24 HOURS IN THE BAY

The infamous Bay Area — you are quite a sight. I advocate travel because I realize time and time again that new spaces provide opportunity for self-expansion and growth. You butt heads with people who have been saturated in a completely different environment than your own, and those encounters of unfamiliarity tickle your thoughts...they do.

San Francisco has a completely different feel from the pungency of New York City. It doesn't come at you with pervasive punch that says "bam, this is NY! — get with it, or get lost!" but it creeps up like an uncanny fog from behind and quietly makes its way into the spaces of your heart. What a gentleman. The mountains and the skies are mesmerizing. The people? Nice, almost too nice. But what is most intriguing is the creative spirit that seems to unceasingly swell into high-level innovation. That's quite charming.

I have a ton of thoughts running through my mind. I suppose the peace, serenity, and kindness that this city offers is something I am not fully accustomed to. The hospitality here is unheard of and the subtle demand for intimacy and vulnerability is just the slightest bit uncomfortable. It is an unsettling sensation, one that I can't properly describe. Still yet, my heart is curious for more. Ridiculous transportation costs aside (Caltrain, you money thief, you), Bay area seems to be good for me in very unexpected ways. And with that and more to come, I'll stay excited, expectant and open.

CREATIVE BREATHER

There is this unexplainable surge of energy that circuits when you gather with the creative likeminded. You don't talk much, but the few exchange of words tell you that you can be at ease. Today in my personal long-anticipation, I made my way to House on the Hill to meet Yena and Mariyah (do check out their blogs  [here] and [here]). It's been rare thing to write regarding the present, but there's a sigh of relief as I very intentionally make room for personal pleasure. 

Lemon-ginger is paired perfectly with these two creatives in what I would deem as an absolutely breezy, breathtaking place. I am sitting alongside wide-paned windows that look out into a handsome sight of greens. The air is consummately fresh and the space is just the right dose of "escape and exposure" from and to the beautiful city. Ah, this is just what I needed. 

Supposedly the story behind this place is also God-written. As I pause and listen to the chatter, I hear life-giving words unfold and there I rest my case. I assume there won't be too many days like these... 2 concerts this week (which has consumed my physical and mental energy in its entirety) and 13 days before I hit the road to the sunny stateside of California. Be intentional says the little voice inside. And that, I hope and I will. Enjoy the photos and please be sure to give the House on the Hill a piece of your time. 

부산

Every year around August, I make my way down to Busan for the Busan Hip Hop International Festival. Sometimes to dance, sometimes to MC (surprise, surprise. I do have a few substantial gigs under my belt now — yeah, yeah, that's Korean female hip hop MC) but regardless of the output, I go to work, and we work tirelessly. We host dancers from different stretches of the world, which means herding a group of 50+ people from Seoul to Busan. And for me, that means also helping with the language. "Where do you want to eat?" "Is everyone on the bus?" "Do you have your room assignments?" That, and rehearsals, meetings, etc...you get the picture. 

This time around, work must have been properly distributed — unreal — because it felt much more like a recess from the usual, insanely hectic rat race. Stress was something we steered clear from and that (for once!) led to exploring, sightseeing, and occasional feet dipping in the beautiful Busan blue. Korean culture set it up for me all too well because I didn't have to pay a dime — perks of being the youngest I suppose. And free meals aside, my time in Busan was over-all the most eye-opening moments of summer 2015. 

To avoid getting too deep into my sentiments (which I have so many), lets briefly talk about this mesmerizing city. If there's a California-type getaway or anything close to it for that matter, it has to be Busan. The vibrant blue skies blanket the clamour of the city with serenity. There is a relaxedness there, as well as an exuding of rest, play, and everything enjoyable pocketed perfectly in between. It could just be the accessible beach that makes all the difference, I don't know. Either way, I certainly threw an inner tantrum when we were boarding the bus to return. I can't wait for next August to come around so I can do it all over again! That, and heck, Busan may have very well become my favorite getaway in all of Korea. Take that with a grain of salt though, because I have a lot more places to travel to, and travel I will do.

CONFESSIONS

I definitely have my moments of frustrations with Seoul over some (fairly) trivial matters. Last week for instance, I was walking home from a dance class saturated in sweat and I couldn't help but curse — okay, profusely curse — the weather for its heinous humidity. The humidity right now....it's mad. It makes me mad, it makes people mad, and it creates an assembly of individuals that are forever on edge. (Trust me, pedestrian rage is a real thing come end of July). But again, these are trivial matters. The the bigger issues of cultural differences, the hitches and hurdles that stem from Confucian mindsets are the things that become more problematic for any analyzer. But still yet, the pros beat the odds.

The point of this post is to make things clear: I love Seoul. It took me three awfully long years to come to a place of peace and love for this complicated city. A real supernatural change of heart I'd say. (Jesus is is real!) Gratitude has led to contentment and contentment to dawning admiration. There is a momentum of innovation sweeping through this city. People possess urge to pioneer the unknown, to step out of the systematic hierarchy that has been long implemented into society. Koreans are so brave, the expats and natives alike. And all which was once distastefully overwhelming has all of a sudden become an engine of inspiration and food for my soul. Seoul, you are an upstream battle sometimes, really, but thank you for keeping me on my toes. I have 3 weeks left before departing stateside and I will very intentionally be putting myself in unfamiliar places to wander and indulge. Watch me soak.

Here are some noteworthy moments from my busy, satisfying month: