I didn’t comprehend just how taxing the past week was until I realized I became a bit of a potato on Sunday. I originally planned to climb 수락산 (Mt. Suraksan), but after a 3 hour Skype session late into the night, I knew that wasn’t going to happen. Instead, I spent the day finally attempting to sketch out a reasonable itinerary for Japan. I would say it looks exciting, but why would you listen to someone who’s clearly biased? I’ll let you decide whether or not it was awesome after blogging about it.

Somehow Sunday blended into Monday and I already found myself rushing through my day to run last minute errands in lieu of going to class (whoops). However, it was quite okay one of my big errands was to meet up with my host family over lunch to just discuss my living situation and how I would probably approach the year. We meet around 여의도 (Yeouido) one of the more important looking centers of Seoul. For good reason, too, as you walk about the Manhattan-esque buildings give way to large financial centers and banks as well as government buildings. My host mom happens to work for one of the large banks around. Huh…

My first impression became me just appreciating their taste in good food as they took me to a nice little Pho place. Two thumbs up. Always it was awesome to have some nicely made beef in a while rather than grounded 불고기 and such. Over the lunch, we talked about their other kids, whom are much older than and married with children, their jobs, and their daily routines. Since I was going to actually have a legitimate schedule of my own this time around, ours happened to blend really well. It was always fun because although they poked fun at some of my Korean, they helped me practice a more natural sounding manner.

Following some smoothies, both my host mom and host dad had to go back to running their errands. My host sister, 희주 (Heejoo), took me around Yeouido since it was my first time in the area. We just talked about her life and her plans. She actually escaped the stress ride that is Korean high school since she’s been living in the States for high school and college in New York City (HOLLA!). Despite getting to know her a bit more than her parents, I would have to say good-bye real soon since she would leave to start her sophomore year while I would still be hanging around Japan. Well it was fun anyway as we basically goofed off and she taught me more about the way twenty-somethings rationalize their social lives in Korea.

I found myself in 인사동 (Insadong) again, trying to secure tickets for one special thing in Japan that I will reveal after I visit it. However, it was a real struggle to find over the internet. I spent a good hour there trying to make my situation work out. Luckily, an 아저씨 brought some 토끼들 (rabbits) who were just bunny-ing around me helped me relax a ton.

I took a nice trek to Dongdaemun, where I would practice a bit before meeting up with Tim for the last time in Seoul. Instead of the generic route, I took the shadier part of 을지로 (Euljiro) to see what it was like. Although not nearly as shady as some parts of the States, I definitely would say it is easy to see how many Koreans actually just take one day at a time and get by on very little. Something unique to area was its propensity of window making shops. There was practically one every block.

Tim and met up after my practice and we tried and failed to find this one Spanish restaurant people were raving about online. One of the problems with Korean addresses is people don’t use them. It feels like Costa Rica all over since, everybody uses distances from subway station exits, as opposed to landmarks as in Costa Rica, in order to get around everywhere. In turn, directions flat out suck. We went to a hole in the wall for guaranteed cheap, tasty food. The expectations were met and stomachs satisfied. We bubble tea-ed it up for one last time before saying our last farewell in Seoul. It was a fantastically bro moment.

Tuesday, I actually went to class, although I slightly regret it because to say it was anything more than boring would be a lie. Well, at least after class, I managed to pack up things I would send home the next day and get rid of things I no longer needed from my room. The errand filled day left me wanting a bit more out of my dinner, so I met up with Kelsey and Patty to try and find another place people raved about, this time traditional Korean. This time around Daum Maps actually told me we were in the right location, but the restaurant was not to be seen. In lieu of traditional Korean, we went for modern American at a bar that stood in its place. The selling point was they used cheese that wasn’t just American. After getting my burger, I was happy camper, especially for its cheap price. The place was a pleasant surprise, and definitely quirky, as they had a stress meter for which beer was right for your level, and cocktail menu for exactly how promiscuous you were feeling.

We got honey ice cream afterwards to end the night. Honey ice cream to me seemed just like pretty good soft serve. I’d say go for it.

Ah, the 수료식 (course completion ceremony) finally arrived. We ran through a gamut of highlight videos, scholarship awards, singing and dancing performances, and catered food. Ewha tried to keep us all happy on the final day. It was actually kind of sweet as the level 6 students were finally done their Korean language school journey and they were wishing a happy farewell in their 한복 attire. My class goofed off and selfie-ed it up after our meal but we all took turns saying goodbye to 김선생님 (Prof. Kim) since she was a bad-ass. She made the semester so bearable with her relevant tangents during class. I definitely knew I was going to miss her.

Well, package shipped, bags packed, and blog updated. All that’s left now is for me to check out and board a flight to Osaka. Seoul, you were something special but you know we still have some time to grow from each other. But right now, it’s time for me to check out a country that shaped my childhood through anime–Japan, let’s go!