tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530866221421988262024-03-14T01:32:22.754+09:00MK Meets The Sand BoxA collection of my adventures and reflections on teaching, living, and learning in the Middle East and South KoreaMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826346872600459018noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086622142198826.post-49374884551131883852016-06-16T04:38:00.001+09:002016-06-16T14:52:56.137+09:005 Months Later: Winter Vacation, Death, and Heartbreak<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well, I have once again gone
a-wall. As I sit here at school, I'm actually free for once. Report cards are
finished, lesson plans are finished, and I’m of course procrastinating on grad
school work. I haven't written since my trip to Egypt in January, about 5 months
ago. Yeah, my bad. But I honestly haven't had the motivation or the time.
So here we go…</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Winter Vacation</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">December and January brought 3
weeks of crazy travel through Eastern Europe. Europe in general was never on my
radar, not until later in life anyway. Ever since living in Korea, Asia and Africa (including the Middle East) are the two continents I wanted to
indulge in. Europe was always so... cliche to me. Everyone goes there. It's
their go-to. People do up London and Paris. People at home don’t really think
of places like Cambodia and Jordan as appealing.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
So before I start, no, Jackie and I were not drunk when booking our
flights. We CHOSE 14 hour layovers. Not only does it save a shit ton of money,
but it fills up that passport with stamps and experience.. So no, no alcohol
was involved. But 6 countries in 3 weeks were. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">________________________________________________</span></b><br />
En route to our first stop, our first layover was in <b><span style="font-size: large;">Belgrade, Serbia</span></b>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Welcome
to our first experience with European Christmas markets! It was about 14 hours,
so we hiked a bus into the city center and enjoyed an afternoon/evening full of
good old Christmas cheer. Most importantly, my introduction to <span style="color: #6aa84f;">trdelnik/k</span></span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">urtoskalacs</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, a famous Eastern European rolled dough pastry covered with different toppings like almond powder, coconut, cinnamon, etc. I'm assuming these are what greatly contributed to my clear weight gain during this trip.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2o2JnipLUAw/V2FtbRrc6lI/AAAAAAAADEw/-dYT-cX5IZoVqLovvWemdOylilfDu2aYQCLcB/s1600/1678_10153192027122484_3777822621338818456_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2o2JnipLUAw/V2FtbRrc6lI/AAAAAAAADEw/-dYT-cX5IZoVqLovvWemdOylilfDu2aYQCLcB/s640/1678_10153192027122484_3777822621338818456_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9DkbivJ5E0w/V2FwLsf9x9I/AAAAAAAADGQ/bkgjS5AOL9kV1lWDpM8PyWVDBB64xMmtQCKgB/s640/1385650_10153193580942484_5658588070945651920_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Trdelnik/</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Kurtoskalacs</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gNpc5dpEyq8/V2FtbSUDt0I/AAAAAAAADEs/Jl_g06OCkfMgaYP9Rnmvp4LlVQQ7_AL8wCLcB/s640/1917194_10153192027367484_2932141567562213537_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Trdelnik/Kurtoskalacs</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gNpc5dpEyq8/V2FtbSUDt0I/AAAAAAAADEs/Jl_g06OCkfMgaYP9Rnmvp4LlVQQ7_AL8wCLcB/s1600/1917194_10153192027367484_2932141567562213537_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">________________________________________________</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Romania</span></b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Two words: Nadia Comaneci. She
was my childhood idol. First gymnast in history to receive the world's first
perfect ten. 1976 Montreal Olympics. Yeah I know some things. We stayed in
Bucharest for the first few nights. It was full of incredible food,
some disappointingly rude people, and a bar crawl that turned into some
fun friendships. Specifically, a group of American military who were stationed
in Sicily, a hysterical and trashed Kiwi, and a few other randoms. We were the
only two women on the crawl and fit right in! Then it was on to <span style="color: #6aa84f;">Brasov</span>, that
included a short train tide into <span style="color: #6aa84f;">Sighisoara</span>, otherwise known as <span style="color: #6aa84f;">Transylvania</span>, where
the legend of Dracula reportedly lived. Boy was this small little village
stunning. castles, mountains, and so much history.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qHpLRc4d8F8/V2FwMLw_1-I/AAAAAAAADFw/laad4IWtwdsV4uoNTnWqKnIZhLxeqXocgCLcB/s400/5802_10153193586277484_6713263036504582610_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Sarmale (cabbage rolls)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jcoZgaLplzs/V2FwMNSNU-I/AAAAAAAADFo/z_w_Lw2pODgQLZ_yXwDXfe0nKHjRNj5OQCLcB/s1600/524791_10153193580772484_2696654346337666188_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jcoZgaLplzs/V2FwMNSNU-I/AAAAAAAADFo/z_w_Lw2pODgQLZ_yXwDXfe0nKHjRNj5OQCLcB/s640/524791_10153193580772484_2696654346337666188_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kTCA9j_GBMc/V2FwMYtBycI/AAAAAAAADF0/yJaRbgnfkDw2aQ-vI3XR0QasizLWAZLCACLcB/s640/936609_10153193586717484_2924463677682074015_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Sighisoara</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xNR6uLXT6vU/V2FwMejcZJI/AAAAAAAADF4/cq45S2oIMxg5Be82670f6dUwsYhpusHsQCLcB/s640/946116_10153193596467484_7788057790251014526_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I mean just trying to be the next Nadia... had to.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PCM7amC2eNo/V2FwqxpVT-I/AAAAAAAADGI/flvPRb2QRrIg98_bPR628W7pITdZ9kNvgCLcB/s640/1170836_10153193596307484_8392005380924323200_n-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Brasov</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ONdjiPpP_FI/V2FwLkG0OaI/AAAAAAAADFc/LhhFZkEGdLsARz5XcRFnvWKdrE7GylrGACLcB/s640/1454565_10153193581212484_5362021743620084846_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Bucharest pub crawl</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dRrjc8pUDUE/V2FwL0R6wBI/AAAAAAAADFk/AxjO-JetacIog6PTxiarD15U4QIPmLTsQCLcB/s400/1919324_10153193586137484_1674878079111936209_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ugh no words. Beeeeeeef</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GfE4Y0SmUKs/V2FwLxyjLII/AAAAAAAADFg/vtZ_5kx4KN8cFcfNLwsIL9ArQepSX4vjQCLcB/s640/1933987_10153193596042484_7836195888629829363_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Brasov</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6MInhIJI0Jk/V2FwK6LmHdI/AAAAAAAADFE/cPIl-_1CCJYmBFedP9uQx4Q1Ygp2iKiRwCLcB/s640/10653326_10153193580762484_3289465293623718364_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Christmas market</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W_CYubT6A9c/V2FwK13VQtI/AAAAAAAADFA/jRJZemFIwWkBc936AWHb3_ablvajRqGEQCLcB/s400/12400553_10153193595832484_1559760147472103021_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Langos (sour cream and mozzarella cheese on hot dough. Woah street food. Woah.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jb36ZIKY9pU/V2FwLKJFBYI/AAAAAAAADFI/LA2rANtN6XcIFGERMwPt4Ky1hEdT-YBWQCLcB/s640/12418092_10153193586302484_5568127291956704334_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dracula's castle</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NUU16Rsyb94/V2FwLJZtA5I/AAAAAAAADFM/rOb3-INWIho3jbdkmYiwvj8T5G0XexmyACLcB/s1600/12439509_10153193580487484_2650279197642761054_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NUU16Rsyb94/V2FwLJZtA5I/AAAAAAAADFM/rOb3-INWIho3jbdkmYiwvj8T5G0XexmyACLcB/s640/12439509_10153193580487484_2650279197642761054_n.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">_________________________________________________________________________</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was here in Brasov that I found out about my uncle's death. My father's twin
brother. My godfather. It hit me pretty hard. I haven't talked to that side of the family, including my father, in 6 years. There's no point to it. My father is my father
because he has my blood. That's a fact that I cannot escape. But he is not my <i>dad</i>.
My uncle was a different story. <span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Bryan</b></span>. Seeing his name next to the word </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">died</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> in
a text from my mother 4,600 miles away, gave me an instant heavy heart. I remember slowly sitting down on the dresser in our hostel, with tears slowly starting to roll down my face. I haven't spoken to my father's side of the family in years,
so why did I feel this way? Bryan was my comfort when on visitation. He was the
one in the room that made everything okay. For as long as I can remember, since
I was a little girl, there was always that tenseness, the uncomfortable
feelings, the elephant in the room… they were all lifted once <i>he</i> walked into
the room. He was my father’s twin, but he was nothing like my father. </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Bryan</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> knew how to father children. </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">He</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> was a dad, and he was great at it.</span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D7t6WFGl00s/V2Fxyi5p19I/AAAAAAAADGU/-ZczrbbT5CcZFv7I--cPrJdWX4R_FGyEQCLcB/s1600/13241320_1220950754605670_2896254111197772272_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D7t6WFGl00s/V2Fxyi5p19I/AAAAAAAADGU/-ZczrbbT5CcZFv7I--cPrJdWX4R_FGyEQCLcB/s400/13241320_1220950754605670_2896254111197772272_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He
had a wife who loved him, and two beautiful daughters who looked up to him. He was our rock as children. Our comfort. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Our consistency when we had none.</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I don’t know if he ever realized what he did for us, and it hurts that I never got a chance to tell him. I
took it upon myself to message my cousin Danielle, his eldest daughter, someone
I haven't talked to in more than 6 years. I see her and her sister Katie from
afar, across social media… but I have no idea who they are. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">They are my cousins
and I don't know them.</span> They needed to know. My aunt, his wife, had to know the
kind of person my brothers and I saw her husband as. So I wrote Danielle a message
in that little hostel in a tiny village in Romania, about the comfort her
father gave us, <span style="color: #6aa84f;">about a man who gave us love when our own father didn't know
how to</span>. My brothers and to my surprise my mom, attended the wake in the days
that followed. The feelings and reactions my brothers felt from that side of my
family including our father was nothing short of uncomfortable. My mom on the
other hand, being the kind of woman she is, held her ground and was their
solely for supporting my brothers and my aunt, Bryan’s wife. They had been close during my mom’s marriage with my father. My mom needed her to know
what kind of person Bryan was and how he helped and affected the five of us. I
made a vow to myself and my cousins, that I would see them when I visit home. I
want to know them, and I want to know about the man who was taken from
them too soon.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">________________________________________________</span></b></span><br />
<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Budapest, Hungary</span>.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After Romania, we hopped on a 14-hr train to Hungary, awoken every 2-3 hours by immigration officials asking for our passports at each border. We cracked open two bottles of red, snacked on nuts and Lara bars, and when my playlist got too repetitive, I journaled as much as I possibly could, sprawled myself across a row of seats, and contorted myself into every possible position I could to try and get some sleep. So, despite being terribly sleep-deprived, muscles aching, we marched ourselves off that train and onto the streets of this city that held new friendships, new adventures, and an incredible amount of memories ready for us to find.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X_NKuWcxqdA/V2FznsEuAbI/AAAAAAAADHw/a7VWPskTBBQHZEqebE7ezT-KzD4f3DGWwCKgB/s1600/12523078_10153200566932484_8417603107955472907_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X_NKuWcxqdA/V2FznsEuAbI/AAAAAAAADHw/a7VWPskTBBQHZEqebE7ezT-KzD4f3DGWwCKgB/s640/12523078_10153200566932484_8417603107955472907_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Everything just seemed to work
out on this leg of the trip. Good thing, because our next destination was far
from that. But we’ll get to that later. We found our hostel no problem, and met
a group of Australian boys and a fellow American 30 minutes in. Now I’ve stayed
at my fair share of hostels, and have made some pretty great friends, but the
group of us- it was like we had known each other for years. It was actually
quite incredible. It was unlike any of the friendships I had made at hostels in
the past. We clicked. Right from the beginning. And we spent every day/night
together. Christmas markets. Bars. Exploring through the cobblestone streets.
Dancing. Sharing stories. Sharing dreams. Everything. We did Budapest up. And
it was amazing.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RbgNPwvSzG8/V2FznAaoMlI/AAAAAAAADHw/3YShMy7oxFAylqFLc28MxDAZj-FxiftgACKgB/s640/12508823_10153200575502484_7630848878617051865_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">These Aussies though... (Carlos and Sam)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pHu1YfAMM70/V2Fzn4lNwAI/AAAAAAAADHw/iv-8611Dzp8QpcWpr8JRNFUIrP6isLz0wCKgB/s640/3573_10153200575687484_5815329457249699160_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Last night in Bucharest (Ashley, Sam, and Carlos)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lubFiD2IIyo/V2FznjasokI/AAAAAAAADHw/FpQqx-1_qronWgsyCRgDQo1cA20EvppvACKgB/s1600/12512294_10153200575387484_3381566300742023079_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lubFiD2IIyo/V2FznjasokI/AAAAAAAADHw/FpQqx-1_qronWgsyCRgDQo1cA20EvppvACKgB/s640/12512294_10153200575387484_3381566300742023079_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0DBzCkgSbfA/V2FznLSbOPI/AAAAAAAADHw/phXaZYE3zt46oPRVzoAza34Zm4870qTlgCKgB/s1600/12509101_10153200562407484_6480270393645336958_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0DBzCkgSbfA/V2FznLSbOPI/AAAAAAAADHw/phXaZYE3zt46oPRVzoAza34Zm4870qTlgCKgB/s640/12509101_10153200562407484_6480270393645336958_n.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Nutcracker at The Hungarian
State Opera House on Christmas morning. Yeah that happened. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">No big deal. Just
seeing the most famous ballet in the world in Budapest on a cold and magical
Christmas morning</span>. I saw it in New York years ago, but Jackie and I agreed that
for some reason this show was far better than NY’s was. The dancers, the slight
differences in plot, the setting, the fact that we were in Eastern Europe
surrounded by these beautiful Hungarian families with their children dressed in
their Christmas best. Maybe it was all of this combined, but boy was it magical. We treated ourselves to a lovely Christmas lunch afterwards and I skyped with my family that night at a corner café and watched my nieces open their presents and experience the joy and magic of their own Christmas morning.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--EuXMln3zZE/V2FznWe-f8I/AAAAAAAADG8/kB1wAsYeadEt8UpkI6GQOayxUJK4xAysgCKgB/s1600/12509652_10153200562677484_413690143783015760_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--EuXMln3zZE/V2FznWe-f8I/AAAAAAAADG8/kB1wAsYeadEt8UpkI6GQOayxUJK4xAysgCKgB/s640/12509652_10153200562677484_413690143783015760_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hungarian State Opera House</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Sq0jSZvAwI/V2FzoS0YTAI/AAAAAAAADHc/3-Nns9-d904Jb67eVVNakQCRvQxGUmoDACKgB/s1600/71863_10153200567507484_410470580603244727_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Sq0jSZvAwI/V2FzoS0YTAI/AAAAAAAADHc/3-Nns9-d904Jb67eVVNakQCRvQxGUmoDACKgB/s640/71863_10153200567507484_410470580603244727_n.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IO2TcA4ALcg/V2Fzm_SrYGI/AAAAAAAADGo/dgcN24P4U9sJ1oYo05LzmhvOVCefyM_tACKgB/s1600/10644905_10153200574837484_543911844007808352_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IO2TcA4ALcg/V2Fzm_SrYGI/AAAAAAAADGo/dgcN24P4U9sJ1oYo05LzmhvOVCefyM_tACKgB/s640/10644905_10153200574837484_543911844007808352_n.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p8O6dJpjQoI/V2Fzn7z-lPI/AAAAAAAADHQ/OANuM7Yt5rQdHhcroWkOMKW13wGUHDHfQCKgB/s1600/581902_10153200567742484_6825834007756425435_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p8O6dJpjQoI/V2Fzn7z-lPI/AAAAAAAADHQ/OANuM7Yt5rQdHhcroWkOMKW13wGUHDHfQCKgB/s640/581902_10153200567742484_6825834007756425435_n.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The food here. Wowza. Meat, meat,
and more meat. Cheese. Bread. More meat. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">My iron deficiency was definitely
thanking me</span>. Incredible food. I made sure to research everything I needed to
try. Most of which was red meat. And boy did I fall in love. Okay enough about
the food. But really though. Insane.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oxzC802VzYI/V2FzmzvUy0I/AAAAAAAADGs/smtvRnmHUysZcI0WGNOWIA9_jPrQvWj6ACKgB/s1600/1044565_10153200563062484_8457245998559007165_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oxzC802VzYI/V2FzmzvUy0I/AAAAAAAADGs/smtvRnmHUysZcI0WGNOWIA9_jPrQvWj6ACKgB/s400/1044565_10153200563062484_8457245998559007165_n.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NAEJw9i6e1I/V2F0KXi4sRI/AAAAAAAADHo/pTevLpI9MzIc1wyo9ifowx18w_eMiEoTwCLcB/s400/944681_10153200575287484_4111514458984671727_n-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Toltott Kaposzta (stuffed cabbage (much like the Romanian sarmale)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bB9rBYo2bDc/V2Fznom8PCI/AAAAAAAADHA/2yIkAnN4kqgJ-wbgQBISq38478iSMkv3gCKgB/s400/12509807_10153200567007484_4448469789893434070_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Goulash (beef stew)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bB9rBYo2bDc/V2Fznom8PCI/AAAAAAAADHA/2yIkAnN4kqgJ-wbgQBISq38478iSMkv3gCKgB/s1600/12509807_10153200567007484_4448469789893434070_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Side note: Anyone looking to make
their travels a bit easier, the <span style="color: #6aa84f;"><i>Triposo</i>
app</span> will be your savior. I have used it in many countries so far and it has
never failed to deliver. It’s free and the best part- it works <span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>without</b> wifi</span>.
You just need to download whatever city you’ll be in beforehand. It has maps,
food, translations, activities, transportation info, basically anything you
possibly need. It’s packed full and super easy to use. Recommend it to anyone.
I have even used it in NYC; it’s amazing what you can discover in your own
cities.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qngfkK61K6w/V2FznIxRlII/AAAAAAAADHw/_hz1DNbC_8U_D57-Ri2Y8SZxjGgVFsVCQCKgB/s1600/12439316_10153200575132484_5087848270274155592_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qngfkK61K6w/V2FznIxRlII/AAAAAAAADHw/_hz1DNbC_8U_D57-Ri2Y8SZxjGgVFsVCQCKgB/s640/12439316_10153200575132484_5087848270274155592_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back to Budapest- At the end of
our days there, we had some crazy early ass train back to Bucharest to catch
our flight to Istanbul. Our lovely Aussie friends decided to peer pressure us
into going out until we had to leave. This meant getting back to the hostel
around 5 am to leave. Well it didn’t take much convincing, so there we
were. We went to out to dinner and sat at the restaurant playing Hot Seat for
hours. And when I say hours, I’m pretty sure we sat there for a good 4 hours.
Probably cleared out their wine while we were at it. We ended up at some crazy
bar after, and when I say crazy, I mean I can’t find another word for it.
Literally porno figures on every wall, paintings of people with rabbit masks
on, sculptures of creatures hanging from the ceiling. I mean this place was
insane. But it had some great music, and we danced the night away. We arrived
back as the sun was basically coming up. Budapest you ended on quite a great
note. We’ll just leave it at that. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">I really didn't know what to expect with this city, but it for sure blew me away</span>. Probably one of the biggest highlights of my trip. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EIRN6G-BZXg/V2Fzmx2yJlI/AAAAAAAADHk/B5EfRFt4iqoPF_2f2q6wKPJrpG_FCAdBQCKgB/s640/11285_10153200566447484_2787363910768228234_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">In front of the Hungarian State Opera House</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EIRN6G-BZXg/V2Fzmx2yJlI/AAAAAAAADHk/B5EfRFt4iqoPF_2f2q6wKPJrpG_FCAdBQCKgB/s1600/11285_10153200566447484_2787363910768228234_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>________________________________________________</b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Turkey</span>.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The good, the bad, and the ugly. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Oh Istanbul. We had such high
hopes my friend, such high hopes.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let’s start with the positive, so
I don’t sound like too much of a Debbie Downer. It only seems fitting to start
with the food… WOWOWOW. Yeah, that’s a lot, but completely necessary. Every
meal became hummus and dolma (stuffed vine leaves). It was
our go-to appetizer. After the first two meals, there was never even a
question. Just an automatic order. And apple tea. This traditional Turkish tea
was the perfect way to warm up after coming in from the Arctic that decided to
camp itself outside. Lamb. A given. The lamb here was incredible. Then of
course, pide (Turkey’s cross between a pizza and a calzone.)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t7Gbe5JspLU/V2F3k1SwEbI/AAAAAAAADIE/Ax4DLk1k5JczuISAgIq_iR_sNNE6AfbnACLcB/s400/1916325_10153203711912484_3249522362654387230_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Lamb</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v6olSQZhjXE/V2F3knIZ3eI/AAAAAAAADH8/7OTS7TLu5NErjtOWsNdkoynJWUf5_LJNwCLcB/s400/12400766_10153203711107484_4296365050262618300_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Stuffed eggplant</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aya5IR-cxFw/V2F3kpTRyKI/AAAAAAAADH4/EyGUsdVDVOcMRJNTcjSZeXAwpXq0_LsWQCLcB/s400/12417592_10153203711602484_4831019391900201615_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Pide</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-06l_Fc_Eiug/V2F3kh5mhzI/AAAAAAAADIA/64jYIxgliL8ezkcAu_5JHHU9vwKZSc_EwCLcB/s1600/12508867_10153203709357484_2221444274158151403_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-06l_Fc_Eiug/V2F3kh5mhzI/AAAAAAAADIA/64jYIxgliL8ezkcAu_5JHHU9vwKZSc_EwCLcB/s400/12508867_10153203709357484_2221444274158151403_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e0ZY4j1ozLQ/V2GkSsylHNI/AAAAAAAADIU/atULQmysDXwAEYbK4SmgzuKkmK0r_81_ACLcB/s400/1918910_10153203718817484_7662989825585497383_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Apple tea</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">The Grand Bazaar</span>.</span><br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wuH1PtudyRA/V2GkSl6k51I/AAAAAAAADIY/-l8iYvAEw8I12sCHyY8OIQjDFtlErpJawCLcB/s1600/12400749_10153203711742484_4214352480333215941_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wuH1PtudyRA/V2GkSl6k51I/AAAAAAAADIY/-l8iYvAEw8I12sCHyY8OIQjDFtlErpJawCLcB/s400/12400749_10153203711742484_4214352480333215941_n.jpg" width="300" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of the world’s largest and
oldest bazaar’s. 61 streets. Over 4,000
shops. It was pretty incredible. Chaotic. A maze. Annoying vendors. Actually
Turkish vendors kind of make Thai vendors seem like nothing. I do admit I
called out one of the men pretty badly. He made a comment about us being
American, which of course was a judgment, being that he never even asked me
where I was from. And even if he would have, I would have said I was Canadian.
(It’s my thing. In certain countries, it’s a much safer and less frustrating
option.) So yes, complete judgment. Anyway, he made some smart ass comment about
us haggling and walking away, because you know since we’re American, we have
money. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">I turned around so quickly on my feet. I’m surprised I didn’t punch the
guy out.</span> I was done with this day at that point. Done with the cold and the
fact that my feet were literally crying in pain with some degree of massive
frostbite. Done with the masses of people and the haggling. Done with the
sexist comments and the uncomfortable stares. I looked this guy straight in the
eye and told him that not all Americans are rich, that how dare he make that
judgment, that how dare he judge a whole nation’s people on his own
stereotypes. I was livid. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">However I decided landing myself in prison in
Istanbul wouldn’t really make for a great time, so I gave him one last look and
walked away</span>. On a more positive note, I bought myself two beautiful, massive,
thick, Turkish scarves, and a couple of other goodies for my future house. You
know, things to add to my already busting boxes in my garage back in NY... the
boxes that are waiting for my ass to finally settle down and put my life and
adventures out on display.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">_________________________________________________________________________</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>That next day, a boy broke my
heart.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A boy I thought was a man. A boy
who had changed my view on the rest of my life. A boy who made me believe in
love again. A boy who had made me stop lying to myself and others. A boy who
made me believe there was someone else out there for me. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">A boy who scared me
half to death because of what all this meant for me</span>. This boy, on this random
day in a small café in Istanbul, broke my heart. He broke it at the exact
moment my roommate walked in through the door and found me holding back tears.
He broke it as she sat down across from me, and I lost control of those tears.
I fell apart. I hated myself for not seeing past it all. I hated myself for
allowing him to enter my friends’ world and fooling them as well. I hated that
I let my guard down enough to be fooled as to who he really was. I had never
been that girl. I had always been smarter than that. Too smart sometimes to the
point where I never let anyone in. But I did this time. I did because I truly
believed in it. In us. I opened my heart that had been brutally closed up
waiting and waiting for someone else. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">I</span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> became every other naïve little girl</span>
falling for a guy and not seeing his true colors. And I’m embarrassed to
actually admit to that. That moment in that café, unfortunately is edged in my
heart, and continues to burn me when I let it. But fast forward 6 months later and
I can truthfully say that I have come to terms with the fact that I dodged a
psychopathic, narcissistic, verbally abusive bullet. But it’s also left me at
square one.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6 months. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And I’m over it. It doesn’t
affect me like I thought it would. His name makes me uncomfortable but also makes me want to throw up in disgust. Seeing him at his bar makes me cringe in anger and crack up in laughter. I dodged something harmful. He does nothing to serve my life. He does nothing
for me. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>And then we have 21 months...</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And <i>his</i> name gives me comfort. Seeing <i>him</i> makes me content. His words, his voice, his passions, his life,
his choices… I care about every single one of them, while at the same time I
don’t give a flying shit. He does everything for me, and nothing at the same time. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">And it’s like he drove away in
that truck and left me at my front door yesterday</span>. Sunken to the ground, barely
breathing. Like a baby rocking back and forth to try and calm themselves down.
And that’s when you realize, yet again, that this love is more than love, I
don’t even have a word for it. I’ll never have a word for it. He’ll never have
a word for it. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">It continues to confuse the absolute shit out of both of us.</span> Because that comfort also brings discomfort. That contentment
also gives me chills. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">T</span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">he love and overwhelming passion I have for this man
also brings the biggest pang of anger, frustration, and confusion I have ever
felt towards anyone in my entire life.</span> It’s constant. And it doesn’t waiver.
And that, that terrifies me every day of my life. We terrify me.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">_________________________________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have never sugar-coated my
travels. So I’m not about to start. Who am I to beat around the bush or give
you an unrealistic view of my travels and experiences. So please bear with me
and my temporary venting. Things get better soon I swear!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The weather.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I blame this pessimism on that.
I’m allowed to. The wonderful things I had heard about Istanbul, and there were
a lot, crept through here and there. I saw them. I knew they were there. But
the weather took over to the point where I was miserable. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">There, I said
it. I was miserable for a majority of my time here</span>. The
cold and ice really got to me. I mean damn, I spent four years in
Oswego, NY. You’d think I could handle the most severe winter conditions after
that. No. Absolutely not. Not when ice covered the hilly streets like a thick
blanket, and the city did NOTHING about it. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">T</span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">here were days that we only made it to the restaurant right next door
to our hostel so that we didn’t have to walk on the streets and risk breaking a
bone or worse</span>. Good thing their wine and fresh hot pita were on point. The walk
to and from the Bazaar that day was hell. </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5rbd4s7hKv4/V2GlGg5kzeI/AAAAAAAADIk/2bGe_EfZP4wYHAAapJxlBuCP_R2KSpH9gCKgB/s1600/936625_10153203712102484_4709629809858605833_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5rbd4s7hKv4/V2GlGg5kzeI/AAAAAAAADIk/2bGe_EfZP4wYHAAapJxlBuCP_R2KSpH9gCKgB/s400/936625_10153203712102484_4709629809858605833_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Blue Mosque</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We didn’t come prepared. Yes, we had
a coat, thick socks, gloves, hats, scarves, but the boots I bought in Bucharest
did not hold up. My patience was gone. I tried desperately to stay present, to
take this city in despite not feeling my feet, despite the ocean that was
filling inside my boots, my knees in pain from slipping and walking like I had
a legit stick up my ass. We went to the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, also known as the
infamous Blue Mosque, which was a stunning beauty. <span style="text-align: center;">I made a decision not to climb the steps up to it.
Jackie did and it took her a good 4 whole minutes. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">4 minutes to walk up about
15 steps.</span> It was a scene I will never forget. These people were crawling up
these steps. Crawling, slowly, creepily, slipping with every hand and foot that
was placed. I will never forget watching her and turning around at the exact
moment a woman fell right on her back and head, letting out a scream that sent
chills up my spine. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">She was told to lay still and I prayed that she would get
up and that I didn’t just witness a woman become paralyzed simply trying to get
a sight of this mosque</span>. Thankfully, she did stand up, and Jackie eventually did make it
down safely.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Side note</b>: A few days after we
returned home, we saw a video on the news of pedestrians getting buried by snow
as it came crashing down off a mosque in another city in Turkey. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ITuV-LR6hbM/V2GlG9TdlGI/AAAAAAAADIo/14-47qkFbh04qSAZEyCbfy5O6HHy45EwQCKgB/s1600/12439546_10153203711887484_1464890703914241041_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ITuV-LR6hbM/V2GlG9TdlGI/AAAAAAAADIo/14-47qkFbh04qSAZEyCbfy5O6HHy45EwQCKgB/s640/12439546_10153203711887484_1464890703914241041_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hagia Sophia Mosque</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Side note</b>: About a week or so
after we returned back to Abu Dhabi, we heard news of a bomb going off right in
front of the Blue Mosque. I remember watching the video and seeing the exact
spot I stood, on that crowded and cold street, looking up at this beauty of a
mosque. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">I stood in my apartment, sick and counting my blessings.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Good thing Istanbul was full of
amazing red wine, food, and good shisha, because it literally made all the difference for us.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I hope this blog doesn’t sway anyone away
from Istanbul or Turkey in general. Really. It’s a beautiful city, it’s a
beautiful country, full of life and energy… in the warmer weather. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">So please, I
beg you! If your dart lands on Turkey- Choose. A. Warmer. Month!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MPJ2sSU7bQU/V2GrVhT7QkI/AAAAAAAADJU/owoeUssmjg0QocCkbjOIY9i83LLdmj_TgCKgB/s1600/1000637_10153181204882484_1741728348636138437_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MPJ2sSU7bQU/V2GrVhT7QkI/AAAAAAAADJU/owoeUssmjg0QocCkbjOIY9i83LLdmj_TgCKgB/s640/1000637_10153181204882484_1741728348636138437_n.jpg" width="524" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cappadocia</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We decided we needed to get the hell out
of this city, and quickly. So we booked a quick flight to Cappadocia. Now the
taxi that we booked was parked all the way down the hill from our hostel
because it couldn’t make it up with the ice. So let’s paint this picture. The
two of us with huge ass backpacks, boots with no grip, scarves up to our
eyeballs, walking as slowly as humanly possible down this steep ass hill, all
while trying not to land ourselves in the hospital with a spinal or head
injury. It took us a good 20-35 minutes to walk down this hill. The joy of
backpacking. It’s not all rainbows and butterflies.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--TuoZsrMr08/V2GpJHh1z6I/AAAAAAAADJE/MJQlfhnTpngCxfXi_OrZLRHPWsy1n6o5QCKgB/s1600/12510360_10153203721892484_8720373859277829996_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Side note:</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The airport we were flying out
of had recently been bombed about a week prior. So there was that to deal with
it. The security remained high, but it didn’t stop the feeling that I was on
edge the entire time we were there. Nor did it help that there was an encounter
by an extremely odd man at the checkout line. No bags. No passport in hand. No
friends, family. Nothing. Just standing there. It was real. It was unnerving. </span><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And
I was on my guard every minute we sat in that airport.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Spontaneity at it’s finest.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So as we sat there at that airport, we
thought about our recent flight search at the hostel. We knew we needed to get
out of Turkey, we just didn’t know where to or when. So we opened a few tabs
and got to searching. Berlin... that was where our new Australian friends
currently were. When we messaged them and they informed us that they were
leaving in a few days, we scratched that idea. Sicily... that was where our new
American military friends worked that we met in Bucharest the first night.
Booking a flight to Italy 3 days beforehand. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">Some might say that’s ridiculous, financially
irresponsible, crazy</span>. It was most of those things and none of those things at
the same time. When we saw the price for that flight, our mouths dropped. We
honestly thought it was a mistake. It still could have been. I guess we’ll
never really know. So as we sat in that airport, we parked ourselves at a small
café, bought a mediocre cup of coffee to get an hour of wifi, and booked a last minute flight to Sicily. I was going to Italy. This country, along with a few others,
is on what I call <span style="color: #6aa84f;">my Relationship Country List</span>. Countries I have no interest in
going to while I am single, staying in $12 hostels, carrying a backpack on my
back. These countries I want to do up right. Spend a bit more money, stay
somewhere where I don’t have to be up all night because the dude in the next
bunk is snoring and stealing your roommate’s water in the middle of the night.
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">But the truth is, my life is changing every day. I don’t know what it holds, so
why am I going to hold back when an opportunity stares me right in the face.</span> So
here I was, hopping on a flight to Italy in 3 days, on a complete whim. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ygwEMK7ofJk/V2GpE0tsGtI/AAAAAAAADI0/M8Ww_S7wD9gDn_TCK2Do4b0eiNoc4H5NwCLcB/s1600/12400607_10153203719657484_8621166084699093595_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ygwEMK7ofJk/V2GpE0tsGtI/AAAAAAAADI0/M8Ww_S7wD9gDn_TCK2Do4b0eiNoc4H5NwCLcB/s400/12400607_10153203719657484_8621166084699093595_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back to Cappadocia- In fucking credible!
Excuse my language. A small town in the middle of Turkey. Known for its
infamous fairy chimneys (these beautiful cave dwellings edged into the side of
the mountains.) Wow. Now here is a place that I would love to get back to in
the summer. We booked a small little cave hostel. Literally a cave. <span style="text-align: center;">The
warmest, coziest hostel I’d ever stayed in. I mean makes sense... it's a cave. We spent 2 nights there only. And
our sole purpose- hot air balloon ride! We were lucky though. Because of the
high winds, snow, ice, and other shitty cold factors, a lot of the rides had
been cancelled in the days prior. We had to be ready at an obscene hour. 4am or
something. This ride was nothing short of incredible. I mean really. Absolutely
stunning. The frostbite on our feet… not so stunning. We found ourselves
constantly moving. It was a pain I never thought possible due to cold. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">I mean
geez we weren’t climbing fucking Everest.</span> </span><span style="text-align: center;">I was starting to think, were all of
these frigid temperatures bringing out this annoying complaining side of me
that I’ve never seen before. And then I looked at my roommate, and the rest of
the people in that balloon. I noticed how I was pulling my feet slightly out of
my boots because they felt weirdly warmer that way when not squished against
the inside of my boot. How that made sense? I do not know.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--TuoZsrMr08/V2GpJHh1z6I/AAAAAAAADJE/MJQlfhnTpngCxfXi_OrZLRHPWsy1n6o5QCKgB/s1600/12510360_10153203721892484_8720373859277829996_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">But it was the only
relief I could get. When we landed and hopped back on to the bus, my feet were
out of those boots the second my ass touched that seat. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">And I sat there, legs
up to my chest, squeezing my feet, rubbing them and warming them as much as I
could</span>. I do have a picture of them that I sent my mother and she was horrified.
