Getting over the jet-lag

I am having easier time than ever adjusting to the Korean Time zone. Now I feel a bit sleepy around 6 p.m. I've been told that jet-lag gets adjusted about 1 hour per day. So since I've been here about a week, I've adjusted to the 6 hour difference.

Uncle no.2 is such a different person when he's not drinking. I can almost say he seems confident and relaxed. He doesn't seem bitter, angry and restless. There's a vague resemblance to the favorite uncle I used to know.

Sunday, uncle no. 1's wife and the son came to visit. We had to watch out to see that she doesn't throw out things. She has a tendency to do that without permission of the owners. It is because she thinks she owns them. Much talkative grand mother was silent the whole time. I felt sorry for grandma. Well in fact, I felt sorry for both of them. Both forever regurgitating the past, chewing over same blame game over and over again. I wonder if they're not tired of that stupid game themselves.

The cousin was also very quiet. He's too young and strong for me to feel sorry for him. He doesn't say what he does but says he's very busy. Mystery lives onto the 2nd generation from uncle no. 1.

Lana's three boxes arrived late last evening. I haven't opened it yet.

I need to go see a gynecologist. What a bummer. The doctor I saw prior to leaving has just received some test results that she doesn't like.

Getting acquainted with the public transportation

I'm very jet-lagged. And am getting re-acquainted with the public transit system. I have to say it is very well run considering this is a city of 12 million people. Went for a visit to my medicine woman. Who has been through a very hard time lately with her husband losing his mind after a stroke. I am dealing with broken agreements and upsets of many people and am surprised at my ease with lots of people. I haven't yet been upset.

My uncle #2 is openly resentful and purposedly getting drunk every night. Grandma is continuously talking about the old days and how she suffered. But I noticed that she stops speaking when her ferocious daughter-in-law is present. I feel compassion for all but I will at a drop of a hat, take aunt out of this.

In Korea

All went smoothly at the Incheon airport. The customs officer did not say a peep. The luggage arrived as soon as I got there. The driver from the job agency was right there and took me all the way to aunt's. My uncle 2 was very drunk and could not help with a single luggage but a neighbour lady came and helped me with the last big piece of luggage. She is familiar from my last trip. She was asking what do we need men for and I told her I ask the same question.

Yesterday was Buddha's birthday so it was a national holiday. I had a leisurely day off since I could not go to the ministry of justice to start my residency application. I slept for five hours then took 2 Tylenol and slept all night till almost 6 a.m. I hope this puts an end to my jet-lag.

Took some pictures of the bathroom and kitchen - believe me, this is a total miracle.

San Francisco

The conference was a huge success. I always wondered about how some of us looked really amateurish and still can be public about the promises and intentions. It was all designed that way. The fearless leader says, since nobody really knows how to transform the world in such a way that it will be the one that works for everyone with no one and nothing left out, we need to take a chance, it may be the airhead, or the fool or the logical one but who knows really the one that will provide the tipping point?

So I am peaceful in my decisions and possible mistakes. Another set of good byes with lots of hugs and encouragements was really good medicine.

Totally cool.

Thursday: Jung Nam and I went into town and had the most delicious meal.
Friday: Met with the lady responsible for making the Forum happen in Korea. Made the poster in 5 minutes. The most wonderful play about a Norwegian mother and daughter was a true gem.
Saturday: Delivered the poster presentation and went for a 5 minute visit to Half-Moon bay beach with Jorge, Mark and Gabe.
Sunday: Presentations were fabulous. I wish I could be in all of them.

Going away party and Mother's day

So far, I'm able to handle goodbyes without losing too much salt water. My going away party was a great success with people dropping in at all times. I feel so lucky to have such loving friends. Karaoke was a great fun and I think I have 2 more people hooked on it.

Cards with touching messages and small gifts (out of the consideration for my luggage weight) kept arriving too.

I keep focusing on what needs to be done today and it seems to be working. If I think about all the years before and since coming to Canada and think about what's in store for me in the next few weeks, I could go completely crazy. So I decided to do it in bite size only.

Mother's day was quiet. Mom told me that it's mother's day everyday. Went out to dinner with some close friends. It was at this lovely and quiet place that we all like.

I'll miss many people, things and places. Sniff.

Christmas in May

I had the most wonderful afternoon going through make up bin and selecting most delectable smell, shades and shapes of fabulous products for myself and mom.

I think I don't need to go shopping for cosmetics for 5 years. I am so not the same person I was last year. My community is showing up for me as a total support and love.

My coach acknowledged me in that how my being the straight force to deal with in the soft Doe voices that compells people to be great around me. I'm so spoiled and overjoyed.

More dream

I had an awful dream. I moved into a new place. It was very shoddy. I could see gaps between the bricks and can see through and wondered how it must be in the winter time.

Also mom was cursing because there were long (about 3/4 of an inch) white warms all over the floor and she was saying that they moved from the previous place and cannot tell where they originate from. She scooped them and put them away in the manhole outside. I was wondering out loud if they will find their way back through the pipes up to the sink. What an annoying dream!

