Amanda Takes Off...

Today, around noon, Master texted me. I recognized snow, my name, and "see you soon, fighting!" Heidi helped me with the rest of it.

It snows. Have a nice day and I hope you to be happy always. See you later, fighting!

It so lifted my spirits that I read the message several times afterwards. I got to class and before I could say anything, he asked if I got his message. I nodded, bowing my head slightly, and thanked him.

Unbeknownst to me but beknownst to several of the teenage boys, Master had arranged for two hours of soccer specifically to get some shots for an essay I submitted somewhere. Cocky was excited, made sure I understood what we were doing, and ran around, making sure everyone else understood it, too.

We were playing in large teams, rotating people in and out and Master was shooting away. During one of my out rotations, he said, "Amanda, 선물. Your home, calendar?" He handed me a 2007 taekwondo calendar. I smiled and thanked him and he said, "선물. 태권도 좋아해요." (Gift, you like taekwondo.) I smiled and said, "I do like taekwondo," thanked him again. I felt a little overwhelmed by his kindness—in a good way—and a little shy, too.

When I got home, Heidi was online. She told me she ran into him on her way home, in front of the studio, and they talked briefly. She said, "He worries about you. In a general way. But you don't have to worry that you are difficult for him to deal with. He understands you. And the thing I felt after the conversation was that you are quite a lucky person, having a good friend like Master around you!"

My response to Heidi was, "And you, too! I may not know many Koreans, but the ones I know are worth their weight in gold!" Sometimes I worry that I put too many demands on Heidi and Master (in different ways, of course). I feel like I take so much from them. But both of them are incredible. I am honored to know them.

Master took 56 photos for me, even though I don't think he knows exactly what I need them for. I love how we get into taekwondo-like stances without trying. I also thought my mom might like to see a picture of me bowing, despite the fact that the flash and light and movement makes my chin look huge.

Finally, tonight on an episode of CSI5, I heard the best line ever.

Grissom: The Telltale Heart. I thought you didn't like reading the classics.

Stokes: Well I do when they're about dismembered bodies.