It was pretty bad. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">But that hot air balloon ride- pretty bad ass.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span></span><br />
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<tr><td><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--TuoZsrMr08/V2GpJHh1z6I/AAAAAAAADJE/MJQlfhnTpngCxfXi_OrZLRHPWsy1n6o5QCKgB/s400/12510360_10153203721892484_8720373859277829996_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; padding-top: 4px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fairy chimneys</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X083e1GtMdg/V2GpEh9IK7I/AAAAAAAADI4/HGWX2YDaKZMnMixexHgE98H1Yp3yAj7mwCLcB/s1600/12495206_10153203719677484_7104323204548462555_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X083e1GtMdg/V2GpEh9IK7I/AAAAAAAADI4/HGWX2YDaKZMnMixexHgE98H1Yp3yAj7mwCLcB/s640/12495206_10153203719677484_7104323204548462555_n.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vqR3wx60QdU/V2GpIzOUEYI/AAAAAAAADJA/89FJyIZPbME2tjJQY3vww5kxbdkyEP0oACKgB/s1600/12494751_10153203721747484_3898589996739724110_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vqR3wx60QdU/V2GpIzOUEYI/AAAAAAAADJA/89FJyIZPbME2tjJQY3vww5kxbdkyEP0oACKgB/s640/12494751_10153203721747484_3898589996739724110_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>________________________________________________</b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sicily, Italy</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pizza. Wine. Cannoli. Repeat. And boy did
we repeat. It blew me away. This country. There are almost no words. After 2 ½
weeks of chaos, we were finally able to relax. Take a hot shower, take off our disgusting
thick socks, our scarves, hats, gloves, coats, and sit outside a corner
restaurant with pizza containing the freshest, most delicious ingredients, and
a bottle of Nero Di’Avola to the face. All was good in the world. I can’t even
talk about the food because I would probably sound like some obsessed crazed
foodie. Which I was. </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JoBXopvdlDw/V2Gr-7aj4fI/AAAAAAAADKA/RYDv-ynhU2ILsCEfzpO6clBFGwiRWg8RQCKgB/s1600/12540629_10153213840257484_5112243723246817275_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JoBXopvdlDw/V2Gr-7aj4fI/AAAAAAAADKA/RYDv-ynhU2ILsCEfzpO6clBFGwiRWg8RQCKgB/s400/12540629_10153213840257484_5112243723246817275_n.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">My first one. In love. That pistachio cream though. YESSSS</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I’ll just quickly list some things...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mushroom,
gorgonzola, pistachio, pizza.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pesto pasta.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Meat and cheese platters. Bread,
bread, and more bread.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Red wine, red wine, red wine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pistachio cannoli,
chocolate cannoli, regular cannoli. Tomato, fresh arugula, fresh ricotta,grilled eggplant, pistachio pizza.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Did I mention pizza?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Okay I swear I’m done. We met up with our
friends from Bucharest who were stationed here in Catania. Flirted hardcore
with our Italian waiter. I turned into a blushing little girl, swept off her
feet, and tripping on my words with every “bella” I heard. The men were
beautiful. The women were beautiful. The people were beautiful. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">Italy- you have
officially found your way to my heart, and you are officially off my Relationship
Country List.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Fish market outside of our hostel</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">My absolute favorite moment.</span></td></tr>
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<b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bahrain</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After Sicily, we flew back to Istanbul to
catch our flight home. But first, it was a 12 or 13-hour layover in Bahrain.
Boy was that an interesting day. I won’t even tell you the amount we paid for
our visa for just 12 hours in this country. We didn’t realize until I looked at
my receipt. Live and learn right. But… it consisted of a short ride into the
city, getting a latte at Starbucks, a manicure/pedicure, some lunch, and
relaxing before it was time to head home. Will admit, I will not be going back
to Bahrain again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>3 weeks. 6 countries. Friendships. Heartbreak.
Loss. Memories. Laughs. Adventures. Reflection. And a definite test of patience.</b></span></span></div>
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MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826346872600459018noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086622142198826.post-61011196133124388362016-01-30T22:48:00.001+09:002016-01-30T22:48:27.859+09:00When History Books Come Alive: Cairo, Egypt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: center;">Wow, I suck.</span><br />
No. I don't suck. Grad school just took over my life.<br />
<br />
Let's take it back about two months:<br />
<br />
Back in early December we had a five-day weekend for UAE National Day.. and we decided hey let's hop on a flight and go see some pyramids. Nbd.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qFz7XNF8opM/Vqy6tB3mWBI/AAAAAAAADAs/e557S4zIbQ0/s1600/12346505_10153147708387484_394292938327435798_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qFz7XNF8opM/Vqy6tB3mWBI/AAAAAAAADAs/e557S4zIbQ0/s640/12346505_10153147708387484_394292938327435798_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And those pyramids.<br />
<br />
Were.<br />
<br />
Absolutely.<br />
<br />
Incredible.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9p3PBE8SWQA/Vqy6oIwU_DI/AAAAAAAAC-o/k5UV9b3Bs5Y/s1600/12308771_10153147640667484_2419085969120383049_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9p3PBE8SWQA/Vqy6oIwU_DI/AAAAAAAAC-o/k5UV9b3Bs5Y/s640/12308771_10153147640667484_2419085969120383049_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from our hotel.. Are you serious?! </td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="text-align: center;">We were Canadian. We dodged every cab driver's questions about which religion we were. And we alert. At times bitchy. I say these things because it's the reality about traveling to certain countries. And to appease my family. It's no surprise that both my friend and I had family and friends give us mouthfuls about traveling to Egypt. <span style="color: #93c47d;">Was it a little dangerous? Probably. Did we have the time of our lives? Yes.</span> I heard a quote on some video on fb the other day that holds so much relativeness to this..</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #93c47d;">"If you listen to everyone saying, "<i>Is it safe?</i>", "<i>Isn't there unrest?</i>" etc.. you'd never go anywhere."</span><br />
<br />
Truth. Truth. Truth.<br />
Use your common sense/street smarts: You build that up over time. Don't let cab drivers put your bags in the trunk. You do that shit. They reach in the glove compartment/pocket, you are alert as fuck. They want to stop somewhere. You don't let them. They still stop? You get out. <span style="color: #93c47d;">Don't be stupid. Don't be naive.</span> It's as simple as that. Did we freak out when we woke up one day and heard the news of a bomb going off at one of the bars in the same city? Did we see the irony in it that it was the one and only night we went out? Of course. Did I want to throw up at the luck we had in not being in that situation? I counted my blessings. But. Did we have a great time that night? Yes we did. Did we let it ruin the rest of our time there? Absolutely not.<br />
<br />
Again..<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #93c47d;">"If you listen to everyone saying, "<i>Is it safe?</i>", "<i>Isn't there unrest?</i>" etc.. you'd never go anywhere."</span><br />
<br />
Those pyramids though..<br />
WOW. WOW. WOW. <span style="color: #93c47d;">#WhenHistoryBooksComeAlive</span> was my mantra that week. But really, the first time you look up and see these massive ancient things that you studied in your history books.. you kind of lose your breath and cannot help but stare at them until you realize you've been staring way too long.<br />
<br />
Breathtaking.<br />
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Something the two of us never do, we decided to do because of time constraints and safety concerns. And that was book a day tour. Turned out to be incredible! We were actually the only two on it, and we were blessed with a wonderful young tour guide who took us all around the city. He was so knowledgeable on the history of Egypt, and he was great at knowing when to fall back and let us do our thing. Being that it was just the two of us, he took us to additional places not on the itinerary. We went to a jewelry store to get cartouche necklaces (names in hieroglyphics) made, a papyrus shop to get papyrus paintings, and this great little whole in the wall lunch spot to have a traditional vegetarian Egyptian dish, Koshary (macaroni noodles, lentils, chick peas, garlic, and a spicy tomato/chili sauce and fried onions). WOW. A heart attack waiting to happen. but WOOOAAHHH. Amazing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mosque of Muhammad Ali</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where statues used to stand.. reminded me of "The Mummy" and a little eery.. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In heaven..</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Koshary</td></tr>
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By the end of the tour, our guide said he enjoyed his time with us so much that he actually gave us a free Nile cruise in return for a review on Trip Advisor. Um HELL YES! No big deal, <span style="color: #93c47d;">just ya know cruised on the infamous Nile River</span>.<br />
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Oh.. and almost forgot how we spent our last day in Cairo.. We had met up with one of my coworker's cousins and his friend the night before and with his help, we found an underground tattoo shop.. and well.. this happened.<br />
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Cairo was magical.<br />
That's a great word for it. Magical.<br />
History books really did come alive. When I heard that my grandmother's wish was to get to Egypt and see the pyramids, it made it even more special. From the time I told her I wanted to go to New Zealand 6 years ago, <span style="color: #93c47d;">I believe she has been with me through all of my travels and continues to be.</span> <3<br />
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<br />MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826346872600459018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086622142198826.post-87029574016434813332015-10-09T21:44:00.003+09:002015-10-09T21:45:00.462+09:00Some Current Thoughts.. and Pumpkin Spice LattesExcuse my typos.. for this was rushed and quick. But needed.<br />
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So as I sit here in one of 17 (exaggeration.. but for real..like 5) Starbucks in Yas Mall, sipping on my "grande, soy, no whip, no foam, 1 pump, pumpkin spice latte"… *takes breath*.. I minimized my online textbook and weekly assignment for I have too many thoughts and if I don't type them up now.. I'll forget them.<br />
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I live on post-its. My short term memory is ridiculous.<br />
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Current thoughts;<br />
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1. This PSL is off the chain. Wish I ordered nonfat instead of soy though. Next time. But 1 flavor shot on point. (Fun (Nasty) Fact: Starbucks grande drinks have 4 pumps of flavor syrup… helllllllll no.)<br />
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2. I woke up this morning and tried to imagine rainfall against my bedroom window. I miss rain. So much.<br />
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3. I also miss a breeze. Once in a while, you'll get one. Then you count up to 2.5 seconds, and that happiness is gone.<br />
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4. I just finished my latte, and am considering another.<br />
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5. I went to the Dave Matthews Band last night. Now.. I have some experiences with this man.. most have to do with his music forced upon me. I shouldn't say forced, but I have really never gone out of my way to listen to him. Boy.. was I missing out. This concert was incredible. Their music is incredible. Their vibe, their harmonies, their everything.. incredible. These guys play real music. Their energy is so incredibly contagious.. New fan.<br />
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6. At the concert, we stood right in front of a family of 4. Mom, dad, 2 twin daughters (14-15 yrs old?) I couldn't help but watch them as much as I was watching Dave. Typical, laid back, expat parents.. looks like they've probably done some time in the Peace Corps, smoked some definite weed in their young and old years, had a love of traveling, had these two girls, and decided to share their love of traveling and culture with their offspring. Could I be totally judgmental and wrong? Absolutely. What I do know is that these parents love their children and started playing Dave to them while still in the womb. The mom was killing it with her dance skills EVERY song. The dad had the whole chill, rock back and forth style with the white linen pants look and deep V with some cool ass necklace he probably got in India. And the girls, sitting on top of the fence, bobbing along to every song. Never once looking bored, never once making fun of their mother who was just taking over every area she could spin around in. And the happiness between all four of them.The love that radiated through this husband and wife when they looked at each other. As the husband leaned against the fence, smiling from ear to ear, while watching his crazy ass wife. It was like I could see into his mind.. "My, god, she's beautiful. How lucky am I to have her in my life. How lucky am I to be able to expose these girls to these cultures, this music, this world. God, I love my life."<br />
They were content. They were so happy. They were so relaxed.<br />
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And then I thought.. they are what I want.<br />
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I want to find someone to travel the world with. I want someone who wants to travel, and live that expat life.. at least for a little while.<br />
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And then I thought.. wait MaryKate, you found that person. Those things were all agreed to. They were mutual beliefs. Mutual values. Mutual goals and dreams. We were ready. We were set.<br />
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And then I thought.. Okay. Namaste. Five deep breaths. Accept. Move on. Back to Dave.<br />
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I digress..<br />
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7. Still sitting in Starbucks, with a cart full of amazing mercy from ACE (including: dust buster, Brita, Magic Bullet, cookie baking sheet (that actually fits into our oven/won't melt).. WHY? Because we finally got paid!!<br />
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8. Yes, finally.. first pay check (after 6 weeks). Let's just say it's been rough. My credit card has especially been struggling. I think sometimes I hear it crying from my wallet pleading for me to stop using it.<br />
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9. A family just left. An Emirate family. Husband, wife, 2 children, 1 infant, and a nanny. (Almost all Emirate families here have nannies. Very common) Just some observations:<br />
1. The wife and husband are sitting alone, not talking. Husband is on his phone. Wife looks bored.<br />
2. Wife waves over to the nanny. Nanny brings over her purse. Wife says nothing. Wife grabs something out of her bag. Holds up the purse for the nanny,. Says nothing to nanny.<br />
3. Children are running amok.<br />
4. Nanny looks on edge, constantly looking over at husband/wife team.<br />
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Across the way.. another mother is sitting, on her phone., while her children climb the architecture of Starbucks. I almost jumped out of my seat to catch the boy who's foot slipped. She looks over (in slow motion) says something disciplinary. Children continue climbing. She looks back to her phone, not bothered.<br />
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MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826346872600459018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086622142198826.post-13556413561904372772015-09-05T10:01:00.002+09:002015-10-24T04:30:59.901+09:00Here I Go Again..<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well.. I've moved again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yep.. two years ago if you asked me where I'd be right now, I'd say back in New York, most likely teaching in a public school in the city, with the love of my life, living in an apartment in Astoria with some roommates, stressing over money, going out to beer gardens, and loving the life of a 25-year-old in Queens.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What happened?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's just make this into a simple bulleted list, shall we?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Andrew Cuomo is an ass. (Aka New York teaching careers are almost non-existent for new teachers. Even for some seasoned ones.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Daily NY life is an obnoxious expense.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Two people incredibly in love, realized that they were not in the same place, and as a result their lives turned completely upside down and their relationship into an 8-month rollercoaster.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. The expat life calls people back even when they thought it had gone away. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. The world is too big of a place to be missed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. If your job is out there, you need to chase it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. You do you. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And that's exactly what I did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where shall you ask did I move?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To a tropical paradise on a secluded island, drinking coconut juice and admiring the beautiful palm trees.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Somewhat..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Middle East. Aka: <span style="color: #d5a6bd;">The Sand Box</span>.</span><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W8w9f6WyiMk/Veo-SMmooYI/AAAAAAAAC08/6oZdtMDs9kE/s1600/Abu-Dhabi-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W8w9f6WyiMk/Veo-SMmooYI/AAAAAAAAC08/6oZdtMDs9kE/s400/Abu-Dhabi-19.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It does have palm trees. It does have sand. It does have beautiful white sandy beaches and coconuts. But before we experience all that luxurious goodness, we need to sort out our lives and get past the initial crap that all expats go through as they drop their lives and enter a new country.. again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The country: United Arab Emirates (<span style="color: #d5a6bd;">UAE</span>).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The city: No.. not Dubai.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">Abu Dhabi</span>! It's one of the 7 Emirates (Dubai included) in the UAE. One of the safest middle eastern countries you can get.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qYEbMsC7j7w/Veo4wIddsQI/AAAAAAAAC0M/4TimamcJ3hE/s1600/IMG_2474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qYEbMsC7j7w/Veo4wIddsQI/AAAAAAAAC0M/4TimamcJ3hE/s640/IMG_2474.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to make this somewhat short, for it's 2:44 am and my hard rock of a bed is calling my name. But I have a feeling that won't be the case. I've been here 2 weeks, and wow has a lot happened. My friend/roommate Jackie and I arrived on the morning of August 28th to the joyous rays of sunlight and HEAT. <span style="color: #d5a6bd;">Welcome to the desert</span>. Literally. As we stepped out of the airport, it was like a punch in the face, except it was dry heat, and coming from a humid NY, this was actually kind of bearable after we got used to it. Little did we know.. the humidity would begin within a few days.. and let me tell you.. the humidity is unlike anything I have ever experienced. We stepped outside our apartment one day and my phone immediately fogged up, our skin glistened with sweat, and as I took my fourth step outside I realized that I was going to have to use caution because my feet were sliding across my sandals. <u>No</u> exaggerations here whatsoever.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fgfSUqAFXHY/Veo4N4p0gSI/AAAAAAAACzk/gptENrqP9_M/s1600/11880521_10152972262127484_8551492156065751729_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fgfSUqAFXHY/Veo4N4p0gSI/AAAAAAAACzk/gptENrqP9_M/s400/11880521_10152972262127484_8551492156065751729_n.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were met at the airport by two kind men (one who worked for the school, the other his friend, who he also made drive.) We packed up our things and had no idea where we would end up. Apartment? Hotel? The school? A camel ride? Of course I had hoped for the latter. We arrived at our apartment and walked into a beautiful, HUGE, accommodation. Huge kitchen, huge living room with sliding glass doors that open up to a patio, two large bedrooms complete with a bathroom each, a free gym and pool in the complex. We looked at each other and felt like two kids running through a house. Not going to lie.. we're pretty lucky with these digs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We soon realized that we did not have wifi or money (with the excitement of landing, and rushing through the airport, it did not allow us time for exchanging money.) Let's just go exchange money! Oh wait, there's no stores around. Let's try the one grocery store in our complex! Oh wait, it's closed. Let's just have this man drive us into town! Oh wait it's Friday (Holy Day) and nothing is open. Let's just catch a cab back to the airport! Oh wait we don't have money to even catch a cab. So we set up a car ride date with the kind man from the school for the following day to bring us to a bank… mmm didn't work out so well. Long story short, he never showed up, we spent almost an hour with some security cards and finally got our message across that all we needed was a phone to call him. "Oh no, no, school will arrange for a bus to bring you to the mall tomorrow." Great. Wellllll that didn't happen either.. <span style="color: #d5a6bd;">Wait are we in Korea?</span> Good thing we ran into my fellow friend from Korea, who had also gotten a job at the same school. She lent us some dirhams and off we went to the mall to start our lives. (More about these incredible malls later.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's skip to the actual reason I'm here. Teaching.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ROQfLqPbik/Veo4PhIFZ_I/AAAAAAAACzA/OATNNFRvIo4/s1600/11900082_10152978838327484_94365913873112679_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ROQfLqPbik/Veo4PhIFZ_I/AAAAAAAACzA/OATNNFRvIo4/s400/11900082_10152978838327484_94365913873112679_n.jpeg" width="300" /></span></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xu-xgmNUM3k/Veo4OEUwhrI/AAAAAAAACyw/yZTFUmZH-9o/s1600/11899986_10152981877052484_5300717981322559828_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I work at an international private school in Abu Dhabi. I am a 4th grade teacher. The Common Core is implemented here and I am solely in charge of all homeroom/classroom type responsibilities of a typical classroom teacher, however the only difference is that I only teach ELA and Social Studies (ESS). I teach these two main subjects to my own class and another 4th grade class. Lud, a great SA teacher, is the teacher of that other class, and as you may have predicted he teaches both his and my class Math and Science. In someways it is actually a really nice setup. Other ways.. kind of frustrating. But with everything, it's going to take time. We had a total of 6 days to set up our classroom. Yep. 6. So of course, we went straight to the mall, found a Daiso (THANK GOSH!), spent money I didn't have, and made it my own. I researched with whatever internet I could find, racked my brain for ideas that I have had running through it since my freshman year at Oswego, took wonderful management strategies and ideas from incredible co-teachers and co-workers I have worked with the past few years, and worked in between every meeting and workshop we had. 6 days later.. my students arrived. The school has a certain number of "local" classes which means mostly, if not everyone in their classes are Emirates. My class however is an "ethics" class, which means I have a mix of expats and Emirates. I am incredibly thankful for how that turned out for I enjoy all of the diversity in my class. I have 26 students, including children from the UAE, Korea, Greece, Egypt, Canada, Philippines, South Africa, The States, Lebanon, and the Netherlands.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xu-xgmNUM3k/Veo4OEUwhrI/AAAAAAAACyw/yZTFUmZH-9o/s1600/11899986_10152981877052484_5300717981322559828_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xu-xgmNUM3k/Veo4OEUwhrI/AAAAAAAACyw/yZTFUmZH-9o/s640/11899986_10152981877052484_5300717981322559828_n.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My coworkers are incredible. My 4th grade team is welcoming, generous, patient and sensitive. They're expats. <span style="color: #d5a6bd;">They're what I've been missing for the past year and a half</span>. We get each other. We understand each others' struggles and frustration, our excitement and our passion. None of us are above the other just because we've been living and settled in a country longer than someone else. We have all been in the same place once before. <span style="color: #d5a6bd;">We have all picked up our life in search for our happiness and contentment</span>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They are also teachers. Certified teachers. Something I didn't have in common with a lot of people in Korea. And in that case, we get along on a different level. We know the education system, we know management, we know discipline, we know curriculum, we know children. We are educators. That's what we went to school for. And above all, this school gave us jobs, and appreciates us and our careers unlike most of our home countries.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dk9zzKbbb_Y/Veo4MYk_oEI/AAAAAAAACyg/Br78gFBhu7I/s1600/11224569_10152989717957484_1878749995069025978_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dk9zzKbbb_Y/Veo4MYk_oEI/AAAAAAAACyg/Br78gFBhu7I/s640/11224569_10152989717957484_1878749995069025978_n.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Adrienne (USA), Jackie, Myself, Eryn (SA), Elizabeth (Ireland)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zUlqPhrOkPU/Veo4RvcBvEI/AAAAAAAACzY/xhLj8CzGUsc/s1600/11951295_10155967802635183_6139543584301790214_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zUlqPhrOkPU/Veo4RvcBvEI/AAAAAAAACzY/xhLj8CzGUsc/s640/11951295_10155967802635183_6139543584301790214_n.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Myself, Isle (SA), Anete (Latvia), Jasmine (SA), and Jackie</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some fun facts:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. There is <span style="color: #d5a6bd;">salt in the water</span>. We figured out the hard way when almost puking after a great looking meal-prepped salad. With the warnings from others, this will, (and has already), dried out our hair, our skin, and has added unwanted sodium to our diet. Even bottled water has differing amounts of sodium. Of course I have bought nothing but the one brand that has a label, "Low sodium." Most people attach shower filters to alleviate this issue. We're investing in one and my <span style="color: #d5a6bd;">greens will now be rinsed in the shower</span>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now.. if anyone knows me.. I am as obsessive as they come with sodium. I hate it (with no passion). It is what made me take complete control over my eating habits in Korea, and it is what I obsess about in all foods. This is something that is definitely affecting me here and something I am going to have to figure out. Most food once rinsed off will rinse off the salty water as well, but greens, we know hold moisture, and because of this.. it's been the joke that eating clean is not at all eating clean here. I even went so far as to asking a stranger in a Yas Crossfit shirt at the store how she handles clean eating here. She gave me a store suggestion on top of the other health food store here I know of. But basically, she agreed with me that it's definitely a challenge here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. <span style="color: #d5a6bd;">iherb.com</span> (my life savour while abroad) is <span style="color: #d5a6bd;">blocked</span> in the UAE. Enough said. This was actually really disappointing, because a lot of my clean lifestyle relies on food from there. Again, being resourceful, and doing what I can. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Amazon.com (my last resort to clean foods is also (somewhat) blocked. I say somewhat, because it allowed me to ship a smoothie blender. However, protein powder, Lara bars, steel cut oats, and Jackies' <span style="color: #d5a6bd;">textbooks?!?! Nope.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. <span style="color: #d5a6bd;">Malls are everything here</span>. Really though. Malls include your grocery stores, shopping, phone stores, hardware stores, banks, everything. They're almost ghost towns during the day, but walk in at 10 pm on a weekday or weekend (except for Fridays), they will be packed until they kick you out at midnight.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Yas Mall (I have gotten lost in this place every time I've been)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. School weeks and work weeks run <span style="color: #d5a6bd;">Sunday-Thursday</span>. Friday is their Holy Day, so most stores will be closed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. <span style="color: #d5a6bd;">The wealth</span>. Is. Ridiculous. I mean, our necks are going to start falling off from the quick second looks we give the cars here.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QPNa94C4Vqs/Veo4w6Lt4HI/AAAAAAAAC0I/DwlM2A2RMw4/s1600/IMG_2538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QPNa94C4Vqs/Veo4w6Lt4HI/AAAAAAAAC0I/DwlM2A2RMw4/s640/IMG_2538.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Etihad Plaza</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--RNay4a_cas/Veo4vsBkTmI/AAAAAAAACz4/tuOMQDbfdEs/s1600/IMG_2539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--RNay4a_cas/Veo4vsBkTmI/AAAAAAAACz4/tuOMQDbfdEs/s640/IMG_2539.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Etihad Plaza</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. Alcohol is illegal here (unless you have a drinking license), due to the Muslim culture. We learned very quickly there are of course ways around it. Like anything. Thank goodness, because if you thought I was going two years without wine in the apartment, I would have left. Just kidding. But really though. There is one store by us that will sell to you if you buy cash. Emirates have been known to drive up and honk their horns, <span style="color: #d5a6bd;">forcing the workers to come out and deliver alcohol to their cars.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. <span style="color: #d5a6bd;">Ladies Nights</span>. Speaking of alcohol. All bars are located in hotels. Huge, stunning, incredible hotels. And every night of the week you will find at least 2 bars that hold ladies nights.. which means we drink free. All night. Yes, that's right.. ALL night. Sorry men. However, you find a bar that does not host ladies night that night, expect to pay anywhere from $12-$18 USD per drink (some places more). Yeah, that was fun.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. Brunches. <span style="color: #d5a6bd;">What is this NYC?</span> Brunches on Friday and Saturday mornings are the thing to do here. They're hugely popular and pretty decadent from what I've heard. The Ritz Carlton brunch is apparently the most priciest, coming to a whopping AED 1,380 ($375). I've been told I need to do it once.. so we'll just wait until I rob the local bank and I'll be the first one in the door with a mimosa, some smoked salmon, and the entire rest of the buffet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10. You don't talk about Israel. Buy a map in the UAE.. you won't even find the country. <span style="color: #d5a6bd;">Yep, they just took it out. Snap. Vanished</span>. And don't even think about bringing it up at school. Children will tell on you to their parents and you will face some pretty serious discussions with administrators. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">11. The women are gorgeous. <span style="color: #d5a6bd;">If only I could pull off an abaya like they do</span>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12. The wifi connection is almost non existent here. Coming from Korea where you could probably find wifi in a ditch in the middle of a rice field, it's pretty frustrating when you have just started a teaching position and have no means of working from home. Coffee shops will have wifi for 1-2 hours at a time with a purchase, and then bam you're done. I would be less stressed if I didn't have 6 credits of grad school that started 3 days ago and lack of internet is <span style="color: #d5a6bd;">"going to stop being annoying and start becoming a problem"</span> -Jackie. It's a huge problem. And it's one that really can't be fixed until we get an Emirates (ID) card. How might you ask did I manage to write this entire blog in the middle of the night. Well, we decided to work up the courage and ask our neighbors across the hallway, who happened to be this lovely Scottish/SA older married couple, who gladly gave us their wifi password. I am currently sitting on the couch we pushed against our door (the only place it works in our apt).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">13. The food is pretty amazing. The foreign population makes up 85% of the country, with Filipino, Indian, Lebanese, and other Arab countries making up a majority. Therefore, the food is to die for.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Zaatar, a very popular Lebanese meal. (Pita bread with this delicious thyme seasoning and sometimes made cheese) Students have it available every day at school. Basically America's PBJ. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My life here these past few weeks has been a lot to take in. I've been comparing it to Korea, and I need to stop doing that. I wanted this and I am excited for the joys it will bring me. But for now, I need to accept where I am and continue to hold my head up, take deep breaths, and remember why I'm here. I am lucky to be living with a lovely roommate and friend who can relate on all levels, and I am making new friends by the week, who also completely understand. This is not Korea. This is not the States. This is me taking a hell of a lot on at one time. A new country, 2 grad classes, my first full time classroom teaching position, and a new life. I am learning to let go of things and people from home who no longer serve me. Every day gets a bit easier and every day I am reminded of how much this lifestyle is meant for me in this moment in time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"You are exactly where and when and who you are supposed to be. Anything else would be just plain ridiculous."</span><br />
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MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826346872600459018noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086622142198826.post-88311233599209100472014-09-12T09:56:00.002+09:002014-09-12T11:35:43.963+09:00The Past Seven Months..<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I sit here on my couch back in New York, I have the sudden urge to do something with my evening other than watching the news, which has recently become too unnerving to turn on. It is September 11, 2014.. 13 years after the 9/11 attacks. Isis has been threatening our country, our people, and our peace of mind. I had a very vivid and frightening dream last night where Isis had flown and crashed one of the stolen Libyan planes right on my school's property. I watched the entire thing through the window of a classroom.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As terrifying and alarming as that dream might have been.. it was the first dream in 4 consecutive days that I did not dream about my ex-boyfriend..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I sit here, writing my first blog entry in seven months. I feel like there is so much that has gone on in my life.. and that's quite the understatement. I don't quite know where to begin.. but we can start with my family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Six months ago, after two years of being away in Korea, I made my way back to New York. I met my niece, Eve, for the first time, who at the time was only 3 months old. She could barely hold her head up, and now she is almost 9 months old, crawling, pulling herself up on everything, getting her hands on everything in sight, and smiling, laughing, and making our days brighter. Emma, who I skyped with constantly while I was in Korea.. has become such a light in my life. She is bright, funny, polite, and is growing up so fast. These girls are growing up in a very non-traditional setting, but our family, including their wonderful mother, are doing everything we can to shield them from the things going on around them, and to make sure they know they are loved, cared for, and protected.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The very first morning after returning home, and moments after meeting Eve.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the last month or two, our family has gone through hell. Not going to sugar coat that. Alcoholism has once again presented itself. along with hardcore drug addiction. Very recently, my family member grew the strength to admit to their addictions and took the first steps necessary. With the help of another family member, he chose to better himself, and get the help he needs. It's going to be a very long and hard road. Each day will bring something different. There were some nights there where I didn't know what the end result would be, what the end of the night would bring.. Now, I can say with complete and total confidence, that my younger brothers and I have dealt with things in a way that proves strength in us all.. We have grown, thanks to our wonderful mother, to be able to handle ANYTHING.. as long as we use each other and lean on each other. I am so grateful for each of my brothers. We show compassion and love, even in the darkest of nights. And all I keep thinking is how lucky these girls are to grow up in a family like ours. And how lucky my brothers and I are, to have had a mother who sheltered us in the way that she did and to have taught us what she did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On to my job status..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back in May, I scored a 6-week 4th grade leave replacement position. I had the time of my life, despite the serious needs and behavioral issues in my class. I learned SO much, and that aided me in interviews throughout the summer, with the knowledge that I so quickly acquired during that time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over the summer, I worked at my district's summer enrichment camp. There, I taught a writing and creative technology class to some of the most gracious and eager students I had ever had the pleasure of teaching. I also worked alongside a group of teachers that were simply AMAZING. We spent each break talking about job searching techniques, interviewing advice, and <i>Orange is the New Black</i> of course..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like I said, I had a few interviews over the summer with NYC DOE, but clearly nothing came of that. I am grateful to have scored a full time 1:1 Teacher's Assistant position in my own district. I work with a student with autism. I work with an amazing Special Education teacher, who has taught me more than I thought I could learn in just the past two weeks. Each day I am challenged and kept on my toes.. which is what teaching is all about.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have already had two weeks of grad school, and I love every minute of it.. I say that now.. but I'll admit receiving the syllabi made me immediately anxious. I really did miss being in a classroom, meeting new people who have the same interests as me, and learning more about the field I am in. My professors are incredible. Smart-asses.. which makes late night classes that much more fun and manageable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I visited Boston with my best friend! It was a girls weekend.. something we both really needed. I can't even begin to explain how nice it is to finally be home with her. Oh how I missed you Brit! Though we are grandmas with way more responsibilities and no more 21-yr-old bounce-back, closing out our usual bar every Thursday night.. we can, if we want, still have a damn good time!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The boy. This last part is what really made me sit down and decide to start writing tonight. Writing has always been.. and I know will always continue to be.. the way I deal with my emotions. I have a hard time talking about things and making myself the center of attention with people listening to me. I have always been uncomfortable with that. And so writing became my out; my way of not bottling things up and blowing up. I am also aware that writing on here is public, and our relationship is private, as it should be.. so I will just scratch the surface with this one, as I always have when it comes to us. Orlando and I had an amazing few months once I came home, but the stresses of our daily lives, learning how to live and be with each other in each other's presence and not through a phone or computer screen proved challenging. We knew it would be, but we weren't ready for the extent of it. I think this goes for many relationships that start out long-distance. My mother said something that resonated with me.. that while in Korea, our daily lives did not affect each other as much as it does here. The most we really had to sacrifice was waking up or going to sleep late in order to make Skype dates. Orlando and I learned about each other's values, morals, dreams, and fears very early on. We quickly realized that we had something there that was just...right. And in his words, the feelings that we had for each other "don't happen often for people." We made each other grow in ways we never thought we were capable of. He made me believe love is real. We both thought we knew what love was before we met.. we both thought we had loved before. We were wrong. Us. This. We could never really explain our love for each other. We'd get tongue tied. That's how we knew. I learned (slowly) how to let go of some things, how to allow a man to protect me and make me feel safe and wanted. The thing is, once we came home.. real, daily stresses began to creep back into our lives. I had to settle back into my life here in the States. For people who have never lived abroad for an extended period of time.. will never know what that feels like. And that's okay. It's expected with an expat. Any expat who comes home and expects people in their old life to understand what they're going through, is a fool. But the fact that my friends who DID know what I was feeling, lived so far away, was difficult. It continues to be. Which is why when I couldn't talk to them, I turned to articles and blogs about reverse culture shock and how to best deal with it. But for me.. I had this relationship to focus on as well as deal with all of those changes and hardships on coming home. Couples disagree, couples argue, couples give each other space so that they can take some time to figure out exactly what they want. There are two people in a relationship, and both of these people need to be strong, be satisfied with their own lives, and know what they want.. before they can give their significant other the time, devotion, and love they deserve.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Relationships. They're hard. They're a lot of work. Nothing in life comes easy, and no matter how much you love the person you're with, no matter how right you are for that person.. you both need to continue to work on it. But you can't forget your individual dreams. You can't let those slide away because they're what make you, you. It's taking me a while, but I'm trying to stick to the fact that you need to be strong yourself before you can be strong with someone else. You need to know what YOU want, before you can share it with someone else. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will never forget what my Aunt Ashley said to me one day a few years back. "No one knows what goes on in your relationship behind closed doors." She's right. People will always judge and have their opinions, but at the end of the day, behind that door.. it's YOU and HIM. That's it. You are the only two who can work on your relationship and build it back up when it falls. She also said, "in a relationship, you need to both be willing to change and grow together." If you're not willing to do that, it won't work. This new point in my life is heartbreaking and devastating, and it's about all I can do each day to get up, get myself to work where I can greet my students who put a smile on my face. A sincere one. Although it was pertaining to work, I believe it's going to help me in dealing with my not being with Orlando anymore.. My wise Aunt Therese said the other day, "Sometimes one day at a time needs to be broken up into hours, or even minutes."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I miss my life in Korea. I miss the ease of traveling. I miss my friends. I miss being able to walk up a hill to their apartment. I miss meeting them at a coffee shop downtown. I miss their accents, their culture, their personalities, the wine nights. I miss Daegu, Seoul, and Busan, meeting people from all different walks of life, each with their own story of how they came to be in this country. I miss singing my heart out at open mics every month. I even miss the troubles and the frustrations, because it just brings me back to the fact that wow... look what I did. Look what I accomplished. You come back home after being abroad, and reality hits that everyone kept on living their lives. Friends finished their masters, got engaged, married, had kids, bought houses, have mortgages. Well, good for them. That's their path. But I am far from those things. I'm glad I don't have a mortgage at 25 or a ring on my finger. Those things can wait.. We're still so young.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I.. I had experiences that no one can ever take away from me. And I am grateful for every one of them.</span><br />
