D&D's Trip to Korea: Reception

After 24 + hours, we are finally here! I've been to Korea numerous times but since it's my husband's first time, I wanted everything to be perfect. So far so good. David seemed amazed at the beautiful scenery, yet surprised at how developed it is. Gwangju is a bustling, busy city. He loves how everywhere is walking distance and awes over the number of shops we encounter. Wait till we visit Seoul. He's in for a surprise. The first thing he just had to eat, salmgyulsal (Korean bacon). My grandmother made sure his wish was granted. My entire family spoils David. 

The massaging chair at my granny's he had to try. They were dying with laughter as he oohed and ahhed. 

 South Korea has always been somewhat of a challenge. Although I fall in love with its culture and traditions, my heart breaks as I witness bits and pieces of its history slowly fade away. They aspire to become more westernized. Too many American brands have marched their way in and settled in this beautiful oriental country. And too many Asians misbelieve the American way is the right way. Both countries are so unique in their own individual ways. So, I hate to see Korea lose the traditions they kept so sacredly for thousands of years. But, who am I to say? I still struggle deciding if I'm Korean or American...

My friend Soojin made this rice cake for David (and I, kind of) to celebrate his first trip to Korea. See what I mean? Everyone spoils him..

Anyhow, back to our journey. The main reason we decided to take this trip was so that David could meet my family and understand my culture. Not to mention, we won't be able to step out of Dallas starting next year (thank you, Medical School).

Although David and I married almost TWO years ago (WHAT?) my parents held a small reception for us so that my friends and family members could meet and greet David.

We introduced ourselves and shared our love story. They loved David. He totally outshined me.

I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and blessings we received (many years ago) during our Utah wedding. The same goes with our reception in Korea. Words cannot express how grateful I am to have countless people love and bless us. I was born very sick and was told I would not live long. But, I have lived and continue to live a very healthy and happy life. It would have never been possible without my Heavenly Father, my faithful parents, the countless sacrifices my siblings (especially Grace) made for me, and the great people that have influenced me throughout my life. And now, with marrying David, I have another reason to be happy and worthy (and vice versa). Thank you everyone for your love and support. We are so blessed to have you in our lives.

My friends from Middle School. 중학교 친구들 수진이와 민희

광주 스테이트 성도분들. Members from the Gwangju Stake.

We were so honored to have the Daejeon Mission President attend our reception. 대전 선교부 회장님의 말씀. 오셔서 너무 영광이였습니다. 

My BFFs and their special somebody. 홍아언니와 성은이와 그들의 스페셜한 남자들..

My family: Daddy, granny, cousing Hyemin, and mommy. Families are together, forever. 내가 너무 사랑하는 우리 가족. 참석은 못했지만, 항상 생각하고있습니다..

저희 하례식에 와주신 모든 분들 너무 감사드립니다. 여러분들의 사랑과 축복 속에서 저희 부부 아주 잘 살겠습니다. 같이 참석 못했지만 멀리서 응원해준 내 동생들, 너무 보고싶고 사랑한다.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DIANA!!

Hello world, David Eng here.  I would like to say to my dear wife, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" And yes, in all caps because that is how awesome she is.

Diana is turning 28 years-old today.  She has complained all month long about how old she looks, yadda yadda yadda, but to me she still looks like she's 23.  Seriously, does this look like a 28-year-old to you?

Obviously not.  Unless looking 28 means looking ridiculously pretty and cute.  This picture was taken at her birthday dinner at Ai Sushi Sake grill, which has great sashimi as one can tell from this photo.

Some more photos of Diana's Birthday Weekend:

The Bartletts gave Diana a birthday donut-cake!  It was hard for her to choose which one she wanted.

We ate chicken burritos, Diana's new favorite dinner.  Because I made it.

In honor of Diana's 28 years of awesomeness, I will list 28 little-known facts/things I like about Diana:

1. She is Korean.
2. She says she's 5' 0'', but she's actually 4' 11".
3. Her favorite animal is the owl.
4. She is a huge bookworm.
5. She is great with kids
6. She says things like "Dungeon Dragons!" whenever a song by Imagine Dragons comes on the radio.
7. She sings at the top of her lungs at random.
8. She is a great ballet dancer.  You should ask her for a demonstration sometime.
9. She can cook amazing Korean food.  Which explains how I gained 10 lbs since our wedding.
10. When she sits down her feet can't touch the floor.
11. She is afraid of the dark.
12. She loves cupcakes.
13. She color organizes everything in her purse.
14. She eats kimchi with EVERYTHING.
15. She calls stretching "exercise."
16. She keeps a journal of everything she does.
17. She loves the X-men and Avengers. (nerdification in progress)
18. She has kept every card, letter, and note that I've written to her.
19. She lets me play videogames.
20. Whenever she is surprised she will hit whoever is next to her really hard.  Watch out.
21. She is a great listener.
22. She gives great massages.
23. Her favorite color is also my favorite color, so we always match.
24. She is the messiest eater I have ever seen.  
25. Her favorite music genre is 90s Korean Pop.
26. She has the cutest smile.
27. She is very generous to her friends.
28. She married the coolest man alive, a testament to her good taste and intellect.

