tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8532366207040805122024-03-13T10:24:43.161+09:00my name is angela louangelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212093302251827169noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-853236620704080512.post-70412891830277358242012-11-05T11:32:00.002+09:002012-11-08T11:58:32.259+09:00release, relief<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Ninety days. </div>
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Tomorrow will be my 90th day back in the U.S.A. It's been busy, bright, boring, and bleak, with all of these adjectives sometimes occurring at the same time. Over these last few months, I've been given new opportunities and responsibilities. The more I was given, the more I thanked God. But the busier I became, the more I relied on myself. Plans, relationships, daily things -- I thought I had to be in control of it all. </div>
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Tension strains my shoulders when I know I'm holding on to something too tightly. As I frantically grab on to things, fear tightens its hold on me. But today -- a mundane, cloudy Sunday -- there was breakthrough. "You have no reason to fear," my pastor said. "I'm not dealing with fear," or so I thought. </div>
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As that thought lingered, the more I realized how tightly I was holding on to this life because of fear. I remembered the countless times my Father has graciously spoken that exact statement over my life these last 90 days. It is indeed true. I have no reason to fear nor any reason to hold on to my life. I am not my own.</div>
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"Happy holiness, joyful righteousness... is found in the laying down," ("This is True Life" by Justin Rizzo).</div>
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angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212093302251827169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-853236620704080512.post-91359011591324541732012-07-20T09:46:00.003+09:002012-07-20T09:46:52.894+09:00it's time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm currently at the airport in Korea, awaiting my flight to Laos. I'm so excited to travel, yet it's so tempting to look back at the last year and seven months and feel so, so sad that it's over. But I don't want to feel sad. I want to rejoice! God, you have been faithful! You have carried me through hard times. You have poured out mercy. Lord, you are beautiful. Thank you, thank you, thank you.</div>angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212093302251827169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-853236620704080512.post-5702063015969538842012-07-02T23:18:00.000+09:002012-07-04T22:58:38.077+09:00moving away<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This has been my first time living by myself. People say marriage shows a person how selfish he or she can be. I've never been married, but I completely agree. However, I think living alone can also show one's selfishness if he or she is trying to stay connected to Jesus - abiding, trusting, asking him to examine the heart.<br />
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I'm leaving Korea permanently in about three weeks. I have a huge pile of junk sitting in the middle of my floor, and I have no idea what to do about it. The pile contains things I haven't worn for a year or so. It has things I didn't even know were living in my apartment. It also has things that are useful for a certain season, like winter; not useful now with what, 100% humidity everyday? Aaah!<br />
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Saturday and Sunday nights were tearful events spent alone in my apartment - frustration, anxiety, discouragement, feeling overwhelmed. As I allowed God to pull up things in my heart I wished weren't there, I started to see how that pile on my floor was a lot like the things I was storing in my heart. Some things were useful, some needed to simply be let go of, and some were really ugly lies. A flood of tears spilled on my bed. Where did this all come from? I thought I had everything under control, but of course I didn't. God had everything in his hands, but I was taking my life off the alter of sacrifice, unknowingly and naively, and trying to direct my own life - another topic for another day.<br />
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So what do I take from all this? I can't say another tearful event like that will never happen again (oh, my humanity), but if a lie or a check in my spirit pops up, I want to deal with it immediately. There's no more shoving it in a corner or the back of my closet and dealing with it until I absolutely have to, like when I'm moving. This time, everything matters. Jesus is coming again, and what's going to save me from the wave of disillusion and deception? I'm living before His eyes, and nothing must come between His gaze and mine.</div>angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212093302251827169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-853236620704080512.post-59277152266818106642012-06-24T09:16:00.001+09:002012-06-24T09:16:10.178+09:00sunday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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God,<br />
I have so much to do before leaving Korea. I've allowed these things to come before you. Jesus, it's all about you. Only "you satisfy my soul. All of my fountains are in you. Where else can I go? There is no life outside of you," <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(Elizabeth Bedford, IHOP prayer room)</span>.<br />
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<br /></div>angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212093302251827169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-853236620704080512.post-67229360288077467492012-06-19T22:25:00.002+09:002012-06-19T22:25:25.024+09:00thirty days<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm always inspired by other bloggers' photos of simple things. I've been trying to take some iphone shots this week of my daily life.<br />
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Taking these photos helps me appreciate the small, simple things I do and see here. Soon it'll be a distant memory, but I know there's a lot to look forward to.<br />
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My good friend from China just came to visit. She was only here for a couple of days, but it was good and refreshing to see her for the first time in over two years. We met our very first week of freshman year in college and have been friends ever since. Today when we said goodbye, it dawned on me that I might never see her again. I may never be in Korea ever again, or even in Asia. I'm saddened by the thought and am unsure how to process it. It's easy to get overwhelmed by sadness and self pity, but I want to keep my focus on the fact that God is good. He has been unbelievably good during my time here and has shown himself faithful over and over.<br />
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I make promises to him and break them, but he's still there. I choose other lovers, or the pride of life, or something besides him to fill me and sustain me, but he's constant. He is gracious and slow to anger, but he is also a judge (another topic for another day). I can't express in words the deep, deep gratitude I have toward my Heavenly Father for keeping me steady in his hand this last year and six months. I've messed up so many times. I've done things I said I'd never do. Yet here I am in the end, thirty days to go, standing firm on the solid rock with confidence, joy, and thanksgiving. I hope I live the rest of my days before his eyes; it's only by his strength.<br />
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p.s. Follow me on instagram! My username is angloum. (<a href="http://www.gramfeed.com/angloum">Click here to see my instagrams online</a>).</div>angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212093302251827169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-853236620704080512.post-1554429460329339932012-06-17T23:12:00.000+09:002012-06-18T00:29:57.404+09:00can't sleep<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm too excited. I booked my flight to Laos today.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickriver.com/photos/sebastien_mamy/popular-interesting/">source</a></td></tr>
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Now that my time in Korea is coming to an end, I'm super blessed to have the financial capability and time to travel. It's a gift from the Lord, and I just want to saturate that time in prayer and thanksgiving and utter joy!<br />
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I finish my contract here in Korea soon and will trek around Indochina for a while. I can't believe I've just spent 18 months in Korea. I've learned so much about God and myself and respecting others. This has been one of the hardest times of my life. On several occasions, I defaulted to hopelessness, unwilling to admit my mistakes and was ready to pack up and go home. But God has continually shone through my doubt and depression with his faithfulness. It's been hard, but it's been so, so good.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.laos-travel-guide.com/">source</a></td></tr>
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I can't get this song out of my head. It's a spontaneous song from the International House of Prayer about God as the restorer. If I could sum up my time in Korea in one song, this would be it.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Gentle Shepherd, I love the way you lead me. Loving Father, I love the way you lead me.</span></div>angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212093302251827169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-853236620704080512.post-8230092915588709192012-06-15T21:22:00.001+09:002012-06-15T21:22:53.336+09:00Laos<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Yep, pretty sure I am going to this country in the near future. Some flights still need to be purchased and a couple details hammered out, but soon I'll be exploring this beautiful country which globalization hasn't completely consumed yet.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://hiddengemtravel.blogspot.kr/2011/02/luang-prabang.html">source</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://facesoftheearth.tumblr.com/page/15">source</a></td></tr>
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I can't wait.</div>angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212093302251827169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-853236620704080512.post-71451598828422051072012-04-21T23:03:00.000+09:002012-04-21T23:15:37.626+09:00poor in spirit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The last couple weeks have been full of making plans with friends and those friends backing out. Or my friends just forget that we even made plans. That leaves one feeling quite worthless. Sure, I understand if something comes up or if a friend gets sick, but it happened twice last weekend and twice more today; four times with four different friends. I'm starting to wonder, "Do I smell? laugh too loud? make uncomfortable or awkward comments?"</div>
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Today I went to see the doctor to take care of this silly digestive problem that's left me feeling tired, discouraged, and lifeless. After my appointment, I was at the check-out counter, paying the bill (which only cost $7, by the way), when I heard, "Angela?!" Immediate dread. I was wearing sweat pants for goodness sake! I looked over to see stout little Josephine approaching to chat my ear off (her name has been changed for.. reasons). She explained that she and her sister got in a car accident three weeks prior and have been in the hospital ever since. I forced out some sympathy and an, "I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" and somehow gave in to her suggestion to go see her sister, whom I met once for about three minutes over a year ago, up on the 8th floor. </div>
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Josephine introduced herself to me at church during my first week in Korea. She's Korean and flocks to any foreigner with light hair, light eyes, and that comes from an English-speaking country, so during my first visit at our church I was a direct hit. She managed to get my name, email address, phone number, and even a picture of me on her phone. Josephine is very friendly and outgoing but overbearing sometimes, socially awkward, and constantly bad-breathed. On more than one occasion, while conversing, she's managed to accidentally and unnoticeably spit on my face. So one can imagine that after a doctor appointment in which I walked out with a cloth between my butt cheeks (that's not a pun), the last thing on my wish list was to see this person. </div>
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Upon arriving at the 8th floor, Josephine embarrassed me, showing me off, her "U.S.A. friend," to the nurses in the waiting area. I just wanted to go home, but I still went in to see her sister. She took a couple photos of me on her phone and gave me a peach juice which made me more aggravated because it was super delicious. After a long 5-minute visit, Josephine escorted me back down the first floor. As she walked me out the revolving doors and relief overtook me that the visit was over, Josephine said, "I was SO happy to see you here! I have been feeling really down and sad about being stuck in the hospital, and my sister has been feeling really sad, too, but it helped so much to see you!" </div>
