Catching My Breath!

What a whirlwind of activity I had last weekend!! It seems things happened all at once for me and all in one weekend, but I came out of it just fine. I'm in one piece, my family is in one piece and that is what matters in my life.

I am amazed at how I am growing as a person, not physically, but mentally. I have been given a challenge and I have been able to face it full on and not back down and I have to say, it is a good feeling. I have questioned myself over the years of how I can contribute in life. Of course, my family is priority number one. But now I am at a part of my life where I can contribute elsewhere too.

So my weekend was filled with meetings and dinners. Besides myself being busy, my son had a soccer tournament and my oldest daughter had her prom. I wasn't able to attend any of the soccer games, do I feel guilty? No, though I missed seeing my son play but at least my husband was able to be there with him. I did make it home in time to take pictures for prom, then that was the end of seeing my daughter until 4:00 in the afternoon the next day.

My Sunday meeting was a breath of fresh air. It was so nice to meet young adults that are so eager to be involved and give back. Such a nice change in this world.

So my busy weekend was all around worth it. There is hope out there in this world and we can all take that breath of fresh air that is so needed in today's hectic life. I am grateful for just that splinter of hope!!

Spring is in the Air!

When we landed at the airport Saturday, we were greeted with snow!! It wasn't sticking to the ground, but it was coming down sideways! The calendar says it's April, right? Should be raining, not snowing. But have no fear, we have beautiful spring weather this week.

The true sign that spring has arrived is the opening of our pool. Granted it is too cold to swim, but being able to look out at the sparkling water daily lifts one's spirits. We are not shy though to want to swim when the temperature outside is in the 70's, we just have to crank up the heater in the pool.

I wanted to share with you this picture of a mother duck and her ducklings that happened to get into our pool a few years ago:

I was shocked to say the least when I saw this. Mind you, people always assume we live in the middle of nowhere, but we actually live in the city. Yes, we still have corn fields around the area, but we are very much city dwellers. I was baffled as to how to get them out. I didn't want to chase them out and have them get lost in the backyards of my neighbors that have dogs. I called a neighbor and asked her opinion on what I should do. A few minutes later, she came over with her brood of little kids she watches during the day. She called it a 'field trip' for them; so cute seeing them peer thru the fence at the ducks and ducklings.

I had called the Humane Society on what to do and ask for help, but they were too busy to come out and help. My neighbor had brought over a dog kennel and butterfly nets. So imagine the two of us trying to catch the ducklings one by one and putting them into the kennel. The mother was able to 'fly' out of the pool, but the ducklings were too small to follow her lead. It was sad seeing them trying so hard to get out. My neighbor and I were successful in getting all the ducklings into the kennel, but then they started squeezing out the openings and some went back into the pool and one ran out around the house, into the street and across to another neighbor's backyard and they have a pool too!

Now I was back to square one, but with one duckling in another pool across the street! My neighbor had to get her kids back to her house for lunch so now I sat there looking at the ducklings. The mother had eventually come back and into the pool with her babies. I called the Humane Society again. A little later, someone came and helped catch the ducklings again. Catching the mother was not successful, she ended up flying off. We were able to track down the duckling from across the street, but that little thing ended up trekking across the street back into my pool before we captured it. The ducklings were going to be transported to a wildlife refuge nearby. I only hoped their mother would find them somehow. I kept looking in my backyard to see if she would return, she didn't.

What an experience that was and quite funny too. I haven't had any ducks since, but you never know! Good thing I was able to take a picture of them in the pool or no one would have believed me!

Reality..

When I talk about realiy, it can mean a lot of things. For me, at this moment, as I prepare for my meetings, it gets me to thinking about where I was born, South Korea. I find myself going in phases about wanting to know my past. I guess as I age(and my birthday isn't that far now)I find I want to know more and more about my past. I like to live life to the fullest. And I believe I am one that truly does live life to the fullest, I don't just talk a good game. Living life is about enjoying every moment; enjoying the little things in life and exploring all that I can about the world and therefore, myself. Life is also about being able to do the things in life that brings joy to my family and my friends. But as I have gotten older, I have also learned and allowed myself to have joy too.

So my reality is that I don't know about my birth parents. This realization hasn't made me sad or mad throughout my life, it was just a given that I didn't have information on them. So now with today's technology of the internet, I find myself on websites that I can register on and maybe catch the attention of a birth parent or birth sibling in S. Korea that maybe looking for me. Now doesn't that sound like looking for a needle in a haystack? Wow, what a challenge, but I know it can be done and I am up for the challenge because what a bonus for me if I did connect with someone from my birth family. If I don't, I won't have any regrets or 'what ifs' if I never tried!

So, I am asking for help from any of my readers out in this world, if you can give me other websites that can help me out. I only know of two websites right now. I need to be able to read the websites in English, I can't read Korean hangul. And all of you know that I will document my journey on here so any help would be great! Thanks in advance!

Back to Reality...Again!

I think gnomie says it all... Look closely and you will see that he has broken off of his pedestal. Is he rebelling because he didn't get to see the sights of NYC?? I know, my fault, I forgot he was with us so this is how I found him in my bag when I got home. How tragic huh? But have no fear, he can still stand on his own two feet! Next time gnomie, next time...I promise!

