My New Favourite Place

This past weekend blessed us with FANTASTIC weather. I couldn't bear to spend the afternoon inside my hole-in-the-wall apartment, but didn't have the energy to go hiking or battle crowds of people. I decided to check out the rooftop of my building. I spent the afternoon up there, listening to music (singing outloud...till i got caught...), reading, sunbathing..and napping. This is my new favourite quiet spot. It also serves well as a place to skip in the evenings and have quiet time. I love it. It's the little things in life that keep me going.

Tension of Opposites

Well the days are quickly ticking by one after another. The time to go home will be here before i know it. Am i prepared to say goodbye? Are there things that i will miss here? Are there things i look forward to going home to? Or things that i don't look forward to going home to??

Lately i feel as though my time is running out and i still have many things that i want to do, to see and people that i want to spend more time with. For a long time i was really sitting on the fence when it came to thinking about going home. I have had an incredible experience here in Korea. Of course..there are days that i could walk out of my school with only the clothes on my back and hop on a plane to ANYWHERE else but here. Thankfully those days are very few and far between. For the most part i try to appreciate even the smallest things in my daily life, like riding the bus, an unexpected smile from an adgema, or a stranger giving me a piece of fruit in an elevator. I've learned to focus on the good things...and as a result i find more and more good things. If it do the opposite..i find more and more negative things and i start to sink into a pit.

What will i miss the most:

1. The pace of life..I am much more relaxed on a regular basis here..

2. SAUNAS...saunas and nudity have become a very important part of my life here. The fact that i can shower and chat with a stranger and not feel embarrassed or even uncomfortable about my body...is fantastic and something i think more westerners should experience...yes, you do get some stares from the Koreans at first..but that soon fades and you become old news...the sauna is great place to relax and take "ME" time..something we get very little of at home.

3. The people I've met..i have been so fortunate to meet some fantastic folks, from all over the world..many are only acquaintances..but there are a few that I've had the opportunity to become close with and leaving them will be sad. However, I'm sure i will cross paths with them again..

4. Cheap transportation, I've grown so accustomed to how utterly ubiquitous cheap and convenient public transportation is in this country. When visiting Canada this winter, i tried to find a bus or train for a two hour trip...it was almost impossible to find a schedule and fares, and when i did....to my horror i discovered that it was cheaper to rent a car and drive in circles for an extra hour after my arrival than to take a bus....WHAT THE HELL!!! and we wonder why we have TOOOO many pollution belching cars on the highway carrying only one passenger...!

On the FLIP SIDE, i do look forward to going home...

1. MIKE! Being without your better half is like living without your heart, or your legs. I can still function on a daily basis, but sometimes I just feel empty. Something is missing and even though each day can bring me happiness and new discoveries..something vital is missing..and you find yourself feeling lost. This is the most important reason why i consider going home almost everyday.

2. My family..family dinners, holidays and gatherings. Hugs, laughs, fights and tears..need i say more.

3. Wilderness and quiet...I have always been drawn to nature for a number of reasons. Some people visit temples or churches when they need comfort,support, guidance. Me, i go to the bush. I find solace in the stillness, quietness and beauty of a calm lake, or a large knotty tree. I miss my time in the bush. You just cannot find many quiet natural spots in Korea..which is completely understandable given the history and population here..

4. Variety of foods..Well as most of you know..i LOVE to eat..nothing is better then a good meal, adult beverages and good conversation..i miss BBQs and that really nice bar that i used to frequent....located...conveniently in my back yard...my seat is always saved..

So yes, i guess i will be ready to go when the time comes. I'll cherish my experiences here..but I'll be ready for the next chapter.

80s Party

This weekend a few friends organized an afternoon picnic and evening 80s party. The gathering was to celebrate Carol's 29Th birthday and say goodbye to Mary who will be leaving us shortly and heading to Bali. The afternoon consisted of a BBQ at Peace Park in Mokpo, complete with some drinking and Frisbee. I myself opted for the playground "Back Ho" the COOLEST playground toy in the history of mankind. They are stationary maneuvered by pedals to turn from left to right and have leavers and a scoop. Very Cool.
In the evening we adorned ourselves in blue eyeshadow, acrylic jewellery and side ponytails and partook in some adult beverages. 80s fashion is very easy to come by in Korea, so it wasn't hard for many of us to come up with something appropriate for the night. We spent the latter half of the night at a small bar in town, drinking, dancing and playing fooz ball. It was nice to see that all the 80s stars made it out to join us, Madonna, Richard Simmons, Andre Agassi, Elton John, a back singer for Robert Palmer, Olivia Newton John and one of the crew of DIVO..and yes, he whipped it good! Unlike others..i was able to partially keep my upright position and wandered home in the early hours of the morning. Fun times had by all. Thanks ladies for planning the night for us.

Posting in my head.

Well, i've had a couple of complaints about my lack of blogging. The problem is...I do blog on a regular bases..however..it usually occurs in my head when i'm walking down the street, sitting on the bus or when some older Korean women is asking if i'd like her to scrub my back in the sauna. So to all of you whiners...I DO BLOG!! I just need to get to a computer..and actually type the words..lol. I'll try to keep you more up to date.