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I couldn't believe her words. When I was feeling pitiful because all my friends were canceling our plans, someone with whom I've been so fake and have never given a second thought considers my friendship worthwhile. How hard-hearted am I? How far has pride gone into me, like poison, that I feel the need to defend myself or keep my distance from people like her? As I look into my heart, I can't help but look at my relationship with the Savior. This is exactly how I've been treating Jesus and his Word.</div>
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God, I confess my unforgiveness toward people around whom I feel uncomfortable. I repent of my self-preservation, pride, offense, self pity. I repent of neglecting your heart and my broken promises. I ask for your forgiveness. You are always faithful and always merciful. I am only human, but you are God. I want to connect with your heart, to see what you see and feel what you feel. I want to love others with the same love you have for me. I want to love Jesus with the same love you have for him. Jesus, you never held back when someone reached out to you. Even in my weakness, my awkwardness, even after I've spat in your face and rejected you, you still receive me. You accept me just as I am. And you invite me to your table, to look fully at your face, to touch your heart. You are alive. Please change me to be more like you. Amen.</div>
</div>angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212093302251827169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-853236620704080512.post-77716565203169087032012-02-19T21:39:00.000+09:002012-02-19T21:39:02.139+09:00hidden coffee shop discovery!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">My dear friend, Tracie, and I found a little hidden gem of a coffee shop/restaurant/art gallery last weekend. We were biking through a university area and saw a little gate with a sign that said "Coffee." We walked through a little outdoor corridor covered with vines and along a cobblestone path to find this dynamic, artistic, inspiring place. There are so many different little buildings and textures and staircases and decor, it's like a whole little village inside! The following photos are only of the coffee shop since the art gallery wasn't open.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{a nice suitcase and camera bag display}</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{hot chocolate with chocolate drizzled along the inside of the cup.. yummm}</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{tracie and her latté}</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{all gone!}</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{at Elf - my bike, cathy, and tracie's bike, missy. yeah, we named them}</td></tr>
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<div>I love bicycle adventures! Who knew such a fantastic place was lingering behind that small little gate? Needless to say, we were so excited to find such a diamond in the ruff, especially amongst countless chicken restaurants, bars, and franchise coffee shops. Places like these make me appreciate my city more and more. To top off the day, Tracie and I biked back to our neighborhood to Elf (see last photo), a cool little vintage/coffee shop owned by the brother of our friend at <a href="http://uolalegna.blogspot.com/2012/01/coffee-shop-review-5-3rd-seo-rab.html">3rd Seo Rab</a>, but it was closed. Sad. Someday I'll post pictures of the shop's interiors. It's amazing!</div></div>angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212093302251827169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-853236620704080512.post-36938767629736410152012-02-12T01:14:00.007+09:002012-02-12T01:28:12.200+09:00saturday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;">Saturday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/422194_3275405845702_1284120022_3390019_1345984446_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/422194_3275405845702_1284120022_3390019_1345984446_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My friends got married.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/404281_3275396925479_1284120022_3390016_828575451_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/404281_3275396925479_1284120022_3390016_828575451_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My friend introduced me to a new cupcake shop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/420611_3275416325964_1284120022_3390023_753222432_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/420611_3275416325964_1284120022_3390023_753222432_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>It's days like this I ponder the meaning of life. I hate that.</div><div><br />
</div>As I was graduating from high school, old people constantly asked me, "What are you going to do?" After the third time being asked, autopilot instincts kicked in, and I explained my plans of going to a local university, living in the dorms to make new exciting friends, and studying something impressive I knew nothing about. The next August, I attended my first classes as a freshman at that school, quickly moved out of the dorms with no new friends, failed a couple classes (darn you, chemistry), and got a completely different, less impressive degree. Then I ended up here in Korea doing something unrelated to my degree.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>Even at 24 years old, bachelor's degree under my belt, full-time job in hand, I still get asked, "What are you going to do?" but this time I'm the one who asks me this question most often. I think about it for a while, get psyched over some whim of an idea, then give up on it and answer, "I don't know." Perhaps it's that "quarter life crisis" I heard about on Oprah or something, but I'm surrounded by hundreds of other people (i.e., other English teachers) chasing after the same dream job that opens the door to a life of comfort, happiness, and success. Despite the revelation that I'm not crazy or going through a "quarter life crisis," I still have this restlessness tossing around inside of me. What am I going to do?</div><div><br />
