Health Care..

It's amazes me that the U.S. doesn't have universal health care. It's almost upsetting how shocked I was after leaving the doctors office and only spending $10.00. Earlier today I went to the orthopedic doctor to ensure everything is okay with my left foot. It turns out I only sprained some ligments in my foot and just need therapy and oral medication. So for a total of $10.00 I received an x-ray, a doctor consultation, the prescription, and electrical current therapy for the next 2 days.....NEVER would that happen in the U.S. my bill would be at least $200.00 just from seeing the doctor and getting the x-ray.

the ice packets...

The medicine 3 times a day for 3 days...it may seem like a lot by the same amount the pharmacy would give you in the U.S. just grinded together into one capsule!

The electrical current within the suction things its a sponge...that allows the current to run..it was really weird tingling sensation...

 Next, I went to the gynecologist for annual check-up that was $96.00 here in the U.S. without insurance easily $150+ dollars. Each office was quick and they were efficient in explaining what they were doing and why...which was thoughtful and to think they used broken English and explained more than what the doctors do in the U.S. usually the assistant is explaining everything .....There are many things to appreciate living in the U.S. but other basic needs like medical care make you question why can't don't we have this...

Thailand

 So I am finally back in  South Korea and the instant shock of coldness has reminded me why I enjoyed the beach so much. Surprsingly Thailand was not uncomfortably hot most days it was sunny and clear except for 2 days that consisted of scattered showers. Thailand was so much fun but before going I definitely recommend planning where you want to spend a majority of your vacation at picking an Island a head of time. Which is the opposite thing my sister did which made the trip fun at times but caused us to spend a lot of time traveling on the bus, plane, boat, car...etc...which is very exhausting...and time consuming...

The Food in Thailand was amazing! Everything from authentic Thai food to American style breakfast! We found one place close to our Bugalow where we ate breakfast, lunch and dinner because the food was so good. The vegetables and fruit were my favorite part because it was so fresh! Minus the delicacies that I refused to try...I never want to taste fried coch roaches, grasshoppers any bug even when i was given the opportunity. On the other hand I found my favorite drink Thai Tea its a mix of carnation milk and can be mixed with any brand of tea...the tea was so refreshing and really good! In every restaurant you could spend $8.00 and that was considered fine dinning!! The most we spent for dinner on this vacation was $20.00 which was really expensive for 2 people...

The best part of this whole trip was the motorcycles! The scooters were so much fun and a great way to get around the island for just $8.00 a day and gas there was less than $1.00...I had so much fun even after my accident! I am beginning to think I am accident prone because 4 days into the trip I smashed my foot into the curb when pulling off because I had someone else on my bike and couldn't balance the bike with their additional weight... I was so angry because I honestly believe she was bad luck...earlier that day she had crashed her own bike!! But oh well now I just hope it heals before classes!! Oh and riding in wedges wasnt the best decision either because if I would have had on my sneakers the side of my foot would have been covered...

 

As you can see throughout the vacation I had many different fro's lol....I was really feeling the natural look jumping into the pool and the ocean with no worries it was great. I found out I really don't like swimming in the ocean and its probably because I cant see the ocean floor. Sadly we didnt find any sandy white beaches on the Island so in the future I hope to travel somewhere with clear water and sandy beaches...

We started traveling a group of 3 and ended the trip as a family of 9. In Thailand the 2nd day we met a Canadian family of 6 who were traveling around the world.  The parent's had decided to take  their family on an 8 month vacation from their daily lives and jobs to travel South East Asia. They were also heading to an island and we tagged along which was great because they were more experienced travelers. Which was great because I now have a family in Canada and cant wait to hear all about their travels...

Mostly on this vacation we ate, layed on the beach, shopped like crazy, and rode our bikes! The shopping was another thrill everything was $6.00 or less and even then we would ask for a discount. Bargaining was so much fun and made the shopping experience even more enjoyable...

Finally Adjusted..

So after being here for a full week I am finally adjusted. South Korea is amazing and I am a little unsure how I will go back to being a college student! My sister has did an exceptional job as a host. I have eaten out everyday for breakfast, lunch, and dinner which is definitely a plus coming out of college. The food here is really good and everything is very fresh. Koreans say food is very healthy while Americans say food is very delicious and usually unhealthy.

More importantly, I am surprised with the realationships my sister has built here with her co-workers and other Koreans. Everyone is more than welcoming but genuwinely happy to meet me and learn of my experience. People here are very friendly and willing to help you in anyway they can, which is a major difference from American culture. However, the Korean population is very hard to read many people have very stern expressions. I am so glad that smiles are universal! The people here are fascinated with the American Culture and learning English.More than 300 foreigners live in South Korea and all are English teachers which is crazy because some Korean's here are English teacher and know very little English...

