Baby Gunna Knock You Out

Boxing has deep but complicated roots in South Korea.

I've been interested in it's existence since learning 

it's one of the fastest growing female sports here.

Thanks to the group Come Together Korea

I met a US teacher and boxing instructor 

and took him up on his invitation 

to watch a demo match at a gym in his area.

It wasn't girls fighting, but it was still fun.

The little guys made it look fun.

It was an interestingly violent and civil experience.

There was calmness to the room.

I had not expected.

The bigger guys made it look really painful.

Mixed with the sounds of heavy blows

and labored breathing.

A studious intensity mixed with some amusement

lived on the faces of all those who watched in near silence.

I am a little in love with his blue hair.

Hopefully next time I can visit a female boxing gym...

You can learn more about Korean boxing here:

Fighting Spirit: An Introductory History of Korean Boxing, 1926-1945

Army to lift boxing ban in South Korea

'Boom Boom' Mancini's life changed after tragedy hit the boxing ring

To Ten Worst Moments In Boxing History

A Love Story

The first time I knew love,

was on the tail of a ferry leaving France.

I stood alone and wept silent, painful tears

as chunks of my heart fell out and

mixed with the foam 

the sea and the salt.

It felt as I was being torn from the arms of my mother.

It remains one of the most painful memories of my life,

as it was the first time my heart was broken.

That was when I decided I would do anything,

would give up every part of a normal thing,

to be with my love again.

I was seven,

when I lost my heart to travel.

I'd imagine that this must be how some people feel 

about their children, 

or their husbands,

or their careers.

For me though, my heart skips-a-beat

for foreign sounds,

unknown places,

smells I've never found before.

For the majority of my life 

I've gone from one love to the next.

Chasing the always changing sunsets.

Wrapped in the vines embrace of new jungles.

 Caressed by the winds of many mountain tops.

My heart skipped from one place to another,

avoiding the heartache of loving what I would lose.

That was until I came to Korea.

Now I find myself falling in love again and again.

Each time I turn around I feel like my heart has more room 

for this beautiful, unique world.

It's not that I find it perfect,

but I find it perfect for me.

I accept it's failures,

and my insides go pitter-patter for it's charms.

For better or for worse,

I have fallen deeply, madly, passionately

 in love with this place,

with this Drama.

The Montage Episode

Mail + Scooter = Superhero

Today a little love arrived by scooter.

A late birthday present from Rock'n Rebeqa.

It was filled with delicious delights,

but truth be told,

the post-its sold the show.

Like a montage episode,
the notes remind me of our favorite plot lines
and end of season cliff hangars.
In my mind the scenes of our days on the beach
intercut with snowball fights
and long winters by the fire.

It's the perfect look back
on why my sister has and will always have
a staring role in my Drama.

Cute Ghouls and Monsters Galore

Candy and games translate into any language.

My Little Monsters Just Love Halloween.

Even the "grown up" ones can't resist the fun.

Of course the little boys can't get enough of being Monsters.

The girls are especially scary, but they are darn cute.

Warning: candle light classrooms might leading to napping.

Vampire Coin Toss is A Class Favorite

Trick or Treat?

"One's face is equal to or stupider then one's butt" - Strongbad

This year I celebrated a week of Happy Hallow Harry-Boo-Boo,

in honor of officially living with him longer then I've lived without him.

Somehow our circles continue to intertwine.

We've been through murder and high-water together,

so sometimes we hate each other,

sometimes we're sick of each other,

sometimes we can't stand each other's stupid faces.

However, we both know those times will pass,

and that said feelings have little to do with the other person,

and a lot to do with our own personal demons aquired

from a life filled with more then it's fair share of tragedy.

So, instead of putting so much focus on our feelings,

we just love each other despite the crazy,

despite our night terrors,

our anxieties,

our rage,

and despite the worlds that have crumbled around us.

So, I guess what I'm trying to say is that,

I love Harri-bou's smiley, 

never changing, 

always loyal,  

ever encouraging,

eternally supportive,

blindly devoted,

ever handsome,

stupid face.