Keeping Warm

I hear it’s super cold in New York due to the bomb cyclone! And although I thought it would be frigid here in Korea, it’s not as cold as I expected and I’ve been keeping warm by paying my respects and seeing friends and family.

When I was in Korea in 2014, it was the last time I saw my mom's 2nd brother and my dear uncle. He unfortunately passed away two years after a long battle with cancer. Here’s a post about the visit:

http://leadingalifeofcyn.blogspot.com/2014/10/memory-lane-literally.html

Today, I paid my respects and he rests at Jeoldusan Church and Martyr Shrine. On the first Thursday of the month, there is a mass for those who are laid to rest there. So Sang-Nim (상님) and I picked up her mother and we drove to the church which was packed. We had to get there almost an hour early just to get seats. The families and loved ones of those who have gone before us, fill the room and wait to hear the names of the in memoriam at the start of the mass. And although I attend a bilingual mass, the popular hymns sung today very much reminded me of going to church with my grandmother during my childhood. I found the whole experience very soothing as I shed tears for my grandmother and uncle.

Afterwards, for lunch, we had mak noodles (막국수) and headed to my 2nd aunt's house. Here’s a collage of the cold noodles, some pancakes, and pork:



Then I made plans to meet my friend, Jeff, in between Shinsa and Apgujeong, 2 very popular neighborhoods. Jeff is a Georgetown and New York friend, and we had coffee at the Coffee Bean as we shared our stories about being in Korea. Here's a selfie before I got on the subway:

I was off to meet my 4th uncle on my dad's side for dinner. I got there early as it didn't make sense to go home first, but the family had arrived early as well! We met at Haru Sushi which is funny, because there are a lot of Harus in New York. The sushi was delicious and we had a nice private room. Here are some photo collages:

My nephew and niece came to New York last year with my aunt and their mom and we talked about Shake Shack, Dinosaur BBQ, John's Pizza, and Junior's Cheesecake - essentially all the eating memories! We had an awesome time running around the city last year. At the end of dinner, the kids, my aunt, and my cousin's wife took a cab home. But my uncle insisted on having coffee with me. So we took the subway a few stops and had a nice chat at a coffee shop. Then my uncle walked me home - ironically when he was first married, he lived in the same building as Sang-Nim (상님). 

As my uncle doesn't drive like my dad (the Kim brothers don't drive), I thought it was special and thoughtful that my uncle walked me home. I waited for the neighborhood bus with my uncle and saw him off. My 4th uncle has also gotten savvy with the smart phone and we had fun taking selfies - look at the sushi clock behind us! He also looks a lot like my grandfather:



What a day of remembrance and catching up with various people. It’s definitely not as cold in New York, and you definitely have to bundle up, but I’m keeping warm by reliving memories and spending time with friends and family!