What I’ve Learned About Living Abroad

Hello everyone! I thought I’d take the time to list out 5 of the most important things I learned about living abroad over the past year. Let’s get into it.

1. It can be exhausting (especially with communication barriers)

Let’s face it! Most people love the sound of a year abroad. It’s like a big vacation right!? Wrong. Have you ever spent an hour online trying to order pizza in a different language only to eventually give up? Have you ever purposely avoided going to the grocery store because you have a pimple and you know people will be staring at you simply because you’re a foreigner? Have you ever been caught in a torrential downpour without an umbrella when your bus is half an hour away? These are just some of the hardships I’ve faced living abroad specially somewhere where you can’t speak the language! Some days you just want to blend in, but you always stick out like a sore thumb: Nothing is easy and everything takes an extra layer of thought.

2. Traveling is real world education.

The school of life, ladies and gents! In conjunction with number one, having these experiences forces you to grow as a person. You are constantly growing and evolving. I remember how amazing it felt when I mastered the routine of going to the grocery store.

First, they are going to ask you if you want a bag. Next, they take your card. Lastly, you say the four numbers for your point card. Just four Korean numbers. You can do this Anna. Whew. Nailed it.

I saw a post recently that compared traveling to being in kindergarten again. “Your whole life becomes a series of interesting guesses.” Everything is scary and you have no idea what you’re doing, but once you figure it out you feel immense joy.

3. You can feel people’s energy without speaking the same language.

I learned this with many of the Korean teachers at my school. Most of them have a beginner’s level of English so our communication is minimal when we don’t have one of the bilingual teachers around to translate. There’s so many times I wish we could communicate more clearly because I just know we would be great friends. I feel like we already are. I have always seen myself as someone who can read others well, but I definitely think my senses are heightened after a year abroad.

4. It’s a transient lifestyle.

There is no getting comfortable in life abroad. There where a few times here where I thought I was (Little did I know the rug was about to be pulled out from under me). The first moment I can think of came 4 months after arriving where my co-teacher left the school. She was my best friend and I was horrified and devastated. Then a few months later, my best friend in Korea left and went back home to South Africa. All of the sudden, I was the longest working foreign teacher at my school. I had to be a leader and without my partner in crime. It’s hard to feel settled when things keep changing. As an expat, friends will come and go. As a teacher in a hagwon, workers will come and go. Nothing has any sense of permanence here.

5. Homes are where you make them.

That being said, your new country will become your home. And home will be home too. As an expat, you will spread your heart far and wide. This is the most beautiful and heart breaking part of the whole experience. Over the year, I have left parts of my heart in many places. Japan and Taiwan got small chunks of my heart as I solo-ventured and fell in love with them. South Africa got another piece of my heart with the friends I made that went home. The largest portion will stay in Korea and more specially with my students. I am struggling with saying goodbye because Korea truly does feel like home to me. I am so grateful to have met so many amazing people that make saying bye so difficult.

I hope you enjoyed and got some insight into my journey abroad.

Peace & Love,

Anna

Answering the Same Questions (One Year Later)

One year ago, I answered a list of questions to compare my life before and after living in Korea. Does moving to the other side of the world really change your life as much as you think it will? Just because you’re chasing a new opportunity, will you magically be happy all the time? These were my questions. Here are the results.

These questions were answered a few weeks ago. I have been formatting and editing this post since which is why some of the timing may not make sense for the present day/time.

1.Where are you right now? What are you doing?

Before: Currently, it’s 6:53 am. I am in San Diego sitting on the couch of the family I nanny for writing this blog post and drinking a venti iced coffee with soy milk.  I’m wearing a YMCA half zip sweatshirt, blue striped workout pants, two different socks, my hair in a bun, and zero make up.

Currently: It’s 10:20 pm on a Sunday night. I’m in Changwon, South Korea. I’m looking for places to live in Madrid (where I move in 2.5 months). I am wearing a grey T-shirt and underwear and that’s it. Also, not sure why I felt the need to mention what I was wearing in the past because it is not part of the question.

2. What does a day in your life look like?

Before: Right now, a day in my life is waking up at 5:30 am, running out the door to make it to work by 6 am, sitting on the couch until the girls wake up at 8:30, and doing nanny duties (such as cooking and going to the swimming pool) until about 4pm. I usually sit and talk with their mom for about 30 minutes before driving home and throwing together a dinner (last night was PB&J). Then, I sit in my bed and watch Youtube until I fall asleep around 9:30 and do it all over again. On the weekend, I typically wake up around 7 am, make myself banana protein pancakes with peanut butter, go to my parents’s house, play with my dogs, watch my brother’s basketball game, and then go home and watch Youtube.

