the Seoul-filled journey begins

So, much has happened between my last post and now. Rather than fill in all the details, I want to start new...

For those who don't know, I just moved back to Seoul this past Monday. It was hard leaving knowing that I wouldn't be seeing my friends as often as I used to, but it is comforting knowing that it isn't goodbye yet.....we are only a 3 hour ride away from each other. To all my Gumi/Daegu friends~~~I love you dearly, and I miss you so much already. 

Let's see....my arrival into Seoul was reminiscent and deja-vu of my first day in Korea: a rainy, dreary day (at least this time I had an umbrella!), coming alone. My new home stay Korean dad picked me up from the bus terminal and brought me to what I will now call home. I feel so safe and relaxed here. Honestly, I realized that I had forgotten what a "good night's sleep" felt like until I came here. I've never slept so soundly or so well in what seems like a very, very long time. Blessings for that.

And yes, as I mentioned, I decided to do a home stay rather than living alone or in a boarding house. I chose this for many reasons. One reason being that I missed living with a family (Evelyn and Clara, I miss you guys!). I missed having a family to come home to and cook with and hang out with and just plain having someone else in the house while I am home. It's just really a nice feeling. Also, I wanted to experience the culture first-hand (as if LIVING in Korea wasn't first-hand enough!) and practice the language. At this point, I know some of you are wondering whether my family speaks English, and the answer is well, no. I am getting to practice speaking in Korean everyday without fail. It is hard sometimes, but it is well worth it. I live with a mom and dad. They also have a son and daughter, but they are both in the USA now (small world--their son is studying music at one of my dream schools with some of my college friends!). My Korean mom is so cool and unlike anyone I've met. She also loves learning some new English words and phrases, so we are going to practice together each day. We have a lot of fun together. (Again, it's a small world. She has, shh shh, secretly learned all kinds of Latin and ballroom dancing! When her husband walked in and I asked if they danced together, she said it was our little secret. lol Guess who's going to be playing some Latin music and dancing in the house? This girl and her new momma! lol)

And so.....as the adventure continues, I want to document it. Because I know how easy it will be once school starts to just get in the habit of school and work and study and school and work and study, etc etc.....I've made it my goal/determination to explore one new area of Seoul each week. Needless to say, I have already begun exploring and creating a list of places I want to go and see. Stay tuned!