first train home i've got to get on it.

I've been in love with this Imogen Heap song since buying the new album a few weeks ago. It pretty much plays on repeat. It also happens to nicely coincide with my current thoughts about travel, the future, and the idea of home.

"I want to get on with getting on with things. I want to run in fields, paint the kitchen, love someone. and I can't do any of that here, can I?"

home on the other side.

A new job and another new apartment. This is where I now eat, sleep, read, watch TV, send emails, etc. My own little 9' x 10' home on the other side of the world.

Views from every angle:







"I long, as every human being does, to be at home wherever I find myself."
-Maya Angelou

island paradise.

It was so nice to get away this past weekend and to leave the chaos of the city. As much as I love living in places like Beijing or Seoul where there is constant movement and people, it's good to experience the quieter side of life every once in awhile. So this weekend Eva and I went to her beautiful hometown, Wando. We read and talked and laid in the sun and listened to music and ate tons of delicious food (so much in fact that I've declared a fruit fast for myself during the remainder of the week) and drove all over the islands. I couldn't have asked for a more relaxing or fun two days. I am thankful for these beautiful escapes into paradise with a wonderful friend.


enjoying a sunny afternoon by the ocean.


playing in the sand.


the perfect place to read and write.


another view of the islands.


sunset over the city.


driving with the windows rolled down and sufjan on the ipod. perfection.

can't steal happiness.

Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings, and once you have achieved happiness you must never become lax about maintaining it. You must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it. If you don't, you will leak away your innate contentment. It's easy though to pray when you're in distress but continuing to pray even when your in crisis has passed is like a sealing process, helping your soul hold tight to its good attainments.

- Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat. Pray. Love.)

NBA in seoul.

Today I watched former NBA players, coached by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, lose miserably to a Korean team. While it hurts my heart to know that any other country has the ability to beat America basketball players (no matter how old and out of shape they may be), it was a good afternoon. I love my friends, free tickets to sporting events, rowdy fans, and unexpected fun days in the city. And now I am even more excited about returning to Texas and watching my Dallas Mavericks in action.


there were actually more people at the game than appear to be in the picture. i guess most of the crowd was sitting on the other side of the court.

the weekend.

Chicken and beer in the moonlight. Marc Jacobs fashion show on repeat. Much needed haircut. Forever 21. Jazz club and friendship. Reliving high school days on the Hongdae playground. Apple cinnamon hookah. Learning about obedience. Noodles in Sinsa. Good conversation. Playing with friends in the park. New movie night. So much laughter. I am blessed.



Happiness. Only real when shared.

sunset in the park.

Last night I took a long walk through Olympic Park at sunset and just enjoyed the hot summer air as I thought about my return to the city. This has always been my favorite place in Seoul, and it still doesn't disappoint. I love coming to this park after a long day of work, running through the tree-lined paths, or just soaking up the vibrant surroundings on the patio at my favorite Coffee Bean cafe. I am happy to be in Korea again, but so much has changed... or maybe it's me. It's a strange feeling to to leave one job in Asia only to return to another country that still isn't your own. I am learning that life is full of unexpected journeys and I am anxious to see where it will take me next!