Winter

It's winter and I've been hibernating. This year is one of the coldest winters on record in South Korea, and with the snow, ice and freezing temperatures and my growing hate of that specific weather combination, I haven't done anything significant since mid-December and the plays, unless you count dreaming of winter's quick demise and a warm, colorful spring.

I have been somewhat productive, though. I have been published in Korea's Art Elemento, a hip culture magazine run by expats.  I wrote another short play, just for the fun of it, really. I celebrated Lunar New Year with family and friends last weekend. And I booked my trip to Australia this May. Other highlights include getting bangs again and buying an iPad. It's been a slow winter.

Of all those things, I am most excited about my upcoming trip. I've wanted to visit Australia for as long as I can remember, and now it's actually happening. I'll see Sydney - the Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach (among others, I'm sure), the Sydney Harbour Bridge. I'll check out markets, cafes, museums, the zoo, and more. I'll see the Great Ocean Road and check out Melbourne's cultural scene. I'll also see the Great Barrier Reef and relax in the Cairns lagoon. (Lagoon!)

I've still got a few months before I leave for my trip, and during that time, I'm really hoping Spring decides to show up. As of right now, it really feels like this might be the year winter decides to stick around indefinitely. I really hope not, because I'd really like to see the cherry blossoms this year. I caught the end of them my first year here, and was out of the country for it last year. I'd also like to travel down to Jindo for the Sea Parting Festival.

To warmer weather, springtime, skirts without tights, no more boots, flowers, sunshine, birds and butterflies.

And to places that look like this.