Alive and well and eating cake! Fantastic! Have fun at the market!

Hiya Julie! And hooray for kindly Korean neighbors.

Wow! I am so jealous! I would LOVE to go to a Korean Market with someone who actually knows what all that stuff is. I hope you go and have a super time.

Am I really first?

But I have to ask, prom dress to work, or laundry?

Have fun at the Korean market, and don't forget your camera!

Yum! What fun! A Korean Market! We have a great Viet Namese market here in CT where I get all the veg I can't find in the boring grocery store. I had a wonderful "Japanese mother" neighbor some years ago and remember her quite fondly. She was very opinionated and set me straight on EVERYTHING. In exchange, I drove her places.

Yay for a Korean Neighbor-mom! That is so cool! And you will have fun at the market... I know I don't have to remind you, but we'd love to see pictures! :)

I called in sick yesterday, which I never ever do, but I was so exhausted finally that I couldn't function.

I slept for a good long while and mainlined aspirin and then did a load of laundry, so today I am back in my cardigan of constant sorrow ;) and my butt is attired in pinstripes.

Although, I totally will wear my prom dress to work one day ;)

Dana -- she scolded me long and hard about the sunburn I got at the yard sale. LOL. She is not afraid to tell me her opinions!

She is like a 60 year old version of Lane's mom on Gilmore Girls. But with a big parrot-type bird on her arm.

You will be very strange not at the Korean market, too. That's why we love you.

Lucia that actually made me laugh out loud.. at work!! heh

Welcome back! I'm looking forward to the spoils from the Korean market. We have such a huge Korean community here in L.A. (hence, K-Town). It's so much fun to visit all of the different cultures that come together here!

What a wonderful neighbor, and I'm glad to see you have a better understanding of why people seek you out -- you're not broken, they see you as a postitive force!

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Caaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaake.

And Market. Sounds like fun!!! And, are you sure Julie (the bird) is non-Asian?!

Should we call you Julie now? That made me sniffle and then giggle through the sniffling. You're so awesome, Laur...I mean Julie. I know that you don't always think so, but I do. I would love to be able to join you in some chit chat and wine, though, I'm not a knitter so we would only have about 10 million things to talk about instead of eleventy.

Pat yourself on the back and look how far you've come! The only good thing about living through bad shit is when you use what you've gone through to help someone else who may be having similar bad shit in their life. And who knows? Maybe "Julie" will teach Mrs. Lee to become a knitter!

I'm ever so jealous of your Mrs. Lee. I wish I had a Mrs. Lee living next door to me. Instead I have Moses, the convicted rapist.

Wow, cake! And sleep and aspirin and laundry, too!

I have to tell you that I've addicted my BFF to your blog. She went all the way back to the beginning and read straight through (not non-stop, but pretty close). And now we're doing a blog together! I knit and she quilts, so it's a knit/quilt blog.

Please bring your camera to the Asian market! My mom's Asian, but she never took me there and I have no idea what anything is!

I think I almost had a relationship like this with my neighbor Lauren. She's very sweet and gave me both a doormat and some Asian crackers after I moved in. Then I returned the favor with some homemade granola cookies, and I seem to have freaked her out. Oops.

I want a Mrs. Lee too. I swear I live in Utah's little tiujana. I just get lots of angry stares that I have the gall to not know spanish, and lots of bass from my neighbors oopmpa music.

It must be the wonderfulness that is you (and being Southern) that draws Mrs. Lee to you - I hope the relationship brings happiness to you both for a long time!

What a sweet and wonderful neighbor! Have fun at the Korean market and we want pictures of the experience.

Sorry about that. OK, not very, but I hope none of the WGIT heard you.

Julie Beckham...sounds good....

You made me wanna have Korean cake. Whatever it tates like!

Lisa, I'm not being age-ist. She treats me like along lost daughter, and it is a more respectful parental way that I see her.

Didn't mean to ruffle your tailfeathers. Lord have mercy LOL

How sweet!

Also, I think it is kind of funny that someone thinks I am an age-ist. People who know me in real life will think that is hysterical.

I wonder how people who write for a living manage to get past all the ways folks have to interpret a thing on paper? Like, here on this website I get the chance to change something or clear up a misconception, or just dump the whole website alltogether if I get my panties in a bunch enough. But what do folks do when they are real writers or reporters or what have you, and they get people interpreting stuff in all sorts of ways?

I think that would be hard.

Also: Edge of your seat updates! Right now it looks like a tornado is about to hit downtown!!! Very crazy weather.

