tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78688916209648131452024-03-14T09:04:31.155+01:00Taste of KimchiIn this blog you may get a sense of what it means to be Korean or maybe a percieved illusion. But also a sense of what it means to be not only adopted but reunited as well. Sometimes I write about Sweden where I grew up and also about cooking and baking - because I enjoy it! Also take note that all pictures here belong to me unless stated otherwise. Respect the copyright please.Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742725859336063786noreply@blogger.comBlogger673125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868891620964813145.post-42226631995069725432015-12-20T00:00:00.000+01:002016-01-06T18:54:26.566+01:00가는 말이 고와야 오는 말이 곱다I am Korean born.<br />
<br />
<pre class="tw-data-text vk_txt tw-ta tw-text-medium" data-fulltext="" data-placeholder="Översättning" dir="ltr" id="tw-target-text" style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #212121; font-family: inherit; font-weight: lighter !important; height: 36px; line-height: 36px !important; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 0.14em 0px 0px; position: relative; resize: none; unicode-bidi: -webkit-isolate; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 237.5px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: white;">한국어 탄생. </span></pre>
<pre class="tw-data-text vk_txt tw-ta tw-text-medium" data-fulltext="" data-placeholder="Översättning" dir="ltr" id="tw-target-text" style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #212121; font-family: inherit; font-weight: lighter !important; height: 36px; line-height: 36px !important; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 0.14em 0px 0px; position: relative; resize: none; unicode-bidi: -webkit-isolate; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 237.5px; word-wrap: break-word;"><pre class="tw-data-text vk_txt tw-ta tw-text-small" data-fulltext="" data-placeholder="Översättning" dir="ltr" id="tw-target-text" style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px !important; height: 24px; line-height: 24px !important; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 0.14em 0px 0px; position: relative; resize: none; unicode-bidi: -webkit-isolate; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 237.5px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: white;">입양인.</span></pre>
</pre>
Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742725859336063786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868891620964813145.post-70015411912438561442015-11-11T00:00:00.000+01:002016-01-06T18:58:00.078+01:00亚洲女孩I am an Asian <strike>girl</strike> woman.<br />
I don't know Chinese or Japanese just because I'm Asian.<br />
나는 중국어 또는 일본어 모른다.<br />
<pre class="tw-data-text vk_txt tw-ta tw-text-medium" data-fulltext="" data-placeholder="Översättning" dir="ltr" id="tw-target-text" style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #212121; font-family: inherit; font-weight: lighter !important; height: 72px; line-height: 36px !important; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 0.14em 0px 0px; position: relative; resize: none; unicode-bidi: -webkit-isolate; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 237.5px; word-wrap: break-word;"></pre>
Asian languages are not similar.<br />
Knowing one language does not make fluent in all.<br />
<br />
Yes, rice is a staple food in most Asian cultures but it's not the only food.<br />
Asians, does not love rice just because they are Asian or supposed to be in their DNA.<br />
<br />
<pre class="tw-data-text vk_txt tw-ta tw-text-medium" data-fulltext="" data-placeholder="Översättning" dir="ltr" id="tw-target-text" style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #212121; font-family: inherit; font-weight: lighter !important; height: 36px; line-height: 36px !important; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 0.14em 0px 0px; position: relative; resize: none; unicode-bidi: -webkit-isolate; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 237.5px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: white;">나는 한국어 입니다.
