Disclaimer: some of these topics may be specific to Korea, BUT I did my best to only cover topics that can apply to traveling anywhere, yea? :)

Life is hard here in Korea. Not going to sugar coat it. But nothing outside the expected realm of being a foreigner. Life is still enjoyable, definitely, but also definitely challenging. Pretty much aside from making a french press and doing my make up in the morning life has changed completely. Even getting dressed is a real challenge as I did not foresee the dress code requiring me to wear shirts that came up past my collarbone everyday. The crew neck shirts I brought (which were few) are still too low. Yea, it’s button up’s and turtlenecks for me, everyday. You can see how this is a problem knowing that I brought two button up’s and zero turtlenecks along.

Finding my own home is hard, I couldn’t purchase my own trash bags, I don’t know how to mail anything nor have things mailed to me, Google continues to tell me things in Korean even though I switched it to English, I broke my laundry machine because I can’t read any of the buttons, my clothes took 3 days to dry because they don’t use dryers here and it has been cold, showering is an interesting and eventful part of my day, when I get on a bus I just hope it will go where I need to be because I can’t read the Korean map, EVEN if I could read Korean, they don’t really use street names here (just landmarks), I can only charge my computer at home because the outlets change and my transformer is huge!

I haven’t figured out if this rule is for everyone, or just foreigners but I’m not allowed to try on cotton clothing here. At ALL. It took 10 minutes for me and the store clerk to understand each other, but as it turns out, cotton is not for trying on for it will (as translated by her phone) “stretch; increase in size.”

yea..

The point is, is that I knew it was going to be hard cultural differences, language barrier and all but there are just somethings that you do not expect to be so hard. Small things, like using your own silverware or dishes, or your own bed, or kitchen table make a difference. Nothing feels like home. I do know that things could be worse. Even through all this struggle I’m still able to laugh about it. It’s quite humorous when I think about it. This first month is hard, but I’m learning more each hour.

I have complied a list of things to be sure to research before you leave your home country.

1.Find out which bank you will be able to convert money at by using your foreign debit cards. While you will be able to easily convert money at the airport, you will most likely run out shortly. In Korea, I must wait until I receive my Alien Registration Card (ARC) to even be able to open a bank account so deal with charges is just the name of the game. Ask your bank ahead of time what the charge is for using your card overseas. (oops, forgot that one! Didn’t forget to ask, just forgot the percentage, so write it down too!)

2.See if there are any companies that will allow you to get a phone upon arrival. Many of my English speaking friends still do not have phones here because they’re waiting on their ARC card for that as well. I bought my phone through The Arrival Store and it was there waiting for me at the airport. (nice, right?) It’s not my first choice in phones, but it’s still a smart phone and has been a huge relief to have. I mean really, do you want to go a month in a foreign country with out a phone these days? The translator app is enough reason alone.

**If you’ve never been a smartphone user before, maybe now is the time to start (when you travel abroad). Many people I know here chose to have a simple phone and have told me they wish they would have gone with the smart phone. Trust me, it will make a difference in the simplest of things… like, survival okay?

3.Hopefully you will have someone who is around to help you get settled in at the beginning. Before they leave you home alone, make sure you find out how to use the appliances. Things that are very elementary to use are stunningly difficult because everything is in a foreign language. Washing machine, coffee maker, rice cooker, how to take out the trash, how to use the bus system, the heater, what is your address, how do you write it, what is your employer’s address… everything.

4. Learn a few phrases. A few phrases have gotten me far since being here. Not only that, the locals will appreciate your effort even if the pronunciation is incorrect. Formal and informal greetings, where is the bathroom? how much is it? my name is…. it’s nice to meet you… These are very helpful. OH and learning 1-10 and also how they pronounce the order of money is also helpful.

5.What kind of outlets do they use? Stock up on transformers and converters before you come.

6. Know the culture. Are you going to an area where taking off your shoes in restaurants is common practice. Bring nice socks. Black socks. Nice, black socks.

7. Is the water safe to drink? Bring a water filter and pack smaller items that need protection inside the water filter. It will not end up taking up as much space and you will protect those things you’re worried will bust. I put a ton of perfumes and lotions in mine as I was bringing them as gifts and wanted to make sure they didn’t ruin. Then I packed a ton of clothes around the water filter and put it all in a vacuum sealed bag.

Above photo: Filtered travel water bottle gifted from a friend. Awesome travel gift to give yourself or others. She found this at a college bookstore, but you can find it here, too.

