335 days later.

I'm starting to realize that in reality, anyone can do anything they want in life. Dreams don't have to be imaginary. Money and fear are the only two things that really stand in the way of being exactly who you want to be and going exactly where you want to go. I understand it's not always easy. Life loves to throw obstacles our way, testing our strength and determination, and not everyone can handle the failures it takes to finally succeed.

One month from today I'll have been in Korea exactly one year. I remember stepping off the airplane last October absolutely terrified. I didn't know what I was doing or what I expected. I didn't know the language, the food, the culture. Most of all, I had no idea who I was, the real me. I hoped my year would go by quickly, and I could return home without anything ever changing.

Last Friday, I extended my contract for another 6 months.

I'm still not positive I know exactly who I am, but every day I take one step closer to figuring it all out. I absolutely love this country, although I'm not entirely sure I wouldn't say that about anywhere I happened to find myself living. However, the people, the food, the customs and traditions, they all amaze me here and there's nothing I take for granted. I feel like I've done a lot--DJ Fest, Lantern Fest, Mud Fest, trip to Busan, palaces and temples, aquariums and museums, bars and restaurants, shopping, etc.-- but I also feel like there are so many things I haven't gotten to do yet, and I can't wait to see where the next 6 months takes me.

My newest idea is to get a TEFL certificate in another country for a month after my contract ends in February. Possibly Spain or Greece... or somewhere in South America.. Peru? I feel lucky, but at the same time I'm really just doing what I want to do. The world is an amazing place, why shouldn't I try to turn my dream of exploring it into a reality?

"You were given life; it is your duty to find something beautiful within life, no matter how slight." --Elizabeth Gilbert

Sometimes I feel like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz.

I've almost let another two months go by without writing. Time is nothing here. I feel like I must fall asleep sometimes wearing sparkling, red shoes, only to wake up in a completely different week or month. My weeks go from Monday to Friday without blinking, and the weekends are filled with friends and usually some random adventure that makes Sunday night come just as quickly as the last.

The summer has come, and I spend most of my weeknights wondering how much my air conditioning will cost since it's incessantly running. On...off..on...off...on....sleep. That's how it goes. I remember a few months back when I refused to believe the weather would ever change from cold. Supposedly the rainy season was supposed to start the past couple weekends, but luckily it was sunny today which gave me brief memories of being at the beach and sitting outside in the sun. My countdown has begun, however, and Mudfest is right around the corner along with a trip to England and then a trip to somewhere in the southern parts of Korea.

Well, I realize this is short but it's late here, and since I've grown accustomed to sleeping until as late as possible every morning and making it to work barely on time, I should probably get some sleep in an attempt to change my stubborn ways. Hopefully, I'll write again soon as I have a lot to say and will undoubtedly have more by the end of the month.

"Do not look back and grieve over the past, for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering." --Ida Scott Taylor

Flying Purple People Eater

I really enjoy meeting new people. Granted, rarely am I one to initiate a conversation with someone new, but there must be something about me that welcomes people to come and talk to me... and I really like that about myself. Otherwise, it's just boredom or curiousity that draws people to me, but either way, it's usually pretty cool. I've met a lot of really cool and interesting people so far.

However, I've also had my share of interesting (in a not so good way) and somewhat creepy characters who've introduced themselves to me.

Yesterday, for example, I met a nice looking guy who attends one of the top universities here in Seoul as an engineering student (this was confirmed by a folder and paper he showed me to emphasize his point, since I couldn't quite understand the name of the university he was saying in broken English). He came off as a nice guy who just wanted to meet foreigners, telling me about his military stint and how he was going to a party. He even invited me to eat Kimchi and rice with him, which seemed innocent enough even though I told him it'd have to be another night. Then, he pushed the barrier a bit. He told me how beautiful I am, which I get told a lot in this country and have learned to be flattered by rather than creeped out, but he also told me he "literally" loved me.

"I love you. Literally. I love you."

