It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

I believe that of all of the holidays that we celebrate in America, Christmas by far is my favorite.

I have the fondest memories of Christmas from my childhood and those memories are rekindled and more pronounced year after year. I think too that it also depends on where I am on the planet logistically and what has occurred in my life prior to the holiday season that will light the memory spark causing it to glow even brighter in my mind.

Well this year it is the obvious in that I am 6000 miles from home, in a country that seems a bit ambivalent when it comes to celebrating Christmas.

To the credit of some commercial entities, there are twinkling lights and decorated trees in their establishments. But I can say that I've yet to see the glow of lights coming from any residential property in the community where I live save for those on my balcony. Although I do believe that some have trees in their homes, just not in or near the windows. I'm just grateful to be able to have done my part in adding to the festivity of the season.

While riding to work last Monday to my surprise the bus that I boarded had it's aisles decked! Isn't that a song? Deck the aisles with boughs of holly, fa la la la la...Wait that's halls right? But hey it works with aisles too! (*>0<*)

I was oh so delighted that I had to take a picture



Then later in the week I managed to catch the same bus again and low and behold guess who was driving? Yep the big guy himself, ole' saint Nick. I didn't take his photo though, didn't want to blow his cover!!!

You know that when I was a child I saw him and the reindeer flying across the sky one Christmas eve. You do know that don't you?

My,my what a well told story and a big imagination will do for a child. My sister and I laughed when we recalled this story again on Christmas day about how our older brother had us totally believing that we saw santa.

But it's memories like those that I hold dear to my heart. Or like when our parents were creating an ice rink in the backyard because we were getting ice skates as one of our gifts that year, so of course we were told that santa had to land there. Hoodwinked again!

And so that I am apart from family and friends Christmas has much more meaning to me this year indeed.

Thankfully I can talk with them via Skype and listen to music online. Daily I filled my space with the sounds of Christmas logging onto the local radio stations from back home. I was so happy and joyful in my humble space.(^0^)

I also had the joy of taking part in the Christmas play at church. After all it is a high holy time for practicing Christians all over the globe. And what is Christmas without the Christmas play right?



And of course there was singing in between so that was an added bonus for this songbird. I even tried spreading a little Christmas cheer to four of my neighbors in my building.

I'd decorated my door and decided to go an extra mile and become a secret santa by hanging a decorative ornament on each of their door handles, but to my chagrin, a Grinch showed up sometime during the night and removed them from the doors.

However, mine thankfully was left in tack. It's good to know that the Grinch has a wee bit of sense. But I didn't let that mean act dampen my spirits because I know that my heart was in the right place and tis the season to be jolly!

So for me it's still the most wonderful time of the year. Merry Christmas and God's blessings to all.

The Wedding Anniversary Singer

Today I had the distinct honor of singing at the 50th wedding anniversary celebration for the parents of a friend of pastor Kim's who pastors the church that I attend.

It was indeed a surprise when I was approached one Sunday after service and was asked by his friend if I would like to sing a song.

It was held in his multi-purpose center adjacent to his home. He is also a pastor and this facility is where he holds church services. His wife, children, parents and nieces were dressed in very festive traditional garments while he wore a navy western style suit. His appearance is very conservative and humble.
There were many Koreans of course and to my surprise a family of East Indians. (I'm so accustomed to being one of the two foreigners in our group and the only American. The other foreigner is the English speaking minister who is from Ethiopia).

The area where they live has more new home structures as opposed to the many hi rises that are found in my community. There is a definite country feel to it. No corner stores.

The scene was typical of any special buffet style event back home including, caterer, dj, and photographer. The dj also came with an emcee for the presentation portion who also doubled as a Karaoke singer for the dinner entertainment.

There was even a huge piece of meat on a grill as we entered. Looked like a quarter of a hog. I was surprised though to see Korean wine, Soju, on the table, but I guess he knows his people.

The program began with prayer, then I sang, My Tribute, by Andre Crouch. Next pastor Kim gave a sermon, from John 2. Then the presentation of honoree's family,toasting, photo session and so on.

One standout was the game show like songs that peppered the emcee's speaking during the presentation which was rather comical.