</div><div>I've prayed and asked God and have gotten promises of, </div><div>"Yes, indeed, I have a plan for you." </div><div>I reply, "Okay, what is it?" </div><div>He says, "Just seek my face." </div><div>"That's not a plan."</div><div>"Haha."</div><div>I'm so human, but I'm approaching an epiphany in which perhaps, "Just seek my face," is the place where I'll find that next step toward where I'm supposed to go. I don't have to have my whole life figured out before I take the next step. I'll just seek his face. That's what I'm going to do.</div></div>angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212093302251827169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-853236620704080512.post-7936708568381128212012-01-24T18:37:00.002+09:002012-01-24T20:44:18.933+09:00coffee shop review #5: 3rd SeoRab<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Every once in a while you find a unique place that puts franchise coffee shops to shame. I used to work full-time at Starbucks, but sorry to say that 3rd SeoRab welcomes me and inspires me so much more than my old 32nd Avenue (Grand Forks, ND) workplace.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KAx8Y2NCt7Y/Tx55htItOgI/AAAAAAAAAak/Bzz5-w8cw5Q/s1600/photo-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KAx8Y2NCt7Y/Tx55htItOgI/AAAAAAAAAak/Bzz5-w8cw5Q/s320/photo-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I've been a consistent (and constant) customer here for the last few months. The owner is as sweet as a honey bee and has set up this small space with just about six tables, comfy pillows, and adorably delicate trinkets as well as one-of-a-kind wall art pieces.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XrYIoZLna_g/Tx6YqYTDdKI/AAAAAAAAAa8/iMVej17_-AQ/s1600/seorab.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XrYIoZLna_g/Tx6YqYTDdKI/AAAAAAAAAa8/iMVej17_-AQ/s320/seorab.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The ambiance isn't the only thing that keeps me coming back here. For one, it's in the best neighborhood in Busan: Gwangalli. My apologies for that very biased statement. Next, it boasts a deliciously expansive menu.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T-c4OaM8yjU/Tx553jhx5iI/AAAAAAAAAas/BqqbQNdsCFU/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T-c4OaM8yjU/Tx553jhx5iI/AAAAAAAAAas/BqqbQNdsCFU/s320/photo-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I usually stick to the espresso drinks, smoothies (I can't decide if blueberry or mango-peach is my favorite), and loose leaf teas served in the cutest teapots your mind can imagine. In the back of the menu (a repurposed photo album.. SO cute), customers can find delicious desserts and hearty entrées. My friends and I have split the brownie and cheesecake; both were so tasty they disappeared in moments.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MFNtYbBZu58/Tx55_qMs1oI/AAAAAAAAAa0/gWEyGDi2yS0/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MFNtYbBZu58/Tx55_qMs1oI/AAAAAAAAAa0/gWEyGDi2yS0/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Words really don't do this place justice. All I can say is that if you ever venture to Busan, 3rd Seo Rab is worth a visit. You can even leave a note in one of their many cute 'guestbooks', accompanied with a coffee mug full of colored pencils and pens to draw and color your heart out (it's really not as childish as it sounds). If I stay in Busan for another year, 3rd Seo Rab is one of the reasons why.<br />
Love. this. place.</div>angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212093302251827169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-853236620704080512.post-46258633778458519742012-01-19T16:07:00.000+09:002012-01-19T16:07:36.142+09:00long time no see<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/386520_2843590930599_1284120022_3174452_2105669620_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/386520_2843590930599_1284120022_3174452_2105669620_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And again, I've fallen into that trap saying, "I'm so bad at keeping up with my blog!"<br />
<br />
I had been thinking about getting back into it for a while, and after reading <a href="http://www.promisetangemanblog.com/business-2/its-all-my-fault-i-worked-myself-out-of-being-myself#more-15038">this very personal post</a> by Promise Tangeman, I decided maybe it's time to get back into it with a new and specific focus. What is it? Well, I haven't quite figured that out yet. It'll be something related to life. And its frailty. And how it relates to my current situation. In Korea. With fragments.<br />
<br />
I don't have much to say right now, nor do I have time to say it (at work aaand my boss just walked by my desk.. great..), but cheers to a new year and a revival of this ol' URL. Good to be back.</div>angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212093302251827169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-853236620704080512.post-66350119401230818832011-09-29T23:32:00.001+09:002011-09-29T23:34:00.070+09:00holga film<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aP2DVRd_BPs/ToSA6LHGvAI/AAAAAAAAAaY/f-7KcxwpLYA/s1600/20560001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aP2DVRd_BPs/ToSA6LHGvAI/AAAAAAAAAaY/f-7KcxwpLYA/s320/20560001.JPG" width="315" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-So1FlvYZhWg/ToSBBoKXPCI/AAAAAAAAAac/HzJ0NI4K02c/s1600/20560005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-So1FlvYZhWg/ToSBBoKXPCI/AAAAAAAAAac/HzJ0NI4K02c/s320/20560005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xX-1Rz9timM/ToSBINSL2wI/AAAAAAAAAag/_UHD11o7-Pc/s1600/20560006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xX-1Rz9timM/ToSBINSL2wI/AAAAAAAAAag/_UHD11o7-Pc/s320/20560006.JPG" width="315" /></a></div><br />
hi<br />
i finallyz{!} developed the film from my holga. only 5/12 pictures turned out (maybe cuz my film got wet!! oops.), but it only cost about $4.00 to get them developed here. actually i'm not sure if it'd be much more expensive in the states... but it seemed like a good deal to me! can't wait to take and develop more (my robot camera roll is about up), especially now that i realize how much better the holgas turn out with natural light^_^<br />
<br />
</div>angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212093302251827169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-853236620704080512.post-54664008963717734752011-09-26T19:54:00.001+09:002011-09-26T19:56:18.403+09:00hurt<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">To say I'm way behind on this is an understatement. I guess I'm not very disciplined when it comes to this blogging thing.<br />
<br />
