Crying Baby

It's the time to say bye to everyone. I have experienced so many times of separation, but I never learn how to deal with my emotions when it happens. I thought I was a big big girl. Francis said my laugh was so distinguishing that he would never forget me. Jemin and Ghi-Young laughed at me being a baby. I am a silly, little crying baby, but I don't regret the relationships that I built with my friends. I love what I have. Laugh hard and cry hard.

Separation Anxiety

I have been going out in the past few days, trying to farewell every single friend I have met in Korea. Jiyuen and I met again on Saturday in Gangnam. I wasn't energetic at all, feeling exhausted and sad. If I had one more chance, I would take lots of pictures with her before we said bye. Bye is never good. When will we meet again, and where? Endless waiting. My Hongkongese friends and I went to Demilitarized Zone of Korea on Sunday. I wish I could have seen North Korea, but the rain and fog ruined my dream. Eun Byung finally agreed to see me again before my departure on Sunday night. Vanda joined us to a Japanese restaurant. Eun Byung always makes fun of me no matter what I do, but something in him inspires me. You may say I am a masochist. Kidding! More hanging out and drinking on Monday and Tuesday. I have no idea how I survived with this exhausted body. Separation with friends is sad. Saying bye for the last time is hard. I don't know how I will survive broken hearted.

Let's Get Drunk

It's the last day of summer school in Korea. Everybody went out at night to drink, including me and my friends. So Ju (Korean beer) tastes sweet so people don't realize they are drunk when they drink a lot. My face turned red after a bowl of So Ju, and people said I was drunk. I AM NOT DRUNK! I yelled. Most Koreans are heavy drinkers. A suggestion from me is never toast with Koreans, or you are gonna be dead. A funny story of tonight was that a cute, foreign stranger came to me for direction to a bubble tea shop and he ended up drinking with us. My friends said I was random and weird because no people in Korea would ask a stranger to tag along for alcohol. I guess I am just not that Korean. It's okay, Oklahomans are like that. I had so much fun today, having a farewell dinner with classmates and drinking beer with friends. What is life? That's life. Smiley! If you found any typos or problems in this blog, please forgive me. My head is heavy...

The Final Week in Korea

After having that fun night with a few friends at the coffee shop, I had been suffering from insomnia until last night. I guess the coffee in Korea is very different, sweeter, more caffeine, and more powerful sleep killer. I'd learned my lesson. On the last two days of summer school, we have one presentation and paper due. Our group paper is almost done, now it's my turn to get this solo presentation ready to go. Wish me luck! Approaching the end of my trip, I would love to spend my last Saturday in North Korea. Precisely, the edge of North Korea. Serious face. Some of the foreign students want to sign up for the tour in the Demilitarized Zone of Korea, and yes, I am one of them. I guess it's always my dream to visit the place where my grandpa used to live. Unfortunately, DMZ is the closest I can reach. I really hope they don't reject my tour application. Finger crossed.

Something Like That

The aquarium and Kimchi Museum in the COEX mall were too expensive for entry, my friends and I then decided to do something more worthwhile, going to a car exhibition. I love cars, especially Volkswagen made, but my friends told me that the purpose of going to a car exhibition was to see the sexy human models with short skirts. Speechless. We regretted that we didn't spend too much time there, but the fun coming after made our day more enjoyable. Our friend, Boram, joined the gang later in the afternoon. We first went to a traditional Korean restaurant and had a traditional Korean meal, and then stopped by a coffee shop. We had small talks over many things, secret admirers, fish balls, families, etc. I now believe it doesn't matter where we go or what we do, but who we are hanging out with. Friends are the ones who you laugh with, joke with, and make fun of. My trip in Korea is so worth it because of them. Big smile! 

Time Gone Fast

Waking up in the morning, I realized only 12 days left in Korea. I haven't been doing much particularly different in the past two days, going to class, having lunch and dinner with friends, trying weird food, etc. The cable internet speed in the dorm is unsatisfactory. When I facetimed with my parents, video chat got disconnected for a hundred times literally. More than usual, my dad asked about my love life again. I am 23, and he is worried about me not able to find a boyfriend. Wow! Luckily, before he wanted to say more, the frustrating internet saved me. I have been meeting many people, but I don't push. It doesn't mean I am not trying to find my love of life, but I want to maintain my easy, simple happiness meanwhile. My roommate is going home for the weekend. Another alone night. >.<

Summer Romance

A group of friends and I went to Han Gang last night after dinner. It was raining earlier, so the temperature dropped a little bit when we got on a cruise. Beautiful views and beautiful people made a perfect night out. I met two old couples on the cruise. The wife was sitting on the lap of the husband, leaning against his shoulder. She started singing a love song, and he harmonized simultaneously. The scene became fairylike. I do believe in true love because my parents were the first perfect couples I knew, but I sometimes doubt whether it is usual after seeing so many immature relationships. The two couples didn't understand English, and I didn't understand Korean, so a strong hug and some laughters turned out to be the only communications. I wasn't sure what the hug was for. Maybe it was my appreciation to them for a hope of finding my own true love and their appreciation to me for enjoying their singing. It was full of warmth in a chilly weather. Maybe, just maybe, my Mr. Right is looking for me. Feeling sweet!

