Taiwan

What!?!  A post not months over due? I'll add the pictures in later ^^

8/12

First day in Taipei

Everyones so0000oooooo0o0o0oo friendly.  Like I can read or speak nothing but people are still helping me so much.  I can’t read the menu but people still go out of their way to point and bring me something.  People are helpful with directions and fast to give suggestions etc.  I slept in a bit and talked with my hostel for a while to figure out a game plan.  Bought a ticket to Kenting area for Sunday.  I left to try and take the cable car but found out that I was at the wrong place.  I wound up near elephant mountain which was a short “hike” up some stairs.  I bumped into two Brittish guys who I wound up hiking with for a while.  We kept going up and eventually wound up on either Tiger Mountain or 9-5 peak or something.  The paved trail quickly turned into a rope required climb which was actually quite fun, though incredibly hot.  I was not prepared for a real hike and didnt really have any water or a proper pack for my camera but it was actually super cool and I’m glad I did it.  Also glad I met those guys because I defiantly wouldn’t have felt comfortable doing it alone.  After that was finished and I was covered with dirt and mosquito bites I headed to Shilin Night Market to eat all of the food.  OMG so delicious but also SO crazy.  I tried a bunch of everything including oysters off the street, I think anywhere else in the world that would just be automatic food poisoning but it was delicious.  After that I headed back to my hostel, tried to get my train ticket, and called it a night.

I asked the guy at my hostel like if the park was safe at night and he goes "well these pokemon there" and theres just like dozens of people standing around the park

8/13

I was able to actually figure out my train ticket this morning before I headed to the Palace museum.  I spent hours there and I really wish I had understood more of Chinese history.  It was extremely beautiful and well designed.  When I was done there I headed strait to the second largest night market and just explored on my own.  I got some more amazing food and sat by the river for a while as everyone else played pokemon go.  After exploring I headed back to my hostel and talked to a few awesome people before calling it a night.  The food alone here makes this trip worth it.  No cuisine will ever live up to Taiwan. 

8/14

Kenting / Hengchun

There is NOTHING here but thats ok! hopefully tomorrow will be worth the drive etc.  It defiantly has a more laid back island feel with tanner people, a young surf crowd etc.  I got the bullet train and then bus down here and got in around 4, 4:30.  I got lost and it started to rain.  A nice guy in 7/11 helped me out and then it started pouring.  I stopped to ask a mother and son who eventually drove me (literally around the corner) to my hostel.  Many thanks.  Later I went to explore some food options etc.  walked around in circles for a while and eventually went to the rainbow hostel for a “show” at  It was a super awkward middle aged french guy singing, but still cool.  I met a cool Korean girl there and we walked around the night market for a bit after and split a bingsu.  On my way back I got lost again and wound up in a “hostel”.  The guy was super cool and walked me back to my hostel and I really wanna go back there to grab a drink or something.  Seems like a sweet environment.  I got the name but I can’t find it.  Hopefully I can find it in the AM.  Got back to my hostel and chatted with  a few Chinese girls who also work here who are going to help me with an electric scooter tomorrow…well see.  Hope all goes well.

8/15

I rented a scooter with Honglian Ren and explored the Kenting area.

It was really great except for the rain.  It rained off and on all day ranging from drizzle to pouring.  It really wasnt terrible but it would have been better without the rain.  We weren’t able to swim etc and the water was mostly brown in some points because of the impending typhoon.  Regardless the area is really cool and beautiful.  Even though our scooters maxed out at like 30 km an hour…crazy slow.  There were so many cool spots I would defiantly stick around longer if it wasn’t supposed to rain the next few days.  When we were finished for the day we stopped by the Kenting night market for dinner.  So delicious!  again all of the good foods.  And we had kind of a hot pot type dinner where you pick you ingredients and they cook it up for you…amazing.  And deep fried oreos…everythings so good.  We headed back around 9 and then dropped our scooters off.  We went back to that hostel I had found the other day and watched a movie and hung out with the people there.  It was really chill but their drinks were so expensive…I think the owners just new and not sure how much to charge.  Had some good conversation followed by the owner going off about Chinese tourists which I thought was kind of interesting.  I headed back to my hostel around midnight, showered and passed out for the night.

