Guess who has a fancy new website to call her very own.
I know. It's crazy. But I'm really excited about it. And that's all the motivation that I need.
After moving away from Korea, I want to see how much I can push this. I want to try and make this happen. Because I don't just want to call it quits and move into a desk job. That's not me. So with a mixture of a marketing, editing, and traveling background, I am going to make this work.
And I need your help.
Please visit my new website. And visit and visit and visit. Read, and share your thoughts.
Hope to hear from you soon x
Friday, November 7, 2014
Friday, October 17, 2014
Happiness Project: Day 13/21
Welcome to my very first post from Melbourne, Australia!
It's been such a crazy journey to get here. Our last weekend in Korea was mental. We had so much left to do that we hadn't thought of (obviously), in both Korea and Australia, that we were so glad to be off on Monday morning.
Monday AM flight turned into Tuesday AM arrival. Can we just talk about how ridiculously easy it is to go from MEL into the Central Business District of Melbourne?! I could probs do it every day (not that I would want to).
1. Having a hostel for this weekend! There's a huge Jehovah's Witness' convention in Melbourne this weekend (50,000 people), meaning that we were literally scrounging around surrounding areas of Melbourne to try to find anywhere to sleep. We confirmed with couch surfing for a place that was going to keep THIRTEEN people in one room, just so we could have a place. But then, as if by magic, space opened up in our current hostel, and bam we had places booked until Monday morning. YAY we aren't homeless (until next Thursday)!
2. The fashionable boyfriend. Because uh, I am still a novice packer, apparently. Or maybe he has more jumpers than me. PS It is freezing in Melbourne. I'm talking jeans, boots, and two jumpers. I would be wearing gloves if I had them. Spring. My. Bum. So anyway, I'm here, hanging out in a red Nike hoodie and vintage Adidas jumper. The hipsters in Melbourne (basically everyone) are mad jelly.
3. A fancy new ring! So our anniversary was last weekend (yet another reason why I was MIA and busy as). I've been talking about aka complaining that I don't have a good quality, simple ring to wear on the daily. We got back to Korea on Friday morning, and by Friday afternoon, I had myself a shiny new ring to call my very own! Obsessed.
All for now. Gonna go get my Strongbow on x
It's been such a crazy journey to get here. Our last weekend in Korea was mental. We had so much left to do that we hadn't thought of (obviously), in both Korea and Australia, that we were so glad to be off on Monday morning.
Monday AM flight turned into Tuesday AM arrival. Can we just talk about how ridiculously easy it is to go from MEL into the Central Business District of Melbourne?! I could probs do it every day (not that I would want to).
1. Having a hostel for this weekend! There's a huge Jehovah's Witness' convention in Melbourne this weekend (50,000 people), meaning that we were literally scrounging around surrounding areas of Melbourne to try to find anywhere to sleep. We confirmed with couch surfing for a place that was going to keep THIRTEEN people in one room, just so we could have a place. But then, as if by magic, space opened up in our current hostel, and bam we had places booked until Monday morning. YAY we aren't homeless (until next Thursday)!
2. The fashionable boyfriend. Because uh, I am still a novice packer, apparently. Or maybe he has more jumpers than me. PS It is freezing in Melbourne. I'm talking jeans, boots, and two jumpers. I would be wearing gloves if I had them. Spring. My. Bum. So anyway, I'm here, hanging out in a red Nike hoodie and vintage Adidas jumper. The hipsters in Melbourne (basically everyone) are mad jelly.
3. A fancy new ring! So our anniversary was last weekend (yet another reason why I was MIA and busy as). I've been talking about aka complaining that I don't have a good quality, simple ring to wear on the daily. We got back to Korea on Friday morning, and by Friday afternoon, I had myself a shiny new ring to call my very own! Obsessed.
All for now. Gonna go get my Strongbow on x
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Winding Down: Japan Edition
I feel like I've been traveling nonstop since Monday. We left that morning to stay in Kyoto for a couple days, and it was perfect. The typhoon missed us! We stayed at a swanky hotel across the street from the Imperial Palace on Monday night, and then a capsule hotel last night (details to come)!!
Today has also been quite the adventure, as we snuck in a day trip to Nara before heading back to Osaka to finish our holiday in Japan.
All in all, the vacation within a vacation has been deemed a success!
Hoping to add more to this later this week x
Today has also been quite the adventure, as we snuck in a day trip to Nara before heading back to Osaka to finish our holiday in Japan.
All in all, the vacation within a vacation has been deemed a success!
Hoping to add more to this later this week x
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Happiness Project: Day 12/21
We are currently in Kyoto, enjoying the beauty that this place truly encompasses.
