Well Hello Again :)

Well...

I could say a lot has changed since the last time I blogged (can't even remember when that was...). But, that would be an understatement.

Now, I am living in Corvallis (that would be Oregon) again! Yay! I live with Kyle in this dis-gusting house (minus our bedroom, its super awesome!) Let me explain. We live with 5 other guys and we share our bathroom with two other ones, so obviously its pretty dingy. But, our room is very girly. With the city of Paris on one wall and Audrey Hepburn on the other. Very nice! And we have an office in the house too...which is completely country! John Deer posters, guns, camo...usually some redneck music blasting, ya know...but it all fits and I am happy.

What else has changed? I have a PUPPY! Barney! He is freaking adorable! He was a 2 year anniversary gift from Kyle! He is 8 months old and part Boston Terrier, part Pug and 100% cute! Except when he poops and pees on the floor, ruins the rug, barks all night....what can I say, he needs a tad more training. My anniversary gift back was Starwars Operation. Yeah we're pretty dorky, but he loved it, and I knew he would.

And I have a full-time job as a nanny! I moved here with five bucks in my pocket, less than a $100 in the bank, no job, no house...and within a week I had a full-time position and was paying rent at our house. So, I was pretty lucky! The kiddo is Mickey, he is one and pretty cute! Kind of like Barney though...he's cute when he isn't being baby destructo and screaming his face off, but even then I love my job!

So pretty much after a whirl wind of chaos fleeing Korea, returning to the wonderful US of A my life has settled. And now I feel like I am finally in the right place! I'll post pictures soon! And I'll sort of, kind of keep this blog up....if I have interesting things to post...maybe I'll take the idea behind Marley and Me and post funny Barney stories. We'll see...anyways for now, tootaloo! :)

Lovin' on America! :)

Hey everyone!

SO big question is what now? Well, since I have been back from Korea I have been soaking up the red, white and blue! I have eaten more veggies than the WHOLE time in Korea and have soaked up more sunlight too! I have played (and lost) at ENGLISH scrabble and had several PLEASANT conversations with strangers...ahh America!! Love it!!

As for my hagwon, well they threatened me....and haven't heard from them since. Goodbye and goodnight! I am so glad I am done with them! For everyone that maybe was in the same situation, legal action is just a threat, ignore it. I also said I knew my rights as of the labor board.

Anywhooo, now I am spending another month here and then jet-setting it to Corvallis! I cannot wait to see Kyle!! A year would have been FAR too long!! And then I am finding a job! And applying to grad school and running a marathon.

My half-marathon is in October and now I am at about three miles a day...by the time I leave (August 23rd) I want to be at 5 miles a day. That leaves about a month and a half for me to up it another eight miles in time for my half... I can do it though! I AM doing it!! And then in the spring: NEWPORT MARATHON! :)

Anyways I'll keep you updated!

PEACE! :)

The Next Chapter

Hi!

So, I decided to keep my blog going. It's like therapy and I love that! So here is what I have figured out, as of now (as far as life, no big deal). I am moving to Oregon. Back to Corvallis. Whether that be in two weeks or a month, by September I will be in Corvallis again. I am!

The last two days I have been applying to job after job. Everything and anything. I am hoping to find something before September. Then I will move up there, rent a room and set up camp. I feel like my whole life will be amazing then, I just love the West Coast, love Corvallis and love my friends...and Kyle! :)

Also this year I am running a marathon and starting with a half-marathon in Corvallis in October! So from now and until then, running is my new best friend! Its only 13ish miles, but I haven't run 10+ miles since last winter...so I need to really start busting it!

Anyways I am going to post lots of pictures, videos and keep everything super duper interesting! Hopefully you'll enjoy it! :)

What's a midnight run really like?

Okay so before I write this I should explain (for all y'all who don't already know...). A "Midnight Run" is a term used by ESL teachers in Korea...or maybe in Asia in general, but definitely in Korea. It refers to when you quit your job and leave without any notice. Usually you will leave on an evening (hence the name) or a weekend, I left on vacation. You also usually end up leaving bills or some sort of contract obligation behind. I left three weeks pay, so don't think I owe them anything.

