WanderLace

2010-04-11T00:51:00.002-05:00

Well, I've been in the Greater Los Angeles Area for two years now. Three years ago, I never imagined it was time for me to settle in one city, one job, even one apartment! And to be truthful, I still don't think now is the time to become complacent and tied to a physical place...at least, not completely. So while my frequent flier miles may sit dormant for the next few months, year, or more, this blog is not dead! Despite what my posting frequency as of late might suggest...
Luckily, LA is a traveler's dream...even if said traveler is rather moored at the moment. There are mountains, there are oceans (well, one ocean, many beaches), there is the city itself and more day trips than I could follow through on with a year's worth of weekends! Plus, there are travel books, websites, and magazines that are begging to be perused and places worth dreaming about.
Traveling doesn't have to be physical, you know.

2009-12-01T09:23:00.003-06:00

Travelling these days allows a sense of wonder, if you let yourself feel it. The novelty of many modes of transportation may have worn off many years ago (now, we can even hear about the victorious land of a space shuttle with a sense of "been there, done that). However, if you open yourself to the experience of getting from point A to point B in whatever your chosen mode, you can experience a reflective meditation (on trains), a venture of pure faith (on planes), or a complete sensory withdrawl of your environment (automobiles.)

Every day, I am in my car for 1-1.5 hours during my commute to and from work in Downtown LA. Part of that time, I am at a dead stop. It's probably one of the most stressful parts of my day, especially driving back home when it's dark. Part of what makes it scary is that, for all the control you think you have....control of the temperature in the car, control of the stereo of the car, the security that comes from your seatbelt, and your decision of how fast or slow to drive...there will almost always be at least a split second (only a split second if you're lucky) that reminds you there are thousands of other people out there who are "in control" as well...and one of them almost didn't see you passing in his blindspot.

I'm reluctant to say there's a "meditation" there, because I've been one of those drivers who "gets in the groove" and then can't remember the details of how I got home from work. I'm always thankful that I got home and a little scared that maybe I was the one who cut someone off and caused their "out-of-control" realization without knowing it. However, there is a meditation in here that perhaps you could ponder once you've exited your 2-ton personal valet - we are never, truly, in control.

This meditation only rings true for those who may believe at least part of what I believe. In this case, it speaks to the part of me that says we always have choices, but we're not in control of the outcome. I don't believe that everything is written in the stars (although I've been known to say "it's destiny! when something goes right...), but I truly feel that we are all given choices in life - to be happy or sad, to be thankful or ungrateful, to be aware or unaware of our surroundings. Some people may have to make a more conscious effort to go towards their decision - I'm not suggesting that people with severe depression can just "choose" to be happy and it will be so - but the decision is always there.

Today, I wish for you to choose an awareness of your decisions and how they affect you, your loved ones, and maybe even that doofus in front of you who cut you off.

Namaste,
Lacey

2007-09-04T20:45:00.001-05:00

Wow, I haven't had a blogpost in FOREVER. However, since I am still linked to a few of my friend's blogs, I guess I could start up the habit again...well, as much as a habit as ever there was.

One of the reasons I quit writing was because I quit traveling. I had grand plans and they just...well, I didn't follow through is the pure and simple of it.

But after a few spurts of travel and working at a job that I hated - love libraries, hate being a librarian - I've finally gotten the chance to work at a job I LOVE. I'm working on a political campaign in Iowa and I've been here for about 5 months. I have four months to go until the caucuses make the first prediction as to who will be the next President of the United States. Then I'll have a few more months of primaries, hopefully a break between primary season and the National Convention in August, and then I'll probably get sent back to Mason City, Iowa for the general election, since I've made so many contacts here already and we'll have to remobilize them come November 2008!

A little bit more about what I've been doing lately will come later. For now, I'm just letting people know that I have every intention in taking this back up (although I'd appreciate that, if you comment, you leave my candidate's name out of the comments...I would really HATE to get fired from my dream job, lol). And, so you know, more grand travel plans are in the works. And I know it ups the suspense your life may be lacking...will she ACTUALLY follow-through this time?!?! Time will tell. ;-)

Peace,
Lace

2006-09-12T22:33:00.000-05:00

I've heard that boredom can jumpstart creativity. Or maybe I'm just making that up, thinking that I need a reason to write in my blog. Basically, I'm writing 'cause I'm bored. Hopefully I won't instill that boredom into this post, in turn, boring you. It's a new type of virus, boredom. It used to be spread person-to-person; contact was needed. Now I can bore you without even seeing you; you may be bored and I don't even know you. Such is the beauty of the Internet and speed-of-light, speed-of-communication news. There's a flood in New Zealand and I know about it, even before I see the prices of apples in the grocery store go up. (New Zealand has good apples, right?) And now you know that I'm bored before you even talk to me and see that I have nothing really remotely interesting to say. Wait, does that make me bored or boring?

Yay stream of consciousness.

I wonder why we let people get under our skin. Especially people we don't even know. A random person could check my blog and tell me that I'm definitely in the "boring" category rather than the "bored" one. And I won't know if the person is 5 or 50. Male or female. Cute or Amazonian. Why should I care what they think? Why does that one person's opinion of me (out of a bazillion possible personalities) grate me. I wouldn't go as far as to change for them, per se. But I might watch the stream of consciousness posts. And my consciousness might (unconsciously, of course) tone itself down. But what the heck do I care about that person? Why do I care if they think that I am the most fascinating thing they've read all day. And why do I worry about other people spell-checking my thoughts and cutting through them with red ink? (Nice mental image.) Even thinking about it makes me consider erasing this post and starting again with travel information and bullet points. (Which I'll return to later.) Those bastards; they are the cause of self-editing and self-monitoring. And they don't even have names, faces, voices, or worthy opinions.

I have become obsessed with playing Fantasy Football. I don't know why. I like planning things. I like working with statistics (especially the ones I don't really understand...see "Champion Bullshitter").

Speaking of bullshit, I was talking to my roommate about this earlier. I'm so good at smiling through (almost) anything, that I'm not sure if people really know who I am or what I feel. I don't even think some people realize that I feel. (I'm not dead inside! - see: "Friends" references.) I'm really good at acting put-together. I can convince anyone (even Myself) that I know what I'm doing and what I want. Then I change my mind. And in a snap, I have a new reality, a new goal, a new sense of self. And it's happened so quickly that I didn't even have time to blink or watch my "old" self walk away. At some point, I know I'll have to stick a goal, a dream, a future, a ME and stick with her. But there are infinite possibilities and I haven't found the rightcombination.

But back to football.

I started "liking" football in Middle School. That's when you like it 'cause the guy you have a crush on wears a football jersey to school every Monday. You like it 'cause you can wear the game day jersey with the number matching the cutest boy in school so people know you're "together" (but only if you're cute...and being a cheerleader helps). You want to be "one of the guys" so that you can infiltrate and make one of the prepubescents fall in love with you. You like it because you're deluding yourself.

But that was then. This is now. I actually enjoyed football in college. Going to the games, wearing purple, screaming (still trying to impress boys with my intensity and knowledge of the game), and basically freezing my butt off because, after all, this is Chicago. And now, as an alumni, I'll watch a few games and go to ones with meaning (playing Purdon't is huge and a yearly event). But now I'm in the big leagues baby (so why can't I get a job?). So it's NFL. It's Steelers and Packers (they seem to suck this year and that's sad) and the Bears (even though they embarassed my Steelers, it's nice to have a team nearby). And it's Fantasy Football. Which means I'm involved in more than simply yelling at the TV screen. I can win! I can be the best! I can be someone! I can be...a girl, sitting on a couch, watching a screen, checking if my (almost random) drafts actually pan out. And I'm missing my boyfriend, who lives across the country, and is sitting on his couch, watching a screen, checking if his drafts pan out.

Now I'm simply a girl, sitting on a couch, writing in a blog, missing my boyfriend, thinking about making some money, and wishing I were back in college, where I could go to meetings, write papers, attend football games, and know who I am.

2006-08-04T11:38:00.001-05:00

Alaska Trip with the Pisters - After we spent a few days in Seattle, Mandy, her family, and I headed up to Alaska. The trip up deserves its own story and the weeks in Alaska are almost indescribable. I've tried to write about it a few times, but it's hard for me. There just are not enough superlatives and it's hard to say anything except that it's my favorite place EVER. And it was with some of my favorite PEOPLE ever. :-)

Home to Hurricane - After flying back to Chicago, I basically unpacked, did laundry, and re-packed. Then I headed home to Hurricane for Brooke's wedding.

Brooke's Wedding - Gorgeous. And she looked so happy. I now understand what it means to say she glowed. And it was great to see some high school buddies and spend time checking up. Although, I must say, every conversation I have with people from home has at least a five minute conversation about who is marrying who. It's crazy.

