Year 1 After Korea: Things That Make Me Feel Normal Again

I can’t believe it’s been nearly a year since I bid farewell to Seoul-si, spent 2 weeks in Bali, and flew back to Toronto. As anticipated, the year has certainly had its ups and downs. Finding employment wasn’t easy, but I was open to anything and everything. I even spent a day working in a…

Slow Down in Sabah: Jari Jari Spa

Jari Jari Spa – the perfect place to slow down! My trip to Borneo was jam-packed! I stayed at 3 different styles of hostels and hotels and visited yet another resort all in 4 nights.  I learned an incredible amount about nature in Kota Kinabalu and the wildlife within. By the start of my 4th…

Living Abroad & Coming Home: Coy Canada, Please Take Me Seriously

Living Abroad and Returning Home: Oh, Canada! I’m back in Canada.  After a year in Busan, 2 in Seoul, a questionable first week in Bali, blissful 2nd week in Gili Trawangan, and a lengthy journey back home chock-full of nasi goreng, kimchi, and caesars, I’m back, Beaches.  To be clear, I’m not quite back in…

Cya Later, Seoul: Things I’ll Miss About Korea

So Long, Korea! My life here has been incredible, but even in Neverland you’ll find you have your ups and downs.  Last week, to the dismay of many on Facebook, I wrote about the things I hate about living as a foreigner (expat) in Korea.  This week, on a more positive note, I’m sharing just…

I Dream in SkyScanner: Taipei, Taiwan

Taiwan – Heart of Asia In 2013 I hosted the official opening event of the new Tourism Taiwan advertising campaign in Toronto.  I wasn’t sure Taipei or Taiwan was the “Heart of Asia”, but I’m ready to see!  Now, in 2017 after already trying once to make it to Taipei, I’ll be heading there on…

Expats in Korea – Seoulcialites: Gillian Witter

In January and February I was doing a lot of…Seoul searching.  I was deliberating between heading back to Canada, traveling, and staying in South Korea.  I had been nursing a broken heart for a couple of months and felt like I really didn’t know where to turn.  Fellow blogger, Gillian Witter came to my rescue one…

Jogyesa Temple – Lotus Lantern Weekend Part ii

Korean couples love to get dressed up and wander around the old, traditional towns, as well as the Palaces and the Temples. All this was amplified by the hoopla of Buddha’s Birthday Weekend which has been celebrated as a festival since the Unified Silla era over 1,300 years ago. Yep – he gets the whole weekend, the festival, the parade, and all the beautiful lantern displays at nearly every temple the month leading up to his birthday and for for many, the weeks beyond (at Jogyesa they’ll be around until May 22nd). I guess it’s like leaving your Christmas lights up on your front porch all year long, just a lot less honky-tonk and a lot more beautiful!

Lotus Lantern Weekend – Part I

After a very relaxing day meandering around Sincheon, we ventured up to the subway and along the green line to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park. This area is one of my favourites already, even though I’ve only explored it for the Indian food (well, Nepalese), and for Seoul Fashion Week. The area is particularly modern because of the architecture surrounding the big Dongdaemun Design Plaza by Dame Zaha Hadid.

Sincheon Sweetness: A Day Off

Whenever I let people know I live in Sincheon, I usually say Jamsil instead. Sincheon is located in between Sports Complex (where the LG Twins and Doosan Bears play, where tons of music festivals and concerts are held, and where what I believe is the second tier soccer team calls home) and Jamsil. In Seoul there is “Sinchon” and “Sincheon”, so it’s easiest just to say Jamsil. The reaction is usually “Whoa! You live so far away!”.

Renewing my Canadian Passport in Busan

  Renewing your passport while abroad isn’t exactly the smartest course of action.  I had a year and a half left on my passport when I left Canada to teach English in South Korea, but with all the expenses of applying for my visa, getting my fingerprints and background check done, having my degree notarized,…

Christmas comes to Korea: Part 2

It feels a little bizarre to be reflecting on various expat holiday events in Korea now that it’s January 3rd, but that’s what happens from Christmas through the New Year.  My gym trips have become less frequent (thank goodness my weight has not increased!), I’ve slept in later, spent much more time with friends, and…