Category Archives: South Korea

Poem: Buddha’s Birthday …a Haiku

2013-05-17 12.49.56-1 Buddhas Birthday

 

Three bows to Buddha

Bibimbap, rice cake, melon

Shady spot of peace

–

About the poem:

Buddha’s Birthday is a national holiday in South Korea. On my day off of work, I went to a nearby Buddhist Temple, Yongunsa, here in Samcheonpo. First we visited the main prayer space, slipped off our shoes and bowed three times to the main Buddha statue. These are full bows, meaning that for each you start standing, then kneel down and bend forward, touching your forehead to the ground, then come up.

Then we chose one of the many bibimbap serving lines. Older ladies served us each a bowl with the veggies and kim (seaweed), we added a dollop of gochu sauce, and in another line we added the rice.

We sat and at the bibimbap, then went for the dessert: watermelon, Korean yellow melon, and rice cake.

It was a very hot day, but there are many shady spots to sit, resting and enjoying the holiday.

Many Korean holidays are family-centered (bowing to ancestors graves).  So this was great for me, as I went with my Korean friends and could participate!

 

 

Poem: Love is the Subject

2010-12-20 Writing Class

English

Science

Calculus

Class

Just

An excuse.

Love is the subject

–

About the poem:

I know now that teaching is just an excuse to hang out with cool people. It’s a precious opportunity to love them and be loved. Realizing that love is a teacher’s top priority makes things richer, clearer. It’s similar to how shooting hoops with friends is not really about winning the game of H-O-R-S-E; it’s about spending fun, important, bonding time with friends.

When a student enrolls in class, the end goal is to have a good life …one filled with love and purpose. But, if our focus is love, appreciation and encouragement, we can deliver that moment, now!

About the author:

Joan just really, really hopes you figure out how to enjoy your life before it’s over. She writes books and blogs about this very important, fun topic!

Poem: Time is NOT money

Time is NOT money

Time is love, time is life now

To make love, make time

–

About the poem:

A belief that has been passed down is untrue.  Saying, “Time is money” is like saying “A person is money ” or “Life is money.”

If time is anything, time is love. It is the opportunity to love, to learn love, to teach love, to be love in the present moment. Time is what gives us the chance to play, to climb a tree, to hold hands, to talk.

In Korea, this is a repeating challenge as free time is often seen as an unaffordable waste of time. Hmmm

If you think your purpose is to love, to be love, making time for people is the way to do it, to be it.

Playing in the sand

Poem: Lanterns Sway …a Haiku

2013-05-04 14.15.01 Buddha Lanterns poem art

 

Pink, yellow and blue

Lanterns sway, ajummas pray,

Make my dreams come true!

–

* ajumma = elderly lady in Korea

–

About the poem:

Touring a Buddhist temple in Seoul today, the grounds are decked out with paper lanterns. Each has a blue prayer note attached, with a handwritten request for good health for the family, a successful resolution of a problem, or making a dream come true. As it gets closer to Buddha’s Birthday (May 17 this year), more and more lanterns will be added.

In one building at the temple, a Buddhist monk leads the prayers. Dozens of women (ajummas) sit, kneel and bow at various times. Other  than the monk, the men were  ’eopsseoyo’ …not there!

In contrast, I was recently in Saudi Arabia, where only the men are allowed to pray together (at the mosque) and women usually pray at home.

–

About the author:

Joan Gregerson writes books and blogs about how to enjoy life. She has managed to visit 22 countries and reflects on what is important. The answer is love. Yep, that’s it.

 

Poem: Supposes …invented yoga poses! Fanciful ideas from my Korean students

The seal, the seagull

The chick, the turtle

The monkey, the hamster

The keyhole, the vampire

The apple, the  screwdriver

The car, the middle finger

The bear, the ruler

The battleship cruiser

The umbrella, the scissors

The fox and praying mantis

The quarter note of music

The hydra and the mushroom

The hula hoop, the jellyfish

The zombie and the dolphin

The banana, the spider

The white tiger

The boomerang, the heart

The elephant, the hippo

Kung-fu and the butterfly

The dragon and the dragonfly

Levitation and the box

Finally, the question mark

With a hop to make the dot!

