Seoul: A Crafter's Paradise

Seoul, South Korea is a crafter's paradise. You might not have known this before, but I can assure you, it's true. You can find everything to make anything in Seoul. I saw endless amounts of beads, elastics, thread, fabrics, fur, zippers, cords, feathers, rhinestones, string, yarn, and so much more! You name it; they have it. I was so overwhelmed I could hardly buy anything but I did manage to buy some embroidery floss and a few needles. :)

A Trip to a Bamboo Forest

I love the Fall. After the agony of sweltering, humid days and typhoons, I am so happy the cool weather and sunshine is here. It's glorious! And I know it's not going to stick around for very long so I am set on enjoying every moment of it.

TO celebrate the cooler weather, Spencer and I took a day trip to Damyang to see a bamboo forest. It was a beautiful Fall day (have I mentioned I love Fall?!) and many people were out enjoying the forest with us. September in South Korea is prime hiking time so everyone and their mother was out enjoying the cool air and sunshine.

Sunny Saturday in Suncheon

On Saturday afternoon Spencer and I left our apartment to find a beautiful sunny day outside. The sky was so blue, probably the bluest I've seen in Korea so far, and there were pretty white fluffy clouds gliding along. The air was fresh and the heavy, sticky, smoggy, awful humidity had let up a bit. It was a welcome change to the terrible weather we'd had during the week. We walked to a main road to catch a cab to get haircuts. While waiting for a cab, I snapped this picture of some vines growing on a brick wall.

Have you ever seen a brick wall made this way?? I thought it was pretty clever.

We had to wait about an hour since we were walk-ins so we walked around the shops nearby.

Isn't this clock shop cool? Look at those cuckoos!

A smiling horse! :)

We bought this little guy from the florist shop behind the horse. It says on the card that it's called "Snow White Park."

Finally, here's the hair cut!

I'm thankful the hairdresser spoke some English but I was still really nervous! I showed her how short I wanted it and told her to cut it all one length. I was too scared to get an actual style or layers or anything like that. It's a lot shorter than before but still long enough. I'm really happy with it!

Here's how long it was before, if you're interested. She cut a good 4-5 inches! 

Colorful Building

I love this huge building in Gwangju. The colors are phenomenal!

This structure is quite impressive on the inside too. It is a bus station, shopping mall, IMAX movie theater, and houses multiple restaurants, including a TGI Friday. It looks and feels more like an airport than a bus station. 

Korea is full of wonders and crazy/lovely things! It's so fun to explore and discover gems like this.

Date Night Style

Since I recently moved to South Korea, I've been checking out the local street styles. Some of the girls have very cute style and I wanted to make a post that would translate well both at home and in Korea. 

First of all, Koreans loooove short skirts but I have never seen an adult woman wear anything less than a two inch wide tank top (and that was only once). I don't think they even sell tube tops here. Seriously. 

Secondly, Korean girls love cute things, like that adorable Kate Spade elephant belt and beautiful Ruche earrings. I just love the color of those earrings--gorgeous, just gorgeous! 

Lastly, when they go out, they wear heels. No exceptions. If you are Korean and have any kind of night life style, you're wearing heels out. I love this pair of Calvin Klein nude pumps and the chunky heel will make it easier to walk on the not-so-even sidewalks in South Korea. 

 

• Ruche florette petals earrings in tangerine
• Ruche vanilla sky buttoned top 
• Kate Spade elephant belt
• Zara accordian pleat skirt
• Calvin Klein nude pumps
• Ruche blushing traveler pink convertible purse

S. Korean Craft Store

On the walk home from work on Tuesday Spencer suggested we take a different route home. If we got lost we could always just hop in a cab so I agreed. I am so happy I obliged because we found a craft store!!! :) 

I am so happy to have found art supplies in Suncheon. When we interviewed for the positions, I asked another English teacher if there were any craft stores in the city. He said, "oh, the school will have everything you need." I'm sure he thought I was thinking of art projects for the students but I was thinking about art projects for me! I didn't bring it up again but was a little disappointed that he didn't automatically say, "oh yeah, there are tons of craft stores!" I figured I would have to go to bigger cities to find materials. 

I was so happy in that store! I wanted to look at everything and buy paints, brushes, stamps, stickers, colorful paper, paint pens, and tons of other things! Unfortunately, we haven't gotten paid yet, it was getting dark, and Spencer was tired (well, I was tired too but I was on a creative high!) so we went home. I took pictures of the store sign, the stores across the street, the high rise apartments near it, and tried to memorize the whole walk home so I would know exactly how to get back. 

You better believe that I will be back the day after payday!

Cutsie Korean Stuff

There are some very cute things in South Korea. All the little girls at school have super cute pencil cases (I really want a pencil case...more on that later) and hair accessories and the boys love to wear pink and paint their nails! I haven't made it to a toy store yet but I can't wait to see what they have! I love all the cutsie stuff and just could not resist when I saw these cute little animal stickers and candies. This stuff is so fun!

An Afternoon in San Francisco

I love San Francisco. 

I love it so much that I will definitely live there some time in my life. Every time I visit, I fall more and more in love with it. I think I might go as far as to say it is my favorite city in the world. I love everything about it. I love the people, the adorable little specialty shops, the bay with the sail boats, the hippies, the trend setters, the abundance of different types of foods, my lovely girlfriends who live there, the Golden Gate in all it's glory, the hills, the bikers, the rainbows, the Wells Fargo ATMs everywhere (very helpful), the fresh air right off the ocean, the museums....I could go on and on!!! 

So, when we found out we had to go into the City to have an interview at the Korean Consulate, I was stoked. We had to be at the consulate after one in the afternoon and in Santa Clara, for my in-law's anniversary celebration, by dinner time. We had one afternoon left in the beautiful city by the bay before moving half way around the world...just one (or so I thought at the time--we are going back this weekend!). We went to the Ferry Building.

 mmm, cheeeese

 orchids, herbs, and a rustic waterfall

 herbs

 bee's wax candles

 wine shop

 enjoying a glass of wine

 enjoying a pint

 It was a beautiful day. The weather was perfect!

 Spencer with some heads

 mini daisies in the grass

 the fountain across the street

It was a very fun day!! I'm so excited to go back to visit some friends this weekend before we leave on Monday for South Korea!

Adventure Awaits!

 

Spencer and I are moving to South Korea!

I just turned in my two week notice at work! It was exhilarating! My heart was pounding and there was a huge smile on my face as I told our HR lady and then my boss our plans to move abroad. I have never been more nervous and excited at the same time!!!

We are moving to a city called Suncheon in the southern part of the country about two hours away from Busan (the second largest city in South Korea). We already have jobs lined up for us. We will be working at a private school called Wonderland. We've talked to some of the teachers who are currently working there and it seems like it will be a nice place to work.

We are thrilled (while simultaneously scared sh*tless) to begin on our next big adventure!

  

 

 

 

 

photo from here