Everything Is Exciting and Interesting 6/18

Arrived 6/17

So as far as acclimating to the 10 hour time difference, it has not been too bad. I've learned the trick is absolutely torturing yourself the first day. Strictly no naps, even if that means being around people like a complete lifeless, personality-less weirdo. The new people you may meet and the old friends you haven't seen in awhile will forgive whatever slip-ups you make. Blame it on the ah-ah-ah-ah-ah... jetlag. This is the only chance you get to say inappropriate things. 
In all seriousness, I was so glad my good friend EunJin came out to meet me at the airport. It was like being immediately transported two years back when she was out in the States to learn ASL and English in Brooklyn. Got right back into the swing of things and caught up over the 1.5 hour ride to my non-JW aunt's house. She's a darling. I would have otherwise had to take public transportation in a new country to a temporary home in the outskirts of GeongGiDo, all by myself! 

It starting raining once we got in the car. I was told to expect lots of rain but I wasn't prepared for it quite on the first day! It's been pretty muggy weather wise. I'll be doing a lot of running back and forth to Seoul these upcoming days, trying to get my working papers sorted out. Hopefully tomorrow I can get a phone so I can make service plans with the local hall.

Out to dinner with my Aunt and her husband. Korean BBQ in resort-style lodges. She thought I wouldn't want to sit outside!

Neng-myun and Galbi and Soju was the way I wanted my stay to start off.

Reflections during sometime in between time zones somewhere over the Pacific Ocean...

I've been taken in so many times. Every time I've come out to the West Coast, or traveled anywhere else for that matter, I've been invited in to my friends' homes. The nights I spent in hotels were completely voluntary, if I even got a chance to! Of course, their circumstances allowed but the giving attitude I've witnessed from my spiritual family and friends is so overwhelming. The warmth I've basked in over dinner tables and good nights' sleeps fill my heart with gratitude.
This time was no different. I couldn't have experienced all that I did without you. (You know who you are.) I'll remember the good eats, the chats and exciting moments I've had the privilege of being a part of. Loved, loved loved being invited into your lives, the impromptu meetups, purposeful days out in the ministry and just making time for me! I cant count how many times I've heard "It's up to you. What do you want to do?" I've had the pleasure of extending such hospitality to some, too, back home but still, this was neither expected or warranted! I've learned it really pays to give. It's been my experience that there is so much happiness in giving (Acts 20:35) Or else, I would feel more indebted to some! I look forward to getting a chance to forward the love and hospitality to the rest of my friends. Until then, I'll continue to pay it forward in the meantime.

The Portal 

So I'm at the airport. Things are pretty surreal as it has come down to the moment I've wondered about for the past ten months. As I approach gate 22, being lowered with each step on an escalator, thinking about what cultural clashes await me, I see an attendant at the bottom. Her smile's a bit eerie. She was standing in that classic chorus class stance where her hands are placed strategically at her bellybutton and her body language conveys "I'm here to help." She may as well be a hologram. As the escalator descends a step at a time, I head on the overhead another airport attendant call out my name. It's in the language and accent my parents have spoken to me in all these years. It's what I've grown accustomed to and yet I'm moved to take in a deep breath. I'm still in shock I'm going through with this plan. I'm not anxious or scared, though. It's definitely thanks to the wonderful program from Regional Convention. I got really timely reminders on anxiety and where our focus should lie.

After knocking out for a good eight hours, (that's what an exciting weekend will do to ya, gooodness!) I wake up to be realize where I am. I'm really just taking this whole trip one step at a time. I guess I am pretty happy about the decade I'm living in. Living during such times of connectivity and globalization, it eases the blow of moving through different time zones. As I'm awaiting my destination to Asia, I'm momentarily distracted by watching the XX, Vampire Weekend, Arctic Monkeys, Phoenix, Monsters and Men, Mumford&Sons play at a Coachella type event in Gastonbury. Although Pandora isn't accessible in Korea, I have at least my playlist.

