love.

"It always fascinated me how people go from loving you madly to nothing at all, nothing. It hurts so much. When I feel someone is going to leave me, I have a tendency to break up first before I get to hear the whole thing. Here it is. One more, one less. Another wasted love story. I really love this one. When I think that its over, that I'll never see him again like this... well yes, I'll bump into him, we'll meet our new boyfriend and girlfriend, act as if we had never been together, then we'll slowly think of each other less and less until we forget each other completely. Almost. Always the same for me. Break up, break down. Drunk up, fool around. Meet one guy, then another, mess around. Forget the one and only. Then after a few months of total emptiness start again to look for true love, desperately look everywhere and after two years of loneliness meet a new love and swear it is the one, until that one is gone as well. There's a moment in life where you can't recover any more from another break-up. And even if this person bugs you sixty percent of the time, well you still can't live without him. And even if he wakes you up every day by sneezing right in your face, well you love his sneezes more than anyone else's kisses."
- 2 Days in Paris.

Has the cycle finally been broken? Love.

this american life.

I'm writing this blog post at Starbucks. In America. Iced latte in hand. Blackberry beside me. Typing on my MacBook computer. A view of the lake in the distance. I just finished exercising in an air-conditioned gym that is less than 3 miles from my house. I drove to get there. Last night I served $20 steaks to people who are among the wealthiest in the world. Then I went home to sleep in a bed, under a fan, complete with pillows and sheets. Soon I will begin working on my second degree at one of the most expensive universities in the nation. I do not take these blessings and privileges lightly. But today I wonder, why me?

I am immensely grateful to have been born in this country and at this particular time in history. I have been given a life of comfort greater than most can dream. I don't plan to renounce my citizenship or even clean out my closet full of clothes and shoes, but a sense of guilt does wash over me now because I know I have not done enough to make the world a better place. Three years ago I traveled through some of the most poverty stricken nations on earth and now I live as if I've forgotten all that I've seen. I shop too much, spend money on expensive and unnecessary drinks, and do not set myself apart as someone whose purpose is to serve the needs of those less fortunate. It's so hard to remain passionate about the world when surrounded by affluence and apathy. But I blame no one but myself. Listening to Tracy Chapman's song, "Mountains O' Things," reminds me of the calling I've received to care for the poor and provide education to the millions of children living without. I will use my blessings to change the world.

"Oh they tell me, there's still time to save my soul. They tell me, renounce all of those material things you gain by exploiting other human beings." - Tracy Chapman

goodbye asia.

It’s strange to think that one small variable in life has the power to change the whole course of events. I wonder who I would be today if I hadn’t decided to move to Changsha, China 3 ½ years ago. Would I still be living and working in Arkansas? Would I regret not having been brave enough to follow my dream of seeing the world? Who would I be now if I hadn’t met Grant and started traveling throughout the country every weekend? Would I still have fallen in love with Asia, or would I have returned after just 1 year? What career would I have chosen if I hadn’t explored teaching and discovered so much satisfaction in helping others learn? Would I have pursued an advanced degree or would I still be working in youth ministry? So many events have shaped who I am today and I am thankful for the journey. My time in China and South Korea has been the source of invaluable lessons and has forever shaped perspective of the world. I wouldn’t change a thing.

Right now I am flying high over the Pacific Ocean and am about to begin a new adventure. Transition is never easy. My mind is filled with memories of days spent traveling and living in Asia while trying to remain positive and hopeful about the future that awaits me in America. I know that I am ready for a change, but it doesn’t make the move any easier. So much of my identity is now wrapped up in being a foreigner among a sea of people with a language and customs so different from my own. I have grown accustomed to the stares and unfamiliarity. I have found contentment and happiness in the ability to make friends easily and travel to exotic countries on a whim. I have never felt as free as I have during these last few years. In many ways Asia now feels like home. It’s hard to say goodbye to a place that has provided so much joy, so many friendships, and countless new experiences. However, I know that this part of my life must come to an end if I want to move forward and reach new goals.

