Exploration and War Calls.

Yesterday was "Teachers Seminar Day" at my Hagwon, which for the foreign teachers meant a day off. Perfect. It couldn't have come at a better time. I was in much need of a 'me' day and I got my wish.

With a day of freedom, Sarah and I set out with cameras in hand. We head for downtown, Eunhaeng-dong, to take pictures along the way, get some fresh air, and exercise.

When we reached the downtown core we took a right to get to a crosswalk. We were walking and talking and minding our own business when out of nowhere we were attacked!

Okay, so mayhap that isn't exactly how it happened, but it felt like an air raid. My mind was screaming "man down! man down! We need an air lift!"...I may have recently watched a movie that has put me in the frame of mind to cause such a strong reaction...(insert fake cough here saying Green Zone).

So as I was saying...out of nowhere we were attacked...by a gang of pigeons! Referring to them as a gang sounds more intimidating than a flock. This gang attack sent Sarah and I screaming/yelping, walking/stumbling backwards until our backs were up against a wall. We opened our eyes and delighted in the fact that we had sent them off flying for their lives. Clearly our war calls lead them to crap their hypothetical pants.

We found ourselves in the void between two buildings instead of on the sidewalk we were on prior to the attack. Looking down the void, it was a beautiful vision.

A colourful gate swung open just right to offer a glimpse of a small stairway. On either side of the stairs sat potted plants, and empty wine bottles reflecting the sun just right.

Clearly our curiosity peaked and we decided to stop for a tea break. Immediately this place gave me goosebumps and made my arm hair stand tall like soldiers.



It was gorgeous, charming, cozy, cottagey, cooky, crafty, and the perfect hideaway. On the second floor is a terrace surrounded by colourful murals and postcard style photos taped up on the wall.

It got my creative juices flowing and my excitement level flew through the roof. To top it all off the drinks were deliciously delicious and beautiful.

Could you ask for much more from a coffee/tea spot I ask you?

No. No you could not.

We'll be back 'Terrace J', we'll be back.

~end note: my day was topped off by going rock climbing for the first time in YEARS with my friend Matt. It was great to get the adrenaline pumping and the view at the top was great...unfortunately no pictures so you'll have to use your imagination. I'm so stoked to climb again, and I'll try to snap some shots next time.

The first hike of spring...it's finally here!

Every mountain paints a different picture, and every forest sings a different song. Today the picture was full of bright colours, sparkling eyes, and large grins. The song was that of laughter and good conversation.

The first hike of spring. Ahhhh...can you feel it? The light breeze. The sun warming up your skin and the trees, readying them to bloom. Perfect. A mountain is the perfect setting for a Sunday of enjoying the arrival of Spring. Today was no exception to that.

It felt great to be hiking without snow pants, parka, gloves, and hat. My pale skin could breathe in the fresh mountain air. My "ginger" skin held true to its character and turned a light shade of pink from the glorious rays of sun peaking through the tree branches. I even gained some new freckles, and got a squinting headache. Not that I love headaches, but it was acceptable for today. As much as I love winter hikes for the glistening snow crunching under my feet, and clinging to tree branches, it does feel awesome to be back in lighter gear, and feeling the breeze and the sun on my skin.

Of course the company contributed a great deal to the pleasure value of today. I was accompanied by my friends, Kevin and Matt, and we were hiking in their neck of the woods, Boksu-dong. If mountains have ears then this one had a good show today, mostly thanks to Matt's phenomenal sense of humour, and Kevin's quick quips back. I did a lot of listening today, which is not exactly normal for me, but today it was necessary to absorb the verbal circus surrounding me. It was refreshing, hilarious, and the perfect team for the the first hike of spring.

Everything about today was beautiful. Thanks boys for a wonderful welcome of Spring and all of the joy that comes with it!

It's good to share

On a dreary, and rainy day there is nothing better than sitting indoors, near a window, with a book in one hand and a cup of tea in the other, and some sweet tunes playing in the background.

This is where I find myself. And I couldn't be more content.

I felt inspired to share my joy.

I am sitting in my seventh floor apartment, next to a floor to ceiling window with a view of the beautiful city I call home, and the mountain whose peaks I regularly admire and occasionally visit. I have one of the three books I am currently reading in my left hand (The Last Lecture), and a cup of green tea in my right hand. The tea is cradled in a stunning handmade cup that I acquired on my latest solo journey to Insadong, Seoul. The sweet sounds that my ears are fortunate enough to hear are coming from two gorgeous swedish voices (First Aid Kit), singing in a woodland. The lyrics couldn't be any more true at this very moment.

