1984 Ghetto Prom Birthday Bash

Yes folks, we had another theme night. However while recently browsing over past blog titles, I realized I never posted Paulina's 25th Birthday Celebration from back in July. I figure at this point, pictures will do this blog more justice. Now let me introduce you to the Prom King Aaron and the Prom Queen herself: Paulisha!

Hooray!

It's official! A plane ticket has been booked with Colt's name on it for Christmas. He will arrive in Korea on December 23rd and depart on January 5th; two solid weeks of pure holiday family fun. I have no idea what we're going to do with ourselves but I couldn't be more ecstatic to have my brother around during that time of year. 13 weeks and counting!

30 is the new 20?

It's safe to say times are really changing and people are doing things much later in life than in years past. When thinking about my generation, most of our mothers and their mothers and their mothers, were married and having children in their early 20s. You were almost out casted or "looked down" upon if you were over the age of 25 and without one of the two. Certainly by the peak age of 30, you were doomed for a life of social annexation, spending most of your time alone at your favorite coffee shop.

But today things are much different. Although there are still those girls that dream of nothing more than getting married and starting a family, there are also plenty of women who are now career driven and filing thoughts of "happily ever after" in the over-stuffed cabinets stored in the back of their minds. Women today no longer feel threatened. We have become strong and independent...no longer in need of a man to fulfill every need. Instead, society as a whole has drifted into this power struggle of constant change and new trends that have given people either the strength to accept it all and keep climbing the ladder or spiral downwards, drowning in a pool of their own insecurities.

Life is all about having choices and making decisions. But what if the decisions you make are the wrongs ones? Now I'm a firm believer in existentialism - that there is no fate or destiny for each individual. I do believe the experiences you have determine the events that will take place in your life. So combining this frightening concept with the idea that people are doing things much later in life, I often find myself wondering... is there more than one "mid life" crisis in one's lifetime? Think about it. If people aren't really starting their lives until their mid 30s, do we now have more time to "freak out" as we wander aimlessly through our 20s?

Now I wouldn't exactly say I'm having a mid life crisis, especially at the ripe age of 23. But I can honestly say I've had many frantic outbreaks of "WHAT AM I DOING WITH MY LIFE?" Most recently, I found myself saying those exact words here in Korea. It was a like a light switch went off. I went to sleep and woke up a different person. I like to think I'm doing okay but I have so many interests and desires and unfortunately society doesn't easily allow you to go in all directions (unless you are fortunate enough to have a rather large disposable income).

For instance, I'd love to start a trendy coffee/wine bar. Open a hip bed and breakfast. Be a food stylist. Study art and work at the MoMA. Travel the world and broadcast my adventures. I'd love to write a book. Design a shoe line. Perform on Broadway. Be a talent manager. Sing on American Idol. Work events on the cat walk. Be a personal stylist. Make clothing. Be a personal chef. The list is endless. I feel that as eclectic as I am with my own personal style, I am also eclectic with my dreams and aspirations. As I have all of these interests, and all in so many directions, I sometimes find myself in a constant hazy spin.

What I am describing is also what I consider to be one of those "crises". Is it possible to be 23 and having a "quarter-life crisis"? The answer is yes, because I can tell you my mind is always on a perpetual over drive. And I'm fairly certain I'm not alone in the matter. But I wonder, who made the rules? Why does it seem impossible to follow all of my dreams? It's moments like these where I have to step outside of my body and remind myself to breathe.

But am I really just avoiding the inevitable?

RENT

If there is anything you know about me, it's that I love the musical production of RENT. So when I heard a semi-original cast was coming to perform in Seoul, I was uber excited to say the least. Then when I found out it was their last world tour, I became saddened and I knew immediately this was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. I mean who wouldn't want to watch a musical where all of the characters are gay with AIDS in an extremely homophobic country?

Well despite that very true statement, I bought tickets to the first Saturday night showing. It was so surreal to me to be watching my favorite songs come to life before my eyes on stage! Hearing the voices of Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp in person was nothing like I've ever experienced. Their voices are so distinct and they've been playing these characters for so many years that it seemed as though they had truly become them.

The success and popularity of RENT has changed the thoughts and feelings of so many closed minded people around the world and to such sensitive issues. I really stand behind its' message and I hope to see the production again one day. Or better yet, star as Mimi Marquez, my dream Broadway role.

525,600 minutes how do you measure
measure a year...

