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.
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| 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.
