우리 부산에서 만날까요?

This past week (Fri-Wed) was my break from midterms so I grabbed my usual traveling buddies and went to Gyeongju and south to Busan. Gyeongju is the ancient capital of the Silla period, so it was great for sightseeing, especially since we just finished studying Silla literature in my online class. Pauline and I were in Gyeongju for 2 nights, but there was nothing to do for fun at night. We ran into a group of Germans who asked us what there was to do, and somehow we all ended up going to a Norebang together. Here's to making random friends. Sunday we took a bus to Busan, the 2nd largest city in S.Korea, where Jenni met us. The weekend was full of beach visits, shopping, a temple visit, and a stroll in the country's largest fish market (poor Jenni is vegetarian and strolled down a street where they were chopping off heads). I met a penpal that I made online that lives in Busan, and she took me out for what has been the best meal I've had in Korea (except the one Saera's mom cooked for us during the last holiday). One highlight was the empty Norebang we strolled into. We were the only customers, so the lady that ran the place was really nice to us, and kept giving us more time to sing than we paid for. Nothing tops the fact that she joined us for one last song: "Mama Mia."






I'm sitting in my dorm sipping my 26th cup of tea in the past 20 hours. It's the only thing that seems to ward off the head cold that is trying to chase me. Someone in our hostel insisted on leaving the window open, so I think that's why I'm getting sick. Although, it could be a combination of that and laying on the beach on a cold day. It was worth it though, and I found some medicine and Orange Juice, so I'll be good.

It was a short week, and I only have one class tomorrow! I have plans to meet a Japanese girl for a little post-midterm relaxation, and a Kimchi festival. It will be nice to stay in Seoul. Maybe I'll go salsa dancing - it's been at least 4 weeks since I've been. Of course you know I found some great places to dance, it's what I do.

I love it here, and sometimes I feel like a Korean, even though there's no escaping the fact that I don't look like I belong. I'm using my Korean more and I'm more confident, I'm even picking up some habits. I've been facing the question: as an International Relations student, is it necessary to give up my identity to understand anothers'? I think not. It's difficult but necessary to find grounds to share my culture, while still immersing myself in another. Asian countries have conflicts because of the past, and their memories and self-identities. Each country in North East Asia tends to have their own views of the others. If you ask any Korean why it is important for Korea to keep possession of Dokdo Island, you might get into a heated one-sided conversation against the possibility of Japanese imperialism flaring up again. Even with these ideological blockades, there still exists great economic interdependence and political connectedness. However, when it comes to getting business done, there is a lot of sharing and cooperation and success in Asia, and still a preservation of each distinct (with similarities) culture. It's not balanced, but there's an order that can't be denied. Korea has a blend of old and new that is envied by many countries. My roommate says that Chinese struggle to keep their identity and culture preserved while still becoming more global, but realizes Korea has done a good job at doing just that. I'm also learning that the purpose of traveling, or just living life, is not to lose or find myself. Traveling opens opportunities to be who I am, mature where I'm planted, and understand people better through their perspectives.

I apologize if any of the above is confusing or has errors, this cold has me a little foggy-headed. (Praying against that though.) Also I had a few good distractions, chats with my future roommate that's in Russia, and Amy, my past floor-mate that's now here at Ewha (she chose my blog title, it means "Shall we meet in Busan?") ㅋㅋ

I'm going to go continue studying my shopping vocabulary for my Korean test tomorrow. I should also learn how I did on the midterm soon ^^ Hope all is well at home, I think of you all often.