iv. 'I just want to die'

I realized while I was talking with a friend today

that I say that 'I want to die' a LOT.

To clarify, I don't actually want to die,

it's just that when something is too overwhelmingly amazing,

or cute?

it feels like I'm having a heart attack

or that I'm about to explode

from overexposure to cuteness

and I'd just rather die.

For example: Ah, Meghan,

this baby owl is nuzzling my arm and I just want to die.

In other (more relevant) news,

one of my students, Erica, was sick for weeks

so my 4 year olds made her a card.

It's amazing what they're capable of :)

And to tie all of this nonsense in:

My students are so cute I want to dieeee.

iii. New title. New goals.

After 선영's wedding~

1] This past weekend was my first experience singing at a wedding and this will sound weird to people not in Korea, but for my second Korean wedding, it was surprisingly lovely. Being a typical Korean wedding, some of the unfortunate expectations were fulfilled, but it was... I don't know how to explain it in a blog.. just really good. Skype or call to know more :) I'm very thankful to 선영 for asking me to sing and totally in debt to Brett Chesney for playing piano so beautifully (and so last minute!).

2] Before recently, I was really preoccupied with thoughts of being unfulfilled. I had the opportunities to do such great things when I first got to Korea that I got greedy and wanted more. I had all these grand accomplishments in mind but for the wrong reasons. And I didn't even realize the mindset that I was developing. And even worse, I had let people affect my ambitions and allowed my joy to be robbed. But, I'm so so so thankful for grace and love that is always so present and evident in my life. I thank God that anything, absolutely EVERYTHING is redeemable. And that life is beautiful.

3] I changed the title of my blog because of some important realizations that I made. I will always invite people into my life, but I've come to believe that my friends' involvement with me in Korea is not about something to be invited to. Korea is no longer an event that has happened and will finish. It is part of my road less travelled that is never ending and always changing. And blah blah blah I guess you'll have to keep reading to find out what happensss

Ok! Enough for now. Bye, and happy Movember!

ii. Wow.

So, I work a lot and I work hard, but it's been worth it after I've completely fallen for my kids. I teach 14 four year old Korean cuties and it's been SUCH a joy. I laugh every single day and sometimes they do such adorable things that I just want to die. Can you tell from my gushing that I just love them??

One great thing about my job is we'll do different trips or activities which are actually pretty interesting. We've had pajama day, cooking days, field trips, and holiday parties. Almost everything I do with my class is stressful since they're so young and there's so many of them, but we manage and always have a great time. Here are some pics of my babies that make my Monday-Fridays go by so fast...

:)

LXXXVI. The Road

Thanks to my darling Eileen (and after my brother's recommendation), I was able to read The Road and just finished it. It was a good day to read it too. The sky was gray and cloudy for most of the day, a heavy rain dropping sporadically. When I arrived home after work, I opened the windows to let the perfect breeze cool down my apartment. Then, with a sandwich in one hand and book in another, I curled up and began reading. How you read a book is so important, right? Anyways, it was perfect.

So, on to the book...

I thought it was fantastic. It's definitely the ultimate men's coming of age book, with McCarthy's candid, cut-throat style of writing and the two main characters being a father and son. Some people thought it was slow, but I loved how he explained the details of living. It was like a post-apocalyptic Robinson Crusoe. I could sense a deeper thread than just two individuals trudging through the wasteland, but since I just finished it, I can't judge yet what I think it was or meant. All I know is that it made me think about the weight of life and how fragile but at the same time resilient it is. Especially since I find myself in a foreign country, my own wasteland of sorts, fighting for life, I connected with the characters and really did see them as heros. They maintained their integrity and morality, though the world seemed to abandon everything. Any of you living in a city will agree that once someone is rude to you, it's so easy to be rude back. I guess this book inspires me to overcome the "eye-for-an-eye" mentality. At least, I hope it does...

My co-worker, Madigan, just started reading it. I need her to hurry so we can discuss the ending :]

i. A new chapter

oh my goodness...

If it wasn't for this adorable coffee shop near my apartment,

I might've been lost forever. I've missed you all, very very much.

First! Mailing/work address:

Lisa Puckett

c/o LCI Kids Club

SeongJi Building 2nd floor

Bangbaedong 837-16

SeochoGu, Seoul City,

Korea 137-060

Second! Update:

I moved in and started working right away. It's hard not to compare my experiences last year with this one, but they are completely different. I'm right in the city, so it's incredibly convenient, BUT the Korean staff isn't as.. accommodating. My immediate area is kinda ghetto, but I found an amazing little coffee shop close enough and laid back enough that I can show up in my pjs and fart around. Everyone's nicer in my area since it's not as ritzy, so overall I like it. My apartment is just a one room studio (with no loft like last time), but I'm nesting well and busy making it look awesome. A vid and/or pictures to come soon!

This week of vacay has been spent catching up AND saying good-bye to a ton of people leaving. At first, though I knew this would happen, I was really sad, but my co-workers that live on my floor are amazing and I'm able to connect with some new people. Sooo, lots of new beginnings... which is good, yet frustrating and stretching at the same time. I miss having people around that really know me and love me for who I am. Well, I know everything comes with time...

