Calling the Muses, Day # 4

So, it looks like some mornings are busier than others, so I don't always get to this project every day.   I feel like that if I keep working on writing every day, then eventually, I'll be able to finish  several books in the 'Hunter, the hero bird' series and maybe go to a publisher to see if they would publish them.  Worst comes to worse, I can self publish (print upon  purchase) on lulu.com. Anyway, I'm trying to show up for myself (and my future self) as often as possible. 

As you know, I'm a kindergarten teacher in Seoul.   The job is hard and challenging, but mostly due to the administration and NOT the children.   I just love them.  They have such good hearts!  The other day, one of them--we'll call him Rex--sort of hugged me around the knees.  He is SO strong, though, at 4 years old, that he moved a certain way and we both fell down.  I scraped my right forearm and I got a huge lesion on my right knee (which has--by the way--received many, many, many, many similar lesions throughout the years).   It is a little swollen and infected while it is healing, but life goes on.  

What makes me smile so much is that--upon sitting down after the fall and injury--nearly ALL of the female students in my class (between ages 3-6) came up to me and were 'patting' me as if to comfort me, giving me kisses on my hands, and saying 'It's all right!"

Even yesterday--a full 4 days after the fall--when they saw the (now scar) on my knee, they tried to 'kiss it to make it better.'   It was so sweet.  Of course, I told them to kiss their hands and touch it, instead of using their lips on my scarred knee, but it was definitely sweet and the thought counted quite a bit   

Just in case, I haven't told you--I'm the luckiest girl in the world!

Day 3 (but 'calendarly' 5...i didn't write yesterday

Sunday, 13JUL25 5:53 p.m. Hwagok-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul-Si

I remember once--when I was in the Air Force and stationed at the Air Force Academy--that I was talking to one of the sergeants who was also stationed there and working in the X-ray department with me.  We were walking out to our vehicles and heading back to the dorms. (Well, she MIGHT have been going to an apartment or home. I can't remember if she lived in the dorms or not--I think not, though.)   Anyway, I can't remember how this subject came up, but I responded to something she said with something similar to "There isn't anything really i feel that makes me feel like getting up in the morning"   I was NOT telling her I wanted to kill myself or anything, but I just didn't feel like life was all that great.

In some SMALL ways, I feel similarly now.  I DO love teaching.  I DON'T love the overall environment at work. It is slightly toxic and full of drama.  I'm kinda afraid that working here in Korea will ALWAYS be like this.  I don't have close friends and am struggling with finding friends that I can be close with. And I'm struggling with learning the language which would PROBABLY help with that making friends thing, ya know?   

I always feel tired and I'm struggling with making sure I treat my body well in regard to what I put in it and the exercise I give to it.  Creatively, I don't really feel like I'm doing much to 'exercise' that muscle either.  I have nebulous plans to do things in the future, but...sometimes I'm not sure how to make them happen.

I will admit that I"m studying languages pretty often and now I"m writing nearly every day in hope that I'll be inspired to work on a few more "Hunter, the Hero Bird' books, but I struggle with eating right and getting enough rest, and basically doing things that will make my life one which is THRIVING.  

I keep trying, but I--sometimes--feel like the effort is fruitless at this moment.    I don't want to give up, though.  Any advice?

Thanks for letting me vent.   

Love y'all!

Calling the Muses: Day 2

11JUL25 6:22 a.m.  Hwagok-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul-si

First off...I haven't been sleeping very well the last few nights, plus I slept HORRIBLY when I was in The States cos of jet lag, so maybe none of what I write today will make any sense.  It is early. I awoke in the wee hours and wasn't able to get back to sleep.  I've been up for four hours. I MIGHT have slept around....maybe 5.   I think today might be a bit of a challenge with my munkins cos it's Friday and they are often a little bit 'wild' on Friday.  But--I can get through it.  I'll be off work in 10 1/2 hours!

I've been working on a new eating lifestyle for the past two months. (Consider buying 'Perfect Health: The Natural Way' by Mary-Ann Shearer)  I actually really BELIEVE in this way of eating and believe it will work for my health; however, I'm really struggling with implementing SOME of the aspects of it. I'm really annoyed that--somewhere inside of me--there is this inclination to feel GUILT when I don't choose the most healthy of options.  I know that the human body and psyche will sometimes need to 'cheat' and that it is--in general--to do so, sometimes.   But I really don't like the guilt and I wish I could find a way to get rid of it.   Any ideas?

