"Home is where the heart is"


"Finally! I am here! Gunsan, South Korea! I am here! Oh wait, what do I do now? I think I am going to cry. Yep, here it comes. I am going to cry."

Hello there! As you can imagine, that was about the last 12 hours of my life. 

Finally, I had arrived into my final destination where I would be spending the next five months. Finally! I knew what to do and where I was! Finally, I realized, I have no idea what to do, or anything about where I am. This is when the next few lines come in... 

"Oh wait, what do I do now? 

Literally, yesterday was probably the most stressful day of my life. I moved for the third time in four weeks. I had to go to immigration to get a card that basically says I can actually be here. I found out that my closest friend is about five minutes away. (This isn't too big of a deal but I definitely thought we would all be in the same building.) How do I get on the internet? What if I can't find my friends, and I am all alone for the next five months?! 

Yes, I am aware I was being a bit dramatic but what do you expect? I am now living alone, in a foreign country, and I had about 6 melt-downs yesterday to display that. That's where the "I think I am going to cry." kicks in. Because cry I did. 

Onto better news, I was able to figure out the internet and link up with my friends at the seven story LotteMart (combo pack of Wal-Mart and Target. LOVE this place.) Did I run to them from across the street and cry into their arms? You better believe I did. Although it had only been about three hours since we had last seen one another, I felt as though it had been five years. Funny thing, about time. I felt like the last month has come and gone so quickly. However, sprinting across the street felt like it took ten days.  I had never been so glad to see my friends in my entire time of being in Korea. 

We shopped for a bit, as I continued to melt down. We ended our shopping, went to see Laura's place and thank the lord for good friends. I melted down again and thankfully, Kyla agreed to come stay the night with me. I then didn't feel so alone. 

That brings us to today. I am here, safe and sound in my new one room. It's really nice and I am going to walk around today to become more acquainted with the area. I will be okay here. I know I will. I'll just need to adjust. 

Photos to come, of course! 

Thank you everyone for your love and support. I know I keep saying this journey would be so hard without you but I really mean it. Definitely couldn't quite make it on my own. Here's to a new time in a new place! 

Kiyana In Korea

"Closer to Love" 

What a nice, few days we have had here in Jeonju! Best news ever though? Tomorrow (Wednesday) I get to move to my new semi-permanent home! (Well, for the next five months, anyway!) 

The past few days have been exciting! Sunday was a nice day to just hang out, and relax. Monday, we got the ball rolling with some really great and helpful lectures. I learned so many things about living in Joellabuk-do that will definitely help ease the process of being here full-time! We had a great time in lectures, and then out to eat with friends! 

Here was our chef for the night. 

We ate a chicken dish, (sorry, I definitely forgot the name) that is stir-fried with cabbage, garlic, and red pepper paste in the area of Bukdae. Bukdae is a  famous shopping and dining district in Jeonju. 

Here I am in Bukdae! 

After enjoying some delicious food, we then headed in early to get a good night of rest before our Cultural Trip to Hanok Village Tuesday afternoon. 

YAY for Hanok! We started off our trip by entering a pottery shop. We were then able to make our own pottery pieces. Knowing that my sister's birthday is next month, I decided to make her a heart shaped bowl. (I know, I am the best sister ever!) However, when I took my bowl to have the sealant put on it, the man re-rolled my clay and re-created my bowl. I was in shock, and I was laughing so hard. It was quite the interesting time. So, of course after he seals it, I write "A Kiyana Original" on the side. Sadly, it can't be Kiyra's birthday gift. However, I can put it on my bookshelf when I get home and enjoy the memories it brings! Here are some photos from the village entrance as well as the pottery place. 

Thankfully, lunch was our very next stop! Well, thankfully they had rice at lunch. Today, we had an authentic Korean meal, 반찬. This is a meal made completely of side dishes. The side dishes we had today varied from rice and noodles, to potato pancakes, eggs, seaweed, and bony fish. An interesting meal for an interesting day of Korean culture! 

My friend Justin got a little bit sleepy today. Great for a lunch time photo op! 

