One event worth mentioning was the much-anticipated Mudfest, which was three weeks ago now. Basically all the foreigners scattered throughout the country hopped on trains and made their way to Boryeong, a fun little beach town on the west coast.
Mudfest is an annual thing, and it's exactly as the name implies: a mud party on the beach. It's super popular with foreigners, which makes sense as we've all come to Korea to work with kids and put off the real world for a year. Of course we can't resist the idea of playing in mud. The ever-amazing Joanne arranged our train tickets and hotel rooms. That was a hundred bucks, but everything on the beach - mud self-massage, mud slide, mud prison, colored mud, mud wrestling, mud games, etc - it was all free. Basically I painted myself with mud, slid down a mud slide, washed off in the ocean, and repeated. It was fun while it lasted, but ultimately we got rained out. It was too cold in only a bathing suit, so we took it indoors. We saw beautiful fireworks from the comfort of a dry, warm bar. Although my friends and I decided to take an earlier train home the next day, the silver lining is I met some awesome people who live in my area. I met one awesome person in particular, but that's all I'm saying for the mo ;)
China can't come soon enough. As far as Korea goes, lately I feel like I've run out of new experiences, new things to try. It's a terrible feeling. I made a list of everything I wanted to do, there are about two things left on that list, and with five months left, I can't shake the feeling that I should have stretched things out. I did try one new thing the other night. A new Korean dish I hadn't eaten before, and I got that old familiar feeling, the excitement of trying something new. It's like a drug, that feeling, and I have a hunch it's going to be what sways my decisions for the next few years. For instance, I've been thinking a lot about how exotic South America would be once I say goodbye to Korea...
The new teacher at my school is an amazing girl who spent two years in the Peace Corps in Mongolia. She has completely inspired me, but it also doesn't hurt that she insists it isn't as difficult as I thought to get into the program. So, as off the wall as it sounds, I see the Peace Corps in my future now. I don't know when I'll apply, but I know now I definitely will.
She came with me last weekend to see a concert in Incheon, which is about two hours away, but worth the time spent on public transport. Randomly, one of my favorite bands was in Korea. I was ecstatic to have the chance to see them here of all places. Concerts in Korea are lovely. No mosh pits? at a Deftones show? Sweet.
Children in Korea get one month off in the summer. It's this month. So my classes have been emptier this week, and will be for the next few weeks as kids go on vacation with their families. I'm glad my students get a break from their hectic schedules. The thing I'm not happy about is that they still go to their private school. Just have to keep telling myself I have a whole nine days off only three weeks from now. God, I need a vacation. Working full-time is rough. How do people do it for years on end?
Tomorrow is Ryan's birthday (and also Harry Potter's and J.K. Rowling's). Happy birthday, Ryan! I love you this much. My brother is 24 years old. That by itself makes me feel so damn grown-up, but it's especially scary since it means I'll be 23 soon. I know most of you think 23 is still young, but to me it's terrifying to think I'm gliding into my mid-twenties with no real prospects. Gasp. I feel a quarter life crisis coming on.
Sounds like terrific fun, especially the mud! Have you thought about learning to cook Korean food? There would be a challenging activity in the next few months. So glad you will be seeing your Dad in China. Have you explored going to Japan as well? Love you. G'ma
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