Celebrating Halloween in Korea

October is a month that paints the world. The fresh crisp autumn air pulls at the changing leaves allowing them to fall freely to the ground.  The streets become painted with orange, yellow, and red pixels and a soft wind brushes against your face.  October reminds us that death, although something hard to come to terms with, can also be something of beauty.  For all of these reasons, October (and fall itself) has always been my favorite month.  However, I am specifically drawn to the fall month of October for one reason more specifically than others... Halloween.  Halloween is my all time favorite holiday.  The traditions of trudging through dirt paved pumpkin patches, mushing slimy orange guts through my knuckles as I hollow out my treasured pumpkin, feeling my heart race as my eyes graze the television set during one of my favorite Halloween classics, and running from a masked clown with a chainsaw while venturing through the latest haunted attraction.  What could be better? This year I discovered the answer to that question... sharing it with my students who have never celebrated it before.

This October, I felt a pang of sadness knowing that I was missing my favorite season and favorite holiday back home.  There are no pumpkin patches in Korea, and you are lucky if you happen to stumble upon a decent looking pumpkin large enough to be carved.  I don't have an oven, so even if I did find the ingredients for pumpkin pie, the effort it would take to make it would certainly outweigh my desire to do so.  Halloween stores are few and far between.  Korean people don't dress up for Halloween, and kids are too busy studying in after school academies to be able to take a few hours off to haunt the streets and collect candy.  So initially, I was quite disappointed, to say the least, but my expectations slowly made a quick turn around.  

To begin with, early on in October, I had asked my kids what they knew about Halloween and if they celebrated.  Of course I got the generic answers, "Yes teacha, I know... Halloween is pumpkins"  Yes, I reassured them, but "what do you KNOW about Halloween... what else do we do for Halloween? Do you know trick-or-treat, do you know jack-o-lantern, or haunted house?"  Some of them knew just a bit about Halloween but they surely did not understand my excitement.  In order to change this, I offered up a Halloween party.  "How would you like to have a Halloween party together? I will teach you about Halloween, we can play Halloween games and have trick-or-treat!"  Of course, luring them in with candy takes a little less than two seconds.  With the little that they know, they are highly aware that candy is involved, and so... they were on board.  I gave them a bit of incentive by giving each of my 120 students a personal invitation to our Halloween party.  They were then told that each day up until the party, they would have to earn a sticker on their invitation.  If they did a good job in class, listened, did not talk when I was talking, and participated, they would each receive one sticker per day.  This made each of them responsible for themselves only.  On the day of the Halloween party, they had to have acquired a certain number of stickers to partake in the festivities.  Of course we made it so that they could each lose one sticker, allowing each of them to have one bad day and still be able to come play (surely, regardless, I had no intentions of neglecting anyone from the party either way but it sure did keep them on their best behavior for a week).  Once they learned that they needed a certain number of stickers, they asked myself and my co teacher what would happen if they didn't have enough stickers.  Jiyoung told them that students who didn't earn their stickers would have a private English class with her while the rest of the students would be having a Halloween party with me.  Their jaws dropped with wide eyes staring in disbelief, "TEACHA... OH MY GOD! Berry berry bad."

The week before Halloween came and went.  Sangwon and Hyun helped me decorate the doorways to the classroom with spiderwebs, ghosts with googly eyes, and balloon pumpkins.  I also spent the week prior wearing spooky masks, vampire fangs, monster teeth, and pranking them with fake spiders and jumpy Halloween videos. I absolutely adored their reactions.  Being that my kids are 5th and 6th graders, none of them were very taken back or spooked by my creepy attire but my coworker's 3rd and 4th graders sure did run screaming from me when I crept around the hallway into her room. Priceless.  The fake spiders were a success.  During lessons, I would find one kid in a group of desks that wasn't paying attention and put a fake spider on the desk, making the other kids aware and giving them the "shhhh!" symbol.  There they sat like little heathens, glad to be in on the prank.  We would then either wait until the victim turned, sighting the hairy arachnid on their desk, or tap them on the shoulder, gesturing at it in a frightening manner, and wait for their reaction.  Some of the kids jumped a few feet, others just gave me the, "nice try teacha," face and then protested that they in fact "like" spiders.  Then there was the kid who apparently has a phobia of spiders who practically had a panic attack in my room... and that's where the spider pranks ended.

Scary Rachel Teacher. Mwahahahahaaaaa.

Our classroom decorations.

Jiyoung and I in our classroom with our students pumpkin decorations.

