Just go

3 Reasons to Travel While You're Young

I stumbled upon a blog today, and found a bit of a kindred spirit in its author. I read through several articles about writing, Christian living/faith, and other subjects I found relevant, but the above-linked entry was one of my favorites.

I've been given a couple of opportunities to travel in this new year, with one in particular in mind. As much as I love to visit new destinations, the voice of hesitancy (which lives in a nice penthouse in my brain, as I've failed to evict it thus far) began its usual recital of reasons why I shouldn't seize this chance: money, timing, safety, etc.

But I feel inspired again. While I can think of several other reasons why traveling is personally precious to me, I'm finding confirmation in what I want to do this summer through this guy's post.

Just go.

I think I'm going.

PS-I'm running on 3 hours of sleep, so I probably sound a little wacky. Had random insomnia last night.

This is getting ridiculous

I'm still so jetlagged! It's been 4 days!

I have one goal today: do not go to sleep during daytime. No matter what it takes.

On another note, upon coming back to the states, I really craved crunchy foods. I realized that I barely ate anything crunchy in Korea. Interesting..

So. This is jetlag.

It's 2:20am EST and there isn't the slightest chance I'm going to be sleeping soon.

Safely made it back home early yesterday morning! My first observation upon coming back to Virginia was how spacious it is.. even NoVa seemed like rural countryside compared to crowded Seoul.

As nice as it is to be home, I miss Korea already! Even as I was traveling back home reflecting on my trip, the whole thing kind of feels like a dream. Like did that really happen? At baseline, I think I would have enjoyed being there. But I was really blessed with family (esp family) and friends who went over and beyond to make sure it was a good experience. I am indebted.

But of course, I do realize all good things must come to an end. :)

Since I have nothing to do for the next couple of weeks before dschool, I figured I would reminisce and post pics I never got a chance to while I was in Korea. I got super lazy about taking pics towards the end though.. and this is going to be chronologically backwards.. oh well..

My last breakfast in Korea.. this is what I ate every single morning. My aunt runs a sort of boarding house for some local college students and feeds them breakfast/dinner so this might be more variety than normal. In the US, I'm used to eating a piece of fruit and maybe cereal/oatmeal in the morning so this was sometimes too much, too early for my body to process haha. But it was good!

Random performance on the streets of Insadong.

Met up with M and her mom in Insadong on Sunday. Lots of handmade crafts and shops. This is the last day we got to see each other so ajumma bought us matching bracelets at one of the stores. lol.. like I mentioned, she really wants us to be best friends. Good thing it turns out we do get along pretty well.

My second week at school (work) was quite different from the first. To be honest I don't think I put as much heart into it as I did the first week. Even still, on my last day (and the students' last day as well, since the school gets new kids every week) one of the girls in my homeroom gave me a present and wrote me a note in English. So sweet.

 

Ate at this woodfired pizza place that also served 떡볶이/라면 with J one evening. It was ok. Maybe this is Captain Obvious speaking but yeah. Don't go to Korea for pizza. Not even Mr. Pizza. But that is another post for another day..

Delirious

It's already been an interesting journey to the motherland. I am running on maybe 30 minutes of sleep.

There are things in life that I'm willing to try once, but will probably never want to do again. Such as spending the night in Dulles Airport. Was just about to fall asleep on a bench when this man started yelling and cursing about his ruined business trip over the phone. Nothing says good night like a grown adult acting like a 3-year-old.

But we are making all kinds of friends on this trip too. This straight-up-from-Korea grandpa was totally lost since he doesn't know English, so my mom and I decided to help him out and let him tag along with us to the gate. Of course when we get to security, he has to go through the checkpoint like 5 times! We felt bad for just leaving him so we had to wait for him to get his act together. It was pretty hilarious.. my mom and I could not stop laughing, prob bc we were TIRED. We are apparently bffs with him now, along with any other Koreans we pass along the way. He gave us his phone number and address and told us if we came to Pusan he would buy us good food. xP

This is the last post before I'm in foreign land! Can't wait to board and SLEEP.

Interlude

A lull in schedule right now. Taking this opportunity to communicate online, aka writing emails, writing in here because who knows when the next time I'll be able to. Overwhelmed and touched by the people wishing me a safe trip overseas. Means a lot to me!

Cat is out of the bag

So. I've made vague remarks about my summer plans but felt hesitant about publicly sharing for some reason.

For blogging's sake, I will divulge: I am going to Korea for a few weeks! My flight is early Wednesday morning. I haven't packed yet. Go me.

Right now, I don't have a clear concept of Korea, so it doesn't seem real yet that I'm actually going.

I'll probably post one more time stateside (maybe two), and then this blog will transform into a full-fledged travelogue! Minus the glitzy, DSLR-shot photos.. just regular point and shoot for me. If I can figure out how to upload pics. And if my laptop even works over there. Again, go me.

My expert opinion on plane tickets

They are too expensive. Good night.