Surprise! Hashtag NEW BLOG.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happiness Project: Day 5/21

Oh, Thursday. You tease. I wake up almost every Thursday jumping for freaking joy and am super excited because I think that it's Friday. And then spend a good fifteen minutes sulking because I have once again been fooled.

With that being said, the list was a bit more difficult to write today. …which may also have to do with two out of my three classes being one-on-one's with unfriendlies.

1. Eyelash extensions. Yes, I've been converted. I got them on a whim last Friday and HEART them. I look fresh to death, flawless. I literally woke up like this. Downside is, they are soooo expensive outside of Korea ($50 first time; about $30 each subsequent visit). I don't even want to look up prices in Australia. … Okay so I just looked. $100. And not even for the most expensive one. 

2. Running. I have a love/hate relationship with running, but for the past couple of weeks, I've been really enjoying spending 30 or so minutes hashing it out on the treadmill. It makes me feel like sitting in Pagoda for hours on end isn't messing up my back/body/well-being too much, as long as I finish the workday with a nice run. PS Endorphins make you happy, and happy people just don't shoot their husbands. So I've got that going for me.

3. My typing skills. Mad skills. Mad stacks yo. I've always been a pretty abled typist, but I've definitely improved since my laptop has become attached to my being. I can type with my eyes closed, while having a conversation, while reading a transcript. I'm proud of it, dammit!

Four more workdays to go! x

Happiness Project: Day 4/21

Hump day at its finest. I definitely needed a list like this to get me through this rainy Wednesday.

1. Black clothes. Because black goes with everything. Nothing is the new black. A couple people (myself included) have made it a point to wear all black everything to work. Basically, black clothes are life, and I have Ms. Erica Li to thank for it. Never forget where you came from. Hashtag Drake.

2. Yogurt. Frozen. Greek. Strawberry. Lots of toppings (please send me granola). I recently posted a photo on my brand-spanking-new Instagram account of a new yogurt place near my apartment. It's expensive, but tasty. Ahhhhh, the costs of western food! But for real, I'd like some Yogurtland deliciousness at LAX when I arrive, and I don't care if you think that "it doesn't taste good" with the In N Out that will be accompanying it.

3. Okay, so the original #3 is going to have to wait until tomorrow because I got a fantastic email today: MY AUSTRALIAN VISA APPLICATION HAS BEEN APPROVED. I know. As my boyfriend lovingly reminded me, they didn't actually have a reason to not approve my visa application, but still. He got his a week before me—what gives? Must be an American thing. Regardless, I will officially (and legally) be saying hello to Australia in mid-October!!


Off to watch some Sherlock x

Happiness Project: Day 3/21

I know, I know. This post comes practically immediately after the former one (time-wise...and location-wise, I guess). But I've got a date with the gym that I cannot afford to miss. Day three comin' at you!

1. The color lilac. Ridiculously PRETTY. I'm not really a girly girl, but I talked the boyfriend into getting a lilac shirt and one of my students rocked up to class with a lilac bag. New nail polish color? YAASSSS.

2. Dresses. Particularly flowy dresses or those with pockets. Korean dresses are...different. They have weird cutouts (at the shoulders), are meant for people with less in the breast area than I, or are stupid expensive. So the dresses that I currently have (not the ones that my sisters keep stealing!) have a special place in my heart.

3. Doing the dishes. Didn't see that one coming, did you?! I LOVE doing the dishes. I don't know what it is about them. It's relaxing; it takes 20 minutes; and when you're finished, the mess is gone! I once had a dream that at a big family meal, everyone else sat down and talked, but I went to the kitchen to wash up and cleaned the dishes sans dishwasher. But please don't ask me if I'll do yours. No. Obviously. And yes, the boyfriend is ridic lucky.

Gym time x

Happiness Project: Day 2/21

Okay, so I kind of cheated. Semi. I didn't have a chance to go online yesterday to type this all out because I've been working on a freelance proofreading assignment. BUT. I did write it down. Girl Scout Honor. List below!

1. That first coffee in the morning. Yes, sugar & cream & all. It's even better when it's at SEVEN AM. Errrr. At least it keeps me awake.

2. Talks with people back home. I'm like a kid on Christmas when I make plans to speak with people, whether that's friends or family, phone or Skype. I miss you guys.