나는 밥을 좋아하지.나는 밥을나는 밥을 좋아하지 않는다좋아하지 않는다.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></pre>
<pre class="tw-data-text vk_txt tw-ta tw-text-medium" data-fulltext="" data-placeholder="Översättning" dir="ltr" id="tw-target-text" style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #212121; font-family: inherit; font-weight: lighter !important; height: 36px; line-height: 36px !important; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 0.14em 0px 0px; position: relative; resize: none; unicode-bidi: -webkit-isolate; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 237.5px; word-wrap: break-word;"><pre class="tw-data-text vk_txt tw-ta tw-text-medium" data-fulltext="" data-placeholder="Översättning" dir="ltr" id="tw-target-text" style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-weight: lighter !important; height: 72px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 0.14em 0px 0px; position: relative; resize: none; unicode-bidi: -webkit-isolate; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 237.5px; word-wrap: break-word;"></pre>
</pre>
<br />Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742725859336063786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868891620964813145.post-72490591069995435982015-10-15T00:00:00.000+02:002015-10-15T00:00:00.584+02:00虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ずI want to live my life without fears.<br />
Mistakes makes you grow.Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742725859336063786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868891620964813145.post-37290234430022041542015-09-09T00:00:00.000+02:002015-09-09T00:00:00.208+02:00好久沒看到China, Mongolia, Tawain.<br />
(South) Korea, North Korea.<br />
Japan.Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742725859336063786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868891620964813145.post-8883329719494522652015-08-08T00:00:00.000+02:002015-08-08T00:00:00.486+02:00Funiculi FuniculaLife is fast you can't stop it not even if you tried. Enjoy the little time that you may have. Forget all your sorrows, fears and mistakes. Live for the moment not for tomorrow or in the past.Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742725859336063786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868891620964813145.post-83852597920319048272015-07-21T00:00:00.000+02:002015-07-21T00:00:00.597+02:00Como tu MujerAs a woman in the 21st century I should not have to forsake my dreams or anything that makes me me. I should be allowed to strive, flourish and blossom.<br />
<br />
Just as I should be able to search for requited love to replace my eternal unrequited love.<br />
<br />
As a woman I should be able to love anyone I want, of course I still have my moral principles thank you very much. I may be a woman but a proud and indepent one at that I know I don't need a man or boyfriend to make my life complete.<br />
<br />
But it would be nice for me to love another man, to mend my broken heart and to love another man as the woman that I am. My life might never feel complete but I think it should be nothing wrong with wanting to have someone to share your life with. There can be nothing wrong with wanting to establish a shared future with someone else.Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742725859336063786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868891620964813145.post-6002759773472955192015-06-14T00:00:00.000+02:002015-06-14T11:17:28.319+02:00Kiene LangewieleAs an adult adoptee there are many things I refuse to make a family tradition. Obviously adoption would be one of them. If I ever start a family with someone I rather do it with another Asian. I'm patriotic that way, preferably Korean although a Chinese or Japanese would be allright too. I dream of having a child that has my genes and whose etnicity would be Korean, or maybe Asian as in Chinese or Japanese...<br />
<br />
<br />
I think of myself as a rebel, and I refuse to share my life with anyone who doesn't understand what it means to be a female Asian adoptee and a KAD. I consider myself fairly flexible yet that is my most important value that I will not accept any compromises on.<br />
<br />Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742725859336063786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868891620964813145.post-10479123376666049262015-05-10T00:00:00.000+02:002015-05-10T00:00:01.284+02:00Non, Je ne Regrette RienApparently there is a common understanding that if a young child experiences trauma it will most likely affect them. Some say the only remedy is regressional therapy that would help you re-experience said trauma and by doing so you can resolve it...<br />
Not sure if it's true or not all I know is that I can't seem to shake off my past...<br />
<br />
I don't want to live a life with regret. I don't want to have a past filled with regrets.<br />
Yet it is better to regret past actions than never having tried.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742725859336063786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868891620964813145.post-10060492582923593122015-04-16T00:00:00.000+02:002015-04-16T00:00:00.953+02:00Always on My MindIf I don't get after my dream then I will always be on my mind.<br />
Of course I could always settle and try to contempt-but I would never be it.<br />
Most likely I would turn into an angry bitter woman and that should say a lot.<br />
I am not willing to sacrifice my dream for anyone not even if I gain unconditional love in return.<br />
Not until I tried my best would be inclined to consider recreating a new life under new circumstances.<br />
<br />
I just think a lot about my birth mother and my olders sisters. Now I know that it is my mother that somehow is accountable for their nonexistant contact with me. My maternal grandmother refused me the oppertunity be raised with my older siblings. I have been rejected by three generations of women in my birthfamily and also two generations of men.<br />
<br />
