Korean Hot Yoga!

Tonight I decided to join a coworker of mine at her Hot Yoga class. I have been getting bored with my at home workouts and since it's pretty cold here I figured why the hell not! I have never tried Hot Yoga before and was a little nervous. But after work I sucked it up and went. I knew I would be confused what with the language barrier and all, but I figured I am semi on the fit side so I could probably figure it out. 

Upon entering the yoga studio, the staff greeted us in both Korean and English. Saying hello was pretty much the extent of their English skills, but I appreciated the gesture. It was a nice little establishment that wasn't intimidating at all. We got changed and then entered into the sauna they call a studio. It was hotter than I was prepared for. The workout itself was challenging and I sweat more than I have since my last 3 hours boxing session!!! I was very impressed!! 

After the hour long class, I had to finally come face to face with the biggest fear I have had here in Korea, (no Mom, not birds!).....the Korean locker room shower!!!! But I finally did it!!! I mustered up the courage, and with no shower curtain to hide me, I took an after yoga shower!! Now obviously this locker room was not as crazy busy as a larger one at a gym would be! But still I am very proud of myself for finally working up the courage to be naked!!! Hooray me! 

Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the yoga class and will definitely be going back for me! Here's to a slimmer, more centered me!

How far I've come

Not much is new here in Korea. The weeks pass by so quickly and before I know it the weekend comes and goes. It's hard to believe I have been here for five months already. Seems like just yesterday that I picked up and left Canada for a new life. Lately I have been thinking that I haven't changed very much and how it doesn't matter where we go in the world, the problems we try to run away from are like debt collectors, they will track you down dead or alive. 


A good friend of mine is currently going through a pretty nasty break-up and although I don't consider myself the kind of person who gives good advice (especially advice on relationships, I don't seem to excel in that area), she has been leaning on me for support. Break-ups are always terrible for both parties, but generally we as women, get the shit end of the stick. We are over-thinkers and tend to dwell on things that are not important and out of our control. We look to the past and wish we had what we had before. It's not an easy process to deal with. We think about where he is or what he is doing, but we rarely think about the fact that he is not thinking about us. We go through telling ourselves that he cares and that he must be just as sad as we are. Now, don't get me wrong, I am sure there are sensitive men out there who are feeling that way, but for the most part, they are sucking it up and getting on with life.


So in talking with her and trying to do my best as a friend to help her figure out all of the why's, I have been thinking about where I am. It's been over a year and a half since my last break-up. And it wasn't just any break up, it was the kind that shatters your life and changes who you are as a person. After which you can never go back, but only pick up the pieces and use the pain as a learning experience to help you grow and become someone better. Now, let me state that I am not, by any means "over" that relationship. I still dwell on things that don't matter and think about how good things were in the past. There is not a day that goes by where I don't think about him. That being said, after listening to my friend speak, I have taken on a new realization that I have come a long way in the past 18 months.


Not only have I taken the giant step of moving overseas to teach, I have started to grow up and have learned to be okay with being on my own. It's funny when you are young, everyone always talks about growing up and how mature you are getting with age, but I think when you realize it for yourself, everything changes. When you start to realize things that you would have overlooked before, like the fact that you can be a successful, happy human being without being someones girlfriend. Or that not all relationships are meant to work out, some are toxic and are only useful to show you that you deserve better. Obviously these things take time, and as I said earlier I am not completely there. I have many a day when all I can do is cry and wonder why, why, why.  But then I look back on what I went through to get where I am today. Faced with the hurt and pain of being dumped, I eventually picked myself up and continued on with my life, whilst slowly reassembling myself like a challenging puzzle with a piece or two missing.  I finished my degree, tried new things and branched out to new friends. And I am okay. Did all of the hurt make me a better person? I don't know, it did however, change who I am. And for that I can always look back and say I am glad I went through what I did and came out the other side alive.


 On that note, I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes from Elizabeth Gilbert's book, Eat, Pray, Love. 


"People think a soul mate is your perfect fit. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that's been holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. A true soul mate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then they leave."

Vietnam for Christmas....an eyeopening experience!

Since it is my first year, actually, away from home, it was fitting that I spent my first Christmas away from my family. This year my friend Desiree and I planned a trip to Vietnam for a week during our vacation. Since I am new at this whole travelling thing, I was a bit nervous, but I had also done a fair amount of research so I felt I was ready for what Vietnam had in store for me. Little did I know.... I set off early Saturday morning for Incheon Airport in Seoul, where I met up with Desiree. We flew to Shanghai, where we had a 7 hour layover that turned into a 10 hour layover, until our flight to Ho Chi Min City.  The time in the airport was long, but we made some friends along the way. We finally arrived in Ho Chi Min at around 4am Sunday morning. I had booked a private car to pick us up and drive us to our resort 4 hours way in Phan Thiet. For the first part we slept, and then the sun came up and my eyes opened to a world I had never known.

Driving through rural Vietnam was unlike anything I had ever seen before. The houses (if you could even call them houses) were made of concrete, cement, or sometimes just twigs and sticks. There were no cars in the drive way. No televisions in the living rooms. Animals were running freely everywhere. Chickens, cows, bulls, dogs and cats. Even though it was the early hours of the morning, children were running around playing in the yard. I was in shock. Never before have a seen so much poverty. How easy it is for us to ignore places like this when we have our own luxuries. 

We arrived at our resort in Phan Thiet at around 8am and we were greeted by the concierge. The resort was beautiful. A major difference compared to what we had just witnessed. Even though we were tired, the sun was out and we were eager to get out and explore. We took a quick nap and then grabbed some bikes (which were free to use at the resort) and went exploring. The city of Phan Thiet was quaint and slightly more wealthy than what we had seen on our way there. In the middle of the city there is a harbour filled with colorful fishing boats. 

One of the interesting things I liked about Vietnam was that everyone drives a scooter or a motorbike. There are very few cars and they are generally taxis. The rules of the road are simple. If you are bigger, you have the right away. 

Naturally, we decided to rent our own scooters to get around. This was my first time ever driving a scooter, but once I got it on, I felt so empowered. It was like playing a racing game but in real life! It also helped us to understand the Vietnamese way of life.

 We took the scooters along the coast to the more touristy area called Mui Ne. Just outside the city, there are famous sand dunes that change every year. We went to check them out and were met by a bunch of local children who accompanied us there. It was a sight to see! 

The lifestyle of Vietnam is laid back and one that I could easily get used to! It was such an amazing experience to see another completely different way of life. They live off the land and with very few modern amenities that we have grown to need for everyday existance. It really makes you think, and be thankful for the things you have in life. I truly am a lucky girl! 

After a week of sun and fun, we sadly had to leave Vietnam to come home to Korea. Unfortunately, due to flight scheduling, we ended up spending New Years Eve in the Vietnam airport. Here's to 2011, and more new adventures!!