-
Off the Shelf: XOXO
Summary: Cello prodigy Jenny has one goal: to get into a prestigious music conservatory. When she meets mysterious, handsome Jaewoo in her uncle’s Los Angeles karaoke bar, it’s clear he’s the kind of boy who would uproot her careful plans. But in a moment of spontaneity, she allows him to pull her out of her comfort zone for one unforgettable night of adventure…before he disappears without a word. Three months later, when Jenny and her mother arrive in South Korea to take care of her ailing grandmother, she’s shocked to discover that Jaewoo is a student at the same elite arts academy where she’s enrolled for the semester. And he’s…
-
Exploring Thailand’s Ancient Cities
If you love history, visiting a museum is one thing. Exploring an old city’s architecture is another. But how about a private museum completely outside that is full of ancient building replicas? That is exactly what you can find just south of Bangkok. MuangBoran The Ancient City is known by many names, but is often used as Ancient City. This private museum was founded in the 1960s and continued to be cared for over the decades; opened to the public to show a variety of the architecture, culture, and history that can be found across Thailand throughout the centuries. Being one of the largest outdoor museums with over 100 buildings…
-
Exploring the Land of Smiles: My Trip to Thailand
Thailand is a country of diverse landscapes, from beaches to mountains, elephants, delicious food, and rich culture. It has something to offer everyone, whether you’re seeking the excitement of a busy city or the peacefulness of the countryside. As someone currently living in South Korea, Thailand was much larger in comparison with countless areas to explore, making it difficult to choose where to go as a first-time visitor. And that was the hardest part of trying to plan a trip to Thailand: deciding where to go. I was torn between going south to the beaches or heading north to the mountains, but in the end I choose the southern part…
-
Experiencing a Capsule Hotel
On the beachfront of Gwangalli beach is Hotel1. Inside you’ll find its hallways lined with bunks stacked on top of each other in a scene that feels like you’d find in a boat. You may be familiar with capsule hotels, but all I really knew is that they were little rooms in a hotel that afforded cheaper lodging for travelers on a budget. Capsule, or pod hotels, originated in Japan with the first one opening in 1979. They are organized in tight quarters usually the size of just a bed and closed with a curtain or door depending on the facilities. The hotel will have a shared bathroom and usually…
-
Top 4 Things to do in Sokcho
Tucked away in the northern part of the country lies Sokcho—a city with both mountains and beautiful ocean views (more than just the flat sea you can find in other parts of the country). Located in the Gangwan-do province, Sokcho is a destination for many from Seoul and other nearby regions when trying to escape the business of life and wanting peaceful ocean views to recharge, which is one reason why I was so excited to visit. I had been finishing a busy couple of months and was stressed and overwhelmed, and planning the trip also had its difficulties. Yet as soon as I reached the shores I felt like…
-
Booklover’s Tour in Korea
6 different locations any book lover would love to visit in South Korea
-
Off the Shelf: All That It Takes
Summary: When the ever-cautious Val Locklier moves cross-country with her son for a secure job, everything she’d planned unravels within the first week. After Val reluctantly agrees to rent an apartment from her best friend’s brother, an unexpected chance at an elite filmmakers’ mentorship ignites fresh hope for a dream career. But as Val’s community begins to expand, so do her insecurities, especially those heightened by her growing attraction to a certain friendly landlord. Pastor Miles McKenzie returns home from a short-term mission trip to discover that not only does he have an intriguing new tenant living upstairs, but he’s also been reassigned to a local ministry on life support.…
-
Where to Go Hiking in Korea: Seoraksan National Park
Seoraksan National Park is one of the highlights in Sokcho, and is listed on UNESCO’s world heritage sites. It’s 30 peaks, some of which are the largest in the country with the tallest being 1,708m (5,604ft) are spread across the 60 miles with views any mountain lover would enjoy. My friends and I ended up splitting a taxi to the entrance since we didn’t have a car yet and we’d missed the bus. Thanks to Kakao Taxi, we were able to easily get one back into town after it got dark since the bus didn’t come frequently at the time. We were leaving just after sunset and when we called…
-
You Are Not Enough…and that’s okay
don't feel pressured to meet everyone's requirement to be "enough"
-
Hobbit Village Cafe
korean cafe for lovers of Tolkien's hobbits