAgWoX0eWmJrTTGNJpk/s640/blogger-image-1400404209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7IS23mX7Rw1wkJ2H_qiOY4MKC7xcuxyXSF8_vc_V3zXu66SQCKRqIzSB-Fz6uAMonaiYzf5K_dZj2TtU8K7F4jbg9VEq3_uBStKhGB3RCUtf-rqOiouIb7Z4jAgWoX0eWmJrTTGNJpk/s640/blogger-image-1400404209.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Oq_kZHAqLpyOmugTi8lMUO7wityzQFJ3FZ62NVVoqL8FMzsYepCCSezb-BI9b8xNbdVin_74uFp3f-18pEvbG30RC01NW_va2jLJvVSweCETVQLPvjisy1idsOFty6S7_vOzbQ_AU9s/s640/blogger-image--1833574406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Oq_kZHAqLpyOmugTi8lMUO7wityzQFJ3FZ62NVVoqL8FMzsYepCCSezb-BI9b8xNbdVin_74uFp3f-18pEvbG30RC01NW_va2jLJvVSweCETVQLPvjisy1idsOFty6S7_vOzbQ_AU9s/s640/blogger-image--1833574406.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspe1kq14lqZW2RNbHxZMnSWvqcYaihYJlm1rkBgaLPv7gDUZrM0a7SWaIYCWlKuaOLr2sKg3ZANql9xEMZPWJTIZIdC-K_nFGjzkOfUWXbIyckra0T0HzU6nA4JraUBNx_jvy7ojcBx8/s640/blogger-image--1651780579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspe1kq14lqZW2RNbHxZMnSWvqcYaihYJlm1rkBgaLPv7gDUZrM0a7SWaIYCWlKuaOLr2sKg3ZANql9xEMZPWJTIZIdC-K_nFGjzkOfUWXbIyckra0T0HzU6nA4JraUBNx_jvy7ojcBx8/s640/blogger-image--1651780579.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iQVwwu-BOvx7H2Wr0Qy9qJxxwVcbhPIC4_Bpf6cs362f5FL9_Wdg40Lz2ckHJcC_O1PjLdYVPF7qLjARcXWmPzhLQcvDD8hyphenhyphenA-4sOcxdvxoXioLpHFalGGLR696Jj6hcM41ZTZPLMDc/s640/blogger-image--502733435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iQVwwu-BOvx7H2Wr0Qy9qJxxwVcbhPIC4_Bpf6cs362f5FL9_Wdg40Lz2ckHJcC_O1PjLdYVPF7qLjARcXWmPzhLQcvDD8hyphenhyphenA-4sOcxdvxoXioLpHFalGGLR696Jj6hcM41ZTZPLMDc/s640/blogger-image--502733435.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>One of the boys (the oldest) just seemed to want to sweep up and down the hallway with a swiffer. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbF9YG09cyzlOduO13fCSh0NQooy999AjMLmgKJk8SRg3H9fYH0o6brcEtQTbNLNiyOJRNX9LXya4fuUQdbt0eKM9BSeFr65jBq0tIh-yJyX1hRyTftOYEIeb5GBtYW4obJQ8JRW3H74A/s640/blogger-image--565886642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbF9YG09cyzlOduO13fCSh0NQooy999AjMLmgKJk8SRg3H9fYH0o6brcEtQTbNLNiyOJRNX9LXya4fuUQdbt0eKM9BSeFr65jBq0tIh-yJyX1hRyTftOYEIeb5GBtYW4obJQ8JRW3H74A/s640/blogger-image--565886642.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The babies all seemed to be well taken care of; I saw them have snacks and mixing formula and they had plenty of toys and books. But they all seemed sick or unwell- a few had visible colds, my Tung had eczema on his face and body, and one of the boys had a cleft palate and a tube which made me think he had other problems. There was even a super fat baby...look at those cheeks!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrXsTV82WuDUWcom9gz5ulLvmKC27vqOxei8erMtRsF1jPS5VJviUuEzkFlVfxZ2zAhOtzLM1tlng55-dbsNkepbMXkstnL__S5fAnVVEzTZAMsUCkbH_EnDKkWP-AoOd62JDoqhqhUs/s640/blogger-image--26126656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrXsTV82WuDUWcom9gz5ulLvmKC27vqOxei8erMtRsF1jPS5VJviUuEzkFlVfxZ2zAhOtzLM1tlng55-dbsNkepbMXkstnL__S5fAnVVEzTZAMsUCkbH_EnDKkWP-AoOd62JDoqhqhUs/s640/blogger-image--26126656.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I took Tung into the playroom to read him some books and the older two that could walk came in as well. I tried to read them all some books but Tung got a bit jealous and would not let me pay attention to the other ones.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3j-qymT7ea6XNRzIBP16srGPClP7H7ugewR8CbWifgGS7x7rPi8GGzLsX5861s2DRLZCSA-M7-qJpS3k0G-ZqVZTtFvYrfRwJNcOKP1Tjs3tBEgWi93IMaf75n80oUS509OrhElo-7I4/s640/blogger-image-61479033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3j-qymT7ea6XNRzIBP16srGPClP7H7ugewR8CbWifgGS7x7rPi8GGzLsX5861s2DRLZCSA-M7-qJpS3k0G-ZqVZTtFvYrfRwJNcOKP1Tjs3tBEgWi93IMaf75n80oUS509OrhElo-7I4/s640/blogger-image-61479033.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJG7ACmaCAs5NTebtgiPixbzWTUjFvRQ5oF6-7qupbQ_8p9Pble7UU-pNK1Q_jW54weeg32UMzu-luOHQXrOfyFbgGbElIYS7tIKJu3MLJnejPq4R6QvFpDT00bbfHA_6Oe5DIL9buHo/s640/blogger-image--1870130342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJG7ACmaCAs5NTebtgiPixbzWTUjFvRQ5oF6-7qupbQ_8p9Pble7UU-pNK1Q_jW54weeg32UMzu-luOHQXrOfyFbgGbElIYS7tIKJu3MLJnejPq4R6QvFpDT00bbfHA_6Oe5DIL9buHo/s640/blogger-image--1870130342.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkXXJFnvgWzL9knGGaokGTldw6hlbA69xRbVI29wzhTSp1QRZUkakBzF4urqt1lVz1GJccJvB7lqD2lIQJvFEBjuAnh56YvUs1bImfpmjGhcPXXLCrCx8wZT6NWXXzUfKAT07guYH_Fg/s640/blogger-image-1674713919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkXXJFnvgWzL9knGGaokGTldw6hlbA69xRbVI29wzhTSp1QRZUkakBzF4urqt1lVz1GJccJvB7lqD2lIQJvFEBjuAnh56YvUs1bImfpmjGhcPXXLCrCx8wZT6NWXXzUfKAT07guYH_Fg/s640/blogger-image-1674713919.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>It was very hard to leave, but I still had to meet with my caseworker. Tung clutched at my clothes and clung to me when I tried to put him down. I finally peeled him off of me and he started to cry. I left hearing his cries through the elevator door. It was pretty close to heartbreaking. I whispered to him that he was going to be okay, but who knows what will happen to him.</div><div><br></div><div>So, that was a pretty emotional experience for me. Luckily I got all my tears out before speaking with my case worker so I was really able to focus on my file and ask all the questions I had prepared. Since I have a reunion scheduled, they were much more open with me than I've heard they have been with others. I was told my birth mother's name: Paik In-Soon. In the file, she was described as sociable and outgoing, average height and weight, and having very distinguished (Western) features (eyes, nose, lips). She described my birth father as "gentle" but "average looking"...poor guy.</div><div><br></div><div>I was told I could not locate my birth father because they have no identifying information for him, but I was very lucky because my mother had left her real name and 13-digit identification number with them when she relinquished me. They said that was very rare- most people do not leave accurate information, and that was how they were able to look her up in the government database and contact her last week. The ID number is kind of like our SSN but the first six digits are birth year and date, so it's very helpful to have. </div><div><br></div><div>They sent her a telegram and she called back immediately. The social worker said this kind of quick response was also very rare. There are still only 3 of us out of the 17 participants that have made contact and scheduled reunions.</div><div><br></div><div>One woman has already reunited, but it wasn't anything she expected it to be. This has definitely taught me to manage my expectations and be prepared for anything. I know this is a "secret" reunion, but the social worker also said that my being pregnant and having children may change things for her- she may be more interested in knowing me more. I guess I'll find out Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>After we met with the social workers, they took us out to lunch. I've been so surprised at the generosity of this program, its sponsors and the collaborating agencies; I have not spent more than $50 on this trip.