Fun things I saw today

Picture post of fun things I saw today, just cause I have some time to kill tonight

this is soap in the bathrooms here.
Kinda weird, huh?

These are like potato sticks, but I love
that they're called Legend of Potato

Instant spaghetti for my Italian cravings

those are corn dogs LOL

LOOK WHAT I FOUND IN KOREA
It's a taste of LONDON!!!

Korean Won! Their currency is SO MUCH COOLER

First post from Korea!!

I would say sorry that this is so delayed, but after getting barely any sleep the night before my journey that included a 14 hour plane ride, jet lag hit me hard guys. Like so hard my roommate and I were in bed before 9 the last few days. Today (Tuesday for me) was the first day I felt normal enough to eat a good amount at meal times and was the first day I didn't feel like collapsing from exhaustion at around 4 o'clock.  Seriously, want to torture someone? Put them on a 14 hour flight. Even with lots of entertainment and good food, it was exhausting.

Anyway, travel went smoothly and things are going pretty well. I had my first Korean class today, which was dubbed 'survival Korean.' I was excited that I knew most of the phrases we were taught, and I also realized that by learning these key phrases, I probably speak more Korean than most people in the world ever will! Crazy!!

Right now, we have orientation so I'm getting the basics about teaching and some info about Korea. It's a lot of long days (today I started my day with a 7:30 am extensive medical exam- FUN) but I'm happy to be here.

I have already learned a couple of things about Korea, the most important being the fact that I will NEVER complain about humidity again at home! Here we are talking like 85 degrees with 89% humidity, aka it feels like death. I have no idea HOW people function here without AC (and many do, since they're having an energy crisis, all government buildings have been ordered to severely limit or even stop using AC. YIKES). 

Here are some pictures of my first few days here in the Land of the Morning Calm!

Pre departure meal- getting my peace sign ready!

Korean BBQ with the fam before I left

In a post flight and 2 hour bus ride haze, we received EPIK swag bags, which included:

Legit. Embroidered towel! 

As I said, we had a 2 hour bus ride to Daejin University, home of EPIK orientation. I haven't actually seen Seoul yet, but we have a field trip there this Thursday, so I'll get a glimpse of it then! Here are some shots of the beautiful university!

As part of our welcome, the National Taekwondo Performance team (I think that's what they were called) did a demo that was AWESOME

This guy is doing a backflip while
simultaneously breaking two boards

And I've also started trying things I recognize from America to see how different they are, such as these two drinks

I like this taste better here. It's less IN
YOUR FACE than in the states

This is waaaaay sweeter here and I
didn't really like it

So there you have it, my first update from Korea! I'll try and update regularly, but I have no idea what my life will be like post-orientation, so until things settle down, keep that in mind. Also keep in mind that you may be expecting me to post when I'm actually asleep! Yay 13 hour time difference!!!

Time is ticking

So I don't update this as frequently as I should because it's been a pretty hectic couple of weeks. 

First of, the wedding was gorgeous and wonderful and a TON of fun!!! It was great to see a bunch of my mom's side of the family for something fun (the last couple of gatherings, besides Nick's wedding, have been funerals and memorial services. Not so much fun). My cousin Katya looked GORGEOUS and the wedding was not thwarted by rain. My family even got along pretty well, which is quite a feat for two 9 hour car rides in 3 days. 

Katya with her family

She's such a goofball and was really
eager to say "I will" before the guy
told her to

D'awww first kiss!

Just married!!! 

And now a couple of my family

With my daddy!

The whole family!

Look how classy we all are

My mom, uncle Rob, uncle Jim and my Grandpa!

A bunch of us lookin' fly

Overall, it was a great wedding. It was lovely to hang out with a huge part of my family before my departure. I got lots of well wishes and hugs, and I'm glad I got to feel lots of love before I leave America.

The next week was a bunch of shopping not for clothes, this time for basic necessities like toothpaste, vitamins that aren't available in Korea, travel sized necessities for orientation, and most importantly CURL CARE, which is NONEXISTENT in Korea and also initial attempts at packing. Thus far, I'm about 97% packed, and I'm bringing about 100 pounds of stuff. Not an exaggeration- I have two suitcases clocking in at 50 pounds and about 37 pounds, a duffel bag, and finally my backpack. Amounting to probably about 100 pounds that I'm dragging across the world. 