Day #1:

Okay, so in preparation for my midnight run I looked up so many stories, blog entries, forum posts, comments about different midnight runs others have done. And now here I am running from Korea myself. So what is a midnight run really like?? Well, let me tell you...

So I am running tomorrow (okay so tomorrow in my time, by the time you read this I will already be in the U.S...I don't want to post it though, until I am for sure in the clear).

Today was my last day at work and I was just tired. Exhausted from being here. The kids were little s***s. And my co-workers...holy hell are they biatches. Especially my boss from New Zealand, not sorry I won't have to report to her anymore!

At the end of the day, my director (super nice woman, I am sorry I am screwing her over...) gave me all my documents to go get my ARC card. I told her I would get it done Thursday (I have only been here three weeks). I said Thursday because by that time I will be in the U.S.

I felt anxious and sweaty. My stomach hurt so bad I thought I could feel an ulcer pulsating. When I got the okay I rushed out of the office, pushing the elevator down button ten million times, and then the door shut button to avoid riding down with another one of my bosses. I ran to the nearest 7-11 and grabbed a chocolate bar...something to ease the nerves. But, it just made my stomach hurt worse. I read stuff about it being the most nerve racking experience ever, and it really is!

Then I went home and cleaned the house, blasted country music, and gathered all my clothes, folding them neatly. Country music definitely helped....I suggest it! :)

Luckily, my friend Andrea offered to help me pass the rest of the night. We went out (even though it was down pouring outside and flooding in the streets) and found some Mexican food. This made me feel better, yummy food and she calmed my nerves by saying exactly what friends should say...that all my worries were not going to happen and how excited I should be about going home!! Then I went back to my apartment.

Now I am at a cafe, because sitting in my apartment is just too nerve racking. I feel like I am James Bond or Jason Bourne. I know nothing bad will happen...nothing exciting. I am going to be nervous all day and then blah. Just the same, old ordinary thing...but knowing that doesn't help.

Now, I am planning on going back, turning on some good ol' "How I Met Your Mother" and taking some sleeping vitamins and just passing out....

I will keep writing this throughout tomorrow (although I won't post it until after obviously).

Goodnight! :)

Day #2:

So my alarm broke over the weekend, so I woke up late today. I was supposed to be up at 6:30, but was up at 7:20. I rushed out of the house, straightening the bed before I left. My bags were way heavier than I thought! I had to take elevators (even though I am so scared of them) and then had to have people help me...and even then I was drenched in sweat, out of breath and having the most difficult time managing all my bags!

I don't know how to take an airport bus, so I had to take the AIREX. I took Line 5 (purple) to Gimpo Airport and then the AIREX to Incheon Airport. The subway between Gimpo and Incheon is 3700 won. Then I found the most awesome breakfast buffet! It had eggs, pancakes, juice, cereal, french fries, fresh fruit, veggies, ketchup...toast...ahh it was amazing! After that I went down and found out I could check-in early! 7 hours early!!

I waited in line and the whole system went down...so I wait a lot more... and behind me was the girlfriend of Adam from Man Vs. Food...she is very pretty (came here to get a nose job) and definitely seems like a girl he would date.

When I finally dropped off my bags and headed to security, ten minutes later I was facing immigration. The ultimate showdown. I picked the nicest looking guy and stepped up. He did not ask questions about me not finishing my visa or me not having an ARC. Instead he just smiled, stamped my passport and waved me through.

Now, I am for-sure free! I am at my gate, waiting for the plane. I leave in two hours! I am not posting this till I get to the U.S. though... and at that same time I will e-mail my boss. Then I will ignore all of her replies, bask in the United States' sun, while I eat fresh fruit and veggies, speak English and breath in fresh air. Ahh so happy! :)

Day 4:

So I have been home 2 days. When I got in at midnight Eastern time I had a severe fever, had not slept for 29 hours, and had spent 17 hours on airplanes. I had lost all my baggage, been delayed twice and on the plane from Seoul to San Francisco (11 hours) the TVs were broken. PLus, the worst customer service I have ever received. Overall, I do not recommend United or Continental. And I definitely recommend sleeping, that's what caused my fever I think.

