As always hello my wonderful readers! I hope that life has been treating you with kindness. I've got two days left here in Arizona, and I am so sad about leaving. I just know saying goodbye to my family and friends here is going to make me cry. I leave Saturday morning, and I am just wishing I had a few more days to spend with all the people I love here.

When I was coming back I didn't realize I would love being home so much. I felt like I had outgrown my life here, but coming back made me appreciate what I have here, who I have here. My family and my friends here have been by my side through so much, and this year away is going to be a lot harder than the first one. I'm still going, but my once light heart is now heavy when I think about another year before I get to see them, hug them, share my life with them. *Sigh* I just really don't want to end up crying at the airport on Saturday but I feel like I will. This place, these people are my home. They've always been, and it took leaving them behind to come back again. I know this year will be even sweeter because I know I won't stay longer in Korea. After this year I will return to my home, to my family, to my friends, and start new chapters in my story.

I'm excited for my future. For this second year of growth in Korea, the memories I will have, the friends I will enjoy, and for all the years of discovery that come after these Seoul chapters end. Everyone here has talked about how happy I look, and it is true. I am happy. Not just because I went abroad for a year. I am happy with the young woman I am right now. This 23 year old me amazes me with the strength and will power she has to overcome, to discover, to try. I'm so happy and proud of myself. There truly is beauty, happiness, and freedom in being yourself and letting yourself discover, explore, and create who you are. To know that only you can define that, and only you can change that. Only you can be the author of your life.

Sometimes I catch myself in the mirror and the smile on my face amazes me. This is what living is. This is what being alive feels like. Sincere, honest, and genuine effort. That is how I try to live my life. 2010 was my year to grow, and now 2011 is my year to bloom, and already my rainbow of colors is stretching across this world. I'm looking forward to more adventures, challenges, and discoveries this year. When I first came to Korea it was to get away for a bit and become my own person. To be the only voice guiding me along this journey of life. To figure out who I am and who I want to be. I know who I am and I know who I want to be, where I want to be, and what I want in my future.

This peace and clarity inside of me about this second year, and all the chapters to follow fills me up with joy. When I came home I prayed for answers to what my future would look like, and I got enough to start forming an image of what lays ahead for me. I'm excited to work towards that bright and happy future. I'm excited to make my dreams come true. I'm excited to learn, to grow, to try, to live my life with enthusiasm and a lot of heart. 

I'm so thankful for the people in my life who have all had a hand in getting me this far, and I know they will be at my side as I go even farther into my journey of life. I really am blessed with an amazing family, and friends who are family to me. I'm thankful to all the people who've made the past three weeks wonderful. All the memories, laughter, stories, love, and time they've given me will be saved inside of me for those moments when I really miss them. I have a feeling the first month back is going to be rough. I'm going to be very homesick, and to make matters sadder, I'll have to say goodbye to friends who are heading back home, or continuing their journey somewhere else. Instead of saying goodbye, I will just say "see you later!" I'm going to miss them, but I know the times we shared won't disappear because they'll be the memories we carry with us everywhere we go.

I'm very thankful for all the love, blessings, and amazing moments I've had these past three weeks. I'm going to make the most out of my last 2 days here, and when I do leave I'll do my best to smile and not cry. It feels like Seoul was a dream I dreamed long ago. I realize now that home is here, it always has been. I left in order to come back and realize that all along this was where I belonged. I know this year is going to be amazing. It's going to be a year of triumph, laughter, and lots of fun. I'm going to make it that way. I'm going to keep living my life and forging my future with each present day.

Be blessed,
~Lola O.~

As always hello everyone! I hope that life has been very kind to you so far in the New Year! I'm back in Phoenix, Arizona:)! I got back Friday night, and the jet lag is still messing with me.

