christmas in japan.

I love having everything I need in one big backpack and feeling like the world is mine to explore.

Tomorrow morning I'm leaving for Japan! I'll be spending the next 7 days in Tokyo with my friend, Kenna. I'm so excited about leaving Korea for a few days and seeing yet another part of Asia. Check back in a couple of weeks for photos and stories of my trip. Sayonara!

dreams to reality.

If you know me well, you know that my love of photography is second only to travel. I love exploring new countries and trying to capture the raw moments of life as they happen around me. This past year I have taken hundreds of pictures all throughout China, Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, Cambodia, and Laos. I am so thankful for the dozens of people who willingly let me take their photo in an attempt to help others understand their culture.

A few days ago I received an email from a woman who works for a non-profit, Christian organization based in China. She stumbled across my pictures on Flickr and asked if I’d be willing to sell about 25 photos to her organization to be used on their website and in their publications. Exciting! I’ve always thought about selling my photos, and now it’s finally happening. Talk about an easy way to make $175!

Dreams coming true…

my big nose.

If living among the Asians for the past year and a half has taught me anything, its that people generally think that having western features is a sign of beauty. It's not uncommon for people to praise someone who has "big eyes" and a "high nose." As an American I have been subject to endless compliments because I happened to be born with these desired features. In Korea, nearly every woman I meet has had eye surgery to create a "double eyelid" (their eyelids usually lay flat across their eye) and sometimes even nose surgery, whereby the bone is broken near the top, to make their nose "higher" (their noses generally lay flat).

Tonight at the gym I was surrounded by high school girls while changing in the locker room. Although there are a lot of foreigners living in Korea, its not often that people have the chance to talk one-on-one with someone from another country. The girls were really eager to practice their english and they wanted to know where I was from and what I was doing in Seoul. After talking for a few minutes, one girl boldly said, "You are so beautiful...your nose looks like a mountain!"

Uhhh...thanks?

you better start living.

For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin—real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one.

Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

- author unknown.

insadong and immigration.

Sometimes I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and try to envision my exact location on a map of the world. Right now I am in Asia. South Korea. Seoul. Insadong. An entire ocean separates me from my home, and yet strangely this place is becoming more familiar every day. I know the subway system, the sound of the language, the districts of the city. I have Korean friends that I talk to daily. The writing that used to look complicated and mysterious is now somewhat easy to decipher. The more I travel the smaller the world seems. Korean, Chinese, Thai, Cambodian, American…we’re all basically the same.

Today I needed to get away from the chaos of the city and just explore, think, and let my mind wander. After spending a quiet morning at home in my apartment, I hopped on the subway and headed over to Insadong. I love the eclectic feel of this neighborhood. Right now I am sitting on the second floor of a street side café just watching life happen below. I love the change in perspective. Sometimes I prefer to be an observer rather than a participant. From where I am sitting I can see people walking along the cobblestone streets, vendors selling an assortment of Korean food, traditional teahouses, stores selling souvenirs, art shops, Hangeul (Korean) written on buildings and signs. A young college student is standing in the middle of the busy alleyway holding a sign above his head that reads, “Free Hugs.” Every so often someone will excitedly wrap their arms around him, glance at their friends, and then burst into laughter. A group of girls just walked in front of the café dressed in white jumpsuits with the letters H, O, P, and E, attached to the front of their clothes. A group of activists is slowly moving down the street carrying signs protesting the 2008 Olympics and China’s treatment of the Falun Gong movement. A woman wearing a colorful Korean Hanbok moves through the crowd, most likely on her way to an important event. As my friends and I often said while traveling Southeast Asia, “Welcome to exotic!”

I love lazy Saturday afternoons spent in Asia.

I have been reading a book for the last few weeks entitled “Oracle Bones.” Even though I currently live in Korea, I am still fascinated by the rapid development and culture of China. This particular book was written by a young American who spent two years teaching in Fuling, China and now works as a freelance writer in Beijing. His thoughts and insights on China are always moving and inspiring. He so brilliantly captures the idiosyncrasies of the country that make it such an interesting place to learn about at this particular time in history.

One of the main figures in the story is an American immigrant from the Xinjiang region of China (an autonomous territory located in the northeastern part of the country). The author met him while living in Beijing and their friendship has continued on even though the Chinese man has since moved to Washington D.C. One of my favorite things about this book is reading the young Xinjiang native’s account of life in America. His story has caused me to think about the difficulties that so many people have endured in order to obtain freedom. I hate that I’ve lived in America for most of my life without any real thought of the thousands of immigrants that struggle to begin a new life in my country. How did this go unnoticed? I guess I’ve always taken the diversity of America for granted. Living in Asia for the last year and a half has radically altered my perception of the western world. America is a place where we have the freedom to practice any religion we wish, to voice our opinions, to travel and explore with ease, and to express our individuality. I’m not in any way suggesting that America has everything figured out, but I can guarantee you that there is more freedom, diversity, and opportunity to succeed in North America and Western Europe than many people will ever know. However, in seach of hope and brighter future, thousands of people have moved to the United States and have endured unbelievable struggles in the process.