FYI. My Korean neighbor told me that 60 is a Very Important Birthday.

There are moms of all ages.

I have been considered the 'mom' of most of my groups of friends since grade school.

I have a "neighbor grandma"... and she wants me to call her Grandma Rose, because most everybody does. She has always been the 'everybody's grandma' since her granddaughter (who is son's age) was in kindergarten. She cooks with me. She goes to bingo with my mother and I tag along to drive and run to the concession stands for both of them! :)

It is good to have a neighbor mom, Julie. Even better if the neighbor mom is your friend!

That should be 'my son's age'...

Oh, and I'm a pig year too... older than you, younger than your neighbor mom! :)

Sounds like a really nice neighbour!take good care of her! and enjoy the market,that sounds like fun.

I love that you have a Korean "neighbour mom". She prolly gets a big 'ol kick out of you. I think the Higher Power sends us friends and new family-like members, just when we need 'em most. Enjoy the crap out of your Mrs. Kim. (New "GG" ep tonight! Whee!)

Take your camera and post some pix of the wierdest thing you can find in the Korean Grocery, won'tcha? Kim chee doesn't count! It's delish, just don't microwave it -- ack!

Ask her if it was green tea cake. The Japanese make green tea ice cream--it's very light and very good. Bet the cake was too. You might confuse it with vanilla, but it actually tastes more "green."

Marilyn, I think it must have been! It was green with a velvety white icing. very tasty and not too sweet, which I liked!

Oh... that's so sweet of Mrs. Lee, heartwarming.

I wonder, is she calling you the American name "Julie"? Or is she using a Korean term of endearment that sounds like Julie but means something like dear or sweetie? Just a thought. (I'm not Korean; wouldn't know.)

Glad you got some much deserved rest!

I am so jealous! I recently discovered Korean markets -- the two closest to me are at least 30 minutes drive away -- and the fact that the fruits, vegetables, and fish that they contain is completely worth the drive. The produce is so much better that I am finding it much easier to eat fruit as a snack during the day. I do wish I had a "neighbor mom" to act as a guide, I am a pretty brave eater but some of the things there are a complete mystery! Have a great time!

You are forever making me miss my Valley! Enjoy that neighbor, the market and all that is L.A.

I don't have a Mrs. Lee next door. I'm not saying this to be mean, but I have a house for mental patients next door to me. They don't even seek me out for company. Sigh.

As far as being called "shithead" (which is something I would never call you by the way) I have a friend who at one time was a substitute teacher. She was checking attendance in a class and there was a name on the list which was spelled "Shithead" only it was pronounced "shu-theed" (I hope that came across correctly). Honestly, who would do that to a kid?

In other CAP news, you always joke about directing traffic with a bra on your head. I work at a law firm here in Atlanta on one of the most major roads in town. The attorney across the hall from me went out at lunch today and spotted someone walking down this MAJOR road with underwear over their face. We can only assume it was an extremely poor choice in fabrics to block the pollen which is overtaking the city, but it just made me think of you! Doesn't that make you happy?

Yea you're back! Yes sometimes people just need the chitchat. I forget this as I'm usually not so chitchatty. I answer to anything as well. The only one allowed to call me "shithead" is my mother and she usually reserves that endearment for my father. I am referred to as "lil shit" on occasion.

must go find cake now

Hi Laurie,
I'm a first time poster...and am currently working on my very first easy roll brim hat, courtesy of your receipe! I've made mine with a nice cabernet savingon, though. I came across your blog via a friend, and feel like I'm living a parallel life up in the soggy northwest. My ex-husband (we like to call him my first husband around here) left the same time yours did, and I took up knitting (and drinkin' a whole lot of red wine) as therapy too. I'm going to my first knit night at my LYS...never would have had the nerve if not for your entry on your first time going to one, so thanks! Wanted you to know that you're spreading the knitting cheer far and wide!

:)

i am leery of green cake
but if the word cake is in it, I might try it :)
Have fun at the Korean market shithead (said lovingly, trust me)

So glad you were able to be with Mrs. Lee on her birthday. Being by yourself on that special day bites no matter how old you are. What did the Korean cake taste like? If it was green, does that mean it had seaweed in it?

People who bake cake for me can call me pretty much anything. And I've been called a whole lot worse than Julie. LOL

I've been reading your blog for a while and love it! I think this is my first time posting a comment. I'm feeling kinda tingly about it! :)

Anywho, the Korean Market is great. I grew up in a small town and tutored for a Korean family during high school. The parents divorced and the mom came to rely on me a lot more. They couldn't afford to pay, so she paid me in food. Yummy Korean food for dinner!

