Personally, I think life is an absolute hoot. I love it and I think it is my duty to do all I can with the opportunities I have to make the best of it. What better way to start than with Korean Summer.
Korean Summer is always a time full to the brim with trips, festivals, parties, friends and usually glorious weather. June 2011 has certainly been no exception. A friend of mine recently said to me once I realised that my life was fully booked for almost 2 months. "How on earth do you do it? You are so busy all the time. You must be about ready to lose your marbles" (I am certain - she didn't exactly use the expression 'lose your marbles' - that might just be a Katie addition - but it was definitely along those lines.) My response: "Yeah I know, I don't remember the last time I just had a night to relax and sometimes, I really do feel like I'm losing my mind. But I have been having so much fun that I just forget about that and just do it." That's my motto for the Korean Summer and I fully intend to extend that into everything that I do - "Do it." This has recently become a catch phrase between our group of friends because of a ridiculous intoxicated '4 in the morning text' I sent out to a friend. The end of the text read : "energy burst, do it!" And there really is no better way to summarize our summer thus far.
We started with a wild week of fun and games in Gwangju when Gillian's good friend from Canada, Leora came to visit. Her visit ended in Seoul where we wandered the streets of MyeongDong shopping district, drank at Aaron and Katelyn's and ate dinner at a superb classy Italian restaurant. The night ended, after going to watch a band play at a bar in itaewon, with most of lost in the big city and dealing with less than exciting hangovers the next day. At least there were hilarious stories to come out of it. Leora was a great addition to the Gwangju Party Crew. I miss her alot.
What a fabulous way to kick off the summer..
The next weekend we were lucky enough to have Aaron and Katelyn down in Gwangju to visit us:) It was a weekend full of fun and games especially because it was Aaron's third last weekend in Korea and last weekend in Gwangju. We hit up all the favourite spots and knocked off many things including Aaron and My's notorious 'bad romance dance' which we were fully committed to despite a full house at Soul Train. I am sure the uninformed onlookers were most surprised and possibly scarred for life. The weekend was also one of double pleasures because Ryan's parents were in town visiting from Canada. It was lovely to show them a good time in our beloved Gwangju and all the famous watering holes of course. Mr Song was lovely enough to cook us dinner at the German Bar which resulted in one of the best Sunday night karaoke bonanzas I have ever had including a dance group of Phillipinos and Koreans, one shots, love shots and even a locomotion train.
.......the next weekend brought about something we have all been very excited about for a long time for multiple reasons: BEACH PARTY. Camping, day drinking, beach games, sun, bonfire, friends...What more could we ask for?
5 of us road tripped the 2 and half hours down to Wando in Jo's car. Once our hangovers from the night before had gone to rest, the ride down was hilarious. Dancing to Kpop and making harmonies every time we went through a tunnel. We bought a boot full of fun from the Lotte Mart and surprised all our friends with a big water pistol fight when we eventually got there. We set up the tents, played ball games, frolicked about and just had a good old time enjoying the beach for the afternoon. By evening, a big bonfire was set up, people playing games, laughing and even hula hooping. It was just a big, great festival of fun. The next day was spent almost in the same fashion. It was utterly fantastic, especially because the weather was just perfect.
Another weekend in Seoul fitted into the mix next - It was Aaron's last weekend in Korea and time to give him a proper send off. We did so by going to a classy chicken restaurant and as soon as the chicken was demolished turned it into a riot. Dance offs, Soju bombs and from then on hazy memories of nothing but love, sexy dancing, not-so-sexy dancing, pouring rain and a night of pure fun. We woke up in the morning however, feeling not so kosher. In a joking manner whilst lying in bed and discussing how the last thing we want to do is get on a 4 hour bus right now - Gillian casually mentioned - "hmmm, I wonder how much it would cost for a flight back to Gwangju." In that moment, 4 sets of eyes popped out their sockets. YESSSSSS! With a "Oh, I'd totally do that..." from me and a "I'm on it" from Ryan sitting at the computer...suddenly we had ourselves a plan and there was no going back. Once we discovered that the tickets were just $80 and it would take us just on 30 minutes to get to Gwangju. Gillian even spent 20 minutes on the phone to a call center spelling out our names to book the tickets. It was all worth it even just to hear Aaron at a later point in the afternoon say.."so, what time is your, uh flight?" Such a joke but it was hilarious and worth it even if just for the story.
