You REALLY Don't Need to Worry About North Korea...

Small update. I know a lot of you at once point really worried for my safety due to the situation with North Korea. Well, as I have stated before, I even forget that is a situation here. My theory is this: When the Koreans start to worry, I will worry. Until then, I am safe and fine.  But there are, however, other threats...

Since I've moved to Korea, I've experience two fires. The first one, if you remember, was next to my school down in Gwangju. This picture might refresh your memory. ---------->

Well, ten months after I've moved to Seoul, another fire has found it's way in my proximity. This time a little closer to home.  Literally. I was taking my daily "nap"-- also known as my actually sleeping time-- when all of a sudden a loud alarm starts going off in the apartment building. My first reaction and instinct when running down my loft stairs was "Oh my God! North Korea." But then, I saw smoke.  I checked my apartment thinking I might have cooked in my sleep or left something on. I wasn't sure.  Well, not thinking, the one thing I grabbed before leaving the apartment was my computer. (Don't ask. I could/should have grabbed my passport, money, some form of identification. But no. I grabbed my Mac. Not surprising. Katelyn grabbed her Burberry jacket and Chanel sunglasses. In this moment, our personalities were perfectly represented).

Upon leaving my apartment, the hall was already starting to fill with smoke. Where was it? Apartment number 504. My apartment? 503. Grrrrreaat! 

Katelyn and I met downstairs where, ironically, everyone from our apartment building starting lighting up their cigarettes.  Smoke was pouring out of the window next to my apartment.  The firefighters were finally there not at all hasty because they decided to wait for the other residents to get off the elevator so the could take it to the fifth floor. 

Well, about 20 minutes later and after my boss came to check everything out, we were allowed to go see what damage was done.

The door ahead is my apartment.

Shocking as it seems, everything was just REALLY smoky.  I am surprised that my sprinklers didn't turn on.  My apartment was smoke-infested but quickly cleared out over the next couple of days.  This one, my friends, too close to home. But everything is okay. All my clothes are smoke-free (thankfully) and my lungs were permanently damaged ^^

Well, on to the next threat that some of you might be wondering about.  All of you have heard about the horrible, tragic situation in Japan.  First of all, Korea has not be effected by the situation.  Although some news sources were claiming that yesterday there was going to be some radiation in the rain, I don't think that is at all true. Fabricated, I say. Fabricated! I say this now, but I like to think that Korea is in a nice little bubble of protection against natural disasters. Korea isn't known for earthquakes or tsunamis. The most common is typhoons but that naturally only happens during monsoon season.  So, that being said, I have not been personally effected the devastating situation in Japan, but a lot of my friends have been. All of them are okay, but I'd like you to keep everyone that has been personally effected in your thoughts and prayers.  Although I'm not in Japan, still a little too close to home.

I donated $50 through iTunes to the Japan Tsunami and Earthquake Relief Fund.  I suggest you do the same.  Click here to make a contribution.

And just a quick update for everyone else.  I am currently searching for a new job.  It will start in August which will put me back in Seoul late July.  I am almost 99% sure I will be home in Paducah by the 2nd so I can celebrate the 4th at home.  I plan on heading up to EKU July 7th-10th.  That's a bit more tentative but that's what I am aiming for. I'm sure it will happen.  THEN, back to Paducah and flying out for San Diego, California on the 14th for a wedding-- two of my good friends got engaged in Gwangju and Katelyn and I are attending.  After the wedding, I will head out of San Diego back to Seoul.

As always, I hope everyone is doing well! I am super excited to see everyone again! I will be in desperate need of a vacation after these next three months. So...prepare yourselves. 

Long Time, No Blog-- Updates, Taiwan, and Plans

Well, my absence can only be delayed for so long. These past two months have been kind of hectic because we've been working overtime at work. HOWEVER (and yes that is meant to be in all caps), I did not work Saturdays this past month nor plan to work them next month. I will work them my last three months of my contract in order to increase my bonus. 

Taipei 101 on NYE

I can't believe it's been almost a year since I've moved to Seoul.  I've been rewriting my cover letter and updating my resume over the past month to prepare for my next job. I am leaning towards teaching high school because that would mean I've taught all ages-- from kindergarten to adults-- so then I'll know what age group I will want to teach for my career.  I'll keep you posted on the job hunt.

School is going well.  I am taking another methods course alongside an Intercultural Communications course.  I was offered a Graduate Assistantship for a class I took last semester that I received a perfect score in (cough), so that is giving me a second income of around $1,100 for the semester. So far it is going well... midterms are approaching quickly so I need to brace myself.

C.K. Memorial Hall

Well, on to other things. My trip to Taiwan was good! I definitely over planned when you look at my previous post.  I always tend to dream big, we know that.  But I did get to see two things I really wanted to see, one being a must.  When I arrived it was pretty hectic-- once again I was a foreigner at the extreme.  I couldn't read or speak in the language.  Much different than Korea... how I missed it.  Taiwan was good, though.  I definitely prefer Korean food and, in general, Korean culture. I'd definitely go back to sightsee in Taiwan because there is so much to see and the land is naturally beautiful-- one of the big differences I saw in comparison to Korea.  The first day was spent getting acclimated because I got into the city a little late and because of the holiday, all of the buses were booked down to my first destination.  So, I stayed in Taipei more than I had originally planned.  

Buddha Statue in Taroko Gorge

The second day was spent going around Taipei and seeing the National Memorial.  It was very similar to structures in Beijing (not shocking, of course) but I could see some differences from Korea.  I also went to a few temples, one being Longshan Temple, a temple that allows all people of all denominations use.  It was awesome and one of my favorite parts of the trip.

Temple in Taroko Gorge

On the second night I met up with some people, one being from work, and we watched the fireworks at Taipei 101, the world's second tallest building.  It sounded like I was in the middle of a terrorist attack. ^^  

The next day I woke up extremely early to head to the east coast of the island.  There I went to Taroko Gorge, a series of mountains made of marble. It was beautiful even though the day was overcast.  I saw some temples, buddha statues, the usual I suppose.  It took about three or four hours to get through the entire tour-- I had paid some random taxi driver to drive me around.  He spoke little English which was good because I was exhausted from traveling.

Longshan Temple

After the gorge, I went to Quixingtan Beach.  This was the ending scene of one of my favorite movies.  It was absolutely beautiful and one of the reasons I booked my ticket to Taiwan.  The waves are so rough that people are not allowed to swim, but it is still a big tourist attraction.  The weather was overcast (which I preferred) and the mountains were beautiful-- they lined the entire beach.

This temple symbolized the stairway to heaven.

Like I said, I would definitely go back to Taiwan if not to live but to sightsee. There was so much I didn't have to see and I was stupid to think I could see a lot in just four days.  I think Taiwan should be one everyone's list of travels when and if they decide to travel SE Asia.  I highly recommend it even if I barely saw anything I wanted and should have.  There is always next time!

Qixingtan Beach

Well, all that is left for me to do is finish up my contract.  I have a wedding to go to in California in July which will put me home in that month... not sure the exact dates but I will be making visits then heading back to Korea after the wedding.  Third year in Korea, here I come!  I hope everyone is doing well and that you're taking care of yourselves.  I know that the winter has been pretty harsh so I hope spring comes soon for you guys.  The weather is getting warmer here-- 50 degrees now-- and I really should go outside and enjoy it.  We'll see how much homework I get done. ^^  I wish you all the best!