One of my favorite things to do is reflect back on all the adventures and fun things we did throughout the year, and 2013 was a heck of a year. We really enjoyed 2012, but had so many opportunities this year to travel, experience new things, and see more of Korea. I'm not going to sit here and write about what I'm expecting from 2014, because I have absolutely no expectations. Life gives us so many surprises and opportunities, it's impossible to predict the future! All I know is that its going to be yet another wonderful year with my husband, filled with excitement, adventure, and yet again…travels! Happy New Year to all, and be safe in all your festivities! Just in case you were wondering, here are Living in Another Language's yearly stats ... Read More
Archives for December 2013
Geoje Sculpture Park
Sometimes we get caught up in the 'travel' and 'sightseeing' part of living, we forget to enjoy the things right outside our front door. We spend so much time planning on going other places, we don't see the beauty in where we are now. Geoje Island is the very south east tip of Korea, and has been home to Derik and I for almost two years. We love it here. Geoje is filled with mountains, beaches, flowers, and surrounded by the bluest ocean. The other weekend Derik and I woke up to the most gorgeous day, and knew we had to get out to enjoy it! We decided to head over to Geoje Sculpture Park in Jangseungpo. We had heard briefly about it from friends, but had never visited. Although it's a small park, we had fun milling around and taking a ... Read More
Christmas
My favorite time of the year. I (for one) love the snow, bundling up all cozy like in front of the fire drinking hot chocolate, going out and chopping down a tree (thank you Korea for ruining that one, I had to go out and buy a plastic fake tree), making a bazillion Christmas cookies, and enjoying all the holiday parties. Yes, Christmas is good. My love for Christmas hasn't dwindled since we moved to a country that doesn't really celebrate it too much. It's more like: "Oh hey! It's Christmas, <smooooochhh> I love you." The end. I kind of feel like it's my mission to spread the holiday cheer. My students have been crafting snowmen, cutting out snowflakes, writing Santa letters, and singing 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer' since Dec. ... Read More
Saturday’s Thoughts
-I'm wondering how many of you will be confused by the fact that it's Saturday here in Korea and Friday back in the States. Don't worry I get my times mixed up more than I'd like to say. -Dishes are the bane of my existence. I spend approximately 30 minutes washing them every single day, but the next morning I feel like there are more dishes in the sink then there were the night before. -My husband and I can't seem to fall asleep earlier than 3:00am on the weekends. I hate it. Especially since it makes us not want to wake up until 10am and half our morning is gone. -My Christmas tree doesn't look as full of cheer as it did last year, yet I used the exact same decorations. What's going on. -We made a 100% fully Korean dinner the ... Read More
Lok Kawi Wildlife Park
Sometimes the weather doesn't cooperate very well while you're on vacation. It's a bummer because it can seriously put a damper on your plans! One of the days we were hanging out in Kota Kinabalu, Borneo this summer, it decided to drizzle all day. Instead of sitting inside doing absolutely nothing, we decided to visit the plants and animals at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park. First of all let me say, I would have much rather watched these animals in there natural habitat (we were lucky enough to do with some later in our trip). The park itself was pretty clean, however a lot of the animal exhibits needed some updating (painting, fencing, housing). The animals seemed pretty happy: well-fed, lots of toys, treats, plenty of water. I was most excited ... Read More
Have I Changed?
In about two weeks I will take my first step onto American soil since Feburary of 2012. Actually, onto any English speaking country's soil. The only places I've visited while in Korea the past two years have been places in Asia. I have fears. Mostly ridiculous, but they are there-looming above me like a cloud. Not a dark cloud, because I'm not scared, they're just curious fears (that doesn't even make sense but bear with me). Don't laugh to hard, because these are legitimately serious. 1. Have I lost my knack for speaking English? I catch myself all the time saying really weird things. In an average day I make about 50 grammatical errors in my speech, and painful ones at that. Sometimes I just have to stop talking because I get all ... Read More
Korea has Taught Me…
In the (almost) two years I've lived in Korea, this country has taught me a lot. I'm beginning to learn certain customs and ways of life, and some things seem pretty bogus to me, but there are a few things Korea has given me a new mindset about. Below I've listed the top 10 things Korea has taught (the good, the bad, and the bizarre) me-in no particular order. I've mixed the bogus with the more practical…I'll leave it up to you to decide what's important to know. 1. Never to get mad at that Indian customer service representative again. This one is something I've learned while living with the crazy language barrier. Living back in the US I took speaking English for granted. People around me (as well as myself) would often complain about ... Read More
Not Home for the Holidays
It’s been a while since I’ve actually been with my whole family for the holidays. The last time my immediate family got together in one place for Christmas was in 2008. Yes, 2008. That would have made me a fresh 20-year-old and barely a junior in college. You’ll understand a bit more of my story and about why that is if you read this post about home. Being honest with you, I have to tell you that it’s hard. When a person thinks about Thanksgiving or Christmas, they think: family, laughter, cuddles, warmth, and love. Not seeing my family at all in two years, let alone celebrate the holidays with them is a huge burden/let down/ depressant. I spend a lot of time moping around wishing that maybe just once life could be normal for the ... Read More
Rokuon-ji (the golden temple)
**If you have seen this post three times on your bloglovin' feed I'm so sorry, I've had HORRIBLE technical difficulties with them. Trying to work it out right now! Also to those who have commented, I did see your comments on the previous post of this! Sorry they didn't transfer! Going through our photos from the past couple trips is always a fun thing for me. It also reminds me how much I have yet to blog about! There are certain places that we have visited that I'm still in awe over. I mean, just look at the pictures above! I can guarantee at least a few of you are wondering, "Is that even a real place? How is that real?!" Don't worry, as I go over the pictures myself, I'm asking the same question. Rokuon-ji (also known as Kinkaku-ji) ... Read More
