i feel like zoolander

I'm not a very good travel blogger. I just dont do it enough.

The events of this past 22-ish days have been everything. I have learned so much, I have made so many friends, and created so many memories. I will never forget this trip. I regret not writing here, but I can't go back in time! I'll try tomorrow....first I will write about my Buddhist temple stay while it is fresh in my mind!

We arrived after about 4-5 hours of travels through first the sprawling metropolis, then finally the wilderness and countryside. It was absolutely beautiful, natural, and ancient. When we arrived we immediately went on a tour of the temple. It was absolutely breathtaking. I don't even think the monks get tired of the view.

We also were provided with proper temple attire, which consisted of modest long pants and a vest to be worn over your shirt. It was 90 degrees Fahrenheit....in ridiculous humidity. It was a test of endurance, not an outfit. I kid, I kid.

We had an orientation of Temple Etiquette, thankfully, or else we would have looked like idiots.

Dinner was great! But I was last in line and didnt get much food, so by the time I could go get leftovers, the food was gone. You're not supposed to waste any food, so you can only take as much as you can eat, or else you seem to not be grateful for all the hard work that was put into making and preparing it. My new Korean friend J said we took everything too seriously, but I see it as being a healthy lesson and exercise for our minds and stomachs.

We then attended a chanting ceremony preceded by a great show of drum skill by three monks. There is a drum...probably as big as an elephant that they use. At the end of the drum ceremony, a bell as big as two elephants is sounded by another monk. The chanting ceremony was confusing for me, as I had never been to a Buddhist ceremony and didn't really even know how to bow. At least no one sat on my head. SeSe sat on someone's head -_-

After that, we went to the main meeting hall and created beautiful paper lotus lanterns. It will not be coming back home with me, but is easy to make again. We then went to sleep at 8:30pm to wake up at 3:00am the next morning.

We went to sleep in our cute rooms, after removing the super cool mountain bug friends, and set our alarms to 3:00.

The next morning it was easier to wake up than I thought it would be, but of course I have had some experience with strange sleep patterns. Nothing new here. The only new thing was the fact that I was in a BUDDHIST TEMPLE attending chanting ceremonies with MONKS. I loved it. The morning ceremony was of course easier with practice, and I enjoyed it.

After that, we returned to the main meeting hall to learn about "Prostrations"(learn about them and read them here) which are basically at the simplest and least, 108 phrases you repeat to humble and ground yourself. For each one, you go from full standing position to full bow. They are repeated at 5:30 am each morning. I love them. I'm going to familiarize myself with them so that I can think of them in tough times. The only thing that does not love them is my right knee. After completing the 108 bows and a small meditation session, I got up to leave and heard a sound in my knee that could not be described as beautiful. I went on a hike after and felt nothing. It is only after an hour on the bus that the pain started. I did not go on the second hike, but iced my knee instead at the rest area. Totally fine by me. I've been on plenty of hikes and this one was apparently killer. People didnt finish and just turned around and came back so theyd get back in time(3 hours)

After breakfast, we had a tea time and conversation/bonding time with one of our guide monks. He was very funny and we had a great time. We also made bracelets and had tea picked from the bamboo forests by the monks.

I really sound like zoolander right now. :[

After tea time and bracelet making, we went on a walking meditation hike with him. It was difficult! But shaded and cool and I am glad I went. Lunch was after that, and then we cleaned up our rooms and checked out. It was a very enlightening, humbling, centering, and grounding experience. It tests your endurance and your open-mindness. It was like a soul workout :)

Anywho, I am off to bed because I have to rise and shine early tomorrow! Going to Seoul for a Design-Related fun day!

Entrance

View up the mountain

The beautiful and ancient eaves

Oh, just some Korean National Treasures

Main temple

Activities

Our Lotus Lamps(that didnt travel well)

View out my room's window

Hiking through the bamboo forest

View at the Satellite portion of the temple further up the mountain/end of the hike

View from almost the top of the mountain

Total Recall

There are not many programs like this one in the world, I’m pretty sure.  Getting to come live in another country for two months…that’s one thing. The way this program is designed is absolutely genius. We arrive in Korea, and are then immediately given classes full of amazing people. They’re such good students, and they’re so nice. They are excited to take me around Cheonan and have me try Korean food, and they even bring me food to try.

