Train Travel

1:04pm. December 30, 2011
Union Station, Washington DC - Penn Station, New York City.

This was my first train trip in the US. I didn't expect too much of it because I have travelled on trains in Korea.

Clearly, I had forgotten how fun that is.

As my Amtrak began rolling its tracks, I saw bare trees of the winter, and clear and still rivers. Never-ending wires and wooden wire posts passed my sight like a metronome keeps its steady beat. People on my train were either occupied with a powerpoint presentation for their next meeting, listening to their favorite tunes, or reading on their Kindle or Nook.

I was looking out the window with my ipod on listening to Metheny Mehldau. Then I realized that this trip, this moment couldn't be wasted with just a song and a brief thought, "hmm I like this trip!" This moment needed a more proper documentation.
Hence, this blog entry, a photo and a NYTimes article.

The author had a longer train trip, from Florida to Boston.  My 3-hour train ride is nothing compared to his 26-hour long trip, but I still share his impression of traveling on a train.

"From a single trip on a long-haul train, I don’t know whether I’d call myself passionate, but I was certainly a happy customer, given that I was in no rush."

I was certainly a happy customer, a happy train traveler! If and when I get a chance, I would like to travel coast to coast on a train!

Oh Car!

My car has reached it's 100,000 mile mark!  (I thought about naming my car a few different times, but never was able to find the perfect name for it. So, I'm just going to call it--Car.)

I was with Car since it came to my family in 2004.  Car and I have been to many many places, short and long distances.

Car and I have been to 14 states: California, Oregon, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. Car and I shared a 2,500 mile trip across the country--3 times.

Car and I have been to places that drop to -30 degrees and places that reach 117 degrees. Car and I have seen beautiful sunny days in California, a sizzling hot weather in Arizona, and snow and hail in Ohio.  We've also experienced our first hydro-planing in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.

Car and I have seen crazy people and crazy drivers all around--many honest people and many liars.  As a result, Car has gone through several reconstructive procedures. Nothing serious, thankfully; just some plastic surgeries.  Although there were some unexpected expenses for me to invest in Car along the way, Car never died on me.  Car has always been a very reliable friend.

100,000 is a big number, but Car is so young and healthy.  Car and I have a long way to go together and I cannot wait for our adventures that await us!

Driving into the rainbow

My week-long break at home was too great to be explained in words.  It couldn't have come at a better time.  After 12 straight weeks of student teaching, I deserved this break.  My break consisted of relaxing on the sofa, watching tv with no worries, cooking and eating homemade food, staring into the distance and being consumed by unorganized thoughts.  It was a true break.  And that made my one last trip back to OWU so much harder.  I tried to tell myself, "it's this one last time; there is no more college after the next month."  But this much needed break didn't easily let my relaxed body back to where it needed to go.

One of few thoughts that crossed my mind as I was waiting for my flight back to Ohio was the fact that I had 3 weeks of student teaching left.  I had 3 more precious weeks left with my kindergartners, 3 important weeks of practice in teaching, and 3 anxious weeks of the final evaluation of my 3 years of devotion to Education.  And of course, 3 bittersweet weeks of creating last-minute memories with friends as a college student.

I was excited to both be back with my students and have just 3 weeks left of college, but that still didn't convince me to turn on the ignition of my car with a smile and a happy thought.  The chance of scattered thunder storm also didn't help the situation.  I dragged my body and mind back to my last 3 weeks in Kindergarten, and I started my daily morning drive on 36 W.  Then, there it was

a rainbow.

I've seen many rainbows but this one seemed a bit different. First and foremost, it completely changed my attitude that morning.  I found myself with a smile and a happy thought.  I thought about getting my phone out to take a picture and document this happy moment.  But for some reason, I didn't want to.  I guess I just wanted to remember that moment in my mind, with no print documentation.  It was one of those moments that I just wanted for myself.

The rainbow was so close to me. 

And after about 3 minutes of driving towards that rainbow, I found myself at the foot of the rainbow. 

Then... I drove into it.

Could I ever express what that was like--driving into the rainbow? 

(I think I'll leave this question as a rhetorical one.)

March 4, 2011. Dear Miss Jun

Dear Ms. Jun,

You're a good teacher and you're funny too! You helped Mrs. Priestas a lot. And you make learning fun, but you're serious when you need to be.

Your friend,
Allison
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Dear Ms. Jun,

I am sad that you have to go, but you have to get a job. Good luck!

From,
Luke
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Dear Miss Jun,
Thank you for teaching us. You are very nice. You are cool and awesome. I hope you have fun. Maby you could come visit. I want you to stay. I don't want you to go. Thanks!!!!!!

Love,
Parker
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Dear Miss Jun,

It was fun having you teach our class. You are a good teacher. I hope you get a job at BWE so I can say hi.  Ps. I will always be there for you.

Love, Reno
I will miss you Miss Jun!