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24-ENY4eu0covSyQqHqL_nDDFkZbtkKAxvA3djj6sh2m0d3lO6IG6rM8lUhGORY3-VsqDeD4hibkWHyVo0nN6DIGr6LxGAg5O_1_HFuRNetWgp2VxqSlmQbR6UQfADTvpRtQJbXCqiI0/s640/blogger-image-410210510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24-ENY4eu0covSyQqHqL_nDDFkZbtkKAxvA3djj6sh2m0d3lO6IG6rM8lUhGORY3-VsqDeD4hibkWHyVo0nN6DIGr6LxGAg5O_1_HFuRNetWgp2VxqSlmQbR6UQfADTvpRtQJbXCqiI0/s640/blogger-image-410210510.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIo_l6SYldUrGqfIG6gKYTJV6x24x1ZlGxYzdqSzPRfTvX_gXxTpfdosi9WVpHvdiPj2McVYmssm2PEl1x6Ln4oSetEX6tKHdcbo6bUe7Y5iZRkiXRNRFn_CVrl7i09w7hQVTK2l7Rovs/s640/blogger-image--1229663064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIo_l6SYldUrGqfIG6gKYTJV6x24x1ZlGxYzdqSzPRfTvX_gXxTpfdosi9WVpHvdiPj2McVYmssm2PEl1x6Ln4oSetEX6tKHdcbo6bUe7Y5iZRkiXRNRFn_CVrl7i09w7hQVTK2l7Rovs/s640/blogger-image--1229663064.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>This was the first restaurant we sat on the floor; I'm normally game for this but this pregnancy I've been a little less tolerant of suboptimal conditions.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9lLUJ67fYJl_tS5FTi1sQU9XehuzsPlj_FXxaVzM0hzuSAsYmJ5SBgmUJylwInWJhGhVAq93bg6zhLLikVuQd4SBfUVcXDx3jHcGUTmfUyANOAEV17stqXnkKgjzvDXZMEYVYAq79h8/s640/blogger-image--1193408438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9lLUJ67fYJl_tS5FTi1sQU9XehuzsPlj_FXxaVzM0hzuSAsYmJ5SBgmUJylwInWJhGhVAq93bg6zhLLikVuQd4SBfUVcXDx3jHcGUTmfUyANOAEV17stqXnkKgjzvDXZMEYVYAq79h8/s640/blogger-image--1193408438.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPpfYVcNSw9PvVXbzp5Bs8BOVT_eNqq-COWW7g_oI2v2Ko4TwU12btJjwArs3haHzgV3ElnrUzVpL2ZUvcilLpSKb2yDWdRlQiFjmi3tmfcA2KQCdL7Smvd9GhKSUceupt2SOYWuBznc/s640/blogger-image--1576244885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPpfYVcNSw9PvVXbzp5Bs8BOVT_eNqq-COWW7g_oI2v2Ko4TwU12btJjwArs3haHzgV3ElnrUzVpL2ZUvcilLpSKb2yDWdRlQiFjmi3tmfcA2KQCdL7Smvd9GhKSUceupt2SOYWuBznc/s640/blogger-image--1576244885.jpg"></a></div> </div><div>As usual, I ate too much...we headed back to BOA to drop off our paperwork, then we had free time for the rest of the day, til we had to leave for Busan at 7:30.</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622935566675729292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130075084314468688.post-37768736511597945092013-09-05T06:02:00.001-07:002013-09-05T06:05:36.094-07:00More good food, and lots of shoesI managed to take a quick nap, but it was the kind of nap that probably wasn't good for me- I woke up feeling even more tired and a little shaky. It's been a little tough being here and still not getting used to the time difference, so I haven't been able to really enjoy Seoul at all. And tomorrow night we head to Busan. But I hope that when we return on Tuesday, I will have more time to explore. I feel like I haven't even been able to pick up my head to look around yet. I have to keep reminding myself it's only Day 2. I just feel like this time is going to fly by, and hope I adjust soon.<div><br></div><div>Anyway, we went to a really nice place for dinner called Kyung Bok Kung. We took a taxi that dropped us off in the wrong place, flagged down another taxi, only to take that one in a complete circle and realize the restaurant was literally around the corner. Oh well.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPC8xYtc4s-pvJbwZKNkPt9fVpoZnNhMGQAWMnKcK0a73xpzvtMOnjChLjTg_a7HdstdYE86psY_xTaQM2GXKnQSIjuFxRDCa03s4XEMmq8Eu2zx4dUwYxYmkxTNDFAEtTQNFppiNE38/s640/blogger-image--45253635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPC8xYtc4s-pvJbwZKNkPt9fVpoZnNhMGQAWMnKcK0a73xpzvtMOnjChLjTg_a7HdstdYE86psY_xTaQM2GXKnQSIjuFxRDCa03s4XEMmq8Eu2zx4dUwYxYmkxTNDFAEtTQNFppiNE38/s640/blogger-image--45253635.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>It was a neat place, with separate dining rooms and in-floor seating. Traditional Korean style, where you take off your shoes before entering.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMYjucRbPPvZ3t3buwqJorwPamM9JWPgPakfHNvV3EOnWLMuSau6pChRD48grfEe7718KOGWvaU4g7p3de2fQKSRBxbyUb6qqgQudkAIsP0pcuQEzAJplvC5a1b1nGVnk4zSMbZMCBv8/s640/blogger-image-2109758890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMYjucRbPPvZ3t3buwqJorwPamM9JWPgPakfHNvV3EOnWLMuSau6pChRD48grfEe7718KOGWvaU4g7p3de2fQKSRBxbyUb6qqgQudkAIsP0pcuQEzAJplvC5a1b1nGVnk4zSMbZMCBv8/s640/blogger-image-2109758890.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>The food was delicious- we had galbi (Korean shortribs), porridge, two kinds of salads, squid, and a bunch of other small side dishes. When I felt like I was completely full, they came out with another course of chicken and rice or cold noodles - naengmyeon - the North Korean dish I've been wanting to try for awhile. It was really good and refreshing. Then came a sweet drink, and probably other courses, but I had to peace out. I left with another girl in the program to come back to the hotel room; I really need to pack up and get some sleep tonight.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvj3xKNdB37_6dgRjVYo6RkttQbaZ9nbYB7XiZyDj5u-Kau-VQIuoiBBs0-CI19v6MPra6d0qZxsUa1D_oHoIKrCxHbaWbsau7WyOCdYh1J7_ih0wSXmtY0fU3mjUkmoJrc-Kp1wSL3ss/s640/blogger-image--2133680579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvj3xKNdB37_6dgRjVYo6RkttQbaZ9nbYB7XiZyDj5u-Kau-VQIuoiBBs0-CI19v6MPra6d0qZxsUa1D_oHoIKrCxHbaWbsau7WyOCdYh1J7_ih0wSXmtY0fU3mjUkmoJrc-Kp1wSL3ss/s640/blogger-image--2133680579.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWb2T48uNSzRtxjDRLhTJCFSSHl8OZZdw8FBX5YJq0RyOUBpRxayuxFM8f4dEdHo7MaYFsfBTizbU7v-JtUb4S-A0BeWapo7M8imFWx3cVx37sus98af4ND0d55G7RJwvM5uWAuIjOIc/s640/blogger-image--1380862575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWb2T48uNSzRtxjDRLhTJCFSSHl8OZZdw8FBX5YJq0RyOUBpRxayuxFM8f4dEdHo7MaYFsfBTizbU7v-JtUb4S-A0BeWapo7M8imFWx3cVx37sus98af4ND0d55G7RJwvM5uWAuIjOIc/s640/blogger-image--1380862575.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedtgK5MnPnw3eJXuJUwQXDbf9KBG3iQGCg31gJ6q4kqI07jcSlN1vzkz2dBvm2c3Iz357XTWc96Qm_XzlTFTLwjsbug53AZPht3mWdh4j7a3jvZ-KZ3AHfZBWd36X59Ot-wLdc5v5sko/s640/blogger-image--1467508638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedtgK5MnPnw3eJXuJUwQXDbf9KBG3iQGCg31gJ6q4kqI07jcSlN1vzkz2dBvm2c3Iz357XTWc96Qm_XzlTFTLwjsbug53AZPht3mWdh4j7a3jvZ-KZ3AHfZBWd36X59Ot-wLdc5v5sko/s640/blogger-image--1467508638.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>Tomorrow is a big day; we visit our adoption agency (mine is Holt) in the morning and get to view our files with a case worker, have lunch, and visit the babies in the orphanage. I'm pretty sure I'll definitely cry and want to take one home at that point. Then we get ready for Busan...where my adventure really begins.