As I prepare to close this chapter I couldn’t be more thankful for the memories that will always remain. I will never forget the initial excitement of boarding that first flight to the Far East and not knowing what to expect upon arrival. The friends that I laughed and partied with on the backpackers trail in Southeast Asia. The joy I felt hopping on the back of a motorcycle taxi at 4 o’clock in the morning to watch the sun rise over Angkor Wat in Cambodia. The uncontrollable laughter shared at a belly-dancing show on the beaches of Thailand. The moped rides through the streets of Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Eating a breakfast of fresh fruit, banana pancakes, and hot coffee on a porch overlooking wing-tipped Balinese rooftops. Riding buses and trains to new cities throughout China. Exploring the markets of Malaysia and feeling so content to travel alone. Photographing beautiful Indian, Khmer, Chinese, and Korean children. Walking around the sparkling streets of Singapore with my best friend and favorite German. Dodging cows and tuk-tuks throughout Rajasthan. Hiking the Great Wall of China for the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth time. Feeling empowered and confident while teaching university students. Turning the corner and seeing the picturesque Taj Mahal. Strolling through the night market in Luang Prabang followed by a heavenly massage before bedtime. Spring mornings spent reading and writing on the patio of the Coffee Bean in Olympic Park. Dancing until the sun came up on the beaches of Thailand, the Philippines, and clubs of Seoul. The hours spent in front of the Forbidden City after midnight laughing and trying to get the perfect Facebook picture. Shopping in Myeong-dong and Sinsa with my best friend. And these memories are just a few of the hundreds that I am lucky enough to call my own. One person doesn’t deserve so much happiness. I am immensely blessed.

I am now returning to America with the hope of obtaining a master's degree in education and social change so that I might one day help to educate refugees, immigrants, and children in developing nations throughout the world. Perhaps the greatest thing that I have learned in Asia is that as a person who has been given every opportunity to succeed in life it is my responsibility to give back. And so a new journey begins.

“Change is the essence of life. Be willing to surrender what you are for what you could become.” -Unknown

india revisited.

I ate Indian food today. I swore I'd never do it again after traveling through Rajasthan last year and being sick almost the entire time but so far, so good. The chicken tikka masala, palak paneer, and butter naan tasted delicious but I'm still not convinced I won't have to run to the bathroom in the middle of the night. I guess tomorrow I will officially know whether or not I am once again a fan of Indian cuisine.

The moment I walked into the Indian/Tibetan/Nepalese restaurant this afternoon the smelled of curry hit my nose and memories of the trip came flooding back. The frustration of arriving in New Delhi after 36 hours of travel and with no luggage. The crowded streets full of beggars and tuk-tuks and cows and turbans. The feeling of turning the corner and seeing the Taj Mahal for the first time. Stepping in a fresh cow patty while wearing flip-flops. Taking a boat ride along the Ganges River and witnessing sacred Hindu rituals. Photographing snake charmers, children, and colorful sarees. Eating Indian food, getting sick, and then eating it again the next day. Bathing under a faucet in almost every hotel room. Almost dying in the Muslim quarter thanks to a show-off driver. Mutton curry with the texture of a sponge. Touring old Maharaja palaces. Being forced to pay an excessive amount of money for a bad henna design that stained my hand for 3 weeks. Passing camels on the side of the street. Cheering when Shahrukh Khan finally got the girl in a Bollywood film. Missing the train to Mumbai and seeing it as a sign from God to escape to Singapore. Spending time with the most wonderful travel partners.

So many wonderful memories, and even more that I'd rather forget, all from a simple lunch date with friends. Sometimes it's fun to reminisce about the past which almost always seems better in retrospect. Although I will most likely avoid revisiting India in the future, I am thankful for the experience and the lessons learned. And I am thankful for chicken tikka that doesn't cause food poisoning. Yummm.

the lunar new year.

Celebrating holidays overseas always provides a great opportunity for learning more about a country's history and traditions. This past weekend was the Lunar New Year in Asia, known as Sol-Nal in Korea. On Thursday all of the kindergartners came to school dressed in hanboks and we had a fun afternoon spent playing games, eating dumplings and chapjae, and making kites.

Here are a few photos from the day:


my class (and wonderful korean co-teacher) wearing hanboks to celebrate the new year. getting everyone to smile for this picture wasn't the easiest thing i've ever tried. and i obviously didn't succeed.


my aspiring artist, olivia, showing off her cute smile and dress.


playing a traditional korean game.


jiwoo... my little genius. today we spent almost thirty minutes devising a plan to publish and market his latest mystery novel. i am the editor and was promised $20 upon the book's release. he is six and amazes me everyday. is it wrong for a teacher to have favorites? if not, he is mine.


the kids learning to properly bow for their grandparents.