8. Is gift giving a custom? If so, bring a lot. I thought I brought a lot but I’m currently in the position of hunting for more because you have no idea how many people you will need to help you. Regardless of how you consider yourself (independent or dependent) you will be dependent on others at some point upon your arrival. Try to bring gifts that are native and specific to your home; something you can’t get anywhere else. I was told Bath & Body Works products are highly sought after so I brought a lot, but now I feel like those products aren’t worthy of all the help I’ve received so I’m hesitant to give them. However, I think good chocolate is always appropriate (at least as a little something extra). Regretting not stopping by Askinosie, big time!

So not everything about being a foreigner is bad hard. Really. Next up, I’m going to share with you the things I already really love about Korea and being in a completely unfamiliar place.

Have a lovely day! Always, Missy

No, I’m not buzzed from Soju and no, I’ve haven’t been eating too much kimchi. (I have been eating a lot of kimchi, however)

Seriously, everything here has a distinguished level of cuteness that I’ve never quite seen before. There are things that one would never think of making cute that are cute here, take for instance, trash cans.

or lamps,

or pot scrubbers

(yes, that’s a little dress)

or speakers

or cell phone cases

or clothespins.

Ok, so that last one is a little more practical than the others, but you get my drift, right? Not a single item goes untouched by the cuteness fairy here. I didn’t even have to try and take photos of cute things. These were just photos in my phone of things I wanted to remember because I might purchase them. If I went seeking photos of cute things, I’d run out of space on my phone.

I’ll be back sooner than later (Promise because it’s already written! ow ow!) with some down and dirty stuff about how life as a foreigner really is in Korea, because it’s not all cute I tell you. No, life as a foreigner is hard! So, for those of you who want to know the real facts …I’m going to let it out. Sometimes it’s just what ya gotta do!

Have a great day wherever you may be!

Love, Missy

To be honest with you, I’m not even sure that it is Monday. My calendar says that it’s Monday, but I’m not sure if it’s Monday back home yet. I know what’s going to happen after I fall asleep tonight and wake up in the morning, but I’m still not sure if that will be Tuesday.. or still Monday, here or there.

BUT I know I’m close… to Monday that is.

This week has been a whirlwind if you hadn’t guessed. Kind of like a flurry snowstorm.

And as I write this, I’m talking, in my head, in a British accent because I’ve been chatting all night with a friend from London. That is one catch-y accent, you know? If you read this with your best British accent, it will be like you’re right here with me. hmm.

Today, I found out which area in the province of Chungcheonbuk I will be residing in, Cheongju. Not be to confused with Chungju, but Cheongju.

I also found out that I will be teaching elementary school students, most likely various grade levels, if not all of them. Whew! (I see a lot of public singing and stickers in my future!)

We depart tomorrow at 8:00 am. and will ride the bus to the main office of our schools. From there, we will be introduced to our Korean co-teacher who will (hopefully) take us to our apartment and then to get our Alien Registration Card. Possibly a few other places, like to attain a bank account, the grocery store and various other locations necessary to our survival.

Anywho, it’s an early morning so I must get to sleep. I hope your week is off to an amazing start. My life in Korea is about to take flight.

Love, Missy

ps. Soon, the usual Beautiful, Inspiring Mondays will be right back on track. You have NO idea how much inspiration I’m taking in and I can’t wait to share it with you!

Outfit Details: Grandma’s Bolero, Long Skirt-made dress thrifted 1.00, Shoes Charlotte Russe, Sunglasses Red Velvet, Belt Gap.

Take for instance, seeing an old high school buddy at 2:00am in the NYC subway up around 151st St after nearly four years since seeing them last in Jefferson City, MO.

That happened to me.

(Hi Mark!)

But then things get even weirder.

Like seeing someone in S. Korea that you went to elementary school with in Holts Summit, MO over 12 years ago.

This is my friend Clayton and he’s stationed here in S. Korea. Yea. Bananas!

Seriously, what are the chances? I really don’t know. Maybe the chances are higher than I think. Regardless, it happened. So, what else do you do when you see someone from elementary school in a time zone half way across the world?

You eat some food, of course.

I’m so happy to have Clayton here. He’s been here since November and has a better handle on things than me… so far.

Clayton, you just wait I’m going to school YOU on Korean culture soon enough! It is in my blood after all. :)

It’s nice seeing a familiar face. Unbelievably nice.

So here’s what I have to say about this encounter. Big things (and changes) DO happen to people from small towns!

It’s fun to think about your life a year ago and then assess what is happening to you at this moment. Is this what you would have predicted? I know I never would have guessed this! Life is full of sweet surprises so don’t get caught up in the hustle and bustle so much that you forget how far you’ve come and DO allow yourself to get excited for the future! You just never know, you know?!