We had two separate parties.  Tuesday, October 30th was set aside for my sixth graders and Halloween day was set aside for my fifth graders.  I happened to stumble upon a nice sized pumpkin for sale in Dungcheon the weekend before, so I managed to buy it, haul it home on the subway, and carve a real jack-o-lantern for my kids.  They were very impressed when Jiyoung told them... "Look how much Rachel Teacher loves you... she  took it home on the subway one hour for you." YES, I told them... and I got a lot of stares as well! They all clapped... "Teacha, THANK YOU!"  The party itself was awesome.  Each class had an hour long party.  When they entered the room, we had the lights out with spooky music playing and the jack-o-lantern lit. They had to sit through about a 15 minute power point about Halloween traditions in the USA before we could start any games.  They were all given 5 candies to chow down on as they watched and listened.  Surprisingly, they were all very interested in everything I told them about Halloween.  I incorporated some pictures of me and my friends carving pumpkins, at the pumpkin patch, and videos of haunted houses.  They ate it up!  After we finished learning about Halloween and eating our candy, we bobbed for apples and played musical chairs to the monster mash.  The games were by far the best part of the party.  Bobbing for apples was hysterical.   The first few contestants were too hesitant to dunk their head into the water fully, but within minutes we had participants going to town catching apples with their mouths sending the whole class into roaring laughs and cheers.  Monster mash musical chairs was also quite entertaining as I watched my students walk around like ducks desperate to get a chair and then let out ear piercing screams when the music would stop.  Last, our students voted on the best pumpkins from their class, as they spent the week before turning in pumpkin drawings and decorating the room with them. I was so happy to be able to share my favorite holiday with my students.  As I sit here writing this recall of events, I have an unmistakable grin spreading across my face.  The pictures say it all. I had almost 300 picture ALONE from our Halloween party... it was really hard to narrow them down, but I picked them ones with the best happy faces and apple shots!

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

We hope you had a happy Halloween from the students at Yeon Ji Elementary School!

My personal Halloween experience, beyond the classroom, was also probably the best Halloween I've had yet.  Celebrating Halloween in a country where it is not celebrated, made it all the better.  The weekend before Halloween we made our way out on the town all dressed up.  The stares were intense. As foreigners, we get stares ALL THE TIME.  On a regular day, it can be irritating, and sometimes you want to let out a smart ass comment, "Is there something on my face? Take a picture, it will last longer." On Halloween, we embraced the stares and played with people to the fullest.  Kimberly was a panda bear, Aileen was... (I'm not sure really) a sexy red headed retro girl, and I was my all time favorite, Wolverine. Kim and I made our way to Hongdae all dressed up on the subway.  We got some looks of sheer amusement, some people blatantly pointing at me and gasping WOLVERINE, some laughs and smiles, and some utterly confused stares. As the subway would come to a stop at each transfer, Kim would video tape me full on RUNNING out of the doors through crowds of people, doing a 180 jump and flashing my claws at people. I embraced the costume to say the least. If you can't have fun on Halloween, when can you?  There were moments when Kim and I were literally hunched over laughing uncontrollably in the subway and trying not to pee ourselves from people's reactions.  Once we got to Hongdae and met up with Aileen, the party was on.  It was my first night out drinking since the beginning of my ear treatment and we were going HARD.  We decided that we would attempt to get into Cocoon.  It boasts one of the top night clubs in Hongdae but the line is always an hour wait or longer.  While walking by, a bouncer from the club looked at me and stated the obvious..."Wolverine!"  Yes, we said... wolverine.  Kim then said something about us wanting to go to Cocoon, he motioned for us to follow him, and let us in front of an hour and a half line.  "I feel like I'm with a celebrity," Kim laughed.  "Don't turn around, the people behind us are going to be pissed." Just then, we felt a tap on the shoulder and the two Korean girls behind us in line were requesting a picture.  Inside there were free shots of tequila until 1am, and strobe lights and music loud enough to get anyone moving.  We stuck it out a while but we were some of the few in costumes so we decided to go check out another place.  Hongdae park was where it was at.  When we entered Hongdae park, my life changed.  I now know what it is like to be a celebrity, followed by paparazzi . Everyone wanted their picture taken with wolverine.  It was so much fun! Kim, Aileen, and I had a blast just taking pictures with people, and having fun with all the other foreigners and some Koreans dressed up in costumes.  The rest of the night after Hongdae park was somewhat a mess. We acquired more bottles of soju, hit up some other clubs and harassed people on the streets in our costumes.  Thankfully, Hongdae is a young and lively crowd so they were loving our Halloween antics and many people were right there beside us doing the same.  I have few words to describe the night other than EPIC. It was definitely hands down, one of my favorite nights in the city with my friends.

My epic wolverine costume! Success.

With the bouncer outside of Cocoon

My friends Brent, who is a talented writer and photographer nominated me for the Hongdae costume awards as "\Best Superhero." You can check out his blog here, with my picture, as well as the other nominees.  Show him love by reading more about life in Korea through his blog.  His pictures are unreal. Thanks for recognizing me in your blog, Brent!

Also, a special thanks goes out to my friend Hyun for making my wolverine claws for me all in twenty minutes time! Thanks Hyun!