3. Lip Smackers Strawberry Chapstick. I'm sorry, but Burts ain't got NOTHIN' on this. It's been my favorite chapstick (probably since birth), and it's not changing anytime soon. Thank you, Lip Smackers, for keeping the dream alive. Even if my mother does have to send it from the states.


See! I can be productive on a break! x

Happiness Project: Day 1/21

So I'm working on a freelance proofreading assignment, and there's a blurb discussing happiness. The overall concept is that happiness is learned. The quote says that if you write about what makes you happy for 21 straight days, then your brain will become conditioned into paying more attention to what makes you happy. Unfortunately, I'm going to be running around SE Asia before the end of this mini project, so I'll do what I can. But with that in mind, here are the three things that made me happy today.

1. Red lipstick. I don't know how I lived without it for so long. It instantly makes me feel sexy. sexier.

2. Macaroni & cheese. I have less than two weeks in this Seoul apartment, and the pasta has been stocking up. So, this week will be a lot of pasta. And to start it off with a bang, Sunday night dinner will consist of mac & cheese with bacon and mushrooms. YUM.

3. Last full week of work. Today is the start to my last full workweek at Pagoda. My last full week of waking up at 5:30AM, at least for awhile! Cue outrageous dance music (i.e. Party In The USA).

Lots of love x

Final Month at Pagoda

It feels strange being so nonchalant at work. Being so indifferent to the lack of students and the severe lack of hours.

This month, I'm working MWF 7am-4pm (with a couple breaks in between), which makes for a pretty decent work day. Then, we get to TTF. 7-9am. That's it. Two hours. I'm waking up at 5:45am for two hours of work. Granted, it's PBA 2, one of my favorite courses (and textbooks), but come on. The boyfriend is working a (basically) normal schedule, which means that I have officially been placed in charge of errands, cooking, cleaning, and all other housework-y chores to fill my time.

Hahaha. JUST KIDDING. Semi.

To try and keep myself busy (aka not wanting to pull my hair out from sheer boredom), I've arranged a couple things:

1. Gym time. Last month, I was going to the gym 2-3x/week. Seeing as how I can't even convince myself that I don't have the time/energy/blahblahblah for September, I'm going to amp this up to 3-4x/week. Yes, I know, I'm dedicated.

2. Codeacademy. Now, I've only been testing the waters with this for a couple weeks, but it's really cool. Seriously. COOL. And plays on my OCD tendencies to have everything ready and in its correct place. I've been interested in website development ever since one of my favorites (ahem, Krisleen) started her first HR job, met her husband, and then told me all about how she took a coding course to try to gain more background info on it. Long story short, here I am. Learning how to make airbnb's website.

3. Google Analytics. To be honest, I haven't really started this little adventure. But, I read Dave Davis' LinkedIn post and it got me thinking that understanding analytics would be not only a useful skill, but also a useful, marketable skill. So I've begun. Starting from the bottom.

4. edX. I was deciding between a couple courses on this site focusing on globalization and sociology, and a course on Python on coursera. I decided to go with my gut. Web dev and analytics are new enough as it is. Plus, I just think global sociology and globalization are so captivating. How is someone not interested in these concepts that affect us on a daily—even hourly—basis?


All on top of moving to a new country in one month. EEP! x

Guilty Pleasures

Today has been a long day. I don't wish 12+ hour workdays on anyone, but it definitely makes me more…blunt, which I could get used to. 

A few hours ago, a colleague was going back and forth about eating some chocolate, claiming that he had gained a few and didn't want to slide down that slippery slope of sugar and deliciousness. 'Everything in moderation. I eat a piece of chocolate almost every day and I have no qualms about it.'  was my response. He stopped, tilted his head, and then asked me what my 'guilty pleasures' are. And then seemed rather taken aback by my response. 

'Guilty pleasures? I have none. I don't like the term. I don't feel guilty about anything that I enjoy.'

And I don't think anyone should, regardless of how "out there" or "abnormal" their pleasures may be. Don't feel guilty about anything that you enjoy doing (as long as you aren't harming others, obviously) because you aren't doing it for anyone but yourself. I resent the fact that I should be made to feel bad or uncomfortable for things that I like.

So here is a friendly reminder: You don't need to justify yourself to anyone.

