March 19, 2015

Snow, slopes and skiing in Hokkaido

It feels like a blur to think that last week, I was in a winter wonderland in Hokkaido, Japan- Y and I went there to ski with some friends. It was surreal that two and a half hours on a plane could bring me to a land dusted with snow.

After some late-night packing and only three hours of sleep for me, we got on the airport shuttle at 5:45am and were at the airport by 7am.

We landed in Japan and had two hours until our shuttle to the ski resort. So what did we do? Had ramen for lunch, of course!

My miso ramen: a big bowl of deliciousness

After satisfying our stomachs, we piled into the shuttle bus to our ski resort. It was a two-hour bus ride there so when the bus stopped at a rest are, we made sure to pick up a few snacks to hold us over.

We settled into our hotel rooms, unpacked, relaxed for a bit before we headed out to the village for dinner. Yakitori was our choice for our first night.

Day 1 of skiing started with feelings of excitement soon followed by a whole lot of anxiety. My fear of heights made the first gondola lift terrifying - I took deep breaths and immersed myself in conversations to distract myself from the realization that I was dangling in the air and headed upwards to the top of a mountain. Once we got up to the top, the reality of the situation hit: the only way was down. Visibility was horrendous; we were barely able to see a few feet in front of us.

Let's just say it took me quite a while to make it down the mountain... but nevertheless I did it! (Later that day, Y said to me, "I'm really proud of you!" He knows how big of a feat it was that I came down that mountain.)

Lunch was all-you-can-eat sushi and I was in heaven. Skiing followed by sushi may be one of the best things ever. The only thing better than that is following the sushi with a nap, which is precisely what I indulged in.

Day 2 of skiing couldn't have been more different from Day 1. If Day 1 was the evil, wintry antagonist, Day 2 was the kind-hearted, warm protagonist of the story. Day 2 was sunny and clear, the landscape was breathtaking and it sure felt nice to be able to see where I was skiing.

One of our nights, we devoured teppanyaki coupled with endless corny "punny" jokes: we laughed until our stomachs hurt.

It was an unforgettable trip.

There were moments when I was so focused on getting down the slope safely; my eyes fixed on the ground beneath my skis. But then I would look up and be amazed at the view, the powdered trees, the snowcapped Mount Yotei.

Our return home though? Now that's a whole different story, unforgettable in its own way. Let's just say we ended up being in the airport for 24 hours (!!!)

But on the positive side... the one perk of being at the airport?

Stocking up on goodies.

February 10, 2015

Cambodia in my heart

by Grace Ko in Travel, Friends

Long time! It has been too long. Despite my new years resolution to blog more, I haven't done a very good job at it.

Since ringing in the new year, I have been settling into my life here in Korea, traveled to Cambodia, gotten sick (with a trip with the emergency room), had a few dinner parties, lunched with my aunt, welcomed my parents back from a long trip.

But of all that, Cambodia has been on my mind and in my heart.

Prior to going to Cambodia, I had watched the documentary, Nefarious and was heartbroken at the realization of the prevalence and severity of human trafficking. In preparation for our trip, we watched a documentary called The Pink Room. Having my eyes opened to child sex trafficking left me with a heavy heart and a fear for what I would see and feel in Cambodia. I went to Cambodia with a heavy but expectant heart but I had not been prepared to be blown away. And to utterly fall in love with the country.

Cambodia. A country that has captured my heart.

Here's a photo-log of the trip (warning: it's going to be a long one!)

I went with a team of 16 members from back "home". I was eager to be reunited with friends from home and was especially glad I was able to host them for their layover in Seoul. It felt like a dream to have all of them here in Korea.

After a 6 hour flight, we landed in Phnom Pehn International Airport and made our way to our hotel.

Day 1 (Saturday) - After arriving late Friday night, Saturday morning, we had breakfast, got ready and headed out to visit The Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng to learn about the history of Cambodia and the Khmer people. (The Killing Fields are a number of sites in Cambodia where mass killings occurred and where people were buried by the Khmer Rouge regime. Tuol Sleng is a site which was a former school that was turned into a prison and interrogation center.)

Daily ritual: breakfast at the hotel = 2 sunny-side eggs + 3 toast + coffee

We had lunch at Daughters Cafe, a favorite spot for the team. The cafe is a beautiful respite and the food is delicious.

Day 2 (Sunday) - We visited a local church. Vibrant, welcoming, overflowing with love and joy.

