Wise Words on Presidents’ Day

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In my research for the perfect Presidents’ Day quote to post to Instagram, I found myself sifting through dozens of websites searching for inspiring word from our first president, George Washington.

I expected I would have a handful to choose from that I would find very meaningful, however what I discovered was a seemingly endless number of quotes nearly perfectly pertinent to the political landscape we currently find ourselves in. I landed on an uplifting and inspiring quote saying, “Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.”

My thought was that this was politically respectful enough to feel comfortable posting on such a public platform, however, it also captures so much of how so many people are feeling. We seem to be in unchartered waters politically, and I think it is so important for us to remember who we are as a nation. What could be more helpful in jogging our memory than a few famous words from the first leader of our great country.

So here they are, in no particular order, some of the most wise and currently relevant words from President Washington.

“Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.”

“If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.”

“Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.”

“Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience.”

“Let your heart feel for the afflictions and distress of everyone, and let your hand give in proportion to your purse.”

“The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon.”

Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company.

I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.”

“There is nothing which can better deserve your patronage, than the promotion of science and literature. Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness.”

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Happy Presidents’ Day

Jeju Island {Days Three and Four}

BBM KOREA | Jeju Island, South Korea | SeogwipoAfter a few days exploring Seogwipo we would be traveling back up to Jeju City, but not before paying a quick visit to Art Street and stopping  by the sweetest little tea shop we had seen from the street the day before. We drank our tea and bought our home-made knickknacks and then went to board our bus back to the northern side of the island.

Once we made it to Jeju City we took some time to explore, found a great Italian sport for dinner, and walked along the coast as the sun set. Something I loved about this particular stretch of the coast was that it reminded me a lot of Chicago. While the lakefront of Chicago has some beaches, most of it is a walking path which was similar to where we found ourselves in Jeju City. It was a wonderful little unexpected taste of home.

On our first full day in Jeju City we decided to venture out to Udo Island, a smaller island off the coast of Jeju known for its peanut ice cream and serendipitous delights. It was an adventure getting there, two busses and a ferry, but it turned out to be one of my favorite days that I’ve had in Korea thus far.BBM KOREA | Jeju Island, South Korea | Udo Island

Minutes after exiting the ferry we were eating our first helping of their famous ice cream, just before renting scooters to tour the island on. We scooted our way all around Udo until we found a beach to settle on for a while.

At the end of the day we returned our scooters, got another serving of peanut ice cream, and boarded the ferry once again ready for our long bus ride back into the city. It was an incredible day spent frivolously enjoying island live and gloriously taking in a healthy dose of nature that we generally are lacking in mainland Korea. For anyone who travels to Jeju Island I sincerely recommend visiting Udo Island, its well worth a day trip.

 

Jeju Island {Day Two}

After an exciting first day in Jeju, we were ready to continue our adventures with a packed day of exploring Seogwipo. I started my morning early, going for a quick run around a park near our hostel, and I was pleasantly surprised by the scenery. Palm tree lined paths allowed look out points cut out from the greenery, and I finally found the view of Cheonjiyeon Waterfall that we had such a hard time finding the day before.

Following my run I met back up with the girls for a quick coffee, and then we were off chasing another waterfall. We grabbed a bus that took us to the entry point of Jeongbang Waterfall and then let the pathway guide us to the falls. I let my eyes glance down the staircase taking us to the edge of the waterfall where I saw colorful spots of people along the rocks lining the water.

Ironically, the day before I had been dying to escape the hot humidity that is Korea in July and dive into the water at the Cheonjiyeon Waterfall. Little did I know that was exactly what was allowed at Jeongbang. I couldn’t have gotten my shoes off any faster.

BBM KOREA | Jeju, South Korea | Jeongbang WaterfallOnce we had taken 100 or so photos we decided to leave the refreshing mists of the falls and start making our way to Sanbanggulsa Temple.

Our directional skills failed us slightly on the way to the temple, but that simply gave us an excuse to explore the countryside streets of Jeju. After a bit of a walk back from our mistaken bus stop, we set eyes on a giant golden Buddha and knew we had made it to the right place.

Sanbanggulsa Temple is known for a few different reasons. One is the immense golden Buddha we could see from the street, but another is the grotto which houses another Buddha statue. We toured various corners of the temple and eventually decided to start the hike up Sanbanggulsa Mountain towards the small cave.

We donned our hard hats as a precaution for falling rocks, followed the stairs, and about 20 minutes later we found ourselves in front of the cave. A woman was there devoutly making her 108 bows which was fascinating to watch as she must have been in her 80s. The idea of her making it all the way up to the cave and then proceeding with her bows is incredible dedication. We let her finish and then, as respectfully as possible, took some pictures and soaked in the space.

BBM KOREA | Jeju, South Korea | Sanbanggulsa TempleIn my travels I must have visited dozens of various temples at this point, but each one grabs my attention in a new way. They are so beautiful and feel so sacred and offer such an interesting insight into the beliefs of those who follow the respective religion.