How To Almost Lose Your Ear in South Korea

So, I'll be honest, the last time I wrote a "how to," I might have been in 5th grade and the topic was, "how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich," or "how to make a snowflake out of paper." Really brain wrenching concepts, honestly and I don't recall my audience being overly enthused by my presentation.  I can't promise that this will be much better, and to be fair, it's turned into more of a recall of events than anything else, but the title seemed appropriately humorous.



Kakaotalk:
    Me: "I'm itchiinnnnnnn to cut my hair. I need to go NOW."

    Kim: "Last time you were 'itchin' you pierced your ear in Hongdae..."

So I've been told that I have an unhealthy habit: not happy unless I am doing something to alter my appearance, create change, or stray from routine. Truth be told. I don't like the feeling of normalcy, bland routine, uneventfulness, or confiment related to any one thing. On the flip side, anything that promotes feelings of spontaneity, change, or adrenaline, and you can count me in.  So, four tattoos, multiple piercings, jumping off cliffs into water, riding on the back of motorcylces & encouraging the driver for more speed (even when mom forbids it), moving to the other side of the world, cutting and dying my hair excessively, jumping over scary fences on horses... done.  Most of these things have served their purpose: leaving me feeling refreshed, brand new, untouchable, and free to do as I please. Then there was the one instance where it surely DID NOT serve it's purpose and instead caused me agony and hatred for strangers with needles (minus the good kind that my doctor used to make me better)... so let's rewind, or as Dane Cook says, "let's Martin Scorsese this shit... let's go back, let's go back."

It all started like this...

One night, after getting my fortune read in Hongdae for fun, I spotted a piercing establishment upon exiting through the doors. BINGO. I struck gold. I turned to my friend Grace, "LET'S GET PIERCED!" Of course she motioned me forward, encouraging it while making it clear that I could put as many holes in my body as I felt appropriate but she was just there as an audience.  So, as it goes, I left with not one piercing but a double piercing (with a spider hanging from it... ?? What the hell was I thinking? Perhaps it's one of those moments when my mother would answer that question back with... "you weren't.) Regardless, I was very impressed with the new piece, even if not for long.

A few days went by, and I started to feel my heart beating in my cartilage: throbbing shooting pains.  The top of my ear was bright red and swollen.  I started reading online, freaking myself out, and decided I should go see a doctor.  Aftering checking in with my local doc, he perscribed me some antibiotics.  At that point, perhaps I should have taken the damn thing out already but I was in teenager, "i don't wannnnaaa," mode.  If the piercing itself was the first mistake, then leaving it in another couple days was the second. The following Friday, I decided I had enough. The antibiotics didn't seem to be doing much, and finally I had reached my tolerance for pain (or so I thought). I thought I would sit in on that Friday night basking in my pain, but then at last minute and without thought I was sprinting for the door in all my ugliness, no makeup, and no style. The next thing I knew I was on a bus crying and making my way to Aileen's place.  Trying to hold back my tears the whole way there, when I burst through her door, I lost it.  "Get this fucking thing out of my ear," I exclaimed! "I don't care what you have to do, or if it's going to hurt, please, do something, do anything... I literally cannot take it." I was sobbing. Aileen looked at me, and I could tell that she knew nothing mattered at that moment other than taking that thing off. We decided that even if we had to haul ourselves an hour to Hongdae to have it removed, that is what we would do.  After several failed attempts and me curling into a ball in the fetal position crying, we were out the door and on our way.  In addition to the fact that I had been crying and looked a mess, I was also sitting on the subway with a grape ice pop attached to my ear like a two year old with a boo boo. Classic.

When Aileen and I got to Hongdae, we practically sprinted from exit nine to the piercing shop. When I walked in, I looked at the man, pointed to my ear, and said... "out... take it out." He looked at me, then back at his boss, mumbled something something, "infection," and sent the store owner my way.  The man first attempted to take out the piercing with his hands, as I screetched in pain, and realizing that he couldn't, he then took what looked like a wrench to my ear.  It was so swollen that the back almost looked as though my ear was growing around the little metal ball.  Once the piercing was out, the man looked at my face, wiped away my tears, and patted the sweat off my forehead, reassurring me in Korean that it was okay.  For a small second I thought he was decent, and just then he tried to offer me another piercing and suggested I put a different earring in the hole. Again, my frustration with the pain got the best of me as I looked him dead in the face and said, "are you crazy?? Do you SEE my ear?? FUCK NO." He looked at me again, with the small amount of English he knew and replied back, "oh fuck? fuck?..... no no... you TRUST ME. I am good, trust meeee!" Trust me... the most fatal words ever spoken by man.  "No fucking way, don't touch my ear," I snapped back at him.  Aileen and I dipped out and now every time I pass by  I want to throw a grenade into that place and wipe out his business.