The other day, we planned an activity where we played some games, then went out to eat Shabu Shabu. It was pretty authentic according to another teacher here, I guess we’re not that far from Japan after all…hahah.

I love it here J

Teaching college students that are 5-7 years older than you is weird, I don’t care what cultural differences there are! We’re working through the language barriers and it will be fine soon. In fact, today I got these white cakes that were covered in chocolate. It was like the Korean version of some kind of Hostess cake. SO good.

After class the other day, we went to Korean Barbeque with a student we made friends with. He was so nice, he took us 30 minutes out of his way to show us where the grocery store was. We took him out as a thank you, and made sure it was good food. He is SO funny and so nice. I think we have a new friend!

We also went shopping a few days ago. It was my worst experience in Korea so far. We tried to go to the city to find the very cheap but very fashionable clothes, and we couldn't find a single store. Everything was 30 dollars an up, just for shirts. I think we went to the posh side of the shopping district. Anyways, after 20 stores, we think our energy was getting low, because we kept havin worse and worse encounters. The stares in the street were also harder to deal with. We just wanted to leave.  I'm going back in a few hours, but this time with a student. I know I'm going to find something this time...

Friday was our English Village. All of the students had to speak in only English, and we had little shops and restaurants set up to help them practice vocabulary that we learned. It was fun :)

Yesterday, we went back to Jukjeon for this Race Challenge. We had to run up and down the kilometer-long stairs in the heat and humidity. We were tired, but we had a lot of fun. We got to eat Galbi with Dok, two of my favorites. I guess the restaurant was one known for its incredibly spicy food, but it wasn't that bad. The best part was that my students know I don't like super spicy food, so they ordered my table's meal with no spice. I'm getting used to the spicy food. Things actually taste bland when there's no spice...

On the bus ride there and back, I got to learn a little about their lives.  They told stories of their childhood and what extreme bullying was like (although they didn't see much, but I hadn't either). One situation is where there are "Slaves" that have to do everything you tell them or else get punished. The other is when the entire class picks on one student, and beats them up or just makes fun of them. Lord of the Flies, man! We also learned Korean Dating lingo and got to compare and contrast dating norms in the US, the Netherlands, and Korea. All of the readers know what dating in the US is like....but dating in Korea is hugely different.

First off, you call the guy "Oppa". They also call it "There's something" instead of like talking or flirty. It makes sense, I like that phrase! Third, guys here are super romantic, and aren't afraid to say what they're feeling or thinking. One of the first things you say when you meet someone is "Do you have a boyfriend", and/or all the talk that goes along with current or prospective relationships. Everything is the opposite of what we're used to. People have relationships frequently, and having a boyfriend seems to be good, whereas not having one is looked down upon.

We then came back to campus, and Sese and I decided we're actually going to learn Korean this year. If Ari could become fluent in 2, we can also! This will be Sese's 8th language, and my 3rd. Yay Languages! We made a Hangul chart and hung it up in the room. She's just starting to learn how to read and write it, and I'm trying to improve upon what I do know at the moment.

The two of us just relaxed and had some leisure time last night. We just talked, watched an inspirational movie, and learned that we have SO much in common.I hope I'm like her when I'm an ajumah! ;D hahah! That means old lady. I call her that as a joke, it's a thing.

Now, we are off to go eat barbecue in the city!

Bye!

Ps, instead of writing things as "byeeeee" to show vocal fluctuation, here they use "~" at the end.


The AC did not come with a multi language instruction manual. Open window it is.

 How we get in and out of the girls's sie of the dorms. Secure and monitored by CCTV! The guards at the front desk are all nice and say hi and bye to us.

On the way out of the girl's side! To the cafeteria, convenience store, gym, restaurant, and Internet! Hello Kakao talk messages!( I only get messages down here)

Convenience store! Here's the ramen aisle...

Sweet Stuff!

Dessert!

Getting back in and going up to the 6th flooooor! We have such a nice view from our dorm room.

The courtyard below that no one uses.