I watch a lot of Youtube.

Currently: These days a normal day starts at 7:30 am. I get up and ready by 8:30. I usually grab a breakfast sandwich on my way to school. I start teaching at 9:10. I teach my kinder class until 2:30, then I teach elementary classes until 6:10 with some breaks in between. I get home by 6:40pm which gives me enough time to eat and relax before doing it all again. I still watch a lot of YouTube. I also started watching a lot of series on Netflix which I never did before.

(Currently obsessed with Orphan Black)

3. What is your relationships status? How do you feel about it?

Before: I am currently and newly single. At first it was easy, I was in Peru experiencing some of the most magnificent things of my life. Then, I came home to the apartment where we used to live together and it hurt. I very much still live in our space which I think is the hardest part. Some days the fog takes over and I start to forget why I ended things and essentially inflicted this horrifying pain on myself. Most days I am clear and feel good. Even when it hurts, I know I made the right decision for my life right now. I have been focusing on me and picking up old hobbies I used to work on before I got into a relationship. I am trying to focus on the present instead of past or future.

Currently: I am so extremely single. I am still learning a lot about myself some of which needs to be figured out before I get into a relationship again. I am not actively dating or seeking any relationship but am open to what the universe has planned for me. It doesn’t feel like the right time because of my move to Spain. I never dated in Korea because I could always see the expiration date. My life seems very transitional at the moment which doesn’t seem conducive to a relationship. Of course there are times I miss the comfort of a relationship, but most days I am happy with my freedom.

4. Are you happy?

 Before: Right now, I feel content. I have been feeling as if I’m living for the future which is to be expected because I’m moving across the world and can’t stop wondering what it will be like. I feel like I’ve been distracted and seeing this question has really caused me to think about it. I am grateful and blessed therefore in this moment I am happy. I think happiness fleeting; I am searching for joy and peace which I feel that I have.

Currently: I am happy, but it is happiness I didn’t expect. It is the same happiness I felt before. I think I expected everything to be new, different, and full of joy but the truth is after living in another country for a year you become accustomed to your surroundings. Even though it’s only been a short time, you quickly remember that this is your life and just because you’re thousands of miles away doesn’t mean you’re on vacation. I experience so much joy every day spending time with my students who are truly my best friends in Korea. I am happy but it is a familiar feeling.

5. What are your beliefs?

Before: The number one belief I hold right now is that everyone (the vast majority) of people are doing what they think is the right thing to do. What I mean by that is nobody is trying to hurt other people whether it be politically or personally everyone operates on their truths. Truth is subjective obviously. We create our truth and truths can change. It helps me to keep positive and respectful when dealing with others who may have differing truths from mine. Everyone is doing what they think is the best thing for their lives. The second belief I have, which goes hand and hand with the former, is the only thing we can control is our own feelings. We will never be able to control what happens to us or what others say or do. We can simply only control our reaction. It is a lifelong practice.

Currently: I believe people come in and out of our lives for a reason. People bring us joy; they teach us lessons. Don’t force staying where you are. Force growth and challenges that will bring you rewarding people are opportunities.

6. What are you most proud of in your life?

Before: I am most proud of myself. Over the past few years, I have done so many difficult things and grown so much. I have lost over 60 pounds, completely changed my mindset to a more positive one, created so much opportunity for myself, done uncomfortable things, spread more love, surrounded myself with a more positive peer group, and I WALKED ON FIRE. I just could have never seen my life where it is now. I am proud that I am learning to embrace change and fear.

Currently: I am proud of myself for persevering. I did a hard thing and I did it well. I am proud of myself for taking a risk and riding the waves of consequence that risk held for me. I saw many people who couldn’t do it and I’m happy that I did. I’m proud of myself for embracing and participating in a new culture, language, and lifestyle. I’m proud I didn’t quit when others did.

7. How do you picture your life a year from now?

Before: A year from I picture myself writing this in my studio apartment maybe on the 17th floor of a tall building, in the middle of a bustling city. I will have almost completed one year in Korea as a new teacher.  I will probably be exhausted but be sad at the thought of leaving my kids. I picture myself with new friends from around the world and possibly a new relationship. I think I will have committed to another year abroad. If not, I think I will be applying for graduate school for linguistics probably not in San Diego, maybe a different country altogether.