Once a planner always a planner

One of my good friends Jon has recently decided to move back to the "real world" in the good ol' USA. His contract is about to expire and with the many options he has come to face of whether to stay an additional year or get another degree or go back to work, he has chosen to leave the country and head back to the states. Now you should know that although I've only known the man a few months, he has somehow become my "confidant" and a real true friendship has blossomed. I am admittedly sad for his upcoming departure but in the end, I only want what's best for him.

So there I was, planning my first "goodbye" party and the reality of it all was really sinking in. He is the first of the many friends that will be leaving over the next few months until my departure in early February. So all I could think of doing is what I know best...attempt to throw a smashing party and get the group together to say their goodbyes.

Amongst the many ideas, a simple afternoon picnic in the park and a night out in Seoul was in order. Jon's only request was that he would love to order custom T-shirts. Being the planner that I am, I put a smile on my face and attempted to make it all happen in spectacular fashion. Hopefully it'll turn out to be the exit he had in mind and that I'll be able to keep it together.

Saying Goodbye

It has finally hit me that I may never see the wonderful people I have met in my year long stay in Korea. The people I have seen on a regular basis, day after day, will no longer be a part of my life in the same way. Of course there has been discussion of "Korea Reunions" and there's always email and the good ol' telephone. But if there's anything I've learned about moving, it's that people change and people drift apart. The friendships I have tried to maintain since high school have mostly turned dull for the mere fact we all live our own separate lives now and don't really have all that much in common anymore.

Now I'd like to be the optimist and hope for the best, but deep down in the pit of my stomach, I know that is not realistic. I guess all I can do is hope for the best and hang on to the memories. Eventually you'll have people in your life where you can just pick up like no time was ever lost.

Someone once told me that in your lifetime, if you can count the number of true friends on your hand, you are a lucky person. I like to think that someday I'll be able to use my toes too. There's too many people I love out there and those I have yet to meet.

I just consider myself the lucky one to have them in my life.

A Sudden Change of Heart

For as long as I can remember (which actually isn't that long at all) I have had my mind set on staying a second year in Korea. I love this city and the adventures are endless. But I am finding myself asking if that is all truly worth it.

Before coming to Korea, I thought I had it all figured out. I was career driven and on a good track. But putting the life I was living on hold for a year has really opened my eyes to a lot of things. Was I really that happy? Was having no life of my own but that of my job really all that gratifying? For the first time in years, I am able to have a social life and a private life where my work stays at work and I don't have a cell phone glued to my hip, ringing at all hours of the night and day. Where I'm not driving a car with my knees, two cell phones in each ear, and my file in my lap. I am able to make plans for the weekend or go on vacation at a almost a moments notice. All of the luxuries a less demanding job allows.

So for months I've been set on not returning to the states. But now, I fear I may be making career suicide. A one year break in my career is easy to explain, but I would imagine a two year break makes me seem less marketable to a potential employer per say. So the circles I've found myself talking in, since my surgery has left me unable to move around quite as much, have led me to the decision of leaving the country. Now the question is will I leave right when my contract ends or will I stay and extend 3-4 months in preparation of coming home? There is a lot of money to be saved and a lot of things I want to try and fit in before my time is up. And now that there is an expiration date on my life as a Korean citizen, I'm feeling a bit stressed and overwhelmed.

So many choices and decisions to be made. Where should I go next? What job should I try and get into? With an unstable economy and a shocking unemployment rate, I'm not exactly looking forward to what lies ahead. All I know for sure is that wherever I go and whatever I do, I am starting completely over... and I kind of like that idea! Here's to turning a new leaf and hopefully finding happiness!

The best Christmas gift a brother could give...

Considering I wasn't able to do much day after day in the hospital, I found myself making MANY international phone calls back home. One of which was to my brother Colt who I've mentioned in previous blogs that he has recently moved to South Carolina. We chatted about the usual stuff: work, school, location, girls...and about when he would come visit me here in Korea. It turns out he wants to come for Christmas!!! Talk about making a sick girl happy!

So it was settled. He would start putting spending money aside and I would begin talking with travel agents for price options. It looks as though this may be a better Christmas than I could have ever imagined. And I was all worried I'd be all alone for the holidays in a far eastern land..

