whoa... flashback

Consequently, while looking at my last tease of a blog I realised, that if I were still with Garnet, the day before that entry would have been our 7 year anniversary of dating. Shit that's weird. What's more strange is that I met a new guy that day.

Enough of that, tonight is my update night, but unfortunately it won't last long b/c I haven't seen my cat in more than a day, and he really wants some attention, and pretty soon he'll be sitting on my laptop... guess that means I should take a break and watch the latest Torchwood. OOOhhh, I love that show.

Where was I going? Oh yeah, I have been so busy lately that I haven't had time to write at all, and today I finally had a chance to write in my paper joural (for lack of better words) before I went to work. It felt good, and I'm almost finished it. I love being finished journals because it's like and end of something, and time to start fresh. I love it. And I need it right now very badly.

I'm still working two jobs, but may not be able to keep the job at Coles after Christmas... because I like to have the occasional day off.

Good news though... Christmas is coming, and I am not prepared in the slightest... although I did put up a beautiful Christmas tree.

Okay, gotta go.

Erin

It's COLD Here!

Last night I woke up freezing, I added a hoodie to my layer of clothing and then lay in my bed freezing for the next two hours until I fell back to sleep. Today it was absolutely freezing outside thanks to the wind... I kept thinking... I miss Korea. So to all you that are feeling the cold in Korea... I don't feel sorry for you or believe you!

The good news is that it's snowing again and I LOVE SNOW.

Erin

Being Single

Today I decided to go and watch a movie. My sister has sent me a free movie pass, so I decided I'd go to the movies all by myself.

I'm not sure how I thought it would make me feel. Liberating. That probably sounds silly to poeple who go to movies by themselves, but for me it was the first time I had. It was a celebration of being single I guess. I had a bad night (but good in some ways) that basically left me feeling confused and a little upset with the direction my life is going.

I'm sick of being single. But I'm not really. I don't mind doing things on my own, I just sometimes wish that I had another single friend to do it with. That's pretty hard to find, apparantly. You'd think it wouldn't be, but my friends right now are all either engaged or in a committed relationship. Scary, I know.

Point is, I don't mind being single, I just miss having somebody to do single things with... but if there's no one else, why not hang out with the best single girl there is: me.

The movie I went to see was The Gridiron Gang. Gridiron as in Grid Iron... I mispronounced it when I went to buy the ticket. Now this may seem like a silly choice for me to see... it's a sports movie with absolutely no 'chick-flickishness' in it. Let's be honest though, any sports movie ever made is a cry movie. All the inspirational crap really gets to a person. This one was no different. I needed a good cry, and I got it.

Of course, if all else fails, I just watch Sex and the City. Those single girls are the most understanding girls there are.

Okay.

update on the pajamas

Okay, so I have now joined a gym which means that I no longer have to wear my cute workout clothes to bed.

Erin

Oh yeah, here's a pic with my newly coloured hair.
And this is of my newly painted wall and my new map design... I like this one better, I made it prettier, and the wall looks pretty good as well.

Picture Time

Let's see... pics are of... my new wall in my new house... I put up my world and added pictures from places I have been in the world (and tried to put the pics in the right places, but this world is smaller than my pics... but there they are none the less. The other pics are of pretty trees, Rolo in my new house, and Rolo and Sylvia at Karen and Aric's.

Okay bye.

Back again

Hey so this will be short because I'm tired. Actually to be completely honest, I have nothing to do tonight, but refuse to leave my room because I'm tired of being social with my new roommates. I moved into a new place on Sunday. I live with a 21 year old guy and a 19 year old girl... and I feel old. Because I don't want to grow up, I assumed they would be more mature than me... I was mistaken.

The rent is good though, so I'll be here for a while... and my cat is with me so he keeps me company... he won't leave the room because he's too scared of the dog that lives here. I never realised before that the reason Rolo (my cat) is such a jerk is because he's just scared. Poor thing, as I explain to everyone who comments on his jerkiness, he came from a broken home, and has had trouble dealing with his issues.

I'm working at Coles bookstore (I may have mentioned that), but am looking for something ANYTHING that has to do with my degree and that will give me better hours and more money. Maybe soon.

Okay enough, I have to find something else to keep me busy.

E

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

After that sadsack post yesterday I thought I'd post one more time even though I don't have anything to say but HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME. 26 is going to be a great year... it will be challanging to beat 25... but I will.

E

I may grow older, but I'll never grow up.

So I know this is an insult to anybody older than me, but I don't want to get any older. I've been fighting off turing 26 for about a year now, and I think -in about two and a half hours -the fight is going to end.

I normally love my birthday. I like the celebration... and being the center of attention! This weekend was great, but now that I actually have to turn a year older, it's not seeming like it'll be fun at all.