This is a comfort. It's interesting to think about how others did it in times when knowledge, music, goods, ideas weren't so easily accessible from one part of the world to another. When traveling was so much more of an adventure. Instead of being able to plan out before arriving what one would be ordering that night, having to leave it up to the moment one actually arrived? Travel had much more of an edge then- if not mystery. Imagine the type of stories one would bring home and the smug expression along with it. There was a time when each hilltop held uncertainty. Dwelling on such times deliver a delicious pang of melancholy. Still, what's in the past remains in the past. 

Smartphones and the apps along with it have become a necessity in my life- GPS, Yelp!. Must leave those simpler, lovelier times behind on my own adventures in a very modernized Korea.

Entry from 6/16
Three weeks have gone by so fast and it's that time again. Time to bid Hasta Luegos. I knew this time would come. These days were so worth it, though. Nothing short of fabulous.Spent some quality time with some of the realest people I know. I leave with much to reflect on. Thanks for taking me in for the past three summers-the times just get better and better! Thanks for showing me what life is like on this side of the world. I've been able to experience great weather, scrumptious Mexican food, bike rides in woods, the wine country, west coast parties, road trips through golden hills and much more thanks to you all. Most of all, I'll be missing you. So grateful I got to be present for some momentous occasions as well as witness some exciting shifts in the lives of dear ones.
It's been real, California.See you all when you visit me wherever I am.
So long until next time!

Convention Weekend

The Best way to spend my last weekend

left: Met up with Michelle, my spiritual mother and sister whose been in Kissena with me for 10 years. SO great meeting up with you on the West Coast. It suits you so well! Middle: starting walking towards the meeting for Kingdom Evangelizers as soon as the song ended and yet we found the first section already full! Still, got to sit second row in the next section over. Top right: Driving over to the Ponce's but got to skype chat with Jentzen, Melissa, Daisy, Nicole, Roberto, Eduardo. Right left: Got to fit in one last salsa party. 

Left: meeting for Kingdom Evangelizers had over 1200 in attendance. What willing spirits! Top right: Out to dinner to welcome a new sister. It was so encouraging to get to know the family better. Can't wait for the family to visit NY! Bottom: Tied into the regional convention going on in New Orleans, we got to wave back to the missionaries from all over the world! Got to read banners from international delegates. Just makes you well up with joy and tears. So pumped to experience it firsthand at the International held in Seoul in September.

The In-n-Out fries really starting to grow on me after 3 years. Also, adding chilies in my hamburger made it so much better. I'm sorry Five Guys. The only thing keeping you at my #1 rank was your jalapenos. Placing tracts and inviting cashiers to the last day of convention as we go!

Got to be tied in to other conventions going on in Alaska, Bakersville in CA, Illinois, Kansas City, Long Beach, Colorado, SF for a grand total of 107,000+

6.14 Just returned from camping at Yosemite National Park

Looking out at a 22 hour hike we were thinking of doing. It starts at the valley, up along two waterfalls, around that smaller rock mass and towards the Half Dome, seen on the left.

I can hear the excited and worried chatter of some Japanese onlookers who couldn't stand to watch and, at the same time, couldn't help but stare at my friends so casually crawl out to the edge. It's a straight drop down into the valley, thousands of feet. The view must have been worth it.

"Might has well take photos."-Jav

Heyz and Jav exploring the valley.

This walk up was so worth this shot. You might be able to see the steep walkway on the left. The mist coming off the fall really helped offset the summer heat.

Preparing to go up the Half Dome. Friends help friends out. [photocred: Jaclyn]

Wish I had a recording of this mountain squirrel. It was hissing at this snake nearby as we were passing. The sound was more of a chirp and every time the squirrel made a loud chirp, its bushy tail ticked from side to side, like a minute hand on a clock! We figured the squirrel's babies must be close and threatened.[photocred: Jaclyn]

Glacier Point[photocred: Jaclyn]

Sorry Jaclyn, for almost sending your sunglasses down the waterfall!![photocred: Jaclyn]

See how clear this water is??? Thanks to Terry for this candid! We swam, laughed and swung on rope swings.

Campfires at night. [[Insert Melissa and Rob here]]

Saratoga, California

June seventh 2014

Wedding of the year goes to the Roques! May Jah richly bless you two in fulfilling this new potential you have as one body!!