Happy 2013!

May all that you accomplished, struggled through and overcame in 2012 lead you to a more fulfilled 2013!  It's a new year...a fresh start...and a reminder that unlimited possibilities are within your reach!  Take the confidence of a new beginning and a renewed perspective to enhance your life and enrich the lives of those around you.  May we all slow down and take time to respect our fellow man, serve our neighbors and communities and share the light and love of God with everyone we meet! 

I wish you all a happy, healthy and blessed new year!!!

A White Christmas...in Texas!

It was a very white Christmas for us in Texas this year!  It had rained all morning, but then turned into glorious snow falling down for several hours in the afternoon.  It was beautiful!  The wind swirled at times, but I went out several times without my coat on and enjoyed the wet snowfall.  It instantly took me back to my childhood growing up in northeastern Iowa where having a white Christmas was normal.  But, living in Texas for over 20 years it's definitely a rarity.  We'll get ice storms or occasional snow (for a day), but NEVER on Christmas Day!  What a perfect blessing. 

I think with the passing of my last grandparent in October, I've been more sentimental about past Christmas', especially those growing up in Iowa and it's made me miss my cousins, aunts, uncles and friends more this year.  It's the passing of time, the life events that we all face (birth, death, marriage, etc) and remembering all the great memories shared with loved ones.  It's good to reminisce and appreciate the past, but it's always this time of year to look forward to the next...and what the year ahead will bring.

So, as I cautiously drove home last night in the freshly fallen snow I was intrigued at how everything around me looked so different.  I had seen my surrounding landscape dusted with snow before, but there was something different about last night and the newly fallen snow that made the scenery look fresh and new.  It was almost unfamiliar.  I was seeing things with new eyes, from a different perspective...and I'm hopeful that perspective will lead me into the new year with fearlessness, curiosity and overwhelming happiness!  So, today I'll be enjoying the white wonderland surrounding my house as I look out my windows and appreciate the beauty it brings me today and from years past.

Have a very Merry Christmas!

It's that time...last minute shopping, quick trip to the grocery store, prepping for your Christmas feast, trying to stay away from all those delicious Christmas goodies (cookies, candy, cakes, breads, etc) for one more day or two, preparing for family get-togethers, and the kids counting down until Santa arrives.  It's that joyous, hectic time of year!  So, enjoy the food, the wrapping paper flying everywhere, the laughter, the pure excitement of your little ones as they marvel at their gifts, the fellowship of family and friends, and most importantly enjoy the love that surrounds you! 

I think the following video is a perfect example and reminder of what this time of year is all about.  In the midst of all the sadness and sorrow in this world, there is Hope!  May you have a very Merry Christmas celebrating the Good News, Jesus Christ was born!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNDtHdG5mVk

Joyeux Noel

"The First Noel" is my favorite Christmas song.  I'm not sure why, but I love singing it every Christmas and I even taught myself how to play it on my keyboard (mini piano).  'Noel' is the French word for Christmas....and 'Joyeux Noel' means Merry Christmas.  There are so many wonderful Christmas carols that we get to belt out every year...at church, to our neighbors and friends, with our family around the piano, or just freely in our cars along with the radio.  What's your favorite Christmas carol? 

A couple years ago, I came across another Christmas song that has become a favorite of mine that I can't wait to play every Christmas.  It's called "My Christmas Prayer" by Bebe Winans.  This is my wish for you and your family this holiday season.

 

My Christmas Prayer

 

I pray for peace

Blessings and honor

Heaven right earth's despair.

This is my Christmas prayer.

 

For those that grieve

God will bring comfort

Laughter will rapture there.

This is my Christmas prayer.

 

See I pray that love will rule and reign.

And I pray that time will rid the pain of this world

As we learn to trust and care.

This is my Christmas prayer.

 

I pray for you

That you triumph and conquer

And possess the strength you need to bare.

This is my Christmas prayer.

 

For those in need

There will be plenty

And each other's burdens share.

This is my Christmas prayer.

 

See I pray that love will rule and reign.

And I pray that time will rid the pain of this world

As we learn to trust and care.

This is my Christmas prayer.

 

So let hope fill our hearts

Shine the light through the dark

All around the world and everywhere.

I will pray.

This is my Christmas prayer.

 

See I pray that love will rule and reign.

And I pray that time will rid the pain of this world

As we learn to trust and care.

This is my Christmas prayer.

This is my Christmas prayer.

 

 

 



Hearts Broken

For all of us following the tragic news in Newtown, CT the past several days, it's unfathomable, incomprehensible and simply horrific to even imagine.  How could this happen?  Why?  How could such sweet, beautiful and innocent lives be taken so violently?  We struggle to understand and make sense of it.  Our hearts are broken for those families who lost loved ones and for those who suffered through the sounds and images of those terrifying moments.  May they all be lifted in prayer, love and support in the coming days, weeks and months ahead.