One summer she asked me to take her and her daughter to LA to go to the market, since you can't really get Asian goods at the local market in my home town and she was afraid to drive. It was a blast! We went to restaurants and she ordered for me and told me I'd like it - she was right. We spent a day at the market and there was so much to see. The little older ladies got a chuckle out of me (tall White girl) saying thank you in Korean.

I guess that's my long-winded way of saying: Have a great time! And thanks for bringing back some happy memories!

"I love life, want to eat it whole... Korean cake and all."

Yeah! YEAH! Rock on! and AMEN, sistah!

Must be something in the air because my posts the last two days have been along these lines too.

Have fun at the market and try everything! (And yes, take pictures!)

We used to have a neighbor who called my mom Julie. Which was funny because she was American, and my mom's name is Sally.

Have fun at the market! Mmmm, cake...

You're a good person "Julie"

I have a neighbor mom, too! When she sees me out walking my dog she has to come say hi. I've knit mittens for her and when she sees my car in front of the condos all day long, she'll come see if I'm sick and need anything!

You are braver than I am. Once at the supermarket they were giving out samples of cake made with that melon-flavored liqueur (Midori, I think). They had taken yellow cake mix and put Midori in it, and the cake came out chartreuse. Yuck! I told the poor woman trying to give those cake samples away that I don't eat things that color.

But I am imagining your neighbor-mom's cake as more of a delicate green, green tea-ish, as someone suggested.

That is so touching to read! Two souls reaching out to each other in the huge metropolis....sniff.

Oh, one other thing -- in Hawaii, "Auntie" is a term of respect for any older female relative or someone who is like a relative, such as a family friend. Your neighbor-mom sounds like a good Auntie.

My haircutter has a Korean mother-in-law and gives me great green Korean candy. Enjoy the market, what a great adventure, Laurie Jay (now you can have a two-word Wouthern first name!)

That's Southern first name, of course! Typo attack!

Names... OMG... my 6th grade English teacher's name was FUKA. Boy howdy, we had fun with that one! [SHE pronounced it Fyoo-kuh. Uh huh.]

Bless yer heart for being there for Mrs. Lee [and Julie.] Just be careful if she wants to give you pie... [*shudder* Why did I have to think of 'Thinner' just then???]

Get snow peas at the Korean Market. They charge waaaaaaaaaay too much for them at the grocery store, and you can blanch and freeze most anything you find there if you can't eat it right away.

You'll have a blast, and I'm looking forward to seeing all the pics too.

Glad you caught up on your sleep. I can't believe the cats didn't disturb you though! How did they handle having the thumbed one around during the daylight hours???

[Inquiring minds want to know!]

Taking Mondays off RAWKS!

can you lend out mrs. lee sometime? she sounds fantastic. :)

and asian markets are FUN! just beware of the aisles with treats in them. i go freakin crazy buying up treats. yum.

Isn't it great how different everybody is. Some people said this post made them laugh, and it made me cry. I was so touched. Sniff.

As for people misinterpreting your words - I am a so-called "real writer" and my experience is that anything that goes into print will be so completely misinterpreted that you will get hate mail and fan mail for the same piece, and both letter-writers will have equally missed the point. But for the record, I didn't think you were ageist - it is a fact that this woman is old enough to be your mother, not some kind of slur. (And my husband is old enough to be my father, so I speak with some authority here.)

She is lonely but that is not why she seeks you out she seeks you out because you are kind.

Don't take this the wrong way, but I think I love you. *sniffle* what a great post. I'm verklempt. There's just something about consciously choosing a connection with others.

Aw Julie, you and your Cardigan of Constant Sorrow are so lucky to have Mrs Lee next door. Good neighbors seem to be getting rarer these days!

Hey Laurie, great you have a Korean mom! I just wanted you to know that she must see you as special because 60 is a big birthday for Koreans. Many people in Korea celebrate their sixtieth birthday with a big party. It's a time for celebration for 2 reasons. In traditional Korean society, few people lived so long. Also, the sixtieth birthday party also celebrates the completion of a full life cycle according to the Korean zodiac. Enjoy the market! Laura

I bet the Korean market will be SO MUCH FUN. Wish I could join you. You must take lots-n-lots of pics. And I want to see a pic of Mrs. Lee's parrot, too. I'm dying to figure out what kind of bird it is.