My problem is this: I had a huge year. Being 25 resulted in having a competely great year. I had ups and downs, but mostly ups. I'm scared of 26, and of not having the same great year... which I know is completely up to me, and me alone.

But seriously, while I was 25, I was single for the first time in five and a half years. I had some fun flings -and some not so fun flings. I had a crush... well crushes. I lived in a different country. I lived alone for the first time (no roommates or other such things). I ran off a cliff twice (paragliding)- I snorkelled in the ocean. I tried new things that I should have tried years ago like snowboarding, surfing and skateboarding (I know the skateboarding thing didn't work out, but I still did it). I learned that while I did try new things, I'm really not as brave as I thought I was, but it will make me try harder (bungee jumping: some day I will do it). I went to three different countries. I learned more about myself, and learned that I will never stop learning about myself. I met some of the greatest people, and I know that some I will continue to be friends with, and some I will lose touch with, but the point is that they were wonderful people who made my year great. I also reconnected with older friends that I had lost touch with. I learned how to get over the little things, and I learned that I still need to learn how to get over the little things. I may have also learned what I want to do with the rest of my life... but knowing me that will change in a month anyway, so I'll wait to announce my newest life plan. I laughed a lot. I also learned to laugh at the many embarrassing things I did. I came home. -But I'm still looking for where home is.

I just needed to write some of those down. I'm scared for 26 because I am back to real life now, and things are not going to be the same. I am fighting this growing up thing in EVERY WAY possible. So far it's working, but I'm scared that my luck may have run out.

Erin

Update Time

Well, I guess it's time for an update. Here it is: I'm still jobless, still homeless (but have a place to stay), and getting sadder at the state of my life by the second... but don't worry, I'll figure it all out. It's moments like this, however, that I think back to that moment when I decided I didn't want to teach for another year, and almost regret the decision. Almost. I'm glad I'm home though.

It was my grandfather's 80th birthday on Labour Day, and I was there with all the rest of my family to help in celebrate. That felt pretty good, it seems like I've missed every Burton family celebration since I've graduated high school (the 50th Anniversary, and last year my Grandma's 80th), so it was nice to see everyone. The best part though was seeing how happy my grandpa and grandma were to have there whole family at home. Everyone made it out, all their kids, and all their kid's kids. (And the kid's kid's kids). If only I hadn't been PMSing... I would have been able to handle the question, "Have you found a job yet?" a lot easier. My family is very supportive though, so that's nice.

What else? I'm still jobless. I had an interview to sell shoes at The Bay, but I couldn't force myself to do that. I'd rather work at a restaurant or a coffee shop or something. Actually, to be completely honest, I'm planning to go back to school as soon as possible because obviously an English degree gets a person (me) no where in life.

The good news... My Birthday is coming soon!!!! I love my birthday. Monday is the day, and I'm planning to celebrate all weekend!!

I'm sure it will go better than my last birthday when the cops drove me home (because I couldn't get there on my own!) Cheaper than a cab I guess... that was Korea though, luckily there is no soju here.

Okay. Bye.

Erin

Home... well, my parent's home

I'm home.

My flight to Vancouver from Taiwan was long long long, and Katie and I were not anywhere near eachother, and I almost got charged about $400 C'dn for my fat luggage (luckily with some shuffling, we were able to put some in Katie's bag).

I'm still pretty tired now, and tomorrow, I'll start the whole job hunting thing. I'm not looking forward to it.

What else? I had a makeover in The Body Shop for free in Vancouver while waiting for the plane to Calgary. They must have been really bored, and losing business because anything they sold would have to be returned if people were boarding a plane. I did discover the most amazing new makeup/thingy that I didn't buy because it may have been a bomb.

Anyway, I'm home, and will hopefully soon be getting a job... and will be in Saskatoon soon as well.

Erin

Home soon

I will be adding pictures later. I need to try to fix my camera first, for some reason it is sick of me and no longer works. So as soon as it stops keeping the pictures hostage, I will work on getting them back.

I'm completely packed and wasting time on this mean computer that steals my money. Once again, I have overpacked, but there's nothing I can do about that now. I'm really looking forward to getting home, but not really looking forward to finding a job when I get home.

I actually have a lot I would like to say, but to be completely honest, and as I have been doing for this whole trip, I am sweating from every body part, and really uncomfortable in this computer roomish heat sauna wave place, so I think I will get off the computer and go to my air conditioned room, and then type more when I get home... wherever that may be.

Erin

Jeju-do you have nothing on Green Island

Well, right now we are in Taitung. We are staying at a cheap little hostel that gives us our own bathroom. Sold.

