The Return to Korea

For those of you who have kept up with me on Facebook, you've probably seen my recent posts and pictures in Korea. Not long after I got back to the States, I bought a return trip to my second home. When I got the job in Kuwait, I wondered when the next time would be to return to Korea. If I went before my new contract started, I could see all the same people (except for my sweet Liezel). So, I had to take the opportunity while it presented itself. 

I also thought I really wouldn't like being home this summer... turns out, it has been great. So when I was flying out from Houston, I second guessed my decision to return. Did I want to have to say goodbye again? Did I want to open hurts that had healed? Was it going to be what I was hoping for? Well... once I landed, all my worries were washed away. I could not stop smiling. Everything felt right and my mind was at peace.

A lot of people didn't know I was going to be coming back, so it was a real treat to see their reactions. Overall, the trip was perfectly perfect. I reconnected with old friends, saw my favorite places (and new ones), and ate all the food! When I said good-bye, I felt sad, but didn't cry. I realized anyone is a plane ride, Skype call, Facebook message, or Kakao text away. I plan on visiting Korea again someday, but it's time to explore some new places first! So, here. Here is to the closing of one chapter and starting the next... 

First night's meal? Tuna kimbop, dukbokki, and bingsu with Kat and Ann. 

Oh so, so good bingsu. 

My beloved mall changed it's name to Centre Point... nope, not okay. 

First night out, trivia! I found my wings in Suwon. 

At the Big Chill! We didn't do so great, but our team was the cutest (Thomas and Sara not pictured, boo.)

Seeing my babies. Oh my gosh, I can't tell you how happy I was. Alex and James. 

Some old Giraffes. 

James, Tia, and Dana!

So much cuteness. 

Those eyes!

Hanging out with old Elephant. 

Silly, silly Tobias. 

I. Love. Them.

Yup.

My sweethearts, Gloria and Michelle. 

I was ecstatic to see this one. His mom saw me the day before at Homeplus. He was taking a break from SLP, but decided to come back this day to see me. I'm obsessed with Aden.  

Night at Green's. We had pizza, chicken, and beer. She had this adorable soju corgi. 

Treat yourself to shabu shabu and salad bar! All you can eat babyyy!

Meeeeaaaat. So much. 

Some sides. 

MH and Justin. My soju buddies. 

Nights at Kooma are alway great. The owners are so kind and give us "service" a.k.a.... free snacks! 

Someone was supposed to take a picture for me... instead it turned into a startling selfie photoshoot. 

Yeah... 

Pool after Kooma. I was as terrible as ever. 

Last stop, noribang!

There were videos taken, but those will remain... unseen.

When we left Noribang, we met sunlight. When in Korea...

After three hours of sleep, Kat and I headed to Seoul to eat at Butterfingers!
 Those mozzarella pancakes were as glorious as ever. 

I gots myself a henna tattoo in Gangnam. I liked it so much, I was quite tempted to get a real one! ;) 

She doesn't like taking pictures in public, but look how glorious this picture turned out! We went to Onnuri Seobinggo and I got to say hello to some unexpecting friends. 

Last stop, Ashley's apartment. A great evening of catching up. 

Look how big Emma and Teddy are!

"I'm a Li'l Gopher?"... more like, "I'm a Li'l ANGEL!"

Baby girl!

She is perfect. 

From the looks of it, feeding babies is my favorite thing to do... ever. 

Kat borrowed me her crown of flowers and I posed with udon. It's Korea, so it's allowed. 

Spicy, creamy udon with octopus! Very tasty!

Visiting the little ones again on Monday. 

Never a dull moment.

Leo (one of my favorite kids ever!) came in to take a make-up test. When he finished, we ate baby orange popsicles and talked about life. Bliss. 

Sweet Lily!

Look at that wonderful smile. 

Lisa and Jun Jun. 

Gloria has yellow hair! Jun is a little prince in this picture. 

One last time to see my precious Michelle. 

Grace has grown into such a beautiful, young girl. 

For Thomas' last dinner, Teacher Laura took us to a vegetarian restaurant. It was SOOO GOOD! I was very impressed. 

Afterwards, coffee at Caffe Bene!

Seriously, SLP has some awesome Korean teachers. 

Last day, saying goodbye to some of my first kiddos. Sadly, so many were on breaks or vacation. 

Great smiles... 

Some of my older kids.

He didn't want to take a picture... so, I pulled his papers away from his face and got this sweet shot. 

Sweet children. 

They were so happy to see me. 

Brandon and John. 

The last time for Thomas to check books in Hippo Class.

Send off at the Ramada. There have been wayyy too many of these! :(

The BEST place for fries and beer. 

Pomme Frites. 

French fries, beer, and fountain shows make for the perfect evening with the Kat Mendoza. 

First morning of SLP summer break. Brunch with Ann and Green at the Rolling Pin. 

Vanilla latte and the Rolling Pin Platter. Bread on the bottom with greens, balsamic vinaigrette, fruit, and cheese. Yum! 

LHN reunion with Brandon Jo! You're so close to finishing army, keep up the great work! I'm so happy we were able to meet up :)

Dinner with Josh. Casablanca in Noksapyeong. 

Chili lamb sandwich. Fantastic!

Rocket... lady?

Josh's seriously awesome crib. Check out that ceiling!

One of his roommates went to Texas State. Makes the apartment 10x better. 

Joshy playing Hillsong! I didn't know he could play the piano!

The next morning, I surprised the Whitten's on the US Army Base. They thought my friend Justin was bringing them gifts from the US for me. Turns out, no gifts... just me :) I will never, EVER forget their reactions. Priceless. Mrs. Beth let me come along and get mani/pedis with her at the Dragon Hill Lodge. Such a great day. 

