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.

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...

Some days time seems to be endless and other days it goes by so fast. I have made it through the last two months and hopefully in 4 months I will finally get to leave for Seoul. I have a check up next week with the GI doctors so I am crossing my fingers they give me the thumps up that all is well in my body and I can get cleared to work in Seoul  and move forward with my application. Plus, no more meds!!

I have started to application process again, but thankfully I don't have to do interviews again. I did the background check again, and need a letter of clearance  from my doctor saying I can work full-time and blah blah blah. I've been feeling a lot better for the most part. I get bouts of tiredness but other than that my energy level is rising now that I am no longer internally bleeding or anemic:). Life really is unpredictable...all the more reason to take a few risks and see what happens. I am itching to go to Seoul and just be there, living life, and having new experiences.

So it makes it that much harder being here in the States, especially since I haven't found a job for the next 4 months. I have a college degree and yet I cannot find a job. Not to mention I am kind of picky about the kind of job I would do. I hope I will find something to do to keep me busy. As much as I love catching up on my shows and discovering new ones there is only so much of that a person can take. Being at home "resting" is not all that it's cracked up to be after  few weeks.

I think I am more cautious now about getting excited about Seoul. Just because I don't want to be blindsided again if something God forbid does happen. I need to get back in the habit of practicing my Korean, learning more about South Korea, Seoul, and just getting back into the going to Korea groove. It kind of sucks having to do some of the paperwork over again. All those little fees add up and makes me wince.

4 months to go and things should be more interesting with Thanksgiving, my best friend's wedding (the only good thing about this whole situation is I get to share here special day with her), Christmas, and just spending more time with good friends and family.

Keep me in your prayers,
Lola O.

Currenty Loving: Snow Patrol's "Set The Fire To The Third Bar"
CANNOT WAIT TO SEE THIS!!!!

Instead of enjoying my last day with my family on Thursday (8/20) I ended up in the hospital for some unexpected medical issues. If you only knew how much I cried when they told me I wouldn't be able to get on that plane on Friday to go to Seoul. I felt like my dream which had been so close had shattered, and even know I cannot help but feel sad that I would in Seoul by now but instead I am at home.

Even in those sad moments I am glad to be alive. I don't even want to think about what would have happened if this had occurred on the plane or in Seoul. God has given me my life back and I am not going to take that for granted. So right now my focus is on my health and making a full recovery in the next few months. I am going to pray and trust that if I am meant to be in South Korea then God will make my path clear and blessed.

So for now everything regarding Korea is postponed.

Keep me in your prayers,
~Lola O.~