새해 복 많이받으세요 ~ HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I hope everyone had a splendid New Year wherever you are in the world!
On New Years Day, I ate ddeok gook (ricecake soup) with my Mun Hyuk, his girlfriend, Jue Hee, and my birth father… and was told that I am now 28 years old (Korean age)… YIKES I’m getting old faster than I want :)
It’s hard to believe I’m 6 months away from reality and all the good stuff I’ve been without such as:
1. A dryer to go with my washing machine
2. A microwave
3. An oven
4. A car
5. And most importantly … a CHIPTOLE BURRITO!
Despite living the simple life in some ways, I have been spoiled with not having to tip … anywhere (restaurant, haircut, etc), carry keys around, or take more than about 30 mins to clean my 95sqft living quarters.
Since I’m halfway done, I figured I should use my athletic counseling skills on myself… So, I’ve looked back at my initial goals of coming here and having assessed my progress, I haven’t done too bad!
1. Try not to eat anything I can get in the USA –I’m guilty of eating more American food than I want, but am still doing a dang good job of trying to keep it Korea.
I hope everyone had a splendid New Year wherever you are in the world!
On New Years Day, I ate ddeok gook (ricecake soup) with my Mun Hyuk, his girlfriend, Jue Hee, and my birth father… and was told that I am now 28 years old (Korean age)… YIKES I’m getting old faster than I want :)
It’s hard to believe I’m 6 months away from reality and all the good stuff I’ve been without such as:
1. A dryer to go with my washing machine
2. A microwave
3. An oven
4. A car
5. And most importantly … a CHIPTOLE BURRITO!
Despite living the simple life in some ways, I have been spoiled with not having to tip … anywhere (restaurant, haircut, etc), carry keys around, or take more than about 30 mins to clean my 95sqft living quarters.
Since I’m halfway done, I figured I should use my athletic counseling skills on myself… So, I’ve looked back at my initial goals of coming here and having assessed my progress, I haven’t done too bad!
1. Try not to eat anything I can get in the USA –I’m guilty of eating more American food than I want, but am still doing a dang good job of trying to keep it Korea.
2. Explore as much as possible – I have checked off quite a few places I’ve wanted to visit and have my “to-do” list for the next 6 months
3. Learn enough of the language to survive – I’m learning more than I need to survive!
4. Better understand the Asian culture and immerse myself in it – This naturally happens everyday and I have tried to hang out with my Korean friends as well as American friends
5. Have no regrets when I am done – so far… CHECK!
6. Figure out why I am the way I am... is it because of NATURE or NURTURE or BOTH!?!? – So far, it’s both … and I have a feeling it will be that after the next 6 months too.
So … the next 6 months I plan to:
1. Finish two more 9 week sessions of Korean Language Class
2. Go to a professional Korean Basketball game
3. Do a “temple” stay with the buddists
4. Attend to a Traditional Korean Theater Performance
5. Hike Seoraksan Mountain
6. Educate myself at the War Museum and maybe one other (National History Museum)
7. Vacation on Jeju Island (the Hawaii of Korea)
8. Travel to Busan, Korea and Fukuoka, Japan
Hopefully all goes well and I can come back to America regretless and ready to start settling down :) I am excited to see what 2009 brings and am thankful for all that 2008 gave me.
I wish everyone a WICKED AWESOME 2009 :)
So … the next 6 months I plan to:
1. Finish two more 9 week sessions of Korean Language Class
2. Go to a professional Korean Basketball game
3. Do a “temple” stay with the buddists
4. Attend to a Traditional Korean Theater Performance
5. Hike Seoraksan Mountain
6. Educate myself at the War Museum and maybe one other (National History Museum)
7. Vacation on Jeju Island (the Hawaii of Korea)
8. Travel to Busan, Korea and Fukuoka, Japan
Hopefully all goes well and I can come back to America regretless and ready to start settling down :) I am excited to see what 2009 brings and am thankful for all that 2008 gave me.
I wish everyone a WICKED AWESOME 2009 :)
Pictures of Nami Island and others are up:
(Sneak Preview: Kate, Eunice, and I at Nami Island (East Sea))
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