There's lots of beautiful places near my new school, like 연희동 (yeon-hee-dong) above! I think I'll have a good time exploring this area. I finally left the countryside for good this month. It surprised me how sad I felt to see the familiar buildings pass by without any idea when I'd return to them. It's not like I was leaving my dream city, but I made good memories there and have always hated starting all over. I liked knowing what I was going to do every day, I liked going to the same restaurants and cafes, and I liked getting comfortable enough with people to share more than pleasantries. Now I'm once again a stranger to everyone and they're a stranger to me. At least I get to be here for 18 months, but I'm already dreading when the clock strikes midnight and I turn back into a pumpkin. (That's how the story goes, right?) When can I skip to the part where I'm an old grandma who's lived in the same neighborhood for 50 years? But I'm
I post updates with thoughts and feelings about what I experience as an American in South Korea. I recently received a master's degree in Korean Studies from Yonsei University, having taken classes on Korea's history, social issues, and pop culture. In my free time, I like to explore Korean literature and the underground arts scene. If you're curious about my journey navigating how to live in and love Korea well, read on!