Seriously, have a good day,

Missy

This was the entrance to Ethnic Bar as you can see titled. I just thought the painting was really pretty. :)

I spotted this while strolling down the street with my roommate the other day. It’s right outside of the campus and I believe it’s the entrance to a historical art institute… but I could be completely wrong.

Awesome street food tent with two very hard working ladies inside.

This is downtown Daejeon. It’s a short cab ride away from our orientation site with tons of fun stores, bars and restaurants. On this particular night, a group of us just walked around and explored. I bought some bargain hair bows and then we popped in a corner store for ice cream. I also saw live squid on the street this night!

Here we are in an elevator in the Galleria Mall. Tourists, I tell you. Tourists.

I gasp when I spotted this traditional Korean dress in the window. This shop looked divine and I didn’t feel dressed enough to go in. I saw fabric bolts of silk through the window and there was a Korean woman sitting right in the front door as you walk in to greet you. I think these dresses, Hanbok, are truly beautiful. I think I want one… or at least I want to wear one at some point.

Here’s the other window.

It’s the little things that get me. This was a credit card machine at the store that I found the bows. I didn’t get to use it because I don’t have a bank account here yet, but I just thought it was so futuristic looking.

Speaking of futuristic, do you see the space ship store lit up in the middle of this photo? I think it was a hair salon!

So far life is good. Today we wrapped up the first half of our classes. It’s been two long days and very intensive classes, but they have brought in really excellent speakers and teachers to help us prepare for our upcoming teaching experience, so it’s definitely good for me. But guess what? Tomorrow we’re going on a FIELD TRIP to a traditional Korean farm where we will learn how to make bean curd, dye fabric with vegetables and make cell phone charms. Ha! I mean seriously? Does a field trip get any better than that? I am flipping out that I’m going to get to learn even more about vegetable dyeing. Totally up my alley. I’m just so excited. It doesn’t matter how old you are, field trips are always good.

Sleepy now…

Love, Missy

Aside from the slight condensation that dripped on me during take off, Asiana Air has been.. well really fun. The stewardesses have already made an outfit change from a very put together taupe 2 pc dress suit to a red, flower-ey serving apron. They’ve brought me a pair of headphones, a pair of slippers, a hot towel to wash my hands with and I just found out I get a first and second meal. Western, Korean and Greek are all on the menu.

Waiting to see what’s coming my way next because I just saw a cart roll by me.

Ok that was a beverage cart. Nothing out of the ordinary except for the fact that it had FREE wine on it! “Um yes, I think I’ll have the white wine, thank you.” I’m considering busting out the few Korean words I know here on this plane today.

I ventured to the bathroom not expecting much, but once again, I’m delighted to find free lotions, mouthwash, a toothbrush and toothpaste and there was also a comb for men.

I’ve been watching this little Oriental girl who’s been entertaining the seat behind her thus far. I’m in the very back so I see Everything. She just took a sip of her drink, I’m guessing sprite, swooshed it through her teeth and then spit it all back in her cup, bubbles and all. Laughed real hard and did it three more times. I think her mom must be sleeping.

Oh, did I mention that I have 15 channels to watch up here in the air. No charge. This flight is a dream.. or maybe I just don’t get out enough. Either way.

So I just finished eating the first meal. I ordered Bi Bim Bop. It came with all these tasty veggies, kimchi, soup, some kind of noodle I’ve never seen before, rice, fruit and yet another glass of wine. This is the life up here I tell you. I found out after I had finished my meal that I was supposed to combine the rice with the veggies along with sesame oil and pepper paste they gave me, but it was too late. I had already poured the sauce over the veggies and the pepper paste in my noodles and had eaten them. Next time.

One of the stewardesses just brought me some paper work for customs. So far, they have all spoke to me in Korean. Darn that baggage claim that made me go and forget all about my notebook that had the translation for “I only speak a little Korean” and put it in my checked bag.

Being in the very back of the plane, our area is quite the popular place. This flight so far has been non-stop action between people stretching their legs and these super human stewardesses. They’re all really beautiful with shiny and tight faces. Just about every young American on this plane is headed to teach English just like me. It’s cool, but I haven’t felt compelled to talk to any of them yet. Just hasn’t felt right.

Now is the time where I try to take a nap and put down my Ellen Degeneres book for now. Until later…

Ok so it’s 10ish (am) Korea time (7:00ishpm yesterday Missouri time) Thought it’d be a good time to wake up. I just got a ham and cheese sandwich handed to me. That was not on the menu. Just a ham and cheese sandwich surprise. I’m also more than ¾ of the way done with my Ellen book.

