Placements, contracts and farewells

So back in the swing of things, and here goes the start of many posts...

After a week long orientation of lectures, workshops, Korean classes and scraping by to make curfew the time had come to sign the contract and find out where my home will be for the next year. When entering EPIK you can choose a specific area, or if you are like me and Geographically inadequate you simply say I will go anywhere, to anyone who wants me haha. Obviously Seoul was my one and only choice as it is the only city I really know in South Korea, but like I said I was open to other regions and provinces. 

So, pen to paper I was about to sign, this heavy worded contract being my only thing standing between me and a job. I can safely say here is where the journey started, as here is where you find out your city and how many schools you will be trekking around to. And there in black and white on the big screen I see Yeliz Hussein and the word Pohang. Where the hell is Pohang? Well here is some wikipedia shit for you now...

Pohang (Korean pronunciation: [pʰo.ɦaŋ]) is a city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, and a main seaport in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region. The built-up area of Pohang is located on the alluvium of the mouth of the Hyeongsan River. The city is divided into two wards (gu), Buk-gu or Northern Ward (북구/北區) and Nam-gu or Southern Ward (남구/南區).

This city has the largest population of North Gyeongsang Province and it has the third largest land area of any city in South Korea

Yooooo this is my new city! I mean whhhaaa hahaha.

After signing and talking to everyone I was lucky to find I was placed with others, so had people with me to forgo this journey. 

Right after signing and rejoicing with 2 of 3 lovelies in my city ( Mark and Avi)

After signing and finally knowing that I will be placed and have 2 schools, both elementary it was time to pack up, say farewell to all the amazing people I avoided as I am socially phobic and dream about what is in store. All this while trying to go on one last night out and not break curfew haha.

Needless to say, curfew was made but drinking responsibly was not something I managed, so now sat on a bus with my cap covering my shame, being transported to my new life and new city...

What comes next is nothing short of amazing, hope you stick round for the journey...

With love,

Yeliz 

xoxo

South Korea!!

Hello all!!

Haven't really blogged in like... FOREVER!! Well that is what happens when you life is one whole big train wreck and no matter what you do there is always something there pulling you in the carnage!!

So let's start anew, let's start from the point I had a crazy idea to work abroad and for once in my life actually stuck to it!

This is going to be a very wordy post, so if you don't want to read on I suggest leave now...

So all of those who stuck around, I thank you.

I have always had a love for East Asia from watching animations, eating the food and generally speaking the culture difference. I finished uni and wanted to travel, BUT at 23 I was told I didn't know what I wanted. My best friend years later worked in China for a year, she was living my dream! So I applied crazily, only to feel guilt at wanting to leave. So last year September I took the plunge!! I started researching every which way I could without a single thought, I then stumbled upon EPIK (English Program In Korea... And needless to say, HERE I AM!!!

I just wanted to briefly outline my crazy decision to pack up and work abroad for a year. The next few posts will be my opinions so please remember this is not how it may be for everyone.

So let's start! EPIK was the most stressful process I have ever had to do, but proving to be the most rewarding as well. I went through two forms, months of paperwork a TEFL course and getting everything from degrees to birth certs apostilised and notarised! I then had to do the toughest thing ever and say goodbye to my family and friends and board the plane to Korea, not knowing where I will be living for the year or if I would make any friends, but here we go...

Next posts will be way more fun I promise

Love always
Yeliz
xoxo

Tarot card reading and new beginnings

So from where I left off last I spoke about getting my tarot cards read. It must have been fate, he was there for one day only had one spot left and it was the one I took. This is something I have always wanted to do, just never really knew much about it. So here goes...

I just wanted to start off with a general reading as I didn't really have an particular questions to ask. And from that first initial card pulled my whole out look changed.

Death is symbolic of the ending of a major phase or aspect of your life that may bring about the beginning of something far more valuable and important. You must close one door in order to open another. You need to put the past behind you and part ways, ready to embrace new opportunities and possibilities.

Death is an indication that you need to learn to let go of unhealthy attachments in your life to pave the way to a fuller, more fulfilled life of deeper meaning and significance.

When I first saw that I had pulled this card I didn't realise all of the above and assumed I would lose a loved one, instead I learnt a lot more, I learnt I am holding myself back from things I want to achieve and just need to let go.

So now I was ready to ask my questions and get a more in-depth reading. I have had this problem lingering over me for a while, I went through a bad break up about 3 years ago and since have been told how much I have changed and how bitter I have become. I wanted to really know if this was the case. As I started to draw cards from the pile, I noticed a pattern, there are problem cards and there are solution cards. every single card I pulled was a problem and was left unsolved, here is where I learnt something important. The reader turned and looked at me and said "what you are doing is not healthy". It seems I have been read wrong all along, yes I am bitter but it is this bitterness I need to embrace, you see as someone who is creative I can't believe I haven't seen what I have needed to do. To overcome my anguish, bitterness and pain I need to vent artistically and starting today I will...

So this post is all about me facing up to my emotions and in stead stop trying to hide them like they aren't there. My advice to anyone reading and in the same situation, yes time is a great healer but time works differently for everyone so if you can find a way to use your hurt positively then go for it!!

