Welcome To Gumcheon-gu!!! One day I randomly did a photo tour, there is so much more to see so expect more. I think Seoul/Gumcheon-gu is a place that truly comes alive at night!

When I first got here, I was like this is it? Well, I hadn't really had a chance to walk around when I came to that incorrect realization. Almost two months later, I have to say I love where I live. It's a nice place to live during the week, and get away from during the weekend. It's quiet, and seems like a safe area. There are lots of families, food markets, cafes, a movie theater, Home Plus, and Lotte Mart. In addition and plenty of restaurants, and street food to keep me happy.




 More Photos...

PS: Can I say I love all the free furniture by the trash area, just scored me a free dresser. Might get a free tv too. Score!!!

Music Time: Really digging this song right now!!!

Be Blessed,
~Lola O.~

I know there are some foreigners who have no interest in Korean music, but I am not one of them. I started listening to Korean music my sophomore year in college once I got into Korean dramas. I love the way Korean sounds the way some people love how the French language sounds. IDK, there is just something very captivating about the language. Which is why I am trying to learn it in the hopes of being somewhat fluent in the distant future.

So, if you have not given Korean music a chance, here is an opportunity to start. I tend to stay away from the extreme K-poppers like SNSD or Super Junior and go for the more mellow, indie, or hip-hip music. So here are a ten of my favorite Korean artists and their songs. (Excludes songs from other entries)

Enjoy!!!!!

My favorite song from my first Korean drama; Full House

One of my favorite Korean bands: Nell (Totally underrated)


How can you not love Epik High? As much as I adore Tablo, my heart belongs to Mithra!


This song captured me the first time I heard it. There is a very haunting element to it.


The minute the music starts I cannot help but smile.


This trio is all kinds of awesome mixed into wonderful songs:)


Loveholics know how to make you addicted for life


This is my favorite Fly To The Sky song


Mr. Sexy Voice


Very unique sounding

These songs don't even begin to dent my collection of Korean music, let alone Japanese and Taiwanese music.

Other Korean artists you should check out if your are curious, bored, or just have free time

-Rain
-Se7en
-Lee Seung Gi
-Big Mama
-Drunken Tiger
-Biuret
-Donawhale
-Humming Urban Stereo
-Sol Flower
-Tearliner

There is a whole world out there filled with awesome Korean music if you are willing to give it a chance. Yeah, you might not/most likely won't understand what their saying, but the last time I checked music was a universal language!

Explore and Enjoy:)
Lola O.

I can see why people are loving this song. It is super catchy and I just loved the video. I don't really like 2NE1 that much, but I definitely like this song. Check out the super sweet mv.



I'm really into Korean music, so there will be lots of posts about songs I currently like or old favorites in the future like this one:



Maybe I'll turn you into a fellow Korean music lover. There is just something addicting about it!

Enjoy,
~Lola O.~

In Korea you celebrate your child's first 100 days, or for couples their 100 day anniversary. Well for me I am celebrating that I have 100 days left before I finally leave for South Korea. I've had a countdown going ever since I got out of the hospital, but I try not to look at it often because it makes time seem like it is going slower.

From today I have those 100 days left to enjoy my family, explore my surroundings, and discover bits and pieces of myself before I start something new. I am itching to go and finally do this, but I have learned that sometimes we have to wait before we finally get to go.

Today I will be mailing out my contract for SMOE, so I hope I will get my Notice of Appointment in December so I can get things rolling and get my visa so I can purchase my ticket. I'm sure it will feel weird doing it all over again, but I appreciate it more this time around. I don't have the same fears I had last time, but I am definitely more cautious with my enthusiasm.

Last night I was lying down thinking about how we all have to take risks in our lives to go beyond our limitations. I could stay here, and have my "safe" little life, but at the end of the day I would regret never taking the chance to see what else is out there. To see what I am capable of. To discover, create, and maybe confirm some things about myself.

I'm ready to do something on my own, without my family, and test myself. Pop the bubble, leave my comfort zone, and so on. I saw my future so clearly before, but now I just question it all, so I need time to figure it out, and I hope being in Seoul does that for me. However long that might take. I know the road to clarity won't be smooth, but it will be an experience that brings about other experiences both good and bad.

I think my biggest concern is hoping I pack enough warm clothes, to not freeze to death there. Being from Arizona, I am definitely worried about how cold it might get there. I guess it will be an experience!

Check it out: There is something very soothing about this song. The singer's voice is wonderful.

Be blessed,
~Lola O.~

If you've read even a little bit of my blog, you know that I have huge love for this Big Bang member. He's my favorite member from the first song I heard him sing solo. I'm so glad he has a new CD coming out. Here is his new mv for Wedding Dress...



What do you think? The other guy/best friend is a jerk in my biased opinion.

~Lola O.~

Click Here: Shay: Foreigner who sings amazingly in Korean!!!!

www.myspace.com/shaybandasia

So I was checking out new Korean blogs in the K-Bloglist and happened on a blog that was talking about this guy. He is 22 years old and not only does he speak Korean fluently but he sings very well in Korean. Check his youtube page for both Korean and American songs.

Here is a little taste...

I think Mithra is so adorable, and I love his voice. This song is on repeat on my Ipod these days.

Cute but a little weird:)



Bonus: Cuteness& Weirdness
Carrot Song (Korean)

Hae Yo (Feat. Miro from Brown Eyed Girls) - Lim Jeong Hee

Do It (Feat. Miro from Brown Eyed Girls)

To all the ladies who have had their heart's broken
Listen,

I want to leave you now, I don't want to live by your side anymore, I want to embrace my hearts scars
I'm gonna throw away all our memories so that all the memories you left me won't agonize me

Yes, clinging onto I don't know
Yes, what are tears
Yes, covered in scars
I don't want to love
I'm not gonna get hurt anymore, I'm not gonna cry anymore
That's right, because of those one-sided people
That's not love, all you have to do is shake it off
That's right, we're not weak people like that

You only thought about yourself and only saw things from your point of view, did you really think I wouldn't leave
Love has left but I'm wondering if we even ever loved, I don't know

Yes, clinging onto I don't know
Yes, what are tears
Yes, covered in scars
I don't want to love
I'm not gonna get hurt anymore, I'm not gonna cry anymore
That's right, because of those one-sided people
That's not love, all you have to do is shake it off
That's right, we're not weak people like that

Yeah~ you and I we were together
If it was with you I was always happy
But slowly there were more and more tears you didn't know about
More than loves happiness, sadness was growing
I've now realized what kind of person you really are
My heart is crying out loud to me
I have to leave you right now and choose the path to freedom

I'm not gonna get hurt anymore, I'm not gonna cry anymore
That's right, because of those one-sided people
That's not love, all you have to do is shake it off
That's right, we're not weak people like that

I have this song on repeat these days. Before I looked up the lyrics I just love Lim Jeong Hee's voice and the instrumentals in the song. Enjoy!

Best,
~Lola O.~