Winter is finally here...

Here's to my last winter in Korea. Here's to leaving the sub-zero temperatures and the bitter Siberian winds I never will acclimatise to. Here's to having to brace just one more season of long, hostile winter chill. Finally, here's to being born British. As I sit at my desk, watching the snow fall, I thank God that I am not one of the millions of North Koreans who will perish this winter without the luxuries I all too often take for granted. I pray that one day soon they will be free, and can't help but think: There but for the grace of God, go I.

Team Jacob...I run with wolves. Woof!

Last night I went to see New Moon with my two cute American/Korean friends in MyeongDong, Seoul. I was really excited because I LOVED the first Twilight movie and wanted to see more of Ed Cullen. I expect there will be the rolling of eyes by some reading this post. OK, sure it's a teen flick. And yep, it's a painfully cheesy vampire love story also. But the guys in it are seriously HOT - young as they may be.

When I saw the first Twi movie with my brother and a friend last year, I became a big fan of it - much to the dismay of the guys - who thought it was utter tosh. More to the point, I had become a HUGE fan of the actors in the movie.

I was partciularly mesmerised by the chiseled jawline, and hallowed cheeks of Robert Pattinson who plays the main vampire, Edward. He had the whole Edwardian Dandy look going on, and I was somewhat besotted. It goes without saying that I expected this year's movie to reignite the burning flame within. I was after all, TEAM EDWARD all the way!

My word, how vacillating I can be. I don't know how it happened, but it seems that little Jacob Black: Edward's rival, had grown into quite the man over the past few months. And my, what a bod. To be frank, I feel plain wrong admiring the beauty of 17-year old Taylor Lautner ...but man, that kid is ripped. He must have been at the steroids, surely?

Sadly, Ed's body left much to be desired. Sure he plays a vampire, and vampires are meant to be gaunt, pasty creatures of the undead. But c'mon Robert, you could have toned up a little for the movie, no? I mean, it mustn't feel too great being sidelined by a teenager who first graced the big screen donning the most outrageously ridiculous wig EVER. Have to say: I'm so thrilled the wig and Jacob parted ways.

So for now, it would seem that I have defected to the other side, that is: TEAM JACOB. Mr Black may be a little kid, but it would appear that there is one hell of a beast waiting to be unleashed. Grrrr...

*This post is dedicated to Dee - she REALLY loved the movie*

Yeongjong Island

On Saturday my friend R and I took a trip out to see our friend B on the island of Yeongjong near Incheon airport. Because there are many swallows on the island, it was also know as Jayeondo ''Swallow'' Island in the past. We had worried that the weather would be cold and possibly wet. Fortunately, it was a gorgeous day. A tad chilly, but it is winter, right?

Yeongjong Island is certainly no tropical getaway. I would be even pushed to say it has the appeal of any of the islands surrounding GB (with the exception of The Principality of Sealand). It does have its hidden gems though, and B's spectacular island tour was a lot of fun!!

Here are some photos (courtesy of R). Enjoy!

This photo was taken at Youngguksa Temple on the island. The zelkova tree is apparently 1,400 years old, and is supprted by scaffolding. I love zelkova trees; there are a lot of them in Korea. Random fact: the zelcova serrata tree is native to East Asia and is used a lot in bonsai.

If you look closely you can see a little Buddha in the hallow of the tree. When we arrived at the temple, a lady was praying in front of the shrine. I always like visiting Buddhist temples; they are so calming.

This is a popular Standing Buddha 'blessing' pose: pose of dispelling fear. OK, I'm a bit geeky when it comes to these things. I have been to Buddha's birthplace in Nepal, and I learnt that each pose represents a teaching or blessing. Specifically, the mudra (hand positions) represent a teaching, or wisdom of Buddha; each mudra corresponds to an important moment in Buddha's life. This hand gesture is the abhaya mudra.

This is a nice picture of inside one of the temples. The lotus lanterns with the prayers written on the dangling papers are hanging from the ceiling...you can just about see them.

Another nice picture of inside the temple.

Above: R and I at Ulwangli Beach. I have got to stop doing the peace sign on photos...

Left: B the Sherpa

Right: Some rocks...

Saying farewell to 2009

This morning, as I walked to work alongside the stream outside my apartment, I meandered through the naked trees aligning the streets. The crisp winter morning and the serenity of neighbourhood confirmed to me that Korea truly is 'The Land of the Morning Calm.' That short stretch of parkland provides me with great solitude in the mornings; some time to get lost among my thoughts.

