alexx-in-wonderland

[alexx-in-wonderland]

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03 07 ‘21 📹 3월 7일 2021년 #historicgrandavenue #phoenix #sundayfunday #downtownphoenixtour #sundayfeels #sundayvibes #happysunday #photography #데이리그램 #일요일 #에리조나 #피닉스 #산책하기 #놀러가다 (at Historic Grand Avenue) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMJPRPqHCfe/?igshid=xur018upz3jt

[alexx-in-wonderland]

9 Reasons Why I Was Excited to Leave Korea

To this day, both in the States and in Korea, I have friends and acquaintances who are not aware that I've left Korea.  I was there for so long, people just got used to the idea of me being there and assumed I would be there forever.  What's also crazy is that I'd sworn I had spoken about leaving Korea on my blog, but looking back now I see that I haven't.  Even though I've left The Land of the Morning Calm, I have an insane amount of photos, videos, and things I want to talk about with regards to my time in Korea.  I learned so much, and had so many experiences both in Korea and abroad, that I would like to share, and in the future I would like to continue to share as well as I visit my second home to see old friends and my Korean nieces and nephews.  This being a lifestyle blog, I also intend to share my adventures in the U.S., and future travels.  After all, this blog is Alex in Wonderland, and wonderland is wherever I go.

Korea will always hold a special place in my heart, but to be completely honest, I was really looking forward to coming home my last year in Korea.  Here are 9 reasons why I was excited to leave Korea:

1. Food

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Korean food.  Korean friends and acquaintances were always surprised that I loved to eat everything, well . . . everything except 번데기 ("beondegi") and 비빔밥 ("bibimbap").  What can I say, I like to eat, okay?  But one thing I missed was the diversity in international and western foods available both in restaurants and at the grocery store.  I didn't realize how unique the fact that Mexican food and ingredients are commonplace in America, and that that was sadly not the case everywhere.  There are plenty of good international restaurants in Busan, but it's not always the version Americans are used to from home.  It can also be really disappointing hunting down a specific type of ethnic food, only to find out liberties had been taken, and kimchi has been put places it has no business being, lol.

2. VPN Freedom

Besides using a VPN for security purposes, I was tired of having to jump through hoops in order to see TV shows and series that would be available to all my family and friends in the U.S.  Can a girl watch Netflix in peace, without having to find a dedicated IP address that will get her to the movie she wants to watch?  It can in the States.

3. Emphasis on Relationships

In Korea, there's a lot of pressure for both Koreans and foreigners alike to be in a constant stream of relationships.  It's harder to keep a mindset that is more career or independence-centered, when people you don't even know are asking about your relationship status, from friends and coworkers to taxi drivers.  The pressure doesn't just come from students asking if you have a boyfriend with curious, inquiring eyes, but even from national holidays!  On Valentine's Day girls give guys chocolate, on White Day guys give girls candy, on Pepero Day you give pepero to your significant other, Christmas is largely a couple's holiday, and on April 14th which is called Black Day, singles go to Chinese-Korean restaurants to eat 짜장면 ("jjajangmyeon") alone.   To read the rest, check out my new blog.  Let me know if you can relate, if you can’t relate, and if you have different reasons for wanting to move home: https://www.alexx-in-wonderland.com/single-post/2020/09/17/9-reasons-why-i-was-excited-to-leave-korea

[alexx-in-wonderland]

my favorite time of year 🎃 haven’t been inspired the last few years, but finally in my Halloween spirit again. i was sick, but still managed to have a good time. thanks for letting me drag you out @kaynichelle1 ! 🧡 내 제일 좋아하는 시즌 이네 🎃 드디어 할로윈 의상 영감을 다시 돌아왔어~ 아팠지만 아직도 즐거운 시간 보냈다. 칼라 언니 데리고 갈 수 있어서 감사해 🧡 #Halloween #halloweencostume #cruelladevil #fallfun #letthethirsttrappinbegin #할로윈 #할로윈의상 #크루엘라드빌 #즐거운가을활동 #썰스트트랲핑 @unumdesign #unumfam (at Kobalt Bar) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4b4dmYgb6q/?igshid=1kcjf17lnr4l7