We then moved into our next cultural activity, herbal bags. This process was quite interesting, and quite potent. We went through a lesson on the herbs and what each was useful for as it works with the human body. Here are some photos of the process! 

We then moved to herbal tea which was... well, not the most appetizing thing on the planet... but still SO Korean! 

We then moved into a separate part of the same area. We were told we would be read on our personality and be told the type of person we were. "Cool!" I thought. "Like a palm reading!" I thought. WRONG, I was... I was expecting something cool because, well, we were in a cool village. What I got was a row of computers asking me questions like how big my head was, and if I felt it was proportionality appropriate to my body. Not so cool after all. I wish I was kidding you, but here is the screen of the big head question. I clicked no, but the question definitely made me think twice...

After the creepy computer questions, I moved on to get a foot bath. "Cool!" I thought. "Like a pedicure!" I thought. WRONG AGAIN, I was. It was like the medspa's people own in their homes. Mine was broken so I ended up playing musical medspa's for a few rounds. Definitely quite the experience. Here are my friends, happy with their medspa. There I am, sad because all the water drained out! (It's okay though! I got a new one right after! YAY MedSpa!) 

We then were allowed free time until we left the village. Laura and I decided to head to a Palace located right in Hanok, Gyeinggijeon Palace! What an incredible place! 

Sometimes, Korea just seems so Westernized, it is hard to remember why I came here in the first place. Today I was reminded. I am here to Teach, of course. Teach to a nation hungry for a language I take for granted everyday. Also, though, I am here to learn. I am here to learn Korean history and experience the art of being in a new place. Being at the Palace today, and getting to experience that history was an important reminder of who I am and what I want to accomplish while being here. 

I am so blessed and thankful to be here. Today was just another reminder of that. I am hoping to be continuously reminded of that throughout my time here. That is what will truly bring me closer to love. 

Stay tuned! Tomorrow is a big day! My move to Gunsan and my Korean Apartment! YES! 

Kiyana In Korea

"I Go Back"

Hello! Happy Sunday to those reading! Today is Sunday to me, it's about 2:00 p.m. and I am at Jeonju University. 

Yesterday was spent exploring. I'll start from the beginning and go from there! 

Yesterday morning, my wonderful roommate, Laura, and I got up a little bit early, eager to see our new place! We walked to the closest Paris Baguette (which, luckily for us is less than a block away!) and grabbed some coffee. We then began our little walk around this side of the city. It is simply incredible! Jeonju is such a nice little place. After our coffee grab, we saw a few people out playing soccer. Just wanting to see the life here, we went and watched for a few minutes. Playing, were about 30 Korean boys, all dressed in their sweats and shorts. We just sat there for a few minutes watching, and I remembered something we learned in orientation. "This country isn't here to make you comfortable. It is here to make it's people comfortable in their everyday lives." It hit me then. Not that I was uncomfortable in that scenario, but I realized we are here, in Korea to experience the culture and to experience life here. No matter what, people live here. Just like any small town I experience in Oklahoma, Korea isn't here to entertain me. In that moment, I felt so cool. I was experiencing another life. 

This may not make much sense to you, but for me, it was an extremely humbling experience. I was always thinking it would be so much different here and in some cases it is. However, for the most part, it is just life. The people here are going to school, paying bills, have families, and take care of one another. Luckily, I get to be a part of that. I hope that this makes sense to you, and I hope whenever you encounter someone who might do things a little bit differently, I hope you remember that to you, it is strange but to them, it is home. It is how they live. You will be amazed by what you experience when you can just remember that. 

After our outing, we came back to find all of our friends ready for a new adventure, Jeonju! We began to walk, just so we can see what all there is here. First thing I noticed? This place is HUGE! I looked out my window before I left, and noticed that I couldn't see the end of it. Of course, it's always an awesome view here because no matter which way you look, you see mountains in the distance. It's awesome. 

We started off our walk in a smaller part of town. The funny thing about Korea is that everything is so Westernized, I sometimes forget I am in a different place at all. Here are some shots of the street and the things we saw! 

