Standing at the bus stop waiting for my ride home and my fingers are begging me to stop typing...lol. It feels like once again we've skipped over Autumn and gone straight to Winter, which sucks cause I LOVE Autumn!!
Am I prepared? Do I have warm clothes? Yes and no but I promise you, I don't "LOOK" out of place. Walking around, you wouldn't think it's 40 degrees F. I get it...they're used to it but sheesh!! Found out today though that looks can be deceiving. While they look like they're not wearing much, truth is they've got on like 5 layers...lol but since most of them are so small in the first place you can't tell...smh.
When in Rome right? I will be jumping on this bandwagon immediately! Especially since my school refuses to put on the heat and open windows to "air out the room". Forget the air. I can't feel me toes. Yes, I said "me toes".
Anyways, I hope we slow down on Winter's approach. I really do love Autumn!!
"Autumn, where are you? Have you seen Autumn?"
Until next time...
Monday, November 12, 2012
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Tastebuds
Maybe my tastebuds are changing as I get older or maybe it's cause I'm in Korea and I gotta eat to survive but recently, there are a lot of food that I'm beginning to like that I didn't when I was younger...squid, radish, jam...the list continues today with mushrooms.
Until next time...
Until next time...
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Birthday in Korea
Special...
This year, I had a pretty special birthday. I'm away from my family and friends but thankfully, I've met some pretty great people here that I was able to spend the time with. It's pretty awesome that my birthday coincides with the Korean Thanksgiving Holiday, Chuseok, so I've been off since last week Thursday and able to stretch out my birthday activities all week!! It's been quite a few days so I'm glad to have today to rest and enjoy some "me time".
But you wanna know how I spent the weekend don't ya?
Well, where does royalty spend their birthday, at the palace of course! I went to 2 palaces: Doeksugung Palace and Changgyeonggung Palace. Absolutely stunning pieces of history! It's hard to put it into words. I kept trying to imagine what it would've been like to live during that time in a place so grand. If I could go back in time, just to witness...
I also got a chance to walk along the Cheonggye Stream. I walked for quite a while...taking in the beauty of this stream in the midst of Seoul. Surrounded by modern buildings and skyscrapers. The infusion of the past and the present here in Korea is amazing! I'm intrigued by how the 2 seem to come together so beautifully.
After the palaces, something I've always wanted to do: Ballroom Dancing!! Went to a Tango class, rocking a pair of low-top chucks...lol. Needless to say, I had to take them off. Man!! Ballroom dancing is intense! It's definitely harder than it looks and toes were stepped on repeatedly. It was a lot of fun! Some of the people there were really good, been dancing for years and others were beginners like myself. It was nice to get out and do something different!!!
Tuesday, I went to the DMZ (demilitarized zone). It's an area between 2 military powers, where military activity is not permitted. Kind of like a boundary of peace... Seeing as how I visited the DMZ between North and South Korea, I had to abide by very strict rules from dress code to gestures. North Korean soldiers look on as tour groups come around and if they see anything that could be construed as offensive, then we have a problem so no waving or pointing and picture taking is only allowed at certain times. Not gonna lie, it got a little nerve wracking standing on the North Korean side of the conference room, next to a South Korean soldier...but what a moment!!!
They have a bridge, called the Bridge of No Return. After the Korean War ended, soldiers were allowed to choose which side to live on. Once you made your choice, there was no going back. Many South Koreans have family members in North Korea that they have not been able to communicate with since the war.
A very different, very special birthday this year. I plan to embrace every new experience and moment that I have whilst in Korea. There's so much more to see...and while I just turned a year older, I feel 5 years younger!!
For pictures of the weekend, check out the Photos page!!!
Until next time...
This year, I had a pretty special birthday. I'm away from my family and friends but thankfully, I've met some pretty great people here that I was able to spend the time with. It's pretty awesome that my birthday coincides with the Korean Thanksgiving Holiday, Chuseok, so I've been off since last week Thursday and able to stretch out my birthday activities all week!! It's been quite a few days so I'm glad to have today to rest and enjoy some "me time".
But you wanna know how I spent the weekend don't ya?
Well, where does royalty spend their birthday, at the palace of course! I went to 2 palaces: Doeksugung Palace and Changgyeonggung Palace. Absolutely stunning pieces of history! It's hard to put it into words. I kept trying to imagine what it would've been like to live during that time in a place so grand. If I could go back in time, just to witness...
I also got a chance to walk along the Cheonggye Stream. I walked for quite a while...taking in the beauty of this stream in the midst of Seoul. Surrounded by modern buildings and skyscrapers. The infusion of the past and the present here in Korea is amazing! I'm intrigued by how the 2 seem to come together so beautifully.
