VII. 요즈음...

     At laaaaast. I finally received my gorgeous camera in the mail and have been putting myself to work. Please check out: http://yesyoureinvited.blogspot.com for the latest video update about my life in S. Korea :)

     In other news, I had a successful day at the Kyobo (bookstore chain in Korea) about a week ago. One purchase was this precious calendar. It came with flowers and a small vile. Anyway, I smiled at its cleverness, and price-tag of about $15, so of course I picked it up. In the States, something this adorable would arguably cost $30+. I love Korea. 

     My second purchase was a blank purple sketchbook. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it, but yesterday it all came together. While my students were taking their test, I was feeling youthful and put some life onto the cover of my sketchbook. Who says teachers can't doodle? Anyway, I clearly need to satisfy my drawing itch. Oh, and I love trees. And owls. 

     I'm working on a couple of paintings as well, but I'll post pics of those later... haha :)

XII. My first video blog...

Another tour of my apartment in Bundang, South Korea.
With my new camera :D

XI. You asked for it...

HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR!!!

At Aquana Resort with my cousins :)

      I have to admit, with this break coming up, I was a bit anxious, wondering how I was going to spend the Lunar New Year. Everyone was busy making plans and visiting family, and I had no idea what to do. Of course, this whole time, my Korean relatives were planning a surprise...
     I visited my relatives once and it was a semi-awkward experience. In no way did they make me feel as such, but I couldn't help it, considering that I couldn't speak the language. It was during Chuseok, the Korean Thanksgiving, so I was also overwhelmed with the people there. But this time it was different.          

     My trip started Sunday, when my uncle and his family drove 6 hours out of the way just to pick me up. We then spent a grueling 10 hours in a car, mostly because of bumper to bumper traffic. But you know, it wasn't bad at all. The first time I met my cousins, I hardly got to know them because of the chaos. But the trip forced us to get over the language barrier and get to know each other. I can honestly say I had an amazing time. I LOVE my uncle and his family. They are the coolest family ever. 

Hyun Soo, the eldest

Joon Suh, the most loving child

Hyun Suh, the happiest baby in the world

     We arrived at a waterpark called Aquana and essentially went straight to bed. The next day was the Lunar New Year. We celebrated by eating mandoo gook (dumpling soup) which is sooo delicious. Then we spend the day at the park. That night we drove back to my uncle's house.

     That night I was able to see my mother's sister (I'm in love with this woman) and her family. The next day I departed, showered with money and gifts. Oh, how I love Korean relatives ;)

With my Waesookmo (Uncle's wife)

With my aunt and her beautiful daughter

      Overall, I had an incredible time. I was nervous, but my relatives treated me beyond well. This has been the first time (in Korea) that I've experienced love and generosity way beyond what I expected. It literally brought tears to my eyes. I was so blessed. I hope I can see them again, soon, and repay them for their kindness. :)

  

VI. A thing for you

After going to a norae-bang (kareoke room) in Korea, I can truly appeciate this. 

V. Homesick

      This place is called Nature Poem, which is a building of galleries (mostly modern) in Seoul, South Korea. A place that I hope to visit very soon. See, I'm starting to get very homesick. Not just for the people I care about, but for culture. Trust me, I know how weird that sounds.

      One great thing about living so close to DC is the numerous things you can do. When I moved from the smallest town of Valdosta, Ga straight to Northern Virginia, I was hit with culture shock, quite literally. I could have never imagined living in a place with so much history, with such an exchange of art and ideas. I fell in love with the galleries (notorious and hidden), the museums, the columned buildings, and the mixing bowl of ethnicities. Although Korea is becoming quite international, it doesn't feel like home.

      This site, though, shows promising direction if I'm headed towards things art or style related. Korea certainly has history down, with palaces boasting thousands of years older than our meager young capitol. But, I know where to look for those things. I need something fresh and new. I need to find people that will know what I'm talking about. 

      Overall, I need to get out more. Live, breathe, notice the things around me. When I walk to work, I find myself spending too much time looking at the ground. And that's a big no-no in my book.