Spring in the Desert

I had a wonderful trip to Tucson, Az in March. The desert was in bloom, the blue skies shone brightly, the nights were crisp. I had a good long chance to visit family and friends. I went camping and fishing on an enchanting lake in the mountains. It was a quiet time--a time for reflection and reevaluating--a clearing of the mind.

Key West on the Pura Vida

I returned home to the USA. After a week of jet lag and another week of getting used to not working, I went to Key West with my son, daughter-in-law,grandchildren, and daughter. We stayed on Tommy's boat, Pura Vida. We moved it from one marina to the Key West Marina. Stacy got to drive it there which I'm sure was a big highlight for her. She also got to drive the tender in and out of port. The weather was cool the first few days, but it warmed up, and we got some sun and pool time in. We ate lots of good fresh fish while there. We roamed the streets of Key West with all the quaint shops and homes. We went fishing and beached on an island 13 miles south of Key West. It was a bird reserve with a fabulous beach.
We had a great relaxing time. I really enjoyed being in Florida again. The sunsets were amazing. The street acts on the pier were many. The atmosphere was laid back. Just what I needed.

GOING HOME

On my way home tomorrow morning early, early--about a day of traveling. My bags are mostly packed, although there are many items I'm still not sure where they will go. I must clean the apartment for the new arrival and dinner tonight with my friend Jodelle. While I'm very excited about going home, there is also some melancoly for leaving Korea. I've had a great send off from the teachers and kids. There was a farewell dinner last night from Mrs Kim and the teachers. They gave me two books of letters and drawings from each class of kids. I will always treasure these. I have even received one email from one of my kids. So sweet! I will miss them.
This year has gone by quickly overall. I've seen some great places in Korea thanks to my new friend Eun Hui. She took me to a farewell lunch in the mountains. After lunch we sat by the big fire and drank a Korean tea.
Ju Yung, my Korean language teacher, also took us on a goodbye lunch. Oh, and Jung Mi took me to dinner. Such hospitality! I will always remember my time in Korea as a time of learning a proud culture, the sweet innocense of the children, making new friends and eating the dog. Sorry Cindy and Horace.
Good bye for now. I praise God for the path he is leading on. I will follow.

My Kingdom

It's been rainging for three days straight, and I've had enough. Time is getting short and so is my patience. I only have a week left in Korea, and I'm anxious. I'm anxious to start something new. I need to be around new people. I'm feeling stifled for some reason. I seem to have a different opinion than everybody. Can everybody be so ignorant. I need my own kingdom I guess. Will I ever have peace?

THAILAND ADVENTURE

I just got back from a wonderful adventure in Thailand. I went on an all Korean tour with my friend Jodelle. We were the only English speaking people on the tour. It turned out to be a wonderful experience, and we made some new friends. In Bangkok we got to explore two great temples--the Wat Pho Temple and the Wat Arun Temple. They are very different in style; both unique and beautiful. Then we took a long boat down the Pho River to see the many water houses along the edge with people on small flat boats selling fruits of all kinds--many I have never seen before. From Bangkok we went to Pataya, a smaller city on the beach about 2 hours from Bangkok. Our resort hotel was great--beachfront with five swimming pools. We had Thai massages (2 hours) and went to see the nightlife. We had front row seats at the kickboxing match. I wasn't too thrilled about this at first, but it was exciting! At halftime there was a snake charmer with bags of poisonous snakes including the cobra. It was fascinating to watch. Many people ran from the front row when the snakes came out. Dummy that I am, I stayed and took videos.
We rode elephants--I had to do this--it was on my bucket lists of things to do. I loved those elephants, such amazing animals. There was a show and the elephants played scoccer against each other as well as basketball, darts and bowling. Oh, and hula hoop on their trunks. We went to a crocodile farm (another show) and zoo. I fed a baby tiger his bottle of milk. I mean holding it and all. Just a big kitty! We visited a pineapple farm, an open street market, and a monastary.
Beach anyone? Plenty of beach action with sea walking (yes, under the sea with a bubble over the head fed by oxygen tanks), parasailing off an ocean barge, speedboating, and relaxing on an island beach. There were people from all over the world there: many Russians, Koreans, Chinese, Americans, British, Spanish, and Italians. The mixture of languages was fascinating to say the least. I enjoyed trying to identify them all.
Thailand is tropical so it was hot and humid with palm trees of everytype, banana trees, every fruit imaginable, and some I've never seen before. Dogs have it made there. They don't eat them, and many run free. They sleep anywhere they want including the side of the street. No leash law there.
It was a great trip, but alas, too short. Too soon we were headed back to Korea where it had snowed again and is experiencing some extremely low temporatures--quick change in the airport from shorts and sandles to boots and coats. Life goes on!