Skiing!!!

So, when my older brother Jason was in med school (can you guys remember that far back? 10 years or so...maybe? I dunno) we went to visit him and Aunt Marj and Trevor and I took skiing lessons. I spent most of my time skiing sideways down the mountain PETRIFIED of going fast!

I also, lost a ski on the lift, dropped my stick, forgot to get off, fell getting on, the guy running the lift thought I was Secret Shopper or something making sure they could handle all situations.

So...when a bunch of couchsurfers wanted to do a midnight ski run for 40,000 won...I said yes! Why not? I've done a lot stupider for a lot more than 40,000 won (umm less than $40).

Surprisingly enough I like skiing, I am not very good...but its fun! Granted Alex was gracious enough to help me! But I only fell once (and in my defense Eugene did manage to try skiing through my legs at that time meaning I skied partially down the slope riding ... Eugene?)

By the way what the heck are those sticks for? I see no purpose except helping me up when I fall.

Oh and for those curious, I am still San Diegan cold intolerant. In those photos I am wearing:

Legs: tights, knee high socks, pj socks, normal socks, pj pants, jeans
Tops: Tank top, t-shirt, long sleeves, vest, jacket, sweater, big jacket

And then gloves and scarf (I survived the temps)

Anywho..photos! Because I know you don't come here to read my nonsense


At this time I figured this was the last picture I'd take as I was about to die



The group before we head up! From left to right: Juanita, Me, Eugene, Alex, Ethan, Jon and ... I think That's Josh


Before the lift


Wohoo! I made it on the Lift OK!!! And off! And now I am going to try and get down...Acks


I repeat ... ACKSSSSSSS!

Rafting

OK so I am late I know but this weekend has been HECTIC!!!

We went rafting last weekend here's a video my friend Patrick made:


It was really fun! When they talk about the wonderful jumper, that was my friend I got to jump off the rocks with me! I was really happy. No peer pressure I just jumped first and egg beatered in the water until she jumped in and then helped her swim to shore! YAY lifeguarding (kinda) and taking water polo wayyy back when I was younger

Later that night we headed to Aaron's house. His landlord used to have a restaurant so we all sat outside in the backyard where it used to be. We got him to come out and turn the lights on. Turns out its a norebang (karaoke bar)! So a disco ball dropped down and we all started singing!

Kyoo and Craig

Patrick and Me


Craig and Me

Aaron and Me

The next day we took a short hike which was nice walked around town and headed back to our respective cities. When I arrived in Suwon I did a quick load of laundry and then went to sleep on Monday I headed to Yongin where I would have my week long orientation :-)

But more on that later, its almost midnight on Sunday andI have school tomorrow, so I hope everyone is doing well!!!

Hiking, Festivals and More

This weekend was INTENSE!

I have about 5 minutes and then I need to leave for work so this is the cliffsnotes version.

First photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/CarissaPeck/Festival

OK, so Friday was a holiday (Memorial Day!) so Thursday night I went over to Ansan (about an hour away) to visit my friend (yep another couchsurfer, I know that post is coming too). I got a little lost, wondered around the streets for a while found a random B-Boy competition (umm...dancing) a bonfire at a school, and some other fun stuff. Finally hopped in a cab met up with her at an Indian food place (Taj Mahal...they're always called Taj mahal)

We took the subway into Seoul together stopped at a coffee bar, did silly things on the internet and then met up with my friend for the WORST Long Island Ice Tea's I've ever had! Cheryl and I walked Vincent home and then headed to OI (a really cool cave bar) while heading there Cheryl points to a guy and says, "That's my wallet" he hands it over. It had money and everything, she had NO idea she lost it, weird eh?

OK, so we stay out a bit more and finally around 5:00am we get noodles!!! Take the subway to the bus station and I get the 7:30 bus to Donghae-si (it means East Sea-City). Sleep on the bus and arrive at Patrick's(Canada) at like Noon. Have brekkie and then take a bus on an AMAZING hike! Met up with his monk friend (Buddhist monk f 15 years thinks I am charming...probably one of the best compliments I've ever had)

Head back to Patrick's where out friend Aaron meets up with us. Have noodley breakfast play cards and then sleep! The next morning Richard and Anne(England/Australia) come over and we all head to the bus station together.

This weekend there's a festival and the tourism board gave native teachers a discounted price so we went and saw fun things! (More about the history and mystical stuff when i have time). Walked to the beach later that night and then came home and slept.

Sunday we went on another GORGEOUS hike! Had great Italian pasta and I got to meet Patrick's co-teachers!! Which is honestly the BEST part! I love locals! So with them we painted masks, got my hair washed in iris water and saw some cool miming, swinging and dancing.

Then I took a night bus to Seoul arrived just as the subways were closing, but made it to my friend Vincent's house. Slept there midnight to 5 woke up and 5 and took the subway to Suwon. Took a bus to my house, washed my face, called Anessa and Brandon to wish them happy birthday, brushed my teeth and ended up at school 5 minutes early.

EXHAUSTING!

Camping...kinda

So I planned a weekend get-away for me and my fellow couchsurfers. For those of you who don't know I am part of a website called couchsurfing. I'll do another "what's couchsurfing?" post later.

But we went to a hostel in the country...soooo pretty, and we ended up with like 34 people showing up. We went on a hike, a nature walk, a boat ride, had a campfire, overall lots of fun :-)

That's the hostel


That's the backyard


I have more pictures posted to my facebook album: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2131026&l=a33f3&id=24606699

:-)