The View Up Here

A few things of note over the last few months: End of May/Beginning of June:  Got food poisoning. Badly.  Was hospitalized for four days and nights. Still paying back the loan I took from my boss to pay for that bad boy. I was told the offending bacteria was campylobacter, usually associated with chicken. Funny thing is, I hadn't had chicken at all for several days. I think the culprit came from a food cart at which I'd eaten some kimbap earlier that week. Never. Again.  No more street food.  End of July:  The Great Kitten Drama  Nearby my apartment building is a completely empty entire city block wrapped in green tarp fencing, into which people throw their trash. Inside, stray cats have made their home.  One night coming home from work I heard the plaintive and unmistakable mewings of a tiny kitten. Long story short, the mama cat deposited one of her two kittens outside my building's steps. I took the kitten in for a few hours and let her cool of...

Since my last post, I've been able to upgrade my digs with some things I needed, thanks to my downstairs neighbor as she was moving out.  I'm sorry I didn't know her before she left, as she is my age and is an artist and art teacher. We traded contacts, so hopefully we will be able to connect again. She gave me several things from her studio downstairs, including a floor fan and a desk fan, some lovely coffee/tea cups (you know, I have a collection boxed up back home), a handheld steam cleaner, and a few other bits and pieces.  Just that very morning, I was thinking, gosh it would be nice to have a steam cleaner since I don't have a dryer or an ironing board, to get the wrinkles out of my cotton blouses.    As my apartment reaches completeness (I still need a proper desk lamp), I'm shifting my attention from "stuff I need" to "how to live."   Azaleas at the bus stop near my academy My schedule here is backwards from what it was in Rochester. I go...

Remnants of the previous occupant's life are still present in this apartment, despite the makeover. The artifacts of his journey of self-development are still kicking around:  his Korean language books (now on my shelf, for which I am grateful) and a stack of emergency first response and CPR books still on the floor of my office.  In the entrance way cabinet, a drawerful of cords, tools, tape, even a soldering gun. Many power strips that he must have used for his gaming set-up. He also left a monitor here, which I'm using at this moment. In fact, that monitor has made it possible for me to replicate, more or less, my office set up from my last home. I just needed speakers and a desk fan to outfit my desk for writing and working (and watching videos). I bagged up several handfuls of redundant flatware and cooking utensils. I found some pillar candles, which I have put to good use.  I wonder sometimes how he is (I met him for one day to help me learn the ropes at the academ...

I have been trying to post something for over a month, now. I start typing, then I need to finish later, and then a week goes by. So I have re-written this three times, now. Today, I'm posting it no matter what! In my last post, I wrote about living in a transient space, a hotel room, for twelve days. I moved into my apartment on February 22, so I've been in here for about 5 weeks, now. The academy directors had re-wallpapered every room (wallpaper is used on walls and ceilings, whereas Americans would use paint), replaced the appliances, and added just a couple pieces of new furniture. Since then, I have brought in a Korean-style low table, several accessories for my desk and the shelves in my bedroom, and of course, I've started my apartment garden. The place is starting to feel like home.   Quicksilver days The teaching continues to go well. I'm amazed how fast the day goes with shorter class periods. At first, seven classes seemed daunting, but I've found the d...

Fairport, NY I have long held a fascination with liminal spaces. I know it was a trending thing online with clipping videos and creepy pictures of empty offices, but my interest goes far back to my childhood, probably fueled by The Twilight Zone's "The After Hours"  episode.  The mall at closing when there are hardly any shoppers, the gates are down on many stores, and the music echoes in empty spaces. Or train tracks at night with ghostly lights waiting for the next train. Storage facilities with security lights showing you the place you aren't allowed to enter. School hallways during summer vacation.  You know, that kind of thing. Temporary digs  However, living in a liminal space isn't as cool, nor does it promote some vague, quasi-nostalgic, pleasant-yet-edgy response.  Such is my current living situation, albeit temporarily. "But Elena, you're in Korea!" Yes, I'm in Korea, but I'm also staying in a hotel for another week until the apartm...

not an ad for Delta Today is my first full day in Ulsan, my new home. And by "new" I mean the 2nd time around. I lived here from 2002-2003 and visited twice more. Then in 2024, I made a pilgrimage to the sites of the Korean Catholic martyrs  which included a week in Ulsan. It was then that I realized I could easily call this place home. (You can read about my Korea Dreambus film screening here!) The process of getting ready to apply for a visa began months before I even had a job offer. The job search was also months long, and the position I accepted came out of the blue. I'd applied for several teaching positions at a variety of institutions and programs, and even interviewed for two university jobs. None of that worked. But the job I took was exactly where I want to be, and although it's teaching in a hagwan (private after-school academy), the conditions are exemplary and the couple that owns the academy are solid. So here's a bit of a rundown on the last 48 h...

