Sarah's return and my good-bye

I ended up having to change my ticket. And although it cost me, something definately good came out of the situation. My friend was scheduled to return home one day after my original departure. So because I didn't leave on the original date I was able to SURPRISE Sarah at the airport. She certainly wasn't expecting to see me again for another year. But luckly I was able to sneak in one day with her.

Here's the gang at the airport........ready and waiting!!!

She was soooo HAPPY to see everyone

Here's a snapshot of us (eyes closed of course) riding in the LIMO to the restaurant

_____________________________________

Now it's time for me to pack up and leave (sniff sniff). I am definately sad to leave the comforts that Canada has provided me with. I will especially miss my family and girlfriends.

Enough stuff??????

Packing is my favorite part................NOT!!!!!

Miss you all and so much and see you in a year. I'm certain that many things will change this year and I'm looking forward to seeing you all in 2009. And Sung Hyun, see you soon!!!

Last Supper

Dinner with my friends before I leave to Korea.

Loving Jenna's Korean Kimchi fingers........I think I have her trained

Jenna and me

Steve and Tanya


Nicole and me

Jen and Tracy

Chris and Jen squared

Dinner was great and it was nice to say good-bye to all my friends. Miss you all and see you in a year!!!!!

Trying to get a picture with Kristin

My dad must have spent 10 minutes trying to get a good pic of us, mostly because I couldn't keep my eyes open or we were laughing too hard





We were trying to be Korean style with the Kimchi fingers. And my eyes look so small I could almost be Korean, haha

Japanese, not Korean

I have been eating out like crazy. Since I'm leaving soon (btw, I got my passport yesterday in the mail.......whooaaaaa!!!!!) I have made a point to see all my friends. And with friends comes food and lots of it. Here's our night out at the local Japanese restaurant in my city. It was my first visit and certainly was delicious

The four gals

Jenna and myself downing the sake (Japanese alcohol). It warmed me up from the inside out and was definately better than Korean soju

Curling

My mom had tickets to all the draws for the Scott Tournament of Hearts (ladies curling). I was lucky enough to go with her a few days to check out what the big deal was. It was fun to watch, a little slow at times, but definately entertaining.

It just so happened that Jennifer's finace Chris invited me to a curling bonspiel with some of his friends. So while I was watching curling during the week I was sure to make notes on how to play this sport.

I thought I had it all figured out until I went slip sliding all over the ice. It's definately harder than it looks and the sweeping took so much energy out of me that it left me huffing and puffing for air.

Look at me I can curl with my eyes closed..........I'm that good, keke

Jennifer was all smiles. She said that curling was "not fun to watch and certainly not fun to play"

We were having so much fun that we decided to take the action out onto the tiles

But it turns out that we weren't that good afterall

This is Chris (my 2nd boyfriend). Actually it's Jennifer's fiance but it's the running joke that we are also a couple. But here's the real couple

Jen and I going crazy with the drinks

And then the straws came out and we knew we were in trouble

BOXING

My Korean blogger buddy AMY is getting ready for her first PROFESSIONAL boxing match which will happen in only a few day. She has trained so hard over the past few months and is ready physically and mentally to knock her opponent out.

I do hope that one day I will have the dedication she does. I definately admire this girl. And am totally JEALOUS of her body!!!!

WARNING: FOOD POST BELOW

Two weeks ago I went to Minot, South Dakota, USA with my momma to go shopping. But I think we ended up doing more eating. And for all those Americans who are close to an APPLEBEE'S all I have to say is I. am. JEALOUS.

The FOOD is FABULOUS!!!! Here's a peak at some of the goodies:

Chicken macaroni and cheese with Asian chicken salad

Chicken Casadia with shrimp spinach salad

Icy Lemonade

And a little trip to Taco Bell (the only other restaurant we ate at) so we didn't look like we were stalking Applebees

And my moms favorite place..........SUPERWAL-MART!!!!! Holy snap this place is huge I couldn't even get it in the frame

They even have benches so that you can rest while you shop

My mom scored with all the light potatoe chips that they had there. She stocked up b/c we aren't able to get them in Canada. You should have seen all the other food items we had. The cashier asked us if we were having a party.

And I definately scored big time in the clothing department. I am sure I will be past my weight restrictions when I go to Korea but I'll have a whole new wardrobe to show off.