<br />Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742725859336063786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868891620964813145.post-47123784924174257542015-03-12T00:00:00.000+01:002015-03-15T08:13:12.434+01:00Off The Wall<b>Rumors. Facts. Truth. </b><br />
<div>
<i>I want to resettle in Korea.</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Why? How come ? Similar questions is what I recieve from anyone a stranger or someone who thinks they have a right to have an opinion my life and my choices. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That could not be more wrong. I know what I am and the little culture I have been exposed to is not enough. Not a society that only halfheartedly is willing to accept you under certain curcumstances.</div>
<div>
Society wants me to reject my origin, my proud heritage and my culture. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have been given a new one I should fully embrace it. Believe me I have and still I am not fully accepted. I was forced to learn the customs of a foreign culture and now I have to choose. Either fully adjust into it or make a concious choice not to.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For my entire life I have lived a life that people think they have a right to have opinions on and to offer advice usually of discouragement. I will never be fully accepted in a society that is supposed to be my home this exactly why it does not feel like my home.<br />
<br />
The parents who raised me, that I call mum and dad will never replace the parents that I should have had. Instead they are the next best thing, but I love my mum and dad tremendously - but there will always be a part of me that I lost and always will miss...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742725859336063786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868891620964813145.post-24170992678633915022015-02-11T00:00:00.000+01:002015-02-11T13:56:53.597+01:00Slipping Through My FingersI know what I want and how to get it. I cannot rest and settle down until my soul find peace and my heart discovered happiness that lies within. To me life is so extremely short-that we only have one chance to reach our dreams and full potential. I will not let this just slip through my fingers because I may only get one shot.<br />
<br />
To me my lifedream is my number one priority-I will sacrifice a stable future and even love to reach my dream.<br />
<br />
For 15 years I was separated and detached from them, 15 years ago I found them and got to know them. But no matter what I lost 15 years, years that I never will get back. I have been in reunion with my birth family for half my life. Which is not easy I should add, I am the second youngest child and youngest daughter out of eight.<br />
<br />Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742725859336063786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868891620964813145.post-61911581159845577322015-01-11T00:00:00.000+01:002015-02-03T19:38:57.273+01:00Let It BeLet Me Be<br />
The Me<br />
I Was<br />
Meant to Be<br />
The Person That<br />
I Once<br />
Was Supposed<br />
To Be<br />
<br />
Is it not ironic that I have a yearning and a life long dream to resettle in Korea, try my wings and search for happiness and luck -while one of my sisters did exactly the opposite. She did not marry a Korean man, nor did she settled in Korea she built a future overseas.<br />
<br />
The culture that I long to know better and love tremendously she choose to reject and cast aside. For reasons I am not sure off she decided to marry a foreign man. She knows the culture that we both are proucts of she knows what she dislikes about. Whereas I cannot reject or dislike anything Korean it is a part of me. If I reject it, I ignore a part of me.<br />
<br />
I cannot change what happened or undo my adoption . I cannot disolve my adoption (it's supposedly not possible). Whould I even want to..? One part of me wants to do it, and another part doesnt' think its worth it. That would cause more pain for one or both of my families plus it was almost 29 years ago I was relinguished for adoption.<br />
<br />
Plus I don't even know for sure if my birth ceritificate is real (social study).Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742725859336063786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868891620964813145.post-80637794618819378042014-12-20T00:00:00.000+01:002015-02-03T19:40:12.195+01:00AuraMy aura and soul was born through my mother's tears and pain. Her soul gave birth to me a daughter that she never could call hers. Because of this my mother's aura must be pure. White as snow and innocent. I do not blame her in any way, I can hold nothing against her. She gave me life, I am a part of her.<br />
<br />
I am searching for the thing I lost, my social heritage that I lost because I was adopted... My biological heritage does no longer match my social heritage. That is my biggest sorrow but it is not something that I can regret because I had nothing to do with it. I was just born by a mother that never was to be my mum.<br />
<br />
Who is to blame for my soul's trauma... Because it is traumatic for a newborn infant or animal to be separated from it's mother to soon after birth.... That's why experts does not recommend you to buya kitten that's younger than 12 weeks or 8 weeks for a puppy. Removing it too soon from it's mother will most likely disturb the animals natural development not to mention the anti bodies it will lack and lose because of not being able to feed from it's mother.<br />
<br />