I just live because I love to

Can a rainy day get any better than this?

A moment of self-kindness

I've been thinking a lot lately about what makes a person matter in this world.  What makes a person worthy?  When will I be enough?


Is it the people who love us?  The people we love?  Is it the wisdom we impart to the world?  Our achievements?  Our dreams?  Is it the career we choose?  The career that chooses us?  Is it how productive we are with our time?  Or the skills we hone?  


For my whole life I have been on a quest to be better.  Not better than the girl sitting next to me in math class.  Not better than my coworkers.  Not better than my best friend or sister.  Just a better me.  


Recently I followed suit with my blogging sisters Mary and Sarah, and made my life list public.  Number 58 was "Never stop working on personal development, there is always more to learn about myself, people, and the world".


This will continue to be a goal of mine, but I want and need to make a shift in my way of thinking with regards to personal development.  


Some days I accept myself for me, I don't make apologies for being the person I am, and I don't punish myself for having an unfinished To Do List at the end of my day.  I go to bed content with how I spent my time (for the most part anyway), and set out goals for myself for the new day ahead.    


Some days I mentally beat the living shit out of myself, apologize left right and centre for being me, and feel guilt and shame for having an unfinished To Do List at the end of my day.  I punish myself by telling myself that I am not worthy of happiness because of any number of silly reasons.  This MUST stop.  It is not an option.  It is a requirement. 


The fact is that I am worthy of happiness.  Everyone is.  And I am no exception to that.  Even if I don't check every box off my To Do List.  Even if there isn't a loving partner in my life.  Even if I have a giant pimple of the tip of my nose.  Even if I have a lazy day every once in a while. 


Personal development should be a positive journey, not one where I put myself down, and beat myself up at every pot hole in the road.  I need to shift my thinking to be capable of saying "of course I'm not supermodel good looking, so what if I slept in a bit this morning, who cares that I don't have a man in my life, of course I'm not Suzie Sunshine ALL the time, so what if I didn't tick every To Do box today, and who cares if I wear my heart on my sleeve and have cried in a supermarket, none of that alters the concrete fact that I am worthy of happiness, love, kindness and whatever else my heart desires".


So this is the end of my self-loathing, self-hating, self-dissing.  And it is the beginning of my self-kindness.  Of course this will waver at times, but I am going to commit myself to one act of self-kindness each and every day, and soon enough it will become as natural as cherry blossoms in Korea blooming in April.  Beautiful.

"The feral woman is a woman making her way back. She is learning to wake up, pay attention, stop being naïve, uninformed. She takes her life in her own hands. To re-learn the deep feminine instincts, it is vital to see how they were decommissioned to begin with." ~Clarissa Pinkola Estes

Is this real life?

Well, it's the end of an era. The era being that of the Leach, Tucker, Arnold Era. The day has come where Ben and Mary depart South Korea for their 5 month adventure together.

I have just said goodbye to them for the last time...for now...and I'm reaaal sad.

In the past year we have been on many adventures, and I mean real adventures! Hitchhiking on the side of a gorge in Taiwan, when it's near dark, and we have no idea how we'll even get back to the city because we didn't check train times kind of adventure, and many of the mountain/ocean/waterfall/forest/beach adventure variety.

We have shared so many laughing fits, watching you tube videos or just being hyped up on sugar or soju or just plain old life and existing.



We have shared tears...or perhaps more accurately I have shared my tears while they hugged me and cheered me up...but sharing tears sounds much more balanced :o)



We have shared favourite books and movies, knowledge and learning, and discussions about anything and everything that comes to our crazy and kooky brains.



We have shared many delicious meals, from sunday western breakfasts on special occasions to every Korean dish we could get our hands on.



I won't speak for them, but I have certainly been inspired and motivated by their presence in my life, and I can only hope that I have provided some sort of inspiration to their lives in return.



When I came to Korea I definitely did not expect to make strong connections with anyone, as this experience is temporary. Connections such as those I feel I have forged with Ben and Mary do not come along often, and I feel truly blessed to have made such relationships. They are not just my friends, they are my family. Relationships like these don't come along everyday, and I certainly cherish them.

Mary and Ben,

I don't think you two will ever truly know the magnitude of how much you mean to me and have meant to me over this last year. You are two very remarkable people who have contributed so much to my life. I will miss you beyond words.

Please travel safely and keep me in your heart and mind, cause thats right where you'll be with me!

Enjoy, be safe, live, love, and laugh,

Love you sooo muchy

Meagan