What I'm currently doing:

I'm chilling out at home, waiting for our family vacation, which we leave for on Sunday. I've updated my podcasts, downloading NPR segments and National Geographic episodes. I'm currently listening to Frommer's Four Essential Pieces of Travel Advice. It's good to have something on in the background - especially educational stuff. I've also downloaded a new webbrowser called Slimbrowser (http://www.flashpeak.com/sbrowser/dlpage.php). This allows me to put a few websites into a group and open them all at once. This helps me keep updated on news sites that I like because I don't get distracted. So I get my NPR, CNN, and National Geographic news fixes each morning. I'm also visiting friends from childhood - Charlotte, Heather, and I put together Brooke's wedding album for her on Tuesday, yesterday I spent time with Mark, Carla, and Tyler (family friends from waaaaaay back), and tonight I'm going to dinner with Brooke's parents and, potentially, Charlotte. Brooke is in Ireland for her honeymoon or I'm sure that I'd spend time with her too!

What's in my PDA:

From August 6- August 13 I will be cruising the Carribbean with my family: Dad, Bridget, Ramey, and Heath. We'll be stopping in Grand Cayman, where we will snorkel with stingrays and see a turtle farm - we may even be going to Hell! Then it's on to kayaking in Cozumel and snorkeling a coral reef in Belize. And lastly, we'll tour some Mayan ruins in Costa Maya. Hopefully, I will not return lobsterfied.

Then I drive home to Chicago for a Dixie Chicks concert with Ashley on the 15th and, again, enough time to unpack, do laundry, and re-pack before heading to...

PARIS! From August 17th (Happy Birthday Ramey!) to August 23rd, I will be exploring the City of Lights. I have no idea what I'll end up doing, but I've enjoyed looking through one of my favorite tour guides (Eyewitness Top Ten Travel Guides) for the city and imagining all I could do. I'm definitely hoping for an evening at Moulin Rouge and, of course, a view from the Eiffel Tower. Other than that - so many options, only five days! Guess I'll have to go back...

Then, I'm finally in Chicago! :-P

*Whew!*

What a great way to end a year off. :-)

2006-08-04T11:38:00.000-05:00

UPDATE:

So, a quick post that accomplishes a few different goals:
A) I need to start writing again. I enjoy it and I like keeping y'all up on what I'm doing/where I am.
B) I need to let everyone know where I've been and where I'm going.
C) I like to innundate y'all with what I'm doing 'cause I KNOW it's the most interesting thing you'll read each day... ;-)

So here's where I've been/what I've done (longer descriptions later...):

Road Trip West with Mandy - We left Chicago on June 23rd and arrived in Seattle on June 27th. We drove through the Badlands National Park, Big Horn Mountains, and Yellowstone National Park. We saw the Corn Palace (tourist trap), Wall Drug (yup, another tourist trap), and the Columbia River (definitely worth the pull-off). And we didn't get tired of each other!

Alaska Trip with the Pisters - After we spent a few days in Seattle, Mandy, her family, and I headed up to Alaska. The trip up deserves its own story and the weeks in Alaska are almost indescribable. I've tried to write about it a few times, but it's hard for me. There just are not enough superlatives and it's hard to say anything except that it's my favorite place EVER. And it was with some of my favorite PEOPLE ever. :-)

Home to Hurricane - After flying back to Chicago, I basically unpacked, did laundry, and re-packed. Then I headed home to Hurricane for Brooke's wedding.

Brooke's Wedding - Gorgeous. And she looked so happy. I now understand what it means to say she glowed. And it was great to see some high school buddies and spend time checking up. Although, I must say, every conversation I have with people from home has at least a five minute conversation about who is marrying who. It's crazy.

What I'm currently doing:

I'm chilling out at home, waiting for our family vacation, which we leave for on Sunday. I've updated my podcasts, downloading NPR segments and National Geographic episodes. I'm currently listening to Frommer's Four Essential Pieces of Travel Advice. It's good to have something on in the background - especially educational stuff. I've also downloaded a new webbrowser called Slimbrowser (http://www.flashpeak.com/sbrowser/dlpage.php). This allows me to put a few websites into a group and open them all at once. This helps me keep updated on news sites that I like because I don't get distracted. So I get my NPR, CNN, and National Geographic news fixes each morning. I'm also visiting friends from childhood - Charlotte, Heather, and I put together Brooke's wedding album for her on Tuesday, yesterday I spent time with Mark, Carla, and Tyler (family friends from waaaaaay back), and tonight I'm going to dinner with Brooke's parents and, potentially, Charlotte. Brooke is in Ireland for her honeymoon or I'm sure that I'd spend time with her too!

What's in my PDA:

From August 6- August 13 I will be cruising the Carribbean with my family: Dad, Bridget, Ramey, and Heath. We'll be stopping in Grand Cayman, where we will snorkel with stingrays and see a turtle farm - we may even be going to Hell! Then it's on to kayaking in Cozumel and snorkeling a coral reef in Belize. And lastly, we'll tour some Mayan ruins in Costa Maya. Hopefully, I will not return lobsterfied.

Then I drive home to Chicago for a Dixie Chicks concert with Ashley on the 15th and, again, enough time to unpack, do laundry, and re-pack before heading to...

PARIS! From August 17th (Happy Birthday Ramey!) to August 23rd, I will be exploring the City of Lights. I have no idea what I'll end up doing, but I've enjoyed looking through one of my favorite tour guides (Eyewitness Top Ten Travel Guides) for the city and imagining all I could do. I'm definitely hoping for an evening at Moulin Rouge and, of course, a view from the Eiffel Tower. Other than that - so many options, only five days! Guess I'll have to go back...

Then, I'm finally in Chicago! :-P

*Whew!*

What a great way to end a year off. :-)

2006-06-06T17:12:00.000-05:00

Um, yeah, about that...

About ALL of that which has happened since leaving Guatemala...a week after getting there.

Really, there hasn't been much to update, but I've realized that some people who may wonder where I am may believe me still to be in Guatemala. Unfortunately, they'd be wrong.

Hopefully, I'll get back into updating the blog, but for now, it's not exactly thrilling since all I do is read, eat, sleep, clean, and, um, that's it. I think. I shop. Sometimes. And see movies.

Can you tell I'm a bit bored?

However, I will be leaving for Washington state/Alaska with Mandy in a couple of weeks. Until then, I gots nothing.

Lace

2006-04-04T16:01:00.000-05:00

Hola! Como estas? Yo estoy bien...and I hope you are all well too! (This keyboard is confusing me...I never thought about a keyboard en espanol being different!)

This is the first chance that I've had to get to a computer, so I hope none of you have packed up to come down here yet. My first few days have been a bit crazy - but I'm thinking it should calm down a bit...or maybe not!

Antigua is gorgeous. It reminds me a lot of West Virginia - only less developed and much warmer! It is surrounded by hills - well, volcanoes if you want to get technical, but only one is currently active. Hiking the volcanoes is an activity offered by many of the travel agents in the city; I'm hoping that once I've walked around the town for a few days, I'll feel up to looking into it...

The city is 10 blocks by 10 blocks; a perfect square centered around el parque central. I live about 8 blocks from the school - about a 15 minute walk. On my way, I pass a magnificent church and quite a few ruins from the earthquake that brought Antigua down from its capital status in 1776. There are flowers everywhere and the weather is gorgeous. At school, we sit in a courtyard, in small structures like individual picnic shelters. We get the breeze, but the sun is kept off of our shoulders and necks. It can be a bit distracting with the noises of the birds, etc, but I don't allow myself to become too distracted...I can be quite focused, when I want to be! :-P

I've already learned a lot of Spanish - I'm able to communicate un poco with the mother of mi familia who speaks no English. My room isn't spacious nor lavish, but it is clean and the people are friendly. The father speaks English - he is a doctor - but he agreed not to speak it with me unless I really needed him to...if the idea just wasn't coming across, you know? There are also three children, but they're only slightly younger than me, so they're not around much.

Let's see - a brief recap of my few days here:

Sunday - All of my flights were on time!! I arrived in Guatemala City around 12:30, Chicago time, 11:30 Guatemala time. I waited for my bag, then exited and found the person holding my name (I've always wanted that!!) The guy who had sat on the plane next to me from Houston to Guatemala City waved at me outside so, thinking we were friends, the driver offered him a ride to Antigua as well. Just as well, since he spoke a little Spanish, so I felt somewhat more comfortable.

Once in Antigua, I met my family and took a nap. After waking to dinner (a dinner of Chinese food, lol), they walked me to the school so I would feel comfortable getting there the next morning. We then walked to the parque centrale and back home, so I saw some of the city - and I liked what I saw!!

