In the City: London's Asian Festival

While in London, my parents and I went to an Asian Festival. It wasn't quite as large as I thought it would be, in terms of vendors, but it was still a fun experience. There were ton of performances. Everything from tai chi to a Bollywood dance troupe to an award-winning Korean violinist. It was great fun.

Feet on the Ground: London

Hello all! It's been a long time since I've written. Well, it's been a while since I've been anywhere interesting! I am, however, quite behind on my postings! I've spent a whole week in London, and I'm currently in my fourth week in Nashville, TN.

I thought I would fill you all in a little bit on my London trip. It'll be mainly photos, to let you all see some of the fun things I did. And it'll give a little more explanation about what I was seeing that I didn't include in my Facebook album.

Firstly, this trip was made possible through CSU, the university I attend. I had enrolled back a class that's considered a "Marketing Experience Abroad" class. You write a marketing research paper throughout the entire semester, spend a week in another country, and then come home and write a research findings paper. The coolest part is that all the research the class does is for real companies, all based out of Cleveland, Ohio! I can't go into details about my company or what they were researching really, but it was an interesting experience.

Road signs pointing the wrong way, eh?

It still amazes me how you'll have these pretty ornate, old buildings in some small, random town. I forget how young the United States is.

The Drop Box

안녕하세요, 제 이름은 강수정.

Hello, my name is Kang Su-Jung. 

Everyone knows me as Leanna. Most everyone I'm acquainted with knows I was adopted. What a lot of people probably don't know is the story behind my adoption. 

On the day I was born, my birth mother, gave up her legal rights as a mother. Only hours old, I was parent-less with a government-provided social worker as my only guardian. My mother was 17 at the time. She'll be 36 this year. I've never met her before. At least, besides those few hours when she was still my mother. I have no memory of her face, the sound of her voice, the touch of her hands. I don't even have my name to remember her by. I was named by my social worker. 

I don't know much about my birth parents other than what my biological mother provided the social worker. Although some say I'm lucky to have any information about them at all, I don't know if I feel lucky. At least not in this instance. Knowing is sometimes more painful than not knowing. It's hard knowing that my biological parents are out there somewhere living lives I'm not a part of. It's hard knowing that they might never even think of me.

Concert Success

I first want to thank everyone who helped out with the Anthem Lights concert! The event was a smashing success. There were over 200 people in attendance, and we raised over $2,500 thanks to the support of the church and everyone who came. That money will mean freedom and security for girls who have been rescued from sex slavery in India.

But, some details for those of you who weren't able to attend! Cause, you know me and detailed descriptions. I could go on for hours, but I'll keep this (relatively) short so I don't bore you too quickly.

The day started with me not waking up to my alarm and running later than I had originally planned. Of course, the Anthem Lights members weren't supposed to be up at the church until 2 PM anyways, but I had some errands that needed running.

I got up to the church about 11:15 bringing some of the things the band would need: ironing board, mirror, etc etc etc. Lunch was already there when I arrived (courtesy of Mike Crellin: thanks Mike!). The Harrison guys arrived a bit later, and we got right to work to finish setting up the stage for the performance. We also made some time to throw a football around too, cause you know, that's what we do.

It's Concert Time!

Well, this post isn't really about going anywhere particular, but I thought I would write it anyways!

As many of you may already know, I'm in the midst of organizing a concert at church (Kirtland Christian Fellowship). It's been a lot of (sometimes stressful) fun so far, and it's getting even crazier in the best way possible now that it's only a little over a month away! This event kind of just happened. I was wondering how much it would cost to bring them in for a show, my dad suggested I call their booking agent and ask, and then one thing led to another, and on Saturday October 4th, they'll be performing in Kirtland, Ohio!

Day 12: The Finale

Today marks my last day in N. Ireland. This morning we went to church at the church Carole's mom was raised in as well as got married in. The service was really good though a bit more traditional than my home church. After the service we met five Americans from the Minneapolis area who were here for a missions outreach in the Kilkeel area, where the church is. 

After lunch we all went down to a restaurant right by the Irish Sea harbor in Kilkeel. There were 30 of us total at the restaurant, all cousins, cousin's children & fiancées, and siblings and other relatives of Carole's. Actually, the restaurant was extremely warm, and I spent the latter part of the time outside the restaurant under an overhang so I could get fresh air without getting wet in the rain. Today was the first day it really rained. The joke is that we Americans brought the good weather and we're taking it home with us.

At one point while I was outside, some teenage boys set up a ramp about 3 inches from the wall's edge into the water and a kid biked down the drive, onto the ramp, and with a few choice expletives, splashed into the water. When you love in a small town like Kilkeel, you gotta find some way to entertain yourself.

When we left there were plenty of tears shed and hugs galore amongst all the relatives. I gave plenty of hugs myself though I didn't cry. I was close cause I am the world's biggest sympathy crier. Plus I cry at, like, everything. Toy Story 3, anyone? Up? Return of the King? (Yes, I cried during Return of the King. And I'm not ashamed.)

Then it was back to Aldra & Stephen's to pack up the bags and head back to Jim & Maureen's. At Jim & Maureen's, we all re-packed with everything. It took me forever to pack everything. Sheesh people. Making me bring you back stuff. I'm pretty sure my suitcase weighs all of the 70 pounds I was allowed. Yeech. 

But, overall, it was an amazing trip. I really enjoyed meeting everyone that I did here, and I'm ready to go home even though it'll be right back to work when I get home. I'm truly blessed to know such amazing people as the Hudys, and I'm so glad they invited me to come. If I have the chance, I'd definitely come back. 

So, g'night and g'bye N. Ireland, it's been nice knowing you, and I hope we meet again.

"The thrill of coming home has never changed." - Guy Pearce