Korean Dance Recital

During our time in Korea Justine, Kyara, Matteya and Arial have continued one their favourite activities, dance.  Early in our time here in Suwon Rosanne found a Dance Academy, or Hokwan, for the girls to dance at.  

The girls are the only North American students at this dance studio and most of the instruction is given in Korean - although many of the ballet positions are referred to in French - so early in their lessons they were able to have some understanding as to what to do.  The girls have enjoyed their time at dance and have been able to meet other girls their age and learn more about Korean culture.

This past week the girls participated in their second dance recital in Suwon.  Prior to this, while still in Canada, all 4 girls had the chance to be involved with dance recitals through their dance studio in Port Colborne, Dance Expressions, however, a dance recital in Korean was a little different.

For the past 3 weeks Justine and Kyara have had extra dance lessons - they would go for their normal lesson and then go on two additional nights for 2 hours.  Often they would come home very late and it was a struggle for them to get their homework done - but they persevered.  The reason for this?  At the end of January and through February the Korean school system slows down -having many holidays - in fact it ends around the time of Lunar Holiday and a new school year starts in March.  So many of the students have time to go to extra practices and extra lessons.  However, the Wendling girls still had to muddle through their studies.

Next, the girls were fitted for costumes.  I don't know how much they cost - Rosanne never really told Kevin - so I suspect it cost a lot of money.  (In fact I really don't want to know, writes Kevin).  The costumes though were quite beautiful having many different colours and containing many, many, many sequins.

Finally, a week before the recital the girls had dress rehearsal.  A time for the teacher to have the students get used to the stage, see the dressing rooms and have a chance to get use to the lighting, sound and overall space.  Again, the girls were bussed to the rehearsal and from what was said, all went well.

Then the night of the big show!!  Again, the girls needed to have more last minute rehearsal time as they spent the entire day at the theatre preparing, eating oranges and kim-bop (which is a Korean snack) and drinking water.  For the Wendling girls it also meant time listening to I-Pods and reading books.  (As well as having many young Korean girls coming up to practice their English.)

Part of getting ready was doing the hair and make up.  In fact, Rosanne learned early on from the girls that she had better do their hair.  Of no fault of the Korean moms who helped at the recital, the girls found that mom did a better job - and in fact had a little more experience in getting hair ready for dance recitals.  

However, make-up was a different story.  As you can see from the pictures the make-up used by ballet dancers in Korea is quite elaborate and colourful.  As well, it is hard to believe that girls as young as 4 or 5 would be forced to wear eye lashes.  Oh well, live and learn.

Finally, with mom and dad and a number of teachers from the school in the audience, (who we thank for joining us despite the incredibly hot balcony), the recital had begun.  All the girls were involved with at least two performances and they truly did an outstanding job!!  In particular, the modern dance number involving Justine and Kyara was simply breath taking.  

Yet, on a night such as this it reminds that we are a long way from home and that Grandmas and Grandpas as well as Aunts, Uncles and Cousins could not be here in Korea to enjoy the show.  No matter, that's what blogs are for and video tape that can be showed during the summer.

In all, the experience for Justine, Kyara, Matteya and Ariel to dance while living over seas has been amazing and an experience that has taught them about Korean culture.  As well they have learned that the Arts and Music transcends both language and borders.  I guess it is another lesson that was not anticipated, but has been learned here in the land of the morning calm.

Understanding Hiroshima

On our Family's recent trip to Japan we had the opportunity to spend a day in Hiroshima.  In creating our recent blog I asked all the members of our family what part of the trip they liked the most, they all said The A-Bomb Dome and the Peace Park in Hiroshima.  I tend to agree, by far the most memorable part of our trip to Japan was seeing the site which many historians would say was part of a significant event in World War II, if not for the 20th Century.

In preparing for our day in Hiroshima Rosanne and I spent time researching what we could see in Hiroshima, that is when I first came across the A-Bomb Dome.  My first thought of hearing the name was, there has to be a better name that than.  It sounded cruel, harsh and too direct and yet, after visiting I truly can see it is a name that I will not soon forget.

