I grew up overseas, in three countries—Japan, Chile, and South Korea. Part of that time was also spent in different parts of the US, where I went to college (and grad school more recently). As a result, I guess it can be hard to pinpoint exactly where I’m from. Frankly, each of these places lays some claim to being home. The cliche that life is an adventure is just too true—a variety of lands, interests, and people, each with their complex cultures and characters. Any person or event might unexpectedly contribute to a life change. First, there was Japan. Going to an international school in Tokyo, my friends were of all different nationalities. As children our friendships could easily cross boundaries. When I was in Chile, I was fortunate to have some great friends who, in addition to playing soccer on the field, also played Beethoven symphonies and practiced their violins. Out of this came a deep love of classical music, and led to my eventually taking up cello. I also soon realized that I especially liked English and history, that reading and writing could be fun.
Now that I’ve recently returned to teaching, this time in elementary, I’m fascinated by how children develop their literacy and writing abilities in different ways. I find this age group to be terrifically engaging, with open-minds, a natural bent toward learning, and a system of their own inner logic that is just too funny. For example, a seven year old just the other day made reference to a “flying birthday”.
At this stage, I’m still a bit on the shy side socially, though less so than before. Sometimes, it takes a while of being around a person before I can open up and speak more freely.
In who I’m looking for, I hope to find someone who also sees life as an adventure; someone who likes to explore the world, someone who is strong, who finds life even more full of possibility when it’s shared with someone else. I’d like to have conversations when possible with that person about something so practical as groceries on the one hand, or sometimes about some inscrutable mystery on the other. Either way, I’d hope to arrive at a point where both of us would always feel free to share and say anything. Also, someone who sees the humor in everything and who loves to keep learning; someone who likes to try good restaurants, who finds her work interesting and fulfilling, likes a good movie, an interesting city, or a nature walk, is independent, compassionate, open to faith, appreciative of creativity, helpful in pointing out other points of view, helps me see a side I never knew I had, enjoys a good laugh, always a true friend.
Look forward to meeting up, and seeing where things go from there--
