Beautiful Yangsan (+ random Korean stuff)

I really love where I live. I know when I was first given my placement, I was a little wary because I was expecting somewhere rural and quaint and in the countryside. But guys and gals, I really lucked out. I seriously have the best of both worlds where I'm at. If you know me, you know I've never been a fan of big city (I mean, I seriously want to retire in 29 Palms some day, remember?). I love small, run-into-people-you-know places, but still within an hour of civilization/big city. Here in 양산시(Yangsan), I live right next door to down town (my "city"), a mile or so block of all the things you could need (shopping, entertainment, food). At the same time, there are beautiful mountains, a river, fields, and greenery all within walking distance, too. Agghhh, I just love it!

Above are pics I've taken walking to or from work. Below are pics I took while wandering back from the post office. I decided to explore the path along the river heading back to my apartment:

 Also, I've been going jogging after doing some basic exercises (my routine from my chiropractor back in AZ, actually) and it's just so beautiful. This is seriously a 5 minute walk from my apartment.

YAY ME for exercising!! 

Here's a map of my beautiful city:

Also, I know I've mentioned this before, but I'm a 8-10 minute walk from the last subway station on the Busan line and a 10-12 minute walk from an intercity bus terminal, so getting to places outside of my immediate block or 2 of "city" is really manageable (and affordable). Just to emphasize the juxtaposition of city and countryside, check out the view from the subway:

Okay so just know that where I live is pretty awesome 😏😁 I love my school (co-workers and students), I love my ward, and I have a great group of friends that I've been able to visit with at least once a month so far. The Lord has definitely blessed me in all of this 💗


Alright so some random things:

1. I'm still figuring out how to live with my hair here. I realize that frizz is something I have grown up viewing as a negative thing but here, people get perms to make their hair anything but straight and so any wave in hair is better than no wave, frizz included. Don't nobody here bat an eye over frizz!! I don't think people even know it's a thing. But I still care about it 😅 but I have yet to find a method or product that keeps the frizz away so... whatever. I guess I need to be less vain 😂 even though I know I'm no where near the same level of 100% frizz, I can't help but compare myself to 황정음's character in She Was Pretty:

2. I. LOVE. THE. FOOD. HERE. My favorites so far are 삼겹살 (samgyeopsal) and, of course, 빙수(bingsoo). But out of all the Korean food I have eaten so far, I have only disliked 2 things. The food here is that good. *knock on wood* I don't even miss American food (I'll let you know when that time comes, though 😉)

 삼겹살

 

 빙수

 교촌 치킨

육개장 (YUM!)

 비빔밥

 김치 볶음밥

 떡볶이

 고구마 (sweet potatoes - YUM!)

 핫도그 

(yes, that's a corn dog. they call them "hot dogeu" here. they're a popular street food and they're delicious. much more batter than American corn dogs, the batter is a bit sweeter, and that's sugar not salt. sounds crazy but its so good!)

3. Every chance I get I take pics of Korean celebrities I recognize hahahahhaha (and usually send them to Kat). They just pile up on my phone so I've gotta share 'em somewhere! Before you judge me, just think of all the celebrities I don't recognize, though:

Walking to work I see 박서준 

(Kill Me, Heal Me; She Was Pretty; Hwarang, etc.)

and 태형 (V, BTS)

 지창욱 (Suspicious Partners)

찬열 (EXO, Goblin OST, Roommates)

공유 (Goblin, Train to Busan, etc.)

진 (BTS)

박보검 (Moonlight Drawn by Clouds)

공유 (x2)

공유 (x3)

정국 (BTS)

지민 (BTS)

지민 (x2)

 Seventeen

BT21 

(Not necessarily celebrities but endorsed by them and, oh, how I love this money-wasting collection 😅)

4. Chopsticks are way more convenient, efficient, logical... all the things. I find myself using chopsticks in my apartment even though I can just as easily grab a fork. If you don't know how to use chopsticks, learn, and you can thank me later 😉


Hmmmm... that's all I've got for now. 


안녕!

Bekah