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LIFE GOES IN CHAPTERS

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“Life goes in chapters. Sometimes you feel stuck or lost or heartbroken, but things always change. I’ve been a bookish little girl; a ballet-loving teenager; a college student in love; a brokenhearted new grad; a miserable law student; an anxious twentysomething searching for a path; an intern, an assistant, an editor, a boss; a happy friend; a blissed-out newlywed; an exhausted new mother; a thirtysomething woman writing this post. Hard times can feel endless, but they always always end. Who knows what lies ahead?”

– Joanna Goddard

Must-read: How Old Are You?

SHOE DOG – PHIL KNIGHT

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Have you ever finished reading a book, closed the cover, held it close to you, and sat still. Reflecting on words you read and how they have forever affected your thoughts on the world, entrepreneurship, yourself, etc. If you love a good coming-of-age story, then I highly recommend the memoir by Phil Knight (the inventor of Nike) called Shoe Dog.

Knight’s journey started when he was fresh out of business school, having this Crazy Idea. At 23 he embarked on a backpacking trip around the world. It was a dream of his to experience, “what the Chinese call Tao, the Greeks call Logos, the Hindus call Jnana, the Buddhists call Dharma.” He emphasized throughout his memoir how his travels enhanced his Crazy Idea and intertwined his experiences with the names of his designs, fabrics, and how it helped him cater to athletes and customers around the globe.

There were quirky stories of his trials and tribulations that made me laugh out loud, hardships and setbacks that made me shed a tear or two, and most importantly, I now feel inspired x100 to keep passion alive and pursue the crap out of my goals.

I cannot recommend this memoir enough. It reads like a novel and every single page is extraordinary. Definetly have to give it a solid 10/10.

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Here are a few of my favourite quotes:

“The cowards never started and the weak died along the way – that leaves us.”

“Of course I wanted to taste other foods, hear other languages, dive into other cultures, but what I really craved was connection with a capital C…Before setting out on my own personal voyage, I thought, let me first understand the greater voyage of humankind.”

“How can I leave my mark on the world, I thought, unless I get out there first and see it.”

“The junk merchant doesn’t sell his product to the consumer, he sells the consumer to his product.”

“The man who moves a mountain begin by carrying away small stones.”

“The single easiest way to find out how you feel about someone. Say goodbye.”

“Fear of failure, I thought, will never be our downfall as a company. Not that any of us thought we wouldn’t fail; we had faith that we’d do it fast, learn from it, and be better for it.”

“Somebody may beat me – but they’re going to have to bleed to do it.”

“Economists, sociologists, not to mention our own hearts, tell us that, in many societies, young girls are the most economically vulnerable, and vital, demographic. So helping them helps all. Whether striving to end child marriage in Ethiopia, or building safe spaces for teenage girls in Nigeria, or launching a magazine and radio show that deliver powerful, inspiring messages to young Rwandans the Girl Effect is changing millions of lives, and the best days of my week, month, year, are those when I receive the glowing reports from its front lines.”

“Mothers are our first coaches.”

“Have faith in yourself, but also have faith in faith. Not faith as others define it. Faith as you define it. Faith as faith defines itself in your heart.”

ULTRA KOREA

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Earlier this year I bought tickets to Ultra in Seoul, an EDM music festival that’s waaaaay out of my element. I’m not a rave-all-night type person, let alone having sweaty bodies push and shove me all night, but decided to give it a shot. I attended solo but if I learned anything from that day, it’s that music truly does bring people together. I met lovely ladies while in the entry line and we became instant friends, dancing all night to beats of Alesso, Pendulum, and Steve Angello.

Don’t be afraid to tip-toe your way out of your comfort zone and try new experiences. This is a mantra I’ve had ever since I’ve moved to South Korea. I opened my mind to a new crowd, new music, new environment, and I’m so happy I did.

Watch all the craziness go down in my Ultra Korea vlog below!

BUSAN ALLEYWAY FESTIVAL

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Hello all!

The official days of summer are fast approaching (ONE WEEK AWAY!). I can already smell the scent of sunscreen, chlorine, and freshly cut grass *SNIFF SNIFF* ahhh. But, let’s be real, I live in Korea so it’s more like the smell of seafood, kimchi, and cigarette smoke. Take what you can get..

Summer means getting outside A LOT more, and what better way to spend an afternoon than exploring the Busan Alleyway Festival. Two weeks ago the city celebrated four popular alleyways, each showered with artwork and history. Honestly, I would not have known about these fascinating little side streets if it were not for the weekend celebration.IMG_6176I was fascinated to learn that there’s a monorail in one of the alleyways since older citizens live higher in the mountains. The monorail makes it easier for them to access their homes instead of busting their knee caps while climbing hundreds of steps. But if you do brave the steps, there are beautiful lookout points where you can gaze upon staggered city rooftops, the deep blue sea, and luscious green mountains.