The next day, I had my first lesson en espanol. A bit overwhelming, but mi maestra, Rosie, is really nice and speaks a little bit of English, so I caught on. She said I learned quickly, which made me feel a bit better for all the times I had to say ¨lo siento¨ or ¨no lo se.¨ That's I'm sorry and I don't know, respectively. I learned some phrases, vocabulario, pronombres personales (I, you, he/she, we, and they), colores, days de la semana, and months of the year. I also began conjugating verbs...my favorite part of a language...or not. :-P

That afternoon, after eating lunch with the mother in my family, I joined a tour offered by the school. It was a walking tour of Antigua and it was me, a girl I had met from Germany, ella llama Alex, and a guy from the States, el llamo Daniel. They're extremely cool and we wound up hanging out around the park until it was time for me to leave and go back to mi casa. I then ate dinner, did mi tarea (they give us homework!), and went to be around 8 o'clock. I'm such a loser...

This morning, I went to class again (I'm taking 5 hours a day - from 8 to 1) and learned the alphabet, more verbs, and mas vocabulario. I ate lunch with the family, minus their son, and then came here to write to y'all. After this, I'm going to search the mercados for a Spanish dictionary - I thought la escuela would provide books, but they only provided a small study booklet. So, a dictionary will be necisito...let the fun of finding and paying for one en espanol begin!

After that, I may do my homework in the parque. Or simply wander around more...I can always save the homework for later, when it's too dark to walk around by myself. I should have brought my guidebook with me - but I left it at mi casa. Oh well.

Thanks for dealing with the sporadic Spanish - we're really not supposed to speak English, although I don't know nearly enough Spanish to get away with that. So this was my comprimise. :-)

I love you all and hope you're well.

Yo estoy enamorado (with) Guatemala!!

Lacey

2006-03-31T21:41:00.000-06:00

Look for updates, coming soon...

Sunday I leave for Guatemala!!

2006-02-28T15:15:00.000-06:00

I can't believe that at this time last month, I was in South Korea. Since then, I've been to Chicago, Virginia, Boston, and now I'm at my dad's house in West Virginia. It's amazing how fast the month goes when you aren't sure what time zone you're in...

Anyway, I'm sure my recent itinerary sounds odd to those of you who don't know me well (or whom I haven't talked to in a while), so I'll explain:

My sister got an invitation from Emerson College in Boston to come to a transfer student orientation/introduction. I *love* Boston, so I asked if I could tag along and got an affirmative. So I decided that I would make it into a longer trip and began by flying out to Richmond, VA, where Ramey lives. So I got to hang out with her and Peepers for a few days before we headed off to Boston.

We met my dad at the airport and went to our little hotel en masse. The next morning, Dad and Ramey went to the orientation whilst I took a trolley tour through the city. (I enjoy these tours - I took one in Seoul as well - because its gives you a bigger view of the city than you would have gotten from simply going to tourist spot to tourist spot within a certain walking distance.) As I rode through, I remembered how much I like Boston - I've been there three times now in the span of a year. When Dad asked me what I like so much about it, I couldn't really put words to it, but I ended up saying that it's a big city without feeling like a big city. The buildings aren't incredibly tall (like Chicago), it's not incredibly crowded (like Seoul), and it's got a lot of history mixed in with it's business and commercial areas. My dad mentioned that what struck him was the prevalence of 20-somethings, as compared to older people. I hadn't really noticed this, mostly because that's my age group, but when I think about it, he's right. So it's an older city that younger people flock to. Excellent. :-)

After the orientation, I met my sister and dad for lunch and then we went to the New England Aquarium (yes, we ate seafood before going to look at lots of sea...animals). My favorites were the penguins and the turtles. I'm not much of one for simply looking at fish...but it was a good (warm!) way to pass some time. After the Aquarium, we caught an IMAX flick, but it wasn't very good - supposedly a shark film, we didn't really learn a lot about sharks, although the cinematography was cool.

That night we ate at the Cheers Bar replica in Fanueil Hall. I had the best cheeseburger and then we split a piece of Boston Cream Pie. Yummy yum yum.

Sunday morning, we got up and packed our stuff, leaving it at the hotel until it was time to head to the airport. We walked from our hotel down Charles Street, meeting Boston Commons about 5 blocks past the hotel. From there we walked across the park to Filene's, which is apparently going out of business (the actual departement store, not the Basement), so of course we had to go in. I wound up with a pair of shoes that I didn't need, but I also walked away with some things that I did need - not appropriate for some imaginations. :-P

After a bit of shopping, we walked back to Fanueil Hall for lunch - clam chowder (for me) in a bread bowl. Once again, yummy yum yum. I *love* clam chowder even more than I *love* Boston. Which is good, because I can get clam chowder in places that I can't get Boston... ;-)

After lunch, we went back to the hotel and picked up our stuff. We then headed to the airport, where we broke apart (Ramey was going back to Richmond, I was going to West Virginia with Dad, but we were on different airlines). I then proceeded to wait for my delayed flight before being told that my leg from Washington Dulles to Charleston was cancelled. I went ahead and flew to Dulles, where I was told the flight was reinstated, but wouldn't be leaving until 11:20 - not too bad, since the original flight was 10:00 and at least it wasn't cancelled. Well, we didn't board the plane until 10 to midnight. We then waited, with the cabin shut, for 30 minutes before our flight was cleared for take-off. This all added up to an arrival time at Charleston of 2:20 in the morning.

I'm having bad flight karma...maybe I'm saving up for a free pony?

Anyway, now I'm in West Virginia, spending a few days doing absolutely nothing and loving it.

I'm still in my PJs at 4:30 on a Tuesday afternoon...where are you? ;-)
Lace

2006-02-14T13:32:00.000-06:00

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

To show you how much I love you, I'll finish writing about Korea...

I really and truly don't remember what we did on Saturday morning. I remember that I felt surprisingly better, even after standing out in the cold for go-awful long the night before. But Saturday night, Beth and I joined some of her co-workers and we went to see STOMP. It was poorly planned, in that the girls gave the two maps to the two guys, but we finally found the theatre and a really yummy restaurant that would serve us massive amounts of warm food in the time we had before the show. It woked out really well and the food was, as always, delicious.There was soup and noodles and rice and yum. :-)

Then we went to STOMP which was amazing! I saw it a few years ago (well, a few years being when I was in middle school or some such) and it was good, but I wasn't old enough to really appreciate it. This time, I found it brilliant. Not only in the musicianship that it takes to make a song out of, literally, garbage, but in the sheer physicality needed to do the things they did, such as strapping large garbage cans to their feet and walking around. They also had distinct personalities, a feat in and of itself in a venue where there is no dialogue. All in all, it was a fabulous show.

On Sunday, I felt the worst I'd felt all trip. I was in pain. So we nixed our plans to check out the National Museum of Korea and went back to COEX for a little bit of R&R - namely, manicures and pedicures. I felt really nice just to sit back and not have to do anything except move when the technician asked me to. After the pampering, we wandered around a bit, finally heading back to Mok-dong for some dinner. We went to a galbi restaurant, which had been my first experience with Korean food and something that I think is incredibly yum. So Sunday ended up alright, despite the pain in my face.

Monday, I decided that I wanted to learn more about Korea's recent history. The War Memorial Museum had really interested me and I wanted to add to my knowledge base, although I already knew more than a majority of my American peers...so I went out to the National Museum of Korea by myself. I forgot an important fact, however, when I failed to check the weekly closing date of the museum. I'm sure that you, my intelligent friends, have figured out that this particular museum was closed on Mondays. Drat. So I randomly wandered around until it was time to head back to Beth's apartment.

When I got home, I learned from Ken that Beth's Granddad had died. It had been expected, but I know the feeling of losing a beloved grandparent. So I took Ken to the school to surprise Beth with flowers when she got off of work. After a grateful greeting at the school, we went out for sushi, finding an excellent place just blocks from the school. When I say excellent I mean we got three huge meals, split them, and the bill came to about $28. And the food was amazing...I'm talking soup and donchass and a ginormous plate of sushi. I had octupus for the first time - wasn't a fan, but hey, I can say I tried it! Octopus and eel and caviar, oh my! That's been my experience in Korea. :-)

On Tuesday, I packed and did very little else, considering it SNOWED. Yuck. Who wants to wander around when it's snowy and ick when Korean apartments have heated floors?!? Not me, that's for sure! I did eventually venture to the Hyundai department store once again, on a mission that was unfulfilled, but I did end up with a great North Face bag to use as a carry-on for the next day's flight.

When Beth got home, it was time for something I'd been looking forward to for the entire trip - the sauna! I love Asian saunas. My first experience with one was actually in San Francisco - not surprising, considering the ease one must feel being nude around others. This one was excellent and you could tell it was a popular place for the locals...Beth and I were the only two Westerners there. We spent the first hour or so in the hot tubs and cool tubs, including some quality time with a jetted hot tub...it felt so good on tired muscles! Then we paid for the extra service of what Beth casually called a "scrubbing." That was an understatement. We lay on tables while a sauna employee sloughed our skin. It got all the dead skin off, that's for sure - it was cool and gross at the same time, seeing the dead skin being washed off the table when we were done. But I felt soft and clean and so relaxed.

