Everyone who knows me, knows that I like to take risks, at least with life choices. Sometimes those choices are made in haste but everyone has a lesson to learn and if you're not learning than you're not living.
So, for those that are still wondering, here is how I ended up 6,500 miles away from home:
Part One
1. It was December 2009 and I had just finished up the 2009 PRSSA National Conference and completing my Bachelor's Degree! It was a very long road and one that could not have been taken with out love and support. I had finished! I FINALLY finished with the number one goal of my life, getting my degree. Okay, so now what? I know everyone has a plan or should have a plan and I usually did, to finish my degree!
SIDEBAR: (OK how appropriate that the "Olympic Spirit" by John Williams is playing right now?, not going to lie but I playing in the Olympics was also one of my many lofty goals in life and still has a strong hold) Never going to forget when I had the opportunity to work the Salt Lake City Olympics and had to turn it down, someone else was involved in that decision. Still a big regret, but hey everything happens for a reason, no regrets just missed opportunities. So I will find another way. Also funny considering S. Korea was host to the Olympics in 1988! Wait! This is too much of a coincidence, but that was the year everything changed!)
Anyway back to "Why Korea?" Well a lot happened between December and June. In January my grandmother got pneumonia. She was in and out of the hospital. I was so worried about her health. I also began to realize that things are going to change. Playing into my mother's negativity, I assumed the worst and thought about what the horrible possibility that grandma could die. I was beside myself thinking that way, as both my sisters can attest to based on lengthy late night hysterical calls from me. Than I thought about how grandma may not be able to live by herself and I became conflicted. I was conflicted about whether I was there to be her caregiver or whether we we there to help each other. I felt so much pressure to live up to my family. I did not want to be compared to other family members simply taking advantage of her.
I started to panic. What was I doing with my life? What did I want to do? Where did I want to go? All questions that should have been answered prior to graduation. Agreed. But for some reason all I could think of at the time of finishing school was "I need a break" as many college graduates feel. It is well deserved because as difficult as life may be, school follows you 24/7. At work, you may have a big meeting or presentation or tons of work to do but NEVER are you EXPECTED to work outside of "business hours," whatever that may be. With school you ARE EXPECTED to complete homework, etc. And the gold rule of education is to a lot 2 hours of homework for every hour you are in class! Enough said. Once finished, everyone DESERVES a break!
Wow, way off track! But relevant, thank goodness I'm not a lawyer, Jenny!
2. So during these panic stricken days, I was trying to "live" my life and invited friends over. A special thanks to those who graced your presence and for listening to my blabber plus offering assistance. It was during these events that I started to change and didn't even know it. I may have continued to repeat my foolish immature and masochistic ways, but the end result was an eye-opener!
. . . to be continued
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Day 10 in Daejeon
Today I was planning on taking a taxi to downtown Daejeon, which is apparently between 15-30min from where I live! Funny that I move across the globe for some new experiences and end up in a city similar to everywhere I have ever lived, about 15-30minutes from downtown. I compare the
living scenario with my Sunset apartment in SF. And I am falling into the same traps I did there, making bad food choices, not exercising and holing myself up in the apartment instead of venturing out.
Well considering I have only been here for a week and was thrown right in to teaching, maybe I should cut myself a break! There are a few factors contributing to my laziness, I don’t know anyone in this area yet, my Korean is horrible, mother nature's gift came early (surprising it made it through customs) , I have a lot of lesson planning to get done, it’s Chesok (similar to Thanksgiving in Korea), and possibly a soju and orange juice hangover. Regardless, I think it’s a good thing I didn’t head that way because when I did leave today EVERYTHING
was closed, so I could have wasted a trip. Besides I am heading to Daegu tomorrow to see a friend from school who lives on the American military base.
I do have to say thank goodness for the internet because I can still chat with my friends, at least the ones that contact me! I can watch TV and movies although both Hulu and Netflix can bite me for not being available outside of the U.S. and how do they know? So, Coco you may have your DVD shipments revoked! Just a fair warning. I am looking forward to tomorrow! One to finally see someone who speaks English and two to hopefully do some shopping. I would venture on purchasing Korean food, if I knew what it was but I haven’t even tried to recognize symbols!
