Worlds Apart

I've recently become friends with a girl whom I have grown quite fond of the last few weeks. I think she might be the first genuine person I have met here in Korea thus far. I have learned that there are two types of people in Korea; those who are running away from something, and those who are running towards something. I think I'm a mix of the two. I suppose there could be a third type, those who come for the money, get comfortable with the life-style, and start dating a Korean. But that doesn't really count. Why? Just because I say so.

Today my friend and I were out and about, and we sat down for a moment before catching the train back to our neighborhood. She mentioned something so interesting to me that I'm still thinking of it five hours later. She grew up in Canada, in the same house, with the same friends, and living in a small town for most of her life. She did some traveling and lived in Turkey for a while. I on the other hand, have not lived in the same house for longer than two or three years, let alone state. I have lived in a total of seven states, and as of now three countries. I have also spent a lot of time traveling.

She said how amazing it seems that we came from such completely different backgrounds, the exact opposite almost, and we still both ended up here in Korea. Now. We are both still working, and anticipating the same thing. We are both eager to see the world, and want to spend a lot of our near future accumulating knowledge on other cultures and living abroad.

It's funny how strangers’ paths cross, and the people who seemed to be on the same path suddenly decide to choose a different one. Just these few months that I have been in Korea, have had such an impact on me. I used to think I had the worst luck in the world that I must have done something terrible in another life to have things turn out this way. I truly understand what it is to be independent, and to live every part of your life to your own being. I truly believe that what you put in is what you get, and will infinitely believe in karma.

Now I can understand why I felt like no matter how I tried the last five or six years, things just would not fall into place. I was not living for myself. I was making decisions based on something else, on someone else. I was struggling for approval from everyone, and not focusing on the approval from myself. I was convinced if I was making someone else happy, it would in return make me happy.

I not-so-quickly learned that I had gone about living in all the wrong ways. While I don't think that my life from here on out will be full of rainbows and unicorns, I do know that I feel better equipped to handle disappointment and defeat. And just learning that lesson makes everything before now worth it somehow. Although I miss things and people more than I should, and more than they will ever know, this is the place I should be. For the first time I can say this is the place I should be.

People ask me all the time if I get tired of moving around and traveling so much. And the answer is of course I do. I have done some amazing things, and will continue to do amazing things. Will I nest someday? Maybe. Will I continue to travel? Probably.

Como se dice "This is BOMB" en espanol?!

Today I set out to do something that I do quite often...bake. I have an insane weakness for cakes, brownies, candy, anything sweet and delicious. My baking abilities have come a long way, and I've always seemed to jump over many obstacles to make that perfect batch of cookies. I once made chocolate chip cookies in my dorm oven, that didn't heat higher than 200 degrees!! It wasn't the best batch of cookies, and it took a damn long time, but it goes to show how far I will go to satisfy my enemy...My Sweet Tooth.

As I was mixing together the ingredients for the double fudge brownies (A-Mazing), I started thinking about how many delicious sweets I have experienced over the years through traveling. So I decided to try to recount and remember all the wonderful treats that I've encountered along the way, and how many yummies I'm looking forward to with my upcoming travels! Yay!

** Oahu - Haupia

When I lived on Oahu, one of the most traditional Hawaiian desserts is called Haupia. It is a coconut cream based pudding, and is most often cut in squares and served like jello. It's kind of a toss up in terms of people liking it, and I think it might be a texture thing. It does have a kind of chunky, pudding, tapioca, jello type texture. So it can be a little hard to 'swallow' needless to say. But I love it. I love almost anything coconut flavored, and this to me is always a perfect light way to finish a big meal and still have the stomach to head out to the beach rockin' that hott beach bod!

** Spain - Natilla

During my time spent in Spain, the meals and the food were overall quite disappointing. I think people go to Spain thinking that Spanish food is more like Mexican food. The Spanish actually have very bland food, and often only flavor dishes with salt and pepper. While the huge amounts of fish consumed was a little overwhelming, there was one thing I was constantly looking forward to. Natilla!! It is a common dessert and really easy to make. Every time my host mom would make it, my roommate and I would see the little cups and scream "Natilllaaaa!!!!!". It is similar to flan, and is basically a custard type dish with eggs, milk, cinimmon and most often a ginger-snap cookie baked on top. It is amazing!

** Germany - Hazelnut Ice Cream

I've traveled to Germany several times, and each time I'm there I have to stop for ice cream. Aside from their chocolate, they have the most decadent, creamy, delicious ice cream. My personal favorite is Hazelnut. With an amazing waffle cone on a nice summer day...perfect. Plus it is really fun to say! Haselnuss bitte!!!

