The last gathering with my birth family before I left Korea after teaching English for three years. Article written for Gwangju News Magazine
Tag: Birth family
A Day Off with My Birth Family
Went up to Jeonju to visit my birth family on a day off from school.
My Parents Meet My Parents
As discussed in my recent post about adoption, I am one fortunate human being. First of all, I was adopted as an infant, leaving me free of traumatizing memories of being taken to a new land as a school-age child, when memories are retrievable. My adoptive family is wonderful and supportive; never did I feel … Continue reading My Parents Meet My Parents
On Being a Korean American Adoptee
On being a Korean American adoptee
My Korean Birth Family’s First Letter
My Korean birth family's first letter to me.
Chuseok: Family Time and a Temple Stay at Mihwangsa, Haenam, Korea
Chuseok and a temple stay in South Korea
Making Kimchi with my Birth Mom
Making Kimchi with my birth mother in Jeonju, South Korea
Kimchi and Sul (Alcohol) – My Birth Mother’s Surprise Visit
Yumi informed me on Thursday afternoon that Omma will be paying me a visit the following evening. With my agenda already clear, I was happy to hear the news. I was assuming that also meant Appa was coming. I meticulously cleaned my apartment and bought some food because they tend to laugh that my refrigerator … Continue reading Kimchi and Sul (Alcohol) – My Birth Mother’s Surprise Visit
Trip with my Korean Birth Sisters: Nami Island
My first time in my birth parents’ home in Jeonju, they broke out photo albums so I can see photographic documentation of their lives. There were many, many photo albums – even a photo album dedicated to each daughter. When I turned to the photos of their family vacations – Jeju Island, Japan, India, Cambodia, … Continue reading Trip with my Korean Birth Sisters: Nami Island
Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving)
The weeks leading up to Chuseok, Korea’s biggest holiday and comparable with Thanksgiving, the stores were full of overpriced gift sets with themes including Spam, tuna, dried fish, toiletries, seaweed, etc. I opted to purchase edible goodies like rice cakes, wine, cookies, chocolates, and fruits to bring for my family. Koreans tend to give usable … Continue reading Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving)