Final Posting

This final posting is the reflection that I gave as a final report to my Team Leader, Jill Olsen. Before I start, I understand that there is little I can say here that will justify this trip. My only hope is that when we are together, I can share some of my experiences with you. Sharing is how we learn. In the end, I hope that you have the opportunity and desire to travel, explore this world, explore your life...

South Korea GSE Team Presentation, 2007.

Jung Bok and I serve as the desktop background for my computer these days. There are many pictures from which to choose. I could change the pictures each day for the next 600 days and still have pictures to spare. The wonderful part is that I have memories that will last beyond 600 days, they remain for eternity.

With this reflection I will not cover each moment. I have decided to take the designated goals and tell a few stories of each and how the team and myself were able to meet this goals.

1. Understanding Korean way of life now and in the past.
a. I begin with the Korean food. I had much anxiety in traveling to a country where we were told that the food is spicy and some delicacies hit the table raw and live. I thoroughly enjoyed the Korean food for its nutrients, its purpose, and most importantly for the time that was spend eating and enjoying the company of our hosts as we ate. Meals and dinning time weather a quick snack or the many meals in which the food never stopped coming, provided many opportunities to slow down our bodies, taking time to rub elbows and knees as it would turn out at most meals. We ate, but more importantly we laughed, sang, and gained much understanding of who the Korean people are through their food.
b. The temple visits were very important to me. The third morning of the trip provided such an experience as I awoke, and my host father gave me the, “let’s go” hand wave and we were on the road in a matter of minutes. We drove up and up through and around a mountain road. We arrived to a quite temple at the midpoint of the mountain. We hopped out of the car and were welcomed by what I came to know as traditionally Buddhist hymn music. I was overwhelmed with emotion as there was a presence on the grounds and I was able to reconnect with a peaceful feeling that I hadn’t had since my last service trip to Mexico. I fought back tears but this was no use as I was washed clean that morning. Clean from the worries of preparation in leaving the United States, clean from the fear of entering unknown territory, clean from any anxiety that many have existed. The Korean way of life is very peaceful. There is much calm, peace, happiness found throughout this culture and I was welcomed to these feelings early on, and would experience these times again and again as we traveled and learned about the Korean way of life.
c. Finally, May 18th, a day in which many died for the sake democracy and freedom in Korea. I was honored to be apart of the stories and ceremonies that took place both on the 17th and the 18th of May. The Korean people believe deeply in the democratic way of life. A life in which all are treated equally and fairly no matter what the cost. For what would you sacrifice life? The Korean people showed us with their actions, more powerful than words, that they would put everything on the line for freedom. A true mark of the heart of any country, especially the South Koreans.

2. Observing vocations and developing personal and professional relationships.
a. We visited many different vocations. From schools to factories, private businesses to government run power plants. I thought often about how many people help me to sustain life through their vocation. Whether it be the clothing that I wear of the foods that I eat, there are many people whom I will never meet that provide me with many comforts in life. I owe them much, repayment through thoughts and prayers is the first step. Second, trying to do the best in my vocation so that I may provide a positive impact on their lives.
b. There were many personal relationships that were developed. Our translators come to mind first. They were able to provide us with much clarity which with their time and wisdom. Another memorable personal relationship occurred with my third host family, the Kim’s. They were very warm and welcoming, going above and beyond the definition of hospitality for three consecutive days. I became very close with Mr. Kim as we shared many pictures, thoughts, hugs and smiles. There was no language barrier between us as we pummeled that wall and experienced much love and friendship.

3. Exchange Ideas
a. Mr. Kim and I traveled to his home on the second night. We made a quick stop, one that would be a major highlight of the trip. We visited his parents. His mom was beautiful and greeted us with many smiles and much comfort. His father, an old war veteran who had served South Korea in Vietnam, has spent the better part of this life creating artwork. They gave me many gifts of painted Ancient Korean and Chinese writings and a painted fan, which he requested that I give to my mother. We drank orange juice as I showed pictures of my home and the people who I loved who were so far away at the time. Smiled were abundant that night as we shared our cultures and thoughts. I learned later that week from Mrs. Kim that she was surprised that Mr. Kim had taken me to see his parents. From what I gathered, this opportunity was not regularly open to colleagues and friends. He allotted me this honor to be in the presence of his parents. I relive that night in my mind often, my heart grows bigger each time.