Oh look, a video for you! Take a gander at the Busan Alleyway Festival in my vlog below, plus I show you how to make chocolate cheesecake bars. Yup, you read that right.. and it’s SUPER easy!

This will be the last summer living in the beach capital of SoKo and I plan to lay out and listen to the crashing waves any chance I get.. every weekend, if possible. Last week I went to Haeundae Beach to meet up with some friends and had time to take a tour of sand sculptures that were recently built there. Pretty rad, huh?IMG_6362 (1)During the summer months the city will sometimes provide lawn chairs and umbrellas on the beach. I kicked my feet up and took advantage of it all, and it was glorious. When I finally met up with friends, we made out way to Songjeong Beach (surfer’s paradise) and walked along an abandoned railway. It had great views of the coast, and an ideal Instagram shot location.IMG_6358 (1)On Memorial Day (June 6) I had the day off work and decided to go Beomeosa Temple. HOW HAVE I NEVER BEEN HERE BEFORE? It’s stunning! The temple was built over a thousand years ago. However, the original building was destroyed by a Japanese invasion in 1592 but was rebuilt a hundred or so years later.IMG_6406If you ever wanted to live like a monk for the day, you can do a one night “Temple Stay” at Beomeosa. More information on that (PLUS MORE!) in my vlog below!

 

MY EXPERIENCE: MICROBLADED EYEBROWS

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I let someone tattoo my face.

And it was the best decision I’ve ever made.

Having your eyebrows microbladed (semi-permanent tattoo) is a SUPER popular procedure in South Korea. Some of us (like myself) are not blessed with beautiful, symmetrical brows. Mine are naturally thin and sparse and I’ve always been a little self-conscious about them.

Waking up with brows already on fleek, as the kids would say, is a total game-changer. I don’t have to spend 10 minutes in the morning trying to match my left brow to the right, which was honestly a daily struggle. In my latest video on Get Up & Go Girl, I show you the ENTIRE process. From the consultation, the procedure, all the way to a one month update.

This post was created for EPIK e-Press.

CUPCAKES, COW BLOOD, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN

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Another week, another life update.

Even though I haven’t had a true life update in three weeks.. oy.

It’s currently Sunday evening and I will be going to bed in about an hour, but I wanted to get this up so you know that I’m still alive and well.

Vlogging every week can be difficult, sometimes. Especially when you’re going through life’s adversities or feel exhausted, then no part of me wants to shove a camera in front of my face and forced to be entertaining. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE filming and editing videos of my daily life, it’s a hobby. I do it because it allows me to release creative energy and keeps me occupied. But some weeks, like the last couple weeks, it can be strenuous to film a side of me that’s a bit more vulnerable.

But no need to worry, all is well. I’m happy and revitalized so, let’s talk about Sport’s Day.

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Last year I filmed Sport’s Day at my school in a little more depth, which you can watch by clicking, HERE. This year was a good ol’ time, watching my students transform into athletes and compete in tug-of-war or jump rope competitions. Unfortunately I could only stay for half of the events since I currently mentor 3 EPIK teachers and had to go to one of their school’s during the afternoon to do some evaluating. It was at an all boys’ middle school, which is SO different than what I’m used to, my students are angels in comparison. I walked the hallways and the boys were rambunctious, rowdy, and rarely followed orders from their disciplinarians.

I sat in the back of one of their classes and during the lesson the teacher asked, “what do your parents not allow you to do?” One student, who was sitting beside me, raised his hand and said without hesitation, “they don’t allow me to watch porn.”

The teacher gave him a stern warning, and I tried to hide my laughter. At least he said it in perfect English. Boys will be boys, I suppose.

When the week came to an end I visited my friend Dev in Seoul! Oh how wonderful it was to be back in the big city.

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While I was in Seoul, I filmed and edited a style video on Get Up & Go Girl which you can watch, HERE. As per tradition, I had Mexican food (burritos and guacamole, always a classic) as soon as I arrived and also indulged in some mango sorbet on a stick. My stomach was content.

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When I go to Seoul, I don’t stop eating. The city has WAY more options and diversity when it comes to food compared to Busan. Dev took me to his favourite cupcake place in Incheon called, Veranda. It was a cute cafe filled with old records, wooden tables, and baked goods galore. I’m not quite sure of the exact flavour I got, but apple pie is what it tasted like, with a cream cheese, caramel frosting. Mmm.