Until the morning.

I got up around 7 in anticipation of leaving Beth's around 8:15 for the airport. Then I check United's website to make sure my flight is on time. Big mistake. My flight from Seoul to Tokyo was delayed until 5 pm...and my connecting flight left Tokyo around 5:30! I flipped. I called Brandon, freaking out, and he called United who basically (once again) said they couldn't do anything about it. I don't understand why plane tickets are so freakin' expensive if I'm never going to be guaranteed a flight. Grrrrrr...

I went to the airport anyway and, once there, the United reps were actually very helpful. They got me on an earlier flight to Tokyo through Northwest Airline and I was even upgraded to Premiere class, which was excellent...although it would have been nice to enjoy the upgrade on the longer flight but c'est la vie. The catch, however, was that the flight was leaving in about 30 minutes, so I had to book through security, immigration, etc. Luckily, it wasn't bad, and I made the flight. Once in Tokyo, I had a long-ish layover, but the flight left on time and everything was good so there's no complaining coming out of this traveler's mouth! Or fingers, as the case may be...

And that was my first trip abroad! I'm still not sure if I want to continue to travel or if I want to ground myself in Chicago for now, but I'm thinking that I'll stay unbound until the end of the summer - I have plans to visit Mandy in Alaska this June and I'd like to extend the trip to make a drive through Canada, but that's it. I may still head to Guatemala for a Spanish immersion program that looks interesting, since knowing Spanish will never hurt my job search - but basically, I'm going to see family at the end of this month and after that, I'm staying put for a bit. Jet-lag and I just don't get along...

Good bye, and Good Luck,
Lace

2006-02-07T02:47:00.000-06:00

Well, it snowed in Seoul today (Tuesday), so I'm spending my last day (for the most part) inside. I don't really feel like updating at the moment, so I'll steal something from my sister's MySpace

==================
Have you ever....
==================

1. Fallen for your neighbor? Um, nope. The only neighbors I remember have been female...

2. Made out with just a friend? Sure. That's what living in an Arts Dorm does to you, I suppose.

3. Been rejected? Oh yeah. Hasn't everyone at some point?

4. Been in love? Indeed. blog:

5. Used someone? Yeah...something I'm not exactly proud of, but I'm not gonna lie.

6. Been used? Yeah...I pour my heart and soul into things and that's not always appreciated...usually it just ends up being expected.

7. Been kissed? 22 and never been kissed? Please...

8. Done something you regret? No. I'm big on living in the present and for the future...I use my past to learn from my mistakes, but they made me who I am and if I don't embrace my past, I can't embrace myself.

9. Cried to get yourself out of trouble? Ha, I'm keeping Ramey's : yes. i have ovaries.

=========================
Who was the last person...
=========================

10. You talked to? Brandon

11. You hugged? Beth

12. You instant messaged? Lauren (and Kiera!)

13. You missed? Momma

15. You yelled at? Probably Brandon - he knows how to push my buttons...

16. You laughed with? Beth

17. Who broke your heart? I did a pretty good job of that myself...

18. Who told you they loved you? Either my sister or my roomie.

(Ramey, I don't know what you're talking about on that one...it always feels good to be told you're loved. And know I'm saying it for all my friends to read...aren't you embarrassed? ;-))

======================
Have you / Do you / Are you...
======================

20. Have a birthmark? Yeah

21. - 22. M. I. A.

23. Own your own house? I did, sort of, but we sold it. So now I'm travelling on the profits...

24. Own a nice car? Well, I'm sure no one else would agree that my lil' Cabriolet was a nice car, but I loved her. And now I have Abby, my good lil' Kia. Both got me between Chicago and Richmond alright, so that's what really matters.

25. Speak any languages? Um, I can say "Thank You" in four languages: English (duh), French, Spanish, and now Korean...but holding a conversation, I'm embarrassed to say, only comes easily in English.

26. Cook your own dinner? Mmhmm...and I can't wait to be back in Chicago to cook with my roomie!

27. Color your hair? Used to...it's finally my natural color, after at least 9 years.

29. Stolen anything? Other than the spotlight, nope.

30. Smoked? Pleading the fifth because it's an absolutely disgusting habit.

31. Taken? If you're reading this, you really already know the answer, sort of...not to be confusing. :-P

35. Panic? I used to have panic attacks...now I can't even imagine what I was so stressed out about...I'm sure it couldn't have been writing my thesis to graduate from Northwestern while helping to run my sorority, start a national honors society on campus, and being in charge of a philantrhopic event that raised over $140,000...nope, that's not it.

36. Anxiety? What are these emotions of which you speak?

37. Depressed? I have been.

38. Control Freak? Mwahahahaha...I have my moments.

39. Obsessed with hate? Good God, do y'all know me at all?

40. Have a tattoo? No, though it's been considered...

======================
Questions..
======================

41. If you could be anywhere right now, where would it be? My bed. It's soft and my sheets are amazing...plus, I'm sick, where else would I want to be?

42. Can you do anything freakish with your body? I'm gonna say no and ask y'all not to ask such personal questions...

43. What feature do you find most attractive girls/guys? Physical features - I like the smiles. And the butts...it must be hereditary, sis. Otherwise, I'm a sucker for a guy who makes me laugh - especially with self-depreciating humor.

44. Would you vote for a woman candidate for president? Only if she wouldn't embarrass the gender.

45. Would you marry for money? I'm going to go with a no...

46. Have you had braces? Negative.

47. Do you wear lip gloss? All the time... I like L'Oreal's Color of Hope the best...plus a portion of the sale going to benefit the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

48. Do you sing in the shower? I don't know why every girl seems to embrace this habit...but I like to enjoy serenity in the shower and simply focus on the water and the smell of my body wash...

50. Could you live without a computer? Natch. It doesn't have to be mine, but I need access of some sort.

51. Do you use AOL, MSN, Yahoo messenger? That would be AIM.

52. If so, how many people are on your list? Looks like 74 lucky winners.

53. If you could live in any past, where would it be? Something with fancy clothes and houses.

54. Do you wear white socks? Sure...is there something wrong with that?

55. Do you wear shoes? Being from West Virginia...of course I wear shoes!

56. What is your favorite fruit? The kind from the Loom? :-)

57. Do you eat wheat bread or white? Whole Wheat

59. Fav DVD? Forrest Gump. West Wing. Finding Nemo. Friends. Batman Begins. LOST.

60. Do you kiss on the first date? I haven't been on a first date in almost 2 years...but yeah, I did. :-)

61. Are you photogenic? At some points. But this is where I say I hate prednisone...

62. Do you dream in color or black and white? I almost never remember my dreams...

63. What are you wearing right now? Socks, Jeans, and a Teal Striped Shirt...what are you wearing?

64. Do you eat a lot of fruit? Who are you calling a fruit?

65. Do you have dimples? Not any of the good kinds... :-P

66. Do you remember being born? Um, no. Freak.

67. Why do you take surveys? 'Cause I was bored of reading and I didn't want to take another nap.

68. Do you drink alcohol? Not so much.

69. How's school? I am now a student of life...and not so sure if I'm ready for it.

70. What is the best accent? Chi-cAH-go. Or not.

71. Do you like someone? 0:-)

72. Do you like sunsets? No! I hate the sun! I hate small kittens! I hate...oh wait. Nevermind.

73. Do you want to live to be 100? Only if my friends and loved ones get the same chance.

74. If not, why? I would hate to be left all alone.

75. ran away too. If found, call 1-555-555-5552.

76. Are you loyal? When people deserve it.

77. Are you tolerant of other people's beliefs? I'd like to think so. If I've ever done something that would prove contrary, someone please smack me.

80. Do you think you can draw well? Hahaha....my stick figure, Ben, says sure!

81. At what age did you find out that Santa Claus wasn't real? I don't remember a defining conversation...more of a dawning awareness.

84. Do you write poetry? Naaaaaah.

86. Do you sleep more on your back, front, or sides? Side. And I have to be facing out from the center of the bed, if there's someone next to me.

87. Do you like cats/dogs? Yes. I miss my puppy.

88. Do you lick stamps? I like the self-stick sticky sticker stamps.

89. Do you use an electric can opener? Nah, we're primative in Wilmette...

90. Have you ridden in a hot air balloon? No, but I bet that would rock. I have a friend who was proposed to in one.

91. Like your name? What's not to like?

92. Were you named after anyone? My mother's maiden name.

93. Do you wish on stars? When I think about it.

94. Which finger is your favorite? I'm going to go with the pointer, for reasons I'm not divulging on the Internet.

95. When did you last cry? Um...on the subway a few days ago? When I was really tired and getting sick.

97. Who do you admire? My Dad, who always supports whatever I want to do. My sister, for going back to school and continuing to dream. My Cheerbear, for being (almost) always perky and being so knowledgable about human interactions. My Goober/Grumpy Bear/Penguin, for knowing how to make me laugh and knowing how to hold me when I'm upset and also for being extremely smart in an area I'll never understand. My Grandmother, for volunteering at a cancer clinic after losing both her husband and one of her daughters to the horrible disease. Mandy, for going through more self-actualization than I wonder if I'll ever go through and still coming out as a loving, super friend. And many others who come into my life and change even the tiniest whisper of who I am, without me even noticing it.

