2020-01-06 My super fan!!!!

Have you ever had a fan?

I mean, the kind of fan who is surprised to learn you walk on water--because she thought you could fly.

The kind of fan who reads everything you write, then summarizes it for others who were not lucky enough to have read what you wrote. Then she constantly reminds you about what you wrote.

The kind of fan who even makes a calendar just for you.

Yes, I have that kind of fan, and her name is Eben Appleton!!!!

www.lovetnkr.org/donate

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Yesterday I gave a speech to North Korean refugee adolescents at a refugee alternative school. Thanks to TNKR co-founder Eunkoo Lee for translating!

The topic: Volunteering! The kids had heard about volunteering, but not much, based on what they said!

The feedback they gave after the speech.

* It was fun! I didn't know anything about volunteering, but I learned so much.

* You gave a great explanation about volunteering, for the first time I can understand what it really means.

* After hearing your speech, I want to volunteer. My heart says it is a good thing to do.

* It was helpful. I see that volunteering can be good for society and it can also be good for me.

* I learned a lot about volunteering. It is a good way to help others.

* I'm sleepy.

* I can see that Koreans don't really volunteer. I will volunteer so I can help raise the percentage!

That's right, one of the kids said he was sleepy, and he probably also was thinking, "And this boring lecture interrupted my nap." Eunkoo laughed out loud when she saw that I had included that comment. But then she remembered that I don't respect the opinions of kids under the age of 25.

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Eben Appleton!

Eben Appleton has done it again! This time, she made separate 2020 calendars for TNKR's co-founders! Eunkoo Lee will definitely put it to good use, she is still a digital immigrant.

Eben loves everyone and everything. Somehow, I still seem to beat out everyone except her hubby Charlie, her kids and grand kids.

Sometimes I must AVOID her because if she hears that we need money for an event or project, then she is the first to donate, and I must tell her to STOP. I never thought the day would come that I would tell a donor to stop, but I must do so with Eben!

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NEVER GIVE UP

We had a planning meeting yesterday with Hwang In-Cheol to discuss his campaign about his father being kidnapped to North Korea. One thing is clear: He will never give up!

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Tour of the Yongsan Army base

The Yongsan military base in downtown Seoul will be shutting down most of its operations. I went on a tour with two long-time friends. Things have definitely changed. I remember going on the army base years ago, taking photos was forbidden.

Mike says that I am one of his mentors. It took me by surprise the first time he said it, which reminded me that my actions can inspire others.

www.lovetnkr.org/donate

Yesterday, finally, my short trip to the USA was confirmed. This is not a sight-seeing trip, I need to take care of some things related to TNKR, and I must do one key one in person.

"Yoegi Anjuseyo!"

* I have a short reflection in today's Korea Times about an encounter with an unfriendly looking Korean man on the subway. It was a reminder not to be too quick in judging people in Korea. 09-13-2011 16:47 'Yeogi Anjeuseyo!' By Casey Lartigue Jr. The recent incident in which an American English teacher bullied an elderly Korean man and other passengers on the bus reminded me of a more pleasing incident from years ago. I was on the subway, taking the train outside of Seoul for a work assignment. I have the habit of standing on the subway to strategically position myself near the doors in case my stop magically appears. On that particular day, there was a Korean man STARING at me. Not just looking at me, but intensely staring at me. He had an incredible frown on his face. Not just for one stop, but for several stops the guy just kept staring at me. If I had known more Korean then I would have been able to curse him ...

Michael Breen discussion at 10 Magazine

Yesterday I attended a discussion with writer Michael Breen, hosted by Barry Welsh. Very often, when I attend a speech or discussion about a topic I know a lot about, I often think about ways the speaker/facilitator/discussant could have done better. But I didn't feel that way about Breen, it was one of those times that I really felt like I had a lot to learn and should listen more than talk. He's been in Korea for three decades, working as a reporter, commentator, communications specialist. He reminds me of Andrei Lankov in that his analysis seems to be based on observation of how things work rather than trying to get the world to fit his biases. I don't know him, so his friends may say he is a raging ideologue, but that's not the impression I had yesterday and based on his writings. Michael Breen (L) and Casey Lartigue I first read his book The Koreans about a decade ago. It was a delightful read, that was both warm to Koreans but also critical at times. Yes...

Humanitarian with a guillotine (Korea Times, February 1, 2013) by Casey Lartigue, Jr.

Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan said the nine most terrifying words in the English language are, `` I’m from the government, and I’m here to help .” For many well-intentioned activists, politicians, and intellectuals, that should be updated as: ``We are here to help you. You’re under arrest.” For example, ``sex workers” around the world oppose anti-prostitution laws. Prostitutes may not know the theoretical arguments but they do know in reality that prohibiting prostitution means they lack protection in dealing with abusive pimps and madams, violent patrons and crooked cops. Locally, a Korean woman busted for prostitution recently appealed to the courts pleading , ``I cannot survive without this job. I don’t want to be treated as a criminal for making a living the only way I can.” How should someone who genuinely wants to help her respond? If you say ``arrest her” then you are qualified to be a “harmful humanitarian.” In your desire to help, you have elimin...

Inspiration from a lousy visitor (The Korea Times, December 31, 2013) by Casey Lartigue, Jr.

2013-12-15 It was a great occasion yesterday. A group of us held a Christmas party in the cancer ward of severance hospital. So many people to mention. The man who inspired it all: Nick Adams. It was his trip to Korea last month that inspired me to organize the party. He had cancer when he was a child, and he insisted that as part of his itinerary that we stop by the hospital. I was so moved that I contacted the best party planner I have ever known. The man behind the motion: Edward M. Robinson! As I've said several times: If you are looking for someone to hold an incredible party for kids, then contact Eddie! I look forward to big things from HOPE now that he has taken an even more active role with the organization (and was smart enough to name me an International Adviser, for example). The staff members at Mulmangcho are still talking about the incredible Halloween party he hosted, and they are looking forward to the Christmas party he has planned this weekend! The lady behind t...

2020-11-26 My basketball story

This photo was uploaded today by my aunt Annette. This was back in the day, when 1) I had a head full of hair and 2) played basketball a lot. That first year of playing organized basketball, I focused on playing defense. It seemed that everyone wanted to shoot the ball, so I passed the ball and played defense. I probably led the league in steals, rebounds and blocked shots. I enjoyed taking on the best player from the other team, I felt like I would get better, quickly. The second year, I was a different player. I will never forget the first game that second year--we lost 29 to 26, I scored 18 points. I probably led the universe in scoring that second year, although we didn't win much. One thing I learned from that experience is that one great player 9 (at least in his own mind) can't beat a team. An eye injury ended my pro career before it began, to this day I still have floaters in my eyes because of the injury. I started wearing glasses, but the problem never went away. On t...

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