So Where Is She Now?...

I've decided to start a new blog several months after my return from Korea. You can follow it at...www.blackbeautyabudhabi.blogspot.com it was called Life in Option B but since my latest endeavors, it is now called The Great Escape.

LASEK in the R.O.K

...Pronounced LAZEK in Korea. I have no fancy title for this post but, I must blog about this experience. It was one of the greatest doctor visits ever. I was told Korea had excellent and cheap healthcare. I figured people were only refering to procedures and technology. Well, NO! I was wrong. I had the best doctor, I swear, in the world. It's love people. HE SPOKE PERFECT ENGLISH!!! not Enlishie or Engrish or even Konglish. He was so nice and friendly and he explained everything step by step. So a few months ago when I first decided I wanted to have LASIK I went into the EYE MEDI clinic in Gangnam. http://www.hellolasik.com/eng_site/refractive_surgery/lasek.asp?page_id=02
Gangnam is an affluent area in Korea and it eased some of my fears about getting surgery in another country because let's be honest, even though Korea is a rapidly advancing country, particularly in the medical field, I automatically reduced it to a third world country when I considered surgery. So when I walked into the CGV movie theater and took the elevator up to the 14th floor I was surprised to find it wasn't some whole in the wall clinic. It was really nice and modern. I wish I would have taken some photos now that I think of it. It had a little snack and coffess area in the corner, a computer area with apple computers to help you pass the time, cute little magazine racks filled with the latest fashion magazine, comfy couches, and a few glass tables in the center. They gave you a locker to place your things and started the paperwork. The paperwork was only half a page unlike in America where you would have to fill out 13 forms and then 13 forms on insurance. Speaking of which I have insurance but, I've never been asked for proof here. Anyways the wait was about 10 minutes and then the doctor took me through an hour of eye exams that took about an hour to complete. The exam is extensive and they double check their tests a few times. The best part was that it is all free. They explain which surgery option is best for you and it's free whether you decide to have surgery or not. Foreigners get about a 200 dollar discount. YEAH YEAH baby!!
Ok on February 27th I nervously arrived at the clinic. When i walked in they greeted me by name and told me to run to the pharmacy to grab the neccessary meds. Um yeah a little ghetto but, this is normal in Korea. So after make my drug run, they explained everything in detail, gave me some papers reinterating it, and led me to see the doctor. he looked at my eyes for 2 minutes and said I was still set for surgery. From this point on everyhting went quick. The nurse cleaned my face put 100 drops, ok maybe like 6 drops, in my eye and led me into the surgery room. In the surgery room they told me to lay on the table and hold onto this stuffed bunny. At first I couldn't stop laughing at the idea. They told me to watch the green light. The anticipation was killing me and I was nervous. Before I even realized it I was squezzing on the bunny so hard but I was not moving, so I see why they have it. My doctor talked me through the whole thing which was literally 10 minutes maybe less. It felt like 5 minutes for both eyes. I couldn't feel a thing and the instrument that they use to keep your eyes open was undetectable too. I didn't know when they put it in or took it out. I looked at the green light, heard the machine start and walla I was finished. They made me rest in this plush recliner chair in the resting room with low music for 20 minutes and then I went home.
Plus I mist give a shot ot to great friends everywhere. GOD has truly blessed me with that one. My homie Rina went with me. She waited for me, bought me some food, and drove me home. well, to her house so that if things ghot bad I could have some help. I had the library all set up. I couldn't read but, I got alot of sleeping done in there. She made the two days go by like a blur. I thought I would be so bored since I couldn't do anything but, since she was there I talked my little heart out when I wasn't sleeping. Oh yeah, if yuo're considering eye surgery.. Buy sleeping pills to help you sleep through the first two days. If not you'll be in pain and bored out of your mind. Plus the more you sleep the quicker your eyes heal. Anyways thats that. In a month I'll do a follow up post.

