Learning from an 18th Century Scholar

Those living in a foreign country all know of the benefits and difficulties. Being an optimistic person I like to focus on the benefits and what I can learn from our differences. Apparently this isn't a new idea in Korea.

In the 1700's a scholar, Park Jiwon wrote about what society can learn from the needs of practical or ordinary people, a defamiliarzation.

Park Jiwon is regarded as one of the greatest thinkers of the so-called "Practical Learning" movement.

Living in S. Korea or the Republic of Korea ROK as it is more commonly known here I see an amazing blend of old and new.

Just wandering though the streets you see the modern mixed in with the ancient.

S. Korea is going through a renaissance. The change is amazing and overwhelming even to me who has only been here a few months. I only hope that the 'new' emphasis to retain the Korean culture and past continues and the ROK doesn't dissolve into another westernized society.

Because of all the construction of mega apartment buildings and the fact that there are approximately 22 million (yes) people in Seoul alone, space is very limited, but the Korean genius has found a way to include parking realizing the vehicle is not just a convenience anymore. You can imagine the spaces are very small. This is why your side mirrors on your car fold back...so you can get out of your car after you back into your parking space.

Here is a space designated just for women. It is larger and easier to back into. While this may be sexist to some of you I think it's great because I live here. The S. Korean's are very honorable and you would never find a man backing into this space, for numerous reasons. I'm sure eventually they will begin to designate these spaces...bad parker. I'd like to see the sign for that!

On a side note:

From the latest State Department Briefing.

QUESTION: I have a question on – about a recent missile launch talking about North Korea. This is their second in the last week. I want to know if the State Department has a response to their latest provocative action.

MS. PSAKI: Sure. Well just to repeat for those of you who are not focused on this at this moment, let me just give you a little more information. According to U.S. Government information, North Korea launched two Scud class short-range ballistic missiles from its southeast coast Monday morning. Both missiles flew in a northeasterly direction and landed in the sea. We are continuing to closely monitor North Korean activities and intentions, and we’re closely monitoring the situation on the Korean peninsula.

We urge North Korea to refrain from provocative actions that aggravate tensions, and instead focus on fulfilling its international obligations and commitments, including by abiding with the United States – United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718, 1874, and 2094. Scud missile launches are a violation of these UN Security Council resolutions. These resolutions require North Korea to abandon its ballistic missile program in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner. So we urge North Korea to exercise restraint and take steps to improve its relations with its neighbors. The onus is on North Korea to refrain from provocations.

Read more: http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/texttrans/2014/03/20140304295315.html?CP.rss=true#ixzz2v2R3me00

Adventure

To most people having an adventure means going on an unusual trip that will test your physical and mental abilities. For instance last evening I was watching an adventure cyclist, Rob Lilwall ride his bike across Tibet into India. One doesn't usually think that doing mundane daily activities can be an adventure…they haven't lived in S. Korea!

In S. Korea, venturing off a U.S. military base is definitely an adventure. Where I live, in Uijongbu, most people do not speak English…any English, except customary phrases like yes or Happy New Year, which doesn't mean they comprehend, sort of like my Korean. In necessity I have gotten very good at Charades. The problem comes when you are dealing with a machine.

My husband and I just wanted to go to the movies. I had gotten very good at traversing the traffic and parking structure in the Shinsegae Mall, it's the only place I've found that replicates shopping at home; so I go there often. After being directed to our parking space, we took the escalator to the top floor where the movie theater was. We didn't care what we saw, we just wanted to go to a movie in a theater.

From first look the theater looks just like a regular theater. These people are all standing in line for snacks and tickets. We stood in the line for the tickets waiting with hopeful hearts there would be something we wanted to see at a somewhat convenient time as we were all ready there. 

Then we came to this. It took us a while to find the English button. We pressed, but it wasn't as helpful as we could have wanted. Finally, after staring at the screen for 5 minutes we ascertained that there were two movies we could watch that were in English. One was an animated children's movie which we nixed and the other was in English, but not sure what it was about. We chose the latter, or tried to. After selecting two tickets several times we finally realized the seats are designated and there was only one seat remaining in the theater! 

We went home, ordered another movie from Amazon, made hot cocoa with peppermint schnapps and relaxed, promising ourself we will try again, maybe.

N. Korea S. Korea Family

Family. We all have family, one way or another. It's odd to imagine family you are not allowed to visit, especially in this day and age. Not just visit physically, but using technology, no email, no FaceTime or Skype, no phone calls, nothing.

Today is the final day of reunions that start last week and were the first since 2010. They are unlikely to happen again soon and most have not seen each other since the Korean War ended in 1953. The Korean War ended with a cease fire, not a peace treaty, technically leaving the two Koreas still at war.

The reunions are part of a key inter-Korean deal meant to improve bilateral relations that worsened last year due to the North's third nuclear test and its threats of war against Seoul and Washington. After the North demanded that Seoul postpone its yearly military exercise it backed down in a rare concession.

"The time has come to tear down the wall that has separated the two Koreas over the last 70 years," Lee Chung-bok, North Korea's vice chief of the General Guidance Bureau.



South Korean Lee Oh-soon, 94, left, weeps with her North Korean brother Jo Won Je, 83, after the Separated Family Reunion Meeting at Diamond Mountain in North Korea



Tearful: South Koreans hold hands with their North Korean family members (pictured inside bus) before they are separated again.



South Korean Lee Yong-sil (right), 87, cries after meeting her North Korean daughter Dong Myung-suk, 66, during their family reunion.

Ambassador

Being an American citizen and living in a foreign country makes you nothing less than an Ambassador of your country. It always surprises me when foreigners complain about how something is less than, in my case, American or behave badly, litter or disrespect common curtesy. Living in a foreign country is an amazing opportunity that you as the foreigner should embrace.

