A Year in Review

Exactly one year ago today, I began writing this blog.  It began as a way to document my journey to Korea and the teaching experiences I would have, but became so much more.  It become my way to take my friends and family around the world along with me while I travel .  My outlet for emotions.  My communication to those I cared for most.  Looking back on that initial post, it is hard to believe I am the same person.  I was lying on the floor of my mediocre apartment, trying to make this life changing decision.  Somehow I knew it was right for me.  It was meant for me.

Since that initial post, I have accomplished more than I ever thought possible.  I have formed friendships with some of the most amazing people from every corner of the globe.  I have been all around Korea and witnessed the Korean lifestyle and culture at its best.  I have traveled to Japan and found the beauty and destruction that has faced that country.  I have seen Thailand and seen the beauty of the country and its people.  Coming to Korea was the best choice I have ever made.  While it was one of the hardest decisions of my life, it has afforded me the ability to experience so much more than I ever could have imagined.

An entire year has passed and I only have the future lying ahead of me.  Before I came here I felt trapped.  Paralyzed.  Unfocused.  Confused.  Now I finally know what I want to do with the rest of my life and how I want to live it.  Coming to Korea changed me for the better.

Before coming here to Pohang, Korea I had no idea what was in store for me.  I didn't know the culture.  I certainly didn't know the language.  I didn't know a single soul.  I didn't know enough about Korea to fill an index card, let alone an entire year's worth of blogs.  Somehow I have fallen in love with the spontaneity, richness and culture that is the embodiment of Korea.

Here are my favorite pictures from 2010.  I can only imagine the shenanigans that will take place in the upcoming year.  The places in Korea yet to be visited.  Friends yet to be met.  Experiences yet to be had.  If 2011 is anything like 2010, this blog will continue with a newfound fervor.  May 2011 bring as many rewarding experiences and friendships as 2010 did.

Our Pohang Beerball League

My 24th Birthday.  Korean style. 

Going away party for Jared, one of the best guys I know.

My very first Pohang Steelers soccer game.

My first Daegu Ropes course excursion

World cup fever

Going away party for Nick Kelly

Mudfest 2010

One of many Guyompo beach trips

At a harbor in Japan with my ladies

The beginning of our Chuseok vacation to Geoju Island

After our hike up a mountain near Busan during Chuseok

Some of my best girls at Bogyeongsa

Angry Sunny during arts and crafts

Devilish little Hansu

The famous Homigot Hand

My part time kinder 6 class

Anna putting on her dancing shoes at With Wine

Pictures in Andong

Ladies afternoon in Daegu at the Holy Grill

Halloween 2010

Ugly Christmas sweater party

Caroling with the babies to each home.  Cutest Santas ever.

Standing on the Bridge Over the River Kwai

Two sleepy tigers allowed me to hold their tails.  Terrifying.

My newest tattoo.

The Koh Phangan Experience

This second post is devoted an island called Koh Phangan.  We spent the tail end of our trip on this island and it was by far the most relaxed I have been in my life.  We did not look at clocks.  Time was not a factor  We judged our day by the sunrise and sunset or when hunger pains eventually set in.  The only things we cared about were the sun, exploring the island and eating and drinking to our hearts content.  We accomplished all of the above.

Enjoy the awesomeness that is Koh Phangan island.

Sunrise on our way to a 4 hour ferry boat trip

The unbelievable line of people on our ferry

I loathe ferries.  Loathe them. 

This view made it all worth it.

The colors of all of the fabric were so brilliant.

Our bungalows for the last few days and my home, the hammock. 

Rob and Jen on their scooters

Riding on the back of a scooter exploring the island

Nick Kelly, my scooter buddy extraordinaire

All our bikes

Treking around the coastline

Yet another view that takes your breath away

I want to go back. 

Right now.

Sunset on the beach

Beautiful sculpture

Yet another group shot

Thailand isn't Thailand without a fire show

My newest tattoo.  Prosperity, love and friendship.  It is placed
on my left shoulder and can be covered or proudly shown
depending on what the occasion calls for. 

Here is Nick getting his bamboo tattoo done.  This process is much different from the usual
machine method.  Fine needles are attached to the end of a piece of bamboo.  Usually 5 needles
are used.  The needles are put in a line so that a fine line can be achieved.  They then gently
tap this into the skin.  Can you say "OUCH?!"

The finished product.  Each line means something specific.  No bamboo
tattoo is the same. 

At the full moon party getting ready for the new year.  Goodbye 2010, hello 2011!

Originally this said, Happy New Year 2011.
A huge tower of fire is the perfect way to wrap up 2010.

Adventures in Bangkok, Thailand

Hello everyone and welcome to 2011!

I have safely returned from the beautiful beaches of Thailand to find the streets of my city of Pohang filled with snow.  The snow (to us midwesterners) wouldn't be enough to close down schools or most transportation, but Korea is a completely different place.  Pohang never gets snow so it was completely unprepared for what appeared to be about 7 inches of snow throughout the day.  Imagine a place like Tennessee with 7 inches of snow.  Shut the state down.  In this case, those 7 or so inches allowed me an additional two entire days away from Kids College and a winter wonderland I have been dreaming of since arriving in Korea.  My first day back from the beach were spent making snowmen, regailing friends with stories of our epic adventures and falling back into the comforts of the routine that is my Korean life.