There was a poignant moment during the viewing of a video from their eldest son, also a pastor, who lives in the U.S. His three children read a message to their grand-parents, they only speak English then the son read a message to his parents in hangul. Not sure if he was translating the children's message but his mom wept a bit.

The oddity though was how the guest was really noisy during the presentation portion, then many began going back and forth to the buffet during the presentation.

I was trying to stay focused but my American brain was tripping.
I'm thinking isn't there any protocol, and why aren't the caterer folks stopping these impatient guest and shouldn't the honoree's be served first??

Foreign country, different standard.

But I was really annoyed by this. Then once all was finished and the formal announcement came to indulge, the atmosphere took on a high keyed, frenetic, fight for food.

Koreans love to eat.

People were reaching and grabbing hand fulls of plates, plastic cutlery, yes there were forks and spoons, as well as chopsticks.

There was line cutting, and cross contaminating serving spoons, I was so surprised. I almost gave up my space in line to allow those surging behind me to jump ahead.

There was not a lot on the buffet for me as it were but I managed to get salad, rice and fresh and fried vege-spring rolls. It was okay.



As we were leaving we each received a parting gift. I experienced this once before when the church celebrated it's 1st year anniversary which I thought was a nice touch. Except when I opened the gift, to my surprise, it was a towel.

A bit perplexed, I'm thinking. so what's with the hand towel. It's, basic white, embroidered in blue, and dated so of course commemorative, but a towel.

So as I'm being handed the parting gift this evening, my brain reflected back and as I handled the box I think... towel. This one is also commemorative but it's turquoise with a purple design.

Foreign country a different standard.

I'll see how many I collect during my stay.

OPERATOR ERROR

So my movie was saved all along. I found it while frantically searching. Now I'm troubleshooting errors to get it uploaded.

In the meantime I've sense returned to the mountain several times and the landscape has changed, so much so that I didn't readily recognize the path. The leaves have fallen and turned to brown and the paths are all covered over.

Today as I walked I began to notice the ones that were smashed and crunched, revealing the trail. I really needed it too because I veered off in the wrong direction a few times.

As I continued up I realized how familiar I've become with the surroundings and that adventurous spirit in me wanted to purposely wander off, So I did.





I struck off on an eastward path to see where it would take me. There were a lot more tombs on this side. It made me imagine the scene of loved ones carrying a relative to a final resting place on the mountain side and what the processional must be like.

I also discovered a few tomb markers with crosses on them which erased my thought that only Buddhist were buried up there.

The deal is because South Korea is a Peninsula,and it is surrounded by mountains, there is only so much flat land so they use the mountain land as burial grounds. Cremation is also popular here due to the lack of land.

So as I continued to explore this new path, not knowing where I'd end up, I came across a clearing with a beautiful view of "my mountain". Seeing this mountain gave a good perspective on where I was.

From my balcony window I can see this mountain, (photo above) that I call my mountain, but this vantage point gave me a better view. It has a name but I dare not try to spell it. It sounds like "gay young" I did not take a photograph today as the sky was rather overcast and the mountain was in the shadows. I plan to go on a clear day and get a shot so watch out for it.

As I continued there was nothing particularly unusual. Then I heard a child's voice. Looking up I saw that I was heading down and there was another path across the road. So down I went and back up again. Much of the same. burial grounds and fallen leaves and trees so I turned back.

I was hot and tired but I made my way back to where I turned off. From there I continued my climb. I encountered many people along the way, including the mom of one of my students. I always find it fascinating that I can literally be in the middle of nowhere, and still manage to run into someone that I know. And it also never fails that someone will insist on trying to communicate with me even though neither of us speaks the others language. But somehow we manage, then the silence returns.

At the top there were several people enjoying the local fare that's offered by the ambitious businessman who is there to meet the needs of the weary hiker.

So as I made my way onto the rest stop at the top, an elder hiker comes up the stairs. He began to speak to me in Hangul (Korean) and I smiled. Then he asked in a broken English way, what was my country. I happened to have on a hoodie with the flag on it so I pointed to the flag and then said U.S. He acknowledged and then wanted to know how long I've been in Korea. He offered me a Halls which I gladly took, since I was thirsty and didn't bring water.