Again, I think you would be happier if you left your designer desk job and started working smewhere that you can put your awesome (yes they are) people skills to good use. I know that I am stranger to you, and that I cannot possibly know enough about you just from reading your entries for the last two years- but I can seriously see you happy as a crafts director in a nursing home, or some similar gig.

Aw, what a touching post, Julie! I love it! I went to a Korean restaurant for the first time a few weeks ago. Had kimchi for the first time, too. I really enjoyed the food! What fun for Mrs. Lee to take you to the Korean market!

About what YTT said concerning misinterpreting the written word. I try not to do that myself, I know it's hard, though. One of your readers a few weeks ago took issue with a post I wrote about the age of some married couples. But honestly, I didn't mean for it to sound like how she took it. In fact, my husband is 7 years younger than I am and I had a boyfriend years ago 10 years younger than me. ~sigh~

I lived in Hawaii for a couple years and one of my neighbor friends was Korean, and made the best food ever. She also knew where the best Korean restaurants in town were, so Korean is now one of my favorite ethnic cuisines. Gotta love anything cooked in sesame oil! Figures, I now live in a town with one very sad Korean restaurant that can't hold a candle to the good ones in Hawaii.

If Mrs. Lee offers you some Mandoo, Bulgogi or Galbi -- say YES! And take pictures so I can live vicariously through you!

Dear Crazy Aunt Pearl,

I always save your blog to read last. It' kind of like eating your favorite food last at dinner so you have that flavor in your mouth longer than any of the others.

p.s. I'm also "allergic" to sushi.

ACK!!!
your neighbor sounds like my mom!!! especially the "talking-to" she gave you about the sunburn. definitely a no-no. :o)
My mom's favorite American name is Jenny. So I guess you could also have been called Jenny, in addition to Julie and Laurie! Jeanie is another popular one too! :o)
and asian sweets are the best kind! they are always pretty in appearance, in strange/crazy colors, and always sweet, but not too sweet!
I'm glad that you have such a nice neighbor! and I can't wait to hear about your trip to the Korean market!!!
I have a tip for you (from one Korean to another--you are officially an honorary-Asian-- a HAsian.):
WATCH OUT FOR THE GRANDMA ELBOWS at the market! seriously. they are small but they are powerhouses. especially if there is a sale in the produce section. be careful. :o)heehee!

Awwww...that story gave me the warm fuzzies. I wish I had a nice neighbor who would check on me. Instead I have two old people who give me dirty looks when I check the mail on one side and a guy that mows his lawn at 9 pm.

Just wanted to add, that unfortunately there is no new Gilmore Girl's episode until April 17th.

The one running tonight is a repeat "To Whom It May Concern."

At least, that's what's on the schedule here in Boston.

Nita -- Maybe "Wouthern" is a Southerner living in the West, like JuLaurie.

Laurie, would you like an adopted sister? I have four cats and one dog and will gladly answer to "Julie, too"--provided that there's Korean cake involved.

What a gift for you! I had a friend that was 30 years older than me (she's gone now) and it was amazing how much we had in common. She would drive around town in her white Corvair, loaded with bags of cat food, and feed all the homeless cats. People thought she was crazy, but I thought she was cool-I got her, you know? Anyway, you are lucky you have a neighbor like that, and she's lucky too.

Now if you would just change your name to Julie, we'd avoid all the confusion at the WeHo SnB. We'd have librarian Lori, me (Laurie Ann) and Julie.

I want a Mrs. Lee. I only have the Latina Gladys Kravitz and she drives me nuts!

Bossy thinks this is so great - she doesn't understand why more people don't keep themselves open to "strange bedfellow" friendships. You learn so much.

What a cheerful post! Makes my heart happy.

Love & hugs from another non-Asian Julie. :)

How courageous of her to make the first move by bringing you cake and asking you to the market. I bet it took everything she had to do it! And yay you for pushing the hermitism aside to agree to go with her. Both of you are living large and Southern ;D

When you go to the Korean market, you should look for the chewing gum that tastes like perfume. It's one of those things you'll either love or hate.

Awwww!

My dad is Korean and I can tell you that they are often very clannish; however, once you've been accepted into the family or group, you will never find a more loyal bunch -- they are steadfast in their devotion.

I know less than a dozen words of Korean, but I can tell you that "imo" (sounds like ee-moh, no stress on either syllable) means aunt, and can be a term of affection for an older woman who is not a relative, but someone whom you are fond of.

That is so sweet. I think anyone would be drawn to you because you have a warmth and acceptance about you that even come through the keyboard .
Let us know how the adventure at the Korean market goes!

