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Published: September 3rd 2007
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Memory Lane
leftover photos from the andong trip. I will re-post these properly in the Andong journey entry, but I thought I'd emphasize the recent addition to my blog. I've plunged right into my second year in Korea. I'm no longer able to enjoy the "writer/editor" status that separated me from the foreigner-English-teacher stereotype, I now have a chance to be around Korean children for six hours a night. I love it. I love hearing their konglish complaints, making them laugh, recognizing a formula within the English language and attempting to explain it in simple terms. I love miming out certain vocabulary words, and sharing a goofy moment with my favorite classes.
Photos of my sweet students - coming right up - as soon as I bike downtown and buy the missing cord that attaches my computer to my powershot. Life has been pretty hectic since I started voice recording in Beomeo - approximately 27 minutes on the subway, 1:10 to bike there, :50 to return *depending on the time and ajumah *older, married woman* concentration on the streets. Although I only recently purchased my Korean-brand Lespo 21 speed, I've nearly memorized the location of the cramped sidewalk spaces that prove impossible to navigate through with a bike. Dave and I discovered this when we returned home from our first bike ride to SuSeong Mot *lake* *again, photos will
Simple Science Fun
Fun with the mini-mirror while in the backseat. explain all very soon, I hope.*
I'd love to be an organized person but this luxury is only experienced when a. the weather is retched, b. friends are busy c. Korean has already been studied d. I'm nearly fully rested...
I'm sorry, this is not-travel related information. I should stick to the relevant information - my Korea musings, but I'd rather consolidate blogs into one.
The upcoming Shanghai Trip~! Planned for Saturday, September 22nd to Thursday September 27th. Flight tickets ~ 450,000 Won. Hostel reservations: Le Tour
I love focusing on the planning and preparations. Like many other things in my life, I can make lists upon lists and then realize that time is incredibly limited. Not too discouraged by this.
I occasionally glance toward my wall, giving my eyes a rest away from the computer, a break from the New York Times, NPR, Economist, Wired, Slate, whatever website peaked interest. - I’ve posted the South-East Asia map directly at eye level. I like to walk my fingers from East Timor to Sumatra. I don’t mind that I have no current plans to visit these places, and may never have the chance, (time
Sidewalk tree ....
hanging low. Won't forget you when I go.
They all tell me I've been thinking small
other trees are growing. That's where I'll be going.
....or the Korean version: Wishing Tree - write a wish on a strip of paper, tie it to the strings around the tree and say a prayer to your ancestors. They will translate the writing and whisper it to the tree spirit. Hopefully, I understood my host family correctly. or money.)
Yet, here in Korea, the thumb sized south-east Asian islands keep my real-life pictures company. A shot of Willow, my little Eskimo kitty, as she sits on the fireplace mantle, posed stoically last fall *thanks for sending it mom😊* - with the bald tree branches of my Jersey yard in the background.
....FOCUS:! Back to Shanghai Planning: The flight’s e-tickets sit patiently in my email inbox, the hostel reservations have been confirmed, and there is nothing left to do except research, attempt to keep a good head, plan a realistic schedule on a guilt-free budget.
This is the effortless and stress-free chapter of traveling that I absolutely adore. While tucked into an armchair, grasping the travel guide, possibly two, and maneuvering highlighters. A practiced, near-choreographed pattern - highlighter in one hand, transfer it to your mouth in order to turn the page, this doesn't work, so place it between the knees. Turn the page, then pick up the coffee, swerve to avoid getting the condensation drips on the book, fail at this, and then frantically grab for napkins, inevitably losing your place in the travel guide and your peace of mind.
It
View from above
Greater altitude, higher moral plane?
is apparent to any onlooker that you are A TRAVELER. Lonely Planet in hand, multiple stationary items show that you are not only intent on recording information about your future destination, but you have color coated your itinerary. Of course, little do onlookers realize, you have been highlighting whatever goofy commentary you come across (Example: Lonely Planet’s Shanghai Guide - Culture and Etiquette Section: “You can thank the pourer by gently tapping your middle finger on the table.”) * wonderful! * Drag the orange felt tip across the page, concentrate to keep a straight line * Ninety percent of success is showing up, and similarly, the key strategy to feeling worldly or scholarly depends on a showy and excessive collection of stationary goods. I believe in this.
So, once again, firmly attached to a pleather seat, fueled by overpriced, over-iced liquid caffeine, and hushed into focused state by the white noise of Korean conversations around me, I find a peace that I recognize will be difficult to re-create while actually on the journey. I am not spending money, I am not lost in a busy market, thumbing through a tattered map, and I am not worried about the
Reminds me of
wabi sabi....mmmm spelling?
Japanese art that focuses on simple, striking images, emphasizing discontinuity, imperfections. I believe...but I majored in sigh-ence. No validity here. weather.
It is similar to the serene sensation I feel while shopping, planning or sending out email invitations to a cozy wine and cheese night. Prior to the actual guests coming, the cheese is beautifully cut and propped up by a delicate cracker bridge. Not that this image actually brings true happiness, of course, because it is ultimately the presence of friends that makes the evening memorable, but, as I am reminded of Alain de Botton’s comments and similar resignation.
You cannot leave yourself behind, and therefore you are always slightly disappointed when you secure an imagine of pure relaxation. You cannot forget your own worries, insecurities, momentary setbacks from weeks ago even while staring up at a Shanghai moon, just as you cannot prevent the inevitable moment of wine spilling, the fondue stain or your guests’ impatience at your musical selection. Life is not formulaic and to imagine it, or will it to be so, is a promise for disappointment. So, it is also necessary, during these arm chair fantasies, to keep your head. My head, about me. To avoid a reality crash, so that a minor setback does not leave you so crestfallen that you forget
Timo's Crew
First period - from 4:30 - 5:20, these rascals keep me on my toes. how delicious the dumplings are, that they are certainly within your price range. You can eat them even while you are lost and allow them to momentarily assuage your frustrations. The fondue stain, after all, is a small price to pay for hours of laughter. Where did this take me? I've lost my whole narrative flow, I'm sorry. I just caught a glimpse of Sumatra and all focus was lost in that moment.
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shan
non-member comment
lovely writing
and i'm glad you're blogging again. xxo