Busan Sights

I took a trip to Busan last weekend. Located on the south-eastern tip of Korea, it is a hub of coastal activity and beauty. I fell in love with the city as soon as soon as I got off the KTX and ran into a bunch of children playing in the fountain outside the train station. There's no better sound in the world than that of children laughing and enjoying life.

Busan's salty air sent me into a fit of nostalgia. I was immediately taken back to my weekends in Goa, India, when my mother would take us to the seaside for a swim and some delicious coconut water. There's something so calming about the coastal breeze that's infused with the smell of fish and salt. I know this might not be appealing to everyone, but it offers me a sense of comfort. I absolutely love the coast!


This photo was taken in Jagalchi (world famous) Fish Market. It's a huge, multi-storey building that houses some of the freshest seafood in the entire country. Busan has about 10 famous landmarks for tourists to visit, and this happens to be one of them. We wanted to eat here during our first night, but the restaurants were rather pricey. Regardless, it was awesome to see it for ourselves.


This is a photo of Taejongdae lighthouse. It was one of the most breathtaking views I've ever had the privilege of seeing while in Korea. We had to walk up a hill and take a tram to get to the location, but it was absolutely worth it. The view consists of majestic cliffs that look out towards the open sea. What really amazed me were the numerous hues of blue from the sea and sky, which blended so perfectly into the horizon. I felt humbled and in awe as I experienced nature at its best.


Before visiting Busan, I came across an article in a Seoul magazine that showcased this beautiful village with fantastic photos. As soon as I read it, I knew I couldn't leave Korea without seeing this place firsthand.

Taegukdo village is located just east from the downtown core of Busan. A short ride on a local bus brought us to the top of this area, that's built right into the mountains. The view from here is unlike any other. The author who featured this village called it "Santorini on the South Sea," and, as you can see, the title is quite fitting. Busan promotes this beauty as a "Lego village" because the colourful houses look like Lego blocks neatly stacked along the side of the mountain.

The bus ride is quite interesting, as it goes up steep slopes and turns at ninety degree angles, only to go further uphill, all the way to the top. This was such a contrast to Seoul's numerous high-rises and lack of green space.


We spent our last day on Haeundae beach. Known as the world's most populated beach, Haeundae features locals and tourists alike, (most from Japan, who took the short ferry ride across to the Korean coast). At first glance, it's impossible not to be overwhelmed by the numerous white and blue parasols (beach umbrellas), and yellow floats. Most visitors to Haeundae aren't avid swimmers, but for about five dollars a day, they're able to rent a float and enjoy the beach waves just like the pros.

It was interesting to visit this beach and see what everyone talked about, firsthand. There are a lot of people and there's a lot to take in. Haeundae features everyone from large families and groups, to couples and friends. And I can't leave out the insensible fashionistas -- those who come to the beach in five-inch, pencil-thin heels, barely there bikinis, and over-sized hats. They wake up from tanning, long enough pose in the water, only to run (or trip, for the most part), as soon as the waves take them down. I should say those sights absolutely amused this writer!

That said, Busan has to be one of my favourite places in Korea. It's such a fabulous blend of old and new, with nature and the metropolis living in contentment. People seem to take life less seriously along the coast than they do in Seoul. Part of me wished I'd spent my year in Korea living in Busan. However, I know I also wouldn't trade my experiences over the past year for anything in the world. I hope I'll find myself in Busan once again down the road. But for now, the memories of my days spent in the sunshine of Korea's south-eastern coast will always hold a special place in my heart.

xo
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Missed me?

... Because I've missed you!

Before anything else, here's what my horoscope had to say today:

It's scary when you open your heart, especially if others cannot match your fiery intensity. You may overcompensate by demonstrating your ability to be emotionally detached now instead of admitting how much you care. But rather than keeping score, remember that every person expresses love differently. Your fears will dissipate when you graciously accept what is currently being offered without further judgment or comparison.

Freaky as heck! Not going into details about this one.

So, with the World Cup starting to dwindle down, I'm finally turning my attention back to my writing. Living in Korea, the games are usually broadcasted right after work, so the times I'd spend writing were loaned out to supporting the Korean Red Devils. Since they lost to Uruguay in the round of 16, I can now throw my support behind my beloved Argentina without feeling the wrath of my students and the ajummas/ahjoshshis around me.