[alexx-in-wonderland]

Bangkok Tingz. 🇹🇭 방콕 팅그즈 ㅋㅋㅋ . . shot by the talented Tommy. thank you, boo! 😘 사진사: @worky_lyfe . . #smile #summer #photography #style #vacation #photo #adventure #travelphotography #travelblogger #positivevibes #ootd #explore #instatravel #cafe #blessed #chill #instadaily #wanderlust #outfit #thailand #happy #travel #lifestyle #photooftheday #holiday #daily #mylife #Bangkok #travelnoire #essencetravels #여행 #방콕 #태국 #여행스타그램 #인생샷 #브런치 #카페 #방콕카페 #빵집 (at Bangkok, Thailand) https://www.instagram.com/alexinwondrlnd/p/Bv8BXWnl9En/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=88wpk5fodtlo

[alexx-in-wonderland]

Bangkok Tingz 🇹🇭 방콕 팅그즈 ㅋㅋㅋ @worky_lyfe thanks boo 😘 고마워~ . . . . . #smile #summer #photography #style #vacation #photo #adventure #travelphotography #travelblogger #positivevibes #ootd #explore #instatravel #cafe #blessed #chill #instadaily #wanderlust #outfit #thailand #happy #travel #lifestyle #photooftheday #holiday #daily #mylife #Bangkok #travelnoire #essencetravels #여행 #방콕 #태국 #여행스타그램 #인생샷 #브런치 #카페 #방콕카페 #빵집 https://www.instagram.com/alexinwondrlnd/p/Bv7_vPKlkBg/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=gcl7v3bwtb0e

[alexx-in-wonderland]

the school performance day is finally over. you worked hard Anna Teacher~🌷드디어 끝났다. 수고하셨습니다 앤나 쌤!~ . . . . #꽃 #flowers #flowerstagram #flower #꽃스타그램 #花 #photography #kindylife #kindergartenteacher #어린이집생활 #일상 #beautiful #nature #floral #bouquet #꽃다발 #플로리스트 #flowersofinstagram #flowershop #플라워레슨 #florist #instagood #rose #pinkrose #photo #instaflower #소통 #work #coworkinglife #motivation #coworking #coworkers #travel #community #inspiration #cowork https://www.instagram.com/p/BtK9JSAFdi6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=dprck988ysv3

[alexx-in-wonderland]

i’m already looking forward to the next time i can visit DOKO 😍 벌써 도코 보고 싶다~ 다음에 한번도 가고 싶어 post on Doko on my blog, link on my profile ☺️☺️ 블로그에서 도코 포스트 있거든~ 프로필에서 링크 찾을 수 있다 #Busancafe #Seomyeoncafe #Seomyeon #Doko #CityFarmHouseCafe #vegan #veganbakerybusan #veganbakery #dessertcafe #부산카페 #서면카페 #도코 #도시농가코페 #비간 #비간베이커리 #비간빵집 #엄격한채식주의자 #디저트카페 #디저트카페🍰 (at 도코)

[alexx-in-wonderland]

DOKO aka City Farm House Cafe. a beautiful cafe hidden in 서면 with unique drinks, yummy desserts, vegan baked goods, and a lovely atmosphere. if you wanna see more, check out my blog post, link in profile ☕️🍮🙌🏽 도코/도시 농가 코페. 이 아름다운 서면에 있는 카페는 특별한 음료수 있고 맛있는 디저트도 있고 엄격한채식주의자의 빵도 있고 좋은 분위기도 있다. 더 보고 싶으면 제 블로그에 도코 대해서 올린 포스트 있다. 프로필에 링크 있다~ #Busancafe #부산카페 #Seomyeoncafe #서면카페 #veganbakery #vegan #엄격한채식주의자 #비간 #비간빵집 (at 도코)