Also, I was really surprised the other morning, when I weighed for the first time in at least 2 weeks, that I HAD NOT gained weight while eating everything I wanted for the 8 days I was away from Korea visiting family in The States.  In fact, I had lost a pound!  Weird! (Rachel Zeigler has slightly ruined this word for me.  Every time I hear it, I think of her patronizing way of mocking a classic movie that was very apropos for its time.)   Anyway, this health journey is one step at a time, so I'm going to work toward a time when...maybe...a week or two goes by without me making the least healthy choice!  

It's been so hot in Seoul that I haven't done much walking lately...beyond what is required to get to and from work.  However, the other night--when I couldn't sleep--I went for a walk around 2:40 in the morning.  The temp was in the 80s, but it was SO DRY that it felt cooler.  I really love it when the humidity is low.  The problem is that I am NOT normally up at 2:40 in the morning AND the district where I live in Seoul (though Seoul is EXTREMELY safe as a  whole) is considered the 'murder' capital of Seoul, so a part of me doesn't necessarily feel like going around walking while the bad guys might still be up and about it the wisest idea I've ever had. So, I have a quandary.  When I sleep well, I like getting up early. I usually study languages and maybe write a bit, like I'm doing now.  I wonder if there is a way to find the time to do some walking first-thing, too.  I feel like there is not enough time, but maybe if I did my lunch prep the night before I could swing it??  

Anyway, those are the thoughts I've written down this a.m. during day # 2 of my new attempt to lure my writing muses back from their extended vacations.   Hope y'all have a great Friday and 좋은 주말 보내세요!

Love ya!

Calling the Muses

 10JUL25-6:40 a.m. Hwagok-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul-si. 07702

I have 1 hour and 50 minutes before I ABSOLUTELY must be leaving my tiny apartment in order to get to work JUST in the nick of time.  I also have to prep some lunch and maybe clean up a little.  At least I have my outfit planned!

Today I’m going to TRY very HARD to drink only water except at lunch. That way I can keep my braces in for most of the day.  I only have about 7 weeks left of these things and there are still some gaps in my left top section. (ya know…the area where the food gets stuck?)  This ‘braces’ situation is one of many that remind me that I am not REALLY good at being a REAL adult.   My health (and lack of will power regarding it) is another aspect of myself which supports this idea that I’m not really good at it.

But, I’m trying.  I mean, I actually have a job where I’m in charge of other people all day long. Granted they are 4-6 year old people, but STILL. I’m doing something important and well.

I really want to get back to writing and hopefully get a few more Hunter books written so that I can maybe have a stream of income in my old age.  

The problem is that my writing muses are almost always off on a vacation…probably somewhere tropical with their toes in the sand under a pink umbrella drinking unsweetened iced teas which are brought to them regularly by handsome, fit and healthy, flirty-smiling, dark-haired twenty-something.  I can totally understand why they don’t really want to come back.   But I really need them back, so I’m going to try to spend at least ten minutes every day writing—something—so that maybe they’ll feel compelled to return to me.

I’m also studying Duolingo every day. I’m going to be living here in Korea for at least five more years and then somewhere else after that.  I’m really drawn to the ABC islands in the Caribbean, so I’m studying Dutch (which so far is SURPRISINGLY easy) and continuing in my learning of Spanish. I have about a 40% proficiency with it. For now, I’m studying ONLY Dutch because I want to catch up my Dutch to my Spanish.  Then when that happens (in 22 units), I’ll do one unit of Dutch, one unit of Spanish, and then as many units of Korean as I can every day.  Since I still have at least ‘til February of 2031 here in Korea (if my nebulous plans stay the same) then I need to continue trying to become proficient in Korean, too. If I'm honest, though, Korean is MUCH harder than the other two.  And I feel more drawn to the other two because I see my progress much more swiftly.  

Part of that is likely because Spanish and Dutch use the same letting system as English.  Another part is because I have been exposed to Spanish regularly for 46 years, so it is just more ‘comfy’ than many other languages.  An additional part is that Dutch feels like English spoken with a little bit of an attitude. LOL I mean…it is EXTREMELY easy sometimes, especially if you’ve had ANY exposure to German. An example: what do you think ‘De man eet een appel’ means?   I KNOW you got it right.  Sure, you have to learn the verb tenses (which they don’t REALLY have in Korean, as much) but it is still really easy.  

The reason, by the way, that I’ve chosen to learn Dutch is because it is the governmental language on the ABC islands because they were once Netherland (ic?) (ish?) colonies.   