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<br />MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826346872600459018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086622142198826.post-30409503463389049352014-02-17T13:22:00.003+09:002014-02-17T13:31:27.804+09:00Reflection and Reverse Culture Shock (My Top 5 Concerns For Returning Home)<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>"The loneliness of an expatriate is of an odd and complicated kind, for it is inseparable from the feeling of being free, of having escaped."</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>-Adam Gopnik</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A little over two years ago, I wrote my first blog entry entitled, "</span><a href="http://mkinkorea.blogspot.kr/2012/01/my-top-5-concerns-about-moving-to-korea.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Top 5 Concerns About Moving to South Korea</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since I love reflecting on anything and everything, (I'm serious.. I do this all the time. Sometimes formally writing it down. I think it goes back to assignments back in school reflecting on our lesson plans..such a nerd I know.) Anyway!! I'm going to address those concerns and how they turned out to affect me or not, throughout these last two years.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I'm at it, it makes sense to look into my top 5 concerns for moving back home.. that's a little later.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First, let's take a look at what those top 5 were..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Teaching:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, right from the beginning <span style="color: #ea9999;">I had to throw out half of what I learned in University</span>. Western ways of teaching don't always work here. The Korean education system was something I really had to get used to.. and fast if I was going to succeed here. Letting things go helped me to become more patient and more open-minded. A few things come to mind: In Korea, running, hitting, fooling around in the hallways and classroom is completely acceptable. Teachers do not need to be in the classroom when students are. Teachers, principals, etc. will drink alcohol on school premises (during school hours.) Principals and vice principals will get shitfaced and hit on girls in noraebangs and expect everything to be normal the next day at school like nothing happened. Teachers are often found sleeping at their desks when students leave for the day. Teachers and administration have a different relationship here than they do home. Teachers can be extremely nervous and scared to confront the vice principal and principal, even for the simplest of things. Discipline is on opposite sides of the spectrum- either non-existent or involves the use of corporal punishment (which became illegal in the time that I've been here.) There is often a tea time mid-morning where teachers are expected to drink tea/coffee and have snacks with their departments. It acts as a bonding time. Everything is last minute. Every foreigner living in Korea can account to this. And it's one thing that drives. us. crazy. But.. you deal, just like everything else. <span style="color: #ea9999;">Children are way more trusted in this country</span>, which I've come to love in this education system.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Collectivism:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is something I've had trouble with the entire time I've been here. I am a very independent person and constantly being expected to do things in groups was a struggle. Koreans being curious and shocked when I did things differently than them, like played volleyball (because I'm a female), didn't eat rice, walked on my own for a bit on a field trip and not with the other female teachers, etc was frustrating. Having to explain to my students that they could be creative with activities and projects and that they did not need to do everything exactly how I modeled it, was a constant struggle. They needed to know EXACTLY what to do and questioned everything. I hope I sparked creativity in some of them, because I made it a point to single out the students who DID think up unique ways of doing things and who went against the grain. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. North Korea:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">North Korea only seemed to be an issue earlier last year, when tensions were pretty high. I had a time where I was seriously contemplating coming home. I don't know if that was an easy way out for me; an easy excuse, or truly because I was scared. Either way, I stuck it out and North Korea continues to be the joke of this country.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ON another note I have read two amazing books on North Korea that I highly recommend:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Escape From Camp 14"- A documentary about a North Korean born in a North Korean labor camp, who later escaped.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Nothing To Envy"- A book that goes into the unbelievable life stories of various North Korean refugees. Quite the tear-jerker. A real piece of reality.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Food:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before I moved here, I was worried about two things in this topic- The spice and the weight gain from starches (aka the rice.) The spice was a little tough in the beginning, but I've come to the conclusion that my taste buds have just become used to it. I'll have the occasional reaaaally spicy kimchi jiggae, but other than that, I'm a big fan of the spice now and it rarely bothers me. The weight gain- Unfortunately THAT happened. But I changed that very quickly my second year. I made a decision to stop eating the school lunches, despite the minor "cultural disrespect" and shock that caused my school. I started a serious workout schedule, started eating clean, and cut down on the alcohol. Those four things allowed me to lose a ton of weight and gain muscle I've never seen in my life. Though as these last two weeks are approaching, I have been making sure to get in all of my favorite Korean foods, including jjimdak, dak galbi, kiimchi jiggae, kimbap, mandu, naengmyeon, jajangmyeon (Korean-Chinese), Shabu shabu (Vietnamese), galbi. Authentic Korean food- I will definitely miss, but I'm grateful Flushing, Queens is only 45 mins away! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Transportation:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This shouldn't have been a concern at all. Transportation in this country is super easy. Buses and trains are almost always on time. Subways are clean and reliable. Buses can get too hot for comfort. Trains can be too loud at times. But all in all pretty grateful for being able to get around this country with ease.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So with 12 days left in this country I've called home for the last two years, I'm about to return to the States. Reverse Culture Shock has already set in and I'm not even home yet. Culture shock is a popular expression when you move or travel to a new country where you experience disorientation, due to a new environment that is different than your own. Reverse Culture Shock however, is not as well-known. It happens when you re-enter your home country from living abroad. It's an emotional and psychological re-adjustment period. It's also confusing, as you expect to go right back to how things were, but now that you've been away for so long, experiencing all these different countries, people, and different ways of life, <span style="color: #ea9999;">you start questioning things at home that once seemed so normal to you</span>. You may question your identity, your relationships, become bored, get the feeling that no one quite understands you. Just as it took time to adjust to being away from home, it's now going to take time to re-adjust to being back in your own culture. Reverse Culture Shock has been proven to take more of a toll on you, and take more time to overcome. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1. Living at home/Finding an apartment</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven't lived at home for an extended period of time for over six years. I was away at school for four years. I came home for nine months and then I came here, where I've been living on my own for two years. It's going to be an adjustment, especially because I don't know for how long I will be at home. My bedroom has currently been taken up by my brother and his girlfriend. So I will now be taking over my brother's room while he's up at school. But when May comes around, and the whole clan is back under one roof, I will need to have something figured out. By that point I'm sure I'll be ready to move out and find my own place, especially with school and a job starting. As my mom said, "this is a transition everyone goes through. This will always be your home. There will always be a place for you here if you need it." Thanks mom for the tears. But she's right. I do need and want to be home for some time before picking up my life yet again. I need that.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2. School Mode</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Come August, it's back to the books. Grad School awaits me. I'm actually super excited to be in a classroom again. You can call me a nerd all you want, but I miss being around intelligent people who speak my language and have a common interest in education. As excited as I am, I'm anxious about getting into the mind-set of school. After two years away from it, it'll take some re-focusing. But I'm sure I'll get right back into it. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>3. My So-Called "English"</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yeah.. about that. For the past two years, I have been speaking very basic, fundamental, English. It has involved many "ummms" and "uhhhhs" and " "you know what I means.." English teachers here all agree on this. We get it. We all do it. We leave out articles; we forget entire words. We go blank. I'm constantly paying attention to my grammar, because I know there's a big chance I'll mess something up. But it all makes sense. This is how we speak to our students and our co-teachers and colleagues all day long. <span style="color: #ea9999;">Our English is not being tested for 8 hours a day/5 days a week</span>. You go out to a restaurant, coffee shop, or store, and if for some reason you can't find your Korean, you resort to simple English. But the worst is speaking like this to your friends. It's actually quite comical at times. An example:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"You know?" instead of "Do you know what this is?" has been said numerous times between us.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>4. Building Back Relationships</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two years. A lot can happen in 24 months. Especially when you're not around. Friends moved away, got engaged, got new jobs. Family had kids. My house now holds my older brother who I haven't lived with in about eight years. We now have my niece living with us which will be a complete joy!! We have skyped so much throughout this past year and I hope I have secured somewhat of a relationship with her through that. Me and my mom's relationship has become so strong and close. I think traveling together has had a lot to do with that. But like I said, I have lived here on my own for the last 2 years, so I guess it's normal to feel a little anxious to come back to living in a full house.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>5. Boredom and "The Travel Bug"</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been surrounded by people of different cultures, countries, and backgrounds for a long time now.. I've gotten used to it. Traveling gives you the power to meet all of these wonderful people, with all of these awesome opinions, stories, and experiences. You don't get that at home. Not in this way. You don't go out to your local bar and meet an Irish, Australian, Kiwi, South African, all with their own stories of how they got there or how and why they quit their job to travel the world. How they are running out of money so they're about to go home to earn some more before picking up and leaving again. THIS is what I will miss most. It is going to be the major thing that pulls me back into this enormous beautiful world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One more because well, this one is big.. <span style="color: #ea9999;"><b>The Questions:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have had friends ask me, "Are you coming home yet?" I've had friends whose families have asked things like, "So you're going to start your life now?" This is another thing I'm not looking forward to. People who do the 9-5, go to college, get married, have kids thing- some of them have this opinion that living abroad is a "way-out." A "vacation" before starting your "real life." It's judgmental and close-minded. But as my friend Lisa brought up, what if we expats asked these people, "So when are you going to see something outside of your comfort zone?" or "So you're finally going to take a risk and see how you change as a person?" She said in a way, these questions are more rude because we are the ones outside of the social norm, and asking it to people in the norm is more harsh. And while these questions are inevitable and I will react as best I can, like Lisa, I am not looking forward to them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"How was Korea?" How was Korea.. hmmm. You cannot possibly answer that question to your own satisfaction. I received this question more times than I could count when I was home. I was prepared for it. My friends who were abroad longer than I was warned me. You need to understand that the person asking it really just wants a simple answer. "Great!" or "Such an experience!" When I was home, the people who asked me this question were family and friends who hadn't kept up with me being over here. Which is fine. And they're not being rude by not asking detailed questions. They just don't have any background knowledge on my life here. You need to keep in mind they are interested in their own way, but you're not about to sit them down with a 3-hour long conversation about your time here. <span style="color: #ea9999;">There is no way you can possibly wrap up two years of your life here, how you've changed, who you've now become, how you see people, things, and the world differently</span>. So you answer that question with a "Great!" or "Such and experience!" and be done with it. I can honestly say my mother is THE only person who truly knows just about everything that has gone on with me here. The ups, the downs, the in-betweens, the homesickness, the annoyances, the travels, the incredible moments. She knows pretty much all of them. And I'm grateful I had just that one person to really count on to listen. To my tears and to my laughs. She is one incredible woman for taking it all without judgment. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These past two years have been an absolute joy. Despite the frustrations at times, I regret not one moment of my time here. I have become a better person because of it and I have changed in ways I never thought I could. I have made friends who are now like family. I have been thrown into situations that tested me to the absolute limits. Physically, emotionally, and psychologically.</span><br />
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MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826346872600459018noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086622142198826.post-16523634661598530772014-02-02T18:17:00.000+09:002014-02-02T18:24:06.449+09:00Thailand Pt 2 & Cambodia<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So it's been a week now since I touched down in Korea for possibly the last time..</span><br />
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Not only was I lucky enough to get to the beautiful country of Thailand, but I had the chance to go AGAIN. And on top of that.. fly over to Cambodia for 4 days. This time around I went with my friend Lloyd. We turned out to be great travel partners! Traveling with friends is always a gamble. Sometimes people can make the best friends but when you travel and are put into situations, problems can arise at how you both deal with everything. Well... by the end of the trip, Lloyd and I were able to communicate through our eyes and developed a type of joint intuition. Especially in these two countries where you need to be on your game at all times with the haggling and sketchy situations you are unwillingly put in.. I'd say we did pretty damn well! I mean we were smack in the middle of the first two days of Bangkok protests and came out in one piece right! Not funny? Ok..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was able to do some of the things I didn't get to do last time, which was great! This included seeing Wat Arun- a beautiful older temple on the other side of the river, and taking an overnight train. The overnight train was quite the experience and I recommend it to any traveler who wants to save a few bucks and see the country side. Unfortunately we had the top bunks which had no windows so there was not a lot of "countryside watching" to be done. I did my fair share of research on Trip Advisor before buying tickets at the train station. There are way too many scams that go on in this country and I wasn't about to get ripped off. It turned out to be way too easy.. we ignored all the random men trying to sell tickets around us and went right up to the counter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We bought 2nd class A/C sleeper tickets to Surat Thani with a combined bus ticket to Krabi. So we stocked up on some nuggets (snacks), as Lloyd says and we were on our way! The 2nd class sleeper cars are open, meaning you don't have your own private cabin quarters. This is the more social option.. Unfortunately we had two Thai women beneath us, so there was not a lot of socializing that could be done. The younger people were a few cars down, including a bunch of German guys who came prepared with a huge cooler of ice with enough Chang and Singha to get them through the night/morning. There was a lot of rolling around in our tiny bunks but I slept surprisingly well. I got up to go to the bathroom once and the walk there was quite like a scene out of a horror movie. One of the train employees scared the shit out of me when I looked down and saw him lying passed out on top of extra sheets and pillows in the bathroom car. Other than that, I'm glad I got the experience in. It's one every traveler should really take part in. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I9EJV7dWzoo/Uu4Crvhtt4I/AAAAAAAACX0/HDr4_0zYtkQ/s1600/1604911_10151835199567484_832467395_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I9EJV7dWzoo/Uu4Crvhtt4I/AAAAAAAACX0/HDr4_0zYtkQ/s1600/1604911_10151835199567484_832467395_n.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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Let me just say that it was only supposed to be a 2-hr bus ride to Krabi from the train station. <span style="color: #d5a6bd;">No. When do things ever go right in SE Asia?? </span>We arrived in Surat Thani, and it was a series of busses, waiting at sketchy taxi/bus stations, handing out of stickers to be put on our shirts, people ordering us where to go without any explanation. Ehh you just take out your kindle (keeping it close to you) and roll with it, <span style="color: #d5a6bd;">because for all you know it could be 20 minutes until your next move or 2 hours..</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FjpdSw4B6DE/Uu4Csb3cCWI/AAAAAAAACYE/ICQrJ8pEUds/s1600/24311_10151835194672484_1303134244_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FjpdSw4B6DE/Uu4Csb3cCWI/AAAAAAAACYE/ICQrJ8pEUds/s1600/24311_10151835194672484_1303134244_n.jpeg" height="400" width="345" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Wat Arun </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QFC2N6hXiYg/Uu4Cr48T01I/AAAAAAAACX8/C79lrAFAvtk/s1600/1656185_10151835198577484_959425650_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QFC2N6hXiYg/Uu4Cr48T01I/AAAAAAAACX8/C79lrAFAvtk/s1600/1656185_10151835198577484_959425650_n.jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Day 2 of Bangkok Protests</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">Krabi</span><span style="color: #93c47d;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">was gorgeous, just as I remembered it. We had wonderful food and too much sun (ha that's a joke! There can never be too much sun when you've spent the last 2 months living in below freezing weather.) I'll never get over those long-tail boats. Beautiful.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vRNcXNqUyCQ/Uu4EDCNEo8I/AAAAAAAACYs/lvvii6W81h4/s1600/35479_10151835201232484_266447661_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vRNcXNqUyCQ/Uu4EDCNEo8I/AAAAAAAACYs/lvvii6W81h4/s1600/35479_10151835201232484_266447661_n.jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">One of many tuk-tuk rides</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QvtCBkgjGnU/Uu4ECwUIYmI/AAAAAAAACYc/ctiyzTwEGFM/s1600/1560417_10151835201797484_341523306_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QvtCBkgjGnU/Uu4ECwUIYmI/AAAAAAAACYc/ctiyzTwEGFM/s1600/1560417_10151835201797484_341523306_n.jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">AoNang Beach, Krabi</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Ko Phi Phi</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Three days later it was on to Ko Phi Phi. A quick 90 minute ferry over to the island and then it was a 15 minute trek along the beach to our hostel. (There are no cars on Phi Phi, only bicycles and rolly carts that you can hire to carry your luggage.) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rjp6ZknbBF4/Uu4EDFNbX5I/AAAAAAAACY0/Fkg90zMzM-E/s1600/1622164_10151835204067484_864075807_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rjp6ZknbBF4/Uu4EDFNbX5I/AAAAAAAACY0/Fkg90zMzM-E/s1600/1622164_10151835204067484_864075807_n.jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So as we're walking along the beach on Dahlam Bay, lined with bars, bars, and more bars.. I'm beginning to notice the sense that I'm back at college. Now we knew our hostel had a bar, which most hostels do.. but we did not know that this hostel was ACTUALLY the bar. Now, me and Lloyd didn't party this vacation.. I guess I feel like I could have.. but didn't really have an urge to like the past. This island just put everything into perspective for me, and I actually had a hard time with it in the beginning. This hostel being the start of it.. We went to bed at around midnight that night, didn't pass out until about 5am.. I never want to hear the pounding of bass like that ever again in my life.. The first thing we said to each other when we woke up... "New accommodation?" After a few inquiries and a few roach spottings- we finally ended up with a lovely guesthouse, <i>Garden Home</i> (recommend it) on the other side of the island that was quieter and away from the constant drunken state of the Dahlam Bay side. </span><br />
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Don't get me wrong, we had a great time on Phi Phi. Soaked in the sun, enjoyed mojitos before noon, swam in crystal clear water.. <span style="color: #d5a6bd;">but this part of the vacation really made me realize how much I've grown up.</span> The whole getting drunk 24/7 and wasting your money and memories on alcohol and stupid decisions is no longer what makes me happy. I'd rather spend my money on other things that really will give me memories to last me a lifetime. Don't get me wrong, I love a good drink and a good time, but to the point that some of these people were getting to.. it's too much for me now. I had a hard time with that when I was first realizing it, thinking I should be partying more and meeting more people, but I do that anyway. And why was I trying to force it? <span style="color: #d5a6bd;">Forcing myself to go back to 18 years old, a freshman in college, drinking my days away? I don't find satisfaction in that anymore. </span>The second we left that island, it hit me that that's okay. I AM growing up. I still love a good time. That part of me will never leave. I can still down some shots and take over a dance floor, but things are just different now. I'm focused on the important things in my life now. I have a serious boyfriend whom I love dearly. I have a life to get back to in 4 weeks, and a life to say good bye to here.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aFAp4RLrr0c/Uu4ECLyRVJI/AAAAAAAACYY/hGLKOrrphBU/s1600/1510660_10151835206162484_68748585_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aFAp4RLrr0c/Uu4ECLyRVJI/AAAAAAAACYY/hGLKOrrphBU/s1600/1510660_10151835206162484_68748585_n.jpeg" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Took a little morning hike up to Phi Phi Viewing Point. Gorgeous!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HV_e4bi2xEY/Uu4ECCMLlLI/AAAAAAAACYk/NgSDI63YRio/s1600/1017124_10151835204987484_321812443_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HV_e4bi2xEY/Uu4ECCMLlLI/AAAAAAAACYk/NgSDI63YRio/s1600/1017124_10151835204987484_321812443_n.jpeg" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Finally did Dr. Fish... Weird stuff</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the time we got back to Krabi, we had about 5 hours until we needed to be at the airport. We were tired, hungry, irritated and just wanted to sit down and not be annoyed. That's the last thing we got. By this point we were beyond done with the haggling of Thailand. We didn't make it two steps out the doors of that ferry terminal before being bombarded by taxi drivers asking where we were going. After much ignoring and yelling, we took a seat and ordered some lunch from a sweet old woman. After being bitches to the taxi drivers who would not let us enjoy our meal, a kind taxi driver came over with a map and sat down with us. Unlike the rest, actually wanted to help us, so we finally agreed on a price and hitched a ride with him into Krabi Town. He had agreed to come back 2 hours later to drive us to the airport. After some compromising on a deposit price, we spent a lovely afternoon at a corner bar drinking some Lipton. The man, to our surprise, had kept his word, and two hours later showed up in the exact spot he dropped us off at. We had lovely conversation on the way to the airport, learned he was going to Holland to visit his sister and her kids. I shook his hand and told him he was a good man. It was a lovely experience to end Thailand on after all the recent frustrations we had dealt with. <span style="color: #d5a6bd;">A wise friend told me last night, after telling him this story, told me some of the best stories you take with you are these tiny ones that make a huge unexpected impact.</span> Off to our quick red eye flight to Bangkok where we popped a squat on some seats and slept the night away, bags tightly secured around our wrists.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Siem Reap, Cambodia</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With our lovely night's sleep (that's a lie) but it was worth us not having to pay for a hostel for 8 hours, we were off to The Kingdom of Cambodia!</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LYKOEXpS-nY/Uu4GjozYejI/AAAAAAAACac/Zkedfp5jvtY/s1600/1653731_10151835341592484_1360245686_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LYKOEXpS-nY/Uu4GjozYejI/AAAAAAAACac/Zkedfp5jvtY/s1600/1653731_10151835341592484_1360245686_n.jpeg" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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Fast forward through the old wooden airport and Visa process that involved your passport being passed through a line of grumpy-looking old Cambodian men staring you down... we settled into our hostel and went out to explore Siem Reap!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fZ6IYnNmd7E/Uu4GRLD3O0I/AAAAAAAACZA/OQnPJkWhHg0/s1600/1503445_10151835338602484_1476614700_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fZ6IYnNmd7E/Uu4GRLD3O0I/AAAAAAAACZA/OQnPJkWhHg0/s1600/1503445_10151835338602484_1476614700_n.jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now let me just begin with saying.. I had researched and found out that they use both Cambodian Riel and US Dollars in this country. So we decided last minute to just exchange what we had into Riel. VERY. BAD. DECISION.... Lesson learned. While Cambodians will accept their own currency, they really don't like to. EVERYWHERE uses USD. And I mean everywhere. So it wasn't too long before we were fed up with the calculations and exchanged yet again... into USD. We decided not to calculate how much money we had actually lost through this whole debacle.. because it was so worth it. It was definitely weird to be using my own currency again, but obviously familiar and pretty cool.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #d5a6bd;">Let's talk Cambodian food.. because well, why not!?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Three dishes that I became obsessed with..</span><br />
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<b>Khmer Amok:</b> A coconut-based fish curry (I always got it with chicken instead of fish.) Coconut milk curry- enough said. YUM. (About $3)</span><br />
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<b>Khmer Lok Lak:</b> Marinated beef on a bed of fresh lettuce, cucumber, onion and tomato. A very simple dish, but soooooo good. (About $4)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6zXvycg_TR8/Uu4GjVgMWDI/AAAAAAAACZ8/DZ6XueDUKS4/s1600/1621741_10151835344172484_2013281877_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6zXvycg_TR8/Uu4GjVgMWDI/AAAAAAAACZ8/DZ6XueDUKS4/s1600/1621741_10151835344172484_2013281877_n.jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<b>Khmer Fresh Spring Rolls:</b> At our favorite restaurant, a set of three cost $1. Fresh spring rolls are usually all the same to me, but I don't know, there was something about these that were out of this world.. maybe it was the delicious peanut sauce or the fact that they were $1. Both?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B5vAq6kZQwU/Uu4GiR26qUI/AAAAAAAACZ4/GLmPsZV_f6A/s1600/1560531_10151835338392484_1666201866_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B5vAq6kZQwU/Uu4GiR26qUI/AAAAAAAACZ4/GLmPsZV_f6A/s1600/1560531_10151835338392484_1666201866_n.jpeg" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></div>
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As you see from these prices.. things are extremely cheap in Cambodia. It took us a while to get used to it. Lloyd ordered a $4 steak one night. We enjoyed a 3-set course meal for $6.50 another night. Angkor Beer is 25 cents at most places. Our tuk-tuk driver we hired for Angkor Wat.. His pay for a 7-hr workday: $15.</span><br />
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We had a found a great, reliable, travel agency shop near Pub Street (the famous Western bar and restaurant street in Siem Reap.) Within 20 minutes, we had taken care of money exchange, setting up our Kompong Phluk Village tour, and taking care of our tickets to the Phare Cambodian Circus as well as Rosana, the lady boy cabaret show. It always feels good when you meet legit business owners in SE Asia, who are not trying to pull a fast one on you and rip you off. Sometimes it almost seems to good to be true.</span><br />
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The morning after we got to Siem Reap, we were up early to meet our tuk-tuk driver who was supposed to take us to Angkor Wat. This deal was made with our taxi-driver the previous day who had driven us to the hostel from the airport. After going back and forth about prices, he had agreed that at 9am one of his coworkers would be there to meet us. 10am and 3 cups of coffee later out on the patio, we gave up. Our hostel couldn't have been more accommodating and called one of their own tuk-tuk drivers. As I stated previously... $15 for this sweet man, named <i>Pen</i> to drive us around for 7 hours. Waiting in the heat until our touristy asses came back from each temple, ready and waiting with ice-cold water to drive us to the next one. The sweetest man.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #d5a6bd;">Angkor Wat.</span> WOW. Breathtaking. Lloyd and I had watched a documentary on it before we left, but he took in way more than me, for he quickly became my own personal tour guide, shooting fact after fact at me as we walked through.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a few quick Wikipedia facts:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Buddhist temple complex</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's the largest religious monument in the world</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Was built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II and acted as his home and state temple.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Angkor Wat is the most well-preserved temple at the site of Angkor.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It appears on Cambodia's national flag and acts as a symbol almost everywhere in Cambodia.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The ruins were unbelievable. There's almost no where that is off-limits. You really do have to be careful walking around some areas because there is so much rubble and loose rock lying around. It's incredible how much of these temples have held throughout all these years. I had to stop a few times to just take it all in. The engraved walls that contained such intricate detail was remarkable. It's funny, but you have to remember that this was was not done by a factory. It took time, effort, and passion from the Khmer people.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">tuk-tuk drivers waiting..</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another big temple within Angkor was </span><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bayon</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Well-known for it's massive stone faces engraved into the towers that make up the temple.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And one of the coolest temples for me: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">Ta Prohm.</span><span style="color: #93c47d;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">The trees grow out of the temples, exposing their enormous roots. It's quite the site. One of the largest trees is an ideal photo opportunity site, and we were surrounded by a comedy show of older Canadian/American accents. I'm talking 50-60 yr olds. I was actually overcome by quite an unexpected comfort standing next to them. I haven't been around older foreigners who speak my language. Not only that, but who are from my home country. (Thailand was full of Europeans and Asians.) A little unexplainable, but it was really nice to just be around this older population for a while. We got a few laughs out of them trying to work cameras for their family and friends.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Exploring the city of Angkor and all of it's temples was such an experience. Asian temples have started to grow into one. After time, they kind of become quite similar. I share this opinion with a lot of expats traveling and living in Asia. But the temples of Cambodia, the ruins put them in a league of their own. Such beauty in them.</span><br />
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Unfortunately that day brought on a huge rush of emotion. As we were eating lunch on the grounds of Angkor Wat, we had child after child come up to us, doing what they've been taken out of school to do. Begging for money, selling postcards, etc, mumbling, holding out their small, dirt-covered hands. Lingering. Some would leave after a simple, "No thank you." Most would stay. Not after two "no thank you's." Not after four. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We would resort to ignoring them and trying to focus on each other instead of the poor child next to us just doing what they've been told to do. It killed me. Especially the children who would linger there until you're ready to just grab them in a huge hug and take them away. I looked over to my left at one point and saw three kids playing jump rope. (Pictured left.)</span><br />
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Lloyd and I discussed, whether they get "play time" as a reward when they sell a certain amount of merchandise. Or maybe they have a designated time, like the equivalent of an adult's "lunch break" to play. <span style="color: #d5a6bd;">To be a kid. To remember for a little bit that, oh yeah, I'm only 6 years old.</span> Lloyd saw a boy laugh at another kid when he wasn't able to sell a foreigner something. I'll never forget this scene:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Later in the day at a temple, I saw two girls, no more than 5 years old, staring at the food that this Asian tour group was handing out to each other. Literally just staring. Not moving. (Pictured below)</span><br />
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Cambodian children surround Angkor. Their parents know that's where the income is. It's the major tourist attraction. They take their children out of school. They understand their innocence, and how that will affect us compared to a 40-year old coming up to us trying to sell a postcard.</span><br />
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Then you get the children on Pub Street, walking right into western restaurants because there's no law against that. Some wait for the second you're done with your meal, not letting you walk two feet into the street before coming right up to you and asking for something. Same goes for tuk-tuk drivers trying to get their own business. The second you grab your bag to leave the table, you're bombarded. Pub Street itself is so out of place on this city where poverty is everywhere you look. But you put a child in the middle of this street, wearing basically rags for clothing, shoeless, dirt-stricken skin, and your heart just breaks. Because all you really want to do is take them home for a shower, or give them a simple hug and tell them your life doesn't have to continue on like this. But all you can really do is say no thank you and walk away, because really.. where is that money going? Not directly to them I'm sure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That night we went to the <a href="http://www.pharecambodiancircus.org/circus/">Phare Cambodian Circus</a>. A circus, that works with Phare Ponleu Selpak, a non-profit, non-governmental association founded in 1994 by ex refugees and young Cambodians. They set up a school aimed to take in "street children", orphans, and trafficked children. The organization teaches circus skills, theater performance, music, and a range of visual arts. It was announced at the end of the show, that all of the performers we had just watched had recently graduated from the school, and was a major celebratory night for them. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This show was absolutely amazing. As Lloyd said, they have almost nothing to work with. The few props they do have are put to use in ways that you can't imagine. Of course I connected to it on a whole other level because of my gymnastics background. The whole show was basically acrobatics. It was such a small venue so its was very intimate and you were with them the entire time. In the end.. I had a crazy idea to ask one of the girls to take a picture with me in a handstand.. yes.. this happened. And then the rest of the cast joined in. Lloyd has the pictures so I don't have them right now. These performers are tremendously talented. It works with a great cause and I recommend it to anyone visiting Siem Reap.</span><br />
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We also saw a Cabaret Show, called Rosana. Full lady-boy cast, which was definitely quite the experience. It was nothing like what we expected, but I'm not too sure what we expected in the first place.. They did a number for almost every Asian country. And then went on to do two numbers from the US, including a recent J-Lo song. I mean, wow. Wasn't my favorite part of the trip, but enjoyed it nonetheless.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now for one of the last things we did.. <span style="color: #d5a6bd;">Kompong Phluk.</span>This is an isolated floating village on Tonle Sap Lake, about an hour tuk-tuk drive outside of Siem Reap. Wow. Wow. Wow. Like nothing I've ever seen before. We had our own private boat with a driver who spoke barely one word to us, but through smiles we expressed our gratitude at the end of the tour. We were on that boat sailing through the village for probably a little under 30 minutes before we made our first stop. During that entire time, Lloyd and I did not speak one word to each other. <span style="color: #d5a6bd;">We were so engulfed in what was going on around us. What our eyes were taking in.</span> Unreal. Again, I had to remind myself a few times that this was not a show being put on for us. This is a self-sustaining village with people who have close to nothing, and they are as happy as can be. Almost every child I saw was laughing, smiling, waving at us, some were pushing their friends in the water. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most were naked or barely clothed. All the adults and older children were doing some kind of manual labor. Working on their house, working on their boats, pulling up nets out of the water, etc. Everyone had a job to do. Their houses were extraordinary The way they are built, the way they are sustained, the way some are bare, but how others are decorated in some small way. It was quite amazing. Lloyd and I said the same thing as we left... we would love nothing more than to spend a few days in that village. Forgetting everything we know, living the way they do, experiencing what it's like to not have anything of what we're used to. It was an unreal experience. This is something that everyone needs to see. We thought the city of Siem Reap opened our eyes... this was on a whole new level.</span><br />
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I am so grateful for this vacation. Cambodia has become that country that holds a special little place in my heart. It holds such warm, kind, hardworking people. And my hope is that these children will one day find that there is more out there, get back to school, and seek opportunities to make a change in their lives..</span><br />
