All I can think right now is Switzerland. I am leaving ASIA in twenty hours and all I can think about is fondue, cows, and the Alps. I have been experiencing these "Swiss" moments at the oddest moments over the last two weeks. Someone or something will trigger a memory from my days at SIS, and my mind becomes hazy with "Swiss" thoughts.
Weird, huh?
I'm not sure why my mind is tripping out like this. Maybe it's my nerves and excitement about flying back to the States and encountering America again. Repatriating myself for a brief time. I remember my first time coming back from Mexico and feeling reverse culture shock for the first time. I remember coming back from Swizterland and in shock how flat everything looked. I have been I wonder what I feel like when I step back onto American soil after spending time in Asia.
I'm excited to go back. I get to see my mom and dad immediately. I hope to head to Taco Bell and Target with the first few hours. I am excited to go to karaoke with my midwest TCIS friends until we have to say goodbye. I want to take a walk with my parents, Wrigely, and take a big long rest on their leather couch until jetlag gets the better of me. I am excited to be home.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Monday, May 5, 2008
Airport World
"In transit. If two sweeter words exist in the English language, I have yet to hear them. Suspended between coming and going, neither here nor there, my mind slows, and amid the duty- free shops and PA announcements, I achieve something approaching calm. I've often fantasized about living in Airport World. Not one airport, mind you, but a series of airports. I would just keep flying around the world, in a state of suspended aviation. Always coming, never arriving. But here in this airport lounge, my fantasy is less appealing. Humans, even nomadic ones, need a sense of home. Home need not be one place or any place at all, but every home has two essential elements: a sense of community and even more important, a history."
- "The Geography of Bliss" by Eric Weiner
I love Airport World. I love everything about it. The duty-free shops, makeup counters, Starbucks around every corner, and the eerie clam that envelops me as I sit and people watch. I will be back in Airport World exactly one month from today. The anticipation feels different than other trips I have taken before. I am in between homes right now for an extended time. This is a first for me. South Korea is technically my home base right. It feels exhilarating and foreign to visit America for a holiday.
Reflection about the past year has begun to take shape as the countdown to America unfurls itself. I love reminiscing about the sights, conversations, people, animals, books, ideas, discussions, desires, frustrations, and realizations that have come across me this year. I love that I have survived the first whirlwind year of overseas living. I ponder about the future. Questions and thoughts pervade my thoughts during my off moments. Will I like America when I go back? Seasoned expats continually warn me about the hardships of reaccelerating myself to the materialistic, myopic, and individualistic aura of America. Others claim I will slide right back into my old routine. Will this be my only stint overseas? Will I became a lifer?
My answer to the first question is a resounding yes. I am reunited with family and friends. Old haunts will beckon me back for visits. The sparkling lakes will coolme from the hot summer sun. The rest of the questions remained unanswered in my mind. For those that know me well, I’m actually ok with that. I have absolutely no idea where Korea will lead me next. I fantasize often about the myriad of directions my life could go in the next few years, but I have learned to stop and breathe. Take the moment in. Stop and inhale the yellow dust. :)
- "The Geography of Bliss" by Eric Weiner
I love Airport World. I love everything about it. The duty-free shops, makeup counters, Starbucks around every corner, and the eerie clam that envelops me as I sit and people watch. I will be back in Airport World exactly one month from today. The anticipation feels different than other trips I have taken before. I am in between homes right now for an extended time. This is a first for me. South Korea is technically my home base right. It feels exhilarating and foreign to visit America for a holiday.
Reflection about the past year has begun to take shape as the countdown to America unfurls itself. I love reminiscing about the sights, conversations, people, animals, books, ideas, discussions, desires, frustrations, and realizations that have come across me this year. I love that I have survived the first whirlwind year of overseas living. I ponder about the future. Questions and thoughts pervade my thoughts during my off moments. Will I like America when I go back? Seasoned expats continually warn me about the hardships of reaccelerating myself to the materialistic, myopic, and individualistic aura of America. Others claim I will slide right back into my old routine. Will this be my only stint overseas? Will I became a lifer?
