Christmas plans

Christmas is almost here!  I'm extremely excited for break.  

1.  I need it. 

2. It's one of the few breaks that we actually get, so might as well take advantage of it.  

3. It's Christmas and New Year combined into one break.

4. I'm going to North Sumatra, Indonesia to jungle trek!!!!  

I'm most excited for my jungle trek.  I finally get to see one of my favorite animals in the wild.  Can't ask for a better vacation.  I am strictly going to see the "Red Ape", known as the orangutan.  Indonesia is the only place that the orangutan still roams wild.  There are only 6,000 left in the wild and they are all in Indonesia.  Orangutans could be extincted in less than 10 years.  What amazes me most about these creatures is the fact that they are so similar to humans and that their DNA is 97% related to ours.  How can you not love them?  I will be trekking in the jungle for 4 days 3 nights.  I will be staying in a tent and eating food that is cooked over a fire.  I am excited to get in touch with nature and be able to really take in the "wild".  I will also travel to another area and ride elephants through the jungle.  I see this as good and bad.  Elephants shouldn't be used as our personal entertainment, but what they are doing with this program is using the elephant treks by looking out for illegal logging.  That is the biggest problem in Indonesia and the reason why orangutans could be extinct in LESS than 10 years.  The countdown begins, only 10 more days till I am on my flight to Indonesia...       

Tension is high.

As most of you know, N. Korea just bombed a S. Korean island.  Tension is high between the two Koreas and with that being said, I'm a little scared to say the least.  Yes, I know that America will back up S. Korea no matter what, but that still doesn't mean a war couldn't happen.  America now has a naval ship coming from Tokyo to S. Korea to practice naval drills.  That could cause tension for the North.  China is also believed to support the south, which could make the north very upset causing them to do more damage.  North Korea supposedly just build another plant that produces atomic bombs.  Also, it is being said that Kim-Jong il was showing his youngest son just how powerful he can be when he rules N. Korea.

For the first time I am affected directly by two countries tension between each other.  I care about the result of this outcome and for once I do not feel safe.  I trust that Obama will do the right thing and that all the other countries involved will do as well.  I wish that the media would not exaggerate what is happening and give it to us straight forward.  Currently, the best thing for me right now is to stay out of the current news.  It scares me and brings the reality of it coming true, that much closer.  It also scares me that I am only 25 minutes from the N. Korean border.  I know the tension between the countries is always high, but the north took it way too far this time...  

Everland.

Yesterday we went to an amusement park in Korea called Everland.  It was so much fun.  The only disappointment was the fact that it only had one big roller coaster.  The other rides were spinning rides, bumper cars, a lame haunted house, and a safari.  They also had a parade every so often throughout the park.  It was a little weird and I didn't really understand why the parade was happening.  Maybe for Halloween?  Who knows!  The one roller coaster that is there is known to be the steepest wooden coaster in the world.  It's a 70 degree drop.  Gosh was it scary the first time.  We went on it twice because it was so much fun!  They also had quite a lot of animals at the park as well.  Almost like a mini zoo.  The animals they had were monkeys, primates, lions, liger (tiger and lion cross), elephants, giraffes, polar bears, penguins, sea lions, and snakes.  Almost every animal that you can find at a zoo you could find here.  It was very sad actually.  They had so many animals in one cage and hardly any space for them to even walk or exercise and their cages were very plain.  The animals had no mental stimulation what so ever.  Usually at zoos when there is a baby animal it's a big deal, and they advertise for the public to come see it.  There were so many baby animals in the cages with all of the adults that it wasn't a big deal if you did see a baby monkey or a baby kangaroo.  There were baby giraffes, baby penguins, and baby bats.  It was sad.  It was almost like they weren't controlling the population at the zoo.  All of the cages were over crowded as well.  Then we went on this "safari" ride, where you got to ride in a bus and it took you in this wooded area with the tigers, lions, and bears.  Of course they were all in different sections.  It was neat, but it was very strange at the same time.  The bus driver was having the bears jump up on the bus and would feed the bears when they would do tricks.  Very strange to say the least.  Then as we walk past the polar bear cage they are letting the public throw pieces of chicken into the water for the polar bears to get.  I did not take part because I do not condone such behavior.  It was unbelievable to let the public be feeding the animals.  When I saw that, I realized that is why so many Koreans feed the animals.  I have been to the Zoo here as well, and if the cage is close enough you are guaranteed to see a Korean giving chips or some sort of food to the animals.  It's the most bizarre thing I have ever seen!  My overall conclusion is that the Zoo animals in America are living an excellent life compared to the animals in Korea!      