I also e-mailed my work. They e-mailed me back saying if I was not back in Korea by August 4th (the first day after vacation) they would sue. I told them I was not coming back, I knew my rights and that they should be kinder to the next person if they ever wanted to find a good replacement. I doubt they will actually sue, and I don't even think they can. So, I am not worried.

Now, I am applying for jobs in Corvallis and counting down the days till Kyle calls. Hopefully in a few months I will be well adjusted at a nice job, in a nice apartment, on the West Coast, spending weekends with Kyle. That would be the perfect ending! :)

Oh and I think I will change the name of this blog, but keep it going. I really like blogging, and even if no one reads it, I like writing it. So, stayed tuned (if you are tuned in in the first place) for more blogs! :)

Reflections

So right now I am sitting at a cafe across from my apartment, just so that I can soak up some human interaction. Nope I am not here with anyone, I am sitting alone, but seeing people and hearing people is just like a drug for me! I need it! It sucks when your only friend is Barney from How I Met Your Mother...and he is accompanied by annoying Korean subtitles. :/ I miss my friends, especially Bethany, Amy, Randi, Courtney and Lili. I miss Kyle too. But, that is a whole 'nother story.

Anyways, I am sitting here reflecting on my life. Kind of much for a Friday night. But, I am 22 and in the last five years have lived in Slovakia, Biddeford, ME, Cleveland, OH, Corvallis, OR and Seoul, South Korea. What does that say about me? That I can change? That I am brave? I don't think so...

Right now I am hating change. I would rather be in the same old apartment I lived in for the last year, or Kyle's room in which I lived in the last two months than here. Am I brave? Well, I am living in a city of ten million people and am scared s***less and have never felt more alone. So again, I would say not.

Kyle says he loves that I never give up. But, I am pretty close to giving up on Korea... have I changed? I don't know. I have hit a crossroads in my life and I just don't know where to go next...

I don't think Korea is for me. I think right now what I need is stability. Korea is very mobile. Kyle is stable, my parents are stable, my friends...stable. I just want that, I want that sameness.

I really miss writing papers (Kyle would cringe), but I love it. Maybe school IS in my future...

One thing I know for sure is that I HATE being alone. I cannot do it. I miss people, talking, cuddling, sleepovers, girly movies, Indian dinners, oh and PANCAKES!! Will moving to Ohio fix this?

I don't know... pancakes, Indian dinners, cuddling - all in Oregon. Parents, family, job, money - all in Ohio. So what to do? I guess I have no options now. Right now, I HAVE to go to Ohio. But, how long that will last I don't know...

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE my family!! I don't know where or who I would be without them! They give me strength constantly and are my number one support system. I just am so lucky to have my parents...they love me so much and would do anything for me. Yet, I feel like I am a ball of yarn. Maybe the center of my yarn is in Ohio, with my family. But, there is definitely quite a few strings in Oregon, Korea, Maine and Slovakia (among other places) and I just don't know which strings I need to cut off and which ones I need to chase down....

The second day I was here I met a girl that God definitely brought into my life. I was on the train to church and she was too. We had similar stories, and she said she just knew that God brought here for a reason. At that I almost cried, because I felt the SAME way! It was - perfect. And now I have to ask - why? Why am I here and what is next? I just don't know... but I cannot wait to be home and for Kyle to get out of OCS. I need my partner back, and I need my friends.

I need to figure out where to next. I just feel like I cannot do it alone. And I know I am not alone, but in Seoul, the city with 10 MILLION people... quoting an earlier statement, I have never felt MORE alone...

Lazy Saturday (and Sunday)

Hi Y'all...

Still hating on Korea! But, my weekend wasn't bad. I spent Saturday searching for an English bookstore and bought some awesome cheap used books! The bookstore was in Itaewon and called "What the Book?". The books were all $5 a piece! I bought Dean Koontz "Velocity" and three Jodi Piccoult books. If I am going to survive in this little apartment, all alone I need some company, hello fictional friends!