8/16 I slept in a bit and then got lunch with Hong.  After we split up I heading to Kenting by myself.  I sat on the beach and read for a few hours, it rained off and on but it was a nice day regardless.  I headed back to town and grabbed the bus to Kaoshoang.  I checked in and immediately went to the night market where i stuffed my face again, came back to the hostel, booked a few things and crashed.

8/17 I woke up for my run and then went right back to sleep.  I left closer to lunch time and booked my ticket for tomorrow. After that I headed to the lotus pond where I checked out some temples etc.  Today is one of the two times a month people burn things for an offering so that was interesting to see all over the place.  When I was finished there I headed to a cafe for “lunch” just in time to escape a downfall.  After that I headed to a small island area a 2 minute ferry ride from the main city.  It was really nice but I couldn’t rent a bike because of the rain.  I explored the light house and fort area before I headed back down.  By the time I reached the black sand beach the rain had almost stopped and I got an almost perfect view of sunset until it was overtaken by clouds.  I then got lost and eventually found my way to the subway and the night market, even though I went the wrong exit again.  The night market was so great.  So much great seafood! and some weird performance things.  They also had some more offerings and a giant pig.  Im not sure what the offerings are for but there was a lot of stuff being burned/ offered.  I wonder if any of it is used or donated later.  I really really love this city.  Just has a nice vibe, good crowds but also laid back.  Very happy here. 

8/18 woke up and went for a run.  It was super hot but I’m glad I did it.  I watched the shallows because I had a few hours before my train, it was way better then expected…so stressful!  I then caught the train up to Hualien.  It takes about 5.5 hours but the views were gorgeous.  Got in and checked into my hostel.  I have plans to do some hiking tomorrow so we shall see how it goes! 

8/19 woke up and headed to the train station to get a ticket for the next day.  Took me longer then expected so I didn’t get the bus to the park until 10:20.  It was a hop on hop off type bus so you could explore all of the trails.  It was absolutely amazing.  The gorge was phenomenal and pictures just can’t do it justice.  The first mini-hike i did led me to beautiful teal water and the weather held up for this whole part of the hike.  When I got on the bus to go to the next stop a girl behind me asked if I wanted to join her for a different hike that was supposed to be slightly longer, so I tagged along with her.  It was also a really great hike that led us to a small suspension type bridge.  It was about then that it started raining and thundering so we decided to head back across.  It was about this time that a group of Korean tourists arrived who did not read the Chinese or English signs that said 8 people maximum and no jumping.  So as were waiting for them to cross (12 at a time) while they jumped up and down and lighting started striking closer I shouted at them in Korean to hurry up.  Eventually they did cross over and we made our way back across before they took over the bridge again.  We made our way to another small hike area with a temple and finally a swallow gorge.  It was also beautiful though short.  I could have explored this area for weeks, I really wish I had more time but I’m so glad i made it there.  That night we met back up to go to the night market which as usual had amazing food and personal Bing-su…I’m so sad to leave this food behind.

 

8/20 I signed up to do river tracing, which is like walking/bouldering in the river area.  The half day i signed up for was way easier then I expected and there were far too many people but it was a good time nonetheless.  I met some awesome guys from Singapore who were just the type of people you meet and can’t believe are real.  One of them was studying in NY after being an officer in the military.  The other was going to London for Med school after being a paramedic.  Oh and their dad was ex-special forces.  And they just travel all over the world for fun in between all these things.  So yes, anyone can travel with any job…so jealous.  Anyways they were so amazing and welcomed me into their little group for the day.  When we were finished I grabbed some dumplings for lunch and got on the train to Taipei.  Got a little lost on my way to the hostel where yet another amazingly kind Taiwanese men helped me find my way.  People are seriously so kind and warm here.  Went to my final night market and called it an early night.

8/21 I woke up super early for my long run, got my last fix of Taiwan and headed to the airport.  This country and people are amazing.  I cannot explain the generosity that every person showed me, strangers, bus drivers, hostel workers, etc.  The people are so unique and each area had their own cool vibe going on.  Theres tons of unique style, hair, tattoos, and beauty standards.  It was a really amazing contrast to what can sometimes be very mono-cultured in Korean fashion and beauty standards.  I will definitely be back to this amazing country, I just wish I knew a little bit more Chinese. 