</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622935566675729292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130075084314468688.post-3889508946083999182013-09-05T01:00:00.001-07:002013-09-05T01:09:23.031-07:00Mind BlownI knew going into this trip that I would learn a lot about myself - or at least where I came from - but I wasn't expecting to keep getting surprised! I guess I should expect anything at this point. I think now I'm prepared for whatever this reunion might throw at me, so that's good. <div><br></div><div>I just found out that the meeting I have on Monday with my birth mother is going to be a "secret meeting." These are meetings where only the birth mother comes, because otherwise it would disrupt their life. Supposedly, she has now remarried and has two MORE children. So all in all, I could have at least 5 half-siblings from my birth mother, not even counting the potential half-siblings I probably have from my birth father. And probably none of them know of my existence. Crazy!!</div><div><br></div><div>Today was a pretty busy day. I didn't sleep well last night so it's been tough. I've been up since about 4:40am - I think it was around 5:15 when I just decided to accept it and actually got up, wrote my last blog post, watched a little TV (Modern Family with Korean subtitles was fun), went down and fixed myself breakfast, then took a shower and skyped with my boys. E kept giving me kisses over the phone, and little T asked me for a tootsie roll - I think I can handle that. These boys aren't too hard to please. Finally, we met downstairs at 9am for Registration.</div><div><br></div><div>We ended up taking a bus about 10 minutes away to a cooking studio where we had our meeting. The first part was just introductions and general rules, but then we had the CEO of DowGene come in and talk to us about the process of taking our DNA (hair & mouth swabs) to ensure we are matched up with the correct family. It was pretty interesting..don't worry, T - they don't store our information forever to use in a criminal database. I asked. Here I am getting my hair plucked.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjvTI6ENvgdpPcpgzd79-l0-ycc04Mtyox9RmbYt4_boQ8i2F0xkUuCtitvNZ2mLzXiPLTLj75V6uCTGFomm-EIKbfwqykbbqIFLyf5j_8_XXvLhV2nhFkIBWglQv63exiI2SDPjhBQQg/s640/blogger-image--615118072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjvTI6ENvgdpPcpgzd79-l0-ycc04Mtyox9RmbYt4_boQ8i2F0xkUuCtitvNZ2mLzXiPLTLj75V6uCTGFomm-EIKbfwqykbbqIFLyf5j_8_XXvLhV2nhFkIBWglQv63exiI2SDPjhBQQg/s640/blogger-image--615118072.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>The whole time this was going on, there was a cameraman from KBS (the major Korean television station) there filming. Apparently they are putting together a documentary on us, to be aired over Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving, which is in about 2 weeks). I was told last night that I might be very interesting to them (Koreans love drama) since I am pregnant and meeting my birth mother- and they were right. He kept filming my belly, it was kinda awkward..then he started asking me questions. My sister thought this was all hilarious so guess what? I made it even more interesting and told him that she was with me, which got his attention off me and onto her. He was intent on trying to make her say that she was jealous of me that I found my birth family, which she of course is not, so it was kinda funny to us. But eventually he caught her at a weak moment so I think he may have gotten a little bit of that Korean drama he was looking for after all. Sorry C! If I'm going down on KBS, so are you. LOL...awkward camera shot.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBdxTajXXMQLVk3MwJ_j3AunjaHPXQEauMm5rlBxUSpYDdMBeachNgoOz-Tc8Frgz64ueU_4XYdVe6eP1itjyhrGBgB1d-D5-_Fkvq8JoeC08l8lQhJ6WqhX827nYhvj2grhkyfuCe1Q/s640/blogger-image-1134596924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBdxTajXXMQLVk3MwJ_j3AunjaHPXQEauMm5rlBxUSpYDdMBeachNgoOz-Tc8Frgz64ueU_4XYdVe6eP1itjyhrGBgB1d-D5-_Fkvq8JoeC08l8lQhJ6WqhX827nYhvj2grhkyfuCe1Q/s640/blogger-image-1134596924.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>Anyway, he filmed throughout the whole day- even following us to lunch, where he filmed my belly while I ate and asked us more questions and even caught me getting seconds on camera. Great. I feel like there will be some still-action shots of my belly just getting bigger and bigger as this trip goes on.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2yeuxKekQI4Dt1QrkVNPf41wj_kgPTpgtLRWKyjiN80zdeidR1SHYkQcSSX1EACzjgj9CWVdcSWs1qfRW_o8dteV1E2Vxux1YBNzM3sJShTrZCgcC5N-njDpfYPPaXb-8-Pr0r_Oc-Y/s640/blogger-image--1616028396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2yeuxKekQI4Dt1QrkVNPf41wj_kgPTpgtLRWKyjiN80zdeidR1SHYkQcSSX1EACzjgj9CWVdcSWs1qfRW_o8dteV1E2Vxux1YBNzM3sJShTrZCgcC5N-njDpfYPPaXb-8-Pr0r_Oc-Y/s640/blogger-image--1616028396.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>After lunch, we had a quick Korean language lesson, and then broke out into small groups to talk about our BFS. Since there are three of us that have already located family, we were put together, and mainly just discussed our expectations out of the reunion. I am actually relieved that this is a "secret" reunion. I think that will take a bit of the pressure off of me to keep in touch, or become a new family member, or whatever extreme my birth mother may want out of it. I keep hearing stories about adoptee reunions that either go really bad (where the birth family is standoffish and a one-time meeting) or the opposite extreme- where the adoptee is expected to become part of the family again, move back to Korea, get naked in the bathhouse and scrub down their elderly grandparent, or sleep with their birth mother while she spoons them -- umm NOT HAPPENING with me! If anything, it helps me put her more into perspective, and makes me a little more grateful that even though I am her little secret, she is still willing to meet with me. So we shall see.</div><div><br></div><div>I'm trying to take a quick nap now so I can be somewhat social for dinner- apparently we are going somewhere kind of fancy where there are multiple courses, so I need a little energy for tonight. I never thought I'd say this, but I might actually get sick of Korean food after this trip...and it's only Day 2. Uh oh.</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622935566675729292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130075084314468688.post-56028937645545576802013-09-04T14:10:00.001-07:002013-09-05T06:47:48.687-07:00Running on EmptyThe rest of the flight was pretty uneventful. I tried to sleep, couldn't, felt like I might get sick, pushed through and got to Seoul. It felt a little surreal once I got there, thinking about the last time I was in that airport 30 years ago, but I didn't have much time to dwell on it. I got through customs pretty quickly, picked up my bag, took out some cash from an ATM and went to the meeting spot. I met a woman named Jenni first, who felt the same as I did- exhausted, hot, and ready to go to bed. Then we met up with the GOAL staff members and another participant, Park. Everyone is super nice. We went down to the basement to get cell phones (my international number is <a href="tel:82-010-2660-8453" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="telephone" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0">82-010-2660-8453</a> with free incoming calls, if anyone needs to reach me for any reason). After everyone was ready, we got on the subway for a 50 minute ride to our Guesthouse.