My answer to the first question is a resounding yes. I am reunited with family and friends. Old haunts will beckon me back for visits. The sparkling lakes will coolme from the hot summer sun. The rest of the questions remained unanswered in my mind. For those that know me well, I’m actually ok with that. I have absolutely no idea where Korea will lead me next. I fantasize often about the myriad of directions my life could go in the next few years, but I have learned to stop and breathe. Take the moment in. Stop and inhale the yellow dust. :)
Monday, April 14, 2008
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
North Parker and North Korea shots
Rebekah and Carl come to visit!
We spent time on the DMZ tour and in Daejeon. Above are shot of our feet on North Korean soil and the infamous "Bridge of No Return".
Sunday, April 6, 2008
A Russian cosmonaut
“Do know what the Russians call astronauts? Cosmonauts!
Do you know what the capital of Syria is? Damascus?
Do you know what the longest word is? asd;fjasodfjwoirjalknva;lkjfoweijrkjra!!”
Random tidbits of trivia floated in the air and attempted to sink into the ears of our distracted students. Our tour guide, Hedrick, was attempting to engage our group of students. Trying to avoid feeling nauseous, I strapped on my Ipod, turned Kt Tunstall on low, and listened to Hedrick tell more about the largest university in the world.
The last week of March I spent nine days down in the Philippines with a group of students from TCIS. The school sends kids on LASA ("Love All, Serve All") mission trips. I had friends and students travel to Malaysia, Borneo, Thailand, India, and various parts of the Philippines volunteering their time building houses or visiting orphanages.
I did not start out well with the trip. I was recovering from the stomach flu and felt distracted, irritated, and weak. The last thing I wanted to do was build houses in the hot sun for eight hours a day. Fortunately we didn't have to start work until Monday. We played on the beach, went on a zoo safari, and walked by local festivals celebrating the Easter holiday. The festivals were one of my favorite moments during the trips. Our group watched a parade of Filipinos carry floats of Jesus and other saints around in droves. Multicolored shirts splashing the words "Holy Week 2008" made it feel like Mardi Gras carnival Jesus style. The Filipinos sure know how to celebrate Easter!
By the time Monday rolled around, I was ready to work. I spent the first day directing a group of five kids to dig volcanic terrain to build a foundation for the houses and carry bricks from point A to point B. We were pretty exhausted by the end of the first day.
The rest of the week was challenging for a variety of reasons. Our hotel was located in the red light district of Manila. It was hot. Frighteningly hot. One kid broke his thumb. One of our leaders got sick and was out for two days. Did I mention it was scorching hot?
The biggest challenge was the amount of champion complainers on our trip. I learned much about the art of complaining. People love to do it, it’s easy, doesn’t cost anything and sometimes it can seem even fun! It can get you out of work and bring attention to your pitiful misery. Problem solved, right? Wrong. It doesn't solve problems. It does bring an individual attention, but not in a positive sense.
The Filipinos sure taught our group a lesson about complaining. They are some of the most humble, hospitable, and grateful people I have ever met. Many of the Filipinos we worked with during the week come from extreme poverty. The Philippines is considered to be the Mexico of Asia. Their biggest export is their own people. Many individuals are shipped off the Middle East, Thailand, Korea, and Japan to work as cheap labor. The workers send money home to their families, but no one chooses to work in the Philippines because money is shipped for an outside source. Sadly, the Filipino economy suffers from a stagnant. Many young people are forced into human trafficking as a result. I saw this first hand at our hotel. An older gentleman from Saipan (tall, silver haired and extroverted) attempted to strike up conversations several times with me and another female leader. We smiled politely, engaged in conversation briefly, and then jetted up to our room. The creepy vibe was oozing out of him. Our suspicions were confirmed one night when he casually waltzed up to the elevator with two young Filipino girls. They didn't look older than 17. He looks 55. Forty minutes later he casually waltzed out of the elevator, put them both in a taxi, and walked back to the elevator. I can only speculate what happened, but I fear human trafficking had snuck its way in our hotel. It made my stomach sink at the blazing reality that I had just witnessed.
