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:

HEY SUMMER

It always happens like this: The mental commitment to be steadfast through the brutal cold winters. Then the whirlwind of things that need your attention bites at you from behind...the refinement...the struggle for next level growth....and then BAM, just like that, summer. Let me tell you, summer has been like a cold cup of lemonade. Sweet, relieving and restorative. Friends from the states come and go and you end up going to places that only vacation-minded folks would think of, which makes the season all the more whimsical and full of adventure. Oddly enough, the rain has been holding up which has made every evening the perfect "summer night."And if you know me, you know that I love any excuse to sit outside until 2am on a weekday over an ice cold beer. (Whoops, that was yesterday). delightful.

Now while we're on the topic of all things good, I will be going to LA this fall for dance (finally! — insert deep breath — finally). I just recently came to understand that when people say they are from "LA," what they really might mean is that they live an hour away in a place like "OC" and they just kind of expect you to... you know, get it. "Why is California so obnoxiously big?" is the question I've been asking nonstop. Truth is, I know absolutely nothing at all about California except some people there, the dance scene, the food (tacos, tacos, tacos), and the idealistic weather all to which I've kind of bubbled up in my head. I guess it is both exciting and unnerving to know and not to know. Preparation is key, yes, but I've made up my mind not to peer anxiously into the future. Staying up to perfect the unseen is a bad habit to break because today deserves our full attention. Anyways, it's all quite exciting. The ease and joys of this season have left me standing still, slightly puzzled and unsure. Still yet, summer has been completely and ridiculously satisfying. Surrender and cue: Becky G - "Can't stop dancing" 

MOMENTS OF MAY

May was a busy, busy month. Hence I have completely and unknowingly put a halt to all blog/photography activity and instead filled my spare time lots of crunch time work, lots of church-related activities, and lots of anticipation what would come afterwards. June 1 hit, and I can confidently say that am reaping the goodness of my labor. In case you're curious: intimacy, fresh relationships, revelation and breakthrough. Circumstantially, things are pretty steady but the "consciousness of good" has been quite transformative. I think it's true — you reap what you sow, and you are given what you hunger for. Last month was powerful.

On June 1st, I woke up, head-wrapped my hair in floral and hopped out for breakfast at "Travel Makers" in Hongdae [pictured above]. If I could have that kind of breakfast and company every morning, I would frolic to work with a smile guaranteed, but on the real I guess today morning was one of those special occasions and a rare blessing to count. Work was work (teaching 5 year olds has its ups and downs but today heart stickers reinforced shockingly good behavior). Then I came home, set up a work station in my living room [also pictured above] and journaled with Norah Jones, laundried, and then of course blogged. I can already say that summer is going to be FUN. And for the like-minded who are very intentional about playing hard, (or, in the words of Jay-Z, "livin' life like a video") I for sure will be seeing you around. I look forward to the late summer nights, blue-skied annual rooftop parties, spontaneous eats, and morning heart-to-hearts over coffee. Fun is what you make of it, right? Tomorrow my friend Sarah comes from NYC and as much as I am nervous about the calories I will gain with her, I couldn't be more ecstatic. Summer, oh summer, you're gonna be a good one.

Oh, and if there is one thing that best encapsulates the month of May, it would be these two words and a photo. "Glorious Riches." Ask me more : )