[alexx-in-wonderland]

lunch with Ellie at #오볼래398 in 서면. you have a beautiful lobster soul. love you, girl!💛👻 엘리랑 #오볼래398 에서 점심 먹었다~ 아름다운 랍스터 영혼 있다. 사랑해 친구야!~ #JeonpoCafeStreet #전포카페거리 #Seomyeon #서면 #pasta #파스타 #saltedpollackroepasta #명란파스타 #kimchifriedrice #김치볶음밥 #goodvibe #분위기좋다 #goodmusic #음악좋다 (at 오볼래398)

[alexx-in-wonderland]

[alexx-in-wonderland]

How have you been doing?

hey Anon~

i just so happened to be up and saw your question pop up in my e-mail.  made me smile to see that people are still on my blog on here.  thank you so much for the thoughtful question.

i’ve been doing well overall.  i’m blessed, and i’m happy.  2017 was definitely an eventful year: started working at a hagwon for the first time, i had surgery, my parents visited, and i was gearing up to leave Korea finally this month actually, but decided to stay in the end 😂😂😂i’m mad that nobody else seemed surprised except for me ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

  i’ve been working on building my own blog, and i really need to get to editing some videos i recorded for you guys, but know that i am here and i am well.  this will probably be my last year in Busan, and i need to make it count and show you guys all that i can before i go.  if there’s anything you want to see or wonder about, let me know❤️

how are you, Anon?

[alexx-in-wonderland]

interview with Stacylaughs!~

hey, you guys.  it’s been a minute!  as per usual, heheh.  but guess what, i am restarting my blog and youtube channel! (yay!)  this week i’ll be making a video with Stacy Austin aka @stacylaughs about our experiences living in Korea.  it’ll be interesting because even though she has popped back over to the U.S. and come back again, she came to Korea when i did in 2010.  

if you guys have any questions for Stacy or for both of us about our experiences in Korea, please send them to me here on tumblr, or e-mail them to: alexx.in.wonderland2@gmail.com.  please send them by Thursday, 7/27 and we will be recording a video together, to talk about our experiences and answer your questions.  

for those who aren’t familiar with Stacy and want to know a bit more about here, here is a brief introduction:

Stacy Austin was born in South Korea, grew up in Portland, Oregon, and returned to Busan to teach English in 2010. Since then she's been involved in the local community, including writing for Busan Haps Magazine, speaking on Busan e-FM radio, and performing in Vagina Monologues. As a teacher, she's taught private academy (hagwon), elementary public school, and university students -- but most recently, she's been working remotely for a software company. 

She's done a lot in the land of the morning calm and she's documented a lot of it on her personal blog/website/tumblr at stacylaughs.com.

Stacy now looks forward to moving back to her hometown on the west coast. As a woman of mixed race and multiple cultures, she's ready to see what Trump's U.S. is like.

if you guys want to ask her anything on camera, now’s your chance.  let us know!  and i’ll see you guys on my youtube channel very soon.  much love♥︎

[alexx-in-wonderland]

“Cabin Fever” Oil on canvas 16x20 Available at Corey Helford Gallery Contact sherri@coreyhelfordgallery.com for inquiries

[alexx-in-wonderland]

[alexx-in-wonderland]

Black inventors

[alexx-in-wonderland]

[alexx-in-wonderland]

Americans are no wiser than the Europeans who saw democracy yield to fascism, Nazism, or communism. Our one advantage is that we might learn from their experience. Now is a good time to do so. Here are twenty lessons from the twentieth century, adapted to the circumstances of today:

1. Do not obey in advance.

Much of the power of authoritarianism is freely given. In times like these, individuals think ahead about what a more repressive government will want, and then start to do it without being asked. You’ve already done this, haven’t you? Stop. Anticipatory obedience teaches authorities what is possible and accelerates unfreedom.

2. Defend an institution.

Defend an institution. Follow the courts or the media, or a court or a newspaper. Do not speak of “our institutions” unless you are making them yours by acting on their behalf. Institutions don’t protect themselves. They go down like dominoes unless each is defended from the beginning.