<div><br></div><div>The place we are staying at is called BOA Guesthouse. I guess technically it is a hostel, and I have to admit, I'm a little spoiled so I have never actually stayed in a hostel before, but it's a lot better than I envisioned "hostels" being. My sister and I are thankfully sharing a room, and there are two twin beds, a TV, a fridge, and a bathroom, albeit it is pretty small and reminds me of a bathroom you might have on a yacht- the "shower" is above the toilet/sink so it's kind of an all-in-one tiny room. It certainly is "efficient." The beds have a mattress cover and a blanket- I asked around for sheets but apparently they don't do that in Korea. I checked extensively for bed bugs and cleanliness, but it looks like it passed the test.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifh6IzIaKnaDnjmk_Z_TMJaSWUC4NehPNjpuUf5P2XyWRUsg-j33XmpdvcCCapAv3E49-GGfRoHIL13BOtEITbLUZziyDNT83ADPOnGU_c8_gcdG6QGKAU74iGYhzM1SG6tsxM4ACYZSg/s640/blogger-image--521433987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifh6IzIaKnaDnjmk_Z_TMJaSWUC4NehPNjpuUf5P2XyWRUsg-j33XmpdvcCCapAv3E49-GGfRoHIL13BOtEITbLUZziyDNT83ADPOnGU_c8_gcdG6QGKAU74iGYhzM1SG6tsxM4ACYZSg/s640/blogger-image--521433987.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Hb4oNI7igHdIQA3a2c6PSzamth9BAzuSFJQc_yolP_Sde4rDbsG2A3BQh072fiwRLwJPQwlwytVAQF-9lMuRAtRd-Jav1jQaWhG0hQ-L09dEMUPwK4KZcQI53LRbwm-6bami2HkZwY0/s640/blogger-image-127722419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Hb4oNI7igHdIQA3a2c6PSzamth9BAzuSFJQc_yolP_Sde4rDbsG2A3BQh072fiwRLwJPQwlwytVAQF-9lMuRAtRd-Jav1jQaWhG0hQ-L09dEMUPwK4KZcQI53LRbwm-6bami2HkZwY0/s640/blogger-image-127722419.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>My sister didn't get in at the same time as me, so she was in the last group to arrive at BOA. My group went to meet the others for dinner across the street - err alley way - where it was basically a little mom and pops hole-in-the-wall. Everyone got a plate of roasted pork, rice, and shared a pot of tofu stew and various banchan. It was decent, but I still wasn't even sure if I was hungry from having that stupid burger, two meals on the plane, and various snacks.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2oA8qMR0hUv8YH3p4DUDINwmCFr5EhNYqZ5d1fEtTLmohmMeL1PLQ6UugcrU3tM2vyKUcidrQDuGmmHgDyDA4IO-ky3nhJImlhLdBNdKioGyscEqqPbMZTVv7mKqzMRASW-8aiFkNSY/s640/blogger-image--2101936723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2oA8qMR0hUv8YH3p4DUDINwmCFr5EhNYqZ5d1fEtTLmohmMeL1PLQ6UugcrU3tM2vyKUcidrQDuGmmHgDyDA4IO-ky3nhJImlhLdBNdKioGyscEqqPbMZTVv7mKqzMRASW-8aiFkNSY/s640/blogger-image--2101936723.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>After dinner, I stopped by a small convenience store to pick up some food for the room in case I got hungry- some canned fruit, peach nectar, and little peanut butter bread sandwiches that looked like adult uncrustables. Then I waited for my sister to arrive.</div><div><br></div><div>Once she got here, we went back to the same place with the last group for their dinner. I didn't eat again but had a few bites of their tofu stew because it was different than mine; it was really good. My sister has successfully inserted herself into the program. She tried to apply, but since she had been to Korea before, back in 2002, she wasn't eligible. Luckily, they've been so nice and accommodating letting her room with me, that I think she just broke them down. LOL...they said she could come to all the events - basically everything - and they would also pay for her transportation card and meals. So the only thing she has to pay for herself is her flight and half the hotel bill (but I don't even know if they will make her do that). It probably helps that she's yukking it up here, all in her element, and people don't even realize she isn't officially part of the group. She basically is just one of us, since she's an adoptee looking for her family too, so I don't think anyone cares. If she was a tall white guy who was just following me around, it might be a different story (sorry T). </div><div><br></div><div>Anyway, we finally got back to our room around 10, and got ready for bed. I felt tired and took some Robitussin, and went to bed around 10:45. Then I woke up at 12:45 thinking it was the morning. WTF. I forced myself to go back to sleep, only to wake up again at 2:17 wishing it was 8am. Ate two uncrustables. I tried to go to sleep again, but at 4:40 I just sat up and literally could not sleep. This time difference is tough. It's now 6am and I am wondering when it's acceptable to start getting ready for the day....today seems like it should be pretty chill- we just have Registration, a Korean lesson, a BFS (Birth Family Search) and DNA presentation and group discussion, and meals. Let's hope I don't pass out by noon.</div><div><br></div><div>If anyone needs to reach me, I'm on wifi pretty much all the time so email or iMessage is best! Hope all is well on the other side of the globe.</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622935566675729292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130075084314468688.post-82857648445445600752013-09-04T01:25:00.001-07:002013-09-04T01:25:34.408-07:00Lucky 3sI left home around 9am this morning for Dulles. I managed to keep it together to say goodbye to the boys, but it was still pretty sad. They didn't really understand that I was leaving for so long, but saying goodbye to my husband T was hard. We realized we haven't been apart from each other for more than a day or two since he moved to NYC to be with me after college, and this is the kind of thing we'd usually do together. Crazy how time flies. He has been so supportive of this trip though; I know the boys will be fine.<div><br></div><div>I drove to my friend's house and left the car- she lives close to Dulles. A taxi was waiting for me when I got there; perfect timing. The driver was interested in my trip and asked me a couple questions. I don't think he quite understood what I was saying (there was a slight language barrier) but the funny part was that he assumed I was 18 or 19 years old. He kept wondering if I had "permission" from my parents to go on this trip- I think he was surprised when I told him I had two kids of my own, and another on the way. I'm the one giving permission these days!<div><br></div><div>By the time I got to the airport, I was starving. I should have eaten breakfast at home but I was too busy getting ready to go and feeding the boys to manage more than half a piece of toast. So I figured I'd pay homage to America and have one last bon voyage burger from Fuddrucker's. I pretty much immediately regretted that decision.