Grilled flavors, generous hearts, and a summer evening to remember
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I was recently invited to a home-cooked meal, and what awaited me wasn’t just food—it was a feast of care, time, and generosity served with every dish. The kind of evening that leaves a mark not only on your palate, but also on your heart.

Fire-Roasted Goodness

Lined up across a glass table were plates of beautifully grilled vegetables—red bell peppers, green chilies, tomatoes, and eggplants.
Each carried the charred marks of real fire, a smoky aroma, and the distinct taste of having been prepared slowly and thoughtfully. It was a vibrant, rustic display that rivaled anything you'd see in a restaurant.

Skewers and Salad, Perfectly Paired

The main dish was tender grilled chicken skewers, rich with seasoning and a hint of fire. Alongside them, a salad made of thinly sliced onions, parsley, tomatoes, and lemon juice offered a refreshing balance—zesty, crisp, and alive with flavor. Every bite was a little celebration.

More Than a Meal

But above all, what made this evening truly special was the spirit behind it.
You could feel the care in every dish, the warmth in every gesture. It wasn’t just about what was on the table—it was about being welcomed, being fed, and being connected.

Thank you for the invitation.
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Good food creates memories, but good people make them shine.
This meal was both—nourishing and unforgettable.

Based on the insights of Korean creator Joo Eon-Gyu (주언규) PD
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Have you ever felt a quiet discomfort, a vague sense that your current life no longer fits you? If so, you may be entering a period of transformation. Korean creator Joo Eon-Gyu outlines 11 emotional and psychological stages people go through when their life is about to change. Here’s a deep summary of each stage:

Final Thought

These 11 stages aren’t just a theory—they’re a lived emotional map. You may not go through them in perfect order, but recognizing them helps you move with awareness, not fear. If you’re going through any of these, trust that it’s part of a bigger transformation.
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👉 Read the original Korean post by Joo Eon-Gyu here:
https://borabii.com/entry/주언규-피디-인생이-바뀔-때-나타나는-11단계-징조

How creative growth often begins with quiet discomfort
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As artists, we begin our journey full of excitement. The brush feels magical, the sketchbook becomes a sacred place, and the smallest bit of praise lights us up. But after some time—after several exhibitions, some recognition, and the development of a “style”—something shifts. What once brought joy starts to feel repetitive or hollow. We find ourselves wondering: What’s next?

When Creativity Feels Like Repetition

There comes a time when growth slows down. You’re still making work, still producing, but something inside feels off. That “off” feeling isn’t failure—it’s a sign. As Joo PD writes, we become so used to growth that we forget to make space for realignment. Instead, we fall into frustration and even self-blame.

“We don’t realize that we’re in a basecamp for something bigger. So we criticize ourselves instead of trusting the pause.”
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If you’re an artist feeling uninspired, anxious, or like you’re just “repeating yourself,” you’re not broken. You’re in the transition zone—what Joo calls “the quiet pain before a leap.”

What If Work Is Not a Burden, But a Privilege?

One of the most striking parts of Joo’s writing is this:

“Special people treat work as a right, not a duty.”

For many of us, making art becomes a task. A job. A responsibility. But what if it’s actually a privilege? What if creating is something you get to do, not something you have to do?
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When we see our creative work as a right—as something precious and deeply our own—it stops being a burden. It becomes meaningful again. It becomes play.

The Shift: From Expectation to Curiosity

The real breakthrough comes when we stop expecting ourselves to grow in linear ways. When we stop asking, “Why am I not improving?” and start asking, “What wants to be expressed now?”

Joo says:
“So I decided to just trust the message. And then came peaceful growth. And after that—fun.”
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It’s true. After the frustration, and after trusting that quiet space, there’s a new kind of freedom. You begin to explore, play again, and grow not because you must—but because you can.

Final Thoughts for ArtistsIf you’re an artist standing at the edge of burnout or disillusionment, know this:

• That uncomfortable stillness? It’s not the end.
  
• It’s the beginning of a deeper version of your creativity.
  
• The work you do is not just labor—it’s your right to express, to wonder, to make.
  

You are not failing. You are evolving. And you’re not alone.

📚 Read the original post (in Korean):
👉 “11 Stages That Appear When Life Is About to Change” by Joo Eon-Gyu

​In the world of children’s art, color speaks louder than words. From the trauma of war to the healing power of love, these young artists shared powerful messages through paint, pencil, and imagination. 

1. Colors After the War

​Artist Statement:
The rainbow covers the war. It’s scary, but we can smile again. The flowers are happy, and my friends are here. I hope peace comes.

2. Left and Right, Together

​Artist Statement:
Sometimes people fight about left and right. But I think both sides can live in the same world like yin and yang.

Roots of Hope

​Artist Statement:
Even if the ground is broken, the tree still grows. The flowers come out from dark places. I believe nature is strong.

​4. We Hold the Future

​Artist Statement:
Our hands are holding Earth. One side is dark and the other is bright. We can choose to care, and make the world happy again.

5. Fixing the Past

​Artist Statement:
I imagine healing broken people with care and study. The cracks don’t mean the end. We can learn, and help others feel whole again.

6. Falling Star

​Artist Statement:
The starfish is falling from the city into a dirty ocean. I want people to stop hurting nature before everything beautiful is lost.