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MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826346872600459018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086622142198826.post-78138532663251645762013-11-26T15:59:00.001+09:002013-11-26T16:14:46.279+09:00Finish Each Day And Be Done With It..<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have really been slacking with this blog, so I apologize. But I'm sitting down today with my hot cup of Dunkin coffee and the two donuts I probably shouldn't have just consumed after a hardcore leg day at the gym. I don't even like donuts. No, that's not a joke. Therefore my body is craving carbs.. (clearly not the good kind.) To be fair I did have some awesome Zucchini Protein Pancakes and a Stuffed Kabocha Squash with black beans and other goodness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, I'm about to be interrupted by Lloyd, for we are buying our tickets to Cambodia/Thailand today! Finally got the go-ahead from my Vice Principal after nagging my co-teachers every day for the past two weeks. "Make sure you ask him for permission when he gets back from his business meeting (which yes, lasted two weeks.) I need to buy my tickets!" They pulled through in the end. Thank goodness. I'm not made of money people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, this post is basically going to be treated like a diary. Maybe because writing about it in my personal journal is not good enough like it usually is. Or maybe the thought that it's out in the public and I feel like I'm really sharing my emotions with people (even if only a handful of people read this) will help me. Either way, I'm about to share a whole lot of info that I rarely share with people, but I'm hoping it will help me get through these next few months. Thank you Orlando- for making me slooooowly open up about my emotions. Yeah.. I'm one of those. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First off, let's go back in time and get in to what I have been up to for the past three months. After Thailand it was back to work, back to the kids, and the awaiting of the boy. Autumn crept in slowly but surely, and was gone in an instant. That's Korea for ya. Summer and Winter are extreme and last FOREVER. Spring and Autumn.. well you barely say hello to them before they vanish. I admit, this country in the autumn is beautiful. New York takes the prize, but Korea deserves a definite spot. Not a lot happened in September.. it was the usual getting back into work mode and coming to reality that I was no longer on vacation on a tropical island. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">October hit and man did time slow down. Orlando arrived on the 12th, and those next two weeks were absolutely perfect. We spent a good amount of time in Seoul. Spent a night in Daegu celebrating my birthday with some friends. I had to work during this time, minus the two days I played some hookey. Shh. So we made the best out of it and I was able to get in most of what I wanted him to see and experience. He knows this, but I am forever grateful that he was able to make this trip. We're both beyond lucky we found each other. <span style="color: #e69138;">We share a mutual love for traveling, and that's something that we have promised each other we will continue.</span> Already making plans.. So skip the whole leaving him at the airport scene, because I never want to go through that one ever again.. He's home safe, and we're getting through the next three months.. some how. But we are.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That was a little over a month ago, and here we are.. late November. Thanksgiving is in three days, which means it's the beginning of the holiday season. And for expats that means homesickness at its finest. Last year was tough but this year I was prepared. It's cold; you want to cuddle up in your home with some hot chocolate. Your family is constantly around. There's good food to be eaten, laughs and stories to be had. It's a magical time. A time to reconnect with the ones you love. <span style="color: #e69138;">When you are not near any of that.. it hurts. It's tough.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now for the deep stuff..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been going through a bit of a mini-depression if we must call it that. Over the past month I have lost interest in things that once interested me. I have distanced myself from my friends here. My typical day is something like this.. I go to work until 4:30. I head straight to the gym for an hour and a half.By the time I get home it's around 7pm. I make dinner and I sit down to at least two episodes of Breaking Bad (Yes, I'm a little late on that train. And yes, I'm addicted.) I go to sleep and do it all over again. I rarely talk to anyone throughout the day. I bail on plans. I avoid coffee shops where I think I will see people. <span style="color: #e69138;">This is not me. And it's starting to really take a toll on me. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are some underlying problems that I know I'm going through. In the beginning of this post I felt I could open up about them in detail, but I changed my mind on that. So I'll just give you the general issues going on that are making me pull away from everyone and everything here in Korea. (Exception: #1. I feel as though this one needs some serious ventilation so I don't blow.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">1. I have become obsessed with clean-eating</span>. I have always had an unhealthy relationship with food (Let's just be real.. I've always had a <i>fucked up</i> relationship with food.) The guilt I feel after I treat myself to something or give in to something my body is clearly craving, is really starting to get to me. These past two weeks I've been reading blog after blog on ways to deal with food guilt and enjoying everything you consume. That is what's behind guilt-free eating. When you enjoy what you are putting into your body, <i>everything </i>you are putting into your body, you won't have the guilt when you treat yourself to something "un-clean."</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Orthorexia.</span> The name Physician Steven Bratman came up with, for people who simply have an obsession for healthy eating. They are preoccupied with eating the cleanest, purest, healthiest (aka "clean") foods, and avoiding anything artificial or "toxic." Officially classifying this as an eating disorder is controversial. Orthorexia Nervosa does not appear in the DSM-IV as are anorexia and bulimia. Opponents wonder <span style="color: #e69138;">"Since when did choosing a lifestyle that eliminates junk food become a disease?"</span></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Personally I really don't know where I stand on this matter. I'm coming from my experiences over the past few months. I came back to Korea wanting to better myself. My first year here I let myself go.. badly. I knew I wanted to get back into the shape I was in before I left for this country. I did that.. and I went beyond it. I researched hours upon hours of recipes, articles, blogs, and workouts. I do HIIT workouts 4-5 times a week. I weight lift 6 days a week. I spend ridiculous amounts of money on clean foods on iherb that are not found here in Korea. I realized the other day i have been basically eating like a vegan 75% of the time over the past 9 months.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is basically what my kitchen contains:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">quinoa</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">oats (steel-cut and old fashioned)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">legumes (kidney beans, black beans, mung beans, lentils)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">dark greens (spinach, kale)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">veggies (zucchini, squash, pumpkin, eggplant, carrots)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">fruit (whatever is in season.. but always bananas and apples)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">almond milk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">chia seed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">flax seed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">isolate whey protein powder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">raw natural almond butter/peanut butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">yellow mustard (the one condiment I allow myself.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just ordered nutritional yeast. which I'm really excited about.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vegan much?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now you may think, okay this is a normal clean-eating lifestyle. Yes, it is. I am educated. I eat my 5 small meals a day. I fuel my body pre and post- workout. I know I'm eating clean. So yes.. this is a normal clean lifestyle.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Except for one problem.. and that's my complete inability to have something the LEAST bit "unclean" and not feel like complete and utter shit.</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's my inability to go to a weekly "Girl's Night" with my friends and have a piece of damn bread with the soup they made. It's my inability to BUY bread myself. (Now.. Korea has no such thing as ezekiel or whole wheat so I'm trying to not make this a major point.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's my inability to have one of their meals because although it has nice lean chicken and veggies, they put some kind of sauce in it or a little salt that upped the sodium to a level I can't consciously eat.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's having chips and salsa at a South African braai and wanting to take it all back because even though it was about 5 chips total and no more than 2 tablespoons of salsa.. it came from a jar full of sodium, preservatives and other crap that my body doesn't need. It's the fact that I'm yelling inside, "Why couldn't you just cut up some tomatoes, onions etc, added some spices and call it a day. Perfectly clean salsa right there.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No. it doesn't matter that it's a special occasion. Do I buy this stuff myself. No. Do I have it every day? No.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do I bake delicious carrot cakes for myself every day? No. So can I enjoy the piece cut for me for my birthday, made by one of my best friends, a pastry chef? No, I can't. It's absolutely delicious. I'll eat it of course. I will savor every bite. But every time I swallow, I'm thinking what the hell did I just do that for?</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's exhausting. It is so mentally draining. I have been dealing with food issues since I was in 6th grade. 11 years old. I'm 24. I know who I am. I'm not that insecure little pre-teen anymore. <span style="color: #e69138;">Enough is enough.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am so terrified of slipping and going back to how I was. Was I overweight? Absolutely not. Did I eat crap all day? No. I've always been health conscious; made healthy choices; had an active lifestyle. But I was nowhere near as disciplined as I am now. I am both afraid and excited for home. I will have access to foods and supplements that I do not have access to here. There are so many recipes I want to try. But I am also going home to bars, late night food, foods I've missed, a much MUCH busier schedule (which means getting to the gym or Bikram will be much more of a feat), larger restaurant portions, friends who don't share the same lifestyle I do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm hoping the knowledge and the discipline I have now will carry over.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm hoping the guilt and the obsessiveness <span style="color: #e69138;">do not</span>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So after all of the blogs I've been reading on people who have been through the same thing I'm currently going through... It all comes down to.. Enjoy your food.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That way when a big craving strikes..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. You won't over-indulge or binge.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. You will enjoy it instead of feeling guilt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Really take a look at your lifestyle.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You're not an idiot.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You know you're eating the cleanest foods you can find.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You ARE making good choices.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You're making substitutions everywhere you know you can. Yes, I make chickpea chocolate chip cookies. Yes I make protein powder syrup for my pancakes. Yes, I never eat red meat at home. Yes I make "flax eggs." Yes I use nutritional yeast as cheese. Yes I use Greek yogurt for every creamy ingredient that comes along. Yes I only use coconut oil.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You look great.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You're getting your ass to the gym.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You're educated.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You've done the research.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You CAN indulge a little bit. You're allowed to.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You're allowed to eat that piece of bread. You're allowed to have an extra tablespoon of peanut butter once in a while. You can try your friend's new recipe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You over-indulge. Fine. You say, "Okay. that happened. It's done. It's over. Tomorrow is a fresh new start."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Only you know your own body. Listen to it. Give it what it wants. Cut it some slack once in a while.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"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; you shall begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense." -Ralph Waldo Emerson </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back to my list..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. <span style="color: #e69138;">My dad.</span> We haven't spoken in years. I guess he always pops into my head around the holidays. Reality hits like a tsunami. I realize that he is completely out of my life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. <span style="color: #e69138;">My brothers.</span> One in particular is going through some stuff and all I want to do is be there for him. Around him. Helping him.. trying to at least. As much as he'll let me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. <span style="color: #e69138;">The holidays.</span> Korea's Christmas is almost non-existent. I want to be near my family. I have a family of friends here and I'm thankful. But I need my family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. <span style="color: #e69138;">New family.</span> I am expecting a new niece or nephew any day now. My new cousin was just born.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. <span style="color: #e69138;">My other half.</span> I am in love with this incredible man who makes me become the best version of myself. We have had to say goodbye for months at a time- twice now. We have seen each other in 2 and 3 week increments. When I come home, I will be home for good. No more goodbyes like that. No more countdowns. No more skype. No more dropped calls. The anticipation of all of that is killing me. It's killing us. But we've proved long distance works. And this thing is lasting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Orlando and my mother told me the exact same things. <span style="color: #e69138;">They were just the right amount of harsh. I needed that. Badly.</span> I need to get back to the mindset I was in when I first came to Korea. The mindset where excitement and new experiences covered the fact that I was away from home. I need to do the things and see the things I've yet to experience here in Korea before I leave. Because the reality is... in exactly 3 months and 2 days, I will be boarding a flight to the States where all of this will be mere memories. I want them to be great memories. <span style="color: #e69138;">And the truth is... I WILL miss this place.</span> I will miss this point in my life. I need to be present-minded. I need to continue to take it in. I need this time. I need to savor it. My mom is right... I don't want to look back at my last few months and see myself giving up; throwing in the towel way too early. There are too many things I've yet to see. Yet to do. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I've made some goals for myself. Some personal gains I need to make. Some personal changes I need to make in my life. <span style="color: #e69138;">By the end of this I will have spent two years of my life here. 24 months in this beautiful, crazy, country they call South Korea</span>. I've said it before, and I will say it again.. I am BEYOND grateful for my life here. My friends, my co-teachers, my students. This country, this experience has changed me in more ways than I knew. It's made me open up to find out who I really am. And you know what, I realized that a big part of who I am is my family. I am very close to them. And that's not a bad thing. Is it affecting my time here? Absolutely it is. In a bad way? Not in the slightest. It's just a fact. I've always had their support. And I continue to have it. Am I adaptable as I thought I was? I've realized it varies greatly on the situation. I went on a solo trip to a foreign country. I did a two-day trek through a village where almost every resource we were used to was taken away. I pushed my body and mind to go through the extremes. I have encountered so much here. Every expat does. We go through times of struggle, heartbreak, homesickness, culture-shock, and doubt. It all comes back to that one thought.. I am in ________!!! For me, I am in Korea!!! I moved here, knowing not a soul. I made friends who are now my family. I made connections that will last me a lifetime. The connections you make while traveling are incomparable. They are full of depth, culture, differences, and interest. I am thankful for every single on of those connections, no matter how big or small.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The life of an expat. They don't prepare you for these feelings towards the end. <span style="color: #e69138;">There are SO many feelings.</span> They can be confusing, exciting, and just overall crazy.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Be comfortable being uncomfortable. It may get tough, but it's a small price to pay for living a dream." - Peter McWilliams</span><br />
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MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826346872600459018noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086622142198826.post-393738291267587802013-09-16T23:40:00.002+09:002013-09-16T23:45:45.325+09:00I made it.. Thailand!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I made it! The beautiful country of Thailand! And it was everything that I imagined it to be and more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My nerves were running wild as I arrived at BKK airport. I couldn't believe I had finally made it to the country that was calling my name for the last three years. I had to get to DMX Airport as I was flying Air Asia up to Chiang Mai, so I went the cheap route and took a shuttle bus to a bus terminal and then another hour-long bus ride to DMX. Fun fact: I was nervous I would miss the stop, so as soon as I saw the airport I got off at the next stop. Little did I know I should have stayed on the bus for about three more stops. <span style="color: #e69138;">So yes, I was only in Bangkok about 2 hours and I, a 23 year old foreign <i>girl</i>, was walking alone on a major highway at 2:30am.</span> All good! I eventually made it to the airport where I was met by sleeping travelers spread out on benches, propped up against walls, earphones in, and noses peeking out of blankets. I quickly realized that the gates didn't open until 4am, so I found myself a nice little table at the only open coffee shop in the place, took out my kindle, and kicked back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two hours later, I spotted my mom and Susan walking towards my gate and it was, as you can imagine, a joyous reunion. The stories couldn't come out fast enough as they had spent the previous two days in Bangkok. They experienced a floating market, language barriers, delicious food, and the usual frustrations and joys that come with traveling in Asia. We got our Starbucks and we were off to Chiang Mai for the next 4 days!</span><br />
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Chiang Mai:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wow, what a city! Northern Thailand is gorgeous. The mountains, the people, the laid back atmosphere... it was just beautiful. We stayed at <a href="http://www.divaguesthouse.com/">Diva Guesthouse</a>, who couldn't be more helpful. I recommend them to anyone visiting Chiang Mai. They set every activity up for us, no problem.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of these included the famous <a href="http://www.tigerkingdom.com/Home.htm">Tiger Kingdom</a>. Yes, we were able to hang out with massive, wild, cats who are capable of taking a chunk out of your body. We also played with the little guys, who I actually found scarier.. they were little balls of energy.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cooking Class:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We partook in a cooking class, where I made pad see ew, panang curry (pictured below), and Thailand's famous dessert- sticky rice with mango. My mom and Susan made massaman curry, coconut milk, and a spicy chicken basil dish. Our teacher, a young Thai woman around my age, was hysterical and really made the day. We took a visit to the market and their local garden, where we learned about the different ingredients we would be cooking with.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One thing I noticed about Thai cooking compared to Korean, is that there is so much more variety health wise. In particular, Korea douses all of their fermented and raw veggies with red pepper sauce. Thailand works with a variety of sauces. Korea uses white rice. Thailand has a HUGE variety, and our teacher was explaining how most cooking is done with brown rice or the expensive white rice, for cheap white rice is very unhealthy. The Thai people have this knowledge and <i>use</i> it. Korean people must know, they just choose to stick to their traditional cheap white rice. Anyway, the cooking class was loads of fun, and had us laughing and joking all day. We were in need of a good laugh after our crazy trek, which I'll get to soon...</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Mom going to town on that curry</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Sticky rice with mango</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Night Bazaar and Saturday Night Market:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Markets, markets, and more markets! Now, living in Asia and experiencing Korea, Japan and Taiwan already- I was used to markets. But boy is Thailand unlike any other. NEVER ENDINGGGGGG. I mean really, it was beyond overwhelming. <span style="color: #e69138;">But you get my mom and I together.. it's like we have a Mary Poppins wallet, where money just keeps producing itself. </span>We couldn't buy enough. Yes, we were in our own little heaven. Keeping in mind that I still had Bangkok and Krabi ahead of me, I did hold back a bit. (Yeah who am I kidding, that's a lie.)</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Khantoke (Traditional Dance & Dinner):</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tourist Trap? Yes. But a necessary one I think. Though the food wasn't fabulous, the dances and performances were very entertaining. The young Thai girls were stunning in their traditional dresses, and the little children performing traditional games and dances couldn't be cuter. The hot Thai men and their sword dancing didn't hurt either.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Elephant Riding and a Two-Day Trek to a Karen Village:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chiang Mai is known for two very big things: Elephants and Trekking. We did both! Riding elephants- I mean hell yeah! No pondering that one. I had two major reasons for deciding to do this particular trek. 1. Trekking to a village overnight-stay was on the itinerary for my ISV trip three years ago. 2. When I travel, I like to treat myself, be a typical tourist, but I also like to see the REAL country. I like to see its people in their own environment going about their typical day. I like to experience <i>all</i> of that. So I have made it a point everywhere I've traveled so far since being out here, to go in search of that. You usually don't have to go too far. Just off the beaten path. Get yourself out of the tourist traps, the markets, the hagglers, and go for a walk. <span style="color: #e69138;">This trek was one of the toughest, physically and mentally challenging things I have done thus far in my life.</span> I would tie it with the 5-hour glacier hike up New Zealand's Franz Josef Glacier. This trek tested my physical abilities, my awareness, my trust in others, but most of all trust and confidence in myself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We started the two days off with a visit to Maevong Elephant Camp. We were there for about 5 hours. We fed them, learned how to talk to them using Mahout language. We practiced mounting, riding, and dismounting them. Then it was off to the river! Some of us, like myself, and a few Dutch guys my age got our own elephants. My mom and Susan were together. I admit now, I was scared shitless to be by myself <i>but</i> so ready for it! Now a lot of tourists when they come to Thailand will sit on the big seat strapped onto the elephant's back. When I signed up for this trek/elephant package I knew right away I didn't want to do it that way. I wanted to be bareback on this massive animal. I wanted to do it the real way. I wanted adventure and authentic experiences.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So as we all mounted our elephants, we began our journey through the jungle, up small cliffs, down narrow pathways, down to a river. Of course our elephants were hungry along the way, so they would stop every so often and pull massive bamboo branches off of trees, up out of the ground, and chomp away. I'll never forget the vision of one of the Dutch guys ahead of me, holding on for dear life as his elephant was standing on its hind legs, front legs against a tree pulling at bamboo. But the real sight that will stay with me forever, is the one of me turning around to see <span style="color: #e69138;">my mom and Susan on their elephant, mountains and bamboo trees as the backdrop, half freaked out half laughing, having the absolute time of their lives.</span> It was an unreal picture and an unreal feeling; one that I cannot possibly fully explain to anyone. But I am so grateful to have that picture forever with me. When we arrived at the river, we were able to bathe and play with the elephants. The baby who was walking along its mother the entire way down, was hysterical in that water! </span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">The mahouts called it a "submarine," because it would roll around under the water sending waves knocking us over. So funny! As soon as we got into that river, there were no longer 9 adults and 2 children in our group.. there were now 11 children. You know when you're experiencing something so fun, so lax, so different than what you're used to.. you kind of turn into a kid again. <span style="color: #e69138;">The laughs were endless and the smiles were contagious.</span> I remember looking over at my mom and Susan pouring water over their elephant, laughing and smiling, all worries and stress- gone. I looked over at the French family and thought, they were bonding over an experience that was making their family unit stronger by the minute.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"> </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">And the group of 4 guys- well they were just having a freakin great old time. Right before we left, Thomas decided we should jump onto each other's elephants. I hesitated for a few seconds there, but </span><span style="color: #e69138; text-align: center;">I was finally just like, 'MaryKate, you're in freaking Thailand on an ELEPHANT! Just do it!.'</span><span style="text-align: center;"> Sooooo, we stood up on our elephants, counted to three and jumped! And yes... I made it safely... just in case you were holding your breath there for a sec. Entire experience. Amazing.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Trek time!</b></span><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5RtyevHy5Lg/Ujb83lta_iI/AAAAAAAACNQ/h7RKFHRd7CY/s1600/1185279_10151544365597484_1695915587_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5RtyevHy5Lg/Ujb83lta_iI/AAAAAAAACNQ/h7RKFHRd7CY/s400/1185279_10151544365597484_1695915587_n.jpeg" width="300" /></span></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5NDf5Sqo-5U/Ujb875rbpgI/AAAAAAAACOU/31_HaXzdwRc/s1600/1238355_10151544365262484_551682422_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5NDf5Sqo-5U/Ujb875rbpgI/AAAAAAAACOU/31_HaXzdwRc/s400/1238355_10151544365262484_551682422_n.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So after having a delicious lunch prepared by the elephant camp family, we were off on our hike. Susan, my mom, myself, the French family (mom, dad, and their two beautiful children), and our 52-year old guide, Min. We hiked through the jungle, up steep cliffs, down even steeper cliffs, through gorgeous beyond gorgeous rice paddy fields, across rivers, and <span style="color: #e69138;">over single bamboo logs about the width of a balance beam (4 in.) over raging waterfalls. </span>Did you hear that last one? Yeah. A <i>single</i> bamboo log. <span style="text-align: center;">Holding onto a thin flimsy rope tied to a tree on either side, that swung about a foot if you didn't hold on tightly. When we saw what lay ahead of us, I think a few of our stomachs dropped. </span><span style="text-align: center;">The rapids underneath us were raging as if they were waiting to take us in and swallow us whole. But we each conquered it like champs. One by one with our walking sticks in our left hands and our right hand holding onto that thing they called a rope (I would call it sewing thread) for dear life, we walked across this thing to safety. Halfway through I looked back at my mother conquering this thing, and I felt so much pride. </span><span style="color: #e69138; text-align: center;">I also had a tiny thought of what my next step would be if she fell in..</span><span style="text-align: center;"> On that note,</span><span style="text-align: center;"> just as night fell, we finally arrived at Min's village. He is part of the Karen tribe. (They are most known for the women with the rings on their necks that push down their collarbones making their necks appear abnormally long and stretched out.) We met who we think was his wife, and some other family members. No shower; an in-ground squatter (eh no biggie after living 18 months in Asia); mosquito-net covered traditional Asian mattresses set on wooden planks. </span><span style="color: #e69138; text-align: center;">It was roughin-it to the core. And I loved every second of it.</span><span style="text-align: center;"> This is what I wanted out of this trip. I wanted to let go of everything I knew; I wanted a challenge; I wanted to see how these people live, eat, and spend their days. Well I got that alright! They cooked us a wonderful dinner (If I remember correctly- pumpkin curry, rice, and veggies.) YUM. We sat around the table with Min and his wife for hours playing games with tiny bamboo sticks, drinking delicious Thai whiskey from his water bottle, painting each other's faces with ash, and bonding over smiles, facial expressions, actions, and what little English and Thai we could all conjure up. </span><span style="color: #e69138; text-align: center;">These people don't have much. At all. But what they do have is making use of their resources in ways our society has forgotten how to do.</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_M8ERDAbgOE/Ujb84A1-SaI/AAAAAAAACNM/UxJj8E5Lxhc/s1600/1185668_10151544367777484_1760815025_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_M8ERDAbgOE/Ujb84A1-SaI/AAAAAAAACNM/UxJj8E5Lxhc/s400/1185668_10151544367777484_1760815025_n.jpeg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These stick games were so entertaining for them, and their joy and enthusiasm sparked it in us. I finally had to start rejecting the whiskey as it was getting to be too much, and we woke up the next day to the most breathtaking view. We arrived the night before so we weren't able to get the whole feel of the place. We had coffee, delicious coconut tea, pineapple (of course) eggs, toast, (3 pieces. Did my mom and I eat all three? Hell yes we did. Yeah our usual clean eating habits were thrown out the window from the second our planes landed in this country) butter, and jam. Breakfast of champions. We started off on our hike back down through the jungle, stopping at a waterfall for a short break along the way. After about 4 hours, we made it to a road. Hallelujah! A man picked us up and drove us back to the elephant camp where we were fed a scrumptious lunch and we were back off to our hostel to take... what was that?? SHOWERS! I washed off the dirty backpacker feel and looked like a girl again.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The French boy painting my mom's face with ash. He loved this. Clearly.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EJwU8yR2Q8U/Ujb-R-fMLEI/AAAAAAAACOw/zDvhNEPlqmg/s1600/994913_10151544367557484_1560610395_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EJwU8yR2Q8U/Ujb-R-fMLEI/AAAAAAAACOw/zDvhNEPlqmg/s400/994913_10151544367557484_1560610395_n.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Loved these tea kettles</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Woman making tablecloths</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VtvC7EpXoao/Ujb85ZF1PiI/AAAAAAAACN0/6-NIkhBKVHk/s400/1233581_10151544368322484_2127146776_n.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Min and the French girl</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HFv7Vafvgj4/Ujb85i12SCI/AAAAAAAACNg/pKRbRVae6P8/s400/1234160_10151544365082484_1379428178_n.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This was our transportation to and from the start and end of our trek.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uleUH0P-y-w/Ujb866mxjbI/AAAAAAAACNs/jfyszo_UKZw/s400/1236152_10151544368917484_2031233042_n.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Get it mom!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-evBCZ-tBf2w/Ujb87OnlyzI/AAAAAAAACNw/MfjKqDAr31c/s400/1236672_10151544366462484_603605983_n.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">These kids were so great! Yes, I am holding a cat. I was also having mini heart attacks every 7 seconds.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Getting to that point of exhaustion.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oey9peF4q1M/Ujb88f1cEpI/AAAAAAAACOI/O9M02TtIveg/s1600/1240588_10151544368202484_1263234842_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Bamboo Rafting:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was also included in our trekking/elephant package. It was quite the beautiful little ride. We had a young Thai man with bamboo as oars and we sat back on this long, well-built, bamboo raft. At one point I was looking behind me talking to my mom and she said, "Mer, look!" And she pointed her finger in front of me. Just as I turned around I saw an elephant with a mahout on its back just casually walking across the river in front of our raft. Because ya know, that's normal... But it was. I mean, wow. I'm pretty sure my jaw dropped. <span style="color: #e69138;">If someone snapped a picture, we would be on the front of a postcard.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I was so intrigued at the way they made these rafts</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yGLGFC2Rmwk/Ujb_vG63jdI/AAAAAAAACPE/jfi65oYl2K4/s400/1237939_10151544369442484_475210601_n.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hung out with these folks and could not figure out for the life of me the rules of the game. But, the baby was cute!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yGLGFC2Rmwk/Ujb_vG63jdI/AAAAAAAACPE/jfi65oYl2K4/s1600/1237939_10151544369442484_475210601_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Krabi/Ko Phi Phi:</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3kh6uhxQkiQ/UjcCbbVTkUI/AAAAAAAACPg/uxQhDJOx2J4/s1600/1175324_10151544372247484_1367055237_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3kh6uhxQkiQ/UjcCbbVTkUI/AAAAAAAACPg/uxQhDJOx2J4/s400/1175324_10151544372247484_1367055237_n.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were now off to the magical world of Southern Thailand. The islands! Krabi! I would finally meet up with my friends, Leandi and Suzanne, and Suzanne's friend Delene from home. After some unwanted sprinting to airport gates and a long bus ride to our resort, we had arrived. We stayed at <a href="http://www.aonangallseasons.com/">Aonang All Seasons Resort</a>. Highly recommend it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zRe6vFQ301k/UjcCcvDmRSI/AAAAAAAACPw/h1npi-lYfHk/s1600/1175752_10151544375457484_2096227438_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zRe6vFQ301k/UjcCcvDmRSI/AAAAAAAACPw/h1npi-lYfHk/s400/1175752_10151544375457484_2096227438_n.jpeg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were in a movie. We were in paradise. And it simply didn't feel real. (Yes, I took this picture to the right. Unreal.) Now I'm not privileged enough to go on yearly trips to the Bahamas, Hawaii, and/or Central America. The last time I saw waters this blue was when I was about 14 on a cruise to the U.S. Virgin Islands. My mom and I agreed, as we were both in Antigua at separate times- as beautiful as that was, <span style="color: #e69138;">it didn't compare to what were staring at in Krabi. This. Was. Paradise.</span> We had a lovely beach-side seafood lunch where I almost died of hot flashes and sweating from my spicy ass crab dish. The two of them, as you could imagine, had a grand old time cracking jokes at me. You know something is spicy when I willingly order a side of white sticky rice. MaryKate- ordering white rice. Yep.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We quickly figured out how to buy a ticket for a long-tail boat that took us over to Railay Beach. (Not more than a 10 minute ride.) I was so happy to be reunited with my friends and to hear all about their adventures in Malaysia. I received a foot scrub on the beach by a kind old Thai woman, sipped on a cocktail, did some handstands, got wrinkled in the water, and allowed myself time to take in everything I was experiencing in these moments. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WQ12E67VEi4/UjcCesUaZCI/AAAAAAAACP8/jIcctIoFN9c/s1600/1229954_10151544374532484_241127803_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WQ12E67VEi4/UjcCesUaZCI/AAAAAAAACP8/jIcctIoFN9c/s400/1229954_10151544374532484_241127803_n.jpeg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course we can't go anywhere without my mom putting her medical degree to good use. There was an unconcious 14-year old girl who was found by a couple German men, lying face down in the sand with waves crashing over her. They resuscitated her and it wasn't until a little while later when we actually noticed what was going on, that I had asked one man if they needed someone with medical background. His worried expression and voice when he said "yes," was all I needed. I ran and ushered my mom out of the water. She ran over to them, and at that point there wasn't much she could really do because her pulse had returned and they were just waiting for a doctor from the main island to arrive. It was an unnerving situation because we didn't know the entire story, and if those men didn't find her when they did, who knows how long she would've been laying there for. The doctor wound up showing up 20 minutes later, giving her an IV on the beach, and lifting her onto a long-tail boat (yeah no speed boat). It was quite a scene. Unfortunately we weren't able to get an update, but prayed that she was able to get some help.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I have one beautiful mother.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Crack up every time I look at this picture</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next day we were up early for a full-day of island hopping through the Pi Pi islands. Ko Phi Phi. Wow. Pictures will just never do justice when it comes to sights like these. But I'm glad I had people to share them with. We snorkeled, learned about the 2004 Tsunami, and to top it off traveled back to Krabi through a legit tornado. There were a few times there I thought I was flying off the side of that boat. Comforting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j4ceXeZH6Hw/UjcCc8xBeLI/AAAAAAAACPs/XC-Is0PjobA/s1600/1186251_10151544397022484_1751730373_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j4ceXeZH6Hw/UjcCc8xBeLI/AAAAAAAACPs/XC-Is0PjobA/s400/1186251_10151544397022484_1751730373_n.jpeg" width="300" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we arrived back, my mom and I spent a lovely hour together on the beach with a cup of coffee and some delicious coconut almond cookies form a local bakery. Time finally slowed down and we were able to get some alone time to talk and catch up. Being on vacation sometimes distances you in ways from the people you're with, because everything is so novel and exciting and you're all busy snapping pictures trying to take it all in. <span style="color: #e69138;">It's so important to put that camera and phone away, grab some treats and get back in touch with who you're spending this time with.</span> I can't say it enough, I love my mother for taking this step and making it possible for her to once again, meet me on the other side of the world. This vacation was so good for her. She deserved every single second of it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had some amazing food in Krabi. To name a few, gourmet pizzas, grilled salmon, decadent Thai curries. Of course by the time I got to Krabi, I had had my fair share of curries and Thai dishes, that I was craving some good western dishes that I had been denied for the last six months in Korea.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bangkok:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well it was off to the 'City of Angels.' The backpacker capital of the world. <span style="color: #e69138;">The city where people wake up with missing digits and tigers in their bathrooms... Yes. We had arrived in BANGKOK.</span> It was also time to say goodbye to my mother and Susan, but not before we went to the infamous Khao San Rd. I sure did some damage there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5fhwVqIqX9w/UjcEXQNLwpI/AAAAAAAACRw/wfqzQPxxo3c/s1600/1005670_10151544402552484_1112144304_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5fhwVqIqX9w/UjcEXQNLwpI/AAAAAAAACRw/wfqzQPxxo3c/s400/1005670_10151544402552484_1112144304_n.jpeg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I mean how couldn't I when jewelry was 20 baht a pop ($0.62) And dresses were 180 baht (just over $5.) I continued to indulge in my new addiction to pineapple. Yes, I had recently come to develop the taste buds for this juicy fruit. GOOD. THING. I had at least 3-4 servings a day in Thailand. When you get half of a cut-up pineapple in little baggies for 20 baht, how could I not go back every hour for more? Oh and I guess I should admit- it was in Bangkok where I had my very first Hawaiian Pizza. Come on now. Don't judge. I said goodbye to my mom and Susan that night. Cried like a baby. Yes. Not as much as when I left her at the airport in February, but still.. I think the doorman thought we had some separation-anxiety issues.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">View of Wat Arun form the city boat.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">In the middle of it all! Khao San Rd</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s9TVEPSqZUk/UjcEY4r22pI/AAAAAAAACSE/3D1YVzQmwIo/s1600/1185087_10151544401787484_1156713423_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s9TVEPSqZUk/UjcEY4r22pI/AAAAAAAACSE/3D1YVzQmwIo/s400/1185087_10151544401787484_1156713423_n.jpeg" width="300" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Now since I feel this blog is getting RIDICULOUSLY long, I'm now resorting to a list... Yeah yeah, you're welcome.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adventures in Bangkok included but not limited to:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Sketchy tuk-tuk drivers bringing us to Indian-owned fabric stores in return for compensation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Me fighting with said tuk-tuk driver, making sure his "5-minute search for fashion" condition did not turn into 10 minutes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. The Grand Palace. Endless beauty. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Making Korean Military friends./Them most-likely interpreting our extreme friendliness as flirting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Photo bombing said Korean's pictures. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. Getting to the point of wanting nothing more to do with shopping and night markets. Yes, this happened. </span><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ig3ixI2qO6U/UjcG6ujY4nI/AAAAAAAACTI/3GNoYlNAdpM/s1600/1185833_10151544410142484_1456603300_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ig3ixI2qO6U/UjcG6ujY4nI/AAAAAAAACTI/3GNoYlNAdpM/s400/1185833_10151544410142484_1456603300_n.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. Going to see a movie in a Bangkok mall. (We were exhausted.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. Standing up for 'The King's Anthem' before said movie. What an unexpected cultural experience. Let me set this up for you: Everyone starts rising out of their seats. Me: looking around, heartbeat increasing, "Oh my god what's going on?!?!" Waiting for some kind of bomb to go off. Yeah, my paranoia was clearly set in motion. Cue 'King's Anthem'- a beautiful song, with a picture slideshow of the King interacting with his country's people. Had goosebumps by the end of it.</span><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AW4ZlsOjfqo/UjcHG4_gCXI/AAAAAAAACUo/avUGpjYXvCo/s1600/555048_10151544411392484_518803991_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AW4ZlsOjfqo/UjcHG4_gCXI/AAAAAAAACUo/avUGpjYXvCo/s400/555048_10151544411392484_518803991_n.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. Clubbing with new French, American, and Canadian friends. Dancing the night away. Oh and finding an American-style diner for our 4am munchies. Perfection!