From a Sparkling Star to a Small Garden (조용히 빛나는 삶^^)

When I was young, I had a very clear image of my future face:

deep eyes and smiling lips.

I even gave myself an English name, Angie from Angel,
because I believed I came from a sparkling star.
(Yes… a little dramatic, but I liked it.)

For the “deep eyes,” I read a lot.
Libraries and book stores became my second home, and I somehow ended up earning two master’s degrees—one in Seoul and one in San Francisco.
Looking back, I think I was quietly chasing depth without even realizing it.

For the “smiling lips,” I tried to live well with people.
I wanted to be someone positive, especially for women around me at work.
Not perfect—just someone others could feel comfortable standing next to.

Back then, I loved going out on weekends.
Meeting people, talking, sharing time—it all felt natural.

But these days, things are a little different.

Now I enjoy staying home more,
spending time with my two (very royal) dogs,
and taking care of my small garden.

I touch the soil, grow vegetables and flowers,
and somehow… that feels just right.

No big goals.
No need to prove anything.

Just a quiet kind of happiness.

It’s funny—
I once thought I had to become someone special,
like a star.

But now, I’m just here,
in my garden,
and that feels more than enough.

Maybe this is what “shining” looks like now. 🙂

These days, I still challenge myself with golf—just like life, it doesn’t really have a finish line. 

KR Summary

어린 시절, 나는 깊은 눈과 미소 짓는 입술을 가진 사람이 되고 싶었다

그래서 책을 많이 읽고, 서울과 샌프란시스코에서 두 개의 석사를 마쳤다.
사람들 사이에서는 따뜻하고 편안한 사람이 되려고 노력했다.
예전에는 주말마다 사람들을 만나며 바쁘게 지냈다.
지금은 집에서 두 마리 강아지와 조용한 시간을 더 즐긴다.
작은 정원을 가꾸며 소소하지만 충분한 행복을 느낀다.
그리고 지금도 골프와 함께 끝이 없는 삶을 계속 배우고 도전하고 있다.^^

                  Photo: My two 10-year-old Jindo dogs that I’ve raised since they were born

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