Dream

I dreamt this morning of an adventure. I was in company of two other women and we were going for tour. We slightly missed the boat so we had to be on a sled and launched into the air and then land on the big boat that we missed. The boat arrived on a shore and we were at this amazing restaurant. The menu was kind of a mixture - Ribs and Chocolate cake for dessert. But what an amazing floor to ceiling stained glass structure!

I was admiring the stained glass and not quite finishing the rich lunch and dessert. I was glad that I took the risk of launching on to a boat. Unusual, but hey that's life.

More on visa

I just learned that there's a way to work without visa legally in Korea. I learned it from the lady from the agency that I'm dealing with and I confirmed with a lady at the Ministry of Justice in Korea. I am completely amazed. I don't need to do anything but show up with some paper work and about $70 and in 10 days I'm able to work. The ticket is taken care of by the agency so my last trip to SF will be takend care of. So I will go to San Francisco on the 17th and continue on to Korea from there. Miraculous!

Mom's recent dream about her Dad also seems to indicate that this is the right thing to do. More confirmation is always reassuring.

Yesterday I spent a day with 4 ladies from a previous seminar at a country house. It was fun to hang out share the ups and downs. One of the lady calls me that I'm like a WD-40 for relationships. I seem to smooth out the edges between people she says. Food was delightful and the walk nice when the sun peep through in the afternoon.

As my agreement to be a coach comes to end, there was a conference call to acknowledge the coaches. I was so happy to find that my coachees all completed the courses and most of them completed the coursework. I never thought some of them would make it. Miraculous!

Pictures: 1) Me and Gretchen 2) Eva, Gretchen, Ginette and Janice 3) Gretchen, Eva and Ginette pointing at the bread that looks like buns.

Becoming emotional

As the time for the departure approaches, both Mom and I started to reminisce about the good old and not so good old days. In some ways, I feel as though I'm going back to revisit some dark memory lanes of night-mares. However, I tend to forget that I'm not the same person and Korea is not the same country from that memory. I know that I may not have enough courage to do something like this if I settled into a comfortable place. So I can understand the adamant refusal on my part to look for something here.

My friend's accident reminds me also how important for Mom it is to live in a safer environment among more enjoyable companies for her older days.

I will send off all documents tomorrow. I'm signing the deal and not turning back.

LODI (Long Over Due Item) - Done!

Just filed my income tax and mom's. I feel so light. Each year I dread it so much. This time it took me 2 hours - that is including losing all my data and re-keying it all over again.

I had another interview with Canadian Language Institute. They are more interesting of course, I'll be working with fellow diverse individuals from Canada. But now that I have something in the works already, I did not feel extremely needy and that made me feel good too.

Today there was an incident where 32 (or more) kids were shot to death in Virginia Technology University. It is unthinkable why shooting would happen in schools so often.

Paperwork 2

I have been working to get the documents - 12 of them. I was super annoyed that I needed to go to the consulate 3 times to get my degree notarized and confirmed. In their web site, it just says get the degree notarized at the consulate. It doesn't say that I need to copy, get it notarized and bring a transcript to get it confirmed there. I got off it. I'm not working and I have time to do it so why get angry and annoyed?

I called my half sister for the first time since my Dad passed in August 1999. I needed the "Original Address" and I did not remember it and my mom did not either. I knew that she would know it. Mom fished out a phone number from a very old address book. I called and there was no answer and the answering machine did not come on. 3 hours later, I get a call and it was her voice. It turned out during the past 8 years, her mother passed away and so has 2nd sister's husband and 2nd brothers wife also passed away. I got the original address and got something more, a possibility to be able to connect to her. Mom was also considering visiting her in Vancouver. My life is almost coming to a full circle.

Paperwork

I got an offer in a record time. This reminds of me of the time I got hired at Cognicase. I went in shook hands, handed over my CV, had a chat for 10 minutes and signed the contract all in one sitting. Then again this was true as for my last job. I called on Monday, went in for the interview on Wednesday handed over my CV and started working the Monday after.

This time, I sent out my CV on Good Friday evening to an agency, I got a call at 10 p.m. from the agency on Easter Sunday evening and got a contract by Tuesday a.m. The employer did not even bother to interview me but my co-teacher was eager to call me and let me know of all the wonderful things awaiting me. She was very reassuring and seemed relieved that I understand Korean.

Tips for those who are renewing their passport - go to Service Canada website and fill out the application on-line as much as possible. This short-cuts 2 hours waiting at the passport office. Mom and I lined up downstairs yes, but as we got to the reception desk and got grudgingly ready to wait for the next 2 hours sitting, she said "You're next! because you filled out your applications on-line". Hooray - Viva Internet!

Another tip, if you ever need a security clearance, you need to go to International Fingerprinting Services Canada (at Complexe Guy-Favreau) and pay 40 dollars. Prince Edward Island Police (why them?- I don't know) will do the investigation and send you a certificate.

Wirlwind of thoughts

As I am getting some more nibbles, I'm feeling a bit more confident. I got all the papers ready to renew passports but I forgot to ask mom to sign. This will cause one more day of delay. I may have to just apply for mother's only and renew when I get to Korea.