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Now from the title of this blog post we covered the cupcake aspect so, onto to the cow blood. Coagulated cow blood soup is a delicacy in South Korea traditionally called haejangguk (해장국). You’ll see my reaction to the taste of it in my vlog below, plus I enter a dance contest at a drag show (yes, again!). Enjoy!

THE ONE FILM WE WISH WE’D SEEN IN MIDDLE SCHOOL

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I stumbled upon Khethiwe And The Leopard on Refinery 29 and was so so so glad I hit the play button. I wish I could show my students this short film, if only there were Korean subtitles. *sigh* Set in South Africa, a young girl named Khethiwe teaches us to be ambitious, fearless, and to never, ever be silenced. Strong girls like Khethiwe will rule the world one day, and what a wonderful place it will be.

WATCH THE SHORT FILM HERE: Khethiwe And The Leopard

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“You’re gonna remember this day, what it was like to feel small. I hope it inspires you to be better and if you ever forget, I’ll be here to remind you.”

“My sister told me the most interesting places aren’t even on a map yet. When I grow up, I want to be an explorer because I want to see something nobody else has seen before. You have to keep searching until you’ve seen all the edges of the world.”

EPIK TEACHER: 3 TIPS FOR FAMILY & FRIENDS WHO’LL VISIT

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Since moving to Busan I’ve been fortunate to house lovely guests such as my dad, brother, aunt, uncle, couple cousins, and best friend. They have flown thousands of miles to tour part of the world I’ve called home for 15 months. Through playing host, I have noticed what has helped make their stay a little more comfortable and wanted to share 3 helpful tips for when you start to have guests of your own.

1. Invest in a rockin’ floor mattress 

Sleeping on the floor is fairly common in South Korea and floor mattresses are surprisingly pretty comfortable. Look for affordable ones at your local mart, grocery store, or even online shops like Gmarket. Most apartments will have heated floors too, which makes sleeping on the ground not as bad as you think.

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Basic Bedding, Gmarket, ₩18,900

2. Map out good eats that cater to your guests

If your visitors are new to South Korea, they’re likely not used to the local food or have a clue on what to order. My cousin does not eat meat and it helped that I knew a few veggie dishes (bibimbap is usually vegetarian friendly!) and scoped out places around my area I knew she would like before her arrival so we weren’t walking around aimlessly for a place to chow down. When it came to my dad and brother, I knew they’d love the cheap, market eats like kimbap or noodle dishes so I pointed out as many side-street markets as I could, and they loved it!

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3. Create a DIY info card

Being in an entirely new country is overwhelming so, providing guests with an info card will be a HUGE help. Cut out a paper the size of a business card and write down the money conversion on one side, for example:

1,000 KRW – $1.21 CDN
5,000 KRW – $6.09 CDN
10,000 KRW – $12.19 CDN

On the other side of the card, write down your address in Korean (in case they need to take a taxi), directions in English on how to get to your place via public transit, and phone number. Your school will likely have a laminator so go ahead and make that DIY info card extra sturdy! Your guests will appreciate it, trust me.

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This post was created for EPIK e-Press.

GERMAN VILLAGE & ANCHOVY FESTIVAL IN NAMHAE

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On May 3, Buddha’s Birthday, I had the day off from work so I hopped on a bus from Busan and three hours later I was standing on South Korea’s fifth largest island, Namhae. First stop was the German Village, built for Korean-Germans who returned from Germany in the 1960’s where they worked as nurses and minors to earn foreign currency. Now the quaint little houses have turned into cafes, pubs, and restaurants selling German beers and bratwurst.

Second stop was The Mijo Anchovy Festival which included bare hand fishing, seafood eating, K-pop performances, and a ton of fireworks.

Check out my Namhae vlog to see more of the beautiful island!

This post was created for EPIK e-Press.

DAEGU LANTERN FESTIVAL

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Oh sun, how I’ve missed you.

As of late the weather in Busan has been glorious. I have been out of the house a whole lot and recently went on a solo hike at Oryukdo. The entire walk was B-E-A-U-tiful! The coast stretches on for almost 4 km and the scenic views make you stop every few steps to take in the the sight of the endless sea.IMG_5204The day after my hike, I went for a stroll around Bosu-Dong Book Alley. I always love coming down here to browse through the thousands of books, some you can find in English if you look close enough. I took a pit-stop at a cafe at the end of the alley and had something called “Wedding Tea” which was caramel flavoured, and it was scrumptious.IMG_5250As I was sitting at the cafe, I was browsing on my phone to see what was around the area. On Google Maps I saw a huge green patch just above where I was located. It was an area called Jungang Park. I had the entire day to wander so I thought I’d check it out. I walked approximately a billion stairs to get to park, but the view of Nampo at the top was worth every second – mountains, sea, bridges, colourful buildings, and Busan Tower looked ravishing in the sunlight.