Currently: It’s so crazy to think how much in a year. Most of my predictions for this year were correct. I have so many new friends and am definitely dreading leaving my babies. By next year, I think I will have finished my new program in Spain. I think I will be applying for a Master’s program in Education/TEFL. It’s very possible that this could be abroad or an online program so I can travel.

8. What advice would you give yourself one year ago?

Before: Trust your instincts EVEN WHEN YOU DON’T WANT TO. EVEN WHEN IT’S THE SEEMINGLY HARDER CHOICE. You can fight so many things but not yourself. It is the most tiring battle. It will take more work to undo what you’ve done to yourself than doing what you are trying to avoid. Once it’s done you will feel peace, don’t delay that relief just to avoid pain. Trust yourself.

Currently: Don’t hold on to the past. Don’t hold on to people who aren’t on your side. Embrace the newness and know what’s coming is so amazing. You will make friends with people from all over the world and from all walks of life. Whenever one door, closes another opens.

9. What is the biggest thing you’ve learned in life to date?

Before: 1.That you have to work on yourself. If you don’t like something about yourself, you can change it.

2. If nothing ever changed, we would be just as unhappy.  In the past, I focused so much on trying to keep things the same because change scared me, but imagine if nothing ever changed. We would be so bored and probably more unhappy. It’s because happiness comes from growth, and growth comes with pain! They go hand in hand.

I just blew my own mind I think.

Currently: I still standby my previous comments but would like to add something. The biggest lesson I’ve learned this year is that you can’t run away from your problems. I have met so many people who came here to escape things from back home (partially including myself). The truth is your life is your life no matter where you go and although changing your surroundings can be helpful, you can not escape anything (especially in this day and age with the technology that connects us).  Although it may nice to have a break from certain people and places, overall you either carry your problems with you or create new ones in your new home. The most important thing you can do is feel your feelings. Don’t ignore what you’re going through.

10. What do you want to have achieved one year from now?

Before: In one year, I want to have stayed in Korea for one year. I know that seems repetitive and self-explanatory but what I really mean is: I don’t want to give up. I want to fight through the pain and the loneliness. In situations of fight or flight, I tend to be a flight-er. This time I want to be a fighter. I want to have seen many more countries, made new friends, successfully have taught my own class for the first time. I would also like to have kept up with this blog and really document my experiences!

Currently: I hope by this time next year I am a high level Spanish speaker. My profesional goal for Spain is to increase my language abilities. Personally, I would like to continue coming out of my shell. In Korea, I definitely said “eff it” a lot and was able to let my guard down. I felt pretty confident in my skin but I would like to embrace myself even more. I would like to say yes to as many opportunities and experiences as I can. I hope I will have seen at least 5 more countries!

11.Write the words you need to hear.

Before: Don’t fear failure. Fear being in the exact same place next year as you are today. Embrace uncertainty and change. Nothing will ever stay the same forever. Learn to roll with it. Take each day as it comes and be grateful for what it brings. Live one day at a time.

Que sera, sera!

Currently: Everything will happen in it’s right time. Focus on now. Take it one day at a time. We can’t predict the future or change the past. Opportunities will reveal themselves in due time. Also, crying is okay and know that the reason you are struggling is because saying goodbye to people you love so fiercely is daunting but be glad you even had the opportunity to spread and receive that kind of love.

Excited to see where I will go.

Peace & Love,

Anna

Taipei Day 1

I ended my last post saying I was going to Taichung, but after seeing that there wasn’t much to do I switched my ticket to head on to Taipei. It ended up being a great choice because it was the last day during my time here without forecasted rain.

The train ride was quick and easy- taking just under an hour and fourty-five minutes from Kaohsiung. I stared out the window and watched endless rice paddies fly by.

After arriving I checked into my hostel which has to be the nicest one I’ve ever stayed in. I charged my phone a bit, then went for a walk through the 228 Peace Park. After walking around and stumbling upon a Taiwanese choir, I decided to go in the National Museum which was just in front of the park. It wasn’t anything too special but it was air conditioned so I call that a win!After waiting 15 minutes at the wrong bus stop I decided to take a taxi to a different historical area. When I got out, I realized I had left my tripod in the car. I got a bubble tea to ease my grumpiness and kept marching on. I stumbled upon the beautiful Langsung Temple . I walked through, but it was very crowded. I felt like an intruder among the many Buddhists there to pray and set out their offerings, so I exited quickly.

