A poem...

by Mary Elizabeth Frye.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints on snow,

I am the sun on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circling flight.

I am the soft star-shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there; I did not die.

Golgulsa Temple Stay

As part of our trip to Seoul, we spent a couple of days in a coastal town named Gyeong-Ju. This was one of my favorite parts of the trip, as it included not only seeing wonderful temples from the Silla dynasty, but also a temple stay at a Buddhist temple, Golgulsa. 

I had read about similar experiences, but never dreamt that I would get to experience something like this myself. The temple was so beautiful, and I felt such reverence for the place, that I did not take a single photo the entire time we were there. We were in bed by 10 pm, and awoken at 4 in the morning to walk up an incredibly steep hill for morning chants, followed by walking meditation and a timed breakfast ceremony. A few of us made the treacherous trek up the rocky steps of the mountain to see the Buddha carved into the mountain from the 5th century. 

Fortunately, one of our tour guides, Semi, was photographing the whole time! Thanks so much to Semi for sharing the photos with all of us, they are a treasure. 

Receiving our first instructions on the temple-stay experience!

Walking to dinner in our new temple-stay togs.

 Mary, Kunyoung, and I were very pleased about something.

 In line for our first meal experience.

 Kunyoung and Victoria choosing their food for dinner (although the food for breakfast was very similar). We learned a lot about choosing appropriate portions because it was a disgrace to waste any food.

Victoria with one of the cutest puppies of all time.

Our introduction to our Seonmudo training.

I love Katherine's face here.

 Right before the beginning of our evening chants and Seonmudo.... we really had no idea what was in store!

The way to the 5th century Buddha.

The view of the Buddha after the nerve-wracking climb had paid off! Photo by Victoria Marcetti.

The temple-stay was one of my absolute favorite experiences during our trip to South Korea. Sitting underneath that Buddha and feeling as though I was at the edge of the world... it was an experience I will never forget. 

Vera had a vision of the village's voice, 2012

This project came to mind in a solid form - text, concept, and contents all together. Vera was my grandmother on my mother's side. When I was a child my mother would tell me stories of Grandma Vera's clairvoyance. She died of Alzheimer's when I was in junior high. I made this piece to honor her. 

Found and repurposed box, handmade kozo, pig suede, found objects. 

Also I'd like to thank Greg Tuomi for his help on sanding the box and removing its fixtures; it was my first time using wood and removing the original finish for my own purposes.