Why are not children treated with the same respect?Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742725859336063786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868891620964813145.post-28858529420479493252014-11-15T00:00:00.000+01:002014-11-15T00:00:00.264+01:00Born to Die<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Gulim","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Gulim;">천국에서도</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Gulim","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Gulim;">당신은</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Gulim","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Gulim;">나의어머니입니다</span>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Gulim","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Gulim;">어머니</span>, <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Gulim","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Gulim;">천국에서도</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Gulim","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Gulim;">나를</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Gulim","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Gulim;">알아봐</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Gulim","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Gulim;">주세요</span>.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Gulim","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Gulim;">다음</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Gulim","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Gulim;">생에도어머니는제되어주시겠어요</span><span style="font-family: "Gulim","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Gulim;"> ?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742725859336063786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868891620964813145.post-69897799244774743132014-10-29T00:00:00.000+01:002014-10-29T00:00:00.029+01:00선생님 My BrotherHave I told you about my brother... I can't recall that I have. My brother <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Gulim, sans-serif;">남동생</span><span lang="EN-US"> or </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Gulim, sans-serif;">오빠, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">hierarcial and there are two different terms for brother, which depends on the gender females calls older brother one thing and another if they're younger brothers. Same goes for brothers- older brothers have one name and younger brothers another. The same word used by a younger sister for her older brother has also been used as term of enderment between couples- the girlfriend calls her boyfriend this. Sometimes a woman may use this for her older male friends as well.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">Exactly
what I call my brother, that is up for you to determine or guess. I can tell
you that my brother has been studying to become a teacher </span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">선생님</span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">
and the subject he'll be teaching is history </span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">역사</span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">.
At first he had his heart set on becoming a doctor, for some reason his grades
weren't high enough so instead he decided to pursue a teaching carrier. Next
after a carrier in medicine the teaching profession in Korea still carries a
lot of status. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Which isn't
the same in Sweden or Europe where I'm from. Fact is that a teacher in Sweden
is among the lowest valued profession one could choose. Teachers and doctors
are expected to a future of low incomes, long hours of work regular or constant
overtime. Despite the fact that both of them are needed professions for society
to function the salary doesn't reflect this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
I also believe that my birth parents wanted my brother to pursue a carrier in medicine because it has high status and a very nice salary. A doctor has the highest status overall. But if all Korean students entered into medicine society would not function since other professions would size to exist.<br />
<br />
I am proud of my brother for wanting to become a teacher, I want him to be happy. I love my brother, just as I do love my sisters and my father and mother.<br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.25px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742725859336063786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868891620964813145.post-10164301603717588722014-09-11T00:00:00.000+02:002014-09-11T00:00:01.063+02:00Embrace LifeLife's not a coincidence, embrace your life. Really embrace it, since you are here on earth. You were meant to be. Meant to be alive. Remember that life's no accident everything happens for a reason. You are a winner , winner of life. Celebrate it, cheerish it enjoy your life.<br />
<br />
Happiness starts from within if you're not happy with yourself you will never be happy with someone else. You can't love anyone else if you don't learn to love, respect, honor and accept yourself. It may not be easy and easier said then done... But if there's life there's always hope.<br />
<br />
Initally this post was written in the light of the Sewol tragedy in Korea, yet almost two months ago another disaster struck the international community the crash of MH17 months after Malyasia's MH370 disappeared... I will not mention the politics behind the MH17 crash. This is not the proper place to do so and it also feels to soon to do so....<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742725859336063786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868891620964813145.post-23687674915087755352014-08-16T00:00:00.000+02:002014-08-16T16:44:33.211+02:00Lost LivesThe sudden ferry accident outside Jindo where 80 % of the passengers were High School students from Anam , Hanwon High School is indeed a tragic loss. I do believe it could have been prevented.. I honestly do.<br />
<br />
Korea is a very competitive society were the collective good comes before individual needs. This means the Korean mentality basically says that showing emotion in public is not socially accepteed.<br />
"<i>Only small children cries</i>" instead of talking openbly about their feelings, emotions and reactions to things they don't mention it at all.<br />
<br />
With more over 200 missing or dead teenagers there is a fear that the suicide rate will increase, because it is a parents worst nightmare to survive while they loss their children instead.<br />
