2008 was an eventful year and I haven't really had time to reflect back upon it since I've gotten back. This will be the first of a few posts in a series called Around the World sErieS (OME) because that spells out AWESOME! Did i try too hard for that one? Anyways, in this series will be: Dominican Republic, Korea, Thailand, Spain, Gibralter, Portugal, Italy, Scotland, France, England. The first three, I've kind of posted on already so I'll try to keep it a tad shorter. Summer!
La Republica Dominicana!
This was definitely a cool mission trip. I signed up for it last minute and didn't know what to expect, didn't know like half the team that well. But I think God really gave grace to us to gel so quickly. Even after the mission we hung out a lot. Daniel's uncle really set us up well and spoiled us. Here's Sam, Yuree + Me.
I have a lot of memories:
-lights turning off and still continuing service
-trying to lead a song and forgetting to change keys therefore stretching my vocal range four keys higher in front of 70 or so people
-Running to get the guitar in the dark room and falling to a thud in front of 100 people or so.
-Chillin' on the yacht!
-Fun bus rides, one of our kids sticking his earphones in his nose and using his head as a speaker
-manual labor i will never forget
-worshiping with the the team
Koryo!
Looking back, this was probably my favorite country to visit. This might have something to do with that I'm Korean. Koryo is where the english name Korea derived from. Anyhow, the first portion of the trip I traveled with my sister and we had fun going around Seoul, doing the whole subway deal, going to different cafes and markets. Somewhere in this trip, I also met up with my long lost cousin, Nelson 형, and his halmunee and they treated us out to the best blowfish ever! We went to a spa too and got to see his workplace. Banana milk!
Then off to the camp where I taught! Actually I think this was really my first time being away from my family for this extended time (only a month haha) because when I'm in Urrvine I go home on the weekends. So this really prepared me for Spain. Teaching the kids was so fun and the teachers were so incredibly laid back, they led a lifestyle I only thought could be led, travelling and just making enough to travel some more.
This is a pic of the teachers and counselors, all good guys. After the school, I reunited with my sister + mom. Me and Angela got to watch a cool art show too.
Thailand
So after Korea, me and my mom and my sister headed over to Thailand where my dad was on a business trip. This was my first real vacation, all we did was play really. We only stayed here for a few days but it was fun. Ate some of the worst thai food here (LA does better thai than thailand), got my first suit!, and went to visit monkey islands! We did ATVs, rode elephants, chowed at my dad's business dinner haha. And I celebrated my 21st bday here! which Angela almost ruined by kicking me in the shin haha. These are elephants!
Speaking of birthday, I'm wearing the bear sweater right now haha. I seriously get a lot of wear out of it now that its a bit chilly here, its like the most comfortable thing ever. Thanks guys!
So I know this has all been old news so here's some of the new. I'm still adjusting coming from Spain where being Christian was something really wierd to coming here where almost everyone I know is Christian. It's such a contrast and its like a culture shock really for me. Especially going to Blessed where its not that conservative where like everyone believes "Jesus heals! every disease be gone!" and I'm like "what? really? o wait. o yea."
On a sidenote, by popular demand, I'll post what I've been listening to. So I recently watched Enchanted at a friends house and the music was so great, so I've been listening to some of the songs. I really wanted to send this song to Isaac when he was asking me what he should do for a birthday present. And I still want to send this song to all my single fellas ("ALL MY SINGLE FELLAS!" in beyonce voice). How does she knowwww? And the second song is what I wanted Cliff to sing. It's when they are dancing at the ball. I wrote down the chords so if you want them let me know haha. OK I'll give one more, non-enchanted. I got hooked on this lady after hearing her on my favorite radio program (Radio Deluxe w/John Pizzarelli) and I was surprised at how many times I had seen her before. I'm not sure how familiar you guys are with Kristin Chenoweth but she was like the original lead in "Wicked" and she's in so many other roles, movies and Broadway. I just remember her in "Bewitched" (maybe she has something with witch productions?). So talented and so small! (4'11)
OK gotta study! Swamped! but will try to update more often!