A half hour into my walk, I stumbled upon a large statue. I always see the tip of this structure when I look up at the mountains near my apartment. It features captains and military men, commemorating fallen war heroes and pays tribute to residents of Busan who continue to shape modern history.

But where are the statues featuring women tho..

IMG_5334Oh yes, there is a vlog for you. I strap on runners and enjoy the wonderful weather in Busan.

Last weekend I embarked on another adventure. A few friends and I went to Daegu for their well-known lantern festival and stayed with our friend Bianca (fellow EPIK teacher). The festival didn’t commence until nightfall so in the morning we made our way to Suseong Lake, which had duck boats. DUCK. BOATS. We obviously took part in the fun.IMG_5572Bianca and I sat in the back of the duck. Our excuse was, “we’re too tall, peddling would be too hard.” Valid excuse, I think.IMG_5576As evening fell we made our way to Duryu Park for The Dalgubeol Lantern Festival (I think that’s what it’s officially called). I remember last year seeing pictures on Facebook about this beautiful sight and wrote in my calendar that I NEED to see it this time around. I was so happy to see with my own two eyes the thousands of floating lanterns released for Buddha’s birthday. I’ve never seen anything like it before.IMG_5578Want to see the floating lanterns twinkle in the night sky? Also, do you want to know where I’m going in August? Hint: I’m leaving Asia. *GASP* Watch my second vlog, right meow.

BIRTH CONTROL: MY IUD EXPERIENCE

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It’s time for some real talk.

Birth control is a personal subject but as women, we need to support, educate, and have conversations about our options. In my latest video on Get Up & Go Girl, I open up to you about my experience of getting an IUD (intrauterine device).

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Never heard about this alien contraption before? Don’t worry, a lot of women haven’t. Heck, I only discovered it a couple of years ago through a friend and was shocked when I found out almost 160 million women around the world use it.

If you have any questions, talk with your doctor or gynecologist because they’re the experts! I’m just the girl who has been through it, and wanted to share with you my experience.

I AM THAT GIRL – ALEXIS JONES

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I don’t remember how I stumbled upon I Am That Girl by Alexis Jones but I purchased the book on Amazon alongside Bill Bryson’s A Short History of Nearly Everything. I was immediately intrigued when I took a peek inside and read Jones’ That Girl Manifesto which stated “I am enough. I have enough. I do enough.”

It got my thinking. Often times we don’t give ourselves enough credit and put pressure to be 10 stages ahead of where we are now.

Say it with me now: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

Someone whom I love dearly had to slap those words in my face when I was in an environment where I was told repeatedly that I’m not confident enough, not smart enough, not cool enough. It wasn’t until I got the eff out of there I realized that my enough was actually exceptionally enough all along.

Reading further into the epilogue it seemed Jones (who was once a contestant on the reality TV show Survivor) and I had a similar outlook on life. Throughout the book she gave real, no bull life advice and I appreciated her suggestions on how to deal with scenarios such as what to say when someone comes between your passions or when you need to say no. Her affirmations were easy to read, even though there were cliché AF moments but if you’re having a bad day sometimes cheesy words of wisdom can be nice. I also appreciated that within every chapter there were stories of real-life women, their hardships, and how they triumphed over obstacles.

I would recommend Jones’ book to anyone under the age of 25 who are looking for a positive boost of #girlpower inspiration.

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Here are a few of my favourite quotes:

“I remembered something my friend Jo likes to say whenever any of her friends are criticizing themselves. ‘Hey. That’s my best friend you’re talking about like that.'”

“It is only important that you do something that fuels you.”

“My dad told me once, ‘The true character of a person is not seen in their everyday routine or even in their greatest accolades; the true test of a person’s character is witnessing the immediate steps after one of their greatest mistakes.'”

“Are you surrounding yourself with negative influences or compassionate, creative, kind, challenging, humble, and socially conscious individuals?”

“You have this one, precious life and you alone dictate the colorful resplendence of your mural. You decide the spectacular spectrum of shades and brush strokes you’ll use to illustrate your story. And while I can’t fathom what life has in store for any of us, I do know that life is not too short, but rather, far too long for you to waste another day not seeking out every adventure calling your name.”