Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Korea 2010: Day 1&2 - Familiar Faces

It's currently 9:45 pm in South Korea and it's good to be "home." I was definitely born and raised on the East Coast, but there is something about being here, surrounded by...fellow Koreans that's just so home-y. My dad living here probably has a lot to do with it, too. ;)
Anyway, I didn't have a great start on my trip because my mom and I argued right before we left for the airport. Thus, I wasn't in a keen state of mind and I left my retainer at home. -_-
I got my braces off about half a year ago, but I still have another half to go to keep my teeth slick and straight! :D
I feel so icky and guilty for forgetting my retainer. I already had a mishap with my first braces so I had to do another 2 years of braces - totalling to 4 years. I don't want to have to go through it again, although I do like showing my Christmas spirit with the colored bands - all my brace-kids holla! So... hopefully, it'll be all right. xD
This plane was so pretty:

On the 10 hour plane ride, I entertained myself not with my Atonement and SAT Spanish Subject Test books I brought with me, but with the neat-o computer screen on the seats. I saw Nanny McPhee, 1981 (interesting French(?) story of a guy's childhood in 1981), Toy Story 2, flipped through Teen Vogue, and listened to the best of European Pop!

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But the whole plane ride sensation really struck me! When I got off, I thought to myself, 10 hours ago I entered Sea Tac airport breathing the pristine, clean air and then, I - slightly dazed and ditzy because I only got 1 hour of sleep - set foot on soil of a whole new world. You'd think that the air would be similar since we're all on the same planet - well at least I did, but no. Already from baggage claim, I could feel the denser, humid, icky air filling up my lungs.
The Coca Cola mini truck was super cute too. :D

I'm still getting used to sleeping at 7AM Washington time and eating dinner in the middle of the Washington morning. So once I overcome jet lag, there'll be more travel pics galore! :D

And although it's only been a day and a half, I've already done a little shopping! xD I bought some stickers, cards, and even socks for friends. :]

I actually have a traditional Korean dress that looks almost exactly like this!:
& on a final savory note:

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song of the moment -
Ebony and Ivory - Paul McCartney ft. Stevie Wonder (I was singing that all day as I got home from the plane)

10 comments:

sallyannie☆ said...

Oh! How cute. I love puffy stickers as well, but can never find them here! I hope you enjoy your holiday!

Amber Schmidt said...

Thank you so much for your sweet comment! Unfortunately, I'm too poor for a real tripod, so I built my own crappy one (I'll probably post pictures later.) For most of my pictures, however, I have my little brother or my friends snap away.

And it's so great that you're in South Korea! I spent a month there a long time ago and fell in love. Well, except I was scared to eat quite a few of the dishes-- lol.

Lovely post, dear, and enjoy!

xxoo,
Amber Rose
modestjune.com

Flashes of Style said...

I love all of these photos! So adorable :)

Ali Hval said...

Your photos have such pretty, bright colors in them!And that last one made me hungry for some deliciously cute treat of some sort. ;) Hope you're having fun!

Ali Hval said...

I've been looking at Vandy and Samford and even just Alabama (our state university) since I could go there for freez. 8D SO MANY CHOICES I JUST DON'T KNOW. ; w; it's overwhelming, isn't it?~ but good luck on your college essay! Luckily, I managed to finish mine. xD


&& I found some editing program online and uploaded and edited it hahaha. UhhhwhatsitcalledagainIforgot. Dx

kate maggie said...

There is no place like home. :) These pictures are all dreamy, I love them all. I have such a love for Korean culture! I think its the coolest! You have such a neat blog..I really digg it. x

Miles Of Style said...

i have loved puffy stickers for as long as i can remember now! great post dearie...

Persis
http://onestylemile.blogspot.com/

Sweets and Hearts said...

such great photos! sorry about the rough beginning to your trip, but it looks like you had a great time.

ohhhh braces. i went through that too >_< but all the waiting is worth it in the end! :D

what kind of camera do you have (if you don't mind me asking)?

♥ erica
sweetsandhearts.blogspot.com

Charmalade said...

Call me a little bit biased, but I love these pictures (and your post!). I haven't been to "the Motherland" in yeeeears, not since I was a wee 3-year old. So in a strange way, these photos make me nostalgic for something I can't really remember.

Isn't flying halfway across the world a tricky thing? When I flew to Thailand, the weird thing was that I adjusted to the 11-hour time difference fairly quickly, whereas going back home took awhile longer. I hope you're not so lagged by now!

And also-- that's such a pretty hanbok paper doll. I haven't had a hanbok that fit me in forever!

Toast with Charmalade

J. said...

It looks like it's a great trip! I'm so happy you got to spend time with your dad!