I guess I'll have to start making a paper chain to count down the days Is it Christmas yet!?!? ;)

Saint Soh

Thank the lord for great friends like Soh. She came to my rescue and stood by my side the entire day translating this and that to me. She must have been more exhausted than I, but she did it all with a smile on her face. After the 2 hour surgery was over, I was greeted by more good friends as they got out of work. I was really lucky and boy was I glad to see all of them throughout my five day stay at the hospital in Seohyeon. Between not being able to eat or drink for days, the cranky, chair-stealing adjumas, the constant injections, the tubes coming out of everywhere, blood koolaid drainage, and then later the terrible Korean hospital food...I just may have gone crazy without them.

I love you guys!

Trauma in Korea

Imagine what it would feel like if someone stabbed you in the stomach with a knife and then proceeded to keep turning it while it was still inside you. Well that is how I would describe the excruciating pain I endured for 9 hours before I managed to get myself to a doctor's office.

I went to bed one night only to find myself in a lot of pain and not actually sleeping a wink. It was during intensives and I was actually beginning to grow stressed because I knew without any sleep, the following 12 hour work day of screaming Korean children would be absolutely miserable. Well, little did I know at that point that was the least of my worries.

Hours had passed until finally it was morning and my unbearable pains had grown worse. Then on top of the pain, at around 8am I began throwing up every 20 minutes. Growing weaker and very light headed, I tried to contact my work to let them know I couldn't teach and that I was heading to the hospital. But unfortunately, I couldn't reach anyone. As my alarm clock started going off, I managed to hop in the shower, hoping it would help, which it didn't, and then I finally got through to my co-teacher Sarah and explained the situation. Luckily I was able to catch my first cab while it was raining out (an almost impossible task) and check into the doctor's office at about 10 am.

I explained my symptoms to the doctor as he plugged away at his computer (thank god he spoke English) and he said two things:

1. I was possibly having a reaction to the medicine I was taking a week prior (due to a cold) or...

2. I had appendicitis.

He said if number 2 was the case, then I would need to have emergency surgery right away. But first they would obviously have to run some tests. Before the series of tests began, I called my mom for the second time that morning to share the most recent news. .

Dan actually picked up the phone first and said, "You're not pregnant are you? Your mother's too afraid to ask."

After laughing that off, all I have to say is THANK GOD my mom is a nurse and that she didn't freak out because I was already in rough shape! She explained to me the best way she could about the procedure and what they'll do and what questions to ask. All I can really remember is that she kept saying that it wasn't a big deal and to relax as I continuously sobbed like a baby.

When I finally calmed down, I called my good friend Jon just to let someone know where I was as he didn't have to go into work for a few more hours. In between throwing up about every 15 minutes, I paced the floor in the doctor's office awaiting what was to be my fate. I had to take an x-ray, a blood test, and have a sonogram. While I was waiting for the test results, my knight in shining armor walked in - Jon. I don't think I've ever been happier to see anybody. He told me he could only stay until 12pm but that he contacted the crew and that Krista, Jee, and Soh would all be taking shifts to stand by me through all this.

Finally, the results came in and the verdict was appendicitis. I felt like I was on a roller coaster of emotions as I had never got more than stitches in the 23 years of my existence. SURGERY! Are you sure?!? I must be dreaming....someone pinch me please!

So there I was, thankfully surrounded by close friends and about to go under the knife in KOREA.

School's Out for the Summer!!

I think Alice Cooper said it best when he belted this summer anthem! School was finally out and we were able to get a few days off to enjoy the summer sun. Most teacher's traveled to another Asian country, but again like the last vacation, I stayed in Korea. I had good intentions of going to Vietnam with about 20 of my closest friends, but my vacation days didn't quite match up. Boo!

Anyways, I traveled by bus for about four hours to the second largest city in South Korea after Seoul - BUSAN!! The great city of Busan is located on the eastern coast and it is a big travel destination for many families in the summer mainly because of its' not one, but two easily accessible, beautiful beaches.

I went to Busan with my Korean girlfriend Soh who actually grew up there. It was really fun to have her show me around her old stomping grounds! We stayed at her parents apartment and I became instant best friends with her mother, who knew maybe 3 English words. I quickly learned she is a classically trained pianist and we ended up spending the better part of an afternoon singing every English song she had in the house from Moon River to Fly Me to the Moon. We really bonded when she found an entire song book of Mariah Carey's best hits. Soh's mother also prepared lunch for us each day which was some of the most delicious food I've had here (Mom food is always the best)!!

We were originally supposed to stay only 2 days but we were having so much fun that we ended up staying 5 days. It was a blast and I got to meet a lot of Soh's old high school friends. Soh was the only one who really knew any English so I got really good at reading body language. Somehow I managed to keep up with a lot of the conversation even though I could only pick out a few of the words they were saying. Needless to say, I was commended for my efforts!!

