grad school

As many of you may know, I am applying to business school... an MBA would be a phenomenal compliment to my architecture and design background. Whatever God has for this next season of life, this application process has been helpful and provided insights as to where I am and where I want to be. I have several essays to write, in which I have to articulate my career goals and express in depth what I've learned and how I've grown through my experiences. Growth isn't always easy when you're in the middle, but looking back is incredible. If we could only remember this when life is rough huh?!

fabulous guests

My parents came down to see us for a couple weeks in October - so fun to have them out! It's amazing how spending time with my parents is a huge "aha" moment. I haven't seen them a ton during the past couple years, so when we do have time together I am reminded where my enthusiasm comes from, or why i think having appetizers every every night is normal. Like someone once quoted, "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." So true. It truly was a delight to show them around and enjoy their company. We took them to Matt's graduation and grad ball, drove to the beautiful white sand beaches of Destin, had our fill of southern food, and spent some time in Atlanta, catching up with family friends. Thanks for coming, Mom and Dad!

alabama

We are settled into our place in home sweet Alabama and woa the culture shock is thick. Going from Seoul, South Korea (population 40 million, buzzing of mayhem 24/7) to Enterprise, Alabama (population 5,000 in the deep south).... has inevitably been a bit of a change. Although we are back in our native country, it has been an interesting transition. One thing that has been great is that we speak the native language here; can't even tell you how much simpler life is when you speak the language fluently.

Another thing we have noticed being in such a prosperous country.... "keeping up with the Jones." We miss the international lifestyle that was so temporary and involved nothing related to accumulating material things. But in the United States, the rat race is nuts. We had never noticed it before since it is so pervasive and normal here. Not that Korea isn't materialistic, quite the contrary, but not being a part of their culture, the things that lure them didn't lure us. The hot music there, the cool cars there, the things that they spent so much money on to keep up with their own culture were not temptations for us, because generally they aren't things that we could bring home with us, nor things that interested us.

We hope to embrace the international lifestyle again someday, but for now it's great to be home. My only complaint is that I am again small! I can't even reach the top shelves in my kitchen here! (That was never a problem in Korea!)

norway, the prettiest place on earth.

At the top of a rugged mountain pass in late April.  Because we were so far north, treeline was only at 3,000 feet.  You feel like you're on top of the world.

Stavengar, a posh little sea town on the western coast.  

The fjords.  Amazing.

Bergen. 

Oslo.

sweden

Stockholm was gorgeous.  We would love to live there for a season.  Design is vibrant and progressive.  The place just oozes of class and fashion.  And it's true, most of the Swedes are tall and beautiful blondes.  We stopped by an interior design exhibit and saw some really rad and unique ideas.  It was the most relaxed trade show I've ever been to, a reflexion of the laid back Swedish calm.  

 These teenagers were singing for their music class.  Phenomenal.  

Brand spankin' new....... just a wee step up from our $300 ride in Korea.

Gamla Stan, the Medieval island where Stockholm began.  It was doomed to be abandoned in the mid-twentieth century,  but some of the city planners and prominent local designers pushed to clean up what was then a filthy slum.  Today it's one of the coolest old world Medieval cities, full of quaint boutiques and cafes.  We visited during the week, and in this "Silicon Valley" of Europe, people were busy but it was refreshingly uncrowded.   

ta ta korea

we're on the final sprint of our two years in seoul.  we can't believe it's coming to a close.  it's been a good experience...... full of both challenges and blessings.  we've had such great friends here, they've made this season in seoul a hundred times better.  whether drinking coffee or playing paintball, seeing the cirque du soleil performance or running a 10k, traveling together or going to a sauna house, they've been our family here.  thank you to everyone who's been on this adventure with us!  we'll miss you.  

yip yip yip

see that chubby black one in the back looking the wrong direction?  that's the one.  

not for us.... my parents are the ones taking the plunge!

( i might try to steal him.)

spring! finally!!!

not for sale

One book we recently stumbled on - and highly recommend- is 

Not for Sale: The Return of the Global Slave Trade-- and how We Can Fight it. 