<br />
The 22year old female part time worker who refused to leave and save herself, who tried to rescue as many as she could, the engaged 20s couple who tried to look for more or the middleaged teacher who wanted to try to rescue and save his students.There were many brave teenagers onboard the Sewol ferry, the Choi boy who made the 911call, the part time worker, the engaged couple, or the boy who gave away his lifejacket to a friend and the teenage couple who died tied together... And the brave civilians that stepped in and helped to rescue some, some who even lost their own lives...<br />
<br />
Will this nightmare mean that Korea has to change their view on healthcare ? Nobody did approch the assigned Health Care workers at the Jindo gymnasium. Many parents have mentioned not wanting to live...<br />
<br />
If it would have been a ferry with 80% adult passengers instead of High School students would the captain have acted differently would the expected death toll not have been as high.. !? Who knows.<br />
I can't imagine how this feels, but I feel the collective grief. Experts talk about a collective depression yet depression isn't a common word in the Korean vocabulary. Depression 불경기 (bulyeongki) while suicide is <span lang="KO" style="font-family: Batang, serif;">자살</span> jasal (chasal) and the incident has already claimed it's first victim by suicide, the vice principal of the Anwon High School in Anam.<br />
<br />
(I will not write about the president or crew members of the Sewol ferry -this is not the time. I will find another place to write about the crew and suspected wrongdoing and criminal act..)<br />
<br />
Try to not feel guilty for having survived, celebrate it even if it's hard.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
To those who survived<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="KO" style="font-family: "Batang","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Batang; mso-fareast-language: KO;">죄책감을하지</span><span lang="KO"> </span><span lang="KO" style="font-family: "Batang","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Batang; mso-fareast-language: KO;">말아주세요</span>...<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="line-height: 38.400001525878906px;">Il Divo, </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 38.400001525878906px;">꽃, 꽃이 필까 예 예 그들은 그들은 것입니다 윌</span><span style="color: #212121; line-height: 38.400001525878906px;"> </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 38.400001525878906px;">당신이 여기 아직 태어나의 경우가 있습니다. </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 38.400001525878906px;">그들은 꽃을하겠다는 그들은 것 및 그 때까지 다시 개화 </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 38.400001525878906px;">거기에는없는 슬픔은 없습니다 및 이유 애도 남아</span><br />
<br />Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742725859336063786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868891620964813145.post-9416589171452527432014-07-15T00:00:00.000+02:002014-07-15T00:00:00.419+02:00R.I.P Angel KADs<br />
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My dear sweet angels and innocent souls. How much my heart yerns for you all, my heart is heavy for you all. You were all taken way to soon, I can't help but to think of your birthmothers.... Do they know, that you're no longer living- that your life was ended by the one person that was supposed to keep you safe ? </div>
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<ul>
<li>1957, Wendy Kay Ott, 22 months old</li>
<li>1972, Kim Marie Firth, 2</li>
<li>1976, Danielle Kristine Neil, 13 months</li>
<li>1978, Lew Jones, 21</li>
<li>1992, Kayla Erlandson, 2</li>
<li>1994, Holly 15 & Nicole 14</li>
<li>2007, Chaeli Kyrie , 13 months</li>
<li>2008, Ethan 10, Seth 9, Mira 5 and Eleanor 3</li>
<li>2013, Hyunsu 3</li>
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<span lang="JA" style="font-family: "Batang","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Batang;">제발</span><span lang="JA"> </span><span lang="JA" style="font-family: "Batang","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Batang;">날</span><span lang="JA"> </span><span lang="JA" style="font-family: "Batang","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Batang;">용서해</span><span lang="JA"> </span><span lang="JA" style="font-family: "Batang","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Batang;">주세요. </span><span style="font-family: "Batang","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Batang;"><o:p></o:p></span><span lang="KO" style="font-family: Batang, serif;">우리는</span><span lang="KO"> </span><span lang="KO" style="font-family: Batang, serif;">당신의</span><span lang="KO"> </span><span lang="KO" style="font-family: Batang, serif;">아이를</span><span lang="KO"> </span><span lang="KO" style="font-family: Batang, serif;">보호해야.</span></div>
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<span lang="KO" style="font-family: "Batang","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Batang; mso-fareast-language: KO;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742725859336063786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868891620964813145.post-38541679765421608852014-06-10T00:00:00.000+02:002014-06-10T00:00:00.307+02:00평화평화, pyeonghwa means peace which is something I really do believe in. I believe in equality and world peace. But it's difficult trying to strive and achieve world peace if you're not in harmony and peace with yourself.<br />
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<span lang="JA" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Batang;"><span style="font-family: Batang, serif;">사랑합니다</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span>saranghabnida, means love and I do respect and feel love towards most, if not all humans. I am a humanbeing with feelings, I do love my family, relatives and friends. </div>
