I tend to forget (and take for granted) the revolution of communication caused by technology.  Since arriving in Korea, part of our 'job' here, as well as my ability to take this trip, has been to observe how Koreans use technology.  Our first day comprised of a social and cultural tour of several typical retail venues to see how technology is utilized in all aspect of life.  I can't begin to express how pervasive the use of mobile technology is in all aspect of every strata of Korean life.  From the youngest users (phones shaped like kitty-cats with only 4 buttons to 'speed-dial' pre-set numbers) to elderly patrons chatting away while on the subway, I don't think there is anyone not connected to the cell network in one way or another. 

In fact, I am sitting here using the LAN connection (which is quite speedy) to communicate to fellow grad students and collaborate virtually with my new class that starts while I am half way around the globe.  I am lucky to have a grad program that is almost entirely virtual, enabling me to combine work and pleasure, something that technology would not allow just a few years ago. 

Not only does our hotel have a LAN, but provides a fairly new laptop with each room, for those of use that didn't want to bring a laptop.  Since both Reeves and I needed ours along, this was not of much use, but it was nice to know it is there if needed. 

In observing the Korean people, it seems everyone is communication with someone all the time - either by voice or text messaging.  MSN Internet terminals are even in McDonald's here!

We really are 'one small world' after all!

Less than 48 hours till we leave for Korea and only a week since we knew we were going!  Reeves has business in Seoul and I am lucky enough to accompany him to this new destination.  I love to travel and jump at every chance, but I have to say this is the first trip for which I have been anxious.  I am not concerned for any security reasons, heck we were on a plane less than 3 months after 9/11 to NYC, but what concerns me is the language barrier.  I am not good on picking up non-romance language dialects and since Seoul is not exactly a Western tourism destination, I am not counting on many people outside of the major hotels/retail chains on speaking English.  I will also be on my own for the first week as Reeves has a taxing work schedule.  I will need to rely on my own skills and hopefully a good phrase book to navigate a new city and culture.  It should be an interesting adventure! 

After two weeks of barely seeing my ‘hunny-moose’ (yes, this is an inside joke) we were able to spend a wonderful weekend together! 

Over the past two weeks I was doing school for what seemed like 24/7 and Reeves went to Colorado for a mini family reunion (including a very busy work schedule) so our together time consisted mostly of a kiss good morning and a kiss good night. 

On Saturday we slept in, what Joy! -then a lovely lunch at Santana Row and a bit of window shopping, followed by a fabulous guilty pleasure of an afternoon nap on the couch. (our couch is long with a chaise on one end so it is big enough to fit both of us comfortably, which is wonderful!) We then met our friends Mike and Bunny for dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, Vin Santo, in Downtown Willow Glen.  The four of us completed the evening by seeing the Bourne Supremacy. (it was a fun an action-packed flick and who can complain about watching Matt Damon for 2 hours!!)   

Today we were able to sleep in again and decided to take a drive in the convertible since the weather was beautiful.  We took the vette out and dove up Skyline Boulevard to Alice’s restaurant for great burgers and a fun parade of pretty motorcycles. (I am sure these manly-men would love to know their metal manhoods are referred to as pretty :) We took the road down to the PCH and up to the quaint Half Moon Bay downtown where we walked around a bit having fun looking at antiques and curiosities.   After an evening of dueling computers (Reeves doing work and I organized my homework for the next 4 months) in front of the TV we are about to happily snuggle into our cozy bed. 

Happy times!!

Over the past couple weeks life has taken over and my ability to blog became unavailable.  However, it has all been worth it!

First, my good friend Any visited from NYC.  We had such a wonderful time touring Northern California!  A few of the highlights as follows:

• Dinner at Navio the main dining room at the Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay with our friends Leslie, Rob and Sharon and of course my wonderful hubby Reeves
• A couple days in Carmel including hiking and tide pool gazing on Point Lobos, a picnic lunch on the beach at 17-mile-drive, a yummy dinner at Porta Bella and the day at Monterey Bay Aquarium
• A great and relaxing afternoon at Burke Williams following by a lovely dinner with friends
• Union Square shopping following by an amazing dinner and delightful conversation hosted by our friends Omar and Lora, attended by Dick and Trina as well.
• Wine tasting at David Bruce (where I am a new member!) and Byington in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

After recovering for the day from our extremely taxing and strenuous schedule (!) I had my first orientation for graduate school!! Monday then started classes for a 'QuickStart' programs that begins 2 of my 3 classes for fall semester - 11 grueling days of 9-5 lessons as well as a paper and 2 oral presentation all in the first week!

Now that I have three (full!) days of school under my belt I have to say I am feeling more confident at my own abilities.  I had held out hope that the stereotyped ‘librarian’ (you know them, shy, introverted, no social skills, unattractive and insecure) would be absent…well, unfortunately, with only a few exceptions, my hopes were dashed, and every low expectation was exceeded in the stereotyped department.  Don’t get me wrong, these are intelligent people, many with Masters already, but none are going to win with in the personality department.  However, I can’t eloquently express how excited I am for the future and the prospect of the new path I am creating for myself.  It is going to be a few challenging years of intellectual gymnastic for which I am really looking forward!