98. What is the 1 priority in your life? To be happy and loved. And I hope those two things are possible together.

99. How many kids do you want? Two or three...I never want to raise a single child, because I'm prone to spoiling...and spoiled kids often grow up to be spoiled brats...myself excluded, of course. ;-)

100. Any bad habits? Sure, but this post is too long already... :-P

Sweet, I just wasted about 30 minutes,
Lace

2006-02-06T20:28:00.000-06:00

Tuesday was my first day to explore Korea on my own. Unfortunately, it was also the day that my allergies decided to attack full force...

So maybe going to an herbal market wasn't the best idea, but having proven in earlier posts that I don't always think these things through (Canada being cold in December, eh?), I ventured to Gyeongdong market without a second thought.

As soon as I got off the subway (achoo!), I realized my mistake. The sight of herbs falling into the street from various stalls was defnintely (sneeze!) interesting, but the smells mixed together into one big (sniff!) allergy fest. I tried going into different alleys of the market, but once I left the herbs, I hit the fish. Neither one smelled extremely delicious...so I bought a few apples and got back on the subway (ahhhh...).

Next on my list was Dongdaemun market, supposedly a fashion market. It was incredibly confusing...I'm so used to Western malls! The market was simply stalls selling anything you could imagine...CDs, jeans, shoes, etc. You had to know your size, however, since dressing rooms were definitely not present, and since they use different measurements here, I was lost. So I wandered around to enjoy the experience and then left without making any purchases. Probably a good thing, in the long run.

On Wednesday, I decided that I wanted to hit a museum, so I chose the Korean War Memorial Museum. It was extremely cool. There were statues and stuff outside, which were neat, but since it was cold, windy, and sneeze-inducingly sunny, I went inside after a cursory glance (and a few pictures since something was FINALLY worth taking a picture of...). The museum itself was great, although a lot of it was in Korean which I didn't get at ALL. Luckily, enough was in English that I didn't feel gipped out of my admission fee. (Admission fees here are amazing - at $3, this was the most expensive fee I've seen/read about yet.) I saw weapons and military uniforms and depictions of battles and read a lot. I've never known anything about the Korean War, so I wanted to learn more, and I did! It's really amazing that American children aren't taught more about this, especially with the modern day worries about North Korea - I mean, a majority of Americans don't even know what the war was about or even that it's technically still going on! I mean, an entire country is divided (families haven't been allowed to reunite for decades!) and we (the future leaders of a world "superpower") are oblivious to the factors behind it...unbelievable.

Anyway...

After the museum, I went to Itaewon. I ate a sushi lunch ($7 got me sushi, soup, onions (these little pearl onions sauteed in something...delicious!), and green tea...perfect!) and then wandered around looking for the bookstore and an earring store Beth said has cheap, fun earrings...but I found neither. So I went back home, took some Benadryl, and relaxed for the evening.

My Thursday was totally low-key because my allergies had begun morphing into a cold. So I spent most of the day inside, reading and sleeping. Finally, I decided that I had to get out of the apartment for at least a little bit. So I looked up bookstores in Seoul (another reason I had to get out...I had nothing more to read!!!) and found the one in Itaewon that I had been looking for the day before - with a map! So I headed out thataway. Once off the subway, I overshot the road I was looking for by a little bit and I found...the earring store!! So I found BOTH shops that I'd been looking for the day before. And I got more reading material. :-)

Friday, I knew I had to do something, so I decided I'd get on a tour bus of Seoul - one that lets you get on and off. A good idea, in theory, but after spending an hour looking for the tour bus stop and then waiting for a bus to stop, I was cold. The tour guide mentioned that I wasn't dressed warmly enough, which I found odd - until I took off the mask I've been wearing to abate my allercold, and found an icicle! hanging off of it! Now, I'm used to Chicago winter, but that's ridiculous! Apparently it was -15 degrees Celsius. So instead of hopping on and off the bus...I stayed on! Which worked out fine because I got to see a lot of Seoul and they had blurbs about each of the stops in English, so I learned a lot too.

That night was dinner at Seoul Tower. The dinner was totally worth the drama it took to get there, but while we were standing at the subway, freezing our arses off, we weren't so sure it would be. We waited at least 30 minutes for a taxi to take us to the cable car, which then took us up to the base of about a million stairs that we had to climb before getting to the tower. However, the meal was delicious (Korean-style salmon and lots of side dishes...and ice cream corns, of course! (Oh Konglish...)). It didn't take as long to catch a cab back, which was nice, so we went to Itaewon, where I took the subway back while Ken and Beth went to RMT for a bit. I was conked by the time they got back. I mean, we had a weekend to start the next day!

But more on that later...
Lace

2006-02-02T00:47:00.000-06:00

Okay, so I've made it to my first weekend in Korea...

Saturday, Beth and I hit Insadong, a really neat street full of handicrafts stores and street vendors. Here are a list of things that caught my eye:
*Tea. I didn't find any tea stores I really liked (I wanted a cool shop with loose-leaf tea in jars, but apparently they don't really do that in Korea), but we went into one where they gave us a free sample of a naturally sweet tea that Beth liked enough to buy. Y'all know me, though - no sweetness in my tea, please. However, I do like green tea more than I thought I did...
*Candy. Koreans don't really use sweetners and even their candy isn't very sweet. However, it's very good. Vendors were selling it everywhere, so I had to try it. I bought a bag of it where the nougat (which is considered the "official" candy...I think it's wheat gluten or somesuch) was rolled in peanuts. It was good, although the nougat gets rather hard and the whole thing is very chewy. It hit the spot when I was hungry though!
*Homemade Cards. These are truly beautiful. Made of paper, many of them have paper designs pasted to the outside. I don't really know how to describe them other than to say some of them are just fabulous works of art. They're all blank, not Hallmark-y at all (which is good, considering the majority of Koreans' grasp of English - "Konglish" as the teachers at the school call it) amd each one is perfectly unique.
*Masks. They're really ugly but I also think they're totally cool. They're hand-made out of wood (individually) and then painted. There are traditionally two to a set - male and female - but the women are pretty scary looking. For the most part, they're all laughing.
*Scrolls. You've all seen these - the long tapestries with painted paper in the middle. I really liked the nature scenes, all waterfalls and flowers and trees. They're amazingly inexpensive as well. If I go back, I may be tempted into buying one, although I'm a little worried about how they'll travel. Plus, I already have my souvenir, bringing me to...
*Jade. Gorgeous stones, although with the little stores, you've got to be wary of the authenticity. That's why I bought my necklace at a larger, almost department-like store, in a side alley of Insadong. It's bright green and stays cool against your skin (which Beth tells me is how you know real jade from imitation).

And, oh yes, *Korean Starbucks.

(Before Insadong, Beth surprised me by getting off one Subway stop before the market and we saw my first Korean palace. We only saw the outside and courtyard, but the detailing on the roof was remarkable and the peacefulness of the courtyard (directly facing a major road in the middle of Seoul) was amazing. The Sol Nal games were scattered around the outside courtyard, so Beth and I watched some people throwing the arrows and kicking the hackey-sack like object, then we jumped on this see-saw looking device which tests your balance although doesn't have any significance we knew about...I also saw the mountains which surround Seoul for the first time. It's amazing how close they are to the city - they're like West Virginia's mountains in size, but I guess I'd never really noticed that Charleston has suburbs...)

After the market, we came home and took a nap before heading back out. Ken had made plans for Beth and I to meet him and a friend and go out to Outback Steakhouse (yes, in the week I'd been in Korea, I'd been to Costco AND Outback...). So we met Ken and Matthew by base and walked to an okay dinner. Matthew was quiet and reserved, so Ken's plan to make me feel a little more included kind of backfired - I talked to Beth and him just as much as I would have if Matthew hadn't been there.
Then we went to Polly's, a bar in Itaewon, to shoot pool and drink a bit of "Korea's finest." Finest, my ass. Beth got a thing of something called a "SoJu Kettle" - think Jungle Juice, my college-aged friends. It's Kool-Aide and SoJu (Korean Everclear, apparently) and it made my tongue go numb. Fabulous. :-P After a bit of pool and a few drinks, we all headed back to base, where Beth and I got our IDs back and Matthew went back to his bunk. Ken came back with Beth and I - it's a good thing Beth's friend offered use of her room, or else "get a room!" would have illicited a response that I'm guessing would have had me sitting on the steps for a bit. ;-)

Sunday, we attempted to hit Itaewon, but it was basically shut-down for the holiday. The two stores we wanted to hit (an earring store and a used book store) were shut down, so we grabbed lunch at a pita place and headed home with Ken in tow. I don't even remember what we ended up doing, but I think it was just another evening in Beth's apartment, reading, watching videos, (this may have been the night I was subjected to Anchorman...yes...), and making dinner. It was a great, low-key night. And now I understand at least every other work out of Ken's mouth...