After jewlery removal but before I went back to the doctor.

Even though the piercing was out, the infection seemed to be lingering and the pain had only subsided for one night before reocurring. On the following Monday, I went back to see my doctor.  I will start this by saying and truly meaning, THANK GOD for my doctor, as well as his English abilities.  People that fear going to the doctor are absolute morons, they do nothing but good to help you become well.  I remember laying down on the table in his office and he told me that what he was going to do to help me was going to hurt.  He had to attempt to squeeze the infection out of my ear through the hole left by my piercing.  I knew this could be the case as it had happend to my sister once before and she told me how excrutiating it could be.  However, after the squeezing ended, I heard him say, "that's not good enough, I'm going to have to put a small incision in your ear." At this point, I believe I sat up and said, "an incision?" questioning what he had just made clear and then took a minute to cry and mumble something along the lines of an apology for crying, living abroad, and wanting my mom.  I took a minute to collect myself.  The process that occurred after was something I will never forget.  He numbed my ear, put in a small incision, and then proceeded to squeeze my ear firmly again, while trying to push the puss out through the openning.  Then, he took a swab of antibiotic gauze and pushed it into the incission, and dressed it. This same process was continued almost every day with the gauze being removed, the ear being squeezed, and the gauze being reinserted for the next 2-3 weeks.  After each visit, I had to receive IV's, which ended up keeping me there for another 40 minutes or so. The first week, I think I spent most of that time with subtle tears rolling down my face in the IV room.  That week, I called my mom in absolute distress, hyperventilating and not being able to collect myself, telling her that I could not deal with having to do it every day... the anxiety and anticipation of knowing the pain that awaited me at my doctor's office was wearing on me.  I have never had any kind of major accident or painful experience, besides breaking my arm horseback riding or having my wisdom teeth removed. Let me just say, I would rather break my arm 6 times consecutively or have my wisdom teeth reinserted and removed 4 times (at least then I'd be rewarded with milkshakes) rather than ever deal with the pain that was associated with this whole process again.  Bring on child birth.

This was during the treatment but obviously not the first week, as I was clearly not pained enough to refrain from making stupid faces.

It ended up taking a long time to heal and there were days when I actually believed I was going to have to have my ear removed.  My doctor is an incredible man.  Having a medical issue such as this can be really stressful while living abroad, if not due to the communication barrier, than just in part because you are so far from the comforts of home and let's face if... you are never too old to want or need your mom.  My doctor had lived in America for five years and his English could pass as his first language if you didn't know he spoke Korean.  On the first day of treatment, he wrote me a note telling me that he would do whatever it took to make me better and he sure did stand by his word.  From offerring me websites to remind me of the comforts of home, to going out of his way to find me special iv treatments, to being far more gentle than most Korean doctors have a reputation for.  He not only treated my ear appropriately himself, but even went as far as to personally take me an hour away (after working hours) to be treated by one of his friend's who was an ENT specialist.  When I thanked him and told him he didn't have to go so out of his way, he simply replied back, "you are my patient, it's my job to take care of you."  Not only was my doctor made of gold but his nursing staff was also very kind and gentle.  How funny now after a month of visits with them all, I feel as though I'm cutting out a part of my daily routine.  As of Monday this week, my stitches have been removed, and I no longer need IV treatments or regular visits. AMENNNN! It has been the longest month of my lifeeeeeeeee! I owe a big thanks to my doctor and his staff for nursing my precious ear back to health.  I solemly swear to never put another piercing in my body again. 

Lastly, a picture of my awesome doctor and nurses who I owe my ear! For any foreigners who keep up with me on here, if you live anywhere near my area, I highly reccommend my doctor.  His name is Doctor Gabriel Choi and his office is the Samsung Clinic in Wolgye-dong, Nowon-gu. They are open until 6pm on weekdays and 4pm Saturday. Telephone number 02)977-7582.


My next two updates can be expected within the week... Sunday Funday events & my Halloween in Hongdae and with my students. Stay tuned (the costume is worth it)! (Ps- for readers named Mom, Geraldo, and Grammy... sorry about the f word, but it WAS in fact appropriate. EEEEEEEEE!)