Hi Laurie:
I loved this post. I am a long-time lurker (OK only 3 weeks), first-time poster. Having only been knitting for a few weeks I went on the Internets to see what I could see about this new hobby of mine and found you and am happy to say reading your blog has only intensified my new passion for knitting. You're fun and funny and without knowing or meaning to, have helped me focus on a new hobby that has brought me new friends. So thanks, Julie. You're the best! ;o)

There are so many things I love about this post. First, it's not ageist at all--other cultures, and maybe Mrs. Lee, might not be as afraid of age and the aging process. Some cultures are even proud to openly acknowledge age and celebrate it, go 60! Second, and maybe this is an attribute that comes with age, I find it wonderfully refreshing to openly acknowledge one's loneliness. I bet most of us feel the way Mrs. Lee did on her birthday and yet instead of hiding inside with a bottle of merlot (you know, the wine choice of the lonely) she made herself a cake and found someone to share it with.

There are so many things I love about this post. First, it's not ageist at all--other cultures, and maybe Mrs. Lee, might not be as afraid of age and the aging process. Some cultures are even proud to openly acknowledge age and celebrate it, go 60! Second, and maybe this is an attribute that comes with age, I find it wonderfully refreshing to openly acknowledge one's loneliness. I bet most of us feel the way Mrs. Lee did on her birthday and yet instead of hiding inside with a bottle of merlot (you know, the wine choice of the lonely) she made herself a cake and found someone to share it with.

JuLaurie (I like that one) -first, no Dearling you are NOT ageist. As someone ahead of me pointed out, she IS old enough to be your Maman for petessakes. There's another great Advantage of being OLD (I said it myself): you don't have to worry about such nonsense any more. Second, YES take the camera to the market. We don't have a Korean market here, to the best of my knowledge, and our well-stocked (looking) Asian market is filled with things I can't identify, so may I borrow Imo Neighbor to take with me? Honestly, girl, you're stronger and finer and better every single day. You are ... what do you children say? ACE COOL!

My name actually is "Julie". I have a Korean friend and has introduced me to the following, which you must try. Korean radishes (not sure what they are called in Korean, but they are pickled like kimchee but are more like a turnip and super spicy and vinegary), Korean pears (big fat juicy expensive pears - at least in New York they are) and how to say hello and goodye (respectful) in Korean. It is: Ahnyong Haseo. LIke AH NYUNG HA SE O. Use for hello and good bye.

Awwwwwwww... Hurray for you both! A trip to the Korean market sounds like an absolute blast. Now I'm missing the former owners of the convenience store 2 blocks from me, which I'd run down to late at night. The nicest Korean couple, Don and Mamie, ran it, and were just wonderful. I knew them for about 11 years. Then they sold the store during a time I hadn't dropped by for a few weeks, and I didn't even get a chance to say goodbye. :(

But the new owners are also Korean and very nice too; we're already getting to be friends. [g] You gotta be friends with your corner store, y'know? Especially when you see them more than your neighbors, LOL. (The neighbors don't tend to be hanging around outside at 10:30 p.m. Most odd.)

I not only wish I had a neighbor mom, I wish I had any neighbors who were friendly! I'd even let them change my name. It's a wonderful thing to have a neighbor who looks out for you, even if they sometimes border on snoopy or stalker-ish.

Ooooh! Cool!
And how nice that you've found each other. Having an extra Mom-neighbor is the best.
Okay, Laurie, I have a VERY IMPORTANT MISSION for you! If you go to the Korean market, could you keep a look out for a bottle of sports drink with a little vignette of a cartoon panda being chased by children? My hubby saw it while in South Korea, and I haven't found it anywhere on the West side. If you find it, I will pay a YARN FINDERS FEE! Hey, I believe in a win-win. ;-) So if you do go, will you keep an eye out for it, pretty pretty please?

Oh how nice of her to adopt you! and cake, in any form is always nice. have fun at the korean market. I go to the one here in virginia, and I buy many things, but often I don't know what they are. I have to ask my Korean friends to translate the cooking instructions for me.

Awwww. That is so sweet. Sounds like you and Mrs. Lee were just made for each other.

My parents came from Germany in the early 1950's. Turning 60 is a really big deal there, too. How wonderful that you were able to celebrate with Mrs. Lee. Having an adopted mom is always a good thing. One can never have too many moms!

My sister in law is Korean. (but born in Sweden, educated in South Korea and the US.) Her mom makes the best barbeque. Sang's not entirely sure all that's in it, and her mom won't tell her- but it's really good.