Next, I headed back to the main station near my hostel where they have an underground mall. Luckily, I found another tripod so my mood improved. I rested my feet for a few hours before heading to Elephant Mountain. It was still well over 90 degrees at 5 pm when I started this “hike”. I say “hike” in quotations because it’s literally just a never ending staircase of doom and death. I have never sweat so much in my life, but I did feel accomplished at the top. Also, I made a friend who gave me a cold beer which definitely improved the situation. You can clearly see the Taipei 101 which was the world’s tallest building (from 2004-2010) until the Burj Khalifa came along. Now, it’s the 10th tallest in the world!

After the grueling climb, I was starving and headed for my DVB (Daily Vegan Burger). This one was at a place called Miss Green which was a little more expensive but definitely worth it. The burger itself was bean based which was a contrast to the other two soy based burgers I had eaten previously.

After that I went back to my hostel, barely able to pick up my feet after the twenty-four thousand steps of the day. I think this calls for a foot massage.

What I’ve Learned About Relationships From Being Single for 1 Year

One year ago I completely destroyed my “perfect” little life. Really, I should say I took the first step, which was also the biggest and hardest one to take. The breakup.

Coming to the conclusion that I needed to break up with someone was the hardest part. It was almost a year of ignoring the little voice in my head that said, “Maybe this isn’t meant to be your forever.” Breaking up didn’t sound easy, fun, or sensible, so in my brain it wasn’t a possibility. The thoughts kept creeping up on me, in the shower, while driving, while in school. They became harder to ignore and I manifested them into a crippling anxiety that couldn’t be ignored. When my physical heart started hurting and I wasn’t sleeping, I knew it was time to at least consider it. I didn’t talk about it out loud. I kept it in and pushed it down. I couldn’t talk to my friends about it because once it came out of my mouth I knew I would have to face it. But being the over-sharer I am, one day it came out at dinner with a friend and then just a few short days letter it happened.

You may be asking why I’m sharing this when people that I wish wouldn’t will probably read it and it’s all so deeply and painfully personal. Well I have a few answers to that question:

1. I think it could actually really help someone especially people who are like me and had no idea what a break up would actually be like
2. Writing is my therapy
3. Because as horrible as it was my break up was the best thing that ever happened to me

So without further ado I would like to share the 6 biggest lessons I’ve learned about love, relationships, and break ups in the last year.

1. Being in a relationship is not a solution to all of life’s problems.

Our world places a ridiculous amount of pressure on people to be in relationships. They paint this picture that nothing bad can happen to you once you find “the one”. The truth is life will try to knock you down whether you are single or not. Being in a relationship does not protect you from the cruelties of life, so staying in one when it’s not working is only going to cause more trouble.

2. Peace and mourning can co-exist

To quote the iconic adolescent novel The Perks of Being a Wallflower, “I am both happy and sad at the same time, and I’m still trying to figure out how that could be.”

This was another huge lesson for me. I felt like if I was sad I couldn’t possibly be making the right choice. But I noticed that once I faced my fears, confronted my feelings, and just did it, I felt at peace. I also felt so incredibly sad. Healing is not linear and there are definitely still days where I feel sad and some nights where I randomly I cry. However, I am always positive this was the best decision for me because I also feel an overwhelming amount of peace. As soon as I confronted my feelings, my physical anxiety symptoms went away and were replaced by a calm vulnerability.

3. The right decision is often the harder one to make.

It shouldn’t be so hard to leave, but it also shouldn’t be so hard to stay. There’s a difference between working on what you can fix and staying after time has expired. Of course, staying together seems like the easier answer but the harder choice is almost always the better one. Personal growth is right outside your comfort zone and leaving my bubble and facing the hard truth opened the door to many amazing opportunities. Growing is painful but we can be truly happy unless we are progressing. Staying in a dying relationship because it feels better than confronting your feelings will only hurt you more in the end.

4. Trust Yourself.

You shouldn’t have to make a list of pros and cons to decide to stay or go. If your heart says it’s time, then it’s time. I so badly wanted to avoid pain that I literally disconnected myself from my heart even though it was telling me the truth all along. It caused much more damage in the long run and I’m still working to rebuild that connection with myself. Just listen to your gut.

5. You’re allowed to be sad even if you’re the “heartbreaker”.

This was a hard lesson for me to learn and I think it’s actually the reason I lost many friends during this time of my life. Since I was the one breaking up with someone, I really felt as if I had no place to be sad. This was what I “wanted” and so I had to be happy about it. If I was that heartbroken, why would we be breaking up in the first place? It lead me to try to act tougher and happier than I really was. Since in my relationship I had suppressed a lot of emotions, it only felt natural at this point to continue to do so. These shattering life moments don’t come with a rule book, although sometimes society makes it seem that way. If you’re sad, feel sad.