The view! Rainy day. Left side of view...

The right side of the view.

not stranded in the rain

This is going to be a short post because I have a lot to do to prepare for tomorrow, but I just had to share my stories of extreme kindness today. After my class, the weather was a bit overcast, so I decided it would be interesting to shoot a few pictures with that lighting. Well, those clouds up above were actually rain clouds, as I figured out from a quarter of a mile away from the dorms looking back. I could see the rain falling from the clouds, minutes away from hitting the ground. I started back but knew it was too late, so I headed for the walk with large oak trees to shelter me from the rain as I walked back to the dorms. I was suddenly trapped under one (that was not as large as I would have liked it ti be) as the rain turned into a downpour, and walking at all would soak through my camera bag and into my camera. The tree itself soon began to drip on me, and I could not hide my T2i from the water. Great, stranded in the rain.
A student with an umbrella walking by was looking my way, but I didn't believe anyone would have time to help me out...I did this to myself after all. Of course, he proceeded to walk over, then stop and ask if he could help me get to the next building. I was completely blown away.
The more times people are insanely kind and out-of-their-way helpful to us, the more crazy it seems. It proves that it's not just a freak accident, and that the occurrence of these types of situations is wonderfully frequent. Anyways, here I am in a skirt and sandals, walking through ankle deep mini-rivers of water rolling by, with a boy holding an umbrella over me and my little camera. Just to be nice.
People are so nice here. Kindness and people coming forward voluntarily to help you.... that's normal. It is everywhere you look.
It turns out that the only reason I was stranded in the rain was because no one had walked by yet.
And no, he did not ask for my number or put on any moves. He just walked me to a building and said goodbye and have a nice day, then walked away! I am so glad I had this experience of getting not-so-stranded in the rain.
Thank you, whoever you were.

"...and when you get the chance..."

You should take it! I am so glad I have been saying yes to all of these amazing opportunities that are coming my way. Republic of Korea? Yes. Two months versus one? Yes. Transfer to experience two campuses instead of just one?! YES!

TOn our way to the new campus, the frail old man driving our bus is apparently lost. He makes a phone call and gets no answer. A few seconds later, we hear "Dancing Queen"s intro (ABBA)  as he scrambles to pick up his phone.

The campus we just temporarily transferred to is called Cheonan! It is SO beautiful! I feel like I'm on a mountain retreat. It's about 20 degrees cooler, and way less humid. I dont think I ever gifted you with a description of the weather....the terrible, terrible heat and water-air. It's still air, full of water though, so it boils you when the hot sun hits you. So compared to my many many days of 85/85 degrees of 100% humidity and that HORRID HILL. (3) at Jukjeon, Cheonan is a BEAUtiful mountain retreat with 40/50% humidity and cooler temperatures. Overlooking a lake, the Cheonan Dankook University Campus also experiences lovely afternoon breezes that almost require a sweater! I love it.

The campus has what seems like traditional Korean Architecture in certain places. I will upload pictures later once I take them, and am just including what it looks like outside my window! I can see the lake and the terrace below!

Today we went to Korean Barbeque again, and are planning our lessons with or teaching partners now. Later.... we're going to Noribang with the teachers! Can't wait! Practicing my Nicki raps obviously...

"...we're having the times of our lives
oo oooo"

what a wonderful world

Yesterday we visited Seoul for the first time and it was awesome! We took a bus from inside campus and it went straight there. It's called Myeong-Dong and it's HUGE. Floors on floors of stores and restaurants and coffee shops, of course. They have coffee shops everywhere, no joke. They have streets of like...just coffee shops. I got some makeup and then we got KBBQ! Obviously amazing.
On our way back, I really needed a converter so Taka helped me and we went to EMART for the first time! We had to ask for a lot of help to get there, but everyone is very helpful and we got there in no time :)

We loved it! It's like a combination between Harrods, Target, and Ikea! It's so modern and has everything. It sounds like it's the size of a 7-11, but emart is bigger than that..it's like modern and cheap Harrod's. To talk to the sales assistants to find the converter, we used a combo of English, Korean, and Japanese that Taka knew. So convenient. Thanks Taka! We were getting close to curfew so we had to leave and didn't see much :(

Finding out how to get back was a whole different story. We tried to ask people but they were all too shy or didnt understand exactly what we meant. The second we tried to look for someone who looked like they spoke English....we saw Ari! Thank God. She obviously knew where she was going, so we got back safely!

