Abroad

A lot has happened and somehow two months have passed without warning. The leaves have changed and blow off, a signal of another changing season. I’ve done a lot since I’ve gotten here, but less than I expected, but more in other ways. I’m not sure where I want to go with this honestly. I’m just sad to leave and to even think of going back to the US. 

I got the tattoo I’ve been thinking of, in a design that I never even considered and a friend who I wouldn’t have thought of 

I’ve hiked Bukhansan. Twice. 

I’ve managed to party a lot and meet so many new people. 

Fell in love with the roommates that I have and trust them entirely. 

Met people from so many countries and form bonds. 

Gone to the spa overnight.

Eaten the best food I’ve ever had in my life. 

Survived off of ramen and sesame sticks. 

Make your own food! Food is definitely a big expense for me, and it’s strange because I really don’t care about food that much! I realize that it’s just a way for me to socialize but I could definitely save by cooking my own food. 

Breakfast: oatmeal 

Lunch/DinnerFried rice 

Create a list of things you want to buy and then revisit it in a month. I definitely have a habit of seeing something and immediately buying but it’s not necessary! Try to write down some items that you want and by waiting, you’ll see what’s actually a necessity. 

Budget! Tell yourself how much you’ll spend and stick to it. 

Japan Flight: $219.39

Ultra: $145.05

Jeju Flight: $145.21

Today was the day that I received my official acceptance to Korea University but now that I’ve gotten it, housing has made things scary for me. It all began when Fiona invited me to live with her and I was happy about it, but it began to be difficult because there had been no official acceptance yet. Fast forward to yesterday, I was finally ready to book the apartment, but to my surprise, it had already been booked. At this point, I was freaking out and randomly booked a room that I wasn’t sure about. Fast forward to this moment in which I’m writing this, and I have continued to worry. 

Pros: 

Cheap rent 

On another floor but still within the same building 

Opportunity to meet a lot of people

Get me to be out of my room and do more 

Location 

Cons: 

Might get robbed 

Might hate the people 

They might mind if I go out/come back late 

Small everything 

Room

2 bathrooms

Limited place to wash clothes 

Not on the same floor, which might make me distanced from them 

All in all, these are concerns but I can get over them. I’ve never needed a lot of space, I’m always in bed anyways. likewise, this might help me restrict the amount of things I have, hopefully... Plus, I might get to meet a lot of people and that would be nice. I just hope that it’ll be ok and that I haven’t made a big mistake with such a small room. Positivity though!!!

Recently I’ve finally settled on an idea I’m happy with; a tiger reaching for the sun. I was inspired by the Korean art that featured tigers and the stories behind them. Likewise, I wanted to incorporate something that included some aspect of the sky because i find it to be so grounding. 

I reached out to 2 artists and settled on tattooistjuda. She was the only one with art that resonated with me and was within my budget. I also reached out to another artist who goes by yuuztattooist, but for the same design he charged $600. While I want to invest in something that will be on my body forever, it was a price I could not afford sadly. However, I am excited to work with this tattooist as she was the one who originally inspired me to finalize my design. 

Busan 

Korean spa

Statues in Jeju

Black sand beach

Lotte world amusement park

Trick museum

Skiing

Gayasan National Park: November

Tattooistjuda ($350-400)

Summer: Jeju (round-trip price: <$100)

Scuba diving 

Paddle boarding 

Hiking 

See the sun set

Eat mackerel sashimi (and other seafood)

September 14: Japan (<$300)

Ultra Japan 

Hot springs

Sushi 

Shopping (thrift) 

September break: Barcelona ($1,500)

See my boyfren 

Winter break: 

Hong Kong 

Japan 

Thailand ($500)

White temple

Night market 

Ocean 

Jeju 

Hallasan! 

Bali ($600)

December 21: Last official day of finals 

Dec. 27-Jan. 7: Japan 

 Jan 8-Jan 15: Thailand 

Jan 17: Tattoo

spring fling! I’m happy with where I am at this point, with my friends and loved one, I feel like I’ve been trying more and happier because of it. The week began in the 80s, unheard of in Binghamton at this time. Initially, I imagined my day to be quite dull simply because I tend to shut myself inside but Mel ended up going to the hot tub and I decided to join her. I honestly rarely ever do this and it was nice to be out of my comfort zone and to be with people even when I’m uncomfortable. 

The day continued to where Justin came over and we went to Blaze Pizza, a new place that opened. We progressed and made our way over to the nature preserve, which I was particularly happy about. I like it when we do things together ,rather than being holed up in the room. 

Honestly speaking, getting a tattoo has never been on my radar. I never felt the need to put something so permanent on my body, and nothing ever arose that made me feel like I needed to. Now that I’ve been accepted to study abroad, something has shifted in me and made the idea more appealing. An opportunity to remember a moment in my life that will hopefully be unforgettable. Already, I am beginning to think about so many things to do that I never considered before and I can already feel the influence it will have on my life. In this way, what better opportunity to get something to commemorate that time in my life? 

I’ve begun to think about tattoo ideas and artists that I could hopefully get while I’m there. Many artists in Korea are quite expensive given that it’s illegal to tattoo someone without a license, so that’s definitely going to be a factor. 

Cost: Under $300

Location: Arm, around thigh, back, ribs 

Size: Small-Medium 

Design: 

Something Korea related

national flower/bird

writing/calligraphy? 

Nature (landscape- sun, moon, stars)

05/07 Main idea: 

On the ribs

Handpoke by artist (nah...)

Orange sunset with mountains and peonies 

Korean cloud (traditional design)

Tiger (tattooist_juda) chasing the sun.

With this one, the death represented the end of Korea’s unity but at the point where I go, hopefully they will have been reunited. 

Also a story with respect to solve problems 

A tiger that has overcome trials and tribulations and understands the world is known to turn white, becoming a white tiger. Although it is a sacred creature that doesn’t harm people, it becomes angry when the ruler of the country conducts evil and inhumane deeds. Therefore, it has been told that powerful people become humble and rich people become generous when a white tiger appears.

Tiger playing with the sun

Get a tattoo

Have a photoshoot done while in the Korean hanbok 

Create my own perfume! 

Visit Japan 

Eat street food 

Go out until morning 

Visit the Korean spa 

Visit the Japanese spa 

Wear a yukata 

Make Korean friends (and friends in general) 

Get along with my roommates

Get good grades

Take interesting classes

Grow as a person

Become more independent (and dependent) 

Find a yoga or pilates class to go to frequently

Shop!!

But also budget and save money 

Visit Barcelona 

Visit Jeju Island 

Go hiking at least once a month 

Find a film friend 

Go to Ultra 

Buy something expensive that will commemorate my trip hehe (jewelry?)

Make friends with the people I live with