...and finally the pinnacle of the June part of Summer...BUSAN! Feed the Boats were supposed to be playing a show at a bar which is how the idea sprung up but it was cancelled at the last minute..however a group of us decided to go anyway and celebrate our good friend Blair's last weekend in Korea. And what a celebration it was. Gillian and I bused down late on Friday night, leavin Gwangju at 10-30pm after a dinner and Margeritas at TGIFs. The bus ride was hilarious as we listened to our earphones, drank aoju and had a silent dance party.
We arrived and headed straight out to meet up with Mitch (...and so the glorious three muscateers were formed!) We partied with tequila at a bar right on the beach which turned into a 6am dip in the freezing cold ocean covered in seaweed, sand and giggles as well as returning home sans my shoes. Gillian and I stayed with David, a friend of hers who lives in Busan. We all stayed up until 9am just being silly, eating Ramyeon, drinking chocolate milk and chatting our lives away.
The weather on Saturday was just perfect for laying on the beach and so after a delicious mexican feast (two bowls of guacamole inclusive) that is exactly what we did. All our friend met up with us and we had a relaxing afternoon of soaking up the sun and enjoying the free feeling that comes with the sand and the sea.
The night brought about debauchery of a dangerous level (and by dangerous I mean AMAZING.) We started out playing games in the hysterically decorated love motel rooms and eventually ventured out onto the street once sufficiently liquored up. We came across a building with a bar called Rock and Roll on the 14th floor overlooking the beach. We were sold, it was incredible. Beer Pong tables, pool tables, cheap drinks, rocking music - everything we wanted in a night of fun and love and the perfect send off location to party with Blair.
Sunday was a bit of a right off, though we did manage to sneak out of the apartment long enough to eat at a cute little Bistro-style restaurant where Shepards pie was on the menu. We watched a movie and then Gillian and I began the long trek back to Gwangju (me still shoeless.) It took a lot of will power not to carry on the tradition and book a flight back to Gwangju.
It was my first time in Busan and I had an absolute blast. The city has an electric atmosphere - from the beach and the carnival like games along the pavement - to the rocking bars, great restaurants and happy ocean air. I will certainly be back there as soon as the next opportunity arises. A BIG Thank you to everyone involved for a superb time.
...and so that has been the first month of Summer in Korea. As you can tell, it has been an absolute blast. It has been sad to say goodbye to a trio of close friends of mine. aaron, tal and (soon to be) Blair - I miss you already and wish you were still here but I am thinking of you and wishing you only the best for what comes next.
July brings with it only more excitement which includes a weekend in Gwangju involving a Feed the Boats gig and a rooftop fiesta, the Boryeong Mud Festival and theeeeeeeeen I, gillian and another good friend of ours - Sarah are heading to Singapore and Malaysia for our Summer Vacation. Life is certainly good, great in fact. Let's keep on living it up.
Lots of love,
Katie
Korean Summer is always a time full to the brim with trips, festivals, parties, friends and usually glorious weather. June 2011 has certainly been no exception. A friend of mine recently said to me once I realised that my life was fully booked for almost 2 months. "How on earth do you do it? You are so busy all the time. You must be about ready to lose your marbles" (I am certain - she didn't exactly use the expression 'lose your marbles' - that might just be a Katie addition - but it was definitely along those lines.) My response: "Yeah I know, I don't remember the last time I just had a night to relax and sometimes, I really do feel like I'm losing my mind. But I have been having so much fun that I just forget about that and just do it." That's my motto for the Korean Summer and I fully intend to extend that into everything that I do - "Do it." This has recently become a catch phrase between our group of friends because of a ridiculous intoxicated '4 in the morning text' I sent out to a friend. The end of the text read : "energy burst, do it!" And there really is no better way to summarize our summer thus far.
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| Partying at Bubble Bar. |
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| Silly Glasses in Myeong Dong, Seoul. |
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| A New Love |
The next weekend we were lucky enough to have Aaron and Katelyn down in Gwangju to visit us:) It was a weekend full of fun and games especially because it was Aaron's third last weekend in Korea and last weekend in Gwangju. We hit up all the favourite spots and knocked off many things including Aaron and My's notorious 'bad romance dance' which we were fully committed to despite a full house at Soul Train. I am sure the uninformed onlookers were most surprised and possibly scarred for life. The weekend was also one of double pleasures because Ryan's parents were in town visiting from Canada. It was lovely to show them a good time in our beloved Gwangju and all the famous watering holes of course. Mr Song was lovely enough to cook us dinner at the German Bar which resulted in one of the best Sunday night karaoke bonanzas I have ever had including a dance group of Phillipinos and Koreans, one shots, love shots and even a locomotion train.