The A-Bomb Dome is the remnants, of the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall which was designed by Czech Architect, Jan Letzel, the building prior to WWII was viewed as one of the most beautiful building in Hiroshima.  It is in fact the only building that still exists from the time of the bombing.  To see the building and the pictures on the plaque reminds us of the devastation that occurred in Hiroshima at 8:15 AM on  August 6th, 1945.   The A-Bomb dome actually only exists due to the fact that the atomic bomb is set off above the ground, in this case 600m above, with the approximately 150m away from the center of the explosion.  When the bomb was set off it actually was not as powerful below the blast thus the survival of the building. 

As we walked around the Peace Park in Hiroshima I felt a number of emotions:
- anger, at the destruction of the city and death of 200,000 people
- guilt, for being a part of the country which was at war against Japan and who set up the bomb and its devastation
- dismay, that such a device would be created and used against humanity
- fear, that such bombs and missiles still exist

Also in walking around the park one has to ask why was the weapon used -- and used against civilians?  In war, soliders fight and die, it is not what we want -- but it is part of war.  Intending to kill civilians is not the intent of war. 

As a Catholic I have studied and have come to understand the Just War Theory.  However, after seeing the destruction at Hiroshima one has to wonder if any war, or an weapon such as an A-bomb can be truly justified.  Is any war truly just?  Is any war that uses weapons of such devastation just, right or necessary?  Is there a difference between soldiers fighting one another and civilians becoming involved?

As well, while we walked around the park I could not help but be reminded of the another monument which I saw less than a year ago in Austria -- a monument dedicated to the death of all Jewish peoples in the concentration camps.  There millions of people, civilians, were killed due to the beliefs of one man and the group he led.  Now to have faced the atocities of our last world war I cannot help but be changed, I cannot help but to think that we need to understand what is going on in the world to groups that marginalized or to groups that try to control others.

In the final analysis though, the A-Bomb dome and the surrounding park is dedicated to the preservation of peace and the hope that War and the use of Nuclear weapons will never be used.  For me, I am so glad that I could see this site, and more importantly share it with my wife and 5 daughters.  Part of our reason to travel was for our family to see the world and to understand the world better -- Hiroshima definitely aided these goals.

May the Peace of God be with each of us...may we never forget...may we never have to experience this in our world.  AMEN

Lunar Break in Japan

With a week off at the end of January and a multitude of possibilities the Wendling family decided that they would go to Japan and take the opportunity to see the "Land of the Rising Sun".


In this blog entry we have decided to do something different.  Each member of the family will write about their favourite part of the trip.  Since the family was able to travel to:  Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima.

Reflection from Mia:


Mia enjoyed Universal Studios because she was able to ride on Snoopy's Great Race and play in Snoopy's Studio.

As well, Mia got a chance to meet Hello Kitty, (Hello Kitty is the one with the big head).

Reflection from Ariel:

I really enjoyed all the historical sites in Japan.  Everywhere we went were able to see history at the castles, Peace Park and the A-bomb dome.

I learned a lot at these places about Japan and about history.

Matteya's Reflection:

I really like Tokyo.  In particular I liked Tokyo Tower.  It is not as tall as the CN Tower in Toronto, but you can see many things:  Mount Fuji, various buildings and the Imperial Palace.

I really like the Floor Windows in the Tokyo Tower and playing with my sisters as we took pictures.

Kyara's Reflection

The day we spent in Hiroshima was the best day.  I really like the Shinto Shrine that we visited in the morning.  It was very peaceful and felt like a day at the beach.

I really like the Gate, it was really pretty. The only thing that was wierd were all the deer walking around and calmly walking up to people.

Justine's Reflection

I really liked the A-Bomb Dome and how it influenced the way we think about the bombing of Hiroshima.  I really felt bad about all the people that were killed because of the A-Bomb that was dropped.

Rosanne's Reflection

I really liked the National Diet, (Parliament Buildings), it was interested to be able to compare the building and government structure with that of Canada.

The building was quite beautiful and even though it was unique in Japan, it was very comparable to the parliament buildings in both Ottawa and Toronto.

In general, all the family like the A-Bomb Dome at Hiroshima.  However, we wanted to tell everyone about our trip to Japan.  Our next blog entry will focus on Hiroshima - specifically the A-Bomb Dome and the Peace Park.  Until there....see you digitally!!!