Freedom Found

They drug me to Mudfest,

but then I didn't want to leave.

30,000 people covered in mud.

Swimming in the ocean.

Laughing like children.

Is there more fun that could be had?

I don't think so.

The Crew Is Gathered.  Adventure Has Commenced.

Our arrival was much hailed by our own personal paparazzi.

Getting dirty was the first thing on the menu.

There really isn't anything more delightful then muddy ladies.

The L of AL would rather things were a little cleaner.

Primal and Primary

Getting a little summer color.

Finished product.

Feeling brave at heart.

Every man dies, not every man really lives. (Alyssa, Landino, Steph, Lisa)

Mud pie face.

They let anyone come to these things. Look who I found, Brent and buddy.

Friendly Soju pushers.

Delicious cocktails.

Got'a Raise Em' Right

As a middle child,

I've seen the world from both sides now.

So when I was given temporary custody

of AL's little brother I took the job seriously.

Twenty four hours to influence the mind

of a jovial midwestern boy.

I made my list, I checked to make sure

we would be a little naught and a little nice.

Lance show Alyssa's kid bro and I the couchsurfing way.

After it was all said and done 

I think we did alright.

List of Top Accomplishments:

• Rode on a train for the first time.
• Toured a city his sister hadn't been to.
• Saw four cities in one day.
• Toured an art park.
• Experienced Korean foot massage paths.
• Kicked around in a river fountain.
• Tried one new Korean dish a day.
• Took a nap in the middle of a river at night.
• Ate silk worms from a can.
• Washed it down with soju & hot six.
• Couchsurfed on a fellow travelers floor.

One might say, 

this is my own version

of no child left behind.

Dirty Girl

It was a holiday and

Yertle's birthday.

 No better time for adventure.

So off we went to magical Daejon.

Our jump off point was the Eco Forest

where we took the path less traveled

and wondered off into the mountains of Korea.

Yertle, reviewing all she can see.

Yertle (Alyssa) and Landino celebrate her birthday.

Happiness is the path less traveled.

We left the world behind.

Landino took it like a man.

 At the end of the hike 

we found our ourselves.

dirty

sweaty

hungry

thirsty

sore

beat up

and

far from the maddening crowd.

But we were there,

unabashedly ourselves.

 Which is why it's so much easier

to find yourself

when on an adventure.

Waiting Games

There is no reason to wait at home,

reflecting on things you can't control.

Better to set out on an adventure

and let it fill the voids of "what if"

with the magic of "what is".

Alyssa and Landino: They came, they saw, they conquered.

Summer Luv'n

When you have the best co-workers in the world

there is only on thing to do when summer comes around.

 Make everyone go to the lake for a BBQ.

 

I make potato salad and sauerkraut.

They bring the kimchi and meat.

We all bring our families and friends.

We all laugh and play in the sun.

  

When it's all said and done I don't think I know how to be a good expat.

It seems I'm just a little to interested 

in living a normal life

with the normal people 

who live in the normal country 

doing normal things.

 

I just want my life to be:

-well-

normal

happy

and a little bit

average.

Birth of The Dragon

The year of the Dragon

was birthed in adventure.

Thank you Korea for offering up

one of the most unique, uncomfortable

and fabulous New Years experiences

the world has to offer.

Homigot it going on.

The Wolfpack: Norma Jean, Alyssa, Landino.

First Light of 2012

Winters Warm Glow

Soon this too will be a memory of our youth.

A warm thought for the winters of our lives.

That time we ran away to the sea

to sing Auld Lang Syne.

 

 Norma Jean, Alyssa, Landino.

Goodbye 2011

Auld Lang Syne by Robert Burns

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And auld lang syne?

Chorus:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne!

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pu'd the gowans fine,
But we've wander'd mony a weary fit
Sin auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl't in the burn
Frae morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin auld lang syne.

And there's a hand, my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o' thine,
And we'll tak a right guid willie-waught
For auld lang syne!

And surely ye'll be your pint' stowp,
And surely I'll be mine,
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne!

Translation:

Should old acquaintances be forgotten,
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintances be forgotten,
And days of long ago !

Chorus:
For old long ago, my dear
For old long ago,
We will take a cup of kindness yet
For old long ago.

We two have run about the hillsides
And pulled the daisies fine,
But we have wandered many a weary foot
For old long ago.

We two have paddled (waded) in the stream
From noon until dinner time,
But seas between us broad have roared
Since old long ago.

And there is a hand, my trusty friend,
And give us a hand of yours,
And we will take a goodwill draught (of ale)
For old long ago!

And surely you will pay for your pint,
And surely I will pay for mine!
And we will take a cup of kindness yet
For old long ago!