Blogs from Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, Asia

Let's see: I am sitting at my computer at work on my big red exercise ball, which has, as of recent, been deflating quicker than usual... Note to self: look into it... Today, I have decided to work on my resume... I'm at my job until next March (I’m renewing my contract for an additional 6 months to help the students apply for university and then see graduation!~), but there is all of this buzz in the air and opportunity and it is spring, so I feel just alive and motivated. As I was searching the archives of my life (calendars, notebooks, etc) trying to find evidence as to when I did certain noteworthy endeavors, I stumbled upon this old blog... Instead of reminiscing, I decided to just jump back in today and see what comes ... read more

Well, it is March 2011... and I am still in Korea, still in Gyeongsangbuk-do, still at the same high school (2.5 yrs)... But nothing is the same, of course^^ But still enjoying. I have continued to study Korean diligently and have begun to dabble in translating for the Ayurveda Yoga Academy in Daegu, which is infinitely rewarding and challenging and has given me a new appreciation for all of the translators I have had since coming here. It is mentally exhausting work, but again, so amazingly rewarding... Just a day of translating can expand grasp of the language to noticeable extent. I have days where I wake up and can't hear what is being said (I blame my ego ;P for assuming that I will just know what is being said) and then I have days ... read more

Listening to: Asatoma by Kevin James... Feeling: Alive^^ REALIZATIONS: Giving love... I recently have had a sore left neck and shoulder. It began last Thursday in the morning. I was lying on a yoga mat at my school. I had just done some breathing and 2 postures (dolphin and peacock); I was resting and all of a sudden I felt crazy amounts of pain. I couldn't get up for 30 minutes. It was insane. When I finally got up I went to talk to my coteacher. He took me to a Korean Traditional Doctor (한의원) and I received acupuncture and what the doctor called 'negative therapy,' which were suction cups that bring bad blood to the surface. After the doctor I went to the yoga studio and one of the teachers gave me a neck massage ... read more

Been awhile... This is the first time the gap in my writing has not been a side effect of going into a hazy fog-like state, but of awareness. I have been feeling, experiencing, reading, playing, and loving... Everything has felt rich and I am connecting deeper with myself... A few weeks back I volunteered with KAPS (Korean Animal Protection Society)... I have been thinking a lot about grounding. I have been thinking a lot about foundation. I have lived in Korea for 19 months and I realized there are many small facets of my life that make me feel like I am just a life in transit. One thing, everyday I carry a huge backpack stuffed full of all sorts of random things (yoga clothes, pens, books I'm reading, tea, grain powder, chapstick, cough drops, planner, ... read more

A "collar" for dogs: About 3 weeks ago now, I met two puppies on my walk from work to the bus stop. The puppies were obviously related and about 6 weeks old. One has puffy reddish hair and the look of a teddy bear. He was very rolly polly looking. He was the bigger of the two. The other had shorter hair and was a light fawn colored. He was smaller and more submissive to his brother. The two would roll on the ground and bounce around. They were so playful and healthy. I felt so lucky to think that these two puppies would be next to my work and I could love on them when I walked to or from school... As I was petting them I noticed that they both had clearish white plastic ... read more

I'm reading such a great lil yoga book that I recommend to all people looking to gain a better grasp of yoga and its application in modern life: Yoga and the Path of the Urban Mystic by Darren Main Such a digestible read... and so thoughtfully written^^ I taught yoga at Buy the Book Cafe in downtown Daegu this past Sunday and the energy was so dynamic. There were about 25 people in attendance. The room was packed. We started a little late to allow people some wiggle room in tardiness. Then we had to rearrange the mats to fit everyone. After that the flow began. It felt great to see everyone experiencing and hear everyone breathing. There were many different levels present. After class it was fun to walk around and greet people. I even ... read more

I woke up and got ready in less than 7 minutes. I walked to the bus stop and I got on the 840 bus. As I swiped my Daegu card, the machine said something in Korean. It was probably out of money. I knew it was 1100 ( $1.10) but I didn’t have any coins on me. Also it took a very long time to find money in my purse. So embarrassing because when you put money into the machine, it only dumps it when it has the exact change. The machine kept on making clicking noises. On top of that, because the bus was full, I was standing right next to the bus driver. I was surprised he didn’t say anything to me. Because I was all the way in the front, I was far ... read more

So this new school year has brought several changes and I am coping horribly ; ) I have been doing some rhuminating recently due the the feeling of self-consciousness and a general lack of faith in myself mainly in the areas of teaching, yoga, Korean, etc. The conclusion is that I am struggling with my identity. It didn't come to me until a great conversation I had today with a friend. I have been working to keep myself in-check recently, which is very uncharacteristically me. I am usually one to approach a situation with sensativity and witness before I jump to conclusion, make assumption, or charge blindly... So I am cultivating my awareness. One of the areas I am struggling in is a Korean-yoga barrier. I have been taking yoga in Korean for over a year ... read more

Since when is it cheaper to go to a travel agent?! I was under the (false) assumption that purchasing tickets, say, flight tickets, would be cheaper on the internet. Fail. It turns out that hauling it over to an agent is what takes the price down... Goals: Kyoto, Japan-- May 2010 CA, USA-- Aug 2010 Ubud, Bali-- Feb 2011 I need to wander over to a travel agent and get on this... Holler. I have a new main co-teacher... New is a funny term and slightly maladroit. He is in no way new to me... We've been aquainted as co-teachers for a year now, but we have spent very little time together. All of that is changing at an incredible rate. We now share an office, just the two of us, so we will have lots ... read more