Once an Expat Always an Expat?!?

     Since my return Stateside I have had a mix of feelings about being back in my former abode.  This was not something I was expecting!  While, I love being back and seeing all of my loved ones and friends the last 6 months have stirred up feelings that I never even knew I had!  This has left me wondering the question "Once an Expat  Always an Expat?!?  
   
   In the beginning I was Thrilled to be home!  I actually felt glad to be crashing at my parents.  It was a comfort to know that at night when I went to sleep I would wake up and see them again in the morning.  I Loved seeing my sisters and family again and Absolutely Adored meeting my niece Little Miss Olivia for the very first time!  It was great and refreshing to be around family and friends again!

    As the weeks past and I got settled back home again I began to feel different about my return.  Maybe it's because I'm still living out of boxes with well over 3/4 of my worldly possessions in storage!  I'm still rocking my ratty kicks I wore the fire out of in Korea but, have a large shoe collection somewhere under the boxes that are my life (A girl has a right to shoes!).  There are no longer any weekend adventures or Friday nights out in the city with friends for dinner and drinks.  A part of me still misses living in a Big City!  Something, I Never thought in a Million Years you would hear this Country Girl say!

    I then began to get bored!  Bored?!?  I had never been Bored at home before.  So, why now?  Maybe it was because my feet where itching to get back to my previous adventures?   Or, maybe it was because I was only working part-time and job searching?  Who knows, but the craziness of the Holidays soon conquered my new found boredom!

    That brings me to my current state, Confused!  I now have a full time job I have yet to get my own place.  Part of my wants my own place in a very bad way!  The other part of me doesn't want to have to sign a 6 month lease and re-pack everything again if I'm returning to the life of an Expat.  I'm torn if I should live abroad again.  I love being close to my family and friends but, have a sorta restlessness down in my soul.  So, Once an Expat Always an Expat?

It's Me!!

     I'm back!  And Oh, how I've missed You!  That's right after a Long Hiatus I'm back!  It has been almost 6 months since I have been back Stateside and since I have blogged.  Way to long!!  So, to get back on track here is what you have to look forward to:  a lot and I do mean a lot of catching up, my travels to wherever the road may take me and my journey to 30!  That's right as of today I start my journey to 30.  So, get ready it's going to be an interesting 365 to 30!  I'm currently working on 30 things to do before I turn 30, have any suggestions?!?  If so, message me and we will see if they make the list! : )   It's going to be an Awesome time! So, stay tuned!........

B

Annyeonghi Gyeseyo Korea ( 안녕히 계세요)

Annyeonghi Gyeseyo Korea (Goodbye)!

    This week I finished up my time in Korea and headed back Stateside after a week vacation in Malaysia!  It has been real Korea!  I didn't know what to expect when I started this journey but, I ended up with a lifetime of memories and meeting some amazing friends.  Thank you to everyone who made this all possible!  I couldn't have done it without you!  : )  While, I'm excited to see all of my family and friends back home I will miss all of my friends I made in Korea! 

Brandi  

The Winners! : )

  Thanks to everyone for supporting my blog over the last 6 months!  As I'm winding down my time here in Korea I'm very thankful for everyone who has made this trip possible!  It has been an Awesome Experience!  So, the winners of my final contest are.....Drumroll!!.....Kelly, Ramie & Jennifer!!  All 3 of you will be receiving a Korean Prize Pack!! : )  Thank you for your support and following my blog!

Korean Giveaway

    It's a busy week here in Korea.  Thursday is my last day of school, then it's vacation time!  I'm packing and trying to finalize a lot of last minute things before I go.  I also discovered this week, that my blog has reached over a 1,000 hits! : )  This is Super Exciting! So, to celebrate I'm doing another Korean Giveaway! 
    Just comment below and tell me what else you would like to know about Korea, to be entered in the contest.  Winner will be chosen at random.

*Don't worry Jennifer the prize pack won't contain dried squid! : )



Peace, Love & Chicken Grease,

Brandi

Sunday, July 24

    It's official!  I'm on the countdown!  That's right, in less than a month I will be back Stateside.  My first stop is in Denver to see one of my Besties/Sister/Former Roommate.  We haven't seen each other ages!  Okay, its only been like 6 months but it feels like ages.  After that, hopefully some quality time with another special person in my life and her family.  My Sister/Bestie/New Mom.  I can't wait to meet baby Olivia and see my sister who since, the last time I seen her has become a new mom!  Its just plum Crazy, to think of her as a mom!  Shouldn't she still be yelling at me and J, "not to touch her stuff" or to "put her stuff back where we found it!"  Lol!  I think, she would still do that if we lived closer!  I'm Super excited to see her and her family!  I haven't seen her in ages + infinity!  I think it'll be about 8 months since I last seen her.  Again, it's been way to long!  So, as I'm on the countdown I'm making a list of all the last minute things I need to do before I leave Korea.  It's a short list but, some take a little more nerve than others! 

Things to do Before I leave the ROK!

1.  Go to a Norabang again!
2.  Try Eel
3.  Try Dokbol (Chicken Feet)
4.  Explore more of Seoul
5.  Try Silk Worm Larva (Okay, only 1 to just say I tried it!)
7.  Fix my digital camera!
8.  Get a Korean Facial!
9.  Try Acupuncture!
10.  Go to a Jimjillbang (It took 5 months but, I think I finally got the nerve to give it a try!)

I'll keep you posted on my accomplishments!  Have a Great Sunday Everyone!

Peace & Love from the ROK,
Brandi

ThE WeEkenD

Tiffany and I at the Lotte Giants Game!

    This weekend I had the chance to go to a Lotte Giants baseball game in Busan.  It was a great time!  The Giants beat the Twins by 1.  This weekend I also tried to plan my upcoming vacation.  Not sure exactly where I'm going.  Hopefully, somewhere around Thailand, Malaysia or Malaysia-Borneo.  I'm ready for a nice relaxing vacation! : )  Then after that it's back Stateside!
    Hair Update:  After 1 week, I'm still Loving Magic Straight!  It makes hair care so much easier, especially with the high humidity here.