Some Spring Shots

Here is a little pictorial journey through Spring in Seoul. Enjoy!

An evening walk to Namsan Tower in Seoul

Monday night sunset over the Han river (through the bus window)

The first cherry blossoms in March

A magnolia tree in bloom on my street

Cherry blossoms with my friend Rebekah on a visit in March

Hiking and playing in Jirisan (southern Korea) with Anne Michelle in May

Jirisan forest

Jirisan vista

Jirisan

Our favorite spot in Jirisan

Korean palace in Jirisan on a personal tour by friendly locals

Rainy day walk in Jirisan

A cup of barley tea...and later mountain vegetable pancakes and rice wine

My birthday temple visit in Yongin

Zen rock statues at the temple

My Zen rock tower with birthday intentions

Buddha Birthday Lanterns and plentiful azaleas 

Temple view

Sunset from the Airport en route to Jeju in May

Post a long weekend of beach volleyball in Jeju with Heather

The bagel shop near my house, a weekend routine

Yanjae river, a short walk from my house

Sunset on the Han River

A Yoga workshop in Seoul

AcroYoga fun in the park with friends

Choir concert with dear Seoul friends in attendance

The first full week of the new routine

Blessings and salutations! Here is a quick update with some pictures of my work and home life. I'm settling into the routine here, intentionally building in time to breath, relax, read, express myself, volunteer, and practice. Being social has not caught up yet, and I'm very okay with that. May you find peace in your routine today, too. 

My classroom - the gym with a stage, full mirrors, and a piano. It's a wonderful space. 

Some 5 year olds, the youngest students at the school, showing their emotions and expressions that we're learning about this week with musical Mary Poppins. 

A 6 year old class having fun with stretches (very yogic looking) in gym class with Mr. Jared

My Sacred Space at Home - a one room studio with heated floors and plenty of space for me

 

A Day in Fukuoka Nature

Three relaxing days of nearly no agenda and the space to be were a great respite from Seoul and the structure of working. One hilarious misadventure (well, two) was that on Monday after I went to the Korean Consulate, I walked to Ohorikoen lake, in part to see a Japanese garden on the south side of the lake. I thought I had found it, but the gates were closed. When I consulted the tourist map I was given at the airport, it turned out that they were closed on Monday. So, Tuesday morning I set out to see another Japanese garden near my hotel in Hakata and...it was closed on Tuesdays I found out upon arrival. So Wednesday became the lost Japanese garden day. I wandered the gardens, drank matcha, and languished in the chilly December air for much of the day and eventually made my way back to the airport for a late flight in a nearly deserted airport, Visa in hand. A successful trip in all of the ways.  

I will post updates from Seoul soon! 

The canal under my hotel (I didn't have this view, unfortunately.)

Rakusien Japanese Garden

Serenity

Traditional matcha tea and sweets

I had a wonderful conversation with these two women - who spoke nearly no English - about balance, harmony, nuclear dangers, Yin/Yang energy, the tranquility of Japan, and warm-hearted people in the tea house. Often, words are far less necessary than we think.

Harmony in the tea house

I loved this tree!

Garden #2 at Ohorikoen

There is ever peace, balance, and nonattachment in Nature. These traits are effortless to resonate with when surrounded by beautiful scenery.