Adoption update: I'm a Good Cook... and It's in my Genes...

I've always been told I'm a good cook. I don't know if that's really true since I basically just add butter and garlic to everything... but I really do enjoy cooking.

Example 1: I worked at Williams-Sonoma in college for four years. I bought my All-Clad cookware set before I was 21.

Example 2: In college I thought it would be a great idea to serve my fellow senior, sorority sisters to a Thanksgiving dinner. My roommates, Lucy and Staci put it together... but we made a turkey that year for 20+ girls. The thing I learned? You can cook a turkey upside down and it becomes more juicy. (I had to work that day, so I prepped the turkey, and Lucy put it upside down in the oven. She'd call me throughout the day with random things like: a) she didn't like to touch raw meat and b) she couldn't get the wings to tuck under.)

Example 3: I still have dinner parties all the time... even when I was a young journalist, I'd invite the whole newsroom over and cook. I think the most I cooked for was about 100 during a Lunar New Year party.

ANYWAY...

I've been Skyping a lot with my sister HJ and her hubby Glenn. Last night, we were dreaming up ways to start a business. One idea was to open a Korean BBQ restaurant and noribang (Korean-style karaoke.)

She told me that we should get our birth mother involved...

Apparently, my Korean mother owned a noodle, sushi and Korean BBQ restaurant for several years! From the time HJ was a toddler until high school, my Korean mother was a restaurateur.

WHAT? HOW AM I JUST LEARNING THIS?

Also, she said all of the girls are great cooks... that means Hyun Jeong, Hyun Mi, and Yeon Jeong... plus ME!

HJ even had a nickname-- Dae Jang Geum. Dae Jang Geum is also the title of one of the most popular Korean dramas at the moment... it's loosely based on the real-life story about a legendary girl (Jang-Geum) who became the first woman to be the supreme royal physician of her times. She started in the royal kitchen, I believe, which back in the dynasty days was a very powerful position. You're feeding royalty! It could also be a dangerous job (people tried to poison people all the time...) BTW, I discovered Dae Jang Geum during my last visit to San Fran with my Imo and Uncle Stacy. They love that show!

Anyway, this little story just made me happy, and I thought adoptive families may be interested to hear...

We always wonder if genetics or environment plays a role in who we are. Of course, the answer is both. BUT, I've learned two things-- my love of cooking comes from my biological mother. So does my love of singing.

My mom, Sharon, cooks a lot, but I'm not convinced it's a hobby of hers. However, she does love musicals... we spent every weekend watching The Sound of Music, Grease, Annie. However, my mom doesn't sing.

We probably won't open a Korean BBQ or a noribang... but dreaming allowed me to find out a little more about my reality. Pretty neat how the little things can impact so much. It meant nothing at all for my sister to tell me that small tidbit, but I see it like a revelation.

Happy Hanguk Anniversary!

One year ago today, I married the man of my dreams... again!

Very lucky to have two wonderful weddings with two sets of families... now if I could just put them in one place!

ALSO, A BIG ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY HIGH-FIVE TO MY SIS, HYUN JEONG... AND GLENN!

Korean Holiday Chuseok = Thanksgiving

What a coincidence.

This morning I was thinking of my sister, Hyun Jeong, so I decided to give her a call. When she picked up, she said today was the beginning of Chuseok. It's a big Korean holiday, like our version of Thanksgiving.

Actually, today is the start of Chuseok. It's a three-day festival that falls on different days every year because of the lunar calendar. Chuseok is the Full Moon Harvest Festival--celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar... and is held around the Autumn Equinox.

Anyway... Korea time is 14 hours ahead of Central. So, I always add two hours to the current time and flip a.m./p.m. That means day 1 of Chuseok has already passed in Korea. Hyun Jeong said everyone is staying at our Korean parents' house. My other two sisters, Hyunmi and Yeon Jeong are staying there along with their husbands and children. My birth mother told Hyun Jeong to call me today and ask how I was doing because she can communicate well with me.

I miss them.

