I greatly enjoyed this book. by K.O. Peterson (Orange County, CA)

I greatly enjoyed this book. I found the descriptions of Sang’s early life in Korea so informative and I got a good understanding of what life might be like in Korea, especially the competitive school system. I loved Sang’s description of her music education and her early music career. But I think my favorite parts were the passages about Sang’s emigration to the United States and her early adulthood, adjusting to American life, trying to find balance between her love of music and her desire for a traditional family. Korean Americans are such an important part of our society, especially in Southern California, and I feel like I have a little more insight into the experience of Korean American women.

Sang is a talented story-teller and she has chosen the perfect moments of her life to tell her greater story. I think anyone would enjoy this book.

Helie Lee, author of “Still Life with Rice”

Dearest Sang,

…….This last year has been a blur to me and now with my twins home there is never enough time to do anything it seems but I must say that I’ve been stealing time to read pages of your book whenever I get an opportunity……..I just can’t focus, but I find myself gravitating toward […]

Dr. Steve Ryang

…….I was very impressed with the depth and breath of your book and your amazing recollections of your young childhood with such details and perception.  As an ophthalmologist, I appreciated your precise description of your eye surgery experience at that young age.  I thought your candid feelings that you have expressed in your relationship with your family and friends were truly unusual for an Asian person.  Your commend of  English as your second language is no less astounding…..

Book Signing at OCKCC, Oct. 10 2009

Book Signing at Orange County Korean Cultural Center Membership Drive/Art Award Ceremony, at the Irvine Regional Park. Sang donated the proceeds from the sale of her book, Grace Notes, to OCKCC building project.

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Professor Lee Jong-Wan, Yanbian University of Science & Technology, China

Dear Mrs. Bukaty,

My name is Lee Jong Wan, English professor at Yanbian University of Science & Technology. I have recently read your book, Grace Notes and I have enjoyed it very much. I would like to congratulate you on your accomplishment of having written the amazing book. I have been impressed with your keen observation, sharp memory, detailed reminiscence, appropriate expression, rich vocabulary, excellent English, and refined sentence structure.

As an English teacher, I have learned a great deal from the book. I recommended it to my colleagues and my son, Jim Lee, chaplain at Oaks Christian High School in California. He was as impressed as I was. I wish you more success with the wonderful book.

I have also listened to your fantastic performance of Boccherini’s Cello Concerto on the Internet. It sounded heavenly. I believe you still play the instrument. My hobby is the classical music and I love especially violin and cello music. My favorite violinist is Sarah Chang. I am an armature singer with a baritone voice. I used to be a broadcaster at KBS, CBS and Voice of America. May the blessings of the Lord be with you and your family always.

Prof. Lee Jong Wan

Sang visits Gloria Quirk’s Book Club, Oct. 1, 2009

Gloria Quirk invited Sang to her book club at her beautiful home at Villa Balboa, Newport Beach.  Members, Gloria Quirk, Becky Karns, Sandy Dobras, Karen Paul, Mary Petropoulos, Wendy Kaiser, Nancy Knight and Margreta Klaussen and guests, Kim Hombrecher, Patty Ferguson and Monoko Suydum had a wonderful time discussing Grace Notes and probing Sang with questions of her journey.

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Gloria Quirk

July 28, 2009

Message: Dear Sang:  I want to tell you how extremely proud I am of you!!
This book made me want to cry at times, laugh at times, and filled my heart with joy!!!  It is truly a masterpiece!!!

Korean American Educators Association

September 17, 2009

Dr. Suzie K. Oh, Principal of Third Street School in Los Angeles invited Sang to KAEA meeting to speak on her book, Grace Notes.

Sang presented that Grace Notes is the only book that is written by a first generation Korean-American about a first generation Korean-American that describes much understanding and insights of living in both cultures and making a home in a foreign land. The book also describes Korean traditions and culture, including holidays, the art of kimchee-making, the structure of Korean families, and the funeral process. It also talks about the competitive school system of Korea.

Sang visits Joanna Zorn’s Book Club in Irvine, Aug. 19 2009

Hostess, Joanna Zorn invited Sang to her book club meeting in Irvine.  The members, Joanna Zorn, Barbara Aitken, JoAnn Glenn, Kathy Hancock, Verna Horton, Jan Metzger, Barbara Reynolds, Susan Vollmer, Carol Winslow are all retired or current teachers.

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Reader Review, 이 창순, Retired pastor, Wilshire United Methodist church

Grace Notes 독후감

아름다운 삶은 하나님이 주신 본래의 모습을 찾아가는 모습이라고 믿습니다. 자유가 우리에게 중요한 이유도 여기에 있습니다.

그런데 우리의 역사를 보면, 이념, 종교적 교리, 또는 사회 제도나 문화까지도 인간을 지배하기 위한 수단으로 사용한 일이 많았습니다.

중세기 르네상스 운동은 바로 그런 종교적 탄압에서 벗어나 자유를 선언한 인간 승리의 역사라고 생각합니다. 그리고 예수께서는 그 선구자라고 저는 믿습니다.

사람의 병을 고쳐 준다는 일은 인간사 중에서 가장 아름다운 일일 것입니다.

그러나 예수께서 안식일에 그런 일을 했다는 것을 바리새파 사람들은 문제 삼아 시비를 걸었습니다.

거기에 대해서 예수님께서는 “안식일도 사람을 위해서 있는 것이다.”라고 선언하심으로, 가장 아름답고 중요한 것은 인간생명이며, 그 생명은 사랑으로 인해서 더욱 아름다워진다고 믿습니다.

상은씨의 책에서 저는 무엇보다도 하나님께서 베풀어주신 자신의 삶을 가장 소중히 여기고 행복과 진실을 추구해 나가는데 용감하고, 열정적인데 대해서 감탄을 했습니다.

그리고 종교적인 교리나 문화 또는 사회제도의 한계를 극복하고 삶의 아름다운 모습을 그대로 만들어가는 그 눈물겨운 노력들을 보면서 존경심을 가졌습니다.

인간의 행복과 자유 그리고 진실을 부정하는 어떤 세력도 받아드릴 수 없다는 것이 저의 소신이며 이런 생활철학으로 평생 목회를 했습니다.

United Methodist 은퇴목사

이창순 올림