Well, the end is finally here, hard to believe that we have already been gone 7 months. I'm not sure where time has gone. I don't think I can write a good enough summary of our trip or put into words how we feel about everything. For me, it's a bit bitter sweet. I want to come home, but at the same time, I could have stayed away for another couple of months.
I can't tell you what my favorite country was, what my favorite memory was because honestly, there is too many to pick from. And I don't think I can really explain to anyone how much this trip has made an impact on us. We are coming home with some amazing memories and experiences and with a new outlook on how we want to live our lives.
We have so many great things to look forward to once we are back and we know that the next couple of years will be some sort of new adventure for us. I think Arnold and I both needed to shake things up in our lives and this trip is just what we needed. We were both just going through the motions of each day while we were in Calgary, but not really enjoying ourselves. We have new things to look forward to now and new opportunities for work. Who knows, maybe we will be back in Seoul soon to teach a little English - haha (but I would seriously consider it - I can hear my mom yelling at me for that comment). So you haven't heard the last from us Lee's.
Okay, I better stop before I start rambling and get all emotional (nevermind, it's too late) haha.. But thank you so much to everyone who read our blog and put up with all of my bad grammar. I'm not going to lie, blogging is a hard job and it wasn't easy for me, but I'm glad I did it and I hope that everyone enjoyed the stories from our trip. It's been one heck of a journey. We feel pretty lucky to have done this and had the chance to do it as a team. I couldn't have asked for a better person to spend 7 months with away from home.
A lot of people have asked about pictures. When I get back to Canada and have a bit of time, I will definitely sort something out. I will either post them on here or create a link for flickr and send it out to anyone that is interested. We have thousands of photos, so it could take some time haha.
We are looking forward to seeing everyone when we are back, so give us a call or send us an email.
Lots and lots of love
Melissa and Arnold
We are still swinging life away ...
PS. I have that "I'm coming home" song stuck in my head now. LOL
Monday, September 5, 2011
Random bits...
So this post really has no rhyme or reason, but just some things I have thought about lately that I didn't get around to posting.
There are these amazing workout stations all throughout Seoul. It's a great theory and it's nice to see the older folks using them, but they are a bit useless. Believe me, I tried using them before haha.
K-Pop is pretty much the best entertainment around. If you ever need a good laugh, just google a K-pop video and you will feel so much better in a second.
I'm scared to go home because I haven't really had to cook, clean or do my own laundry in 7 months. And now I'm going to have to do all of those things again haha.
Drinking on a Monday night in Seoul is no big thing - actually, it seems like it's the norm. And if you can't stand or walk to the taxi area, it is A-OK to pass out where you are. haha I love seeing the drunk people stumbling around.
Expect to hear older Korean women burping as you walk down the street.
Expect the same older Korean women to push you out of their way - actually, a lady grabbed the back of my shorts to pull me out of her way haha.
Perms are huge here - I wonder what my stylist would say if I asked her to perm my hair? haha, I have seriously thought about it.
Korean news is probably the best - they are big on re-enactments and they blur the faces of people they interview and give them funny voices. I really enjoy it.
Suicide rates are very, very high in Korea. Which is a very scary, but real problem here. As I said before, there is so much pressure on the people here to be a certain way that I think it drives people to feel like there is no way out. Very shocking to here about - we just read in the paper today that everyday in Korea, 42 people commit suicide.
Okay, that is all I can think about for now... one more post and I think that should take care of the blog and our trip. Sigh... stay tuned.
Love Melissa and Arnold
There are these amazing workout stations all throughout Seoul. It's a great theory and it's nice to see the older folks using them, but they are a bit useless. Believe me, I tried using them before haha.
K-Pop is pretty much the best entertainment around. If you ever need a good laugh, just google a K-pop video and you will feel so much better in a second.
I'm scared to go home because I haven't really had to cook, clean or do my own laundry in 7 months. And now I'm going to have to do all of those things again haha.