Lake Park.

I went speed walking in Lake Park this evening.  The weather is starting to feel more like Fall, which I enjoy.  Walking in Lake Park is so refreshing after a long day of work.  Plug in the head phones and walk around the lake which is about 2 miles.  Tonight I had complications with my laundry once again.  I seem to always mess it up.  I just need to find one setting and stick with it. This time I selected a setting where it didn't pre-dry my clothes at least a bit, therefore it left them soaking wet. Everyday can be a challenge over here.  

It's been a while.

It has been quite a while since I have posted.  I stayed in Korea during my summer vacation and went to a beach town called Busan.  I could not get a visa in time in order to go to China.  I have been in Korea now for two months.  I can not believe it.  It has flown.  Before I know it, the year will be gone.  I'm adjusting to the culture a lot better now and starting to like work more and more.  I have started to learn Korean because the language barrier is too great.  I need to know some basic words in order to get around.  It is a challenge everyday I'm in Seoul, because if I'm lost it's up to me to find the way.  Asking people gets you no where because of the language barrier.  It's frustrating from time to time, but I have learned to over come it and now I'm sort of use to it.  I'm still getting sick constantly due to the air quality.  About every two weeks I'm sick.  :(   Hopefully I will be able to go 3-4 weeks without getting sick.  It's still extremely hot here and I can not wait till Fall.  Something everyday still surprises me, so I'm not completely use to everything.  I have a field trip this Friday with my kindergarten class and we are going to see Peter Pan the musical.  I'm quite excited for it.  It will be in Korean, but it should be fun to hang out with my little 6 yr olds all day.  Babysitting for a day, can't complain.  Well I'm going to try to keep this up to date a little more often than what I have.  Till then, I'm out....    

The weekend is almost here

I really don't understand the trash system here.  You must buy trash bags within your neighborhood and the trash bags are about the size of walmart bags.  I just do not understand how you are suppose to fit your trash in bags that are so small???  There is a food/compost bag the size of a jewelry bag.  It's a little different but I guess I will get use to it.  I have some plans for the weekend, which include going to the clubs in Hongdae and the big pool party in Itaewon.  Super excited.  The weekends though are waaaaay too short. Wish they were a little longer, but o well.  I still have yet to plan my summer vacation.  My summer vacation is the last week in July.  Not sure what I'm doing yet, but hopefully I will be able to go to China!  :)

Sunday Funday

Sunday I went to Lake Park which is a park with a huge lake by my apt.  I rode my bike around the lake which was 2.1 miles.  I saw some people walking on rocks and it happened to be a rock garden.  Everyone takes off there shoes and walks on different shaped rocks to relief stress.  It was interesting and a lot of fun.  I got bit up from mosquitoes.  They are really bad here.  I also went back to Itaewon and discovered that a hotel in downtown Itaewon has a pool party every weekend.  Illan and I will be going back there this weekend to jump in.  Can't wait!  Looked like spring break in the middle of the city.  Monday I met up with my Korean friends that I met at BSU.  We just had to eat at Uno's (Chicago style pizza)!  Yummy!  It was really fun to see them all once again.  We already have plans to meet up this weekend and hang out.  My weekends are definitely going to be packed, because my days are so long with no time to ever do anything besides come home and cook dinner, then bed.  It's already Tuesday.  The days fly here when your at work all the time.