Monday counts as the weekend as well, seeing as how it was a long weekend for the schools due to the Lunar New Year. Beth and I hit COEX, a gigantic mall that has two attached hotels, a conference center that was hosting a travelling wax museum, and an aquarium (just to give you a vague feeling for the size of the place). We ate lunch - $6.50 got me sushi, soup, onions, and water! - and then wandered around looking for a place to get our nails done, since Beth's usual salon was closed for the holiday (it was the only place closed in the mall, I swear!). After getting our manicures (mine polished bright red and her's a very subtle silver), we wandered around, waiting for her friend to come by with the paperwork for picking up her IPod. We spent an hour or so in the bookstore - one of the only ones around that sells English language books. After a while, her friend called to say he wasn't coming, so I bought the book I'd been carrying around (called "The Koreans" - I'm facsinated by their history and want to learn more), we stopped by the Apple store (where she found she could pick up her IPod without the paperwork), and we went home.

And that was my first weekend in Seoul, Korea.

Which, truthfully, smells like pure gasoline.
Lace

2006-02-01T01:55:00.000-06:00

First, let me say that I've got to get out of this city...it makes me sneeze. :-P

Now for the Korean Update, Part II:

I spent the first five days of my "vacation" at school. I'd told Beth that I would substitute teach for a friend of hers who was going to play hockey in Mongolia for a few days. So I spent Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning at the school, getting to know Lexi's kids and going over lesson plans and protocol with her. The kids were adorable, although somewhat high maintenence - that's what you get with kindergarteners! - and I made it through the day with little to no problems - not even jet lag!

On Wednesday, I got the kids to myself and let me tell you - I am *not* meant to be a kindy teacher! I don't care what language they speak. Almost every kid cried...I didn't find out until lunch time that Lexi's kids regularly employ the waterworks. Great.

(They're adorable though, aren't they?)

The afternoon kids were a lil' older and a lil' better behaved. It's still tough to teach English to children whose native language is something without even the same alphabet to go on...but I still enjoyed it for the most part.

Thursday was good because every class (excluding Kindy, but they were much better) had a test. Lexi slightly overestimated the time it would take the kids to finish their respective tests, but we played card games and had spelling tournaments that filled the time nicely. I thought I would get out of my late class (T and Th, some classes go until 7 pm), because the class consisted of two girls and we knew one girl was going to be absent. But the other girls showed, albeit 30 minutes late...just when I thought I could safely leave...and so I gave her her test. Haha! That'll show you not to be late... :-P

Friday was great because we celebrated the Lunar New Year (Sol Nal) with the Kindy kids. The holiday actually fell on the 29th, but give us a reason to celebrate, right? So we all dressed in hanbok, traditional Korean attire, children and teachers alike - that's mine on the left. The morning was spent on learning the play and then we got to go down to the multi-media room and learn to bow and say Happy New Year (the kids and Korean staff alike laughed at the English teachers' attempts). Then, after lunch, we played games with the kids that included a game throwing sticks at a basket, attempting to get them in, a game like hacky-sack, with the sack attached to a string, and a game that consisted of spinning a top by whipping it with a string. Violent, violent games. Hands were stepped on, ankles were turned, faces were hit...but the kids loved it. The teachers, maybe not so much...

So that was my experience teaching English in Korea. All in all, a great experience, but I was definitely getting antsy to explore "Dynamic Korea," as all the advertisements proclaimed. I had a long list of stuff I wanted to do and see, but all I'd done and saw were a) school b) doctor's office (for Beth's cold) c) a Canadian bar d) the Dollar Store and e) one Korean restaurant. I was glad that school was over and I was now free to explore.

More on that later.

60 percent of the time, I work all the time,
Lace

2006-01-31T19:12:00.000-06:00

Yeah...so, I'm in South Korea...I have been for a little over a week now...guess I should write about it, huh? :-P

My first experience overseas really stressed me out: I spent 24 hours in Tokyo's Nikita Airport without a guarantee of continuation to Seoul. Apparently, I landed in Japan for a re-fueling on the night of the largest snow storm they've had on the island in a while - from what I heard, over 50 people died. However, from my viewpoint, I saw less than an inch of snow with reports that we could not take off due to the "heavy snow." Needless to say, I was slighty confused. But I was okay sleeping in the airport...really! I mean, most frequent travellers have at least one airport overnighter under their belts...and my corner wasn't too uncomfortable with the blanket and pillow from the flight...riiiiight. However, in the morning, United Airlines basically told us that we had to go make other flight plans...with other airlines, 'cause their flights were full! I had no idea what was going on, the United Representatives were all pissy 'cause they were being yelled at so I got no useful help from them, and, of course, I DIDN'T SPEAK ANY OF THE FREAKIN' LANGUAGES! Ugh.

So I called United, got put on standby, told them I HAD to be on the next flight for "medical reasons" - I hate using my illness as an excuse for anything, but I felt justified in the fact that I was FREAKING OUT - and spent the day roaming the airport. The best part of the day was sitting down in the massage chairs - for $2 I got 10 minutes of this chair actually *kneading* my back; it was no simple vibrating chair, my friends. Then I finished my book, took a nap, ate some edamame, and finally got on the next flight out...at 5:30 p.m. - 24 hours after we first landed on the runway.

So, the tale of my first "day" is all I have time to record at the moment - Beth just got home from work and we're going to go find some food. However, I'll try and update this thing more as the days go by - it'd be nice to actually get to a point where I'm letting y'all know what I did *this* day, huh?

Peace,
Lace

2006-01-01T19:03:00.000-06:00

Mmmm...time for a new post...else you think I've been kidnapped by those Canadians... So, yeah, why didn't anyone remind me that it would be freakin' cold in Canada? I wasn't even thinking about it when I decided that I wanted to go, but the coldness sent me fleeing for the warmth of my native West Virginia after only three days. So I spent the night in Toronto, wandered around Ontario for two days, and then spent 13 hours straight trying to get to WV in one day...I fell two hours short and had to collapse at a Days Inn...but at least I didn't run into a tree or off a mountain or something...

That was Canada.

Then I drove down to Richmond to visit my grandmother and stay with my sister until Christmas Eve. When she got off of work that evening, we drove back to WV together and spent the holidays at home with Dad and Bridget and Heath and the grandparents. It was a good holiday...I love just laying around the family room with a fire in the hearth and a book or my computer on my lap. And I saw my doggie!

I then came back up to Chicago for New Year's Eve celebrations and salutations. Bethles is home from Korea for a week, so she and I splurged on a hotel suite party to ring in the New Year. It was a party where 7 people RSVPd, but each person brought 4 more...and so it ended up being declared a success this morning, as Beth, Scott, and I had brunch at Panera and discussed the past night's antics. Excellent.

So, that's my update. More later as I prepare for my soujourn to South Korea!!

Happy New Year, everyone!

2005-12-10T20:27:00.000-06:00

They let me across the border!

I made my way to Canada today, fulfilling my goal of going somewhere out of the States. I'm currently in a hostel in downtown Toronto, thankful of being out of the car. It was a long drive and I discovered that I'm not good at crossing borders...or driving in "foreign" cities (God help me if I ever go where they drive on the other side of the road if I'm nervous about driving in Canada!!).

The drive went pretty quickly and I will give credit where credit is due...Al Franken's book, "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them," is freakin' hilarious. I checked the audiobook out of the local library before heading off and it kept me laughing and distracted from the clock. At least until I crossed into Canada and had to start converting kilometers into miles and then miles into minutes, trying to figure out when the hell I'd make it to my hostel.

Anyway, if you're traveling, check this book out. Unless you're conservative. Then, just don't.

So, anyway, not sure what tomorrow will bring, but hopefully it'll be amusing for me and interesting for you to read after the fact.

Lace

2005-11-29T18:47:00.000-06:00

I find myself, quite literally, in the midst of a dilemma.

I have two sets of friends: a crazy, drama-loving set and a low-key, more serious set. I enjoy my time with both groups of people; sometimes I need a little stress and sometimes I need a shot of serenity. I like clubbing; I like board games. And I love them all.

But when it comes to certain events (birthdays, New Year's, graduation, etc), I find myself torn between the masses. It's like having divorced parents when you have to decide who you're with on Thanksgiving and who gets Christmas. However, when parents divorce, they know they're going to have to share you from the minute they sit you down on that couch. Friends have no such knowledge. Any time I feel that I must "choose" between the two, it makes me want to spend the day or evening in my room, watching LOST or 24 instead of celebrating anything.

