Living halfway across the world, you would think I’d feel somewhat disconnected from my country. That the happenings there would suddenly feel dim and distant, like they were no longer a reality in my own little bubble of life. To an extent, they do; since I’m not surrounded by American media, and 99% of the… Continue reading When Tragedy Strikes at Home: An Expat’s Point of View
Category: South Korea
Little Moments and the Happiness of Three Dumplings
When you move to another country, your life is suddenly boiled down to the basics. You are not living the exotic and grandiose life that everyone back home thinks you are just because they saw a few smiling pictures on facebook. Everything becomes a challenge and you suddenly struggle with the simplest of tasks. … Continue reading Little Moments and the Happiness of Three Dumplings
Food Porn: What I’ve Been Eating in Korea
A few months ago, the only thing I knew about Korean food was kimchi. And I didn’t even really know what kimchi was, only that it was pickled and pungent and I probably wouldn’t like it. I told everyone I would lose weight easily in Korea because I just wouldn’t be eating. How very, very… Continue reading Food Porn: What I’ve Been Eating in Korea
12 little ways life is different in Korea
It’s strange how a period of time can simultaneously feel like a moment and an eternity. It’s been 45 days in Korea, now. I remember the day I arrived like it was yesterday, but it feels like a year’s worth of experiences crammed in, since. I’ve been told that all expats go through “culture… Continue reading 12 little ways life is different in Korea
My New Life in “Dynamic Korea”: A Photo Essay
Koreans love to use the word “dynamic” when describing their country. In fact, I think it may even be their official national tagline. While the word may be another case of poor translation (the Konglish around here is prevalent, puzzling, and hilarious), I’m pretty sure that what they’re going for is the idea that Korea… Continue reading My New Life in “Dynamic Korea”: A Photo Essay
Day One on the Job in Korea: Diary Style
Stayed up most of the night preparing my powerpoint presentation for the first class lesson. Walked to school and genuinely hoped I wouldn’t poop my pants in nervousness. Had a morning assembly where the teachers walked on stage and were introduced—I didn’t recognize when they said my name, so someone had to tell me I… Continue reading Day One on the Job in Korea: Diary Style
Day One of Living in Korea
I know many of you think I moved to Korea a couple of weeks ago, but that’s not entirely true. You see, two weeks ago I landed in Korea. I stayed in Seoul where I spent the first five days in a hostel with 25 other English teachers, exploring the city and having a grand… Continue reading Day One of Living in Korea
Seoul Delicious: My First Impressions of South Korea
My bags were too full, so to get through security I had to wear several jackets and stuff pants and shirts into all my pockets. At the Korean airport, my overweight suitcases spilled off my cart into the middle of a crowded walkway and people stepped over me with wayward glances. When the bus dropped… Continue reading Seoul Delicious: My First Impressions of South Korea
Taking risks and why I’m moving to South Korea
Risk: “Exposure to the chance of injury or loss” I always considered myself a “risky” person in life. I enjoy jumping out of perfectly good airplanes; swimming to the bottom of the ocean; rappelling down steep cliff sides; gallivanting through third world countries alone; hanging upside down on a rope in aerial class. Everyone always says,… Continue reading Taking risks and why I’m moving to South Korea