Where the Laughter & Love Always Continues . . .

Co-winkie-dink

I am not alone. My brother is in Korea. I have not seen him as of yet, but yesterday he called to say that he was in his hotel in Korea. He's here in Korea to work. I'm currently in the lobby of his hotel waiting for him so that we can get to know Korea together. The time since I knew he was defintitely coming to Korea to now was soooooo slow. Last night I couldn't sleep because my mind was racing of all the things I can show him. It's also his first visit to Korea; we left Korea when he was 3. It's amazing how things happen. How God shines through in our lives. My brother is here on business, but it's perfect that we're here together. My cell phone number here is 010-6874-5977. The first three is the area code. The next four is interesting--I was born on June 8th and my brother was born in 1974. The last four digits are the same ones as my aunts. Huuummmm. Then, I noticed that my aunt and uncle's license plate. There's a 42 and some Korean letters and then 6876. 6876 is my birthdate. My aunt is 43.  Of all the numbers in the world, those are the number combinations on the cellphone and license plate. Amazing, huh?

Bukhansan National Park

My Uncle Dong Sun took me along on his regular Sunday hike up the mountainside of Bukhansan National Park. I thought my mountain hiking days were over after hiking with Flo in Yellow Mountain. Rather, I had hoped it was over. Hiking was never my thing. Most of my time is spent looking down at the ground and fearing that I may be hit by branches. Although the hike was tough, I enjoyed it overall. My uncle was Roadrunner but was kind to wait and help me at various points. His ankle was greatly injured but he continues to hike and beat all the odds...just because what else is there. I took many breaks of taking pictures and staying refreshed.

It was cool. I was prepared to go on some form of transportation to get the hiking trails. Not necessary. The street hiking was crazy. I thought my aunt's home was on a steep street, but another nicer area had 'crazy' steep-high streets. I was exhausted when we were at the start of the "trail". My uncle knows various routes that majority of people do not know. I actually had to climb over rocks in order to continue on the route. I had not planned on hiking mountain trails after my Yellow Mountain experience (I did enough to last me a long time), but I'm glad I did it. I appreciate Korea's landscape and history after seeing it from a high point. It's different than seeing it afar from Seoul Tower. I am planning to hike some more, hopefully go further than what I did before.

Oh yeah, there are Buddhist temples up on the sides of mountains because at one point in Korean history they were pushed upwards due to intolerance.

First Post Abroad: China

Sept. 19,2004 1:40 am

Okay, okay. I'm ready.. I usually need something to kick start my posts. My friend Mena (one of the co-desingers of Typepad) recommended that I write short, spontaneous reflections, but I'm too use to typing and editing my essays for school that it deters me from making posts at my site.

I can't sleep. It's 1:30 am and need to wake up 6 am to go out with my aunt's family. My mind is on hyperspeed. I'm greatly enjoying my stay with my aunt's family. I honestly like my adventure.

My stopover in China was not too good. I did not have a great time there, but it was definitely good to have experienced it. My dearest friend Florence was hosting me and was awesome, as usual. It was interesting to see her in an unfamiliar setting. The essence of her was the same, but in a different cultural setting. It's cool to be able to separate some part of culture and the individual. (This is my sociological background coming out.) Flo's international group of friends were very friendly, and Flo's parents' apartment in the middle of Shanghai was wonderful. BUT from my short experience of Shanghai, overall I did not care for it. My senses were greatly strained from the cultural differences. Also, I was in mental and physical stress before the trip. I did not sleep the night before leaving because I had an overwhelming amount of things to do before leaving. I was tired but excited as the pilot said that he was preparing to land. The humidity hit me as I left the plane. Shanghai would be sunny (not too hot but I'd get very sweaty from all the walking), rainy, and windy all in one day. (I hate extreme weather---I grew up in LA.) I was not prepared for the different smells: heavy pollution and food. The sense of smell determines what food tastes good. The food may have been good, but to me they did not smell good. I was tired and not feeling too great but not eating much. The food wasn't what I'd normally eat, not in an American Chinese resturant or even Flo's house in America. I was also very irregular (didn't go to the bathroom too much----which was kinda a "relief" cuz not all the bathrooms had toilets. If toilets were available, most of the time they were disgusting.) Another factor was that I was tired. I experienced jetlag and yet couldn't sleep comfortably. My mind was not at rest. One night I had a dream and woke up screaming. In addition the mosquitos loved me; I was their nightly (and some daytimes) Thanksgiving meal. I still have scabs from their bites. (Actually, I'm liked by mosquitos internationally. I still have marks left by bites from Cali.) Oh, my mind may not have been too rested since I was not expressing myself too much. I knew no words in Mandarian (Chinese) nor did I really have a great desire to go through the process of learning it. There were quite a few people in Shanghai who knew English, but I mostly interacted with Flo and the housekeeper.

