Adventure Weekends!

My last few weekends have been full of adventure, just the way I like it! A few weekends ago I went camping with my friend Rebekah. I have just 3 little photos from the amazing trip because we took most pictures with Rebekah's camera, unfortunately she lost her camera on the way home. But, I did manage to catch a shot of our little tent (which said it was for 2-3 people, but in American standards more like 1-2 people) and the beach view from our camp sight. We went to a small town 2 hours from Incheon called Mongsanpo near the city of Taean. We really had no agenda and basically wondered about for two days. The first day we decided to walk to the right. We stumbled upon an octopus festival with live music and everything. That night we went to the one restaurant near us and met an older Korean couple who insisted we eat with them. They were so funny! They ended up buying our dinner, we bought them ice cream and then they bought fireworks that we shot off on the beach. Though the weather during the day was wonderful, the night was pretty freezing; something we didn't quite prepare enough for (good thing that tent was small to keep in the body heat!) The next day we decided to walk to the left. No festivals, but we did meet a nice guy who showed us his many pets: rabbits, guinea pigs, etc. We headed back early afternoon on Sunday only to end up taking the wrong bus somehow and ending up east instead of north. The bus people bought us new tickets and despite a slight 2 hour detour, we made it home safe and sound.


The following weekend was just terrible weather: cold and rainy. But, it didn't keep me down! A few friends and I attempted a picnic in Incheon Grand Park. We had a picnic, but made sure we didn't sit too long so we wouldn't get too cold. I'll go back there for sure when the weather is nicer. That night there was a big lantern parade in Seoul to celebrate Buddha's birthday. Wow! It as really cool! Here are some pictures and video from the parade. I also went and saw the play Vagina Monologues, which was really good and very entertaining. I never would have thought I'd find a play in English here, let alone that one, hehe!




This past weekend was another fun one. My co-teacher Se-Jeong invited me and my friend Mallory to go on a day trip with her and her husband. We went to a little art village called Haytie, then to a faux-European village called Provence for a picnic lunch, and finally to Ilsan where we went to this huge flower expo. I have never seen so many flowers in my life. Don't get me wrong, they were beautiful, but I was jaded by the end of it. Then that night, us four and 3 other friends went out to a bar near my house. I really love hanging out with my co-teacher, but I must say it is strange mixing my work friends with my English friends. Despite the fact that I think they had trouble understanding our rambling, I think they enjoyed it! I did!

Also, Tuesday (May 5th) is Children's Day in Korea. It's a national holiday so there is no work or school. Rebekah and I made the most of the day off and headed to another nearby city called Suwon. They are known for their walled city. We walked the entire route, taking us a few hours. It was a perfect day to take a long walk and see something new. It was basically a mini-Great Wall; preparing me for things to come!!

And this weekend.....Taiwan!!!

cherry blossoms!!!

This weekend was cherry blossom weekend. Seoul had a few different festivals to celebrate the blooming of the cherry blossoms, the biggest one was in Yeouido, a small island in Seoul. I went twice! Friday night I went with two of my co-teachers. It was great to see the trees at night because they had them all lit up with different colored lights. I don't get to hang out with my co-teachers much outside of school, so it as really nice to spend time with them. We also went out to eat at a Mexican restaurant, yummmm. On Saturday I went back to the same area, but this time in the afternoon. Even though I was there just a few hours before, it was still just as fun! It was super sunny, lots of people everywhere, and little performances on every corner. Not to mention, the trees were beautiful! That night some new and old friends got together to have a girls night in honor of the beginning of spring/Easter (hence the bunny ears in the one photo).


I wanted to show you guys that every letter and card you send means something to me. I tape them on my wall to remind myself that I have great family and friends. Plus, it's less blank space on my walls! I have a little collage of photos too, just so I don't forget what everyone looks like ;) I'm still in the process of adding more pictures, those were just some that I happen to have either already printed or were on my USB when I went to the shop. As much as I love all the changes and new experiences the last couple years have brought, it never gets easier being away from home. So, thanks for sending me reminders!!!