I cooled off and began to leave. This elder,now sitting with the others in the eating area, began to speak to me again. Not completely understanding, it seems he wanted to know if I'd tried something that I've seen served there every time I've trekked to the top. Thinking it was soup I asked what it was made of.

He said it was not soup but could not, in English say what it was, so he spoke in Korean to the others but still insisting that I stay. Then one guy said that it was whiskey or Korean liquor and I'm now observing the businessman hand him three containers, one that had anchovies in it. (They eat those like candy)He also handed over two cups of this liquid that looked like milk.

I am graciously saying no and moving away but he is handing me this cup. So I take it to smell, spilling some on my jacket as I detected a scent of something fermented.

I'm done! I said OMG. One guy who was doing sit ups got a good laugh from it all, I said, "give it to that guy" and off I went back down the mountain.

Now I'm walking away smelling this fermented spill and looking at this wet spot on my jacket turn an ashen white as if some baby threw up on me. Disgusting! But innocent I suppose. He just wanted to make my stay interesting I guess.

But I can't imagine those who are drinking and navigating this mountain path. I even saw some people that I'd passed, heading back up again. What is that, exercise??? I suppose, but that mountain is no joke. But I forgot these folks live here and probably walk this thing everyday. The mother and child that I saw on the other side were probably taking a short cut.

WHERE'S MY MOVIE??????

Have you ever spent a day, day and a half maybe even two or three days four days tops okay the week creating something only to discover that, that something does not exist? (This is where you visualize the perplexed look on my face)
So goes my mountain video.

A few weeks ago my internet service also disappeared. Some technical system interrupted business that could only be resolved when allowed to enter my neighbors apartment. What! And trying to translate and communicate the problem on my own just left me seething. So after employing the help of a few "native speakers" I was able to get an initial service date. Then that date turned into three to complete.

So in the meantime after screaming and then making the acceptance that I would be without access to the outside world for what seemed like an eternity, after all it is my only background noise, save for the times when some of my neanderthal neighbors carelessly and unforgivably allow their metal doors to slam with the thunder of an explosion!!!!!!
I began to edit the footage that I'd shot on my 2nd trip to the mountain. Well I suppose I should have read all of the fine print or any of the print for that matter because I have to start my editing process again and save it this time.
So this week folks I got nothing!

Chipmunks, Chestnuts and The Black Chickens

So my friend Esther from the gym asked if I wanted to go hiking in the mountains. Up for the challenge I joyfully responded, yes!

We met the next morn. me with backpack and rations in tow, she with a water bottle.

So what gives I'm thinking. But what comes out is which bus do we take. No bus, she says it's just over here.

To my amazement the mountain is just behind my place. How cool is that, I'm thinking. I also thought why am I just finding this out!. But every thing in it's own time. So what if it's seven months down the road. Now I know.

So we dropped off my unnecessary gear and headed for the trail. It took about an hour or less to get to the top. Lovely views overlooking the city along the way to the top.
Many people out with the same idea.

Sooooooooooo that explains the comings and goings of the many people that I'd notice in the mornings and early afternoon with their multi-pocketed vest on, with hiking shoes, sticks and loose fitting clothing.

There are places to sit and exercise equipemnt to use along the main trail. We stopped at the first one which is honestly 15 minutes into the climb. It's a large covered platform. Really nice wood. I found a perfect stick that I began to use as a staff. It quickly became very useful.

As we continued on we came across some fresh fallen chestnuts, so I had a crack at one of those, it was ok. I think I'd like them better roasted. Then I saw some Chipmunks, or really tiny squirrels making it into some brush to get out of the way of the humans who had invaded their sanctuary and their food court!
The climb began to get really intense and I just had to thank God for my workout classes, weights, squats, step, all that! Once I really got into it, it was great.

Hiking is huge here in this country but then it's surrounded by mountains so I suppose that's a given. Men, women, children, of various ages. They even brought the pets along.

After making it to the top, typical views but nice still, we decided to descend on the opposite side to explore a bit further. There were actually stairs at one point because it was so steep, you could have fallen head first!

Back on the ground there was a guy selling snacks. Oh at the top there was a portable restaurant. Someone has to feed the wearied hikers yes? He had coffee and other simple fare. We didn't bother with that.

