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Published: August 6th 2007
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My siblings
Gregg, Kathi, Trudi You can click on the pictures to see a larger view or a slide show.
I'm back in Korea already, but I went to the States to see my little sister's wedding. The photos and videos are mostly of interest to my family. The blog is my side of things as a family member coming from Korea.
The wedding was beautiful and Lori and Arif seemed so happy. Of course, I cried, because weddings do that to me. Everything was a whirlwind of activity pretty much from the time I got there... people arriving, parties, and gatherings. There were a few minutes of quiet because I was staying at my sister's house this time. (Thanks, Trudi)
Lori and Arif chose the perfect weekend to get married in Anna Maria. The weather was perfect and being that I had trouble sleeping due to jet lag and insomnia, I had some lovely walks on the moonlit beach. This was the first time in 5 years the red tide hasn't been a problem when I've gone there. The water was calm and the skies were clear. I should have gone to the beach more often. It was only a 5-minute walk to get there.
Group Hug
Dad gives Lori away. I never noticed how quiet it is in Anna Maria or the wonderfully clean air. Coming from Seoul, Korea, those things are noticeable.
I know Lori and Arif were happy that I came all this way to see the wedding and this was the main reason for going to the States but I have to admit that even though I really wanted to see them get married, there were other reasons for going as well...
Weddings are about family and except for my brother, parents and two Florida sisters, I haven't see most of the rest of the family in over a year... some people in several years. It was good to see my family and relatives even if some of them didn't want to see me. What was strange was that even though I had come all that way, if felt so normal to be there. I've been able to talk for free on the phone with my folks via the websites Skype and Jajah so really distances aren't really that far anymore.
While I was in the States, I had to do some shopping. Seoul is a modern metropolis and I'm sure you can find anything you
Lori and Arif
During the ceremony want, but it's not always easy to find a size 9 wide women's shoe (I bought 4 pair) or pants for my American sized rear end or fitted sheets. Items like dried beans are expensive and I bought some vegetarian ramen. Odd things such as an American style pillow and a very silly hat made it into my overstuffed suitcase that weighed up to the exact amount allowable for checked baggage. One of the nice things about shopping in the States is that I can ask questions and read what the signs say. I can't say how nice that is. Being unable to speak the language is just hard and Korean is a hugely difficult language for me to learn. Another nice thing is that I didn't have trouble finding things my size. I feel rather fat here in Korea, but in the States, I'm average. It's a sad commentary on the American diet, but it made me feel better that I wasn't so enormous.
And then the whirlwind was over and I suddenly found myself back in Seoul. Was it a dream? No, I have pictures and a very soft American pillow to prove it.
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