Right now, it doesn't feel like I'm leaving for a year- right now, it feels like I'm packing for college or another semester abroad, not a full year that includes missing major holidays and everyone's birthdays. It's scary. I've been visiting friends and family for the past few days, trying to say all of my goodbyes. But in actuality, a year isn't so long, and I know I will have friends in Korea and meet new, amazing people from all over the world. How could I turn that down?

People always ask me if I'm afraid... Well, wouldn't you be if you were leaving everything behind to go live in a place where you don't speak the language and can barely even sound out what I'm reading? Wouldn't you be if you were 13 hours ahead of your family that you love and adore? Of course, I'm terrified. But I'm also crazy, crazy, CRAZY excited for this new adventure. I think that it will teach me so much about myself and will open so many new doors for me. I obviously can't deny that I'm scared, but right now the feeling I have is overwhelming excitement (with a little bit of dread for the 14 hour plane ride...). I cannot wait to start having adventures in Korea with my new students and my new friends and to start posting pictures! 

In other news, I went to Lilydale this weekend, which is a famous little place that has been home to a community of spiritualists/mediums about an hour and a half away. A couple of my aunts, Cesca and some friends, and mom and I went. It was a beautiful place- readings were really expensive tho, so we just went to the group ones. One of the mediums called on me, but just told me random stuff that didn't really apply (like that I'm a HUGE procrastinator- any of my college or high school friends can attest this is highly inaccurate) and we think that maybe the reading would be more applicable to Cesca, but I dunno. So I'm still on the fence about mediumship, especially cause if I got called I was hoping to hear from my grandma, but many of the messages seemed quite generic. I like my one on one readings at the Renaissance Festival better. I'll reserve judgment on mediums until I actually go to an individual, or maybe I'll just avoid it altogether. 

Regardless, it was a great last weekend filled with family and friend time, and I did enjoy myself. 

가자

가자 means Let's Go! in Korean, which I think is an apt phrase, since I have less than 1 month left until my departure for South Korea. It's incredibly scary, but it's also so, so exciting! Things have started to fall into place, and while I am still nervous, the excitement is starting to take over. My friend Veronica studied abroad in Japan and is applying to the Peace Corps, so we always have lots to talk about! It's nice to get advice from someone who has lived in Asia, and it's nice to chat with someone in my hometown that's planning on doing something similar.

As I said, things are falling into place: My visa arrived quite swiftly (thanks express mail!), and though it looks quite different from my other ones (ie, it has no photo), it's still super cool that I have 3 visas for living in 3 different countries before I'm 25. My final documents arrived safely in Korea, and today I went and got a consultation at the travel clinic, which turned out better than I thought- only 1 shot (hep A, which I need another one later but whatever) and some pills for Typhoid. It cost a bit and my insurance doesn't cover it, but better to be safe than sorry. The counselor wasn't worried about me getting the other ones like Japanese Encephalitis or rabies, as long as I'm careful and don't spend extended periods of time on pig farms or getting bit by monkeys I guess. Lastly, my plane ticket is booked! The only one I got arriving at a good time was a 7 am flight to Chicago with a 4 hour layover to a direct (14 hour, YIKES) flight to Seoul, but there's at least 6 or 7 other people on the same flight, which is really comforting and will be really fun! I'm excited to start meeting other people on the program!

I've also been slowly assembling necessities for the trip, like clothes that cover my tattoo and cleavage (since cleavage is a big no-no), new shoes, water bottles with filters (I've heard conflicting reports on the water and also got advice from Ronnie about the lack of water at restaurants for dinner), and some new shoes.

Now that my documents are prepped, my visa is here and my flight is booked, all that's really left for me to do is assemble the other basics that I want to bring and pack. This week is definitely crazy, as I still have a couple of doctors to go to, like the eye doctor and the lady doctor, plus a full 35+ hour work week, but I only have 7 shifts left at BK (most likely my last 7 shifts EVER, but I never say never and I don't want to burn that bridge in case something happens). Then I'm going to see Casey in her show, Cinderella, and then I have to get ready for my cousin Katya's wedding! 2 weeks later, I'll be on a plane to Seoul!!!