Happy Lunar New Year, Valentines day,MF B-day to me and weight loss update

So I managed to cross the earth in a new year yet, again I was alone and depressed on my birthday. I mean I think this tops all birthdays for the worst. That includes but is not limited to my fifteenth birthday, where everyone forgot. I thought it was a joke at first but, they literally forgot my birthday. Once realizing the reason for my pouting my aunt and mother ran to the store to buy a cake and some taco preparations. They tried their best to throw something together but, there was know coming out of the depression for me. To make matters worse it was about 8 in the evening by the time they remembered and once they got the cake to the top step it fell down all, however many there are, of them. Needless to say, I called it a night and went to bed. I hoped I'd never spend a birthday like that again. Well, no family calls this time, no emails from my friends I consider dearest. Actually, the people that came through, of course hubby who called and kept me entertained, were the firends I've made here in Korea. People that I've met on few occasions even made a point to wish me well. My Bff here came to my house(she asked for her photos not to be posted here), despite my funky attitude, bought all the preparations for and cooked me an authentic Korean meal, which was slamming might I add. She also toted along a deliscious chocolate and rasberry cake with party hats. I didn't feel like going out so she brought the party to me.

bliss


We ate, laughed, listened to music and drank muscoto. It was really great. I was appreciative too because I was really feeling down. Sunday I sat in the house in my depression, drank cheap Korean Soju, watched movies about people with more depressing scenarios than me, and slept all day between the drunken haze. Monday, I met up with my other friend for lunch. What would a birthday be without lunch. That was my exciting valentine's/Birthday/ Korean Lunar New year weekend. So lame! Not at all what I expected. I will try to get out my funk and make up for it next weekend.
In other news, I have lost weight. Well, maybe I should use past tense after this weekend.lol. Now I'm going to be depressed about the calorie damage. Anyway,I wasn't able to get on the scale due to the holidays but, it's apparent in my face and in the way my clothes fit. I never realized how much I tug on my clothes until,I'm tugging at something that's fitting loose. I think by March I'm going to really seeing the results I've been looking for. Besides this birthday weekend. I didn't allow myself the cheat weekend. I hadn't had any bad days up until this weekend. I think I'm going to stick with that. No cheat weeknds. Maybe just one a month. when I get back I'm be on my hubby too to do this with me. everything is easier with someone. I'm serious though. this is the longest I've ever been dedicated with such slow results. I have a goal to be a dime piece by the summer or pretty darned close. I'm bringing sexy back.
I've posted some pics of my change thus far but, you really got to look for the differences.lol. Slow but suttle changes.
chunky butt photo. This is me when I first came to Korea. I thought I was cute not fat. That's why I was taking this photo. Little did I know.
Not the same pants but you can look at the arms alone and see the difference. Just in general alot smaller but still needs some work. I obviously thought I was too cute here. This is about 3 weeks to a month ago.

bday me. The most recent pic of my face as opposed to the fat kid pic below where I'm happily holding an ice cream. too happy.
fatty

Happy Belated New Years?!!

drunk!!!!!!