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10. Curbside drinking with the interruptions of Thai children asking for money. (These children work for the Thai mafia, and their job is to go up to and sometimes harass foreigners, demanding money.) I'll never forget the one girl who kept coming back to our table. She was dancing around as if she was putting on a cute little show for us. Then would stop, pout, and look all sad in hopes that we would put money in her little bucket. My heart broke for them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">11. Met up with Mike, who showed me around his neighborhood, including getting lunch from his favorite papaya salad lady (Papaya salad, grilled chicken, and sticky rice = The Holy Trinity of Thai Cuisine.) We got everything but the rice- obviously. Delicious. Went on a public city boat and saw a whole other side of Bangkok.</span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bpxUzHhtWjU/UjcGzRGj74I/AAAAAAAACSY/2Ehpi4HVzjI/s1600/1002180_10201404764457359_1196734842_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bpxUzHhtWjU/UjcGzRGj74I/AAAAAAAACSY/2Ehpi4HVzjI/s400/1002180_10201404764457359_1196734842_n.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JfnLunBe294/UjcG04OfguI/AAAAAAAACSs/htsrN_CYQL4/s1600/1184777_10151544413422484_589685789_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JfnLunBe294/UjcG04OfguI/AAAAAAAACSs/htsrN_CYQL4/s400/1184777_10151544413422484_589685789_n.jpeg" width="300" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12. Being the unfortunate victim of a sketchy Turkish man and his need to sit down next to me on a bench asking about who I am traveling with, when my flight out of Bangkok was, and using the exact words, "I am good man. You can trust me. I am good man." Thanks bud but all that encounter did for me was test my street smarts and rise my blood pressure to an all-time high. I didn't get sold into the sex-trade. I'm here. I'm good. And of course this would happen to me my very last day in Bangkok. Lovely. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">13. Met a wise man while buying fresh papaya from a street vendor, who talked mine and Mike's ear off about good vs. bad people in life and how we should all strive to be the best person we can be. <span style="color: #e69138;">These are the authentic experiences I crave when I travel, but the experiences you can't go in search for. They always come to you. And they are the most worth-while. They are the ones that stick with you.</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">14. Sipping Starbucks with Suzanne on the steps outside a subway station, taking in the hustle and bustle of the city; the trucks pack-filled with Thai labor workers; old women on scooters; and foreign business men walking the streets. Chatting away about serious topics, including family, love, travel, and life.</span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bXeRQrGmLSA/UjcG9Y1Ws7I/AAAAAAAACTM/TEACKwHv4X4/s1600/1185254_10151544413742484_834040396_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bXeRQrGmLSA/UjcG9Y1Ws7I/AAAAAAAACTM/TEACKwHv4X4/s400/1185254_10151544413742484_834040396_n.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">15. Spending a day in the park with me, myself, and I. Devouring my last street meal: Papaya salad, grilled chicken, and fresh pineapple.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">16. Discovered I have quite the talent for bargaining. Get me and Suzanne together, we'll get a tuk-tuk ride down to almost nothing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">17. An unfortunate case of Buddha Belly. Too much curry, pineapple, or plain exhaustion. Mayhaps all three?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">18. Got my 4th tattoo. A piece of art that I have been thinking up for a long time now. Hurt a little like a biatch for it's directly on my ribs, but worth every bit. It's beautiful and I'm very happy with it</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Yes. The 5 of us squeezed into one tuk-tuk. Anything to get the cost down!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-go8Ne7iMpP8/UjcHHRpNihI/AAAAAAAACUg/frIRzsyrIIw/s400/556356_10151544403247484_1973200009_n.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This guy.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SPQSOpGCdbk/UjcGzQgOXSI/AAAAAAAACSk/yYf29N9UZEk/s400/1000246_10151544407557484_1761122091_n.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">New Korean friends!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I2OyWdGBeRs/UjcGzfmRexI/AAAAAAAACSU/zAFnzVnF0mI/s400/1000575_10151534182357484_950850309_n.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Beer break. Absolutely.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BWa_ajdj-7E/UjcG3sndmVI/AAAAAAAACSw/lj012CAlAq8/s400/1185264_10151760903249927_969563794_n.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Grand Palace</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EYmlbNapAYk/UjcG9mbY1fI/AAAAAAAACTk/0UIBbER-m-0/s400/1230056_10151760905014927_286627858_n.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Grand Palace </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GVJojjan4C8/UjcG-EoKPjI/AAAAAAAACTU/l5yeaPV4LBg/s400/1231483_10151544406392484_1387010164_n.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Yeah we did!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Whg168_b00/UjcHGboks_I/AAAAAAAACU0/SAtd35A2NNA/s400/1234057_10151544408522484_1208757988_n.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Pineapple, pineapple, and more pineapple, oh and mango, and watermelon, and papaya, and.... you get it. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vazz82Os9Iw/UjcG_-k6rhI/AAAAAAAACTs/JihmTwTQ8is/s400/1235260_10151544412197484_1511034547_n.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Just so you don't forget who your Queen is. She was everywhere.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G0RLpUULiWI/UjcHB7VeInI/AAAAAAAACUA/kPEEWI_mL-0/s400/1235360_10151544411952484_1133013266_n.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Loved the Bangkok Subway. Super easy</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ncSGfrWcm3g/UjcHE3ZdRSI/AAAAAAAACUQ/8UXjtQJCS84/s400/1238125_10151544411477484_1821210411_n.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Yeah, that was interesting.. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tdPTvakHvyU/UjcHFb85bdI/AAAAAAAACUM/1Obf8OAcgiE/s400/1238974_10151544409647484_1709555234_n.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">In love with this shot =)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There ya have it! Thailand in a nutshell. BAHAHAHAHAHA. Not. I know it was long, but i can't change. That's how I write, so you can deal with it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How could I forget: Thai Massages for 180-250 baht ($5 - $7) Are you kidding!? Yeah it was amazing. Just beware though, if you don't like your limbs being pulled, your body being bent in half, and a Thai lady sitting on top of you rubbing out muscles and joints you didn't even know you had.. then this may not be for you. But please, it's an experience and you WILL feel like a million bucks when you're finished. These women are excellent at what they do and for $6, come on now. Not to mention, the sweetest human beings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I'm at it. Thai people- super super kind. Genuine. And ALWAYS smiling.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm sorry Orlando, but Thailand has half my heart. Always will. <3 WILL be returning one day. </span><br />
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MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826346872600459018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086622142198826.post-30971336140781379232013-07-29T16:32:00.002+09:002013-07-29T16:40:24.452+09:00Special Needs Home Visit/Party! (The Peace House 평강 의집)A few weeks ago, I decided to take part in a party at the Peace House that the AVA (Andong Volunteers Association) organized. The Peace House is a special needs home on the outskirts of Andong that a man and his family run. A good amount of foreigners here are affiliated with the local Christian church, whom donate money to the Peace House, which is in turn, how the foreign community came to find out about it. Since then, AVA has organized monthly visits. Unfortunately I always had something going on during those weekends, so this was the first time I had actually visited the home.<br />
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<span style="color: #b4a7d6;">Side note: Serious kudos to Meredith Stein, president of AVA and a big reason as to why this all came together.</span><br />
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A little bit about the residents:<br />
They range in age from 5 months old to about their 30 or 40's. I spent most of my time with two different residents. One 16 yr-old girl (who developmentally, looked about 8 or 9.) She is incapable of walking on her own and is most comfortable on her back resting on your legs. She is unable to speak well but had the biggest, most beautiful smile. This girl was all about the balloon we were passing around, and kept trying to hit it. I also spent some time with a 9 yr old, who again, physically looked like he was no more than 3 years old. He was just the cutest little boy. He sat between my legs the whole time, playing with my bracelets and a fan I gave him. During one of the games he was screaming and laughing and so full of life. There was another girl who walks on her knees, and is damn good at it I must say! She has such a light in her eyes.<span style="color: #b4a7d6;"> So much of the world can learn from her. </span>I never once saw her frown, and she was just gliding across that floor so effortlessly. So full of life that one.<br />
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<b>Lee Ji-wan</b>, is an adorable baby boy who was given up by his parents because of his medical conditions. He has a condition called <i>Congenital Anomaly Facial Cleft #7</i>. This means that he has lateral facial cleft and ear deformities. Despite these conditions, his brain is a normally-functioning brain. Therefore, he has a bright future and a normal one at that. This home took him in and is their youngest resident at just five months old. The AVA was informed that he will need 3 surgeries total, and the first one is roughly the cost of one foreign teacher's monthly salary (2,000,000won- 3,000,000won). The AVA decided to open up a separate bank account solely for Ji-wan. After a few short months of fundraisers and getting the word out, the Korean and foreign community of Andong has raised 2,300,000won ($2,072). As of a few days ago, we received news that Ji-wan will go to Seoul in a few weeks for his final evaluation and surgery. <span style="color: #b4a7d6;">It really is quite amazing when a community of people, despite your culture, background, religion, beliefs, race, sex, etc. can come together for something simply because it's the right thing to do.</span><br />
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As of a few weeks ago, Ji-wan's father has very abruptly come back into his life. Now, I am about to say only what I've heard. Serious topics like this, can get misconstrued very easily. You have to keep in mind translation issues and Korea's "saving face" culture. Apparently from what we gathered, the father found out about what we were doing and how much money we raised, and he now wants the rights to his account, he wants to take Ji-wan to his surgery by himself (He made it clear he does not want anyone to go with him.) After the surgery he intends to take Ji-wan out of the Peace House and take him back home with him. Now, we all have very mixed feeling about this, but in the end it all comes back to the one similar conclusion... he most likely wants the money for himself, and even if he does get his son the surgery, he has no idea what the recovery will entail. Most importantly, we believe he does not have any right to this child after literally dumping him and leaving him for basically dead, just because he was too damn arrogant to love, care for him, and accept him as his own. But let's not fret- The AVA has complete rights over Ji-wan's funds and will not be handing them over that easily. OK. END OF RANT.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ji-wan and our friend Gospel</td></tr>
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We had organized a few different games and activities for the party, including face painting and <i>Pass the Parcel</i>, where we sat in a big circle and passed around a huge wrapped gift. Each layer of paper had to be torn away to reveal a smaller gift, and the last layer contained a huge package of tooth brushes for everyone in the house. We had a <i>Fishing for Fish</i> game in a small inflatable pool, in which the residents got socks as prizes. We finished with handing out juice boxes and popcorn, and popped in a movie as we quietly slipped out the door. They get very emotional when we leave them, so we thought it best to be a little sneaky this time..<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo cred: Chris Colverd</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo cred: Chris Colverd</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo cred: Chris Colverd</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo cred: Chris Colverd</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo cred: Chris Colverd</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo cred: Chris Colverd</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo cred: Chris Colverd</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo cred: Chris Colverd</td></tr>
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Overall, it was a great day full of special little moments that I will take with me when I leave this country. I also realized that despite me not having a direct relationship with the Andong Church and its members, I am very grateful to them, especially to Sunny, our main connection. They have included us in this city; they have kept us informed; they have made us feel like we matter and that we are respected here. Sunny is a big reason for connecting the Korean and Foreign community. Without the help from this church, a lot of what we have done here in Andong would not have been possible.<br />
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Finally, I was overwhelmed with the amount of residents (about 40) that live in this home and the dedication and selflessness this man shows in order to care for them. The Andong government gives the home 1,000,000won ($1,000) per month. They rely on donations for the rest of their finances, mostly from churches. My co-teacher didn't even know this place existed when I told her about it. $1,000 is less than half of my monthly paycheck. Less than half! <span style="color: #b4a7d6;">Put that into perspective for a second</span>. It's wrong on every level. It really is just unbelievable that they don't get more support. Most of these children and adults residing in this home are disconnected from their families because of their conditions. They either did not know how to care for them or did they did not want to.<br />
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<span style="color: #b4a7d6;">A developmental disability does not mean a crappy life.</span> <span style="color: #b4a7d6;">It's sad that it is 2013, and so much of the world is still thinking this way. Where are the resources? Where is the mindset? Where is the education? Where is the selflessness? The open-minded-ness? The educated? The high expectations? Is it up to the minority here to show the compassion and the time, so that it eventually triggers some sort of change? I really do hope so. I hope sooner rather than later- people change. People start to learn.</span><br />
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Hope.<br />
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MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826346872600459018noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086622142198826.post-72461437848420639592013-07-04T12:09:00.000+09:002013-07-04T12:15:45.041+09:00Happy 4th from Andong, Korea!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My second <span style="color: #cc0000;">4</span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">th</span><span style="color: #cc0000;"> of </span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">July </span>away from the island of Long, my family and my friends. This holiday has always been, unlike most people's my age, a very family oriented holiday. I wasn't out drinking with my friends all day and night. I was at home in our beautiful little backyard with my brothers at the grill, my mom taking care of mixed drinks, and family friends drinking, relaxing, and enjoying the beginning of summer. Sun, the pool, the heat, way too many appetizers, and the smell of barbecue. These are the things I miss.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think this is why July 4th, along with Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day are the hardest times to be abroad for me. I know EXACTLY what I would be doing. There are traditions in place. And there's a sense of nostalgia. Of course celebrating holidays abroad are one-of-a-kind experiences. Celebrating customs and foods with friends of different cultures and nationalities. Showing them what it's all about. It really is so nice to share that with them. But there is naturally a part of me that wishes that I was boarding a flight in Incheon right now, headed straight for that island, showing up in my backyard just in time for my brother's cheeseburger, some guac and chips, a cold Bud Light, and fireworks in my driveway. The worst part is that I now have this wonderful man in my life whom I miss terribly.. and for the first time on this holiday.. yes first time, I would have someone by my side watching those fireworks with.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BUT nonetheless!! I have wonderful friends here who are all chipping in to make our stomachs full and keep our faces smiling tonight. Also, despite my homesickness today, I am in an amazing mood. I knew I couldn't work out after school so I woke up early and went up to the roof. It's amazing how good you feel all day when you start your day with a workout. However, I am NOT a morning person, so this was quite the discipline and shock that I was actually able to get my ass out of bed. I had a lovely protein smoothie and a nice big cup of coffee. That's some serious satisfaction right there</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Random fact: Tomorrow I will have been back in Korea five months already. I have so many wonderful, exciting things coming up! Here's to name a few:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">July 13th (next Saturday): Michael Jackson's <span style="color: #3d85c6;">Cirque Du Solei</span> in Seoul!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">August 3rd- Tattoo time!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">August 13th (less than 6 weeks)- <span style="color: #3d85c6;">THAILAND</span> for 2 weeks!!! Seeing my mom and family friend Susan!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">September 18th- Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) = 5 day weekend! <span style="color: #3d85c6;">Korean Island hopping</span>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">October 12th- <span style="color: #3d85c6;">Picking up this amazing man from the airport</span>. (It will have been 8 months since we had last seen each other)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">October 14th- <span style="color: #3d85c6;">My 24th Birthday</span>!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Still trying to stay present-minded in this country and on every journey I take here on in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am <span style="color: #cc0000;">beyond blessed</span> to be given the opportunity to be here, experiencing everything that comes with it. <span style="color: #cc0000;">But when February 2014 rolls around, I will be ready for my journey home</span>. Not before making a pit stop in Vietnam and Cambodia of course.. No need to rush out of here just yet..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll leave you with some recent pictures for those of you who have not yet made it to the facebook world... including some of my students and some of my first Korean baseball game experience... Not quite the Yankees, I'll tell ya that much.Could it be the $7.00 ticket, the sparklers, the fried chicken, or the $2 beer? Maybe all four?</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Fintan, me and Leandi</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CP67aeBlZjI/UdTjHNcgXrI/AAAAAAAACGQ/A--b4g86DWU/s640/998167_10151442010222484_502080445_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CP67aeBlZjI/UdTjHNcgXrI/AAAAAAAACGQ/A--b4g86DWU/s640/998167_10151442010222484_502080445_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Even smaller than the Ducks Stadium..</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aJ7BAsTo1K4/UdTjGCn2MEI/AAAAAAAACGA/2y0ax9Rx49U/s640/992909_10151440440167484_671240220_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aJ7BAsTo1K4/UdTjGCn2MEI/AAAAAAAACGA/2y0ax9Rx49U/s640/992909_10151440440167484_671240220_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Oh and the fried chicken... gag</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OAI5-R4aQRI/UdTjBSeGvWI/AAAAAAAACEo/pKajdDPctUs/s960/1005262_10151442093462484_1503902664_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OAI5-R4aQRI/UdTjBSeGvWI/AAAAAAAACEo/pKajdDPctUs/s960/1005262_10151442093462484_1503902664_n.jpg" width="297" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Fintan, me, Leandi, and Harry</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ncXdov3pTmk/UdTjDy9ewkI/AAAAAAAACFQ/KsOb2By1sf0/s640/1044151_10151442008657484_1534677_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ncXdov3pTmk/UdTjDy9ewkI/AAAAAAAACFQ/KsOb2By1sf0/s640/1044151_10151442008657484_1534677_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was the last day of the semester at the Orphanage, so their housemother was kind enough to take us all out for ice cream. We then chipped in to bring them to an arcade where they had an absolute blast.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TVO3d-DxrAk/UdTjBatCwHI/AAAAAAAACEI/qOqF-QybCNQ/s640/1000083_10151438705047484_1217687945_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TVO3d-DxrAk/UdTjBatCwHI/AAAAAAAACEI/qOqF-QybCNQ/s640/1000083_10151438705047484_1217687945_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some random Busan pictures during the Sand Castle Festival Weekend...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oo2FlA0r0VM/UdTjEufvqxI/AAAAAAAACFc/BZGXcLOcH7U/s960/941549_10151396146396008_697935591_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oo2FlA0r0VM/UdTjEufvqxI/AAAAAAAACFc/BZGXcLOcH7U/s960/941549_10151396146396008_697935591_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Lloyd and I.. we had to.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_CgifjxnKes/UdTjFlrU6FI/AAAAAAAACF0/CFdRhLfvKYY/s960/945137_10151396147231008_740142834_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_CgifjxnKes/UdTjFlrU6FI/AAAAAAAACF0/CFdRhLfvKYY/s960/945137_10151396147231008_740142834_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Lloyd, me, and Leandi</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And some randoms of my students.. =)</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">They earned their Game Day- English Flip Cup</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My orphanage kids</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8R7g5i6pfRg/UdTjDP19SMI/AAAAAAAACE8/czXLdjsjWOY/s640/1017254_10151421796157484_1562297560_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8R7g5i6pfRg/UdTjDP19SMI/AAAAAAAACE8/czXLdjsjWOY/s640/1017254_10151421796157484_1562297560_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hhu2M_VQPOY/UdTjFbLMujI/AAAAAAAACFs/rLKIZu9hOz0/s640/944184_10151447289562484_989818037_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hhu2M_VQPOY/UdTjFbLMujI/AAAAAAAACFs/rLKIZu9hOz0/s640/944184_10151447289562484_989818037_n.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vK5T--XrCYs/UdTjE6vaNzI/AAAAAAAACFg/ALM1hfdRyMM/s640/944161_10151432176357484_543306147_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vK5T--XrCYs/UdTjE6vaNzI/AAAAAAAACFg/ALM1hfdRyMM/s640/944161_10151432176357484_543306147_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">While waiting for my students on the stoops outside the classroom at the orphanage: This cutie comes up to me and pops a squat, gives me an unlabeled water bottle filled with some red liquid that he insists i drink... Then proceeds to talk my ear off in Korean as if I'm his long lost bff. When I asked him in Korean if he understands English, he starts singing the alphabet. Definitely a contender for the cutest most random moment thus far in my 16 1/2 months.</span></span></td></tr>
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MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826346872600459018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086622142198826.post-7964337253598400112013-06-13T14:00:00.006+09:002013-06-13T14:00:38.242+09:00Heartbreaking Day<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I woke up this morning to personal heartbreak and I went into school insisting that I have a good day despite it. These kids deserve that. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Teaching is one of those jobs where your personal matters should never enter that classroom. Of course your students should see you emotional at times; it lets them know their teacher is still human. But there is a point where your personal life needs to be left at that door, and that's what I did today. As I looked into the 25 eyes of my first 4th grade class, it was affirmed yet again how naive and innocent children are. Most of them don't know heartbreak, death, abuse, stress, etc. All they have to do is go to school, play with their friends, enjoy their family, and play some games.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We all know that key word "most" is a crucial word in explaining this. Some kids absolutely <i>do </i>know mature emotions. It's unfortunate. In this case I'm going to talk about <span style="color: #93c47d;"><b>neglect</b>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My second 4th grade class includes one special education student. He is behaviorally challenged and has no services at school or at home. He comes to class day after day, prepared with his book and pencil case, but will not open the book and will not take out a pencil. His partner will eventually do this for him if I don't get there first. What kills me is his facial expression. I have never once seen him smile, smirk, or laugh. His eyebrows are in a constant furrow and his lips in a frown. This seems exaggerated but I wouldn't be writing it if it was. <span style="color: #93c47d;">It's almost as if I want to dress up in a clown costume, do a stupid dance and make a fool of myself all to get the tiniest ounce of happiness out of this kid</span>. His eyes are so sad and his body language kills me everyday he walks into that classroom.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I realize I'm going to explain this like it's out of a scene of a movie... but that's how I write long stories like this one.. so deal with it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I realized this student wasn't writing anything, so I went over and tried to get him to copy out of his partner's book. When I asked for his pencil, he hid it behind his back and wouldn't budge. I decided to leave it be. Next was a fun English game where they needed to flick an eraser and state the sentence where it landed. I asked his partner if he had an eraser. He said no, so I reached for the boy's eraser which was sitting on his desk. He slammed down his hand and wouldn't let me have it. I gave his partner my eraser and told him to play with the team in front of him. I thought the boy would see how much fun the game was and involve himself. <b>Plan backfired</b>. Instead, he started pushing the chair in front of him with his feet, which happened to have a classmate sitting in it. This classmate was now getting squished between his chair and desk. He asked the boy kindly to stop.</span><br />
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Since teaching here, I've realized Korean children are very good at problem solving. (I'm pretty sure I've mentioned this before in another entry.) Unlike children back home, they can discuss their disagreements and issues without a teacher's help. They are quite the independent children*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Knowing this, I watched the situation unfold from from afar, keeping a keen eye. Once I realized it wasn't working and the student was now in pain from getting too far squished, I quietly went over and asked the student if he wanted to move his seat so he wouldn't get hurt, and he did. I thought this would stop the boy, but he then continued on to push the now empty desk into the one in front of that, which of course had a girl sitting in it. She began to cry out because she was now the one trapped in between her chair and desk</span><br />
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Koreans are very physical. In school, students hit, smack, and punch each other left and right. In this culture, it's not perceived like it is in the West. I've wrote about this multiple times on how I've accepted it because it's usually all in good fun. It is half my classroom however so I reprimand the act every time I see it, but of course it means nothing if the the next time the Korean teacher is laughing about it and turning it into a joke. (This is something I've just accepted, because I can't be bothered worrying about it anymore.)*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, this situation was starting to get entirely out of control, so I used my best educated judgement to take action. I may be the Native Teacher but I am still a teacher in that classroom, and this girl was now crying out, clenching her back and yelling at him to stop. I went over, picked up the desk right behind her that was pushing into her and slammed it down. I then took it along with the chair and swung it around to lean it against the wall, so that he now had a huge empty space in front of him with nothing to push. There was 3 minutes left of class, but of course all of the students went silent and looked over to see what had just happened. My CT and I directed their attention back to their work but the sound of this boy's now stomping feet were distracting. Both of us ignored him and when class ended, 2/3 of the students went and hovered around the boy. Of course that just worked him up even more. The stomping got louder and he was now flailing his arms telling them to go away. I looked up at my CT and told her, "They're making it worse by standing there.." She nodded her head and then left the room. I thought she had gone to fetch their homeroom teacher. No... I found out 2 minutes later that she was casually walking back from the bathroom. After she left the room, I quietly tried to control the situation and ask the students to leave the classroom. Most of them did except a select few boys who stayed with the boy and tried to calm him down. He was now really moving and getting violent. <span style="color: #93c47d;">This is only my second year of teaching, on top of not speaking these kids' language and coming from a completely different culture...I used every bit of knowledge that I had.</span> Do I run and get his homeroom teacher or do I stay with them so that he doesn't injure himself or anyone else? I decided to quickly run and get the homeroom teacher. As she walked back to the classroom with me, I witnessed the boy being dragged out into the hallway on his chair. Yeah... this is how his classmates decided to go about the situation. Bless their hearts. As we got closer, the boy rose up and started violently hitting the other kids. Complete breakdown time. This is when I saw my CT walking back from the bathroom, expressionless. Not a bother in the world. I made the rest of the students in the hallway leave, and my next class who were all hanging out the doorway watching, to get back inside. The homeroom teacher and the school secretary, who happened to be on our floor, were now there so I gathered that it was my time to leave.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before class started, I talked quickly to my CT about it. I asked her if he has some kind of services here. She went on to say that <span style="color: #93c47d;">"No. His father does not want him in a 'special school.' In Korea, if your child is special and gets services, it means your child is low and that doesn't look good for the parents. I know in America, things are different."</span> I finally got the facial expressions I was looking for.. she felt somewhat sorry for the boy. I don't know if it was quite empathy, but at least it was some sort of sympathy. Despite the fumes coming out of me, I, politely as I could, said, "It's such a shame because it is SO SIMPLE to educate him and make him happy with the right services." <span style="color: #93c47d;">Neglect. His father is neglectful.</span> He, along with these other parents who are keeping their children in classrooms without the proper resources, are neglectful. And it is so wrong. This happens all over the world. I'm no longer just talking about Korea. <span style="color: #93c47d;">We teachers, we see it all the time. And it breaks our hearts.</span> She told me we need to ignore him (I could'v'e put a 10k bet on that response.) I told her that I did ignore the situation in the beginning but when the other students clearly started getting hurt, I needed to do something. She said I did everything right, which I'm having a hard time believing she fully meant, but I'll take it. I'm living in the culture of <span style="color: #93c47d;">"saving face"</span> and not wanting to be confrontational because that is seen as embarrassing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I now had a class to teach and had to forget about all of this for the next 40 minutes. 30 minutes of that class consisted of me talking over the screaming from this boy coming from the hallway right outside our classroom. It was a bloody murder type scream. You know those kinds. <span style="color: #93c47d;">What was unbearable, was not the screech and the volume themselves, but the fact that I felt completely and utterly helpless. I do not speak this kid's language. I see him twice a week for a total of 80 minutes. The help, the hug, the love, and the SAFETY I wanted to give this boy... I couldn't do it. Telling him it's okay, to calm down, and to give him the reassurance that I truly care about his well-being, his safety, and his education..were all things I just could not do.</span> Instead I had to teach these 25 kids in front of me while listening to my student cry bloody murder 20 feet from me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Later in the day, was a teacher's activities hour, which consisted of volleyball and a packed table of food and alcohol. This student's homeroom teacher was going on and on about what had happened. Very animated with her body. She put a hand on my shoulder and told me she was sorry and gave me a sympathetic smile. Teacher after teacher came up to me saying, "Sorry." "Oh, were you surprised?" I answered truthfully, "No. I was not surprised." It's as if everyone felt bad that the poor Native Teacher had to witness this in her class. I kept a smile on and tried not to make any sarcastic, rude remarks. I had just had it. I was ready to go home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started writing this entry yesterday.. so I'll continue on about what happened today. The homeroom teacher and the student came to my classroom about two hours ago and he apologized directly to me in Korean and in English. Honestly, I tried to look away because I felt tears coming. I must have told him at least 4 times in Korean, "thank you" and, "it's okay." <span style="color: #93c47d;">I gave him a huge hug and I could have sworn I saw the tiniest smile form on his face.</span> I hope that this is the breaking point for him in my class. I hope he sees that I am someone in his life who cares about him. From what I've seen, I'm not sure he has too many of them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know Korea is behind many countries. The country itself is only 60+ years old. As a friend said, they have a lot of growing to do. They have come so far in such a short amount of time. </span><span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They went from being one of the poorest countries in the world who received international aid, to a country who can now afford to give it out... in just 60 years.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It's quite amazing. But despite their advanced technology and fast-growing economy, they still have a long way to go. Their education system needs new ideas and resources. I hope this is where foreign teachers come in. If we can somehow make an impression on these teachers and administrators to realize that something needs to be done in terms of special education, then I believe we've come one step further to full acceptance of all people in this country.</span><br />
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<br />MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826346872600459018noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086622142198826.post-57062762616429623422013-05-13T22:49:00.002+09:002013-05-13T22:53:06.945+09:00Month 16: Update<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel like a slacker. I apologize that I haven't updated this in a few months.. I guess nothing extra special has happened, but little things are worth mentioning. So here's a quick update as to what I've been up to...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Spring Cherry blossoms have come and gone yet again. They're only in bloom for about two weeks and then they sadly disappear. It's one of my favorite times in Korea. The weather starts to change and the streets become a winter wonderland full these beautiful flowers. We attended the festival and ate some necessary fried street food.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started volunteering at the local orphange here in my city, where I teach five middle and high school students. They are an absolute joy to teach. All of them are full of life and very eager to learn. There are six foreign teachers and a few lovely Korean university students who pair up with us. It was my turn two weeks ago, and the students were great! My friend Scott was grand and accompanied me on Monday, because there were no Koreans available. Then on Thursday I headed there by my lonesome, and had a great old time with them. I brought along LCR (greatest gambling game ever. If you don't know what it is, you need to get on that. It often comes out at many of my family functions.. Yes, I was introduced to gambling by my family at the age of 8.) Anyway, I use it a lot in the classroom. Instead of gambling with money, I use it to study English expressions in unique ways. These kids are great, and it's very comforting and satisfying to know I'm helping to build their English language skills. This will aid them tremendously.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I ran my third 10K last month. Cut time off my last race. And didn't stop ONCE! EXCITING! A bunch of my friends ran the 5K. Saw some of my students and my school's vice principal. An all-around great day =)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bull-Fighting:</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2xkXWcAU79Y/UZCRd4PSKMI/AAAAAAAACAA/4XPgxxFRq-0/s1600/922213_10151336067682484_1190346814_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2xkXWcAU79Y/UZCRd4PSKMI/AAAAAAAACAA/4XPgxxFRq-0/s1600/922213_10151336067682484_1190346814_o.jpg" width="400" /></span></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7V0y7M-3OHA/UZCRdRSB8kI/AAAAAAAAB_0/POi7kDSg9Ss/s1600/919302_10151336070477484_1742903159_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7V0y7M-3OHA/UZCRdRSB8kI/AAAAAAAAB_0/POi7kDSg9Ss/s1600/919302_10151336070477484_1742903159_o.jpg" width="400" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last month I headed down to Cheongdo, a small city, outside of Daegu- famous for two things and two things only. Bulls and Persimmon. So, two friends and I headed to the famous Bull-fighting festival to see what it was all about. Personally, I've never been to any kind of bull-fight so all I had to go on was what I've seen and heard about Spanish bull fights. It was definitely not as exciting as all that. I admit that it was actually quite boring. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The worst part was probably how much time draggggged on between fights. It took them forever to bring out the next pair of bulls. To top it off it was actually frigid that day, so we didn't stay too late. My friend Angel bet on a bull and won- that part was exciting! haha After that, we headed on over to the famous Wine Tunnel where we bought ourselves a bottle of Persimmon wine (the only wine for sale.) Leave it to the foreigners to not think twice about buying an entire bottle. (Every Korean had gotten themselves a single tiny glass for themselves.) We also bought a thing of Brie.. which was delicious. I always forget how much I miss cheese. I practically NEVER get cheese in this country. The good cheese is off the charts expensive, so it's a true treat.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Field Trip:</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rpGR_9zKFwc/UZCUI5FuFxI/AAAAAAAACA0/MFk5zhhatYM/s1600/904389_10151343994062484_495589277_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rpGR_9zKFwc/UZCUI5FuFxI/AAAAAAAACA0/MFk5zhhatYM/s1600/904389_10151343994062484_495589277_o.jpg" width="400" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I recently went on a field trip with my fourth graders to Gumi, a city about 90 minutes away. I was very surprised that it was not a hike. Every field trip I've been on so far involved a hike (which is great and active but noticeably a bit boring for the students after a while.) </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This trip was a nice change. They started out at a gorgeous park where they had a tour guide who lead them through fields of flowers and pointed out the various species of trees. Students each had a small notebook where they had to jot down notes on each leaf and flower. After, we had a picnic and then headed to Gumo Land (a small amusement park.) Yes, I went on one of the rides.. pictured below. It was actually a bit eerie. No one else was there except for our school, so it was like a set-up for a creepy horror movie. Ghost town.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffd966;">Cheongryangsan Part II:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Probably the most difficult hike in Andong is the famous Sky Bridge hike. I hiked it last year so I decided to give it another go.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Me, Jay, Natascha, and Lisa</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Decorated for Buddha's Birthday</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Me, Lisa, and Natascha</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #ffd966;">Principal's Art Exhibit:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few weeks ago I was asked to help my principal write the English translation to his resume/professional background which was going in the back of his new published art book. I had no idea this man was such a talented artist. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My principal is the one in the blue tie to the woman's left.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last Friday evening he had the opening ceremony of his art exhibit, which I gladly attended. A good amount of the staff from school were there as well as other admirers and fans. They had food and a ribbon cutting ceremony- It was a nice hour of Korean culture and conversing.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #ffd966;">Gangnam, Seoul:</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Simon, Emer, Conor, Ariel, me and Marc</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made it to Seoul last weekend. Boy did I miss that city. This is the first time I actually spent time in Gangnam and didn't stop by. I once had breakfast there at Butterfingers, but I don't count that. It was literally just to get our western-breakfast fix on and then we were out. I met up with a few friends I haven't seen since February. Relaxed at <a href="http://travelingseoul.blogspot.kr/2012/01/rainbow.html">Rainbow Bar</a>, a fun, laid back hookah bar, where we listened to some great live music (video below). We then made our way around the streets of Gangnam where I gave in and indulged in the greasiest, most delicious burger I've had thus far in Korea. Complete with rice cakes in the meat? Why of course! Don't act surprised.. this is still Korea haha. Somehow we made it to Itaewon where we finished our night.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Met up with Tom the next day, with our new 8,000won rip off Ray Bans, and had...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Greek food!!! I've missed it sooo much! This was at Santorini in Itaewon</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here, we met two Finnish guys who were not our favorite people. Let's just say they were rippping America and Americans apart. My fiend Ariel and I did not hold back when it came to defending our country and our people. Now when it comes to American expats... I have no doubt that everyone of us has gotten some sort of criticism, vulgar smart-ass comment, and/or stereotype. What you choose to do with these situations says a lot about you and what you stand for. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I mean let's face it. We don't have a lot of fans. A lot of the world does hates us. We credit this to movies, bad television, and our government's need to butt into everyone else's business. Having spent a month in New Zealand, traveled to Japan, Taiwan, and called Korea a home for 16 months, I am automatically a victim of this... just because I'm American. Even if it's as little as, "Where are you from?" "The States." "Hmmm American huh?" *the judgy look*. I can't count how many times that has happened to me. Whether it's followed by a laugh and a "just kidding." or a full on conversation as to why the guy doesn't like America and/or Americans. It's not a fun feeling. It's not comfortable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am stubborn as hell.. thank you mom. hehe. I stand my ground and I will make my voice be heard if I feel I am being judged or attacked. However, living abroad has taught me that as much as we travelers are all very tolerant, approachable people, you will still come across ones who have their opinions and won't open their mind to anyone who differs. These are the times I stop talking and walk away. And that's exactly what I <i>eventually </i>did to the Finnish in Itaewon.. We agreed on two things: First of all, yes, our government needs to back off other countries and let them try to work things out on their own. Many of them are fully capable. End of story. Secondly yes there are some Americans out there who give us a bad name. They are obnoxious, arrogant, and unable to judge a situation and act appropriately. I have seen this time and time again living here. Everyone knows the types of people I'm talking about. The ones you are embarrassed to be standing in the same room with. The ones you actually take pity on. I am blessed to know and be friends with people from various countries and backgrounds as well as Americans who are pleasant, open-minded, and can absolutely take a situation and adapt to it. As we explained to these two guys... yes, there are Americans like this out there, but that's not where it ends.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It doesn't have to become your problem. You don't enjoy someones company, you walk away. Simple. These guys were so set on, "America this, Americans that..." You could see our words literally going in one ear and out through the other. It was a waste of time. The shaking of their heads and the dirty looks, and vulgar comments were enough to make us get the hell out of there.</span><br />
