I grew up in a family that likes to laugh and tease quite a bit. We knew how to put on thick skin and laugh at the silliness, and with time, learned when the teasing or laughing went too far and an apology was needed.
As a kid, when going out to eat with the family, Dad would always tease the waiter or waitress. His classic line when asked if we’d like to order dessert was, “Just the table.” My brother and I would giggle as confusion spread across the server’s face. Mom is a great storyteller. She could have a room in fits and tears by retelling a family adventure or showing a family video.
We grew up laughing a lot—at situations and each other. I think that thick skin prepared me for the critical eye of overseas life!
Several months ago, we got a huge surprise: I’m pregnant with our fourth! Forty and pregnant, with age gaps that will span ten to fifteen with our other three kiddos. We sure didn’t see that one coming! After the shock wore off (that took a few weeks!), we couldn’t help but giggle at the crazy differences between God’s plans and our own. The fact that I took a pregnancy test on April Fools’ Day was just icing on the cake.
For the first time, we’re navigating having this baby in-country, despite the first words to my husband after finding out I was pregnant being, “I can’t have this baby here.” God has taken me, especially, on a journey to trust his every move, no matter the fears or disagreements I may have. We have already run into a lot of methods, tests, and ideas that we disagree with, and we’re learning how to navigate each rebuttal and refusal with patience and kindness.
Every time I walk into the buzzing hospital for an appointment, everyone turns and stares. We’re used to that, right? Been there, done that for fourteen years. No big deal. Except that being pregnant here is next-level when it comes to stares, questions, and advice.
Thankfully, not too many strangers come up and rub my belly, but they do ask if I’m about to give birth. They’ve been asking since I was five months pregnant! I laugh and tell them, “Not even close.” They can’t comprehend a mama pregnant with her fourth (they usually have one, maybe two), let alone how my Western-sized frame carries differently than theirs. Our gate guard, who sees me often, is declaring I’m having twins because he thinks I’m so big. Ha!
When ordering an iced drink, because it’s been a brutally hot summer and I have a fifteen-pound internal furnace, I get asked two or three extra times if I really want it iced. The belief among locals is that you shouldn’t drink cold drinks ever, but especially if you’re pregnant. Often, I have received my drink with less ice than usual or lukewarm. What else can I do but laugh, shake my head, and remember that they’re just looking out for me?
When out and about with local friends, especially women older than me, they go over-the-top watching out for me. They often hold onto my elbow to make sure I don’t fall, and they point out every nook and cranny I may trip over. While, again, I know this is deep care for the precious cargo I’m carrying, I can’t help but laugh at how extreme they are, especially since my culture is all about celebrating a pregnant mama’s strength and independence (sometimes to a fault).
There have been many moments in the past several months that have made me laugh, sometimes uncomfortably, at what has been said about my body or the shock of having another baby. Thankfully, most days, the thick skin from my childhood can stand up to the comments.
This overseas life is hard enough. There is constant culture-clashing and navigating misunderstandings, often in another language. Letting comments roll off, knowing that the lips that said them often don’t understand the weight they carry has gotten me through many hard years. In the next few months, as we wait for the baby to make her debut, I know the awkward comments and situations will only grow. I hope that I can keep a light, cheerful countenance to give them a taste of what it means to have joy in an unexpected situation, and maybe laugh along the way too.
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We’ve been making these delightful, healthy bowls for years—I can’t believe I haven’t shared them here yet! The base and meat are simple, and the topping choices are endless—or as easy as whatever you have on hand. Make the simple, tangy, spicy sauce to bring it all together. (To those who know Korean food well: I’m sorry if this isn’t authentic! Please share your version if you have a different one!)
Korean Beef Bowls
Ready in: 1 hour (depending on toppings and their prep time)
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients:
- 1–1.5lbs London broil, sirloin steak, or ground beef
- 5–6 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1–1.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- 2–3 Tbsp white or brown sugar
- 1–2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 3–4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1″ knob of ginger, minced
- Salt (to taste)
- Toppings, such as: roasted sweet potatoes or red cabbage (roasted with olive oil and salt), sautéed spinach (with salt), edamame (boiled in salty water), shredded carrots, avocado, etc.!
- 1/2 cup Greek or plain yogurt
- 1 Tbsp lemon/lime juice (to taste)
- 1 tsp sriracha sauce (to taste)
- Rice
This recipe is very flexible and requires you to taste along the way! The meat should be slightly salty and sweet, the toppings salty, and the sauce tangy and spicy. Such a great combo!
Marinade: Combine beef, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, olive oil, ginger, and garlic (both optional) for at least one hour, up to one day, in the fridge.
Once ready to cook, heat a little olive oil in a skillet and turn on medium-high. Add the chopped onion and sauté 3–4 minutes until translucent. Add the ginger and garlic (if not already added into the beef mixture), and sauté 1–2 minutes. Add the beef mixture and cook until cooked through.
While the meat is cooking, prep any toppings you’d like.
Cook the rice until fluffy.
Stir together Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and sriracha. Start with less of the lemon and sriracha and add more after tasting.
Line everything up and let everyone choose what goes in their bowls. Most end up looking like a rainbow!
Enjoy!
