Its been a while since I've written. I'm been extremely lacking in energy to do much besides teach on weekdays and play on weekends. This past weekend I went snowboarding again... probably for the last time. I think I've had enough of Korea, but I'm going to try and stick out two or three more months in the hopes of getting together some more money and seeing spring in full bloom. Strange... I've only got 12 more weekends or so to play!

I can't believe war is breaking out. Its quite surreal being overseas and so far removed from American life in any sense. I don't watch the news or hang out with Americans, except Sven who has too much political angst that I can't handle it. My aunt called me at 4AM to demand I come home asap. My mother and I had a good hour conversation about how much longer I should stay here since war with North Korea is also a looming possibility, that people in the US seem to worry about more than South Koreans. Since I don't really watch TV it takes phone calls to/from the US to tell me about whats going on... maybe I should make more of an effort to keep upw ith the news.

I don't really have a terrible lot of things to say, hence the reason for my lack of writing. I think I've been anti social lately. I've just been seeking out time to myself and reflecting. I think about having my friends around a lot... but since its not a possibility I think I've withdrawn into my own company. Also, the next step in life is sort of looming... I didn't get into three of my grad schools and still waiting on UC Santa Cruz. I have to figure out what I want to do with my life for the next year and if I really do want to pursue getting this doctorates or if I'd be happier doing activism. I've decided I really do enjoy working with kiddies and maybe my best way to impact others would be through kiddie environmental ed... which i have no experience in.

Ok enough rambling... my arms hurt from climbing three days in a row.

I can't manage another typing session on my gimpy shoulder, so I'm just going to post my mass email I sent to some other folks. Sorry for being a wuss, but this shoulder's got to heal in time for ice climbing over the weekend.

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I've been in Seoul for over 5 months now. How crazy is that? I still feel like I just got here... but I also feel like I actually live here. Life has settled into a routine of sorts. Still keeping up with my teaching and climbing with weekends dedicated to snowboarding. Although with the weather getting warmer, I'll have to start getting more creative.

This past weekend I went to Japan and this upcoming weekend I'll hopefully be ice climbing, if my shoulder heals in time (I hurt it snowboarding in Japan). Japan was absolutely fabulous. I hung out with Ryota and Hawkeye, the two swellest guys in Japan for sure. I got there Thursday evening and just hung out chatting with Ryota. I can't express how wonderful it is to chill with a kindred spirit who has a past to share with you. Then, Friday while folks were working I went wandering about Tokyo on my own, as directed by Ryota. The first half of the day was nice and peaceful. I even noted in my journal (the one you gave me Karen) how Tokyo was so much more serene than Seoul.

Boy! was I wrong. I had just been in the wrong part of town. Once I stepped into Shibuya fro the subway, I was absolutely astounded with the massive numbers of people. The interesting thing about Tokyo compared to Seoul is the number of foriegners and the excellent crowd control they have going on. The foriegners in Seoul are mostly teaching English, but in Tokyo there's a large portion of professionals. I sat above Shibuya crossing (probably the busiest intersection in the world... or close to) on the second floor of a Starbucks sipping on Chai tea with Hawkeye. A scenario beyond my wildest dreams and then some. Friday night was spent going to some bars--ate Italian and drank good, dark, non-Korean beer. It was an early nite since snowboarding was in the plans for Saturday (I've only missed 4 weekends boarding this winter). The resort was *so* much less crowded than Korea, but also that much more expensive. By some miracle we rallied to go out on Saturday nite, despite the rain and lack of sleep. For the first time since leaving the States I really went out for a nite on the town. It was fantastic!~ I really miss my friends and the conversations that ensue during a late nite out. Sunday morning was slow and late, although Ryota and I did manage a C&G style Sunday brunch. It rocked... we're talking about homefries, scrambled eggs, and french toast in Japan done proper. Sunday I did some more bopping about Japan, but mostly just talking and chilling. I capped my stay in Japan cooking Korean for the boys.

I arrived back in Seoul on Monday afternoon, put my stuff down, and walked into my school with 20 minutes to spare before I had my first class. It was a tight call, but it was definitely a classic Sora way to go about traveling.

Now some time has passed (3 days) and I've had some time to contemplate. I've realized that it was my first time traveling to a place where I couldn't understand what the people were saying. For the first time I recognized how lucky I am to know English. It was also interesting because people would just start spewing Japanese at me... since I have the black hair, brown eyes, and yellow skin. They figured it out pretty soon though when I responded with a blank stare or replied in English. Second, I've reconfirmed my love to travel and the immense number of places I must visit. I'm torn between returning to those places I've fallen in love with and those places I know I would fall in love with, if I visited. Life is too short!!! What's a girl to do? And the thrid thing I've come to appreciate more with my trip to Japan is the greatness of my friends. You guys are the best, I love you all. I can't wait to come back home and see you when the occasion arises or plan for a crazy adventure somewhere down the road.

My time in Korea will be coming to a close in three or four months, which is hard to believe... it almost seems close for the first time. I hope to do some more traveling within Korea, beyond ski resorts. On the plans are more mountains, remote villages, rock faces, and even underwater. I'd also like to jump over to Thailand and China, but we'll have see where my spirit takes me in the time I have left.

From xt:

"Acceptable?  are you kidding, I think it's unacceptable to be anything but drunk except for a few hours.  Went out with the gang on Saturday and didn't drink anything but soda.  When I told them later, not only did they not believe me, but they looked like I killed their puppy."

Yes, I love my friends. Also, last nite I went out for tea with Deirdre. I've got to say its nice having someone familar who is not Korean or cynical toward Korea American. I ate Pho AND Indian yesterday (I do need variety every once in a while despite my love for Korean). After work we went out to Apujeong were there's trendy cafes. I had a blast. Not so much with the cafes but these two dudes that Deirdre knows from the fulbright program. Damn, I haven't laughed so hard since leaving the states. Maybe since college when I had all my people to make me laugh from the soul. It felt great. I'm looking forward to lots more starting tomorrow. I can't believe this time tomorrow I'll be on my way to Japan!!! Traveling is splendid for sure.

Aight, off off and away. Wish par-taying it up in NYC with all you folks was in the plans too