Day 1 - What is Going On?

This post is coming to you live from my dorm room! Mostly because that's the only place I have wifi...okay. It's the only reason. 😀

To sum up the last 24 hours, which includes my flight and two full days of programming in a sentence, it would literally be, 'Uhh, what is going on?'

Don't let the picture to the left fool you!

There was a bit of confusion at the beginning. Haha!

And that's for a multitude of reasons:

1) Not only am I jet-lagged, we had programming right after we landed. There was a picture taken at some point. And I did not know that it would be used as the 'this is who your homestay ETA will be' picture for my homestay fam. So...I hope I didn't look too bad.

2) There are 79 people in my cohort (80, counting me), and we're all getting to know each other and are extremely excited, but also so exhausted from the traveling. I'm pretty sure I introduced myself to someone like 3 times in one day. I don't know...but that feels about right.

3) Getting into the swing of the programming is a bit of an adjustment. But to put it into perspective...it's like going to a conference, that is 6 weeks long. In a country where you can read the signs, but have no idea what you're reading.

4) All the different foods! I have no idea what I've been eating. I really would like to know the name of all the dishes, but holy crap is it good. Shout out to the Yonsei Kitchen staff.

I'm just going to stick to those four. There's been a lot going on and I'll do my best to capture it all for you! :)

Speaking of capturing, below are some pictures of the various meals I've had since I've been here, a picture of everything that I brought with me, and a picture outside the window!

Dinner :)

Lunch :)

Breakfast :)

All that I brought with me on this trip.

A view from the plane.

If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to send them in! I'd love to hear from you! 

#SaveOurToya

Bye Bye UCF

It is 7:46am as I write this post and all because this morning, it really hit me. 😕

This is my last day at the University of Central Florida. I've been here for so long (7 years!) that it's kind of surreal. In the summer of 2011, I started working part time in the College of Sciences' Dean's Office. In the fall, I started undergrad. A year later, I was working full-time and going to school. By 2016, I had my B.A. and started graduate school, while still being employed at the university.

I've worked in three separate and vastly different departments on campus. And from each area, did I learn something new about myself.

These last seven years...I really can't put a word to it. I am thankful and honored for all of the people who I've met and while some of the experiences were less than ideal, I am better for it. There are so many people I want to give shout-outs to, but you all know who you are. If we've ever interacted, even as little as 'hi', thank you!

Now, it is July 2018, I am a two-time graduate of UCF, about to move abroad, and am only 24 years old. I think I'm doing this 'adulting' thing right. We can compare notes^^

It's been an adventure UCF, but gurl bye. 😘

#SaveOurToya

Frustration - My Old Friend

I just finished posting on FB that there are some individuals in my life who think I'm playing. Like I have the time and desire for these childish games.

I don't.

I really, really don't.

I don't know about the rest of the world, but I gotta live my Best Life. And my Best Life does not include having to decipher whether you're being honest with me, or have some ulterior motive. Nor does it include crying over the fact that you don't "like" this new me. If it really mattered, if I really mattered, this "new" me, wouldn't be a problem.

This huge change over me wouldn't be anything new. Sure, you'd see more determination, but that's about it.

I am done with these games.

Either grow up and shine your damn brightest, or be left here to wallow in your frustration and pettiness. Because this chica got places to be and life to experience that doesn't involve your two best friends.

#SaveOurToya

Paging my Life

For the last 3 weeks, I have been running around getting myself ready for my move. I'm pretty sure the staff at the Health Clinic know me pretty well by now. At first I was "the girl with the pretty eyes". Now, I'm "Toya".

There's a lot of stuff that comes with moving abroad. And I'm overwhelmed by the medical checks...

But! That's because I'm going on vacation next week and I want this all to be done and ready to go before I leave!

So, here's what needs to get done (still):

1) Medical (like 2 more appointments before I can submit it, but one more vaccine left)
2) FBI - level background check (finger prints too)
3) Visa (there's no fee, so I'm shook)
4) TESOL Certification  (Even though I already have a TEFL certificate????)
5) Flight (👍✈)
6) Miscellaneous  (For whatever is missing)

So!

While I'm running around getting the rest of this stuff done, I'm also getting prepared for my trip to Hawai'i next week. A personal graduation present to myself for finishing my Master's.

#SaveOurToya

I'm Scared...

You ever get to the point where everything is going well, and then a small thing pops up that can spiral into a well of despair?

Yeah...that's currently where I'm at.

I'm trying to rationalize it and keep my mind on the goal, but what if it doesn't work out? And it's that 'what if' that's freaking me out.

Ugh.

Just keep me in good thoughts while I take May to figure myself out and put out fires.

#SaveOurToya

I Didn't Even Know, tho!

I really didn't.

Now you must be wondering, 'What do you mean you didn't even know? Know what?'

And that's my point exactly. I had no idea what I was doing or going to do. Since birth, it has been ingrained what the appropriate pathway would be.

Please note: I do not agree with the following life style, as everyone has a different way to their end game!

Essentially, the "appropriate" life path goes:

1.  School
2. Secondary School (Bachelor's)
3. Marriage
4. Child
5. Post-grad school, maybe?
6. Retirement

And well, after that is death, but let's not get so sad, shall we?

But yeah, that's the general outline of what your life should look like or follow. But I'm calling BS. That life path might suit some best, but for others, that life can be in a complete different order. (Though, I'm pretty sure that Retirement is at the end. Right? I'm only 24. I haven't really looked into it that much...)

There I was, just graduating high school, going into college for a Bachelor's degree in French, with the goal of becoming a translator. This was a big moment for me. I had plans.

Or so I thought.

Four years later, what I thought my life would look like after graduation was no where near my expectations. I was pretty upset and that carried with me. In fact, it's still with me today. I am afraid that the things I've been working on for the last two years are going to be taken away. I had to change gears. I took it as a sign that perhaps translating isn't where my talents lie elsewhere.

It took about six months, but I changed gears and pursued another interest of mine. In the next week(-ish), I will be walking across the stage during my second graduation ceremony for a Masters in Interdisciplinary Studies with a certification in Gender Studies and second certification in Teaching English as a Foreign Language.

It's hard keeping your head up with all the pressures and expectations from those around you. That's why this post is to show that even though I didn't know what I wanted from life and whether I followed the path of what's right, it's okay. I go at my own time. I go at my own pace. What's important is that I live my best life for me.

Who even knows when I get married and whether I have children. Right now, in my life, my focus is teaching abroad for as long as I can. :)