After making our way down from the grotto we walked around the grounds a bit more. Then we were back on a bus headed towards our hostel once again to grab dinner – a delicious black pork burger which the island is known for.

The next day would be a busy one of traveling up to the northern side of Jeju.

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Monday Motivation

BBM KOREA | Motivation Monday

 

This past summer I came across a video of The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet posted on Youtube. The interviews are already a few years old, but the content is still extraordinary.

I find myself watching and re-watching these interviews every time I need a little motivation to be productive or a little inspiration to push me further towards becoming the woman I want to be. I adore the positive message behind these interviews. They allow honest talk between women, like you would have with your best girl friends, but then allow for deeper context which is awe-inspiring. They are non-judgmental conversations and stories of successful, authentic women.

My favorite part of the videos is at the end when she asks a series of questions to each interviewee and then goes to the street to ask real women those same questions. There is one in particular in which she asks, “What advice would you give to your 14-year-old self?” A powerful question, with equally powerful responses.

This interview series is soulful and thought-provoking. I always leave with a new perspective of my own life and my future, as well as, a deeper respect for many celebrities I didn’t know much about. Jane Fonda- you have my heart!

I so encourage anyone looking for a bit of inspiration or perspective to delve into these videos as a start to your week.

Happy Monday!

Saying goodbye to the year of the monkey

As a person who indulges in horoscopes here and there, I’m always intrigued by reading the Chinese yearly horoscopes at the start of the Lunar New Year. Being born in ’92 I’m a monkey, so 2016 was supposed to be my year. This Saturday welcomes the year of the rooster and brings with it a new basket of opportunities.

Reading my horoscope for the year of the monkey was incredibly inspiring last winter.  I held close bits of it throughout the year that I still hope to keep in my mind in 2017. One of my favorites being – have faith in your intuition, your heart will not steer you wrong.

BBM KOREA | 2016 Year of the Monkey

 

This year, I’ll be celebrating the Chinese New Year in Taipei, Taiwan, and I’m looking forward to potentially witnessing some traditional celebrations. As this new year begins, as always, comes new opportunities. Hoping the year of the rooster brings more adventures, life experiences, and learning opportunities.

I’ll be posting photos of Taipei on Instagram so be sure to follow along at #bbmtravelstaipei.

Happy New Year!

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Jeju Island {day one}

BBM KOREA | Incheon, South Korea Finally it was summer vacation. One thing I’ll say about Korea is that there’s a descent amount of public holidays, but they really don’t space them out efficiently. I joyfully boarded the small plane that would be taking some friends and I to Jeju Island. Known to some as the Hawaii of Korea. Two hours after boarding we landed in what is now my favorite part of this little country. Hands down.

We decided to split our six days between the northern and southern sides of the island. Just as we hopped off of the airplane we hopped into a bus for a quick ride down to Seogwipo. We were dropped off next to our hostel where we quickly left our bags before going off to explore.

BBM KOREA | Jeju Island, South Korea | Cheonjiyeon WaterfallWe knew that the Cheonjiyeon Waterfall was within walking distance and at some places could even hear it. Finding it was another task entirely though. We walked around the island following maps and street signs for what felt like hours. Eventually we made it to the park for the falls, where we walked along the path stumbling upon little bits of character all the way.

Jeju is known in part for its gorgeous waterfalls and this one was just a taste of what we would continue to see on the island. We basked in the mist of the falls while taking our pictures before heading back into town to find a spot for lunch.

Once again we found ourselves wandering through the streets before coming across a little husband and wife run restaurant where we ordered something unknown in Korean just happy to sit and relax in the air conditioning. Next thing we knew, dozens of side dishes were brought to our table and lunch was served.

BBM KOREA | Jeju Island, South Korea After lunch our group split up. One friend and I decided to brave the 90 degree heat and walk the town.  Along our way  we found a bustling street market and a charming café filled with vintage books and tropical leaves on each stainless steel table top. I also had the best coconut ice of my life.

A couple of hours later we headed back to the hostel for a quick nap and dinner where we would  make a plan for the following day in Jeju.

 

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January 20, 2017

Well, the day has arrived. I’ve just woken up in Incheon,  South Korea on January 20, 2017. While it may still be January 19th back home, we are, none the less, just a matter of hours away from when President-elect Trump will be inaugurated as President of the United States.

Sifting through Facebook this morning I saw a mixture of messages that grabbed my attention. From news postings of what the Trump administration will look like and clips of cabinet confirmation hearings, to selfies of women on their way to the Women’s March on Washington and feminist quotes of inspiration; scrolling through was a minute of empowerment followed by a moment of fear followed by a bit of inspiration. Much of what I imagine this year is going to look like.

Having said that, the part that I hope we can focus on is the inspiration and the empowerment that have filled women since November 9th. I hope we continue to lift each other up and strengthen one another. I hope that we find a way to listen to each other, as we each have our own story, wisdom, and individual journey to be shared and celebrated. I hope that we do not let fear settle in, but instead find a way to let our voices be heard. I hope that we are grateful for, and confident in, the power that we hold. And lastly, I hope that we are never content with the progress that has been made when there is still so much work to be done.