ALL THIS BEING SAID I MISS YOU ALL INCREDIBLY.

Seriously, once I get internet, Skype...

I have some addresses and I found the post office, so letters to come soon!

Write me or at least give me your addy! I just bought cute stationaryyy lol ^.^

You can reply with any specific questions that you may have~!!

Love,

Lisa

This made my week:

Jessie: HAHAHA i didn't realize you had no phone. i texted "i miss you." and your mom answered

"this is lisa's mom, i miss you too."

LXXXV. Verklempt.

I'm leaving for Korea on Tuesday. I found out last night. I have a lot of explaining to do.

[From the beginning]

I knew before I came home from Korea last December '09 that I would return.

In fact, I was shooting to be back in Seoul by March at the latest.

But it was too soon with the holidays, birthdays, weddings, babies, what have you...

So I had planned on returning to Korea in August.

I was applying for many positions, but the perfect one hadn't popped up.

Then about two nights ago, a recruiter found a job that

might as well have just been tailored for me, it was that perfect.

I told my mom about it and she had been praying for that exact position; a sign of faith.

I'll be working in a school in Gangnam in Seoul, Korea,

which is exactly where I wanted to be and a tough position to find.

I'll be working with pre-school to kindergardeners which is my fav age-group,

with opportunities to use my singing and acting to engage them during lessons.

I'll have the same class all year, which is so great to develop relationships

and make a lasting, positive impact.

My salary is amazing, and to top that, we get holiday bonuses (who does that in Korea?!)

I work normal hours 9-6 so that I can eat dinner at home and be more involved in the evenings.

Ahhh.

SO, all that being said, I'm very excited but extremely sad that I'm leaving so soon.

Thankfully- I SOLD PANDA TODAY! (whew)

And my job here told me I didn't need to worry about the rest of my hours.

I got a bit verklempt today and my stomach starting acting up a LOT

so, I really hope that y'all understand.

I can only see you once since there's a lot to be done,

but please call me and let's make that happen. :)

Follow my Korea blog: http://yesyoureinvited.blogspot.com/

LXXXIV. Whoa Korea..

So many new songs and new groups for the summer.

I can't keep uppp.

LXXXIII. Le Panda

The best car in the world:

Most of you know I'm moving back to Korea

so sadly I have to sell the love of my life,

Panda,

my '91 Jeep Cherokee,

before I leave the States sometime in August.

If you're interested or know of someone else who may be,

please let me know!

Speaking of pandas, this is also really great:

LXXXII. I like too many things

“I like too many things and get all confused and hung-up running from one falling star to another till i drop. This is the night, what it does to you. I had nothing to offer anybody except my own confusion.”

LXXXI. Where Go the Boats?

By Robert Louis Stevenson

Dark brown is the river,
Golden is the sand.
It flows along for ever,
With trees on either hand.

Green leaves a-floating,
Castles of the foam,
Boats of mine a-boating--
Where will all come home?

Dedicated to Jessie & Isabel

LXXX. My room's hot like these vids

Ok Go, you were Ok live, but your music vids are sick. These will keep you entertained for the next half hour. G'night!

LXXIX. All I can think about are boats

This is Kim Tae Hee,

one of my favorite Korean actresses.

These are some photos from a reason shoot

that I thought were so classic.

You'll have to keep up here, because

the last photo reminded me of something:

Did anyone follow Jessica Watson, the 16 year old sailor?

She just finished her (solo) sail around the world

and kept a blog.

If you think about it, Magellan kept a blog of sorts,

but back then the 'b' was silent.

He named the Pacific after the Spanish word for "peaceful".

I highly doubt Miss Watson would have agreed.

Anyway, I seriously can't stop thinking about boats.

If I had time, I'd try to build one of those pirate ship models.

They're fantastic.

LXXVIII. Fingers crossed

Two nights ago I had an awesome interview for a position in Korea

and my heart was pounding so hard.

I can't stop thinking about being back

and seeing the loves I've missed so much:

my family, friends, even my students.

However, I wish I could put you in my pocket.

VISIT ME.

Anyone can.

A round trip is ~$600 off-season...

:]

LXXVII. Some of you will get upset

The only games I really care about are for the FIFA World Cup. Sure, other sports are "fun" and I enjoy watching them, but soccer's the best.

I will be following South Korea, Uruguay, and Brazil, but rooting for South Korea all the way. Don't ask me why, that should be obvious.

If you're not into the games as much but want to keep up

you can find the upcoming matches and scores here.

If you ARE into the games, let's watch them together

and yell at the screen. I'll bring the baked goods.

LXXVI. Jonsi

This month has flown by so quickly,

yet a month ago feels so far away.

A month ago, Jessie and I were in Philly

experiencing Jonsi live aka a show that changed our perspective

on music and the way we appreciated the beauty that surrounds us.

My biggest regret is not convincing all of you enough to go.

I can only dream to make music that inspires

as much as Jonsi's does,

but, hey, he had help...

LXXV. Time heals all wounds

I've been having stomach problems (again) lately so I've been staying home.