–

About the poem:

I taught yoga for the first time to my English classes in Samcheonpo, South Korea. At the end of class, I asked them to invent a new yoga pose. They instantly came up with dozens of new poses I’d never imagined! I appreciate ancient wisdom, but what the heck, wouldn’t this be a fun way to keep a yoga class from getting dull? So creative!

–

About the author:

Joan Gregerson believes life should be fun, but we just forgot how to do it. Kids are often wiser than we are, when it comes to simply enjoying the moment. Joan writes books and blogs about inner peace and enjoying life.

 

 

 

Poem: Weight, Weight, Don’t Tell Me …a Haiku

2013-04-28 11.34.06 Weight Lifting at Gaksan

Weight, weight, don’t tell me:

The magic formula is

Just steady effort?

About the poem:

I can get 38, maybe 40 reps of 20kg in now. Up from less than 10 reps a few months back. Simply through steady effort!
Now. And now. And now. My health is impacted by a million tiny choices, that I make one at a time. I like that. It means, change is always within my grasp!

I love the outdoor exercise stations that are sprinkled generously throughout South Korea. This one is mid-way up my favorite hiking trail, Gaksan, in Samcheonpo, Gyeongsangnamdo.

About the author:

Working to share ways to give up worry and enjoy life  (before ‘game over’!). Books on Amazon and Kindle!

Poem: Light, Lazy Chamomile NaPoWriMo 29

I lift the leaf-shaped handle

On the lid

Of the round glass pot

The chamomile buds

Are cozy and snug

The scent fills my daydreams

–

But the buds are in no rush

Lazily giving away their gifts

I fill the glass cup

Just a hint of yellow

I can barely smell the chamomile now

And the taste is ever so light

–

True

With higher heat

Or by pressing

We can force the process of

Giving up

Becoming stronger

Transforming

We know that too well.

–

Today

A light, lazy cup of tea

Is enough

Is perfect

–

About the author:

Joan writes about tea and drinks it quite a bit. Now that she is 52 and has to eat carefully, and still has not been called “Toothpick” (her childhood nickname) for decades,  she really loves tea because it is zero calories, but there is more than that.

She loves how tea embodies what she knows about life: the life is simple and beautiful, and meant to be savored, shared and enjoyed. Joan writes about what tidbits she picked up that she wished she’d known when she was younger. Check out her blog and her books on Amazon and Kindle.

Poem: Puppy Wisdom NaPoWriMo 28 …just run up to her and befriend her!

Puppy Wisdom

After waiting months to run into her

You finally do

Shy

You say hi

Then open your door

Rushing to disappear

Hurrying to begin waiting again

–

But

Your puppy darts out

Runs to her

Paws at her

Jumps up on her

Forcing you to go to her

Talk to her

–

She is going for a walk

You say goodbye

And head back to your door

–

But

Your puppy

Runs after her

And into the elevator

Sits down beside her

–

A few laughs

More rushed words

Then

She descends alone

–

Your puppy in your arms

You close the door behind you

Both of you now waiting…

Full-on puppy-style waiting

For her

For next time

–

–

About the poem

Sometimes I just write down a funny story a friend tells me. Like this one. Why be shy? Just run up to her and befriend her if you want to! In each step, we act out of love or fear. Choose love! It’s just more fun!

About the author:

Joan Gregerson hopes you will lighten up, give up worry and fear, and love like a puppy …with abandon and nothing to lose! She blogs and writes books about this. Her books are available on Amazon and Kindle. She is having a blast writing a poem a day for April National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo)!

Poem: Fireworks Unseen …a Haiku

boom crack pop pop boom

hostage to these books, this room

fireworks unseen

–

About the poem:

Friday night at  8 pm, we are sitting in a classroom together. My middle-school student is filling in the blanks of a worksheet for a pop song. We can hear the fireworks going off, from the province-wide sports festival one block away. I would love to run out of the school with her and go watch the fireworks. She does not look up, but maintains her focus on the task at hand and completes it perfectly.

