I'd like to think about my goals for 2010 while I am away for the next two weeks in the tropical paradise that is Boracay. This will be my last post of 2009, so I thought I would choose my favorite moments of the past year...
1. Coming out of a laid back rooftop bar in Chiang Mai to find a baby elephant trudging along up the road, which we then proceeded to pet and kiss like crazy.
2. My Italian dinner date with Lacy and Maddy in Chiang Mai - it was the origin of the A Team, a collaboration prophesied by the ancients and written in the stars.
3. Swimming to a deserted island on Koh Chang. We swam in the open ocean for an hour, all the while thinking about sharks and ugly black rock crabs. Then we had to drag ourselves over slimy rocks in only inches of water for what seemed the length of a football field because we the rocks were to slippery to walk on. We made it to the beach eventually and broke coconuts with rocks then drank the fresh juice.
4. Standing at the observation deck of the world's tallest building, Taipei 101
5. Covering ourselves in mud for hours on end at Mudfest.
6. Our idyllic mountain top bungalow in Koh Phagnan where we met our "shaman" and passed a magical night celebrating his birthday.
7. Standing in the sea on Tsushima, Japan after surviving an arduous bicycle odyssey.
8. Luxury noraebanging with our new friend Kevin in Busan (noraebang is a karaoke room)
9. Bungee Jumping- it was horrifying, but I did it.
10. And finally, writing my 100th blog post today and discovering that I have had 2,000 profile views this year. Thanks to everyone who finds the time to read my ramblings, I hope they've been somewhat amusing. Here's to more adventures next year!!
Happy Holidays
Showing posts with label top ten. Show all posts
Showing posts with label top ten. Show all posts
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
10 Ways I've Become Korean This Year
1. I enthusiastically use scissors to cut up my food. Maybe it's not elegant but it's just so convenient.
2. I use phrases like "same same," "it is your privacy," and "Oh! Do you know?!?" in everyday conversation.
3. I am horrified by wearing shoes indoors. Unless, of course, they are indoor shoes.
4. I don't find it strange when five different students fall off their chairs during one class period.
5. I feel really guilty if I'm tired and want to leave the bar before the sun rises. "I'm so sorry guys, I just can't hang. It's 4 am and I really just need to go home."
6. If I can't get my way I resort to making long whining noises until people give in.
7. Forks feel kind of big and clumsy...
8. "I'd like a cop-ae latte please. Yes, that's right, a coppee"
"Let's drink a few Cass-uh and go to the dance-uh club."
"What time is it? Oh, let me check my watchee."
9. My next boyfriend will have to wear matching outfits with me, hold my purse when we go out, and stage dramatic parting scenes on the subway.
--and--
10. It's a holiday and that can only mean one thing: drink soju with your coworkers until someone is dancing with a fire extinguisher while a few others sing horrendous karaoke and someone gets sexually harassed. I forget... is this standard practice in America as well???
Happy Holidays!
2. I use phrases like "same same," "it is your privacy," and "Oh! Do you know?!?" in everyday conversation.
3. I am horrified by wearing shoes indoors. Unless, of course, they are indoor shoes.
4. I don't find it strange when five different students fall off their chairs during one class period.
5. I feel really guilty if I'm tired and want to leave the bar before the sun rises. "I'm so sorry guys, I just can't hang. It's 4 am and I really just need to go home."
6. If I can't get my way I resort to making long whining noises until people give in.
7. Forks feel kind of big and clumsy...
8. "I'd like a cop-ae latte please. Yes, that's right, a coppee"
"Let's drink a few Cass-uh and go to the dance-uh club."
"What time is it? Oh, let me check my watchee."
9. My next boyfriend will have to wear matching outfits with me, hold my purse when we go out, and stage dramatic parting scenes on the subway.
--and--
10. It's a holiday and that can only mean one thing: drink soju with your coworkers until someone is dancing with a fire extinguisher while a few others sing horrendous karaoke and someone gets sexually harassed. I forget... is this standard practice in America as well???
Happy Holidays!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
10 Things I'm Thankful for in Korea
better late than never.... here goes:
10. Being able to zone out or doodle during "meetings" at work and having a perfectly valid excuse (the meetings are in Korean)
9. No longer having to attend meetings at work because I just zone out while I'm there.
8. Being able to wear jeans and big comfy sweaters everyday to school, although I am not thankful that the school isn't heated.
7. Bibimbap - a big bowl of rice, vegetables, and spicy red paste available at nearly all Korean restaurants. Every vegetarian's best friend!
6. The old lady with the walker who I always pass on the way home from school. Every day she stops, gives me a huge grin, and starts speaking in Korea. I don't understand, so I just smile and say hello, but she never gives up.
5. My Friday third grade class. In the middle of a sea of inattentive, too cool, rowdy sixth grade classes, their enthusiastic little faces prevent me from having a break down.
4. Hongdae. Yes, I said it. I might be equally un-thankful for this nightlife hot spot, but those of you who know what I'm talking about, imagine life in Seoul without it...
3. Finally working up the courage to stop eating school lunch this semester. No, I don't like eating octopus tentacles and soup broth that's had beef (or who knows what) stewing in it all day. And unlike most Koreans I don't consider plain white rice and a side of kimchi a complete meal. I've come to terms with the fact that when you are permanently settled in a place, you can compromise between cultural immersion and personal well being.
2. Taiwan, Jeju, Tsushima, Thailand, the Philippines... Getting paid well in a secure job with great benefits - including ample vacation days.
and finally...
1. Taking a huge risk with the potential for colossal failure and ending up living a great adventure, making amazing friends, and loving it enough to stick around for another year.
10. Being able to zone out or doodle during "meetings" at work and having a perfectly valid excuse (the meetings are in Korean)
9. No longer having to attend meetings at work because I just zone out while I'm there.
8. Being able to wear jeans and big comfy sweaters everyday to school, although I am not thankful that the school isn't heated.
7. Bibimbap - a big bowl of rice, vegetables, and spicy red paste available at nearly all Korean restaurants. Every vegetarian's best friend!
6. The old lady with the walker who I always pass on the way home from school. Every day she stops, gives me a huge grin, and starts speaking in Korea. I don't understand, so I just smile and say hello, but she never gives up.
5. My Friday third grade class. In the middle of a sea of inattentive, too cool, rowdy sixth grade classes, their enthusiastic little faces prevent me from having a break down.
4. Hongdae. Yes, I said it. I might be equally un-thankful for this nightlife hot spot, but those of you who know what I'm talking about, imagine life in Seoul without it...
3. Finally working up the courage to stop eating school lunch this semester. No, I don't like eating octopus tentacles and soup broth that's had beef (or who knows what) stewing in it all day. And unlike most Koreans I don't consider plain white rice and a side of kimchi a complete meal. I've come to terms with the fact that when you are permanently settled in a place, you can compromise between cultural immersion and personal well being.
2. Taiwan, Jeju, Tsushima, Thailand, the Philippines... Getting paid well in a secure job with great benefits - including ample vacation days.
and finally...
1. Taking a huge risk with the potential for colossal failure and ending up living a great adventure, making amazing friends, and loving it enough to stick around for another year.
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