As an Army wife I feel I represent America two fold. I represent my country as a citizen and as a military wife.

Being in the military is a juxtaposition of sort because Army bases in foreign countries are considered American soil. However, most of the service staff is from the foreign country and in my case Korean. By being friendly and sincere this affords me an informal way of learning customs and sayings to help me along in the outside world off base.

I also get wonderful opportunities to do things most American citizens don't get to do like visiting The U. S. Ambassador Residence.

Karen Devins and me outside of the U.S. Ambassador Residence to the Republic of Korea

Ambassador Residence

The Ambassador Residence is part of an awesome artists program started in the 1960's and formalized by President John F. Kennedy. Art In Embassies (AIE) curates temporary and prominent exhibitions for the representational spaces of all U. S. chanceries, consulates, and embassy residences worldwide, selecting and commissioning contemporary art from the U.S. and host countries. 

This landscape is by Kyung-Min Nam, Seoul, South Korea

During this past week Secretary of State John Kerry was visiting Seoul and meeting with President Park Geun-hye. Korea was his first stop of a multi-nation trip to Asia meant in part to solidify efforts for dealing with North Korea and its increasingly sophisticated nuclear weapons programs. 

Ambassadors come in various forms, but all represent a belief. 

Dennis Rodman in N. Korea

Ex-NBA star Dennis Rodman visits North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un for his birthday

Rodman brought a roster of former NBA All-Stars, including Kenny Anderson, Vin Baker and Cliff Robinson. Former Knick Charles Smith also came along for the ride. Rodman has an unlikely friendship with the murderous Korean dictator.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/worm-touches-north-korea-dictator-birthday-article-1.1567405#ixzz2pfp34rhR

The State Department released this today:

QUESTION: Do you have anything to say about Dennis Rodman and his band of basketball players going to --

MS. HARF: I don’t think that I do. We haven’t been contacted by Mr. Rodman about his trip. We obviously recommend against all travel to North Korea by U.S. citizens.

QUESTION: I think he’s the only one – only person in the United States and like can meet – who can meet with Kim Jong-un. So it’s --

MS. HARF: Well, again --

QUESTION: I do want to ask you about some of his comments. He said, I think, something along the lines of, “I don’t want to save the world. I’m not here to save Kenneth Bae. That’s not my job.”

MS. HARF: Okay.

QUESTION: I was just wondering if you had --

MS. HARF: If I have a response?

QUESTION: Yeah.

MS. HARF: Well, obviously, securing Kenneth Bae’s release is a top priority for us. We have said repeatedly that he needs to be returned home to his family, but Dennis Rodman is technically right. He’s not there as a representative of the U.S. Government trying to affect anything. We weren’t contacted by him and he’s not there representing us.

QUESTION: So you don’t expect anything?

MS. HARF: I just said Dennis Rodman is right. That’s – mark this down as a historic day for this podium.

QUESTION: (Laughter.)

MS. HARF: I just don’t know. We haven’t been in contact with him.

Read more: http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/texttrans/2014/01/20140107290058.html?CP.rss=true#ixzz2pfpqnuZK

What is this really about? Why is Dennis Rodman bringing a basketball team to N. Korea? Why does Dennis Rodman keep coming here? What is going on and what will happen if Kim Jong Un doesn't like it when his exhibition team beats the N. Korean's in basketball…will they all be purged?

The 2nd Infantry Division in S. Korea Celebrates The Holidays

Being in the military family brings many new experiences. There is the anticipated melancholy of being away from loved ones and family. Just when you think the holidays are going to be hum drum you are surprised with how the military family rallies.

Here in S. Korea on the various camps there have been all kinds of holiday celebrations, from tree lightings complete with Santa and awesome hot chocolate to concerts with the 8th Army Band and the Korean Kook Soo Ho Didimdance Company and choral fetes by the American High School and the Uijongbu Kindergarten!

Camp Casey and Yongsan even lit Menorahs in honor of the Jews in the military. I happen to be Jewish so I was very happy about not being left out.

Camp Casey during Chanukah

Tank Lighting Camp Casey in Dragon Valley

The Middle School Band at Camp Casey

The High School Choir at Camp Humphreys

The Korean Kindergarten at Camp Red Cloud

Santa Claus visitin Camp Red Cloud

The Korean people are very special. While most Koreans do not celebrate Christmas they take great joy  and pride in celebrating with us. I have enjoyed meeting the mayor of Uijongbu and his wife and the Mayor of Yangju and his wife and many other Korean dignitaries. They come to all of our community events in the spirit of friendship and the Alliance.

Many thanks to the Army photographers that took most of these photos.

Happy Holidays

2 Infantry Division Holidays

Home for the holidays: Being a soldier, often times means being away from your loved ones for the holidays and it can be a lonely time.

The military held Thanksgiving Dinners at all the DEFACs (Dining Facilities) in S. Korea and let me tell you they pulled out all the stops from roasted pig to lobster, the food was outstanding. The best part for me though was watching the Command Teams, serve the soldier. It's one day where the PFC can tell the General what he or she wants!

Here we have a chef, General Vandal, DCSM Spano, CSM Brinton serving up Thanksgiving dinner at the JSA (Joint Security Area) on the border of North and South Korea.

The Chefs

The Spread

We visited JSA, Camp Stanley, Camp Casey and then flew back to Camp Red Cloud for an awesome Thanksgiving dinner of our own. It was great to see so many soldiers enjoying enormous amounts of food and enjoying the football games on the big screens and listening to the band play live music. It was as good a Thanksgiving as you could get here in S. Korea, where we have a lot to be thankful for.

Besides all the wonderful people in my life and new adventures I was especially Thankful for one more helicopter ride in a Blackhawk. I didn't even mind the doors being on.