On contemplating that I will soon be bidding a bitter-sweet farewell to 2009 and my Korea experience, I was overcome briefly with a surprising sense of malaise. Perhaps it was the apprehension of the uncertainty that lies ahead. Most likely, I was awashed by these feelings because despite everything, Korea has become my much-loved home.

I came to Korea in November 2007, when I was 24. I had never lived away from my home - not even for university. I'm from a small rural community near the Yorkshire Dales, and everyone knows each other; although that can be very comforting, it can also be very stifling. I didn't know who I was, or what I really wanted out of life. All I wanted was to make other people happy, and in doing so I was slowly becoming deeply unhappy. I knew that I needed to spread my wings.

When I boarded the plane bound for Seoul in Manchester, I felt numb. I wasn't excited, I wasn't anxious; I honestly didn't know how to feel or what to expect. I regret not having started a blog when I arrived because I would have had some fantastically hilarious entries on here by now.

When I look back over the past two years however, I can't help but smile with gratitude. I feel I have grown so much; in ways I could never have imagined. I have had some extreme lows, as many of you will know. I have also had some exhilarating highs. In many ways, my life in Korea has been a lot like a crazy roller coaster ride. But despite the upheavals, the heartache, the laughs, and the tears...I am grateful for being able to take the ride!

KILLA KITTY!!!

When I was about 10 I had a pretty miserable experience with a friend's cat. This particular cat was pure evil - the spawn of Satan if you like. He would prowl around the house slyly like he was casing the joint, looking for his next victim. Unwittingly, one Saturday I was to became this vile creature's next victim, and I have still got the scratch scars as an unfortunate reminder.

To this day, I have an unceasing feud with the feline species. I feel like cats always try to conspire against me. Everything about them makes me distrust them: their sharp claws, their fangs, their snake-like eyes...their utter disloyalty. In short, I am definitely more of a dog person. Dogs may be relatively dumb animals, but at least you know they won't oust you from your own house!!

Yesterday reaffirmed, and undoubtedly reinforced my undiminished hatred of cats. My cool friend Prof. H invited K, R and I to her place for dinner. Overall, the afternoon was lovely...almost perfect, but, alas, the presence of her psychotic kitty put a bit of a dampener on it all for me. I'm am convinced cats are drawn to me, or at least sense my sheer terror that they love to play on.

For most of the evening, Killa Kitty was put in another room where I am sure, he sat plotting his revenge. KK may be young and seemingly cute, but stupid he is not. Unbeknown to us, H's little kitty used the clever ploy of behaving like a dog to lure us all into a false sense of security...only later to unleash terror and chaos on us all.

First he went for H. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you. Then he went for ME! Yep. The inevitable happened. I showed fear and he pounced...luckily I was spared of his claws. By this point I must have been grey. Pearls of sweat forming on my brow. Unsure of whether the palpitations I was experiencing would eventually lead to a heart attack.

Thankfully, K quipped: 'Oooh, I want kitty to attack me' and we subsequently swapped places. I barricaded myself behind a blanket H gave me - ensuring I was fully covered, for I was not willing to add to my war wounds. And then it happened. Killa Kitty turned demonic. With an arched back and his fur standing on end, Killa Kitty was ready to KILL...K as it happened bore the brunt of the frenzied attacks, then he moved on to H, followed by R...before sniffing out poor whimpering me from under my cover. The cat was on a rampage and was ready to engage in a battle with any unfortunate in his path. He was taking no prisoners it would seem.

Luckily, I managed to escape H's home unscathed, well, at least physically. I love H and she has the coolest home and I would love to visit again before I leave Korea. I don't know if I dare tempt fate though. Cats may have nine lives, but I only have the one...and I am actually quite fond of it:)

Happy Pepero Day Korea (for yday)!!

I am dedicating this blog to Mr Kwon: the (former North Korean) librarian who gives me Pepero sticks every year on 11/11...and also asks me to dinner - often. Unfortunately, I decline; him pushing 60 and all! Happy Pepero Day Mr Kwon - SORRY MY KOREAN SUCKS AND WE CAN'T HAVE BETTER CONVOS:(

Halloween

OMG! I LOVE HALLOWEEN! I'm maybe too old for it now, but it always brings the kid out in me. Lame as it may sound: I think this year's Halloween may have been my best to date...thanks to the US Embassy's Haunted House...here are some pics:)