How many times are there opportunities for awe and wonder, but we miss them because we are too busy, heads down accomplishing our to-do list?

About the author:

Joan is a big fan of play, which makes her awkward often in Korea, a very hard-working society. Joan has taken a few years off to do almost nothing. It is these experiences that spice her blog and books. Writing makes her really happy, so this writing a poem a day for April National Poetry Writing Month is heaven.

Poem: Same Moon – NaPoWriMo 25

2013-02-24-full-moon-4

Same Moon

You might think I’d feel empty

But I’m okay tonight

Without seeing you

Without holding your hand

Without hearing your laugh

I’m okay

Knowing we’re under

The same moon

I’m not empty without you

I’m full of love

Under this full moon

The same moon

With you

 

About the Author:

Joan Gregerson writes books and blogs in the hopes that some tidbit she shares will brighten your day, or perhaps transform your life! Her books are available on Amazon and Kindle.

Poem: Only Rainy – NaPoWriMo 24 Take a walk with me in the rain

The day looked miserably cold and rainy

But, being spring, it was only rainy

The warmth of yesterday lingered

The cherry blossoms had fallen

And dried up on the streets weeks ago

Were they thankful to be swept away now?

Their glory days past?

An old man rode by on his bicycle

Holding his umbrella in one hand

It covered him but not the wooden box where his bag was stuffed behind his seat

He seemed a bit wobbly in the rain

Avoiding the parked cars along one side

Weaving among the people walking

Permanently bent-over ajummas carried their baskets of vegetables

Those ajummas without umbrellas acted as if there was no rain

But everyone else ran for cover or huddled under umbrellas

Young mommies, with babies on the front

Waddled under the weight of their baby lumps

Peeking under the blanket now and then, they hustled down the street

All scurrying through today’s new rain

I paused at the crosswalk

Deciding if I should change plans

But I had my umbrella

Okay, it’s not my umbrella

Working at a school, abandoned umbrellas appear

Quicker than I can lose mine

So, I had ‘an’ umbrella

And the rain was a blanket

A mistiness that enfolded and cushioned the entire scene

I tread softly the few blocks

With no sounds reporting my steps

Arriving, hair damp and curlier than usual

As I’m shaking off my umbrella

“Nice weather!”

“Yes! Nice,  indeed!”

*ajummas – elderly ladies,  Korean. They are known here for being feisty and strong! Many have severe osteoporosis, but are very physically active, seen gardening, selling vegetables, working and walking.

About the Author:

Joan Gregerson lives and teaches in Samcheonpo, Gyeongsangnamdo, South Korea. She writes books and blogs about a couple things she’s picked up on in her 50+ years: mainly how to give up worrying and enjoy life more. She writes about love, life, meditation, nature, nutrition and anything that puzzles or inspires her. Find her books on Amazon and Kindle, or follow her on facebook.com/joangregerson or twitter@joangregerson

Poem: Out of Touch …a Haiku

Hugged by a stranger/
But no hugs between us, friend? /
Why so out of touch? /

—
About the Poem
Joan Gregerson lives in South Korea where hugs pop up often enough to know they’re do-able, but rare enough to think about making a Free Hugs sign! Even between friends, hugging is less common than a two-handed wave goodbye and slight bow. After living in Ghana, Joan is a nut about love, hugs and time together, and tends to drive her busy Korean friends crazy.

About the Author
Joan hopes you will learn how to give up worrying, and take ownership of your life. Her two books on Amazon are designed to guide you in this fun transformation.

Sadness no, Crying yes

I don’t believe that sadness has much value, but I do like a good cry.

I jotted this sentence, “It is with great, great, great sadness that I have decided…”

But, that’s bullshit. Delete. Delete. Delete. “I have decided…” Yes, better.

Making that decision made me feel great. Finally accepting that a change is due, makes me happy. What a relief! If it isn’t a good step, why choose it!