Outdoor Adventures Adrenaline Junky

One of the best things about living abroad is the inner pull you have to make the most of the year.  Going into a journey such as this, everyone tells you, "live it up, you are young, do as much as you can, experience as much as you can, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity." Something about going abroad makes you want to LIVE LIFE. You are taking this huge step, a big journey, a risk, an adventure; and surely, you want to take advantage of the opportunity while it's here.  I wish I lived my life like this EVERY DAY, no excuses, no restraints.  Living abroad, the novelty of the new place and the awe does wear off, but the urge to constantly be doing something exciting doesn't leave you.  I have become so aware of my being here.  I always want to explore and DO.  It leaves me thinking, now that I am used to living every day life in Korea, it seems more like a normal life, but it's still more jam packed with thrills and exciting experiences, because... I go looking for them.  I take advantage of the city around me and the land beyond the city. I find AMAZING things to do here WEEKLY... things that at home, I might not make the time for, because I'm too busy living every day life. I've come to  the realization that every day life should be just as exciting as life abroad, and if I've learned something in Korea, it's to take advantage of my time in order to live my life to the fullest.  I should be living life like this at home, as well as here.  Climbing mountains to sit at great heights overlooking this beautiful land we have been so fortunate to live on, jumping off a bridge JUST to feel free, finding a beautiful cafe to sit in and actually enjoy the surroundings without an agenda, appreciating the beauty around me, going on weekly adventures and learning more about myself.  All of these things I have been doing have slowly peeled away my layers.  I have been revealing parts of myself that I didn't know existed. I used to think I was a teacher, a reader, a young heart with a big spirit.  Now I have found I am far more things than just that... I'm also a writer, a wanderer, an artist, a musical enthusiast, an adrenaline junky, a nature thriving spirit, a runner, an adventurer, a extrovert AND an introvert.  I've come to this, I don't want to "live it up, experience as much as I can, do as much as I can, and be young and adventurous," just this year. I want to do this every day, for the rest of my life, and I sincerely hope I stick to that goal. It's not a once in a lifetime opportunity, it's a once in a lifetime life. I'm going to live it appropriately.

With this said, in the past month I have taken advantage of the outdoors quite a bit.  The weather just before summer ended and fall hit was amazing, although the fall weather itself is absolutely wonderful. I have really been taking on myself lately... going on trips without anyone I know in order to force myself into groups of new people, become more socialized among both Koreans and expats in Seoul, wandering around on my own personal adventures (nothing new there), and doing more physical outdoor activities, as well as things that tested my own fears and courage.  I have participated in a few nice hikes, kayaked down a river in Gangwon-do, gone white water rafting, and bungee jumped off a 72 foot bridge.  All of these experiences gave me the opportunity to experience Korea beyond the city and take it to another outdoor level.  I have sincerely enjoyed the mountains here from day one abroad but the past month I have really taken a liking to a lot of other outdoor excursions!  I went on the kayaking trip, as well as the hiking trips alone, and took it upon myself to meet new people. Part of the reason I came to Korea was to meet new and interesting people and I'm trying not to let my comfort level with the good friends I've made prevent me from doing so.  Doing these outdoor trips with these groups of new people has been really good for me. I met a lot of other expats and of course it's always nice to hear their stories... how they got to korea, why, and what their plans are for after this.  I also met a lot of Korean people during these trips and had to opportunity to surround myself with the culture more by being around them.  Hiking Suraksan was absolutely beautiful and afterwards I got to go to a traditional Korean barbecue with a group of Koreans and two people I met from the middle east.  I had gone to dinner with a group of Korean friends in a while and I had almost forgot how much fun it is to meet new Koreans and spend time with them!  Kayaking was a fun day. I ran into some of the people I had done some other group hikes with and I'm beginning to recognize familiar faces among the out door adventurers. We had a wonderful time on the water, having splashing wars like we were all old friends, and eating together while chatting.  White water rafting wasn't exactly what I would call a legit "white water" experience, but our group of people were a lot of fun so we really made the most of it and laughed a lot with our guide.  Bungee jumping... deserves it's own paragraph completely, however, I have a video that pretty much says it all.  Bungee jumping was not something I've ever had the longing to do, but something about that whole, "live it up while your here," inclined me to do so.  I didn't think I would be able to go through with it the week leading up to the event, but suddenly as the time drew nearer, my doubts started to subside and I really believed I was going to do it.  Something about the idea of it was suddenly very appealing to me.  Jumping off a bridge is like self inflicting pain... your brain is telling you, "NO NO you don't want to do that, it's going to hurt you."  Bungee jumping is a similar experience.  Your brain is telling you that you really don't want to jump off a bridge, it's dangerous, and you could die. However, when you are standing up there, you have to find the ability to convince your brain otherwise, and when you do, it's an amazing journey down.  When I took the leap off of that bridge, I'm not sure exactly where my mind was, but it was somewhere in the middle of a song and pep talk, then, onceI jumped I let out a freeing scream. I was falling, it was just quiet and free, and THEN it was like having the most amazing adrenaline rush ever after the first bounce back. I'm not sure I came down from my high for the next two days proceeding the jump. What a thrilling month it truly was, and as always, below are pictures of the journeys. Thanks for reading :)

Hiking at Suraksan

 The group I hiked with. CIK

 The hike was trying at times, this was a huge boulder we had to climb up the side of. It was somewhat scary and definitely tested my balance, but a nice accomplishment in the end. You can see me crawling up on the right side.

