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서울  1박2일 주말 여행: 7월16~17일 // 

Seoul Weekend Trip: July 16th~17th

As much as I love Jeju, I still like to escape to the big city every now and then. Especially if it means I can hang out with my old Hongseong friends. I sort of consider Hongseong my Korean “hometown”, and I don’t think I can ever leave that place or the people I met there fully behind. 

Activities included ~

* my first Ethipian food in at least five years -- sooooo good 

* unexpectedly delicious organic milk ice cream 

* Tim Burton exhibit -- I was surprised at how expansive his body fo work is, and how varied. 

* cocktails with a nighttime rooftop view

* laughing til we cried and my stomach hurt -- that’s how you know it’s true friendship :)

[justanotherexpatinkorea]

토픽 시험 합격! // TOPIK exam results

I needed a new study goal so I started studying for the official Test of Profiency in Korean. I took the test in May, but didn’t have high expectations in terms of my score.

The test is separated into levels. The highest possible score is 300, and any score between 230-300 will land you in level 6, the highest possible scoring level.

Turns out I scored a level 6. I was surprised at first. But looking back I can say I’ve essentially studied every day I’ve been here. Every interaction with friends and co-workers, hours spent looking up basic vocabulary when I first arrived so I could successfully navigate grocery stores and train stations, etc., nights spent watching variety shows on TV.

It made me realize how much I’ve grown and changed since I arrived here. I’ve been in Korea for almost four years now, and I never imagined I’d be this fluent in the language. I never could have imagined all the things I’ve done, all the people I’ve met, all the goals I’ve accomplished.

And I can’t imagine all the things I have yet to do, all the people I have yet to meet, and all the goals left waiting to take me to new heights.

[justanotherexpatinkorea]

나는 코로나 걸렸어 // I got corona.

The day I never thought would come has finally arrived. I must’ve gotten it at school, but it’s hard to know for sure. I barely feel sick at all though. Just a little cough and but of congestion. That’s the power of vaccinations!

I went to the doctor and got some medicine ($5 for the visit and $0 for the meds) and have to stay home in quarantine for seven days. Things seem much less strict here than they were before. Overall it’s been nice catching up on sleep, not going to lie.

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6월24일~26일 2022 우도 여행 // June 24th~26th Udo Trip

Jeju is itself an island, but there’s another smaller island called Udo off the northeast coast of Jeju. It’s small enough that it makes for a great day trip, so that’s exactly what a few friends and I decided to do. We drove out there after worn one Friday and spent the weekend in the area. We took the ferry over to spend all of Saturday there. We rented electric bikes to ride around the coast, stopping for lunch, the island’s famous peanut ice cream, sunscreen application, etc.

We almost cancelled the trip due to severe thunderstorms the day before, and a not-so-promising weather forecast. But once the skies started to clear we decided to just fo for it. And lucky we did - we had sunshine and blue skies for most of the trip. As a Michigander, crazy weather is one thing I’m no stranger to.

And as luck would have it, we stumbled upon a taste of Michigan near our guesthouse. As we pulled up to check into our Airbnb, I spotted a “Detroit Pizza House” restaurants round the corner. I didn’t have high expectations. But it really was true, authentic Detroit style pizza. Hands down some of the best pizza I’ve ever had in Korea. I’ll definetly be back for more.

[justanotherexpatinkorea]

hanging out, shooting darts. Let the record show that on this night, I scored exactly 0 in a countdown darts game.

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6월12일 2022: 유하 마지막 날  //  June 12th, 2022 Last Day with Yuha

One of my Korean friends is going to teach Korean in Laos for a year, so we met up for one last hangout before she left. 

We started the day out a lovely cafe with a perfect view of Hallasan, soaked our feet at a footbath cafe, indulged in some Randy’s Donuts (a true American taste of home), and just goofed off. 

I hope to visit her in Laos during winter vacation, so fingers crossed that things  will be re-opened enough then for easy travel!

[justanotherexpatinkorea]

요가 // Yoga

I’ve always dabbled in yoga, mostly following YouTube videos at home alone.

Since I moved to Jeju, one of my goals was to delve more deeply into yoga. After searching around I found a studio with some great teachers, and I’ve since gained so much knowledge, ability, and desire to continue learning and practicing. Not just yoga but Korean too, seeing as the classes are conducted fully in Korean.

The Jeju Yoga Festival was cancelled last year due to covid, but it was back on for 2022. It always feels good to do yoga under an open sky in the fresh air. 

I never have that “ugh I don’t wanna work out today” feeling when I walk into the yoga studio. It’s exactly the place I want to be, what keeps me going through a rough Monday or a long day at work. I’m glad I’ve discovered such an affinity for a physical activity that I can continue to practice and grow in for the years to come, hopefully till the day I die (as a wrinkly old but super fit yoga grandma).

Studio shots photo credit: Prem Yoga Jeju ^^

[justanotherexpatinkorea]

내가 가장 좋아하는 제주 경치 // my favorite Jeju landscape 

I always slow down for this view - on one of the back roads on the way home. 

How did I get so lucky that I get to live here??

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제주 지방 선거   2022 //   Local Elections in Jeju  2022

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5월 8일 2022: 친구들과 사계 해변   //   May 8th, 2022: Hanging out near Sagye Beach

Mid-spring is the best time to hang out outside in Jeju. It’s warm enough where you can enjoy the fresh air and warm sunshine, but not so blistering hot that you fry in the sun. 

We hit up the south side of the island for some Western-style fish and chips and some beach combing, and finished the day off with some karaoke -- or as we say in Korean, noraebang! 

[justanotherexpatinkorea]

봄 2022 벚꽃, 2부   //   Spring 2022 Cherry Blossoms, Part 2

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봄 2022 벚꽃, 1부   //   Spring 2022 Cherry Blossoms, Part 1

The view from my second floor apartment window.

The cherry blossoms in spring never cease to amaze me with their neverending beauty, which changes with the hour and the weather. 

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3월 2022: 산방산   //   March 2022: Sanbangsan

One of the schools I work at lies on the southern coast of Jeju under a mountain (or rather, a parasitic volcanic cone) known as Sanbangsan.

Even on a cloudy, windy afternoon, there’s nothing like this view and some fresh ocean air to calm the nerves after a tiring week at work.

[justanotherexpatinkorea]

1~2.2022 // 미국 여행, 뉴욕 -- US trip, New York

For our last night in NY, we went up 100 floors in the Edge building at Hudson Yards. We got there as the sun was going down, so we got to see the horizon change colors as the nigh sky darkened and the sparling lights of the city at night came to life.

I've never been a big city kind of person. But even I will admit it was quite stunning. A perfect cap on our trip to the Big Apple.

[justanotherexpatinkorea]

01~2.2022 // 미국 여행, 뉴욕 -- US trip, New York

Roosevelt Island

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01~2.2022 // 미국 여행, 뉴욕 -- US trip, New York

drinks & dining

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01~2.2022 // 미국 여행, 뉴욕 -- US trip, New York