I also spent the past few days on Twitter, following the issues that arose from the G20 summit being held in Toronto. Wow... talk about wrecking a city within a matter of hours! And for what, exactly? I have so much to say on this, but the main idea that comes to mind is as follows:

The people who destroyed the city and ruined properties without any just cause, or simply because they could, are lucky that they were in Canada. I don't see this as being acceptable anywhere else in the world. Perhaps there were times when the Toronto riot police could have handled themselves differently, but for what it's worth, the vandals/hooligans who brought global shame to our city deserved everything they got... and some might argue that they were let off too easy as well.

Lastly, I've been looking for jobs. I will be back in Toronto in under two months, and I dread lounging around the house while looking for a job. I am keeping my eyes open and starting to apply in hopes that I may have something lined up within a couple of months at least. Keep your fingers crossed for me, please! I'm sure none of you want to read a mopey writer's thoughts!

I think that's the jist of it for now. Oh!! I forgot to tell you, I'm going rafting/bungee jumping this Saturday! I can't wait! I've been craving an adrenaline rush for quite some time now, and this seems like the perfect opportunity. Photos will be up soon after.

xo
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Eyes on the Skies

I just realized today is my last Thursday in Toronto ... .... ...

Strange.

I don't know whether it has something to do with the fact I'll be on a plane next week, but I've been spending a great amount of daytime and nighttime staring up at the skies.

The other day I was waiting for the bus, and the horizon directly ahead of me had this perfectly pillowy cloud puffing up into the sky. It looked like something out of a cartoon (or like the clouds my mother would draw for my art projects as a child). A beautiful cotton puff with this amazing shade of blue as the backdrop. Standing there in the middle of rush hour, I actually started laughing because I caught myself getting so taken up by the scene.


That day after I got home, I was sitting on the balcony while The Ginge chased after birds, and I caught sight of a rain cloud. It was dark and grey, looking obviously threatening.... but still so spectacular! I watched it burst open, pouring buckets onto the hot pavement below. It's funny because it reminded me of a monsoon rainstorm in India - the sun was shining through the entire show.

Which brings me to last night. I was having trouble sleeping and decided to go out on my balcony an get some fresh air. I also wanted to see if I could catch a glimpse of the Perseid meteor shower. I didn't think I'd be able to see anything because of all the light pollution in the Big Smoke, but I figured I'd try my luck anyway.

As I stepped out onto the cool concrete and took a deep breath of fresh morning air, I found my eyes drawn to the skies again... but this time, to a thousand and one twinkling stars. I couldn't believe it! I thought I was imagining things (sort of like when you really want to see something and your brain starts playing tricks on you, leading you to believe it might actually be there).


I was amazed. What a way to begin two dozen! And just when I thought it couldn't get any better, I saw a shooting star (a piece from comet Swift-Tuttle) zoom westward, from the corner of my eye!

Yes, I made a wish.

Why is it that when things happen between about midnight and 5 a.m., they don't seem so real? In that moment I was taking everything in, grinning like a dopey kid. But when I woke up this morning, it all seemed so surreal.

Anyway, that was my 48-hour affair with the skies! Mother Nature, after the mood swings you've made us endure this summer, I'm learning to love and appreciate all aspects of you!

xo
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Photo courtesy of Popular Science (meteor shower)

Why'd I keep that?

It's a question I've been asking myself for over two weeks now, as I've spent the greater part of my spare time cleaning up the remains of the past 12 years of my life.

And each time, I'm not quite sure what the answer is.

All I know is that at the time I put the items away, it felt as though I'd always look at them as fondly. I imagined that every time I pulled out the Shakespeare paper I scored a measly C+ on, I'd look at it and say "Awesome!"

That's not quite the case.

In fact, I'm pretty irritated with the teenage version of myself, and in parts, am also furious with the twenty-something me as well.

What was I thinking holding on to every bank statement, paper, receipt, magazine, critique, clipping, cover, CD, nick-knack, stuffed animal and lanyard from years gone by?

My room is a landfill of crap! Few items of substance and a majority of dust-gathering nothingness.