Things you often see in Korea

I am sure all of you are aware of the space issue in Korea -- or lack of space shall we say. Well one major problem you have if you own a vehicle is deciding where to park it!!!!



It's a little hard to see but this is a picture of a parking lot. If you look on the right you will notice cars parked in their designated spaces. However since not everyone has a place to park you will often see cars parked everywhere and anywhere, like the silver one in front. These people leave their cars in NEUTRAL and then others are free to push them around in the parking lot as they wish. Also, everyone has their phone number written on the drivers side of the front window in case you are in the way they are able to call you to move your car. Crazy hey?!?!

On any given day just look up and you will see this on every pole. A cluster of wires illogically wrapped and mangled together. But hey, it works!!!!

MY LOVE

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY SUNG HYUN ;) I LOVE YOU SO MUCH

Game night

I wanted to throw up some 'happy' pictures because everytime I enter my blog my BIG VISA PROBLEM smacks me in the face. I have thought about removing it but won't because of everyone's comments and assistance. All the info provided to me has definately been helpful and I have just decided not to stress because in the end things will work out -- they always do.

So let's move onto an amazing night with these wonderful ladies.



Just the four of us gals plus one guy. But we sent him to bed early since he was exhasted from the night before. Some/ lots of drinks, snacks and games was exactly what I needed for a Saturday night.

Me and Jenna with her friend Stacey in the middle. Stacey was such a wonderful host and was definately responsible for the remarkable night.

Starting with the drinks

Jen didn't like hers so much

Then a few hours passed so it was time to snap random pictures of ourselves

And no party is complete without the 'I heart you' sign. If you notice in this picture Jen thinks I'm gonna smack her

And you definately need a Kimchi picture also

Thanks for the great memories ladies!!!! Definately an awesome night

Bali Bali (hurry hurry)

Another rant --

I've just found out via email that I sent the wrong documents to Korea. Which, for those of you who know about the visa process, means that I don't have a work visa number.

The long and the short of it is, I was given a list of stuff to send to Korea. I attached everything in a nice envelope and BEFORE I sent out my documents all the way across the ocean I emailed 2 people (the women who gave me the list and my boss) to make sure I WASN'T FORGETTING ANYTHING. You see I've become accustom to Korean culture and I know full well that things are left to the last minute and then rushed and done half-ass -- which was the purpose for my CONFIRMATION EMAIL

I got the go ahead from my boss to send my documents to Korea (which cost $50) and the women didn't even bother to email me at all.

I sent them. I happen to have NOT included an important form. WHY??? Because it wasn't on the list. So now I can't get a work # until I send in that important form (another $50).

They can't stamp my passport with a work visa until I have a work # and I can't get a work # until I send in the form that I didn't include (even though I double checked BEFORE I shipped stuff).

No big deal right? Ship in the form get the number, problem solved.

EXCEPT.................. my ticket to Korea (which I paid $1000 from my own money since my new job doesn't include airfare) leaves in 2 weeks exactly and the nearest Korean Embassy is 2 provinces away.

Now I have to call the Korean Embassy in Vancouver and convince them to process my visa (without a work number) and miraculously send it back to me in time (before my flight leaves). YAH RIGHT!!!!

So my other option is to enter the country on a visitors visa (which requires you to have a return ticket....................which I don't have since I only bought a one way, so I don't know how that's gonna work out). But even if I go into the country on a visitors visa then in order to process my work visa I will have to do a visa run to JAPAN.........and get this, he said he would TRY to get the school to pay for HALF of the transport. Now I have to possibly fork out more money for a mistake I didn't make?

This is absolutely ridiculous!!!!!! And I'm absolutely certain that if Sung Hyun wasn't in Korea then I wouldn't tolerate this bs. Maybe, just maybe I won't go back!!!!!!

PARTY 25!!!

Before Kim headed back to London for some adventures abroad, we decided it would be splendid to spend one more evening together at her place.

Kim's mom made us this wonderful cake that was super moist and delish.

And no party is complete without a mix of drinks

So that's how we started the party, everyone did a shot(or two)


Here are the two birthday gals. Kim on the left and Tanya on the right

Me and Crystal chilling out at the food table

Evan and Tracy enjoying the cake. Don't think Evan's gonna share any of his

Loads of food, loads of friends, loads of laughs

Tanya and her MAN Stevo

One shot

Benson and me goofing around with the camera