Not (too) worried yet...

So I've gathered from talking to people back home, that North Korea is all over the news and seems to be all anyone is talking about. Here, life is running normally, and most Koreans seem rather indifferent to the whole situation.
Here's the latest update from the Embassy. I thought some might be interested:

The U.S. Embassy Seoul transmits the following information through the Embassy's warden system as a public service to all U.S. citizens in the Republic of Korea. Please disseminate this message to U.S. citizens in your organizations or to other U.S. citizens you know.
The North Korean sinking of a South Korean Naval vessel on March 26, 2010, has raised concerns and inquiries regarding security for residents and visitors to Korea. The Embassy’s current assessment of the security environment for U.S. citizens in Korea is that recent events do not pose an imminent threat to the public safety of the American community at this time. However, we recommend that U.S. citizens review the information on Disaster Preparedness in the current Country Specific Information (CSI) for Korea.


U.S. citizens residing or travelling in Korea should continue to pay close attention to current events, and monitor the Embassy website, http://seoul.usembassy.gov/, for any changes in the security environment. The U.S. Embassy in Seoul provides citizen services to the public during regular business hours 9:00 to 11:30 am, and 1:30 to 3:30 pm Monday through Friday, with no services Wednesday afternoons.

In the event of an emergency situation or change in security situation, U.S. Embassy Seoul will immediately notify the American community in Korea through our warden email system. If you did not receive this message directly via the U.S. Embassy’s warden email system, we encourage you to subscribe to our warden messages concerning travel and security, as well as the monthly Embassy newsletter, simply by providing us your email address via the Consular Section's website at http://www.asktheconsul.org.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). U.S. citizens are also encouraged to read the Country Specific Information for Korea, available on the Embassy's website at http://seoul.usembassy.gov, and also at http://travel.state.gov.

U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration web site at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security. U.S. citizens without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. For additional information, please refer to "A Safe Trip Abroad" found at http://travel.state.gov.

A shout-out to Korean Engagement Photos

I have some friends getting married soon and want to take this opportunity to share a gem of Korean culture: the Engagement Photo.

The engagement photo shoot is an all day extravaganza. The bride usually has several (rented) wedding gowns, evening gowns, and period costumes (including but not limited to traditional Korean Hanbok and colonial area ballgowns). All pictures are taken inside on a myriad of sets. And, if the bride starts starts to look a little peaked, then they just move the groom into her line of sight so that she'll start smiling all over again.

My friends Daniel and Yena, who are getting married in June, had their photo shoot a couple of days ago. Daniel was one of the first people I met at Jubilee, and he and Yena are the sweetest couple. I love to see people in love!

A couple of months ago, on a Sunday afternoon I asked Daniel how he was doing. He said, "I'm doing really well. I'm in love." It sounds like a movie, but you could just tell on his face that he had found her. At that time, he wanted to keep it a secret until they were engaged -- he already knew that he wanted to marry her!  A little bit later they were engaged, wearing matching hoodies, and planning their wedding.

Daniel was so over-the-moon once he found Yena; he couldn't wait to be her husband. I love that sentiment -- that when it's right and two people are so in love, they just can't wait to commit to each other. I am so excited for Daniel and Yena; you can't help but look at them and see little hearts come out of their eyes. They both have such a heart for God and for service -- they are truly sweethearted people!

I'm snagging some of their engagement photos so that you can see a Korean photoshoot first hand and also share in the joy of these friends!

Congratulations!

Today my dad is graduating with his Master's! I cannot express how incredibly proud I am of him. He has worked hard his whole life and always kept his goals before him. Even if he had to take time off, he still kept his eyes on the prize and eventually found a way to go after his dream. When I was younger, he told me to "do my best." He is a great example of someone who has lived this out and in doing so, has achieved great things. I am proud of him beyond measure. I don't know a greater man than my dad!

P.S. in turn, this makes me miss home. I wish I were there.