Saturday, June 13, 2015

Some Spring Shots

Here is a little pictorial journey through Spring in Seoul. Enjoy!


An evening walk to Namsan Tower in Seoul


Monday night sunset over the Han river (through the bus window)


The first cherry blossoms in March


A magnolia tree in bloom on my street


Cherry blossoms with my friend Rebekah on a visit in March


Hiking and playing in Jirisan (southern Korea) with Anne Michelle in May


Jirisan forest


Jirisan vista

Jirisan


Our favorite spot in Jirisan


Korean palace in Jirisan on a personal tour by friendly locals


Rainy day walk in Jirisan


A cup of barley tea...and later mountain vegetable pancakes and rice wine


My birthday temple visit in Yongin


Zen rock statues at the temple


My Zen rock tower with birthday intentions


Buddha Birthday Lanterns and plentiful azaleas 


Temple view


Sunset from the Airport en route to Jeju in May


Post a long weekend of beach volleyball in Jeju with Heather


The bagel shop near my house, a weekend routine


Yanjae river, a short walk from my house


Sunset on the Han River


A Yoga workshop in Seoul


AcroYoga fun in the park with friends


Choir concert with dear Seoul friends in attendance

Saturday, January 17, 2015

The first full week of the new routine

Blessings and salutations! Here is a quick update with some pictures of my work and home life. I'm settling into the routine here, intentionally building in time to breath, relax, read, express myself, volunteer, and practice. Being social has not caught up yet, and I'm very okay with that. May you find peace in your routine today, too. 

My classroom - the gym with a stage, full mirrors, and a piano. It's a wonderful space. 





Some 5 year olds, the youngest students at the school, showing their emotions and expressions that we're learning about this week with musical Mary Poppins












A 6 year old class having fun with stretches (very yogic looking) in gym class with Mr. Jared











My Sacred Space at Home - a one room studio with heated floors and plenty of space for me








 


Thursday, January 8, 2015

A Day in Fukuoka Nature

Three relaxing days of nearly no agenda and the space to be were a great respite from Seoul and the structure of working. One hilarious misadventure (well, two) was that on Monday after I went to the Korean Consulate, I walked to Ohorikoen lake, in part to see a Japanese garden on the south side of the lake. I thought I had found it, but the gates were closed. When I consulted the tourist map I was given at the airport, it turned out that they were closed on Monday. So, Tuesday morning I set out to see another Japanese garden near my hotel in Hakata and...it was closed on Tuesdays I found out upon arrival. So Wednesday became the lost Japanese garden day. I wandered the gardens, drank matcha, and languished in the chilly December air for much of the day and eventually made my way back to the airport for a late flight in a nearly deserted airport, Visa in hand. A successful trip in all of the ways.  

I will post updates from Seoul soon! 


The canal under my hotel (I didn't have this view, unfortunately.)



Rakusien Japanese Garden


Serenity


Traditional matcha tea and sweets


I had a wonderful conversation with these two women - who spoke nearly no English - about balance, harmony, nuclear dangers, Yin/Yang energy, the tranquility of Japan, and warm-hearted people in the tea house. Often, words are far less necessary than we think.





Harmony in the tea house


I loved this tree!


Garden #2 at Ohorikoen







There is ever peace, balance, and nonattachment in Nature. These traits are effortless to resonate with when surrounded by beautiful scenery.