Presents & Packing.

Today is the day that I've finally accomplished the horrible job of... packing. This of course was not done alone, and was accomplished because I have a wonderful Momma who did most of the work anyway. I had to pick and choose what I really did want and what I didn't. I wasn't even aware of the amount of clothes I have. Somehow we've been able to fit most of this into one suitcase.

Yesterday, I had a wonderful party thrown for me at my Sister-In-Laws house, with an awesome cake, and reallllllllly good dip. It was really sweet, and I got presents ~*~*~

The keychain thingy that says "Laura" was given to me by my MILB, (she also bought my luggage!) The planner, sketch book, address book, journal and pencils were from my Sister-In-Law, her fiance, and all their children*.













The picture on the right are the presents C. Love gave too me. Earrings, which I had seen in Rue 21 and fell in love with, a journal for "thoughts, secrets and doodles", (and really, who can't get enough of notebooks) a stationary set, and a book about living in S.K. which will be handy for reading on the plane!

Thanks for the presents everyone. :D

Oh! And here is my packing pictures, (I'm THAT proud!) I'm not 100% finished, obviously, I still have shoes, etc to pack!

<-- I know I have a Build-A-Bear stuffed animal in my luggage, :) My momma got it for me for Christmas. <3 When I press its hand, it talks with her voice. :O

Ocean Apart.

31 days until I leave. It's pretty much a waiting game at the moment.

The blog post I am looking forward to posting the most, is the one that says "I'm here! I'm finally in Korea!” I have so much to look forward too! The only thing I've been worried quite a bit about it actually flying over. What do I mean by that? My passport and U.S. Residency card still has my maiden name on it, whereas my Itinerary and Military ID and Drivers license does not. I can't exactly get it all changed so close to the date I leave, so I'm planning on bringing my birth certificate and marriage certificate. If any problems arise, I'm hoping I can just open up my folder and show them “My name is Laura XXXX, I swear! My name just USED to be Laura XXXXXXXX! Don't arrest me D:!” It shouldn't be that much of an issue, hopefully.

I'm putting bunches of recipes together for me to learn also. I'll need step-by-step instructions, as I really don't know how to cook unless it has very specific instructions. I can make Mac&Cheese, but besides that, not a lot else. Also, finals are coming up at the end of this week and next. It's really sneaked up on me, but I'm not exactly worried. I just dislike all the work.

Aimee's present came today :)! I'm hoping that Adam doesn't mind if I get a new purse before I leave, with new make up, etc. Why? Because the purse I have now is virtually falling apart, and the make up I have is months old and running out.

I need to start packing, I need a suitcase in general! I need to make a pile of what I want to bring and what I don't want too. Books will be hard, I love reading. The only things I'm really planning on bringing is clothes, books and a few things like a mini toothbrush and toothpaste.

Anyway, I'm out for the night folks. :) <3>

Dear Aimee,

Are you happy that you're labeled/tagged the most in my blog so far?

I bet I've given her an ego tripp. (She even asked me to dedicate a whole blog post too her! :O)

Thanks, But No Thanks.

My husband said today, "You're so cute, you think you'll love Korea so much." Or something along the lines of such. It's quite funny, really, because I've always had a strong sense of what I will love and hate. For example, if I see a book, I know instantly whether or not I'll like it. Maybe it's strange? I don't know if other people do that. But I do. I also think it's how you look on the situation as well. Going to Korea sounds wonderful to me. My husband was never too excited about going over, but he's Okay there -- I think he prefers America though.

In other news, I'm planning on seeing Aimee soon. Hopefully everything goes as planned! Her family sounds absolutely adorable, and they seriously make me laugh, so I'm excited not only to see Aimee, but to meet her family.

I looked for an old blog I used to read called "Walking the Black Dog." I think the blogger ended his site, but I found an old paragraph from the blog about depression. (The blogger had depression) I think it's quite interesting, looking at it from somebody who has dealt (and deals with) depression, as well as looking at it from a psychological perspective. Just a food for thought I suppose. :)

Welcome to the land of the blues or more accurately – something more than the blues. Depression isn’t just a case of the blues or feeling a little off; everyone has those days. Depression is feeling overwhelmingly sad and devoid of any positive emotions – to the point where normally enjoyable activities seem empty or like a chore that requires just too much energy.

