Images of Korea

Peanut butter, fruit, and Ramyeon sandwich... the meal of Korean middle school boys


Summer camp kids!


My Saturday Korean class




Papinsu! Korean ice cream with mostly ice, fruit, beans, and a little milk




With the Reggae man at Reggae Chicken

6 monthaversary

So its been 6 months since I've been in Korea and It's been nothing short of an adventure. Everyday there is something new, something that I didn't expect to know, see, or hear. But to me that is the beauty of being in another country where the culture is very different to what I'm used to. There are certain things I admire about Korea: the way Koreans are very community oriented, how safe their country is, how inexpensive and delicious their food is, Shopping!!.. you get the point. I'm not going to hide it there are somethings that I do miss from home, eating tostones, getting a good haircut by a Dominican ;),driving, the variety of food, but most of all my family and friends. I miss their support and love. I only hope that they are missing me too.

Korean life has been good to me though, can't complain... I've been able to travel to different cities; Andong, Mokpo, Daegu, Jeju, to name a few. I've gotten the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. I've been able to travel to Vietnam and Cambodia, as well as go on various excursions. I thank god on a daily basis for these blessings, I am a very fortunate person to be able to have these experiences and its all thanks to him.

Korea has been a place of realization for me... I've come to learn who I want to be, it's here that I've realized that life doesn't have to be a planned out schedule and success isn't measured by other people's perception of what success is suppose to be . Success is following your personal legend in life a legend no one else can fill but you. I've been doing a lot of reading here in Korea one of my favorite authors is Paulo Coelho. His book The Alchemist, really helped me realize that nothing is impossible and I need to work hard, go through trials, fall down a couple of times and pick myself up in order to successfully realize my dreams and fulfill my personal goals.
It's a must read, I can't believe I hadn't read it before now. http://bookreviews.nabou.com/reviews/thealchemist.html

I started going to church on Sundays and doing bible study right after. I don't know about you but knowing more about God and connecting with him is good for my soul. Every Sunday when I leave church I feel light... nothing is weighing me down all of my worries, concerns, insecurities are gone and I love that feeling. :)

Yesterday I started my first guitar lesson... never ever did I think about playing the guitar but here I go... another challenge, wish me luck. And finally Korean lessons are still going with a bit of improvement but man this language is HARD!

"Meet me where the sky touches the sea. Wait for me where the world begins."

It is necessary to run risks, follow certain paths and abandon others. No one can make a choice without feeling fear. -- Paulo Coelho

My humble abode

I know this is a very overdue since I have been living in Korea now 4 months... but It's been a slow process getting my apartment together since I didn't spend much time in it for the first couple of months. But things are winding down now and I am actually becoming more of a home-body. I really enjoy being at home and in my little, puny, tinsy-weensy town of Yangsu-ri.

It's small town and I KNOW everyone knows who I am or knows of me since I am the only dark skinned person in this town. Needless to say I get a lot of stares but positive feedback. I really enjoy living here it's like I'm important or something hehehe :)

My apartment a small studio apartment but the biggest one in my villa has pink and white iridescent walls/ ceiling, a bathroom with a sink, shower head, and toilet. YEP no tub, and i can pretty much clean my bathroom while I shower... which is ok with me makes cleaning a lot easier on the weekends. I have one electric stove top it can get frustrating if I want to make multiple dishes, which is 90% of the time! but I deal. My coach an orange faux leather piece of wood is the hardest thing I've sat on... I prefer sitting on the floor because they heat up!!! I think that is by far the best thing about my apartment the heated floors oh and the humongous windows. Enough writing here are some pictures of my humble abodes I hope you enjoy. xoxo
rmi

Korea's Hues

Now that we are heading in to the much dreaded rainy season with approximately 2 weeks of non-stop rain, I have been referring to the pictures I've taken in the past two weeks as a reminder of how beautiful Korea can be. I must admit I wasn't a big fan of the brown, flowerless landscape when I first arrived in Korea. I was expecting something more... I don't know maybe some COLOR. Most of you know I am a lover of all things colorful and to see nothing but muted browns and grays was concerning.

See for me it was just a matter of time and patience, spring was on its way it just had a slow start. I have heard from foreign teachers and Koreans alike that this past winter was one of the worst on record... seemed like they'd have 6 months of continuous snowy and cold weather. Well thank GOD I wasn't here for that, winter is not my friend! yea I lived in Boston and pretty much grew up there but my Caribbean blood yearns for sunshine and a pleasant sea breeze.
Needless to say I am thankful for warm weather and the colorful flowers Korea has to offer this time of year. The monsoon I can do without but I can definitely handle it better than winter...

Here are pictures of the Dumulmori its location is in Yangsu-ri about a 5 minute walk from my house. The Dumulmori is where both the north and south Hangang Rivers meet. This place is so beautifully peaceful and colorful now that the water lilies and Lotus are blooming. It's also an incredible site in the fall (so I hear). Enjoy these pictures!! I am going to post some of the Semi-won next...

smile ^-^
Rosibelle