A friend sent me an article earlier in the week that stated it would be 158 years before the gender gap closed in North America. 158 years. Longer than in any other part of the world. At first I took this to be disconcerting, but what I later realized was that this could be our challenge. A challenge for multitudes of current and future generations to do everything we can to change this for our daughters, our granddaughters, our goddaughters, our nieces, our sisters, our friends, our students, our patients, ourselves.

With adversity comes determination. This inauguration should be a marking point, not of panic, but a time to come together. To band together regardless of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, education level, socioeconomic status, or nationality, to stand up for our equality world-wide. To work as one team to close gender gaps across the world in our lifetimes. To make the change we want to see in the world and set that example for future generations of boys and girls to see.

. . .

Just after the election I found a quote from Hillary Rodham Clinton herself that I found to be completely inspiring. In her student commencement address at Wellesley College in 1969, she said, “Fear is always with us but we just don’t have time for it. Not now.” With that said, let us remember that right now is not at time to be afraid, but a time to inspire and guide one another as we continue our push for equality.

BBM KOREA | Perspective

 

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Taebaeksan Snow Festival

BBM KOREA | Taebaeksan, South Korea | Taebaeksan Snow FestivalAlways in search of an enticing weekend get away,  when a friend mentioned this festival last winter I was equal parts gung-ho and yet seriously questioning my desire to spend the weekend in a teeny tiny town surrounded by snow. Ultimately I decided that if nothing else it would be an adventure, and I purchased my ticket.

Our journey began with an over night bus trip into Taebaksan. We left from Seoul around midnight and arrived at 5am on Saturday morning. After a short rest at a jjimjjibang {a Korean bathhouse with saunas, massages, and sleeping rooms} we headed out for a quick bite to eat and then got on to exploring the festival.

The jjimjjibang was about a half mile or so from the festival itself so on our way we got to experience this sleepy little town that seemed to have awakened just for this particular weekend.

The first half of the walk was quiet with just a few locals roaming the streets and an occasional home here and there. The other half of the walk was bustling with different vendors that had set up tents in anticipation of the crowds selling everything from corn dogs to jarred ginseng.

Finally, after serpentining our way through masses of Koreans and foreigners alike, we made it into the festival and set eyes on the towering snow sculptures we had been seeing photos of.  Massive whales and elephants, mushroom houses, PSY, and even a replica of the parthenon; all made of purely snow.

As we made our way around snapping photos of the sculptures we decided it was time to warm up for a bit. And where else would you go to warm up at a snow festival, but an igloo café serving warm coffee and hot chocolate. We found an empty ice table and sat down to enjoy a moment of warmth before heading back out. Surprisingly, it was actually quite warm in that igloo despite sitting on a massive block of ice.

After finishing our hot chocolate, we took one more lap around the snow sculptures before finding our bus headed for home. It was a short 36 hour trip, but an unforgettable Korean experience, none the less.

BBM KOREA | Taebaeksan, South Korea | Taebaeksan Snow Festival

A Spa Day in Seoul

Last winter some friend and I decided to treat ourselves to a relaxing spa day. While one would think that manis, pedis, and massages would be inexpensive  throughout Asia, Korea seems to have missed the memo on under-pricesd spa services. For that reason, some friends and I decided to take an Eastern approach on a spa day one weekend.

BBM KOREA | Seoul, South Korea | Dr. Fish PedicureIt started with a fish pedicure. Essentially you put your feet in a pool of water, and these little fish eat away any dry skin. While it feels really weird at first, once you get used to it, it’s not bad, and your feet are incredibly soft once your leave. I had the opportunity to have it done in Thailand as well where it’s a bit more common and the effects were, possibly, even better than a traditional pedicure.

The small spa we went to was especially sweet. It was very quiet for a Saturday. They had us put on shorts and oversized t-shirts, almost like how you would wear a robe back in the states. Then they gave us some tea and directed us to the pool with the fish. We got to sit and drink our tea while the fish worked on our feet and were only told once, and very politely,  to “shut up”. Love that language barrier.

After our fish pedicure we went for acupuncture. I’d never been to an acupuncturist before, but after hearing about this man from a friend I couldn’t say no.

Apparently in Korea, it is a sort of rule that acupuncturists should be partially or fully blind. While I don’t fully understand the rule, the idea of having acupuncture performed by an older, blind, Korean medicine man sounded like too good of a story to pass up.

BBM KROEA | Seoul, South Korea | The NutcrackerAnd so, after our pedicure we taxied over to his office and walked into a small building with about 10 or so beds for acupuncture separated by curtains.  We had a Korean friend go with us who signed us in and helped us translate. While the acupuncturist  has assistants who help him do some of the work, he actually feels your energy and places the needles himself. He somehow managed to know the year I was born simply by holding my wrist. We left 40 minutes later feeling relaxed, and I personally was feeling very zen.

After our spa day we had purchased tickets to see The Nutcracker in Seoul which was another lovely experience. Overall, it was a much needed and wonderfully relaxing day completed with a Christmas touch.