David Batstone is a professor in the Bay area and gives lots of insights into the heart breaking realities of the global slave trade.  He explains through stories and statistics how it develops, is fed, and how we can help.   

He illustrated examples of other ordinary people who each followed a higher purpose, to help take a stand against the evil.  It's heart breaking for us.... how much more must it be for God, who can see all of it unfolding.  We are excited to be available to help this cause and be a voice for the voiceless.   

our $300 car

ridiculous, huh?!

Changing Plans...

Life is nuts sometimes.

We found out that Matt would be working internationally again next year, but in a location that Annie wouldn't be able to join him... a year apart isn't something you plan on nor forward to on your wedding day.  That's when you begin your lives together, right?  

So our minds were whirling with plans, research, and how to make that year apart as purposeful and positive as possible.  That is when we got the call that actually, plans had changed and Matt wouldn't be going away for that time.  Hesitant to get our hearts set on anything, we indeed found that this was true and that we'd be living in our home country again, together.  That's thrilling news, almost too good to be true when you've been on a roller coaster ride the past few months trying to figure out where all the pieces are going to land. 

All of this reminded us that no matter what happens in life, there are hard times and seasons that stretch us whether we sign up for it or not.  Life is full of change and in certain capacities we embrace that: in adventure, in travel, in trying new things, in exploring the world around us; but in other capacities, change is scary because of the uncertainty that accompanies it.  But we have found that despite our fear, it's been a chance for us to put our faith in something larger than ourselves and rely on the only thing in life that is unchanging.  

Cheers to life. 

Hong Kong

A city laden with rich cultural contrasts, a fascinating history, and an international flair that can be rivaled by only a few cities worldwide.....  this is Hong Kong.  It's one of the easiest places to get around and had more variety in terms of people, cuisine, and culture than other Asian city we've experienced.  

Each metropolis has its own personality, its own customs, its own eccentricities.  Hong Kong's were all intriguing, teasing our curiosities to look a little further, take one more photo, look out over the bay a bit longer... and soak up all that this beautiful city embodies.  

The highlights of our trip were the view and experience of visiting Victoria Peak.  We took the old school, original tram up the steep mountains to the top.  The view is absolutely stunning.  Arriving to the vista in the early afternoon is key to enjoying both the day and breathtaking night views.  Another highlight was the Hong Kong Museum of History.  Fantastic.  We also stumbled upon a beautiful old church that happened to be having a service, so we popped in.  

We were in Hong Kong just before two big events: the Chinese New Year and the United States presidential inauguration.  Chatting with store owners and local business people from all over the world, the buzz was very much about the economy, the inauguration, and how the new year decorations were much more discreet this year since money everywhere is tight.  And despite everyone saying the holiday wasn't as elaborate as it usually is, it was still ridiculously festive and tastefully done for the most part.  Reds and golds, lanterns, paper decorations, lucky money envelopes, and kumquat bushes everywhere with red ribbons reminding you of the celebrations.  

Shopping in Hong Kong was among the best in Asia.  They have created an environment that fosters business with low taxes and as a shopper you get the benefits of no sales or import taxes.  There was an interesting juxtaposition between the western style business districts and the traditional crowded Chinese street markets.  Both are cool.  Totally different.  

Since it's a business center of the world, there is a lot of evidence of wealth.  And with that comes need and desire for more high end design.  Annie was in heaven.  Some of the world's premier architects and designers have influenced the city's image and put their mark on life in Hong Kong.  It's beautiful.  Hong Kong is different than most cities over here in that they have had a history of embracing and merging different ways of thinking and doing life.  And the genius of that is that the best of both cultures has survived.  Their government is much more stable and people-centered than that of China.  The British influence is evident in the freedoms that people enjoy there, and the city planning that makes for a beautiful urban area sprinkled with parks and fountains, tons of places to sit and enjoy a nice day.  But it also has maintained the charm of old China with its festivals, it's polite customs, and hospitality.  Very cool place, we loved it!