6. Just because it’s not wrong doesn’t mean it’s right!

This was definitely one of the biggest lessons for me and one that I’m still learning fully. It’s easy for friends and family to say, “But he was such a nice guy!” Of course then your brain agrees and decided you’ll never meet a “nice” guy again as if “nice” is the only thing a person needs to be to have a fulfilling relationship. You can have the perfect guy and still not be happy. If he’s not perfect for you, then it’s time to go. Don’t use every bad thing he doesn’t do as an excuse to stay.

You’re still probably wondering why l said my break up is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. So before I go, let me explain.

My breakup forced me to do something really difficult. Something I really wanted to avoid because of fear and pain. By breaking down that boundary and doing the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do in my life, I was set free. Nothing scared me anymore. If I could do that horrifying thing, I could do other scary things too. Things that I would bring me massive joy- like moving to Korea. If I hadn’t had the courage to break up with my ex, I’m not sure I would be here today. I wouldn’t have been in this stunning country. I wouldn’t have experienced the strong bond and immense love my students and I share. I wouldn’t have made the incredible friends I have. Friends that think smarter and more openly than anyone I have ever met. Girls who also took that risk and faced their fear. Women who are still helping me pick up the pieces today.

I am so blessed and grateful for all the changes that have occurred in my life over the last year. None of them could have happened, if I hadn’t taken the first steps.

This blog isn’t to tell you to break up- unless your heart is already telling you to do so. If this is the sign you need, take it. In all, I’m really telling you that if you do the impossible things, unbelievable things happen in return.

Love,

Anna

P.S. I feel like I have to add as a disclaimer that I by no means intend to make my ex look bad. He is a great person and I hope you can understand this is more about me and my self-discovery than it is about him.

Moving to Korea (The Process & My Experience) PART 1

Hey everyone!

Soooo if you didn’t see in my last post, I announced that I will be moving to Changwon, South Korea. Moving abroad is a long and tedious process. I know you could easily google it and find out for yourself but I think for my readers, friends, and family it might be more fun to hear my experience with it all: the good, the bad, and the horrifyingly hysterical. I’m gonna do sort of a Q&A format with myself for this one. This post will be split into 2 parts. The first part (this part) will be everything up to me getting the job and the second will be everything after.

Q: First things first, how did I choose Korea?

A: Originally, I really wanted to move to Europe. I thought a lot about Spain since I wanted to practice my Spanish or Portugal since I had already been and loved it. Ultimately, I decided that these choices weren’t for me for a few reasons.

Reason #1: MONEY

Salary and benefits aren’t that great in Europe or at least in those two areas. Most teachers just breakeven which is great. You get to travel around for a year and don’t lose any money. For me personally, I was looking for more than that and I knew I could get it elsewhere. After researching countries in Asia, I decided Korea had the best benefits including: paid airfare, paid studio apartment, good monthly salary, severance, pension, and low cost of living. This would help me to pay of my student loan debt while still living abroad and having extra money to travel around. SOLD.

Reason #2: EXPERIENCE

To be frank, everyone goes to Europe. It is beautiful and amazing and I hope to explore it in much more depth one day. But this was my one real chance to do something crazy and completely out of my element. I wanted an experience that many people don’t get to have so I started searching countries that seemed a little more “extreme” for lack of a better word.

Also, my grandparents worked in the military and lived in South Korea for many years. I had always been fascinated by their stories and their positive experience. They really embraced the culture, learned the language, and loved every second of it so Korea came into my mind quickly once I started thinking of Asia as an option.

Once I decided on Korea, the 3rd reason came into play.

Reason #3: RESEARCH

I did a shit ton of research. Like soooo much research. And by research I mean I locked myself in my room for one month and watched every vlog I could find of people who were/are teachers in Korea. THANK YOU INTERNET. I found so many cool ladies who were living in Korea doing their thing, living their best lives. It inspired me so much that I ultimately decided on Korea before then entering the next phase which was researching specific cities to see which ones seemed like a good fit. This phase was exhausting and tiring. I didn’t go to the gym for weeks. My eyes were glued to my computer screen. I wanted to be so sure of everything.

Here are two Youtubers whose videos I found the most useful:

Melody on the Move

Jessica Moy

I found few cities I was interested in and then went on to the next step!

Q: So, after you decided on Korea and a city, what did you do?