The other side was pretty flat. So we turned back after a brief walk through those woods.

Die hard hikers we went back up, since we had no idea where we came out at and we could try to make our way back to the original trail.... yeah right! There are so many different ways to walk on and off that mountain. We finally found one that seemed to point in the right direction so off we went. We stopped by and did a few rounds on the hula hoops that we passed so all was going well. We thought only to then run into what seemed like a dead end and a drop off. So we backtracked and off we went once again. Finally we began to pass by more people so we kept going in that direction realizing we were on our way down.

Came across some black feathered chickens which blew me away. I'd never seen or heard of any before. But I was really annoyed at myself cuz when I dropped off my gear I left my camera. I did however have a cookie left for my rations so I was able to call them....chick, chick, chick. To my surprise they came and were quite calm until a hikers pet came along and chased them off a bit.

So we pushed on. But the chickens caught back up with us, guess they had a short cut,and I gave them the remainder of the cookie. That was way cool.

But still it was not the trail that we took in but it led us back to a familiar area that was still close to my place, just on the opposite side.

I planned to take that trail again and bring along my camera in hopes of seeing those birds.

PS. I've taken the trail with my camera twice since my maiden hike. Check next weeks blog for photos and an update. I even shot a video/movie....lot of forest footage.

I love this hiking thing!

FROM THE FILES OF MY EMAIL

In some arenas this would be considered plagiarizing or cheating but since it's my own work it's just repeating.

Honestly I thought that it was good material for a blog and hey why re-invent the wheel, right?


It has now been eight months and some days since I arrived and I'm definitely settled in. This photo is of me on one of the church outings back in the summer.

Korea is wonderful. I'm enjoying the change in atmosphere and environment. I've established a routine so much so that it feels like home!

I could do this for another year or two easy. I like my area, not too overly crowded as it is in Seoul. (I'm an hour out).

I have not done a lot of traveling about the country. Here and there on the bus and train lines. I have also taken a few road trips with members of the church, Bright World English Worship, that I've affiliated myself with. And they are almost like an extension of my home church family. Very kind, loving and supportive.

One thing that I enjoy about the Korean culture is that they are family focused. So we do a lot of things together.

I joined the fitness center just up the street and even there the people in the classes that I take are very friendly and accommodating.

Oh and it's a shoppers paradise. There's so much to buy and the prices are not bad. Some areas are higher because of foreign traffic. But away from those hot spots I have found great deals.

There are of course some down aspects, many related to cultural differences, like scooters riding on the crowded sidewalks, what's that? and then they do not cover their mouths when they cough and sneeze....disgusting. But with the news on swine flu that is changing somewhat.

There are others that I could point out but it all boils down to my being in a foreign country and that's how they do their thing. The important aspect is that I have not allowed it to be a hindrance for me to be able to do my thing.

I'm well respected in my community. People that I do business with and others who have become familiar with my face speak and try to hold conversations with me within the confines of their environment and out.

This community is considered to be small so everyone knows and talks to one another.

Once I dropped by a florist and while waiting for the person to wrap my purchase another person came in with a small child. As it turns out she's the owner. Her English was little, but she indicated to me that I was the talk of the town in that people speak of how I dress. That I match, my different style and colors.

My employer says that a dress shop owner calls me a "stand out".

Duh! I'm one of the few persons of color traipsing around town draped in African fabric, jewelry and head-wraps.

It's a delight though. People are people and most have wonderful personalities.

I even had another florist, who sees me a lot, just out of nowhere hand me a beautiful Jasmine plant. And she said "gift".

She apologized for not being able to speak English and then proceeded to try to tell me how to care for it. I was moved to buy something of course. It was just so sweet.

And as I said to the recipient of this email: Anyway, there are a lot more stories and yes, I will create a Blog. I actually had begun one prior to leaving and just recently logged in only to find it. It was indeed a surprise to me and an inspiration to catch up and continue. So you may see some of this info again! LOL

And here it is.

The Blogcrastinator

After many months of mulling over the fact that I needed to dive back into blogging, I awoke this morn with this un-original term floating around in my head; "blogcrastinating" . Realizing that I'd become a Blogcrastinator!!!!!