This is another common phrase Koreans learn, but I always become a little nervous when I hear it because I know the conversation could quickly turn. However, lately I've learned to smile politely, say some small form of "thank you" in return and change the subject if at all possible, which I somewhat managed to do.

He went on to tell me I have a small face... another conversational repeat I often hear, which is why Korean men supposedly find me beautiful. Then, he went on to tell me he had a large face (which he didn't) and large other areas, err, if you know what I mean and continued to ask me if that was a good thing...

First of all, doubtful... second of all, it was completely inappropriate and awkward. This was the point when every escape plan I could possibly conjur up came into play.

Long story short, he followed me off the train to my transfer point then, luckily, I had to pay more to take the express train so he didn't follow me past the pay point. I also had a similiar taxi driver a few weekends back, but he was a bit less creepy. He pulled the "I love you" too though.

This being said, I know my mom is probably going to freak out now, after reading this, about me going anywhere alone, etc. etc. but really, I couldn't be in a country I'm less afraid of. I never once thought anyone was going to hurt me, and there are always people outside at all times of night, so coming home alone late at night isn't an issue. Plus, these funny/creepy people make for interesting stories and are usually really nice people who have social issues. Plus, the amazing people I meet make up for the weird ones.

It's also become a goal of mine to learn another language during my lifetime. It's amazing to me how people can speak so many... I'm jealous of their capacity to learn so easily.
til next time.

"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense. " -Ralph Waldo Emerson

4th World DJ Festival

                                 

The 4th World DJ Festival was held in Nanji Park near the Han River. It was a day full of... well... awesomeness. Add me on Facebook to see the rest of my pictures and a couple videos. Good music, good beer, good people... it was great. Definitely check it out if you ever have the chance.

"Tonight's the night the world begins again."

"Yesterday's just a memory, tomorrow is never what it's supposed to be.”

I realized I didn't write a single blog last month. April was amazing, and above all other things, I surpassed my halfway point in Korea. I hung out with some really interesting and great people (as well as my share of uninteresting and not-so-great ones), some who've already come and gone, others who will be leaving soon and some who I've just started to form long lasting friendships with.

 I'm sitting here listening to my newest playlist (a random mix of house, dance and a few indie songs... a playlist I'd never compose for myself but I actually like it) named after one of the new friends I met. He said, "You're living your dream life here." At first I questioned this statement, but after thinking about it for a while, I realized he was right. I'm 23 and doing everything any typical 23 year old would love to be doing... meeting new people, traveling, partying, making money and living for free away from home.

Anyway, everyone asks me what I'm doing when I leave here. Quite frankly... I have no idea. I know I'm going to Europe for about a month, which will probably fly by. Then, I'm thinking about going to Illinois... kidnapping Troy's car, wherever that may be. Then, possibly taking a road trip to Canada to visit some friends... (why not?)... stopping to see my MN friends along the way... then traveling back down to Georgia for a while. If I'm broke by that point and still haven't found a job, I think I'm going to just come back here for another year... or find somewere else to go. I may get my TESOL certificate along the way.

I'm not sure. Before I got here, I was so ready to just settle... set up my life and live the rest of my life in one place. Now... I know I want that eventually, but I'm still determining if it's sooner rather than later or not. I want to make amazing stories while I can. Ya know?

Anyway, I feel like I need to start planning another short trip away soon. We booked Mudfest, I'm looking forward to that. DJ Fest is this weekend, that should be fun. But where to go for summer break... we shall see...

"If you want something, don't wish for it. Life is too short to wait." --Stephen Hines

It's what you make it.

I guess there are worse things than wanting to do too many things in life... even if only half are extraordinary and the others involve mediocre things such as wearing jean shorts, flip flops and sitting in the sand drinking a cold beer. But, really, what else is there to look forward to if you aren't making anything happen? Extraordinary or not.

I was going to make a list of things I'm attempting to "make happen," but there's too many. Just think beautiful places.. white beaches, mountains, amazing buildings, delicious food and drinks..easy jobs or writing jobs and bikinis and t-shirts. Lots of bikinis and t-shirts.

