an apple?

south korea is a country that has overcome huge obstacles to be the nation it is. it was devastated by war and was left poor and bare and out of these difficult times certain expressions have grown and remain common. one of them being, "have you eaten today?" the question is about as common as "how are you?" my family asks me all the time. my dad frequently asks me--even if we'll be talking for the first time in a few weeks. "have you eaten today?" then, there's always the follow-up question, "what did you eat?" (i learned the hard way that the answer "cereal" or "crackers" is not acceptable). my aunt in korea asks the same questions except i feel a little more nervous when those questions come up with her. it's almost like a pop quiz each time she asks...and my answers are usually wrong : )

but really, they ask in love. they care, so in a way, it's kinda nice.

even strangers express their concern or care for one another with food. it's not uncommon to see random strangers sharing food with each other. in fact, it is polite to offer food to someone who is near you. a few times i've been the recipient of this love---a slice of apple, a tangerine, cookie, a chunk of radish, or peach. i think it's a pretty neat way to love people.

today one of my first graders brought me some of his "homemade banana milk"--his choice beverage in a reused bottle in a ziplock bag. yes, very sketchy. he told me i had to taste it to let him know if it was good. i unscrewed the cap and took a swig--i couldn't say no... he stood beside me with a wide grin studying my face carefully as if he was waiting for me to swallow. it was a really dear thing for him to do. he was so happy to bring me a little "treat" from home. i told him thank you and he bragged to his classmates he gave me special homemade gift.

i hope this doesn't spark a trend of various milk-based treats being delivered to me each morning... there are only so many mysterious dairy mixes i can take!