An Update on My Life

Hello there lovelies.
Seeing as how I haven't written a full post in awhile, yet I haven't gone on any new adventures, I decided to just give you a little update on my life in general.
And because everyone loves a list (I'm pretty sure that's a fact. haha.), here is a list of five recent happenings in my life.

Here we go!

The amazing Tres Leches Cake

Tteokbokki Tuesday

I remembered! Look at me, making progress, posting pictures. It's all in the small victories my friends. Don't judge me.

Anyways this week is a special bonus, a video! I took this during my EPIK orientation at Jeonju's cultural village. We made traditional fans and learned some traditional drumming and as you can see we are quite skilled. I hope you enjoy.

Photo Sunday: This Sky is On Fiiiiire

I went to check on my dogs by the front window and saw this outside!
And, as YC reminded me, it's Photo Sunday. Perfect!

Look how pretty! The sunsets outside my house are always the best, for real. I hope this makes you smile too.

Have a good week!

How was your weekend? Mine was lovely. Leave a comment, I'd love to hear from you!

-Alisa

Oops... Belated Tteokbokki Tuesday

Sorry guys! I am still establishing my routine. I will get this right next week promise!!

Here is your picture from my Korean adventures.

Miniature BuddhasHaedong Yonggungsa Temple

This temple is located right along the coast making it a must see for any visitors to Busan. It has stunning views of the sea, these cute little buddhas, and a walkway of statues depicting the Korean zodiac animals. I am the year of the Sheep. 

Photo Sunday: I Collect Sunsets

Seriously, sunsets are one of my absolute favorite things. I always stop and stare at them. Recently I've become pretty addicted to collecting pictures of sunsets as well. (Just look at my Instagram, SO MANY)

I think my addiction to sunsets stems from my love of bright colors. Bright colors make me happy, hence why I wear them a lot.

This sunset is right beside my friend's house. We live in the same neighborhood, and with a farm field and orchard alongside we get phenomenal sunsets. There are no buildings to obscure our view. I am regularly wowed by the sunsets I can see from my house.

So even though I'm not traveling much currently (don't worry, I have plans to do so coming up), I've been enjoying the natural beauty around my own town.

And working a lot. Sigh.

Anyone else have an addiction to sunsets? Just me?

-Alisa

Living in the land of Kimchi

Alisa has inspired me to start my own photo day. Since Sunday is already taken I will upload pictures from my Korean adventures on Tuesdays. We shall call them 떡볶이 Tuesdays, Tteokbokki street food made from fish or rice cakes and covered in a red chili paste . But first I shall give you the low down on how I came to live in Korea, the ins and outs of applying for EPIK and all that jazz.

First and foremost I feel I must mention that everyone's experience applying to teach in Korea is going to be different and I can only speak about my experience with EPIK (English Programs in Korea).

Photo Sunday: Fall

I Love Fall!!
The air is starting to get chilly, though it never got very warm here this summer. The leaves are just beginning to change. Sigh. Fall is my favorite season.

This photo comes to you from near my house. Look at those colors! The goldenrod is stunning, especially with the red roof of the barn right beside it. So gorgeous. These colors are one of the reasons I love fall so much.

That and Halloween. I love Halloween.

Who else loves fall? Anyone else super stocked for Halloween? I know I am, I'm already planning my costume!

-Alisa

Big News!

I'm going to Singapore! I'll be visiting Indonesia and Malaysia as well!

Yc is going home to visit his family and I'm going along. I'm so excited!

A cute picture of us for you. :)

We'll be bouncing around those three countries for about three weeks. I also get to meet his family. Quite nervous. 

Even though my computer is broken, I couldn't wait to share! So I'm posting this via the blogger app. Hopefully it works okay. 

SO EXCITED!! 

Have you ever been to Singapore, Indonesia, or Malaysia? What did you think? Any suggestions on what to do/eat? Eeeeee!

-Alisa

Photo Sunday: Sunrise

I rarely ever see sunrises. I'm rarely ever  up that early, because let's be real who wants to be? I am not a morning person. Sometimes for work I have to get up before the crack of dawn though. Saturday, getting up that early had its perks.

I'm giving you two photos for the price of one A. because I forgot to post this on Sunday and B. because they are the same sunrise anyway.

The sunrise on the way to work Saturday was phenomenal. The sky was so pink and the sun was a perfect ball of red. I took the second picture while we were cruising along to work. The second my friend, who was driving, stopped for.

The surreal sunrise almost made getting up that early fun, almost.
Hey, at least I got paid.


Have you ever gotten up to see the sunrise? Was it for work or for fun? Anyone else think the day shouldn't start before 10:00AM?
-Alisa

P.S. I've got exciting news coming soon!!! Look for another post later this week!!!! (Yes, I am that many exclamation points on the excited scale)

Bloody Hell I'm in England: The South Edition

This summer I (Hope) was fortunate enough to be able to spend a month traveling around England. My dear friend and travel companion Emily is half English so we were able to considerably cut down on costs by staying with family and friends. We started our journey in London than traveled north to York and Rothbury before looping back around to hit the Lake District and Nottingham before flying out of London at the end of the month. Rather than go in chronological order I am going to go geographically. So this post will focus on London and Nottingham primarily.


London:

Like any good children from the 90's Emily and I are avid Harry Potter fans and as we had spent my 22nd birthday at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Universal Studios we thought it was only fitting that we spend my 23rd at the Warner Brothers Studio tour in London. I could literally devote an entire blog to the wonders of this magical place but I will try to keep it short and to the point.

Point one. If you are a Harry Potter fan than you MUST go here. It is like a sacred pilgrimage. Seriously there should be a test to get in some days so that only the truly devoted are allowed inside. Those muggles lovers just get in the way and give you weird looks when you start to get emotional in Dumbledore's office.

Point two. Get the audio guide and book deal. The audio guide really completes the experience for crazed fans like myself. If you find yourself grinning like a child with a new toy any time you discover a new tidbit about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter on the internet that the audio guide will be like a dream come true. The book is of course a must because you can pull it out in a few weeks when you get the shakes from Harry Potter withdrawl.

Point three. Eat all of the things and do all of the photo-ops even if you don't intend on buying them. I had no intention of shelling out money for a cheesy photo of me flying through London but that does not mean that I was not going to hop on that mechanical broom and take it for a joy ride.

Point four. LOOK AT ALL THE THINGS

On Uncertainty

Since last winter I had been planning on moving to South Korea in August to teach English. I even got my TEFL certificate and had all my paperwork together. I'd even been offered the job.

Then everything fell apart.
I didn't get to go to Korea in August. I am still stuck in my hometown in the US of A.
I work two sporadic jobs and I live at home.
Hope got to go, which I think sometimes makes it worse for me.

So I decided to write a post on how I'm dealing with having my plans for an entire year crumble around me, and the huge uncertainty that followed.

Cute pic with the bf that wouldn't have happened if I'd gone to Korea.

Photo Sunday: NYC Ferry

I think the Polish Festival yesterday excuses my Photo Sunday being on Monday...again.

This photo comes to you from June when I went to NYC with my mom and her friend. They stayed for two days and I stayed for over a week. I was there for my TEFL course, which hopefully I'll get to use at some point. SIGH.

The NYC skyline in gorgeous from the ferry. We parked in New Jersey and then took the ferry to Manhattan. I recommend it for this lovely view.

Have you taken the ferry to NYC? Isn't it pretty? Also, look how short my mom is...hehe.
-Alisa