Then I met up with Andrea and ate some Middle Eastern food...yum!! Falafel for the win!! Here is the restaurant (wait can't find my camera cord, so I guess I'll edit them in later...)

I also picked up a Hanbok for my NEW niece! SO excited, yup I am going to have a NIECE!! Due in November!!! I cannot wait to dress her up!! Prepare yourself Amy and Jason, this "cool" Aunt is getting ready!

Today, I went to Hongdae and tried to find this ice cream waffle place, and failed epically... so then I came back and ran to this American who lives nearby. We took an hour walk to Gimpo airport, and he showed me around. In the end I ended up eating these Korean dough ball things, with spicy food inside (really I have no clue what they were...) and french fries, oh and a blueberry McFlurry, which was WAY too sweet and syrupy! Yay for healthy food! Lol

Then I Skyped with my momma for an hour and now I am watching crappy American TV (gotta love MTV reality shows, I can almost forget I am in Korea...)

Anyways, another 9 hour day tomorrow taking care of the rascals, night world! :)

Crap, Crap, Crap

So, Korea...yeah not really liking it.

Here's my rundown. I am supposed to live within 5 minutes walking of my school with other foreign teachers. I live at the end of a subway line, 30 minutes by train from school all alone. No one around, its a super sketch area! The other day a guy was peeing in my hallway (and it was in the middle of the evening, not early a.m., not late at night!). Oh p.s. I have cockroaches (yipee). Oh and my light doesn't work, I have holes in the walls and my stove...not really there...

I cannot eat here, because there isn't really a way cook anything, and I am scared of attracting more bugs, so I have been living off bakeries near by (Dunkin Donuts you are my hero)!

At school things are ok...the kids are exhausting, but adorable! My co-workers are super unfriendly though! They only care about business...I talked to my head teacher about how uncomfortable I was at my apartment and she said "this is Korea, deal with it" and then I told her how lonely I was and she said "don't expect to have friends, go home at night, sleep and then come back to work and concentrate on your job"...she said more, but that is basically the gist of it.

Andrea, a girl I met on spring break, is here researching and I hang out with her sometimes. But, she lives on the other side of town and whenever we meet up it takes us 30-40 minutes to get to a meeting point.

But, the other day we met up with a Korean student at Yonsei and we had some yummy cold noodles (although they were in this odd soup thing with hard boiled eggs and some had raw beef too...). And then we went to this other place and had some pie. Korean pie is pretty different too, it is really cold and hard (we had apple and pumpkin cheesecake). But, the best part about this pie place is that with the pie I had a hot chocolate iced, which was super duper amazing!!!

The noodle restaurant

Andrea, Andrea's Korean friend Annika and I at the pie place

My iced hot chocolate!! :)

And then Thursday we went to see Harry Potter (a day before the U.S., haha suckers!) and that was pretty awesome! There were more foreigners than Koreans (HP is really unpopular in Korea) and the theater was very empty (and it was the first day, crazy!!) The movie theater was so cheap too! For $5 I bought a large pop and carmel corn (you get the choice between carmel corn and popcorn, awesome!) and then we had this killer Indian food!

So basically, the last week had been pretty terrible, with some minor happy moments. I really hate Korea, and I hate my apartment and I dislike my co-workers...but I love Andrea (too bad she is leaving in a couple weeks...).

Also to add,

The reasons I dislike Korea in general are: air pollution, you cannot breath! its so gross, the river here is like poop-colored brown! Disgusting! You can't drink it (it being water) and I am always so dehydrated! Also, it rains all the time and the sun never shines! Then Koreans are very introverted, will not speak to you (especially if you are a foreigner) and will just completely ignore you.! Also it smells really bad here! And the food yeah, I need something more than carbs!

And about photos, I haven't been really in the mood to capture my daily life, but I have some, here's a few. I think I will take pictures of my students next week.

Squats suck!

In conclusion, I am ready to go home and I have only been here a week...to quote the title: crap, crap, crap