Thoughts.

Buckle up for a fairly stream of consciousness style post with an added bonus of a synopsis of my week. Hooray!

I read the most comforting, profoundish blog post just now. Read the whole thing here. Excerpts:

Sometimes we're standing with our nose up to the map and so we can't see where we are. But if we step back and take a look, everything is right where it's always been. We're trained to doubt and question and be critical - and they're the qualities that help us survive. But sometimes it's important to have faith in ourselves and know that we're doing the best we can and that's the best anyone will ever do . . . Every mistake is an excuse to laugh at ourselves, every wrinkle is proof that we lived and every disappointment is a reminder that we are still hopeful.

I read somewhere that my generation is the first generation in history that won't be better off than their parents were at their age. We've been brought up in an environment that changes seemingly at the speed of light and we're in the middle of an anxiety attack about how we're going to survive becoming responsible adults. We've never had to worry about how we'll survive because we've been attached to some kind of intangible security blanket and now that it's time to be adults, we're freaking out. I wouldn't say I'm freaking out per say, but I think it's interesting to read these observations about my generation and see how they are applicable in my own situation. I've been 24 for a whole week :), and I've been doing a lot of thinking (what's new?) about where my life is going. Sure, I've got a plan, a plan with which I'm super comfortable and about which I'm really excited. Buuuuut, that doesn't change the fact that sometimes (even though I love my current life dearly) I think I could be doing so much more. Sometimes my life feels like such an oxymoron. I know I could use my free time in more constructive ways than trolling the internet for interesting t.v. shows, good recipes and quirky blogs but in a guilty pleasure kind of way, I relish spending most Sundays sitting on my bed, basking in the last golden hours of the weekend as the sounds from the world outside come pouring through my open window. So anyway, this blog post felt like it was speaking directly to me and maybe every person in my generation. How delightful.

In somewhat related news, my pal Jill wrote an especially delightful little passage on our book club's e-mail thread last week that got me thinking:

I've been thinking a lot about being purposeful with my time. Reading instead of watching t.v. Running instead of eating a bowl of ice cream. Praying instead of Facebooking. And I'm trying hard not to wish days away. Sometimes I think... "I cannot wait for this day to be over." And well... that just seems silly. When I was running the half this weekend someone had a shirt that said "The best day is Today." And I think that is a really powerful statement. When I was at Marquette I was always looking forward to the "next thing" I had going on -- I can't wait to travel home in two weeks... I can't wait until finals are over... I can't wait for XYZ. And it seems silly that I was always wanting to be in a different place at a different time.

I am especially guilty of not appreciating each day for what it is. I'm always thinking ahead to the next thing, but rarely take time to appreciate right now. I mean, planning ahead is great, but not if you're not going to enjoy what you spent so much time planning in the first place. Think about it :) Since I read that e-mail, I've been making an effort to be more purposeful, take in what is around me in this crazy country and remember to enjoy now because the only guarantee you have is what is happening right now.

Today I was finally able to meet for coffee with Yeeseul at our usual coffee spot. We haven't been able to get together since before I left for my visit home, we so were long overdue. We had a delightful chat, and never seemed to skip a beat. And, it turns out one of my students works at the coffee shop now - homegirl makes a mean iced americano :)

And now, the recap of my week:

Tuesday, Desiree, Leah and I found an Indian restaurant in the Gwangj that was b.o.m.b. We had mutton curry, chicken biryani, samosas and an embarrassing amount of naan. Oh. My. God. We were machines and believe me, it hurt so good.

Wednesday, Dionne and I taught two classes and spent the afternoon making traditional Korean pottery with all of the public school teachers from Gwangju. It was a nice change of pace from our usual Wednesdays and it was fun to spend the afternoon with so many cool foreigners. I did, however, learn that I am no potter. I'll stick to elementary crafts like friendship bracelets :)

Thursday after school, I went to Seoul with Dionne and Scott to experience House of Prayer - a worship session they lead every Thursday night in Itaewon. HOP is completely different from anything else I've ever experienced - it's all very spontaneous feeling and set to music that evolves as the topic progresses. It was very, very powerful and, to be honest, a little overwhelming considering the worship style to which I am accustomed. Anyway, it was really cool to experience a more prophetic kind of worship. Different people's relationship to religion is intensely interesting to me and this just opened up a whole new can of worms.

After school on Thursday, one of my students gave me a surprise belated birthday cake. So, during her homeroom's class on Friday, we had a little cake party. It was so fun! The pictures I posted are pretty self-explanatory...

Friday night was a teacher's dinner to a delightful little out of the way fusion restaurant. From the road, it didn't look like anything special, but entering this adorable establishment felt like we were walking into a magical garden of sorts. At the risk of sounding utterly corny, its New England cottage decor with open windows showcasing a view of a beautiful garden overlooking the Han River felt like a bit of a fairy tale. They even had balls of twinkle lights hanging from tree branches. My kind of place :) Following our amazing dinner (every course featured their star ingredient: dotorimuk - a brown jelly made from acorn starch), we walked around the grounds of the restaurant engaging Mr. Shin in delightful conversation. It is especially enjoyable to spend time with the teachers in a non-school environment when they feel like they can let their hair down.

This week holds a full week of classes - nothing too exciting, I think. But then, the week after is midterms, which means no school for this kid. Who knows what kind of adventure I'll find :)