My dear friend Emily is what we affectionately call “a total food hippy”. She ferments her own food, her eyes light up at the mention of bacteria, and she could talk for days about seeds and planting fruit trees. So, appropriately, one of the first things she did when she arrived in Korea earlier this… Continue reading WWOOFing on the Cutest Little Farm in Korea
Category: Living in Korea
State of Affairs: An Update on my Life (Sept 2014)
Although I’m overflowing with stories and photos from Borneo that I can’t wait to share with the world, it occurred to me that I haven’t had a personal post in a while to give an update on my life. Oh sure, I went on an incredible vacation, and I’ve been busy having weekend adventures too,… Continue reading State of Affairs: An Update on my Life (Sept 2014)
The Truth About Boryeong Mud Festival
Somehow I knew about the Boryeong Mud Festival, or more commonly referred to as Mudfest, before I even arrived in Korea. I’m not sure where I first learned of it; it was just the ubiquitous event that all expats in Korea raved about as THE party of the year. So, naturally, when summer rolled around… Continue reading The Truth About Boryeong Mud Festival
A Perfect Day at the Boseong Tea Fields
Bolstered by the success of my first Korean road trip, I decided to put Betty White to the test again in a girls weekend getaway to the Boseong Tea Fields. The rolling hills lined neatly with rows upon rows of green tea plants in the Boseong region are a famous destination for tourists and a… Continue reading A Perfect Day at the Boseong Tea Fields
5 Things That Are STILL Strange About Korea
When I first arrived in Korea last year I wrote about the 12 Little Ways Life is Different in Korea. It’s funny how much can change in a year and the extent to which we accustom ourselves to our environment. These days, I don’t bat an eye at corn on pizza, face masks are the… Continue reading 5 Things That Are STILL Strange About Korea
Busan Culture Village: Surprisingly Beautiful
When you think of Korean culture, you probably conjure images of the typical temples and Buddhist shrines. Korea is not known for being particularly artsy, but tucked away throughout the country are pockets of artistry and color that can catch you off guard. When I first heard of the Busan Culture Village, I rolled my… Continue reading Busan Culture Village: Surprisingly Beautiful
Weird Korea: Forced to Fake Vote in a Bamboo Theme Park
On my 25th birthday my (awesome) friends hung posters around my house saying the 25 things they loved about me. Along with phrases like, “She’s the only one I’d go to an Indian buffet and then try on spandex with” (because it really happened), one poster read, “You can meet the strangest people on the… Continue reading Weird Korea: Forced to Fake Vote in a Bamboo Theme Park
A Korean Road Trip To Goeje and Namhae Islands
The 5am alarm obliterated my peaceful slumber, and the butterflies immediately fluttered in my stomach. Today was the day! My first Korean road trip. And I was somewhat terrified. One of my best friends from home was visiting me in Korea for two weeks and I’d promised to give her a tour to some… Continue reading A Korean Road Trip To Goeje and Namhae Islands
Owning and Driving a Car in Korea: Am I Crazy, Brave, or Stupid?
“I thought it was an April Fool’s joke at first,” my friend confided in me. “I didn’t really think you’d do it!” another exclaimed. To be honest, if someone had told me six months ago that I would own and drive a car in Korea, I would have laughed in their face. Noooooooo way, I… Continue reading Owning and Driving a Car in Korea: Am I Crazy, Brave, or Stupid?
Hitting the Slopes (and why I will probably never ski again)
Everyone raved about the ski trips in Korea. Having lived in California my whole life I don’t even know how to walk in snow, much less strap large boards to my feet and propel myself forward in snow. But I let my friends persuade me to give it a try and I figured after teaching… Continue reading Hitting the Slopes (and why I will probably never ski again)
What I Wish I’d Known When I Was a Student, Now That I’m a Teacher
It’s Friday afternoon. The first week of spring has brought with it sunshine and warm weather, and a gentle breeze ruffles the classroom window shades. Children’s laughter and shouts drift up to me, but I’m more focused on the hushed voice murmuring in the corner. He stands in the library section of my classroom, clutching… Continue reading What I Wish I’d Known When I Was a Student, Now That I’m a Teacher
Green Beer and Colored Paint: A Festive Weekend in Busan
“Let me get this straight,” my friend said skeptically into the phone. “You live in Korea, but this weekend you’re celebrating an Irish holiday and going to an Indian festival?” Well, when she put it like that I realized it did sound a little funny… The homogeneity of Korea doesn’t usually lend itself to… Continue reading Green Beer and Colored Paint: A Festive Weekend in Busan