My experience of Shanghai was nevertheless good to experience. I have more to share on another post. I would not want to discourage a person from traveling to Shanghai. My experience at that time was wasn't the best but wouldn't take it back even if I knew what I know now. Traveling and getting to know people in another culture is VERY INTERESTING. I ddin't think about traveling before, but now I see how traveling is good.

Surprise Party

Yesterday Michelle's parents threw a surprise engagement party for brother and Michelle. It worked out perfectly! They thought they were going to an engagement party for someone else, but they were shocked to find out that the party was for them. As my brother walked up the steps to the Hornblower Yacht, he wondered how strangely the person facing him resembled Michelle's younger brother Derek. (Ironically, the night my brother threw a surprise party for Michelle to propose to her, she saw me first and thought how strange it was to see me at the party. She was told she was going to my brother's friend's party. Isn't that wild?!?)

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day! I hope all you mothers and moms-to-be had a wonderful day of celebration. With our family, we celebrated on Saturday and went out to Cha Cha Cha in Encino. They had delicious Caribbean food. I wiped my plate clean! Tropical Fu Fu Chicken, yummy! On Sunday we visited our recently new member of the family, Hailey Heaven Kim. She is the daughter to my step-cousin. Anyways...family! She's sooo beautiful. Sooooo tiny....although she weighed 8 lbs when she was born. I'll try to post her pictures soon. Can't believe how much hair she was born with. Maybe a little envious of her beautiful jet black, silky hair.

2004 February

February started off horribly. I was sick & my nose was constantly stuck to the kleenex. Everyone seemed busy and back to their weekly grind. Flo went back to China, and I was totally PMSing. But God...sent me a miracle (after I paid $200), and I got better after the second round to the doctor's. My annual weekend with thousands of Catholics was the "cherry on top". I went to the 2004 Religious Education Congress in Anaheim. www.recongress.org I loved it!!! The people there are soooo great, and I learned soooo much. The best part of the weekend ended with my brother proposing to his long-time girlfriend, Michelle Kato!!! Both our families were present for the proposal, and then we shared a meal together. It was sooo wonderful to meet Michelle's family: Mr. & Mrs. Kato, Jason, & Derrick. All are sweet! Yah! It's fun & wild to think about the merging of our families. Too wild! Too Kewl!
Also at the end of February, I started learning to be a volunteer on a rape crisis and "regular" hotlines. It's been sooooo wonderful meeting other volunteers and learning about the active listening without judgments. Amazing!!! More sharing to come!
Oh yeah, Happy Birthdays to: Will's big 20! (on the 3rd); Flo is soooo awesome! (on the 6th); Sr. Claude is soo sweet and honest! (15th); Lorena, Forever a Princess (23th); and Mr. Clark, you're sooo kewl! (25th). There were soooo many birthdays this month, but no parties! Gotta get together soon to celebrate!

New Member of the Hyung Family

Guess what !!!!!!!!!!!!

My brother Thomas proposed to his long-time girlfriend Michelle. She said yes! He proposed in front of both his and her families on Sunday, February 22, 2004. We shared dinner and got a chance to get to know each other better.

Our families are sooo excited !!!!!!!!!!

Congrats, Michelle & Tom !!!!!!!!!!!!