You could say Soh and I spent most of our time hanging out on the beach and partying until sunrise but I promise you, it was time well spent! My most ludacrous thought about Busan was to see skyscrapers right on top of the beach. But I must admit it was very beautiful at every angle and time of day.

Mosquito Bites?

So earlier I mentioned I had crazy bumps all over my legs and I didn't know where they were coming from. Well I finally made it to the dermatologist and it turns out that they aren't mosquito bites. In fact my bumps weren't insect related at all! Apparently I had Inflammation Dermatitis (aka inflammation of the skin) aka = a nasty rash. I learned this is a common rash that Korean women develop during the summer time. It's caused by a combination of washing too much, shaving, and the summer heat. Unfortunately for me, the Doctor's remedy is to not use hot water or soap on my legs and no shaving for a week. I also have to take 2 pills a day to stop the itchy sensation and apply a special lotion twice a day. Ugh - so miserable!

Bupyeong Mud Festival

I recently went to a Mud Festival located a few hours outside of Seoul. Bupyeong is famous for its mud as it is really good for your skin. But that's not exactly what brought us to this festival. See, to foreigners, MudFest is like spring break. There's a beach , a bunch of mud, and a lot of booze. We went through an outdoor company that puts package tours together called Adventure Korea. So all we had to do was pay and show up. They handled the transportation, hotel, and activities. I don't think we were expecting to have as much fun as we did. Lucky for us, Si has an incredible camera so we were able to get a lot of great, muddy candids! We ran into a lot of friends over the course of the weekend, got insanely muddy, super toasty (or "full hot" as the Bermudians say), and made some great memories. And to think, I was hesitant about going! The only casualty of the trip was my poor cell phone. Yes folks, I had to purchase cell phone number 3 in the less than six months I've been in Korea. It's a good thing they're so cheap! Well, here's to looking forward to next year!

Nothing but Rain

Well, like I've mentioned before, the rainy monsoon season is officially here and man have I never seen rain like this before. It literally pours, seriously heavy rain 24 hours a day. It wouldn't be so bad if:

A) I could find rain boots
B) I could find a rain coat
and C) I didn't have to walk 2o minutes to work in a torrential down pour.

I literally get to work and I'm completely drenched from head to toe. An umbrella doesn't exactly work either when it's raining sideways, front ways, and all-over-ways! I think I'm going to begin bringing a set of clothes to change into because teaching for the next 8 hours is not so pleasant when you can wring the water out of your clothes! To put it into perspective, in a matter of one day - even a couple of hours, the river floods so much that the water level hits just under the netting of the basketball hoops. The water is usually so shallow you can see the bottom where it generally reaches ankle deep! Yikes-AH!

Too bad it's not raining men. I might be in better shape!

The land of plenty...

Mosquitoes that is. I have been in contact with these nasty, blood sucking insects for my whole life. So an itchy bite here and there is really not an issue. But apparently in Korea, I have the best tasting blood around. I woke up one morning to find my legs covered with quite a few small red bumps on only my legs. They were scratchy so I just figured a mosquito got the best of me in my sleep. The next day, I woke up with even more bumps so I started compiling the possibilities. They aren't spider bites and they're not big welts from the mosquito bites I'm accustomed to. So the co-workers and I decided to self diagnose and we decided it could be fleas or a case of some serious bed bugs. The next day, I tried sleeping on the floor and I couldn't tell much of a difference. I then proceeded to spend the next three nights at other peoples' places only to find I was still getting more bites. The strange thing is that these bites are only located on my legs and ankles and no where else. And let me tell you my legs look absolutely atrocious! I've shown a few people and everyone has the same reaction - they step back, put their hands to their mouths, and gasp out loud. I've spoken with my boss and some other natives and I have since closed all of my windows (although I have screens). I'm also only using artificial air. I'm making a trip to the Doctor's to see if there is anything they can tell me. I'll keep you posted on my strange bites and hopefully not illness!

Yeah...you could call me a road warrior

So I may or may not have just purchased a bicycle. Mind you this isn't just any bicycle - it's a K-STYLE bike. Neon pink with one normal sized tire in front and a small wheel in the back. It is also equipped with a white basket and matching bell. I don't know why I waited so long to buy one. I've only been wanting one for months.

Good thing I'm staying another year...going to get my moneys worth!!!

