<In the City> Happy Lunar New Year.

As the 'real' start of the year 2014, I am truly grateful for this 4-day Lunar New Year holiday after practically living at work for the past couple of weeks. 

I adore being rolled up burrito-style in my ultra-comfy Costco blanky, cooking ridiculous amounts of food for no reason, and doing a lot of reading in fetal position, so this weekend will definitely be dedicated to all these things.

I wish everyone ungodly amounts of good fortune and prosperity.

 :)

<photo 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>