I’ve always loved the beach and would really like to live near once; however, I DO NOT want to be in the hurricane belt.  And, supposedly–according to the modern day encyclopedia (you know, Google), they only get hit by hurricanes every 25 to 30 years. 

Anyway, I think that may be enough for today.  It is 7:02 a.m. and I should probably get started on preparing lunch.  (Ninety-Nine % of the time, I bring lunch from home)    Therefore, I will bid you adieu! (Crosses fingers) Here’s hoping this call to My Writing Muses will come home soon!

Love y’all!

Authority

 The idea of AUTHORITY is replete in the Bible. It has been this way since the beginning of time. After all, God spoke the very world into existence. That is the ultimate authority! Early on, it is clearly illustrated (Deut. 11: 26-28) that God's word is something which we ought to follow AND that there are consequences if we do not follow it. That is authority. Later on, authority is shown to belong to Christ (Matthew 17:5; 28:18-20.) As I said, authority is EVERYWHERE in the Bible.

Every christian understands the concept of authority. If they don't understand it, they would never have obeyed the Gospel. Why would anyone ever bother to be baptized and make efforts to be obedient if he didn't believe in an Authority who says that, without obedience, spiritual death is assured? You cannot continue in Christianity without a committment to submitting to the authority of God and His word (the Bible.)
Here is my main point. You are allowed to believe (because of free will) whatever you want about the acceptability of using musical instruments in worship, whether you are right or wrong. However, you should know (before you try to use this argument anymore) that the word authority is a NOUN and the word authorized is an ADJECTIVE. But they are basically the SAME word. Therefore, you will not be able to support (logically, anyway) your theology with the argument that the word "authorized" is not present in the King James version of the Bible. It may be true that the word is not physically printed in the pages of your Bible, however, the concept of "authorized" is painted on every single page of the 66 books of the Bible...and with bright colors that anyone can recognize.

Just some food for thought, y'all.

Drama Class Final Grade Comments

 I know this will seem like bragging to some, but I was so pleased and gratified with the comments that my acting professor wrote on my final that I really want to share them.

Loralee,
-Both monologues were outstanding!
-Your work is some of the best I've ever seen.
-I HOPE you will continue as an actress--in some way--either professional or amateur--because you have that raw talent necessary.
Anyway, you have been a tremendous JOY in class!

Final: 100

From the cobwebs: Mother's Day 2008

 Current mood: thankful

So, this morning, I was at Whataburger having breakfast and preparing a package to send to my mom (for mother's day) and my dad (for his birthday) and I decided that I would write a poem for my mom in her card. It is very very very very very corny, but I think mom's, in general, don't mind those kinds of poems. So, I thought I'd give y'all a good laugh, too. Happy Mother's Day all of my wonderful friends who are mothers!

Here it is:

On this day we celebrate our mothers,
I'll have you know that, to me, there is no other

who can compare to the fabulosity that is you.
Why, on a cold day, no one can make a greater stew!!

And, I"m quite sure that a scrape or two you tended,
and those small teenage broken hearts you mended.

Many life lessons to me, you patiently taught.
(well--you tried anyway. I'm kinda stubborn!!)
Dinners, Claudes, and hotel rooms you bought.

Mostly though, you cheerfully encourage me in all endeavors
even to the point of reading bad poetry on Mother's day-no matter the weather!

From the Cobwebs: The thing is...

 The thing is...

Current mood: disgusted and amazed at the audacity of some people

...you, "M'sH", do not get to decide where my soul is going. God does. Though it sounds like I'm being snotty and defensive... I just gotta say this one thing: Perhaps you ought to be looking at your own soul. Jesus more often dealt with sinners in a gentle manner. Aren't we supposed to model ourselves after Him? Very rarely did He raise His voice. He wasn't defamatory. He wasn't hateful. His concern was for souls. It did not lie with being right or being some "knife point", circle drawing crusader for God or with His own reputation. YOU...however...are angry, and hateful, and impatient, and undeservingly self-righteous, and you make assumptions which your "evidence" does not support. Yes!!!!!! Please, please do some introspection M'sH...and use the standard of God's Word when you do it...so that you can see what you really look like and the damage you have done to the Bride of Christ!! You've been away from the mirror long enough, sir. You've forgotten what YOU look like. My suggestion is that you look in the mirror again. I think I see something in your eye. Yeah...just there.

p.s. I've been praying for you.