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While North Korea, still is an autocracy still ruled by a direct decendant of Kim Il Sung, namely his grandson Kim Jung Un. While the population in North Korea are deprived of most things we usually tend to take for granted. The majority is extremely poor and starving. Yet many have begun to oppose and ignore many of the regulations, laws and restrictions that doesn't carry a serious punishment. Some say that North Korea already is a plutocracy or autocracy.<br />
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The older generation; those who experienced the Korean War and the first decades after seems to be more positive towards a future unification of the both Koreas. While the younger generation seems to be very sceptical towards a joint Korea, since they fear that South Korea's economy will suffer once North Korea fall. When that happens it is likely-at least if you ask me that, North Korea and possibly South Korea to will change from an <b>autocracy</b> to a <b>plutocracy</b>. Once North Korea falls, which it will someday sooner than later.<br />
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Those North Koreans who are fotunate to still have directly related family in the South might become part of the small plutocracy group.<br />
With that its very likely that South will witness a flood of refugees fleeing trying to escape a faith and poor future in North.<br />
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I believe it will affect South Korea and that the period of <b>communism</b> and democracy will be over. Then North Korea most likely will face a period of <b>interegnum</b> where it might be ruled under <b>martial law</b>, or possibly a <b>mandate</b> from UN or South Korea. Then it's possible I'd say that there will be a temporary <b>coalition government</b> with leaders from the South , UN and North Korea might also be a <b>suzerainty</b> at one point where South Korea or UN would have political influence over them. In the future , many years decades from now I believe that North and South Korea will have to form a joint government with <b>power-sharing</b> between them.<br />
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The likelihood of a unified Korea might never become a realization instead it is more likely that North Korea one day will become a fre state with a freely elected president and becoming a <b>republic</b>. We can only speculate how that will affect the unfortunate families that were forced to separate in 1953 as a result of the Korean War.<br />
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According to reports as many as 128000 people are registered as coming from North Korean families in South Korea. Some 44 percent out of those is said to have passed away while more than 80 percent out of the living survivors is said to be over 70 years old. The organized family reunions begun in 2010, last years promised reunions were cancelled only the day before.<br />
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The very first family reunion was actually held as early as 1985 and so far 18 family reunions have been held... Back then family members were schuffled between Seoul and Peyongyang promting North Korea to only allow future reunions within Peyongyang.<br />
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Maybe the <i>future unified Korea </i>will be a technocracy or a theocracy, who knows ?<i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>What if the future for Korea means two independent countries and not a unification? <i style="font-weight: bold;">Please bear in mind that I'm no expert in area at all.not really..</i><b><i>No</i></b><br />
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Since the separation of Korea in 1953 South Korea has managed to become a leading world nation, with strong economy, high level of industralization and a major exporter of technology. Would South Korea willingly accept to lose their economic status and international reputation and become 21st century's Germany?<br />
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This seems very unlikely to happen, and South Korea wouldn't willingly accept it- of that I am certain.<br />
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It could be wrong of me but I identify with them, these unfortunate families that were separated by the war. Not able to communicate with their loved ones , not informed about their relatives whereabouts, major life events or current health status.<br />
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Being an adoptee means I naturally and obviously unfortunately are left out of any information. That daily contact with my relatives, parents and siblings- that I never recieves... Not about those trivial eveyday things. I kow I am one of the more fortunate enough to actually have had the possibility to meet my <span style="font-family: Batang, serif;">어머니</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">and</span><span style="font-family: Batang, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Batang, serif;">아버지</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">as well as </span><span style="font-family: Batang, serif;">언니을 </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">and </span><span lang="JA" style="font-family: Batang, serif;">남동생</span><span style="font-family: Batang, serif;">.</span><br />
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Even if we, reunited I've realized that it was near to
impossible to reclaim my role in my
biological family. <span lang="EN-US">I
was an infant when I left and I returned years later, I was the youngest at the
time. I'm no longer the youngest I was raised in a different society, a society
who appears to be the opposite of were I once was born. I'm no longer
considered a family member which I learned from experience. Should I want to
reconnect with them it seems another role and function has been assigned to me
one that I am having trouble to accept.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Unlike the
separated families I have a choice to either accept my faith or to walk away.
