i don't remember an exact time, or even the year really, but at some point, i stopped holding hands. i remember holding hands with my dad, mom, grandparents, girlfriends, babysitters, even my brother -and then i remember not doing it anymore. i didn't naturally go for my parent's hand when crossing the street, i could walk without my grandpa's hand guiding me, and i didn't feel like my best friend and i had to be connected at the hip [hand]. but i watch my little kindies walk down the hallways at school, and they're all holding hands (ok, mostly the girls, but sometimes the boys, too. and you can bet that they'll leave school holding their mom's hand). so i started wondering...what happened? i don't think it was a conscious decision i made to stop holding my dad's hand in the parking lot. it just kind of happened. and from what i can tell, it just kind of happens to everyone. but why? why do we all of a sudden feel the need to show our independence? what's so great about independence? i have to say i prefer security. there's enough in the world to make us scared and insecure -why does a counteract like hand holding have to be taken from us in the midst of that?

when i was 11, i got my own room (another "sign of independence" i'm not sure is so great) and my grandpa gave me 2 pictures to hang on my empty new walls. one was a girl walking on the beach picking up seashells. this little girl is the only one in the picture, but it never bothered me because i knew her dad was the one taking the picture (yes, it was a painting, but that didn't matter in my head). this painting later inspired a bit of lyrics for a song i never finished..."little girl, walking through the sand...tightly holding on to her daddy's hand...the waves come crashing in, but she just skips and grins...daddy's there and there's not a care in the world..." the other picture my grandpa gave me was robert fulghum's "all i really need to know i learned in kindergarten." i remember laying in bed reading it over and over...especially the last line, "and it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out in the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together." i agree.

here in korea, people like to walk arm in arm. when lizzie and i first got here, we kind of laughed and joked about popping our space bubbles. but we've found it's actually really natural and just plain nice. touch is an amazing thing -and i think hands can be used for more than just swinging at our sides. of course we don't have to walk around holding hands all the time -but it's a simple gesture that says -i need you, and you need me. we are not alone. we are not self-sustained. no matter where you go, i'll be here. when you get lost, i'll be there, too. when you get scared, i'll be there. it's just plain nice. and i think we could use more of that. don't worry, i'm not going to hold your hand everywhere i go from now on. but every now and then i might put my arm through yours and stay there for awhile. it just eases something inside and reminds me everything's ok. i surely won't mind if you do the same.

i thought i'd give you a look into my last several weeks...picture style.


rachel comes to visit from japan and we show her all the korean hot spots. (this is just before the sunglass vendor came out to yell at us).


singing journey in na-ree-bongs (karaoke rooms) is a favorite pastime -"don't stop believing...hold on to that feeling..."


we went to the zoo!


lizzie's mom comes to visit for a week! friday coffee at ediya's is a must.


lovely cherry blossoms at gyeongbuk palace.


the beautiful mountains that we never see because of the pollution.


lizzie and i are silly (as usual) at the korean national folk museum.


working on our korean poses at the korean folk village.


my penguin class learns about the body hands on.


as teachers, lizzie and i always set an example of perfect maturity.


mom comes to visit!! and brings with her a ridiculous amount of wonderful things -including graham crackers, life cereal, chocolate chips, refried beans, applesauce...etc. etc.


mom joins us on our fieldtrip to the country.


lil' cindy lou who dares to touch the big white dog with her big, strong, loving teacher at her side. =)


starbucks in korea! we can read it!


mom finds a van just her size. she thought dad would get a kick out of this. =)


cindy takes us to a really cute restaurant with super comfy couches and the most delicious tea i've ever had.


mom tries bibinbap and is quick on her way to falling in love with korean food.


all us teachers with the april birthday kiddies. (apparently i'm the teacher most likely to be mistaken for a student).


samuel and kenneth are such peaceful boys.


mom puts her back into it at the korean folk village.


yay for cherry blossoms! and yay for moms!


mom decides it's time for a swim.


finally -a swing that's made for standing up on!


we're ready to explore changgyeong-gung palace, hoods and all!




a cool gate.


the famous "secret" garden.


one of my favorites.


an extremely old tree.


mom learned the ways of the subway quite quickly. (always carry a book and the end seats are most coveted).


mom at the ruins of persia. (aka the "golden persia" exhibit at the national museum of korea).


a fabulous game of masterpiece.


yes, that is a strawberry and yes, that is hummus on it. but no, it wasn't intentional. and yes, i did eat it.


mcmuffins cheer us up after saying goodbye to mom at the airport.

at this point, we're over halfway through the year! (excuse me while i dance around the floor a moment). spring is here and it's gorgeous! we plan on enjoying these couple months of warm weather before the intense heat comes and all we want to do is sit inside watching movies with the ac on. as you saw, april was mom month and it was wonderful. june will bring more visitors -my bf rachel and lizzie's brother, matt! yay!! if you want to join in on the fun, let me know and i'll put you down on the schedule. we have an inflatable sleeping pad and you'll be amazed at how comfy it is! not sold? i'll make you peanut butter cookies! chocolate chip? still not sold? i don't know what to do with you.