The fact that I haven't searched for or even looked at any of these items for so many years should have been a warning sign.

Sigh!

Regardless, after a couple week of intense labour courtesy of my former self, I can finally see empty shelves and clean table-spaces in my room.

So far:
3 bags of clothes and accessories have gone to Goodwill
5 garbage bags of paper and old school assignments have headed to the recycling receptacles
3 boxes of books have been packed away
Approx. 20 (yes 20) pieces of makeup, hair product and expired moisture have gone out the door

And although I'm not quite done, I am starting to feel more relieved. When I first started, I went into panic at the fact that this would be such a daunting task.

There's really something liberating about cleaning away items that are reflective of yourself. You start to realize that, at the end of the day, they're just things and aren't of much substance. What matters is how and if those items added to or helped develop the person you are at the moment.

Then, you realize it's time to leave the past behind, live in the present and look forward to the future.

I'm feeling good today!

Incidentally, I also feared turning into Marjory the Trash Heap from Fraggle Rock.
It works on so many levels.

xo
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Photo courtesy of EnvironmentalGraffiti

Critical Mass

Wow, this city gets more interesting by the minute!

I finally had a chance to end my week in style - the company of good friends, a beautiful evening avec sunshine (thanks, Mother Nature... no hard feelings, right?), a spacious patio, and margaritas in glasses that resembled fishbowls.

I was in heaven.

After a couple of hours and a few ounces, Kabs and I decided to head on down to Dundas Square to check out the Caribana eve happenings. We could tell that activities were abuzz, as people leisurely strolled around Toronto's downtown core... many with confused looks on their faces. They clearly weren't from this part of town.

As we crossed Bay Street, we came across a swarm of cyclists, headed south during rush-hour traffic. It seemed like a large group at first, but as they stopped and collected at a red light, we noticed the masses, capped off with a row of police officers on their bikes.

Curiosity getting the best of me, I asked one cyclist what was going on.

"Oh, it's Critical Mass!" she said, nonchalantly.

This one was going to be tricky.

"Not sure what that is," I replied. "Is it a biking group?"

"Nope. We gather at Spadina and Bloor on the last Friday of every month and cycle around the city," she said. "It's for anyone."

"Oh that sounds like fun!" I replied.

The lady gave me a half smile that I didn't think too much of at the time, and rode off as the light changed.

When I got home, I Googled.

And what do you know? Critical Mass is actually a form of protest, showcasing how unfriendly the city is when it comes to cyclists.

It does take place on the last Friday of every month, as she mentioned... but it happens in about 300 cities across the world.

It baffled me. I've lived in this city for half my life and have NEVER encountered Critical Mass before.

It excited me on one hand... but on another, it broke my heart.

Do I really not know Toronto as well as I'd like to?

xo
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Photo courtesy of TorontoCranks

PDA, NOT of the affectionate kind!

I never wanted to use this blog for the purposes of which you will soon read about. I wanted to spare you, my readers, from rants and raves bordering on lunacy and hate. But after an experience I had today, I can't help but want to share and warn all of you (especially my fellow Torontonians).

Last August I bought my lovely mother a gift card to a spa in downtown Toronto. I chose that particular one based on reviews, referrals and finally, location. It was her birthday gift, and I wanted her to be able to access the spa at will.

So I chose the Pantages Spa on Victoria street, purchasing a couple of highly priced items for her to indulge in. She used one of the treats as soon as she could, opting to use the other at a later date.

Which brings us to about a week ago.

She mentioned wanting to use up the gift card before it expired next month, and asked that I book an appointment for her. I spent the next hour trying to call the spa, where, to my confusion, it kept going to voicemail. I thought nothing of it, left message on the 10th try, and went back to my daily routine.

Having not heard back from them in a couple of days, I decided to call the Pantages Hotel today to find out what was going on. The nice lady at the reception desk transferred me to the spa, where someone answered after three rings.

I told her about the fact that I'd been having trouble getting a hold of them, and asked to book an appointment for this Sunday.

The first question she asked me was if my gift card was from the wellness spa or the hotel spa.

I said I didn't know there was a difference.

She then asked when I'd purchased my gift card.

I said last August.

