When I arrived back in AZ, I had to nail down the details of how I would go about getting a new passport, and gather everything I needed for my Korean C4 visa... However after much research, ideas, and phone calls, It was impossible to get it all done. I sadly emailed the camp telling them I wouldn't be able to make it. I knew everything would happen for a reason and things would work out.
I knew my time in America would be very busy and full of amazing visits. On July 2nd, I headed to Seattle where I would play with a team of former English Teachers in Korea at one of the largest Ultimate Frisbee tournaments in the USA, Potlatch. It was incredible to be reunited with so many great friends, and then to meet ones that had come after I left. There were four generations of Homey Goat Captains all together, plus so much other shennigans. Everyone camps at the fields for the tournament and there are port a potties, and a nearby athletic club where we showered which we could take buses to arrive there every day after games were completed. There was standard tournament fare, of bagels, peanut butter, jelly, and water. One night there was two pizzas for the team and then a party the next night. The party was at a nearby out door area where there was private security, micro brewed kegs of beer, and delicious salmon, salad, cookies, drinks, and a DJ. Our team had many players so it was hard for me to find a rhythm every time going out and playing with a completely different line up, but we did okay as far as standings go, and killed the party.
From Seattle, I headed to Minneapolis on an overnight flight where I was greeted by my lovely Aunt and Uncle at the baggage claim in the airport. I barely made my connection flight in Chicago so was really happy about that. Then Aunt Peggy drove me to the lake house in Wisconsin. I spent five wonderful days there, filled with games of cornhole, morning runs, croquet, home cooked food, paddle boating, disc golfing, golfing, and some fishing. I didn't have much luck in the fishing, but had a great time.
Back in Phoenix I had to figure out what was next. I was all alone in the house because mom was in Wisco, Dad had a trip to Europe for work, and brother in Tucson. I had some more work to do on my house before another tenant could move in. I worked on my little back patio clearing the old dirt and trash, and putting in some new rocks and repairing the little rock garden.
I thought a lot about all the different options.. Really the door once again was wide open, but after so much time just frolicking and doing what I wanted, I was ready for routine, the same friends and not meeting new people daily, not having to pack a backpack all the time, and just ready to push myself in a different direction. I pondered a lot about working in the states again to gain quick easy money, living with the parents, and a job with health insurance but just wasn't totally sold on staying in the states again. Too much wanderlust bug had hit me and I wasn't ready to stay put just for a a little bit. I had lots of transitions to go through last year and really wasn't ready to kind of do it again. After being wishy washy for quite some time, I finally bite the bullet.
I booked a ticket to get back to Korea to attend Ollie & Sunhwa's wedding on Aug 23rd in Pohang. After lots of flight searching, I found a steal to fly into Busan (Korea's second largest city) from San Fransisco via LA, and Tokyo for just $500 for a one way ticket. To get to San Fransisco I found a flight from Phoenix on Southwest for 50$. So no baggage fees and saved 200 dollars from the Phoenix to Busan flight that google flights or kayak brought me to. I plan to hang out and enjoy time in Korea visiting old friends and playing in the frisbee tournament that I helped to find, "Six on the Beach", and then visit Sunny and her family in Seoul. Then fly out to Bali for one last little vacation before heading onto Australia to start working again under their Working Holiday Visa. I can work in OZ for 6 months with the same job and stay up to one year. I have many friends who have loved their working holiday experience and I'm really excited to start mine probably around mid October. I have not started applying for jobs but have looked briefly. Most people say it's easier to just find things in person rather than online.
An old co worker friend Becki asked if I was interested in spending a week with her and her family at their cabin near Dolores, Colorado. I was super excited for the opportunity to hang out with her and do lots of awesome hiking in Southwest Colorado. Their cabin is very cute and it has been a super relaxing week. It's nice that I finally have a plan and can have some what of an idea what's coming up next! We hiked 21 miles in four different hikes all different and very scenic. We had perfect weather with a few rainstorms the first few days and then cleared up for the end of the week.