A: There are two general ways you can go about working abroad in Korea.

1. EPIK PROGRAM: EPIK stands for English Program in Korea. This is the public school teaching system for expats. I will spoil the surprise: I did not go this route (so my knowledge is limited). From what I understand, this is the safer route because it is more regulated by the government, but they also pay less and you seem to have less control of where you end up. I believe you tell them your top location choices and you don’t find out where you are placed until you are actually in Korea for your 10 day orientation.
2. Hagwon: The alternate option (my choice) was a private school. The process here is different. Most people go through a recruiter. I looked online at Dave’s ESL Cafe and responded to multiple listings there where I was then matched with recruiters. I am working with JAKS and have had a positive experience so far.

Q: What is the process of working with a recruiter like?

A: Okay, here is goes. Long list of steps to follow.

Step 1: Initial Interview + Documents

You will have an initial interview with a recruiter. They will ask you about your work experience and your resume. Note: You do not need experience teaching to work in Korea. You just need a BA degree in any field. They will also ask where you want to work and if you have your documents prepared.

WELCOME TO THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF PREPARING DOCUMENTS! CAN YOU FEEL THE FAKE EXCITEMENT IN MY TYPED OUT WORDS?

PRO TIP: As soon as you decide what country you want to work in, begin preparing your documents.

I decided last minute and in the peak of hiring season, so I had to act fast (which was costly). The two main things you need to have are your:

FBI Background Check & BA degree

The FBI check was the easier of the two. I got a live scan with an FBI Channeler, which I recommend. You usually go to get the live scan and then have to send it to the FBI, which takes weeks, but doing it with the Channeler allowed me to have my results immediately. Once you have your results, you have to send them to be apostilled. I paid 50 something dollars to have my apostille expedited because it can usually take around 6 weeks if not. So basically don’t do this last minute, if you don’t want to spend extra money to make it happen fast.

Then you have to get your degree notarized and apostilled as well! Woo hoo! There went another 60 something dollars of my hard earned cash. Since I had just graduated, I didn’t even have my physical copy of my degree yet. It took about 4 weeks after graduation to come in the mail so the whole process has been rushed.

I can not reiterate enough to start the process as early as possible.

Step 2: More Interviews

Your recruiter will match you up with private schools based on the area you wish you work in and then you will interview with the director at the school. They will offer you the job. The best advice I received was: Don’t feel forced to take the first one. There are so many jobs and so many schools waiting for you.

My first interview was great so I was instantly called to take it. I probably would have until they told me the person I would have been replacing decided they wanted to keep their job after all.

So, it was back to the diving board.

The next interview I had was AWFUL. They couldn’t Skype with me because their computer was broken and they asked me approximately 3 questions.

‘What’s your work experience?”

“Have you ever been to Korea?”

“Are you Asian because your last name is Lee?”

Oh, and a fourth question “Do you have any questions for us?”

Which I did, lots of them.

“What does the daily schedule look like?”

“What kind of breaks will I have?”

“Will I have prep time?”

etc.

The lady couldn’t answer any of the questions because she was new. Fine. Then she asked the director of the school who refused to answer my questions and told me to ask my recruiter (who doesn’t work for the school). She told me “She hoped she would see me in Korea,” and that was that. It’s was a HARD no (hard meaning BIG) from me.

But minutes later I had another interview with a different school that was great and ta-da I have a job in Korea!

TAKE YOUR TIME.

PRO-TIP: MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION TO ASK

CAN I TALK WITH SOMEONE WHO IS A TEACHER AT THE SCHOOL!?

They will give you a point of contact and you can ask them the real stuff you want to know and get a real not sugar coated answer. One of my coworkers stayed on the phone with me for nearly an hour as I asked her tons of questions and I still message her now with any questions that come up. LIFESAVER.

Okay that’s it for now! If you read this far please leave a comment or a like on this post, I want to thank you! I hope I explained thoroughly and entertainingly. Like I mentioned before, I will be releasing a part 2 to this post once I finish all of the steps for my visa!

Peace & Love,

Anna

 

 

UPDATE: WHERE I’VE BEEN AND WHERE I’M GOING (Moving Abroad)

So I’ve decided to put finger to keyboard once more. I recently started a Youtube channel to document my travels and my experience with finding a job abroad. I am loving it but I know I can express myself best and most fully through writing so I thought the (Youtube & blogging; visual & written) would make a good pair.