 A rest stop just a bit up the mountain with a nice view of the city.

The man sitting to the left of me was incredible! He must have been in his sixties and in the best shape of his life. He hiked the entire mountain without shoes on. When I asked him about it, he said, "my feet are happy." Now that's what I call being one with the earth. Glad to have met him.

 Boulder pioneers.

 Climbing boulders and hanging out! 

It started out as a cloudy day, but as we reached the peak it had turned into an incredibly beautiful day. Looking at this picture makes me want to go back, build a shack, and stay there forever.

Ending the day with some delicious outdoor Korean barbecue & new friends.

Kayaking the Hongcheon River in Gangwon-do

Away we go! A river surrounded by mountains :)

 A beautiful view of everyone kayaking down the river with surrounding mountains.

 My kayaking partner and I

Alex tipping over people's kayaks. All in good fun. kkk!

Having some fun in the water! :)

White water rafting in Gangwon-do & Bungee Jumping

(an exhilarating day!)

Kim and I with our white water rafting group!

The platform protruding from the bridge... where we jumped!

I don't know who this person is but I wish I did because they would definitely appreciate this picture I snapped!

Our group of bungee braving souls on top of the bridge!

 Kimberly and I with our leg wraps on... all ready to bungee!!! :)

Kim getting ready for her jump! The only two pictures we have of hers :(

My jump... my arms look super strange but I was swaying with the jump!

Embracing the the fall.

Falling...

Survival of the bravest! We did it :))

Me with the bridge in the background... where I embraced my fears and flew like a bird (or fell like a bowling pin, whichever :-p)

Video footage of my jump :)

Red Thread

An Ancient Chinese proverb says “An invisible red thread connects those destined to meet, despite the time, the place, and despite the circumstances. The thread can be tightened or tangled, but will never be broken.”

"Taste the fullness of life."

Today, while sitting at my desk, I came across this article. It was too beautiful, too pertinent, & too honest.  I couldn't feel more connected to this piece. As I sat reading, line for line, I could not help but feel that it was something I needed to share.  If not for the reason that it spoke to me as an individual, then in hopes that it reaches other young people who have the courage to take a leap of faith in leaving all that is familiar behind (if even for a short while.)  I have posted the article below, and I have included subsections where I wrote my reactions to Goins' viewpoints, specifying how his words directly pertained to me. 

3 Reasons to Travel While You’re Young

by Jeff Goins | 616 Comments | Twitter, Facebook, Google+

The other night, I had a conversation with a young woman who had a number of decisions ahead of her, one of which was whether she should go to grad school or travel the world.

I told her to travel. Hands down. No excuse. Just go.

Photo credit: Flickr (Creative Commons)

She sighed.

“Yeah, but…”

Never were more fatal words spoken.*

Yeah, but… what about debt?Yeah, but… what about my job?Yeah, but… what about my boyfriend (or dog or car or whatever)?

“Yeah, but…” is pernicious. Because it makes it sound like we have the best of intentions when really we are just too scared to do what we should.

It allows us to be cowards, while sounding noble.

Most people I know who waited to travel the world never did. Conversely, plenty of people who waited for grad school or a steady job and traveled still did those things — eventually.

Be careful of the yeah-but. The yeah-but will kill your dreams.

I was so stirred by this conversation that I shared it with a group of about thirty young adults last night, many who were asking these very questions.

The beginning of this article is the part that really spoke to me most. While reading this, I looked back on the months before I had arrived in Korea. Making a move to the other side of the world was a scary thought.  As adolescents, the world pushes us to plan for the future.  That's what I had been doing for the past four years: working hard in college to secure a good job (one which I would enjoy) and hoping to eventually become an independent. When I looked at where my life was heading, and where I wanted my life to go, I realized that there were some uncertainties.  Sure, I had gotten what I wanted, a teaching job out of college, and  a degree  hard earned that no one would ever be able to take from me. However,  I started to crave the world.  I started to realize that I was young and able, and that although a secure job was what I was  looking for, I wasn't ready for it yet quite yet. I have seen too many adults in my life struggle through hardship and life changes.  When my elders were young, the idea was to settle down, get a job, and start a family.  Some of them passed this notion on to us, perhaps not in the form of relationships & marriage, but in the form of career and independent life. However, if you listen to your elders, many of them will often say, "if I could have done that when I was young, I would go back and take the opportunity." Perhaps, it's not that they would change their lives, and the decisions they made, but that they would enhance it by taking more risks. I decided, I didn't want to be one of those people. I wanted to know, then when I age, I will be able to tell my children to chase their dreams and fight for what they want, take opportunities without hesitation, and look back without regret, don't live a life that follows the norm, live a life that leave you breathless, that enhances your learning, and that inspires you and others.  I want my children to know that I was brave enough to live a life like that, and they can as well. I wanted to travel the world.  I believed that if I went away, I would have a better understanding of the world, of people, and mostly of myself. 