It was rainy today so I decided to record a song I wrote spring of 2010

to share with my silent audience my progress.

I may mess with the structure and lyrics,

but this is basically it.

It's a rough unedited version

that will be recorded with layers of other instruments

and vocals,

but I hope you like it in its simplicity too.

Decide to See

I had to pull us under

For I could know no other such as you

(As you)

Our past in the distance

Fades with my resistance, there's not much time

To lose

If I could go back, go back, go back

To the days when love was true

And turn back the time I made the choice

But chemistry's the fire

That burned the things I knew

Now I sit in silence

I battle with my memory

There must have been some good times, but I can't see

(Did I see)

I was blinded by possibilities

I wait the day that I decide to see

(Decide to see)

If I could go back, go back, go back

To the days when love was true

And turn back the time I made the choice

But chemistry's the fire

That burned the things I knew

Now I sit in silence

Survival is all we know

As the battle ensues

If we surrender...

My conscience is surpassing

A heart that wants to move

LXXIV. Is it possible for your soul to be tired?

LXXIII. Let me come home..

LXXII. This week:

LXXI. Virginia History Pt. 4/5: Good Eats, DC

Chrissie and Susan celebrating Susan's certification!

Food stops:

Potbelly's, Fairfax

Fish Market, Alexandria

Ben's Chili Bowl, DC

Ray's Hell Burger, Arlington

Johnny Rocket's, Georgetown (the mocha shake)

mom's kitchen, my house

**Guapo's in Manassas and El Pollo Rico in Arlington were on the list,

but I assumed those types of things would be better in California.

Day 4: Sleep in, Ray's Hell Burger, & shakes and shopping in Georgetown.

Day 5: Tour monuments and then the most incredible meal (돈까스)

by my mother, Mrs. Puckett.

I hadn't ridden a double-decker since London

and quickly remembered how great it was.

I had toured the DC monuments and museums by foot tonsss of times, but I must say that the Hop-on, Hop-off double-decker bus is amazing. A bit pricey (we paid ~$30), but if you are visiting for two days, it's really great (and only a few dollars more). There are three routes with a ton of stops that cover pretty much all of DC and parts of Arlington, VA. The next time someone visits, I'm saving my feet and doing this again. But watch your head and don't get decapitated..

LXX. Virginia History Pt. 3: National Museums

Favorite quotes:

"We're like two peas in a pod,

two corns on a cob."

"Your car's been revvin at you."

"She's got tourettes."

"Why don't you git er done?"

"I ain't payin no more child support!"

"Let's just play it by.. numbers?"

"I think you meant by ear."

Day 3: Tour the Air&Space Museum, National Gallery of Art,

& the Natural History Museum

Today was a ridiculous day, but it was so fun and we learned a lot. I'm so tired that I refuse to write anymore for this post. Enjoy the random photographs..

Eat at Ben's Chili Bowl with some Jubilee alumni :}

Can't believe I get to hang with Shawn and Adam

outside of Korea- this is amazing. Jessica, you're next!

LXIX. Virginia History Pt.2: Thomas Jefferson

Facts I liked:

Thomas Jefferson could read, write and speak 7 languages.

His next endeavors were supposedly Gaelic, Arabic, and Greek.

Monticello was inspired by designs and inventions from around the world

(not just France) and put together by Jefferson himself, a self-taught architect.

What a babe...

Day 2: Tour Jefferson's home, Monticello in Charlottesville, VA

It's amazing how a person's home can really reflect the individual. Washington came from a Puritan background, with a heavy appreciation for nature and had plain, yet of high value, taste. You can see that pretty clearly just from pictures. But, around the time Jefferson came along, the Enlightenment was having its effect. His design and decor were more extravagant, based on foreign art and inventions. I mean, hello Grecian columns...

Besides that, Washington embraced the art of boarding visitors and therefore created a house that accommodated for them. It was open and inviting with lots of spare rooms. Jefferson was not as welcome and often saw a guest out minutes after they had just arrived. The rooms in the Monticello were made to spark conversation and inspire the visitor at first glance.

Both were great men with great ideals but totally different. Sorry TJ, but I made myself at home.

If and when I have a home, I want it to inspire AND comfort.

But that'll be a while...

LXVIII. Virginia History Pt.1: George Washington

Myth Busters:

George Washington did not have teeth made of wood.

They were made of hippo tusk and human teeth.

Washington did not live a private life.

His household had boarded 600+ guest during his presidency,

most of them complete strangers.. I could have been one of them...

Last night I picked up a dear friend, Susan, from California, whom I met while teaching in Korea. For 3 months we've been excited about her stay in VA/DC and now it's finally coming together! We've created an itinerary for her week long stay and.. sheesh.. it's packed. I should start a tour guiding business considering that I've done this 3 times now this summer alone. I do love DC and it's history though. I learn something new and incredible every time.

Day 1: Tour Washington's home, Mount Vernon

Walk around Old Town Alexandria, the Torpedo Factory and Christ Church

Surf 'n Turf dinner at Fish Market in Old Town

yummm...

Jealous? You should be.