In Korea and China my features cause me to stand out from the crowd. People instantly know that I am different. Because I am an American many people are usually more than willing to accommodate my needs and constantly feed my ego…they struggle to speak English to me in stores, they think I am beautiful because I have a “high nose and big eyes,” and they are eager to learn about my life in the west. However, in America, I don’t even give a second thought to people that appear to come from far away regions of the world. In America it’s common to hear different languages being spoken, to see red and blonde and brown and black hair, to see people of different shapes and sizes. Nothing fazes us. It must be so hard to move to America and being a new life. People rarely take notice of you, they expect you to speak English, and you aren’t given special treatment because you are a foreigner. How strange. I know one of the great things about America is the freedom and diversity that we enjoy. The “American Dream” is more than just an idea; it’s truly a reality for so many people. I guess I just wish that as the melting pot of the world we did more to really embrace our differences, instead of merely being tolerant of them...I don't think those are one in the same. I wish the thousands of immigrants living in America were able to relocate with the same ease that I’ve experienced in moving to Asia.

You and me, we're not so different.

the weekend.

Another wonderful weekend has come to an end and tomorrow morning I’ll return to the world of teaching English to snotty-nosed kindergarteners and overworked elementary students. I love my job, but I also love having a break from the routine of work and exploring the city with friends for a couple of days. It seems like every weekend in Korea brings something new. I couldn’t ask for a more fun place to live. I’ve decided that if you’re bored in Seoul it’s your own fault.

When I arrived here 3 months ago I was lucky enough to immediately have a network of westerners around me. At my school there are 18 foreign teachers from the United States and Canada, as well as dozens of amazing Korean teachers. I’ve loved getting to know so many new people and learning about their lives and experiences. In many ways I feel like I’ve found the best of both worlds…friends who understand my western culture along with Korean friends who can teach me about theirs. I’m so lucky.

As always, this weekend was so much fun. In the span of only 48 hours I had a massage with my friend Lisa, ate lunch and shopped with my favorite Korean girls, hung out in two of the cities most popular districts, Coex and Itaewon, played poker with friends from school (and lost all my money), went ice-skating at Jamsil, and went shopping at Techno Mart with Kenna. Every week I tell myself that the next weekend will be spent hibernating and relaxing in my apartment, and somehow Saturday and Sunday always end up being anything but restful. However, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love being busy and having so many great friends to hang out with. My life is fun.

And so another week begins…

home sweet home.

This is what $650 a month will get you in Seoul. Luckily, I work for a school that pays the rent.

living room/bedroom/kitchen/dining room/study.


I still shower over the toilet. Gotta love asian bathrooms!


There's nowhere else I'd rather live.

thoughts on thanksgiving.

A year ago today I was standing on the side of the road in my thick winter jacket waiting for a peasant to finish roasting 14 sweet potatoes. I was in Zhengzhou, China for the weekend visiting Grant and we were on our way to celebrate Thanksgiving Day with a few of his friends. Everyone was bringing a dish to share and our contribution ended up being common street food.

Earlier that day we had peeled and mashed about a dozen potatoes in his apartment. Unsure of how to cook them, we placed the potatoes in a large pot, added some milk, salt and pepper, and began heating them on an electric burner. After a few minutes a horrible smell started to fill the room. We took off the lid to the pot only to discover the potatoes were beginning to stick the bottom and were turning black. The more milk we added the more intense the smell. Eventually the whole apartment reeked of burnt trash. Knowing that we couldn’t take the trash-smelling potatoes to dinner, we grabbed our things and hit the street in search of a sweet potato vendor. In China sweet potatoes are one of the most common types of street food and can be found on virtually every corner during the winter…. except for on this particular day. After walking around the neighborhood for a good while without any luck, we hopped in a taxi and drove around until we spotted a portable black roaster and a vendor eager to make a few Yuan. Thankfully, we showed up for dinner just in time with a trash bag full of steaming hot potatoes. Everyone else had prepared homemade dishes and they weren’t so impressed with our street food. If only they had known the alternative.

Today I find myself on the other side of the world once again wishing that I were home to enjoy turkey, stuffing, rolls, green bean casserole and pecan pie on this Thanksgiving Day. It’s always hard to be away from family during the holidays. I so badly wish there was a way to have it all in life…family nearby, shared holidays, travel, adventure, etc. I haven’t yet found a way to merge all of my favorite things about life into one. When I am in America I long to be back overseas living, traveling, and learning about new cultures. When I am overseas I find myself missing family and the traditions of home. I guess that’s just part of living. We can’t have it all. I love being overseas more than anything, but it’s always just a little harder around the holidays. While my family is sitting around the dinner table tonight eating and laughing and telling stories I am here in Asia with so much to be thankful for. Tonight I will most likely go out for dessert and coffee to celebrate the day with friends, but it doesn’t beat my grandma's freshly baked pecan pie! If only the pilgrims had landed in Korea….

