Sick sucks like a hoover

Last Monday was manic and mad and mental.

I've twice had a strange, painful illness/thing, and the doctors I visited on those previous occasions were mostly just puzzled and unhelpful. Monday a week ago, this nastiness reared its head a third time, and made for an unhappy couple of days. Wednesday and Thursday were spent consulting multiple Korean doctors, and Friday was spent running around preparing for a weekend surprise I was concocting for Adam (more on that later).

Thus, no post.

I'm lucky to have a vice-principal who really likes me, because normally Koreans just get sick and then go to work regardless. When my V-P found out I was ill, he insisted I stay home on Friday to recover (which is not usual behaviour) and it was extremely welcome:

http://kikinitinkorea.tumblr.com/post/23215962924/when-i-tell-my-school-i-cant-teach-because-im-sick

My co-worker said to me today, "I think you know more about Korean culture than most foreign teachers." When I asked her why she thinks that, she responded, "because you have spent so much time in doctor's offices!" I'm not sure exactly which parts of Korean culture have been revealed to me thru the various waiting rooms/examining rooms I've visited, but it's true that I have always left said areas feeling well-serviced and impressed. Not only is it cheap to visit doctors here (CHEAP AS DIRT CHEAP, thanks to insurance and nat'l healthcare, etc), it's also always an extremely efficient experience.

And I love efficiency:

http://kikinitinkorea.tumblr.com/post/23290832389/going-to-the-doctor

My latest visit to the hospital was fascinating (I got a full body CT scan, which is a WEIRD experience), and thankfully somewhat illuminating. This doc thinks he knows what the problem is (nothing serious, just a serious annoyance), and we'll soon be taking steps to fix me right up.

This encouraging news helped me fully enjoy the fabulous weekend I just spent with Adam and friends in Seoul. Wigs, sweet tea, babies, sunshine, martial arts silliness, good food, picnics, books -- it all added up to a weekend of pure F.U.N.

Bicycle built for two? Yes, please.

p.s. Thanks to Danielle for hosting us, feeding us SWEET TAY, being an awesome friend and helping surprise Adam!

Chasing the sun

I just typed this up into an FB message to a friend:

Neither Adam nor I wants to be teachers here in Korea for the long term, but it's a step towards our dreams. Adam wants to write full-time (fiction, articles, everything!), and I want to open a hostel. Or two, or three. People usually say, "oh that sounds really fun/cool!" But really, it's just terrifying. And exciting. We're saving up money here in South Korea, and plan to get my business started in the next 3-5 years. ( I get goose-bumps just writing that) And then, my hostels will become wildly successful, I'll be rich enough to support Adam as his sugar momma so he can write, and we'll continue living Happily Ever After! This "life" thing is a breeze.

Wanna know the crazy part?  I believe all  that. And maybe that's part of the necessary insanity that goes along with starting any new venture, but it's still scary. And exciting.

I've seen first-hand all the stress and trouble that goes into starting a business venture, and by much more experienced folk than I - my father, and my last 2 bosses in the USA come to mind.  The good news is, they have all achieved success, AND I KNOW THEM. Perfect future "brain-picking" victims.

That's all, for right now. I'm feeling waves of CARPE DIEM rush through me, and wanted to share the surge. A dream is worth pursuing.

"Don't try to figure out what the world needs. Find out what you're passionate about, and do that. Because what the world needs is more people who are passionate about what they do." - Some wise person

Pure, unadulterated glee. Be around people who make you feel like this. :)