Today we decided to take just a day trip to an Island called Green Island (appropriatly named because of all the green water). We had been planning to spend the night, but didn't want to lug our luggage (haha ironic) all that way with the chance of not finding a place to stay. Green Island is by far one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen, and if I had known I was going to get to a PC room tonight I would have brought my camera and shown some pictures.

Katie and I rented a scooter to drive around the island (which takes only a half hour if you don't stop at the sights). So we had plenty of time to drive around and see everything. Katie drove, and I was the backseat navigator ("Stop here, it's pretty." "That sign looks cool." "Umm, I don't see any English on that sign it must not be good.") It went pretty well, we had a great day, and once again got burned -it's a never ending viscious circle.

So the island was good. Way better than the 'best island ever, Jeju-do' -and much cheaper to get to.

It was a good day, and although we didn't do anything but tour and take way too many pictures, it was fun.

Tomorrow we are off to our next destination... hopefully Keelung with a few stops on the way.

Erin

Uh, sorry for the spelling mistakes, this blogger is in Chinese, and I don't have the patience to reread it, although I know there are many. I suck.

Typhoon typhoon

Another crisis diverted. For the past couple of days we have been in Kenting (or Kending) trying to go surfing.

We stayed in a little town right before Kending actually -we were lucky enough to stay above the surf shop that we would have rented boards from the next day. When we asked if he had a room (a Westerner who lives there now) he said he had bunk beds, and after finding out the price we went for them. It was actually a room full of bunkbeds and we had the most uncomfortable mattress ever, but it was still cool sleeping above a surf shop. We decided to stay for two nights because we wanted to get as much surfing in as possible. The next day, they closed the beach because of a typhoon headed to the area. It was sad that we didn't get to surf, but we had a relaxing day, and did get in the water before they closed it down. We have one more spot to hit that is supposed to have good surf, so I guess we'll see. The little town was nice though, and the people warmed up to us.

We are back in Kaohsiung right now, but won't be for long. We leave tomorrow for Taitung. My camera won't hook up to the computer so I can't put up anymore pics, but I will someday. Tonight we are going to a KTV room which in Korea would be called a Singing Room. I'm pretty excited about it.

I'm not sure when I'll have access to the Internet again. We will be back in Taipei on the 15th of August, so then for sure, but who knows if sooner. We fly out on the 17th, and I'm really looking forward to it!

Anyway, hope the weather is going great where you are because it's still SOOOO HOT here.

Melting,
Erin

Taiwan Pictures

Here are some pictures of my time in Taiwan. Most of them were taken in Taipei, and all of them were taken on Katie's camera because she already put the pictures on the computer, and I am too lazy to use my own pictures.

The first one is the Ghost Festival, which so far includes starting a fire and burning 'ghost money'. Which is what the guy is doing. It's taken in Taipei.

The second one is taken at the beach here in Koshieng (I don't have the spelling with me and I can never remember how to spell it), but it's a couple who were getting there wedding photos done (before the wedding, of course).

The next one is my head in the 101 building. We were on the 89th floor I think.

The next one is a picture of the night markets. My head is in that one as well.

The last one is of our first meal in Taiwan. It was actually called Japanese BBQ, but it was just like a Korean bbq as well (without the great paste tasty thing).

And that's it. I'll write in a couple of days.

Erin

hot hot hot

I'm kind of looking forward to winter in Saskatchewan. Although the cold usually gets too cold, I've always loved winter -the briskness, the snow, all of it. I guess that gives me something to look forward to... but job first!

Here -it is hot. Always always hot. However everywhere has aircon so you go from hot hot hot to cold cold cold to hot hot hot, and there is never an in between.

I just realised how tired I am, and that this is boring even for me typing it.

Right now we are in the second largest city called Koahsiung. Katie knows a friend of a friend from Calgary who is teaching English here. I've learned that there are as many Canadians as there are in Korea teaching. They seem to be enjoying it, but it hasn't changed my mind about going home for a while. The place these two Calgary girls live in is absolutely beautiful. I'm in love with it. They pay rent themselves, but the place is so great, and has everything. Katie and I are lucky to be able to stay here. So we've been hanging out with English teachers. So far, two Canadians, a Kiwi, and an American girl (who has lived everywhere). It's about the same as in Korea, Saturday nights are the nights where they let loose, and drink a lot of beer. I certainly enjoyed it! We also went to the beach, but were not allowed to swim because it's ghost month, and they don't want us to drown or be drowned by the ghosts... not sure really yet all about that.

Today we relaxed most of the day (got over the tiredness from the Sat Beer night) and then went out for supper at a nice Mexican restaurant. We also went to the night markets here... I love markets, but I really miss shopping in Korea. The stuff seemed cheaper, but maybe it's because I'm on a budget now that I don't have a job.

Tomorrow we will do some sort of sightseeing in the morning, and then take the bus to Kenting (which is at the bottom of Taiwan), and hopefully go surfing and swimming, and everything. We are leaving some things here, as to make our backs hurt less from all of our things, and then when we come back here we can stay one more night and then get on the train to our next destination. (Don't know where yet).

My brain just shut off.

Erin

my own sauna

The place in this hostel that has the one crappy computer, is so hot that I think I may be losing weight just sitting here. This was going to be a longer entry, but now I'm looking forward to getting back to my air con room.

Can I just say that Thailand may be the cheapest place in the world, and I'm sad that we had to leave it to live in this pricy place for three weeks. Korea was so much cheaper it seemed. I've been doing a lot of comparing between the two (Korea and Taiwan) since I've been here, and have noticed a lot of differences. Most important is the price of things. Second most important is how different and easy the subway system is here. I enjoyed the complicated Seoul one though.

So here is my update for anyone who cares. I am not going to stay here for a year. With all the trouble with the crappy new ex job, I had a thought. I don't want to be here. I don't want to teach for another year in a country where nobody speaks English, and where foreignors tend not to talk to one another unless it's at a bar. Taiwan seems like an absolutely beautiful place, and it would have been nice to teach here, but I need a break from it. I'm going to go home for a year, get a job, and apartment in Saskatoon, help with Karen's wedding (YAH), attend two other weddings that I know about, and see my family. After my year is over, I'll make a new plan... Actually I've already decided to buy the Lonely Planet for Ireland and have it near me all the time, so it will give me initiative. I am going to get there!

So for those of you planning to see me in Taiwan, I'm sorry my plans changed. I felt absolutely horrible about giving up or quitting. For anyone who knows me, you know that I don't quit (accept for volleyball), and I don't take it lightly that I am stepping away from a committment. However, coming home is going to be incredibly hard as well because it will be a step towards doing that growing up thing that I swore I wouldn't do. We'll see what happens. My guess is I'll only last a year... but I promise (Karen) that I will stay for a year!

Anyway, we are heading out of Taipei tomorrow, which will be nice. I'm enjoying the city, but am looking forward to heading to some coasts and going surfing and swimming. (but once again, it won't be as cheap as Thailand). I miss Thailand now!

Okay, if I can find a computer from a far, I will definately update or add pictures, but I don't even see any place in Taipei that has them, which is strange. (Once again, in Korea, there was a PC room on every street).

Erin

time to relax

Now that I know I don't have to worry about going to my job or looking for a job (yet), this is going to be a nice vacation. We are already planning to head down to the surfing areas, and also do some beach bumming. I go to get my useless big suitcase on Friday, and then I can put it in storage.

Erin

My job in Taiwan

I no longer have a job in Taiwan. I quit today. It made for a very unhappy man because he had planned for me to start work today. That wasn't in my plans, and it never was... if he breaks his end of the deal, I can break mine. Unfortunately, they have my suitcase in what was to be my new home. I want it back.

That is it...

Erin

Taiwan

In Taiwan... things are already going horribly.

tired beyond tiredness

Well, this isn't going to be long because I am sitting here possibly wearing my Thai pants wrong, sweating like crazy, and probably smelling a little bit as well. I was going to try to download some pictures of me and my new tiger friends, but the camera doesn't seem to agree with what I want to do... or the computer doesn't agree... which ever one, I don't have the patience.

Yesterday, I finally got my Taiwan Visa back (and my passport), so that's finally finished. We shopped for the rest of the day... I bouught some things that now fit very badly, and I'm wondering what it was that possessed me.

Last night on our way home (about 11pm maybe), we decided we weren't quite ready to call it a night even though we had to be in our lobby by 7am to meet our minivan that was taking us on our trip. We went to one of the many local restaurants/pubs in the area, and finally met some friendly people. We were talking to some English blokes, when I decided to check out what the time was. Mark's answer was "4:30am". Time seems to move pretty quickly, we were still in the pub, and Katie and I decided from there that maybe it would be easier to just not go to bed at all, therefore saving ourselves from having to get up in the morning. It worked out okay, after leaving the pub we headed to a different restaurant on Kosan Road that served breakfast.

Once again we lost track of time, and by the time we got home, neither of us had time to do any sort of preparing for the rest of the day before the van came. I had time for a two second shower and to change, which was more than Katie had time for, and we brought absolutely nothing with us except for money and my camera. I had been wearing my contacts for over 24 hours by this time.

We drove in the van, and were constantly referred to as "The Canadian girls," as in: "How are the Canadian Girl's doing?" "Are you ever going to behave?" (Umm, the last comment came in a boat when the driver poked me with her paddle because I wasn't perfectly centered in the middle of the boat.