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| Night Hike. |
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| All worth it at the top We did another night hike which has quickly become a tradition..This time we somehow managed to get lost on the way down and ended up in a rice paddy, having to climb over a fence onto a highway and walk through a toll booth before we made it back into suburbia to catch a cab. We have done a couple more midweek night hikes since and it's been awesome. Not even the rainy season can stop us! It's such a great way to keep active and have fun at the same time. |
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| Great Grupo. |
.......the next weekend brought about something we have all been very excited about for a long time for multiple reasons: BEACH PARTY. Camping, day drinking, beach games, sun, bonfire, friends...What more could we ask for?
 |
| Wando Beach Party Couple Set. |
5 of us road tripped the 2 and half hours down to Wando in Jo's car. Once our hangovers from the night before had gone to rest, the ride down was hilarious. Dancing to Kpop and making harmonies every time we went through a tunnel. We bought a boot full of fun from the Lotte Mart and surprised all our friends with a big water pistol fight when we eventually got there. We set up the tents, played ball games, frolicked about and just had a good old time enjoying the beach for the afternoon. By evening, a big bonfire was set up, people playing games, laughing and even hula hooping. It was just a big, great festival of fun. The next day was spent almost in the same fashion. It was utterly fantastic, especially because the weather was just perfect.
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| Beautiful Island. |
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| boot full of fun. |
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| Add caption |
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| Beach games. |
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| Couple sets:) |
Another weekend in Seoul fitted into the mix next - It was Aaron's last weekend in Korea and time to give him a proper send off. We did so by going to a classy chicken restaurant and as soon as the chicken was demolished turned it into a riot. Dance offs, Soju bombs and from then on hazy memories of nothing but love, sexy dancing, not-so-sexy dancing, pouring rain and a night of pure fun. We woke up in the morning however, feeling not so kosher. In a joking manner whilst lying in bed and discussing how the last thing we want to do is get on a 4 hour bus right now - Gillian casually mentioned - "hmmm, I wonder how much it would cost for a flight back to Gwangju." In that moment, 4 sets of eyes popped out their sockets. YESSSSSS! With a "Oh, I'd totally do that..." from me and a "I'm on it" from Ryan sitting at the computer...suddenly we had ourselves a plan and there was no going back. Once we discovered that the tickets were just $80 and it would take us just on 30 minutes to get to Gwangju. Gillian even spent 20 minutes on the phone to a call center spelling out our names to book the tickets. It was all worth it even just to hear Aaron at a later point in the afternoon say.."so, what time is your, uh flight?" Such a joke but it was hilarious and worth it even if just for the story.
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| On the plane back to gwangju from Seoul |
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| Silent Dance Party on the bus to Busan. |
We arrived and headed straight out to meet up with Mitch (...and so the glorious three muscateers were formed!) We partied with tequila at a bar right on the beach which turned into a 6am dip in the freezing cold ocean covered in seaweed, sand and giggles as well as returning home sans my shoes. Gillian and I stayed with David, a friend of hers who lives in Busan. We all stayed up until 9am just being silly, eating Ramyeon, drinking chocolate milk and chatting our lives away.
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| Post 6am swim at Haeundae Beach. |
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| Beach bums |
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| Blairs last weekend in Korea:( |
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| laying. |
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| Gwangju Party Crew! |
Sunday was a bit of a right off, though we did manage to sneak out of the apartment long enough to eat at a cute little Bistro-style restaurant where Shepards pie was on the menu. We watched a movie and then Gillian and I began the long trek back to Gwangju (me still shoeless.) It took a lot of will power not to carry on the tradition and book a flight back to Gwangju.
 |
| Lady love |
...and so that has been the first month of Summer in Korea. As you can tell, it has been an absolute blast. It has been sad to say goodbye to a trio of close friends of mine. aaron, tal and (soon to be) Blair - I miss you already and wish you were still here but I am thinking of you and wishing you only the best for what comes next.
July brings with it only more excitement which includes a weekend in Gwangju involving a Feed the Boats gig and a rooftop fiesta, the Boryeong Mud Festival and theeeeeeeeen I, gillian and another good friend of ours - Sarah are heading to Singapore and Malaysia for our Summer Vacation. Life is certainly good, great in fact. Let's keep on living it up.
Lots of love,
Katie
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