My Blog

6.29.05 Wednesday; It always amazes me how culture really works. I believe that sometimes, people can only see one way, their way and they do not believe that anything else exists. I wish to express that I always think there is more than one way to look at any situation. There is more than one way to express your culture. And there is no right or wrong way. There would only be a difference in how things are expressed and perceived.

I always wish to let people know that I respect the differences while holding onto my culture. That is how I wish to live my life. I do not like it when people disrespect my culture. Just some of my thoughts.

Today I met my language partner. He is very nice, and we will meet again and practice speaking Korean. He goes to Busan University and is a business major. He is a very kind person. We ate lunch together with a group of friends. I think it will be very nice to learn Korean from him, and we are the same age which makes us true friends here.

Now at least I will get to practice my Korean more with someone who can help me with my speaking. I really need to improve that. More after I see him again!

6.24.05 Friday; This week has been a little bit stressful. But the ending was wonderful! I decided to take my friends out to have some fun. We have all been collectively trying to get rid of one member who has been disrespecting the rest.

I got a group together of 9 students who study at Busan University. This group included…. 1 Korean, 3 Americans (1 Chinese American, 2 Taiwanese Americans), 1 from ShangHai, 1 from Hong Kong, 1 Japanese, 1 Mongolian, 1 Mexican. We went to the kereoke place.

Everyone was having so much fun, just singing and not even worrying about how horrible we sounded! We were just trying to entertain each other. There were so many different languages being used, it was confusing for me because I understood all of the languages being spoken. But I didn’t mind because we were all having fun.

Then after 2 hours of singing, we decided to go to a bar. Half of us had beer and the other half did not. We sat there for a really long time, just getting to know each other. It was not like previous times where we felt pressured, this time we just hung out.

I really got to know some of my classmates and friends better. And now I feel much happier to be here. This is a group that I want to hang out with more. Everyone in this group has a special quality about them, so kind and nice.

Hopefully next week I will get all of them together again so we can sing horribly and then talk with each other and become even better friends. Think I learned this week, that true friends are the ones you want to take care of. True friends and family are the ones who should be valued and taken care of always.

For those of you reading this now, contact that good friend that you lost contact with (perhaps me if I have not heard from you in a while!). Or just send an e-mail to say hi to someone you see all the time. It means a lot to know people care, and last night my 8 friends gave me the gift of laughing for the entire night once again like my old happy self.

6.16.05 Thursday; Today was like any other day. Went to class, and then ate lunch with some friends and now I am in my room. Chris is playing basketball.

I just found out that Johnson will be going to China next Tuesday. Maybe Chris and I will be able to visit him when we go over there.

Chris and I would like to take a 2 week trip to China to visit Beijing, Shanghai and maybe a few other places. I think it will be a very interesting trip. I have never been there but have always wondered about what it is like!! So now I will finally be able to find out.

For those of you who do not know, I put pictures on this site. I put some from Taiwan and will add some from Korea. Hope you enjoy. And I wish that everyone is happy and healthy and thinking about me!!!

Keep in touch, say hi to me next time you see me online, or send me a message so I know you are all ok. I miss you,

6.10.05 Friday; we met some friends and went out to eat 삼겹살 which would be a Korean Pork. It was nice. Chris had soju, which is a Korean alcohol. We stayed there for a few hours eating, drinking and talking. Then we moved the party to the kereoke room where we all sang our hearts out. It was so much fun, and I think Chris even liked it. He sang so many songs, I lost count.

6.11.05 Saturday; We waited for Johnson to come to Busan and hang out with us. Finally at around 4 I told Chris to go play basketball. So he went. Then we ended up going to eat dinner with some friends. It was a nice dinner. I like that one, although I can’t remember the name of it right now. Then we went back home and Johnson left. That would be our Saturday.

6.12.05 Sunday; we decided to go to Beomesa, a temple near Busan University. We took the subway and then a bus. When we got there, we just walked around. This is the second temple I have been to since I came here. I feel that they all look about the same. I am wondering if there is some spectacular temple that I am not aware of yet>??? If anyone knows, please tell me.

Then we stopped by at the GS Mart and picked up Chris’ supply of snacks and things. And then off to eat dinner. It was good, two different kinds of chicken at two different places! And then back home.

Now I have internet in my room, so if anyone would like to chat just let me know when.

6.11.05 Saturday: I am in the internet cafe and Chris is playing basketball with my friends. He is lucky because I made many connections for him. I think that he likes Korea because the food is a bit more like western food, if you delete the kim chi factor!!!

So for everyone who was worried about him coming here, don’t anymore. He is having more fun than I am!! Tonight we will meet Johnson and go out for dinner. Should be interesting.

I miss Taiwan, and I miss my friends there. Wish I had more time to be there and hang out with everyone. But will go there as soon as I can to see everyone and hang out once more. So for those of you for whom I missed, don’t worry… I’ll be back!