Photos: Hyung Family

2005

2004

2004 August: 2nd Annual Hyung Counsins Gathering
http://joonheehee.typepad.com/photos/200408_hyung_cousins_gath/

2004 July: Oh Ba & Michelle's Engagement Party
http://joonheehee.typepad.com/photos/200407_engagement_surpris/

2004 May: Mother's Day
http://joonheehee.typepad.com/photos/mothers_day/

2004 April: Oh Ba's Birthday
http://joonheehee.typepad.com/photos/200404_oh_bas_bday/

2003

2003 December: Christmas
http://joonheehee.typepad.com/photos/christmas_2003/

2003 August: First Annual Hyung Cousins Gathering & Cousin from Korea Visits
http://joonheehee.typepad.com/photos/hyung_cousins_gathering/

2003 August: Davis & Allison's Wedding
http://joonheehee.typepad.com/photos/cousin_davis_allisons_wed/

2003 August: My mom, dad & I took a trip to Vegas.
http://joonheehee.typepad.com/photos/200302_las_vegas/index.html

1977

1977 Family Portrait
http://joonheehee.typepad.com/photos/family_portrait_1977/

2003 Christmas

Christ's birth is the celebration of the great Emmanuel (God is with us) mystery. And God is with us so that we may know that we are infinitely loveable. To come as a baby was his first and greatest lesson to us, for it teaches us the most important lessons of all about God's attitude towards us.
A child is full of freshness and trusting love. Its eyes are to the future - to growing up. Unspoilt by prejudice or bitterness, each child is a new beginning. A child's loving confidence can make the greatest villain think again, and it can bring new life to the old and weary.
But the greatest lesson is one which we have all experienced when we have stretched out a tentative finger to a new baby - he or she grasps it with an uncanny strength. Stretch out just one finger to the Lord this Christmas and he will take strong hold of you for as long as you let him.

Excerpt from Advent - A Quality Storecupboard The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer http://www.catholic.org/clife/advent/index.php?id=12 © Liguori Publications

TO THE PEOPLE I LOVE: Merry Christmas!
Time seems to whiz on by so quickly; I haven’t gotten use to writing “2003”. What a year it has been! I am so happy to say that this year I felt the most love and support I’ve experienced in a long time! Thank you for being in my life! This year was full of good and the not-so-good. An uncle and cousin died. I recently lost my job. Yet through these experiences I have been able to embrace the good that have come my way.

FAMILY: First, regarding my mom, her doctor just informed us that she does not need another surgery. Yeah! My mom is walking longer and has even ventured driving for 5 minutes (not on the road yet!). My parents and I even took a weekend trip to Vegas. I won $40 (even though I didn’t break even from the trip). This year we celebrated two cousins’ weddings. Another cousin is getting ready to welcome their first child. Also this year was the first time my cousins got together without the parents to share a meal. We also got a chance to meet our oldest cousin who visited from Korea. It was a wonderful occasion because his family is the only immediate Hyung cousin in Korea.

FRIENDS: I am so blessed to include Gerry, Andrea, and Chris(tine) into my circle of friends. Gerry was kind enough to host and cook for my birthday party. Thanks, Gerry! I was there when Dorothy and Ed first kissed as a married couple. I am so excited for Eunice, Dave, and Jakey as they wait for a new member of the family. Congratulations to Mena & Ben as they have expanded their weblogging business). If I understood it more I would write more, but instead check it out yourself. www.sixapart.com/log/company_news/index.shtml Oh, can’t forget: Congratulations to Thuy on being appointed the General Counsel for the Peralta Community College District and Richard for getting a job that he loves at CSUN.

What a year it has been! Inspirations came from great shows like Oprah, Dr. Phil, and Eve Ensler reaching out to create What I Want My Words to Do to You www.pbs.org/pov/pov2003/whatiwant/index.html and great movies like: Seabiscuit, Bend It Like Beckham, Finding Nemo, Together, and Whale Rider.

Through the mix of everything I’ve experienced this year I realized that I am not alone. You have supported me and loved me no matter how much of a wreck I was. I realize that we’re all striving to be recognized and loved. Thank you for making me so happy. Thank you for making me laugh and smile because it’s so fun when it happens! I have been blessed with many people who are loving and inspiring. I pray that your lives are filled with as much of the happiness and love I abundantly receive. Please keep Denise, and all the children out in world without parents who show love and give hope, in your prayers. MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

With Love and Prayers,
Joon

PHOTOS 2003

February: My mom, dad & I took a trip to Vegas.
http://joonheehee.typepad.com/photos/200302_las_vegas/index.html

June: My friend Flo & I took a trip to Hawaii
http://joonheehee.typepad.com/photos/hawaii_2003/

August: First Annual Hyung Cousins Gathering & Cousin in Korea visits
http://joonheehee.typepad.com/photos/hyung_cousins_gathering/

Christmas
http://joonheehee.typepad.com/photos/christmas_2003/