7. Key to the Heart

​Artist Statement:
Love can unlock a broken heart. If we share kindness and care, the world will be a better place. That’s what I want to do.

These works remind us that children see the world clearly—often with a mix of sorrow and hope. Their ability to imagine healing, connection, and peace through visual storytelling is powerful and moving. We can learn much from listening to the youngest voices among us.

Today marks a bittersweet moment in our lives. It is the last day my child will be greeted by Miss Dana, our beloved school bus driver, who has decided to leave her long-time post and embark on a new chapter. As we said goodbye this morning, she handed out heartfelt letters to the families she served—one final act of the warmth and thoughtfulness she consistently showed us throughout the years.

I consider it a stroke of great fortune that Dana was my child’s bus driver. That’s why this parting feels particularly emotional. But I also know that she is moving on to a well-deserved promotion—one that recognizes her dedication and excellence. So today, I write with a heart full of two emotions: sadness at her departure and joy for her future. And more importantly, I want to reflect on how much I have learned by simply watching her do her job with grace.

Unlike most school buses that rush away moments after the last child climbs aboard, Dana’s bus always lingered. There was always time for a warm smile, a kind word, a wave to parents at the curb. She knew every child’s name and remembered details about their day or their progress. “Wow, you climbed those steps so strongly today! That’s awesome,” she would cheer. And in those simple moments, children felt seen, celebrated, and cherished.

Though she surely had hectic days, I never once saw her without a smile. Whether my daughter carried a bulky violin case or was running late, Dana always found a way to help, never once showing impatience. She even took time to stop in front of homes for busy parents like me. Thanks to her, I was able to manage my schedule with a bit more ease and a lot less worry.

My child started school in kindergarten and is now in third grade. Over those four years, I witnessed something remarkable—Dana’s unwavering cheerfulness. As an educator myself, I understand how hard it can be to maintain composure on long, stressful days. Yet Dana managed to radiate joy and calm every single morning. Through her, I learned something powerful: professionalism, when done with love and respect, can be deeply transformative—not just for the person doing the work, but for everyone they encounter.

The children in our neighborhood, my own daughter included, are all heartbroken to see her go. My daughter even reminded me: “Please write her a card and prepare a gift!” Children know authenticity. They know when someone loves them. Dana was that person.

In a world that can sometimes feel rushed, cold, and indifferent, Dana reminded us all that kindness matters. Her way of doing her job—full of dignity, care, and joy—has made our mornings better and our lives brighter. She wasn’t just transporting our children. She was lifting us all, quietly, with her presence.

And so I want to say thank you, Miss Dana. Thank you for your patience, your kindness, and your smile. I will miss seeing you wave from the yellow bus every morning. I will miss the boost of energy your warmth gave me for the rest of the day. And I hope you know just how much your small, daily acts of love have meant to our family.
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The world is a better place because of people like you.
Wishing you all the happiness, success, and love that you so deserve.

I have been hurt by harsh words from people I loved. Why did they say such things in those moments? I invited some elders with heartfelt excitement and longing, hoping to show them my life in America. But one of them looked around and said, "So you're wasting your life here."

She often planted sharp thorns in people’s hearts with her words. It became so common that no one questioned it anymore. Every time she opened her mouth, someone ended up wounded. One day, I realized I could no longer face her directly. It was a natural response. But even as time passed, the contrast between my sincere intentions and her cold reaction continued to sadden me. I was hurt because I offered warmth, and what I received was dismissal and disdain.

This is only one example. Throughout life, we encounter people whose twisted minds and words clash painfully with our hearts. Sometimes, living with kindness feels like a disadvantage in a world that distorts everything. Such people, after twisting every situation, turn and say, “You’re the one with a twisted mind.”

Over time, I began to see the truth. I came to understand who was really distorting reality. I began to feel pity for her. Her life—one that caused pain while constantly positioning herself as the victim—offered me a powerful lesson.

We are all imperfect. Anyone can unintentionally hurt others. Actions driven by fear and insecurity can leave scars. But within that pain, if we communicate sincerely, we can move toward healing. Unfortunately, the world isn’t always open to this. It divides people into right and wrong and refuses to hear voices outside the accepted “truth.” In a world obsessed with competition and achievement, real connection is rare, and so everyone gets hurt.

That’s why I believe in art. Art has the power to cool down this overheated world. Today, I looked at one of my paintings—a piece that missed the exhibition deadline. It featured a vivid red flower standing tall in the wind and rain. Despite the storm, it danced like a shaman, unwavering in its beauty.

Through this painting, I found deep comfort. Why had I been painting to show others? I should have painted for myself. This flower, like me, holds a beautiful and empathetic spirit, even after being battered by life. I realized I must not let myself be broken.

If you are reading this and feel too wounded by the world’s cruelty and distorted language to continue, I hope you will look at this flower with me. See it. Your beauty cannot be broken. No matter how much others try to cover you with dirt, you are still a flower. The storm will wash you clean, and your brilliance will shine even more.
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Believe in yourself. The cruel words and warped messages you’ve received were never yours to carry. They came from others’ darkness. Never let them define you.
Smile. Create. And be happy today. You deserve it.