Day: May 15, 2011

Jackson, Wy

smackyjackjackLeave a comment

I’ve been thinking. I have lived in and visited a lot of really different, strange places. I was born in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  Jackson is quite a different place than Ojai, California. Jackson is the predominantly white, right wing small town in the heart of the Rockies.

While living in Jackson, our neighbor was a one armed, gun wielding man named Lefty. Lefty had a bit of a temper.  One time, when our dogs were barking a bit too loud, he threatened to shoot them.  Okay, let me just pause for a moment to let you picture the image of a one armed guy with a shotgun. In my opinion that’s quite a feat to be able to wield a shot gun with one arm.

Anyway, once our other neighbor heard the threat, he threatened to shoot Lefty if he shot our dogs.  And that was how problems were solved in that particular part of Jackson. Out here in Ojai, it’s almost strange for someone to own a gun, especially if they were to flaunt them as the Jacksonites did.

I could go on about stories in which guns are involved, but I won’t.

 Jackson is a great place to be with nature. It is one of the few places left almost  untouched by man. The Tetons look over the town, with their tall and foreboding peaks. Jackson is a place where Elk come into your backyard, and where seeing bears is not uncommon. 

Going back to Jackson is something I want to do again really soon.  I would recommend going to Jackson for anyone who likes nature. It is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Barring Alaska, it is the prettiest state in the US.

The Pursuit of Nationality

vabenissimoLeave a comment

I am Korean. And, I am Americanized.

My circle of friends varies–Koreans who have never been in America, Koreans who have tasted American culture, Korean-Americans, Americans, and Europeans.

As a high school senior who began boarding in 2003 as a fifth grader at a private school in California, I know what America is. As I get older, I now face some dilemmas within the Korean and American social structures, and I am not alone in this journey of confusion and struggles.

Here is my case:
My mother completed her education in Korea while my father did in America. Weighing the benefits and disadvantages of American educational system, my parents provided me the chance to broaden my insights. Before I took off on my journey to this land of opportunities, they clarified on this one thing–you are Korean. I did not get it because I was legitimately Korean. But the more days I spent in America where the culture vastly contrasts from the one in South Korea, I started to doubt about my manners, logics in English, semi-understanding of American trend, English writing skills, Korean speaking and writing capabilities, and most importantly, adapting to the Korean and American social structures.

I do not know where I will settle to live and work.

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Why Do We Relay?

sennymcflyLeave a comment

It’s 10:01 pm. Kai, Lucy, and myself are walking on the desert red track at Buena High School. While the senior Lacrosse players have only just arrived, Lucy and I have been walking, dancing, and celebrating for 13 hours. But, we still have 11 more to go.

It started with the survivor lap and when our beloved John Valenzuela circled to the first strait-a-way an eruption of applause broke out from our booth. And as he smiled and put his hand to his heart in appreciation tears began to fall. Mr. V is our survivor.

Then there was wedding. A 5 year survivor was given the chance to marry the love of his life. Tons of ladies in dresses joined in and led the bride’s path to the alter. As they exchanged vows hearts were lifted in the celebration of their chance to live a long life of happiness. He is her survivor.

After numerous laps honoring cowboys, the 80’s, and siamese twins there came the luminaria ceremony. Hundreds of lights shined representing the battles fought by millions. As the names of the lost and the loved showed on the big screen yet more tears came. We sat in silence.

For some the walk is for their mothers and sisters. For others it is for their sons and daughters. For me the walk is for my great aunt, my great grandmother, and my mom’s sister who is a childhood cancer survivor. If you were there you knew who the relay was for. For Dad, for a 13 month old baby girl, for Krista.

Relay for Life is not just a fund raiser for cancer research. It’s a celebration. It’s not a time to grieve but a time to give respect and celebrate life.

OVS relayed for Mr. V and celebrated and continue to celebrate his life. A life that he was given a second chance to live, alongside so many other lives because of the support of their family and community. We relayed. We walked. We celebrated. We fought.