</div></div><div><br></div><div>My biggest worry about the flight has been that I'd be sat next to someone smelly (or sick), which is kind of ridiculous, but my nose is super sensitive right now and I didn't know if I could handle it. A few people have mentioned to me that it's worth it to try and ask for an upgrade when you get to the gate, so I figured I'd give it a try. Well, I had this whole practiced speech about how I haven't been feeling well, am pregnant and nervous about traveling alone, and I thought it was kind of well received. They had me sit and wait while they spoke to their manager. You know how when you buy a lottery ticket, you start dreaming about how you're going to be a millionaire and how you're going to buy all these things and have a great life? That's how I started to feel- I could just envision my first class seat and my extra leg room and special treatment. Well, I felt like a pretty big idiot when they came back and said they could move me to the first row (economy) but I'd be sitting next to an infant. Now, I love babies more than the next person, but I just signed up to go away from mine for 12 days and the last thing I want to do is sit next to a crying, poopy kid on the airplane for 14 hours. No, thanks. If I wanted to sit next to an infant, I would have brought Everett. So I tried one more time to ask if anything in First was available, and they practically laughed at me and did the little money gesture with their fingers. Got it. Thanks.</div><div><br></div><div>I went to sit down and wait to board when I realized my phone was almost dead. Not sure how that happened, but I guess it wasn't plugged in on the way up here. So I sat and charged it as long as I could. I waited til almost everyone boarded before I got up, and stood at the back of the line. A flight attendant motioned for me to come down the Preferred lane, so I followed her orders and then I had all these Koreans talking to me in Korean and wanting to escort me to my seat- til they saw my ticket again and said, "oh, economy." Hey, I wasn't the one who told me to go down the Preferred lane! They had almost given me false hope again, thinking I might have been upgraded while I was sulking and charging my phone. No such luck. But guess what, there was a USB plug at my seat so I could at least charge my phone.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nDO6ypSE6dNauDJJEWctjx-D6W6SQtb8UFDREX8CLa78nW4Qm8MGvFTdOieRJXzxgFC_kChhpjFprVMSn2e8q2LXi3dEPO_phe0siARqr1UvN4iecCXVuVisw7J47N1RBao9wYl4Zls/s640/blogger-image-1658510735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nDO6ypSE6dNauDJJEWctjx-D6W6SQtb8UFDREX8CLa78nW4Qm8MGvFTdOieRJXzxgFC_kChhpjFprVMSn2e8q2LXi3dEPO_phe0siARqr1UvN4iecCXVuVisw7J47N1RBao9wYl4Zls/s640/blogger-image-1658510735.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>I think someone was on my side. I was only 5 rows back from that horrid infant (ok, so she was actually pretty cute) and I think I'm the only one on this plane who has an entire row to myself. No first class, but this might be just as good. Three pillows, three blankets, three TVs, three bottled waters, and no smelly people! Woohoo! I have even been able to lay down across the seats and attempt a nap. I underestimated the length of this flight and the difficult time difference so I'm in this constant state of wondering if I should be sleeping but knowing it's like 4pm in my head. So far I've watched one movie (The Internship), played Tetris (was kind of disappointed there wasn't an in flight poker game going on), and watched a special on Korea.</div><div><br></div><div>Lunch was decent, except that I was stuffed from my stupid burger (here come my regrets) so I couldn't fully enjoy the bi bim bap I've heard so much about on this flight. There was also seaweed soup, oranges, and pickled vegetables. I forced myself to eat it but I'm just mad about the burger. I've had guava nectar and pineapple juice, and honey roasted peanuts and a brownie, too. Probably not what those freaking First classers are getting, but hey, I have three seats to lay on.</div><div><br></div><div>I think something that's going to be difficult on this trip is that everyone just assumes I speak Korean and starts talking to me in Korean. Then, when I have to give them the regretful, guilty look and say something in English about how I have no clue what they're saying, I know I've let them down. I can feel the disappointment come out of their eyes. After that, it's all English and abruptness with me. Whatever. I'm wearing your little foam slippers, isn't that enough?</div><div><br></div><div>Well, that's it for now...see you on the other side. 8 hours to go, 6 hours down.</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622935566675729292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130075084314468688.post-42971736996930061962013-09-01T10:18:00.003-07:002013-09-01T10:21:19.456-07:00T-Minus 2 Days...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAHxKCZs_mDSL37-i4uOHDM58VX9KrBT5M1y2SxiZ7u4udXtC6PcPyXZNjOgtVRHSfsUWHxEQapN-ZJk1x3iHW5BGc0hjK1QeUBXw-pcNFzCPXMhPJkZpLGy5QuPQCCK0SOSk1omcsKc/s1600/us_korea_flag_puzzle320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAHxKCZs_mDSL37-i4uOHDM58VX9KrBT5M1y2SxiZ7u4udXtC6PcPyXZNjOgtVRHSfsUWHxEQapN-ZJk1x3iHW5BGc0hjK1QeUBXw-pcNFzCPXMhPJkZpLGy5QuPQCCK0SOSk1omcsKc/s1600/us_korea_flag_puzzle320.jpg" /></a></div>
Last week I actually started getting excited for the trip. Up until then, I've just been too busy worrying about leaving the boys. We got the itinerary, which was so thorough and full - they have planned everything out for us, including fun cultural activities like a Korean cooking class (which I am super excited for), a performance, a Korean lesson, a city tour, some great restaurants, but also introspective activities to prepare us for our reunion, post-reunion discussions, and media prep if we choose to go on the television show (KBS). We were asked for consent to give our DNA (to ensure we were matched up with the right family) and filled out a few more last minute forms. A good friend of mine gave me the sweetest going-away gift, full of travel items and a thoughtful note. I thought I was pretty set, despite not actually getting anything of my own together yet.<br />
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Friday started out to be a crazy day. The woman who is watching the boys was going to come over to do a trial run, so I had the whole morning to get stuff done. I had an ultrasound, then a doctor appointment, then had to go get bloodwork done at another office, and then went to get a flu shot and pick up some last minute precautionary medications. I was already a little harried, so when I got a text message from someone at G.O.A.'L (the organization that is running the Korea trip) I was a little nervous. He asked if I had heard from Holt - my adoption agency. I had not, so he then said he was going to call me.<br />
