The Roberts in Korea

blog book #7

Parents in love with their kids are all amnesiacs, trying to remember, trying to cherish moments, ghosts trying to hold the world. —N.D. Wilson

Life seems to accelerate forward—faster and faster.  I can barely take it all in.  In fact, I can’t.  I need a rearview mirror to help me remember and reflect on where I have been.  That is one of the reasons why I keep a family blog and make blog books.

At the end of every academic year I make our family blog into a book using blurb.com.  I print off three copies of each book:  one for our home and one for each of my two daughters to take with them into their life.  At this point in their journey it might seem like “junk” that their parents are making them haul around, but someday I hope they will see it as a gift.

I know I can’t hold on to life, the world, and our many family experiences through my pictures, videos and blog books.  I am a pilgrim—simply passing through—and someday I will be gone and my blog books will sit on the shelf, collecting dust (if they aren’t thrown into the dumpster).  I can’t take them with me.  But, for now, the books help me to savor the moments, remember the adventures, and give thanks for the “gift” of life that God has given to me and my family.

good friends and good food

Last Friday our good friend, Jaeyoung  and his wife, Eun Joo, agreed to close down their restaurant, Azuma Kimbap, for the evening and join us, and the Millers, for dinner at Indy, an Indian food restaurant located in Techno Valley. 

We had a great time visiting and eating curry, nan, tandori chicken and lassis.  After our time at Indy everyone came over to our aparment for dessert.  Dina made some brownies and some apple crisp (all gluten-free).  We were full of Indian food, but there is always room for brownies, apple crisp and ice cream.

We had a nice time eating and visiting into the evening.  We are thankful for good friends.

Chuseok morning ride

Early Chuseok morning David and I took off on a bike ride into some unexplored territory (at least for us).  We rode about ten miles out of the city and then started a up a very steep road that made its way up the side of a moutain.  At the top of the mountain we found a small development of vacation homes and a rough and rugged trail that descended the other side of the mountain. 

We took the trail down the mountain and found ourselves in the midst of a rustic Korean village.  As we rode through the narrow streets we could hear families in their homes talking and laughing as they spent time together on Chuseok morning.  We enjoyed the ride, the experience and the beauty of the Korean countryside and village.

a drive to the beach

Last week during Chuseok Break we made a spur of the moment trip to Daecheon Beach which is located on the West side of Korea.  We went with the Miller family.  We loaded up our cars, dialed in the GPS navigation system and took off.  It only took us two hours to get to the beach.  It was a clear, beautiful day

We toured the Taecheon Beach campground, where the TCIS Middle School Retreat is held every year, and we took in the sights as we walked the path that lines the beach.  There weren't many people at the beach.

We took a picnic lunch and enjoyed a few hours of eating and lounging at the beach.  The kids spent some time in the water.  They found all kinds of seashells and they even found a starfish.  We had a good day at the beach.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

biking during Chuseok Break

Here in South Korea we don't get Labor Day off of work, but we do get Chuseok Break.  Chuseok is a traditional Korean Holiday of the utmost importance in Korean culture.  So . . .  we had a week off of school for Chuseok Break.  It was great!

We decided not to do anything over this break except stay home, relax and hang out together.  Every morning of the break I (Ryan) got up early and went for a long bike ride while Dina and Sarah slept in.  I biked well over one hundred miles this week and saw some amazing parts of Korea.  I like to take pictures, so I carry my camera around with me on my rides.  Click on the picture to get a closer look.

contrast in Korea

Here in Korea we are enjoying some time off of work as the country celebrates the Korean holiday, Chuseok.  The weather is good, so I am trying to get out for a bike ride every day that I can.  The countryside and farms in Korea are beautiful with their flat, terraced fields of ripening rice and the intricate and ornate Korean rooflines that are found on many of the older homes and buildings in the country give the place an idyllic feel.  It is amazing how I can ride my bike for twenty minutes and leave all of the cars, apartment buildings, trains and factories behind and find myself in the country surrounded by farmers, produce, livestock, tradition and beauty.  Korea is a country of contrasts.  Here are some pictures I took on my last bike ride.

TCIS SEW -- Fun!

For three days this week there were no classes held in the TCIS Secondary School.  Instead, the school engaged in Spiritual Emphasis Week (SEW).  The days were filled with singing praise songs, playing games, making friends, doing cheers, praying, thinking, laughing, listening and having fun.

It was a great event that involved all of the nearly 400 students that make up our Secondary School (grades 6-12).  Sarah enjoyed the privilege of being a part of the SEW Praise Band.  They did a super job leading their fellow students in praise and celebration of God.  What a great week!  Take a look. . .

side out sarah

 

Volleyball season is off and running and Sarah and Dina are keeping busy with practices and now games.  Currently, TCIS is 2-0!  It is fun to watch Sarah and her friends laugh, have fun and enjoy themselves playing volleyball.

sunrise in jeju

Last Friday work called and I needed to attend a meeting at the Branksome Hall School on Jeju Island.  I stayed in a hotel on Jeju Island on Thursday night and woke up to a beautiful sunrise.  Below are some picutures I took of the sunrise in Jeju as it came and went.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

back in school

 

  Becca finished up her summer of traveling in Covenant and then enjoyed a few days in Wyoming with her friend, Cody.  She enjoyed riding horses, shooting guns  and relaxing while in Wyoming.  After her time in Wyoming Becca moved back into the college dorm and is back to school.  Becca will be a sophomore this year.  The night before the first day of classes the school hosted an all school bonfire and Becca got photographed roasting a marshmellow.  (I stole all these photos from Facebook.)  It is fun to keep up with Becca.