I've been learning some hard lessons lately. I've made some many unwise choices over the last month or so, and they all seemed to culminate yesterday. Details of events are not important. I've learned the danger of living with a heart that is not fully in love with Jesus. No servant can serve two masters. If my heart is not fully given over to God, it's (partially) somewhere else. I think this is a process, to give myself over completely, to be wholly abandoned to God. However, I kept a section of my heart for my own gratification and to feed my flesh. My choices seemed harmless, but they sent me down a winding path of hurt, leading to death and destruction. Thank the Lord he protected me in ways I did not see. He is love. He fully accepts us, even in our weakness and immaturity, even in our pride when we think we don't need him. He is mercy. He is victorious, and he's given us the victory.</div>angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212093302251827169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-853236620704080512.post-34861836255508122522011-08-07T21:35:00.000+09:002011-08-07T21:35:39.582+09:00in korea, again<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I'm way behind on blogging. Wow. It's been almost 3 weeks since my return. I got off the plane around 8:30pm, arrived at my new apartment and crashed, and started work the next morning. I currently work 7 days a week, about 9 hours each day, but this is only during English camp, ending in a few weeks.<br />
<br />
I really like my new apartment. One thing I really wish I could find is a jewelry stand for a few necklaces. They're currently sprawled over the top of my dresser, as if I were trying to imitate a sort of museum-like display (which I'm not; none of them cost more than $8).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VNSus1NK31o/Tac_oiQIAnI/AAAAAAAABUA/P6V5NWhRuQ4/s320/IMAG0083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VNSus1NK31o/Tac_oiQIAnI/AAAAAAAABUA/P6V5NWhRuQ4/s320/IMAG0083.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://tiabennett.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451d75169e2011168c2900d970c-320wi" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://tiabennett.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451d75169e2011168c2900d970c-320wi" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QumApHOt8lA/TadAEL-SpcI/AAAAAAAABUI/eG_T8mYiu1Q/s320/IMAG0082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QumApHOt8lA/TadAEL-SpcI/AAAAAAAABUI/eG_T8mYiu1Q/s320/IMAG0082.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.thefeltbird.com/2011/04/indie-organization.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">first & third</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.tiabennett.typepad.com/silly_as_it_sounds/page/2/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">second</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy Sunday :)</div></div>angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212093302251827169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-853236620704080512.post-77506440264410270542011-07-06T04:59:00.001+09:002011-07-06T11:30:48.643+09:00woops<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Oh hey there, blog, I was having so much fun, I almost forgot about you...<br />
I've been in the U.S. for about one week now! Wow! I have two weeks until I'll be back in Korea.<br />
<br />
{So far, I've...}<br />
<br />
seen my family and my friend, Amanda<br />
gone shopping<br />
gone in the pool<br />
gone to church<br />
gone to the lake<br />
gone water skiing, jet skiing, and tubing<br />
played badminton and frisbee<br />
slept a lot<br />
eaten <a href="http://chillybillysfrozenyogurt.com/">frozen yogurt</a> in Minneapolis<br />
unloaded my Holga (yay!)<br />
played around with the polaroid<br />
watched TV (I never do that in Korea)<br />
baked <a href="http://cookiesandcups.blogspot.com/2011/06/big-girl-smores-pie.html">a different kind of pie</a><br />
<br />
Okay, enough of the rambling list thing. Pictures to come soon. I'm off to sushi now with two friends who happen to be twin sisters. Yipee!</div>angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212093302251827169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-853236620704080512.post-10300254129949386472011-06-29T07:41:00.000+09:002011-06-29T07:41:11.161+09:00leaving<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I'm about to jump on a plane this afternoon and head to the states for a few weeks! I'm so excited, but I really miss Korea already. These past 6 months have been filled with a lot of anxiety, a lot of learning experiences, but overall, I just see love and joy. I can't wait for more! See you state-side!<br />
<br />
p.s. I feel the need to apologize for the angst in <a href="http://uolalegna.blogspot.com/2011/06/garbage.html">my last post</a>. It was so frustrating trying to figure out how to throw out all this stuff as I moved out of my apartment (kind of a long story...), but now that it's done, it's done! I promise, Korea, I'll be better at throwing out trash and recyclables next time around.<br />
<br />
p.p.s. Sometimes I wish I wore glasses (I have 20/20 vision).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6025/5880186066_e9cb19dfa8_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6025/5880186066_e9cb19dfa8_o.jpg" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">btw.. <a href="http://www.calivintage.com/">Calivintage</a> is doing a <a href="http://www.bonlook.com/">Bonlook</a> specs giveaway!</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212093302251827169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-853236620704080512.post-82305885515999176602011-06-27T00:40:00.001+09:002011-06-27T15:29:32.187+09:00garbage<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I'm preparing to leave for the states in three days! Yeah!<br />
<br />
I've been realizing that I have a hard time writing as myself (i.e., letting my true self-expression come out) in my blog. I wrote the madre an email tonight about my packing process, then read it over before finishing it, and decided that this might make a good blog post. It includes some interesting facts about life in Korea. Here we go...<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Well, I got some more packing done tonight. I still have a long way to go. I think I'm really gonna have to throw out a lot of stuff :( I have so much stuff that I didn't use that much. Blah! It was mostly stuff that I bought as a newbie in Korea, thinking I would need it, and then it just got tossed under a pile of other stuff, and I forgot about it. Now I know for next time. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">The real pain with throwing out stuff here is that garbage and recyclables are only collected on certain days. And even on collection days, you can only put out certain types of recyclables and garbage. For example (these examples aren't accurate, just theoretical)...</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">On Monday, it's recycling, but only styrofoam. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">On Tuesday, it's regular garbage and food garbage (yes, you are supposed to separate them; I still don't understand how, but I have a strategy for when I come back). </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">On Wednesday, it's regular (non-food) garbage and plastic recyclables. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">On Thursday, it's both kinds of garbage.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Nothing is collected on Friday or Saturday.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Sunday is.. something. I don't know. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Oh, and they have to be put out by 8pm. And you have to buy particular garbage bags for your garbage. They're expensive.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Anyway, I figured it doesn't really matter when I put my stuff out cuz in the end it all gets collected. It might just have to sit there for a couple days. I try to be careful and put out my garbage on the right days so it doesn't get gross in the rain or eaten by stray cats, but about 70% of the time I've tossed something to the curb, someone has seen me and yelled at me for putting out the wrong thing on the wrong day. Some communities have really convenient neighborhood-wide bins for putting your recyclables in, but no, not my neighborhood. We are old school Korea around here. No fancy garbage trucks - just workers who go around to every building, collecting garbage and sorting your recyclables by hand.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I respect Korea for their work ethic and taking responsibility for their waste (I'm not talking about excretions). I also respect Korea for being really, really accommodating to foreigners like me who don't speak Korean. However, there are a few things here that I just don't understand because they are <i>so</i> different than what I'm used to, and I've been doing my best. However, I've been met by natives on the other end who don't show a lot of patience for my lack of knowledge in these areas. I'm truly sorry that I don't know when to put out my cardboard or plastic bottles. I guess all I'm asking for is a little understanding and just a straightforward answer for these things rather than a long lecture about how terrible it is to add that much more work to these people who are collecting my trash. I have no desire to make these hard-working people have to work that much more, but a lecture and a slap on the hand will get neither of us anywhere. This is the end of my rant. Good night.</span></span></div>angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212093302251827169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-853236620704080512.post-15163770182171454132011-06-24T15:30:00.003+09:002011-06-25T19:42:57.366+09:00yesterday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://data.whicdn.com/images/10169821/p_large_5Pw6_78500000f0f35c70_large.jpg?1306467750" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://data.whicdn.com/images/10169821/p_large_5Pw6_78500000f0f35c70_large.jpg?1306467750" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to right: strawberry milk, banana lite milk, banana milk<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">BANANA MILK</span>: milk with banana flavor<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">STRAWBERRY MILK</span>: milk with strawberry flavor<br />
<br />
One of my favorite coffee shops in Busan (<a href="http://www.thecoffeefactory.co.kr/">the Coffee Factory</a> <3) makes a mean banana latte. It's tasty. Upon discovering that it's made with the aforementioned banana milk, I decided to make my own strawberry latte with strawberry milk. Being that I don't own an espresso machine, I came up with an idea.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">STEP 1</span>: buy strawberry milk at a convenience store<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">STEP 2</span>: stash strawberry milk in purse<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">STEP 3</span>: go to a coffee shop, order an iced espresso<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">STEP 4</span>: upon receipt of espresso, immediately take out strawberry milk<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">STEP 5</span>: open strawberry milk, pour strawberry milk over iced espresso<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">STEP 6</span>: stir a little (if needed), and drink<br />
<br />
Between steps 4 and 5, I felt the weight of strange stares from the baristas who made my iced espresso. I looked over my shoulder to see curiosity and disgust on their faces. I didn't care. My creation was delicious.<br />
<br />
So, just be forewarned - if you attempt this in public, you too could get strange reactions from onlookers.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Photo: </span><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/10169821"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">1</span></a></div>angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212093302251827169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-853236620704080512.post-75906647237429226552011-06-16T22:05:00.002+09:002011-06-17T12:29:52.966+09:00on a jet plane<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://data.whicdn.com/images/10808338/IMG_0076_large.JPG?1308086711" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://data.whicdn.com/images/10808338/IMG_0076_large.JPG?1308086711" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Less than two weeks, people!!<br />
Only 13 days and I'll be back in my home hemisphere, carting my suitcase through the Minneapolis airport, then finally sipping on bubble tea, chilling in the backyard on a sunny day, baking like it's almost the end of the world, catching up with good friends, riding my bike on gravel roads at sunset, playing with my dog, and snoozing on a bed that's way too big for just one person.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://data.whicdn.com/images/10311363/tumblr_lkll3aT9yk1qzvhgso1_500_large.jpeg?1306822358" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://data.whicdn.com/images/10311363/tumblr_lkll3aT9yk1qzvhgso1_500_large.jpeg?1306822358" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://data.whicdn.com/images/7890529/tumblr_l5f8npp6wW1qcezjyo1_500_large.jpg?1300005075" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://data.whicdn.com/images/7890529/tumblr_l5f8npp6wW1qcezjyo1_500_large.jpg?1300005075" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://data.whicdn.com/images/10797670/bike-friends-friendship-girl-summer-vintage-Favim.com-44494_large.jpg?1308068594" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://data.whicdn.com/images/10797670/bike-friends-friendship-girl-summer-vintage-Favim.com-44494_large.jpg?1308068594" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
Don't get me wrong, I really like Korea, and normally I don't get homesick while abroad. But for some reason, I've spent plenty o' nights weeping by virtue of homesickness. Weird. Okay, not weird, but yeah. Not normal for me. Please excuse my fragment usage.<br />