"If you wind up with a boring, miserable life because you listened to your mom, your dad, your teacher, your priest, or some guy on tv telling you how to do your shit, then you deserve it."

Hmmm. 5 months down. 7 more to go...

There's some nights I have nothing better to do than browse the internet aimlessly. I found these life lessons to live by, and despite the few cheesy ones, it beat all the other lists I found (aside from the cool random facts lists and best places to visit... but I feel more people should check this one out). The ones I like best are in bold.

1. Have a firm handshake.
2. Look people in the eye.
3. Sing in the shower.
4. Own a great stereo system.
5. If in a fight, hit first and hit hard.
6. Keep secrets.
7. Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen every day.
8. Always accept an outstretched hand.
9. Be brave. Even if you're not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference.
10. Whistle.
11. Avoid sarcastic remarks.
12. Choose your life's mate carefully. From this one decision will come 90 per cent of all your happiness or misery.
13. Make it a habit to do nice things for people who will never find out.
14. Lend only those books you never care to see again.
15. Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all that they have.
16. When playing games with children, let them win.
17. Give people a second chance, but not a third.
18. Be romantic.
19. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
20. Loosen up. Relax. Except for rare life-and-death matters, nothing is as important as it first seems.
21. Don't allow the phone to interrupt important moments. It's there for our convenience, not the caller's.
22. Be a good loser.
23. Be a good winner.
24. Think twice before burdening a friend with a secret.
25. When someone hugs you, let them be the first to let go.
26. Be modest. A lot was accomplished before you were born.
27. Keep it simple.
28. Beware of the person who has nothing to lose.
29. Don't burn bridges. You'll be surprised how many times you have to cross the same river.
30. Live your life so that your epitaph could read, No Regrets
31. Be bold and courageous. When you look back on life, you'll regret the things you didn't do more than the one's you did.
32. Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.
33. Remember no one makes it alone. Have a grateful heart and be quick to acknowledge those who helped you.
34. Take charge of your attitude. Don't let someone else choose it for you.
35. Visit friends and relatives when they are in hospital; you need only stay a few minutes.
36. Begin each day with some of your favorite music.
37. Once in a while, take the scenic route.
38. Send a lot of Valentine cards. Sign them, 'Someone who thinks you're terrific.'
39. Answer the phone with enthusiasm and energy in your voice.
40. Keep a note pad and pencil on your bed-side table. Million-dollar ideas sometimes strike at 3 a.m.
41. Show respect for everyone who works for a living, regardless of how trivial their job.
42. Send your loved ones flowers. Think of a reason later.
43. Make someone's day by paying the toll for the person in the car behind you.
44. Become someone's hero.
45. Marry only for love.
46. Count your blessings.
47. Compliment the meal when you're a guest in someone's home.
48. Wave at the children on a school bus.
49. Remember that 80 per cent of the success in any job is based on your ability to deal with people.
50. Don't expect life to be fair.


I know I need to start writing more. I also know I say something similiar in each post. Highlights from the past few weeks? St. Patrick's Day was a blast... Aquarium trip with the guys and then my first movie in a Korean theater (assigned seating was odd, but it was in English so I can't complain too much)... Shipwrecked "booze cruise" with 500 other foreigners (highlight here was Julie saying "imagine how many schools would be screwed out of teachers if this boat sank")... and then just teaching. Hearing that my baby class really likes me and having the girl who disliked foreigers actually grab my arm today and play with me was a highlight also.

Oh, and I went grocery shopping. I think my refrigerator has more food in it than it has in the past 5 months. I'm stepping outside of my hot dog, quesadilla and pasta boundary. Not by much... but it's happening nonetheless.

Well, my back really hurts... so I think it's time to pop a Tylenol and try to get some sleep. I swear one of these days I'll write more. Seriously...

"Sometimes, you have to be apart from people you love.. But it doesn’t mean you love them any less.. Sometimes, it even makes you love them more."