Aside from poverty and human rights violations, the Philippines proved to a beautiful place with amazing people. Our group held a party at the end of the week to celebrate the completion of the new homes. The children are warm, tender, and want to hold your hand every second. I played a game with them on the third day and got the nickname "Teacher Emily" for the two remaining days. My heart leapt with joy every time I saw them. It's heartbreaking to leave and know the desolation some will face, but assuring that our new friends will have a home. That’s nothing to complain about!
Do you know what the capital of Syria is? Damascus?
Do you know what the longest word is? asd;fjasodfjwoirjalknva;lkjfoweijrkjra!!”
Random tidbits of trivia floated in the air and attempted to sink into the ears of our distracted students. Our tour guide, Hedrick, was attempting to engage our group of students. Trying to avoid feeling nauseous, I strapped on my Ipod, turned Kt Tunstall on low, and listened to Hedrick tell more about the largest university in the world.
The last week of March I spent nine days down in the Philippines with a group of students from TCIS. The school sends kids on LASA ("Love All, Serve All") mission trips. I had friends and students travel to Malaysia, Borneo, Thailand, India, and various parts of the Philippines volunteering their time building houses or visiting orphanages.
I did not start out well with the trip. I was recovering from the stomach flu and felt distracted, irritated, and weak. The last thing I wanted to do was build houses in the hot sun for eight hours a day. Fortunately we didn't have to start work until Monday. We played on the beach, went on a zoo safari, and walked by local festivals celebrating the Easter holiday. The festivals were one of my favorite moments during the trips. Our group watched a parade of Filipinos carry floats of Jesus and other saints around in droves. Multicolored shirts splashing the words "Holy Week 2008" made it feel like Mardi Gras carnival Jesus style. The Filipinos sure know how to celebrate Easter!
By the time Monday rolled around, I was ready to work. I spent the first day directing a group of five kids to dig volcanic terrain to build a foundation for the houses and carry bricks from point A to point B. We were pretty exhausted by the end of the first day.
The rest of the week was challenging for a variety of reasons. Our hotel was located in the red light district of Manila. It was hot. Frighteningly hot. One kid broke his thumb. One of our leaders got sick and was out for two days. Did I mention it was scorching hot?
The biggest challenge was the amount of champion complainers on our trip. I learned much about the art of complaining. People love to do it, it’s easy, doesn’t cost anything and sometimes it can seem even fun! It can get you out of work and bring attention to your pitiful misery. Problem solved, right? Wrong. It doesn't solve problems. It does bring an individual attention, but not in a positive sense.
The Filipinos sure taught our group a lesson about complaining. They are some of the most humble, hospitable, and grateful people I have ever met. Many of the Filipinos we worked with during the week come from extreme poverty. The Philippines is considered to be the Mexico of Asia. Their biggest export is their own people. Many individuals are shipped off the Middle East, Thailand, Korea, and Japan to work as cheap labor. The workers send money home to their families, but no one chooses to work in the Philippines because money is shipped for an outside source. Sadly, the Filipino economy suffers from a stagnant. Many young people are forced into human trafficking as a result. I saw this first hand at our hotel. An older gentleman from Saipan (tall, silver haired and extroverted) attempted to strike up conversations several times with me and another female leader. We smiled politely, engaged in conversation briefly, and then jetted up to our room. The creepy vibe was oozing out of him. Our suspicions were confirmed one night when he casually waltzed up to the elevator with two young Filipino girls. They didn't look older than 17. He looks 55. Forty minutes later he casually waltzed out of the elevator, put them both in a taxi, and walked back to the elevator. I can only speculate what happened, but I fear human trafficking had snuck its way in our hotel. It made my stomach sink at the blazing reality that I had just witnessed.
Aside from poverty and human rights violations, the Philippines proved to a beautiful place with amazing people. Our group held a party at the end of the week to celebrate the completion of the new homes. The children are warm, tender, and want to hold your hand every second. I played a game with them on the third day and got the nickname "Teacher Emily" for the two remaining days. My heart leapt with joy every time I saw them. It's heartbreaking to leave and know the desolation some will face, but assuring that our new friends will have a home. That’s nothing to complain about!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)