Mrs. Beth and I went to the Seodaemun Prison Museum. It was not a very cheery place to visit, but I think learning more about Korean history makes me love and appreciate the country so much more. 

Wood engraving of the Korean flag. 

Pretty sure all teachers at SLP have taught a Reach Out lesson about this heroine. 

Memorial Hall. 

Cells and an imitation guard.  

The grounds. 

I need one of these. 

Lunch in Insadong. 

Delicious grilled chicken and duk. 

Cold, spicy noodles. 

Poop pastries. 

Mine was choco filled. 

Ice cream tubes. 

I've always eyed these. 

I dropped my phone at Seodaemun. Booooooo :( 

That evening, I ventured to Dongdaemun Design Plaza. It was pretty awesome. 

LED rose garden. 

The old city gate ran through the grounds. 

Leave or stay. Have to leave, wish I could stay. 

Recycle Haechi! Good job, Korea. 

Giant teacup. 

Lights and sounds. 

I went into one of the buildings and walked up a rounding, white hallway for twenty minutes. 

I like this shot. Such a neat place. 

Went back to base and had some awesome Korean peach cobbler Mrs. Beth made. 

Next day in Seoul, Mission Impossible at CGV with these guys. 

Jjimdak for lunch. My fave. 

Brothers!

Excited for desert! 

Tiramisu shaved ice and espresso to pour over. Perfect. 

These precious girls, Ellen and Christine, came to visit while in Gangnam. 

Milk tea ice, nuts, pudding, and tapioca pearls at Gongcha. 

Sweet guys. 

Fierce. 

Next stop, Bampo Bridge!

Let's go to the river!

We snagged the bench swing. It was perfect. 

We knew this girl wanted the swing. We made her wait... like an hour. 

Ugh, I love this city. 

You may have seen these in Avengers: Age of Ultron. Sorry to say they aren't medical labs. 

Walking under the bridge and all of a sudden there were fireworks! While the water show was still going on! Such a cool experience. 

Thanks for this pic, Josh. 

Musketeers! 

I went to Onnuri Dogok for church the next morning. I have missed it, despite loving my church in Houston. After church, we went out for lunch. Check out this feast. 

Sweet Ellen, always helping a waygook out. 

 Good friends. Love these people!

Dinner with Ann and a surprise of Brian! 

Brian and I are cracked phone friends. 

Ann and I love Pasta Buono! This seafood bread bowl was always my favorite. 

The next day, I headed to Seoul yet again with Kat. I had a bag to deliver to a friend's family. We went shopping and then had a Pecan Pop from Caffe Pascucci! Ahhh, so wonderful!

We went to Insadong and stuffed our faces. Excellent rice bowl with a smorgasbord of toppings. 

She is a queen. 

Seafood pajeon. The best I've ever had. 

Steamed mandoo. Our stomachs were exploding at this point. 

Honey cashew makgeolli! 

She never takes bad pictures. 

Kimchiiii!

We walked from Insadong to this market. The food section was amazing! Street carts everywhere. 

Back to Myeongdong to celebrate Yena's birthday! 

Egg bread. WHY HADN'T I TRIED THIS BEFORE?! :(

Melissa this is for you :) 

Fishy cone with vanilla ice cream, green tea powder, and real honey comb. Yeah, I died a little. 

Selfies at the bus stop. 

Great day in Seoul. 

Kooma celebrations with MH. 

Friends! Chingus! 

Sara takes a lot of pictures. 

Perfect way to end the night? Fried freaking chicken. 

Last full day :( Lunch with Ann. Tuna kimbop.

Shrimp bokembop. 

Fried mandu. All so, so good. 

I had been eyeing this bad boy all vacation. Some rainbow ice dessert from Caffe Bene. It had fruity shaved ice, cotton candy, and pop rocks. It is every child's dream!

It was dangerous though! We got smacked a couple of times with pop rocks. 

Lastly, to celebrate The Whitten's birthday's, I got Gigi's Cupcakes. Pink champagne, tiramisu, strawberry, and lemon. 

I got the tiramisu. 

My loving second parents. 

Mrs. Beth showed me her favorite store in Korea. They sold amazing decor out of old hanok wood and Swarovski crystals. I wish I had know about this shop sooner!  

Bye sweet Rocky! 

Your Aunt Sarah loves you!

Farewell dinner at Coreano's. Their version of kimchi fries. 

Bulgogi beef and cabbage taco. Pineapple and pork taco. 

Some dearest of the dears. Thanks for meeting up with me!

Last round of noribang. 

Chocolate hazelnut and mint gelato to end the night. Thanks Egypt! 

Last morning breakfast with Green and Kat at Thunder Bald. French toast, eggs, bacon, sausage, french fries, salad, and jam. What a set. 

Oreo ice coffee. I can't say no to Oreos. 

Then, I said my last goodbyes and Green took me to the Ramada. The flight from Seoul to San Francisco was smooth. I went through customs and immigration just fine. However, when I got to baggage claim, someone had pulled one of my bags off the belt. I stood there and started to panic as time ticked down till my connection flight. Once I found my bag, I went to baggage recheck and the man said I needed to hurry up. I ran to security and met a nice army guy. He had been on the same flight from Seoul and was also about to go to Houston. We went through security and I was so lucky to befriend him, because I left my passport at security and he grabbed it for me. We ran to the gate (it was the freaking last one in the terminal!) and got onto the plane before they shut the gate. I was lucky to have made a friend! 

Again, thank you to everyone who made my time in Korea so special. I never would have thought I could make such great friends all around the world. I feel incredibly blessed and lucky to know each and every one of you.