No one makes me feel guilty; none of my friends are really in to the whole guilt trip as persuasion. But I feel as if I've let someone, somewhere down. I don't really know how to reconcile this problem since I feel that never the twain shall meet.

Could someone, somewhere, clone me?

Lace

2005-11-28T13:08:00.000-06:00

My sister took my puppy back to Richmond with her...

All week, I've been struggling with this. I absolutely love the little bitch (and she is one, literally and figuratively speaking). She's had as hard of a time with all of this as I have; I don't want her to feel as if she's unwanted and, therfore, shuffled from home to home, mommy to mommy. Everytime she looked up at me from the bed or cuddled down next to me (she's a right ol' bed hog...for a 10-lb. dog) I thought about telling Ramey that I changed my mind (I mean, really, who would that suprise?) and Peepers was coming back to Illinois with me. But then I'd think of my plans for the next few years (whatever they may become...more on that later) and I realized that I'm not reliable enough to care for a dog. Which breaks my heart to say because I've always counted on myself to be mature and put-together. But it's true. I no longer desire a lifestyle that keeps a schedule compatible with owning a pet.

So my sister took my puppy back to Richmond with her...

Lace

2005-11-27T20:32:00.000-06:00

So, following my fearless Kitty in Korea, I have downloaded the mega-cool programme "Skype." It allows me to talk to anyone (with the program) over my computer! Dad let me borrow a microphone, so it's functional as of, well, five minutes ago. Search for the user "Wanderlace" and then let me know when you're hooked up!

Now, once again, I have to weigh the pros of taking my computer around the world with me and pit them against the cons...not having to pay international phone bills could be a major selling point...anyone got an opinion?

Lace

PS - Does anyone also have an opinion on why I typed "programme" instead of "program?" I noticed it while proofreading the post... :-P

2005-11-24T10:41:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's cold outside, but my dad and stepmom are bringing in wood for the fireplace and I'm baking pie crusts in the oven to make chocolate pies (my sister's favorite). Not a bad way to spend a chilly Thanksgiving morning...especially with the residual warmth of cinnamon rolls in my memory.

You know, I have every right to hate Thanksgiving - the holiday has not been kind to my family. My freshman year at Northwestern, I lost a cousin to an automobile accident on Thanksgiving Eve and, of course, last year I lost my mother on the same day before the holiday. However, fall has always been one of my favorite times of year; I love the leaves changing and the cooler weather (although I hate the cold!). As a result, autumn holidays have always been my favorites (my birthday, of course, Halloween, and Thanksgiving).

And, truthfully, I think it's kind of silly to miss a person more just because it's an anniversary of their passing. I miss my mom every day, so the fact that she's been gone a year doesn't make it any worse...in fact, I would think it should lessen a bit each year. Although it's strange to think that I haven't seen (or hugged or talked to) my mom for twelve months, I don't feel I miss her any more (or any less) than I do on any other given day, hour, or minute.

So I'm still able to enjoy my fall. I noticed the leaves when they changed; in Chicago, they seemed to change on my birthday, a gift from Mother Nature just for me. I noticed when I first saw my breath in the morning and I enjoyed the feel of my scarf on the first day it was neccesary. I bought a new winter coat and I savored the scents (and tastes!) of apples and cinnamon and pumpkin.

And now it's Thanksgiving and the above experiences are just a few of the things that I am thankful for. Some others:

*My sister, dad, and stepmom all being together for the holiday.
*My puppy, standing guard over me as I type this post.
*My friends, long-term and recent, who encourage me, make me laugh, support me & love me.
*My memories, which live on in my heart and in things such as chocolate pie for Thanksgiving.
*My life, for with it I am going to do great things.

Last year, I didn't even notice the fall. This year, I'm jumping feet-first into that big pile of leaves in the backyard.

Sweet Dreams,
Lace

2005-11-20T19:01:00.000-06:00

"Take me home, country roads
to the place where I belong.
West Virginia, mountain momma,
take me home, country roads." - "Country Roads" by John Denver (lyrics)

Well, I'm back in West Virginia, visiting my family for Thanksgiving. A few warnings to those of you who may ever venture travel between Chicago and West Virginia:

#1 Chicago traffic (usually) sucks. I have been stuck in it for three hours straight on previous trips.

#2 Indiana is boring.

#3 Ohio is boring.

#4 There are a freakin' lot of deer (and trucks) on Rt. 35 in West Virginia.

Other than that, the trip was uneventful. I don't really think much while driving (other than the requisite, "oh, that's a large truck with its turn signal blinking), so no new profound statements from me - but I haven't decided to change anything else either, so maybe this is a good thing.

It feels good to be home. West Virginia may not be the "place I belong" in the long-run, but I definitely enjoy holidays here...especially when I get banana pancakes in the morning.

Lace

2005-11-18T20:25:00.000-06:00

WARNING: SERIOUS, SLIGHTLY HEAVY POST AHEAD

"What is it I've got to say...
...to make you admit you're afraid?
Why are you running away?" - "Running Away" by Hoobastank (lyrics)

Over the past few weeks, the concern that has been voiced by many is that I am using my opportunity to travel as a means of running away. For those of you who don't know me well enough to know what I may be running from, a quick synopsis: my grandfather (whom I was very close to) died in June of 2004, my mother was diagnose with cancer in July of 2004 and lost her battle in November of the same year (for those of you who are counting, that's a whole 4 months later); my parents were divorced, but Dad just got remarried to a woman whom I really like, but feel slightly guilty for liking; my sister is not taking any of this well either so she's having her own crisis which I don't know how to deal with but feel that I should given I'm the older sister and I'm supposed to take care of her.

Now, that's a lot to deal with. I acknowledge that, believe me. And I know I'm not handling it extremely well - I tend to internalize my feelings and give the glossy answer of "fine" whenever anyone asks me how I am. However, I do not believe I am simply running away from my grief. Nor am I trying to find an "answer" to my problems. I'm hoping to find peace within myself by exciting my senses and reigniting my desire for life. Can that really be a bad thing?

Some of the things I want to do while traveling will be very introverted experiences. I want to worship in a temple in South Korea; I want to experience the churches of Mexico where it is said miracles happen. I want to dive below the surface of the ocean and hear nothing but the water around me and the sound of my thoughts. I want to taste the spiciness of Central American food, feel the rhythm of salsa music in South America, see the beauty of an Australian sunrise, smell a good wine in France, hear tribal languages in Africa, and sense my mother with me at all times. That's why I'm doing this solo - not just because I get to eat what I want and see what I want, but because I can sit down on a hike and cry if I need to. I can delve inside myself without anyone telling me to "get a move on." And I can make friends with whomever I want - other's experiences will add to my own and create their own memories.

I want to unlock the mysteries I feel inside myself.

I'm not running away; I am embracing.

Lace

2005-11-18T11:44:00.000-06:00

These lyrics make a lot of sense to me:

"Did you say everything you could?
Do the things that you thought you would?
Did it ever occur to you that this could be your final day?
Did you go where you wanted to go?
Learn about what you wanted to know?
Did you ever really give something back instead of always taking in?

Did you find what you’re looking for?
Did you get your foot in the door?
Can you look at yourself and feel proud of all the things you’ve done?
Did you inspire the ones that you knew?
Make a difference to those who knew you?
Did you finally figure out what it is that makes us who we are today?

Did you always give it your best?
Is there anything you regret?
If you could have another shot at it all,
Would you do it just the same?

Was it all that you thought it could be?
Are you the person you thought you would be?
Or did it feel like you were spinning your wheels,
Instead of moving forward everyday?

Don’t waste another day
You never know when you'll get one
Don’t waste another day
To do anything you haven’t done"

-"Did You" by Hoobastank (lyrics)

2005-11-17T18:26:00.000-06:00

"Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your innovations
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten." - "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield (lyrics)

I've decided, on a whim, to take a new route home. Instead of spending two and a half weeks at home, sitting on the couch, watching movies and playing on the computer, I'm going back to WV via Canada.

I've never been to Canada; for some reason, it's always been something I wanted to do. So when I saw that Toronto is only 9 hours from both Chicago and Hurricane (the same amount of time I drive from Chicago to Hurricane), I knew I could do it. And spending a week exploring two new places - I'm also hitting Niagra Falls - sounds just about perfect. I've never been one to enjoy sitting on my butt for days on end.

So I think I'm leaving on Saturday and heading up to Toronto. Checking out the city for a few days (maybe catching a hockey game or going skiing or anything else that might strike me) and then hitting Niagra for another couple of days. Then it's down to West Virginia for Christmas (if I don't spend too long in Canada, I may see the grandparents in Virginia as well, bringing the total number of states I'll see in a month to...seven). And then back to Chicago for New Year's.