In my little downtime, I will be spending time with my grandpa, who is visiting till the wedding, as well as watching City Hunter (a kdrama) with my dad, and trying to study some Korean, since mine is still nonexistent. Still not sure if I'm gonna vlog about my trip, it seems like a lot of people do and it might be fun. We shall see, I guess!

I have like 25 days to go. OMG!!!

Get stuff done day, Ren Fest and Les Mis.

What a whirlwind day I had Friday. Woke up early to finalize my visa app documents, cause I’m a worrier, when I went to get the mail for my mom. Lo and behold, my degree apostille was sitting in the mailbox! Phew! I was a little worried about that one, since New York has a complex process.

So I finish putting my documents together, and literally my mom and I are about to leave when the traveler clinic called, so i finally got my vaccination appointment in a week. So now I am on a roll so we go to make copies, go to ups and mail my last few documents to Korea (finally), and run over to the post office to mail my visa application (after checking it two more times!).

Mind you, this all happened in a span of about 2.5 hours, so it was a hectic but super successful day. All of my documents are sent out and out of my hands, all of my appointments are made, and I even had time to book my flight. It cost me a pretty penny, but my bk paycheck pretty much covered the fees so I’m feeling good.

The next day was Ren Fest Day, which is arguably my favorite day of the summer. I was briefly hypnotized (which is SUPER WEIRD FEELING) and I got my tarot cards read, was a pretty mixed bag. He basically told me to be careful in Korea cause it's completely new and I might not be totally prepared for how different and unexpected it was, but also that it could be an amazing new start for me, especially romantically, which sounds pretty nice. The guy said I needed to actually sit down with myself and figure out what I actually want out of life and such, which is scary but also kind of makes sense soooo... I try not to put too much stock in pyschic readings from a Renaissance festival, but at the same time, they've all been pretty consistent and promising (for instance, on two separate occasions have I been told that my partnership will be strong and bring financial security- I'd be lying if I said I didn't hope really hard for that to be true!) But I think before I go to Korea I really should sit down and make a general plan for life after my gap year(s).

Today I hung around the house, started cleaning up the house since my grandpa may be coming back to live with us (maybe, we don't know yet...) and then Cesca and I went to see a local theater production of Les Mis, which was AWESOME. I always nitpick about shows (don't worry, I even do it for every Phantom performance I see) and there were some little things and choices I wasn't totally on board with, but overall it was AMAZING. Such a strong cast and crew, with a much better Cosette and a much better Bring Him Home than the recent movie version, among other just general awesomeness. And old high school friend was Marius, and he was incredible. It was a lot of fun to see a show at a local theater, since I haven't been in a while.

Yikes. Flight is booked, visa will (hopefully!) be on its way soon, my documents should all be in Korea, Ren Fest has come and gone, and I'm starting to learn the very basics of Korean. And I mean BASICS. But hey, anything is a start, right? I only have about a dozen shifts left at BK, and still so much to do!!! Aaaaah. With just over 1 month in the country, things are starting to fall into place, which is a little overwhelming in a different way! 

Life

Caught the Fedex guy this morning so I could get my NOA and visa stuff, cause I was at the dentist yesterday when he came by and I was really sad I missed it! Dad and I were pulling out of the driveway as he turned down the road (had to go get a blood test, my first. Weird) and so I had to jump out of the car to get it. After a not so bad blood test and some breakfast, I opened the packet to look at it.

I tend to panic and frantically email and ask questions and then once I reread everything I realize I was fine, but whatever. Shout out to Janelle on the EPIK group for being super helpful to me and everyone else applying! You’re awesome!!!

So right now I think I have everything all set for my visa- I have my passport, visa photos, the application, my contract, my NOA and a copy of it, and my transcript… I think that’s everything I need… All I need to do is go to the post office tomorrow and get the money order and send it! Exciting!!

I don’t really like mailing my passport, even though I’ve done it twice before (once for the UK and once for Italy), it’s nerve wracking, but I think it will be ok. It’s always for a great reason so I guess it’s worth it.

I’m more worried right now about the NY Department of State getting my degree apostille back to me. I’m so close to having all the documents ready for this trip! The vaccines, however, are another story. The travel clinic is taking FOREVER in getting back to me!!!