Okay, so I ended up packing at the last minute, because I fell asleep on Thursday night. I woke up Friday around 4AM and just got all the packing, cleaning, and last minute errands done. So I ended up having to bring 2 luggages, a carry-on, and my backpack because all the souvenirs and things I wanted to bring back for good wouldn't fit into one. Oh, the consequences of being a shopaholic! All my friends who lived by me were working so I had no help to the bus stop to take the airport bus. I took a purse strap tied the carry-on to one luggage and rolled everything to the bus stop by myself. People kept staring at me, it would have been great if they offered me some help! I got to the airport around 4 PM and found out my flight would be leaving at 6 PM instead of 6:20, great news for me! The earlier I leave the better.


I went through security with no problems, boarded the plane, and that is when things started to go wrong and weird. I requested an aisle seat. They put me in a middle seat. I always need to sit in the aisle. I hate flying, too many people in a small space. It makes me extremely anxious to be stuck between people, especially if I don't know them. Well I sat down, and the guy who was in the window seat started talking to me a mile a minute, and asking weird questions. He gave me bad vibes, so I asked the attendant if an aisle seat became available could I change my seat? She told me the flight was full, so it was unlikely. I just said to her, if one does become available please give it to me. Not to mention my row was by the bathrooms which just made it even less appealing. Middle seat, creepy guy, and bathrooms. No, No, and NO!

The guy who had the aisle seat came and sat down. I noticed an empty seat in front of me in the exit row, it was a window but with plenty of leg space so I was going to sit there. He asked me what was up, because he saw me looking so anxious and I told him I hate sitting in the middle. Aisle guy was really nice, and said he'd trade seats with me. The guy was like 6'3 so I felt bad and asked him if he was sure. He said no problem. Great! Then the creepy window guy said he'd take the exit row seat. Even better. So aisle guy became window guy, and  I got my aisle seat, with no one in the middle. Perfect! The only problem for the next 10 hours was creepy guy. He stared at me so often it made me really uncomfortable. He would keep turning around to glance at me, and then get up to get something out of the overhead bin above me over and over. He just made me really freaked out.

I will probably never fly again without using Korean Air or Asiana. It is worth the money for a more comfortable journey. This flight had no individual screens to choose what you want to watch, and so I was dying of boredom the whole time. For some reason I thought it would be the same as when I first traveled to SK, so I hadn't prepared anything. I got to San Fransisco in one piece. I went through immigration and then I went to get my luggage to go through customs. I was trying to pull my luggage but there were too many luggages under mine and I cut my pinky finger. At first it seemed to not be a big deal, but then so much blood started coming out. I had nothing but wet wipes so I wrapped my finger, got my other luggage, and went to customs. The security guy could tell something was wrong. I'm pretty sure I looked like I was going to cry, because that is how I felt. He took me to another security guy who bandaged me up, the cut was pretty deep and painful. He also let me take a shortcut out.

After, I rechecked my luggage, went through security again, and made it to my gate almost two hours later. Seriously, you have to have a layover coming into the US. Immigration and customs takes so much time. I had about two hours before my next flight so I just watched Grey's Anatomy and skyped my family. The second flight I got my aisle seat, and the only bad thing was the crazy turbulence we went through. I arrived in Phoenix the same time I left Seoul. Time differences are such a mind trip. I got to baggage claim, and all of a sudden my brother was behind me. I was so happy to see him. I kept hugging him over and over. It felt and still feels like I am awake in a dream right now. Somethings are different, and somethings are the same. It feels a bit alien to me because I've been out of the loop.

My brother and I got my luggage and headed to my mom waiting in the car. Wow! My mom was looking so beautiful. I couldn't stop staring at her. I was so happy to see her. It was a great moment. Phoenix is so hot right now. I packed all the wrong stuff. You can even wear shorts if you wanted to. As we drove on the highway  to my mom's house I had that feeling of returning to home. I think no matter where I go AZ will always be where home is. It's so beautiful here. The sky is beyond lovely. The air is fresh and clean. The roads open and not filled with people or cars. There is room to breathe, to be, to think. I've missed home. I've missed these open spaces. I've missed my family and friends. It feels good to be home. Although the time is short, even being here for one moment, is a moment that counts.