1. Wifi. How did people travel without it?! I get lost even when I have access to the internet, so I can only imagine how I would fare without it. Not to say that I don't enjoy losing my way. When you plan on staying somewhere for awhile (or just don't have any plan at all), it can be the best way to get your bearings. But if you're on a short holiday, portable wifi is the way to go. Or at least know where the nearest convenience stores are!
2. Tiger Balm. It's official. Fall is here. Aka the mosquitos have found their way to me. The devils have produced mountain-sized bites on my legs, and I want to kill them all. But Tiger Balm seemingly does the trick. After my last bout with the little beasts, I've kept a steady supply of the good stuff. Yes, it has a pretty pungent smell, but the cooling sensation and not waking up the next morning to raw legs is worth it.
3. Strangers. It has happened each time that we have come to Japan. When the boyfriend and I are looking at a map or glancing back and forth, getting more and more frustrated with one another, someone has come up and asked us if we needed help. I don't know if we have just come across the best that Osaka/Kyoto have to offer, but this did not happen for a whole two years that I lived in Korea. Not only that, but there is a severe lack of face-in-phone syndrome on the streets. I could get used to this!
Typing on an iPhone, so please excuse the typos x
1. Wifi. How did people travel without it?! I get lost even when I have access to the internet, so I can only imagine how I would fare without it. Not to say that I don't enjoy losing my way. When you plan on staying somewhere for awhile (or just don't have any plan at all), it can be the best way to get your bearings. But if you're on a short holiday, portable wifi is the way to go. Or at least know where the nearest convenience stores are!
2. Tiger Balm. It's official. Fall is here. Aka the mosquitos have found their way to me. The devils have produced mountain-sized bites on my legs, and I want to kill them all. But Tiger Balm seemingly does the trick. After my last bout with the little beasts, I've kept a steady supply of the good stuff. Yes, it has a pretty pungent smell, but the cooling sensation and not waking up the next morning to raw legs is worth it.
3. Strangers. It has happened each time that we have come to Japan. When the boyfriend and I are looking at a map or glancing back and forth, getting more and more frustrated with one another, someone has come up and asked us if we needed help. I don't know if we have just come across the best that Osaka/Kyoto have to offer, but this did not happen for a whole two years that I lived in Korea. Not only that, but there is a severe lack of face-in-phone syndrome on the streets. I could get used to this!
Typing on an iPhone, so please excuse the typos x
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Happiness Project: Day 11/21
This little assignment is definitely supposed to be almost finished, but whatever. I'm an unemployed traveler and don't have a steady stream of wifi anymore!
1. FUNployment. Can I just say that after spending the last year waking up no later than 5:45AM on weekdays, waking up at 9AM is glorious. Freaking. GLORIOUS. In addition to getting enough sleep, the boyfriend and I are acting more and more like semi-decent human beings. Be our friends? Also, I've committed to making this period the time when I live in the present. I'm always planning, and not living. So here we go.
2. Peach Air. Uh, Peach and I would be BFFs if I were going to stay in SE Asia. Decent schedules. Affordable. Generally on-time. Yes. Please. We booked our flights leaving on a Saturday and coming back on a Friday (Incheon-Osaka) for under $400 RT together. It's less than 90 minutes up in the air and then BAM, you're in a wonderful country. Speaking of...
3. Japan. My people. Half people? Sort of. This is our second trip to Osaka this year (the first adventure was in the midst of April, another beautiful time), and we have been looking forward to it for months. Needless to say, Japan has not disappointed us so far! Thankfully, our gracious host Rose isn't working this weekend, so we spent the weekend traveling around Osaka and KOBE, but I'll save that for another post.
Off to bed. Kyoto in the morning x
1. FUNployment. Can I just say that after spending the last year waking up no later than 5:45AM on weekdays, waking up at 9AM is glorious. Freaking. GLORIOUS. In addition to getting enough sleep, the boyfriend and I are acting more and more like semi-decent human beings. Be our friends? Also, I've committed to making this period the time when I live in the present. I'm always planning, and not living. So here we go.
2. Peach Air. Uh, Peach and I would be BFFs if I were going to stay in SE Asia. Decent schedules. Affordable. Generally on-time. Yes. Please. We booked our flights leaving on a Saturday and coming back on a Friday (Incheon-Osaka) for under $400 RT together. It's less than 90 minutes up in the air and then BAM, you're in a wonderful country. Speaking of...
3. Japan. My people. Half people? Sort of. This is our second trip to Osaka this year (the first adventure was in the midst of April, another beautiful time), and we have been looking forward to it for months. Needless to say, Japan has not disappointed us so far! Thankfully, our gracious host Rose isn't working this weekend, so we spent the weekend traveling around Osaka and KOBE, but I'll save that for another post.