It was a relief to hear Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" play on the bus' radio on the way back, though. It was just one song, but it was enough to remind me of home, remind me why I'm here, and take away all the stress from being lost in a big city. What kind of world sets down one of your buddies in front of you when you need the most help? A wonderful one :)

Today, we basically had teaching orientation again, and then went to emart again! I got a blanket, returned that converter that broke half an hour into use, and got a straightener. Hello prettay hayr. Wutsup.

Our climb up the mountain of DKU to get back to the dorms was not pleasant today. I was SO tired after that. It was only 5pm but I managed to sleep until midnight. A few other people went to Noribang, what Koreans call Karaoke, but I have done it before and can wait to do so again.

It's currently 5am and Sese and I have been up editing blogs, pics, vlogs, and just talking and laughing. We have too much fun... I worry.

Night!

the long awaited trip can now begin!

Hey everyone! I miss you all but am making a ton of buds, so I don't really miss you that much. Just kidding. I look forward to August when we will meet again!

I just arrived last night, and on the way home from the airport everyone in my van was talking some real big talk about how we were going to go out when we got back. Yeah so it was 4am our time back home, and none of us slept on the plane. Needless to say, I knocked out. Glad I did too, because the jet lag had me waking up at 4am here(noon in pacific time. 

I'm also glad I pocketed the in flight blankie they gave us, because it's the perfect weight for hot humid nights when your air conditioner doesn't work and is in Korean. We left the window open, so I got to wake up through the night to the sound of jungle noises outside my window. I do not know what I heard, but I heard enough to know they were jungle animal noises that make me glad I'm on the 4th floor of a locked building. 

My roommate is SO cool! She is from the Netherlands but born and raised in Aruba. Yes! We are the Caribbean roomies! :) Her accent is way cool though, and mine is all plain. Also, she's a Film and Music Production Major, so pretty much is going to come live in LA after she graduates. Coolness. Also, she laughs at me. When I tell jokes. So it works out pretty well actually.

My flight was the best flight I have ever been on, with the stewardesses walking through the cabin every half hour with something to offer us or refilling or taking trash away. We had drinks, hot towels, lunch, tea, coffee, refills, water or orange juice, water or orange juice, a ham sandwich, water or orange juice, hot towels again, drinks, dinner, coffee, tea, refills, and I think that's it....And the man next to me saw me trying to look out the window when we started flying over South Korea, so he offered to switch seats with me. He also helped me with some survival phrases that were not as simple as they could be on our cheat sheet. To say "Please take me to Dankook University" All I have to say is Danguk-day-yo, instead of something three times as long as that that was written down.
I am REALLY thankful I brought my super unhealthy processed US Snackies, because freaking out from no home food was one of my biggest fears. Psychologically that can really mess a person up. I love Korean Food though, so I dont know if I need them that much!!!

Ok, off to go get a Korean style breakfast consisting of rice, soup, and the little banchan plates (those side dishes they are so well known for!) The plan for later today is orientation, then.......shopping and exploring!!! :)  

pocket full of seoul

I'm so excited to say that I am waiting in the international terminal to board my flight for Korea....I am kinda sad I'll be missing a beautiful summer in southern California with my friends and family, but this is one of my dreams, and I am thankful for the opportunity to experience it, and can't wait to get there!  It's unbelievable that it's actually happening.  If you stop and think about it, it's truly amazing to be able to travel five thousand miles away from home (in only twelve hours) to safely experience life in a whole new place.
Just 13 more hours until I'm hopefully greeted in the airport by students of the university I'm studying at. The uni is really taking care of us. 5/5 stars for customer service so far ;)
I also believe I may be getting a glimpse into what looks to be the future architecture of LAX International Airport! I posted some phone pictures for you guys to see. It's about time! The 70s came and went.... like waaay too long ago for it to still look like the 70s.