super fun!

in 2 days...

in two days, i'll be on an airplane. i don't think i've ever wanted to be on a long-ass plane ride so much in my life! a chance to sleep, relax, watch movies and sleep, sleep, sleep again.

7 days.

excited. happy. anxious. nervous. elated. overjoyed. passion. dreams. love. overwhelmed. tired. really tired. exhausted. eager. scatterbrained. restless. laughter. faith. hopeful. appreciative. thankful. grateful. lucky. heart.

lights and music

samseong station exit 6. at night, whoever is in charge of turning on the lights and music, does so at around dusk, when families are strolling about, couples are adoring each other on park benches, and we all just happen to be at the right place at the right time. it's the piano keys and fountain light show!

the big one

this past gloriously sunny saturday, those of us not faint of heart, hiked 7 hours roundtrip to baegundae, the tallest peak in bukhansan national park. i had been wanting to hike this trail since i first read about it, over 12 months ago. it. was. AWESOME! my pictures don't compare, to the real deal, but they do, at least, capture what i was thinking and observing frame by frame.

outside the subway station, we waited in line for the bus that would drop us off at the park's entrance. it's no joke, man. koreans love to hike! once the bus arrived, we were all packed in like sardines. i'm glad the full bus was before the hike and not after!

while we were waiting, philip bought us bandanas to protect our necks! smart and fashionable man.

the best part about philip's bandana was this:

me looking russian:

me looking frenchie:

the first part of the hike was paved and relatively easy, scenic and calm:

lotus lanterns to celebrate buddha's upcoming birthday:

the first viewpoint:

the fortress wall:

from between the fortress columns:

a bright yellow blossom:

me and my crazy hair, or my hair and crazy me, post lunch:

the heart-pounding ascent with rope guides:

sun silhouettes:

breathtaking, literally and figuratively!

stunning!

at the tippy top!

south korea's got seoul:

weeeeeeeeeeee!

yesssssssssss!

beautiful mountain:

anticipation

i'd be lying if i said i wasn't nervous about my upcoming visit to the states. i don't think my nervousness is worrisome--in fact, i think i'd be more worried if i wasn't nervous!--but, at this exact moment, i'm starting to feel overwhelmed about my demanding schedule during my last week+ in korea and my time in the states. i think i'm daunted by the fact that i'm going home so soon! and yet, i feel like there's still so much TO DO and my poor overworked brain has already started to check out and check into vacation mode. (no! brain, not yet!)

i've got to make a serious list. first on the agenda, clean house.

happy birthday grandma!

trimmie trim trim

it was time for a trimmie trim trim. it doesn't look much different from my last cut, but, MAN! does having my hair trimmed feel nice on the back of my neck and on my scalp! after the cut, i received a peppermint scalp massage and my head has never felt so tingly nor so refreshed. sensational!