Vietnam

As I'm sitting here on this Vietnam sleeper bus trying not to freak out, I have this weird feeling of joy. Haha I will explain the bus then the weird feeling of joy. First I'm claustrophobic and extremely so. When I first got on I thought it was a double decker bus, since we had 2nd level seats. Only when I fully finished taking off my shoes at the door ( this should have been warning sign) did I realize it was a bed full of 2 level bunk beds and you can't even fully sit up.  We were all on the top bunk and I fully curse being in Asia for the first time since arriving in Korea. This is because if I were in America this level would fully be above average height for me, but, since I have enjoyed the benefits of Asian height average ( bus handles, pants lengths, kitchen cupboards and chair sizes) I knew there would eventually be a con. Given my still recovering foot and the crazy driver who seems to have forgotten he had live ones in the back, I'd say I'm coping pretty well.

Ooops forgot to mention why I was on this bus. We're on our way to Nha Trang, which is between Hanoi (north) and Ho Chi Minh City (south). It is approximately 5- 6 hours drive from Ho Chi Minh City, but because people have to pee 3 times a night, it becomes a 9 hour drive. We are doing the overnight bus, which is 930-630 and it is currently 130.

Return to original reason for this post, so I'm trying not to think about the small encasing box I'm in or imagine the bus flipping over. I take a moment; something I was advised by my wedding dj and mc, Dave Beal, to do whenever I'm doing something important in my life. I did this at my graduation, the week before my wedding. As I was sitting on the stage staring into the dark crowd that was filled with dark mysterious figures of family friends, I took that moment. I congratulated myself for having the courage to come back and finishing what I needed to do. Also for not doing it half way, but giving it my all and finishing 2 years in a year and 4 months with a 7.8 GPA in sociology. That time made the difference to where I am capable of being this year.

The second time was rightfully so at my wedding, Matt and I took it together. It made my memory of that night a cemented experience that I will forever cherish.

The third time was half way through my Korean Air flight over to Korea. It finally hit me as the plane at great speeds took me away from my loved ones and every bit of safeness my life had. I took a moment and started to think about ways I can make the plane turn around or how long I would be in debt if I just booked a return flight upon arrival. LOL just a little secret I decided to share finally. I came up with some pretty interesting ideas, that I will just keep to myself.

Okay, finally back to the fourth and current time I am taking this moment. I'm in Vietnam... I are traveling  along the coasts of Vietnam. Next month I'm heading to Hong Kong and more plans for July. *breath out... Last year at this point I was in a different but not worse situation. Never did I think I would be able to cross something, let alone several items off my bucket list. I've missed my mom and dad and when I saw them I was very excited. But I am not a mess, I'm fully aware of having to depart from them in 9 days and then it will be 8 more months before I see them again. I feel the growth I went to Korea to find, among the goals like eating all of Korea's GamJaTang, redesigning myself to become Korean, and learning Han Guel. Obviously only one of those are true, I will leave that for you to make crazy assumptions. I feel my 26th birthday coming up and for the first time I'm embracing it because this past year has finally given me experiences I can be proud to have had by this age. It is weird for me to not feel an over whelming feeling of anxiety and hyper ventilation whenever I think about how old I am and what I have to show for it. Always the over achiever, before 2009 it was looking pretty grim.

I don't know where I got the courage to just pack up and leave the only side of the world I have ever been on. But not almost 5 months in I am grateful for what ever I was thinking back then. My experience in Korea has been almost near perfect. I have honestly met amazing people and gone to places I never thought I would go on my own. Granted every time I'm somewhere amazing I always imagine my family and the girls back home standing with me. I want to share with them the amazing feeling of freedom that washes over me. Learning Korean has been a great aid in feeling at home in Korea. My life has indefinitely been changed by this relocation of "home sweet home" but I will push only forward and be strong. I'm going to truly live a life with no regrets, a mantra I have been quoting since the day I've join the online community, haha hello Asianavenue.
"I'm living life and it's Hella awesome" muahahahahahah LOL okay maybe I don't need the evil Dr.Evils laugh but why not! Muahahahahhahahaha :p

Making Kim Chi Pancakes

mmmm I know Jo will swear at me lol but MMMMMMMM
My principal gave he homemade kim chi that is BOMB so the kimchi pancakes are...*droooooollll lol

*Jo- extra spicy!!!! Lol <3

Mediocre...

Its a weird feeling when you're acquainted with people who you enjoy their company and they're good people but in Korea everyone is exactly that. I should say most... that's the ending point. As far as it'll ever go and I find that sad and uninspiring. We are always encouraged to make the best out of anything and lemonade with lemons lol but why can't people not connect when they know there is no future.

... investment...

We've been taught to look for returns, and a one year friendship isn't enough for people to open themselves up. Feels guarded and in turn a bit lacking... of course everyone shares with each other because we need human contact but nothing they say ever makes it really better until you hear from someone at home. Someone you know that will be there when you return, who will stay constant in your life.

Met a few people here I would invest, or is invested in. They keep me sane and happy. Lucky me United States isn't too far out from Canada eh!

This may sound incoherent as I'm running on close to zero sleep this week and lots of pain... exhausted!