And, I like hearing the updates. I feel like I'm a part of their lives. My birth father apparently has developed diabetes. He's not overweight, but he's lived the life of a typical Korean man--he smoked and drank for much of his lifetime, so now his body is catching up. Hyun Jeong said he's eating well--not eating meat--and that he's stopped smoking and most of his drinking.

Glenn says he and Hyun Jeong will likely take some time off next year and visit the states. I'm hoping they can take a road trip to Missouri. My mind is an uncontrollable force... I'm trying to calm it down because it's all too exciting to think that they'll be on U.S. soil!

Anyway, I have never observed Chuseok, even when I was studying Korean language... even when I surrounded myself with Korean people. But this year feels a little different. I'm getting older and realizing how blessed I am. I wish I could've been at the dinner table in Korea last night, watching my niece and nephew run around, and not understanding two-thirds of what was being said. At the same time, it's unbelievable that things turned out so swimmingly here...

Tonight when I get off work, I have a date to Skype with my Korean family as they celebrate Day 2 of Chuseok at Hyun Jeong and Glenn's new house. I can't wait! I'm so glad I'm celebrating two Thanksgivings this year... there's a lot to be thankful for!

My Niece, Tae Hoo!

Here are some updated pics... this is Yeon Jeong's second baby. She was pregnant with Tae Hoo when we were in Korea. Won Hoo is Big Brother. (Yeon Jeong is the youngest of all four of us.)

Thanks to Hyun Jeong for putting them on her FB page! She's my lifeline!

My Picture of the Moment

At one particular moment, Jim said I looked like a combination between my sisters Hyun Jeong and Yeon Jeong. These are my POMs (pictures of the moment.) I love these new pics of my sissy HJ.

Goodbye 2009!

It's become a habit of mine to write down the best things that happened to me during the year. It's so easy to forget what we've accomplished or suffered through in a given year, but I like writing it down, for the sake of memory.

I can't believe I've been blogging since 2006. In retrospect, that's not very long. But I really didn't expect it to last more than a few months. I get bored easily... at the same time, I get busy and drop things (like crocheting, sewing, crafting, etc.) I've tried to keep a real journal, and I just don't fill it up. Or I get mad and spit venom in it, and then feel ashamed and rip out the pages... so, this online thang is working out so far. Plus, I don't have to tell the same stories over and over to my family because they can read my blog! Ha! Love you guys!

Anyway, I usually write down the best 10 things... I think this year, I'm going to write the top 10 significant things...

#10 Buying a scooter. This is not me and my scooter... but Thuy Dam (former owner of So You Boutique.) She sold her scooter to me, and it changed my life! I love scooting around town, wearing the scandalous helmet she gave me, and using so little gas! It's a gas riding it... though there were two things that went bad. 1) I hit and killed a bunny on it. 2) It was stolen out of my front yard... but it is getting fixed and should be better than new come spring!

#9 My friend Tracy got married, and I overcame a huge fear of mine-- public singing. Now, crazy karaoke singing does not count... which unfortunately, many people have witnessed from me (yes, Eternal Flame is really my song.) Anyway, Tracy asked me to sing Ave Maria. I was honored. Then I started getting freaked out. My friend Amanda has a fear of public speaking--in college, it was the point of crying-- so we were both SCREWED. Sadly, I asked Amanda's boyfriend to sneak us in those little whiskey bottles that cost you an arm-and-a-leg in the hotel room. I downed them right before I sang to get rid of the nerves. Didn't mean to be disrespectful, but I get weird lip quivers if I'm nervous and that throws me off pitch. I was really happy with my "performance", and I didn't ruin my dear friend's wedding, so I think it was the right (though slightly immoral?) decision in the end...

#8 New set at KSPR: What can I say... our news set went from embarrassing to awesome. To the eye of the viewer, it seemed like it was overnight. For us, it was two to three exhausting years. The old building had its perks-- we were autonomous and could do whatever we wanted. We were like on this little island, far away from our management company... I was certain we were a fire code nightmare (joke.) Now, we can only have two mini-fridges in our new newsroom, and we have to walk 5 minutes to get to the nearest microwave. Still, it's definitely worth it. I honestly like our set the best. We still have some kinks to work out, but I think it looks very professional and it certainly boosted morale.