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This upcoming weekend is good old Buddha's Birthday.. which means a 3-day weekend for Korea. I have a Culture Trip organized through EPIK on the following Monday-Wednesday. So I have 6 day weekend coming up and I couldn't be more excited. Busan, Geoje-do, and Dok-do. I'll be posting an entry on that soon after. =)</span></div>
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MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826346872600459018noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086622142198826.post-12553864350579333352013-04-06T23:07:00.003+09:002013-04-06T23:48:41.215+09:00How To Keep a Healthy Lifestyle In SoKoWARNING: You WILL be hungry after reading this entry:<br />
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Moving to a foreign country will absolutely test your body, your willpower, and your drive to keep the lifestyle you deserve. When I came to Korea 14 months ago, I was at my healthiest. Bikram yoga became my life. Talk to anyone who regularly practices Bikram.. they'll tell you it IS a lifestyle. I was in that studio 4-5 days/week. I have always been a health-conscious eater, so nothing new there. However a few months into my life in Korea I was quite noticeably gaining some weight. At first I didn't understand what it was. I stayed away from the white rice the second I stepped foot in this country. I wasn't overeating. I was being semi-active, though no where near when I was at home. I had worked so hard for the past year on reshaping my body, so it took an emotional toll. What I realized is that it was a combination of many things including, the lack of Bikram and less active lifestyle in general, the alcohol consumption similar to that of my freshman year of college, the salty Korean food, the bakeries on every corner, the coffee, and the change of environment and the stress that comes along with it.<br />
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Some advice on staying healthy in Korea<br />
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1. Stop eating the school lunches.</div>
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Or at least cut back. Yes, they are absolutely delicious. Yes, it's a great money and time saver, cutting back on food prep on your part. Yes, it's going to be somewhat of an internal struggle on the whole is this the "culturally appropriate" thing to do thing. In Korean schools, everyone (teachers and students) eat the school lunch and it is the time of day where the school community is brought together. However, your lunch at school alone will most likely exceed your daily salt intake. This is what I didn't realize until way later. That red pepper paste is filled with salt, and boy do those Koreans LOVE their red pepper paste. It's in soup, tofu, noodles, chicken, pork, veggies, and yes... even broccoli. Their meat is not lean, so you're going to get the fat in all its glory when you're served beef and pork. Most of their chicken is fried and/or breaded. The majority of the soups contain a good amount of oil, and the white rice.. well that speaks for itself. On some days your tray will contain noodles, rice, rice cakes, and a mini fruit filled croissant all in the same meal. Talk about carb and starch overload. So, this is where you should start. This is an entire meal- You are in charge of your own body and what goes into it.<br />
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*The only problem here is the culture aspect. It is considered rude to not eat with your co-teachers at school. Most will find it offensive. Some schools let teachers serve themselves (which helps with portion control. My school however- we are served by the lunch ladies, so even though I am constantly, kindly, telling them "jogeum juseyo" ("please give me a little") it is still hard for them to understand why I am wanting so little food. I admit I have yet to tell my school I am not eating their lunch anymore. Every time I go and try to tell them, I get anxiety and can't go through with it for this exact cultural reason. What I do do, is kindly refuse the rice (I mean I don't eat it anyway so why waste it), and choose very carefully what I eat. I waste a lot of food, but until I can decide to tell them I am no longer eating their lunches, this is okay with me for now. If you go this route- make sure you're bringing something for protein to school. I personally bring either hard boiled eggs, baked or boiled sweet potato, and/or nuts. **A piece of advice, Koreans know what "diet" means. Even though you're not dieting, you're living a healthy lifestyle, if you are getting looks and comments from co-workers as to why you're not eating certain things, just say "Moshisoyo! But I am on a diet." Personally, I've done the whole "Moshisoyo!! But makes me fat." Followed by a sad face and bringing my hand to my stomach and making a fat gesture. They'll laugh, and continue on with their day. In the end, it's just easier. </div>
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2. Cut back on Korean snacks.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0tA5szWgto/UWAd9-vtHzI/AAAAAAAAB7o/nzWXERx4HRA/s1600/url-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0tA5szWgto/UWAd9-vtHzI/AAAAAAAAB7o/nzWXERx4HRA/s320/url-1.jpeg" width="320" /></a> I, unlike a lot of foreigners here, really enjoy rice cakes (tteok). I'm not talking about the ones in tteokbokki. I'm talking about the fancy ones filled with red bean or pumpkin. But they are not very healthy and so I've definitely had to put those on the back-burner. <span style="text-align: center;">Accepting the occasional rice cake at a teacher's meeting will make everyone happy without seeming rude. Most meetings will have fruit. If I eat enough of that, they won't notice I haven't touched a rice cake. You need to just use your common sense, and living here for a year has taught me to see the difference between if I need to be accepting food even if I don't want to and when I can simply decline it with a smile. The quick rubbing of your stomach expressing you are "full" will aid in this.</span><br />
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3. Western Food Cravings<br />
Of course you're going to have cravings for your comfort food from home. Completely normal. After eating Korean food all week long, it's nice to spend your weekends indulging in some western-style food. However if you come from a small city like mine, you're not going to have the pleasure of sandwich places or restaurants with a nice salad that doesn't contain fried chicken. Instead you're going to get what Koreans think westerners eat... which is: spaghetti, fried chicken and pizza. That's all folks. You will find Mr. Pizza; Pizza Hut; Italian restaurants serving pilaf, pizza, and spaghetti combinations; 7 different kinds of Take-Out Fried Chicken places. <br />
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And that's pretty much it. Now coming from NY, Mr. Pizza does NOTHING for me. Actually pizza in general in Korea does nothing for me. I wasn't brought up eating fried chicken, so thank you mom. And as for the Italian restaurants... well there's nothing like some Long Island Italians... they know how to cook man. What I do like is my Mexican, Greek, Thai, Vietnamese, and Indian food.. and where do you find all of that... none other than the big cities. I'm talking Seoul, Daegu, and Busan. I've come to love a few favorites. And I make it a point to indulge in western food only when I go there. You should see me and my friends the second we arrive off that bus. Immediately there's a beeline for the nearest Starbucks. What are we having for lunch! And we're discussing our dinner plans while still sitting at lunch. Oh and did I mention Starbucks for the second or third time before we leave for back home.<br />
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A couple of my favorites:<br />
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<u><span style="color: #93c47d;">Seoul:</span></u><br />
<a href="http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1565093">The Flying Pan Blue</a>- <span style="color: #c27ba0;">western-style brunch, organic sandwiches, salads, soups</span>, beautiful presentation, (Get there EARLY. Can't say that enough. This will forever go down as my top favorite.)- (Itaewon)<br />
<a href="http://travelingseoul.blogspot.kr/2011/05/buddhas-belly-itaewon.html">Buddha's Belly</a>- <span style="color: #c27ba0;">Thai</span>, romantic atmosphere, Vegan options (Itaewon)<br />
<a href="http://braairepublic.com/">Braii Republic</a>- <span style="color: #c27ba0;">South African</span> Have yet to go here =/ but have heard GREAT things from my SA friends (Itaewon)<br />
<a href="http://travel.cnn.com/seoul/eat/butterfinger-pancakes">Butterfinger Panckakes</a>- <span style="color: #c27ba0;">western-style brunch</span>, HUGE menu, amazing panckakes! (Gangnam)<br />
<a href="http://www.seoulgrid.com/blog/santorini-itaewon-seoul-south-korea-greek-souvlaki-can-never-have-enough-of-tzatiki-sauce/">Santorini</a>- <span style="color: #c27ba0;">Greek</span>, It's unbelievable that I haven't yet made it here, but it has definintely been recommended by friends. (Itaewon)<br />
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<u><span style="color: #93c47d;">Daegu:</span></u><br />
<a href="http://veganaroundtheworld.wordpress.com/2012/05/13/dos-tacos-is-in-daegu/">Dos Tacos</a>- <span style="color: #c27ba0;">Mexican</span>, delicious!!<br />
<a href="http://daegubites.blogspot.kr/2012/04/caliente-daegu.html">Caliente</a>- <span style="color: #c27ba0;">Mexican</span>, great bar atmosphere at night, great drinks, a bit expensive but worth it<br />
Berkeley- <span style="color: #c27ba0;">Italian, light salads</span>, etc.<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/MIES-CONTAINER/148852568513184?fref=ts">Mies Container</a>- <span style="color: #c27ba0;">comfort food, huge salads, huge cheese dishes (like a cheese panini without the bread. Just the filling. Talk about heart attack- but soo good!)</span> fun atmosphere, perfect for a hungover Daegu morning (minus the upbeat shouts from the Korean chefs every time someone puts in an order)<br />
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<u><span style="color: #93c47d;">Busan:</span></u><br />
<a href="http://busanhaps.com/food/namaste">Namaste</a>- <span style="color: #c27ba0;">Indian</span>, always has seating, dark/intimate setting, (Haeundae Beach)<br />
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4. Stay Active!<br />
Most of us who are employed with EPIK have a lot of downtime. (Can't say the same for hagwon teachers.) This means I am sitting on my ass for a good half of the day. Korea has great hiking trails. They also have many gyms- you just need to look for them. I always say if you're living in a city, don't forget to look up! There's so much you miss on the top floors of these buildings. I joined a great gym in my city.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">A break from my run at our Nakdong River track</td></tr>
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The owner and his right hand man (one of my friend's former HS students) are great and so friendly. Gyms in Korea are a daily comedy show. Most Koreans will walk the treadmill, do a few stretches, play around on a weight machine, and then go straight for the vibrating belt machine. Unlike the big cities, you will most likely have free range of everything being that you're probably going to be one of the only ones in there. <br />
There have been many days where I have the gym completely to myself. Oh, and you think you're a celebrity on the street.. walk into the gym.. ALL eyes are going to be on you. But like everything, you will quickly become old news. Pheww. My gym has a few regulars, and they don't even blink an eye at me anymore. If anything, it's nice to feel like a part of the community when you walk into the gym and exchange smiles with the Koreans in there who see you everyday. Being that the weather is getting warmer, I stopped my membership for this month. I've been training for a 10k coming up next Sunday, so I've switched to our beautiful track at the river. But I'm already missing my weight training so I'll be back there soon! For right now, the warmth and the water is perfect =)<br />
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5. H20!<br />
This is a given. If you've been living in Korea, you will quickly realize that they don't drink a lot of water. At all. I still don't understand it. No one really does. If you're still eating a ton of Korean food during the week... make sure you're staying hydrated. The abundant amount of salt in your system takes a toll. I personally have an issue with drinking enough water, so I labeled my water bottle with time-increments to keep me on track. It really helps.<br />
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6. <a href="http://english.gmarket.co.kr/index.asp">Gmarket</a> & <a href="http://www.iherb.com/">iHerb</a><br />
Korea does not have a lot of the supplements and health foods that are readily available back home. I would kill for a Trader Joe's or a Whole Foods, but I've learned to deal with what I have here. These two websites are amazing. Gmarket is extremely cheap. I bought myself a blender for around $20 USD and a mini-oven for around $34 USD. iHerb is a website based out of the States that ships internationally for cheap! I recently bought chia seeds, quinoa, whole wheat flour, sucanat, and whey protein powder. My next order will consist of coconut oil and raw honey. You name it.. they got it! Best part- they ship ridiculously fast. Especially Gmarket. I ordered my oven- two days later I was baking my chicken. BAM!<br />
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I think a big part of my problem was that I thought living in this country meant me having to change my lifestyle to make it fit theirs. But moving abroad doesn't mean you should throw away everything you've worked so hard for; everything you know. That's really not the right way to go about assimilating If you have the resources- use them! I know that now. South Korea has resources, you just need to do a bit of research. Hopefully this blog will help some of you out. Explore! My friend just recently found an Asian market around the corner from my apartment.. literally a 2 1/2 minute bike ride from my front door. There, I found chick peas, cilantro, mung beans, and a bunch of other goodies. I also have one cheat meal a week, where I let myself eat whatever meal I've been craving.<br />
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The last piece of advice I have is don't get too crazy. You're in a foreign country for godsakes! Enjoy their food! Try new things! Take it in.. because before you know it, before <i>I</i> know it, I'm going to be back home craving dakgalbi and bulgogi. So let yourself go a bit. That should be a given with anyone living a healthy lifestyle. Know your neighborhood. Know its markets. Know its specialty foods. Know your body. Know its limits. Experiment. Explore.<br />
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Some things I enjoy in my city of Andong:<br />
> The most delicious carrot cake I've ever had (<i>Cafe Life</i> in Shinae)<br />
> Delicious dakgalbi (in downtown Shinae)<br />
> Andong jjimdak (Jjimdak Street in Shinae)<br />
> Frozen yogurt (<i><a href="http://yogerpresso.co.kr/indexFrame.html">Yoger Presso</a></i> across from Sungso Hospital)<br />
> Vietnamese Shabu Shabu (in Okdong)<br />
> Japanese (<i>Katsura</i> in Okdong)<br />
> Fresh-brewed coffee (<i>Zelkova</i> in Shiane)<br />
> Jajangmyeon (Chinese restaurant in Dangbukdong)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kpv7G8QQBQE/UWAiu-_x-GI/AAAAAAAAB8M/sk3ZpPtraJw/s1600/525141_10151243810947484_1873897679_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kpv7G8QQBQE/UWAiu-_x-GI/AAAAAAAAB8M/sk3ZpPtraJw/s320/525141_10151243810947484_1873897679_n.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kimchi Jiggae: my favorite take-out meal ($5 USD) </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Ii27qAbFOk/UWAiuzX6U3I/AAAAAAAAB8U/gUCmUj7s2m0/s1600/416993_10150570674842484_1189940204_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Ii27qAbFOk/UWAiuzX6U3I/AAAAAAAAB8U/gUCmUj7s2m0/s320/416993_10150570674842484_1189940204_n.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andong Jjimdak</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rSR_gwY5-vk/UWAlP58FXjI/AAAAAAAAB8g/Ah7FZuiqS6U/s1600/487671_4014363713782_1130441955_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rSR_gwY5-vk/UWAlP58FXjI/AAAAAAAAB8g/Ah7FZuiqS6U/s320/487671_4014363713782_1130441955_n.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shabu Shabu (Photo credit: Leandi Pienaar)</td></tr>
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Something I've been trying to do recently is stay <i>present-minded-</i> something that clicked with me when I read it off a friends' status. (She is finishing up her last few days in the Peace Corps, where she has been living in Zambia for the past 2+ years.) So as much as I have been working my ass off for the body I had before I came to Korea, I am remembering to enjoy every minute of my life here. I am on one hell of an incredible journey and decided to embark on it for another 12 months. Two months have already passed since I've been home and it WILL be all over before I know it. I'm staying present-minded, cherishing and making mental notes of everything I <i>experience, see, hear, do</i>, and to get back on track of this post- <i>eat.</i><br />
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This weekend has turned into quite the cooking and baking frenzy. I'm leaving you with some recent goodies I've experimented with. Enjoy!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6BXhOaeH794/UWAoyD6JZ8I/AAAAAAAAB8w/kklI-DkBKqc/s1600/2013-04-03+08.06.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6BXhOaeH794/UWAoyD6JZ8I/AAAAAAAAB8w/kklI-DkBKqc/s400/2013-04-03+08.06.44.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was on a smoothie kick all last week thanks to my delicious french vanilla whey protein. (This one had blueberries, walnuts, chia, flax, almond milk, and FV whey protein,)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ott-BGaKOvY/UWAoyTRm2ZI/AAAAAAAAB80/EQJKhH7Sjfo/s1600/2013-04-03+20.00.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ott-BGaKOvY/UWAoyTRm2ZI/AAAAAAAAB80/EQJKhH7Sjfo/s400/2013-04-03+20.00.10.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baked sweet potatoes, red split lentils, onions, greens, carrots </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hMxTBquT8LQ/UWAoyEtTd4I/AAAAAAAAB84/76WnTr2Kq38/s1600/2013-03-29+08.20.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hMxTBquT8LQ/UWAoyEtTd4I/AAAAAAAAB84/76WnTr2Kq38/s400/2013-03-29+08.20.03.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blueberry Oatmeal Bake. Inspired by <a href="http://fitfoodiefinds.com/2012/02/pimp-my-oats/">FitFoodieFinds</a> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x7mzjCuFQ70/UWAozujDfmI/AAAAAAAAB9I/PEOB4Km1QVA/s1600/DSC01361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x7mzjCuFQ70/UWAozujDfmI/AAAAAAAAB9I/PEOB4Km1QVA/s400/DSC01361.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chickpea Breakfast. (chickpeas, egg whites, yellow peppers, tomatoes, kale, chia seeds)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XP4-O-VACio/UWAo0Utf9CI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/JFDzYf_2j3A/s1600/DSC01365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XP4-O-VACio/UWAo0Utf9CI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/JFDzYf_2j3A/s400/DSC01365.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homemade Tahini (sesame seeds & olive oil)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oQhwcgHDvPM/UWAo0LE6R_I/AAAAAAAAB9U/ZauLNsotq4I/s1600/DSC01370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oQhwcgHDvPM/UWAo0LE6R_I/AAAAAAAAB9U/ZauLNsotq4I/s400/DSC01370.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almond Butter (DIdn't come out right. Unfortunately my small blender does not have the power of a food processor or Vitamix) But I'll find something to do with what I did get out of it! haha</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9rLV3m4O9aI/UWAo1NRGDQI/AAAAAAAAB9c/OMtaLWY6iVI/s1600/DSC01372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9rLV3m4O9aI/UWAo1NRGDQI/AAAAAAAAB9c/OMtaLWY6iVI/s400/DSC01372.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.texanerin.com/2012/04/grain-free-peanut-butter-chocolate-chip.html">Chickpea Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies</a> (flour free, oil free, egg free, sugar free)<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JFL0Cbftdpw/UWAo2tSfasI/AAAAAAAAB94/FMJsbAjvQws/s1600/DSC01386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JFL0Cbftdpw/UWAo2tSfasI/AAAAAAAAB94/FMJsbAjvQws/s400/DSC01386.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K8NXK-93nLo/UWAo17bT6II/AAAAAAAAB9o/k0VzpBOnRFI/s1600/DSC01390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K8NXK-93nLo/UWAo17bT6II/AAAAAAAAB9o/k0VzpBOnRFI/s400/DSC01390.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clean Homemade Hummus: <a href="http://angelceasar.blogspot.kr/2013/02/kookin-in-korea-hummus.html">Kimchi Anyone?</a> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1-5O39BuYoQ/UWAo2ZSRM6I/AAAAAAAAB9w/4XRoEjiB1Vs/s1600/DSC01392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1-5O39BuYoQ/UWAo2ZSRM6I/AAAAAAAAB9w/4XRoEjiB1Vs/s400/DSC01392.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mung Bean Ball Salad- Inspired by <a href="http://scandifoodie.blogspot.com.au/2011/05/grilled-vegetable-salad-with-mung-bean.html">Scandifoodie</a><br />
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Korea has some delicious foods- enjoy them! But don't forget what your body needs. =)<br />
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MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826346872600459018noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086622142198826.post-49500685542658362202013-03-14T14:40:00.001+09:002013-03-14T14:52:48.430+09:00Pyeongchang: Weekend Getaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-75n8iSQa2Kc/UUFe7FSFgGI/AAAAAAAAB40/WEqas8bza_g/s1600/45438_10151279149287484_581780849_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-75n8iSQa2Kc/UUFe7FSFgGI/AAAAAAAAB40/WEqas8bza_g/s1600/45438_10151279149287484_581780849_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I spent this past weekend reconnecting with Korea and the kindness and beauty it has to offer. My five friends and I, thanks to Angel's amazing planning, decided to travel up to Pyeongchang for the weekend. I think we all needed some time away from Andong and this was the perfect place for it. Pyeongchang is a rural town in the northeastern part of Korea. It is high up in the beautiful mountains and will be the site of the 2018 Winter Olympics. This was the constant joke all weekend.. because this town is so underdeveloped and not very exposed to foreigners, that it was hard for us to imagine the mass amounts of people coming to this town in five years. One thing is for sure, these Pyeongchang residents are in for one hell of a culture shock.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-whalAopDWzc/UUFe8DX2y7I/AAAAAAAAB5A/ubQFx63tPkc/s1600/541394_10151279176867484_892476697_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-whalAopDWzc/UUFe8DX2y7I/AAAAAAAAB5A/ubQFx63tPkc/s1600/541394_10151279176867484_892476697_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-23WYUPtKV_Q/UUFe89F4zPI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/D3KEhj1LY6I/s1600/544162_10151279149477484_1654908660_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-23WYUPtKV_Q/UUFe89F4zPI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/D3KEhj1LY6I/s1600/544162_10151279149477484_1654908660_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VNiPSe1aB5k/UUFe6tl0XjI/AAAAAAAAB4c/jxjQlCoRaR0/s1600/208495_10152653218175593_2032427843_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VNiPSe1aB5k/UUFe6tl0XjI/AAAAAAAAB4c/jxjQlCoRaR0/s400/208495_10152653218175593_2032427843_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We left on Saturday morning, bright and early to make a 2.5 hour train ride to Wonju. That was followed by a 1.5 hour bus ride to Pyeongchang where we were met by one of our pension owners, who then drove us about 30 minutes up to our pension. As we packed our six bodies and all of our bags into the small van, we made our way through the gorgeous mountains on some of the narrowest one-way roads I've ever seen. The question of what would happen if we ran into a car coming in the opposite direction clearly crossed our minds. Not sure if I wanted to know the answer to that one. By the time we reached the top of the mountain and saw our hostel all thoughts of being traded were out of our heads. I know- not funny. But some of us (meaning me) were contemplating the scenarios and escapes.- (This may or may not have to do with me recently becoming addicted to the new show, 'The Following.') Our pension was perfect. Huge kitchen, dining room, two bathrooms, and two large bedrooms.. one with a view that was absolutely breathtaking.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_nQGoST0BrA/UUFe6oGiBRI/AAAAAAAAB4k/6RMrW93czDw/s1600/45379_10151279150007484_155392806_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_nQGoST0BrA/UUFe6oGiBRI/AAAAAAAAB4k/6RMrW93czDw/s1600/45379_10151279150007484_155392806_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">View from our pension!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can't say enough about this place. The owners were sincere and so accommodating. Typical of a cute elderly Korean couple. The pension itself was clean and spacious. Perfect conditions. I'd recommend this place to anyone here in Korea. We've already talked about going back next winter for dog sledding. That's a must! Pension --->: <a href="http://700village.co.kr/rb/index.php">700 Village</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This weekend proved to be a productive, action-packed two days. Not a typical "girl's weekend" what so ever. Quite the memories =)</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Made my homemade protein bars for the trip! DELISH. Find out how to make them <a href="http://mkinkorea.blogspot.kr/2012/12/mks-kitchen-no-bake-flax-energy-balls.html">here!</a></span></td></tr>
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MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826346872600459018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086622142198826.post-1818767118219184862013-03-03T15:34:00.002+09:002013-03-14T14:53:26.535+09:00Slow Comeback<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tomorrow I start my second year teaching here in Korea. I will officially meet my new students Tuesday, but tomorrow will begin the actual school year. The students have been off for the past two weeks, while I have had to desk-warm during this time. It was admittedly painful. I was bored, miserable, cold, and pissed. Some of my friends had off during this time. Their schools said they simply didn't need to show up until March 4th (tomorrow). Not mine. We continue to try to find the reasoning behind this thinking but fail every time. It's just one of those things you have to accept. So the last few days as I was getting increasingly annoyed at the fact that I hadn't seen a single soul walk down my hallway all day, I started leaving early. Whether that was the right or wrong choice, I did it. There's only so much you can take with being put up in a room on the top floor of a building with no communication all day. (Not to mention 7 cars in the parking lot at any given point.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On more positive news, I've gotten back into my gym routine. I've been going 3-4 times a week straight from school. Training for a 10k in mid-April at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Gyeongju. This will be my third 10k here in Korea. Pretty pumped!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm just waiting for my life to get back to schedule. I've always been one who needs a schedule. I need to start teaching. I need the weather to get warmer. I need to get back to the happiness I felt last year at this time. Of course this year will be different. Quite a few of my friends left Korea, moved up to Seoul, etc. I'm working on saving money to start my life back in the States. Things are different. There's no doubt about that. I had an amazing time while I was home and I'm still holding onto that. But I feel like I'm forgetting the person I came here as. I need to get back to her. I know I'm not completely lost.. and this became apparent a few weeks ago while I was researching Vietnam for my vacation in September. I remembered half the reason I'm here. To travel. I was so pumped, so excited, jotting down all this research I found. I felt like myself again. Traveling is a part of me. It always has been. Teaching is another part of me. I am here living out my dreams, and I need to hold on to that. Bottom line: I need to start teaching, because I've been going a little crazy. So this next week should be the start of me getting back to normal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've talked to some friends who are in their third year in Korea now. Almost all of them had similar experiences coming back for their second year. It was hard without a doubt. One friend in particular told me that her second year brought on more extreme highs and lows. For example, annoyances about Korea will get to you on a whole new level, but go away pretty fast. I'm used to the culture here. I know what to expect. I'm going to lose patience on a different kind of level, but learn how to deal with it so much faster. I have such a deep respect for this country. I see the beauty in it. The kind people. It's all there. This thing that's going on with me, is my problem alone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel myself slowly coming around, and I'm excited for this next year- don't get me wrong. There's a lot I want to accomplish, so I'm trying not to speed up my time here. I know how fast one year went, so I can only imagine how fast this year will go. There's so many places I still want to see in this country. I feel guilty that I'm in this slump. But I've been reassured that this is normal, and it'll take some time to get back into the swing of things. I'm focusing on the fact that I am anxious and excited to meet my new students, planning festival trips, vacations, still have that feeling of home when I walk around this city. That girl who came here last year is still here, but I'm growing up and this year will be different whether I want it to be or not. It's life. Change happens.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I met a ton of people who are new to Andong this past weekend. Unknown to them, they're a big reason why I feel myself coming back around. The anxiousness, nervousness, excitement, positiveness, coming out of their mouths was so inspiring. They are me one year ago. New to this country. Scared shitless. Not knowing what's in store for them. It's such a cool, scary feeling. But they are SO pumped to be here. I love that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On that note: I am grateful I am here. It's where I want to be. This country continues to surprise me, touch me, and give me experiences I can get no where else. I know how lucky I am to be here, and will never lose that </span>MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826346872600459018noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086622142198826.post-57556694713626479252013-02-12T13:14:00.003+09:002013-03-14T14:54:23.368+09:00SURVIVAL GUIDE: Living In South Korea<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I love looking up at the trees and at buildings. When you're comfortable with a place, you forget to look up. New Yorkers never look up. It's only the tourists." -Jason Mraz</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So you're thinking about living in SoKo?!? Well that's grand!! But there are a few things worth knowing before you get here. Some of these things I researched before arriving. Some I was told about by others who had been living here. And some well.. I found out through awkward and fun situations. I started to jot down these things and quickly realized they are more like tips and that I should eventually blog about them. Let me point out that this mostly pertains to expats coming to LIVE here. However, if you're a tourist for a week in Seoul, than by all means some of these things will definitely help you! Whoever you are, keep an open mind, and remember: <i>"Travel is the only thing you buy, that makes you richer."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before I start this post.. I want to remind you all of one I wrote 9 months ago entitled, <a href="http://mkinkorea.blogspot.kr/2012/05/its-not-all-rainbows-and-cupcakes-here.html">It's Not All Rainbows and Cupcakes Here</a>. I actually got a lot of shit for this post as well as a lot of good advice. I was mostly reminded that this 3-month mark was when homesickness and annoyance starts to take over. I missed my family and my life back home. I was getting annoyed with things in this country. <span style="color: #b4a7d6;">Me and Korea's honeymoon period was over</span>. Its flaws were presented and my patience was tested. I was sad. Things turned around, I became more accepting of things I could not change, and this place became my home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SO ladies and gents, here is my own personal survival guide (kudos to a friend who inspired some of these tips below. Visit her blog entitled <a href="http://withlovefromsouthkorea.blogspot.kr/">With Love, From South Korea</a>!)</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Eat Kimchi!!!</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And learn to like it! Kimchi 김치 is Korea's staple food along with rice. It's basically fermented cabbage dowsed in red pepper paste. It can be very spicy and it's paired with a strong smell. Kimchi will be presented to you at every single meal, and you will be on every Korean's good side if you pick it up and chew it with a smile. But I swear people it is not the worst thing in the world. I was not the biggest fan when I got here, but I never said no to it, and it didn't take me too long to actually enjoy the stuff. I now consume it at every meal it's presented at. I crave kimchi jiggae 김치 찌개 (crazy spicy kimchi soup). If you're out for samgyupsal, galbi or some kind of bbq dinner, and you don't like to eat it raw, grill it! Put it on the grill, slap it on a lettuce wrap with some meat, pepper paste, a piece of garlic and radish, and shove that entire thing in your mouth! You'll thank me! Basically... learn to like it. This food is a Korean's pride and joy.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. You will be stared at. Get over it. </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Seoul, not so much, if at all. I'm talking about small cities like my own.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You're a westerner. A foreigner. A waygookin 외국인. If you have blue eyes, blonde or red hair, dark skin.. Forget about it. We're walking celebrities! You can either embrace it or grow annoyed every time you walk out your door. I live in the <i>most conservative</i> city in all of South Korea. The stares are doubled here. If I'm having a good day, I don't even realize the eyes of the ahjummas and ahjussis following me down the road. I'll bow to them with a short annyeong haseyo. But if I'm having a rough day, I will get annoyed and the NY in me will unleash. I have been known to stop in my tracks, turn around and lift my arms in a "wtf are you looking at!?" way. SO on the days where you're at a red light waiting to cross the road and a Korean literally turns their body to you, and looks you up and down- you decide what to do with it. Just remember- the older generation never really had foreign and western influence during their young lifetime. So looking over and seeing you is very interesting to them. It's all in how you choose to deal with it. Some days I just put my shades on and pretend I'm Gaga. Have fun with it if anything. <span style="color: #b4a7d6;">All it takes is a simple bow and their entire attitude will change</span>. Their faces will light up and you'll walk away with a good feeling, not an aggravated one.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Watch where you step!</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here, it is rude to blow your nose in public. BUT it is not rude to hock a loogie. So... watch where you walk and never get too too close to someone sniffling. Chances are you know what's coming next, and they're not always good about where they aim.<span style="color: #b4a7d6;"> It's basically just one big Titanic scene</span>. You know the one I'm talking about..</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Always keep some tissues in your bag.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're traveling, chances are you're going to run into a restroom that doesn't provide toilet paper. Or the toilet paper will be on a roll outside the stalls. In this case, you may get yourself into a situation where you didn't grab enough before you stepped in... You guys are smart- you can figure the rest out. Do yourself a favor. Carry tissues. Oh and just use the damn squatters.. something I just needed to get over.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Please PLEASE be careful when crossing roads.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Korean drivers are known for, well, they suck. Their driving is insane and Koreans themselves will admit this. Just because the little green guy says you can walk does not mean you should walk. They will come speeding down little alleys; they will drive on sidewalks to get ahead. It is complete organized chaos. I've had countless students, foreigner friends, and most recently a friend's co-teacher get into car accidents. It is a daily thing and way too common. The only time I approve is when I'm in a taxi and running late, and even then I am holding on to that hand rail for deal life the entire ride. The best is witnessing <span style="color: #b4a7d6;">ahjummas slamming their hand down on trunks</span> and hoods of cars because they almost just got run over. I, myself, have stood in the middle of the crosswalk so the car has no choice but to slow down. I have gone as far as pointing at their car then pointing at the little green guy.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. Be Ready to GET PERSONAL.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Koreans love to ask you personal questions when they first meet you. Questions that in western society are considered "touchy subjects." <i>How old are you? Who did you vote for? How much do you weigh? Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend? Why don't you have a boyfriend/girlfriend? What's your blood type?</i> Korea is all about hierarchy. They need to understand who and where you are in relation to them, which is where the age obsession comes in. This past year was an election year for both the States and Korea, so my political stance was very much intriguing. You're a westerner, we're all overweight compared to them. Weight <i>will</i> be brought up. My students are constantly amazed that I don't have a boyfriend. In Korean years I'm 25, which is ancient for not having a steady boyfriend on the verge of marriage. I try to make my girls see that it's okay not to have a boyfriend and to be an independent woman. This is rarely comprehended, so sometimes it's just easier to say yes and be done with it. I still don't understand the blood type thing, but you WILL be asked. Multiple times. Fun fact: One of my favorite K-Pop bands, B1A4 (named after 1 of their members being blood type B, and 4 members being blood type A.)</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. You're living in THEIR country. Learn their language.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Learning how to read and write hangeul was a piece of cake. All it takes is a bit of time just sitting down with it. Before you know it, you'll be able to read every single sign, every restaurant menu, your students' names, etc. <a href="http://www.talktomeinkorean.com/">Talk To Me In Korean</a> is a website I was told about during orientation and it proved quite useful. I recommend it for anyone moving to Korea. Life will be so much easier once you know how to read and write their language. The next step is speaking it, which is a bit more difficult. The Korean language has sounds that the English language does not, so it's definitely a challenge. No one is going to force you to learn the language, but in order to be respected here, and in order to respect <i>yourself</i>, even just learning key phrases will make your life here so much easier and so much more fun. I started learning Korean while I was substitute teaching back home. <span style="color: #b4a7d6;">My lunch breaks and prep-periods were filled with self-made flash cards</span> and travel books. You learn a lot just being around your students and co-teachers here as well. There's no doubt you'll pick up expressions just being around Koreans. I am by no means fluent. I know close to nothing in comparison to my other friends, but I like to think I know enough to get myself by, give directions to a cab driver, order food at a restaurant, share jokes with my students, and have simple conversations with co-teachers who don't speak a lick of English. I've got to say, the best feeling is when you understand what your co-teachers or students are talking about. Your ears perk up at the Korean words you just heard and you are able to put together the conversation. That's a really cool feeling that I don't think will ever get old.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness"- Mark Twain</span></i><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. <a href="http://kikinitinkorea.tumblr.com/">KikinitinKorea</a></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're teaching in this country, bookmark this website! It is absolutely brilliant. It literally has me on the floor dying of laughter every day. I've stopped showing it to friends back home, because, well, they just can't appreciate it. This website will help you get through every rough day here, and make every good day that much more wonderful. While you're at it... bookmark this one too: <a href="http://blackoutkorea.blogspot.kr/">Black Out Korea</a>. A photo blog dedicated to the obscene amount of drunken Korean business men passed out on the streets of Korea.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. Don't forget where you come from and who you are</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're anything like myself, my family means the absolute world to me. I miss them everyday and it's been proven hard to be so far away from each other. But if your family is anything like mine, they respect the fact that I'm here fulfilling my dream of seeing the world. Don't forget to include them in any way you can. Skype is a beautiful thing. Facebook is wonderful, even when it's not. Technology has made traveling and being apart from people you love and care about so much more feasible. Send postcards! They're super cheap and so old school! <span style="color: #b4a7d6;">They make for such an authentic part of your traveling adventures and stories, and a keepsake that facebook statuses will never give you</span>. Invest in a decent camera or at least a smart phone. Keep them included in where you are and what you're doing. It'll make them that much more comfortable with you being halfway across the world. After all, they're your first family.They're where you started. In terms of staying true to who you are- If something is truly bothering you- speak up. You're smart, you will learn how to be culturally appropriate when bringing up touchy subjects. If it's affecting you so much that you feel the absolute need to discuss it... first get advice from friends who have been in Korea longer than you have. And if it still seems like the right thing to do, speak up. Yes you are living in their country and in their culture, but in the end, you still have your own culture and your individual morals. So if you feel the need to discuss with your co-teacher about getting your special needs students' textbooks, or you feel the need to (gently) push back an ahjumma on the subway, do it! Just tread carefully and use your common sense.</span><br />