Anyway, we went to the Floating Markets, which were pretty cool, we had a traffic/boat jam in the middle of the market (which is when I was paddle poked). It was pricey there, so we didn't actually buy anything, but it was an experience that you have to do I think. (Although we saw the miniature one at Ancient World, and thought it was just as nice).

From there, we got back into the extremely uncomfortable van and headed for lunch. Blah blah blah, we ended up at the Tiger Temple, which essentially was a Nature Temple of sorts, and the monks took in a homeless little baby tiger, and from there took in more. They had them all on one spot where people could be lead around by the hand by a volunteer and have our picture taken with each of the tigers. They were beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time, and while I think it's sad that they are being used as 'circus animals', I can't really judge seeing as I got in there and posed with the tigers. We were told that they were not drugged, it's just because they have grown up around humans, that they were so calm. I'm not sure. They didn't really seem drugged to me, but the idea, as I said, left me feeling sad and guilty for partaking.

Erin

Thailand Photos

Here are some pictures that took forever to get posted. I think from now on four at a time are all I can handle if they work atr all. The first one is of me getting a Thai massage by the elephants. Actually, for everyone else, it was just the little one stepping on the back, and kissing our necks, but I was lucky enought to have the big one come and kiss me as well. The second one is after the monkey show, when they let people come up and hold the monkey's hands. I fell in love with that monkey. This was done on our elephant trek/safari adventure in Koh Samui. The thirs one, I probably shouldn't feel comfortable enough to show on a blog for everyone to see, but it's me in my bikini on a boat headed from Phuket to Koh Phi Phi (close to where The Beach was filmed). You can see how much darker I've gotten. Umm, I burned that day, however, so now I'm even darker. And the last one is obvious, but this is at the night market when I was trying on a bar, and got my boobies grabbed. I bought the bra shortly after. She did well to pose for the picture, and although it looks like she's getting a good grab at this point, it was not half as much grabbing as she did before the picture!

Anyway, we went to this place called Ancient Thailand today, that I found in the LP and made Katie visit it. I'm glad we did. We rode around on a two person bike, and saw all of Thailand... shrunken Thailand I guess, but it was pretty cool.

So tomorrow I will finally get my Taiwan Visa done and finished, and then we will be relaxing for the rest of the day.

Erin

Paradise only lasts so long... then you get bored

So my days in Thailand are coming to a close. We left Phuket two days ago and have been in Bkk ever since. I'm not liking it as much as I thought I would. As much as I complained about Seoul, I loved it at the same time, and I'm not loving Bkk in the same way. The people seem friendlier on the outside, but really they don't want to help you unless they somehow make money off of you.

We had been planning to take one more trip before we go, but the 'helpful' travel agents messed that up for us. We were originally going to come back to Bkk to get my 60 day tourist visa figured out for Taiwan, but the travel agents we spoke to the first time we were in Bangkok told me that there was no Taiwan embassy, and that I had to go to the Chinese embassy. Believing they knew what they were talking about, and because the Lonely Planet has a list of embassies that doesn't include Taiwan, I believed them. We got a cab to the Chinese Embassy Tuesday morning, and after waiting in line forever, and even asking once if I was doing the correct form for Taiwan, I got up to the front and was told to go to the Taiwan Embassy.

Let me explain something about getting visas at embassies... they are only open for Visas in the morning, so of course, when we arrived (finally) to the Taiwan embassy, they were closed, and we had to return the next day. Which basically ruined any trips we had planned to take. I went back today, and applied and payed, but can't pick it up until tomorrow (although I won't be home tomorrow, so I have to get it the next day). Drama drama drama.

But in other news, while at a night market, I was looking at bras, and after actually putting the bra on me, the sales woman grabbed my boobs on the street... I think she liked it, and I also got to teach her the word 'boob'. I bought the bra because I figured after grabbing my boobs she deserved a little something... and the bra is nice as well!

We have two more day trips planned for Thailand, and then we head out on Monday. Tomorrow (Thurs) we are going to an Ancient City -bright and early in the am. The next day, (Fri) I get to pick up my passport, and the day after (Sat) we are going to the Floating Markets, and to get pictures taken with drugged tigers... i think they are drugged... that's what stops me from getting eaten!?

Oh yeah, also on Sunday I will be going to the weekend market which is supossed to be the best market in Thailand... and I'm getting better at bartering, but Katie is the real expert. So I will probably be buying some gifts at that point, but don't get your hopes up about getting them really quickly... I have a year... Sunday night we are going to a Black Eyed Peas concert. I'll fully admit that I have no idea what Black Eyed peas sing, I'm sure I've heard it before, but I have never really payed attention, or been a fan. I also had no idea they were Canadian until Katie told me. She's pretty excited about seeing a C'dn band in Thailand, and I'm pretty excited about seeing a band in Thailand, no matter who it is.