#7 Professional recognition: Since we're talking about my workplace... I want to talk about my work. I was nominated for a regional Emmy for a story I wrote and edited about an online company accused of being a scam. The story received recognition from the Missouri Broadcasters Association, and it also won the Gold Award from the Kansas City Press Club. I had the wonderful opportunity to be a presenter at the Emmys this year because of my nomination, and it was a nice way to be recognized and get my favorite call letters (K-S-P-R) out there again...

#6 Job promotion, life changes: I actually almost forgot to mention this one... I began co-anchoring KSPR News at 10. In November, I also added KSPR News at 4 to my duties. I'm not trying to talk about my job that much... BUT HERE'S WHY I AM: My weekends are now free!!!! FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 8 YEARS!! More if you count my college days (because I was always interning on the weekends!) My hubby and I can actually hang out on the weekends!! O.M.G! (*except, I work Sun-Thurs... so technically, we can hang out Friday and Saturday nights... but not Sunday nights...)

#5 I added another sister to the mix: If you're counting now, I have no legal siblings, but I have 3 biological sisters and two sister-in-laws... LOVE IT! Jim's brother Ryan asked his girlfriend Tiffany to marry him (she's on the right. Jim's sister Erika is on the left!) Technically, they got engaged on Christmas Eve 2008... but I feel like we should count that in 2009 since we've spent this year focusing on the wedding. And yes, I'm a bridesmaid. And yes, I have to lose weight. And yes, I will tan for it.
#4: Meeting my biological aunt (IMO!) and my Uncle Stacy! We had a lot of great adventures in San Francisco, including riding bikes from Haight Ashbury to the ocean, but the highlight of our trip was meeting more birth family. I had known about my imo for several years, but for some reason, I had never visited her. Shame on me. But I won't let that happen again! In fact, I'm going to SF in a few months to see her again. She and Stacy are really great people, and I hope I can get them to SGF sometime!

#3: Saying Goodbye to my Grandpa, Norman. We called him Normie when we were being silly. He was spitfire and a little hard to handle at times, but he was a huge influence in my life. He died the week of Thanksgiving, and it was hard to see him go. But, I did get to spend some time with him at the hospital, and he did recognize me. He said he was proud of me, and it made me cry. I didn't let anyone see me cry at the hospital--which is an odd thing for me to do. I rarely hide my emotions... but I just didn't want to cry in front of him or my grandma. I wanted to be strong for him. It's so weird how your best memories with your grandparents are usually from your childhood. I'm going to work on that with my grandmothers...

#2: We brought home Minnie Margaret. Yes, she is a rottweiler. No, she's not dangerous. Rottweilers are one of the smartest breeds in the world. NO JOKE! Originally bred for herding cattle, they are a great working dog. My neighbors were scared of her when we brought her home (look at that face!), but now they LOVE her. She greets them every time they're outside, and Minnie REALLY loves the little girls who live next door. We think it's sweet. That being said... please train your dog, big or small... unruly rottweilers give the rest of us bad names. By the way, Minnie has eaten more pairs of shoes than thought possible. She also ate my digital camera... she sleeps on her back and likes her belly rubbed. She also has been babied so much that she doesn't now how to jump. We say, "UP" and she'll put her two front paws in the car, but won't jump in... she also won't jump out. OH, I love her so much. It's sick. Check out her YouTube channel...

#1: We went to Korea!!! We went to Korea to support my 2nd oldest sister, Hyun Jeong, during her wedding to Glenn! Turns out, our Korean family wanted us to have a Korean wedding, too. It was beautiful... it was too much... I also got to meet Won Hoo, my youngest sister's baby. He was a freaking trip! I met my oldest sister's husband, Eun-Eop. We traveled the country, we even touched ground in North Korea, we learned more about my adoption, we learned about the beautiful culture in Korea, and we spent time with my Korean family. I love them so much, and I feel so blessed that I've had the chance to get to know them in my lifetime. The mystery has been unveiled... and we are the Park Family! But I'm also the Sherwood Family and the Van Dillen Family... just so we're good. It's amazing to have a good family, but words can't describe what it's like to pick up family along the way... or reunite with them... or whatever you want to call it. Hyun Jeong and Glenn's marriage truly changes my future with my birth family. They are such special people, and I can't wait for them to come to the United States! Oh, verklempt.

