“Are you crying?” my husband, Holden, asks me. No, I insist- my chopsticks shaking as they hold a piece of marinated short rib (갈비). I read online recently that a new Korean BBQ restaurant called K’s House had opened near…
The Truth About Adoption: An Adoptee’s Perspective
Did you know that November is National Adoption Awareness Month? I’ve been asked by many well-intentioned inquirers if I knew this information. Yes. I’m aware. To be honest, I wasn’t planning on writing anything to commemorate this, because… well… for…
How North Korea Changed My Life
Footage from North Korea’s “Day of the Sun” celebrations chills me to the bone for many reasons. The political turmoil of Korea has always been part of my history as a Korean, but on most days, thoughts about my adoption…
Sisters
When I think about the holidays, one of my most-treasured traditions growing up was watching “White Christmas” every year with my mom. Bing Crosby’s baby blue eyes and bass-baritone voice warm my heart on even the coldest of winter days….
Memories
When my sisters, birth mother, and I walked into the office of Jeon Ye Hwan, the ESWS director, the first thing she asked me was for my photo album. Apparently, it’s an unspoken rule that when you reunite with your…
Storytelling
I left for Korea on November 22nd, 2013. Brought an empty new journal, having every intention to document every event of the trip. I returned to the states with only 6 pages filled. Most of which was non sequitur, free…
사랑 (Sarang)
“Always remember, you were born to be loved.” Kyung-hee (second eldest sister) left me the above comment on a photo of her desk calendar, showing that she had marked off the week of November 24-30 when I will be visiting…
Birth Family Skype Call
Email from Kyung-mi Unni: hello my sister~~ Do you know skype which is internet phone? I Want a talk to you(tomarrow) on skype I’ll let you know how to useskype Just enter this website www.skype.com then you can register on…