Culture Shock

Today I went to downtown Seoul to do a little sight seeing.  I went to Itaewon which is the international area within Seoul.  That is where I got the pictures from.  My two favorite countries!  :)  They had every fast food place from back home, including Cold Stone Creamy...haha.  It was a little crazy.  Many westerners were there as well.  Felt a little bit like New York City you could say.  As I was riding the subway back home a woman motions me to give her my purse and slowly starts to grab for it.  She was sitting down and I was standing, so I gave it to her not knowing what would happen.  I had seen another woman before me do the same thing.  So I felt semi ok about it.  She ends up just holding it for me so that I didn't have to, since she was sitting.  The woman standing next to me had to get off and grabs her purse from the lady, bows, and off she goes.  It was very interesting.  I then found a seat and she gave me my purse back, and I bowed.  Bowing has become a natural thing for me now.  It was very interesting, but a little weird all at the same time. 

Now that I am back in my apt. I can definitely tell that the air is not the cleanest.  I feel like I was smoking all day.  I have a raspy throat and I smell like smog, if you could say.  It's so humid too, that you could probably drink the water.  haha.  The air here sucks, thats for sure.  It's more or less about when will I get sick!   

Bars in Korea

Last night I went out to the bars here in Ilsan City for the first time.  I also had dinner which was nice.  Dinner was interesting but really fun.  We all cooked on top of a grill at our table and cooked our own meet.  We all just share what is on the grill and eat off of it.  Gosh did I have a time using chop sticks.  The wood chop sticks are easier than the metal ones, thats for sure.  The food was quite good.  Lots of meat!  If your vegetarian, good luck in Korea, so I have heard.  To go to the bathroom in restaurants and bars you must ask for the toilet paper. Then go to a bathroom that is usually outside in a hallway where all the other patrons of bars and restaurants go as well.  It's odd, but I got use to it through out the night.  At least your always guaranteed toilet paper!  Luckily the walk from my place to the bars is only about 15 minutes.  But overall it was a fun night, and I'm just going to have to stop thinking everything is so different and just go with the flow, otherwise it's going to be one difficult year!

Supermarket

Yesterday I had my first day of work.  I just shadowed the teacher I'm replacing and got to know some of the students.  It was a lot of fun, and I really think I'm going to enjoy my job.  The only downfall is the day is SUPER long from 9-7:30pm.  It goes by fast, but towards the end you are tired.  The kids keep you on your toes all the time.  I teach ages 6-11 all through out the day.  I am still trying to get use to Korean food.  I went to Home Plus last night which is sort of like a Walmart and gosh that can be one frustrating task to accomplish.  Everything is written in Korean (obviously) and to ask someone to help they can't even understand you.  At least when I was in Sweden they could all understand and speak English.  People can't even understand when I ask them "Do you speak English?".  I was so stressed by the end of my trip to the supermarket.  I had to go down every aisle just to find stuff because I had no idea where anything was.  I happen to run upon this guy and asked him if he spoke English, and he happened to be Korean-American.  I was like thank god!  So he showed me around the supermarket and helped me get the things I needed.  I was very thankful to say the least.  Today I must go back to Home Plus to get more things.  With city living you can't buy too many things at once because of all the bags that you have to carry back to the apt.  Well off to another day of work.

Made it!

I have finally made it to Korea.  My first day of work starts today.  I am a little nervous to say the least, but ready for the challenge.  I am so jetlag still because it is 5:30am and I am already up.  Can't sleep.  Hopefully I will be able to make it all the way through the day today.  My studio apt. is awesome.  It's a lot bigger than I thought it would be and nice things as well.  I live right above businesses and on the main street.  I live in Ilsan City which is 45 min. north of Seoul.  It's a big city to say the least.  Bigger than Chicago.  I am definitely living the city life and love it.  :)   I can't really figure out the air yet.  I can't tell if it is smog or if it is just really hazy.  haha..Definitely has a weird smell here that I am going to have to get use to.  I got to see the mens soccer team come home from the world cup.  There plane landed right next to ours and every girl in Korea was waiting for them to come out of the plane.  Right when I was walking by they all started coming.  I didn't really care to say the least.  haha.  Well I guess I am going to start getting ready for my first day!!  
 

Korea here I Come! :)

I have finally got a job in South Korea teaching English as a second language.  I am extremely excited to begin.  I will be teaching 7-9 year olds.  I will be teaching in Ilsan City which is about 40 minutes north of Seoul.  I leave June 24th for Seattle for my training.  Two days later I will be on a plane to Seoul.  Like I said, I am super excited.    