Then came the "what ifs" and the "yeah buts." I can't even begin to explain how many "yeah buts" there actually were. I had days where I really questioned whether or not leaving my secure life was something worth doing.  I had days where I would cry because I was scared to leave behind all that was familiar and all that I had worked for. Yeah but:  my family, my teaching job (will I be able to get another one?), my friends (can I live with out them?) , my parents (I will not  be able to lean on them for help), my car (oh, I had just purchased her... and how in love we were!), i'm going to miss out on things at home. YEAH BUT, YEAH BUT, YEAH BUT... WHAT IF I WAS BURNING BRIDGES BY UP AND LEAVING...  were people going to be upset with my decision? Would I be upset with myself for leaving if things didn't work out in the end?

Jeff Goins, have we met? Are you sure the girl you met and chatted with was not  me?  It sure does sound familiar.  Believe it or not, this is a conversation that I too had with complete strangers one night while working at On the Border.  If I could hug those two today, I would. I still remember their names, Bill and Jeanie, from Colorado Springs.  Upon first meeting, they pushed me to take the initial step in beginning to plan for this incredible journey I have taken. Their advice was seemingly similar to Goins' and it's as simple as he put it... "just go." To Bill and Jeanie, and Jeff Goins, thank you for being an inspiration to young people to chase their dreams.

The life you’ve always wanted

When you get older, life seems to just sort of happen to you. Your youth is a time of total empowerment.

You get to do what you want. As you mature and gain new responsibilities, you have to be very intentional about making sure you don’t lose sight of what’s important.

So if you still have a reasonable amount of control over your circumstances, you should do what really matters. Because life won’t always be just about you.

During early adulthood, your worldview is still being formed. It’s important to steward this time — to give yourself opportunities to grow. A good way to do that is to travel.

So, young person, travel.

Travel wide and far.
Travel boldly.
Travel with full abandon.

You will regret few risks you take, when it comes to this. I promise you.

"Your youth is a time of total empowerment." THANK YOU GOINS and if I can say so,  "AMEN to  THAT." I am 23 years old and I feel so alive, so absorbent, so untouchable.  The world is before us with open arms, yelling out to it's youth, just as Tree does in Silverstein's famous book, The Giving Tree.  "Come , come, and play child ... swing from my branches, sleep in my shade." If now is not the time to play, the time to break free, the time to experience, then when is? 

"Life won't always be just about you."  Surely, it won't.  Most of the time, it is not.  Being selfless is one of the most noble acts in the world.    However, as a young person, you are given the divine right to be selfish... if only for a short time.  There's a big difference in being inappropriately selfish and being appropriately selfish. To be inappropriately selfish means you don't like to share your cookies  or give up your swing so that someone else might have a try.  To be appropriately selfish means you listen to your heart, and your heart alone... it knows what it wants.  Be appropriately selfish. Leave everything behind. Leave everything, because, it will be there when you come back, and during your youth, it may be one of the only times that you can be reassured of that. Later in life, you won't be able to leave your husband, your children, your dog and the mortgage on your house.  If you do, surely, those things won't be waiting for you when you come back... and if they are, it's probable that you will return to anger and a lot of debt. 

There are three reasons to travel while you’re young:

1. Traveling teaches you to live an adventure

When you look back on your life, you will have moments of which you are proud and maybe a few you regret. It’s likely that the following won’t be on the latter list:

• Bicycled across the Golden Gate Bridge.
• Appeared on Italian TV.
• Hiked a Mayan ruin.
• Learned Spanish in three months.
• Toured Europe by train.

They’re not on mine (fun fact: I’ve done all of the above).

What, then, will be?

• Holding back.
• Being afraid.
• Making excuses.
• Not taking more risks.
• Waiting.

While you’re young, you should travel.

You should take the time to see the world and taste the fullness of life. It’s worth whatever investment or money or sacrifice of time required on your part.

It’s not about being a tourist. It’s about experiencing true risk and adventure so you don’t have to live in fear for the rest of your life.

My heart literally, just sank.  I'm not totally sure that Jeff Goins isn't speaking to me directly. "It's not about being a tourist. It's about experiencing true risk and adventure so you don't have to live in fear for the rest of your life." I literally don't know that I have the words to express how directly these words speak to me.  It's not shocking news (to anyone who knows me) that I am actually quite fearful of life itself.    I'm afraid of making mistakes. I'm afraid of ending up with the wrong person. I'm afraid of feeling mediocre  living a day to day life, I'm afraid of losing my youth, I'm afraid or being committed to one thing or one person.  I can recall my words to my mother verbatim. Before leaving, I had said, "Mom, you might not ever understand this, but I feel as though I need to leave and come back in order to understand if this is where I want to be." I was fearing my future and what it would be like without some kind of great adventure.  What if I wake up one day realizing I have never done anything truly adventurous?  What if in that moment, I want to run away? I  need to do it now. I need to take a risk. I need to leave behind everything I know. I need to make a change, but not a small change, a bold and courageous change.

