International heart?

I started to write this post when I had one week to go until my big adventure but now my big adventure has almost ended so I have a lot to tell you :)

First I wanted to share a little summary of my first year of university and some things to come. I have a great year at my university home or 'beachland' as I like to call it. I really feel at home there and it is an amazing place. Perhaps my course isn't all I expected it to be but I still enjoyed it so much and passed year 1 with a merit which I am proud of so I can't complain! (Even though I could have done better). Bring on second year tourism management! This year of course I have to be ever more cautious of my grades as they contribute to my final year mark and the grade I graduate with. This year I must also start to look for a placement which I will really be praying over; there are certain lands and fields of tourism on my heart.

I'd like to think I have an international heart. I think I mentioned last year how I get confused as an international student as most of my friends are international students. (A bit annoying that that is the assumption as if international students should only hang out with each other) but I love to learn from them. Sharing different cultures and customs, learning bits of other languages and of course the awesome food; I find it all so fun! I sometimes go this international café and of course everyone asks where I am from but get confused that I am a British student (especially since my english fails a lot) and that I  want to learn from them about their home cultures. I still have not figured out how exactly I identify with foreign students. Is it a personality thing? A selfish thing that I am just friends with people from certain places as I want to learn their language. I am not sure but I am a proud back up for the international team at Christian Union, global buddy for next year and geography & languages enthusiast

I am currently at a crossroad, not knowing whether to take on French again next year or not. I enjoy learning it, but could I possibly be assessed on it at a higher level?

So I write this post from a hairdressers in Seoul, South Korea as I wait for my friend to get her hair done. I finally made it here guys, and though my adventure is almost over, a real big one starts tomorrow ;)

...updates coming soon

SUMMER 2015

Getting away from my previous post (my lovely little rant if you missed it) Summer 2015 is going to be awesome. I am finally going to embark on the amazing adventure to *drumrolls* 대한민국 (만세 만세) ㅋㅋㅋ YES YOU GUESSED IT. KOREA2k15 is a thing! It is happening! I am going!

Tickets are booked and I am going with two unnies / older friends from my old Korean class. There will be so much to fit in to our 2 week itinerary. Visiting 5 of our Korean teachers, friends, penpals, monuments, landmarks, palaces. Having fun! it shall be mental. We are so excited and constantly thinking about this trip.

 It is true and cannot be ignored - there are racism horror stories; but it is like that in so many places once you come out of like multicultural London for example (not to say it doesn't happen in London too) but doesn't mean everyone is the same. I have met several Koreans and all they are are just welcoming lovely Seouls  (anyone get my Seoul / Soul joke hahahahaha...no...okay). I cannot wait especially to meet my 친구처럼 언니 ㅋㅋ ;)

More to come on this trip and you know this blog will be bumping in the summer time..though I am trying very hard now

Around this time last year was Spain, this summer will be Korea, next year I pray Spain again (maybe for a work placement God willing) and then where to next?!

I cannot remember posting my 'official' top 10 list but of where I want to go in some particular order:

• Spain (Spain is only here cause I just always want to go but have already been 3 times before)
• Korea
• Argentina
• Chile
• Mexico
• Norway
• Italy
• Peru / Colombia
• Brazil
• Nicaragua

(P.S please note how 7 of these countries are Spanish speaking).

A tiny greeting with a link

I have done it. I have entered the dreaded exam season. I had my first Geography exam on Monday and it went better that last years. The next is on Friday and then I have my 4 A2 exams after in June for English Literature, Geography and Spanish. Freedom arrives in exactly 1 month and 1 day! Then I am free to fix up this blog (which truthfully I have been neglecting since I started haha).

I am preparing for the annual Korean Event that my class hosts as I self-nomitated myself onto the organiser committee (no one else was going to do it!) It should take place mid July before the Summer break.

I feel my Spanish improved in my 15 hour Easter workshop over the 7 days I spent in Spain! I had my oral exam not too long ago and I feel more confident speaking. I really hope to do well with Spanish. To think I almost didn't take the subject for A-Level; now it has it's special area in my heart! You get out what you put in eh! If I do well with all my exams...or at least get into the university of my choice I will be over the moon! Results day is in exactly 3 months; a scary thought! I will be back to greet my readers whoever you are eventually. Until then, be well and do well and check out this interesting article below!

The visual contrast between Korea - North and South

A very nice summary of South Korea in article form

South Korea

North Korea asking for reconcilliation with the South and an end to the military hospitalities

Today, I had my usual browse on BBC Mundo and I saw the headline 'Corea del Norte pide a Seúl "poner fin a las hostilidades" ' and my first thought was  'caramba!' '드디어!' and '말도안돼!' without thinking about the amount of times peace must have been offered just as an attempt ambush! Most of the comments were negative, saying how 'North Korea are at it again' how the letter has a 'hidden motive' but I would like to think 'what if?' What if they tyrant was unlike his father and grandfather? What if he had enough of the suffering in his country? What if he wanted to create ties with the world again and become one with the South? What if this was genuine? It is unlikely considering the endless threats North Korea makes, the fact that Jang Song Thaek was executed a few weeks ago for conspiracy and that well, it is North Korea. However, I really wish the North Korean leader would open his eyes and therefore opening the eyes for the millions of civilians blinded by propaganda or too suppressed to escape. Read the article here. What is your take on the recent news of Kim Jong-Un wanting peace?

Kbee London 2013

So the 6th of November 2013, I decided to go to KBEE London with a friend of mine. It was a very enjoyable time (KBEE by the way stands for Korean Brand & Entertainment Expo). I was able to go to a karaoke room 노래방 (which was weirdly placed in a modern art gallery) where I sung two 2NE1 songs with my friend. Unknowingly to us there were people in other places in the building that could hear us through a webcam set up haha! I got to see the 2NE1 hologram concert >twice!< and the Psy one as well. I won a Psy mask >twice!< I saw some familiar faces from other similar events and had a general great time looking around, watched an amazing drum performance, bought a Pucca pencil case and got some freebies as of course it was an expo! I must have forgotten something...oh of course meeting my favourite girl group 2NE1 who were the ambassadors of KBEE this year. They had a meet & greet and unfortunately I didn't get to see CL or Dara, I did meet and speak to Minzy and Bom and get their signs! My korean failed me that day >.< I was so shocked and happy that I couldn't speak properly (or even look at them properly). Security was very tight and banned picture taking, however I am very satisfied with the outcome of that day and wish to go to a similar event in the future.

G-Dragon display

2NE1 display

Big Bang display

Who doesn't like freebies