The wedding was a very interesting mesh of cultures.

I have a neighbor grandmom, whom I adore. She's 89-and-a-half and deaf as the proverbial post, but I'm loud, so we get along fine. Every weekend we sit together on her patio while I knit and she reads the paper, and we bitch about politics. Then she shows me photos of all the children who used to live in our neighborhood (many of whom are older than I am now) and we talk about the good old days, when she was an active Communist Party member and hung out with Paul Robeson.

I'm glad you exchanged cellphone numbers. After you didn't post for four days, I had visions of small pathetic cries from Chez Commando: "Help, a laundry pile has collapsed on me and I can't get up!" At least Mrs. Lee will be able to rescue you.

Withdrawal symptoms? Me?

Absolutely lovely post, Laurie. You sound SO GOOD.

BTW my neighbour-mom is in fact my mom-in-law. She's Italian. She LIVES to help people. She's almost Always there if I need baby-sitting for any reason. She cooks for her other son and his girlfriend almost every night of the week, us as often as I will let her (hey! I like cooking too!), bakes Italian biscotti by the truckload and distributes them like manna to us, the neighbours, her friends ...

Women like my Suocera and Mrs Lee are rare gems. Treasure her!

Hugs,

You are awesome, Julie! How you manage to mix sad and funny and moving into one little post is so amazing.

Laurie, let us know where she takes you! Have you been to Valley Produce (on VanOwen at Reseda)? I make the trek there about once every 2 months, but it has great prices and loads of different things from all over the world to look at! It is very fun - and you will probably still be one of the few blondes there. If you don't know what something is, or you want to know how to cook something, just ask another shopper. If they speak English, most are happy to share their knowledge.

Some of my best neighbors have been older (than me) people who have taken me under their wing. Now I am at an age where the tide may be turning - I think I am getting to be the older neighbor. How'd THAT happen?!

Nice story about your neighbor...I hesitated to post a "feel good" comment to your blog when I realized 96 other people had already posted one. It made me wonder if you read all the comments left on your page, or if you just wing it! I think I would wing it since I never have enough time in my day. :)

I wish someone would adopt me.. I loved your story. I hope the tornados missed you, and you enjoyed your day off yesterday

I love that. I wish I had a Mrs. Lee. My brother lives in LA and has an old widow next to him who looks out for him, especially since he travels all the time. Nice to have good neighbors.

I have found that people who seem a little bit broken or strange... are the most wonderful and complete people of them all.

aww lovely mrs. lee.

have fun at the korean market julie.

Aww, that's really sweet! She sounds like a really nice lady.

The Korean Market should be a blast if only to hear the myriad of languages and dialects around you. All the colour, smells, sounds, tastes... sometimes I really miss living in a city.

Here are some things i love to get at Asian markets:
mochi--Japanese red bean balls in a rice flour coating
pocky--skinny rice flour sticks dipped in chocolate
kiwi gummies
strawberry gummies
Hello Kitty stuff

Have fun!

Julie,
My Korean friend Juno says, "There is something about yellow headed girls." He would agree that you are beautiful!

Lucia cracked me up. And I was worried that Monkey Grrl didn't post, had to look twice...

Several things:

(1) This sounds similar to the concept of "office mom" I've had several over the years, and have loved them all dearly. Helps when my own mom is far away. Grab this friendship and run with it.

(2) Loneliness comes in cycles. This too will pass. There will come a time where you long for a stretch of time all-by-yourself. I promise.

(3) Another thing about loneliness. You can be lonely in a room full of people. It takes all shapes and forms.

(4) I've gobbled up your archives over the past few weeks. Are you my doppelganger? I'm concerned that you might be.

I, too am glad you've won the neighbor roulette. I was not so lucky.... My neighbor told me that my compost pile was going to draw coyotes, when HIS family keeps both chickens AND rabbits in their yard!

Oh, you are so lucky to have a sweet neighbor like that. Heck, I would trade 20 (no make that 40) of my neighbors for one like her :) The closest I have come is a sweet little old Polish? lady at the fruit market who always runs over and gives me a big hug when I am there, I don't think she has any family. She always tags along with me, so maybe I am on the way to being "adopted"? too.

Love your blog, and have a great adventure at the Korean Market!

I'm so happy you're getting closer to your neighbour Laurie. You can look out for each other. She sounds like a very nice person, reaching out to you with cake when she could just as easily stayed in being lonely.