There are a lot of people I need to see, and places I need to go to while I'm here. I want to make the most out of my days. I cannot wait to drive my car. Hopefully tomorrow. The only thing I miss is the stillness and solitude of having my own space. Right now everyone is sleeping so I have a moment to catch my breathe, and put my thoughts down. I feel different. I have to ask myself, is this for real? Am I really here? It's as if my vision is blurry and my head is filled with clouds. I'm kind of floating around in this waking dream.

I'm happy to be back. To be here. To eat my grandma's cooking. See my mom's gorgeous smile. Look at my little brother living on his own. Just seeing them in their element, living their lives it makes my heart feel happy, feel peace. It just feels good to see all the people who mean so much to me, who have been there with me through everything, who continue to be my reasons for making my life something wonderful. This is home to me. Not a state, not a city, not a house. Home is people I love. It will always be found in them no matter where I go or they go. When I'm with them, I am at home. It feels great to be home!!!

Be blessed,
~Lola O.~

As always hello my lovely readers.

It's about 4 minutes to midnight and I am still awake:(! I've been trying to sort my  clothes, purses, etc to bring home as well as the souvenirs I bought for my family and friends back home. Money is just pouring out of my wallet and not in a good way. I bought my plane the weekend after New Years for about $1,500. It was an okay deal compared to the $2,00+ tickets I had been seeing. The only downside is 3-4 hour layovers going to AZ and coming back to Seoul. I guess I can catch up on my reading during that time.

So what's new?
I went to Yongpyong ski resort for the New Year. Brought in 2011 with good friends, fireworks, and lots of cold and snow:)! It was a nice first weekend of the New Year. I attempted to ski for the first time. My good friend was my coach,  and I am really thankful to him for how patient he was with teaching not only me but two other friends. Skiing is fun, but scary. The speed freaks me out, even on the bunny slopes. My friends and I fell every time we'd get off the lift, much to our embarrassment. It was really beautiful. All the mountains and snow, a very lovely weekend minus the long bus rides there and back. Lots of good company, board games, junk food, and laughter.

Besides that nothing major. I bought my ticket home. Been doing Winter camp, and thankfully there is only three days left of it. I cannot believe I'll be heading home Friday night. It feels weird. I feel weird, but good about going home for 3 weeks. It will be a blur though. So much to eat, so many people and babies to see, and lots of places I want to go. I'm crossing my fingers I can drive my car while I'm there. That would be great.

I had an epic fall last Thursday. I was walking out of my apartment. Really happy, on my way to meet my tutor friend. I was listening to music and all of a sudden I could feel myself slipping and I tried to catch myself but I landed on all fours. People just stared, I wanted to cry because my knees hurt so bad. I limped to the bus with bruised knees, and the ruined gloves my sister sent me. Then I got on the bus, and halfway through I realized I didn't have my Korean study materials. I had left them at home. I was so frustrated, but you know what everything turned out great.

We skipped the tutor session and headed to Insadong to buy souvenirs for my family and friends back home. Then we ate delicious 순두부, got some yummy Starbucks, and just had a really good time. I was so thankful to her for spending all afternoon and night helping me out. Such a good friend. Besides that I went to a Changall exhibition at the Seoul Museum of Art but it was too crowded to enjoy it. I went to Tomatillo for the first time too that night. Very similar to Chipotle. I ran into a fellow blogger who does really informative youtube videos of places he travels to mostly in Korea but other places too. I always remember faces which is why I recognized him. Haha...I kept on looking at him, he's really tall! I thought to myself I've seen him before. Oh, yeah! Youtube:)! Good times:)

Tomorrow I'm going to go to the Immigration office to extend my visa for next year. Then I'm going to pack, hopefully upload the mega amount of photos I have, and do some cooking.  Thursday we are going to some English camp in Paju with our winter camp kids. I'm in charge of the 4th-5th graders. My favorite bunch! I've got a very laid back, nothing special kind of week left. I'm trying not to dread the long journey home, but I get so anxious in airports and airplanes. When I came to Korea I had to use my inhaler because I was so anxious and couldn't breathe properly. I don't have that same nervousness so hopefully no panic or asthma attacks for me Got to remain optimistic. I've got a lot of people waiting for me, and I cannot wait to give them hugs and listen to their stories of the past year. I'll be home soon. I cannot wait to see you all!! 