THINGS THAT DIDN'T MAKE THE LIST BUT SHOULD BE NOTED:

My parents, Charles and Sharon are healthy and happy. They are my favorite. I love them so much, and I want to make an effort to see them more in 2010! My sister, Yeon Jeong, just had another baby--this time a girl! Tae Hoo! I can't wait to see her. Jim started taking mixed martial arts- type classes... I re-learned then forgot how to sew... and crochet... um, my brain stopped working.

LOOKING FORWARD TO 2010!

My fave pic of wedding hair!

My oldest sister Hyun Mi took these pictures! I just saw them yesterday on Hyun Jeong's Facebook page.

I think Hyun Jeong is so beautiful. I like this picture of us! I miss Korea so much. My heart aches this time, and this is the fourth time I've been back. One day I will write a post on my reflections. I really haven't had the time because of the new changes at work. It pains me.

Video of Won Hoo!

JOIN ME ON FACEBOOK! FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER!

My sister, Hyun Jeong, just put this on her blog! It is of our nephew, Won Hoo. Won Hoo is celebrating his first birthday in this picture! Watch the video!!

Won Hoo is the first grandchild for the Park family and is the son of my younger sister, Yeon Jeong.

If you've lost track, I have three sisters: Hyun Mi, Hyun Jeong, and Yeon Jeong. I am between Hyun Jeong and Yeon Jeong (my birth name was Hyun Sook, though, I don't believe that is a family name.)

I can't wait to go to Korea with Jim in 4 weeks!

It's OFFICIAL

My sister Hyun Jeong and her fiance, Glenn, are getting married!!  

The special date is October 24th in Korea.

I am so, so happy!!  October is my favorite month because I love the fall.  My birthday falls in October, too, so I have all of these great childhood memories from October.

I used to tell people, "My birthday falls on the scariest day of the scariest month of the year."

Any guesses?

October 13th.

My birthday fell on a Friday on my 16th and 21st birthday.  How cool was that?!  Too bad I wrecked my car five days after my 16th birthday.  I mean totaled.  My dad was so disappointed.

Anyway, I got off track.

OCTOBER 24TH!!  My sister's big, fat Korean wedding!!  Can't wait!!  I really hope we can swing the trip and that nothing crazy will happen between now and then.

My Nephew as Pooh Bear! From Korea with Love!

Look at Won Hoo (a.k.a. Mr. Sunbeams or Hae Ssal) as Pooh! My mom sent these to my sister Yeon Jeong for Christmas... and then my other sister Hyun Jeong posted the pics on her blog.

Election Hangover

I think everyone by now must have an election hangover. My Korean sister, Hyun Jeong, asked me if I was happy about the election, through Twitter. (That's the best way to talk with her because it's immediate through our cell phones. I love it.) She told me that her fiance voted for Obama and then she asked me, "What about you? you like McCain?" I'm wondering... does she assume I voted for McCain? And why would she assume that? Is it because I live in SWMO? Surely she doesn't know the political make-up of Missouri, but her fiance, Glenn, may have told her something about the Midwest.

Anyway, I don't know how I will respond to her just yet, but I do have some thoughts/questions...and am wondering what other people think.

1. How did Missouri lose its bellwether status? Bummer, I kind of liked saying that MO was always right. Missourians voted for McCain, though it was pretty close betweeen Obama. However, the interesting thing is that many McCain supporters opted to choose Democrat Jay Nixon.

courtesy LA Times

2. Is the world setting up Obama for failure? It's like the new South Park episode (Jim makes me watch.) I mean, is it possible for Obama to accomplish all that he says? He's still one man. When I was in STL for election night, everyone was cheering in the streets and honking their horns for hours. It was really kind of neat, but at the same time, I was thinking, "Are they going to be dissapointed later?" When you put someone on a pedestal, they are bound to fall off, right? Hmmm...