I am looking forward to spending more time with my mom since she has finally decided to come back to AZ for a little bit, of course Bob the dog, and then catching up with friends before I head out again!
I knew my time in America would be very busy and full of amazing visits. On July 2nd, I headed to Seattle where I would play with a team of former English Teachers in Korea at one of the largest Ultimate Frisbee tournaments in the USA, Potlatch. It was incredible to be reunited with so many great friends, and then to meet ones that had come after I left. There were four generations of Homey Goat Captains all together, plus so much other shennigans. Everyone camps at the fields for the tournament and there are port a potties, and a nearby athletic club where we showered which we could take buses to arrive there every day after games were completed. There was standard tournament fare, of bagels, peanut butter, jelly, and water. One night there was two pizzas for the team and then a party the next night. The party was at a nearby out door area where there was private security, micro brewed kegs of beer, and delicious salmon, salad, cookies, drinks, and a DJ. Our team had many players so it was hard for me to find a rhythm every time going out and playing with a completely different line up, but we did okay as far as standings go, and killed the party.
From Seattle, I headed to Minneapolis on an overnight flight where I was greeted by my lovely Aunt and Uncle at the baggage claim in the airport. I barely made my connection flight in Chicago so was really happy about that. Then Aunt Peggy drove me to the lake house in Wisconsin. I spent five wonderful days there, filled with games of cornhole, morning runs, croquet, home cooked food, paddle boating, disc golfing, golfing, and some fishing. I didn't have much luck in the fishing, but had a great time.
Back in Phoenix I had to figure out what was next. I was all alone in the house because mom was in Wisco, Dad had a trip to Europe for work, and brother in Tucson. I had some more work to do on my house before another tenant could move in. I worked on my little back patio clearing the old dirt and trash, and putting in some new rocks and repairing the little rock garden.
I thought a lot about all the different options.. Really the door once again was wide open, but after so much time just frolicking and doing what I wanted, I was ready for routine, the same friends and not meeting new people daily, not having to pack a backpack all the time, and just ready to push myself in a different direction. I pondered a lot about working in the states again to gain quick easy money, living with the parents, and a job with health insurance but just wasn't totally sold on staying in the states again. Too much wanderlust bug had hit me and I wasn't ready to stay put just for a a little bit. I had lots of transitions to go through last year and really wasn't ready to kind of do it again. After being wishy washy for quite some time, I finally bite the bullet.
I booked a ticket to get back to Korea to attend Ollie & Sunhwa's wedding on Aug 23rd in Pohang. After lots of flight searching, I found a steal to fly into Busan (Korea's second largest city) from San Fransisco via LA, and Tokyo for just $500 for a one way ticket. To get to San Fransisco I found a flight from Phoenix on Southwest for 50$. So no baggage fees and saved 200 dollars from the Phoenix to Busan flight that google flights or kayak brought me to. I plan to hang out and enjoy time in Korea visiting old friends and playing in the frisbee tournament that I helped to find, "Six on the Beach", and then visit Sunny and her family in Seoul. Then fly out to Bali for one last little vacation before heading onto Australia to start working again under their Working Holiday Visa. I can work in OZ for 6 months with the same job and stay up to one year. I have many friends who have loved their working holiday experience and I'm really excited to start mine probably around mid October. I have not started applying for jobs but have looked briefly. Most people say it's easier to just find things in person rather than online.
An old co worker friend Becki asked if I was interested in spending a week with her and her family at their cabin near Dolores, Colorado. I was super excited for the opportunity to hang out with her and do lots of awesome hiking in Southwest Colorado. Their cabin is very cute and it has been a super relaxing week. It's nice that I finally have a plan and can have some what of an idea what's coming up next! We hiked 21 miles in four different hikes all different and very scenic. We had perfect weather with a few rainstorms the first few days and then cleared up for the end of the week.
I am looking forward to spending more time with my mom since she has finally decided to come back to AZ for a little bit, of course Bob the dog, and then catching up with friends before I head out again!
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