Home.

I went home this past weekend to go back for a graduation party.  It was two friends from high school that were graduating college.  It was tons of fun.  Going back home this past weekend made me really realize how much I actually love the town Ross, OH even though sometimes it feels tiny with no culture or even diversity.  I grew up there and I can say I really appreciate the fact that I did.  I love all of my old friends still and even though we do get older and take different paths, doesn't mean you need to stop being friends.  It also made me question where I really want to end up in life too.  I enjoy being able to kick back and be in the country side, with a back yard and look out and see fields.  I live in an apartment complex at school and living in apartment you get no backyard.  The closest thing I get to feeling at home is the pool at the complex.  I miss the grass, trees, openness, and just being able to jump on a 4-wheeler and ride and get dirty.  Well for now I'm stuck in an apartment...

Indy/Figuring out life

I went to Indy this weekend once again.  Talk about another amazing time.  I really didn't know how great that city can be.  Maybe it was because I was with good people as well.  We just went to barbecues and bars.  A lot of fun.  We talked about the awkward stage; going from a student to your first "job".  It's hard when you rely on your parents so much financially to finally break loose from that.  Landing the "first job" is hard, and scary when you start to think that you will need to make so much, because of bills.  I'm glad I at least have an idea on what I want to do and am working towards that.  Asia here I come....      

Looking for a job

It's funny on how when you are looking for a job and it starts to get a little difficult you almost become more open to the idea of jobs that you would not have thought of before.  Or look for jobs that never interest you before, but now that you are getting desperate you will take it, just for the sake of having a job.  I am now currently looking for jobs in Taiwan as well.  Would I have ever thought of looking for jobs in Taiwan?  Well, no, but at the same time, the idea is not so bad.  I'm so open to what lies ahead, that I'm positive whatever job I will get, I will be satisfied.  I have no attachments, and it will be my first job in the real world.  I want to hit the ground running in whatever life throws at me!!!   

Graduation

I just graduated college!  It was so much fun and I can't believe it is over.  My cousin, aunt, and uncle came up for the ceremonies as well.  It is scary to think that it is now all over.  My first job will hopefully be in South Korea teaching English to kids.  I'm still working on the applications and hopefully will be there by late June or July.  I feel weird thinking that now I have to plan what I will do next, where before I just knew come August I would have school again.  Now I need to make plans for every month and every step I take from here on out.  Little nervous to say the least!!!  

School is coming to an end.

School is coming to an end and my graduation is right around the corner.  I'm finishing up my final audio project and have the showcase for it tomorrow.  I'm excited on how it's turning out!  This past weekend we celebrated Valborg in the states, which was so fun.  My aunt and uncle are coming to town this weekend to celebrate my graduation.  Stressed with the everything going on and trying to get things done.  It's a lot since it's at the end of the semester.  Well Saturday May 8th, 2010 is the big day!!!  I CAN'T WAIT!!!  :)  Life will begin...

The weekend is coming...

Valborg is this Friday!!!  :)  I'm celebrating it on Saturday with a whole bunch of my friends.  I cannot wait!  It's going to be so much fun.  I will need this weekend in order to make it through finals week.  This week has been nothing but projects, tests, and papers.  I'm so over the pressure of school.  I'm glad I will be done within a week.  EKKK, I'm graduating, even scarier!  At least I have a plan though.  I will be heading for South Korea in the summer to teach English.  So I'm really excited for what lies ahead.  After that hopefully I can get a job somewhere in Europe.  We will see where I end up in the next five years.  Hard to say with my desire to country hop every year!  :)

Interview

I just had my interview for teaching English in South Korea.  I think it went well.  The only downfall was that I didn't have experience with kids.  Lets hope my abroad experience will shine through that, and they will still accept me.  I will keep everyone posted on how the results turn out.  I hope to hear within a few days on how the interview went.  I really hope I get the job.  I'm getting nervous now, more than anything.  Especially with graduation in 3 weeks.  My fingers are crossed!  :)

Ball State Ass Slapper

The Ball State Ass Slapper sure has made a name for himself.  If you don't know what I'm talking about, it's about a guy who slapped two girls on the ass, and well the funny thing was Ball State thought that needed an emergency email notification warning students about the ass slapper!  REALLY???  Emergency!!!  I don't think so!  Now the Ass Slapper is known nationwide.  CNN and ABC News ran a story on it.  Really because the fan page currently has 12,000 people within less than a week.  Pretty good for a school that is out in the cornfields!  I also just ordered my t-shirt that will say BSAS: Slappin ass on the way to class since April 7th, 2010.  Here is the BSAS song that someone has created as well.  Honestly it has gotten too be a little ridiculous but it's fun!