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I was totally not expecting this call. In the middle of a busy morning- my heart stopped. He told me they had found my birth mother, and that I would be meeting her in Busan when I was there (on September 9). I knew this was monumental- I could feel the shift from thinking I was going to go on a fun, interesting, food-filled trip to Korea with my sister to knowing this trip might change my life. I felt overwhelmed and emotional, but I can't quite put my feelings into words. It's not sadness, or happiness, or even excitement- if anything I am just nervous. Nervous because I have no idea what to expect. Nervous because I really never even thought this would happen.<br />
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I have never been one of those adoptees who have felt lost, out of place, or insecure about my adoption. People sometimes ask me when I found out I was adopted; I can't answer that. I have no idea. I suppose I always knew. I mean, my brother, sister and I are Korean- we look Asian- and my parents are white, so isn't it obvious? There was no pivotal moment for me. There was no serious conversation. I just always knew. I think it's funny when people tiptoe around adoption questions with me. I am not affected by it. I feel totally normal. But now I am starting to feel like I am abnormal for feeling normal about it.<br />
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I thank my mom and dad for who I am today. I guess I was one of the lucky ones. I had a great childhood. I never had a want for anything. I grew up in a wonderful suburb and had all the clothes, food, friends, toys, anything I could ever ask for. I received a great education. I went to an Ivy League college. I got a good job out of college. I was independent. I felt stable. I haven't ever really had any huge emotional or psychological issues. Even though my father died a few years ago, I've recovered from it. I miss him, but it's a part of life. I have a family now. A wonderful husband, two beautiful boys, and a baby on the way. It sounds cheesy, but I'm really happy. I have everything I ever wanted. It almost makes me feel bad- when I read about how other adoptees feel, and when I connect with the others going on the trip on the group's Facebook page- should I not feel this way? Should I feel lost? Should I feel sad? Is it bad that I'm not??<br />
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It seems like ever since they "found my birth mother" everyone has an opinion about how I should feel, how I should act, and what questions I need to ask. My husband, my family, my friends- heck, even my hairdresser. Is it really so bad that I don't have any expectations? That I truly don't feel abandoned, or angry or upset? I know it will be an incredibly overwhelming, emotional experience- the actual meeting- but is it bad that I don't have any specific things I want to get out of it? That I don't feel one way or another about keeping in touch, or what will happen next? I know I am supposed to prepare for the meeting, and have all these questions and want all of these things, but I kind of just want to go into it and see where it goes. See how I feel in the moment, and see what she's like. I do want to know more about my half siblings, and where they are, and if they even know about me- but I am not even that curious about my father or what circumstances led to my adoption, or what happened between now and then. Is that really so bad?! It feels like it is. It feels like everyone has expectations for me to have expectations, and that's what's the most nerve-wracking part of it all for me.<br />
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So I guess you could say that things have been busy- but not even in a "getting-ready-for-the-trip" sort of way. I mean, I haven't even started packing. I am a total procrastinator, so I've been trying to focus on my family and spend fun time with them before I go. Yesterday we took the boys to a county fair, and let them stay up really late. Today we went out to breakfast, which we never do, and then went to church. This afternoon I'm going to get a pedicure with my niece (her school colors!) so she's ready for her first day of Kindergarten. Tonight we are going out on a date- just my husband and I. We were even thinking of going to Busch Gardens tomorrow. But I actually don't think that's a good idea..I should probably spend the day before I leave actually getting ready to go. Today I am trying to put together a photo album for my birth mother. But how do you put your whole life into a 160-photo album? I am kind of at a loss. It feels like a lot of work. I am procrastinating by writing this blog. Maybe I should start packing...Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622935566675729292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130075084314468688.post-43231994576431505202013-08-22T09:26:00.001-07:002013-08-22T09:27:13.321-07:00Busy BusyToday I signed the official documents that will release my adoption information to me, if my birth parents are found and consent. Kinda a big deal, I guess. I never really thought I'd be doing this. It's not something I've always thought about. But, I'm glad I'm doing it now. Might as well try! Also, my sister was approved to go on the trip with me so I'm relieved about that- they are even letting her room with me. It will be nice to have some support while there. <div><br></div><div>The boys and I have been sick for the past week so it's been tough keeping up with life's daily demands and everything has basically been put on hold, but slowly we are reemerging back to our old lifestyle. I sure miss seeing friends and going to the gym!! T has been so helpful and supportive and has really kept this house running. I can't be more thankful to have him as a husband. </div><div><br></div><div>This next week is busy getting everything in order for the two weeks I'll be gone. Today the boys met the woman who will be watching them the first week. They seemed to like her and everyone got along, so that's something I can be less anxious about. I called my bank and the credit card companies to notify them of the trip and make sure my cards will work when there. I also reserved my cell phone for when I'm there...number to come soon. I ordered some photo gifts for family if we are reunited. Got some really comfortable walking shoes, new socks, and a dual voltage hair straightener. But I still have a ton more things to get in order before I can even start getting excited about the trip. Every day from here on out there is much to do- we just need to feel better!!</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622935566675729292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130075084314468688.post-51247955286945055362013-08-07T20:09:00.001-07:002013-08-07T20:09:24.187-07:00Flight is booked!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0usFZstux2soXIRM7uT0wjjDlHWUAZVTrWhB1DC7f_ivkop1OCGZeJnOf3_4IjItxEFYIXbvOxb7knHvwdaT5Bh9a8lBupwBKSYrkUquDvDrTp_8_vy1ZmZrogaJ5aRGjEcVp-ne8Qo/s640/blogger-image--5025334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0usFZstux2soXIRM7uT0wjjDlHWUAZVTrWhB1DC7f_ivkop1OCGZeJnOf3_4IjItxEFYIXbvOxb7knHvwdaT5Bh9a8lBupwBKSYrkUquDvDrTp_8_vy1ZmZrogaJ5aRGjEcVp-ne8Qo/s640/blogger-image--5025334.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Reality is setting in...this trip is actually going to happen! Getting excited...</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622935566675729292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130075084314468688.post-50605304415018490172013-08-06T18:33:00.003-07:002013-08-06T18:33:55.205-07:00This is actually happening!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I got the email on Monday morning- I was selected to participate in this year's First Trip Home program!</div>
