this is for my mom...

happy birthday!

you have been asking me to write a post about your trip here so i will make it part of your birthday present :)

you have no idea how excited i was to see you when i picked you up at the airport. i couldn't believe you guys were really here. it feels so long ago now but i remember that moment well. can you believe you were in korea? sometimes i can't believe i am.

i loved seeing korea through your eyes. you gave me a new perspective as a first-time asia traveler, overwhelmed with the language and all the new experiences. i was impressed. you did really well adapting in the short time you were here.

i loved hearing you try to speak korean the first few days :) and even more impressed when you got better over the days.

i loved seeing you struggle through some of the cultural differences. i loved that you were able to deal with those struggles with such an optimistic attitude.

i loved walking with you on the beach. no matter where you are, you are at home on the beach. busan was no different.

i loved that you picked out a fresh fish at jagalchi fish market - you went for it! that was such a memorable experience (and the best fish i've had in korea!)

i loved that we found the outdoor foot spa and went into the wrong pool first.

i loved that even in korea you can still make friends with strangers.

i loved that you tried new things.

i loved exploring new places with you. busan. the dmz. seoul.

i loved how affected you were by our experience at the dmz. you put into words some things that i was thinking but couldn't express. it was a pleasure to look into the south korean side of north korea for the first time with you. i vividly remember walking down into the 3rd tunnel of infiltration and ducking under the dripping ceiling, imagining the toil of the north korean soldiers. i can't believe i have a picture with you standing on the north korean side of the panmunjeon conference center. thank you for coming with an open mind and open eyes to share that with me.

i loved the night view at the base of the seoul tower. i'm glad you convinced me to keep going. thank you for your endurance during a long day.

i loved seeing you in my classrooms in front of my students in 'teacher mode'. i'm so glad you got to see why i love them so much. thank you for your extra work in getting your class to send pen-pal letters to my students. it was so much fun for everyone.

i loved that you gave your attention to the people who have meant so much to me here.

i loved that you came to visit me in korea.

i love you! happy birthday!