Time to go to bed. Have a great Tuesday everyone, and again I wish you all a very Happy 2011.

Be blessed,
~Lola O.~

Great drama! Great song! Hyun Bin!!!

I never understand what causes these bouts of homesickness I get. Maybe it's because I haven't been feeling well. Or that I keep thinking about my mom througout my day. Or that I really wish I could see my best friend and hug her. I'm going home in January for a few weeks, and it's a bittersweet feeling. I have so many people I want to see and spend time with, but the time I have won't be enough. I worry that I won't want to leave them for another year.

I'm sitting in my apartment in the dark with only the glow of my computer screen the only light and I miss home. I want to call my mom. Talking to my mom is like the best medicine for my soul. She just makes it better, period. We could be talking about mundane things  but hearing her voice and her laugh just brings me back to earth. I miss her. I cannot wait to see her in January and have her hold me. Just be together. I can't wait to see how much my baby brother has grown up. See his apartment. Stalk him at school:)! I cannot wait to see my sister, and just be together. Shopping, eating, talking. I cannot wait to spend some time with my best friend. Lately, I've been missing her more than usual, and am really thankful for her. I cannot wait to see my two dearest friends and their baby girls. So many beautiful babies to see. I can't wait for a DABA reunion. So many little things I can't wait for. Which is why my school needs to tell me asap when camp is so I can book my flight and make this trip home legit. I'm excited to see them, hug them, be with them for however many days we get. I'm looking forward to being around the people who keep me rooted in this world. Today I miss them more tha usual, so I feel a bit sad inside my heart. I don't know why I get like this, so emotional, but for some reason today I just miss what I had. I miss my home, my people, my...IDK I just miss everything.

Maybe it's the weather, or just my moody self. Whatever the reason, I'm in a funky mood, so I am going to watch Glee and try to cheer up. I guess being alone isn't the best thing when I'm homesick but I really don't want to go outside in this weather and try to meet up with people. Everyone is sleeping back home so I can't call them. Damn time difference. I've got tomorrow off, and I plan to make the most of my day. I'm going to enjoy every second of it.

"Even Now" by Dashboard Confessional
Even now I can feel your eyes

Watch me as I strum
Much too late at night
Even now I can see you smile
I can hear you hum
I can hear you sing
And I always can find you again
Even in the dark of night
Even in the lowest light
Even as the world outside
Is spinning, and spinning




Be blessed.
~Lola O.~

Be blessed,
~Lola O.~

Whenever I am with my friend Sarah we always end up in laughable situations with Korean adjusshis. On Sunday we were on the bus heading back home from Itaewon, and as usual people/men were staring. There were no seats left so we were standing and this adjusshi took my bag to hold it for me before I could even say no. He seemed sketchy and I didn't want my property to be desecrated..LOL. Then he started talking to me in Korean about how he has a 12 year old son, and then he took out his phone, and called this supposed 12 year old so, and handed the phone to me.

This really deep voice came on and I was like in my head this is not a 12 year old kid, what is this dude up to. Then I kindly shoved the phone back at him asking why he's doing this, and he started talking really loudly to his "son" on the phone, to my embarrassment because everyone was looking at us on the bus. His son obviously didn't like what his dad was doing and hung up, and then the dad apologized to me, and I took my bag and sat down with Sarah in the now vacant back row. Before he got off the bus, he said bye to me. It was a weird but interesting experience...aren't they all.