I just saw the most amazing sight of the Cherskogo Mountains. The photos don’t even do it justice.

Stats:

Altitude-380000

Temperature- (neg)63 F

Ground Speed-555

Just ate my second meal. I asked for Chicken but somehow got the fish instead. I’m actually glad though, it’s the healthier choice anyways and that’s one of my goals while I’m here. To get healthy. I even drank some pineapple juice. I just feel bad for the people who made the fish choice and got the chicken. Because that’s what happened, everyone’s got switched. Oops.

We have officially hit the less than two-hour mark until we land and I just got really excited. Up until now it has been nothing but making sure I’m in the right place with the right papers at the right time.

Checking that last bag was almost a relief. Before I literally had to back out of the isle because it was so big and I couldn’t control it. Not to mention I had to move stuff from my personal bag over so now that’s lighter. Weight has been lifted off of me, literally. All I have to do is pack up my tiny, lighter bag and trot my way on in search of a cart.

ANNND that was my flight ya’ll.  I mean, right? Doesn’t it sound amazing. Anywho, I’m on my lunch break and it’s 1:22 here but 10:21pm yesterday in the states, sooo for my friends back home. Good night loves! I’m off to more teaching classes and guess what, tonight is my first Korean lesson!

Love, Missy

Hi there! Made it to Chicago, sitting in the Asiana terminal right now. Ended up I had to check all four of my bags because even my carry on was too heavy. What’s new?

It was hard saying goodbye. I mean, this make up has to last me a day and a half, you know? Just kidding, I’m not really concerned with that. :)

Gotta run, we’re starting to board. I have an isle seat, so here’s to hoping the plane isn’t jam packed! I like to look out the window!

Thanks for reading! I’ll see you in Korea!

Overall, feeling really good about my trip. A little worried about the weight of my baggage at the moment. There’s just no way packing for a year can be easy. At this point I have two bags I’ll be checking, but I’m considering checking a third…

(Serious Packing Tip: When you are packing for a long trip, I would highly recommend investing in a large set of these air tight bags for your clothing and other packing items. It takes a little trying to fit everything in just right, but it’s definitely a life saver when it comes to moving your life across seas. The brand name of mine are called “Space Bag”)

This past week has been a really nice preparation to my trip. Lots of family stuff and time with my dearest friends. It’s been really sweet.

Missing my Bob pretty bad already.

That’s all for now. I’ll be back tomorrow once I land in Chicago. From there it’s a direct flight to Incheon Airport where I will receive my new Korean phone number. I was told that I will still be able to use the apps on my phone as long as I have wifi without a phone service plan. I’m praying that’s true. I would really hate to go without my Instagram (@missycreed). I guess we’ll find out on Monday :)

Love, Missy

I am always lovestruck with the natural beauty some parts of Springfield has to offer. During my last day there, which was Valentine’s day, we decided to go for a small hike right before Christiano ordered me my favorite chips & salsa in the whole world….they’re at Creek Side Bistro if you’re hungry. Even though I was really bogged down with packing to do, I had no doubt in my mind it would be worth it to spend some quality time with Christiano in some beautiful scenery. Totally worth it.

Right? I mean, sometimes you just have to stop what you’re doing and remember what’s really important. And then, just go do it.

I found some beautiful moss, I just have this thing for it. Also, the stair steps that the roots form… exceptional, yea? But, seeing this beautiful swan was purely the icing on the cake. They’re just magical.

Like I said, Totally worth it.

We had a lovely Valentine’s day and I hope you did too!

I’m off to cross some more things off my pre-departure ToDo list. It’s like running a marathon!

love, Missy

I really do my best to purchase notebooks that are made from recycled paper and products, but I have one stipulation. They have to look good. I believe that just because something is recycled doesn’t mean that it always has to look like a brown paper bag. Right? Right. All of the following journals are made from recycled products, but they don’t even look it!

Enjoy!

(click on the image to shop these journals)

Now, I just need to choose one and hope it arrives in the mail fast enough. I leave the country on the 19th! For those of you who have been wondering where I have been hiding, I apologize for the absence. During this last week, I’ve been feeling really private and more or less just wanting to hibernate with my fiance. I’m savoring every last minute I have with him and my time in Springfield. I love this place and I will truly miss it. However, I’ve missed blogging dearly and I hope you’ll understand and continue to show me support as my whole life relocates to half way across the world. I’m very excited to share this next year with you all in Korea and I hope you’re excited too!

Have a b-e-a-utiful Monday!

Missy