We also went to a movie today. Apparantly when you go to the theater they do the National anthem before the movie begins. It was a bit lacking, but we stood up for the King. The movie was Lady in the Water. It was pretty good, I wasn't a fan of some parts, but others made up for it.

Tonight during supper we watched the supper of You Me and dupree (I think that's what it's called), some of the hotels have 'movie nights' from the burned movies, but neither of us could wait for the end of the movie... not too good.

And that's it.

Erin

Coconuts and pineapples

Just a short post today to talk about my love for coconuts. It's the only food that I know that tastes good everywhere. Coconuts are delicious by themselves, as a a drink, as a shake, as a pina coloda, as curry or as soup... However, pineapples are only good as a shake or by themselves, they ruin every other food they are in... unlike bananas... they are just bad altogether.

Enough food talk. I didn't end up surfing again today or yesterday. Yesterday we went to explore the Islands outside of Phuket (Koh Phi Phi) (pronounced PeePee). We went on a speed boat, which the brochure deemed 'The Fastest One'. We snorkelled near Monkey Island, and passed the Island that The Beach was made in. It was a good day... I came home bright red though. So today before we go we thought we'd go surfing, or do something, but the waves are HUGE, and I'm still too red to go out.

We are headed back to Bangkok tonight for one or two days. I need to get my Taiwan Visa figured out, and then we will try to hit one more Island before going to Taiwan.

More later.

Erin

By the way, I still haven't been able to post more pics on here, some of the computers are pretty stubborn.

I finally understand it

I went surfing today... It was so great. I got a lesson from a very nice Kiwi/Thai man, and he really was the perfect teacher. He asked if I had ever surfed before, and I said no, and then he asked if I had ever Skateboarded or snowboarded before. I told him that yes I did skateboard before and I dislocated my elbow. He asked me if I was good before I fell off, and I had to tell him it was my first time on it... so no, I wasn't! It worked out though. I did okay, and taking a dive into water hurts so much less than taking a dive into cement... or snow for that matter.

He was very good and encouraging, and now I think I'm addicted. It's kind of like paragliding in the way that you can forget about absolutely everyone and everything that is going on around you. I loved that feeling.

I was out there for more than an hour and a half, and had to come back in because I was pretty exhausted. But, I'm definately going back out tomorrow... and the next day... and then we're leaving Phuket, so I guess that will be it until Taiwan.

Okay, gotta go relax for the rest of the day... or shop... who knows.

Erin

Bad day to write

I probably shouldn't write anything today because I'm having a sad/bad day. I've been up since 6am, and travelling to Phuket for most of the day.

I'm sad because I met somebody I really got along with in Koh Phangan and everything seems impossible -crushes are useless most of the time, but especially when I know I'll never see them again.

I'm really sad because I got an email from my mom with some bad news and all I want to do is go home and hug her, and everyone else in my family. I love you, mom. I wish I was home to hug you!!

However, my trip is still going well, and when I have more time and more patience, I will once again try to put more pictures on here. It is frustrating though, which is why I only got 9 in the last one, and two ended up being the same.

On the 18th, we went to the Half Moon Party, (where I met my new crush) but right before going, I decided to get myself a tattoo. It was a bamboo tattoo, and the man who did it, listened to what I wanted and designed it himself. So it's an original anklet tattoo with a prairie Lily on it to match my shoulder. The Half Moon Party was a fun time, and I was sad to leave the next day for Koh Samai, but at the same time, ready to go. I am also happy that I had my soju drinking practice in Korea because it helped me out in not drinking disgusting buckets too quickly.

We went for an elephant trek yesterday in Koh Samai. We watched an elephant show, got a Thai massage by an elephant (I got elephant kisses) and got to hold a monkeys hand... It was nice. We rode on an elephant for about a half hour, and then went in a Safari Jeep to waterfalls that we were able to swim in. After that we went for a canoe ride in a rubber canoe... Kind of Kayakish actually. It was a wonderful day.

Today we haven't really done anything but travel to Phuket, but tomorrow I will go surfing for the first time. I'm pretty excited about learning... Nervous at the same time... I mean really, I can't even stay on a skateboard! Oh well, I need to learn so I can do it in Taiwan when I get there.

Speaking of Taiwan, I'm pretty excited to go there now. I am almost Thailanded out, and am looking forward to a change in pace.

I have to go, I'll write more and add pics when I'm in a better mood!

Erin

Just Pictures today

Water falls in Koh Phangnam



Happy

Koh Phangan

Well, my fun is coming to an end here. I'm getting a little bit stir crazy on this Island. It's beautiful, but we've been here longer than any other place, and are both ready to go. Are tickets are booked tomorrow for the am. Tonight we are on our way to the half moon party because we missed the full moon party by a day.