The weather is so depressing today. I usually like gloomy days, but since I have to deskwarm all day I'm not really digging the weather. There is only like 4 people in the building. I'm hoping that they'll let me go home early, but I kind of doubt that. I'm going to use the day to print stuff about my trip to HK and Jeju, and try to study my Korean. I'm really tired though, but in a good way.

I went out with some friends for some BBQ yesterday, and met some friends of friends, and we ended up at a bar named Mike's Cabin, which was a pretty chill place to hang out on a Sunday night. We talked, laughed, played some foosball, and watched some guys playing poker. I have no idea how to play poker, but it seems kind of boring. Just another guy thing I don't understand. We stayed out till a little after midnight, and then a friend and I caught a taxi home.

Since life is never a dull moment, we almost got into a car acciddent with another taxi. The other driver was at fault, and complete moron who doesn't understand what a lane is. He almost slammed into the side of our taxi, thank goodness our driver screeched to a halt and kept us from a early morning trip to the ER. When I though we were going to get hit, I just saw it playing out in slow motion, and I thought to myself great, just freaking great, sorry mom. Then I heard the tires screeching and the other taxi kept going, and I realized we were safe, and then I began to laugh with my friend because that's the thing about life. It changes from instant to instant, and it can go from good to great, great to bad in 60 seconds or less.

We made it home safetly, and I entered my place to see that I had left the A/C on, and I was just like screw it, whatever, and passed on my bed a little after 1. I left a light on because I was worried about not waking up in time to get to school by 8:40. I was so tired when I woke up this morning, and I am still tired but it is a good kind of tired. I had a good time, I laughed, I enjoyed myself, and since today is only deskwarming it was worth it.

I've got to deskwarm tomorrow and then camp starts back up on Wednesday. I'll worry about camp tomorrow night after my tutoring session which I need to study for. I'm tired, but I feel lighter, and I'm smiling. I'm coming back to the world of the living, and I'm starting to get excited about my vacation which I just realized begins next Friday. So soon!!! I'm ready for more adventures, and just some time away from the life here that has become my norm. My friend was saying I look tired, and I said I feel tired, she said I must be burnt out, and she's right. I need a change of place, to breathe air in another place, and just get away for a it, and gain some clarity. I've got 8 days in Hong Kong, 5 days in Jeju to relax. I also got tickets to the Incheon Wave Festival, which is the day before school starts back up and I am so excited for it. I'm making dreams come true in my own way.

Tomorrow, Taeyang's Solar Concert tickets go on sale and I am crossing my fingers I can get my hands on a VIP ticket. It will be an early 23rd b-day present to myself:). When else am I going to get a chance to see Taeyang hold a concert? I really hope that it doesn't get sold out. He's doing 2 concerts, so I hope that helps my chances of getting VIP, or at least getting a ticket. Crossing my fingers, and hoping for the best!!!

Today is the perfect day for reading a book at home curled up on my sofa, but alas I am here at school wasting away.

Be blessed,
~Lola O.~

Happy Friday lovely readers:)!!!! I am super happy this week is over. It's been long, hectic...and blah blah blah. I'm feeling a lot better today.

I finished my second open class of the semester about an hour ago and I am hoping that it will the the last one until school starts back up at the end of August. I can't really say if it went well or not, but I was surprised to see the P and VP there. I thought it was just going to be the 6th grade teachers. Oh well, it's over and my co-teacher and I are going to watch SATC2 and grab some Italian to celebrate. We both need some fun, and this will be the first time we're hanging out together outside of school.

Yesterday, I got out of school and I was riding the bus back home and thinking to myself why am I letting all this negativity take over me. I don't like being or feeling negative. I try my best to take things in stride and be positive but like every human being I have my dark days. I decided I needed some "fresh air" (something that doesn't seem to exist in Seoul..hehe) and walked to meet my friend for dinner. That's what I do when I feel like I am seconds away from either screaming or crying. I get up, put on my sneakers, grab my Ipod, and walk. Sometimes I have a destination and other times I stumble upon one. Thirty minutes and gallons of sweat later I'm feeling lighter and more clear-headed.