Now how was Thailand you may ask?  Where to begin.  I spent an entire week in paradise.  We rode elephants.  Played with tigers. Rode in open taxis which are called "tuk-tuks." Ate amazing Thai food.  Did more shopping than most people do in a year.  Slept for two nights in a hammock where I realized the intense appeal and the despereate need to find one as soon as I return stateside.  Went swimming multiple times in the clearest ocean water I have ever seen.  Ate freshly caught mackerel at a beachside cafe that would give a 5 star restaurant a run for its money.  Lounged around with my friends.  Got a new tattoo.  Rode on the back of a scooter around the beautiful beach and mountain scenery.  The list goes on and on.  I feel like the pictures from my trip will tell my story better than I ever could on here.

For my friends and family back at home.  I hope you had an amazing Christmas and that you rang in the New Year in a fantastic way.  Even though I was in paradise, you were still on my mind and constantly in my thoughts.  For the new year, I wish you all one that is filled with happiness, prosperity and love.  Living in Korea has changed my perspective on so many things and those three are ones that I have grown to truly believe in.  I hope you all spent time with those that mean the most to you and that you made the most of it.  Being away from family and friends during the holiday seasons truly make you realize what's important in life.

I made the most of my Thailand vacation with some of the most amazing people I have ever or will ever have the good fortune to meet.  Here are a few of my favorite pictures of our trip to give you a small look into the week long vacation that was my 2010 Christmas and New Years.

Until next time.

The lights of Bangkok.  The month of December is also a big
celebration for the King, not Christmas.  

Our first harrowing Tuk-Tuk ride. 

Tim with the coolest iguana 

The view of the Bridge Over the River Kwai

An old car that I just knew my father would love

And another

When in Thailand...

Group shot with the crazy iguana

The Bridge over the River Kwaii

Group shot on the bridge

The inside of our train to the tiger temple

Beautiful

With two sleepy tigers.  I know I don't look scared but terrified
doesn't begin to describe it.

Our group, a baby tiger and a monk

Casual elephant riding

Virginia and I took the afternoon for girly things like pedicures

And the best massage in existence

This is pad thai.  If you haven't tried it, stop reading and go to the nearest
local Thai place and try it out.  If you are disappointed in it then I am disappointed in you. 

Merry Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas Eve.

It's officially Christmas Eve here in Pohang, South Korea.  It's that time of year for caroling, Christmas cookies and my Mom's famous heart attack casserole.  Unfortunately for yours truly, this year will be a little different.  Christmas Eve for me will consist of playing with the  cutest kids in creation, eating Korean food and riding a bus to the airport for a beach vacation with some of my closest friends.  Not exactly a down home Christmas, but one that will definitely be remembered.

It doesn't exactly feel like Christmas.  Without the snow and the familiarness of home it just isn't the same.  Maybe that is the reason why I am not feeling more homesick than I am.  Of course reading the Facebook statuses about a winter wonderland Christmas or singing Christmas carols in a language I actually understand make me homesick, but somehow it doesn't seem real all the way over here.  When I don't see all of the reminders of what I am missing I almost forget about it all.  Of course I remember and miss my family and friends, but the fun of what I miss is somehow replaced by the fun and memories I am making.

This time tomorrow I will be on a bus and headed for the airport.  My duffel bag is packed full with tank tops, flip flops and sundresses.  The weather is forecasted for 92 degrees on Christmas day in Bangkok, Thailand.  A far cry from the blankets of white snow that has been covering the the majority of the midwest during the past few weeks.

From December 25th-Janurary 2nd I will be in a country where there are a million things I want to do.  In Thailand I want to ride an elephant, go to the tiger temple, lay out on the beach and so many more.  I have a vague list of things I want to do but if they don't get crossed off it's ok.  I'm honestly just excited to get away from Pohang.  Get away from Kids College.  Get away from my itty bitties.  An entire week of sun, relaxation and fun with some of the best people I know.  I consider myself blessed.

To whoever is reading this, I hope you have a merry Christmas and a happy and fulfilled New Year.  Thank you for coming with me on this journey through the ups and downs in Korea.

See you in 2011.

Fan Death, Sashes and Whiteness

[I'm not quite feeling the Christmas post that should be written by now, so instead here are a few new Koreanisms that surprise even me.]

#153.  In Korea there is such thing as "fan death."  Koreans actually believe that if someone is sleeping with an electric fan turned on in a sealed room, they will die.  Not "could die" but will die.  Here are just a few of the many ways a fan can prematurely end the life of someone risky enough to tempt fate with a fan.  It can cause the temperature of the room to cool down enough to cause hypothermia.  Another study suggests (yes there have been actual studies done of this) that the fans use up oxygen and create fatal levels of carbon dioxide.  My personal favorite is the notion that a fan can actually suffocate you by creating a vacuum around your face.  Clearly they have never stuck their heads out of a moving car.  Yes, this idea of "fan death" seems to be one of the most far-fetched isms i've posted thus far, but it's true.  If you don't trust me do a quick google search for yourself and find out about the "death by electric fan" phenomena that has swept Korea.

Death by fan

#154.  Koreans wear sashes for important events such as business openings, political campaigning or merely as a marketing tool for a new product.  Think of the sashes that Miss America wears only with Korean lettering and worn by men and women of all ages and for various reasons.  When I asked my coteacher about this she informed me that it is to make a person "look nice."  When she asked what we wear I told her that when we are attempting to look nice we wear a nice outfit paired with some classy jewelry.  She didn't understand.  She says this about the sash,"it helps us look to important."  Sure sure.

#155.  If you see a pregnant Korean woman drinking milk in mass quantities, she is most likely trying to lighten and brighten the skin of her unborn child.  Such a nifty trick.