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So many things are running through my head: figuring out my flight, logistics for who's going to take care of the boys, doctor appointments, checklists, packing lists.....and oh yeah, I'm going to KOREA! This whole thing just kind of materialized in the past three weeks and here I am now, moving mountains to be able to do this trip in September. I am so grateful to my husband, T, for supporting me in this and enabling me to actually be able to do it!! I feel lucky, grateful, anxious, nervous, excited...more details to come!</div>
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622935566675729292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130075084314468688.post-22183989716486937962013-08-03T18:19:00.001-07:002013-08-03T18:19:18.296-07:00The Phone CallSince I submitted the application on July 25, I've been eagerly awaiting any news. The original information said I should hear on Friday, August 2 but Friday came and went and I heard nothing. Tonight, I got a phone call! They asked me a few questions about my expectations for the trip, if I knew anyone who had gone on this trip in the past or any adoptees who had found their families, if I had a support system in place upon my return, and told me about the formalities involved with being chosen.<br />
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The most interesting part of the phone call was that they were also interested in my brother possibly going on the trip with me. If he was able to gather his documents and email them by tomorrow, they could consider him as well.<br />
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I asked how many slots were available (20; 10 for Europe/Australia and 10 for USA) and how many people applied (22 applicants from USA). My odds aren't bad; 10/22...45%? The interviewer mentioned that not all of those were from Busan either, which slightly increases my odds. I should hear back from them before the end of day tomorrow...going to bed hopeful.<br />
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622935566675729292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130075084314468688.post-46954413987385499702013-08-03T18:13:00.004-07:002013-08-03T18:24:18.013-07:00The Application...and the meaning of the title of my blogThe application came together quicker than I imagined. My mother was able to send me a ton of documents that were really helpful. I also owe major thanks to my sister for helping me with the rest of the application.<br />
Here's some of my background information that I included in the application.<br />
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<b>Relinquishment Details</b>: <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13px;">According to my background information, I was relinquished by my natural mother (who was 36 years old at the time). I have at least three older step siblings (even though the documents say two, it is noted in other places that my biological mother had two sons and a daughter in her previous 18-year marriage, before she was widowed approximately 10 years prior to my birth). My biological mother and biological father were unmarried, and had no intention of raising me, as I was an unwanted, unexpected baby. My biological father (who was 30 years old) was a boilerman at the time of my birth.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><b>Search Effort History</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13px;">I was introduced to G.O.A.’L about four years ago, when I was living and working in New York City. I signed up on the website to receive emails, and in 2010 I began correspondence with [---] about starting my birth family search. Unfortunately, I did not get very far in the process before I ended up moving out of New York City to start a family, and I had to place the search on hold. As far as physical traits, I do not have any birthmarks or scars, although I did have a small Mongolian spot on my back and I have a freckle on my left eyelid. I reached the average standard in height and weight for my age. Since I was adopted so young, I do not have any memories but I do know that I was born in a maternity clinic, and my mother did not have any diseases nor took any medicine during her pregnancy. I was kept at a foster home located approximately “40 minutes by bus” from the Busan Branch Office of Holt Children’s Services. The foster mother had been taking care of Holt’s babies for four years prior to her time with me.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">And finally, my essay. The prompt was, "<b>What motivates you to apply for this trip?</b>" Thanks again to my sister, C, for her immense help.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13px;">As I put my youngest son, E, to bed, I read him a book, sing him a song, and watch his eyes close, his breathing steady, then quietly shut the door. I cannot believe how sweet one can be at only nineteen months old. I go to my almost four year old son T’s bedroom, to say goodnight, tell him a story and teach him something- our bedtime routine. With both boys asleep, I enjoy the quiet that fills up the house, a quiet that says everything is okay, that another day was well spent as a stay-at-home mother of two beautiful boys. I touch my belly, pregnant with our third child, and even though we still have a few months before we can learn the gender, I dream that it’s a girl. Downstairs I clean up the living room, the cushions and blankets having become a fort from when my brother’s three children came over as they often do. As I put things back into place, I think about this application. About why at 30, as happy as I am with both the family I was raised in and the family I now have with my husband, why do I want to go back to a country I don’t remember and find a family I have no memory of?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13px;">Normally I wouldn’t even consider leaving my family for that long, but as soon as I find out about this program I can’t help myself, I keep thinking about it, and I discover that going to Korea with the possibility of meeting my birth family is worth moving mountains for. I put things in motion, my husband is in full support of me going, my Mom will take care of the kids for at least a week, my sister could fly in from Los Angeles to help out- somehow everything will come together.