We Miss You Grandfather!!

It's so hard living far apart. We wish we lived right next door to cousins and grandparents, aunts and uncles. This was such a special time for the kids and I am so glad grandfather was able to do this.

Grandfather

Grandfather has taught Dahin how to knit and they joined a knitting circle at our neighborhood library. I've learned to knit, as well, so that I can keep up with Dahin! She's begun her third project now: a bright pink scarf she plans to wear this winter.The kids had such a good time with grandfather. He got them on a regular schedule and kept them very busy with watercoloring, drawing, fixing things around the house, and knitting. They also went to the library several times a week. I call it "Grandfather Bootcamp," and know that we would make millions if we were to turn it into a tv show. When I arrived at the airport, the kids were waiting for me with "Welcome Home" banners draped across their clothes. It was so sweet! They had prepared a party at home, including balloons, cake, and presents. Dahin made me a beautiful scarf, Oliver had drawn me a picture, and Ronan wrapped up a blank piece of paper--oh well, it's the thought that counts! :)

Happy Birthday!

This will probably be the last year I can get away with one cake for both boys. Ronan is asking when his Percy the train birthday will be since Oliver had his Thomas birthday. I keep telling him that the Thomas cake was for both of them, but, since his favorite color is green, Ronan wants a Percy cake. What to do!

I bought a train cake pan from Michael's and made a Thomas the Tank Engine cake.

Grandfather taught Dahin how to knit and she knit Oliver this scarf for his birthday. Grandfather knit Ronan a green scarf.

Birthday Boys

Grandfather was able to stay a few days after I got back from Korea to visit friends in LA and spend time with the kids. For the boys' birthday we went to Day out with Thomas where the kids had a lot of fun. We almost made it out of the park without a meltdown; almost.

The blasting Thomas tunes, the toddlers, the face painting--oh, what big sisters must endure!
Ronan meets his hero, Sir Topham Hat
Oliver finally smiles. After talking, and talking, and talking about the impending day out with Thomas and Grandfather for months, Oliver got cold feet when we arrived. It didn't help that he got car sick on the way down to Roaring Camp Railroads. But, my dad rightly asserted that the boys were coming face-to-face with their heroes and feeling a little shy. After we rode the Thomas train, Oliver really perked up. Some lunch helped, as well.
Ronan and Grandfather look at giant redwoods, covered bridges, and streams on the Thomas ride.

It was very hot that day, especially in the sun. Everyone felt great after resting in the shade and drinking some cold water.

Korea, take 2

One more of me

Korea shots, part 1

I went to a concert last night by the group "Yen." They have a concert series now called "Art Yen the City," and they use their performances to introduce people to traditional music, but also to encourage them to think of it differently--not as something old and boring, but as something vibrant, fun, and beautiful. I had a blast. There were kids, grownups, all ages there and the audience and performers were so enthusiastic.

Souvenir shop in Insa-doing

Nichole and Wendy. Wendy is Jack's cousin's wife; anyway, she's family. We met up yesterday afternoon to shop and snack in the antiques district of Seoul, Insa-dong. Nichole is Wendy's niece from Toronto who's visiting for the summer.

Patbingsu. We had this at a great yogurt shop. Pat is the red bean you sometimes find inside of Chinese and Korean breads. Patbingsu is basically shaved ice, condensed sweetened milk, pat, and fruit. At the yogurt store, they added a big serving of yogurt on top.

Wendy eats a snack at a road-side stand.

Taegum player in Insa-dong. I sat there and listened to him for a while, then he asked me to sit next to him and handed me a flute. I told him I have zero luck making sounds in these things, but he explained to me playing technique as well as ideas about how playing the taegum can improve your health (since good health is related to good breathing). He was incredibly nice. We exchanged business cards, so I'm going to send him some of the photos I took.

I bought some jewelry for my sister (yes--you Paige) from this jewelry maker in Insa-dong.

I met Roger Janelli (my dissertation advisor and mentor) and his wife, Professor Yim Dawnhee of Dongguk University in Seoul, for lunch at a vegetarian Buddhist restaurant near Dongguk University in Yaksu-dong.

Lunch was followed by some complicated tea. First complication was communicating. Although Professor Yim had said she thought the Buddhist temple and tea shop was Taiwanese run, we found that we had to communicate with the server in English because she could not speak Korean. After we settled the communication gap, we were introduced to a highly step-heavy way of preparing and drinking tea. First, boiling the water, then rinsing off the tea leaves and discarding the water in a bowl on the table, then pouring more hot water on the leaves, waiting 3 minutes and then pouring it back and forth into these little cups before finally putting it in the tea cup. As you can see from my "uh, duh" expression above, I was impressed but mystified as to how to do it. Professor Yim and I just decided to pour the tea as is and skip the cup transferring steps. It was so good, and I loved spending the time with Professor Janelli and his wife.

Hard-earned tea.

P'ansori at Ch'angdeokgung Palace, Seoul. This singer was celebrating his 60th year (a huge deal in Korea).

Ch'angdeokgung Palace Gate

Subway shots

I'm staying with my sister-in-law, Eun-young, and her two daughters Mi-eun and Jeong-eun. Their dad works outside of Seoul, so is only home on the weekends. I love Eun-young onni. She is so warm and funny. There's never a boring moment as she shares Jack's love of talking! She's such a trip. We're getting together this evening to eat galbi and I'll get to see my other niece He-ni and Jack's mom.

25-string kayageum in Yi Ji-young's office at Seoul National University, July 9

When I was on the subway on Thursday, I heard Latin music and thought I was crazy. I was not--there was a group of musicians there. I believe they were Mexican because the trumpet player had a Mexican flag on his trumpet. But, they played all kinds of Latin music, including Afro-Cuban. These harabeoji's (grandfathers) were dancing and having such a great time. It was so spontaneous and beautiful.