Sadness is what I feel when I become greedy. When I want things to last forever, when I want someone to be different than they are right now. Sadness is sitting somewhere other than here and now, wishing it were here and now.

Sadness is a lack of appreciation. Appreciation of the past, present and future.

Gratitude reminds me that I’m lucky for the love and many fine moments. And gratitude awakens me to the bliss right now, and the multitude of possibilities to come.

Sadness is not somewhere I like to wallow. I’ll touch down there, but I know it’s not home.

Crying, on the other hand, I do like.

But first, there are two types of crying I would not recommend:
- Crying on the phone. Through deep research, this always makes things worse.
- Crying on the way to work. Thorough research has shown this to be bad because you then need to invent reasons for your red eyes. Actually, I’ve never tried honestly saying to my boss, “Oh, I was just crying as I walked to work, but I’ll be fine now.” And, no, I don’t think I will.

What may surprise you is that I have found that:
- Crying while writing in a coffee shop is perfectly fine.
- Crying while walking down the street is fine.
- Crying while driving is pretty good if the traffic isn’t too bad.

I also don’t think crying at home is a good idea. This is like not having bulk chocolate at home.

So, as I got dressed and tears began to flow unexpectedly today, I thought, you know what, I want to have a really tremendous cry today. I want one of those clean out the ducts, let it go, healing cries. And I want to do it well before I leave for work.

I went for a walk. Found a nearby park, where only a dog and a cat were playing. I sat down with some potato chips and prepared to cry.

But, I couldn’t find the sadness or tears again, just happy memories that made me chuckle. One after the other of lovely moments that made me smile.

Then I became very peaceful, and thought nothing, just resting in the sun and nibbling potato chips. With the saltiness and crunch of the chips, the tears would not come. It was like they too wanted to just rest where they were, content, not wanting to ruin a perfectly good moment in the sun.

Hanging out …can you be content doing nothing?

The most powerful thing we can do is be 100% present in our interactions with each other. Unhurried. Open to the moment and each other. Be, rather than, Do.

Hanging Around

Rare chance to play outside with my students. Here we are on our field trip ‘observing’ cherry blossoms.

Double it!

image

This past week I improved life with a simple change: Double it!

I’ve been making green juice once or twice a week. Also, this month I have a new schedule working six hours straight with only five minute breaks between classes… I often arrived home wiped out.

From a video I watched by Kris Carr and  the same advice from a friend, came the idea, why not
make an extra juice to drink at school! I added this to my standard snack of walnuts and almonds.

I did this yesterday, and have mine all ready for today. I arrived home feely nourished and calm. And this self love also helps me be fun and loving even for my last class of the day!

Amazing to me how encouraging words, an open mind and small steps can continually improve our lives… In leaps and bounds.

Are you doing some small positive action in your life? Could you double it?

Cheers! Gumbae!

“I like being prepared” …a chaos buster!

Last year, I was in a meeting where one member recounted how another was such a good person to work with. He said it was because she was always so prepared, and she chimed in, “I like being prepared.”

The speaker said he began using that motto, not only in his work, but in his way of living. Before he met someone, he tried to be prepared. If he saw someone walking toward him, he quickly tried to be mentally prepared to be able to greet the person kindly, to focus on the person, and not be distracted by other concerns.

Wow, I totally agree with this approach. Especially, when it comes to greeting people or beginning a class or a meeting. I want to look forward to that interaction.

But, what I hadn’t acknowledged before, was that in my work, yes, I too like to be prepared! 

I realized that I tend to take on too much, so have gotten better at limiting my “To Do List”. Or laughing at it!

But, I realized that for me to feel comfortable, I do enjoy being prepared and thus enjoy preparing!  It is a kick-ass chaos buster!

For example, whereas the previous teacher in this position took 1-2 hours per week for planning, I take 4-5 hours. I tried with fewer hours, but all week I was fumbling for enough activities to meet the ever-changing class composition and last-minute shifts. Instead of cursing those, I figured out that those are ‘normal’, so by preparing more options, I’m able to teach something fun, comfortably …no matter what!