Days 4-5 (Tuesday and Wednesday) - We partnered with a local organization called Hard Places Community and during the mornings, our team prepared various stations on different children's books (Charlotte's Web, The Giving Tree, The Very Hungry Caterpillar just to name a few). We told them stories, taught them songs and did activities with the children at Punlok Thmey.

In the afternoons, we dispersed to various locations throughout the city for Kids' Club with HPC.

One of the days, a few of the team members and I decided to go out during the evening hours. We were shocked by the contrast of day and night in Phnom Pehn. Light and dark. The same exact riverfront where we had play games and sang songs with the young children, at night, became a flashing signboards

"Dark is light you. Depths are height to you."

Day 6 (Thursday) - We had Soccer Club with the kids from the centers.

That afternoon, after returning from Soccer Club, the staff of HPC surprised our team with a farewell party! We were overwhelmed by their love and generosity and I will never forget that day.

Day 7 (Friday) - We worked with another organization, XP Missions and we visited a small village in the slums. We played games with the children, jumped rope with them, made balloon animals, did face-painting for them, sang songs. Some of the team members went around the village and took family portraits and were able to print the photos for them.

Day 8 (Saturday) - Our last day was a "free" day. Some of us started it off by going to the Russian Market for noodles for breakfast. I had been wanting to try it all week so I was excited to finally get to.

To those who supported our team, thank you. Without your support, we could not have gone.

To my HPC brothers and sisters, you are an incredible group of people. You are such an inspiration and encouragement to us.

Cambodia, you are in my heart and in my prayers. Hope to be back soon.

November 7, 2014

Friday Favorites

by Grace Ko in Friday Favorites, Friends

As I have slowly come to realize that my time here is limited, I am purposefully getting out of my "comfort zone" (Being the homebody I am, my "comfort zone" is mainly the comforts of my own home, being nestled under my blankets with a book/iPhone in hand) and intentionally relishing every moment - a girls' night out that began at 1 am (Talk about out of my comfort zone! I'm in bed by 10 pm usually!), a trip to Brooklyn in the rain, a NFL MNF game.

This weekend calls for lots of celebration: celebrating the anticipated arrival of my best girl friend's baby girl, celebrating the union of two friends at their wedding.

TGIF!

Some of my amazingly awesome coworkers in their TMNT costumes for Halloween! Hand-painted turtle-shell backpacks, and all!

Rosie the Riveter says, "We can do it!" #womanpower (Daria & Superwoman agree.)

A beautiful nook in my friend A's New York City apartment.

The brother and I at our first Giants game thanks to our friend S.

October 24, 2014

Friday Favorites

by Grace Ko in Friday Favorites, Food, Friends

This week felt like a marathon (more specifically, one I had not trained for, at all). Okay. Let me rephrase that. These past few weeks have felt like a marathon. (Hence the lack of blog posts. I apologize... I promise I have legitimate reasons. And I promise to tell you more about it in this entry.)

These past few weeks' marathon-like qualities were due to the fact that during work hours, each day was bursting at its seams with emotions, crises and activity. In the after-hours, Y and I were trying to squeeze in as much time with as many people as possible. Why, you may ask? Because we are moving to Korea!!! And in fact, the husband has already moved there. So last week, we went to a concert, visited a friend, met our newborn nephew, had date night, indulged in an Italian dinner in the city with good friends. This week, post-husband's-deparature, my week was filled with stress, sick days and sad, gloomy weather.

But I welcome this weekend with open arms and cannot wait to:

catch up some sleep
watch football (on TV in the comforts of my own home, in PJ's of course; and live - my friends are playing in an annual flag football tournament... one I used to play in. Since then, I have "retired" in fear of injury)
cross off a few to-do's off my never-ending list
enjoy quality time with friends, more specifically a "dinner and movie" girls' night in

Sounds to me like a perfect formula to rest and reboot.

Wishing you all a restful weekend!

Now here are some favorites (from the past few weeks):

Enjoying some real New York pizza with good friends

Our friend, Ilmar introducing his group The Harlem Quartet at their new album release. — Our friend, Ilmar introducing his group The Harlem Quartet at their new album release.

Enjoying a delicious meal with amazing people @LocandeVerde. (I must've missed the plaid memo...)

A home-cooked, lavish steak dinner as our last get-together with friends before Y's departure to Korea. We are so thankful for such great friends.