I'm in a REALLY good mood right now. I woke up this morning, and when I was about to open my door I saw this fedex package (I guess my Grandma signed for it, and slipped it under my door). The funny part was that I had been talking to my sister about how the NOA package should be here by 10:30 AM, and while we were still talking I looked down and there it was. It was a nice way to start my day.

I filled out the visa application form and mailed it out this afternoon. So hopefully I will get my passport/visa no later than Saturday, and will book my flight next week. I'm smiling and laughing because five months ago I was so miserable wondering how I would get through six more months of waiting to leave for Seoul, but I made it through it, and these five months have been an unexpected blessing. I had more time with my family and friends, and I have grown and learned a lot about myself over the past five months. It wasn't easy, but I just feel like August wasn't my time to leave yet. There were still things I needed to do, experience, and learn for myself.

Next week is by God's grace my final checkup with my GI doctor before leaving for Seoul. I had to do some lab work today (waited almost an hour before they did the tests), so I will find out the results next week, and hopefully they will be much improved so I don't have to keep taking the Iron Glucose medication when I am in Seoul. I told myself 2010 is my year of GREAT health, and I am going to do my part to make that happen!

I'm pretty much all packed, since I never unpacked in the first place. All I have left in the month ahead is spending time with the important people in my life so we can have memories to make the year apart not seem as long. I am not anxious or nervous about going to Seoul this time around, because I just feel like a positive attitude and some serious determination will make things a lot easier on me than worrying about the details.

So, cheers to 31 more days left before I get on that plane and start my Seoul journey!!!

Be Blessed,
~Lola O.~

Last night my recruiter emailed me saying that my NOA package was on its way to me. He gave me the tracking number, and it looks like it will be here next Monday. It feels very surreal to be doing this process again. The excitement is there but it is a little tainted my memories of failure...lol

I guess it really wasn't a failure as much as I believe it wasn't the right time for me. I am a big believer that everything happens for a reason, and in the last five months I have grown up a little more each day and understand myself, my dreams, and my future a lot better now. So, I'm grateful for this extra time to sort myself and my life out so I can go to Seoul with a clean slate. I have no regrets or unfinished business left simmering here. I can leave knowing that everything I needed to take care of was taken care of. Everything I needed to say was said. It feels really good to leave with this feeling of peace inside of me.

In August, I had a lot of worries and doubts, but now I have strength and faith in myself. No matter what comes my way I can and will overcome it. I have that outlook and determination now. It is funny how you think you know yourself so well, and then life teaches you that you don't.

Now, I know myself better, and even the things I don't know will be discovered along the way as I travel on my own path. I don't know how to express the feeling of happiness I have towards myself these days. It feels like it took me this long to grow up and become my own person. Someone who follows her own path, and listens to her voice and not others. Maybe this is what it means to love oneself.

So it looks like I will apply for my visa next week, and hopefully get it by the end of the week as well. Then I can finally buy my plane ticket, and that would be the last thing to make this journey to Seoul concrete. I have about 34 more days here, and unlike in August I am very laid back about things, because I trust that everything will work out as it should so instead of worrying I have to just believe and do the best I can.

I am laughing and smiling as I write this because I feel so much more mature and sure about my life and where it is going. When I was 21 I was feeling very unsure of what the future held for me, but now I realize that the future is created with each present day. I/We don't have to have all the answers because sometimes you will discover them along the way.

So today I am one step closer to my journey to Seoul, and I thank all of you for supporting me.

AJA AJA Fighting!!!
~Lola O.~



Whenever I listen to this song, it reminds me of this point in my life. A point of beginnings and endings...

I remember  four months ago how miserable I felt having to wait six more months before I could finally leave for Seoul. In the past four months there have been a lot of obstacles thrown my way, but I have made it this far and I know I will make it through the next two months and finally get on that plane and leave for Seoul.

Now, I am feeling more antsy about getting everything together as far as my NOA and visa stuff goes. My recruiter said SMOE won't be sending out the package with all the necessary information till the end of January. I just don't understand why they like to cut things close, but I am just going to be patient and hope it gets here earlier than that. I would like to book my ticket by the beginning of February, and have everything ready to go.

I just keep smiling when I think about going to Seoul. It feels good to finally be starting something just for me, and doing it all on my own for the most part. I'm not really sure what the future holds but I am looking forward to finding and creating it bit by bit, day by day.

Time seems to be winding down these days, but I am not planning on taking it for granted. I want to keep practicing Korean everyday, and learning useful phrases/vocab so I am not as flabbergasted when I get there. I feel a lot more prepared to do this, and don't have the same anxieties or fears I had in August.

This extra time has really made me appreciate everything I have, and realize that we get one chance at life so we should make the most of it. I don't want to spend my life dreaming of doing things without ever trying to make them a reality. Being sick has a way of opening your eyes and mind to how fragile life is. Which is why I want to take advantage of every opportunity and make my life the way I have imagined it to be.

That journey starts with Seoul, and who knows where life will take me after that chapter ends. I for one am excited to finally begin!

I wish all of you a happy and blessed New Year. May 2009 come to a great ending and lets make 2010 a year of opportunities, great health, new beginnings, laughter, and lots of happiness!!!

Be blessed,
~Lola O~

P.S...You need to watch this drama is you are not already tuned in. Apduy made a great fan mv to my favorite OST track:)

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.