<br />
Maybe I've been feeling especially homesick lately because I've been making a lot of silly little mistakes these last couple weeks. Normally my little mistakes seem to have little to no repercussions, but this time around some people have gotten really offended by my actions. I mean no harm; I'm one of the last persons (people?) in the world to volunteer to make someone mad. But why oh why is this happening?<br />
<br />
Anyway, I've thought that maybe this is how sowing into eternity is, like every choice has an effect, and that effect is either positive or negative. My mindless decision making has definitely had a negative affect on others, and mindless decision making can affect how we spend eternity, no?<br />
<br />
I've heard countless times that not everything is just black or just white - almost everything is gray, neither right or wrong. I don't have a lot of reasonable evidence or experience to back up my view, but I think this 'gray majority' view is false. I really think every choice we make has an eternal weight. We're either sowing into the spirit or sowing into the flesh. In conclusion, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">my mistakes</span> are to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">making people mad</span> as <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">making choices in life</span> is to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">sowing into eternity</span>. Make sense? What do you think? Are all decisions we make affecting eternity? Any view, whether pro or con, is welcome.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Photo sources: </span><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/10808338"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">1</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/10311363"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">2</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/7890529"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">3</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/10797670"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">4</span></a></div>angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212093302251827169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-853236620704080512.post-18024466216658045282011-06-13T23:53:00.009+09:002011-06-14T10:02:36.941+09:00café aslan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Let's throw objectiveness out the window. I really like this place. A lot. Really really a lot.<br />
This is Café Aslan. Yes, Aslan, like from Narnia. There's a lion in their logo. That's totally legal here.<br />
<br />
I gotta warn you - the prices are a little high, but from what I've tried, the quality of their beverages is pretty impeccable. Also, the location is a little remote. Okay, it's really out of the way (for me, anyway), but the beautiful surroundings and the huge windows and the nice lighting make for a lovely ambiance, so I'd say it's worth the trek out there.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8_OKFWcAhf0/TfDV6GW3c0I/AAAAAAAAAaA/zLbFlHZGSLI/s1600/IMG_7796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8_OKFWcAhf0/TfDV6GW3c0I/AAAAAAAAAaA/zLbFlHZGSLI/s320/IMG_7796.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
Café Aslan would be the perfect place to spend a quiet, rainy Saturday with a book or homework or whatever suits you. There is plenty of comfortable seating both on the main floor and on the super cool loft. Yeah, there's a loft.<br />
I really like this place. I mentioned that, right?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1AHBq1WCdSc/TfYQLO7dlWI/AAAAAAAAAaE/R6usPtr-KeY/s1600/IMG_7802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1AHBq1WCdSc/TfYQLO7dlWI/AAAAAAAAAaE/R6usPtr-KeY/s400/IMG_7802.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Café Aslan offers regular espresso beverages, tea (honey grapefruit is delicious), tea lattes, smoothies and ades, a small selection of salads and sandwiches, waffles and cakes, and a handsome display of breads and colorful macarons. The macaron flavors aren't labeled, unless I somehow missed that. I tried what seemed to be a caramel macaron. I was a little surprised because I was expecting the traditional fluffy, chewy texture; rather, it was more like a soft, dry cookie sandwich. A little disappointing :( However, I have seen a guy come out of the back with some sort of baker's hat on, so save for the macarons, I think their foods are pretty legit, unlike the frozen products at chain bakeries.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0pD5QC74noo/TfYgvKjQbjI/AAAAAAAAAaI/6EbVSE6Oif8/s1600/IMG_7809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0pD5QC74noo/TfYgvKjQbjI/AAAAAAAAAaI/6EbVSE6Oif8/s320/IMG_7809.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Regardless of their below-my-standard macarons (not that I'm an expert), this place really is worth a visit or two. Plus, they have sweet heated toilet seats. Just sayin'.<br />
<br />
To get there!<br />
Take subway line 2 to Jangsan. Go up exit 13, head straight at the top of the stairs, walk for about one minute, and take the first left. Pass a parking garage, and it's on your left.</div>angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212093302251827169noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-853236620704080512.post-66075361921232919342011-06-08T19:46:00.002+09:002011-06-08T19:55:08.153+09:00end chapter 1, start chapter 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It's June 8th.<br />
Days left at current job: 21<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>I never thought my school would close or that I would be under contract with a greedy boss (a.k.a., a '<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagwon">hagwon</a> horror story'). Despite the series of unfortunate events that came along with my school closing, things have turned out for the better, and I'm thankful. Example A) I'm getting more and more excited to go home for a quick vacation {eeeeek!}<br />
<br />
On my state-side to-do list:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/75434444/cherries-ii-decorative-photography-print?ref=sr_gallery_35&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=cherry&ga_noautofacet=1&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade%2Fart%2Fphotography"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.249151849.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/10571269" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://data.whicdn.com/images/10571269/tumblr_lmg0yziun91qg1vozo1_500_large.jpg?1307490156" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.whatkatieate.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TJDUNHdC3vE/TbZtFbVvf7I/AAAAAAAAC0E/-lSfO0p_cN0/s320/CFCake1.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{click pics for source!}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>buy ear candles (I'm too scared to have my ears cleaned by a Korean doctor)</li>
