Joseph's Update! Dear Friends:

Dear Friends: 

Hi, Everyone. It's me Joseph!

How are you guys? I hope whoever reads my posting is doing fine :)

Maybe to some of you it has been so long since we’ve talked since I barely use English on my facebook wall. That is why I am writing this to update my news to those who are interested in what I have been doing. In fact, I made this blog because I want to share how I have been with my friends, but unfortunately I write everything in Korean. haha, but finally I’m writing a post in English.

I am finding it very difficult to decide what I should start talking about because I haven't talked to some of you for more than a couple of years. Let me think...

Ah ha! Maybe I should start from this! First off, I graduated from University of California, Berkeley 2011, December (I am class of 2012 though). I majored in Peace and Conflict Studies. After graduating from college, I worked in the U.S. for a couple of months and came back to Korea in May, 2012. So I am living in Korea. I am sorry if I hadn't said goodbye to you. 

 

Since I came back to Korea, I have prepared to join the military as an officer and go to a graduate program for interpretation. I have to serve my country, and it is a mandatory duty for all Korean men. So at least for two to three years, I can't leave Korea. And I've just got an admission from a graduate school last week! Yeah. I am currently considering if I should serve my country first or join the military after studying the graduate program. I haven't decided on it yet, and I am praying about my future. Why I have studied the interpretation school is a quite long story.

 

But it is very hard to make a decision because there is another issue. I told some of you my mom was sick. Five years ago when I was in high school, she had a cancer and the doctor said she couldn't live more than 6 months. But thankfully, she was doing well until earlier this year. Unfortunately, her cancer came back, and she is fighting against cancer. Tumors are in too deep places to remove by a surgery, so she is taking chemotherapy.

This makes it harder to make a decision about the time of joining the military because I want to stay beside mom as long as I can since we don't know our future. But don't worry about me too much, I am fine. She has already lived more than the limited time that the doctor first diagnosed. I already went through the tough time at that time. I am fine. Prolonging life is not in my control. So it does not matter to me anymore. I would rather be thankful for a lot of things. I would like to spend every given day loving people around me. I am thankful for the people around me so much. :)

 

To talk little bit more about my story after coming back to Korea... I have spent most of my time studying for a graduate course and a military interpreter officer. Basically what I have done was study English. Interpretation and Translation- either Korean to English or English to Korean. As you guys know, my English is not good enough to do this job. I had to put a lot of efforts to improve my English. It was very tough time. I often hated myself since my English was still poor while my study partners were doing so great. Watching some of them who haven't gone to the United States or other English-speaking countries doing great job often discouraged me. But at the same time, I realized that I should say thanks for many things in the U.S.

I remembered that there were so many people who were willing to help me and be friends with me. Despite my poor communication ability, you guys became good friends with me and encouraged and supported me so much. I appreciate you. Thank you so much. Thankfully, I got an admission from a school. (Tuition is too expensive, though, and I have one more test for another school next week. Pray for me!)

 

Now I have a chance to take a rest! Finally I can share my life with you guys. haha

By the way, I am still very much interested in studying a social science (international relations or migration studies, or something else). It may take too long time to explain why I wanted to go to an interpretation course. The best simple answer is that I am still not sure of what I should study. I am interested in too many fields. So in the meantime, I want to have a practical job.

But I promise myself that I will go back to school someday. And I have a dream! I want to build a university. University of Joseph! I will talk the details next time.

 

Yeah, so this is what I have been doing.

Some of you may remember a 18 year old-Joseph, or a 23 year-old Joseph, or a senior year Joseph. Whenever and wherever we met each other, I hope you remember me as a good friend with you.

 

It is too hard to say all the name of you here, but I will mention few of them. Joshua from LA, Greg From Coalinga, Willy and Derek from Utah, Joonsuk from LGYA, Roandrick and Evelyn from KCCC, Edwin, Jieun, and Kelly from Berkeley, Jimin, Eduward, and Benjamin from I-house, Sarah Lam and Krista from ISM, Daniel Lam from my last home in the U.S., and Phillip from Bosnia,

I am sorry that I just mention only few of you guys, but I remember every single one of you in my heart. 

 

My Mondays with Joseph’s precious guests! Conversation Cafe guests! Koran class students, IV and ISM friends, I-house residents, VACCEB coworkers, class mates, language buddies, KCCC friends, LGYA and First Baptist Church brothers and sisters in Coalinga, friends in Utah, LA, Pleasant hills, all of my brothers and sisters in Christ! I thank and love you very much.

 

I hope we can meet each other again someday. Wherever you are, I wish you every success.

 

+One more thing, please let me know if you come to Korea! Definitely we should meet 

It's little early, but Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year.

 

Thank you,

Joseph