Self-Kindness Sundays: Vacation

I clearly neglected to post anything for week 8, not because I've lost interest, not because I can't find anything else to love about myself, but because my energy and focus was elsewhere.  I simply didn't have the energy to do anything for myself.

This week is my vacation, and let me tell you it's a much needed one.  My nerves are shot, I'm irritable, and  the sticky, thick, wet heat is amplifying my worn out nerves and my irritability, so this vacation couldn't have come at a better time.  I am staying in Korea, to everyone surprise, but my reasoning is that in two months I will be embarking on a 6 months backpacking trip so I need to save my money.  Another reason is that Korea is beautiful and there is still so much I haven't explored here and would like to.  I know I can't do everything and see everything so I chose one group of islands in the south to explore for just a few days with my friend Ashley.  The rest of my week off is going towards cleaning my apartment, packing up things to send home, sleeping, sleeping, and relaxing in air conditioned coffee shops.  This is a blissful plan to me.

So I missed last week (week 8), and I'm going to take this week off as well (week 9).  I'll resume August 8th with week 8...and I didn't even plan the double 8 on purpose!

I will leave you with a beautiful image from the start of my vacation, a weekend away at the beach.

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.