Drinking on a Monday night in Seoul is no big thing - actually, it seems like it's the norm. And if you can't stand or walk to the taxi area, it is A-OK to pass out where you are. haha I love seeing the drunk people stumbling around.
Expect to hear older Korean women burping as you walk down the street.
Expect the same older Korean women to push you out of their way - actually, a lady grabbed the back of my shorts to pull me out of her way haha.
Perms are huge here - I wonder what my stylist would say if I asked her to perm my hair? haha, I have seriously thought about it.
Korean news is probably the best - they are big on re-enactments and they blur the faces of people they interview and give them funny voices. I really enjoy it.
Suicide rates are very, very high in Korea. Which is a very scary, but real problem here. As I said before, there is so much pressure on the people here to be a certain way that I think it drives people to feel like there is no way out. Very shocking to here about - we just read in the paper today that everyday in Korea, 42 people commit suicide.
Okay, that is all I can think about for now... one more post and I think that should take care of the blog and our trip. Sigh... stay tuned.
Love Melissa and Arnold
A bit of luck...
I know that I am probably going to jinx us now and I am knocking on every piece of wood in sight, but Arnold and I had some really good luck on this trip. Now, don't get me wrong, we also did some pretty dumb things that we probably shouldn't have, but overall our trip has been pretty smooth.
We must have taken close to 30 flights on this trip and not once did we lose a bag - see, now that I say that I am going to be cursed going forward and or our bags won't show up in Calgary haha. We didn't lose our passports, we didn't get pick pocketed and didn't really get into any bad situations. Considering some of the places we went to, things could have been different. But because I'm such a baby, I was pretty paranoid and very cautious.
Some how we made all of our flight connections - even though it was a close call in some cases. And lastly, man, did we have amazing weather throughout the whole 7 months. Not even joking, I think we saw rain at the most, 12 times, throughout our trip. We really lucked out in that department. If it did rain, we were already at home (well not home, but our hotel) and it didn't cause any problems.
Even though we did some rather silly things, we had one heck of a trip and so many good memories to bring back with us. I don't think it could have been better for us. And now our parents can breathe a sigh of relief once we touch down on Canadian soil haha.
Love Melissa and Arnold
PS. Knock on some wood for me for a little good luck for us ;)
We must have taken close to 30 flights on this trip and not once did we lose a bag - see, now that I say that I am going to be cursed going forward and or our bags won't show up in Calgary haha. We didn't lose our passports, we didn't get pick pocketed and didn't really get into any bad situations. Considering some of the places we went to, things could have been different. But because I'm such a baby, I was pretty paranoid and very cautious.
Some how we made all of our flight connections - even though it was a close call in some cases. And lastly, man, did we have amazing weather throughout the whole 7 months. Not even joking, I think we saw rain at the most, 12 times, throughout our trip. We really lucked out in that department. If it did rain, we were already at home (well not home, but our hotel) and it didn't cause any problems.
Even though we did some rather silly things, we had one heck of a trip and so many good memories to bring back with us. I don't think it could have been better for us. And now our parents can breathe a sigh of relief once we touch down on Canadian soil haha.
Love Melissa and Arnold
PS. Knock on some wood for me for a little good luck for us ;)
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Scooter Rides
This post is just for Agri.. haha
Agri has a scooter that he uses to get around the city. Since he drives everywhere, he knows the city so well. He kept promising us scooter rides (just like the carnival haha) so that we could see more of the city. Well last night was finally my turn for the long waited scooter ride.
It was really cool seeing a couple new areas of the city and to be able to connect all of the areas that we had been in together. It made it seem like Seoul was smaller then it seems. But that really isn't the point of this post. I have a much better story about the scooter ride haha.