The Hongkongese Gang

I went out to the Seoul Tower last night with my Hongkongese friends. As usual, we had lots of fun. I don't know whether it's me being sensitive to laughters/jokes or me being lucky meeting funny people, but I always find my friends extraordinarily hilarious. The Hongkongese friends are big guys and look like big guys, but they do goofy things such as self picturing. It's been a while for me to be around by native Hongkongese. I find it very memorable. They even taught me some new Hongkongese words. 中伏 means falling into a trap. They use it when they visit a recommended sightseeing spot and find out the place isn't good. They are such a group of funny people.

The Goofy Us

Jessie and I decided to go to the Trickeye Museum in SangSu in the afternoon. It's a goofy place, but we enjoyed our trip. Starbucks in Korea makes different coffee. My favorite, ice Mocha, tastes a little bit sweeter here, compare to the one in the U.S. Just like the way I want it. Early dinner made us feel awkward in a restaurant. Waiter and waitress checked on us frequently to make sure we were served well. I guess it was good since we received extra care, but being stared at felt weird. It was another long day to me. I am so exhausted, and school starts tomorrow again. Zzzzz....

My Korean Face

People told me I looked like a Korean, in the subway, on the street, and in the market. Many people approached me for directions or to retail. Although I am thrilled  when people misunderstand my Asian face, I have no choice but answer "No Korean." I wish I can speak fluent Korean so that I can pretend one of them. I went to Chonggye stream on Friday night and hung out with Jiyuen near SeoHyun on Saturday. Chonggye stream area is mostly for couples at night. People hug, kiss, and even make out there. My friend, Roy, and I made fun of those pervert couples. I guess I wasn't acting much like a Korean, and we almost got into trouble. Laugh out loud! Jiyuen lives in a suburban area in Korea. I don't know if it is considered within Seoul, but it looks very different from other places that I have been to in Korea. We were planning to watch people do bungee jump, but the place decided to close for a day. We then walked around the park and journeyed to more places. It was an exhausting week, and I should get some rest on Sunday. Ugh, but laundry is waiting for me. >.<

Raining Season

It has been pouring rain all day. An advisable suggestion for a traveller would be researching a city's weather before departure. I had to run in the rain because I forgot my umbrella this morning. Semi is a very nice person. She let me use her backup umbrella which was kinda for her boyfriend. I think I have been meeting many friendly, welcoming people in Korea. Semi, Kyong A, Jemin and Hyeran are the ones I am close with. We always have lunch together and hang out after class. The field trip for the second week was Lotte World, the biggest amusement park in Korea (maybe in Asia). Jemin is our 오빠, big brother, but he lied a lot. He repeatedly told me that the roller coaster there was not scary at all, and I fell for it. My neck is so sore now because of the too much fun I had. Waiting in line for every attraction was time consuming. We all soon got into a lying game called "where are you from." It's basically answering the question as quickly as possible with a whole bunch of lies. At the end, I became a Nigerian who turned white after staying in the U.S. for too long. Semi became Egyptian, Kyong A became Indian, Jessie became Laotian, and Jemin was North Korean. I got some other new friends into the game too, but they were not as good as us. Wahahahaha! My neck is still hurting. I really hope I feel better tomorrow.

Meeting Old Friends

A random Facebook picture or comment may reconnect two old friends from freshman year. Eun Byung and I used to live on the same floor in the dorm about three years ago. We never really hung out or talked, and I didn't even remember his name until tonight. We first went to a restaurant for dinner and a coffee shop to catch up. Time has changed people. I am glad my friend is so much better than ever. I find it very fascinating that two old friends get to meet up again on the other side of the world. It doesn't happen to me often, and I cherish the little connections between me and my friends. Three years later, I had changed, and so did my friend. Am I going to change more in another three years? I am very curious.

Something New

My class in Korea is technically easy. No tests, but one presentation and one paper due at the end with four other people. I met more new friends in my class. They can speak apparently better English than the ones I have been hanging out with, which means less body language is required throughout the conversations. For some reason, I prefer simple, funny talks. When the food is good, we put out two thumbs; when I want to tell I like my friends, I first point at myself and the people I like, then shape a heart with two hands. It sounds goofy, but it's Korean-ly cute! After meeting more people from different backgrounds, I now realize how big the world is. I was always fussing about my living environment, food, and even people, but now all these have been very unnecessary to me because I shouldn't be restricted within a small world concerning every little detail in my life. There are too many things to see, to explore, and to experience. I thank whoever contributed in my life and changed my life. You have no idea how much I enjoy my life now. Chilling.

Second Week of My Korea Trip

I have been so busy hanging out and exploring Seoul with friends in the past few days. I went to Gang Nam to meet up with an old friend, JiYeun, on Saturday and Myeong Dong to shop like a Korean with Jessie on Sunday. Gang Nam is more like a shopping place for Korean young adults, and Myeong Dong has been dominated by Chinese. I bought a few things, such as makeups and Korean glasses. You can tell I am trying really hard to fit in this foreign country. Smiley! Following the end of first week, classes start today in the morning. Some of my new friends are taking the same class with me, International Economics. Hopefully I will get to hang out with them some more after class.