Living the Life

Yummy new threads. 100% - yes, that's right 100%- of the profits will go to help North Korean refugees. Oh, and for those of you who aren't pros with geography, the map is North Korea and South Korea at night. Of course North Korea is the country that is completely dark. If you want to order one... or 20... let me know! $10+shipping.

I've been out in storms like this before, all by myself. I've never left my dogs in the woods, and I'm not going to now, even if I have to look for them myself.
-Wilson Rawls, Where the Red Fern Grows

But, we're never really completely alone in the battle. Sometimes it just feels like we are.

Prison Break's Wentworth Miller is Korea's newest American obsession. Miller is Bean Pole Jeans' poster child. I can't wait til Korea finds out he's half black. It's ironic since it is a known fact that this "developed" country still embraces archaic practices of discrimination. It is more than ten times harder for a black American to get a job than a white American. Last week, I actually had a child give me an essay that described how she went on vacation and chose to make friends with the white kids rather than the black kids because it is easier to be friends with people "similar to yourself". When I pointed out the fact that she is Korean - not white- and therefore whites are no more "similar" to her than blacks, she was speechless. I had another child write me a story about an "ugly black faced baby". At least in her story, the baby grew into a hottie, but the step mother still hated her because she was black. A while back, I had my third graders write reports about any African country. When I gave the assignment, many of the students said, "I don't like black people" and then chose to write about Egypt on the basis that there are less blacks there than other African countries they know of. I've taught my fourth and fifth graders about Nelson Mandela, the apartheid, Martin Luther King and civil rights movements. At the beginning of those units, my kiddies all groaned, "Why do I care if there are equal rights for blacks?" When I tell my children that I used to work in an all-black neighborhood in the states or that I have two black little sisters, their faces scrunch up and they just say, "why, teacher?!" Hopefully, once Korea realises Miller's multi-ethnic background, it can shed some much needed light on the problem.

1,100+. Yup, that's how many signatures we got TODAY alone. Thanks to my pals, Patricia, Che, Hee Chang, Robb and Jennifer. You guys are troopers.

Koreans are really big on the whole dream interpretation thing. The funny part is, apparently if someone dreams that you commit suicide, get murdered, or die in any strange way.... well guess what? A whole lotta good fortune is coming your way!!! Yep, if your friend dreams that you get mauled by a tiger, you probably better buy a lottery ticket because it's your lucky day!

I just don't know how I feel about that.

A lot of you have probably read about Ashley in a post every now and again. She rocks. So does her soon-to-be husband's music. I also LOVE the song "The Lost Souls" by Seoul's very own.

If you want to help fight injustice, you can do so from the comfort of your own normal life! Here in Seoul we have started a nationwide campaign to petition the UNHCR on behalf of the NK refugees living in hiding in neighboring countries. Currently, they are ignored by the international organization and despite certain countries being signatory to the Convention Regarding the Status of Refugees, the NK refugees are living with literally no rights.

If you want to join us in solidarity, I can email you this petition and the signature sheet in Word format. Later, I will give you the address to send it back to us so we can put the signatures you gather with the ones we get :) Drop me an email if you are interested!


Currently, an estimated more than three hundred thousand North Koreans have fled North Korea to escape starvation and various forms of oppression violating basic human rights. Hundreds more are escaping the injustice every day. The majority of these individuals are subject to perpetual poverty and the absence of all fundamental human rights once they have escaped North Korea.

The constant fear of repatriation to North Korea forces those who have fled the country to live in hiding. Women and children are particularly vulnerable to exploitation because of the threat of exposure of their hidden existence. Repatriation will result in harsh treatment such as limited food rations supplied by the North Korean government, imprisonment, and even death.

In November 2006, analysts from World Food Programme determined North Korea was on the brink of a famine equal or surpassing the 1994-1998 North Korean Famine that resulted in the death of more than 3 million individuals.

We can no longer remain complacent regarding the needs of North Korean refugees. We can longer sit back as they escape the peril of a callous regime only to meet equally unjust persecution outside of their own country.

We recognize and applaud the United Nations’ continual strive for peace and the alleviation of poverty and injustice throughout the world. For their commitment to serve all citizens of the world, we are deeply grateful. It is in this same light that we petition the United Nations to ensure signatory countries adhere to the commitments of the 1951 Convention regarding the Status of Refugees.