Seven Weeks

It has been a disturbing 7 weeks since I last saw Sionna and Paulina. We went from sharing every free second together to having no face to face contact for almost two months. I've been pretty bothered by it actually considering I've made countless phone calls throughout the many weeks in an attempt to stay in touch and make plans for the weekend. But it seems every weekly invitation I sent out was rejected for one reason or another. Not to mention I didn't receive a single phone call in that entire duration from either one of them unless it was to return one of my phone calls. As down about it as I've become, I have finally come to the realization that they'll really make the effort when they want to see me. What I still can't comprehend was why it took 7 weeks for that theory to become a reality. Despite my efforts, I should have tried more. I guess I really don't fit into the "sisterhood" when I'm in the next city over, not able to share every meal or grocery shopping trip. It has become more clear to me that I was always the third-wheel. When we were together. But at least they have each other...right?

The one that means the most is the first to leave

Who knew I'd come all the way to Korea and fall in love...

Man do I love freedom...

A great holiday snuck up on all of us foreigners by surprise. And within a few days, we managed to pull together a very festive Independence Day. A roof top BBQ was in order and to give our holiday a spin, we declared it a white trash 4th of July. Everyone showed up in their best gear (corn rows, white beaters, handlebar moustaches, flannel, and bandannas) and with any American produced foods they could muster up (Lays Potato Chips, Miller Light, Pringles, and Budweiser). Yes...we weren't messing around this holiday. We purchased grills and coolers and loaded up on hot dogs and burgers, salt potatoes, and pasta salad. The buffet line was an American dream but the games were even more of a spectacle. We made frequent toasts to Democracy and freedom among many other things. We shot-gunned beers (a first for me believe it or not) to all 50 states and we even managed to set up a little flip cup action. Everyone was feeling pretty toasty and it wasn't long before we headed to Dublins for a little more fun. The problem with this was that after our day of drinking, everyone was well...drunk and mind you it was only 11pm. We may have been rowdy. I may have forgot to pay my tab at Dublins (oops). But that's what we were all about this past fourth of July - good American fun!

We later ended up in L.A. for a few hours of crazy, sweaty dancing and people began to stumble home from there. I would say this was an Independence Day for the books.

I'm pretty sure I will never forget 7.4.09, the day America rocked in Korea.

A Change of Address

I am proud to say that my brother has graduated from a two year community college with an associates degree in travel and tourism. And most recently, he has been accepted to attend Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina this coming fall. There, he will study resort and tourism management for the next two years. I couldn't be happier or more excited for him and his new endeavor. He is planning to get an apartment with a few of his other friends that were also accepted and live it up in the sunny south. Located only 4 miles from Myrtle Beach, I'm sure my brother will get along just fine. But let's just hope he makes it to class on a regular basis. I think my parents are excited to have more of an excuse to visit the Carolina's as it's one of their favorite destinations. I'm actually thrilled about him being there too. Maybe I'll have to put off Manhattan for another few years and hit up SC for a bit.

Really, I just miss my brother. :)
Congrats Colt! Love you!

Good Blogger Gone Bad

As much as I love blogging, I have been absolutely terrible at keeping up with it lately. Ever since the summer came and brought the sunshine with it, I find myself outdoors far too much to be sitting inside typing away on a computer - and gladly so. But don't you fret as I never stopped writing. I will admit I haven't written as much as I'd like, but I have a whole notebook of blogs to post. Now it's just a matter of finding time to post them all!

So in the meantime, hold tight as I have plenty of memories and stories to share!

But please excuse the timing on a lot of them as many of the events I speak of have already passed and may seem a little outdated.

Happy reading!

Sober Sunday

In attempt to continue our efforts in having Sober Sundays, we decided to take advantage of a beautiful, hot and sunny day and do something cultural. Off we went to Suwon Fortress with cameras in hand. We arrived about an hour later and waited for a trolley car with a giant dragon head to pick us up. We starting making our way around the giant fortress snapping pictures of everything. We even rang a giant bell and each of us made a wish for our families (which is what the bell signifies). Words can't describe how beautiful it is so here are some photos:

Here's an exerpt from the website:

"Hwaseong Fortress was constructed as an act of filial devotion by Jeongjo, the 22nd king of the Joseon Dynasty (1392~1910), and to strengthen his power, eradicate party conflict, and fortify the southern area of the capital. Construction was started along Mt.Paldalsan in January 1794 and completed in September 1796 under the supervision of Chae Je-gong, a former minister and the magistrate of Yeongjungchubu County."