She then proceeded to outline the fact that they were a NEW spa, replacing the OLD Pantages Spa that was run independently in the hotel. The NEW spa was a part of the hotel, and did not honour the gift cards from the OLD spa.

Excuse me?

She went on to say that the old Pantages Spa would be opening at a new location -- in Vaughan, of all places -- but not until the end of September. My gift card would be well expired at this point.

"You've got to be kidding!" I thought.

I understand that the recession hit everyone hard, but the Pantages Spa didn't have the decency to CALL their customers with outstanding balances on their gift cards before shutting down? At least tell us what our options were? I asked for their number or contact, and she said the only one they had was the old number where I'd left a message.

How convenient. I'd love to know how many confused messages lay sitting in that voicemail, which I'm sure NO ONE will ever answer.

I'm so frustrated in all of this. I booked it down to the hotel after work to see what was going on, and to no surprise, the old spa has been replaced, now up and running with new smiling faces inciting people into their wellness centre.

Yea right.

So I asked the lady what my options are.

The voice on the other end of the line sweetly replied, "Honey, you're screwed."

Yea, screwed out of a good sum of money. You people know how costly these spa treatments are!

PDA = PRETTY DAMN ANNOYED, in my book!

I'd give you all a link to their site, but the last thing I want to do is get them more attention, even in the manner of page hits.

I have a right to be mad.

xo
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Design Diva

A thankful shout out to Sandi for designing the new banner for Straight From The Curls! She helped give this blog the unique feel it needed, while helping organize my thoughts. Be sure to head on over to For Design's Sake and see the world through her eyes!

Big hugs, Sandi!
xo
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Yes?

It's the last Monday of June 2009:

Ah! What I wouldn't give to be in this photo right now.

Tweet if You ♥ Toronto

I just might be called YouTwitFace one day. Thank You, Conan O'Brien.

As of the past few days, you might consider me 'active tweeter'.

It's been an interesting experience so far. I've been on Twitter for a few months now, but only as of late have I been an active participant. It's sort of a challenge, actually. You get 140 characters each time to say what you need to say (cue John Mayer - a fellow tweeter).

But if you take away all the hashtags and threads, spambots and pornbots that lurk and follow you around as you tweet, you might actually be surprised to find somewhat of an extended community.

Unlike a lot of people who use Twitter, I have less than 100 people that I'm 'following'... and less than that number follow me. But I like it that way because it feels selective -- as though those people have chosen me for a reason, and likewise.

Sorry Miley Cyrus, I really don't want to know about your latte conundrums.

But perhaps my favourite part of joining Twitter is what I've noticed over the past couple of weeks. Everyday when I sign on I see a selective dialogue of things that are strictly Torontonian. Everything from Mayor Miller tweeting about council meetings, to Adam Giambrone talking about the new metro passes.

But between the superstars and notables, there's something understated that's quite worth mentioning: the tweeters who live and breathe all the things that make Toronto the city it is. These people are always on top of what's happening in our city - from live restaurant reviews and exhibits, to festivals, and sometimes random musings... they've brought the pulse of the city to this online community.

What I've learned from Toronto Tweets so far:

• Torontonians LOVE their food. Seriously... I can't count the number of local chef references, vendors, lunch menus and bakery shop advice I've seen.

• People get excited about the sunshine because it means they can go out and discover a new gem in the city.

• Torontonians are passionate about local news. You may think no one cares, but people are paying attention to all the details in the city.

• We're a fairly happy bunch. Seriously - there's always someone looking forward to something.

Some tweeters worth mentioning are:

SpotlightCity - stories, photos and articles (and a foodie haven) from the folks at SpotlightToronto.com - for the people, by the people.

NewsFixTo - these reporters love what they do. Most recently they provided up to the minute coverage of the Bush/Clinton visit, that rivaled any of the major news networks in the city. Plus, they have Pins on Maps!

BlogTO - Always up to date and current - everything from events and openings to food blogs.

As you can imagine, with tweeters such as these, there's a constant dialogue going on, focusing on everything from current affairs and news bites, to advice on the best hot dog vendors in town. All in real time.