** Italy - Gelato

Everyone knows Italy's repuation for gelato, and let me tell you first hand it definitely lives up to its reputation. Gelato in Italy is hands down the best gelato, although some gelato joints I've had in Cali and Hawaii give the country a run for their money! My favorite? Green Tea gelato or Pistaccio. Yum!


So from French pasteries to Swedish chocolate, there are many many great things around the world that make me squeel inside from enjoyment. And with my upcoming trip to South Korea, I'm definitely looking forward to experiencing what the Koreans can throw my way. Bring on the sweets baby!

Music Love Across the Universe

One of the best things about traveling or just having the desire to learn about other cultures all over the world, is discovering new music. I wouldn't be able to live without music, without my ipod, or without YouTube. I believe everything in my past can be summed up by one song at any given time, and memories often stem from a certain song or a certain feeling you get when you hear a song again.

Hearing new local music while traveling, or just stumbling upon new music online gives me such an appreciation and yearning to keep traveling. When I lived in Spain I grew so attached to the sounds of Flamenco on guitar, the memories that come flooding in from hearing Flamenco are almost too much to handle. Often times I learn about artists from other people whose suggestions quite often turn to obsessions. Everyone can attest to loving The Streets from the UK at one point, I've recently been extremely fond of Lykke Li an indie artist from Sweden.

However living on Oahu for 4 years brings so many different emotions musically. It's where my love of Reggae grew, and experiencing the local island music brings a smile to my face instantly. If you know me, you know how much I enjoy listening, dancing, and singing to Reggae. You can't not have a good time at a Reggae show...and if you can't, then you're just opposed to having fun!

Which brings me to my next love affair with a 19 year old girl from Belgium named Selah Sue. Her voice, her energy and style make her so unique, I just think she's amazing. I cannot wait to see what the world will open my music eyes to when I'm on the road again. I don't know if love makes the world go 'round no more ya'll...I'm thinkin' music does.

Check her out - Selah Sue

~Constructive Thinking~

So I woke up this morning feeling really confused, angry, and....old. Yep. Old. I know what you're thinking. I am only 24, coming up fairly soon on 25 haha. But I'm old. Bottom line. I tried to lay in bed for awhile before getting up for coffee to figure out why it is I feel this way. The answer to feeling confused and angry are easy actually, and that in some way is comforting. I'm confused about why in the last month what I thought my life was going to be just suddenly came crashing down because of one person. And I'm angry because how dare I let all my dreams and hopes rely on one person who can so easily bring them down?

But the answer to feeling old took me a little while longer to figure out. Here is how I figure it, and hopefully how I propose to fix it (cross your fingers). I went to high school, and a few months later attended college. Although I did transfer colleges a few times, I graduated with a degree I was rather interested in. I travelled as much as I could in college, and even studied abroad. So I did everything right....right? In life it seems everything is laid out for us in some sort of a time-line. High school, college, career, marriage, kids...maybe. But what if, I don't want a career? What if this whole time I've been thinking I'll just float along in life, dreaming of new things, and hope that someday something (or someone) will just up and grab me and that'll be my answer? Well I think it's safe to say that whatever life I thought I had floated onto, has just informed me that I will no longer be continuing on that path....and will have to create a new one.

Me?! Create my OWN life...ewwww. That sounds really friggin' hard if you ask me. But I've been brainstorming, and even though I feel really old this morning, I gather I'll be feeling even older if I don't start makin' moves so to say. So I'm just going to say it. Hopefully saying it will lead to actually trying to do it.

I am going to travel the world! Really...I am. That's going to be my career. Yes I am aware it is expensive, dangerous, and a lot of work. But what if I do make traveling my career? Initially I figure I'll have to save a big chunk of change to get me started. But once I'm off, flying to another country, I hope to travel my way as long as I can. Either until my money runs out, or until I find whatever it is I'm looking for. I can elaborate on my plan later, but wanted to actually get it out on paper so I can come to the realization that this is something I'm working towards.

When I was living on Oahu, I lived right on the beach on the 18th floor of a building called the Trade Winds. My roommate and I used to stand by our balcony and watch the people below, or the sunrise or set. It used to be a running joke we had, but whenever I would come up to the balcony I would scream, " Hello World!" at the top of my lungs. Well now I think I'll take that quite literally.

Hello World. Goodbye desolation.