I’m going to try and put all of this out of my mind for a bit and relax, maybe watch some K-dramas, and just try and breath. I can’t believe I will be leaving in a little over a month! Time to look at flights for real this time!! 

Also I have no idea why my blog is being so dumb about this post. Ugh.

Korea Update

So I'm happy to announce that my best friend Sarah got her placement and she will be in Seoul with me!!!! That means lots of fun trips together!!! And a friend in a strange land!!! Yay!!!


I've been making lots of progress, but there's still so much to do.

I still need to do some shopping for shoes, a rain coat, a new backpack and medical necessities while there (I tend to get pretty bad coughs when I'm abroad, so cough medicine and cold meds are on the list), plus other misc travel necessities.

I still have to finish sending over my official documents like my diploma and final transcripts, cause I hadn't graduated yet when I applied.

I still have a bunch of doctors and things to deal with, like vaccinations and prescriptions and such. Wamp.

I've made a little progress on Korean. At the very least, I can say Hello, thank you, I don't speak Korean and let's go! along with being able to read it. Figuring out what it means, however, is the real challenge. I definitely need to devote more time to that, but it's hard while working full time at BK. I have some apps that I can use on my break, so that's helping a bit.


I even ordered a pair of metal, Korean style chopsticks to practice with, so I don't look like a total noob when I get there (though my blond, curly hair will probably make me stand out pretty clearly).


I only have about a month and a half left in America, which means only a month left at BK!!!! Aaaah, it's weird to think that I won't be back there for at least a year, probably EVER. WEIRD.


So yeah, it's flooding here. Fun times. Off to help dad learn how to use his iPhone! Oh joy!

This girl's got SEOUL

Woke up this morning to this email in my inbox:

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!

I'm kind of crazy with excitement! Most of my family was all "I knew you'd get it!" but I was actually really, really nervous because some people get accepted to the program but don't get a Notice of Appointment. I'm just relieved my NOA arrived today.

I still don't know when I'm leaving, and won't for at least another month, and I don't know what school I'll be teaching in, the age, or really much else besides the fact that I'm headed off to Seoul in August!!!

So for now I'm trying to commit the Korean Hangul alphabet to memory and trying to learn some key phrases. I can say "hello," "thank you," and "do you speak English?" soooo that's going slowly. I want to get a teacher or take a class while I am there so I can pick it up quicker and have a basic knowledge of it when I come home. That would be awesooome!!!

Off to watch more K drama and celebrate!!! Knowing this will give me inspiration to get through the long (now stupidly early starting) days at BK. CAUSE I'M GOING TO SOUTH KOREA!!!!!!!!!!

Senior week and graduation

 Here's the quick photo rundown:

Monday

Highlighter party!

Tuesday

Wine tour! One bus was a trolley (sadly,
we weren't on it. Whatevs)

Turned into a party bus

Tuesday night

London bridge!

Wednesday

Getting ready for the splash!

Casey Victorious! 

Casey is the best slider

We got to jump into the FREEEEEZING fountains

A senior splash pic that made it
to the foam 2013 on campus

Thursday

we decided to hike

Taughannock falls!!!

OH PS THIS HAPPENED

Senior formal- Gatsby style! Because
why not?

Liz fake bobbed my hair. This is my friend
 Maia from the b school

 Hung out with the family Friday and Saturday.

hanging out at the fountains

Fireworks!! Classy IC, good move

Graduation was waaaaay too early sunday

with my b school friends

David Boreanaz speaking!

Family!!!

My IC family!!!

It was windy and we're really classy

Roomies!!

Game of Thrones buddies haha

Dean's Award winners :)

my best friends in the Business School, Eva and Daniel

Mighty Honorites (that's what the baby blue stole is for)

Well this is weird

Hormoz, one of my most supportive and
nicest professors 

Finally, Professor Ellis, my adviser, professor,
supervisor, support system and one of
the most encouraging people I've met

So that's that. I'm home now, getting ready to start my last stint at BK and getting prepared for South Korea. I don't want to rush the summer, but now that graduation is over and there aren't too many people home, I really wanna get going!!! I'm hoping to hang with Ronnie, Trina and Lauren a lot, as well as do fun summer things. Hopefully it won't be too hot and the customers won't be too mean!!!