The Liebster Blog Award ~share the Blogger love!
I slid my phone open the other morning to find a lovely surprise. I had a Facebook notification from friend of mine up in Seoul that she had nominated me for the Liebster Award. Tina (Hu's That Girl <-- Check out her blog!) is a fellow English teacher and travel/expat-experience blogger who inspires me in more ways than just travel writing. So, it was quite the honor and surprise that she thought of lil ol' me.
The Liebster Award is a way to get to know fellow bloggers and share, with others, the blogs that we love and follow. A quick lil interview (questions chosen by the nominators) and a few nominations of your own is all it takes to keep the award moving.
Tina's questions for me:
1. When you were little, what did you want to grow up to be?
An artist-actress-marine biologist-explorer-extraordinaire of course! And I'm happy to say that in my life, so far, I've touched on all four. Touched. Jack of all trades, master of none. haha
2. What was the first country you wanted to travel to?
I always grew up with Australia in the back of my mind. It's the nature and wildlife, especially the Great Barrier Reef, that drew me to it. (I can't believe that I've been fortunate enough to make my way there twice already. And a third time might be on the horizon!)
3. What WAS the first country you travelled to?
I was born and raised in the suburbs of Detroit so Canada has always been in my backyard. But my first real, overseas, experience came in the 4th grade when my family and I went to Scotland. My family has maintained a close relationship with our relatives in Scotland and we have managed to visit a few times since. I love it there and can't wait to go back again!
4. Peanut butter or Nutella?
Peanut butter. Not sure where this whole Nutella fad came from. It's good, yahh, buuuuuut... I crave peanut butter. Nomz.
5. Favourite Spice Girl and why?
I think it was a right of passage for every 90's girl and her group of friends to divvy-up which Spice Girl they were and perform. I was always Sporty Spice. I was definitely the tom-boy of my group and didn't mind the track pants and high pony tail that came along with the character. Sporty Spice FOREVER.
If ya wanna be my lover, ya gotta get with my friends...
If ya wanna be my lover, ya gotta get with my friends...
6. Did you have an imaginary friend and if so, who was s/he?
I did not have an imaginary friend...but, I did talk to my stuffed animals. I will freely admit that. haha! After Toy Story, I was never the same...
7. Are you still in touch with your first best friend from your childhood?
Yes! Joy moved in next door to me in the summer of 4th grade and we've been best friends ever since. We've been through a lot together (I was even Maid of Honor at her wedding!) and I miss her dearly. Being away from her and other friends and family is the one true downside to being an expat. (Obviously)
I feel like I've missed out on so much since I've been gone (The birth of her first born child especially!!!). But we talk almost every day and I know that whenever we see each other face to face we are able to pick up right where we left off. :)
I feel like I've missed out on so much since I've been gone (The birth of her first born child especially!!!). But we talk almost every day and I know that whenever we see each other face to face we are able to pick up right where we left off. :)
8. Favourite late night snack to binge on?
Taco Bell. No question. But, since Taco Bell isn't available in Daejeon (my current city in Korea), I'll settle for French fries: second best. I inhale them...and it ain't pretty.
9. What do you miss about home the most (other than people)?
Real, vegetarian, food options. (I miss Greek salads, falafel, tabbouleh, healthy veggie burgers, etc.)
Korea has definitely been a challenge for me in terms of weight management. I came to Korea in perhaps the best shape of my life. I was border-line vegan and ate little, to no, carbs. Then BOOM!: Korea. Communal dining, a lack of veggie-options, and the urge to try new things has set me back.
Korea has definitely been a challenge for me in terms of weight management. I came to Korea in perhaps the best shape of my life. I was border-line vegan and ate little, to no, carbs. Then BOOM!: Korea. Communal dining, a lack of veggie-options, and the urge to try new things has set me back.
I cook my own food as much as possible, but it's still difficult.
I'm excited to get back to my old diet. But, for now, I'm just going to enjoy myself and try all the new foods while I can!
10. Favourite way to waste time?
The Internet. I've never been so tied to technology as I am here in Korea. I bought my first smart phone here... ~I will never be the same.
11. What's your favourite spot in the current city/town you live in?
That's hard to say. I love a few different spots for different reasons. I love Old Downtown (Euhengdong) because of the big city feel built up from its tiny cafes, eclectic restaurants, art galleries, maekoli bars, and trendy underground shopping. A nice mesh of the old and new.
But, I also love to ride my bike around the Galma area because I feel like it's closer to the "real-Korea". Older apartments and actual home nestled in amoung the hills of hanbok shops and sparce English.
I nominate:
Lindsey Disharoon -The Belted Pear : A fabulous blog dedicated to travel, vintage, and (dare I say, vintage-travel!) fashion.
Lindsey Disharoon -The Belted Pear : A fabulous blog dedicated to travel, vintage, and (dare I say, vintage-travel!) fashion.
and
Leslie Finlay -Don't Stay Put : An incredible backpacking blog that inspires me to push the limits of my Asia-exploration.
Here are your questions:
1) What is one unconventional item that you can't travel without?
2) If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
3) What city do you feel the need to never visit again? Why?
4) What do you say to people when they ask: "Don't you want to settle down? Buy a house? Raise a family?" -give me your best one-liner
5) Favorite custom from a country you've visited?
6) What's the longest you've gone without showering? Travel or otherwise?
7) Favorite travel quote?
8) If you had a talk show, who would be your first guest?
9) Favorite movie quote?
10) If money and danger wasn't an issue, where is one place you would be curious to see/visit?
11) Which color do you identify with the most?: blue, green, or yellow Why?
~Answer the questions, nominate your fellow bloggers, and pass on the Liebster!
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