After the palaces, something I've always wanted to do: Ballroom Dancing!! Went to a Tango class, rocking a pair of low-top chucks...lol. Needless to say, I had to take them off. Man!! Ballroom dancing is intense! It's definitely harder than it looks and toes were stepped on repeatedly. It was a lot of fun! Some of the people there were really good, been dancing for years and others were beginners like myself. It was nice to get out and do something different!!!
Tuesday, I went to the DMZ (demilitarized zone). It's an area between 2 military powers, where military activity is not permitted. Kind of like a boundary of peace... Seeing as how I visited the DMZ between North and South Korea, I had to abide by very strict rules from dress code to gestures. North Korean soldiers look on as tour groups come around and if they see anything that could be construed as offensive, then we have a problem so no waving or pointing and picture taking is only allowed at certain times. Not gonna lie, it got a little nerve wracking standing on the North Korean side of the conference room, next to a South Korean soldier...but what a moment!!!
They have a bridge, called the Bridge of No Return. After the Korean War ended, soldiers were allowed to choose which side to live on. Once you made your choice, there was no going back. Many South Koreans have family members in North Korea that they have not been able to communicate with since the war.
A very different, very special birthday this year. I plan to embrace every new experience and moment that I have whilst in Korea. There's so much more to see...and while I just turned a year older, I feel 5 years younger!!
For pictures of the weekend, check out the Photos page!!!
Until next time...
Sunday, September 23, 2012
NEW PHOTO PAGE!!
Hey everyone! Make sure to check out the new photo page. Just click the "Photos!!" button above the Instagram pictures. Enjoy!!
Jimjilbang...the naked SPA
Awkward...
So, a few weeks ago I went to a Jimjilbang which is a SPA. It's a staple in Korean culture and something that both men and women enjoy. From those I've spoken to though, more women attend than men and most men go with their girlfriends or wives.
You're thinking, SPA? What's so interesting about a SPA? Most SPA's, nothing. A Jimjilbang...well...it's a naked SPA. Yes, yes, naked...at least for part of it.
Here's how it works:
When you arrive at the jimjilbang, you get a bracelet that also contains a key. That key is to your locker. First things first, put your shoes away. No shoes allowed in the SPA. Then go to your respective gender floors, where the AWKWARDNESS begins.
Once, there you get out of your clothes and enjoy the various, hot tubs, baths, massages and showers, all in the nude. Granted you're in an area with the same sex, but it's still awkward for a while. Ladies just walking around, sitting in the hot tub, talking, laughing with friends...enjoying a lil "me time". I can only imagine what goes on on the men's floor...lol. Once you're done...take a shower to rinse off and put on the comfortable, stylish pajamas provided to you and explore the co-ed section of the SPA.
In the co-ed section, there are various other SPA rooms, restaurants, an arcade, and nail salon. The bracelet with the keys is like your pass card. If you do anything extra, you swipe your bracelet. Don't get too excited...you pay for it on exit.
You don't have to stay the night. But if you decide to, then get a pillow and find a spot on the floor or in a chair.
In the morning, change back, return pajamas, grab your shoes and pay. Overall, pretty cool experience for a decent price (12,000won = $11).
So, a few weeks ago I went to a Jimjilbang which is a SPA. It's a staple in Korean culture and something that both men and women enjoy. From those I've spoken to though, more women attend than men and most men go with their girlfriends or wives.
 |
| entry to the jimjilbang |
Here's how it works:
When you arrive at the jimjilbang, you get a bracelet that also contains a key. That key is to your locker. First things first, put your shoes away. No shoes allowed in the SPA. Then go to your respective gender floors, where the AWKWARDNESS begins.
 |
| this must be us... |
 |
| no women allowed... |
Once, there you get out of your clothes and enjoy the various, hot tubs, baths, massages and showers, all in the nude. Granted you're in an area with the same sex, but it's still awkward for a while. Ladies just walking around, sitting in the hot tub, talking, laughing with friends...enjoying a lil "me time". I can only imagine what goes on on the men's floor...lol. Once you're done...take a shower to rinse off and put on the comfortable, stylish pajamas provided to you and explore the co-ed section of the SPA.
In the co-ed section, there are various other SPA rooms, restaurants, an arcade, and nail salon. The bracelet with the keys is like your pass card. If you do anything extra, you swipe your bracelet. Don't get too excited...you pay for it on exit.
 |
| check out the ice in the background...this room was -7degrees C. |
 |
| karaoke... |
 |
| contacts out...time for bed... |
 |
| lights stay on...smh |
 |
| K.O.!! |
In the morning, change back, return pajamas, grab your shoes and pay. Overall, pretty cool experience for a decent price (12,000won = $11).
Next time, I think I'll try a massage...cost extra, but may be worth it...
Until next time...
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