Uniting Korea & 21K

Last week there was a big World Cup qualifying game in Seoul; North Korea vs. South Korea. Sports is one of the only reasons North Koreans can come into South Korea or any other country for that matter. I went with a group of friends to the game Wednesday after school. It was so so cold that night despite that fact that it's suppose to be spring (we tried many methods of staying warm including laying across each other!). The game was tied 0-0 until the last 3 minutes, just as we were trying to sneak out to beat the crowd. South Korea scored, winning 1-0. The stadium was really pretty crowded, but the support was completely one sided. North Korean players were allowed, but not fans. Speaking of North Korea, as I'm sure most of you have heard about the missile that was shot off Sunday. There had been a bit of buzz about it here before hand, but really everyone was pretty calm and unfazed.
Actually, when it was fired Sunday, I was in the middle of running a half marathon. I ended up making it to my half marathon and finishing!!! Despite the sickness and knee problems, I finished in 2:18. I wish I could have been healthy, because I think I could have done a lot better, but there's always next time! I did the race along the Han River in Seoul with a few running friends. We had a nice carb party the night before (pasta, bread) and a nice big meal and celebratory drinks after. I really enjoy doing the races here because they give you so much stuff! In the last race I got a whole track suit, this time in my race pack I got soap, make-up compact, a running shirt, and sun screen. I finished 18th out of the girls in the race so I got an extra prize. However, the prize was a gift box set of men's after shave lotion. I double checked with the people to make sure I got the right gift, but they assured me I did. It was strange, but whatever! Not only that, but we got medals and lots of snacks and drinks! Maybe I'll do one more race of some sort, just for all the stuff! The first 3 pictures are before; the last 2 are after.

March Madness

March hasn't panned out to be the best month. After my birthday trip things went downhill, but not to worry because things are looking up. Anyways, I got pretty sick for a while, with what I'm assuming is the flu. I spent 2.5 days in my bed literally not leaving my house and sleeping more than any normal person could force themselves to. The "sick" part faded after a few days but I have had a cough that refuses to go away. It has driven me crazy for about 2 weeks now. Just after getting over being sick I went to play soccer with some friends on a Sunday afternoon and sprained my knee. My teacher took me to the doctor and through some translating basically told me to just stay off it for a few weeks, do some physical therapy, and take some mystery pills. Unfortunately, I signed up to run in a half marathon this coming Sunday the 5th, and between being down sick and then my knee, my training has gone to hell. The thing that really made me angry is that before I got sick I was doing really well with my training and getting into some really long runs; I was hoping I could make a good time (for me anyways!) I think I'm going to attempt the run nonetheless with a brace and a few extra drinks of water. I think I can will my way across the finish line, though I know I won't be setting any records, I still really want to do it. I'll do another one someday to redeem what I'm already predicting to be a poor finish. I will say though, that my knee is feeling much better and my cough is fading ever so slowly, so I am feeling better. Though too little too late for the race I'm afraid, I am glad that I'm getting my health back.
Here are some random pictures of some going-ons. The first few are from a night out in Seoul (though these might actually be from Feb. I can't remeber): dinner, a cool cafe with coloring and tons of pop-up books, and ending in a lounge with a crazy decor.


These next few photos are from a Saturday afternoon in Seoul doing some touristy things. We went to the Deoksugung, a palace. The weather was amazing that weekend showing the first signs of spring. It has gotten a bit colder these last few days, but I have hope that my jacket will go back into my suitcase soon.

Quarter Century and so on

Since my last trip, I've stuck pretty close to home. I had to teach another English camp at work for 2 weeks and then this past week was the start of the new school year (much different system then the one I'm use to). Up until this week, the pace of life slowed down a lot. I was only working a few hours a day and then had long weekends where I would hang out with friends day and night, played soccer once (so fun!), watch movies, and sleep in late! But, life has started again, so I have to get use to business. Also, my birthday was last weekend (March 1st) which was also the last weekend before school started. I got a small group of friends together and we went on a weekend getaway to Seoraksan National Park, about 2 hours east of Seoul. My teachers had mentioned that I should go there sometime because the mountains are beautiful and there is a beach. They were right and the trip was a much needed change of scenery and really great before starting back. We did a bit of hiking in the park as well as rode a cable car to one of the peaks. We went to the beach the following day, and though too cold to tan or swim, it was nice to see the ocean and sand. We also did a bit of celebrating me turning a quarter century; and I still can't figure out how I got so old? They got me a cheesecake, yummm! and we stayed in a motel where I shared this amazing circle bed with my friend Rebekah. (We were so excited about the circle bed; hence the photos of us jumping on it). I had a really great birthday and I've enjoyed all the cards, emails, and packages too. Thanks! For some reason on my birthdays it seems to hit me hard that I'm near near home and family, but I stayed pretty occupied and didn't get too home sick. And now... I'm 25! yikes!


This last picture isn't from my birthday weekend, but just from a random subway ride in Seoul. I had a few friends from another city called Ulsan come up to visit and so I helped show them around Seoul a bit. This picture is a candid shot of me and Mallory and an old Korean man making our way across town. A pretty typical scene, hehe!