Off to bed. Kyoto in the morning x
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Happiness Project: Day 10/21
The first day of FUNployment has officially begun! It was filled with packing and banking and post-office-ing, but the celebration is going to commence soon!
1. The Post Office in Korea. Yes, specifically in Korea. The packing supplies are readily available; the employees help you with difficult items; and it's cheap. I wish the US/UK would get their business together. #bowdown
2. Sudoku. I like numbers… and order… and puzzles. So sudoku is perfect for me. There are nine columns and nine rows, which create nine boxes. Each column, row, and box, must have only one of each number (1-9). I'm all about it.
3. The Stone Roses. I'll admit, Rob has semi-decent taste in music. Hence, this group.
Drinks tonight x
1. The Post Office in Korea. Yes, specifically in Korea. The packing supplies are readily available; the employees help you with difficult items; and it's cheap. I wish the US/UK would get their business together. #bowdown
2. Sudoku. I like numbers… and order… and puzzles. So sudoku is perfect for me. There are nine columns and nine rows, which create nine boxes. Each column, row, and box, must have only one of each number (1-9). I'm all about it.
3. The Stone Roses. I'll admit, Rob has semi-decent taste in music. Hence, this group.
Drinks tonight x
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Happiness Project: Day 9/21
Good morning, sunshines!
1. Cheesecake. I've wanted to visit this new place in Hongdae for the past few weeks because they have cake displays in the window. We finally went this past weekend, with an oreo cheesecake slice being one of my rewards for being the best girlfriend ever and caring for a recovering boyfriend. Then, because I'm a fatty and love it, I picked up a couple slices of different cakes for a Monday surprise: mint and another oreo cheesecake. I couldn't even take a photo because he scarfed them down! Okay, fine. I did too.
2. Bus 273. It's the little things, people. I don't know if it is actually faster than the other bus options, but it definitely feels faster. Any time that there are bus options, I go for that one. Bus drivers in Seoul are dangerous, so it's good to know that if I'm going to risk my life, at least it'll be for a shorter time period.
3. Hot donuts. I just got the best fresh donut that I've had in Korea from another teacher. It was delicious and made my 2-hour workday that much more bearable. Plus, it wasn't overly sweet, which is the problem with a lot of treats in Korea. And if I'm saying that they're overly sweet, then you know that that's a lot of sugar up in there.
Off to attempt to do my taxes and get medical insurance (super fun things) x
1. Cheesecake. I've wanted to visit this new place in Hongdae for the past few weeks because they have cake displays in the window. We finally went this past weekend, with an oreo cheesecake slice being one of my rewards for being the best girlfriend ever and caring for a recovering boyfriend. Then, because I'm a fatty and love it, I picked up a couple slices of different cakes for a Monday surprise: mint and another oreo cheesecake. I couldn't even take a photo because he scarfed them down! Okay, fine. I did too.
2. Bus 273. It's the little things, people. I don't know if it is actually faster than the other bus options, but it definitely feels faster. Any time that there are bus options, I go for that one. Bus drivers in Seoul are dangerous, so it's good to know that if I'm going to risk my life, at least it'll be for a shorter time period.
3. Hot donuts. I just got the best fresh donut that I've had in Korea from another teacher. It was delicious and made my 2-hour workday that much more bearable. Plus, it wasn't overly sweet, which is the problem with a lot of treats in Korea. And if I'm saying that they're overly sweet, then you know that that's a lot of sugar up in there.
Off to attempt to do my taxes and get medical insurance (super fun things) x
Monday, September 29, 2014
Happiness Project: Day 8/21
It's Monday morning, and it's raining, which is pretty much the worst combination that a Southern Californian can imagine. Therefore, this is the perfect way to start my day: thinking positively.
1. LOTR man hair. I'm not sure how many of you have had the pleasure of watching LOTR lately, but I had a movie marathon this weekend and could not stop commenting about those luscious locks! Maybe I'm just jealous of the effortless waves, but it's not really fair that Orlando Bloom can roll out with that face and that hair. Don't get me started on Aragorn.
2. Green apples. AKA the best apples. I cannot wait to go home and have endless supplies of fruit that are not absurdly expensive. It's a bit difficult to eat fruits in Korea, with the average price of a bag of apples (the cheapest fruits, along with bananas) being 8,000 won.
3. Samgyeopsal. YUMMM. Korean meal of grilled pork belly. Just Google it. The boyfriend and I have a particular restaurant in Sinchon that we frequent at least once a week because it's the best. The prices are good, the pork is fantastic, and the staff are really nice. Plus, the owner knows us and gives us free mushrooms. What's not to love? This is by far one of the things that I'm going to miss the most when we leave.
