Grungy Chic...Yuchon-Dong

I am surrounded by a stunning mix of manmade and natural beauty. I am constantly discovering new places to eat, passing an alley I haven't yet noticed, or being pulled aside by an 아줌마 (elderly lady) to tell me I'm 예쁘다 (pretty) and then ask me a million questions about myself. I think that some people may not think of where I live as beautiful, but I certainly do. I like to think of it as Grungy Chic, an eclectic mix of old and new. A contrast between informal and formal. This is the place I currently call home.

The streets I walk to work, to the supermarket, and to some of my favourite cafes, restaurants, and shops. The doorways, alleyways, nooks and crannies I pass while on a run.

This is where I eat delicious food, where I try to go with the flow.

This is where I explore the world and myself, where I learn so many new things.

This is where I plan adventures, where I ponder my life's biggest questions.

This is where I gain creative inspiration, where I meet new people everyday.

This is where I live, love, and laugh.

Home Sweet Temporary Home

For one year I will be living in Yuchon-dong(neighbourhood) in Daejeon, South Korea...as you all know by this point!
I am currently living in a three bedroom apartment with Ben, Mary (a couple), and Laura.
We are on the 15th floor of Hyundai Apartment No. 111. We have a gorgeous view of Bowmun Mountain, and we can see our school from our balcony.
At the end of June Laura and I will be moving into the other three bedroom apartment owned by our school. The reason for this is that Ben's sister, Sarah, who worked at ECC for 2 years already, will be coming back with her gorgeous 5 month old son Jinu and will be living with Ben and Mary.
So as of right now these pictures are of my current home, but in a couple months time I will have to add pics of my new home...after its been cleaned thoroughly!

Bowmun Mountain, as seen from our 15th floor balcony!

Looking towards my future apartment (no. 117).

Our workplace! ECC SeoDaejeon English Academy. Literally a one minute commute to work!

The landscaping along our apartment.

Beautiful Azaleas and the ECC School Bus!

My bedroom, fully equiped with mattress on the floor and Korean paper on the walls for colour!

The river...a common picnic spot for us only 3km from our door.

Also where I do my running/training for the half marathon!

Cherry Blossoms along the way!

My running track.

The scenery on my 1 minute walk to work.

The big neighbourhood park.

MAGNOLIAS!!!!!!

Say Department Store, where you could find anything you would ever need.

Around Yuchon-Dong.

hahahaha I laughed at this guy for quite sometime!

The Gimbab Lady...right outside the doors of ECC...a sweet sweet Ajumma with even sweeter cooking!

Around my Dong at night...best phrase ever is "my Dong or yours?" used when making plans with people from different Dong's.

Hilarious translation.

White Day (like our Valentines Day)...in Eunandong, the old downtown.

Eunandong.