Our Final Full Day in NYC

Can't believe this was our last full day in New York City! What a wonderful trip we all had. For everyone, except Erika, this was the first time visiting NYC. Though Erika really didn't have time to do all the tourist things. That is why I plan such trips. I want to give my kids the opportunity to see all the sites both in the United States and soon, around the world. We have done all the typical tourist things, yet we had a lot of time for shopping and sleeping in. That has really balanced out well for us this week. As usual, we've made some great memories. And for those out there reading my blog, I wish for you to be able to take time out of your busy lives and travel and see the world. Even the most obvious tourist spots, enjoy them and create your own memories.

Our Friday started off great with being able to sleep in. I love sleeping in, I am not a morning person and I can and always do admit that. On our walks, we always see these trees. I find them so interesting as I look at them all together, no leaves, but yet still so beautiful:

Close to our hotel is the New York Public Library:

We then took a taxi to go to Ground Zero. Here is Erika hailing a taxi for us, she's pretty good at it now:

The entrance to the World Trade Center Path Station:

An informational stand showing the pictures of 9-11:

The plans for the memorials:

Though Ground Zero is completely fenced in due to construction, there are some holes within the fenced area in order for the public to see in:

Looking from this angle, I can only imagine how much the skyline changed with the two towers no longer standing. How tragic to even think of what happened in this location and being in the area. The tragedy happened in New York City, but the tragedy hit all of us, all around the world and we must never forget:After being at Ground Zero, we caught some lunch at a deli around the corner called The Stage Door Deli. What an experience that was ordering our lunch. The typical New York deli that I have seen portrayed so often on tv . And of course, with this authentic deli, the sandwiches were amazing and delicious! I would recommend this deli to everyone.

Trying to flag down a taxi back to our hotel, we were not so successful so we decided to take the subway. I've only been on the subway in Korea to compare and I do have to say, I like the subway in Korea way better. The kids' first subway ride:

Dinner was at the Stardust Diner on 50th and Broadway. This is a type of diner that the wait staff sing songs the entire time. Once you get past how loud it is in there, the singing is actually very good. I would recommend this to those that really want to have this type of experience, but I recommend you go before 5:30 because it gets very crowded after that. They sing songs that you really want to sing along to. Most of the staff are 'training' to get on broadway shows, of course. Once again, we had dinner with the Parker Hanson's. We laugh that we have to go to New York City to catch up with one another.

This is one of the wait staff singing:

Of course, having to walk back to our hotel, we had to stop at Toys R Us. I know, I know, we have those stores back home, BUT this one is three levels and has a ferris wheel in it:

And I am always facinated by how talented people are with legos:

My observation walking back to the hotel: it is Friday and more tourists are in town and therefore, the streets are even more crowded if that is even possible. Being in New York City reminded me of being in Seoul. There are so many people walking in the streets, all the vendors along the streets and the homeless along the way. I don't think I could live in the heart of NYC. I wouldn't be able to handle living in a high rise apartment, I love nature and being able to see it from my kitchen windows everyday and knowing my kids can go outside and play at anytime, I would miss that. I am thankful for where I live and for my house and for the space! Erika is funny, she says she is tired of walking everywhere and when we get home, she never wants to walk anywhere again! But with that being said, I have to say I didn't notice a lot of overweight people here. Walking is a good thing, such simple exercise, but it did wear me out too. All in all, our vacation was a huge success and we didn't have to buy extra luggage either!

Thursday in NYC

Our Thursday morning started off by walking to Rockefeller Center and here is the ever recognizable statue in front of the Rockefeller building by the ice rink:

The view of the Rockefeller building looking up: Off to see The Today Show:Kora looks great on tv:Hota Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford:Hota Kotb is very beautiful in person: We did make it on tv when Kota and Kathie Lee did the cooking segment. Now we can say we have had our 15 minues of fame!

Look what we saw on a truck on the way to the pier:

Chillin at the pier:
These guys are too funny:

Have to find away to entertain yourself at times. The boys were flicking the caps from the water bottles:
Miss Erika is just sitting looking cute as always:
The girls had fun running and jumping:

Here's our boat for our tour of lower Manhattan:
The little girls are ready to go: Look at how excited everyone is for the boat ride:
Pictures along the tour:
The Brooklyn Bridge:
Golf driving range:
The Manhattan Bridge:

Ahhh, Lady Liberty:

The 'Parker' Hanson's:

Ellis Island:
Kora is holding the Statue of Liberty?

What better way to end a great dinner than with a great dessert, especially New York style cheesecake, which this restaurant had THE best cheesecake we have ever had! The name of the restaurant is Junior's:

The kids had artistic drawing contests thru/out dinner and here are the drawings for 'the sa-wards of justices':
After dinner, we went to the Rocefeller building to the observation deck.
Don't be throwin me off the 'Top of the Rock' Erika!
There goes Kora showin everyone the city from the 'Top of the Rock':
The Empire State Building from the 'Top of the Rock':
What a view:
Really makes downtown Omaha feel very, very tiny with only two tall buildings:

The kids getting a better view:


We had a very full day so I was very tired and so was Erika so we decided to walk on back to the hotel while the others went to the ESPN Zone to play some games. In order to get out of the Rockefeller building, it was like the Amazing Race, it took forever to find our way out! Luckily, it wasn't just me, Skip later said they had problems finding their way out too. After such a busy day, I slept like a 'Rock'!