And now, to make life easier for Toronto Tweeters, there's a fairly new website that's been developed called WeHeartToronto.Com. Although it's still making the rounds on Twitter, it's working to build a database of frequent Toronto based tweeters, and putting them into various categories such as technology, living, news, sports, traffic, people, etc.

If you go to their website, you can click on any of the categories and get real time tweets. The site feeds itself, as it updates every time someone who's listed in a category tweets. You can see the tweet on their homepage, followed by the category that they live in.

I can honestly say that since joining and paying attention, I've learned more about this city and the people who live in it than I ever thought possible. It's regular people who love Toronto, sharing in the beauty and pulse that makes this city as amazing as it is.

xo
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Beating the Blahs

"I'm feeling as though that huge dark cloud that had been following me around for months has taken off," I said with a smile. I was finally feeling cheerful again after countless days of absolute dreariness.

"Oh yea?" she replied. "Hmm.. that must mean that the cloud is now following someone else... they don't just disappear, you know?"

Huh? I looked at her with a quizzical nod. I wasn't going to correct her with a down and dirty science lesson. All that mattered for the moment was the fact that I was finally basking in the sunshine I so craved.

"After this experience, I absolutely believe in the February Blahs," I said. "I used to think that was something people just made up to explain why everyone got mopey around that time of the year, but now, after having experienced it, I know it's true!"

"Tell me about it! For a while there, I thought the winter would NEVER go away."

I remember a distinct conversation between my mother and a neighbour that I had overheard as a child. We were fairly new to the country at that time, and just getting settled in. Our neighbour had quickly taken a liking to my mother and began feeding her with anecdotes and 'facts' about what it meant to be truly Canadian.

This particular conversation began with, "You know, there's three things you can never go wrong talking to any other Canadian about," she said. "Just remember three Ws -- Weather, Women and Work."

My mother laughed at this during the conversation, but, as the years went by, she soon realized the truth to those words. And so did I.

I can't express the number of conversations I've had with friends, family members, and in some instance, complete strangers about the number one word on that list -- Weather.

"Do you realize that we refer to the weather at least once a day," I said while staring intently at my computer screen, unable to read the mass of words that seemed to fly right over my head. I was proof-reading again.

"We do?" she asked. "Hmm... maybe because it's such a large part of our day."

"I guess it is, isn't it?" I thought out loud as I turned to her. "So much of what we do, or decide to do is based on whether or not it's raining, or snowing, or windy, or sunny... although that doesn't happen too often here!"

"OK there, Miss Tropicana!" she exclaimed with a laugh. "Not everyone was born in the sunshine!"

"I wasn't born in sunshine. I'm a monsoon baby."

"Whatever."

"I am!"

"OK, whatever! All I know is, you're only happy when it's sunny," she said finally.

"That's not true," I said. "I'm happy when the sun comes out to visit after a loooooooooong hiatus -- which I believe causes the February Blahs. It's different."

"OK."

"OK?"

"Yea, OK."

I felt as though I had to defend myself. So off I went.

"Listen, when the weather gets like this at this time of the year, people start to wake up. They feel alive... invigorated, even. Suddenly, it's not just the day that's brighter - life is brighter too. People start thinking about the future, when, in the doom and gloom of the dark winter, all they could think about was getting out of the wind and cold. About sleeping..."

I paused to think for a quick moment, then exclaimed, "You know what? Winter crushes dreams!!"

"Winter what?

"Crushes dreams!" I repeated.

"You're nuts, you know?"

"Well, it does," I said adamantly.

"And now?"

"And now the sun is out, and the dreams are alive again."

"Ah-ha! For how long?" she asked. Ugh! She was challenging me.

"Hmmm... for as long as it takes!" I said simply, as I went back to staring at the maze of words on the screen.

High Lights / Lowlights of Summer07

This has been a summer of sensory awakenings. I feel different, I'm seeing things differently, I've tasted things I want more of... and in some cases, less... so much has happened in four short months. I've compiled a list of some of the Highlights and Lowlights in my life, from this summer. I am hoping that by visualizing this list, I will be able to put some things into perspective.