So it's halfway through January but, I figured I should blog something. So why not tell you about new years. I had an absolute blast!! I don't have any pictures really because I drank a little too many drinks, and forgot my mission of being the Seoulcialite blogger. I always almost do. Jason is scheduled to come in February and hopefully I can make up photo wise then. Absolutely nothing exciting has went on this month due to my schedule at work. The kids here in Korea are from Christmas until February first, when they go to school for a week. Then they are off again until March. I think it kind of sucks though because they have a short summer vacation. So...yeah, um I'm working while there elementary school teacher is on break. The parents have to still go to work, so their kids come to Englishy school! On top of that, I have been hitting the gym at 5am then going to work for 12 hours.Yeah!! That skinny *itch on the inside wants to come out but, she's going to have to fight hard. It's only the second week of the month and I'm already taking breaks. The goal is to work out 5 days a week but, this week I only went 3. Last week I did go 5. Also, I've been eating very good I think but, not the Atkins thing. Not even close. The problem with the whole count my calories deal is that i'm eating unprocessed foods. So they don't list calories and i'm estimating. Estimating can be a big difference. I feel that if I try long enough something will give. I do the official one month photo shot and weigh in on February first. Wait for it!
Anyways....that was way to the left. New years...yeah so I went out with my coworkers to Gecko's, my favorite American restaurant in Itaewon, and started with a couple of martinis. I fifgured I start light and try some finger foods. After their friends arrived and a few more drinks, we were all friends. So we decided to hit a bar for the countdown. We went to the loft. Now here's why I love Korea...every thursday in Korea it's ladies night in the foreigner district. Ladies pay 5 dollars to get in and drink free all night. New Year's eve was thursday and guess what! they didnt change a thing. So I happily paid my 5 dollars and proceeded to drink free until 4am when free drinks were over.My friend showed up finally and my coworker continued to support my habit.She continued to encourage it as well. You're probably thinking, "Ok. she needs to go home now" but no I didn't. I hit two more clubs then I went home at 7am. My coworkers were still partying but, I needed sleep. Some random bumb, ok not bumb... kind however badly dressed midgit celebrating too I guess, helped me find my phone, which I had manage to lose and to the taxi. Sooooooo drunk, that I haven't drank since but, truly im not drinking for dieting purposes. When Jason comes I'll make a brief exception that sobriety is back on!! It was hard the first two weeks though, I'm not going to lie. I'm not an alcoholic but, I found myself bored as hell. Now I look at it as a challenge.

The Biggest Loser

So one of my most favorite people in the world (Hubby/Jason) told me I should post something but, you know what things have become...normal...everyday life. I was going over some photos from two weekends ago when an Idea came to me. I can post about my weight loss goal. It's one of the biggest things going on in my life right now. After hearing how well Jason's been doing on his diet, I got motivated to lose weight. Im not going to be the fat girlfriend. Anyways, I didn't even realize I was obese until I came across a photo. My face is fat as heck and I'm smiling with an ice cream cone, just like a fatty. I mean before this photo I did notice my clothes were a bit snug but I still thought I looked good. I was thinking I have maybe 10 pounds to lose. Sike your mind!!! Its more like 30. So, I've joined the gym, I've bought the food, and Monday I will make it my official starting point since, I have had a few cheats thus far. I'll consider that my transitional phase. At first I was going to do the Atkins diet but, it's mainly water weight you do so my plan is to borrow a few pointers. I am going to keep my carbs low yes but, I will eat fruits and nuts occassionally. On the Atkins you cannot until the last week. I am going to focus on eating nonprocessed foods. So I will be eating meats, fish, some berries, nuts, and a whole lot of vegetables. It's a little more time consuming but I think it will be worth it in the long run. My first goal is to lose 10 pounds by February 1, 2009. I am going to take photos at the beginning of each month, weigh myself only once a month, and update my progress on my blog. I'm going public people!! I hope it will keep me somewhat motivated. I'm giving myself until May to reach my ultimate goal of being 150 pounds. sounds like alot but, I'm tall and 150 is pretty thin.
Today is Friday. Monday, I begin. Here goes nothing!!!

Life in the R.O.K

Yesterday, after reviewing my blog to find if anything would be offensive to my new audience/my family, I realized it took alot to get here. For a while, all I had been talking about was going home. I wasn't even really enjoying Korea as much. As I returned from the COEX mall today and walked down the back alley(most definetly a back ally. It is so hood) to my home,


I realized no matter how simple or whatever my life in the R.O.K (Republic of Korea)has been, I'm living my dream. A part of it. No it hasn't been very foreign, life altering, or really anything dramatic as I expected but,here I am standing in the middle of an opportunity to do whatever I want with my life and I'm going to take it. Not many people find thereselves in a position to do what they want, with all there ducks lined up in a row. Like I said before, I use my blog also for clearing my mind.
So...on to the next topic. Today I stumbled across the COEX mall. Well, I don't really think you can stumble across it. This mall is gigantic. It is the mall of malls. I was going to meet my friend for sushi and she told me to meet her at Samseong. When I got there she casually pointed and said, "That's where the rich hang out." Then we walked inside. I was definetly thinking WTF are we going in there then.lol but, I kept my mouth shut.


