June Instagrams

In June, I ....

found the Temple of Doom.

... gave in.

... found some symmetry.

... made new friends.

... walked to a volcano.

... was taken on  five person date.

... walked a bridge lit in purple.

... made some space.

... appreciated differences.

... basked in the light.

Jeju Island: Day 2

Day two started with a trip to one of the many waterfalls on the island.

Group feet pic.

selfie feet pic

Group Album Cover

Next we went to see Oedolgae (Lonely Rock).

The site was a location for a famous Korean drama.

'The sea is just a wetter version of the sky.'

Our next destination was Jungmun Jusang Jeollidae. Here, the rock formations were formed by the cooling and hardening of lava. Crazy hexagonal shapes. Nature is a trip!

All tangerines in Korea come from Jeju Island.

We made our way to Jungmun Beach for lunch and water time.

A statue welcoming us to the beach.

Me and Anne

Group album cover No. 2

We drove a bit to our next location to look at iconic stone carvings of Jeju men statues, however we didn't make it there until after closing. It was a bummer, but we did make a few pit stops and got some pretty cool pictures.

Iconic Jeju Statue

We eventually decided to go back to the beach because I had accidentally left one of my bags there. Luckily enough, it was still there when we got back and we were able to relax the rest of the evening.

And so my weekend in Jeju ended. It was beautiful weekend trip. It felt like I was a world away!

Jeju Island: Day 1

I first heard Jeju Island described as the "Hawaii of Korea." Many of my students have told me that they frequent this Island for family vacationing. I went one weekend with Anne and our friends from Seoul; Sara, Katie, and Julie. Here are some highlight pictures.

On the plane being served tangerine juice.  Jeju-do is famous for supplying Korea with all of it's tangerines.

window seat.

Our first stop was Hallasan, a dormant volcano that is the highest peak in all of Korea.

As we climbed, the fog rooolllllled in.

Katie, Anne, and Sara

Photocred goes to Anne for many of these pictures

At the TOP!

We then went back to the city to meet our couchsurfing house. The family we stayed at was super gracious and let us all sleep in their extra room.

That evening, our host took us sight seeing.

fish egg bibimbap

The coast.

Beautiful bridge... Closed at night, but our host snuck us in! Hahaha.

Photocred: Katie

I Miss Them!

I LOOOOVE THEM!!!

People say that they have the best parents in the world and for me, it is no exception. I know I am extremely lucky to have had these two people to in my lives. My whole life they have always, always had my best interest at heart.

I remember the moment I told my parents I would move to Korea. We were having lunch at the farmer's market near Lake Merritt. When I told them, they said "Go for it!" with happy faces. And into my adulthood, this has always been their attitude. "It's up to you balasang," they would say. They've always believed in me and in turn, helped me to believe in myself.

Even when I have made some poor decisions, there is no disappointment or judgement from them. In fact, it is during those times that I find myself lying next to them in their bed listening to their guidance (more so in recent years than I ever did in my childhood or adolescence). They see who I am, through my faults and virtues. Regardless of the circumstances, they have loved and supported me unconditionally. I owe everything to them.

I hope they don't spend too much time worrying about me. I hope that I am making them proud. I hope that as much as they have taken care of me, that they are taking care of themselves. And I honestly can't wait for when I come back to America and spend a good month or two living with them again. There is so much to look forward to!

Korean Barbecue

There is no shortage of meat or barbecue grills in Korea, that's for sure.