So what. But it was the zing that I needed to move forward. What also helped was that while researching another topic, namely ESL I encountered a blog for "The Supa Dupa Fly Seoul Sista" I think that's her title. Check out her blog. A tad bit raw sometimes (PG)


What was absolutely fascinating was how our lives seem to parallel. Especially her writings about her jobs, financial situation, quitting, firing, off-politric's and teaching English in Korea. It was a mirror image of my life's trials, save for the chasm between our age. So I'm grateful to have crossed her path via her blog cuz it has inspired me to handle my blog writing biz again!

Moving on, but I need to pause and "splert" to Bible Study. Not a procrastination move just a spiritual pit stop.

Afterwhile.
SistahSeoul

Ahhhh....refreshed and renewed. Love, righteousness, holiness, Gods children. Murderous, liars, deceivers, satans children. Who's yo daddy???
Next.


Anyway today I soooo wanted to sleep in. rainy, dreary days are hypnotic to my psyche; but as I said I'd been meditating on returning to this task. After all it's been perched at the top of my to do list.

I'm grateful that I'm now off and rambling....... At least it has me dredging up something purposeful, inspirational, entertaining, useful or informative.

Going Forward
SistahSeoul

FIVE MONTHS LATER and GOOD INTENTIONS.....

My plane landed at Incheon International airport on the evening of February 18th, 2009. Who knew that it would be a 5 month delay, which I quickly tagged as 'divine".

The process of getting here and the reality of departing and arriving ebbed and flowed like a battle between good and evil that culminated into a surreal adventure......

Let me pick it up from when I received the official confirmation call. But one quick observation: This Blog was also started 1 month shy of a year. I really need to break out of this pattern.

THE OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION CALL

My brain was not prepared for what I was about to hear. "We have a school for you when can
you fly out? We need you here by February"

My body seemed to take on a personality of its own. I was no longer cognizant. I wanted to feel
elated but instead I felt nervous which quickly began to morph into panic!

What's this... I asked, fear? Why? Isn't this what you'd been hoping for? A big break, a cash flow opportunity, a major change in scenery yes? After all you asked and received, you sought and you found, ok knocked and the proverbial door was opened. And on top of all that it had taken 5 months. So what was with the anxiety? My nemesis! Fear of success. I began to second guess my decision but knew that my hat, coat and shoes were already over the fence and I had to follow.

Although I felt the 5 month delay was Divine, (gave me a chance to do more research, the value of the money had declined and was on it's way back up, vote and celebrate the election of our first truly African-American President in the USA, etc) I did not expect the emotional tail spin that I went into. This lasted almost until my day of departure.

But I fought it like a soldier to keep my faith strong and to quiet the crop of nonsensical "what ifs" that kept looping like an on hold message.

Once I boarded the plane my panic turned into excitement and anticipation. I was back. I was almost giddy, tripping really thinking about how now at this mid stage of life I was doing a 180. What!


Annyeonghaseyo!,

That's hello, I am now in South Korea in the city of Incheon, I arrived on Wednesday 2/18.I had a very smooth 13 hour flight from Chicago to Japan then 3 hours from Japan to Seoul.

I've managed to find my way to a late night store on day one and then my Director took me to a large market, sort of like meijers, except this has three floors and a shopping cart escalator on yesterday. I found that to be so cool.

My apartment is a newly constructed, efficient studio but very nice. The heat comes from the floor and the bathroom is the shower. There is a drain beneath the pedestal sink. A bit odd but I've adapted. Culturally the Koreans don't stand to shower but the sista is not dealing with squatting to shower.

A really cool feature is the key. It's keyless and uses a wireless device that's waved across an infrared light to access the building. Then at my apartment door I input 4 digits on a key pad to unlock. It auto locks when I leave.

The weather is similar to home, they have 4 seasons. Because I just arrived I've missed most of winter and spring is coming just like at home. There were lite snow rain showers last eve but no bitter cold.

My internet is not on in my place yet so I'm online at the school for now. Once I'm connected I'll send out photo's and a bit of video that I'm trying to do a daily entry on.

I'm loving it and I'm not coming back!