I AM KOREAN AMERICAN

Own Words

My mother is from Seoul and my father is from Great Falls, Montana. I was born and raised in southern California and now live in Oakland with my Canadian husband and school-age daughter.

I am hapa Korean, but have only a tenuous connection to Korea. I visited South Korea once, in the early 1980s, and met my mother’s large extended family. My numerous cousins and I hit it off immediately, even though we didn’t speak the same language. I have not been back to Korea since that trip, and long to be reconnected with my mom’s side of my family — especially now that I have a child of my own, who’s one-quarter Korean. It is important to me that my daughter be exposed to her Korean roots and learn about her family’s history.

I am obsessed with dogs! After my Akita/Husky died of old age in 2009, I pined and pined for a new dog. I would surf dog rescue websites late at night and would drive many miles to meet rescue dogs for potential adoption. Finally, in February of 2010, I found Shakima, a young, blonde Husky/German Shepherd Dog mix, through a local sled dog rescue organization. It was love at first lick! Kima and I spend many happy hours romping at the dog park together. In addition to my canine fixation, I enjoy cooking meals for my family and friends, reading, riding my bicycle, and playing guitar and singing in an old-timey bluegrass band.