<In the City> The Holidays.

Looking back on 12 months of one's life at the end of each year always induces mixed emotions. As I mature, I noticed that my memories started to be rounder, softer, and milder. This may be due to my progressively evaporating memory or simply due to my ability to forgive, forget, and let go of my sins much easier.

Either way, to toast the year 2013, I would like to post a couple of pictures and tell you a short story about life:

Living life seems like a never-ending, upward journey.

Happy holidays, everyone.

<photos by me>

<In the City> Introspection.

It is that time of the year when I halt mid-step, frozen, because I could feel the stirrings of disharmony.  

The feeling is not quite an eruption or a chaos or a turmoil. 

It is like roaming aimlessly until you come to realize that you are unsure of your whereabouts yet lack the proper methods to find your way home. 

You plant your feet on the ground, hoping that clicking your heels three times will bring answers to all your questions, take you back home, and tuck you under your covers, safe and sound.

The inevitable question of the holiday season: What have I done this year?

I immerse in this discomfiting question in a pleasurable way. What I have gained and lost, only I know in its entirety, and who is to say 'becoming better' has to be quantifiable?

Definitely not I.

Roam. Wonder. Dream. Repeat.

<photo by me>

<Out of the City> Phuket, Thailand: One.

In September, my girlfriend and I traversed to Phuket, Thailand, and its captivating beach-fronts bewitched our minds and souls. 

Paradise, it was.

There were glittering and vibrant portraits of unfiltered nature wherever we went. It was a larger-than-life Disney World that even made sunbathing an enchanting experience.  Phuket was the the magic carpet ride that swept us off our feet and twirled us around in a whirlwind of unparalleled beauty and Zen-like serenity only true nature can evoke.

I blab, but pictures speak thousands of words.

<Kata Beach>

<Karon View Point>

<Phi Phi Island Tour>

For those of you who wonder: Yes, the water is truly that color.

<Karon Beach>

A typical beach-loving Cali-girl at heart, I would be slighting Phuket without dedicating an entire post to its beaches. 

<photos by me>

<In the City> Bukhan Mountain: 북한산.

I have always heard that this mountain was one of the toughest to climb, and such hearsay was no tall tale. 

Located right on the outskirts of northern Seoul area, Bukhan Mountain Park is colossal and prides on multiple trails and peaks in all sorts of intensity. 

It would be a whole lot of trivialization if I confessed to only a couple of 'my-life-flashing-before-my-eyes' moments. I definitely did not know this 'hike' would involve ropes. I was deathly petrified during the entire 3-4 hour climb and clinging onto those exceedingly steep rocks was my sole, discomfiting refuge.

What is your fear? 

Mine, if you have not guessed, is heights. Apparently this is an issue I developed as an adult, because according to my mother, she testified that I was acrophobia-less as a child.

Everyone has a fear, or fears, that he or she would like to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to. But just as you cannot shove your rotten, molding pile of dirty laundry under your bed and pretend to be ignorant of its existence, you cannot push aside your fear forever. 

Fear is like a baggage chained to your heart. It can make you sink lower and lower under the surface, until you may find it hard to breathe. Only you can find the key to unlock the chain and swim back up. 

The steps may not be easy, but once you do, your heart will start to rejoice in hope and peace.

<photo by me>

<Out of the City> Geomdan Mountain: 검단산.

This year, I have turned over a new leaf by incorporating the 'healthy' into my lifestyle. I modified my diet and picked up healthier hobbies, regular jogging and hiking. 

The sheer amount of electrifying euphoria hiking brings is incomprehensible until you conquer that first mountain.

On that note, here is my Geomdan Mountain experience. 

Most of our hiking buddies were perky groups of the elderly, all clad in neon hiking gears.

  

Geomdan Mountain is located in Gyeonggi, Seoul's neighboring province. The 1.5 hours of non-stop incline was a true test of my faith and leg muscles.

The magnificent view at the top let the butterflies in my stomach go wild, and the perfect weather allowed that perfect glimpse of Seoul.

Breathe in that autumn breeze, and let your thoughts soar as high and wide as the mountains. 
You definitely deserve it after such an accomplishment.

What have you done recently to ease your soul?

<photos by me>

<Out of the City> YangPyeong: 양평.

This past weekend, my friends and I drove out to Yangpyeong, a city located about an hour to the east of Seoul. It was a spontaneous trip that was all about relaxation. 

We stayed at a quaint place called Maple House. Staying true to its name, maple trees encapsulated the house, showcasing their autumn uniforms of reds, oranges, and yellows in a picturesque parade.

The morning after our finger-lickin' good barbecue fiesta, we took a stroll up the hill located in front of the house.

The weekend is like that first sip of your aromatic morning coffee. It leaves you feeling recharged and ready to face the big, bad world (well, almost).

In the meanwhile, I would like to ask you: 

When was the last time you took a look out of your window?

<photos by me>

<In the City> Autumn Swoons.

Easily my favorite time of the entire year, autumn is warm-colored foliage, chick-flick romance, an endless array of scarves, and tantalizingly crisp air. 

While this wonderful season is near drawing its curtains closed, I have managed to run around (and nearby) the city and catch snippets of autumn before its grand finale. 

 

Winter should really behave itself and stop making its moves.

<photos by me>

<In the City> Happy Weekend.

Friday is happiness that explodes like firecrackers. How do you celebrate? Mine came in the form of a pretty soy milk latte.

TGIF !

<photo by me>

<Out of the City> Jeju Island.

Only an hour flight from either the small Gimpo Airport or the well-renowned Incheon International Airport, Jeju is the biggest island of South Korea and a current winner of the New7Wonders of Nature campaign.

A 'must-have' meal in Jeju is the black pig (흑돼지) barbecue. When I think of pigs, I think of Babe. Maybe I will visit a black pig farm on my next Jeju trip.

This savory, fruity broth-based cold noodle dish was quite different from any variations of Korean noodles I have ever tasted. Verdict: delectable.



There are countless touristy destinations in Jeju, but because life sucks and makes us hold jobs to earn money, we did not have time to visit everywhere. Nevertheless, here are some highlights from our trip:

<Cheon-Ji-Yeon Falls>

<OSulloc Tea Museum>

 <Seopjikoji 섭지코지>

While traversing around the island, you are bound to see some wind turbines.

It was an immense fun frolicking in the refreshingly vivid world of Jeju. I'm curious how it would look in the winter time, but for now, I leave you with this final sunset picture.

<photos by me>