4. Development of leadership skills, team building, and self confidence. The GSE experience has and will impact many aspects of my life. The following are three areas in which I have grown.
a. Leadership Skills: dynamics of scheduling, organization, and how to lead are a few examples how I have grown in my leadership capabilities. I admire the level of coordination that is needed to produce an experience like we had in South Korea. Each day was filled and scheduled to the maximum and each day was different. A true testament to the abilities of Rotarians and the Korean people who were in charge. I will take these learned and observed skills and incorporated them into how I schedule my days, and most importantly at this point in my life, how I manage my teaching life such as lesson planning, time planning, and how I communicated with parents, students administration, faculty and staff. I will also learn from our leader as she provided many examples that will help me in my personal and professional life.
b. Team Building: it was mentioned at one point in the trip that we were spending more time as a GSE group than with our colleagues and even loved ones. I feel as though there was much support amongst members and there were some great relationships that were built. Communicating with team members has provided me with even more confidence to communicate in front of my class and to my colleagues.
c. Self Confidence: I like to seek adventure, to have good times, fun times in life. I like to explore the dark spots and unknown places in this world. The GSE trip to South Korea has give me even more confidence to continue to do these things in life which I most enjoy. Whether the trips are here in Iowa or around the globe. Most important to me, I have gained increased confidence to travel to where I am needed to participate in the service-based opportunities that I seek and are given to me.


Quote:

“My heart was captured by the culture and the Rotarians of South Korea. I left a piece of my soul in South Korea which will serve a constant beacon of light leading me back to my thoughts and memories in a desire to relive those beloved moments.”

Thank You Gwanju

Packing my suitcase full of many gifts is easier than packing my heart and leaving this country. Another beautiful night tonight and dinner was filled with many warm thoughts...I don't feel sad as much right now as I am still confused as to where this time has gone. We have traveled through this wonderful country for 30 days, experiencing all aspects of culture, to many to list here...

I have found in my limited travels that when you visit a place, you leave a part of yourself there...South Korea has captured my heart, it has grabbed my soul, and those things will remain here, beckoning me from this day untl the end of my days to return to see the places and the people which I have come to know and love...my curious heart wonders when our paths will cross again, how will our lives have chaned, what new visions we will have...

I could talk to you tonight about Chong Bo or Yoda, Mr. Choi or our many hosts...there is not enough space to explain their meaning and impact on my lives as well as those who have helped me to this point...those of you who have gotten me here know who you are, if you are reading this you are one of them and I thank you for alowing me to be here in this place at this time...

For now I will end this message...I really don't know how to do so as the computer screen has become blurred with tears from my eyes...I am not ready to go, but that really isn't my choice now is it...time didn't extend in preparation to leave, nor has it alloted me more time in this place...

My dad would often say as we left family gatherings, "This time till next time.." I think its fitting to end in this fashion...no goodbyes, many hugs and smiles, warms thoughts of our future visits...



I

Mokpo, South Korea

The journey is quickly comming to an end, as we have just finished two days in Mokpo, which is a city near the Southwest coast...more details to follow...

I hope this finds you well...be safe, no worries...

Beth Kirkpatrick

Beth Kirkpatrick, I miss you terribly...thank you and the YMCA for finally paying me, FINALLY...I can't wait to see you when I come back from Korea, yes, I am in South Korea...I am not working at the YMCA this summer, repeat, NOT WORKING at the YMCA this summer...I will be able to come visit you though and have lunch at your house...

Special Note: I will work for the YMCA if I can be garunteed time in the hot tub...you being there is optional...and I get to bring one guest...

One more unrelated special note...we took a high speed train to get to Seoul, and I was able to use the restroom while travelling at over 300KPH, or for you Americans out there...180 plus MPH...

DMZ Tour

We quickly left the hotel this morning and headed out for the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone). As I would come to feel, this would be one of the most intense days I have felt since crossing the US mexico border to do some work fro Esperanza...

A little history...the line of demarcation, the DMZ, or the border between North and South Korea came into exsistence arfter an srmastice at the end of the US involvement in the Korean War...today, the war is not over, there is a ceasefire agreement...

We approached the DMZ in our tour bus. OUr first stop was at a checkpoint in which a soldier, armed with his rifel, came onto the bus and checked all passports...he wore dark glasses and was dressed similarly to the pictures...we crossed a heavily guarded bridge still in South Korea...

The second stop was at a military base which is run by the US and UN as well at South Korea...at this point a US soldier entered the bus and checked all of the passports on the bus, his name was Rogers, a nice young man as would would learn later, who served in Afghanastan for one year and has been at the base for a little over two years now...

Finally through more windings roads and another stop, we could see the North Korean Flag...there are so many more details that will come to mind later...we finally stepped out of the bus for the final time...we had arrived, we were able to see North Korean soldiers and they watch ever move that you make...there is no pointing or lound noises aloud but you may take pictures...we were quickly shuffeled onlto and off of the "Freedom Tower" and then into one of the conrefence building which lies in both North and South Korea where we were able to set foot inside of North Korean territory for about five minutes and take pictures with the men who were guarding the doors and the room. They were UN soldiers...didn't move a muscle for three hours...they didn't speak, more, talk..it was realy intense as we only had five minutes...there is actually a table which lies in both countries, I will provide a picture...