Diana, I, along with the rest of the world, are truly blessed to have you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DIANA!  I love you!  <3

Back to the Unattainable Utah

Thanks to Utah/Mormon weddings, I had the chance to go back to my Utah. Every second spent in Utah was pure bliss. My little Emily married in the Lord's temple for time and all eternity. It was such a blessing and an honor to be a part of a sacred, beautiful Spring wedding! 

Bridesmaids

Emily's pure and contagious smile.

Post wedding, the remaining days of my trip were spent between both Provo and Salt Lake City with family and friends.

Sandwiched between my rocks, Areum and Becca.

Our Temple, the Bountiful Temple.

Sister and brother-in-law. 

Siblings (minus the youngest).

 I love my family.

Visiting Utah Valley was bittersweet. I am grateful to have finally moved on to a new chapter in my life,

 but it is difficult to see those who were a big part of my life (in Utah) stay there and carry on perfectly happy without me. Their current lives used to be my life. Now, it is my past, my memories. 

My heart did wonder if moving back might be a possibility. But my heart also (quite literally) felt the consequences. Blue again. Short of breath, again. Irregular heartbeats, again.  Utah, although you offer me such comfort with your values, your traditions, your beliefs, and with your people, why can you not offer the most basic necessity, oxygen?  

"A person will be bewildered if he goes in another's road. Rich or poor, your must seek happiness in your own world. We can all reach the same happiness, but you must go in your world and I go in mine. That is life."

--Rita Golden Gelman, Tales of A Female Nomad

.......

Oh Utah, my unattainable Utah, you will always have a piece of my heart. 

The Giving Job

My kids learned about trees this past week. On Friday, during our week recap, my kids told me it was important for us to be nice to trees.
"Why?" I asked.
"Because they give us so much: shade, paper, homes to animals, fruit," they said. "They also give us these shelves, the blocks, and home center so that we can play."
"How can we be nice to trees?" I asked.
"When we are in the art center, we use one paper and flip it to use the other side," they said.
These kids make me proud. I decided I just could not end our unit on trees without introducing Shel Silverstein's  The Giving Tree, and The Lorax, by Dr.Seuss.

 

So off I went to Half Priced Books, a new gem we've discovered. I decided not to purchase the books (Amazon offers a better deal and the books were too dirty). But, I took my time to reread them. There are no words that will explain my emotions that I felt right then. My heart was warm, fuzzy and definitely swelling with much gratitude. My job as a Preschool teacher gives me countless opportunities to not only revisit my childhood, but to remind myself of the most important things in life. With time and age, we get so distracted, so confused with what the world throws at us. We easily lose track the core values of life. I find myself constantly complaining so much about my job: the pay, the management, other staff members, and of course, sometimes, the kids. I forget my job is to teach and guide them. I am there to teach them to love what life gives us and encourage them to make the right choices. And what better way to teach children than being an example myself?

This job humbles me in so many ways. And, I thank my Heavenly Father for guiding me back into the education field. Despite the daily battles I have (with myself) about my job, I am so grateful to be doing what I am doing. With that being said, I would be lying if I didn't say I'm excited to take a break from my monsters. This girl is flying off to Utah in three days. Yay to Mormon weddings!

Side note: My man said he was in desperate need of greasy Chinese food. To spice things up, I brought along kimchi. My man wasn't embarrassed. At all. Marriage does miracles.

Blue Skies & Blue Bonnets

Life has been, well, ..... life. David and I barely see each other as David is buried with schoolwork, and I barely survive each day with my monsters. This is our ninth month in Dallas and we still had not stepped out of our comfort zone to explore the city (and cities nearby). A few of my students' parents suggested that I visit the city of blue bonnets (the State flower of Texas). David, being the good husband he is, happily (?) took us to Ennis. We were joined by David's friend from medical school and his wife. Yay to double dates!

 Pretty. Pretty as a flower, Mr.Eng

Medical school can make life tough for the both of us. We needed a break from the same routine. I've been reaching for traveling books (currently reading, Tales of A Female Nomad ). I have no desire to become a nomad, but I was itching to get out and do something different. We might have not stepped out of the country, not even Texas. But, this short trip was perfect. Beautiful scenery, great company, and good food. For some reason, blue bonnets reminded me of Blue Bell ice cream. Now, that would truly top things off, wouldn't it? .....  David!!