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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!!!!




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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.




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.

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Diverse Secondary Education (2016-10-09)

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"Escap e from Camp 14," with author Blaine Harden, 10 Maga zine forum, May 3, 2013 (moderator) "Road to Life " radio interview, "This Morning" on TBS eFM, May 1, 2013 (radio interview). "Road to Life"--Rally for North K orean escapees, Seoul, April 30, 2013 (speaker). " On Expertise and Ethics: Tourism in North Korea ," by Alexander James, NK News , April 27, 2013 (quoted) "Casey Lartigue update , " Plan B Lifesty les Radio Show, April 17, 2013. In terview on D reams , 2032 Magazine, April 2013.   "Western tourism on the rise, says N Korea ," by Simon Mundy, The Financial Times, March 15, 2013 (quoted) Liberty Society Emerges as a top global think tank, 2032 Magazine , March 2013 (feature article) Is Touris m in North Korea Really Booming? If tourism is growing, should it be encouraged? , NK News , February 21, 2013 (quoted) There's no place like home, The Korea Times , February 12, 2013 (op-ed) ...

KC=GQ

I am featured in the April 2013 issue of 2032 Magazine.

"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 ...