My Winter Break Video

Bali Bali

Surfing in Bali

A Brief overview of my time in Bali.

Bali is now one of my favorite places in the world.  Before I went I had talked to a few people about going solo and was met with alot of "Ten days! thats so long for Bali!" Well they were wrong.  I could have spent two months just traveling there and probably longer just living and enjoying everything.  I am definitely considering teaching/living on an island in the future, potentially Guam.

I stayed in Kuta at immediately headed out (as most people suggest) to Amed for some diving.  I was recommended a driver/tour guide Suma https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g297698-d8504328-Reviews-Suma_Bali_Tour-Nusa_Dua_Nusa_Dua_Peninsula_Bali.html.  He was so nice a friendly and wonderful.  Which can pretty much summarize every local I had the pleasure of interacting with.  I was upgraded at my hotel to a lovely room with a king sized bed, great sunset views, and lovely staff. (for 10$ a night)  The place was super secluded but had wonderful food and the staff was so friendly.  There were not many backpackers here but I did get the chance to interact with some "older" travelers I normally would not.  Meeting people in their 50s traveling the world is humbling and fantastic.  They have been so any places and still have such a great love for everything.  I hope I can continue to find adventure where-ever I wind up.

I did a few days of diving here and it was incredible.  My instructor was great for everything except that when I was low on air he had me buddy breath every time.  Which was nice because every dive was an hour or more, but not nice because as you lose air in the tank, its hard to control your ascent etc.  
       -1st dive: Japanese ship wreck : 25 meters : 76 minutes
       -2nd dive: Shore drift dive : saw a turtle!
        -3rd +4th dive: Wreck Dive: USAT liberty: 25 meters : 65 minutes
                -By far my favorite dives: We explored INSIDE the ship.  It was incredible AND I saw my first sharks here.  Some small black tipped reef sharks.

I then moved onto Changu. Same driver and some great conversation.  Bali really surprised me with the colors.  It was much more Hindu then I expected.  There are shrines and temples EVERYWHERE and it is very much a part of daily life.  Absolutely incredible.

I stayed at farmers yard hostel which is one of the cooler places I've stayed.  Though not very clean it had a great vibe and people.  Very chill, rock out at night kind of place.  They have their own garden and are super sustainable so rock on.

The next day I had my first day of surfing with Buddy Bali.  And Oh My God was it terrible.  Seriously I've failed before, but never so bad as this.  I knew it would be hard but DAAAAAAmn!  Also the hardest workout I've ever had.  I'd be paddling out and have to take a rest.  Only good thing was because I was terrible, I didn't ride the wave very long and therefor didn't have to paddle very far.  I also got so sea-sick.  Which I should have maybe figured was going to happen but what the hell body.  I've lived months of my life on the open ocean but sitting on a board for a few hours and I'm ready to hurl everything I've got.  After surfing I hung around, met some people for dinner, and just relaxed at the hostel. 

Side Story: That morning I had gotten lost on the way to the beach and couldn't find a taxi.  When I stopped at a store to ask for directions the store owner just told me to hop on this bike and drove me down.  It was so kind and generous and just encompassed everything I loved about Bali.  He refused to take any cash was just a lovely human being.  

The next day I rented a bike and made my way to the beach.  Already surfing is so much better.  I could stand and generally felt like I may one day get it.  I chilled on the beach and splurged on a delicious dinner after a great sunset.  

Final day of surfing:  I LOVE it.  It is one of my favorite things.  Still super difficult, and I'm still super bad, but I can catch and ride a wave to the shore.  We went to a slightly more "advanced" area and it felt great.  The surfing community is so great, local and foreign.  Everyones encouraging and willing to help.  I can turn and avoid people and my proudest moment was having a surfer motion for me to go right instead of left around them AND DOING IT! rock on.  Worst moment was crashing into a surfer near the shore who was paddling out BUT my instructor said he was paddling in the wrong place, and should have avoided me.  Our leashed got tangled and it was not fun, but no harm no foul.  It definitely a chore trying to figure all that out in the middle of the surf.  He really should have been using the shoulder. 