 And so, I put aside my reservations. I moved to the other side of the world. As Goins suggested, it has absolutely been worth every sacrifice of time and every investment. After I leave Korea, and before I return to the states, I plan to backpack South East Asia, or volunteer abroad in Kenya.   Doing that also means, it's likely that I will come home empty handed and completely broke, but as far as I'm concerned, I will be the richest person in the world.  I will be rich with experience, rich with cultural understandings, rich with appreciation,  rich with compassion, and rich with the love of  people from all over the world whose lives have crossed paths with mine.

I don't think I will be living in fear for the rest of my life because of these experiences.  If I do, it will be because, I will live in fear that the magnitude of my life at home won't match the magnitude of the times in my life I spent adventuring the world.  However, I have a funny feeling that it will.       

2. Traveling helps you encounter compassion

In your youth, you will make choices that will define you. The disciplines you begin now will be with you for the rest of your life.

Traveling will change you like little else can. It will put you in places that will force you to care for issues that are bigger than you.

If you go to southeast Asia, you may encounter the slave trade. If eastern Europe, you may see the effects of genocide and religious persecution. If Haiti, you’ll witness the the ugly side Western paternalism.

Your heart will break.

You will begin to understand that the world is both a big and small place. You will have a new-found respect for the pain and suffering that over half of the world takes for granted on a daily basis. And you will feel more connected to your fellow human beings in a deep and lasting way.

You will learn to care.

The truth in Goins' words here are so appropriate. It's simply put and needs no further explanation, "Traveling will change you like little else can. You will learn to care."  I am living in Korea, a country that has risen from a  once third world country, to a now booming economic powerhouse.   It's hard to say that Korea has made me realize how easy I have life at home, simply because life in Korea is not so hard.  In some ways it has opened my eyes... but still they are "spoiled" viewpoints.   Life here certainly isn't as much of a 360 as it would be living in a third world country. [I have learned a lot about the struggles and horrid ways of life just across the border in North Korea. That in itself is enough to break your heart. A country once connected is now divided by war and communism.] In general I surely see more hardship living in the city than I did at home, but it's not excessive. This is what I can say, however.  Living here, has made me far more open minded and more than anything, it has made me  CRAVE more cultural diversity.  I have a new appreciation and understand for the way that others live their lives.  I  want to go to a country where people have to walk two miles to fetch water. I want to sleep  under the stars with a Nairobi tribe in Africa. I want to work with children in Cambodia, who walk to school without shoes on. I want to give my love in other parts of the world. My eyes and my mind are open. I want to learn, I want to see, I want to appreciate, and I want my heart to feel it. There's no greater gift in the world than being able to feel true compassion and appreciation for others.

3. Traveling allows you to get some culture

While you’re still young, you should get cultured. Get to know the world and the magnificent people that fill it.

There’s nothing quite like walking alongside the Coliseum or seeing Michelangelo’sDavid in person. I can describe the city of San Juan and its amazing beaches and historic sites to you, but you really have to see it for yourself to experience it. You can read all the books in the world about the Great Wall of China or The Louvre, butbeing there is a different story.

The world is a stunning place, full of outstanding works of art. See it.

Do this while you’re still young. Do not squander this time. You will never have it again.

You have a crucial opportunity to invest in the next season of your life now. Whatever you sow, you will eventually reap. Please. For your sake, do this.

You won’t always be young. And life won’t always be just about you. So travel. Experience the world for all it’s worth. Become a person of culture, adventure, and compassion.

Culture is such an incredible thing.   I was taught, as an education major,  in America (the great melting pot), that cultural understanding was one of the most importance concepts in modern day America (and in our schools).    I have read books, I have attended classes, I have made text sets of children's literature, all  with the purpose of  promoting and understanding cultural diversity.  It's not something you can understand until you have experienced it. "Get to know the world and the people that fill it," says Goins.  He is absolutely right. The experience is invaluable and it's not something you can get from a class or from a book. I have learned this first hand from living abroad in Korea. What better way to understand culture than to live it?  Culture is pure and rich and deep.  Culture is a way of life,  it is deep embedded with  history, ritual,  architecture, religion, and meaning. It's ever changing from place to place. True understanding in itself is  simply astonishing and something I am very grateful to be able to experience.  

“What if I’m not young?”

Travel, anyway. It may not be easy to do, but find a way to get out of your comfort zone. It’s really never too late.

COME ON , MOM!

But if you haven’t gotten sucked into the routine of life yet, I implore you — travel. It will never be easier than it is right now for you to do that which really matters.

AMEN . Thank you Jeff Goins for this article.