Self-Kindness Sundays: Week 3 of 20

This weekend I went hiking and camping with my friends, Colin and Mitchell. It was overcast all day on Saturday, which was perfect for hiking because a cool wind accompanied it.

Today the sun was out in full force and as expected, my reflective white skin changed to a light shade of pink. Along with the pinkish tone, small orange freckles popped up to greet summer with an impressive display.
I used to, and still do receive comments like "damn girl! you need a tan!", but my response to that is "shove it! I love my skin as is thank you!"

The sad truth is that as a teen, I hated my skin colour. I hated my freckles. Why?

Probably because it made me different. It made me stand out. Maybe because I didn't see it as beautiful. Definitely because of how careful, cautious, and consistent I needed to be to protect my skin from burning to a crisp...I'm talking sunscreen everyday of my life no matter the season, and a sunscreen of 50 spf!

So what changed?

I'll be the first to admit that i still hate having to slop on greasy, pore clogging sunscreen everyday, but I just accepted the fact that I can't change it. Once I accepted it 'as is' I started to notice myself appreciating it. Appreciating being different.

My beautiful orange freckles are a part of my dad. My milky, white chocolate skin tone is a part of my mum. I love them both, and I truly love being a "white chocolate cookie" as some of my students have dubbed me.

So week 3: I love my reflective, milky white skin and orange freckles.

A Beautiful Sunday!

Two weeks ago I had a relaxing weekend in Daejeon. On Sunday (May 30), I spent the day having lunch, an afternoon green tea latte, a lounge in the park and some tree climbing with a great friend, Nicolette. We always attract a lot of attention in Korea: I'm reflective white, ginger haired, and freckled; Nico is American/Cuban/Puerto Rican/and others that I forget (I'm sorry Nico for butchering your ethnicities!), really short, and extremely loud. However, put those two visions of uniqueness in a very popular park, climbing every tree possible, and you get a freak show.



Comments, stares, cheering, laughing...but we do our best to ignore it or just laugh with everyone so we don't feel like we're in a Foreigner Freak Show.


I don't know about Nico, but I've always been curious as to how it may feel to be in the circus. Now I know that feeling a little bit more.

Ok, so I think Nico may have had dreams of being in a circus too!

What a beautiful Sunday!

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.

Sunshine and Green Tea

This weekend I wanted to get out of Daejeon for some rest and relaxation in the mountains. Plans don't always pan out however so I went with the flow of the weekend.

I worked Saturday morning handing out ECC notebooks to children and parents at Elementary schools. Then I went downtown with a camera in hand to have green tea lattes on a terrace, and snap pictures of whatever struck my fancy.

The weather was perfect. The inspiration aplenty. While waiting for Kevin to meet me for a drink and dinner I wandered over to an outdoor stage where there happened to be some music playing. There was an awesome crowd of Korean punks and skaters, which in Daejeon at least, is a rare sight. I spent about an hour walking around the area taking pics and listening to good music, which was such a delight and welcomed change. While taking pictures, I was approached by a dude with a very strange haircut...I'm talking mohawk that covered his eyes completely. I have no idea how he could see, but I guess he could. His English was poor but he provided a refreshing glimpse at Koreans. In his broken English and my broken Korean we "communicated" for awhile about music, teaching, cameras, and friends.

Kevin arrived so we head to an outdoor patio for an afternoon beer or two and some grub. With the music in the background, guys practicing tricks on their bikes and skateboards, a beer in my hand, and the sunshine on my face, I felt as though I could have been by the lakefront at home. It was somewhat of a surreal moment.

Later we head to the movie theatre to meet up with Brian and Megan to see Ironman 2, have dinner, and go for some casual evening drinks.

What a beautiful day full of interesting people, great conversation, cute lattes, warm sunshine, and stunning flowers.