Writing on this topic has weighed on my mind for a bit and putting all my swimming thoughts and emotions into words has felt out of reach. Becoming a mother is what drove me further on my journey so it should be expected that this process would affect my approach and experiences with parenting. Parenting … Continue reading Parenting as an Adoptee
In the coming week I'll be presenting at a couple of conferences on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). As I've been preparing, it got me thinking a lot about adoption and ACEs. Here's my disclaimer...my work is currently in the health promotion field and has been in the field of therapy with a focus on trauma, … Continue reading Adoption is an Adverse Experience
Every time I do this, I am breaching the sacred pact of our family, our once-shared belief that my race is irrelevant in the presence of their love. But withholding hard truths and my honest opinions would also sell short the love I have for them, and they for me.Nicole Chung, All You Can Ever … Continue reading The Weight of Being Chosen
Like so many others, the start of the COVID-19 pandemic brought about many changes to our home, homemade 김치 (kimchi) being one of the better changes. For those who don't have an intimate relationship with 김치 (kimchi), it is a staple food in Korea. Most folks typically associate it with the traditional fermented cabbage variety … Continue reading The Art of Kimchi
It's my recollection and understanding that Korean was my first language; English followed shortly thereafter. I spoke Korean fluently until I was about nine. It was then I went to live with my parents so I didn't have anyone I could speak the language with. Now, some 25 plus years later, I'm trying to regain … Continue reading Relearning My Native Language
My identity has never been a mystery and yet has always been intangible, unattainable. I sometimes think of my life as a collection of individual books, rather than chapters, as my story seems so distinctly marked by specific moments. I was born to two Korean parents who immigrated to the United States. My early formative … Continue reading Starting Out
Rediscovering My Seoul 