Whereas they don't have that option I am very aware of that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742725859336063786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868891620964813145.post-56384066612448470822014-06-05T21:36:00.000+02:002014-06-05T21:36:07.185+02:00Twinsters Kickstarters Project<iframe frameborder="0" height="360" scrolling="no" src="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1746892989/twinsters/widget/video.html" width="480"> </iframe>Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742725859336063786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868891620964813145.post-43318321152231104822014-05-16T00:00:00.000+02:002014-05-16T11:31:51.552+02:00My Four NephewsI had a dream a while ago about my sister and her family, at first it seemed so real but then there were some details which made me realize it was only a sweet dream... I haven't mentioned any dreams about this sister yet, and she's also married and very caring and sweetnatured. As far as I know she has an older daughter and a younger son, they were born extremely close after each other - (the reason for that is the high competitiveness on the jobmarket, a married woman is allowed <b>maternal leave for one and a half year</b>, I assume that is for each cild. But it seems to me like very few families can afford the risk of being on maternity leave for 3 years which would make them likely to risk getting fired.)<br />
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Secondly Korean familes <b>get child benefits for two children</b>, not more preferable they want a son and a daughter. I'm not sure if they forfeit the state benefit in case of multiple births like twins or triplets which are very rare for Asians in the first place. This has something to do with Korea's belief that smaller families will make adults more willing and focused on working thereby helping the economy grow and in turn contribut to the nation's industrialization.<br />
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Let me now tell you about my dream, apart from the older son and daughter, my sister suddenly had given birth to two more children (I was unable to find out their gender, both were still toddlers). They were born as close from each other as their older siblings. They may have been twins though. Because of the two strong reasons for only having two children I remember I was very surprised to discover my Onni had mothered two additional children, one of my sisters has had a third child but she does no longer reside in Korea. Yet in my dream, this sister was.<br />
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<br />Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742725859336063786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868891620964813145.post-64314790212883068262014-04-04T00:00:00.000+02:002014-04-05T01:35:12.803+02:00A Man Just Like My Father...People say the chances you end up with someone like your father is pretty high or like your mother if you happen to be a male...<br />
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This means I might fancy a layed back openminded, guy who values honesty and justice. Someone who laughs and joke around a lot and who seem to to still be true to his childish side. Or a man just like Oppa which means my heart would be content with a superstitious man, who loves children and who jokes around a lot.<br />
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Maybe I'll fancy a man like my dear mum, sensitive and caring person with the heart in the right place. Omma's values could also be what I'm looking for in a future boyfriend and potential husband; a strong man who protects and look after his loved ones, someone with a really big heart that has sacrificed a lot for their family. Someone who are close to their parents and siblings and values family.<br />
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A Swedish tiger with cool layed back style and openminded mind. Who doesn't really speak that much.<br />
A Korean ninja who are protected of his loved ones, who knows what he wants. Who doesn't care much.<br />
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No I don't know, I'm not certain I just know what my heart and soul don't want.<br />
I need someone who can understand me I guess, that respects me enough to accept me without wanting to change me into something I'm not. I can't be only Swedish or 100% Korean because I'm not.Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742725859336063786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868891620964813145.post-32171955950294239692014-03-31T00:00:00.000+02:002014-03-31T00:01:51.320+02:00Maybe It Would Have Been Easier......<i>if I hadn't been born as a female.</i><br />
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Allow me to explain myself; I don't really wish I were born as a male and I certainly don't aspire to become a male. No. That's not what I mean.</div>
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Sometimes it does seems to me that males have it much easier since a large part of society are patriarchies. And I sometimes imagine that Omma and Appa would have kept me-instead of relinquishing me for adoption. But then again my younger brother may never have been born and I wouldn't be me. As in the person that I am now.</div>
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No, this is toxic thinking and old familiar thinking of mine, I can no longer allow myself to think like that.<br />
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I know this is a thinking pattern that is doing me more bad than good, but sometimes I just can't help it. Now, I don't want to be a victim any longer - refuse to see myself as a victim.<br />