It was interesting to be on both side at once, especially with all the tension, and even more so because we had to sign a waver which stated that we were soley responsible for being on the tour and no one else is responsible for our ssfety but us...we got to keep the paper we signed at the end because we survived...

As usual, more intense than I can explian in writing...but I have the details in my head...three only three more days as of tonight...

Many hugs...

Greetings from Seoul

Seoul has turned out to be a wonderful city. The city isn't as tall as New York, but it is just as busy if not more...I went for a walk arond town last night, and there is much energy here, things are moving fast, and I was glad to realize that the faster pace lifestyle hasn't left my blood just yet...there are many shops and food vendors, people singing and music everywhere...the lights are spectacular in every color imaginable...

More details to follow. We are heading to the DMZ his morning...should be a good time, hope we don't cause an International Incident...

E-mail and blog may be tough for the next few days, but I will keep you all up to date when possible...only four more days in the "land of the morning calm".

Off to Seoul

I have been trying to kep as consisted a record as possible. There has been limited time as of late, but here is a quick run through of some activities that we have been able to enjoy to conclude week three and more into our final days here in South Korea...

Tuesday 29th: The trip tp Meudung Mountain was wonderful. We ended up driving up most of the mountain, and recieved special military clearence to head to the upper parts of the mountain. There are military bases at the top, luckily there is a rotary member who is an ex or quite possible current sergeant in the Korean military. We were told that there are few Koreans who had ventured as far as we had that day...the top of the 70,000,000 year old mountain was beautiful with many rocks that had been grown into pilliars...the attached pictures are of myself climbing the mountain as well as relaxing on one of the cliffs...as we reached the top pf the mountain it began to rain slightly, a truly serene moment as we decended the mountain amongst rainclouds...

Wednesday 30th: on wednesday morning we visited the local convention center which had been recently (2002) been built at a cost around $99 million dollars. The city of Gwanju is preparing to be a lead city on the world and the Kimdaejung Convention center is one of the signs of their preparation. The building equipped with several convention halls, meeting rooms, translator booths in the main halls, and more AV equipment than I have ever seen is one of the many structures that is heading this city into the future...

Later that evening we visited the DAmyang spa, which is a public bath in which men and women are able to bath, sauna, sit in various temeratured pools, even have massages. Like with most of the world, nakedness isn't a big deal and I quickly lost that uncomfortable feeling...(sorry, no pictures here). I think the funniest moment came as I was wading in a cold water pool stading uder the waterfall feeling like I was three years old again splaching our translator Chung Bo with water...return to childhood as often as possible...

Thursday 31st: The final day of May saw the group make our first presentation to a local rotary club. We presented our DVD video and Dr. Jill addressed the clud eloquently as usual. It was a nice lunch a great time to visit with fellow rotarians here in Gwanju. They are fun people, always smiling and welcome to new persons...

In the afternoon we visited the OB Blue Brewery where we recieved a tour of the beer making process and had an opportunity to go to a beer museum and taste a fresh brue all on the premesis. I am not a big fan of beer, but the museum was neat as well as the processes, and we got to meet the OB Blue girls and take a picture with them...

Friday 1st: yesterday we first visited a bamboo garden. These places are so sacred and have been around for so many thousands of years...I am amazed by their beauty and their structures...and everything has a meaning as to what it is where it is...trees, statues, buildings, even where you sit and read all have a purpose and a meaning...

In the evening we visited another spa, this one is called a gingiban. Similar to the other spa, but after you are done bathing you put on what look like doctor's scrubs and you go upstairs for co-ed sauna rooms which range from really hot to extreme cold, ones filled with salt and others with charcoal...I am amazed by how well the Koreans take care of their minds and their bodies, which is evident as they tell you their ages and you sit stunned in amazement by how young they look...

Finally, in the evening we were off to a karaoke bar and ended up transferring locations and visitng a party for our translator Chung Bo who is leaving to serve his two year service to the Korean military...he is a good man and I will miss him much, hopefully to cross paths again...

Today we are preparing to visit a butterfly garden and several other activities tomorrow...we are off to Seoul on Monday and to the DMZ...should be a good time, pictures and video to follow. I hope this finds you well, be safe, no worries...

Updates

Well, I had planned on updating you on the past three days of events...Karaokying and singing and doing the many things that we do here in Korea have kept me up late again...tomorrow morning sounds like a better time...one additional moment to capture...more spa time...

Vision and sound for the night, "SWEEEEEET CAROLINE, OH OH OH!!!" There was much singing, and that was just one of the songs I managed to belt out...

6 more days, loving every remaining minute...