Excellent.
Lace

2005-11-16T20:09:00.000-06:00

"Experience is the one thing you can't get for nothing." - Oscar Wilde

(Yeah...tell that to my brokerage account...)

Anyway...it's snowing here. Blech. I hoped to miss it, but it beat my departure by a few days.

But I guess even snow and 40 m.p.h. winds have their pros - I spent most of the day in bed, under my electric blanket, alternating between sleep and reading a book of Tundra comic strips. When I finally got up, I went to the couch, crawled under a blanket, and booted up my computer. The rest of the day has been spent looking at travel websites (see sidebar for some of my favorites) and drinking tea/eating warm cranberry orange bread.

I did venture outside for a foray to one of the public libraries nearby, but I was only outside about 15 minutes total (walking to and from car) and I got books on warm locations (Mexico and Central America) so it almost deferred the frostbite.

So, yeah, spent the entire day planning first leg of my on-my-own trip. I'm not so worried about South Korea - Beth's been there for a few months and I'm most interested into bumming around with her anyway, so I'm not looking into the tourist sites too much. Besides, there's almost nothing in the library for that country, so I'll just have to trust Beth.

But Mexico and Central America...that's a different ballgame. I'm thinking Mexico's gonna take about a month; but following Ronald and Alex (through stories, blogs, and emails), I'm already resigned to the fact that it'll probably take longer. However, to have the best intentions trampled, one must first have intentions. Here're mine:

Fly to Austin, TX; Take Greyhound from Austin to Mexico City (this gives me a chance to see the part of the countryside I don't really feel a need to see close-up); A few days in Mexico City, including side trips to Teotihuacan and Taxco; On to Guadalajara, with a side trip to Tequila (woot); Puerto Vallarta would be next, hopefully including certification in scuba diving (double woot); Then Acapulco...why? I don't know; Oaxaca follows, because they have good chocolate and I'll need it by then...plus an awesome cooking school; I'll go up towards the Yucatan Penninsula at this point - Saint Christobal de las Casas and Merida are the towns of interest - no Cozumel or Cancun for me, thanks very much.

And then on to Central America.

(You're right, I have nothing more interesting to contribute to your reading than simple plans...my life is sleeping, reading comic books, and planning my trip for crying out loud!)

Anyway, that's about all the planning I'm putting into my Mexico leg. Some people will read this and think "that's it?!?!" And other people will look at it and say "dude, that's waaaaaay too planned." To both parties, a pox on you. This is what keeps me sane as I go through vaccines and getting my passport and yadda yadda yadda.

I need a bathing suit.

Lace

2005-11-12T19:03:00.000-06:00

"It takes a lot of courage to show your dreams to someone else." - Erma Bombeck

Well, Erma was obviously never a blogger...but she's right, to a degree. Once we share our dreams, our ambitions, or goals with others, there is a certain degree of accountability we may be held to. That's one reason I began this rambling...and one reason I jumped right into the dream of traveling the world. I need people to hold me to my dreams or I may let them drift away into the sea of uncertainty. Sometimes, I don't have much faith in myself...I need others to have it for me.

Which brings me to the progression of my travel plans. Yesterday, I spent all day at various (read, two) doctors. I spent almost $800 getting my eyes checked, ordering new contacts (ones that I'm allowed to sleep in!) and updating my glasses so the prescription actually allows me to see. Then I went to get my physical, resulting in a very sore arm; why is it they have to draw blood and give vaccines in the same arm?!? Oh well, a sore arm is better than the flu or Hepatitis A...but I'm still not looking forward to the 5+ more vaccines I have to get.

Monday, I have two more doctors appointments. Then I'm spending the rest of the week packing for home, cleaning so I don't leave the apartment a disaster for Lauren, and seeing as much of my friends as possible.

I'm also looking into very basic plans for my travels. On this point, I'm not sure how much planning should really be done; the whole point is to be open to changes, traveling with new friends, trying new things, and getting the most out of my travels. If I want to stay an extra day or so in Guadalajara, for example, I don't want to feel confined by my "plans." But if I don't plan it out a little bit, what am I going to do for the next two months before leaving for Korea?

If you're interested, here's my (very basic) plan:

November 19-30 : West Virginia
December 1-9 : Chicago
December 10-28 : West Virginia/Virginia
December 29-January 18 : Chicago (ADPi-Gamma Beta Recruitment)
January 19-February 16 - KOREA!! Visiting Bethles.
February 17-23 : Chicago
February 24 : Leave for the GRAND ADVENTURE
(aka Mexico->Central America->South America)

That's really the bare bones. I'm starting to look into getting to said places, but no tickets are being bought yet. There are too many details yet to work out. However, a plane ticket from Chicago to Austin, TX is only $100; Greyhound from Austin to Mexico City is $80. So I'm looking, while not yet purchasing. Mmmm...excitement.

Anyway, if you read this, please remind me that I can do this and it's not some pipe dream...

Lace

2005-11-11T00:04:00.000-06:00

"It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad." - C. S. Lewis

At first, comparing myself to an egg sounded rather silly. But I kept the quote because 1) I liked the thought of "hatching or going bad" and 2) he said jolly. I mean, really, how can you not like a quote that has "jolly" in it. Or "bugger." That's another good word.

Anyway, the point of the quote was finding one that reminded me of why I'm turning my life upside down and inside out all at the same time. I mean, these are some major changes: breaking up with a boyfriend of one and a half years, giving my dog (who's crazy, but loveable as well...and keeps me warm at night) back to my sister, quitting all semblances of a job or looking for a job, and making plans to go places where I don't even speak the language (or maybe haven't even eaten their food!!). It's all slightly overwhelming when I think about it too much.

But C.S. Lewis was right. I'm afraid that if I stay here, I'll stagnate. I won't make the changes in the world that I know I'm capable of. This travel, this experience, this throwing of myself out of my comfort zone will be good for me in the long run. I'll gain valuable abilities (I mean, really, how many people can ask for a bathroom in 12 different languages?!?), while, hopefully, having a grand ol' time and maybe even finding "myself." A friend put it to me this way today: "there are so many people who just stay with something because it's comfortable...you are challenging that comfort and i am proud of you for that...you're not settling." That really hit home...and made me appreciate that much more the friends I've made while here. Just for the record, you're never the reason I had to leave. I'll miss you all more than you (and probably even I) know.

And with that, good night. I have vaccines tomorrow...

Lace

2005-11-08T10:27:00.000-06:00

A thousand mile journey begins with one step. - The Tao of Pooh

Touching down at Oakland International, I was second-guessing my decision to travel solo. Even to a place I was (slightly) familiar with; I wondered who I would talk to, what I would do, and why I had been so excited for this "opportunity." But I love San Francisco, and it was a gorgeous day, so I didn't get on the next flight back to Chicago as my stomach told me I should.

I had a great time. I knew I would be okay on my second night there. I was sitting at the bar in a restaurant, eating a late dinner (when you travel solo, you eat at bars in crowded restaurants...the tables are for groups). A woman and her son sat next to me (it was quite crowded). When their food came, they asked the waitress for ketchup; she had just brought it to me, so I offered the use of the bottle I had. I ended up with two interesting dinner companions, with whom I talked about ringing bells in churches and how weird religious leaders are in the States (they were from Britain). I didn't eat "alone" for the rest of my trip.

Soon after that, I made friends at the hostel, and then the trip was much better. I met Janet in the bunk next to mine; she was on holiday (that sounds so much better than vacation!) from Germany and we bonded over morning complaints of all the snorers in our room. Ronald and Alex's first night at the hostel was on Wednesday night; Ronald is Dutch and Alex is British- they met in a Seattle hostel and are now traveling together until Mexico or some sort plan. We traveled to another SF hostel together, thinking there was an event, but wound up eating at a nice lil' Indian restaurant (my first time!) after discovering the event had been cancelled.

The rest of the trip, we did as we pleased during the day and met up at night. Over the course of the event, I hiked Telegraph Hill, explored Chinatown, made use of the public transportation, shopped a Farmer's market, went to Berkeley, toured Monterrey and Carmel to the south, browsed the art museum in Golden Gate Park, got lost, experienced a public bathhouse, and saw a sunset over the Pacific Ocean. Not to mention made some great friends.

Ronald, Me, Alex

The point of this narrative was to explain to people why I quit my job, gave my dog to my sister, applied for my passport, and various other odds and ends that will allow me to make use of my "year off." Thus far, it has been overrun with accepting obligations that I didn't really want and slowly siphoning off my time until there was none left for me to do what I wanted. And so, I'm done with that. From this point forward, my year off (or two or three or until I return) is my own. I'm making plans to visit Puerto Rico in December, Korea in January, and in February, my real adventure begins...from Mexico City to the tip of South America in...however long it takes.

Finally, a dream I can follow through on.

Just keep me focused.

Lace