There is this path I take to get to where I need to go. It's this brick path that is shaded by trees on both sides. For me, I find it a really peaceful place. It's like the trees are sheltering me and giving me space to breathe at the same time. It made me smile all the way to my core. We had seoullentang (beef bone soup) for dinner, and went to this really pretty cafe for some patbingsu. I enjoyed both but the seoullentang stood out, because like juk it feels/tastes like a comfort food.

After a nice dinner and some good conversation I headed home. I originally planned on taking the bus back home, and headed to the bus stop. For some reason, I stopped, turned around, and started walking back to my apartment. I guess I knew that I still needed some time to just be. I arrived home a sweaty mess, turned on the fan, and collapsed on the couch. I woke up around three, moved to my bed, and passed out again till my alarm yanked me out of dreamland. (I was having a super weird dream take took place on a deserted Island and it featured two of my friends from back home and Taylor Lautner ( I don't even like him : ( !)...it was mix between Survivor and Lost...random and weird)!!

I got through this Friday. My 5th graders were a bit insane today but we managed to get it together for open class. My friend posted this on facebook which was nice treat and made my giggle and smile. However, the best part of my day was when one of my students walked in with a postcard for me. I don't really get mail at school so I thought at first it was for my co-teacher, I went through this second of smiling when I saw her walking, frowning thinking it was for my co-teacher, and going back to smiling seeing that it said The University of Arizona and was for me. (Thank you Indu for making my day ten times better).

So this brings me to the title of this post "Comfort," there is nothing like those things, people, places, and moments that make you feel comfortable down to your soul.  I think for a lot of us it's hard to let ourselves be comforted as oppsed to giving comfort. I realized as I walked home yesterday that I needed some comfort. I needed someone to tell me everything is going to be okay. I needed someone to cheer me on, and just listen even if I don't end up speaking one word. Sometimes though, we need to be the person doing the comforting. It's not always another person we need. Yesterday I comforted myself, and did that inner cheering. "You can do this!!" "Hold your head up, and stop frowning!" Like my mother always says, "It is well with my soul." I needed to get myself out of my funk. My friend and I were talking over dinner about how life is a journey, and as we talked I was thinking about how sometimes on our journey we have to stop and take a rest before we can continue. We need a moment to collect ourselves, recharge our batteries, and renew our reasons to keep going down that road or to travel down a new one. Yesterday was all about me doing just that. Recollecting myself, picking up the pieces that had fallen out, taking a moment to breathe, giving myself time to breakdown and reform once again.

So back today...
As I was reading her postcard I was smiling ,and my co-teacher commented on how happy I look. It's not that I am starved for sweetness, but I relish knowing that someone took some time out of their life/day to write me a postcard and mail it my way. I've appreciated every one I've received so far from back home. It makes me feel like I'm remembered, and it just feels like a piece of home came to Seoul to stay with me. I miss my friends, the people who have known me through the good and bad, sticking by my side and loving me period. I miss them, and I know that life goes on whether I am there or not. A bittersweet kind of truth. I'm missing out on those things, but at the same time I am doing things here that I've never done before. Sometimes I wish I could be in two places at once.

I know that when I go back whether for a visit or permanently things won't be the same, I won't be the same, and I wonder sometimes if I'll still have my place there. Change is already here, and I just wonder how much damage it will do in the next 9 months. This past month has definitely been hard on my insides. I've been plagued with homesickness, and just that feeling of belonging somewhere. Which is kind of funny since I always thought I never really belonged back home. It's funny how we have to go away to realize that we might just end up right back where we started. Maybe it is just the familiarity of Arizona and my life there that I am missing.

