Happy Trails!

Tomorrow I am driving south to hang out with B. before going to bed early, waking up early, driving to the airport, flying to Detroit, flying to Tokyo, and landing in Busan, South Korea.

Oh yes, did I mention I am leaving the country for two weeks?

I will mostly be off the grid, visiting this girl:

Excited!!!!

Which means I will not be blogging and will not be in contact with most people. I'll be home in time for my little sister's first Shakespeare performance and my grandmother's birthday party in early-to-mid June.

Here are my Top 10 Things I have learned pre-Asian Adventure

10. There is no possible logic I can use to convince some people that South Korea is an awesome place to visit.

9. Then again, plenty of people think it's going to be a wonderful experience! Mostly Starcraft fans have voiced their approval, because South Korea is apparently the Starcraft Mecca. I've promised to take tons of pictures if I see any of this happening:



8. This adventure has been actively discussed since last summer, when the aforementioned lady started applying to teach ESL in South Korea. A little voice said, Why don't you go over there and visit her? I'm prone to over-thinking decisions, so the actual acts of buying this ticket and making the trip happen have already been such an adrenalin rush! Also, we semi-impulsively decided to go to Japan for a weekend to see our friend Scott, who has been cycling for charity for the past month. I find I like being impulsive! Sometimes.

7. This is my first trip overseas and I'm more worried about the exchange rate than traveling.

6. Contrary to popular belief, going to South Korea does not mean I will be anywhere near North Korea. For those concerned:

5. Applying for a passport when the President threatened to shut down the government was not ideal, but it did make the process more exciting.

4. Now that I have a passport, I find myself scanning cheap ticket sites. For example: my sister is going to Germany in September, and I could potentially go with her in the beginning of the trip...!

3. Every toiletry need can be bought smaller and in 3 oz. bottles or less! Unfortunately, less [product] does not equal more [savings]. I am only bringing a backpack with minimal clothes and items. If it doesn't fit, c'es la vie! Too bad, so sad.

2. You have to plan ahead for everything! Working ahead for job stuff, traveling needs, things you want to bring along to work on/ read, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. My "To-Do-Now-or-You-Will-Be-Overseas-and-Banging-Your-Head-Against-Bamboo" list is EXPLODING.

1. I'm so happy. I've wanted to travel overseas since high school, wasn't able to during college, and am now working and self-sufficient enough to do so. The bonus blessing is being able to take the time to do so, and having a number of friends from college over there to see and spend time with, as well as seeing the sights and experiencing another culture.

I'm finally reading (and finishing!!!) Jacques Barzun's From Dawn to Decadence on this venture. As a bonus goodbye gift, my post on "The Logic of Personhood" is featured on National Catholic Register and The Pulp.It today!

“Remember what Bilbo used to say: It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.”
-- J.R.R. Tolkien

Tourist Julie!

Happy Trails, friends! See y'all in two-ish weeks!