Summer 2005
This was my first summer in Korea. This was the year I sat next to Young Oh and Kie Sup Shim on the airplane, a retired couple who spoke just a hint of English. They kindly took me home after I'd missed the last bus to my final destination, and we became fast friends. I later spent an entire week at their home, and they showed me all things Korean: how to make kimchi, the traditional Korean village, the statue of the guy on the 10,000 Won bill, and the Korean Disneyland: Everland!
This was the year I worked at KBS iBEST Summer Camp, a total disorganized mess but great fun anyways. I made great friends like Justin, Graham, Logan, Candice, Sarah, Noel, Sarah, Marc, and many many other well traveled souls, some of whom I would later travel to Thailand with, or meet up with in Ireland or the USA! Many a mack-ju shared at Bleu or GS Mart...and many memories made in Itaewon.
Summer 2006
This was my first year living in Seoul, also the year of the last World Cup Soccer Championship. Korea. Team. Fighting. It was so cool to see Korea's nationalistic pride. Six lane streets were filled with red-shirted fans at 4 in the morning, cheering on their team in unison until dawn. It was incredible. Paul & Haejin, Jenny & Cheryl were my right-hand friends, as we worked ourselves to the bone teaching full time at Hoyah. We also fought for our fun. We explored the city, shopped like maniacs, and danced up a storm. I also met my Korean friend Robin this summer, who has been an incredible resource and friend.
I even placed 3rd in a spontaneous dance contest at Seoul's biggest nightclub, NB!
Summer 2007
This was the year I lived in Dreamville, an apartment sitting at the top a mini-mountain behind my work, just above the National Taekwondo Center. I woke up to make huhs and hi-yaaahs that year. I spent a lot of time with Robin that year, plus my Hoyah crew, Paul, Karim, who is so delicious, and Frank. Haej was with us half the summer, and my brother Mark visited at the end of summer. My brother and I toured Seoul, trying hard to find something he could eat, but we could always count on milkshake in a bag. We also celebrated Korean Independence Day with my Korean friends Young Oh and Kie Sup.
Mud wrestling at the Annual Mud Festival. Hell yeah!
Summer 2008
This was the year I could not sing norebang and was banned from eating spicy food, as I had an unshakable sore throat. It was a bit of a struggle, living in Korea. Still, there was hard work to be done and fun to be had. Amanda Shii, Kelly Shii and I took Korean language classes and scratched the surface of a mysterious language. Paul and I shared a tiny but fabulous one room apartment, and had a memorable time dressing for Circle. We formed a lunch bunch with Christine, Justin and Ryan to escape the concrete walls of work, and even ate when we weren't at norebang.
Summer 2009
No trip to Korea. Trip around the USA instead.
2010
No trip to Korea. Hard working gal at the office.
I want some Kogi Kogi! Red Mango! Kyo Chon! and Pot Bing Su!