Knowing and understanding the world around me. I guess things make sense there. I make sense there. Even still, for now I want to try making sense in other places, around other people, and so on. For me home has never been a place, it has always been a feeling of comfort, of security, of belonging. Home for me has always been my mom. She is home foer me, being around her, having her hold me in her arms is home. I can't imagine a life without that home. She's my home, the place I belong, she's where I feel secure, safe, and welcomed. She's my home. She's that center piece that if it didn't exist everything else would crumble. My brother, sister, family, and friends form the outer parts of that entity. My home is where the people I love are and most if not all are back in Arizona. Home is the most comfortable place to be, but the whole point of this journey is to get outside of my comfort and see how I'll do without those people, places, and things that have shaped me till now.

My friend said to me yesterday, that I need to get outside of my head. If only she could tell me how to shut down once in a while.

Currently loving...


Be blessed,
~Lola O.~

Only three more days left in AZ before I leave for Seoul!!!

The last few days have been filled with bittersweet moments and lots of nostalgia. Yesterday, I went on a mini-road trip with my good friends from college. We went to Tucson, to see a friend and it was just a great experience/day. From the moment I got in the car and we were on our way I had so much happiness and peace inside of me. We saw a movie, ate some delicious Vietnamese food, and ended the night with Amanda's delicious brownies (no brownies I have had beat hers), sparkling cider, and lots of reminiscing and laughter. I have an amazing group of friends and I am soooooo very thankful and grateful to them for being in my life. They keep me sane, grounded, and centered, and I love them for that. I just hope I give even more than I take from them.

As we made the two-hour journey back to Phoenix, I looked out the rain splattered window and watched Tucson fade away. I had spent the past four years there, and it held a lot of wonderful memories, and now that chapter has ended and a new and exciting one is about to open. I can't help but smile, because inside I feel amazing and so at peace with who I am, where I am going, and what my future holds for me. I don't have everything figured out, but that's the great part. I'll figure it out with each new experience I have. It's not so much the destination anymore but the journey that gets me there.

Today, at church my pastor and brethren prayed for me, and I felt so loved by them. They are my family, and have helped me become the young woman I am today and I am very thankful and blessed by their love and concern for me. There were a lot of hugs and farewells today, but I left smiling because I knew that wherever I am in this world I know they will always be wishing me well. It feels like everyday is even more precious now that there are only a few more days before I leave. I'm doing my best to make the most out of each one, and let them people in my life have good memories to make them smile.

I just keep thinking how everything feels so right this time around compared to August. The small bowel x-ray results came back normal, and I have noticed that I feel really good these days. Lots of energy:)! I feel  deeply blessed to be surrounded by my wonderful family and friends, and thankful for all their support in everything and anything I do. A friend said to me today, that she knows wherever I go, my light will shine brightly, and it made me smile. I know that no matter where I am in this world I will and can succeed because everyone I love is cheering me on, encouraging me, believing in me, and supporting me. I will leave knowing that and it gives me a lot of strength.

I am not fearful or nervous anymore because I know I can and will overcome and triumph in the end. I know God is guiding and watching over me as I take this next step in my life and start a new chapter in Seoul. I am thankful to everyone out their supporting me, helping me, and uplifting me. I hope to always do the same for you.

With only three more days left, it feels like time is racing ahead of me, but I know these three days will be blessed with wonderful memories. I'm going to enjoy my family and friends, eat lots of Nigerian food, and get plenty of rest. The next time I write to you will be from Seoul, so look forward to it. Thank you for supporting me.

I'm looking forward to all the amazing people I will meet and experiences I will have in Seoul. Keep me in your prayers, and you are always in mine.

Be Blessed,
~Lola O.~

The lyrics in this song describe who I am at this point in my life now...

I wanted to have some concrete goals for the next year so that I don't forget why I decided to go on this journey to Seoul. These are not maybe goals but are of the MUST HAPPEN kind.

• Travel
• Japan (Tokyo, Okinawa)
  
• China
• Other places in Asia if I get the opportunity
  
• Friends
• Be open-minded while staying true to myself
• Don't just hang out with one type or group of people, but make an eclectic group of friends that are interesting in more than just drinking/partying every weekend.
  