I have come to realize that I'm a chicken sh*t. I'm scared of my own shadow. Last time I was on the back of a scooter, I told Arnold he couldn't go faster then 40km/hr. Well it's not like I could tell Agri the same thing and or is it possible to go that slow in a city. Every little bump on the street that we hit feels big when you are on a small, fast moving bike. The traffic seems way too close to you and that you are in danger of being hit (even though you aren't). My brother in law is a bit of a madman out there on his bike.
Anyway, he wanted to take me for a tour of the campus of one of those big Sky Universities so I could see what they are like. Being a Sunday night, there wasn't any traffic around campus. And well Agri is easily distracted by fields and flood lights. He's like a dog when a dog sees a squirrel - just loses all focus. We pass by a field lit up with flood lights and he can't take his eyes off everyone playing sports. Meanwhile I'm looking ahead and realize that there is a speed bump coming up and we aren't slowing down. I grab Agri's arm and say "Agri, speedbump" but it's too late. We hit that bump at a good speed and I go flying. I actually jumped out of my seat on the bike, thankfully, I was able to grab onto the bike. Honestly, I couldn't stop laughing. I think if anyone was around to see that they would have died laughing. Two white people flying over a speed bump. It was really funny or maybe so just in my mind. But I am still laughing about it. I think that will be my last scooter ride in a while.
Love Melissa and Arnold
Agri has a scooter that he uses to get around the city. Since he drives everywhere, he knows the city so well. He kept promising us scooter rides (just like the carnival haha) so that we could see more of the city. Well last night was finally my turn for the long waited scooter ride.
It was really cool seeing a couple new areas of the city and to be able to connect all of the areas that we had been in together. It made it seem like Seoul was smaller then it seems. But that really isn't the point of this post. I have a much better story about the scooter ride haha.
I have come to realize that I'm a chicken sh*t. I'm scared of my own shadow. Last time I was on the back of a scooter, I told Arnold he couldn't go faster then 40km/hr. Well it's not like I could tell Agri the same thing and or is it possible to go that slow in a city. Every little bump on the street that we hit feels big when you are on a small, fast moving bike. The traffic seems way too close to you and that you are in danger of being hit (even though you aren't). My brother in law is a bit of a madman out there on his bike.
Anyway, he wanted to take me for a tour of the campus of one of those big Sky Universities so I could see what they are like. Being a Sunday night, there wasn't any traffic around campus. And well Agri is easily distracted by fields and flood lights. He's like a dog when a dog sees a squirrel - just loses all focus. We pass by a field lit up with flood lights and he can't take his eyes off everyone playing sports. Meanwhile I'm looking ahead and realize that there is a speed bump coming up and we aren't slowing down. I grab Agri's arm and say "Agri, speedbump" but it's too late. We hit that bump at a good speed and I go flying. I actually jumped out of my seat on the bike, thankfully, I was able to grab onto the bike. Honestly, I couldn't stop laughing. I think if anyone was around to see that they would have died laughing. Two white people flying over a speed bump. It was really funny or maybe so just in my mind. But I am still laughing about it. I think that will be my last scooter ride in a while.
Love Melissa and Arnold
These hard working Koreans...
I think everything in Korea is a big competition. Who can have a better this, a better that. It seems like they are always trying to one up themselves and be better then the next person. And I don't say this in a negative way, more so just stating facts. They are born to be the best and they only want to be the best. Now I'm not talking about being the best looking, having the most designer bags etc etc. I'm talking about how they approach the things they do in their life, their hobbies.
If you are going to get into biking here (like a typical peddle bike you see in Canada) well then you get all the gear and you go all out. If you are interested in running, then you get the best of the best and work hard at it. Everything is intense and they only want to be the best they can be at it. Even their buildings have to be the biggest and best haha. They have the "worlds largest department store". They are building the worlds 5th biggest tower. Koreans go all out, every shift.
The biggest thing in Korea though, is the "National Exam". Everyone wants to go to one of the three Sky Universities. If you can get into one of these three universities, then you are set for life. So everything in life leading up to that exam is all about preparing for it. Kids at the age of 5, yes 5 year olds are being prepped for an exam they will take when they turn 18 (or whatever age they take it at). Studying for this exam becomes a full time job. The amount of pressure on these kids is out of this world. Definitely not the same as in North America. Their whole world is around this exam and these schools.