I should have taken pictures of the meal display but, I've eaten sushi before so I really didn't think about it. We went to this place that had Sushi plates on a moving display that went from the back of the kitchen and around the table. You simply grabbed the plates of the belt, and stacked them to your left. At the end of dinner. The woman added your plates up by color and your out. It was quite filling and mashi suyo/delicious! Then we walked around the mall.Oh, I stopped and made a wish at the wishing well too. It took me back to my childhood when I deeply believed in wishing wells. The mall overall took me back to my preteen years in the late 90s. They had so many American places in there. Even better they had American sizes in shoes and clothes, which is virtually impossible to find in Korea. They had Bennigans, that went out of business in the states amongst a few others. They also had Starbucks, Pizza Hut, Burger King, On the Border, Dunkin Donuts, KFC, and a whole lot more that I didn't make it to because I was so tired from walking around. They also had Nintendo, FUBU (WTF Americans don't even like that anymore and isn't it For Us By Us meaning black people?)
,a music store with old school artists(Method Man, old Mary, 50 Cent, etc), and some other oldies but goddies that I can't remember. I was constantly like, " oh wow, they have that here?".I'm going back again, when I can buy something other than a face mask. Face mask are heavily worn here in Korea. It's supposed to protect you from outside germs, even though it's cloth, or your germs from the outside if you're sick. I bought one because when it's cold, it keeps you warm with your breath(I know how that sounds.lol).
Until next time, anyong hi kaseyo/Goodbye!

Random stuff plus another black event

I need a tip drill!!

So let's start this post with another "Thats So Korean" item 2014. So as I was riding the train to the Brother and Sisters in South Korea event I noticed this ad and figured I just had to take a photo. I don't know what in the world this little Korean ad with a broccoli character could possibly be talking about but, I do know they have taken this scene from Nelly's "Tip Drill" cideo which caused much uproar in the AUC and in Hip Hop communities everywhere. In the "Tip Drill" video, Nelly is singin that it must be a girl's ass b/c it's not her face that caught his attention. The uproar comes in when he swipes his credit card through a woman's ass cheeks insinuating that he was pimping her or getting money from her ass. The reason this was such a big problem in the AUC was because the star of this scene was a student from Spelman. Spelman banned this video from being viewed on their campus after word got out. Anyway, I am still trying to figure out what does broccoli and pimping have in common. SO again, rather than ask why, I have simply opted for the thats so Korean answer.

In other news... I absolutely love my computer and modern technology. I am able to watch clear movies a day after they come out in the states on my laptop, google any question that pops across my mind, check my bank balance, shop for whatever it is I need at the moment and purchase it from anywhere in the world, find directions, reviews and current events online, exercise at exercisetv.com with free various videos, research a topic to prepare for my class, look for a job, apply for a job, study Korean, french or any other lesson I desire, keep in touch with old friends on facebook.com, plan/book a vacation, view a how to blah blah blah on Youtube, keep friends posted by updating my blog, talk to/view my hubby on skype! Speaking of hubby, heres a picture of him here. Miss you!



Moving right along... So the Bro and Sis of Korea event was great yet again. We all gathered at "The Hive" in Itaewon to eat, drink, smoke hookah, and watch Chris Rock's Good Hair Movie. Man did it spark up discussion. We had to get booted out or we would have continued all night. I didn't come with high hopes because I've honestly been tired of the good hair/bad hair conversation but, I must say it took a different angle. It was so Great once again like 30 black people in Korea speaking on the black community. it was fun too. I think my favorite part of korea is the Brother and siters group. it's funny because you think coming from Atlanta I would be used to it, but black people unite when we apart from our comfort zone. Anyway I absolutely love it. I'm going to try to bring this idea home with me.



spoken word guy



After that some of us went our seperate ways. Me and the same two girls from last weekend's events went to an upscale indian restaurant. I didn't eat and I forgot to take pictures of their food. I took a bite and it was delish but, It didn't look like anything spectacular. I will try it again in a few weeks.

indian food

Well, B.D.B.D.B.D thats all folks!!!! dah dah dah dah dah dah dah!
Anyonghikaseyo!