Highlight: Going to Cuba in May, with a few of the best girls I had the opportunity to meet in University. It was such a wonderful and freeing experience to be in a new country for the first time in over 12 years. I was so thankful that I had the chance to experience Cuba, and in particular, Havana, while Fidel Castro was still in power. I am a self proclaimed "cultural junkie" and I couldn't get enough of the history and vibrancy that this country had to offer. I enjoyed the beach a lot, but after having pretty much grown up on a beach, it didn't seem any different than what I already have engraved in my memory. It did however, bring with it a calm and serenity that I had not felt in a very long time, and for that I will always be thankful.

Lowlight: Anxiety attack #1 (May 2007). This came soon after I finished my last exam. I don't think I will ever forget the feeling that took over me as I walked out of my final exam in university (MUS211). Though the sun was shining, I felt impending doom. I know this sounds harsh, but I did not feel the exhaltation that people told me would come after handing in my last piece of work for school. Though I already knew I was going back to school in the Fall, I did not feel any comfort in it. I felt nervous, scared, anxious, terrified and simply -- screwed up! This eventually passed, once I realized that I was closing a chapter in my life... in the hopes of embarking on a new and more exciting one in the Fall.

Highlight: Reading books that I wanted to read during the school year, but couldn't because of the ones I had to finish for my English major. These books include "Like Water For Chocolate" by Laura Esquirel, "Love in the Time of Cholera" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, "He's Just Not That Into You" by Greg Behrendt & Liz Tuccillo, "A Hammock Beneath the Mangoes" - short stories from Latin America, "It's a Good Life if you Don't Weaken" by Seth and I am currently trying to get through Dante's "Inferno".... yup! Sometimes I wish I had a Hammock... and two Palm trees.. on my balcony. I get the breeze, all that is missing is the ambience.

Lowlight: Mom's tests at the hospital. These always worry the bajeepers out of me. She's my Mom and I don't like seeing her hurt. That's all on that topic.

Highlight: Discovering Blvd Room. I have never had a bad time at this place. I like the music, and the crowd isn't too bad either. I like that they have a patio, though the smoking isn't so much fun. I just wish the bouncers were nicer here.

Lowlight: Learning the hard way that people are constantly changing -- self included. We wait in constant hope that we may reconnect with those we were once close to... or simply lost touch with for one reason or another. But just as time moves forward, so do we. Sometimes situations happen and those of us who are strong personalities will continue to be consistent throughout. The rest of us are reshaped by these situations and are forced to move forward... sometimes without those whom we started out with in the first place. This isn't such a bad thing. It just hurts sometimes especially if there is a lot of history involved. We don't like to admit it, we don't like to acknowledge it... but sometimes we just have to face reality and move on. There is no point fighting something that really will never change.

Highlight: Going to Niagara Falls for the first time. Yes, it took me over 11 years to visit the Falls, though my family has been numerous times. I don't know why but somehow, I was always left behind (Go on, shed a tear for me). Going to the falls made me realize how small I am. It was a good feeling. I mean, this is one of the 7 wonders of the world!! (I'm still going based on the old list). To know that this is nature's masterpiece, completely floored me. Man can only do so much, before Mother Nature steps in and does what she does best... and sometimes, worst.

Lowlight: Not going to India. I was really looking forward to visiting my family. I haven't seen them in ages, and I have heard of the numerous additions. It bothers me so much that my Father gets to go as often as he likes, but the rest of us have to wait till we can cough up enough money to simply pay for the damn ticket. Ugh. Someday soon.

Highlight: Adopting Ginger from the Humane Society. She has been in this house for two weeks and has adjusted so well. She is a very friendly cat, with an odd sense of humour. I realize though that she is spoiled, and this is coming back to bite us in the butt. We are finally starting to put her on a regular food schedule and aren't as libral with her treats. I think she's getting a little heavy than before. Nonetheless, she's a gem and has truly changed the dynamic of this house.

..... I think I should end it there. For now anyway. They say it's always nice to end on a high note, so there you go.
I've met a lot of new people this summer, and I am so thankful for that. To the people who have been around over the years, I want you to know how much I appreciate you, and don't take you for granted -- though I have a bad way of showing it.
We're one week away from school, new careers, vacations, and so much more. Good Luck to everyone, and I hope you enjoy whatever it is you're doing.

xoXO
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