Family -a slice of pizza

A few days ago I saw a book that sparked my interest. It was about a family that was living together under one roof but all where leading separate lives. It reminded me of me life back home. My family and I have been heading in our own directions ever since I began college. I didn't read the book and I can't compare beyond the title, but the title has a significant meaning. just as the Subtitle hinted A slice of pizza is about any portion of our life. ( Money, Marriage, travels, hobbies, etc). In other words, this is just another factoid of life...Shit happens, things change and there is little to nothing that we can do about it.

Back where I come from I am leaving behind my mother, father, and a younger brother. My extended family is a lot closer. I used to keep in correspondence with many of my cousins, aunts and uncles. I still have a wonderful relationship with all of them and hear from people sometimes. Lastly, I am happy to say that I have always had a special connection with my grandma. She and I have enjoy many cups of coffee and trips together from the time I was young to now.

When I was in college I got along better with my brother. We actually started to hang out a little more but I never did get to see his plays. Now he is pondering a career in Holllywood and it may be along time before I get out there.

My parents and I haven't ever seen eye to eye but since moving to Korea we get along better as well. I think getting married has made them realize that we need to not argue as much as we used to.

Distance doesn't help. I thought for along time it was nice beging away from home. I thought that my relationships would get stronger rather than weaker. Many of my friends and I have lost touch with each other. While my family cares a lot about me they have their own responsibilities: My brothers plays, fathers retirement plans, and my mothers own situations as well.

It would take a whole week to explain my families background, postion, and situation but this post should clarify a lot.

I truly miss America because it was so familiar to me. I felt like I owned Missoula. I was happy dealing with family issues, living my life with a carefree attitude. There was no rush, I enjoyed listening to my friends' dramas and trying to help them fix the situation, and in turn they helped me. I was poor (a lonely college student) but rich on friends, rich on life, and happy to be apart of that community. I had everything at my disposal.

If I could have things my way I would return to the way things used to be. Getting up and going to Food For Thought on Sundays studying anything from Spanish to Geography and as I said just enjoy the time on my own accord.

Being in Korea things are a little different than that romantic vision.


I grew up in Korea. From the playing grounds in America to the real life brutalizations I have faced since entering the workforce in Korea I have become someone that sees the world in a total different perspective.

Aside from my negative ramblings that have been catalogued in my previous blogs I have an understanding of how things are and how they came to be. I wish that certain things could be different and people whether Foreign or Korean could see things differently but that's not going to happen in the short run.

I have nobody to blame for where I have landed other than myself. My wifes family is the embodiment of Korea. If it wasn't for them I wouldn't be here.

Her parents are more strict and more conservative by nature. They work very hard and follow korean traditional thinking which means they put everything ahead of themselves for the sake of the children. I have a sister-in-law and brother-in-law. Her family is 15 years old than my parents (I believe) and as Korean Families go they are a lot closer than mine. Its a giant pizza instead of 4 little slices like mine.
I spend the holidays at her parents house because so far we haven't wanted to go on a personal vacation. I used to clamor my family for vacations when I was growing up but to no avail. Her brother lives upstairs from us and spends a lot of time with us. He takes us where we need because he has a car, and we share food together in order to save money. Sharing is how to spell family in Korea and it makes our life easier.

I am an Uncle now- I have one niece and a nephew from my sister in law. I see her around the holidays as well and now she is the only one left in Gumi taking care of my wife's parents.

In conclusion, I came to korea penniless and worked for 2 years and now I have a Korean family. In the middle of the two families is myself and the Pinnacle of my existence my wife.
In some instances it may be time to begin my own family but if the truth be known I am still wrestling with the debate Korea verses America and the misconceptions about life itself that may end up making Our family life hard.


This may be a two part or three part but I am interested in what anyone may think. I do know now that in the past I was especially negative and I am trying to change that. My hope is to better understand everything and anything that comes my way and I ask that you if you comment please let me know how I can better clarify. I am always looking for some new ideas.