The patriotic expatriot

When I was home, I would not consider myself a patriot, unless we were talking about the NFL. I was American, but so was everybody else, and I was far less into my country than most. Hell, I don't even own an American flag, nor do I think my parents do. Serving my country was never even an option, and although I loved living in America, I honestly didn't think about it much.
I did my fair amount of traveling, including New Zealand and Europe, and being American was fine. They understood that Americans COULD be the arrogant, ignorant, loud and obnoxious ones portrayed in movies, or we could be normal. They also understood that THEIR nation could be arrogant, ignorant, loud and obnoxious, and therefore I got along with people from all over the world, because well, I get along with everybody, and honestly, at the end of the day nationalities don't make you who you are.
Then I came to Korea, and had my first real interactions with America's mortal enemy. Now, I thought we were friends, but it turns out thats all a sham. Thats right people, I'm talking about the Canadians. While everybody else seems okay with me being American, the Canadians can't handle it. And I get it, if I was Canada, I would have something to prove to the rest of the world. Everyday I get shit for being American. But just from Canadians. It seems that everybody roots for America to loose at everyhting, and I'm just not talking world cup anymore. Everything thats wrong in the world, well, if America didn't do it, it wouldn't need to get fixed.
Don't get me wrong, America does some things that are just not okay. I'm not going to disillusion myself, and nobdoy else should either. we know it. But we do a few things that are, and out of all the expats, those living in Korea should realize that. I didn't realize that anybody actually got the chance to teach in South Korea because Canada sent their military here.
Truth be told, I have met some people of other nationalities that are much more arrogant and obnoxious than any American I've ever met. Thats not to say that Aerica doesn't have arrogant human beings, because I know for a fact that it does. But I've met more people more hyper about how much better their country is and more into trying to make everybody else feel like shit about themselves than at least I am. I honestly don't think that I've ever been so obnoxious about being American unless I'm being attacked for it. But I've never attacked another nationality for existing.
Its a little rediculous. America is where I LIVE. It is my HOME. So why sit there and tell me how terrible America is and how 9/11 deserved to happen, cause i don't want to hear it. I understand that Canadians have the middle child syndrome, where they want mommy and daddy to listen so much that they'll say anything and root for their big brother to fail, but honestly; look at how YOU act before you jump to conclusions about me being an asshole American.

All the patience in the world, faith and a little respect for other people's cultures,
ErinJ

September 5th

Listen up guys, you got a job, I'm not playin'
You gotta go now, tell the whole block I'm stayin'!
Y'all go ahead, tell everyone we know!
Sonny...

Alright, go!
Yeah, I'm a streetlight, chillin' in the heat!
I illuminate the stories of the people in the street
Some have happy endings, some are bittersweet
But I know them all and that's what makes my life complete

“Sometimes, it’s easier to say that you’re fine instead of having to explain all the reasons why you’re not

You with the sad eye
Don't be discouraged
Oh I realise
It's hard to take courage
In a world full of people
You can lose sight of it all
And darkness still inside you
Make you feel so small

But I see your true colors
Shinin' through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful,
Like a rainbow.

Show me a smile then,
Don't be unhappy,
Can't remember when I last saw you laughing
If this world makes you crazy
And you've taken all you can bear
You call me up
Because you know I'll be there

And I see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors,
True colors, are beautiful,
Like a rainbow

Ah ah ah

Can't remember when I last saw you laughing

If this world makes you crazy
You've taken all you can bear
You call me up (call me up)
Because you know I'll be there (know I'll be there)

And I'll see your true colors
Shining through (I see them shining through)
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you (that's why I love you)
So don't be afraid (afraid) to let them show
Your true colors, true colors
I see your true colors shining through (yeah)
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid (afraid) to let them show
Your true colors
True colors, true colors
True colors, are beautiful like a rainbow

Wait...what do you mean THATS the top??

After spending all week debating whether or not we should go, Tina and I packed our bags and headed to Korea's favorite national park, Seoraksan. Seoraksan is KOrea's 3rd highest mountain, and let me tell you, you know it. Its part of the Taebeack range, one of the most important ranges in all of Kland. After a 3 hour bus ride we ate lunch. Tina and I walked around trying to find a place to buy Magkoli (my favorite refreshing beverage) to quench our thirst at the top of the moutnain of Doom. As we were broadcasting our needs, a boy claimed that he had an EXTRA bottle, cause he is just that wise, and we became buddies.
We got to the mountain and treked around for a while, and it was fairly easy. I mean, some uphill, but we're thinkin' we can take it and are beasting around.We get to some famous rock that rocks back and forth but you can't push off the cliff. Its a little over rated. Heundeulbawi seems silly, and we did try to push it, to no avail.
Push EP Pussssh!
After that we started our climb to the summit. It didn't look that far and my cocky ass was sure we got it. I didn't realize that there was between 800 and 900 steps at a 80 degree angle to climb. Try doing that with a broken hand! Once we got to the top we enjoyed our Maekgoli and sat among the mist making new friends and taking pictures. It was beautiful and worth the effort. We had some fun up on the top and generally just chit chatted, made poor decisions about barriers before scaling back down. IN Korea, going down is almost as difficult as going up, just not as steep. But we made it to the bottom triumphantly. We spent the night with our new friends drinking and relaxing in a hot pool.
Top of the mountain
The next morning we woke up early for a "Not so hard but Long hike" This was a LIE. It was 7 km, the first 1.5 was straight uphill. KILLER. AND SPIDEY FELL OFF THE TOP. It was tragic (I have since gotten a new one, but c'mon, that was the ORIGIONAL SPIDERMAN!) The rest of the hike was amazing though. We hiked through valleys that were absolutly beautiful. This area (the Oesak valleys) is probably the prettiest thing I've seen or done in Korea. The rock formations and the trickling streams were awesome. It was a beautiful trek on a beautiful day, and made me realize how much I love natural beauty.
Valleys
We ended our trip by laying in the sun and just relaxing. I have never been so sore after 2 days of hard core hiking! I understand why Koreans believe this is the most beautiful place in the country, because it may be.
Tina, me and our new badass friend Fiona in the valley

I loved Seoraksan, and am so happy to have done this!
On the Next Editions:
Zoo animals,
September 5th

Patience, Faith and Calves of STEAL,
ErinJ