Jeju Island Editions: The Alive Museums

I used to think of museums as boring exhibitions that required way too much analytical thought.  Sure, an appreciation for the arts has taken time as growing up in the inner city, there wasn't much exposure and so an appreciation for and recognition of the aesthetic qualities that go into the arts took time.

Still, if you find art boring, you'll soon change your mind with Korea's sometimes quirky, sometimes bizarre but always fun, museums.

I've been to a few great places on Jeju that include UNESCO World Heritage sites on Jeju.  And seeing absolutely beautiful  places on Jeju Island, I'm very content.  

But there's a whole other side to Korea that is found in the fun-loving museums that are everywhere.  I did a short posts on some of the art from Love Land and another on Hello Kitty Island where I became a fan of the adorable cartoon cat.

Jeju Island Editions: Hello Kitty Island (How a Hello Kitty Fan was Born)

There I was in/on Hello Kitty Island taking in the life-size dollhouse and as much pink that anyone could stand at one time.  One of the five adults on a tour of the island, we were all pretty much lackadaisical about the first stop at Hello Kitty Island.  

At the urging of our tour guide, we were to head to the third floor where we would see a 3D movie on Hello Kitty and her friends and I think the consensus what that "This is for children".  Still, I was curious about the craze that some of my adult friends have about Hello Kitty.  I knew who Hello Kitty was, duh!, but I never understood what was so great about it.  She's a cartooned cat??-- and that was my entire take on that until today.

Making our way to the 3D movie, I took in quickly how adorable everything was.  I mean talk about cuteness overload!!!   "Okaaay, I get it now!", I thought to myself when I walked into the life-sized doll house and first saw the mirror shaped in Hello Kitty's face and the incredible details that went into all the products that were the Hello Kitty brand.   Room after room after room of so many things with that adorable little face on it.  

By the time the 3D movie on Hello Kitty and her friends was over, a Hello Kitty fan was born.  

Here's a peek into Hello Kitty Island (Hello Kitty Museum) on Jeju Island. 

   

WARNING:  PERSONS MAY EXPERIENCE TOTAL CUTENESS OVERLOAD (TCO)

Moments of Clarity: The Little Things

I’ve been paying attention in the quiet moments.  I’m learning that wisdom is all around and that the answers will come.  We might just need to tune in to the quietness and take what for us and to leave the rest behind.

Finding Contentment

Again and again, it's clear to me that it’s the little things that count.  Especially so, if you’re having a bad day.  One days like that, know to count your blessings.  Personally, I like to have personal goals, financial goals, short-term and long term alike.  I know this to be a good practice and as much as making goals are important, so is finding ways to celebrate (even small) achievements.  

Moments of Clarity: Fret Not Thyself

Understand the wisdom in the words of King David

As a child about 8 or 9 years old, I remember being told to read (and memorize) Psalms 37, but couldn’t fathom what the words meant or how it applied to me even when an adult tried to explain it to me. Perhaps my mind wasn’t developed enough to understand the wisdom in the words of King David or perhaps I was trying to comprehend more than I needed to know.  

Nevertheless, King David’s instruction to refrain from fretting or getting over what people say and do still applies.

I often like to observe people interacting with others.  More than listening to what’s said, I like to observe body language which can tell a different story.  I also pay attention to tone and in my humble observation of students playing or a teacher teaching, I can get a sense of what’s going on, even when it’s in another language.  More than observing people, I like watching animals whether at the zoo or a documentary; I find it’s quite interesting how communication occurs without words.

Life in Korea: Counting My Blessings

As I lay awake with so much on the brain, I have to remind myself of all my blessings.  It's easy to get caught up in the things that aren't going as well as I'd like.  However, as for the things that are going well.  I'm thankful.  As for everything else, 

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Reinhold Niebuhr