Another Chosen Day

I've mentioned Chosen Day in the past, created by John's family to celebrate his arrival from Korea in February 1985. I look forward to it every year. It's a day to honor John and what a gift he's been to all of us.

We often marvel at the twists and turns that brought us together, and there were many. John went from Korea to Atlanta to Nashville to New Haven to Oklahoma, where I was waiting to meet him. Meanwhile, I started in Aiken and went to Spartanburg which took me to Pennsylvania and Baltimore and Oklahoma. And there he was.

Music was a key player. After John got to Atlanta, it dictated both of the paths described above. At any point, one of us could have made a tiny decision that would've prevented our lives from intersecting. John almost won two big gigs that at the time, seemed like his dream, but they would have kept him from Oklahoma and in the end, our marriage. His career would look different right now, but isn't that funny? The thing that looked devastating at the time now looks serendipitous.

We're so thankful for the moments - even the bad ones - that brought us this partnership.

Happy Chosen Day, John.

Unexpected Holiday Gift Guide

Something to wear, because it's the best, most flattering, and fairly priced t-shirt I've ever owned.

Photos by Kathryna Hancock for Everlane

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Last night John and I drank Old Fashioneds made with this,

John as MD!

Hello, friends.

I've mentioned Clarity and new jobs recently, and today, the Hendersonville Symphony Youth Orchestra officially announced John as Music Director!

John's spent the past four or so years realizing that directing a youth orchestra would be ideal. He loves kids and is able to really connect with them, and what many people don't know is that he actually turned down a couple of offers and interviews so the two of us could be together and try to reach a point of financial stability in Greenville. Granted, they were in the middle of nowhere, which influenced our decision, but still.

Imagine our surprise when suddenly, out of nowhere, a directorship opens right in our backyard! Another piece of this crazy puzzle fell right into place. First rehearsal Monday, and we're so excited.

Here's a little video, if you like. :)

Prelude

Photo taken on Honeymoon at SFMoma :)

I've been rather quiet this summer, but it's not because there's nothing to say. I've been busy, yes, but I wasn't sure why I wasn't writing. Over the past week, I've felt something in the back of my mind - an idea that wouldn't quite come to the surface - that just might be worth a post.

I finally realized last night that I haven't been uninspired, like I thought; rather, I've been so inspired over the past three years that I needed time to let the huge, life-changing things that have happened wash over me.

I'm sure many of you have experienced this: when you're unhappy, it's hard to imagine a blissful life. You might even badger yourself for not "finding joy despite the circumstances." I know I did. And maybe that is an important goal to keep, and maybe my own thinking has shifted. Maybe I did redefine success; maybe I did find new creative outlets. But, the most basic, beautiful truth is that I was given clarity. I've used that word before. Clarity. That moment when suddenly all The Other Things make sense. That moment when it makes sense that you stopped singing. That moment when it makes sense that you wasted spent 3.5 months living in a horrible place working for horrible people. That moment when The Other Things come together to paint a bigger, more important picture.

Clarity didn't come in one tightly-wrapped box with perfect edges. Those are saved only for Christmas presents wrapped by the one John Young Shik Concklin. Clarity sneaked in at different moments, from different messengers. Clarity might not have been the answer you thought you wanted for the past 15 years. No, that's not what I wanted, planned, hoped. For me, though (is this common? I suspect so), Clarity is better. It comes with more joy and peace than I've ever experienced. It comes with contentment, and it comes with excitement about what lies ahead.

Clarity came (is coming) for me in three forms: as an artist, as a partner, and as a professional. More on that later.

xo,
Lm

Fall for Greenville

Fall for Greenville is so much fun! Best friend Grace joined us Friday night for food, music, and dancing in the streets. After sampling the menus of Soby's, Smoke on the Water, Larkin's on the River, and The Bavarian Pretzel Factory - just to name a few, we went to a free J Roddy Walston and the Business show, which was f-u-n. They're super talented, gritty, and can make anyone remember why they love Rock and Roll. They also have this great shared energy with their audience that makes you want to fight your way right to the front and stay there.

John and I had such a great time that we went back Saturday night just to get our fill, and I can't even count the number of times we said "We love living in Greenville" to each other. I can't wait for next year!

I fell in love with this song yesterday.

Then I played it for John, and he loved it, too.

Thanks, Mags

I just fell a little bit more in love with Gaga.

This makes me so happy. If you watch this and don't want to sing and dance, you're crazy. 

Sunday Morning Drive

Let's just say that a drive through the Vermont countryside while listening to Mumford and Sons is good for the soul, and better than any church service.

An Ella Kind of Night

For John, obviously:



My favorite:



And for the record, everyone always talks about Berlin, but Budapest is by far my favorite. All time favorite, in fact. It's been sitting in my car's disc changer since high school. No joke. It's the only thing that never gets old! I have the whole thing memorized, scat for scat. Enjoy!

For a Blizzardy Wednesday

And while we're talking about favorite songs...