If you’re already following this blog, you will have noticed a change in content. This used to be my fitness blog. I plan to keep streams of that coming as I integrate and adjust to my new life abroad. If you are both a traveler and a health junkie, check out my Youtube channel where I just posted a video about how to stay healthy while traveling!

To answer a few questions you may already have at this point, I am moving to Changwon, South Korea in approximately one month ( approx. because I don’t have my ticket yet because trying to get a visa is an extensive process)! My first day of work is in exactly 32 days but I want to head over a little early to allow myself time to adjust before getting into the craziness that will be teaching kindergarten (Does that answer the second question?) Yes, I will be teaching a group of little munchkins for one year abroad. I will have a Korean co-teacher in my classroom who will help with translations and talking to parents since I do not speak one lick of Korean. Okay I actually know two words: “breakfast” and “thank you” but you can see how that would not last me long in a classroom setting.

To answer what I am assuming is your most burning question: “Anna, WHY would you leave San Diego the city you’ve always lived in with perfect weather, a cheap apartment, an ocean view, and a job offer to go somewhere else that doesn’t even have a Roman alphabetic system and is most known for the grilling of large amounts of meat when you are a vegetarian?”

To be short, I have no fricking idea. To be long, I have lived in San Diego my whole life and although it is without a doubt the most perfect place one can live. It’s time. One day you wake up and you’re 23 and 1/2 and realize all your friends stayed in the cities they went to college in and you are the only one left and somehow you start to feel bored and alone in your own hometown. One day you wake up and you’re 23 and 1/2 realize one day you won’t be 23 and 1/2 and you are going to want to settle down with a family and cute babies so you have to get this shit (shit=travel) out of your system now. Lastly and most importantly BECAUSE I’M SCARED. Staying in San Diego isn’t scary to me anymore which means I’m not growing. I’ve done what I can here in this city- kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, high school, college, moving out, working. At least at this point in my life, I don’t feel like I can grow here anymore. I’m learning to fall in love with the unpredictability of life. I try to imagine my new life in Korea but I know it will all go differently than I imagine. It could all go horribly or perfectly but it will be a new experience either way. I’m chasing it whole-heartedly.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this lengthy post about my crazy life.

If you want to follow along feel free to join me on any of my social media below ❤

Instagram

Youtube

 

Peace & Love,

Anna

Tips for Staying on Track While Traveling

Hi guys! I’m writing this on the floor in the Washington D.C. airport after spending 4 incredible weeks in Lisbon, Portugal. As a vegetarian, the city was a bit daunting and I will be the first to admit that I ate way more empty carbs than I normally care to consume. My physique escaped relatively unscathed with no major damage done. Therefore, I came up with these tips. Some I followed and some are things I learned from omission.

 

1. Drink Water– This one I learned from failing at it. Especially in Europe, it is easy to get caught up in the excitement of being served a wine and a coffee at every meal. My body honestly was asking me for water and I didn’t give it as much as it needed. Most places in Europe charge for water, so get a Brita water bottle and fill up in any sink or water fountain!
2. Take the Stairs– Since you will probably be eating more treats than normal, burn calories where you can! This tip was a lifesaver for me. I took the stairs everywhere, even when my friends took the escalator. It’s a fun competition to see who can get to the other end first. And walk!!! You don’t need to take the metro or a bus if something is ten minutes away. It’s a good way to see the city and get your steps in!
3. Take Advantage of Local Produce– Chances are wherever you are there are a lot of local fruit stands! Lisbon had tons of markets and store fronts selling fresh fruits and veggies for super cheap! Try to reach for these options when you can! If you have access to a kitchen, then stock up on fruits and veggies and cook a meal at home. It will save you $$.
4. Establish Healthy Habits Before You Leave- This is probably my number one tip! You want to train your body to eat what it deserves. So a few weeks before you leave be strict on your nutrition plan. This will set you up for success because you have already established that HEALTH IS YOUR ROUTINE ( that way when you have unhealthy meals your body doesn’t see that as the norm). I know for me I ate pretty badly during my trip but my body was craving the nutritious foods I usually ate at home. It makes getting back into your routine at home much easier.
5. EXPERIENCE EVERYTHING- So grateful to my coach who told me this. She could have told me to limit my intake of bread and cheese but she didn’t. She told me to experience everything, and I certainly did. Remember it is a temporary experience, not a lifestyle. Try everything. Try it twice. Love it. Enjoy it. And get back on track when you get home!

Hope this was helpful!!