Afterwords I headed to Ubud, a place recommended by multiple people.  After extending my surfing stay for longer I really only had a few days left.  The hostel I stayed at (Jukung Hostel) was so cool.  I was new so not many people but it was completely made of old ships.  The tables, baths, walls, everything.  The owner was super nice and cool (though a little blunt) and fun to hang out with.

I met two British sisters and the next day we really explored the area with Suma.  We got to see the rice terraces and the temples.  It was all beautiful but Ubud was definitely not my favorite part of Bali.  It seams to be very touristy and I preferred the small town areas around the beaches. 

The next day I went to Monkey forest before my flight.  Very cool.  The monkeys were not ferocious like so many other "wild" monkeys I've seen and the park was just genuinely a pleasure to walk around.  I walked around the market, bought a few things, and was off.  

The overnight layover in KL was killer man! but eventually I landed back in the bitter cold of Korea.  Bali was fantastic.  I want to live somewhere where I can surf everyday and Bali seams like a great option.  I really do think Ocean living may be the life for me someday, and maybe I'll finally figure out the tides etc.  Much love Bali.  

Monkey Forest : Ubud

Monkey Forest : Ubud

Water temple: Ubud

Ubud

Rice terracesL Ubud

Farmers Yard Hostel Kuta

Echo Beach Kuta

Echo Beach: Kuta

Sunset Echo Beach: Kuta

Trying to be more blog-ductive

Spring has officially sprung into Korea and I am officially 1 million times happier.   There's still something that just isn't clicking right for me lately and I'm definitely ready to head back to America and beyond but I just feel better.  I can run outsiiiiiiiide, most days that aren't smothered with dust particles.  The cherry blossoms have come and almost gone.  I just wish I was closer to an Ocean.   Conference was a lovely tease of look what you could live next to, but you're hours away from the closest beach, muahaha (twist of fate).  Which is interesting as I grew up over an hour from the closest beach, and Arizona isn't exactly known for its aquatics.  I just recently learned to surf and I wanna get back out there so bad, maybe I'm just really ready for that change.


via GIPHY
via GIPHY
I've been investing more in my health.  Korean fruit is expensive and not very varied but I'm putting in the money now and already feel happier.  My 5k time was better, and after a run (mostly) I feel confident and strong.  I still love all of the amazing junk foods (mac and cheese for life) but I am definitely becoming a weekday health fanatic.  I've got the chia seeds and almond milk to prove it. 

Conference was so much better then I expected.  I was really feeling disconnected to all Fulbrighters and didn't feel like putting on that front for people I may not see again, BUT! Seeing everyone was wonderful and hanging out was like nothing ever changed.  I was able to help with the interviews for FEP and still made it to the "fundraiser" for KBI.  A friend even waited to help split a cab with me to the club, even though it was hours after he was free to leave.

Seeing all of the FEP people made me really excited for camp and working with our new staff.  Im excited and ready to dive head in on the planning and actually talk to my old camp friends about all of the things.  I feel like I have the experience now to dive into implementing new activity directions and new formats to make the experience better as a whole.

SOOOOO conference, 100% better.  Structure was better, people were great, weather was fantastic.  I need to go to the ocean.

Also I think I am the prime example of don't trust what you see on Facebook.  I do tend to only post the positives for better or worse.  I think I've discovered I am a genuinely positive person, mostly when someone else needs or wants me to be.  It's the living on my own without a roommate where the positivity stops.  I'm more likely to be like "Well at least the weathers nice!" when someone else tells me something negative about Korea etc.  Where if its just me and my closest friends I'm more likely to be like let's enter into the black-hole of negativity that is living in a foreign country.  

