I sent out my contract to Korea Connections last week (-$60 again), and they have received it. Unfortunately, they tell me I have to wait till January to get my Notice of Appointment so I can get started on the visa/flight stuff for the second time. I'm hoping I will get my NOA in December because this whole waiting to the last minute thing that seems to be ever so prominent in Korean culture is very frustrating and leaves a lot of room for mishaps.

I just feel like things are still up in the air until I get my NOA, visa, and book my flight. I'm going through that same nervous tension I went through the first time, but it isn't as bad. I'm sure it will be February before I know it, and then there will be no turning back this time around.

As far as my health goes, I'm doing A LOT better, but still dealing with being anemic. Which makes me feel tired super fast, but I am working on building up my iron and energy so I can feel like a 22 year old again. My doctor decided that when I am in Korea I will have to take Prilosec everyday for a year as a preventative measure. Since there is a chance I could have another ulcer in the next year. I'm taking all the steps I can to prevent this from happening again! He said if I take it everyday for a year, and nothing happens then I can stop. I don't know if they have Prilosec in Korea so I am thinking of just buying a years supply in Costco depending on how much it will cost me.

I cannot wait to finally start this chapter of my life in Seoul, and see what happens. This will be my first "real challenge" in life; away from everything I know in the hopes of discovering and experiencing so much more. Can you feel my excitement? I know it won't be all smiles and fun, but hopefully it will be more good than bad. I think all the research, blog reading, and more research has helped me feel confident about my expectations. I know that no matter how much I learn from all my readings that nothing will compare to a firsthand experience.

As far as my expectations go, I'm going to just keep an open-mind and hope for the best while considering it might not go as smoothly as I want. It is a learning experience after all so there are bound to be pitfalls and complications. Like Charles Swindoll said, " life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it. Everyone I talk to about going to Seoul tell me the most important thing is to keep/have an open-mind so that is what I am going to try my best to do.

While I'm here I get to have my Thanksgiving, best friend's wedding, Christmas, New Years, and a visit from my older sister all in the next three months to keep me busy. I just cannot wait for it to be February and for things to finally start falling place!!

Now, it's time for some Big Bang Love: Japanese Style:)....enjoy!!!!


This song makes me like Daesung a lot for some reason. But no one beats TaeYang in my book.

Be blessed,
Lola O.

Last Friday I went to do my follow-up with my GI doctor, and I don't know why I was expecting to get the "everything is fine" speech so soon. I mean I finished up my medication last week so I just thought everything would be fine. I need him to give me a letter of good health to submit to KC/SMOE with the rest of my application stuff. So instead of getting that letter of good health, he decided he wanted to run some more tests to make sure all the bacteria (H. pylori) is out of my system and to see if my blood count has improved.

You don't know how sick I am of tests especially blood tests. I hate needles! I close my eyes and try not to whimper like a baby when they do it. The sight of blood makes me want to gag. So now I have to go to the lab and run a few more tests. I have had a problem with anemia for the past year, and I am still anemic. I cannot describe the utter tiredness that consumes me because I'm anemic. I have fatigue like no other, so I am still on iron supplements/ iron-rich foods until my blood count goes up significantly.

I just feel nervous about all these tests and all the waiting I have to do. I hate going to the doctor and I have been to the doctor's office way too much in these past 3 months. I am just praying to God that 1. No more h.pylori in my body 2. My blood count improves 3. I finally leave for Korea at the end of February with good health. I have another doctor's appt in December and then based on how that goes we shall see what happens next.

It just feels weird, being 22 and dealing with this kind of stuff. I mean I used to be so healthy, before all this unraveled. I just want to feel like a normal 22 year old. Healthy and alive and just having fun. I don't want to feel so tired and weak all the time. It seriously sucks! But I am keeping positive and trusting that as long as I keep my focus everything will work out in my favor. I guess I am also nervous that something like this could/will happen again.

I got my SMOE 2010 contract in an email today, and felt nervous and excited all over again. Excited for things to start happening again. It's been almost 3 months since my trip to the hospital and I am just happy to be on my way to doing what I want to do with my life. For me, going to Seoul is the only thing I am sure about right now so I want to go for it, take that risk, and see what the results are. I was nervous for the same reason I am excited, it's all starting again.

KC/SMOE have been great for me and very understanding of my situation. Let's just hope that continues and that they don't have the debacle they did for Fall 2009 with the 100 teachers that got screwed. I think they've learned from that and won't repeat their mistakes again (hopefully). I feel like the next three months will go by fast (thankfully) with weddings, Christmas, New Years, and just lots of family time. I think God had a reason for me to stay here right now. I know I am here to help the people around me and share their special moments with them.

Everything has its season, and mine will start soon. I am not looking forward to paying for my visa, ticket, and other expenses all over again. That really makes me annoyed when I think about it. Especially since I haven't found a job yet. I kind of get the feeling God doesn't want me working right now, especially with me being constantly tired. I just hope though that I can find something, even if it's just for the holidays that can add a little cushion to my bank account.

I really need to practice my Korean, and getting back into the learning about Korea mood. I am excited to finally go and meet people there, and just live. I guess I am most nervous that something else will happen to keep me here, but I trust that God knows my heart and will make my path smooth. I cannot wait to explore, enjoy, and learn there. I hope going there will help me figure out what I'm going to do with my life.

Seoul, Korea here I come!!!!
~Lola O.~

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