I know you'll have fun with her at the market and you'll probably learn a lot about different foods. A friend of my son's brought over some cookies that looked just like walnuts in the shells. When I picked one up to eat it I got the shock of my life that it was soft, not very sweet, and delicious. If you see some, get them...they're the best. Have you tried dragon fruit? Maybe the two of you can get together to cook.

I live in a (rather) large apartment complex, especially large for a big city, but each building only has four apartments--so I'm getting to know my neighbors very well. It can be so hard sometimes to be vulnerable to your neighbors, I'm more likely to clam up and stare at my shoes when I walk by them, but in spite of my obvious lack of social skills, they are nothing but sweet. In fact, my downstairs neighbor once caught the FedEx man as he was walking away from ringing my doorbell, chased him down, convinced him to leave the package with him, and therefore was able to HAND ME MY VERY IMPORTANT PACKAGE right as I walked through the front door after a long day. And it WAS a very important package--it had my brand new cell phone! I cannot thank him enough for this small act. Go nice neighbors!

mmmm...while you're there (at the Korean market) get some Lotte Pocky sticks and some Sac Sac.....
my favorite!!!

Jan, that wasn't marzipan, was it?

and those big expensive but oh-so-delicious Asian pears- OMG!

I really could have used a random encounter like that today. It was just one of those days that I woke up and was promptly blindsided by emotions. I cried a lot--which is kind of awkward at work--and cake and a kind neighbor sound incredible right now.

I hope you have a super fun time at the Korean market when you go! :)

maybe mrs. lee would like an internet afghan?
i think we should all knit a square for mrs. lee.

Oh wow! Both of the Korean markets I know in the Valley are really close to my house. The one closer to my house is really quite intimidating (being non-Korean and all, and especially since they think I AM Korean but in denial), but they sell whole chicken for a little over $3. Amazing.

Your neighbor sounds so nice. And the comment someone left about kalbi or bulgogi? TAKE IT. It's different cuts of marinated meat. So delicious.. my best friend is Korean and her mom makes it from scratch. That stuff is killer.

I'd be in an internet afghan for Mrs Lee! Definitely!

Hi Laurie!

have been away from your blog for a bit, seems you've not been well? Glad you are enjoying your neighbour, I too wondered if "Julie" was a term of endearment like a previous poster.
I've done my time with lovely neighbours looking after me (= food!) and me helping them with gardening and little things like getting on the step ladder to put new batteries in the doorbell :)
I even had a Malaysian Chinese landlady who took me out for yum cha, the entire staff called her Aunty out of respect :) tho no relations.
Always getting told "why don't I have a husband I can't understand it etc etc " :)
actually have one at the moment, think I preferred single with cats dogs and neighbours!!
I'll have to read back through your posts and catch up, I hope you're on the mend, I wonder if you've ever been tested for hypothyroid, the most undertreated condition on the planet coz of the stupid TSH, if it's over 1 and you're female, or 2 and you're male, it's time for intervention!
better yet get free t3 and free t4 tests and do your own research.
Get thee to the markets girl and have a great time :)
I live in a comparatively small town to you(1.2 million) and the closest we come is our local Chinatown, which has asian neighbour precincts like little Tokyo (mmmmmmmm calpis!) but I'm sure it's nothing on those markets!!!

xxx

Cat

Awww, now that is just so cute!
I have an adopted mom at my knitting group, she said I could call her "Mama". Although I'm not sure how she'd react if I really called her that...

It's so cool that Mrs. Lee invited you to the Korean Market! She'll probably explain everything to you.

Wow! That's just so great for you!

You should definitely feel lucky that people find something adoptable in you. I've never been adopted, and sometimes the loneliness could use a little company, you know?

Older people are great for that, because they seem to have all the time in the world for other people. The busy stages of life are long gone, and time is something they have plenty to give.

Sounds ace. Enjoy the market, the company and all that yummy food!

Oh no! I've gotten so sidetracked by your great post & all the responses that I haven't done any work yet. So much for coming in early. Anyway, enjoy the Korean market so that you can come back & tell us all about it.

Ageist. *SNORT* Shooot.

I'd give my left… arm… for nice neighbors like that. Go to the market with her and enjoy, doll.

I answer to everything but stupid.
The retired pastor of our church, who has known me for25 years, still calls me Rachel. Easy mistake --Cheryl, Rachael. Whatever. My grandfather used to say "just don't call me late for dinner". Good credo.
Hugs to you and your new friend.

Wow. JuLaurie, your post was very sweet and touching... and then I read the comments! So many people wishing for a kind auntie/mama neighbor to be a part of their lives... I'm convicted of my suburban selfishness. I'm "only" 45, but maybe I can offer some companionship and neighborliness to someone a couple of decades younger...