A bit of an eye opener for Arnold and I. We feel like such slackers haha, okay, or maybe I feel like that.
Love Melissa and Arnold
If you are going to get into biking here (like a typical peddle bike you see in Canada) well then you get all the gear and you go all out. If you are interested in running, then you get the best of the best and work hard at it. Everything is intense and they only want to be the best they can be at it. Even their buildings have to be the biggest and best haha. They have the "worlds largest department store". They are building the worlds 5th biggest tower. Koreans go all out, every shift.
The biggest thing in Korea though, is the "National Exam". Everyone wants to go to one of the three Sky Universities. If you can get into one of these three universities, then you are set for life. So everything in life leading up to that exam is all about preparing for it. Kids at the age of 5, yes 5 year olds are being prepped for an exam they will take when they turn 18 (or whatever age they take it at). Studying for this exam becomes a full time job. The amount of pressure on these kids is out of this world. Definitely not the same as in North America. Their whole world is around this exam and these schools.
A bit of an eye opener for Arnold and I. We feel like such slackers haha, okay, or maybe I feel like that.
Love Melissa and Arnold
4D Movie...
is the only way I want to watch movies from now on.
Shelley and Agri took us to see a 4D movie because they said that we needed to experience this. So we bought tickets to see Planet of the Apes in 4D. It was soo much fun, if you ever have a chance to watch a movie in 4D you HAVE to go.
So every row has only four seats and when you sit down you have to keep your feet on the ledge below. It's like a little shelf for your feet. They tell you not to move your feet from it once the show begins (I don't know what you would do if you had to pee haha). Throughout the movie, those seats move. So you are moving all over the place, getting bumped around and yep, punched in the butt haha. We saw an action movie so there was a lot of action going on with the seats. There is wind, bubbles, smells and water. When the apes would start running, you would get wind gusts, from either right behind you in your seat or else in front of you. When someone sneezed, umm, it felt like someone sneezed on you haha. At one point, something also grabbed our ankle haha.
Honestly, it was hilarious. When the movie first started we couldn't stop laughing because of all of the stuff going on around us. The end of the movie is pretty action packed, so it felt like we were on a ride haha. It was pretty funny watching everyone around us too. See what their reaction was. I really hope that they bring 4D movies to Calgary because it was a blast.
Love Melissa and Arnold
PS. A girl at the movie was wearing one of those neck pillows you see people on the plane wearing. We of course had a good laugh about it. Who brings a neck pillow to the movie? haha, but then we said that maybe she brought it for neck support for all the action from the seats haha
Shelley and Agri took us to see a 4D movie because they said that we needed to experience this. So we bought tickets to see Planet of the Apes in 4D. It was soo much fun, if you ever have a chance to watch a movie in 4D you HAVE to go.
So every row has only four seats and when you sit down you have to keep your feet on the ledge below. It's like a little shelf for your feet. They tell you not to move your feet from it once the show begins (I don't know what you would do if you had to pee haha). Throughout the movie, those seats move. So you are moving all over the place, getting bumped around and yep, punched in the butt haha. We saw an action movie so there was a lot of action going on with the seats. There is wind, bubbles, smells and water. When the apes would start running, you would get wind gusts, from either right behind you in your seat or else in front of you. When someone sneezed, umm, it felt like someone sneezed on you haha. At one point, something also grabbed our ankle haha.
Honestly, it was hilarious. When the movie first started we couldn't stop laughing because of all of the stuff going on around us. The end of the movie is pretty action packed, so it felt like we were on a ride haha. It was pretty funny watching everyone around us too. See what their reaction was. I really hope that they bring 4D movies to Calgary because it was a blast.
