To: 2015, "Welcome!" From: Procrastination

The new year!

I'd been thinking about this post for awhile, and now, nearly halfway through the year, I've begun it! On top of my game! As a prologue, I need to talk about how amazing 2014 was. I think 2014 was quite possibly the best year of my life. I had a job, I went to fantastic music festivals, I was booking stuff every so often, I had the closest, most amazing friends, and I was feeling confident (for the most part). My schedule was so wonky, I would be working weekends and some holidays at a job that started at 7:00 am in Carson a.k.a. a far, distant land. But that couldn't stop me from going out because, hey, it's the freaking weekend, baby I'm about to have me some fun (eProps to those who know the reference). My friends slash most people are free on the weekend, there're activities, and there's nothing I could've done except go out at night, get home at 4 (or not go home; shoutout to Club332, Babbitt, and my dad's van) sleep for an hour or so then head to work. Sometimes these would be back-to-back nights. Sometimes I slept for 20 minutes. Sometimes I drove more than I slept (damn you LA distance and traffic!). Always I looked like ass the next day. Many times I was exhausted. Always I felt fulfilled. Sometimes I still took days off of my 3-day workweek #slacker. If you ask any of my friends, they'll tell you what I was doing is probably not recommended if you'd like a healthy lifestyle. I'd argue that it was. Because my friends gave me life and it's definitely what I needed. It was pretty wild, but I liked it. I thought it was really cool to be living such a not-average life. And isn't it weird that I was so happy, but wanted to move? I feel like most people move because they're not happy with their current situation. I, however, was riding unicorns when I wanted to explore more. But I think that's the way my neurons fire, the more I do, the more I want. I think that's similar to thrill-seekers; once you get it going, you get adventure-bit. Daredevils want more and more and more. And so I came to 台灣. I'll leave objectives, goals, etc. for another post (that, let's face it, may be a number of months down the line).
Thank you 2014! May the best of 2014, be the worst of 2015!

New Year's in another country was actually pretty not lonely thanks to all the visitors we had!! The difficulty was locking down plans especially since we were in a not familiar place. Hard to get into a club? Do we need a table? Should we have bought tickets way way way in advance? How much would it cost? Also, gotta see 101's fireworks while we're here right? But fearing crowds of people, we didn't know the best way to go about this. So yeah, not the most stress-free. We decided to hang out on the roof of Jeff's building since he has a pretty sweet view of 101. And then JFan and I wandered around on the street and found space near where the City Hall concert was happening, which was closer to 101. So it turns out, yeah, there are lots of people, but it's not as insanely crowded as say Times Square. We found some decent space pretty late (circa 10-11pm...?), so it was all good. Tons of places you can check out 101's fireworks and still one of the most convenient things about Taipei is the transportation. Ahhhhhhh so happy we didn't have to drive anywhere and worry about getting home safely. ESPECIALLY because on New Year's Eve, they keep the MRT running all night! WHAT.

So much face in this picture!

Miss that case. And that Jeff Fan!

Special guests: Keywee, Spoonbutt

Blurry, but it has everyone! I think!

So if you plan on doing 跨年 aka New Year's Eve in Taipei, you should check out the 101 fireworks, it's not extremely hard finding space, and dispersing afterwards wasn't nutso either. We were also mentally well prepared.

Then there was the second New Year's to celebrate! Lunar New Year! Though you might expect it to be party central up in Taipei, it's quite the contrary. Good thing we'd received warning that during Chinese New Year ("CNY" from here on out), the city is actually dead. Like... zombie apocalypse dead. For a week. This includes ma and pa food stalls. Eep! One of the things I've learned is that for the most part, people aren't from Taipei. Most people work in Taipei, but their homes are elsewhere. So come CNY, it's time to go home and celebrate with family. And it's usually a week-ish because Taiwanese people are extremely hard workers and throughout the year they hardly get any holidays, so CNY is special and people can take multiple days off.

I think picking a year to live in Taiwan was a good choice so I can experience the different seasons as well as the traditions throughout the year. My CNY was quite.. interesting! I was able to hang out with family (both sides), and I sort of didn't sleep much, but it was such a great experience to bond with family I wouln't have had it any other way. Like I always say, I'll sleep when I'm dead. Thank you family for lifting me to cloud nine!! How cool would it be to be able to come back to Taiwan every CNY? Food for thought. Except no food. I won't be hungry.

Mom's side:

The first time I even heard of 佛跳牆 (Buddha jumps over the wall) was at 師大 in Chinese class. Didn't know I'd able to try it only a couple months later!

 Dad's side:

And the rest of CNY can only be defined by this -

開心開心 <3

Not like I haven't cried that much in a movie before... but, man, wasn't expecting to come out of Fast 7 like that. The LA cityscape, the beautiful tribute to Paul Walker, the change in the coming 6 months, everything made me miss you all that much more tonight. Can't wait 'til I hug your faces again!

with<3

Seoul part 5: Until next time!