새해 복 많이 받으세요!

happy valentine's day!

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." -1 Corinthians 13:1-8

favorite foods.

I love Korean food. I love the spicy flavors, fresh vegetables, and perfectly marinated meats. I love the taste of kimchi and the texture of squid. And I've even developed a love for the different varieties of rice. Food is perhaps the one thing I will miss most when I leave this Asian peninsula next week. I could be wrong, but I don't remember having so many healthy choices in America.

A few photos of my favorite meals:


dolsot bibimbap. vegetables and rice mixed together with a spicy sauce and served in a steaming hot bowl. my #1 favorite!


donkasu. fried pork cutlet topped with sauce and served with rice.


kimchi jigae. spicy soup made with vegetables, kimchi, and tofu. eaten with rice.


fried "pancake" made with vegetables and squid. yummm.


sam bap. BBQ pork wrapped in lettuce leaves.


kimchi and side dishes! served with every meal.

Bon Appétit!

caramel latte conversations.

Coffee almost always taste better when accompanied by a good book, a moleskin journal, and a best friend.

james 2:14-26

"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."



I first posted this video almost two years ago and every time I watch it am reminded of the Jesus' command for us to love one another. Throughout the last two weeks I have seen painful images of a nation destroyed. Children left orphaned. Family's desperate to find their loved ones. Bodies broken under collapsed buildings. Haiti, the poorest nation in the western hemisphere, has been shaken and destroyed. At times it seems like there is no justice in the world. Why are those already living in such extreme poverty forced to endure more heartache? Where is God is the midst of disaster and suffering? Why are some blessed with money and food and education while so many struggle without? My heart aches to find an answer.

I will not forget the people of Haiti who now live in makeshift tents and wake up each day to a painful reality. I will not forget the malnourished children that I talked and laughed with in Cambodia. I will not forget the crippled who were cast aside as beggars on the streets of China. I will not forget the victims of war with missing limbs that I walked past in Vietnam. I know without a doubt that I have been called to make a difference. I truly want to be the hands and feet of Christ in a broken world.

"Now that I have seen, I am responsible. Faith without deeds is dead."

snowflakes on my lashes.

This week was gray skies, jackets and scarves, Ugg boots, slippery sidewalks, walking through a snow-covered park, old friends reunited, darts and cocktails, running at the gym, New York City sweatshirts, coffee and music, best friend talks, thoughts of home, and hope for a new year.

my cute class.

I am a kindergarten teacher. But even more surprisingly, I am a kindergarten teacher and I enjoy it. The transition from giving lectures to some of China's top university students during the first half of the year to working with six-year-olds wasn't easy. I have always preferred teaching older students to those that are younger... no whining, no time-out corner, and no pleading with them to learn. However, I can now honestly say that I look forward to seeing my thirteen Korean kids each day. I love their curiosity, the sound of their voices as we sing in the morning, the excitement that fills the room during craft time, the impossible to answer questions they often ask, and watching them learn new things. It also helps that they are brilliant students who speak near perfect English. I must be proof that people change.

A few photos of the kids I have grown to love:


dressed up for halloween.


cute girls.


hannah and the grasshopper she found at sky garden.


playing in the snow!


drinking hot chocolate, listening to christmas music, and making homemade cards!


singing christmas carols.

"Teaching is as sacred as priesthood, as innate a desire, as inescapable as the genius which compels a great artist. If he has not the concern for humanity, the love of living creatures, the vision of the priest and the artist, he must not teach."
- Pearl Buck

holiday in hong kong.

Travel. Travel. Travel. Will it ever get old? Last week I boarded a plane bound for Hong Kong and set off to explore yet another city in the world. Although I have lived in China for over 1 1/2 years in total, I never made it to Hong Kong while I was on the mainland and have always been eager to check it out. It was so fun to walk down busy streets full of diverse people, roam through crowded shopping districts, eat delicious Cantonese food, spend time with wonderful friends, see the illuminated skyline at night, and just hang out in one of the most international and exciting cities in the world. I think I can now leave Asia without regrets of places left unseen.

A few photos from the trip:


drinking bubble tea with rob and eva. love it!


crowded streets.


cantonese women on a bicycle built for two.


lan kwai fong. the place to party in hong kong!


senada square in macau.


eating dimsum!


so many high end stores.


the skyline from on top of the peak!