In the spirit of Thanksgiving Day, I am thankful for: mom, dad, Amanda, Kyle, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, my bffitssfaea, meagan, lauren, brent, new friends in Korea, my warm apartment, the chance to live my dream of traveling the world, hope, education, blankets, shoes, my job, memories of China and Southeast Asia, freedom, toothbrushes, clothes, pillows, my journal, coffee, public transportation, temples, the opportunities that come from being born in America, books, music, beaches, mountains, hostels, warm showers, scarves, my seat near the window at Starbucks, inspirational quotes, shampoo, computers, washing machines, candles, movies, photographs, streets full of neon lights, cars, air-conditioning, heat, cell phones, hair dryers, fruit, long underwear, hammocks, church, democracy, snowflakes, sunshine, rainy days with nothing to do, etc. etc.

happy thanksgiving!

sunday in seoul.

One of the reasons I love living overseas is that everyday brings something new. Even the monotonous routines of life seem more exciting when I am experiencing them in a different country. Living in Asia for the last year has made me feel more alive and free than I ever knew was possible. I love living and working among people whose language I don’t understand. I love getting on the subway in Seoul, looking around, and seeing that I am the only westerner in sight. I love the challenge of deciphering Korean on street signs, packages of food, and magazine covers. I love hearing a student shout “hello!” as I walk past, and then hearing them burst into laughter with a friend out of embarrassment for having spoken to a foreigner. I love the excitement of hopping on an overnight train and waking up in a new city. I love riding my bike through my quiet Asian neighborhood and passing markets, fruit vendors, family-owned restaurants, Internet cafes, tea shops, etc. I love developing friendships with natives who can teach me about their culture. I love the beauty and simplicity of Asia.

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Every week I look forward to Sunday morning. After living in China for a year I have come to appreciate the freedom of going to church like never before. I’m convinced that there is nothing better than being surrounded by a group of believers all worshiping the same God. There is something so powerful in those moments. For the last few weeks I have been attending the English service at Onnuri Church in the western part of the city. Each week when I step into the sanctuary I instantly feel renewed, encouraged, and thankful for the chance to worship. The church is really focused on missions and ministering to people who haven’t been given the same opportunities to know God. Throughout the building there are photos of people from around the world lining the walls. There are huge portraits of Tibetan, Latin American, and Chinese children wearing their traditional clothing. Murals pieced together with photos of men and women from Africa, South America, Southeast Asia, etc. There are banners displaying pictures of flags from nations around the world. The church walls remind me of what a diverse world we live in. They remind me of my own passion for the world, different cultures, and the church. The photos remind me that because of where I was born I am an automatic heir to luxuries that others only dream of having, and because of this I have a huge responsibility to meet the needs of those less fortunate.

Today the worship team started singing “How Great is our God” all I could do was close my eyes and listen to the words. I felt so overwhelmed and humbled thinking about God’s greatness. As the song played on I envisioned people from countries around the world…. those families living in straw huts across Africa, the women who walk miles everyday to get clean water, the children who run barefoot through the streets of Southeast Asia, the young girls who have been forced into brothels around the world because they have no hope for a brighter future. However, when I closed my eyes I also saw the comforts of the western world. People driving their cars to and from work, children sitting in air-conditioned schoolrooms and learning from textbooks, friends spending an afternoon at a shopping mall. It seems so strange that these two ways of living can even exist on the same planet. They are worlds apart. However, being in worship today reminded me that it is the same God who is Lord over everything. “How Great is our God.” He never promised that life would be equal. He only promised that he would care and love for us despite our circumstances. It’s overwhelming to think that I worship the Lord of all creation. It’s my job to be His hands and feet in a world that’s crying out for justice, compassion, and love. It’s my job to try and level the playing field of life.

How great is our God.
How great is our God.
Sing with me, how great is our God.

Today I am thankful for my freedom. I am thankful for a church where I feel inspired and encouraged. I am thankful to be part of a congregation comprised of people from countries around the world. I am thankful for this quiet Sunday evening at home in my warm apartment. Life is wonderful.

the beginning.

I've never been very good at blogging because I write most of my thoughts in a journal. However, I've recently decided that I want to share my experience of living overseas. I want my family and friends to understand the details of my days spent in Korea. I want people to understand the reasons behind my passion for travel, the world, and more specifically, Asia. I often feel like the luckiest person on earth to be able to live my dream every day. I want others to understand this joy that I have found.