Sicker than Sick

I've spent the last week, wiping runny noses, administering Tylenol, antibiotics, and taking trips to the doctor because my daughter was sick, who then got my girlfriend sick, and the both of them got my son sick. I was the last man standing. The YUL KWON of my very own Cook Island, although his abs are a bit more ripped. 

I was the triage nurse, the Dr., The Mr. Mom for my little ones when they woke in the middle of the night because they couldn't swallow, taking temperatures and running to the 24 hour CVS. My Texas love was amazed that amongst all of the germ infestations and viruses I was still healthy and wasn't slowed by the sudden influx of snotty noses and hoarse voices. 

But then it came like a Mack truck today, suddenly my voice sounded like James Earl Jones. If I could only find my stinking light saber I'd cauterize my throat and the heat would vaporize all of the phlegm. I found my body was heating up and my back was starting to get a bit achy. 

Then it hit me. I was like, hey i know what I'll do. I'll just take my new Korean Red Ginsing and my immunity will be pumped like a Californian governor. My immune system would be fully operational and ready to fire all pistols go. Then I was like - hey how about that! My korean side my mysterious asian culture was kicking in. I mean I had taken plenty of trips down to Chinatown NYC with my buddy Harry to get some of his mystical remedies. But I never thought that I'd be reaching for my very own peoples medicinal goods!

So here I lay sipping Korean Ginseng Tea, With the 100% pure Ginseng, lemon, and honey with some warm water to soothe my throat. I started to really become interested in the Ginseng when I was riding in a tour bus this summer on my first trip back to Korea. There was this kick ass tour guide and he was like. If you want to bring something back from Korea that is special to Korea, bring back our ginseng. It will keep you healthy and happy. 

I was like okay, how does it keep you healthy. He said well, it increases your circulation and thus helps your body heal itself. Just take one cup of ginseng tea in the morning each day and you'll never be sick. I was like wow. Really! I'm sold. Now I was of course curious wether or not he owned stock in the manufacturing plant but it seems that was not the case. 

So then I was like, okay how does it keep you happy. He looked at me and smiled a huge smile. I was like, what's the smile for? It was the kind of smile that a man gives another man when first man has just found the holy grail. So he leaned over and whispered in my ear. Do you have a girlfriend? Immediately, it hit me. The lightbulb went on. He didn't even need to say another word. 

So the moral of the story is that in re-discovery of my Korean heritage I learned not only that my motherland is about to become an economic super power and it's banks will soon own most of American Debt sharing ownership with China and Japan, but I also learned how to stay healthy, keep my woman VERY happy. And most of all that you should never under estimate a tour bus guide. 

They are chock full of useful information. 

Until Next time. 

Venti-Soy Tazo Chai

Twas the Night before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, there's a Korean Adoptee that was stirring about to become Santa Clause.

Ah the holidays, such a funny thing for me, growing up in an italian family. My fondest memory is one year at my very Italian Christmas party my uncle, who was usually santa clause decided that he didn't want to do it this particular year. So of course the family was short on volunteers. So of course being the jovial person I am I decided I'd be Santa Clause. I mean they'd never have a clue! I just throw on the white hat, beard and stuff my red suit with pillows and viola! I'm Santa! Well a Korean Adopted adolescent becoming Santa for a Western European audience is not something that one can get away with. If you want to relate it to a movie, remember that scene in the Stephen King film, Carrie when the pig blood gets spilled on her head and everyone laughs at her? Yup, that's the same feeling I had. Only I didn't have the supernatural abilities to control fire hoses. But after all of the laughter and, "Hey Santa, where did you get that tan, comments. I successfully delivered the gifts to all and to all a good night.

This year, I have my own kids to become Santa for and it's truly a magical experience. I never knew what a joy it was to feel the magic of Christmas until I saw it in my kids eyes. The way they ran into the bedroom when I said it's time to go to sleep becuase Santa doesn't come when you are awake. My daughter said that we need 3 cookies for santa. My son although he's not tired is forcing himself to fall asleep just so those visions of gumdrops can become a reality faster.

I love this holiday because for a moment in everyone's life we can be a kid again. We can believe and bring magic to our children's lives even if it's for a short few years before they start snooping around for gifts or some kid at school ruins it for them by saying Santa's not real it's your parents that buy you everything. Those little Scrooges.


This holiday season I'm thankful for new beginnings, a new year, a new Texas love, a new extenstion of a family to care for, a new apartment, new neighborhood, new clients, everything is new. I reflect on the treachery of 2008 and bid it farewell for good. Aside from Barack Obama winning the office of the president, it was one of those years that will live in infamy, like 1929 (the Great Depression), 1941 (Pearl Harbor), and 1968 (MLK assassination) and 2000 (Bush won), 2001 (9/11 attacks), and 2004 (when Bush won again).

Thanks for checking out my DISORIENTED Blog - I called it disoriented because I was born in Korea, and was raised by Italians. When that happens you loose the ORIENTAL (how some Americans refer to Asian Americans) in you. Please join me every week for my face to face sessions with other Adopted Koreans, mixed blood hapa, bapas, and more called IDENTITEA! where we talk about adopted issues while we drink some of the most amazing tea!