Love Melissa and Arnold
PS. A girl at the movie was wearing one of those neck pillows you see people on the plane wearing. We of course had a good laugh about it. Who brings a neck pillow to the movie? haha, but then we said that maybe she brought it for neck support for all the action from the seats haha
Coffee, Face products and shopping...
The amount of coffee shops in Korea is pretty insane. Koreans LOVE their coffee haha. Just in one corner near the place we are staying there are about 5 coffee shops. FIVE!! And only on one corner. Everywhere you look, you will see a couple of them. And no, not the big Starbucks chain, but lots of independent shops. Don't get me wrong, they have loads of the chains here, but just as many independent shops as well. And these places are always busy - we have gone in at 9pm for a chai and the coffee shops are packed. Like who is drinking that much coffee at 9-10pm at night. Don't they sleep? LOL. I swear that there is over a million coffee shops in this city haha
The big thing here is face cream shops. I think that those shops are trying to out number the coffee shops. It's like they are competing against each other to see who can have more stores. When you walk down the street, it seems like every other shop is a beauty product store haha. And once again, they are always busy. I have never seen so many places advertising skin whitening creams in my life. But lets face it, Asians (and Korean in particular) have some of the best skin around. Flawless. So it's hard not to get sucked into what they are buying because it's obviously working for the Koreans. My sister in law has been so helpful in getting me addicted to products sold here. I will blame her when I max out my visa on beauty products haha. She even introduced me to facials. So now I want to get a facial every two weeks haha. Once again, Korea is the place to be if you want any good advice or procedures for skin. Amazing.
Shopping, shopping, and more shopping. Next time I come to Seoul, it will be with an empty suitcase. Everywhere you turn, there is some sort of clothing store. I think Korea might be the best place I have been to for shopping. It is amazing here. I could honestly spend weeks upon weeks here shopping. Everything fits so well and is very trendy (but beware, if you have big boobs, Korea is not the place for you haha). They have these malls here that are 6 floors high, all full of little boutiques. Every area of the city is full of independent boutiques and it seems like Koreans are always shopping. Luxury brand items are out of the question though. Any high end designer name is very, very expensive in Asia. They are almost double the price you would pay in North America. So now I know why they flock overseas to buy name brands. Ooh and I also did a little shopping in the "worlds biggest department store". Now that "department store" was impressive haha. (I didn't buy anything, but I wanted to say that I went there haha).
Love Melissa and Arnold
The big thing here is face cream shops. I think that those shops are trying to out number the coffee shops. It's like they are competing against each other to see who can have more stores. When you walk down the street, it seems like every other shop is a beauty product store haha. And once again, they are always busy. I have never seen so many places advertising skin whitening creams in my life. But lets face it, Asians (and Korean in particular) have some of the best skin around. Flawless. So it's hard not to get sucked into what they are buying because it's obviously working for the Koreans. My sister in law has been so helpful in getting me addicted to products sold here. I will blame her when I max out my visa on beauty products haha. She even introduced me to facials. So now I want to get a facial every two weeks haha. Once again, Korea is the place to be if you want any good advice or procedures for skin. Amazing.
Shopping, shopping, and more shopping. Next time I come to Seoul, it will be with an empty suitcase. Everywhere you turn, there is some sort of clothing store. I think Korea might be the best place I have been to for shopping. It is amazing here. I could honestly spend weeks upon weeks here shopping. Everything fits so well and is very trendy (but beware, if you have big boobs, Korea is not the place for you haha). They have these malls here that are 6 floors high, all full of little boutiques. Every area of the city is full of independent boutiques and it seems like Koreans are always shopping. Luxury brand items are out of the question though. Any high end designer name is very, very expensive in Asia. They are almost double the price you would pay in North America. So now I know why they flock overseas to buy name brands. Ooh and I also did a little shopping in the "worlds biggest department store". Now that "department store" was impressive haha. (I didn't buy anything, but I wanted to say that I went there haha).
Love Melissa and Arnold
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