<li>go to the orthodontist (my retainer broke)</li>
<li>shop 'til I drop - literally</li>
<li>eat Taco Bell and cake and cherries</li>
<li>drink really good, dark coffee and espresso</li>
<li>catch up with family and friends</li>
<li>backyard BBQs</li>
<li>roast marshmallows</li>
<li>ride my bike</li>
<li>longboard</li>
<li>etc.</li>
</ul><br />
</div>If you were away from home for six months, what would be the first thing you'd do upon returning?</div></div>angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212093302251827169noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-853236620704080512.post-41893260383098094192011-06-06T17:50:00.005+09:002011-06-07T22:35:39.540+09:00the coffee factory<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Typical Korean coffee drinks:<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Americano</li>
<li>Café latte</li>
<li>Cappuccino</li>
<li>Mocha</li>
<li>etc.</li>
</ul><div>If this is what one expects when stepping into <a href="http://www.thecoffeefactory.co.kr/">the Coffee Factory</a>, he or she will be a little surprised. Now, the Coffee Factory's menu isn't life altering-ly different than other places. They have the regulars like macchiatos and americanos, but their courage to offer something a little different in a very conformist society is what drew me to this place.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DHVBeHcc_FY/TeyPZ4PMx1I/AAAAAAAAAZs/ZfZv1bTZ5ag/s1600/IMG_7708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DHVBeHcc_FY/TeyPZ4PMx1I/AAAAAAAAAZs/ZfZv1bTZ5ag/s320/IMG_7708.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>I've only tried the saigon cinnamon latte and banana latte, but I found both worthy of being ordering again. They also offer teas and desserts and sell coffee supplies, from hand-drip filters to milk frothers. Additionally, in-house roasted whole bean coffees fill their shelves. I bought a bag of the Papua New Guinean beans. They were pretty awesome; at first sip, all I could think was, "rainbow of flavors" (lame, I know). The beans are pretty lightly roasted for my taste, but this is coming from a former Starbucks employee, whose company "over-roasts" their beans. {Whatever.}</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thecoffeefactory.co.kr/img/sub/jijum1_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.thecoffeefactory.co.kr/img/sub/jijum1_1.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>One of the greatest benefits of being a Coffee Factory fan is that they have three (3) locations in Busan - two in Nampo-dong and one in Seomyeon. Not sure of the hours. I'm definitely going to be a Seomyeon regular when I start my new job. Assah!</div></div>angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212093302251827169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-853236620704080512.post-74251988934426332372011-06-06T10:10:00.003+09:002011-06-14T00:07:32.306+09:00luxembourg cafe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Okay, so Luxembourg Café isn't the actual name of this place. It's actually Café d'Armes, but for the longest time I only saw a sign on the side of the building which says Luxembourg. And because I only saw the side of the building, I mistook it for a hiking gear store. Once I discovered that this place was a coffee shop, I obviously had to go there; it's only a 5-minute walk from my current apartment (sadly, it will be about a half-hour bus ride from my new apartment).<br />
<br />
On my first visit, I realized that this place was more than a coffee shop. They serve a wide variety of pastas and have a cute little buffet with some salads and a big selection of pastries. Everything from the wood interiors to the menu to the food presentation is (Koreanized) Luxembourg. Well, everything except the American pop music they play; I always bring my iPod. Their menu also features, of course, awesome coffee drinks (like my amazing iced vanilla latte in the photo below), fresh fruit juices (also amazing), and teas (haven't tried those yet).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Dvz9atJu4w/TewlvkpRL6I/AAAAAAAAAZo/L603MMTKvQw/s1600/IMG_7775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Dvz9atJu4w/TewlvkpRL6I/AAAAAAAAAZo/L603MMTKvQw/s320/IMG_7775.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br />
This place is in Yeonsan-dong, close to Togok Sageori. Find the McDonald's on the main road near the intersection, head straight up (so McD's is behind you), pass a 7/11 on the left, a bakery on your right, and it's on the left side. Hours are from 11am-11pm, with lunch served between 12pm-3pm and dinner 6pm-9pm. Go there.</div>angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212093302251827169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-853236620704080512.post-70407450013512311862011-06-03T11:03:00.002+09:002011-06-07T22:36:30.218+09:00good news<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I got a new job.<br />
<br />
It doesn't start until late July, so I have a few weeks off between my current job and my new job.<br />
<br />
So, I'll be going back to the states for a nice little vacation (as long as my visa extension goes through).<br />
<br />
I'm so excited, I don't know how to even express it.<br />
<br />
Well, it's kind of like this...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://data.whicdn.com/images/7601312/tumblr_l5lx8y8HHB1qam9d1o1_500_large.jpg?1299124103" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://data.whicdn.com/images/7601312/tumblr_l5lx8y8HHB1qam9d1o1_500_large.jpg?1299124103" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://data.whicdn.com/images/4538735/___LalaLa____by_curlytops_large.jpg?1287821001" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://data.whicdn.com/images/4538735/___LalaLa____by_curlytops_large.jpg?1287821001" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://data.whicdn.com/images/10397674/12587009079194_large.jpg?1307059467" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://data.whicdn.com/images/10397674/12587009079194_large.jpg?1307059467" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">image sources: <a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/9599361">1</a></span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/4538735">2</a>, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/10397674">3</a></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you," </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">(Psalm 84:11-12)</span></span>.</div>angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212093302251827169noreply@blogger.com0