I can finally understand why she loves being here everyday prompts something new and there is alot of work available, and traveling from this location is very easy and inexpensive.

A Long Day...

 We will be traveling to Thailand together...excited...countdown begins Monday...

The City..

  

 Me and Ma-Abena one of my sister's closest friends here..we giggled all night...

 My gift everyone in the room tried to steal this blanket however, through strategy and hard work I won the blanket at the end of the night. It was so much fun.

 Singing Christmas carols with my sister's English church! I had so much fun last night the people were warm, and very welcoming. The night consisted of eating Chili, trying new deserts, and exchanging gifts. The best part is someone made chocolate chip brownies which are my favorite and my Aunt Stella hasn't made them lately at all so this was a pleasure.

 My favorite tea Apple tea..it's pieces of shredded apple in it....really soothing.

 She looked like what is this I said WEAVE...Fake Hair Yes!!....!!But jumped right in and did Great!!!

 I couldn't show you her before...lets just say she needed the creamy crack bad!!

 Listening to "No Hands" for the first time....she liked!! Just like her little sis...

 This lady owned a beautiful shop with enough hair equipment for 15 people to work here yet she worked here alone with the assistant in the back. Koreans find a trade and find it very hard to trust others to work with them so they work alone. The shop was beautiful!
 Finally done!!

 

At the International Basketball Game...

..

Thursday Night

Thursday night I had an amazing time! At around 9:30pm after a wonderful nap my sister and I went salsa dancing. It was so much fun and the Korean guys were willing to teach me the moves as they could see I was definitely a beginner. I got tired after a while but seen a new of side of my sister someone that had found a hobby and really enjoyed it. As she salsa danced I called her "Salina" because she was very much into the moves and had the hip, and feet movement down to a "T". After salsa dancing my sister said "Let's go to the SPA" at 12:00am.

The Spa was beautiful like most places in Korea they pay attention to detail in furniture and setting the mood. I walked up the stairs and was instantly shocked I seen naked Korean women. There were no robes available so everyone was naked! At first uncomfortable I had no choice but to get naked as well! My sister then took me downstairs to the Sauna area. We showered and then headed outside where the sky kept us cool as we sat in a hot bath. It was so relaxing, next we went inside to another bathing area while we waited for our scrub down. Again, shocked I was told to lay on top of a table while the only clothed ladies in (panties and a bra) began scrubbing me down. She scrubbed every angle and cravis of my entire body as she turned me I felt like a child being bathed for the first time. Once I was completely scrubbed down she poured hot water over my entire body. In addition, I had a refreshing cucumber facial that was amazing. Finally, without my permission and even after I told the lady in her language and English to not wash my hair she did so anyway. So even though I was a tad annoyed I allowed her to finished up with a massage to my neck, lower back. Once again we showered and went to another area. That night ended as we slept in a room full of Koreans spread out all over this luxuries Spa I slept on the floor and had the best sleep ever. At 5:45am I was awoken and headed back to my sister place since she had to go to work.

Jeonju

I am finally here and well rested. I didn't imagine that I could sleep for 14 hours straight however, my body was screaming exhaustion. After the plane ride my sister immediately began taking me around Jeonju. I visited the local college campus, ate in the area, visited her school where she teaches, and finally went to visit one of her closest friends. So while she continued her day until 11:30pm I was in bed by 6:30pm. Oh and at the school I was a big eye catcher many student's rushed into my sister's class to see the new Black Girl it was a bit entertaining as they looked at me with astonishment.I giggled often the people here are very friendly and get really excited when you choose to visit Korea all the way from America.

This morning when I got up I found that taking a shower would be a challenge. Here they do not have shower stalls they have the actual shower head over the sink. So you stand over the sink and wash it was really cool because at first glance one could very well be thrown off. Today my sister has scheduled a lunch date at 12:30pm, a dentist app. at 2pm, and salsa dancing later on tonight.

Side Note: I didn't realize how time consuming it would be to update this blog and try and share all the things I have seen or experienced so hopefully through pictures you guys can ask any questions that way my blog can be more interactive.

Atlanta

So today was a bit challenging...It started off great Mason drove me to the airport and filled me with lots of laughs as he threw it back in the driver seat! Once at the airport there were many delays because of the snow in Atlanta. Consequently, I sat back and began to get a little to comfortable, almost missing my flight as I sat back and laughed with my sister on the phone. Any who I made it to ATL and found that flurries caused all of the commotion! Anywho my sister friend Sonja took me into her house and I am currently washed, fed, and tweeting until late night...I will post pictures tomorrow.

Oh and my flight for tomorrow is estimated 19 hours long with only one layover for an hour in Tokoyo.