Until next time x

Edit:

"No one will ever accept anything. I think the goal is to not want anyone's acceptance. The goal is to just do you. You're not gonna tell me who I am. Imma tell you who I am."
- Nicki Minaj

Restaurant Review: Left Coast Artisan Burgers

As an American (but mostly a Californian), I love burgers. I laaahhhvvveee burgers. Unfortunately, Korea is not the place to get a decent, American-style burger. Most of them have been Koreanized, and rightly so because we are in Korea, but Itaewon was my best shot at leaving a burger joint satisfied.

Which is why I felt the need to write about Left Coast Artisan Burgers.

Located near Itaewon Station, Left Coast is on the second floor and has a very casual-cool atmosphere, and no wonder: the restaurant is oozing with California love. It's self seating, and really made us feel immediately comfortable. We grabbed a seat in the corner to people watch, ordered our food and prepared our stomachs for the feast.

So to begin with, we ordered burgers and fries. A classic. Strangely enough (but not-so-strange in Korean dining culture), our menu choices came out piecemeal, with the fries arriving 5-10 minutes before our burgers. That aside, the boyfriend and I still exchanged glances. My first thought: Are these McDonald's fries??? Not that I'm ripping on McDonald's. Their fries are delicious and everyone could use a McMuffin every now and again. But…really? 5,000 won for fries that are comparable to Mickey D's? Not off to a good start.

Now onto the main dishes. The real reason why you came here. THE BURGERS. 

[[ Side note: The last time I went to Left Coast, I got the Green Supreme, (I believe it is still a specialty item and not on the menu), which left something to be desired. It was decent, but forgettable. It's a lot of vegetables, which is what I was looking for, but a bit bland. ]]

John Wayne: Beef patty. Melted cheddar cheese. Bacon. Crispy onion rings. YUM. A solid 7 out of 10, this burger had a delicious patty with just the right amount of crunch. And as I'm sure you know, bacon makes everything taste better.

Okay. I saved the best for last. 

Popeye: TEN. Possibly an eleven, because it was just that good. Beef patty. Carmelized pork (yes, you read that correctly). Grilled onions. All sitting atop a bed of creamed spinach. Disclaimer: I go crazy over spinach. It is ridiculously expensive in Korea, so any chance I have to eat some in a restaurant, I immediately jump on. And, as usual, I made the right decision. While the John Wayne was good, the Popeye was on another level. The staff say that the Juicy Lucy (a patty with melted cheese inside) is their best seller, but I don't think they're pushing this bad boy hard enough. Best burger I've had in Korea: WINNER.

Tip: The Popeye comes with red onions, but change that for grilled onions and you won't be disappointed. In fact, Left Coast will do substitutions on all of their burgers, so go wild. Great customer service for a diverse clientele equals one more reason to check this place out!

And to top it off, the drinks come in cute (and a bit hipster) Mason jars! I got the lemonade, which was definitely on the sweet side, but still delicious. For 5,000 won, I'm not sure if I would get it again, but we had just come down from the Namsan Mountain adventure, so we needed to quench our thirst!

Most (if not all) of the burgers are between 10-15,000 won. With a side or an appetizer and drinks, this will run you and a friend about 40,000 altogether. Not a bad weekend lunch, and I'll definitely be back to try those bao buns!

Namsan Mountain

So, being the terrible foreigner that I seem to be, my first time visiting Namsan Mountain and making the trek up there was yesterday. In my twenty-second month of living in Korea. 

How? A couple reasons. 

One. In Gyeongju, most of the locals wore their hiking gear on a daily basis, whether that was to walk up a mountain or walk to the grocery store. Legit hiking outfits, those walking poles and all. Just strutting their stuff. Which I obviously had no problem with, but it did make me give a few side eyes.

Two. Most of my students 'go mountain climbing' or 'hike mountains' on a weekly basis. Young and old alike. I guess I'm just not buying it? Lost in translation moment? Possibly. 

But seeing as how we had an extra night of sleep and were looking to do non-alcoholic activities, Namsan seemed like the perfect place to get our exercise on before heading into Itaewon for some weekend food. Besides, everybody's doing it. So upwards we went.

Before the journey up, sans sweat

Well, it's definitely a tourist spot. There are buses (both local and tourist) that drop off their persons at the convenience store located about 90% of the way up. At the top, there are some restaurants (and a COLD STONE CREAMERY!), and lots and lots of love locks. And selfies.

