This Time in Seoul

Today is the day before the great celebration of the Lantern Festival. I spotted these honorable monks near Jogyesa Temple this afternoon. This is a celebration of the The Buddha’s birthday and I thank The Buddha for the lighting the pathway that leads those who chose Buddhism to know God’s grace. Whether you are Buddhist, Baptist or Hindu I hope that you celebrate the light that surely flows through you each and every day, the light of Life and Creativity. I love the way that these Buddhist monks moved through the streets, steadfast and true…

Please, have something to drink and eat:

I want to reach out to you so that I may, hopefully, go forth fearlessly on several new projects. Really, I’d just like to ask you this question: Do you ever get tired of traveling and/or not really knowing what you’re going to do next while everyone else “seems” to be doing what they were born to do?
I know that looks can be deceiving and that probably everyone is trying to figure their lives out even though they may look cool as a cucumber and quite safe and secure in their careers, personal lives, etc.

As you know, I am a photographer and I also teach English as a means to put rather cushy sums of money in la banque de Felicia for future projects (books, better cameras, etc.) I do “seem happier when I’m abroad” as a friend just called and said to me, but I would also like to have a base somewhere stateside or at least in a country where I wouldn’t have to give my first born child as a downpayment on a nice little cottage by a lake. I could live in so many places, Italy (will go there this summer to learn beginner’s Italian as well as take cooking courses), Thailand, hell, even my native Virginia, although I wouldn’t know what to do in Virginia for a creative living.

If you’re a traveler, a free-spirit like myself, how do you make peace with the life you’ve chosen, when it seems so much easier, cozier to live close to friends and family you’ve known most of your life?

Very very soon, I will step out on faith and become a full time photographer. If I must teach English as a means to keep the money rolling in, I want to only do so part-time.

Your thoughts, opinions, advice will be very welcomed and respected.

Thank you for your time.

P.S. Here’s your menu:
Mugwort steamed rice cake (it’s delicious, really)
Omija tea (great for your liver and is perfection on the palate)
Pumpkin seeds, apricot
Pumpkin tea, mixed with crushed ice (Heaven)

Don’t worry, it’s on me.

Seriously considering Buddhism these days.
During one of my last days in Thailand, I visited the Indian market to pick up some more gorgeous sarongs and floor length dresses. Feeling oh so hungry (when wasn’t I feeling this way?) I found this gentleman creating offerings in front of the food stall I was investigating. He looked so peaceful, so determined amidst all the traffic whizzing by him, the calls from nearby kiosk owners, etc. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. I loved the color of his skin, similar to my own and his hands…how he created beautiful offerings made of various types of flowers, all the while balancing a cigarette. Quels yeux!

They were so graceful, sometimes as serious as life itself and as happy as children.
More color, more warmth.

Women rule the world, we all know this and it was no different in The Floating Market, women cook, women provide, women negotiate, they TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS, the business of life itself. I can only imagine the myriad of things that these women know, all that they’ve experienced in this life so far. I look at these photos and think of the women in my family. Some of these and other Thai women I met either resembled the splendid women in my family, physically or by the way they looked at me. It was strange, but comforting. It also reminded me that I’d better learn how to cook with a quickness.

I’m ready to provide.

Thank you Great Spirit! I have witnessed so many wonders: wonderful people, wonderful heat and please, WONDERFUL FOOD! 

I’m back in Seoul (still cold) but the heat and joy of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, etc. is still within and on me! I am workin’ my tan to death! Had the scrumptious brown-skinned Thai men oohing and ahhing! Oh, yes honey! Real chocolate comin’ through! Ha!

I will supply the next couple of days, weeks with photos and insights about all that I saw and experienced.
What’s coming? Great shots of hotels, food, temples, COLOR! COLOR! COLOR! Will get on it as soon as I unpack!
I missed you guys and gals! 

Double Kisses (French ones, of course) 

Felicia 

As I was fearlessly and fiercely walking down the street, hair swaying in the wind, listening to Prince on the pod’ I thought to myself, “as much as I love Korea, I cannot stay another year here, not alone.” Yeah, I have a funny feeling that something greater is going to happen and soon. I can feel it down in my soul and it feels so good.

Do you know what I mean? 

It’s been a while since I’ve written anything about my Yoga Goddess. This past month, I don’t know why, but I’ve been having a little trouble getting to the studio. Earlier this month I preferred to leave work, run home, take a long shower and curl up with a book. Part of it was and still is my preoccupation of what my next step will be, especially here in Seoul.
Do I continue teaching full time when all that I want to do and be is work and be known as a talented photographer? Can I make a great living as a photographer here if I stay or elsewhere in the world? Do I take a chance and move back to the States to those that I love most and to someone that loves me?

Big question: What the hell will I do if and when I ever move back to the States? You see, I told you that I’ve been preoccupied. So, instead of attending class everyday like I’ve been doing for almost 5 months now, I’ve decided that this month I would attend 3 times a week. However this month I’ve been waking up at 4 30AM to do my sun salutations, stomach exercises, etc, to make up for being away from class and Yoga Goddess.

I guess this is just an ebb and flow time in my life. I’m asking myself some serious questions, the desire to be near people that I love is quite strong and opportunities for growth in my photography here are incredible! Life is flowing so well here that I think if I move, I may lose momentum.

Do any of you know of any techniques: meditation, deeper breathing, that may help me to answer these questions or better yet, let the answers come to me?

I thank you in advance. 

Just before I moved to Seoul, I lived in Alexandria, VA and worked in Washington, D.C. The difference in lifestyle is unbelievable as you may imagine.I met someone on a blind date just before I left and it turned out to be better than I’d expected.

Well…He called me on Valentine’s Day and we had quite a conversation. During our hour long conversation we talked about life, love, etc. He made me say some things out loud that I believe have been welling up inside my chest for awhile.

Anyone who knows me, reads this blog, hell, smiles at me, knows that I really love my life here in Seoul.The photography is opening doors, I see something incredible everyday when I walk down the street, smiles and kind eyes abound…, but, I need love. There, I said it.

Now, my phone call with E, briefly led me to think that I just needed a “quick fix” if you know what I mean, but that’s not what I need. Hell, sex is not a hot commodity. Sex is available for any woman. What I want is something deeper, something real, honest. 

Etta James sang it best: I want a Sunday kind of Love.This is exactly what I want.

Philippe, I’m still reeling from your email. I’m waiting to give you an honest, from my heart answer. You’ve got me shakin’ in my boots, kiddo.

So until my day comes, I’m going to love all that I am allowed to see, do, taste and feel.

I thank all of you for reading or commenting on this blog.You inspire me and help me to move forward.

Thank you. Thank Seoul.

I thank Mr. Kim for letting me come to aA yesterday and get some images.
This one is my favorite.
The chairs look as if they are having their own conversation.
I didn’t want to interrupt so I took a picture from afar.