Letting the Giant Free

So V-Day is officially done. We had our final meet-up (Cast and Crew Picnic) this weekend and I am all aflutter with mixed emotions. On the one hand, I am so glad to be done with V-Day. It was an amazing experience and I am still in awe that we raised 20 million won for KUMFA. I feel so incredibly blessed to have met some truly amazing and inspiriting people along this journey and now that it is over, we can resume our daily lives--but still take some time to meet up. Aaaand on the other proverbial hand, I am soooooo without a purpose right now. Kat said that usually people get homesick around the 3 month mark and here I am, almost 5 months into my stint in Korea and I am just NOW feeling the effects of said homesickness. I suppose I miss the weather in Chicago (although, I have been hearing nasty words like "SNOW" and "APRIL" and it makes me happy that I am not there). And of course, I miss the people. Jess is graduating and I won't be there to scream for her. I miss my niece and nephews. It's lonely in the future, Dear Readers. I've even entertained the idea of getting an animal to help me cope with the lack of connection that is in my room.
I just need to get out more. I need to get out and see Seoul. Get lost on the subway and take pictures. I enjoy doing that kinda stuff with other people--it's time that I start doing it on my onesy. I also need to get lost in a few good books. I have recently acquired many new books so I will be reading a lot more--this of course, makes me quite giddy. And I also need to sit down and start writing again. I have only written one poem since I've been here. One. Ugh. I need to get motivated. I miss taking my writers group class because I was forced to write each week. Now it's like a holiday--I write when I feel like it. I need to put myself on a strict schedule. I need discipline. I need another cup of coffee...

I've been going through this "what am I supposed to do with my life" phase and when I came across Hunter College's MFA program on my bookmark history--I felt this awakening within myself. This giant is yawning and wants to stretch her limbs--I'm not sure why I nearly had her drawn and quartered. Maybe because I was afraid of her. Afraid of the impact and tremors that I would feel if she fell. Afraid of how tall she would be I allowed her to stand up straight. What would the air be like, way up there? My only answer is to help her up, let her stand and let her be. If she gets taken out with an editorial slingshot, she should get back up and start again.

But I digress.

Teaching. Vaginas. Whiskey. Sox....These things make the world go 'round...

Hello Dear Readers...That should be plural, right? I mean, there are more than just one of you out there? I feel the urge to just hold up a "HI MOM" sign. Sigh.

It's been quite some time since I have posted anything on here--and the last one was about The Moon Bears....oh where to begin?

Since I have been in Korea, I have been teaching, volunteering, grading, drinking, and seeing some pretty amazing things. Pictures you ask? Well...my camera was accidentally left behind in a cab and the cab driver has yet to report that he has it...so no pictures as of yet. I have to get a new camera--but on the bright side, I'm in Asia which is a pretty good place to pick up a nicely discounted one. I'm still researching the one I want--preferably a Sony (just so I can use my other memory cards).

My job is amazing and I love it. I really, really do. The kids are awesome, my bosses are phenomenal--I'm one lucky foreigner. And I have met some truly inspiring people here. Most of them I work with, the others are fabulous people with whom I volunteer. I haven't been able to volunteer with The Bear Truth lately (as I work late on Fridays when they meet) but I have been giving my all to a cause I deeply believe in: VDAY. I am the Volunteer Coordinator of VDAY Seoul 2011 and I'm also in the production itself...the production being The Vagina Monologues. This is an amazing organization that wants to end violence against women and girls. If you haven't educated yourself on VDAY, take a moment and do so. G'head. I'll wait.

So I have been giving so much energy to this cause and it has been so worth it--I'm just so tired now. But we only have 5 more days until this project is over. It's been amazing--it really has, and I'm so ready to do this and have it be over. I know that sounds rather wrong--and I certainly don't mean it the way that it sounds. This year all of our proceeds are going to benefit KUMFA (Korean Unmarried Mothers and Family Association). Being a single mother is tough, but it is wicked tough in Korea. There is a social stigma against single mothers (yet not even a slap on the wrists for the fathers) and most are forced to either have their babies aborted or give them up for adoption. Because of Confucianism, Koreans will not adopt another Korean baby as they view it as "not a blood relation" and therefore, not family. I am so happy to be a part of this year's VDAY organization as well as the performance. I can't wait until it's over but at the same time, I am so happy to be giving my all for this.

As far as the drinking goes...yeah. It's not really THAT often. It's just nice to cut back with friends and enjoy a little whiskey now and then ^^

Which brings me to my next topic...BASEBALL SEASON! And The Sox haven't failed me yet...what other team could cause me to drink during the week. We're off to a slow start, after being swept by the Rangers this week, but I'm still hopeful. After this long of being a Red Sox fan, you kinda have to be.

So that's it for now folks, I will see what I can do about making these posts a bit more regular. Until then, keep your ear to the grindstone.

xox
c