Praying, Pottery and Prizes, and Poetry

well, finally...my pics loaded. The worst part is, I can't even write while the pics are loading.

Today (well, yesterday) is Wednesday, June 14. I can't believe the trip is coming to an end. I know, I say that every day!

Woke up in our very upscale hotel, peeked out onto the patio (I now have a roommate or I would've never done that bc I never open curtains) and had breakfast. It was the BIGGEST breakfast selection ever!! The buffet at hotel last night (which we did not partake in) was $ 60 if you want to get an idea of the place. Thank goodness breakfast was included.

that's right folks, Hello Kitty plates and mugs!
Then we were off to see Temples. Lots of temples. Lots of walking. Lots of uphill.

 Sorry there wasn't much detail about these places. We all just started taking pictures of signs because there was no way we're spelling them right nor giving the proper info about them. Anyways, we saw a bunch of monks...including this one, named Chip.
We had lunch and passed by the Kpop museum againbefore heading to the pottery place

The potter master was AMAZING!! And apparently, I was too because at the end, he gave me a prize (along with 2 others) for making the best creations :)

His Kiln was also amazing. I got to go inside. They rebuild ever 3 years due to contracting and expanding.

can you see me in there?

Then we got to work on our own masterpieces. I made two since I got done early. We didn't get to bring ours home, but we did get to pick a piece from his studio. Oh my goodness, the Ghost music (I'll post sep) totally made this experience very realistic...NOT! haha

Next we went to visit tombs and they were huge...how crazy!!!

 

Even the toilets were fit for a king (and queen). For dinner , we went to street vendors. I tried some weird dry ice corn pops.

The FUNNIEST part of the day. A few of us went shopping...went to Save Zone. It should've been called Save LESS Zone. Stuff was outrageously priced. Anyways, I did find a black shirt for about $10 that I could've worn for concerts. I asked if there was a changing room and of course, I didn't understand the lady and I didn't think she understood me. So, She pointed over to the mirror and I just put the shirt on over my shirt. So did my friend's mom. Then, she came over and I worried that it was really rude to do this. I said "there are no changing rooms? unless this mirror is one"...and I pulled the mirrow, totally kidding...and it WAS the changing room. We were trying on clothes RIGHT in front of it. It was super embarrassing. Anyways, the shirt did not fit and I was trying to ask for another size. She kept motioning to her chest, and I was like YES I know it fits my chest...any toddler shirt fits my chest...I motioned that I needed length, and she looked confused and motioned below her knees...and then brought me a super long, totally different shirt. Darn communication issues. I kept dying laughing thinking about the dressing room for like the next 30 minutes.

Then my friend and I went out for a drink and to chill...talk about her amazing adoption story!!

I even held a sparkler (they really scare me) but by the time we took the pic...it was out. HAHAHA, such a FAIL picture!!

Okay, that's the jist of the day. Thought a lot about those kids in Jacob's Home who will not be placed with families and a lot about birth mom, whose last address is about an hour from Busan. Tried to think of what to write in journal and just keep coming up empty. Finally, I wrote this poem...which seems simple but it really helps capture/explain the full circle of this journey.

Circle of Love

Searching for a familiar face

in which I can see my own,

Looking for a certain place

which used to be my home.

Wondering of the reasons

that cause this emptyness,

Loving my family without a doubt

but curious nonetheless.

Waiting for a note or call

that just may never come,

Hoping for some answers

when I know there may be none.

Seeing rows of boxes

filled with pink and blue,

Reading books and playing,

my past entwines with you.

Longing to keep on holding

that precious hand in mine,

Wanting to fill those empty arms

and tell us both, we'll be fine.

Feeling grief and hope and in between

we may always be apart, but

Knowing even if that day never comes

she'll always be in my heart.