How to be RICH!

On February 28, Norm and I were the guest speakers at the SESA meeting. Two of my adult women English students were among the 40 or so that attended. In fact, before the "official" agenda started with our speeches, the informal spontaneous speaking took place, when Koreans who are daring enough to get up in front of others, get a chance to practice their English public speaking skills. I made sure that my students were encouraged to come up, and one of them did...Susanne. She is the ringleader of the trio I teach in my home once a week. She is 61 years old, a retired concert pianist who has traveled the world with music, and who is now enjoying grandmotherhood with a darling little 3 year old grandson. I was so proud of her for coming up to speak a few sentences in front of total strangers in an LDS building she has never visited before! Tina, her sidekick, was totally supportive, but could not bring herself to join her at the podium. No matter---they were both very welcome additions to the very pleasant evening.

Our topic stirred up some strong feelings, because the whole idea of becoming rich has pretty much predominated in Korean society in recent years. We discussed some ideas about keeping a proper perspective on wealth, and appreciating the non-monetary wealth that we all enjoy, but sometimes forget. I shared the words of a children's book that express this concept perfectly. Here's what it says:

What's the matter?

I'm fed up. I've got nobody. I've got nothing. I'm poor.

No, you're not. You're rich...What happens when you lose a tooth?

...I leave it under my pillow and the tooth fairy swaps it for money.

Well then, how much is your nose worth?

How much is a foot worth?

Even a toe?

How much is an arm worth?

Or a finger?

Now tell me: How much is a mouth worth?

Listen closely. How much is an ear worth?

How much is an eye worth?...See?

You're not poor. You're rich!...

I am?

I'm rich!

Hey, wait a minute. I've got all those things, but I'm not rich. I'm poor. I can't give you anything.

Oh, yes, you can.

What?

Give me a smile.

That's it. Now, give me your hand. Shake.

Open your arms. Give me a hug.

Tell me a joke. That's worth a laugh, at least.

Give me a song. I'll sing along.

Let's dance!

Give me a helping hand.

Here's a smell for your nose....Let's walk. Let's talk.

Let's run. We'll have fun.

What did that yawn cost? Yawns are free.

When you're asleep, dreams are free.

We're rich, because we're friends, you see...'Cause I've got you and you've got me.

We're rich!

The best news!

This is the day we have anticipated for several weeks---when we would learn if we are having a grandson or granddaughter this summer---and the news is in!

Baby Boy Potter is on the way, and will arrive sometime around July 21st, God willing. Michael and Eleanor experienced an ultrasound and listened to the strong heartbeat Tuesday (February 19th), and I just got off the phone with them.

Being our first grandchild, we really couldn't go wrong---I would have been delighted to hear about a boy or girl, and I'm just very grateful that all seems normal in the pregnancy.

The photos here were taken in December, (one of them was done with the help of a stuffed pillow, of course!) the day that the happy couple announced their expectant news to our family, and later to the Miller Family. That's Michael's long-time best friend Paul with his young family, and dear friends Dan and Angie as proud grandparents, too!

Now that I think about it, I should have taken a picture of the drawing M and E made to reveal their grand news. They sketched a simple cartoon showing "Milk and Honey Lasso the Stork," which carried out their "It's A Wonderful Life" theme from engagement days. Being Wonderful Life fanatics ourselves, we all caught on immediately, of course. In case you hadn't heard, Michael's long-standing nickname since junior high years is Milk, and of course, Eleanor is his Honey. (And she has become a real honey to all the Potters, too!)

Craig and Theresa Rossell are posing in their kitchen as new grandparents too. They are Eleanor's wonderful parents whom I visited in January, just before their other daughter gave them their first grandchild. We are rejoicing together!

One last note on this subject: During the first week of December, as Norm and I were in San Antonio, he asked me what I wanted for Christmas. After thinking about it a few minutes, I could not think of anything I wanted except news that we would be grandparents in 2008. I didn't realize I would be getting my wish so soon!

Terrific Teaching and Tutoring

Just a note to tell you and show where and how I spend some of my weekdays this year: Substitute teaching in Seoul Foreign School in a variety of excellent classes, and tutoring at home. On recent days, I helped a Turkish boy celebrate his birthday in a SFS classroom, and accepted a kind Lunar New Year's gift of Korean rice treats from Hanna's grandmother, when she came to our apartment with Hanna for her regular tutoring session. I love my life with the people here!

Seol Nal 2008--Year of the RAT!

Happy New Year again, in Korea! Lunar New Year started last Thursday, Feb 7 on the solar calendar....So we had a few days break, and decided to experience the customs in person, courtesy of Korean National Tourism Organization. We subwayed with Joe and Vicki Southerland to downtown Seoul and spent a few hours playing dress up, doing fun photos with all sorts of backgrounds, including these "hanbok" poses, playing traditional games, and finally dining for a late lunch at Bennigan's. We figured that was fair, because we spent American Thanksgiving at a Korean restaurant, so we needed some American cuisine on Korean's new year holiday! On our subway ride home, I laughed to myself as I watched these very typical young Koreans totally immersed in their technology. They didn't even notice when I took their picture.