I thought I had grown out of these, but the anxiety dreams have begun! 

..... I am running frantically through the halls, the rooms don't seem familiar, but they should, it has been a whole semester so I should know where it is.  I finally arrive, after feeling like my legs are running through glue and I sit down just in time for the final, but I haven't done any of the reading and all of the material seems like it is written in some foreign language!  This is where I start to panic even more, but then I wake up.....

I have had these dreams before the start of school ever since I can remember, at least going back to Jr. High.  As excited as I get in starting a new year, the anxiety over the unknown rears its ugly head.  This year however at least I feel I have some individual experience under my belt both professionally and academically that only I can bring to the table.  I sure hope it helps me keep my head above water!

After 5 loads of laundry and at least 4 more to do tomorrow, I must reflect on the job that is the housewife.  Being the non-breadwinner right now I am happy to take on the tasks of keeping the house running smoothly including the laundry, cleaning, cooking, errands, grocery shopping, gardening, bills, etc. But, and this is a big but, I am not going to miss any of it when I start working again.  I know there are many people who find it very satisfying at the end of the day when they have their task list done. I applauder these people and stand in awe of their dedication and ability. I on the other hand will be just as happy to sign my name to a check for the cleaning service, thank you very much!

This past weekend has been quite action packed with lots of fun stuff!  On Friday evening my friend Leslie and I went to an art lecture on Donatello at the Institute. 

The Institute (really called the Institute for the Study of Western Civilization, but that is too too long to use!) is the same place where I have been taking what I call my 'culture' classes for a while now.  It is associated with UCSC Extension, but now have their own location and name.  The professor who started all this really is a wonderful and entertaining lecturer so I drag some of my friends along from time to time to be 'cultured' along with me.  :)

On Saturday evening Reeves and I attended The Buddy Holly Story in San Francisco.  The music really took me back to my childhood as my mother loves music, especially the biggies like Elvis, Dean Martin, Perry Como, Doris Day, etc. etc.  - I don't think a day went by without the 45s going for a spin!   The show had lots of energy and the performers were very musically talented.  Thanks again to Trina's sister, Tiffany, who enabled us to see the show! 

To celebrate the 4th of July we went back up again to SF for a great BBQ with our friends Mo & Patrick.  It was our first trip to their new Eichler home from the mid-1960.  They are doing some great bold colors that are fond to my heart - I love color!  We ate so my much good food we had to roll ourselves home.  I had grilled Oysters for the first time (I couldn't get Reeves to try one) and I have to say I am hooked.   They were so tasty I can add them to my list of shellfish I love.  I can't wait to do my own! In addition we had sumptuous pork, shrimp, and scallops off the grill - yumm-ie!  A good time and good food was had by all!!

One of my great pleasures of not doing the corporate gig now is my ability to go hiking at will.  I try to do it 2 to 3 times a week, but as my schedule allows some weeks are better and some worse.  I place I usually go is Rancho San Antonio in the foothills below Skyline ridge.  It is convenient to get to, just off the 280 at the the junction of the 85, but still has an outback feel.  I mostly love it because I don't see too many people when I hike on weekdays and there are always wildlife sightings.  Today I saw a quail family trot across the path with at least a half a dozen little chicks - so cute! Also some deer, lizards and the always present birds.  Over the course of the past year however I have seen a rattlesnake, rabbits and even wild turkeys!  So, the environment I am describing is back-country enough that even the animals feel at home.

With that in mind, I almost laughed out loud when an early 40-something woman came briskly walking up the path toward me.  She had in her cell phone ear bud chattering away while she gestured wildly from the conversation with an invisible friend on the other end of the line while trying not to spill the Venti sized Starbucks cup in one hand!!!

All I can say, only in silicon valley would you see this woman; Californians try at least keep up the appearance of a healthy lifestyle, even if the actual practice of it is a bit suspect!!  (and only here would you get a cell signal where their aren't even roads!)

While I was perusing eBay today it occurred to me what a schizophrenic personality I have (no laughing out loud here and pointing rudely) when it comes to my interests!  I started with the Hermes Birkin bags, then went to the Antiquarian books on British history, then bounced to the McCoy pottery and back to the Manolo shoes!  In doing so, I started thinking, what the heck makes me interested in such different things????

My parents were definitely not the academic nor fashion forward type.  Don't get me wrong, they always encouraged me to do my best academically and I was always expected to go to college, but grad school was something that 'other' people did.  As well with fashion and retail therapy - I don't think they would know a Prada if it ran up and bit them. (even then they would think it akin to a snipe!)

So, I present the dilemma here - why since the age of 10 have I devoured every English/British history book I could get my hands on and value my Hume and Smollett editions of The History of England as much as my Herbag? Why do I melt at the newest Jimmy Choo mules but could care less about the NBA, NHL, NLB or any other acronym-ed sports league?  It certainly is not what I grew up with, so the nurture things goes right out the door.... why then can I spot a fake Louis at 50 paces and ache to visit the English countryside?  So is it inherent I am drawn to these things?  Why these things then??? What makes us who we are??????

Just a few light thought for a Summer evening......