Jeju pictures

Gold Medals

The Olympics from Korea really stink--in fact, the only events they have been showing are ones that Koreans have placed in (table tennis, judo, women's weight lifting...). I just got back from Jeju (more on that later) and had to check up on Michael Phelps' metal count--it looks like he just got his 8th about an hour ago! Congrats Michael! This is that last Olympics I ever want to watch in Korea again! Really--they replay the same events back to back, over and over. And, to top it off, it's all in Korean, so I can never really tell right away if I've already seen the "live" replay of an event. Unfortunately, the Olympics will be over by the time I get home, so I will have to just look forward to the games in Vancouver.

Jeju was really fun! I will post again once I upload my photos. We just got in this morning--the flight was a quick 50-minute flight, so no jet lag to report, just a nice, brown tan! :)

Let the packing Olympics begin!

Yesterday and today were packing days here in steamy, muggy Korea. Here is my strategy: don't wait until the night before getting on the airplane to start packing (not rocket science, but this has been my habit in the past). I think many people would think I am a pre-packer--one of those people who starts setting things aside weeks before going out of town for the weekend. I am pretty organized and appear to really be on top of things sometimes, but what many people don't know is that I hate, no...ABHOR, packing! I have moved so many times in 9 years--at least 13 times, and instinctively start collecting shopping bags and cardboard boxes once spring turns the corner! On top of the yearly moving ritual, I have traveled quite a bit, and for extensive periods of time, requiring me to pack, un-pack, re-pack, un-pack, and so on. Normally, I put it off till the last minute, complain, procrastinate and dread every second of it! Last year, when preparing for a summer in Europe before a year in Korea, my mom was so nice to help me through this process by helping me organize and taking my huge piles of necessities and squeezing them into the small bags I was going to be taking overseas.

To prevent large amounts of stress and anxiety, I decided to get everything packed up early this time. I am leaving on vacation for the remainder of my time in Korea, and will simply be able to come home, grab my bags, and head to the hotel that Kara and I reserved for the last night before going home! Easy, huh? We will see.

(Side note, I am watching the live coverage of the opening ceremony of the Olympics, and the Swiss just entered Bird's Nest Stadium. What is that they're wearing? Is that Liederhosen? Not sure...no close ups yet. And, do I hear yodeling? :) Yes! My favorite! The Americans came on a couple of minutes ago, and I must say they are looking like they've got the gold in the bag! That Michael Phelps is going to be a tough one to beat with his 8 events--watch out world! Go USA!!)

Yesterday, Kara and I found a great little 4th floor reflexology massage place near our home! We've been keeping our eyes open for one all year, and finally, in our last weeks, we find one. We each got 30 minute massages for just under $20 apiece! Great deal! But, I think it messed up my thumb on my left hand (reflexology, by the way, is an amazing foot rub that is supposed to heal and stimulate parts of your body--like, if you have a headache, you can get an awesome foot massage to rub it away). I am not sure, but I think the massage has made my left thumb twitch randomly all day! It's like it has a life of its own! Weird! Hope that isn't permanent.

(Yao Ming is carrying the flag for China! Wow--that must be such an honor for him--huge! I am proud to say I have seen him in real life thanks to an awesome Wolves vs. Rockets game I saw with my friend Aaron. That giant guy is amazing! So tall--even next to KG! The best thing about him walking around the arena is that there is a kid about 5 or 6 years old who is walking with him--I swear the kid comes up to Yao Ming's knees! He is one big man! I love the Olympics! I sure didn't plan this vacation very well--right during the Olympics...what was I thinking?!)

Samanfar, Elric

My friend sent me this video the other day. I laughed so hard as I watched! It is a clever little clip from China, though the content could translate to Korea pretty easily. Take a look:



At the beginning of summer camp, I asked my students if they had English names. One boy answered, "Elric." For Korean students, as well as other Asian language speakers, the "L" and "R" sound is difficult to decipher. Many times these sounds are confused, leaving the listener a little unsure of what is being said (liver-river, wrong-long). Well, I asked Elric if he was sure that it wasn't "Eric," but he insisted on the spelling, so I called him Elric.

I like the name Samanfar...don't you? :)

Done!

Last class, last day, last students...done! I'm headed out for a celebratory meal and drink in just a few minutes--I just can't believe that it's official! I am very excited and feel good about the hours logged this year. I am so ready to get back to the States and look forward to getting out to California to start my next adventure! Now, for vacation time... I officially leave here in another two and a half weeks, so what can I do in the meantime? Well, I'm headed out for a little r&r at the spa and on the island!



I'll keep you posted in the next days of packing up and getting things ready to move across the ocean! I'll be in MN for much of September and will be looking forward to seeing friends and family!

The countdown!

The countdown has begun! (Well, to be truthful, it began awhile ago.) Three weeks and I will be in the States! It seems weird that this year will soon be over. Something that I'm a little nervous about is fitting back into my culture. It is a weird feeling to have been living in a totally different place for over a year--I've picked up little things along the way that won't fit in the States, so I have to be conscious about speaking English (without using weird intonation, slowing down or crazy word choice), eating quietly, walking without bumping into people...it is going to be an interesting first couple of months! I have been living in one of the busiest parts of town where everything is literally across the street or down the street--it is such a convenient place to live and work. I love the fact that I can walk everywhere or take a bus or subway--I haven't missed driving at all. In fact, I am kind of dreading the responsibility of having a car again (by the way, if you know of anyone selling or giving a car away, let me know--I'm in the market)!

I just want this year to be relevant. Does that make sense? I mean, I want it to count for something. It has been a huge experience in my life--one that I will always carry with me, and I just get nervous that things won't have really changed back at home and I will slide right back into the life I left. I have changed a lot over the year and I want my future life to reflect some of that change. I don't know, maybe I'm just rambling. Maybe it is just 11PM and I'm putting off going to bed.

Thanks for sticking with me this far! I just want to put one more thought out into cyberspace. I started this blog to record my experiences abroad. Soon, I'll be back. Do I keep it going? Do I put it on hold till I travel again? I don't know. I'll probably keep it going for a little while, but I'm not promising anything. My life is definitely not boring (at least, in my opinion), but my travels are going to slow down a little. OK...I will quit rambling. Thanks for reading, readers! :)

Jason Mraz

So, lots of things have happened in the past week or so since I've last posted. I hate when I get behind on posts.

Anyway, I saw Jason Mraz last night! It was good music, but very crowded with standing room only. I went with a friend--she took this video with her camera (but forgot that you can't flip the video once it has been taken). It is sideways, but you can listen while you read:



A couple of notable dates:

My mom's birthday was a couple of days ago--happy birthday Mom!
Also, it was Swiss National Day on the first... Happy Swiss Day!
And finally, Martin and I have officially passed the 2 year mark--our dating anniversary was the 31st of July! Woo-hoo!

Also, I had a friend here visiting last weekend, but I stupidly forgot to take pictures! I don't know why I left my camera at home, but I did. Oops! It was so fun to have a friend here! I loved hearing what things she was discovering in Seoul--I sometimes forget what things are cool here. Isn't that how it goes? You forget to appreciate the city you live in. I've decided to buy a copy of Lonely Planet for every new city/state/country I live in. I will see it more as a tourist and hopefully appreciate all it has to offer!

Well, I'm off for a quick sushi roll before bed--yum! :) Happy August everyone!