T-Minus 2.2 hours til doctors, Korean class, MDream volunteer appreciation night and ice bar (where your cups are made from ice and when you finish your drink, you throw it at a target...lol yay~)

Fight

Next Saturday will be my 4th month in Korea... weird with so much going on I shouldn't be surprised with how fast time has flew...

My third Speech contest (Where they recite a news article and sing a pop song =D) finished today and as I look at the kids with whom I have built a rapport with most and I feel at home. When they stumble during their recital they look at me to remind them of the words... this I do with a feeling of warmth spreading in my heart. They have made me love and enjoy every moment I'm at work, even the bad days (not many) are mere obstacles now. I came to experience and rebuild myself (and my bank account...) these wonderful and equally wacky kids have been so important in the continued strive I have...

I feel blessed for having found the best hagwons among the worst hagwons... Thank you Tanya for squashing my fears and encouraging me to join this family.

Unfortunately not the same positive notes can be used to describe my current savings... as undoubtedly foreseen my Tokyo, Vietnam, and Hong Kong trips have delayed my expected debt free status. BUT there is a plan and with my lovelies at home contributing towards my next biggest expenditure (Nikon D5100 DSLR...drool) I will be back on track as of February!

The latest book I've just finished today was Dream of the Red Chamber- If anyone has some spare time try your mind at this one. Said to be one of the greatest stories and adaptation of Chinese literature, it starts off a little dry and there are well over 100 characters portrayed in the book, it is tragedy done at its best. Reality has never seemed so determined to conquer hope.

I was on a new mission to try as many different foods as I can but that will have to be put on hold for me to allot a food budget for Vietnam and Hong Kong that I will be satisfied with. LOL seriously, this one's gonna get her FOOD ON...yay

Within these four months, to say my life has taken a drastic turn is an understatement... I tend to try and live with no regrets which will float over my death bed. In this case I will have to wait and live to find out... I will face it with the new found strength in myself for myself. I will not let what I sacrificed to prevent me from seeing the light... in other words lets just call it 'optimism'!

I can only hope those dear to me whom have fought with me and by me are still with me. I'm sorry for not having been there the last four months, I greatly appreciate all your love and support, in the many ways it comes about!

Much Love,
Jan

Complicated

Finally read the last book in Larsson's Girl with a Dragon Tattoo series! Very good and recommended... don't read in the middle of the night unless you can sleep with conspiracy and murders in your sleep lol

Onto "Dream of the Red Chamber"

Been thinking about whether to buy a DSLR or not as my christmas present to myself... Korea has really made me love taking pictures, of scenery more than people. Fall here is just amazing, everyone says it is the best time to travel around and I couldn't agree more. I'm looking at a $650 or $850 one... will have to do more research.

On the other hand Hong Kong has been booked for Jan 21st to 24th another 4 day trip lol should be fun, have dreamed of going to Hong Kong since I was a child watching my dramas and can't believe it's actually going to happen.

Overview:
Korea (August arrival)
Tokyo, Japan (September)
Ho Chi Min, Vietnam (December)
Hong Kong (January)
Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore (July)

Not bad right? The best part of teaching here is being able to travel and I wouldn't trade my current experiences for anything, hardship or not. I realized I love to teach and I love talking to the kids. Made me want to apply for teacher's college back in Toronto, but I'm not sure I'm done in Asia yet. I want to do everything I can before settling down in Toronto.

My students thought I was 20 years old, I was like is that even possible since I need a undergraduate degree lol I laughed and the next guess was 27.. I'm like you're pushing it buddy lol Not far off the mark I guess, considering in April my asia age will be 27.. ahhhh lol a bit of air gasping there but still here...

got used to the idea of being young and having endless opportunities.. but now I'm feeling like I have to decide on a plan... mmm will have to think about that one a bit more...

What I've been up to for 6 months... update

Update on previous post: accomplished everything but "stop eating fish ice-cream" lol again not gonna happen!

"At First Sight" by Nicholas Sparks
"The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks
Something Blue by Emily Griffith
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom (Thanks Phil)
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Girl who Played with Fire and The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson
Shoe Addicts Anonymous by Beth Harbison
Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Mikale Kundera
Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
The Picture of Dorian Gray, Lord Arthur Savile's Crime, The Happy Prince, The Birthday of the Infanta by Oscar Wilde
Hitler's Peace by Philip Kerr
 The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
20000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks
Message in A Bottle by Nicholas Sparks
The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks
A Bend in the Road by Nicholas Sparks
Farewell of Arms by Ernest Hemingway
Game of Thrones by George R. R Martin

Reading A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens




LOL been busy =D

Back on track..

LIST OF GOALS
1. Start P90 as soon as I'm done being sick
2. Stop eating fish ice cream LOL (not gonna happen)
3. Start actively doing yoga at least 3 times a week
4. Cook again during the week and make Beef curry sandwiches and cass red fried chicken LOL
5. Read to kill a mockingbird, reread the color purple
6. Start level two in Korean class, possibly set up a Korean language exchange
7. Start sleeping 8 hours a night again
8. Stop buying shoes in Korea

That's good for now... and Sta Te (korean lol)