Another September 15th

Today is my adoption day. For those that don't know what this is, it's fairly self explanatory. It has almost become a 2nd birthday. Today I am more anxious about it because I feel there is more meaning behind it since my trip is just days away now. I can't help but be thankful today for a lot, and still feel like I haven't done enough. Two strange ways of thinking, but it is what it is.

So here's one for my parents, enjoy the photos.

One week left

One week left before I head over seas. I think I have everything set. I got my new ipod, my friends, and I'll get to see my parents and a very important cousin Casey before I leave.

The sleep medicine is packed and redbull's stock will go up 75% when I land. Let the official countdown begin!

Ground control to Major Tom

so with only about a month left before i head to the motherland, i'm getting kind of anxious about this flight... on the way over, there are a couple lay overs and that doesn't make it any easier. i'm a nonstop kinda guy. anyone got any tips on how to control the anxiety????

i'm not scared to fly by any means, because just between you and me, i'm not supposed to die in an airplane crash... but for fun here's one of the better google images i found... enjoy the friendly skies

Seoul???

just bought my book about Seoul... cat's outta the bag. You guessed it, i'm headed to Seoul

Just a quick update

So as of now, my trip to Seoul has been postponed. I just heard back also that the person in charge of searches is stepping down and now I have to wait for a new person to take her place to get any kind of word back from Korea. It's ok I guess. I expected to wait, just not this long. Man I picked a bad week to stop doing crystal meth... that was a joke

DUAL CITIZENSHIP!

this is awesome... http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2435321018

Dual citizenship will be available for Korean adoptees from 1st January 2011 on. The nationality law revision was passed by the Korean national assembly on 21st April 2010 and goes into effect from next year on.

Going to Seoul

So lately I've been thinking that I need to go to Seoul sooner than later. I haven't heard much back about my search, and I'm hoping that maybe by going I can kickstart things a bit. Any suggestions? Is anyone reading?

Between Two Brothers

I know I promised this a long time ago, but here is a little footage of my brother and I talking about me wanting to find my birth family and why he doesn't want to. Enjoy!

Still no word

Still no word from Korea yet. Getting a bit frustrated at this point, but I understand it's a long process. Anyone got ways to cope?

birthday

26 today, that would make her 51 or 52.. no biggie

GOAL

Just found out about an application from GOAL to help find my birth family. I'll be filling this out in the morning...

Update on the Situation

So, as some of you may know. My email and facebook accounts were hacked in to. This led to facebook deactivating my account and I don't have the ability to post to the Facebook Group for Finding Seoul. I'm going to wait to see if they will reactivate my old account so that I control it again. If that doesn't happen, I will have to make a new group and will post the link to that soon.

Other news- I've been back from my trip down south and am working on the interview with my brother in order to post something. The trip was fantastic and I think the footage we shot turned out great!

I've also added a new tool on the side to share the blog easier to your facebook accounts.

Thanks for the continued support!
John

Shooting with Matt

Shooting with my brother Matt is wrapped for now. Good stuff was said during the conversation. Excerpts will be posted as soon as I am home.

PS- I think we'll be going together to Korea, so that will be fun

Stories on the Road

While in Florida my brother wanted to go get lunch/dinner after he picked me up from the airport. So we go to eat at a Red Robin (first time ever). Random waitress (NOT our waitress) goes out of her way and makes her way over and asks if we are brothers.. and says "I can see the resemblance"- I did not have the heart to let her keep on believing there WAS some resemblance. My response "ma'am, we are not blood related and in fact ARE brothers, however, adopted brothers." Matthew's response- a nod and this "i can see where you'd get that from, there are 6 billion people that look just like us."

Ignorance, racist, or just because we're in Florida.... you decide

The letter.....again

Rewrote the letter to my birth mother... now we wait, again.

FLORIDA!!!!

About to venture down to Florida to visit with family but more specifically my brother. He is an integral part of this doc and I'll be down there to film with him next. So I thought I'd recap our relationship and simplify it to show the kind of love I have for him now.

1) Just only weeks (or a month) after he arrived from Korea, I asked, "when does he go back?"
2) On a family trip to Disney World, I tossed him into a crib that was in the room (no asian was harmed during this stunt)
3) While waiting for the bus, I tossed his eyebrow into a brass door handle. Stitches were required, and he still made it to school
4) I once tossed him from our bunkbeds to the floor (that was quite funny and only a blood nose followed)
5) The running joke of "Your mom!" did not apply, instead it was "your birth mom!"
6) One of my favorite memories- Disney a few year ago, the two of us walking around Around the World in Epcot

Now for the bad stuff
1) He's the only person to know all of my secrets
2) He's the only person to tell me (the older brother) what to do in life
3) He's the only person I'm willing to hear me sing (with exceptions)
4) He's the only person I'd want to do all of the following above with over and over again.

Be thankful for family. Now a few photos.

Facebook Group

I don't think I ever posted this, but don't forget to join the facebook group for Finding Seoul also!

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=191600641429

JOIN UP!

Thanks
John

Tease

on set

First week of shooting wrapped

I am back from an emotionally charged week. It was a week of twists and turns in the plot of my life and I consider it t be a great success so far. We filmed from tuesday to thursday and by the time thursday evening came, I was drained mentally and physically to the point of body shut down. I collapsed on my parents couch and just sat in a stupor. I would not have traded it for anything in the world though.

It was such a pleasure to meet all the people that were a part of me being here and listening to my parents share their pure excitement and joy from when I arrived and what I am embarking on now.

Here is a link to photos from the week. I hope you enjoy.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2042409&id=43102613&l=2f0a854334

Good luck to anyone following this and experiencing their own search :)

Thank you for the continued support!
John Choi Sanvidge

New post

I know I haven't posted much in awhile, but things are getting busy for the January shoot in upstate New York. Then you'll get to see plenty of new videos and keep up to date. Sorry about the slowness of the blog! Stay with me