Love,

Anna

What NOT to Say

As I’ve decided to make my fitness journey a very public one I have been noticing the types of comments people often make on my posts. Although I know all are said with the best intentions, I have a hard time receiving them that way. I urge anyone who is commenting on a person’s personal journey (whether fitness related or not) to really think before commenting.

The first thing I’ve noticed is the “you were still beautiful before” comment. Yes! I was! Although I had trouble realizing it at times, I still new I was amazing and gorgeous 50 pounds ago. I still took plenty of selfies and had the days of “OMG I am the hottest thing to exist.. EVER”. But the difference is now I am actively WORKING to get in incredible shape mentally and physically. This is what makes me feel great! MY HARD WORK. So it is almost diminishing when people tell me the old me was great. Yes, she was but she was also unhealthy and lazy. Although the comment is coming from a place of love, it’s almost redundant to even comment it. I knew I was beautiful. I realized my self-worth and that is why this journey even began.

Secondly, now more than ever, I am receiving the “Don’t get too skinny” comment. I do not know how to describe the feeling of going from being fat shamed to now skinny shamed. It is the most bizarre thing ever. I understand this is coming from a place of health concern most likely but that in itself is an insult because I am living a healthy lifestyle! I am eating more nutrients than I have ever before. I get up and move my body. I push the limits. Things I do not do: starve myself, over-restrict, diet. Also, I am still a size 6,8,10 (depending on the store) so I am not sure why people are so concerned about my skinniness. Yes I have lost fifty pounds. No I do not weigh fifty pounds. Therefore the concern is not necessary. In general, you should also just never say this to a person. It really sounds horrible and if you are honestly concerned about their health you should approach it in a different way.

 

If you are reading this and realizing you have said either one of these comments to me, please don’t think I hate you! I simply wish to inform people how their words can feel and to be careful with them.

 

Much love,

Anna

The Journey So Far…

So here I am 196 days into my fitness journey (6 months and 13 days) and I’ve decided I want to share my journey. I wish I had started this blog 6 months and 13 days ago because the amount of knowledge I’ve gained couldn’t possibly be shared in one post. I will give the briefest summary I possibly can of my results and experiences through this incredibly transformative period of my life.

The fist transformation is the most obvious. It’s the reason I’m now able to call myself a coach to a team of amazing people who are creating their own successes. It’s the reason I get massive attention every time I walk into a room of people I haven’t seen anywhile and it’s the reason I now feeling willing to post the picture I’m about to post.

 

In 6 months and 13 days, these are the physical results I have created for myself. I have lost 47 pounds. I have dropped from a size 16 to a size 6/8/10 depending on the pair of pants (@  Old Navy  please fix your sizing I don’t understand how I can possibly be all of these sizes in the same store?!?). I have gone from a XXL to a Medium. This transformation has been beyond anything I could have ever possibly imagined. I originally started this journey to lose 25 pounds and I will be hitting my big 5-0 by the end of this month. I created double the results of what I originally intended to. This part of my story is meaningful to me. I love being able to go into a dressing room and not have to go in expecting myself to cry because “Target mirrors make me look fat”. I no longer have to immediately flip to the bottom of a pile of pants as soon as I find a pair I like. I am free thanks to my health and fitness which I plan to go into detail about in future posts.

The second transformation has been mental. In my community, we focus on our a great deal on our mindset. This has been a valuable tool for me because as I have learned: being skinny doesn’t instantly make you love your body. Trust me when I say this- even after losing 47 pounds there are days when I wake up and do not think good thoughts while looking in the mirror ( I know this sounds insane). BUT this is where mindset is key. I get to point out the things I do love about myself. I get to remind myself how hard I’ve worked to come this far.I get to think about all the days I woke up in awe of my body and the love I felt looking at it. I get to relive the feelings in the aforementioned paragraph. I have the power- it’s all in my mind. Losing the weight is only part of it.

This mental portion has changed every single aspect of my life. I have become more independent, positive, and goal oriented in the past 6 months and 13 days then I ever thought possible. I have acquired a new big girl job which pays big girl dollars. I have become a health coach to a group of incredible people and an inspiration to those in my community.  I have somehow been able to manage working two jobs, volunteering, attending school, and my fitness journey with a tiny number of stress break downs.I find pleasure in being “busy” and no longer see it as an excuse but a privilege. I have even started buying my own groceries, though I still live at home. I am focused; I am determined.

I appreciate anyone you for taking the time to read this. I appreciate you following my journey and caring.To those who have congratulated me on my success, I am grateful and I invite you to create your own success through whatever means you choose. Welcome!

Love,

Anna