Anndd after the whole experience, I'm left feeling a bit meh. Up until the bus area, the walk was nice and mostly not crowded. It's a mixture of paved road/walkways and stairs, and some of the areas are a bit steep. I actually kind of wish that we lived within walking distance of it, because it would make for a great gym alternative on those days where you just want to get outside. 

But the view is nothing to write home about. So much, in fact, that we didn't take any photos of the scenery at the top…because there wasn't any. You can see the Seoul skyline, but unless you go at night and pay the 15,000 won to go to the top of the tower (and I'm not even sure if that's worth it), it's just a lot of buildings and a lot of grey.

Exercise: YES.
View: N/A.

2 for 2, baby.

American Cookies!

To celebrate this glorious three day weekend, I used the oven that has not been touched since Mother Earth decided that Seoul needed all the humidity she could offer.

On that note, bring on the cinnamon, because these babies are my all-time faves. Say hello to my little (massive) snicker doodles!!

Thirty.

Because it's now "official", I can finally share the news publicly.

After going back and forth and mulling over the decision 'should we stay or should we go?', the boyfriend and I have decided to leave Korea. …again.

We have thirty workdays left before we finish our contracts at Pagoda and (hopefully) spend as little time as possible starting our daily commute before the sun comes up. Here's to wishful thinking!

On that note, I have come up with a goal. Over the past few months, there have been a lot of ups and downs that I haven't wanted to share through social media, and it's hindered my blogging abilities. Personal relationship lows don't really belong on a public blog (my public blog, anyway). So because I now have a very limited time left in the ROK, I've promised myself that I will write a blog post for every workday that I have left. There's no theme, and it's definitely not Korea-specific.

Here's to new beginnings!

We were just supposed to be partners because he's too low-level to put with the other students.

But I couldn't help notice.

His top teeth and bottom teeth were different. His top ones were older, more yellow. And more narrow near the roots.

But I couldn't help notice.

His breath. He had the type of bad breath that people who don't floss (or brush?) have. We were more than a foot away and it was early morning. I was not in the mood and immediately regretted trying to save my other students.




But it wasn't until the bus ride home, when you're standing for ages on a bus whose driver doesn't know how to ease on the brakes, that your mind begins to wander.

To that last week.

The kisses. He wanted so many kisses. Lots of 'I love you's and lots of kisses.

Remember when he never wanted to be kissed? How you had to sneak attack him and kiss him on the cheek or the forehead right before you parted ways? How he always made that yuck face, but you knew that he liked it. 

Remember how you used to have to say 'I love you' first and kept repeating it until he said that he loves you too? 

Remember always finishing phone conversations with an 'I love you…' and an expectant silence until he said 'Love you' in the same way that he always did. In the same tone that he always said 'Hello' on the phone when he knew it was your house calling or that you were on the phone.


I remember. And I miss you.

For my viewers

I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore.





On another note. Vacation photos up soon, promise. x

Korea Galleries Art Fair 2014 at the COEX

Remember that event that I talked about in my last post? Well, it was fantastic. There was a wide range of textiles, colors and styles. Lots of variety and hours to peruse. 

Contemporary glass art

More after the jump x


OH OH OH. I forgot to add this magic in. Here's a link to a quick guide on how to spot your favorite artists aka how to impress the ladies (and gentlemen). Good thing I never wasted an hour at 7AM in AP Art History.

Happy March to Me!

Guess who has half spliiiiitttssss!

While it's not the most perfect schedule, having a 7am-2pm schedule twice a week isn't bad.

And due to this, I've made a couple March goals for myself:

• Exercise. Seeing as how I haven't even had time to sleep these past few months, this is a semi big deal. As in, this will be the first time since being in England this summer that I've even given exercising a second thought. And then Vietnam crept upon me. We're leaving at the end of this month for a two week holiday of bliss, and I'd like to look presentable.
• Plan for Vietnam!!! Obviously the most exciting thing about this month is that when it's finished, I have a full month of not waking up at FIVE THIRTY IN THE MORNING five days a week. YesyesyesyesYES!
• Explore Seoul. I've been living here for six months. SIX. MONTHS. And I can't really tell you a thing about it except that the best place to buy shoes is at Dongdaemun. First stop is the Korea Galleries Art Fair this weekend, which is supposed to showcase contemporary Korean artists. Unfortunately, their website is only in Korean, but one of Rob's student's artwork is being shown there!

Here's to new adventures! x

PS It's almost Spring!!

Look What I Found in My Locker

Happy Friday to me! x

KTO K-Performance Supporter!