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I am a strong, intelligent, talented and independent woman. I should be proud of who I am- I am proud of who I am.<br />
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<span lang="JA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Batang;"><span style="font-family: Batang, serif;">아줌마 </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ahjumma </span></span><span style="font-family: Batang, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">화이팅 hwaiting. ㄱㄱㄱ</span></div>
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Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742725859336063786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868891620964813145.post-64987325757465441342014-02-28T00:00:00.000+01:002014-02-28T02:18:43.181+01:00Blurred LinesI don't know who I am , I no longer fit into the mold. I can't handle my mum and dad's expections any longer because I no longer agree with them. I feel like I'm closer to my birth family, somehow yet not quite or in the sense I'd like the most. But I still like really really spicy food and especially Omma's or Onni's cooking. I also prefer to listen to K-pop and dress like a Korean woman.<br />
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I also believe in human rights and that women should be able to get the same healthcare regardless of nationality or poverty. They should also have access to education and be able to choose for themselve when and whom to marry.<br />
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I love my Abeoji and Omma, is that not alright?<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Gulim, sans-serif;">아버지와 어머니를 사랑</span><span style="font-family: Gulim, sans-serif;">. <span lang="EN-US">괜찮아요.</span></span><br />
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And I'm also proud to be Korean, proud of who I am and where I come from. Is that not ok?</div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Gulim","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Gulim;">한국을 사랑합니다</span><span style="font-family: "Gulim","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Gulim;">. <span lang="EN-US">괜찮아요.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I also love my older sisters, where is it not allowed?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Gulim","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Gulim;">나의 자매를 사랑합니다</span><span style="font-family: "Gulim","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Gulim;">.<span lang="EN-US">괜찮아요.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Gulim","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Gulim;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Of course I love my younger brother too, when is it not accepted ?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Gulim","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: SV; mso-bidi-font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">내</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: SV; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Gulim","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: SV; mso-bidi-font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">동생을</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: SV; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Gulim","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: SV; mso-bidi-font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">사랑합니다</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: SV; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Gulim","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: SV; mso-bidi-font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">괜찮아요</span></div>
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Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742725859336063786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868891620964813145.post-47167811725296629292014-02-14T00:00:00.001+01:002014-02-14T13:58:21.289+01:00The In-BetweenBeing in reunion with your birth family is something that I always dreamed of, longed for, desired and hoped for. Now when I finally are - sort of, I am ever so frustrated. <i>Why you may ask</i> ? I am frustrated because of how society looks upon people like myself, yes I am an adult adoptee - I didn't emigrate on my own, it wasn't my decision - to be separated from my birth parents or to be forced to live with strangers for the rest of my life. I <b>never wanted to learn another language, to be raised in another culture</b>.<br />
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Now that I am, I feel like my dear mum and dad are so a<i>fraid and scared to death of losing me</i>, losing me to my original family the one that should have raised me. But I also know they love me yet I sometimes get so extremely irritated and annoyed at them... Society doesn't <i>welcome or encourage people like me</i> - I know that. Well, they do but only to a certain point.<br />
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Wanting to relocate, moving back, changing your citizenship <b>all of those things are throwned upon.</b><br />
I now don't know where I fit in, I don't feel Swedish yet I know I am, I find it hard to relate to my birth parents and siblings even though I just want to whisper that I love them. Because I think like this, I feel like I'm almost not welcome any longer in my own native country - to be frank it's the only culture and country that I know. It's almost like they don't <i>want to recognize me or acknowledge me</i> any longer.<br />
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All because of a very <i>logical wish to reconnect and find my birth family</i>.Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742725859336063786noreply@blogger.com0