Unfortunately the senseless acts of heartless and evil people force us to reflect on our lives, those around us and our communities in ways we never expected...and it seems to happen more often than it should.  Hopefully we can all find more respect, compassion and support for our fellow man as we rush through our daily lives.  We've gotten away from simply giving the person in a wheel chair a smile and a helping hand through a doorway or the person who walks differently or looks differently a glancing eye instead of a friendly hello.  As we are so close to the holidays and thinking of those parents who have gifts under their trees for their children who will never open them, we have an opportunity to take our broken hearts and show compassion to others.  The neighbor we haven't talked to or the grocery store clerk we see every week or someone in our lives we haven't forgiven yet.  Life is too short.  Life is too precious.  May we have peace on earth and goodwill toward all men (women and children). 

These are the times when we all come together as one...we are all one in humankind...not defined by our race, culture, religious beliefs, etc.  We are all humans who share the same grief over what has happened.  May we hold onto that sensibility not only through the holiday season, but each and every day that we are allowed to grace this earth...because there are sooooo many that aren't granted that opportunity.  May we truly spread peace, joy and love all the days of our lives.  Hugs to all!

Reflections

Have you been caught up in all the merriment that the holiday season provides?  Shopping (circling the lots for a parking space), wrapping (figuring out how to wrap that one odd shaped gift), baking (flour, dough, sprinkles and icing stuck on your clothes and in your hair), decorating (trees, garland, Santa's, snowmen and so much more), parties (go easy on the eggnog), and all the holiday festivities around town (tree lightings, Santa sightings, concerts, and everything in-between).  The holiday season can be jam-packed full of cheer and sometimes frustration.  We all get caught up in it, but it's also a time for giving and reflecting on what's really important in each of our lives.  At one point during the holiday season, whether it's Christmas morning when everyone wakes up with that feeling of wonder and excitement of Christmas day or Christmas Eve when you're standing in church with your lighted candle singing Silent Night or when you've given a gift that lights up a child's face...whenever that moment happens for you I hope in that moment of pause you have a sense of calm, a feeling of hope for your future and you feel empowered by the love and joy that surrounds you to make a difference...in your life, in someone else's life or in the world.  We can all make the change if we be the change we want to see in the world.

Usually during this time of year, I look back and reflect on the past year as most of us do.  Whether it's the Top 10 list of movies, music, TV, fashion, etc. there's always a "review" of the year....good and bad.  But, those aren't the things that necessarily matter most to a majority of us.  I usually take time to reflect on what's going on in my life a couple times of year.  It's not a scheduled thing, it just happens.  But, it always happens at the right time...to teach me a lesson, to drive me forward, to keep me focused or to remind me to be grateful and to be present every day.  We all go through similar phases in our lives just at different times or in different ways.  As an adoptee that's no different.  My life isn't directed by the fact that I'm adopted or that I'm Korean.  Those are facts, but I'm also an American and I view myself as an American before being Korean or being adopted.  It's not necessarily important which order that comes in, but for some people they might think it should.  But, as I've said before we all have our own journey's (whether we are adopted or not) and we all have our own timing to learn, change, understand, accept, process, and educate.  So, when I look back on the year it's about those moments in life that stand out, the struggles, the sadness, the joy, the elation, the stress, the worry, the achievements, and the people that loved and supported me during it all.  It's not about being adopted or being Korean or even being American (which although this year, being an American was a big deal since we were all mired in the presidential election of mumbo jumbo every other day), it's about simply being a human being like everyone else and wanting the same things as everyone else no matter where you are in the world...peace, happiness, health, safety, joy.  The things that really matter.

So, I hope you take time to embrace the things that really matter in your life this holiday season!  Good tidings to you and peace on earth, goodwill toward men!

'Tis the Season

A little break from my background since it is that time of year....holiday cheer, merry delight and visions of sugarplums...or something like that!  I hope that you all are enjoying the holiday season and all the family traditions that are so cherished this time of year!  Over the past month or so, I've been looking at all of our old photo albums...the ones showing my parents as first time parents or my grandparents looking "oh sooo" young and vibrant, and the ones showing all my birthdays, Easter, and Christmas with all my cousins surrounding me.  My mom and I laughed at the pictures of my birthday where one year all you could see were 3 bowls of jello on the table or another year with all breads/rolls.  It was just one of those family traditions where whenever we got together for someones birthday (which was just about every month), everyone brought something but never coordinated with each other what anyone else was bringing.  I was lucky to grow up with such a close-knit family around who genuinely cared for one another and enjoyed getting together for birthdays, anniversaries and holidays as often as we did.

One of my most favorite holiday traditions growing up on the farm in Iowa was going Christmas caroling with family, friends and neighbors every year.  We would go to a few houses out in the country, but mainly to those in town or at the nursing home.  We'd go to my Grandma and Grandpa's house in town and I'd always go up and stand next to my Grandma on the (enclosed) front porch as everyone sang.  I always felt so proud and excited to go to their house every year.  Then, we'd go to my best friend's Grandma and Grandpa's house and do the same.  I loved spreading joyful noise around town and doing it with such dear friends, family and neighbors!  That's what the holidays are all about!

Another memorable holiday moment came when I was around 6 years old.  We were hosting a dinner party at our house with my best friend's family.  As we sat in the kitchen eating we started to hear jingle bells ringing.  They got closer and closer until Santa walked in the door with his bag full of presents.  I don't remember what he actually pulled out of that bag, but it didn't really matter.  What matters is the lasting memory that was made, not only for me, but for my brother, my friend and I'm sure for our parents seeing our faces light up at the sight!