• Personal
• Open-mind: Approach each situation, place, person, challenge with an open-mind and heart. Don't be too hard on yourself if you screw up...take it as a learning opportunity. Observe. Learn. Reflect. Start again.
  
• Positive Attitude: Smile, laugh, and have FUN EVERY DAY. No matter what happens do not sink into sadness, loneliness, bitchiness, IHATEKOREA-ness, or anything of that sort. Remember that a positive attitude goes a long way. Be respectful, flexible, but never be a doormat.
  
• Relax: It's okay if you screw up, have a bad day, make a mistake, or just feel down once in a while but you must remember to: enjoy each moment, day, and experience. Don't get lost in thoughts. Don't try to always have it planned out. Go with the flow, be spontaneous, and let yourself enjoy EVERYTHING and EVERYONE!!!
  
• Growth: Be flexible, learn, and positive change. Try new things, meet different kinds of people, and just take advantage of every opportunity that comes my way. Don't forget why you are here.
• Acoustic Guitar: Buy a left-handed guitar and find someone to give you lessons.
  
• Seoul
• Do everything on my list of things to do and places to go within the next year. Every week explore/discover something new about Seoul.
  
• Money
• Save at least $7000
• Pay off my credit card before my 23rd B-day (9/19/2010)
• Spend more on traveling, trying new food, than clothes or accessories.
  
• Culture
• People: Learn as much as I can about the history and customs of the Korean people. Don't always think I am right and they are wrong. Remember to be flexible, open-minded, and understanding of the differences between us.
  
• Food: BE OPEN-MINDED and try everything once!!!
  
• Language
• Take a Korean Class
• Practice Korean for at least 30 minutes everyday
  
• Find a reliable Korean Conversation Partner

I feel like these are reasonable goals for my journey to Seoul. I will print them out and place them somewhere I can see on a daily basis so I don't lose track of my goals. Well this is the last blog entry in the Journey To Seoul series. Thanks for reading!!!

Be Blessed,
Lola O.

Change: Nothing will be like it was over the next year, including me.

Exploration: Of Seoul, Me, South Korea, Food...of everything

Independence: First time where I am truly on my own, figuring things out for myself, and making my own decisions, mistakes, and dealing with the consequences and rewards of both.

Challenges: Including students, culture shock, co-teachers, new culture, my own perceptions, and just having to deal with the everyday differences from the life I led before Seoul.

Discovery: Of places, people, passions, myself, and those little things and moments that can make or break you.

Friends: I think the friends I make in Seoul will be the highlight of my journey so I want to do my best to choose the people around me wisely. I want to be open-minded and get outside my comfort zone. I don't want to just hang out with other foreigners, but embrace an eclectic group of people. I want people around me who like and accept me in all my flawed beauty. Friends that are going to be the people I lean on and laugh with over the next year.

Growth: This is all about personal growth for me. Going to Seoul is my chance to do something crazy and different in my life. To find out what I am capable of. To create and shape myself into the woman I want to be. To learn more about the world, and the differences that lie in it. To challenge myself to do more, be more, and see more. To bloom, shine, and make 2010 my season of growth.

Memories: This is what is going to sustain me when I leave Seoul. Memories of laughter, loneliness, challenges, friends, growth, change, and most of all memories of me and everything I have gone through. I want to make sure I create beautiful and warm memories to enjoy. That is why I want to make the most of my time by trying new things, getting involved, traveling as much as possible, and surrounding myself with good friends.

Travel: This might be last, but this is the thing I look forward to the most. Just the fact that I am going to take on this journey and travel to Seoul. To be able to visit other places like Japan or China, and having this opportunity to become more of a global citizen.

I'm looking forward to everything that is going to happen over the next year. I feel like doing this is going to be a stepping stone towards my future.

Next on Journey To Seoul: A Dreamer's Hope...