 BSAS song  

An anthropologists take on things

I'm currently reading a book for my Anthro 111 class called "The White Man Will Eat You!"  I just started the book, but within the first chapter 'Culture Shock' I can really relate to it.  The book goes on about how some people find that the culture shock is greater when returning to your home country.  As James Peoples and Garrick Bailey note, "deep immersion into other sociocultural systems leaves some of us unsure about our attachment to our own."  I spent 10 months in Sweden, and yes I know that is not long enough to really understand the entire culture, but I definitely feel that it had a great impact on me.  And sometimes I really do wonder if I have completely adjusted back to the American culture.  At times I still believe I'm in Europe, and that the laws are the same here.  As my good friend Jose likes to tell me a lot "You redneck, we are in America!"  =)  There isn't a day that goes by where I don't think about Sweden/Europe for just a split second...           

Some people should not be driving

Yesterday I was on McGalliard Rd. when traffic came to a sudden halt.  Why?  Because an old woman was driving down the road the wrong way!  Then she tries to back up into a street so she could turn herself around, but while doing that she almost backs her car into the ditch.  I felt bad for her, but at the same time people that old do not need to be driving!  It's dangerous to the rest of the public! 

Let the sun shine.

It's such a beautiful day out today.  I have to volunteer today at the animal shelter and am really excited to do it.  It will be a great afternoon to take dogs for a walk!  Tonight I will be going to Dill St., but I do believe it might be my last Wednesday of going out due to the semester coming to an end in May.  So much stuff to do, and so much stuff I have put off till the last minute!  You gotta love procrastination.  This weekend I'm heading to see David Guetta and I can't wait.  Going to Chicago to see him, again!!!  :)   After this weekend, it's crack down on homework!  :(    

Spring Break

Spring Break was this past week and I went home for it.  It was still a lot of fun.  Spent time with the family and enjoyed doing nothing but lounging.  At least I know that I didn't spend money just drinking and partying.  Have to look on the bright side!  :)  Tomorrow school starts again.  Not looking forward to the last half of school.  All I have to say is it's going to be busy.  Projects are due, end of the year coming up, figuring out plans for after school, and just a lot of papers and projects.  Going to be busy.  I am looking forward to this Wednesday though.  ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!!  :)  Then Muncie Gras this Saturday, which is Muncie's "Mardi Gras".  That should be a lot of fun.  My cousin will be coming up for that, so I'm really excited!  Then a week after that I have a wedding to go to in Atlanta, GA!  Pumped for that!!!  :)  Well let the last weeks of school start...

Global Warming

After the earthquake in Chile it really makes you think about global warming.  Two big earthquakes within the past 2 months.  We also had some of the worst winters in history in many countries this year.  And still many cities are still recovering from all the snow damage.  I just think people should look back on these past couple of months and really realize that maybe global warming is serious, and we should start taking precautions, rather than making excuses and saying it's not real.  I'm also very glad that Hummers will no longer be made!  They are just gas guzzling machines that people buy for status.  And please everyone, use reusable bags when you shop!!!

Reduce, reuse, & save   

Seriously?

Last night I went to the Dill St. bar in my college town and my jacket got stolen!  It was my nice winter jacket and my only winter jacket.  All I can say is glad winter is almost over!  But seriously why do people have to steal people's jackets?  Get your own!  Everyone leaves their jackets on chairs while we all dance, and mine gets stolen.  It was even underneath my friend's jacket!  Hopefully it will show up, or I see someone wearing it!  I will say something if I see someone wearing it.