Happy Monday x
1. LOTR man hair. I'm not sure how many of you have had the pleasure of watching LOTR lately, but I had a movie marathon this weekend and could not stop commenting about those luscious locks! Maybe I'm just jealous of the effortless waves, but it's not really fair that Orlando Bloom can roll out with that face and that hair. Don't get me started on Aragorn.
2. Green apples. AKA the best apples. I cannot wait to go home and have endless supplies of fruit that are not absurdly expensive. It's a bit difficult to eat fruits in Korea, with the average price of a bag of apples (the cheapest fruits, along with bananas) being 8,000 won.
3. Samgyeopsal. YUMMM. Korean meal of grilled pork belly. Just Google it. The boyfriend and I have a particular restaurant in Sinchon that we frequent at least once a week because it's the best. The prices are good, the pork is fantastic, and the staff are really nice. Plus, the owner knows us and gives us free mushrooms. What's not to love? This is by far one of the things that I'm going to miss the most when we leave.
Happy Monday x
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Happiness Project: Day 7/21
I've been quite the hermit lately, trying to be a bit healthier and trying to save a bit of money in the process! All of this basically means that I get to bed on the weekends a bit earlier than usual, which was going to be my excuse for not making my list today. Alas, I talked myself into not being lazy, and here are the results.
1. Messy buns. They are pretty much the solution to all of life's problems. All you need are some bobby pins and a hair tie, and BOOM. Magic. My hair is just getting long enough now for me to be able to put it all up again. I was thinking of getting this lob thingy that everyone is talking about, but I'm pretty sure that means that I'd have to choose between that haircut and this hairstyle. In the Australian summer heat? Obvious choice.
2. Brunch. No explanation. Well, quick explanation: all types of pancakes (particularly CCPs and RVPs). And if those don't suit your fancy, there are just so. many. options. Then there's bacon. Not even going to get started on mimosas and the severe lack of them in Korea.
3. Japan! Yes, the entire country. This time next week, the boyfriend and I will be in Osaka! We went to Japan for a few days in April, but immediately upon returning, felt that we both needed more time there. On this trip, we'll be going to Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe. How we're going to fit all of that in a week, I have no idea. But it's going to work. Because…it has to. So much planning to do!
Sweet dreams x
Friday, September 26, 2014
Happiness Project: Day 6/21
HAI! Yesterday evening was full of adventures. The boyfriend got two of his wisdom teeth removed and has been drugged up for the best part of 18 hours. Liquid diet for two, please. And by "diet", I mean lots of ice cream, yogurt and cheese. All the expensive stuff, but tasty & worth it.
With that being said, onto day six!
1. Fridays! This one is a given, because who doesn't like Fridays? But I felt that it was appropriate because it is indeed Friday here (but not in the states muahaha). This particular Friday marks the end of the last full week of work here at Pagoda. It's definitely been a roller coaster, but that's for a later post. Anyway. Fridays. Yes.
2. My new glasses. After the (still unresolved) disaster with the first optician in Seoul, the second one was amazing. They were less than a quarter of the price of the first and were completed in about 20 minutes. THESE are the kinds of Korean opticians that I know and love! $20 for new frames and lenses. All about it. And mine are the cutest. They're bigger than my previous ones because I'm becoming more Asian by the second, but I'm okay with it.
3. Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha. You know I'm all about my sugar and creme with a splash of coffee, and this morning was no different. However, because I didn't want to wake up the boyfriend (and if I'm being honest, because he always makes the coffee in the morning because I'm always running behind), I decided to get a cute mini white chocolate mocha deliciousness from the convenience store. Lovely, but I need about a dozen more.
Off to eat some kimbap x
With that being said, onto day six!
1. Fridays! This one is a given, because who doesn't like Fridays? But I felt that it was appropriate because it is indeed Friday here (but not in the states muahaha). This particular Friday marks the end of the last full week of work here at Pagoda. It's definitely been a roller coaster, but that's for a later post. Anyway. Fridays. Yes.
2. My new glasses. After the (still unresolved) disaster with the first optician in Seoul, the second one was amazing. They were less than a quarter of the price of the first and were completed in about 20 minutes. THESE are the kinds of Korean opticians that I know and love! $20 for new frames and lenses. All about it. And mine are the cutest. They're bigger than my previous ones because I'm becoming more Asian by the second, but I'm okay with it.
3. Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha. You know I'm all about my sugar and creme with a splash of coffee, and this morning was no different. However, because I didn't want to wake up the boyfriend (and if I'm being honest, because he always makes the coffee in the morning because I'm always running behind), I decided to get a cute mini white chocolate mocha deliciousness from the convenience store. Lovely, but I need about a dozen more.
Off to eat some kimbap x
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