Chicken Soup for the Seoul

In pursuit of new adventures, follow my journey in South Korea.

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Making people feel happy through dance is the best x1000.

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Once a year at Jindo Island, the sea mysteriously parts and visitors can walk through the sea from the main island to a smaller nearby island. Actually - it’s perfectly natural and is due to the buildup of pebbles and sand created over time with the tide, creating a 2.8-kilometer-long road. The sea didn’t actually part this year - not sure if it’s due to global warming or a natural happening. Le boo. If it had, we would have rented our rubber boots and walked on out into the sea. 

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A huge part of the Jindo trip was to make friends. Living in a village means limited people to communicate with effortlessly and who don’t stare at me like an alien. I felt like I was suffocating. Starved for meaningful and warm interactions. After organizing this trip, I realized I am not the only one. All of these guys and gals we met at Orientation. After this trip I realize that orientation is kinda like kindergarten. Your childhood friends stay with you for life even if you haven’t seen each other for 30 years or more. These are friends I made in the infancy of living in South Korea and I am so happy we all made it happen! 

The day was pretty much dedicated to checking out the festival. Getting drinks and food, checking out the kpop concerts and then dancing it up at night to American cover bands. Then capping the night off with a giant slumber party. Couldn’t have asked for a better weekend. 

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Hey there, Handsome. Let’s grab some dinner.

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Lost in translation. So delicious you get addicted? Something like that. 

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The Hampyeong Butterfly Festival - The theme of the festival is “Follow the butterflies through beautiful roads to Hampyeong”. There were no actual butterflies at the butterfly festival but it was held at a beautiful park with flowers and ecological pavilions all around.   This was our first weekend out on our own. It was basically 11 hours of travel/loitering at the bus station and 3 hours at the park... Yikes!  A good learning experience in how the bus system works. 

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Life in Korea isn't going as well as I expected. Having only heard positive things across the board, I thought this would be a sure fit. However, I've quickly left the honeymoon phase and am in the "negotiation phase" - frustration and disappointment. The next 2 phases are adjustment and mastery. Cheers to riding out growing pains!

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Outdoor gyms are all the rage here.

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Everyone has the right to news... especially when it's peace after 60+ years of war.

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A very special day for Korea. I had no idea just how. All of the teachers and students were celebrating. It was a privilege being able to watch and partake.

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... and by seated heat, I mean heated seat. ❤️

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Traditional village of Jeonju in traditional hanbok.

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Medical exams was intense... and when we were done, the nurses escorted us back to the bus and waived goodbye like it was Disney World. 😄

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Yeosu-si. Day 1 of orientation. Opening ceremony this morning and medical exams this afternoon leaves a little bit of time to walk around.

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After a cray cray and sleepless week... finally made it to the airport with my bestie in tow. Can't wait to catch everyone up in the next few days!

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Farewell lunch!  After almost 20 years at Toronto Public library - over 20 positions and 15 branches/departments - it’s time to forge a new path. Thank you for the lovely event and gift!