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<i>"Especially now when views are becoming more polarized, we must work to understand each other across political, religious, and national boundaries." -Jane Goodall</i></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10. Take It All In</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You're going to have rough days. You're going to have magical ones. You're going to want to punch everything in sight. You're going to crave new experiences. You're going to want to cry to your mom. You're going to connect with people like you've never connected with anyone before. You're going to vent, yell, laugh, cry, drink, and dance with them. You'll do it all. A year will go by in the blink of an eye. So take it all in. <span style="color: #b4a7d6;">Invite your co-teachers over for dinner in your small ass apartment, go to that mud-festival across the country, make a trip to Jeju-do, visit the gorgeous temples in Seoul, get to know the cultures your friends come from, learn some K-Pop, mix soju and beer (but not often), don't be afraid of making mistakes, go out to eat alone, learn to forgive yourself, stay in love motels, don't try to change things here that you have no right to try and change, travel alone, get to know your students even if you have 200 of them, eat that damn kimchi, have too many LI iced teas at Thursday Party, and after that pop open a beer with your friends while sitting outside your local 7-Eleven..just because you can, start a blog, be an open-book, don't hold back.</span> You're still young. Embrace it. Asian and Western culture could not be more different. It'll be an adjustment, but one that will better you. Your relationships here will be real and lasting, and your experiences and stories will be forever in your memory.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Please be a traveler. Not a tourist. Try new things, meet new people, and look beyond what's right in front of you. Those are the keys to understanding this amazing world we live in." -Andrew Zimmern</span></i><br />
<br />MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826346872600459018noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086622142198826.post-10680682364601245762013-02-06T11:53:00.002+09:002013-03-14T14:55:52.337+09:0011 months Later: My Visit Home<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, it's my first day back and I'm super jet-lagged, but surprisingly cheery. This will fade fast.. leading me to crave sweats, my blanket, and sleep... in my apartment that I missed oh so much.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's rewind to 3 weeks ago shall we?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I arrived home exactly 3 weeks and a day ago. The second I arrived at immigration in JFK I was completely overwhelmed. <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Reverse culture shock had begun: </span>I was able to eavesdrop on people's conversations and communicate my thoughts with ease. I was finally back in NY and I <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">didn't realize just how much I had craved multiculturalism.</span> There were different races all around me. I remember stopping myself at one point, realizing my head was in constant motion. I was whipping around just to get a glimpse of everyone and everything. I was not only back in the States, but back in NY, and I laughed out loud when one of the immigration employees was ordering people into the correct lines in her thick NY accent. I missed that. For the next 3 weeks I found myself above anything else, handing over money and receiving it with two hands. I didn't find myself needing to bow (which surprised me), as I have been bending at my waist at 45 degrees for the past 11 months. I was noticing little things here and there that I had never noticed before about the sometimes curt and fast culture of the West (I'm mainly talking about NY here.) When I was in the city and heard Korean, I whipped my head around almost instantly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My lovely friend Brittany picked me up at JFK and brought me home where I was welcomed by my mother and two brothers who were home from college. My mom kept the Christmas tree (Christmas had been over for 21 days by this point, and the tree had surprisingly not burned down) and decorations up just so we could have our own little Christmas that night. I handed out gifts from Japan and Taiwan and we ordered none other than a good old NY pie! (Yes, I mean pizza.) My mother is one of my best friends and we were both elated to be reunited. I'm thankful my brothers were home so we all had a good week and a half to spend time together.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4k9Stvt6aog/URG-SJxi8OI/AAAAAAAABws/EGgdIJEwSxY/s1600/23347_10151182161372484_1596274560_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4k9Stvt6aog/URG-SJxi8OI/AAAAAAAABws/EGgdIJEwSxY/s400/23347_10151182161372484_1596274560_n.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Me and Colm.. first time I met my newest cousin!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SO4l2EMt6mE/URG9LKCfXyI/AAAAAAAABtk/iN1rqN6kyqo/s1600/205657_10151189548272484_1386459267_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SO4l2EMt6mE/URG9LKCfXyI/AAAAAAAABtk/iN1rqN6kyqo/s400/205657_10151189548272484_1386459267_n.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Me and Pat</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-irxh1bejjJU/URG9L8NxafI/AAAAAAAABuE/5yHaydjwmI0/s1600/428321_10151189548417484_1226788638_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-irxh1bejjJU/URG9L8NxafI/AAAAAAAABuE/5yHaydjwmI0/s400/428321_10151189548417484_1226788638_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Mi madre and I in the city</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qmX96peESKA/URG9MxTEvNI/AAAAAAAABuQ/00L1KPhbzSw/s1600/601186_10151182159157484_622947243_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qmX96peESKA/URG9MxTEvNI/AAAAAAAABuQ/00L1KPhbzSw/s400/601186_10151182159157484_622947243_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Christmas!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9QT_80YOG_M/URG9M-u59TI/AAAAAAAABuY/23VfEWi53XU/s1600/72978_10151182161442484_1889080378_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9QT_80YOG_M/URG9M-u59TI/AAAAAAAABuY/23VfEWi53XU/s400/72978_10151182161442484_1889080378_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ashley, Zach, me , and Tim</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_1XLJpsgR8/URG9NxI5NcI/AAAAAAAABug/plzM9-YRrTg/s1600/75036_10151192870387484_1070248899_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_1XLJpsgR8/URG9NxI5NcI/AAAAAAAABug/plzM9-YRrTg/s400/75036_10151192870387484_1070248899_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Moving my brothers into the dorms</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1by3Xn74Mnw/URG9Nvv28fI/AAAAAAAABuk/bvl9nNc1omg/s1600/73553_10151192851667484_676538708_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1by3Xn74Mnw/URG9Nvv28fI/AAAAAAAABuk/bvl9nNc1omg/s400/73553_10151192851667484_676538708_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Megan, Melissa, me and Kati in Oswego</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MdIwCPousso/URG9b6pWKjI/AAAAAAAABvU/ryMTjx9BVns/s1600/398065_10151182161982484_1597837379_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MdIwCPousso/URG9b6pWKjI/AAAAAAAABvU/ryMTjx9BVns/s400/398065_10151182161982484_1597837379_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The girl cousins!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9E_JMXUHOs0/URHCERXLwmI/AAAAAAAABz4/gowMgszGH5Y/s1600/314729_10151192867732484_339525351_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9E_JMXUHOs0/URHCERXLwmI/AAAAAAAABz4/gowMgszGH5Y/s400/314729_10151192867732484_339525351_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">John, Steve, and I in Oswego</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qRuitapAunw/URHCEeSj5DI/AAAAAAAABz8/Wukhr2c6P5Y/s1600/23731_10151391636001351_1460867596_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qRuitapAunw/URHCEeSj5DI/AAAAAAAABz8/Wukhr2c6P5Y/s400/23731_10151391636001351_1460867596_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Lauren, Holly, me and Sara</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cG7BNKFQFyU/URG_17P9UbI/AAAAAAAAByQ/XHXJqhaqKaQ/s1600/424547_10151192870767484_548558586_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cG7BNKFQFyU/URG_17P9UbI/AAAAAAAAByQ/XHXJqhaqKaQ/s400/424547_10151192870767484_548558586_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Me and Kate in Delhi</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some highlights of my trip:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brittany, myself and some new friends took over Irish Times (local bar) like we owned the freakin place.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My mom, my brothers and I enjoyed a day in the city, where we saw <i>Jersey Boys</i> (A little disappointing, not one of my favorites). We walked up to Rockefeller, then to dinner at <i>The National</i> (Iron Chef's Geoffrey Zakarian's restaurant), per my brother's request.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Had not one, but two welcome home parties, where I saw a great deal of family and friends who had traveled up to 7 hours. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Satisfied food cravings included but not limited to:</span> REAL pizza, Mexican (enchiladas and guac), enormous NY egg everything bagel, Greek (lamb souvlaki and tzatsiki), way too much hummus, turkey cold-cuts, salmon burger, TJ's everything...</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Drove into Flushing, Queens (a neighborhood 20 mins outside of Manahttan). Flushing is basically Korea in NY. Everything from shops, to restaurants, to doctors' offices, to supermarkets, to noraebangs, to you name it... Korean! And I LOVED it. We had galbi at a great restaurant, and to my mom's enjoyment- makkoli.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Drove my brothers up to school, saw their dorms, acted as their mother, and cried when I left them. SO proud of those two.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Met up with college friends in Oswego, danced at the Raven till pretty much closing.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Flew down to NC where I spent time with my aunt, uncle, and cousins. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spent the next few days in SC where I saw my two other brothers, Jackie, and my beautiful niece. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let my guard down, and <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">took a chance</span> on someone who has made me feel the butterflies of a 16-yr old girl again, and the reason for the permanent smile on my face</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9dRJxGR4dMQ/URG9d6qYONI/AAAAAAAABv0/uKajc1b1l9g/s1600/603088_10151174830027484_44138100_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9dRJxGR4dMQ/URG9d6qYONI/AAAAAAAABv0/uKajc1b1l9g/s400/603088_10151174830027484_44138100_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">First dinner back home. YUMM</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was able to accomplish so many wonderful things while I was home. I was <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">non-stop</span> the entire time, but that's the only way I knew how to spend my time there. There are many people I needed to see, and if that meant running around like a mad-woman then so be it. I <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">love my mother for sharing me with everyone</span>, even though it proved difficult for her. Some people may think I'm crazy that I took a 14-hour round-trip drive to my college town. Or that I hopped on yet another plane to see my family down South. But if I didn't do these things the regret would be there, and I am so thankful I was able to see everyone I did.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Me and Emma in SC</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Me and Liz in NC</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Me and Emma</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Me and Connor</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the days dwindled down and I realized my return to Korea was creeping up, I was upset. I didn't want to leave. <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">I knew it would be rough but not like this</span>. I started to second-guess myself. I had to remember that my decision to renew my contract here was never 100%. I had my reasons for staying, and those haven't changed. I just wasn't expecting to feel so strong about not wanting to go back to Korea. I felt like after 3 weeks it would be like every college break I had. (When it was time to go back up to Oswego I was beyond ready.) This was different. This is another year out of my life that I will not see my niece grow up, another Christmas missed. But when I had a meltdown in the parking lot of CVS (yes, that's right) my mom reminded me that if I were home I would have no job, no plan, nothing for me. She's right. I HAVE a plan when I come home for good. And when I really think about it, I'm actually really excited for this upcoming year. I have a <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">serious budget in place that I'll stick to in order to have the life I want when I leave this country</span>. I have more friends who are visiting me this year which is beyond exciting! I have one more year of adorable students, Cherry Blossom festivals, awkward situations, communication barriers, and drunken Daegu nights. I'm looking forward to festivals I missed this past year, finally making it to Jeju, improving my Korean, more dakgalbi, and my <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">friends here who I've come to love and have missed terribly.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As much as I loved being home, I have missed this place. <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">It's the oddest feeling</span> - this sense of comfort in a community in which they don't speak your language, and the customs and culture are so unlike your native ones. But this has in a way, <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">become a certain adopted culture for me.</span> In my own way, I've learned how to deal with certain situations here, how to get my point across if my limited Korean is not enough, how to breathe and accept the things that drive me insane here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These past three weeks reminded me that <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">I have two homes</span>. One on Long Island, NY where I was born and raised among four amazing brothers, by the most accepting mother a child could ask for. And one in Andong, South Korea, where I have made myself a life. I'm anxious and excited for what this next year will bring. I'm thrilled to try even more new things, travel to places I've yet to be, meet my new students, and instill in them a love for the English language, form new friendships and strengthen the ones I have now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SoKo.. Bring it!!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Pat, me, Mom and Zach</span></td></tr>
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MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826346872600459018noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086622142198826.post-53202998085577178832013-01-14T15:21:00.001+09:002013-03-14T14:55:13.238+09:00Taiwan<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I recently just got back from eight lovely days in Taiwan. It was my <span style="color: #6aa84f;">first solo-trip, and I'm proud to say... I survived it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All I had when I stepped off the plane were hostel directions, a sheet filled with Lonely Planet research and advice from friends who have been there, and my head. I was nervous and anxious about what was to come. Was I going to find everything okay? Was I going to meet people? Was I going to get everything out of this that I wanted to get out of it? My personality has always been to make plans, see all sides to things, know everything before I go through with it. Korea has somewhat tweaked that side of me. For example, when I was planning my trip to Taiwan, I had first made a decision to not book any hostels and kind of just see where the trip took me. But a week after deciding that, I was feeling so much anxiety, that I realized... this is who I am, so why am I trying so hard to change that. I like to plan things. I like certain things in order... like the roof over my head in a foreign country. So I spent a good deal of time looking up hostels in good locations so that I wouldn't have to worry about where I was going to sleep that night, and instead enjoy my actual time there. I don't like to think I've always played life by the book. I mean, I traveled to New Zealand alone; I bungy jumped the world's second highest bungy; I turned down three grad schools; I came to Korea; I decided to travel to Taiwan, a country where I knew no one and didn't speak the language. Oh yeah.. and alone. Things happened along this trip that I didn't plan for, and to my surprise I was absolutely okay with it. Korea has changed me... for the better. Living abroad has made me more accepting when things go astray, more laid- back, more open to new experiences, and more willing to try new things, because who knows when you're going to ever have that chance again. Enough life talk... back to my vacation!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I got to the airport, I had to take a shuttle bus into the city of Taiwan, where I found my hostel no problem. I met a great group of guys there. A few world travelers and an English Teacher teaching in Taiwan. Before we went out that night, I strolled around <b>Shida</b> Night Market where I experienced<span style="color: #ea9999;"> </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">the chaos that is Taiwanese Night Markets</span>. <i>Side Note: <span style="color: #6aa84f;">Eating as a solo-traveler can be a real issue if you don't have the right mindset</span>. However, you wouldn't be solo-traveling if you didn't have a certain personality anyway.. haha. Living in Korea for the last 10 months clearly set me up for this, and eating out alone is not a huge deal for me anymore. Basically, there's three options when you're traveling alone. 1. Starve because you're hesitant to try anything new/eat alone. 2. Stop in one of the 1,000+ 7-Elevens and settle for a packaged dinner. 3. Pull up a stool, use your hand gestures and facial expressions to get yourself a fabulous local dinner. </i>Number 3 is exactly what I did that first night... literally. There was a little outdoor stand set up selling these delicious smelling noodles. There were a few empty stools, so I decided what the hell... All I knew in Mandarin was hello and thank you. That's all I had. I pointed, asked for one, and indulged in a delicious dinner, overlooking the massive crowds of Taiwanese shopping through Shida. The next day I got a little lost finding my next hostel, but was saved when a kind Taiwanese man agreed for me to use his phone so I could call for directions. Ramona, the hostel owner of Taipei Fun House, was ironically around the corner, so she and Avivi had their taxi pick me up. (I got a hold of Romona's hostel through John, my recruiter for EPIK. Connections are quite amazing.) Fun story: That night, I realized I forgot my adapter for my Korean straightener. Romona suggested I just go to the salon to get my hair done. I tried not to laugh, because, well, why would I spend that kind of money just to get my hair done for one silly night. Though when she told me how much it was... NT $180, which is an equivalent $6 USD, I didn't have to hesitate. For 6 bucks, I received a wash, a head massage, and a style. Yeyy to being rich in Taiwan. I hooked back up with the guys I met the previous night, joined by a new Taiwanese friend, Denise, and we all went out to a popular club near Taipei 101 called Myst. Decked out with a huge waterfall pool.. it was quite the night.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shida Night Market</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is Taiwan beer called you ask?... Taiwan Beer. bahah</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Baker, David, Denise, Urban, and myself</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next day was </span><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New Year's Eve</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. I started it by taking the subway up to </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tamshui</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, a beautiful fisherman's village on the water. I spent a good amount of time walking up the boardwalk, buying souvenirs and trying basically every type of street food available. This included the famous </span><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taiwanese toast coffin</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, fried bread stuffed with either chicken, veggies, or in my case- seafood. YUM</span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That night, I humored myself by getting my hair done again. </span><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When In Taiwan</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. I decided to stay with Romona and her friends, who included a bunch of foreign English teachers. We all clicked immediately. </span><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There's something intriguing about expats meeting for the first time. We just get each other. It's a very easy relationship.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Now I don't know if this was ignorance coming from New York, and every New Year's being about Times Square... but I never realized how popular Taiwan was on this day because of the 101. We all took cabs to a foreigner friend's apartment for the sole reason that it was basically in 101's backyard. We all gathered on the roof, and when midnight struck we were able to watch the amazing display of light. The entire building turned into a firework. It was a beautiful sight. All I kept thinking was that </span><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm starting 2013 in Taiwan with friends I had only met two hours prior</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! CRAZY. The night continued with some good old flip cup, Downton Abbey venting, and dancing the night away at a hookah club. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the girls I met that night was talking about her friends at home who are always complaining about their jobs and financial situations, never having anything new to tell her, and how she is in Taiwan, making good money, seeing the world and learning a new language. </i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have friends who vent and complain, but I also have friends who love what they do in the States. I respect my friends at home and I am happy for them that they are doing what they love. </span><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also love what I do here</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. And I am grateful that I have friends who get that and respect it, even though some remain worried about me. I will be home in March 2014 after some last minute traveling. I will start my job hunt and complete my masters.. but for right now I am here, loving every minute of it. This is my life right now. We all have our own dreams and goals. I am living mine everyday. And I'm grateful for it.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Miranda, Jordan, and myself</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beautiful view from the other side of the rooftop</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_MfBfOsZnzM/UPOZhOptXxI/AAAAAAAABdA/06Q9SZydslA/s1600/DSC00479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_MfBfOsZnzM/UPOZhOptXxI/AAAAAAAABdA/06Q9SZydslA/s640/DSC00479.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZGJD_RLpvdU/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZGJD_RLpvdU?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZGJD_RLpvdU?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-65bVcRtBCUM/UPOX7umK6kI/AAAAAAAABZo/S8qryagGE3Q/s1600/DSC00398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-65bVcRtBCUM/UPOX7umK6kI/AAAAAAAABZo/S8qryagGE3Q/s400/DSC00398.JPG" width="400" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next morning started my travels to the east side of the country. First up- the coastal city of <b>Hualien</b>, which holds the famous canyons of <b>Taroko Gorge</b>.<b> </b>I really wanted to rent a scooter, but I was told a lot of places don't rent to people without an international driver license. Sad. (Fact: Taiwan's scooter culture is insane. They swerve in and out of everything and everyone, taking up the road and sidewalk. A bit scary.) So I joined a tour bus group, which proved semi-productive. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">Long story short- I hitchhiked for the first time</span>. I thought I could see some of the scenery on my own and walk to the next bus stop (it said it was only a 5-minute bus ride.) However- due to recent rock falls and construction, that stop was closed and it was another 15-minute bus ride to the next bus stop, which I would NEVER make on foot by that time.. so I had no other choice but to hitchhike. I laughed when it was a lovely old Taiwanese couple in a truck that stopped.<span style="color: #6aa84f;"> I did some pointing on my map, pulled off the familiar confused foreigner facial expressions, a tap to my watch, and a "how long" shrug of my shoulders, and they offered me a ride to the next stop</span>. Lovely people. So I got back on track with the tour group and life was good. During my on-foot journey I made friends with a poor battered-up dog (pictured below) who followed me for an entire kilometer, and really enjoyed my time to myself. I surprised myself that I wasn't exactly concerned that I was semi-lost and on a road to who knows where (literally.) Taroko Gorge was a breathtaking sight. The canyons were incredible. I was intrigued by a famous highway, called the Central Cross-Island Highway, the first means of transport to cross Taiwan's central mountain range. 226 workers were killed during the building of it due to landslides, rock falls, drowning, etc. The Eternal Spring Shrine was built to commemorate these men. The face of Taroko Gorge is constantly changing due to earthquakes and landslides. There are signs every few feet reminding you not to "linger"; "stay close to the wall"; and "don't rush to get in front of others." I recommend a visit to the Gorge to anyone visiting Taiwan who has the time. If not, make the time! Unfortunately pictures don't do justice... but I have a few below.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sweet lady who made my dinner below. Her daughter and son were trying so hard to communicate with me </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Old Taiwanese women on break at the beach. Notice their scooters.. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Muaji- Taiwanese rice cakes</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taiwanese take on Korean kimbabp</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eternal Shrine Memorial</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Decided to have a traditional Aboriginal meal for lunch</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That night, I headed South to <b>Taitung</b>, a much smaller coastal city, known for a famous bridge where you can feed crazy, wild monkeys. This was the only reason this town was on my agenda. However my hostel owner informed me that I wouldn't have enough time to make it there and back if I had to catch my train to Kenting (my next city). I do have plans to visit friends in South Africa after my next contract, so I wasn't too upset about that. The next morning, I wound up borrowing my hostel owner's bike and explored the city of Taitung on my own. This was my day to get the real feel of Taiwan and its people. It was in this city, where I finally got the stares I had been missing since I left Korea. Taiwan is way more westernized than Korea is. They have been exposed to Western culture for far longer than Korea has. <i>We have to remember- South Korea has only been their own country for about 60 years. There's still a whole generation here who did not have the western influence Korea has today, hence the stares and confusion when they see foreigners in small cities. </i>I grabbed breakfast at The Denim Elephant, which I found off Lonely Planet, and had a delicious tomato noodle soup. I spent a few hours at the beach writing, and then ended my afternoon at a cafe where I ordered a "muffin," which I learned means "belgian waffle" to the Taiwanese. Ha! No need to complain there.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This picture and the one below, were from an old railway station in Taitung turned Art Exhibit.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next up! </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kenting</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! Kenting is a popular beach city right at the southern tip of the country. From Taitung I had to take a train to Fangliao, then catch a shuttle bus across the street to Kenting. When I got on the bus, the man was saying something in Mandarin and it took me forever to get it. He was pointing at me, then outside. I didn't understand why he was telling me to get off the bus while there were clearly empty seats and was trying to hand him money. This resulted in my spinning around in circles because I was so confused. This went on for a full minute. It finally clicked..he wanted me to put my giant pack under the bus. Oh. Hahaha </span><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">stupid foreigner moment</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. If this happened in New York, you would be given the dirtiest look when you walked back on to the bus. Not here! We both laughed about it. I arrived in Kenting at about 8pm. It was everything I thought it would be and more! I met a great group of friends, and for the next two days we night market shopped and drank out of a guy's truck- Oh yes, this guy transformed his truck into a bar bolted into the concrete on the side of the road. </span><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Appropriately named BAR</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. We ate way too much street food, including three rounds of crispy mandu (pictured with the chef below). We went on a hike that turned into a walk through farmlands caused by a wrong turn. We got a 30 min. foot massage + 30 min. full body massage for a grand total of $17 USD. Included- free cup of tea before and after. </span><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Living the rich life in Taiwan</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. We discovered a secluded part of the beach where I quickly put together that you needed to be guests at the local resort. We were staying in room "312" for the day. We went swimming and sat under palm trees. Great ending to a beautiful two days.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We found this awesome fruit on our "hike!" </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I became obsessed with these tree's leaves</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rachel and Dave</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our yummy dumplings </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the guy who perfected them</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looks appetizing huh? </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I left really early the next day to ride the Bullet Train back up to Taipei. I had booked myself a nice hotel room for my last night, which was fabulous. Once I got settled in I decided to venture into the popular Weekend Jade and Flower Markets. I bought a bunch of souvenirs at the Flower market, but the Jade Market was an entirely different story. </span><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It reminded me of the scene in <i>Mean Girls</i> when all the girls in the school turn into animals after the Burn Book was released</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rows and rows of tables set up, people selling beautiful but way over-priced jade. I bought myself cheap jade while in New Zealand- I was satisfied with that. The anxiety in this place was enough to give me a heart attack. As I exited the market, I turned the corner and found myself looking at Taipei 101. I thought for a few seconds and </span><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">decided why the hell not- let's walk to it. It doesn't look that far</span><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Bahahaha! It took me about an hour and half. Very worth it though. The building as I stated earlier, is beautiful. Took a few pictures, and turned back around to my hotel. I picked up some famous Taiwanese beef noodles on the way, settled in to a nice, long, hot bath, and had a marvelous night's sleep.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Confucius in Kaohsiung<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Uco2ly7q5U/UPOf4MuNhmI/AAAAAAAABpk/JkQC7FXNxDc/s1600/DSC00901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Uco2ly7q5U/UPOf4MuNhmI/AAAAAAAABpk/JkQC7FXNxDc/s640/DSC00901.JPG" width="496" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s1uLS-YlpLk/UPOf5KU3FiI/AAAAAAAABpw/WBW_fbQ-eRs/s1600/DSC00902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s1uLS-YlpLk/UPOf5KU3FiI/AAAAAAAABpw/WBW_fbQ-eRs/s640/DSC00902.JPG" width="480" /></a><br /></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">
Taiwan.</span> Underrated tropical island. Laid-back Korea. Kind, genuine people. I adored this country. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">I was challenged, and driven, and geared in directions I never thought I'd be in.</span> <span style="color: #6aa84f;">I fell in love with solo-traveling.</span> I did what I wanted to do. The thing I was most nervous about was that I wouldn't be able to share my experiences with anyone, but that proved partly false. I <i>did</i> share it with people. I met so many wonderful people to do that with. The hardest part is accepting that they may be short-term friends. You have to face reality and know that there's a possibility you might never see them again in person. That said, we are each other's connections around the world. And that makes future traveling so much easier to accomplish.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had 5 days of camp this past week where I worked with four 3rd and 4th graders. They are very low-level, so I stuck to phonics and was able to work with them one-on-one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Off to my next adventure, starting tonight. I will take every form of transportation minus boat and bus. Starting with a 3.5-hour 2:18am train to Seoul. 1.5-hour subway to Incheon, 2.5-hour flight to Tokyo. Finally a 12-hr flight to JFK, where my best friend will pick me up!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">New York here I come!!!</span></span></div>
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MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826346872600459018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086622142198826.post-43929974222638018732012-12-24T14:13:00.000+09:002012-12-25T01:36:06.614+09:00First of Goodbyes/Teaching Reflection<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's Monday, December 24th. Christmas Eve. Tonight I will spend a magical night with my friends and tomorrow I will wake up to skype with my family while they all gather at my mom's house for NY's Christmas Eve. Later on, I will spend Christmas Day with my friends, eat more food, drink more wine, and come home to skype yet again with my family on their Christmas morning... many good things to look forward to in the next two days.</span><br />
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A few updates:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last Friday, I said <span style="color: #6aa84f; font-weight: bold;">goodbye</span><span style="color: white; font-weight: bold;"> </span>to one of my favorite students, Paul. From day one, I noticed his English abilities. He is by far the highest-level student I had this year. He challenges me as a teacher by asking abstract questions far beyond his years; he understands my sarcasm, and that says a lot as an ESL Teacher. He is everyone's friend because he is genuinely a good kid. Paul told me earlier in the week that he was moving to Seoul this weekend so Friday would be his last day. We had an early dismissal because of snow so I never got to see his class. When my CT made the announcement, I ran up to his homeroom class, where I told him what a pleasure it was teaching him and how I wish him all the luck in Seoul. As a foreign teacher here, you don't always get to connect with your students in these ways. It was nice that I was able to congratulate him on a job well-done this year.</span><br />
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I have about 200 students total, 1/3 of whom cannot carry a conversation more than, "Hi. How are you? I'm fine, thank you. And you?" It's the reality of English Education here, especially with such mixed-level classes in an Elementary School. I'll see my fourth graders again next year, but my sixth graders will be on into Middle School, so saying goodbye to some of them will be hard. Despite the students who I have yet to see advance, there are some who have shown tremendous improvement, and a lot of these students happen to be the mis-behaved ones in the beginning of the year. They figured out I meant business and that I was not here to play, but actually cared about their learning. As a teacher, seeing your students succeed is the reason we do what we do. Even the students who still have the same English vocabulary as 10 months ago, now have<span style="color: #6aa84f;"> <b>more confidence</b> </span>speaking the language. They are now comfortable standing up and speaking this global language in front of their peers. And that's enough for me. I didn't let one student slip through my fingers without speaking in my class. Every single one of my students spoke multiple times a week, whether they liked it or not. I've got to say the highlight of my year here, was when I got one of my special needs student to repeat an entire dialogue after me, and the whole class "oohed" and "ahhhed." These special needs kids don't get the chance to show what they can do, which is a shame, and something I've talked about on this blog multiple times. I <b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">gave him that chance</span></b>, and everyone in the room, including my co-teacher was shocked. A quiet "see!" came out of my mouth, just loud enough for me to hear. <b><span style="color: white;">Setting and instilling high, reasonable expectations- I can't say that enough. </span></b></span><br />
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As a Native Guest English Teacher, I, along with many other foreigners, came to Korea thinking we would make this HUGE impact on these kids' lives. Well the reality is, is that this job is <b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">tough as hell </span></b>and such a <b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">piece of cake</span></b> all at the same time. Only my fellow foreign teachers can really understand this. The fact is, and my fellow certified-teachers have agreed with me on this one...I miss the daily challenge of being a teacher back home; the constant need to push yourself. Here, you see some of these students just once a week; lesson-plans were thrown out the door from the beginning because of the strict use of the textbook and classes randomly being cancelled last-minute. Discipline is so inconsistent with these kids, and English is sometimes seen as a joke, therefore, the English classroom is seen as the kids' playground. There is the <b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">challenge</span></b>. I make interactive power points, make up games, find videos, make a fool out of myself in front of the room- anything to get them interested. And because of this effort, I often DO have really great days. Days where everyone is on their game, the students are excited to be there, the content clicks, co-teaching is on par, and overall- everyone is happy and learning. The piece of cake part- I am at my desk half of our day, because there's just nothing to do. I can't give out homework; I don't handle assessments or evaluations; I don't have parent-teacher conferences; I don't have staff development meetings, etc. I don't have any of those things. I'm most likely annoying my friends back home with my constant status updates. But I look at my fellow foreign teachers here.. what are they doing?.. oh yeah they're on facebook too haha. Of course I'm not speaking for everyone. A lot of high school teachers have much more work than the elementary level do here. Hagwon teachers work their asses off. You would think I have it "best" and maybe I'm just a nerd, but I can't wait to get back to the States so that I can feel like my career is worth the years of education and money I spent to get to where I am. </span><br />
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As I write this, I feel a sense of <b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">guilt</span></b>, because as a teacher, it is <i>your </i>job to make these students interested EVERYDAY they step into that classroom. I can honestly say I try my damn hardest to do that here. If you are reading this as a teacher back home, you may not understand this next part, but you won't..until you move your life to a foreign country and teach this global language in a culture that is so very different from your own. It is then when you will realize that <b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">on some days, just getting by is the best thing you can ask for</span></b>. I came here and had to throw out half of my teaching methods and techniques, stop comparing American Education to Korean Education, let go of the fact that I can't discipline these students to my fullest because.. well.. the emotion and words simply do NOT get across. The best I could do was <span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>learn</b> </span>what this culture was about,<b> </b>learn what their Education System was like, and figure out how I could take my teaching experience back home, and <span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>adapt</b> </span>it to this culture. <b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">It has been, by far, one of the biggest obstacles in my short life</span></b>. I am an educator. I always have been. One thing hasn't changed.. I still hold high, reasonable expectations for these kids. I want to see everyone of them succeed, and I am elated when they do. Here in Korea, I do the best I can with what I have. Sure, I've had to let go of some things, but I like to believe that maybe that's made me a better teacher. When I go home I will have to remember and study-up on some things I have left behind after these two years. I'll have to get back in the groove of American Education and its expectations. It's taken a year... but I've accepted the teacher I've become here.</span><br />
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In other news, I'm off on a plane to Taiwan in 5 days. I will be traveling by myself. I'm nervous, excited, anxious, thrilled, and scared all at the same time. I will be starting in Taipei, spending New Years there. I will be traveling down the east coast, hitting Huaelin (where I will see the infamous Taroko Gorge), Taitung, (where I will hopefully feed and play with some wild monkeys), down to Kenting (a beach town at the southern tip of the country, which I probably won't want to leave), back up the west coast to Tainan, (the former capital city, which remains the most cultural city in the country), then back up to Taipei where I decided I'm treating myself to a nice hotel after 7 days of hostels. *Jacuzzi/hot-tub required. </span><br />