I will say I miss my wardrobe! I realized I packed more stuff than clothes and trying to find clothes over here that fit “muscular” women is not an easy task, although I am surprised at the number of larger people, more than I was expecting. There is no wonder either because around the corner from me are tons of restaurants including a Korean version of McDonald’s, Dunkin Doughnuts, Baskin Robbins and a 7-11! I have yet to find the elusive Subway and Starbucks! Closer to downtown, I am sure.
Tonight is the first night I do not have the AC on, as it is a balmy 64 degrees but raining still! Again flashbacks to SF but with warmer weather, currently. I know the winters can be brutal here. Something to look forward to! I am listening to my new play list, don’t laugh, but for those of you who really know me will! But I spent a large amount of time last evening searching for the music from the waiting area of “Soarin’ Over California” Seriously, I did! Of course the last song is the one I really wanted, the main title from “The American President.” The best part was that I-tunes didn’t have so I had to scour the Internet to find it and luckily I did so I bought the whole album! I have been listening to it all day! It reminds me of home!
I have also been working on a“get-your-ass-up-and-workout” play list as well! Bummer is I don’t have an ipod alarm player. That is no excuse, but having my clothes start to get tight is definitely a motivator! I am NOT going to let all my hard work of losing weight go to waste!!!!!!!!!!
Starting Monday, my new routine: work out at least 30 minutes a day and develop good eating habits! I ask all of you to keep me on track and motivated! I don’t want to fall into the same traps I have in the past with all work and no play and not taking care of myself. So please help me!
I know tonight’s menu of Korean beer and fried pot stickers is not the best start but like I said Monday!
living scenario with my Sunset apartment in SF. And I am falling into the same traps I did there, making bad food choices, not exercising and holing myself up in the apartment instead of venturing out.
Well considering I have only been here for a week and was thrown right in to teaching, maybe I should cut myself a break! There are a few factors contributing to my laziness, I don’t know anyone in this area yet, my Korean is horrible, mother nature's gift came early (surprising it made it through customs) , I have a lot of lesson planning to get done, it’s Chesok (similar to Thanksgiving in Korea), and possibly a soju and orange juice hangover. Regardless, I think it’s a good thing I didn’t head that way because when I did leave today EVERYTHING
was closed, so I could have wasted a trip. Besides I am heading to Daegu tomorrow to see a friend from school who lives on the American military base.
I do have to say thank goodness for the internet because I can still chat with my friends, at least the ones that contact me! I can watch TV and movies although both Hulu and Netflix can bite me for not being available outside of the U.S. and how do they know? So, Coco you may have your DVD shipments revoked! Just a fair warning. I am looking forward to tomorrow! One to finally see someone who speaks English and two to hopefully do some shopping. I would venture on purchasing Korean food, if I knew what it was but I haven’t even tried to recognize symbols!
I will say I miss my wardrobe! I realized I packed more stuff than clothes and trying to find clothes over here that fit “muscular” women is not an easy task, although I am surprised at the number of larger people, more than I was expecting. There is no wonder either because around the corner from me are tons of restaurants including a Korean version of McDonald’s, Dunkin Doughnuts, Baskin Robbins and a 7-11! I have yet to find the elusive Subway and Starbucks! Closer to downtown, I am sure.
Tonight is the first night I do not have the AC on, as it is a balmy 64 degrees but raining still! Again flashbacks to SF but with warmer weather, currently. I know the winters can be brutal here. Something to look forward to! I am listening to my new play list, don’t laugh, but for those of you who really know me will! But I spent a large amount of time last evening searching for the music from the waiting area of “Soarin’ Over California” Seriously, I did! Of course the last song is the one I really wanted, the main title from “The American President.” The best part was that I-tunes didn’t have so I had to scour the Internet to find it and luckily I did so I bought the whole album! I have been listening to it all day! It reminds me of home!
I have also been working on a“get-your-ass-up-and-workout” play list as well! Bummer is I don’t have an ipod alarm player. That is no excuse, but having my clothes start to get tight is definitely a motivator! I am NOT going to let all my hard work of losing weight go to waste!!!!!!!!!!
Starting Monday, my new routine: work out at least 30 minutes a day and develop good eating habits! I ask all of you to keep me on track and motivated! I don’t want to fall into the same traps I have in the past with all work and no play and not taking care of myself. So please help me!
I know tonight’s menu of Korean beer and fried pot stickers is not the best start but like I said Monday!
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