3. Will any of this actually change my life? I mean, I am in the middle class. We just bought a home, and we make too much money to get any grants (why?!) but at the same time, we watch our money. We're not at the top of the food chain or anything... We are on a tight budget like many Americans, and I still plan on keeping my job at the library because 1) I really love it, and 2) it helps pay the bills. Just because we elected a new president and a new governor doesn't mean that I'm going to start taking baths in Evian water.

4. I feel sorry for my friend, Dave Catanese. What is he going to do with himself now?

More pics of Mr. Sunbeam

My Korean mother and Mr. Sunbeam

See more on my sister, Hyun Jeong's blog. And, look at another proud aunt. Isn't it sickening? I was playing around with html last night, and so this is what happened.

Park Family Gets Bigger, Two Times Over!

He is definitely a gift, wrapped up in a little bow and everything!

How cool. Today I learned that my sister, Yeon Jeong, had her baby on September 3rd... after 10 hours of labor, she had to have a C-section. The baby's name is Huang Won Hoo, but they call him Hae Ssal (it means sunbeams!)
I am now officially an American auntie! How cool is that?! Being an only child, yet finding three sisters... it's all pretty overwhelming. And, more big news... my sister Hyun Jeong is engaged!

She is going to marry her American boyfriend, Glenn. This makes me really happy because, as I told Jim, this changes everything. Being selfish of course, this means I will have the chance to really know more about my birth family. If she's going to marry an American guy, she will be speaking more English with her husband and me! (my Korean is not that good... ) I will be able to talk to Glenn and understand more things about my Korean family. They can even come to the States to live if they wanted to! My family here could meet them! The future is so bright, and I am so happy.

Totally Korean Pregnancy

This cracks me up. Totally Korean, that's all I'm saying.

This is my youngest sister Yeon Jeong at 34 weeks. My second older sister, Hyun Jeong, explains the MANSAK in her blog post.

I think it's beautiful, but you couldn't pay me enough to do this! I just love the half shirts!!

On a side note, this makes me very scared thinking about child birth. Seriously, watermelons vs. quarters....maybe nickels. I don't know what it is, but it isn't proportionate. This is why it stinks to be adopted. When my mom tells me that everything will be okay, I don't believe her. What experience does she have?! :)

Per Amy's request... here are pics from Yeon Jeong's Totally Korean Wedding! They sure do take a lot of pictures! I love them...they look like a lot of fun, though I don't think you could get most American men to do this. Click here and here.

My sister Hyun Jeong!!

This is so cool. I guess the internet has made the world a much smaller place to live, but for some reason, I'm still amazed.

My sister Hyun Jeong has a blog. She lives in China and is teaching there... with her boyfriend, Glenn! SWEET!

http://pookieandglenn.blogspot.com/

Also, this is a pic of my nephew... this is Yeon Jeong's baby! (This is my youngest sister.) She is due in September, the same month I'm getting married! Ahh!


I sent her a few baby clothes from me, the MIGUK IMO (American auntie), and she posted them on her website!! Cool!

Preggers...

Some good news to pass along. Someone in my family is pregnant! And better yet, it's not me!

My youngest sister Yeon Jeong is pregnant with her first baby. She's the first person in the family to have a baby, and it is a boy! My Korean father must be so relieved to finally have someone else in the family with some franks and beans! Ha!

Anyway, her baby is due in September... the same month I'm going to get married. I think that means I'll be taking a trip to Korea sometime in 2009. I'm going to be a MIGUK IMO! (Mee-gook Emo translates to American auntie)

I was so excited when I heard the news. I happened to call one day a few weeks ago because I was checking on my second oldest sister, Hyun Jeong. She lives in China, and I was concerned about her after the earthquake... anyway, Yeon Jeong was at my Korean parents' house, and she told me in broken English, though I could still understand her. I burst into happy tears for some unknown reason, (I am much more emotional these days...) but it makes me more happy and appreciative that my birth family and I found each other ten years ago!! I can't believe it's been a decade, and now I realize how much it changed the outcome of my life. My parents are so excited; they even bought clothes to send her! Good times~