empire state of mind

New York City was my first love.

2dbls

With skyscrapers so tall it is no wonder that it is affectionally referred to as the city of dreams. Dad booked us into the Paramount Times Square, a hotel strategically located within walking distances of all the Big Apple's hot spots.

For five days we explored the depths of the concrete jungle. The quirky boutiques that decorate the sidewalks of SoHo, cafes that literally draw you in off the streets of Greenwich Village and politely declined the promises made by the pedlars that line Canal Street. However, I would have to say that the trip highlights include our visits to the Top of the Rock, The Empire State Building and more simply, a family dinner with my Korean co-teacher, Hyunhee.

30ROCK
Central Park in the distance

30 Rockefellar Plaza and The Empire State Building are famous for their birds eye view of the city. Up there, you realize what a small island Manhattan is. Unencumbered by its finite size, Manhattan is a hub of culture, education, commerce and new growth. Looking out from these towers, I couldn't help but feel like I was at the eentre of the world.

Hyunhee, Xi and I

Alfredo's was the perfect back drop for dinner with Hyunhee. Flanked with absolutely phenomenal homemade Italian food and wine, my parents and Andrew finally met the woman that was my life line in Busan. Our families shared and instant, natural chemistry, illuminating to each respective party why the other is such an important part of my life. At the corner of 49th and Broadway I choked back tears and said goodbye. My relationship with Hyunhee is so unique. At first she was my superior, turned advisor and now, a dear friend.

Like all great loves, you never quite get over it. Watching the island fade in the distance as we climbed higher and higher into the sky, I smiled to myself and wondered - will Manhattan and I ever live happily ever after?  That story is for another day.

up, up and away

Killing time at Incheon International Airport, parked on a stiff wooden bench. I sit back and watch travellers criss cross in front of me, looking important, looking flustered, looking excited. Where is everyone going?

Behind me the clouds are clearing and the sun begins to peak through, my nerves instantly relax. I wonder if I can rationalize another Longchamp. Is three too many?

I let out a little laugh at my own expense, after all my careful planning, I managed to set my alarm for 4:00pm instead of 4:00am - thank goodness for Dad's and international wake up calls.

What was only hours ago seems like days. My eyes begin to sting as I recall my final moments with Busan. Seat 21D, starring out the window at this little man waving feverishly as the plane jerks towards the runway. We lock eyes (or at least I like to think so) and I wave back. He throws up a peace sign and we are off.

and so it goes

full circle together 2010-2011

To the EPIK Class of August 2010, here we are, 365 days later...the pictures to remind us, the battle wounds to prove it and the inside jokes to keep us smiling. Thank-you for joining us at Eva's last night to watch the video that brings these memories to life. Although entirely cliche, lets raise a glass and 'cheers to the nights you'll never remember, with the friends you'll never forget!'

reclaiming youth

Hyunhee, June and I, my co's be like ooah

I've been asked countless times over the last few weeks 'what will you miss the most?' 'what will you do/eat/buy first in Toronto?' so I decided to dedicate a post to answer these questions. 

kym + alex + jen + matt = family

womanlove, onelove

Leaving Korea, I am sorry to say goodbye to: subway fobs, #504, humpday hangouts, uh uh, my celebrity status, no tax, cheap taxis, Family Mart and underground cell service. Heading home I cannot wait to: taste barbecued corn on the cob, satisfy my sweet tooth (hello Smartfood, Fudgee-Os and sour patch kids), be invited to try clothes on, eavesdrop on conversations in public and relax dockside (Corona in tow) up north. 

Haeundae Beach

My dear Busan family, I don't know what I expected but I didn't expect you, jackpot. Toronto, you hold my roots, can't wait to sprout some new ones with ya... I'm coming home.

I won't forget.

cheers to optimism, may the future be bright

family.friendship.love.personal fulfillment.

United in their triumph over evil, Ron, Hermione, Harry and Ginny, watched the Hogwarts Express pull out of King's Cross station for the last time. As the silver screen faded into darkness, I sat there, heavy with the realization that this was the final installment in the Potter series. Although many of the sub stories met their natural ends, we are left to wonder what is next for our favourite witches and wizards and the fantastical world in which they live. Here I think Rowling accomplished something unique and really quite special. She propels readers and movie goers alike to recognize the everyday magic that exists in our muggle world and reminds us that we always have something worth fighting for.

boreyonged

Last weekend we joined in the hilarity, randomness and straight up mess of the Boryeong Mud Festival. This annual event, attracts waygooks from across South Korea for a weekend much like those of our childhoods past. With mother nature's coveted blessing, the sun shone down on us as we frolicked in the sea, got down in the mud and shook our groove thang under midnight fireworks and lasers. 

tri mud love

bromuding

yup, definitely mud in my teeth

Scanning through photos, I would have to say that these 36 hours are best left untouched - a once in a life time experience if you will. If you have the chance to be boreyonged, jump on it, or more appropriately,

 IN IT!

bright neon MUD love

"excellent and sometimes beautiful photo"

Talked to my parents via Skype

watched 'Bad Teacher'

woman love, best type

so snoozy, stage five leaker. 

Basked in the sun

sipped my iced mocha 

I could have had more than one

lived la vida loca. 

Brunch at the Wolfhound Pub

barely arrived alive

I needed a tummy rub

definitely did the porcelain dive. 

Flipped through my photo book

and enjoyed my eggs and bakey

the lime green cover was all it took.

Woke up shakey

star fishes decorated the room

fits of laughter

snapshots of the night, zoom zoom zoom

looked like disasters. 

Face down outside Elune

so not okay

made the boys swoon

mayday, mayday!

Rocked and rolled

one flip wonder met her match

shots, shots, shots I was told

even saw someones snatch.

Big Apple pre game

little black dress, 5 inch heels

primp, push up, you know, same same

should have had a proper meal. 

Toasts from the girls I love the most

cake too beautiful to eat

really I'm not trying to boast

what a twist of fate that made us meet

But thank god that we did

I can't imagine life without you now

although its time to make our bids

this is not goodbye or ciao

so lets leave it there

keep in touch and share our next endeavors

take care

love you forever. 

Girls, you know who you are. Thank-you so much for the most precious birthday and heartfelt words.

oh the places you'll go

21+2

With 23 just around the corner and my return home around a few more (might as well run with that metaphor) the words "what next?" have been haunting me. In truth, I know what's next, I'm back to the ol' academic bump and grind to begin my post graduate work in the field of international development. Ultimately, I would like to work for a non governmental organization that shares my belief that education is the cornerstone of sustainable growth. Growing up in Canada, 'a baby country', a term affectionately coined my by my 6th graders, I did not appreciate the role of history in modern society. Overtime it became clear why traditional values remain in Korea's education system today. Among other things, this year has taught me patience, understanding and tolerance of cultural differences, an attitude that I hope will allow me to realize my professional aspirations.

The above paragraph sounds like a well rehearsed answer, but what lies in the subtext are the anxieties I have about the unknown. When I can't make sense of my feelings, I usually look to the internet and self medicate. Arguably the worst thing to for oneself (so Cancer of me). Today Google connected me with an astrology site, that assured me that my emotional flux is characteristic of my zodiac sign. Phew. What is more:

• Cancers need to feel like they are making a difference, however small, in order to feel content.
• Cancers dig house parties. 
• Cancers are prone to poor eye sight. 
• Cancers love pillow talk. 
• Cancers reaction to confrontation is directly proportionate to how thick their shell is.  

I guess, whatever will be, will be.