I haven't blogged here at all in the last year because I've been over on my  Korea Dreambus: A Journey of Faith blog . As I stare into the last two hours and twenty minutes of 2025, I'm filled with gratitude and amazement. This past year has brought so many new beginnings and opportunities that I need to mark them down in one place. I am extremely fortunate to have been awarded grant money from the Genesee Valley Council on the Arts for my documentary film on my pilgrimage to the holy sites of the Korean Catholic Martyrs. Korea Dreambus is now just about done with a few minor edits and some sound work to go. I worked with two different editors, which was a challenge but which ultimately enriched the project. My public screening will be held on Jan. 17, 2026 at St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry.   We screened SOULED , my short film, in April of this year in Elmira. It was a great turnout, and I was so excited to finally share it. The film was a se...

Over the last six months, I spent most of my blogging time on the  KoreaDreambus site , rather neglecting The View Up Here, but now we're ready for some updates!  Quit the circulation half of my newspaper job in the first half of the year -- totally liberating! I continued to have problems with my shoulder from the poor work station I had, but it's been on the mend more recently. Spent the summer arranging a pilgrimage trip to Korea and preparing to make a film about the Korean Catholic martyrs.  Bought a camera package (pre-owned) and a new iPhone for the pilgrimage film. I am now in the process of sorting, transferring, and cataloging over 3,000 media clips and photos! I've also been prepping my MacBook Air to do some basic video editing, for which it's not optimal, but it will have to do for now. I got a new external drive to help with media storage.  Re-named "Dreamhouse," my short film shot in October of 2023 to "Souled." IMDb page is up but nee...

Today is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, and the Strawberry Moon! What a glorious time to be alive. I have a few sweet as strawberries updates for you, my dear reader. And so it begins: summer produce! First -- you should go to my new site that details my upcoming pilgrimage and personal documentary film in Korea! Yes, I'm going! It's happening! https://koreadreambusdocumentary.blogspot.com/ Second -- I ended up leaving the secretarial half of my job, continuing on with the staff writer post. I will also add teaching theology part time this fall - this time to high schoolers. I am very pleased with the combination of writing and teaching. And yes, both jobs have cleared me to be gone for three weeks to go to Korea.  Third -- My short film, renamed "Souled," is now very close to picture lock (final picture edit). I've hired a composer, a sound mixer, and a color correction guy. Post production is in full swing, and boy am I excited to get that pic...

 There is a lot to report on, friends. Let's run down the list! My short film has been renamed "Souled," which fits the theme and style of the film much better than the long-standing working title Dream House. "Souled" is moving right along in postproduction. I'm in the process of hiring a composer, and I've secured a fantastic sound mix man and a color correction guy. The edit is allllmost picture lock... We're very close! Also the poster is well on its way. That will appear here and everywhere else I can post it as soon as it is ready. Another dream is about to become a reality! I'm headed back to Korea this September to make a pilgrimage to my former town of residence and to the holy sites of the Catholic Korean martyrs. And yes, I'm going to make a film about the experience. The project formerly known as "Korea Dreambus" is being resurrected...appropriately as a Catholic pilgrimage film. Much more on that in the coming weeks! Le...

It's time to round up 2023 and cast a gleaming eye toward 2024.   Quickly, because it's cold, and I have to go find a cup of hot tea in the kitchen to warm up: published my short story "Vinny and Luca" in the June issue of Lake Effect Magazine . This was my first short story publication, and it's one of the stories I've written as part of a collection. shot my short film "Dream House" in October after one postponement and a reschedule. We had an amazing cast and crew, a beautiful location, and a lot of generous help. The footage is now with an editor who hopes to have a rough cut in the next few days. started as a journalist for our diocesan Catholic paper, writing features and briefs on the happenings and people in the county. learned how to create video content for Instagram. learned T'ai Chi Yang style 32-move sword form started with a new spiritual director (who was then reassigned to someplace far away and with a far busier schedule... this ...

Of course, here in Rochester, we expect our extra winter days in spring, but still things have been greening up rather nicely. Although I had to bring my potted tomato plantlets in because we have a frost warning tonight. Which, if I'm honest, just ticks me off. I mean, really, May 17 frost? Dude. Some good things are afoot, though, including a new job as a staff writer at the Catholic Courier, getting Korea DreamBus into the next phase (only took me 13 years), and a short story being published next month. One might say my late-blooming bloom is starting to, well, bloom. I'm still not sure what's going on with my short film Dream House, as my DP had to back out and I'm still trying to work out equipment for a shoot in June. If it doesn't happen then, I'll have to reschedule.  Tonight I got to see one of my favorite musical acts play again, the tremendous Old Blind Dogs. What a way to celebrate! I love these guys. I also reconnected with an old friend while at th...

Finally, I have selected a name for my kayak (if anyone is following this tremendously hot topic): Jayu . This is the Korean (Hangul) word for FREEDOM.  It is pronounced "CHA-yu" and written in Hangul as   자유.  When I am able to write this on my little boat, I'll post a pic!