See? Looks like home! 

There are no dryer's for your laundry in Korea. 

They hang their clothes on a rack and usually they leave them outside. 

How cool is that?

We walked for a few more blocks, and look what we found! A PLAYGROUND! I don't think even Korean kids get as excited as we were when we found this little treasure. 

This was awesome. It was the playground rules, 

with a chair so you 

can sit while you watch your kids play. 

They think of everything here! Haha! 

After getting some energy out playing, we continued to walk and ran into a coffee shop where we tried nabbed some hot chocolate. (By the way, if you don't know, I think Korea makes the best hot chocolate of all time. It's kind of silly how good it is.) We ran into some Korean men there. The best part, I think, about Korea is that if you have a question here, you just ask it. There are of course some limits, but if people are curious, they just ask. We sat and had a chat with our new friends before we kept walking. We then found a dog park, and made some new friends with the pooches there too. SO FUN! After that, we headed across a large bridge in Korea. We happened to be taking a photo and saw something that really caught our eye. A work-out area, down by the river. 

It was awesome. Koreans love their physical appearance. Everywhere you go, they are looking in mirrors, fixing their hair or make-up or the way they look. So seeing this, just made my day. 

We kept walking, (yeah still. I think we walked at least four miles yesterday!) We then found ourselves in a new part of the city, where we grabbed some street food, met some Korean missionaries, bought doughnuts, and just enjoyed our time! 

Korean Hospital! 

The funny thing about this picture is the ad! 

The man on top of the building appears to be running but it makes you fearful when you first see it! 

McDonald's and their delivery scooters. 

SO FUNNY! 

Walking through the street market! 

Probably the world's greatest invention. 

Coke on the bottom, chicken on the top. 

WOW! 

We then were lucky enough to find some more work-out equipment! This time, in a park. We definitely made time to stop and play! 

After a very long day of walking. Justin and Virginia were able to get us back to Jeonju Uni on my first Korean bus ride! I am lucky to have such knowledgeable friends while I am here!

We headed into dinner and then were able to end our day with a night out (and for Justin's first  가라오케 experience!) We had an awesome time. 

What a great first day in Jeonju! As today moves on, I think we all just need a day off. We are taking today to relax, and just hang out. 

Sitting here, it's about 3:00 p.m. and I am looking out my window. It's an incredible view, of my new home. 

The city just keeps going, as far as I can see. I can safely say, I definitely love it here! 

Remember that today, no matter where you are, others are living just like you somewhere else. Nothing is more humbling than that. 

Kiyana In Korea

"It was only just a dream..."

Hello, hello from Jeonju, South Korea! My next stop for POE (Provincial Office of Education) Orientation! I will be here until Wednesday where I will finally end up in my oneroom in Gunsan, South Korea! 

What an adventure my TaLK life has been so far. If you are just catching on, I have just left the land of Jochiwon, South Korea (home sweet home) and am now living in my province, Joellabuk-do in the city of Jeonju. I have been so blessed by not only this experience but also by all of the wonderful people I have met here! As cheesy as it is, this experience has already changed my life in more ways than I could have ever dreamed. It is such an awesome experience! Here are some photos from the past few days. I can't wait to tell you about my experience in the next section, and then the rest of my time here! 

Max, Andrew, and I 

! 

Laura, Virginia, Brittney, and I. 

We were having a good time! 

Ren-Ann and I! 

Thanks for being a wonderful roomie! 

Our new home! 

Well, for the next five days. 

Today was our last day in orientation in Jochiwon which means Closing Ceremonies. This was such a sad time, but also exciting because it means a new adventure! At the ceremony, our groups had the ability to vote on awards. I won Miss Congeniality for my group! I was so excited! Here are some photos of me getting my award, and Laura and Esther having some fun in the process! Haha! 

Anyway, it has been three weeks now, and I honestly feel as though my time in Korea is just a dream. I cannot wait to see what the rest of my time holds and of course, I can't wait to let you in on all of it. 

Kiyana In Korea