See Ya Later, Alligator

In Korea, there’s one thing that you can always expect- you will say goodbye to at least 10 people and more likely than not, never see them ever again.  This is actually quite depressing when you think about it… earlier I mentioned how close you inevitably become with all the other teachers, co-teachers, and military personnel here in Korea, so the thought of just saying 안녕히계세요 is quite… dismal.  But let me be the first to warn ya, its gonna happen!

Just the other week, my closest gal pal become unemployed and homeless all within 24 hours, but thankfully had a one-way ticket to SE Asia.  So really, what’s there to complain about?  Well, I’m going to complain- I only had a brief 3 months with her.  I mean really, Kate, who am I going to wake up in an abandoned hospital, take a walk of shame in my dress and heals, and open a pizza store at 11am with?  And who’s going to overflow my bathtub (and bathroom) with bubbles when the floor’s getting a tad bit too dirty?  Oh and who’s suppose to hold your hair back when it’s been a rough night and ajooshi is pointing and laughing all while throwing back two bottles of soju?  Yeah, you’re right, I probably can’t help you in that last department anyway.  But seriously?   Come back to Korea?

So as we’ve all encountered out goodbyes, Kate and I made a promise that, as I dropped her off at the airport bus, making sure she secured a spot on the right-hand side to wave bye, that this was “See ya Later.”

And not just one “see you later”, but if we’re ever in the same country, I have to see you on a bi-annual basis… MINIMUM.  Maybe I just made that up, but Kate, I WILL see you on a bi-annual basis, even if you are in California and I’m parked somewhere in the Deep South. 

But first things first.  Our first “See ya later” will transpire come vacation.  As you may recall, Brandon and I have tickets to Kuala Lumpur, Cambodia, and Vietnam and it just so happens that Kate is homeless in no place other than SE Asia.  So perhaps this wasn’t a coincidence, but with dreams of visiting the rich-history of Cambodia and Vietnam and Kuala Lumpur as the hub of the cheapest Asian airlines (AirAsia- so much love!), Kate and I will reunite for a short 3 days in KL.  Needless to say, I’m super excited!!!

And from there, there better be more “See ya later, Alligators”.  Not just with Kate, but with the other mates (yes, I do have Australian friends here) who are traveling, side-by-side, drink-by-drink, lesson-by-lesson, fear-by-fear, mountain-by-mountain, country-by-country, memory-by-memory, through this once in a lifetime (literally) journey.  I’m really bad at goodbye, so it’s “See ya later, Alligator”, or if you’re from Australia “Afterwhile, Crocodile” is ok too!


And for some background music, the rising country star, Johnny Bulford:

Johnny Bulford- See Ya Later Alligator

FFF (11) - Korean Adoptions

With the mention of someone dear to me adopting a Korean baby, I thought it would be totally appropriate to mention two facts about Korean adoption that I coincidently learned this past week (and 2 more).

Fact 1:  When Korean families adopt a Korean baby, they select a child that they believe will be very similar to the parents.  This includes making sure that the child’s blood type will match with those of the parents.  Now why would they go through such hassle?  Interestingly, and quite different than U.S. customs, in the Korean culture it is uncommon to tell others that you are adopting, as it is frowned upon.  Gossip Queens would have a riot.  Oh it would be a disaster.  Furthermore, the adopted children never even learn that they have been adopted.  Personally, I believe that this is a form of protection in the conservative Korean environment.  

Fact 2:  A single man or single woman is unable to adopt a child in Korea.  Koreans, however, believe that this is a bizarre and unethical law.  As the country is becoming less conservation, perhaps a shift to eliminate this law will be pushed.

Fact 3:  According to Wikipedia (the most reliable source ☺), Korea is the 5^th most commonly adopted from country.  Therefore, although it is frowned upon in their own country, it is accepted for foreigners to bless these children with a comfortable home and family life.

Fact 4:  If I had to adopt children, I would 100% adopt a Korean baby, as these children are DEFINITELY the most adorable children in the world.  Judge for yourself:

Korean Baby Singing Hey Jude

WWW (6)- Travel

Since vacations are rapidly approaching, I thought I'd enlighten you (and myself) with a little bit of travel vocab. 

Korean: 뵤
Korean Pronunciation: p'yo
English Meaning: Ticket
In a sentence: (베트남) 뵤주세요
Pronunciation of sentence: (Beh tuh nam) p'yo chu se yo.
English meaning of sentence: A ticket to (Vietnam), please.

Korean: 여행해요
Korean Pronunciation: yaw haeng hae yo
English Meaning: To Travel (v.)
In a sentence: 나는 (베트남, 캅보디아, 말레이시아)를 여행중입니다
Pronunciation of sentence: na nuhn (beh tuh nam, kam bo di ah, mal leh i si a) rul yaw haeng im ni da
English meaning of sentence: I am traveling to (Cambodia, Vietnam, and Malaysia).

You guessed it... Brandon and I booked our tickets!  We're on our way to Malaysia, Cambodia, and Vietnam.  So far, our itinerary is looking like Kuala Lumpur, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi for 17 days!  If you can't tell, we're getting pretty excited! :)