HIKES, ART & GOLD.. OH MY!

Things making me happy right now:

Currently sitting at a cafe and have it entirely to myself (Caffe Bene to be specific). I’m on the second floor looking over my neighbourhood.
I slept in this morning, made french toast and drowned it in maple syrup.
It’s 17 degrees outside.
I booked my train to Seoul for next weekend because, FASHION WEEK!
I bought an air freshener for my apartment. Looking forward to going home to see if it works (is that sad?).
Came to the realization that I am exactly where I want to be, doing exactly what I want to do and that, makes me happy.

Can I be real for a sec?

If you’ve known me for the past three years, you know that moving to South Korea was an idea that quickly turned into a plan. However, I didn’t act on the plan until this year. I flip-flopped not knowing if I’d be “behind in my career” that I had in Toronto. It took me three years to make my final decision. THREE. YEARS. I had family and friends who told me I should stay in Toronto because I was “making a name for myself.” Perhaps I was gaining “success” or whatever, but I went to bed almost every night with a frown on my face. You can have all the money, love and accomplishments in the world but if you’re not happy, are you really successful?

I believe everything in life happens for a reason. The company I was working for shut-down and I saw that as an opportunity to make my South Korean adventure into a reality. I went after it. A few months later, here I am.

May I continue to be candid with you?

I am the happiest I’ve ever been.

For three years, moving to South Korea never left my mind. My intuition pushed every day, “GOOOOOOO ALREADY!!!!!!” Pretty cool how that works, eh? Eva Chen’s advice to me was correct, “there is no such thing as falling behind in your career.” My job has me teaching, writing, traveling, vlogging and it’s all exactly what I want to do at this point in my life. I’m not falling behind, not even a little bit.

I am saying all of this because if you’re someone who is flip-flopping on an idea or is scared to leave your comfort zone.. honey, life is too short and it’s never too late. You don’t have to know every little thing, most times (..all the time) I don’t know what I’m doing, but I’m trying a billion different ways to figure it out. Even though living in South Korea has its challenges (like, why is grocery shopping always such as mission), I wake up every morning with a smile. People go on EAT, PRAY, LOVE journeys that last years to find fulfillment. I learned if you’re genuinely happy, you accomplished what many people struggle to find.. that to me is being successful.

Ok, rant done.

Moving along, I am aware that I didn’t explain the above photo. That is the hiking trail behind my house, it’s a beauty huh?

Last weekend went to Gamcheon Culture Village with my co-teacher. The village is up in the mountains and filled with colourful houses abound. There are also tiny alleyways you can weave through and explore. The best part? Art is EVERYWHERE, with murals and sculptures created by locals.

Watch my vlog below for my visit to Gamcheon Culture Village, PLUS more of my daily life.