a new season

I feel like this scripture has been speaking to me lately. So many things going on around me but in the middle of the chaos I know God is in control and he's saying "Call to Me". He is right there with the answers, with a wonderful plan and he's ready to act. As this month ends and a new one comes, I feel a new season coming. God is ready to pour out great things. We may not understand what He does at time but His timing is perfect. There's no better solution than letting go and letting God take control. I'm ready!

Asian Love

I know all of my friends are tired of hearing me rave about Korea and Koreans. I know I'm labeled as the "Korean girl". (Since anything related to Korea catches my attention.) I can't help that I'm interested. I truly believe I have an Asian heart.

 It may have started with me watching Korean dramas but after coming back from Korea, I feel changed. I feel that my love for that country and that culture has sincerely grown. I don't know how to explain it but my heart yearns to go back. I know we have all heard the cheesy saying, "I feel an emptiness inside", and I wouldn't describe it like that per se but I am constantly thinking and wishing I was back at Korea.

Please don't misunderstand. My desires to return are not shallow. They no longer are because I want to meet a famous Korean star or visit the sites where dramas were filmed; I yearn to be among the Korean people. I miss the lifestyle. I miss the food. I miss studying there. I miss hearing the language daily. I miss the street vendors. I miss buying pants that were my size in length!! I constantly dream that I am back in Seoul walking among the streets. There are so many things I still want to do in Korea. I truly long to go back.

One of the things I miss the most is the food. Most of my Korean dreams are food related. Unfortunately, I don't have any Korean restaurants close to me. So I have to go out of my way in order to find and eat Korean food. This does not happen very often. However, today I decided to make one of my favorite Korean dishes, Japchae, stir fry. I was a bit nervous about the outcome because I didn't have all of the ingredients and I moved some things around. It was my first time making it and on my own at that. I didn't really have anyone to ask questions to so I just kept going. 2 hours later I was looking at a colorful finished product. I was so proud I couldn't stop looking at it. I HAD TO take a picture with the correct lighting to try and capture all of its beauty. (yes, it was beautiful!) I stared at it for a while before nervously taking the first bite. I was a bit nervous but I got to say it was delightful.

This was quite an exciting experience for me. It has only encouraged me to try other Korean dishes. If I can't go to it, I will bring it to me!  내가 정말 한국 음식 좋아해요 <3

P.S. The egg had quite "complicated" instructions but it felt very Korean. I was quite proud of the egg portion of this dish. It's worthy of its own picture. & I gently and strategically located them all over the plate. ㅋㅋㅋ

S E P T E M B E R 1 1

I know this post would have made more sense yesterday but better late than never right? Besides the families of the victims don't remember once a year, they remember every day. I can't believe it's been 14 YEARS! 14 years since terrorists came into our country and hijacked some planes. I can't say I remember every detail of that morning like many others do but I can say I remember that morning.
I remember I was in 5th grade.
I remember everybody talking about the news during class.
I remember stopping class to watch the news.
I remember my confusion.
I remember making cards for the firefighters.
I remember the special edition Times edition we read in class regarding 9/11
I remember a poem I wrote about the incident. (Then I called it a song)
I remember.

& now as I reflect on that day, I thank God for the opportunity to live another day and I thank God for the freedoms I have in this country. I thank God for the firefighters, the police, volunteers and all those who risked and gave their lives on that day. God Bless America and may He comfort all of the families affected by this tragedy. <3