Corresponding with the 1951 Convention Regarding the Status of Refugees, as signers of the petition, we request that United Nations:
1. Uphold Article 1 by granting official refugee status to all North Koreans that have fled or are fleeing North Korea with “well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion”.

2. Uphold Article 33 by ensuring the prohibition of repatriation of individuals, who upon a forced return to North Korea will face the threat of “life or freedom… on account of … race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion”.
Hold countries that have signed or ratified the Convention accountable for their treatment of North Korean refugees. We request signatory and ratifying countries acknowledge the fundamental right of all North Koreans living in hiding to seek refugee status without fear of persecution and repatriation. We also request the participating countries make ample efforts to uphold and promote the basic human rights of North Koreans residing within their country.

3. Hold countries that have signed or ratified the Convention accountable for their treatment of North Korean refugees. We request signatory and ratifying countries acknowledge the fundamental right of all North Koreans living in hiding to seek refugee status without fear of persecution and repatriation. We also request the participating countries make ample efforts to uphold and promote the basic human rights of North Koreans residing within their country.

I found this on the DPRK blog...




Any you would like to add to the list?

And you should too. And then tell your friends.

Today I got "the email" from my best friend. Yep, that's right friends... its time for my boy, Anand's, March Madness Pool. I'm pretty sure March Madness is the kid's version of Easter. It's not quite as big as deal as Christmas because basketball doesn't hold a space in his own personal sports tri-fecta, but it is a good excuse for some special event. If you know my Nanie-boy, be sure to give him an email to get in on the action. We're talking about the kid who got suspended in high school for running a $3000 pool.... so who knows what the stakes are like these days.

This is my sister. She suffers from TBI. She is somehow simeltaneously the most precious person to me on earth and the person I treat the worst. I still don't know why that is exactly. Something about being caught in between missing the person she was and embracing the person she is. She is the person whose mere name can bring me into a full-blown stream of tears with the same intensity as ten years ago when I was walking to one therapy or another down the pasty white corridor of the hospital holding up my frail little Angela. There are people who say time heals wounds, but I'm not sure it's that simple. I probably love you more than words can express and then some, Angelina.... and I love all of you friends who have been more than a blessing to us.

Yesterday some of my Korean friends that I am fast considering my favourite people here took me on an impromptu affair. They decided everything we did - right down to what I ate... usually I'm usually not the type to like others to plan everything and definitely not the traditional sight seeing type but yesterday I subject myself to the whims of others and it was FABULOUS. First we ate pasta -what Italian girl wouldn't be excited? We talked about God, justice, love and law. Quality. Then, we went to the northern side of the city where the mountainous backdrop fed my long overdue want for real nature. On top of that, we went on a little neighborhood hike through some traditional Korean houses. When I thought things couldn't get any better, they took me to see three different North Korean research institutes - both semi-clandestine and publicly acknowledged. To top it all off, we went to the art district to see some lovely shops and galleries and drink traditional Korean tea. Because of the bitter wind and the crazy hike I did in three inch heels, my friends kept joking about how I would write a blog called "Painful Memories"... but seriously, I don't think I have had such a wonderful day since I was in Colorado. It was downright amazing.... the only unfortunate thing was I didn't have my camera!

Truth, like gold, is to be obtained not by its growth, but by washing away from it all that is not gold.
-leo tolstoy

A story I wrote a long time ago about this little fella is being featured by Relevant Magazine! Check it out... :)

Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths,
you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

psalm 139:7-10

Thailand's Finance Minister, Pridiyathorn Devakula, resigned in a not so silently manner a few days ago. His exit has led the already faltering popularity of the Coup further down the path of public dismay. Foreign investers are weary and new nationalist approaches appear to make Thailand an unfriendly place to do business. A decade after the Asian Crisis, while for the most part, other countries wounded in 1997 appear to have picked themselves up and gained solid footing, Thailand may see a glimpse of history repeating itself.

The resignation may also allow the former Prime Minister, who attributed his newly trim body to a recently acquired abundance of free time allowing him to do yoga; to gain popularity for the next election. Yes, that's right. Despite reporting that he was fully committed to his new "Enjoy Life Party" that focuses on "playing golf, traveling, relaxing, meeting friends" and not being "too serious about life" it looks like Thaksin might have some things cooking on the back burner with his old faithful, Thai Rak Thai - translated to Thais love Thai - Party.

I have a feeling this won't be the last we saw of ol' Thaksin.