The last thing I'll say about Korea is sorry to Jeff because the bathroom and shower is the same. I'd very consistently leave it on shower mode when Jeff wanted to use the sink and he'd get sprayed everywhere. I'm sorry. Sorry mostly because I thought it was hilarious.

Thank you for the bestest time! My own regret is that I didn't check out a Korea spa. AKA I'll have to go back someday. :)

Seoul part 4 (Days 5 and 6): I'm a Peacock captain, you gotta let me fly!

The next few days Jeff and I were on our own. We had to get around with my Korean looks (thank you slitty eyes and wide-cheek bones) and Jeff's Hite/Chamisul-inspired Korean; it was quite entertaining watching him trying to converse with a taxi driver. Quick shout out to the cheese building:

This building (a cafe on the first floor) was a good place marker for where our AirBnB stay was. Cheese building in Seoul :: Blue gecko at the Electric Field at EDCLV :: A4 Speaker at Coachella. All saviors of my life.

On our days without Koreans we decided to check out touristy spots. 

So we did some wandering

At one point we were on the bus and I got off and looked back and Jeff was still on it. My whoops. Anyway, we're here now. One of the things that we both quite enjoy is checking out observation decks. I feel like, generally, people don't really like doing that stuff because they don't feel the need to pay for an extended elevator ride. I, however, dig that elevator ride, so those people can shaft themselves. The N Seoul Tower is a really cool though because at the top you can buy a lock, write a message, and link up! Similar to the love locks in Paris or the gum wall in Seattle.

We repped

Come on... how do you not like a nice up top view?

ESPECIALLY WITH A DRANK. *sponsored by Big Sean. All of that Cass Cass Cass Cass

Peter Pan ride at Disneyland, duh.

This is what N Seoul Tower actually looks like

Here's another picture of leaves. Because colors.

That night we went to Infinity and Beyond!

From our two clubbing experiences before, it seemed like our group was the only group of people that would be doing any dancing. Pretty much how it is in Taiwan, which surprised me a little because we know how Koreans be poppin' like corn. Also, there was a couple of black people one night. I mean, don't reinforce stereotypes... but... STEP UP YO' GAME. On this infinite drink night, we happened upon a young 20-something who was in the military and he was such a passionate individual. He said he loved music and all he wanted to do was dance!!! And boy, did he. He definitely had some moves. Ahhhh, admiration strikes again!

Sidenote: found this at a convenience mart.

Why have boxed juice if there's boxed soju?! $.50, Yezzirrrrr

If you're ever in Seoul, you have to check out the War Memorial Museum. It's a must must. Jeff and I spent a good couple of hours exploring the grounds... and it wasn't even open that day. But outside the museum there is already neat stuff to explore, so I can't imagine what it's like when it's open. 

Powerful stuff.

We also checked out a traditional Korean village. 

A Time Capsule. Which filled my My Sassy Girl desires.

Got Oyster Bimbimbap.

...at an indoor restaurant that was outdoors...?

Stupid place not worth mentioning unless you want to lose $20 each on 4 minutes of slots.

One thing I really dug about Korea was how open everything is late night. We could be walking back after a full day of activity and still find sooo many foods in the dark hours. Korea doesn't close!!

Korea motto

Seoul part 3 (Days 3 and 4): No Rae Bon? Yes Rae Bon.

Walking around Korea you'll notice people (I only saw females) with bandages around their faces. After sliced bread, the next coolest thing is sliced face. Everyone knows plastic surgery is a thang in Korea, but it's interesting to me how public/nonchalant they are about the post-op. In fact, Daniel said they flaunt it; in a way, it's showing off that you have the money to get the surgery.  Social status is directly proportional to plastic surgery. Regarding appearance and finding an s.o., to me, chemistry with a person is always the most important thing. Looks fade, what matters most is how well you click with someone. So don't just look on the outside, look within! Not to say appearance doesn't matter AT ALL, of course there has to be physical attraction as well, it's part of the whole package, but to me, it's about how good your mesh is. On the flip side, how you perceive yourself affects your mood, which in turn affects your day-to-day living. Being someone that struggles with self-esteem, I know how confidence goes a long way in how you approach life, so it is understandable. BUT! These are all created by societal pressures, which vary from peoples to peoples. Ultimately, you are what makes you you, it may be hard but don't conform to society! Appreciate the diversity in people, and love you for you.

Here are some highlights from Days 3 and 4. 

Methinks Grace looks uber Korean here. Tyler looks uber swagtastic (per usual).

Table service includes plates of food that will be devoured by a poor, hungry female college student. It was fun watching her.

Hunnids, hunnids.

Hug it out!

I'm surprised I never saw French fry corn dogs in the States!

If you go to Korea and don't play DDR, why are you even there?

Sorry Justin, these two brought SexyBack way before you did.

Double the Grace, double the fun

Selfie sticking our bus ride

I think this was a sweet potato cooker contraption

Koreans make funny of own Engrish!~

Group shot and we took group shots!

Anyone else have flashbacks to 1998?! Capped off with NRB! It was Fantastic, Baby.