SO! to end on a positive note: My students are wonderful angels and I'm so glad to see them everyday.  I may not be loving the situation, co-teachers, school, or lack or reason, but these kids are little positivity monsters and my lesson this week is going so well with them.  They are jumping on board and loving the English :P
via GIPHY


Things I want to remember when I look back on this blog: 

-There were definitely hard times living in a foreign country.  (It is hard for everyone at some point)
- My Cheongju friends are amazing! (I miss Stephanie Han...come back to Cheongju)
-  Megan and Bassam are awesome people and I'm super interested in where there lives lead.  Volleyball (though sporatic) is such a fun outlit. (Shout out Alison)
- Josh Wood is one of the smartest and most interesting people I've ever met and spending time with him always puts me in a better mood.  I have no way to even begin to describe him but his talk on liberatarianism was fantastic.  (also shout out to Hillary Vietch) Seeing first years react to his style is the greatest.  Don't ever change :P
- FEP staff is the greatest thing to grace this world and if I could be a combination of two people it would have to be Sammi and Vinnie.  There are so many incredible people in this program I could not even begin to describe the amazing qualities they all bring to the table but as leaders, co-workers, and bosses these two take the cake.  They both have incredible drive and care so much about others.  One of the greatest benefits of working with the Summer program is getting to spend time with them.  They are so busy with incredible projects yet they always take time to help anyone who needs it.  I will never be able to figure out where they get the time that they spread among students and friends because it definitely seams to be more than 24 hours each day.  
-I am growing.  As a person I am recognizing my strengths and weaknesses more and more.  I also bring great things to this program and I think with some tuning and growth I will become someone others can look up to and who can help people in this world grow.

Running and the things

So maybe I'll start updating my runs etc. stuff and shame myself into doing more...Is that how all fitness blogs start out? I feel like it is.  ANYWAYS I have just registered for my first half-marathon and even though its not till September I'm super excited.  Probably because it'll be warm by then and I feel like im dying in this Korean winter.  All well.  Here goes nothing.  I'll probably start training after I get back from Bali.  Im excited to spend some time hopefully learning how to surf.  Here goes nothing!

Its been a while

It's been a while since I've updated my blog...and by a while I mean over a year.  So here's a quick run down of whats happened:

1.) I traveled to the Philippines and am now a certified Diver.

 - This was an amazing trip and I'm so glad I was able to go.  

-Highlights:

-Warm Weather

-  Beautiful Oceans (Dumaguette, Liquid dive)

-  Awesome people (especially the great hostel owner Junel in Cebu)

- Great adventures and solo travel

 - Including a trip to Palawan where I met 4 awesome Aussies, a Brit, a bunch of Americans from Hong Kong and many more people. Discovered hidden beaches, great food, and minimal motor bike accidents

  -An amazing couple who drove me to my hostel from the airport when the taxi lines were literally hours long and I was stranded.

2.) Steven came to visit

                    -  No ones ever visited me abroad and having him come see where I lived and worked was great.  I hope he and others come visit me where ever I wind up in the future.

3.) Worked at an English Summer camp as Activities Director

                    -  I didn't realizing how much I missed the camp environment until I got here.  It was wonderful meeting and working with everyone and it truly made me excited to be living in Korea again.  Getting the chance to be activities director was incredible and though I absolutely killed my voice during the few weeks I had an amazing time working with the Planning team.  Everyone was incredible, hard working, and loving.  The late nights were rough but I genuinely looked forward to procrastinating with everyone each night.  The staff, Kids, and new ETAs were inspirational and I can't wait to see where they all go next!

3.) I renewed for a second year at my school.

                    - I also moved out of my home-stay into a lovely little apartment.  Its tiny but incredibly close to my school.  With some help from friends I made it livable with little cost.

4.)  I became even closer to my group of friends in Cheongju.  

                    -  This was a huge reason for I think a lot of us to stay.  Having such a close group is so   great, especially in a foreign country.  We meet up at least once a week (and by at least I mean, I will have seen them 6 out of 7 days this week) and do all types of friendship  activities, including eating out every Thursday.  They have become my little family in Korea and I love them all for it.  Living abroad comes with its challenges but they are always there for whatever I need, mostly foreign food and movies, but you know.

5.) I ran a 5k and 10k
                 - Both times weren't so great but I did it. So there. And now it's snowy and I don't know if I'll ever run outside again...until Spring. :P

6) I accidentally dyed my hair bright red