So, whatever your holiday traditions are (old and new) I hope you make lasting memories for you and your families that will make you smile every time you think about them.  Make sure you slow down during this hectic holiday season to take it all in, to embrace the true reason for the season and to be ever present in the moment(s).  Sending each of you holiday cheer, wonder and excitement!!

A Whole New World

I had a pretty idyllic childhood growing up in Iowa on a dairy farm around supportive family and friends.  Then we moved to the suburbs of Dallas, TX in early 1984 and a new reality set in.  A whole new world!  We had neighbors that were 3 feet away from us on either side instead of a 1/2 mile down the road, the culture was different with more diversity all around us, and joining a new school with new kids was terrifying.  Our whole life had been shaken to the core and we had to make adjustments daily for a long time.  Although it was hard and we didn't have much (money or material things), we were all together and made the best of our new opportunities as a family.  We were making a better life for ourselves...or at least we were trying!

It did become pretty apparent to me pretty quickly after we moved to Texas that I was indeed different...more different than I had ever been aware of in Iowa.  I had been treated like everyone else in Iowa, but in Texas my ethnicity and the prejudices toward Asians became very clear to me by others.  I wasn't necessarily picked on at school, thankfully, I got along with everyone and they treated me well.  It was usually people outside of school...people in the real world or older kids...who would yell out unkind words or if I was with my family (who are all white...blond-haired, blue-eyed siblings) would stare or even make comments.  It was a new reality that I wasn't necessarily prepared for or even thought was a possibility (coming from small town USA).  I 'was normal' (in Iowa) and now I wasn't (in Texas) just because I'm Asian.  And, because that's the main thing people see, your outward appearance, when you throw in that you're adopted it's like some kind of bombshell to boot!  Which has always been a little odd to me (and my family) since it was the 20th century and adoption wasn't a radically new age idea.  But, people's curiosities, prejudices, and ignorance can sometimes be pretty blunt and brutal.  I know many adopted children/adults have felt that.  I haven't to an extreme or to an extent that has been psychologically damaging to me, but I still understand it's impact and the implications for anyone.

I do believe there is a reason for everything...as hard as it may be to realize at times...I know there's a higher purpose to what happens and that someday (hopefully) those reasons will become apparent.  Years later, I did realize why we had made the move to Texas...it gave us all greater opportunities in life and to be the people we were suppose to be...to shape the people we are today.  That's what life is...a journey and sometimes there are huge turns in the road where you get knocked off the road, but you have to get back up and get on track to follow the path set before us.  It's a constantly moving, ever-changing and twisty road but we never have to take it alone.

Coming to America!

A little background on me (for those that don't know me) that will give you a sense of where I came from and how my opinions about being adopted were shaped at a very young age. 

I was adopted as an infant and came to the U.S. when I was only 7 months old.  I grew up in a small farming community in northeastern Iowa and then moved to the suburbs of Dallas, TX when I was 9 years old.  In Iowa, there were less than 2,000 people in the town that I grew up in and there was and still isn't a traffic light in town.  It was a small town of hard-working farmers and housewives that carried on life-long traditions from family to family.  Although I was probably one of the first, if not the first, internationally adopted child in the area, no one treated me any differently than anyone else.  I was accepted...and that's huge for anyone at anytime in their lives...just to be accepted.  I honestly don't remember an unkind word, being teased for looking different or feeling like I didn't belong because no one treated me any differently than any other child there growing up.  It was a blessing that would influence the rest of my life.  I don't know if it was just because everyone knew everyone in a small town and they were just open to my parents adopting internationally, or if it was because they all led such simple lives (compared to today and all the technology that has invaded our lives) that they didn't have as many or any prejudices toward an outsider...a foreigner like me.  Either way, I'm truly grateful for having grown up in such an open and accepting community.

I always knew I was adopted, but I didn't fully understand what that meant until I got older.  I just thought it meant I was "special."  And, in a general sense of the word "special" shouldn't we all make children feel special in their own little way....whatever makes them unique or different...that it's OK to be who you are and that they are "special" no matter what.  So, I always knew I was "special," but didn't fully realize why until later.

I lived on a dairy farm in Iowa near my dad's side of the family.  He is one of five children, so we were always getting together to celebrate cousins' birthdays or aunt and uncle's anniversaries or the holidays.  It was an ideal childhood with lots of love, lots of food and lots of laughter.  I was the youngest cousin for a long time (until I was 8), so you could probably say I got spoiled, not only by my aunts' and uncles', but also by all of my cousins.  I didn't know it at the time, but those were probably the happiest times of my life....surrounded by their love and acceptance.

I hold a very special place in my heart for the little town I grew up in, my family who always supported each other and my friends who were simply 'my friends'...that place, that time is very sentimental to me.  And, truly influenced who I have become today because of their open hearts and minds toward a young child that looked completely different than anyone else in town at the time.  So, I hope they all know how grateful I am for the part they played in shaping who I am today!