Buddhism in Korea

After that we visited a Buddhist Temple, the biggest one in Seoul. It was really amazing. We went inside and there were three giant gold buddha statues and many people paying their respects. In addition there were three other small temples which you could go into. In one, there was a man holding a ceremony, very cool. There was also a shrine outside with incense and candles; I left an offering there to the buddha. For me, this was one of the more religious places I have been. It felt very spiritual and emotional for me. So glad to see it; can't wait to see more!

Eating in Korea

And next...the eating agenda. First we went to the seafood market...oh my so many kinds of fish you can hardly believe it. More photos to follow of that. Oh, and we ate some fish too. After that, we went to a tiny Korean Restaurant in Insadong and ate octupus and all of the other yummies that you see on the table.

Finally in Korea meeting the babe!!

And so...the day begins! We start the day with the most exciting part. We met Tae. We met with a social worker and his foster family, Mrs. Lee and Mr. Khan for about an hour and a half! Tae is pretty mellow and we asked lots of questions. We both held him and he played on the floor a bit with a few toys. Foster mom told us about all of the things that he liked and didn't like ( one of which is white cats). Hmm...Syd will have to take it easy on him. Foster dad gave us this absolutely enormous picture of him that is similar to a window shade I think. They are so amazingly nice and sweet, I felt so badly that we didn't have our present ready for them because it is still lost on a plane somewhere! After that, foster mom put Tae in the pack and then asked for me to carry him for a bit. We went to a meeting together with Tae and I carried Tae around on the back ( ah boo bah ). Shortly after that, we parted ways and we said goodbye to little Jeong Tae until tommorow. Tommorow we will meet with Dr. Kim at 11:30 and then have lunch with her. After that, we will meet with Mrs. Lee, Mr. Khan and Jeong Tae again. The next day is Christmas!....and they have invited us to go to their church with them! They are even picking us up in town and taking us out there! Mr. Khan works at the church; it is so nice of them. Here are some photos of us and Jeong Tae. Hansi always has the camera meaning that we don't have any of Hansi with Jeong Tae!!! We will tommorow though, I promise. Love to you all!!
Hansi and Margaret and Tae

Thai Yoga Level 4

Finally I attended level 4 Thai Yoga Bodywork w/ Tanya Boigenzahn in Mpls.
Please listen to the attached mantra that I have learned. I can hardly stop listening to it.
I think that you will find it mesmirizing (sp?)
More to follow....

http://www.thaiyogabodywork.com/mahamritunjay.mp3

The Hibbing Cabin

A great couple days at the cabin, the Hibbing Cabin that is. Round Lake in the Chippewa National Forest. We had a great time paddling, sleeping, eating, mountain biking and sitting around on the deck with a beer! We will be back very very soon!

Tribute to C. Blaine Harstad, my dad

Well tommorow is fathers day, and that is a time to honor fathers. My father died on April 19, 2008 and tommorow, just as any other day, we will miss his shining face. We will miss his openness to the world at large and to all faces in all walks of life, his interests truly in all people and his ability to accept in a non judgemental open fashion. We will miss his modest ways and we will miss his ability to make a fool out of himself. My sister, my mom and I are all at the cabin, flying his flags, mowing his lawns, setting up his water volleyball net and all of the other many toys and basically, just trying to do the man justice!!

One final thing that we will miss is the extremely silly gifts that dad gave every year. For example, just this past Christmas I received these absolutely ridiculous masks from him. Now, what in the world does one do with all of these gag gifts? Well, they have made for great many a laugh at gatherings of friends. Truly, the man was a bit nutty but...this is why we love him. Dad, we love you, we miss you and your traditions will go on...

My dad was truly committed to his heritage. On the back of his gravestone was an entire family tree from Norway and Germany until now. There was even an article in the paper about it! To read, click the link listed below: http://www.startribune.com/opinion/editorials/18154139.html

Utah Avalanche Training and Yurt Trip

Spent Ten Days in Utah. Avalanche Training and Yurt trip with my sister and husband. Too bad Mike ( Kass' husband ) couldn't come. He had to have surgery on his ACL. What a great time and great weather we had. No avalanches!

The Sauna

Here are some photos of our sauna. If you are really nice to me, I might allow you to come over and get a massage/ sauna. Eventually that will be available but for now, we can do it every once in a while. The idea is this.....come out w/ a friend and go for a ride or hike in Jay Cooke. Take a sauna, have a massage, be served dinner and wine on the patio. I will join for the dinner and wine part. It might cost a little more than coming to the studio. What do you think? If you are game, maybe we can figure something out. We love our sauna!!!

SAUNA!!

The sauna is officially operating. Maiden voyage last weekend. Pictures to follow; it is kind of like having a spa in your backyard! Eucalyptus oil, big cedar benches, living rock in the sauna, ipod tunage piped in, we are in HEAVEN!
Photos coming soon......

What is THAI Healing Alliance?

As taken directly from the Thai Healing Alliance website, Thai Healing Alliance International (THAI) is a non-partisan network of professionals engaged in the study and practice of nuad boran, also known as traditional Thai massage. THAI endorses students, Registered Thai Therapists, teachers and schools around the world that follow basic guidelines of study and practice. Lists of registered therapists, teachers and approved courses are available to the general public, and application forms may be easily downloaded from this web site.

It is good to have a governing factor over Thai Bodywork. As with all professions, it is important in my opinion for consumers to be aware of the quality of work that they are receiving. Minnesota is a state where bodyworkers are not required to be nationallly certified and thus, truly anyone can say that they are qualified at a skill. It is important for you as a consumer to know the quality of work you are receiving. In receiving Thai bodywork, look for members of THAI and in regular massage work, look for therapists with licenses and therapists that either belong to AMTA or ABMP.

White Grass, West Virginia!

We just had an unbelievable time at White Grass backcountry skiing in West Virginia. I would highly recommend it!
For more beta, go to Hansi's website: universalklister.blogspot.com.

Margaret