Muncie Taxi's

Saturday night we all decided to party at my apt. which is about a 7 minute drive from the bars, so we decided to call a taxi in order to get there.  We called at 9:45 and by 11 still no cab.  Let me remind you that we called in between asking where the cab was.  By midnight we still had no cab at the apt.  Never take a Muncie cab.  They tell you, just another 15 mins. and they will be there.  Well I don't know what they meant by 15 mins. but it definitely was not 15 mins according to a clock.  Thank goodness my roommate was sober and drove us all to the bars.  But seriously never take a cab.  Service should not be that bad in such a small town!!!

Halt.

Why does job hunting have to be so stressful and time consuming?  I find myself going towards so many different directions when it comes to job searching.  I want to go abroad but have no idea what country.  I'm currently leaning towards South Korea to teach english.  I would like to get a job in Europe but I don't have a second language.  :(   Hopefully this lack of motivation won't last too long!!!

Snowmobiling

So today I was riding home on the MITS bus when I saw someone snowmobiling, and it reminded me of Sweden, when I went to Kiruna and went snowmobiling.  How I miss Sweden.  Glad we have a lot of snow, but also glad that it won't last till April like it did in Karlstad!   

Snow in All 50 States

For the first time in recorded history there is snow on the ground in all 50 states.  I must say that it's pretty astonishing and makes you wonder how our environment has changed over the years?!?!  Snow is currently falling in FLORIDA!!!  Seems crazy to have snow in all of the states at one time.  Maybe we should take global warming a little bit more serious than we have previously.  Never would think that would happen, but then again never say never! 

TSA

I get the Daily Candy everyday or every other day in my email and today they were talking about a website that only sold TSA products.  Everything from creams to shampoo.  I must say if I travel again by plane I might think about ordering from the website.  Order right before you go.  I don't know how many times I try to fit my favorite lotion into a smaller bottle but end up having half of it all over the table. So really check out the website!

TSA Products

BGSU

This past weekend I went to visit my sister at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio.  Her birthday was Feb. 4th, so we celebrated her birthday.  It was great fun.  I'm so surprised on how rural it was in the town.  Nothing really to do, besides party!  :)   The bars were really fun, and had great night life.  The house party was fun as well.  Overall had a wonderful time, despite the fact that Friday we were stuck inside due to the snow storm!

Plenty of fish

It's from an old Motown song...

There's too many fish in the sea,
There's short ones, tall ones,
Fine ones, kind ones,
There's too many fish in the sea.

A quote I found online...
"A man's rejection is God's protection"  --love it!  :)

Chat Roulette

I came across this virtual chat room when speaking with my sister.  She had mentioned that she had tried it, so I gave it a go.  Basically its a chat room, but only one-on-one and you use your webcam/audio to talk with the other person.  Sometimes the audio doesn't work and you can only see them, but they have text where you can type as well.  If you don't like the person on the other side of the camera, you hit next.  It's kindof like the TV show on MTV: Next!  Of course you get those creepers who are on the webcam, but mostly its legit people and people that are relatively college age.  Last night I was on and was speaking with 2 boys from London who were smoking pot and drinking while they were speaking with me.  It's quite fun.  I say give it a try, you have nothing to lose!!

Chatrt.com  

Stressed

Its been a while since I have last written a post.  I'm so stressed at the current moment.  I have been applying for jobs abroad for when I graduate in May and really hope to land one here by this coming March.  Still have no idea what I'm exactly going to do, or what country I will end up in.  The semester is flying by and I miss my best friend that use to be here last semester.  :(    Can't believe it's almost February.  I'm going to Bowling Green State University next weekend to visit my sister for her birthday!  Should be tons of fun.  I'm really looking forward to it.  Other than that, nothing else has really been going on...

New Years

So for New Year's Eve I went to Sweden.  I had to go back!  It was a lot of fun, and so great to see old friends.  At the same time it also made me realize that maybe I wasn't missing Sweden itself, but more the people.  I went back to Karlstad and yes, I had so much fun, but at the same time it was sad because some of my friends were either gone because they were international students or were still home on winter break.  I'm still trying to decide if I would like to apply for jobs in Sweden, or stick to my South Korea plan.  Still have not decided and time is running out.  I really need to start applying for jobs this month in order to secure a job after graduation.  Let's hope I can get one!