Which reminds me, I keep meaning to bake cookies for the houseful of college kids down the street. I guess I know what I'm doing this weekend...

Age-ist?? You, Laurie??? Not you. Not even close. Age is in the mind of the beholder. At 60, you can be 40 or 80. Take your pick. At 80, you can groove on life--or not.

Laurie, your writing is very powerful. This part belongs in your (hope-you're-keeping-one) writer's notebook:
"Now I choose to see that lonely folks want to feel a gust of happy, a breath of life, maybe just get some chitchat and Lord knows I have that in spades. I love life, want to eat it whole... Korean cake and all."

Lonely only lasts 'til our souls fill up with love.
Carry on, girl. Mrs. Lee is so lucky to have you.

that's a sweet sweet story, well told, as usual.

and for what it's worth, my name is laurie and growing up, whenever anyone called me by the wrong name, it was always julie. always. all my life.

Answering suetreiber's question:

No there is no sea weed in it.

(Ugh! perish the thought! I love sushi etc, but sea weed is nasty unless it is dried as is used on sushi rolls.)

It is GREEN TEA ice cream or cake.
This is really a type of tea or young tea leaves. Green tea is sold in all the grocery stores, not just asian markets. It is very mild tasting and also supposed to be very good for you--you should try the tea sometime.

the above was from me. don't know why it id'd me as "another laurie"

Marilyn

That is so sweet! You are fortunate to have been "adopted." I'm a little envious; wish there was someone to adopt me (but no one is THAT old...LOL).

LA is the BEST place to live because of the diversity. Yeah, yeah - we got crime, impossibly high cost of living and nobody outside of Donald Trump can afford a house, but the people! The food! The languages! Soak up all you can!

My best friend is Japanese, and she's taught me a few words of her language; my SIL is Korean, and I swear, my brain is too thick to master it. It's a very pretty language and their alphabet is easier, but I just don't hear it properly. The poster who spelled out the proper way to say hello got it exactly right except they sort of sing it - it's very pretty.

And yeah, as a "real writer" as in that's what they pay me to do, you worry about people misinterpreting your words all the time. But that, my dear, is what they pay the editors the big bucks for!

Am I the only one childish enough to start thinking of loving ways to call someone 'shithead'? Korean markets are a blast. Some of us freak out because the smells of fish, etc. can be overwhelming to a picky American nasal passage. But, when you get past that and admire the beautiful simplicity with which they prepare their foods - it is a field trip bordering on vacation...have fun, my sweet, darling s---head. Sorry, I just can't call you that.

Laurie, what is UP with that ad on your blog with the guy clubbing the seal? Very disturbing. Ugh.

Wow, that's so cool. I wish I had neighbors like that.
Liza, the ad with the guy clubbing the seal is an ad for protecting the seals.

Julie, Laurie..they all sound the same! LOL.
I live quite close to Koreatown and I LOVE shopping in the produce section at the Korean Market. They have the most marvelous selection of melons, apples, etc. Wait until you see the cabbage...there must be 18 different kinds! Also, there's an entire aisle of soy sauce. You can get quite a few frozen pasta/ravioli type items too. You'll love it! Have fun.

Yes, Laura, I do read every single comment :)

I'm sure she means the HK market. I miss it terribly. You won't be strange in there. Lots of gringas shop there.

I love Mrs. Lee.

Oh, gosh, I wish I had a Korean adopted mom. I'm an adopted Korean and don't know anything about it. I have known Korean people, and they're really nice until they start pushing you to have a Korean boyfriend. =) Regardless of what they say, Korean boyfriends are not as a class better than non-Korean boyfriends.

You know, even on the other side of the world, it is comforting to know that we all go through the same things. I love your spirit, Laurie. It is such an amazing experience to go to Chinese markets, here in Melbourne. Everything is different and I love to people watch. You will have a great time with Mrs. Lee. Take your notebook! :D

very interesting blog!

wah! I want to go to the Korean market (Actually what I want is some of the KimChi that has the little tiny fish in it - sounds gross as all get out but I promise you, its Sooo good) - says Aria who is stuck in the south and can't even get anyone (other than my family when they visit) to go eat at the Thai restaurant with me...

this is NO lie, my sister works at a large firm as the hiring manager and she reads hundreds of resumes every week, and she interviewed a girl last year whose name was Shithead, only she pronounced it Sheh - Theed. ?????? only in Atlanta.

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