Exciting news!!

My mother has continued to hound me about not wasting my time here in Korea. 

Learn the language, she suggests. 

Embrace the culture, she says. 

Don't just sit on your bum, take naps, and practically live at Pagoda, she insists.

So. Here you go, mother dearest! I applied for and was chosen to participate in the Korean Tourism Organization's fairly new program for foreigners that is used as a means to share Korean history and culture internationally. As a K-Performance Supporter, we are given first dibs on loads of events nationwide, with most of them being in Seoul. I was a part of this program during my first year in Korea (posts can be found here and here), which was actually the program's first year too! Fancy that.

Looking forward to dragging bringing the boyfriend to some of the events too! x

Romance Innit

Always thankful for a mid-week reminder of how lovely my boyfriend is x

Pagoda Academy: Upcoming Film Stars

Guess who the new faces of Pagoda Academy are. 

We were recruited through the Senior Trainer of Pagoda Academy to be the talent for the new student placement videos, which meant getting dolled up and spending a Saturday morning in front of a camera and crew. Not too shabby.

Just a few photos of us getting our Korean cosmetics put on (aka we became super pale) and showing off our acting chops. 

And, I know what you're going to say. We are pretty damn good-looking.

Winter Continues. Yes, still.

January was such a blur.

I threw myself into work. Lots of running around and keeping busy. One of my tried & true defense mechanisms: Exhaust myself to the point that there's no time to analyze.

That being said, I ended up with a pretty nice schedule at Pagoda, teaching 8-10 hours a day, with decent students. It was a bit tiring and still a split, but manageable.

Then I was offered an opportunity to do something that could further a potential career path after I'm finished with ESL teaching. I was brought in to meet with the Academic Director of Pagoda and a few others to discuss an editing opportunity. A fantastic chance to do both content editing and proofreading for an academic textbook. After everything was said and done, this meant that I was going to be working an additional 30 hours in just 10 days (including a weekend). Yikes. But still. Whoa. And, obviously, I accepted. 

Ten days later, with lots of red ink, mini arguments with the boyfriend and a severe lack of sleep attached, my project was finished. And, as those of you who know my editing style, there were lots of commas. I am crazy addicted to commas. Love them. Maybe it's how I talk, but I love knowing when to pause during sentences and just letting information or feelings or just plain attitude sink in.

And there you go. My January can be summed up in a few words:

No sleep. Editing. Boyfriend.

Oh. And I'm an expert banana bread maker.

Until next time x

Holidays: Home for Christmas and NYE in Korea

A week at home is not enough.

With exactly seven days to enjoy California, I made it my mission to do anything and everything. Except sleep #overrated. This included lots of sunshine, family time and food babies, and I couldn't have been happier about it.

I got back to Korea late Monday night, met the boyfriend at the subway station and would not let go of him. Lots of hugs and kisses and him carrying my luggage. Yessss. With everything going on, I'm really thankful that he's able to take in my mood swings and bouts of crying/laughter/emotions. I don't know how he does it. Cue lots of Christmas presents for him, partly to make up for my lack of physical presence on Christmas and partly because I am a fantastic girlfriend. And super modest.

It's been a quiet couple of days for us and I'm not complaining. We've only left the apartment a couple of times, instead wanting to be together and couple-y. AWWW. As much as I would have liked to celebrate NYE in a more rambunctious atmosphere, it was nice being with him and *finally* getting a proper kiss at midnight! It's quite a change from last NYE, which we spent in a recently befriended Filipino man's house, singing and drinking and dancing, but enjoyable all the same.

2013's Resolutions:

Visit five new countries; live in one.

—Hmmm. Thailand. Malaysia. Indonesia. But it's not really my fault that our trip got cut short. Shout out to stalker Kuta taxi drivers. On the other hand, I stayed in England for three months, so that's semi like living in another country. *Damn Korea and its good pay!

Read another Steinbeck novel.

—Oops.

Be more open—say yes!

—Yes. Definitely. YES.

2014's Resolutions:

Appreciate relationships—Family. Friends. Boyfriend. I'm beyond grateful that I still have the relationships that I do and it's about time that I amp up my efforts.

Erase debt—Simple enough. 

Laugh things off—Don't sweat the small stuff. Don't mind the bullshit. Pagoda and Korea will test me on this one, but I'm not about to surrender so easily.