"The plane a symbol of worldliness, carrying within itself a trace of all the lands it has crossed. Its eternal mobility offering an imaginative counterweight to feelings of stagnation and confinement." - Alain de Botton (The Art of Travel)

first train home i've got to get on it.

I've been in love with this Imogen Heap song since buying the new album a few weeks ago. It pretty much plays on repeat. It also happens to nicely coincide with my current thoughts about travel, the future, and the idea of home.

"I want to get on with getting on with things. I want to run in fields, paint the kitchen, love someone. and I can't do any of that here, can I?"

home on the other side.

A new job and another new apartment. This is where I now eat, sleep, read, watch TV, send emails, etc. My own little 9' x 10' home on the other side of the world.

Views from every angle:







"I long, as every human being does, to be at home wherever I find myself."
-Maya Angelou

island paradise.

It was so nice to get away this past weekend and to leave the chaos of the city. As much as I love living in places like Beijing or Seoul where there is constant movement and people, it's good to experience the quieter side of life every once in awhile. So this weekend Eva and I went to her beautiful hometown, Wando. We read and talked and laid in the sun and listened to music and ate tons of delicious food (so much in fact that I've declared a fruit fast for myself during the remainder of the week) and drove all over the islands. I couldn't have asked for a more relaxing or fun two days. I am thankful for these beautiful escapes into paradise with a wonderful friend.


enjoying a sunny afternoon by the ocean.


playing in the sand.


the perfect place to read and write.


another view of the islands.


sunset over the city.


driving with the windows rolled down and sufjan on the ipod. perfection.

can't steal happiness.

Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings, and once you have achieved happiness you must never become lax about maintaining it. You must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it. If you don't, you will leak away your innate contentment. It's easy though to pray when you're in distress but continuing to pray even when your in crisis has passed is like a sealing process, helping your soul hold tight to its good attainments.

- Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat. Pray. Love.)

NBA in seoul.

Today I watched former NBA players, coached by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, lose miserably to a Korean team. While it hurts my heart to know that any other country has the ability to beat America basketball players (no matter how old and out of shape they may be), it was a good afternoon. I love my friends, free tickets to sporting events, rowdy fans, and unexpected fun days in the city. And now I am even more excited about returning to Texas and watching my Dallas Mavericks in action.


there were actually more people at the game than appear to be in the picture. i guess most of the crowd was sitting on the other side of the court.

the weekend.

Chicken and beer in the moonlight. Marc Jacobs fashion show on repeat. Much needed haircut. Forever 21. Jazz club and friendship. Reliving high school days on the Hongdae playground. Apple cinnamon hookah. Learning about obedience. Noodles in Sinsa. Good conversation. Playing with friends in the park. New movie night. So much laughter. I am blessed.



Happiness. Only real when shared.

sunset in the park.

Last night I took a long walk through Olympic Park at sunset and just enjoyed the hot summer air as I thought about my return to the city. This has always been my favorite place in Seoul, and it still doesn't disappoint. I love coming to this park after a long day of work, running through the tree-lined paths, or just soaking up the vibrant surroundings on the patio at my favorite Coffee Bean cafe. I am happy to be in Korea again, but so much has changed... or maybe it's me. It's a strange feeling to to leave one job in Asia only to return to another country that still isn't your own. I am learning that life is full of unexpected journeys and I am anxious to see where it will take me next!

oh beijing.

The last 6 months of life have been wonderful as I moved to Beijing, settled into an apartment in the city, worked at China University of Political Science and Law, made new friends, learned more about myself, and returned to Korea. Sadly, I haven't been able to update my blog regularly because of government Internet restrictions, but all of of that has changed now that I am in Seoul. Anyway... about China. It's hard to share an entire experience in only a few short sentences, so I'll just say that it was a great adventure. I will miss my apartment building filled with old people, riding to the subway station in a little green tuk-tuk, shopping at fake markets, teaching brilliant law students, watching illegal DVDs, dancing in Sanilitun, and spending time with people I care about. I am thankful for the journey.

A few photos from Beijing:


me and g-ragland's living room.


my bedroom.


my sister at tiananmen square.


the great wall of china at simatai.


camping trip on the great wall!


eating german food with my favorite german.


the 2008 olympic bird nest.

I think I will always love China.