3. Recall professional ethics.

When the leaders of state set a negative example, professional commitments to just practice become much more important. It is hard to break a rule-of-law state without lawyers, and it is hard to have show trials without judges.

4. When listening to politicians, distinguish certain words.

Look out for the expansive use of “terrorism” and “extremism.” Be alive to the fatal notions of “exception” and “emergency.” Be angry about the treacherous use of patriotic vocabulary.

5. Be calm when the unthinkable arrives.

When the terrorist attack comes, remember that all authoritarians at all times either await or plan such events in order to consolidate power. Think of the Reichstag fire. The sudden disaster that requires the end of the balance of power, the end of opposition parties, and so on, is the oldest trick in the Hitlerian book. Don’t fall for it.

6. Be kind to our language.

Avoid pronouncing the phrases everyone else does. Think up your own way of speaking, even if only to convey that thing you think everyone is saying. (Don’t use the internet before bed. Charge your gadgets away from your bedroom, and read.) What to read? Perhaps The Power of the Powerless by Václav Havel, 1984 by George Orwell, The Captive Mind by Czesław Milosz, The Rebel by Albert Camus, The Origins of Totalitarianism by Hannah Arendt, or Nothing is True and Everything is Possible by Peter Pomerantsev.

7. Stand out.

Someone has to. It is easy, in words and deeds, to follow along. It can feel strange to do or say something different. But without that unease, there is no freedom. And the moment you set an example, the spell of the status quo is broken, and others will follow.

8. Believe in truth.

To abandon facts is to abandon freedom. If nothing is true, then no one can criticize power, because there is no basis upon which to do so. If nothing is true, then all is spectacle. The biggest wallet pays for the most blinding lights.

9. Investigate.

Figure things out for yourself. Spend more time with long articles. Subsidize investigative journalism by subscribing to print media. Realize that some of what is on your screen is there to harm you. Bookmark PropOrNot or other sites that investigate foreign propaganda pushes.

10. Practice corporeal politics.

Power wants your body softening in your chair and your emotions dissipating on the screen. Get outside. Put your body in unfamiliar places with unfamiliar people. Make new friends and march with them.

11. Make eye contact and small talk.

This is not just polite. It is a way to stay in touch with your surroundings, break down unnecessary social barriers, and come to understand whom you should and should not trust. If we enter a culture of denunciation, you will want to know the psychological landscape of your daily life.

12. Take responsibility for the face of the world.

Notice the swastikas and the other signs of hate. Do not look away and do not get used to them. Remove them yourself and set an example for others to do so.

13. Hinder the one-party state.

The parties that took over states were once something else. They exploited a historical moment to make political life impossible for their rivals. Vote in local and state elections while you can.

14. Give regularly to good causes, if you can.

Pick a charity and set up autopay. Then you will know that you have made a free choice that is supporting civil society helping others doing something good.

15. Establish a private life.

Nastier rulers will use what they know about you to push you around. Scrub your computer of malware. Remember that email is skywriting. Consider using alternative forms of the internet, or simply using it less. Have personal exchanges in person. For the same reason, resolve any legal trouble. Authoritarianism works as a blackmail state, looking for the hook on which to hang you. Try not to have too many hooks.

16. Learn from others in other countries.

Keep up your friendships abroad, or make new friends abroad. The present difficulties here are an element of a general trend. And no country is going to find a solution by itself. Make sure you and your family have passports.

17. Watch out for the paramilitaries.

When the men with guns who have always claimed to be against the system start wearing uniforms and marching around with torches and pictures of a Leader, the end is nigh. When the pro-Leader paramilitary and the official police and military intermingle, the game is over.

18. Be reflective if you must be armed.

If you carry a weapon in public service, God bless you and keep you. But know that evils of the past involved policemen and soldiers finding themselves, one day, doing irregular things. Be ready to say no. (If you do not know what this means, contact the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and ask about training in professional ethics.)

19. Be as courageous as you can.

If none of us is prepared to die for freedom, then all of us will die in unfreedom.

20. Be a patriot.

The incoming president is not. Set a good example of what America means for the generations to come. They will need it.