On January 20th 2010, Sang visited Bighorn CC’s book club and met with about 30 members in Palm Desert, California.  After a stimulating discussion about Grace Notes, they also enjoyed Sang’s short performance of “the Swan” and “Amazing Grace” on the cello.

Sang’s dear friend, Sue Daley and her book club, which is comprised of former and current Hoag Hospital employees, invited Sang to discuss Grace Notes at their monthly meeting on January 18th at Sue’s lovely newly remodeled home in Mesa Verde. Everyone gave 8’s and 9’s in their customary grading scale of 1-10. Comments were made about the Korean culture, school system and Sang’s family.  Agnes, who was not able to attend sent her comments, in which she expressed Sang’s father being her favorite person in the book for loving, accepting and encouraging Sang.

On January 14th, 2010, about 30 members of Las Alegres, a ladies social group, enjoyed Sang’s Power Point presentation of Grace Notes in an intimate setting at Sharon Ohland’s lovely home in Costa Mesa, California.

On November 3rd, 2009, Friends, students and faculty members filled the Ring Room at the Cross Cultural Center at UCI.  Sponsored by the CCC, the Rainbow Festival and Conference is an annual campus-wide event that celebrates cultural and ethnic diversity.  This years’ theme, “Leading Women of the World” featured Sang on the first day for her informative Power Point presentation and Book signing of her book, Grace Notes.  Korean food was served by six members from IKPA, Irvine Korean Parents Association, in Korean traditional Han-Bock.  Everyone in attendance enjoyed the Korean cuisine, compliments of the Korean Consulate General and Koba Tofu Grill in Irvine, CA.

Rainbow Festival & Conference 2009: Leading Women of the World

GRACE NOTES – Sang-Eun Lee Bukaty

Ring Room, Cross-Cultural Center
Tuesday, November 3rd / Noon – 1pm

Grace Notes is a memoir of Sang-Eun Lee Bukaty, a Korean-American mother who grew up in Korea during the Korean war, earned national fame as a cellist, and adjusted to a new life in a foreign land while raising second-generation children as true Americans. Grace Notes describes Korean traditions and culture, including holidays, the art of kimchee-making, the structure of Korean families, the funeral process, and the experience of going to an elite music high school and college. The only book written by a first generation Korean, Grace Notes is a timeless story that spans two cultures, two continents, and two languages as it speaks of the universal love connecting sister to sister, mother to daughter, and wife to husband. A book signing will follow the presentation.

The Cross-Cultural Center

in conjunction with Verizon Wireless presents

Rainbow Festival & Conference 2009

LEADING WOMEN OF THE WORLD

GRACE NOTES – Sang-Eun Lee Bukaty

November 3, 2009

12:00-1:00pm

Location: Ring Room

Cross-Cultural Center

Co-Sponsors The Asian American Studies Department, The Center for Asian Studies, the UCI Bookstore, and the Korean American Student Association. Korean cuisine compliments of the Korean Consulate General and Koba Tofu Grill.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Pat Harris invited Sang to her book club in Newport Beach on August 11, 2009. Members, Pat Harris, nancy French, Sue Gilbert, Terry Mitchelle, D’ette Steelberg, Marcy Strom, Lynn Tomalas, Carol Woodman and guests, Janet Clause and Linda Maggard enjoyed discussing Grace Notes after a Korean Kal-bi dinner at her lovely home.

Mesa Verde Book Club, where Sang is a member, met at Sang’s house on September 21, 2009.  Members, Sonja Gray, Jan Brown, Joanne Fuerbringer, Rochelle Russo, Kendra Jacoby, Emily Pierson, Bette Rothman, Marylane Graham, Carol Banks, CJ Thomas and Pat Rieden had lots of questions to ask Sang and enjoyed an intimate discussion about her book.