As you might imagine, I've had my eye on the situation in N. Korea and Hanguk in the South. All joking aside, I can't really add any additional insights to what's already been written and said in special reports , speculations , images and news analysis of N. Korea's situation current and past. I will say, from the time I spent in S. Korea, what I know of the general attitudes of South Koreans toward the divided peninsula. The younger generation of S. Koreans - the ones who are facing their compulsory two years in the military - are afraid of armed conflict. They want peace at all costs. Perhaps this is because their lifestyle, compared to that of their parents, grandparents and great grandparents, is very cushy, very wealthy, very "first world." Perhaps they've become complacent, as it seems many Americans have, taking for granted many things and freedoms that were hard-fought and won. Or perhaps they are tired of the shadow of war constantly hangi...

This morning I was reminded that Nov. 11th is a special day in S. Korea. It may be Veterans Day here in the U.S., but in Korea it's Pepero Day, which as far as I'm concerned is freaking awesome, even if it is a giant marketing ploy by Lotte Confectionary Co. On this day, mainly younger Koreans or young couples give and receive boxes of Pepero. Like these two syrupy sweet lovers: As you can see, Pepero are essentially breadsticks dipped in chocolate. They usually aren't so large as in the picture, though. You might notice that two Peperos side by side look like an 11. As in "ll.ll" which is today, of course. Pepero come in all sizes, milk and dark chocolate, some with crushed almonds, candy sprinkles or other candy goodness smeared into the chocolate. They come in boxes like this: When I taught in the hakwan , my little students brought me a metric ton of the stuff. I went home at the end of the day with a humungus bag of them, and they lasted quite a while. O...

Greetings, Programs! I realize I've already satisfied my quota for today, but I'm motivated to write more. Imagine! As anyone who's known me for more than ten minutes can tell you, I'm a huge fan of the Tron films. Tron: Legacy was, for me, both a flash back to my teenage self watching light cycles race on the Grid for the first time, and a reminder of why I chose to write and make films in the first place. The man who envisioned and directed T:L, Joseph Kosinski, is actually the subject of this post (ah, eventually she gets to the point). Now, there already exists in the blogosphere some excellent investigations into who Joseph Kosinski is , mainly because when he was attached to T:L, few knew the name readily. Check out the link I just posted to see the work he did pre-T:L, which was his first feature film. So what's next for JoKo? Oblivion! I mean the film, "Oblivion," about a lone soldier (Tom Cruise) on a bleak, post-apocalyptic future Earth, repair...

Lately I've been paying attention to dreams, and by that I don't mean lifelong aspirations and goals (although I've certainly been paying more attention to those, too, but that's another post). Rather, I mean the wanderings of the mind in the depths of sleep where the subconscious rules and the conscious mind takes a back seat. I used to keep a dream journal a few years ago, but eventually stopped for one reason or another. I found that notebook about a month ago, and decided it was time to get back to that practice. Right after the last full moon, I began having very detailed, even narrative dreams. At least one of them has a screenplay in the making, I'm sure of it. I also began having dreams driven by that part of me that might be termed "intuition" or "Higher Self" or maybe even my "Spirit Guide." Whatever. One of these intuitive dreams was rather gruesome and had to do with chickens and ovens. That's all I'll say, because...

It's that time of year for me to hunker down in one of the beautiful studios at Saltonstall Foundation for the Arts and focus on the many projects that are tagging along like a bunch of tin cans hanging off the bumper. 1. Space: 1999 Black Doves novel (first draft) 2. On The Other Side screenplay (first draft) 3. Arapata'an screenplay (revisions) 4. Documentary film about life as and EFL teacher in S. Korea On Day 3. Day 2 was home sick. I pushed myself to get out and up the hill here today. I feel better just for having made it. Worked on Black Doves all morning, just had lunch, and about to dive back in. Qapla!

In three days and change, I'll be on a plane to S. Korea to teach at Hanyang University and finish editing my film, Korea DreamBus! Meantime, I've been hacking away at Black Doves , the Space: 1999 novel, and have started a new screenplay, On The Other Side (the paranormal comedy we've all been waiting for). I've also reconnected with a manager who might be interested in my work; we'll see. Revisions for Arapata'an are going to have to wait. I got some good notes to go over and figure out what to do next. That one just needs a breather. I've been at it for too long and have completely lost my perspective. Hopefully when I get back from Korea in late July, I'll be able to get back to it and straighten out the problems of structure in Act II. I've also been told I need to read The Sequence Approach , by Paul Gulino. My Act IIs always get cloudy, so I need some other way to attack them. I'm very excited to be teaching screenwriting in Korea. Th...

Thank you for reading my article about life and work in S. Korea: Transitions Abroad - "English Fever." It's meant as a companion piece to the film I'm working on ( www.koreadreambus.com ). Thanks for your support!