Winston Churchill described his own depression as a ‘black dog’ hence the name of this website. I’m sure you’ve seen people walking their dog and the dog is in complete control, peeing on every scent it comes upon, rolling on garbage, pulling its owner wherever it wants to go, jumping on people passing by and on and on.

Depression is a lot like an unruly dog, a big menacing black dog with a ferocious countenance. It may simply sit and watch you throughout the day staring holes through you or it may climb onto your lap and smother you with its weight. When depression enters your life it sucks the joy right out of you and affect everything & everyone in your life. Those commercials about ‘who does depression affect?’ are right on the money. It affects everyone right down to your dog.

"Like.... How Their Cooking Sucks?"

I don't recommend reading expat blogs about your own country, it can get a little offensive. I've witnessed this with a Korean friend of mine who read through a couple of expat blogs I regularly read. She wasn't impressed by them at all. I decided to read expat blogs on England, and while a few of them are quite hilarious, some of them are literally so insulting. Again, back to the whole "generalization" business. I don't take it too heart, but when you first read it, it's kind of like... "uh... ok.... screw you too then."

Anyway, I ranted a little about it to Aimee. "Blah blah blah, insulting, they're always talking about how shit Brits are." etc. Aimee, being the caring and knowledgeable friend she is came out with...

"Like how their cooking sucks?"

She knows how to make me laugh. She hasn't even had British food, and ever since we got into the argument over whether or not Marmite was good (she's never even had it.) I don't take her opinions on British food seriously.

Whatever you're doing, British food, I miss you! ~*~~*~*~

The Foreigner Hater?

This bugs me to no end. The xenophobic asshole who always asks me "Why would you go to Korea?! They all eat cats and dogs, and (enter other stupid, inaccurate reason)." When I point out "hey, that's kind of a generalization, y know?" They rant on about how they didn't mean anything by it, when they did. Come on. Own up. I'm not stupid, and don't take me for a fool. I know exactly what you were saying.

It's like the people who are always "so surprised" when they find out I have generally good teeth, and I prefer coffee over tea. I mean, really? People seriously take these generalizations and stereotypes to a whole new level. It doesn't become "funny", it becomes offensive. Do I even need to mention the "Asians have small dicks / Asian women marry white men for money" argument? Are you seriously so stupid that you think this is true for a whole country/race? Sure, some people do have bad teeth, I'm sure a few Australians enjoy eating Kangaroo's, and that perhaps an Asian man out there may have a small penis. But does this go for everyone? Uh, no.

Why am I going to Korea? I don't have too. If I wasn't going, Adam would be home by the end of the year, and then maybe stationed somewhere else in America. Why did I come? Because:

A. I love my husband, I want to be with him, and he means the world too me,

B. I've always been in love with Asian culture/art/etc, since I've been young &

C. Why not? I have the opportunity to get to know a whole new world outside my own. Some people are perfectly fine in their own bubble, but not me. I love the fact that I will be learning Korean, meeting people not like me, and a culture so different than my own. No one is putting a gun to my head and telling me I must go. (And even if they did, I wouldn't need persuading.)

So enough with the whole "But Koreans are like this..." bullshit. No, you just think they are. I've known enough Koreans, and read enough expat blogs by now, to know that these stupid little "facts" about Korea are completely false. :)

On a brighter note, I ordered a new camera! A Canon PowerShot SD780IS 12.1 :) It SHOULD be arriving by tomorrow, but we'll see about that. I also ordered one of my best online friends, (Aimee, you'll hear a lot more about her soon.) I got her and I a "best friends" necklace. Extremely corny? Yes! But it was so adorable, I couldn't resist. I also need to get my bestie here, Meredith, something. I happen to leave on her birthday. :(
Anyway, it's Friday, and I have more than enough to do this weekend. I think my mom and I are going out this weekend. I know it's hard for her, as it's getting so close to the leaving date.

Bye Jellybeans.