There are some public school positions - that sounds nice. Also this Canadian school - nicer except for the fact that I'll have to work till late in the evening.

My aunt says I have nothing to worry about - that God will provide the best for me.
I learnt that lesson when I walked across northern Spain but I keep forgetting.

My note from the universe told me to "buy the shoes" - which I did yesterday. I had to laugh out loud.

http://www.tut.com/mmm.shtml

31st Anniversary

Today is the 31st anniversary of my family arriving in Canada. Mom and I celebrated in China town and I bought - yes, a new pair of sandals to commemorate. It feels just like yesterday that we arrived at the Dorval airport. Interestingly, today we are making passport pictures to get ready for the trip back home.

I had a nibble - an agency from Korea called me last night and I am interested in the position she was suggesting. As I am waiting for the confirmation call, my monkey mind is running 100 miles an hour. There are all these financial matters I need to settle before I go. Plus making sure mom is OK, plus getting ready for taking care of aunt's affairs are totally taking up my brain space. One good news is that I can get the type of Visa in Korea that will allow me to work and live there for 2 years at a time just like a native. Which means that my visa status is not linked to an employer. I wanted to find out right away but all government offices were closed today because it is the Easter Monday.

The trip to San Franciso was a memorable one as well. I ran into another participant from New York at the SF airport and we went into town for some fabulous seafood and window shopping. The weather was unbelievably beautiful and the view of the harbor made us feel like we were in a movie. Tarantino's is the name of the fabulous seafood restaurant.

During the course, one other Korean lady publicly gave up making Japan/Japanese wrong. Her wailing woke me up to what we're up to creating in the world. Yes - some of us are immature, unreliable, and the job in front of us is immense. But I don't know of any other bunch of human beings engaged in creating and committing to the impossible promise for all humankind. I'm humbled, privileged and overwhelmed.

Listening to Bill Clinton on Tedtalks, made me want to find out about this man Dr. Paul Farmer, who could cure the world. I am after all, a student and a teacher who has learnt to communicate not just problems but solutions.

March to remember

March started out fine - with mom's birthday celebration. On March 10th however, as I was taking the first day of TESL course and looking forward to my birthday celebration, I got a message that my dear friend fell and broke her hip - but she has my cake and should come and get it. Frantically I found the hospital where she ended up and cancelled my party. I found her screaming every 3 minutes with excruciating pain. It was just terrible. By the 11th, I got the news that her surgery went well and found her sitting up.

On the 20th of March, as I wasn't dealing with enough stuff in my head, my mom was having some suspicious symptoms - she felt tightness of chest and her left arm was feeling numb. So off to the emergency. She came back home the next morning with some pills. It was some minor heart condition and she just needs some pills, but nothing to worry about. I felt completely wiped and exhausted.

Thank Goodness March is over! My friend is back at home - and mom is stronger than ever.

Some pictures - flowers, cake and eggs - that survived Susan's fall.

Presenting Climate Change to 160 7th graders

With excitement Pamela and I had the opportunity to present Results action to 160 7th graders this morning. It was chaotic, wonderful and learned a lot.

They were unruly and took a lot to get them engaged in the conversation. They did squirm quite a bit in the chairs for the presentation that lasted an hour and half. We ended up with many letters - I wonder how many can be sent.

Breakfast meeting

I was reunited with Gretchen, Eva and Ginette. It was fantastic to be with those ladies one more time. Eva got teary almost every 5 minutes. She's going through tough time because of Interferon treatment for her Hepatitis C.

Robin's recital was not bad. Here's a picture of triplet of hedgehogs - size of chestnuts.

Sequal to the amazing story - from May 2006

I found out that this Rosary I got from Bermuda was returned to its rightful owner - my aunt. My grand-mother took it from her when I sent it and she said she'll take it to her grave.

It turns out that my aunt dreamt of this rosary 12-13 years ago. It had my 2 big uncles with big smiles with a big envelop of important papers. She also saw her bath tub full of water - over flowing with water from the faucet.

Miraculously, the water happened in 2005 and the big envelop is in the midst of happening.

She also told me about another dream where the Pope Jean-Paul 2 gave her the communion when she did not have a TV to watch the mass she so wanted to see. I'm so privilleged to be part of her amazing stories.

Productive day

I had one of the most productive days in weeks. I went to the post office to send off a small parcel, went to the bank to pay the city tax, got the water filter, got my bag fixed up, went to the exercise class. I even bought some tops, in the anticipation of the very hot and muggy summer in Korea.

The new shipment arrived for the Isagenix. I am excited to try it out for the next 30 days. I heard that my big uncle pulled one of his con jobs again. I felt so furious. I also heard that his wife gave my aunt the "permission" to attend her mother's funeral - who she's been taking care of the last 25 years. That crazy woman had the gall to command my aunt to ask for an electric wheel chair from a city government so that she can attend the funeral in it. Of course all this was going on in front of my grandmother who is alive. She'd be so flabbergasted if she heard what she was saying - it is a good thing that my grandma's hearing is so bad sometimes. Auntie shall be independent and free from those monsters once and for all. It is the time to clean up her environment.