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13px;">I sit down and look at my baby photos and the documents that my mom has sent over that tell a small portion of my story, of the family I never got to know in Korea. I have no idea what my birth mother looks like or if my three half-siblings look like me. Do we share any mannerisms, features, the same laugh? And what about my birth father? They had me out of wedlock and made the decision to give me up so I’d have a better life. I’m overwhelmed with how thankful I am that I don’t have to make a fateful decision like that, to give up one of my children. I love both of my sons more than I thought was possible to love. It would break my heart to lose a child but if I had to give one up for adoption, I know I would think about them for the rest of my life. I would want to know how they were, hoping that they were being raised by a loving family, that they had everything they needed, and were happy and healthy. I would pray that I made the right decision, and they indeed were living a better life.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13px;">My children are half Korean, one-eighth German, one-eighth Irish, and a quarter Lithuanian. But they do not know anything about their largest portion of genealogy. As they grow, I want to be able to tell them about their heritage, where I come from, and their relatives back in Korea. Of course, I can tell them what it was like for me growing up in Pennsylvania, with my Irish-Italian mother and Italian-Greek father, my two adopted siblings (who are also from Korea, related to each other but not to me), and our plethora of Golden Retrievers, but there’s a big piece missing from my cultural heritage and history. I am extremely close to my sister, who I lived with in New York City, and my brother, who I now live only a mile away from; we are raising our five collective children together practically every day. I can tell them about how I met their father in preschool, and we experienced our First Holy Communion together, went on our first date, danced at both high school proms, and all about our life together after college and beyond. But I want them to have a deeper understanding of their Korean heritage, past the kimchi and japchae that I make on a monthly basis.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13px;">A few years ago a friend explained my birth name, Han Bo Reum to me. She said that literally the string of last name plus first name means “one spring” but colloquially it means “once upon a time in spring” and that she believed my mother put a lot of thought and care into my name. Maybe it’s fanciful thinking, but that really touched me; I felt that in my name, my birth mother stored her love for me, and that even though she knew she’d have to give me up, I was special to her.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13px;">The answer to what motivates me to look for my birth family is simply this: I want to let my birth mother know that I am okay. I want to meet my birth mother so she can see that I am a healthy, happy, proud mother of two with a third child on the way. I want to show her pictures of her biological grandchildren, and tell her that if she’d like we can keep in touch, I can send her pictures and videos so she can see them grow and even meet them in person one day. I want to go to Korea because I believe that not only will it heal something inside of me, but it will heal something inside my birth mother. Our reunion would be a testimony to the love and courage her fateful decision bore. And one day, I might be able to tell my sons at bedtime, the ending to the story that begins with, “Once upon a time in spring…”</span>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622935566675729292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130075084314468688.post-16550637410035897802013-08-03T18:06:00.000-07:002013-08-03T18:25:39.716-07:00The EmailLet me start from the beginning. About a week and a half ago, I got an email from G.O.A.'L (Global Overseas Adoption Link), a Korean Adoptee organization I became a member of when I lived in NYC. The subject line was, "<b>G.O.A.'L 2013 First Trip Home Deadline Extended!</b>" Up until that moment, I wasn't even aware of this opportunity, but in reading the email, I became intrigued. It read:<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Greetings from Seoul,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">At Global Overseas Adoptees’ Link we are pleased to announce the 2013 First Trip Home.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Since 2008 Global Overseas Adoptees’ Link (G.O.A.'L) have arranged First Trip Home with the aim to reunite Korean adoptees with birth families and provide a unique experience for the participants. First Trip Home is intended for adoptees that have never previously returned to Korea, and would like to do so in order to conduct a birth family search. Rather than a typical tourist tour of Korea, our First Trip Home is focused on Birth Family Search and the reunion process.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;">This year's First Trip Home will focus on the southernmost portion of the Korean peninsula. We will focus the search on the city of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;">Busan and nearby provinces.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">We select the First Trip Home participants based on the following criteria:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">You have never returned to Korea since your adoption;</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">The availability of your birth family search information;</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Participants will have the opportunity to visit their adoption agency and other relevant places to their specific Birth Family Search. In cases where your birth family is not located, you will have the possibility of appearing in different Korean media to expose your story to the Korean public (most likely through the nationwide tv stations KBS or YTN).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal; white-space: normal;">I couldn't believe that I happened to get this email out of the blue- the timing of this trip was exactly when I was already planning a trip with my husband. We had asked my parents to watch the boys, and cleared our schedule. I fit all the parameters. It sounded like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me..would it even be possible? I forwarded it to my husband so we could discuss it; he was very supportive of it. I got the ball rolling with my application. <i>Could this really happen?</i></span></span></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622935566675729292noreply@blogger.com0