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I'll leave you with some pictures for my non-fb readers of some Christmas cheer here in Korea..</span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R_rTYL2M65w/UNfhKA_lahI/AAAAAAAABTQ/58Sk_xto3lA/s1600/21780_10151116985477484_1740285843_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R_rTYL2M65w/UNfhKA_lahI/AAAAAAAABTQ/58Sk_xto3lA/s1600/21780_10151116985477484_1740285843_n.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Downtown Andong's Christmas Tree</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vEeGXx-pHaY/UNfhIb4UaYI/AAAAAAAABTE/MzQUx3LliSw/s1600/12622_10151121835772484_27646507_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vEeGXx-pHaY/UNfhIb4UaYI/AAAAAAAABTE/MzQUx3LliSw/s1600/12622_10151121835772484_27646507_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Me and Simon</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TGR4HMhyxvk/UNfhJS1_KxI/AAAAAAAABTI/E4xVqS4-YuA/s1600/148268_10152350923610301_1501150766_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TGR4HMhyxvk/UNfhJS1_KxI/AAAAAAAABTI/E4xVqS4-YuA/s1600/148268_10152350923610301_1501150766_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">12 Pubs of Christmas.. thanks to the Irish and Simon's birthday</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ODU8gLpbuLU/UNfhK1uACHI/AAAAAAAABTY/J4T7TJ5fd48/s1600/227151_10151209055463300_510696819_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ODU8gLpbuLU/UNfhK1uACHI/AAAAAAAABTY/J4T7TJ5fd48/s1600/227151_10151209055463300_510696819_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Caroling Day</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2SMfTLdJUPg/UNfhLkiUUtI/AAAAAAAABTg/OrmaLxsCtGI/s1600/25060_10151121837077484_739106071_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2SMfTLdJUPg/UNfhLkiUUtI/AAAAAAAABTg/OrmaLxsCtGI/s1600/25060_10151121837077484_739106071_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Me, Ariel, and Charles</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V52ni3FYdOc/UNfhMstol4I/AAAAAAAABTo/SiXsK4ukwbw/s1600/31587_10151119491517484_555013905_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V52ni3FYdOc/UNfhMstol4I/AAAAAAAABTo/SiXsK4ukwbw/s1600/31587_10151119491517484_555013905_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Early Dismissal = Snowball fights</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gFyjOcclkTE/UNfhNtI8rXI/AAAAAAAABTw/cAt23Vf07us/s1600/391801_10151119491357484_1042531669_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gFyjOcclkTE/UNfhNtI8rXI/AAAAAAAABTw/cAt23Vf07us/s1600/391801_10151119491357484_1042531669_n.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Tried to make my office feel Christmasy</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oZ1t9Qtt_hY/UNfhOXY9BCI/AAAAAAAABT0/rwitEeursPc/s1600/525989_10151137056342484_718259973_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oZ1t9Qtt_hY/UNfhOXY9BCI/AAAAAAAABT0/rwitEeursPc/s1600/525989_10151137056342484_718259973_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Lisa brought us back goods from California.. My gift- Flax Snax! haha</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PIoKL6Hqooo/UNfhPLaR1CI/AAAAAAAABUA/Dvdon3KKigk/s1600/528381_10151209050403300_65661470_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PIoKL6Hqooo/UNfhPLaR1CI/AAAAAAAABUA/Dvdon3KKigk/s1600/528381_10151209050403300_65661470_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Me and Suzanne</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rYSv9I7_1Y0/UNfhQVu822I/AAAAAAAABUM/oWipq5t3j8E/s1600/556756_10151130547392484_1023614336_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rYSv9I7_1Y0/UNfhQVu822I/AAAAAAAABUM/oWipq5t3j8E/s1600/556756_10151130547392484_1023614336_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My 4th graders came to visit me =)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aWiLSGPn_Jo/UNfhRTzZr9I/AAAAAAAABUU/lpFyBLDxkm4/s1600/563696_10151137043892484_704059396_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aWiLSGPn_Jo/UNfhRTzZr9I/AAAAAAAABUU/lpFyBLDxkm4/s1600/563696_10151137043892484_704059396_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Caroling</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My daily walk home from school</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Cutie!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VLRWxkzo_KU/UNfhU4L3nTI/AAAAAAAABU0/8_TNZAurkNs/s1600/65038_10151137057367484_261250562_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VLRWxkzo_KU/UNfhU4L3nTI/AAAAAAAABU0/8_TNZAurkNs/s1600/65038_10151137057367484_261250562_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">2nd Early Dismissal</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Open Mic</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Fun in the Snow!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My other school had a good-bye party for me: I won't be teaching there again until March, and it was the last time I would see my sixth graders. The kids had me wait in a different class for twenty minutes while they set up. It was the funniest thing. Complete with candles lit on the floor lighting my way through the classroom. Balloon crown, food, drink, cards. It was lovely =)</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">5th graders</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JJms0J-Gjyg/UNfjzZB1WWI/AAAAAAAABWU/T_T3fzEg_N0/s1600/30360_10151128300827484_920347748_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JJms0J-Gjyg/UNfjzZB1WWI/AAAAAAAABWU/T_T3fzEg_N0/s1600/30360_10151128300827484_920347748_n.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Me and Tom, and my beauty of a balloon crown</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p9aiGVxMfxA/UNfj0K0D_dI/AAAAAAAABWc/DGbSFKRuJeQ/s1600/481421_10151128300772484_1572985968_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p9aiGVxMfxA/UNfj0K0D_dI/AAAAAAAABWc/DGbSFKRuJeQ/s1600/481421_10151128300772484_1572985968_n.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">1st and 2nd graders</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Q7K8vBPKdY/UNfj1-aHpPI/AAAAAAAABWo/hYVmG4BRO0g/s1600/483491_10151128301007484_632203003_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Q7K8vBPKdY/UNfj1-aHpPI/AAAAAAAABWo/hYVmG4BRO0g/s1600/483491_10151128301007484_632203003_n.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My lovely white board turned card</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OSQpqVna3K4/UNfj27kWT4I/AAAAAAAABWs/493116pYnhw/s1600/598354_10151128301002484_1045202444_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OSQpqVna3K4/UNfj27kWT4I/AAAAAAAABWs/493116pYnhw/s1600/598354_10151128301002484_1045202444_n.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">"Girls only picture"</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Tv9jPuLcos/UNfj3sJ_-HI/AAAAAAAABW0/6J_cgLydQqI/s1600/67840_10151128300782484_2047162762_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Tv9jPuLcos/UNfj3sJ_-HI/AAAAAAAABW0/6J_cgLydQqI/s1600/67840_10151128300782484_2047162762_n.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">There are the candles. Bahaha can't make this shit up.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826346872600459018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086622142198826.post-63485517032887116602012-12-07T22:30:00.002+09:002012-12-07T22:43:59.684+09:00MK's Kitchen: No-Bake Energy Flax Balls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IJpFfrnKgw0/UMHqHNCRomI/AAAAAAAABRU/cMfxXg_E_DA/s1600/DSC00139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IJpFfrnKgw0/UMHqHNCRomI/AAAAAAAABRU/cMfxXg_E_DA/s400/DSC00139.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When your kitchen contains no oven, no microwave, no blender and no toaster, and when you're too cheap to go out and buy them... there's no choice but to get creative. A few months ago I started making these energy balls for post runs. I stopped making them after I ran out of my Trader Joe's organic peanut butter, because I couldn't bare to use regular Skippy with them. When my mom sent me basically the entire TJ's stock, along with flax seed meal, I got back on the grind and decided to post the recipe. I originally found it on Pinterest, but there are similar, if not identical recipes all over the Internet.</span><br />
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I usually eat one or two post-workout when my body is craving protein. If I'm running late in the morning, I'll bring two as part of my breakfast. It helps to awaken my body and start boosting my metabolism right from the start of the day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First of all, I am grateful to my mom for being the health conscious woman she is, and raising us in a healthy house, full of delicious nutritious foods. It allowed me to grow up and discover new foods to incorporate into my life, and be aware of the options that are out there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><b>Benefits of Flax:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-prevention of acne (Flax can come in liquid or capsule form)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-muscle building</span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5mfUCNPQ9xY/UMGOnEe6qLI/AAAAAAAABO4/NaETS_KDTWI/s1600/flax_seed_meal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5mfUCNPQ9xY/UMGOnEe6qLI/AAAAAAAABO4/NaETS_KDTWI/s1600/flax_seed_meal.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- lowering of cholesterol</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-great for people with high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-high in fiber, omega-3's and lignans</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-weight control</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-some studies have shown it fights breast cancer, but nothing has been proven </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-You can include flax in sooo much and it's</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">becoming more and more popular on the shelves!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--> Muffin mix, cereal, oatmeal, bread, chips, etc.</span><br />
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<b>Warnings:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Do not consume whole flax seeds, for they are not easily digestible. You should eat them in powdered form (flax seed meal.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Limit your intake. Use common sense- just don't go overboard with the stuff, for it can have serious laxative effects. (I think you get the picture)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Make sure you're drinking enough water with them, for lack of good old H2O can have the same laxative effect.</span><br />
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*Some men joke that they won't eat flax because it contains lignans, which is a chemical very similar to estrogen. Suck it up, a little won't hurt you boys =)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I make a bulk at a time, so the pictures below show double what this recipe calls for. Yes, I still have a hard time cooking for myself- that's what 4 brothers will do to you. I almost always have leftovers haha. I just can't seem to get it straight.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**But for these, it's good to have in bulk so you can grab and go and not worry about running out so often.</span><br />
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<b style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ingredients:</b><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup dry oats (I crush up Bran Flakes, since instant oats are hard to find/really expensive in Korea)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup toasted coconut flakes</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cup peanut butter (almond butter)</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cup ground flax seed meal</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/3 cup honey</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tsp. vanilla</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Makes about 1.5 dozen/18-20 balls)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Optionals:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cup chocolate chips</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cup nuts (almond slices, cashews, walnuts, etc.) I usually add almond splices but was out when making this particular recipe.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This recipe is quick and easy. If you are out of one of the dry ingredients, just substitute it with more of another one.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lCva95DMyjM/UMHpp3H0E7I/AAAAAAAABP8/f2SYd73NcY8/s1600/DSC00125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lCva95DMyjM/UMHpp3H0E7I/AAAAAAAABP8/f2SYd73NcY8/s640/DSC00125.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Of course I forgot to show the flax in here, but it's the most important ingredient. Don't forget it!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b80ASy9o-Rw/UMHptMaK7PI/AAAAAAAABQE/6p2FqMth-2I/s1600/DSC00128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b80ASy9o-Rw/UMHptMaK7PI/AAAAAAAABQE/6p2FqMth-2I/s640/DSC00128.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Start with pouring the <span style="color: red;">oats</span> in a large mixing bowl.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F5cS_A6efFo/UMHpvpwFaUI/AAAAAAAABQM/mr-bmXNxE-o/s1600/DSC00130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F5cS_A6efFo/UMHpvpwFaUI/AAAAAAAABQM/mr-bmXNxE-o/s640/DSC00130.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Protein time! Pour in <span style="color: red;">peanut butter</span> (or almond butter if you prefer).</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jP0LLuzVNWw/UMHpyp9x50I/AAAAAAAABQU/Zdk8lSh03Fc/s1600/DSC00131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jP0LLuzVNWw/UMHpyp9x50I/AAAAAAAABQU/Zdk8lSh03Fc/s640/DSC00131.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Pour in your <span style="color: red;">flax meal</span>.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0u8ljcmWdRI/UMHp1uYvPpI/AAAAAAAABQc/Jp4OsjDF7yQ/s1600/DSC00132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0u8ljcmWdRI/UMHp1uYvPpI/AAAAAAAABQc/Jp4OsjDF7yQ/s640/DSC00132.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Pour in the <span style="color: red;">coconut</span> flakes. Yummm</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-einDsRaeHa4/UMHp3_ei5VI/AAAAAAAABQk/xQMZ7IXqqng/s1600/DSC00133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-einDsRaeHa4/UMHp3_ei5VI/AAAAAAAABQk/xQMZ7IXqqng/s640/DSC00133.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Pour in the <span style="color: red;">honey</span>. This is what helps the PB stick everything together.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGNvm1_JFKY/UMHp6BOTqsI/AAAAAAAABQs/qEgOnHYr3KM/s1600/DSC00135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGNvm1_JFKY/UMHp6BOTqsI/AAAAAAAABQs/qEgOnHYr3KM/s640/DSC00135.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Next is your <span style="color: red;">vanilla</span>. (This is TJ's brand from home. I have yet to find liquid vanilla extract in Korea. . but Home Plus sells vanilla in a powdered form that works just as well.)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e4C0dfAamDY/UMHp8tGuC6I/AAAAAAAABQ8/ImVOIq7_1K8/s1600/DSC00136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e4C0dfAamDY/UMHp8tGuC6I/AAAAAAAABQ8/ImVOIq7_1K8/s640/DSC00136.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I almost always add chocolate chips. (<span style="color: red;">Dark or semi-sweet </span>are a more health-conscious choice than milk.) This is when you should add your <span style="color: red;">nuts</span> if desired.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FtACg5l9ero/UMHqAFLDdWI/AAAAAAAABRE/L7Z-1YHUh3Q/s1600/DSC00137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FtACg5l9ero/UMHqAFLDdWI/AAAAAAAABRE/L7Z-1YHUh3Q/s640/DSC00137.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">At this point all of your ingredients should be <span style="color: red;">mixed</span> evenly together.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0S_7AoxKZUg/UMHqDgt3T_I/AAAAAAAABRM/AyAMr8uecvw/s1600/DSC00138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0S_7AoxKZUg/UMHqDgt3T_I/AAAAAAAABRM/AyAMr8uecvw/s640/DSC00138.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">And it looks something like this. If the mixture is too sticky, add more dry mixture. <span style="color: red;">Store in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to cool and harden</span>.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FjfGLL4rRxQ/UMHqKJ3Q2GI/AAAAAAAABRg/AFe4WXDzQWI/s1600/DSC00140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FjfGLL4rRxQ/UMHqKJ3Q2GI/AAAAAAAABRg/AFe4WXDzQWI/s640/DSC00140.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">After 30 minutes, take the mixture out and <span style="color: red;">roll into bite-size balls</span>. I usually make mine a tad bit bigger. But it's all up to you =) Store in the refrigerator and enjoy! =)</span></td></tr>
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MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826346872600459018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086622142198826.post-520102001829129672012-12-03T21:28:00.001+09:002012-12-07T22:31:04.450+09:00Holiday Season: SoKo Edition<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanksgiving has come and gone.. and it couldn't have been more perfect. About 50 of us had gathered at the Andong Church thanks to great Korean friends who helped approve the venue. Two huge turkeys were ordered in from Daegu, and everyone brought some kind of dish to contribute. I made my favorite Thanksgiving dish... mashed sweet potatoes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="text-align: center;">Some facts on sweet potatoes (고구마 pronounced "go goo ma") in Korea: </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. They are absolutely delicious.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Sadly, they are not orange like in the States.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. You can buy 호박 고구마 "hobak go goo ma." (Hobak is pumpkin. So basically- pumpkin sweet potatoes.) These have more of an orange tint to them.. but to me, taste exactly the same as regular ones.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Koreans LOVE their sweet potato lattes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Don't forget the sweet potato pastries in every bakery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. Oh, and pizza is not complete without it.. and if you're really lucky.. you can order sweet potato stuffed-crust.. No comment.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My mashed sweet potatoes</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanksgiving was a hit. Americans were elated. Koreans needed to eat way more than they did. And we all enjoyed each other's company. People made dishes from their own countries. For example, we had a traditional South African salad, a Mongolian dish, along with all the traditional American Thanksgiving sides. It's not every year you have a Thanksgiving spread with pizza, fried chicken, and egg sandwiches.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AYCa8XBxWUU/ULyUdkvcokI/AAAAAAAABKM/5Na-zQ495a8/s1600/DSC00101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AYCa8XBxWUU/ULyUdkvcokI/AAAAAAAABKM/5Na-zQ495a8/s320/DSC00101.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Lisa taking action!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mpvqH2wRMzQ/ULyUoFc2I0I/AAAAAAAABKo/JDBH4imxyD4/s1600/DSC00110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mpvqH2wRMzQ/ULyUoFc2I0I/AAAAAAAABKo/JDBH4imxyD4/s320/DSC00110.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Suzanne really enjoyed her first American Thanksgiving</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xz5QviEIcoM/ULyUu141Z7I/AAAAAAAABK4/4qjCEDdbGf0/s1600/DSC00123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xz5QviEIcoM/ULyUu141Z7I/AAAAAAAABK4/4qjCEDdbGf0/s320/DSC00123.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My friend Scott was on leave from the Army =) </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Costco Pumpkin Pie!! I wish my mom was with me at that moment I spotted it. I was elated.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also made turkey hands with my fourth graders and had them write four things they're thankful for. I made Tom the Turkey from felt scraps. I'm pretty proud of it.. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">With the Holidays in full swing, I have mixed feelings..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanksgiving turned out to be less of a depressing time than I imagined. But Christmas, I know, will be a whole other ball game. I lived through fb stalking all my friends and their Thanksgiving Eves. I watched a video on the new floats for the Macy's Parade. I was able to call my mom that morning and talk to my brothers who were home from college before they were put to work on peeling potatoes. And my cousin captured a live stream of pictures during dinner so I could treasure them between classes the next morning. My aunt and uncle hosted a bunch of my extended family from Rockaway.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><The Rockaways were hit extremely hard during Hurricane Sandy, throwing them all out of their homes, leaving them with barely anything. They lost their cars, their belongings, and a place they used to call home. From what I have been hearing and seeing, my family has been working with diligence and optimism since day 1. My family on the island has taken some of them in- offering beds, clothes, food, warmth, and a feeling of comfort and security, while the rest of them stay in Rockaway trying to build back what was lost. Their spirits are high, and that's what will get them through it. </i><i>I am anxious to get home and to help out however I can. By now, most of the basements have been gutted, first floors have been cleared out, and now it's time to rebuild or figure out what to do/where to go next. Schools re-opened about two weeks ago,this week, so the students, (including my cousins) are back on track and in school-mode, focusing their energy somewhere other than the devastation of their homes. We're never ready for these things. Life has its own game of knocking us off course, but keeping your head high and not letting fear or sadness take over is what moves us forward. I am so incredibly thankful for my family. Now more than ever. I think we are all feeling how strong we are when we come together, and I am so grateful for that.></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I mentioned in my last post, the weather is getting colder, and so I've been coming home from school and wanting nothing more than to change into sweatpants, a hoodie and thick socks, then crawl into my blankets and read a book/watch Modern Family. (This has become my life for the past two weeks because I've been disgustingly sick. The gym was clearly out of the question. But today we started back on our grind =) Thank god. This whole sitting around thing was fun in the beginning, but got old REALLY quick.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next holiday up: <span style="color: red;"><b>Christmas</b></span>.</span><br />
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Even though a good percentage of Koreans are Christian, Christmas is not as big as it is in America, and other parts of the world. Schools and mos businesses are off Christmas Day, but that's it. Unfortunately there's not a lot of talk of Christmas, nor are there many decorations floating around town. Some coffee shops decorated, and that puts a smile on all of our faces. You'll see "Christmasy" things here and there but it's nothing like at home, so you kind of have to deal with that. I've been making it a point to take pictures of almost every Christmas-related thing I see, just to keep my sanity.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bpy16TeETZE/ULyaK2ZzV1I/AAAAAAAABNs/nGWE10zGeDk/s1600/305973_10151112129192484_1377400385_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bpy16TeETZE/ULyaK2ZzV1I/AAAAAAAABNs/nGWE10zGeDk/s320/305973_10151112129192484_1377400385_n.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Fun Polar Bear</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k1plSyuYQGs/ULyYL5aI_7I/AAAAAAAABM8/uXdInUMm_gY/s1600/2012-12-02+19.27.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k1plSyuYQGs/ULyYL5aI_7I/AAAAAAAABM8/uXdInUMm_gY/s320/2012-12-02+19.27.24.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Mammoth Bakery in Andong</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K4GNtjCXRAE/ULyUxLJ3FnI/AAAAAAAABLE/NHajgBMFVVs/s1600/2012-12-01+09.15.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K4GNtjCXRAE/ULyUxLJ3FnI/AAAAAAAABLE/NHajgBMFVVs/s320/2012-12-01+09.15.15.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This is a Korean winter cabbage arrangement found on many streets.</span></td></tr>
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To celebrate here, we are doing a Secret Santa with my friends in Andong, and having a Christmas Eve dinner and a huge Christmas lunch. If you know me or my family, Christmas Eve has always been more of a big deal to me than Christmas. Christmas Day is spent in Rockaway, with my enormous extended family. I compare it to our big NY weddings, because when the end of the night comes, you realize that you wanted to talk with so many more people than you actually did. It is lovely seeing everyone under one roof when we barely get to see each other all year long, but it's a lot of people, and it's like you have to time your conversations to make the rounds. Haha I love them all nonetheless.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My mom has hosted <span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Christmas Eve</b></span> as long as I can remember, and it consists of my immediate family, and my maternal aunts, uncles, cousins, and our closest family friends. Even then, it comes to about total of 35-40 people. It's a more personal, more cozy, and more intimate night.</span><br />
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This past Saturday we took a 5:45am bus to Seoul to attend the Christmas Market. We started the day with <i>Butterfingers</i>, a very popular breakfast joint in Gangnam. I recommend it to anyone who is missing their American breakfasts. We then made our way to Insadong for some Christmas shopping, then over to the European Christmas Market near Hansung University. It was very small, but still had plenty of Christmas cheer going around. There was a tree, lights, kids writing letters to Santa, and a Mexican band playing Christmas music. The European countries who were represented were serving traditional foods. We ended our day in Myeongdong to continue our shopping. There, I found a great new sweater for an equivalent of $2.00. Awesome find.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3PSAXlqqfoY/ULyYRVU_SsI/AAAAAAAABNg/JVgpYsN6AiM/s1600/69400_10151392080521874_1329276891_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3PSAXlqqfoY/ULyYRVU_SsI/AAAAAAAABNg/JVgpYsN6AiM/s320/69400_10151392080521874_1329276891_n.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Oh yes, it's 5:45am </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xMblgKh2ZIA/ULyYP8tJrQI/AAAAAAAABNc/i2YRGS5bzO4/s1600/598563_10151112128607484_1285983759_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xMblgKh2ZIA/ULyYP8tJrQI/AAAAAAAABNc/i2YRGS5bzO4/s320/598563_10151112128607484_1285983759_n.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Me and Angel at the Christmas Market</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cRW7T4xCftA/ULyYNyacYlI/AAAAAAAABNI/62Clk2e7iL4/s1600/382066_10152316130410593_996587101_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cRW7T4xCftA/ULyYNyacYlI/AAAAAAAABNI/62Clk2e7iL4/s320/382066_10152316130410593_996587101_n.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Those are my gingerbread pecan pancakes and blueberries I'm enjoying =) Heavenly.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K3XrXc53KI4/ULyYNPPX17I/AAAAAAAABNA/d4dBW6XrkMs/s1600/217934_10152316129625593_295019007_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K3XrXc53KI4/ULyYNPPX17I/AAAAAAAABNA/d4dBW6XrkMs/s320/217934_10152316129625593_295019007_n.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Having fun at 9am.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XiikxvnZATw/ULyU50N4q0I/AAAAAAAABLs/lpJd2K85g0k/s1600/2012-12-01+15.03.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XiikxvnZATw/ULyU50N4q0I/AAAAAAAABLs/lpJd2K85g0k/s320/2012-12-01+15.03.50.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Mexican Band</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V98C8k1pQDU/ULyU7qKcjKI/AAAAAAAABL4/o9zCb8i0pjI/s1600/2012-12-01+15.47.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V98C8k1pQDU/ULyU7qKcjKI/AAAAAAAABL4/o9zCb8i0pjI/s320/2012-12-01+15.47.02.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Not quite Macy's but I'll take it =) </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OK8HXFiA3xA/ULyU4apse9I/AAAAAAAABLg/plxZ8x4mUSM/s1600/2012-12-01+14.47.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OK8HXFiA3xA/ULyU4apse9I/AAAAAAAABLg/plxZ8x4mUSM/s320/2012-12-01+14.47.09.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Not quite Rockefeller, but I'll take it =) </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SIBMYgkNE7w/ULyUzCOzQ8I/AAAAAAAABLM/4hhITEmz090/s1600/2012-12-01+12.03.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SIBMYgkNE7w/ULyUzCOzQ8I/AAAAAAAABLM/4hhITEmz090/s320/2012-12-01+12.03.13.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Lovely tree in Insadong</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OUjJ7fV_fI0/ULyU0h7NpLI/AAAAAAAABLU/nhakq4-t29Y/s1600/2012-12-01+14.20.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OUjJ7fV_fI0/ULyU0h7NpLI/AAAAAAAABLU/nhakq4-t29Y/s320/2012-12-01+14.20.49.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Wasn't the biggest fan of Gluehweine (hot spiced wine)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A3UEky_Crto/ULyU2r6KRmI/AAAAAAAABLc/YwlMZOSoe4g/s1600/2012-12-01+14.23.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A3UEky_Crto/ULyU2r6KRmI/AAAAAAAABLc/YwlMZOSoe4g/s320/2012-12-01+14.23.44.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Tom, Leandi, Suzanne, and Myself</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've never spent a Christmas away from my family before, so this year and next will test how I cope. Nevertheless, I am excited to spend the holidays with my six close friends here. The seven of us have grown into a family away from home. We have bonded incredibly well, and though we all come from different parts of the world, (South Africa, UK, and the States) even though we speak different dialects, even though we come from different family dynamics, we all bond over something so huge, that it brought us all the way to Korea. <i>Curiosity</i>. We live for new knowledge of cultures, exploring different countries, ways of doing things, why things are the way they are, how we are different, how we are the same..Our desire is with gaining knowledge of the world. This is something I don't really share with many friends back home. This urge to travel and seek out new experiences bring our conversations and actions to life here. Of course teaching in Korea and the struggles that come with it is something that has also so greatly bonded us together. These people here are my family, and I truly believe you make the best out of what you have. So if this amazing opportunity is taking me away from my mom, brothers and the people I love most in this world during Christmas, I might as well spend it with my other family here. The people who make me laugh and smile on a daily basis. Pair it with some wine.. and we've got ourselves a nice looking Christmas.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TGuVsKEKjAs/ULyaLvzEi1I/AAAAAAAABNw/JLG7BWrt65E/s320/531109_10151130377406851_897308274_n.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My Andong family =) Leozanda, Leandi, Lisa, Suzanne, Tom, and Angel</span></td></tr>
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MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826346872600459018noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086622142198826.post-32454033157227697312012-11-21T19:48:00.002+09:002012-11-21T19:49:36.558+09:00Back Off Fall.. Winter Wants In!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hAwUVRLpreU/UKwc9UY2_II/AAAAAAAABHY/1UFK82jyoHM/s1600/73855_10151094960687484_542269054_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hAwUVRLpreU/UKwc9UY2_II/AAAAAAAABHY/1UFK82jyoHM/s1600/73855_10151094960687484_542269054_n.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you know me at all, Fall is my favorite season. It means boots, scarves, warm colors, my birthday, and pumpkin EVERYTHING! So clearly.. I was excited.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Korea's Fall turned out to be absolutely beautiful. I regret not taking more pictures. Not quite sure why I didn't. The colors on these trees were so alive. I always thought NY had beautiful Fall colors, but there was something even more breathtaking about Korea during this season. I think some of it had to do with the overly vibrant colors paired with the backdrop of traditional houses and modern buildings. I absolutely loved it.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XpC1YBF0f58/UKweXI3ZoFI/AAAAAAAABHk/oHWtkM-WOmE/s1600/540802_10151049068402484_1725608671_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XpC1YBF0f58/UKweXI3ZoFI/AAAAAAAABHk/oHWtkM-WOmE/s1600/540802_10151049068402484_1725608671_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The day before my birthday.. colors just starting to come out</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Though like all seasons, they eventually come to an end to make room for the next...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was told that Korea has a very short Fall season... unfortunately that's the truth. For the past few weeks now it has been bitter cold. I finally gave in to turning my ondol heating on.. only for a little while, and then I think about money, crawl into my bed with 4 layers on and watch some Modern Family. When we first arrived in Korea, *gasp*- 9 months ago, we were told we had </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">just</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> missed the bitter part of the season by a week.. but we still got a taste of what Korean schools were like during this time. It's always so funny to me how your body and mind forget how cold you can get when you were used to sweltering summer heat for months, and vice versa. The only difference here is that Korean schools do not believe in heat. Very few classrooms have it. But every single person I've talked to have come up with the same conclusion... hallways and bathrooms remain unheated. Students and teachers wear their jackets all day long; teachers sneak heaters into their classrooms; they wear blankets over their laps and walk around the hallways with them draped over their shoulders like capes. I've worn gloves while teaching, because I can barely move my hands due to shivering. I am grateful my school gave me a personal space heater last winter, so I am actually one of the lucky ones. It stays in my office and has become my best friend.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two gifs from </b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>kikinitinkorea.tumblr.com :</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I need to use the bathroom at school in the winter.. I sit there and think to myself...</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iU6TM1BY53E/UKwit1hLcJI/AAAAAAAABI4/oQLEqZgpV9c/s1600/tumblr_m3raz8UPuj1r8sh59o1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iU6TM1BY53E/UKwit1hLcJI/AAAAAAAABI4/oQLEqZgpV9c/s1600/tumblr_m3raz8UPuj1r8sh59o1_500.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When my co-teachers open all of the windows in Winter.. I just want to ask...</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tP-XQu77M0g/UKwki-gxtJI/AAAAAAAABJA/rsNR4ckbBXM/s1600/tumblr_m3428qWpJW1qcb58yo1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tP-XQu77M0g/UKwki-gxtJI/AAAAAAAABJA/rsNR4ckbBXM/s1600/tumblr_m3428qWpJW1qcb58yo1_500.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like everything here, we assimilate, suck it up, and learn how to deal with it. Complaining gets us no where. So I wear my Uniqlo heat tech leggings under all of my clothes, (best stuff ever) and never leave my house without a huge scarf, my gloves, and most importantly my patience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am getting over a cold that thankgosh only lasted a few days. I never really get sick, which I'm grateful for, but this weather has been making everyone get serious colds, so I guess my invincibility stood no chance. I did as the Koreans suggest, drank hot tea and got lots of rest.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On another note, my mom's "pumpkin package" arrived today. Complete with the Trader Joe's works, powerberries, pumpkin butter, tea tree oil face pads, jelly bellies, honey sesame seed nuts, along with homemade pumpkin bread and pumpkin cookies. That woman is one amazing person, as I am sure to tell her every chance I get. I really am so very blessed to call her my mom. It is her number one concern to keep the five of us comfortable and happy, even if it means sending things half way around the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I actually took a break from writing this post, and during that time I left work early for nausea. You think a sickness is gone, and then bam! back it comes. I've been barely able to eat anything for the past few days because of dental work/ flu symptoms, so I'm going to go back to sleep. Hopefully it'll turn around soon.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To everyone back home.. I hope you have a wonderful, safe Thanksgiving. One of the churches has been kind enough to act as the venue for a huge dinner here on Saturday with everyone in Andong. I volunteered to be in charge of mashed sweet potatoes, so hopefully those turn out somewhat decent with no oven... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Thanksgiving! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826346872600459018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086622142198826.post-44402427851612534582012-11-06T22:49:00.002+09:002012-11-06T22:49:35.044+09:00Extreme Makeover: Andong Shinae Edition<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So when I first moved to Andong, downtown or "Shinae" was pretty great. It's basically the most western Andong gets. It contains stores like Adidas, Lacoste, Baskin Robbins, Pizza Hut.. the works. It's where high schoolers meet to flirt and catch dinner between their 14-hour school days, where you can find Ahjummas selling their fruits and veggies displayed on huge canvas mats on the concrete, and where we foreigners find comfort in the abundant amount of English everywhere you look. I'm lucky that it's only a 10 minute walk from my apartment, even though I never knew this until six weeks into living here. (I was such a lost kitten. Oh how things have changed.) Anyway, Shinae was great when I first got here, then it changed to mind you.. somewhat of a s**t whole while it was being re-constructed. Home Plus, a major grocery/clothing/hagwon-included/God-like/everything store in Korea opened up in April or May (I honestly forget.. the opening was postponed so many times) much to the dislike of small business owners in the Shinae area. Quite understandable. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The solution: HomePlus agreed to pay for the construction of Shinae, as well as close their store every third Sunday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During construction there were huge ass construction trucks out in the open where children were walking (no warning tape, etc.), demolition everywhere you looked, and a HUGE canvas tarp covering the dirt from where the concrete was ripped up. The dirt underneath was uneven, pipes and random sharp objects sticking out amongst other foreign objects. It was a sprained ankle waiting to happen or worse. It felt like the construction was going to go on forever.. but of course like everything in Korea, it all seemed to come together in a moment's time. (I swear stores are closed down one day, and VWALA! --- a new fully furnished coffee shop, open and ready for business a week later.) A week before the Mask Festival we started seeing visible changes in Shinae... and fast. As of now, it's basically finished. Although we swear new statues, or little things here and there are still randomly popping up. I'm convinced they secretly work on it in the wee hours of the night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here ladies and gentleman, is the new Andong Shinae- and it's beauteous!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DoSZV3qUmhg/UJkTEWmXbWI/AAAAAAAABFg/bq4UNSYu9pg/s1600/2012-10-26+17.17.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DoSZV3qUmhg/UJkTEWmXbWI/AAAAAAAABFg/bq4UNSYu9pg/s320/2012-10-26+17.17.47.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A stage. Yes there are performances</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ryyCqSU5s1M/UJkTGmzSY9I/AAAAAAAABFo/rnahdd3TA3k/s1600/2012-10-26+17.18.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ryyCqSU5s1M/UJkTGmzSY9I/AAAAAAAABFo/rnahdd3TA3k/s320/2012-10-26+17.18.03.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This little stream goes all the way down the length of the main street in Shinae. I've often seen children make little paper boats and watch them race down it. Adorable</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQY43tlIfa0/UJkTIZ4pu8I/AAAAAAAABFw/RJCssUBYOQ8/s1600/2012-10-26+17.18.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQY43tlIfa0/UJkTIZ4pu8I/AAAAAAAABFw/RJCssUBYOQ8/s320/2012-10-26+17.18.23.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I call this one the "Breastfeeding Fish"</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4LRKuP7NSSQ/UJkTJ4HxmSI/AAAAAAAABF4/VZxz-ttDZT4/s1600/2012-10-26+17.18.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4LRKuP7NSSQ/UJkTJ4HxmSI/AAAAAAAABF4/VZxz-ttDZT4/s320/2012-10-26+17.18.42.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">These are my absolute favorite! These tables have beautiful pictures under the glass tops and water pouring out of the sides. SO COOL! Inventive Korea!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLZUbsTr0ME/UJkTLyhTxMI/AAAAAAAABGA/P8wf4IDxNWI/s1600/2012-10-26+17.18.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLZUbsTr0ME/UJkTLyhTxMI/AAAAAAAABGA/P8wf4IDxNWI/s320/2012-10-26+17.18.54.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ha this is fun </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Fun design</span></td></tr>
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<br />MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826346872600459018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553086622142198826.post-68639533366494369902012-10-31T18:46:00.001+09:002012-10-31T18:52:58.342+09:00Plastic Surgery, K-Pop Innocence, and Underground "Punk" Lifestyle <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My friend recently introduced me to this video focusing on a model from the UK visiting Seoul during Fashion Week. Though it goes into depth on a few other things along the way..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. The enormous obsession over plastic surgery here in Korea. This country is the number one country in the world for having the highest percentage of plastic surgeries done. Women admittedly want a more "western" like face- focusing mainly on bigger eyes and a visible crease in the eyelid. In Korea, you are constantly told how pretty you are by your students, co-teachers, and strangers. As this model in the video says, people are beautiful <i>because</i> they are different. If we all looked alike- how boring would life be. I always follow the "Teacher, beautiful" with "Thank you. You are beautiful too!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. The slowly changing conservative culture of this country. The model meets a barber shop owner who has a "punk" fashion style. He dresses in lots of dark colors and has countless visible tattoos. (This is what we sometimes call "rebel Koreans."-- They are the more coming of age Koreans who have that independence about them, and have left that collectivist society that Asian culture so greatly claims, behind. The Koreans who have found their own style, their own expression, and who are not afraid to go against the grain.) He explains how he doesn't care for K-Pop fashion, and is worried that foreigners who have never met a Korean in their lives, and whos only connection to Korean culture is that of K-Pop, is worrisome.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. The sheltered, naive ways of the K-Pop world and its members. Though it's clear that all K-Pop members have a clear collected bond, from the way they dress, to the way they dance,- they each have a different status and image. As you will see in the video, each group has its "sexy" member, and it's "cute, baby" member. Even my students will tell me, "Teacher. Sexy boy" when they talk about each member of their favorite K-Pop bands.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have no idea how long this model is in Korea for, and if she even travels outside of Seoul- but she tries to understand the Korean culture from what she's seen over a period of if I have to guess a week's time. That's nothing, and I must admit, she's open about some things but not about others. It's very hard to get a sense of a particular culture from just seven days in the capital city. Again, why living here has brought me so much knowledge, awareness, and respect for this amazing country.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Very interesting stuff..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Click the link below for the YouTube video:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wWKjxxM6q8">Seoul Fashion Week: K-Pop to Double Eyelid Surgery</a></span><br />
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<br />MKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15826346872600459018noreply@blogger.com0