Don't have much time left, was going to put some pics on the blog, but it's taking too long. I'll email them for now, I guess.

Erin.

This pic is all I have time for... stupid slow computer... This is the Thai flag, and we are walking towards the boat to go to Koh Tao. I'll put more when I don't want to kill the computer.

E

Finally... some sun

Okay I knew when I was coming here that it was the rainy season, but finally today we had sun. It was wonderful. Now I'm burned and tired. We are going to be having a bit of fun tonight though so I need to wake up, I think we are having a fire on the beach... that's all I'm gonna say.

Tomorrow we are hitting up the Half Moon Party because we missed the Full Moon Party. Still in Koh Phangnan. We will leave the next day bright and early in the morning, and will be heading to Phuket and Phi Phi. From there the plan is to go back to Bangkok to get a 60 day Visa for Taiwan for me, and then somewhere else from there. Time goes by quickly, and we weren't sure about the half moon party because it already seems like time is going too quickly, but hopefully it'll be a great time... we heard it is.

I don't really have much news. I've been scootering around the island with Jeff as my tour guide for a couple of days, and we saw some "waterfalls" yesterday.

I'll post pictures when I'm less lazy.

Erin

COMMENT

Toilets and coconut

Well, I know I wrote yesterday, but here I am again. I'm waiting for my boat to Koh Phangnan, and am taking the opportunity to send some e-mails, and charge my ipod. Speaking of ipods, I love mine. I can't believe I went through a year in Korea without one.

Anyway about the title. I was thinking the toilets here would be more like Korean toilets -squatters, but I have yet to see a squater that's the same as in Korea. These ones don't have flushers, so you have to figure out how to pour the water down quickly enough as to give the force needed for a cleansing flush, but not with enough force that the water will splash back out and hit you. I'm getting pretty good at it except for the odd time when I have just had a vodka bucket with redbull.

As for coconuts, I have never really had a lot of coconut in my life, but I gotta say it, drinking from a coconut under a cool hut on the beach is the best thing ever. Delicious. Coconuts are wonderful wonderful things.

And 2 for 1 vodka buckets... definately meant to share... unfortunately there are just two of us, so we had to drink both of them. Quite the night. (That's all I'm going to say.)

My camera has dead batteries, and I haven't been able to get new ones yet... I haven't tried either, but Katie has her camera, and I will see if there are any good ones to add onto the blog.

Okay, enough. To all you Korean buddies hope you had a blast at the Mud Fest. I'm almost jealous to have missed it. It was a great time last year, and would have been even better this year with all of you there! But then again, I'm enjoying coconuts on the beach so... I'll get over it.

Erin

Finally an update with some news!!!

I am finally done the huge travelling part of my travels, and have been relaxing and enjoying this stunningly beautiful place.

We left Bangkok on a bus to get on a boat to go to Koh Tao (an Island that people use mainly for scuba diving -but apparently more quiet than others). We got on the bus at about 8pm for a six hour trip to the bus. (it was going to be an over night trip with the bus/boat). HOWEVER, our bus broke down, and we sat in the bus that no longer had working air con for five hours. That's not including the times it stopped before that to try to fix it. The trip wasn't looking good, but I knew they'd figure something out. At 5am a new bus came to pick us up, and many many hours later we had to wait for a different boat.

Katie and I got to Koh Tao, got in the back of a truck (the cabs) and drove to Freedom beach where we got ourselves a nice bungalow with the most beautiful view ever.

We jumped into the ocean as soon as changing out of our two day old outfits. (Seriously it was like the trip from Canada all over again).

We also got out Thai massages of the day. It's the second one we have gotten since being here, and this one didn't work out so well for me. It may have been a little of PMS's fault, but the lady was stepping and twisting me in all the wrong places. The good news is, I think she snapped my messed up thumb back into place after being messed up since way before I left Korea.

Speaking of Korea, I've been seeing so many Koreans since coming here, and have talked to some of them as well. (In English!) Actually I've seen people from almost everywhere except Canada.

Back to my life. Today we got up early and went on a snorkeling expedition. We snorkeled in four different places around the island. (going by boat). And it was a great great day. This place is beautiful!!

After dinner at our resort of Freedom, we went for more massages. I decided to go with an oil massage, and Katie decided to as well. Mine went fine, but Katie got a little more than she bargained for. (A lot more.) I for one have been laughing ever since, and thankful that I got the other massager... Might be back to Thai massages for Katie!

Tonight we are going to a Party thing by the dock. The poster said two for one vodka buckets, and frankly I couldn't turn that down.

Tomorrow we are headed to Koh Phangan which is also where Hana and Jeff said. I'm really happy to see Hana, and I know she will know all the best shopping places!!!