With Love,
Yeliz
xoxo

Gods Own Junkyard

So summer is in full swing and a scorcher this year. An outing was long overdue, plus I needed an excuse to take my new baby out. I have FINALLY upgraded my camera to a Nikon D3200 and I wanted to see what this baby had to offer, so I packed my bag, put on my best walking shoes and grabbed a companion and headed to Gods Own Junkyard...

Situated in Walthamstow, a hidden gem among warehouses and a brewery, you would only know about this place from research or word of mouth, I kind of stumbled across it while researching neon art for an art piece I was interested in completed (come to think of it I haven't even started yet). So off I went to fulfil my love of all things neon.

Some info for you all Gods Own Junkyard contains neon artworks, vintage neons, old movie props and retro displays. Neon art made from found objects and lights, vintage fairground and circus... What's not to love...

 

 

 

 

Club Tropicana drinks are ffffrrreee ahahah

Proving that everything Turkish is a trophy

As we walked out to leave I saw this sign, I live, dream and breathe neon!!

 

 

So our adventure was over, my eyes had been exposed to all things neon and my camera had well and truly been tested, my stomache was talking and calling Nando's so we headed to Liverpool Street. After a fine meal we had a walk about which led us to a tarot card reader, but that's another story for another time...

 

With Love,

Yeliz xoxo

 

 

 

Adventures in Bilbao

So it's been a long time coming and I HAVE FINALLY found the time to put up all the pictures of my Spanish adventure with my Spanish chick!! I really need to keep at this and keep it up to date, and this is the best place to start. There was a lot of things I learnt on this mini break, I realised how much I love Art and how I will find a way to pursue a career within the dynamic art world. And also how much I want to live in the Guggenheim!!! So here goes...

Sooooo this was actually the last picture that I took, but it was the very first thing I saw when I got to Bilbao, its the door leading into the apartment of where my beloved was living during her time in Bilbao. Now for those who don't know Bilbao is a city in the North of Spain and not really a touristy area, which to me was it's main appeal. I love to immerse myself within the culture of the country I am visiting and I really could here. The other reason I was vacating here is that my friend Chantal had been living here since September 2013 and I really missed the pants off of her. All pics are from May this year (very late with the blog post but I am trying to get my shit together).

Day 1: Sun, beaches and Grandma's walking shoes

 

 This was my first day in Bilbao, and Chan wanted to take me to where her mum grew up, for the life of me I really can't remember what the area was called (that's really bad I know) all I can remember is we took a train ride. Luckily for me Chan's nan was home and made us a FIVE course lunch!! After a nice siesta we headed out to hit the beaches and coastal areas. We were escorted round in Chan's nan's friends car which was great because I got to see more, as it's easier in a car then on foot. The next few images that follow are pics I took of all the areas we went to.

 

It all pretty much made me feel like I was in the middle of a journey in Middle Earth, maybe you had to be there to understand.

 

 

Day 2: Fine Art Gallery and The Guggenheim

 

So after yesterdays trip around (Middle Earth) we decided to stay within Bilbao. Where Chan lives everything is pretty much a walk away from. So we hit up Bilbao's Fine Art Gallery and then The Guggenheim.

 

 

Now this is a place where dreams are made!! To say I fell in love with the Guggenheim is an understatement. I am still not sure if it was because of the art exhibiting or the beautiful architecture of the building that got me, either way I was dragged out of here against my own will. If I could I would have set up home!! 

 

I've never really known much about Yoko Ono, just that she was blamed for splitting up The Beatles and for being the biggest icon to hippies around the world. Her art was here at The Guggenheim and I really do have a new found respect for the woman, her pieces allowed you to become one and really interact with it. Unfortunately I didn't really take many pics when I was inside, but the memories I have are so vivid in my brain. On a last note you really need to check out Yoko's music if you've never heard it, since I've been back in the UK its taken over my iTunes library.

 

 

 Another great Artist exhibiting was Ernesto Neto, his work was all about the human body, and very interactive, every room containing his work was a new sense experience. My favourite was the room in the pics above. It was meant to represent the mother's womb and all the parts to it. There was a maze going through mesh pieces, unfortunately I wasn't allowed to take pics in that part

 



My favourite part of Yoko's exhibition, her wish tree. I was lucky enough to experience this first time when I visited the Peggy Guggenheim collection in Venice a few years prior. I left a wish then, and have again now. Make a wish, write it down, hang it, and then ask someone else to do the same... then repeat.

Last few days: Wrapping things up, and getting ready to return home.

 Vizcaya Bridge is the only bridge in the world that moves. what it means is there are two cable car like compartments that carry people and vehicles across to either side. I was even lucky enough to walk along the top and look at the views, unfortunately it was a crappy miserable cold day so the pics didn't come out as well as I wanted.

 Standard tourist pose!!

 

Standing over 50 metres high, on planks of wood with massive gaps!!! Thank God I don't have a fear of heights.

 My last meal in Bilbao was in this quaint Italian Restaurant, beautifully decorated and yummy food.



 So my last day was here and being a beautiful day we posed outside in the centre and got trigger happy with my camera. I LOVED my short vacation, I got to get away from the gloom and doom of London and see my beloved. We jam packed the days and I got to experience loads of new things from food to things to see.

I am also on a personal mission to visit all other Guggenheim's!! Now that I have done one post I'm sure it will all come with ease and get the creative juices flowing again.

With Love,
Yeliz

xoxo