During Orientation, we are given options of extracurricular activities to do to help us introduce us to Korean culture. One of the things I signed up for was Taekwondo, I was a little hesitant at first when the instructor showed us a video of a ripped man flying through the air doing kicks and breaking bricks ... my first thought was, “um, how did I ever think I could do any of this?! Should I sneak out of the door now?” But, I’m really glad I stayed because I am realizing that doing taekwondo is helping me live out one of my biggest goals while I’m in South Korea, which is to learn how to be more still on the inside as there is so much noise/clutter going around on the outside. In a way, when I am doing Taekwondo I notice that I am so much in the present moment that I am NOT having thoughts, which is huge because I am always daydreaming.. even know as I write this. I really appreciate that clarity of thought..its something id really like to be a part of my life when I am not in taekwondo too. One last thing Taekwondo is teaching me is something Olenka emphasized early on about the “sport.” While doing it, you are constantly reminded about the concept of “mind over matter.” It is really empowering for when you come out to Taekwondo and face everyday life and you notice that you find yourself mentally stronger and somehow have more willpower to do something you never thought you’d try.
* oh, the picture above is Dave and I @ Taekwondo class..you would think we are holding up our fingers like that because that is the norm in S. Korea, but we are really just holding up our V's .. haha always got Villanova in our hearts.
** the picture is dedicated to Jane Morris who is absolutely awesome <3