So, making the extra effort to be prepared is an important part of being able to be peaceful, joyful and comfortable when class after class of kids wander into my room. When I’m prepared, I can meet them excitedly knowing we will have fun in the coming hour.

In the past few weeks, I had another example of this. I decided to participate in an Open Mic event to perform some of my poetry. I had only done this one previous time, on the spur of the moment that time, so I know I’m really a beginner.

So, even though the time slot was just 7 to 12 minutes, I spent weeks preparing. I memorized about eight poems, though I knew I’d have time for only about four. I translated one into Korean so it wouldn’t be all English … here in Korea! I practiced some of the poems with different friends and got great insights about the importance of giving some background and connecting to the listener.

As a result of all that preparation, I wasn’t stressed out that day. When my name came up as the last of 15 poets, I felt calm and happy. I had fun, and think the audience did too.

I used to really rebel against that extra effort, but now I can welcome it:

  • as part of my way to enjoy life,
  • as an effective chaos crusher,
  • as part of my spiritual path, and
  • as a way to inner peace!

Yep, I like being prepared! 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

By spending a few extra hours of prep time, I’m ready for anything all week long! And last minute schedule changes don’t bother me!

The right to exercise

As I finished class on Friday here in Korea, I asked my fifth-grade student what she would be doing this weekend. She answered, “Studying!”

“Oh,” I said, “well, make sure you get plenty of rest and get some exercise!”

“I can’t. I have to study.”

Another friend who has completed high school, told me that her parents don’t want her to enroll in dance or exercise classes, …just study! While it’s true that most kids in Korea get very little exercise, boys do tend to play soccer at lunch time at least.

But, it’s not only Korea that restricts physical exercise. When I was in Saudi Arabia, most girls told me that they don’t walk and they don’t exercise. There, it’s not about time, but instead it is about what is considered proper for women and girls to do.

I grew up spending time outdoors, playing in the neighborhood, on the neighborhood swim team, and later on high school gymnastics and soccer teams. Playing sports and being physically fit has been a rewarding part of my life.

Of course, this isn’t only in some cultures. In general, more and more jobs require us to sit for long periods of time.

Let’s acknowledge the basic fact that human bodies were designed to move.

Our bodies are not simply vehicles for our brains. We can’t expect our brains to be flexible, quick and strong, while not granting our bodies the same qualities.

I am standing up for the human right to move. Everyone, but especially girls and women, deserves the basic right to dance and exercise.

Teaching the Macarena and brainstorming Samcheonpo Style

We have a short week, just Thursday and Friday, so I wanted to do something fun. Everyone here knows Gangnam Style ….hmmm what to do?

I decided to teach the Macarena to my elementary and middle school classes. I figured it would be a hit with the girls, but wasn’t sure how the boys would handle it. Luckily, after their initial groans, they got into it! Loved how the guys made a line dance of it and were better at it than me!

I showed a couple youtube videos including one of some elementary girls performing for a talent show. It was interesting to learn that a couple of them had performed in talent shows: playing musical instruments and doing a skit. When I asked if they ever wanted to perform, one said yes as a musician and another said no, but later admitted he would be okay being on TV as a professional soccer player.

Then we brainstormed, if we made a music video about our small town of Samcheonpo, what scenes would it have. They each had to sketch four ideas just using stick figures. Haha, so funny! Some unique ideas:

- A new line to replace “Hey Sexy Lady” … “Hey Fishy Lady” as the fisherman pulls in his net

- a guy diving off the bridge to his death, so the dance move is a dive

- crossing the crosswalk and getting hit by a car (…blood and knives are favorite highlights of the middle school boys drawings!)

- kangaroo dance. why? no idea!

- playground scene, elevator scene, fishing boat scene

This class reminded me that I don’t need to do hours of prep, but I do need to be a little brave to try things that may fail. But may pay off in getting all of us to take risks: moving, being creative and laughing a lot!

I used other videos to teach the dance, but here’s the original Macarena. It’s great in the variety of dancers and energy!