definitive splits,

i've long been one to sequence time into segments; periods of being. months are separated neatly and divided by specific happenings. traveling is split into definitive parts, whether it be by bicycle, car, train, or subway. i recall my old bicycle ride to saint paul when working at the bean factory. a 26 minute ride split into four parts of varying time but equal mental weight. i attribute this as a byproduct of eight years of running and racing on the track, cross country course, and something in the nature of 15,000 miles in between. everything is broken down into time.

that said, i feel my korea stay reaches that split. whereas my first month was of excitement and exploration, the next two were of occasional excitement, though frequent minnesota nostalgia. this seems to be split number three, where i'm finally enjoying the country again and not longing to be home. i seem to be forming some semblance of community. while minnesota has a lot to miss, i have a lot to learn, see, and be in this land.

of recent days, many tales exist.
- to start, i booked my ticket to cambodia a few days ago for my christmas vacation. december 25 - january 2. phnom pehn, siem reap, angkor wat, siem reap, koh ker, battambang, bantam-chmmar. i'll do my best to fit it all in.
- i ran in the seoul marathon on november 1. despite a lot of worrying about my beleaguered calves, i managed to pull off a 2:54.12 for my marathon debut. i've always been pretty good about running even splits when i race. in typical fashion, unintended, racing as hard as i could the last half, the last 13.1 miles, i ran nearly perfect splits. 1:25.07 and 1:25.05. that was good for a laugh. one can plan out a strategy for a 5k, an 8k, a 1500, etc. I ran the first half and had no clue when my energy would run out. (it did at 19 miles). i'll probably end up running the marathon in march, though we'll see. i definitely want to run the twin cities marathon with the bethel guys during the fall of '10.
- other news. i am thankful halloween is over. my school went nuts over it starting october 1st. eight full kindergarten writing classes dedicated to writing scary stories.
- my kindergartners are beginning to wonder how i don't freeze when i take them to the bus. "only a light jacket? he crazy!"
- yes, autumn only lasted two weeks here. it's over. it's winter, or their peninsular version of winter.

for an evening's sleep. of tired eyes and sleep dreams,
for a minnesota morning to say hello to,

be in peace,