I've been eating the Thai food, and enjoying both it and the spiciness (except the really spicy pepper thing that made my tongue burn for about an hour after.)

Also I've been taking lots of pictures, and will send some when I can.

Comment!

Erin

THAILAND!!!!

Well, I arrived here at about 2:30am, after a eleven hour flight and a 8 hour lay over in Taiwan. We were pretty tired when we got here, and were happy to get a nice hotel room with a shower. I was also happy to find a nice cheap place for storing my HUGE Taiwan suitcase.

We will be here until the 1st of August, and are leaving Bangkok today to go do some Island hopping. I'll update more later when I know more... I'm still pretty tired.

Erin

Home but leaving in a day!

This isn't going to be a long entry, but I'm feeling guilty about the lack of entries since I've been home. I will be adding one with pics from home sometime, but I don't have them on any computer but my laptop which is Internet until I'm settled.

I'm leaving on Monday for Thailand, so basically my time in Saskatchewan will come to a close tomorrow as my dad, mom, aunt, and I head for Calgary for a night. Mom and dad will see my friend, Katie, and I off at the airport. She's coming home before September, and I will be staying in Bali Taiwan until the end of June.

Being home has been nice. It's been so nice to catch up with everyone, but I've already said goodbye to most people, and that's been pretty sad. I think I must hit my 'cry quota' in the month before I leave. I'm such a girl.

I'll be in Thailand for three weeks, and am looking forward to the beaches and everything else. I also get to travel in Taiwan before I actually start work for a month.

That's it. Told you this would be short. I haven't been in the writing mood lately. It'll come back soon though, I hope.

Erin

Goodbye Seoul, It's been a blast

I've decided to put some pictures up that will remind me of my year in Seoul, and since this is my new blog, people can quickly see what I was up to last year. This has taken forever to put them up, and I need to go to bed soon, so I'll write some quick comments, and go to bed. This isn't even a little of what I did, but I'm tired of putting more pics up. These pictures aren't quite in order either, but it'll have to do.

This was taken in August maybe, on a rainy day. It's the 63 building and me. The sign says Thrill Deck, which I thought was funny.










This is Sus and I outside of Seoul, enjoying the water.


This is Sarah, EJ, Sus, Hana, and I at a bar called Tinpan.


This is Sus's b-day





This is my 25th birthday. We are in a cab and that's as much as I can remember other than coming home with police and having many bruises on my legs the next day.




This was the Martial Arts Festival in October. I was posed.







The was at a wedding. My first Korean wedding.




This is the bride and groom. Also the bride is my boss, Rachel.




This was at a Buddhist Temple we stayed at when we were getting the Buddhist experience.









I went paragliding twice. I'm pretty sure this picture was taken the second time, but it was one of the greatest feelings ever. That's my feet when I'm in the air.




I think someone else took this one of me, or I took it of someone else. Not sure.





SNOW DAY!!!

FIRST SNOW FALL IN SEOUL!!!








Our Christmas in Seoul. Susan invited about 15 or so people over to celebrate Christmas at her house.






New Years. This is Sus, me, EJ, and Chris at City Hall in Seoul.



Sus, me, James
New
Years




These two pics are of my first time snowboarding. I was really good!




This is Sus's last weekend in Seoul. In March, I believe. This was at a chicken restaurant.



This is in April. Somewhere near Insadong in Seoul.




Sarah's birthday. All you can eat and drink for a set price. I don't remember how much.


My second wedding. This is a Kinder teacher.






On our way up Seoul tower, we found cacti! Fun fun.




Back to Sus's goodbye. The party was at my house. That's my hand there.






Skipping back a little, this is Sarah, Sus and I at the skatepark near my apartment.





Skipping ahead a lot... These two pics are at the lantern festival in Insadong, for Buddha's birthday.












This is taken at the aquarium in COEX mall. Sarah and I had a weekend planned in Pusan with her friends, but had ticket difficulties so made the best of it in Seoul.






And went Bungee jumping. Well I didn't, but Sarah did. And I might someday.







This is swimming in the ocean at Jeju island. During and after. It was cold, but great!








On the rocks at the coastline in Jeju. Mike and I.















This is GoKarting on my last Tuesday ever in Seoul.












Sarah, Chris, EJ and Adrian were over for my last night in Seoul.





This is my kitchen.

This is Sarah doing a moose impression because I will be visiting MooseJaw while home.



And going back again, this is Sus and I on one of our weekend daytrips around Seoul.







This is the Mud Festival, outside of Seoul. Definitely a great time!








Okay, that's it. I defiantly skipped a lot... like when my arm was in a sling for three weeks... but maybe later.

Erin

Umm... I apologise, I know the pics don't all match the comments about them, I'm too lazy to try to fix it though, it looked fine before I published it.