Beauty On Board

I have been on quite a number of long-haul flights in my life. And despite my occasional motion sickness, I have learned a few tricks and tips to make my air-time a bit more enjoyable. One of these ways is to have an in-flight regime. 

I know... It sounds a bit excessive. But hear me out. 

The idea of sitting in a cramped space for an extended period of time isn't what I necessarily think of as being a "good time". Add the dry, recycled air that wreaks havoc on my skin and sitting on my tush for hours on end becomes a bit too much at times. Creating a mini spa-experience makes the whole flight much better. The best part? It only takes a few key components. 

1. Hydration 

This not only includes some of the products I apply but also with drinking water. I still have to make quite an effort to drink water on flights. I usually gravitate towards a ginger ale to combat the motion sickness/indigestion but I have forced myself to always ask for water alongside any other beverage I request. 

2. Moisturization

During my recent trip to Cambodia, I snapped a photo of the products I used as part of this "in-flight beauty regime". 

-If I am wearing makeup on the plane, the first step is to remove the makeup. I usually use a makeup wipe on flights for the convenience. 

-Then I use a toner/mist. My current choice: Avene Eau Thermale, a gentle, soothing thermal water spray. 

-Next, eye cream. I love this travel-size one, Origins GinZing. 

-Then, I apply a mask. This may sound ridiculous to some but luckily, this specific one, once applied, looks like a regular moisturizer. I love the Origins Drink-Up Intensive Overnight Mask. I put a layer all over my face and it somehow magically seals in moisture. 

-Lastly, I apply a moisturizing lip balm, currently, Smith's Rosebud Salve. This particular balm can be used as a cuticle cream and I even put it on the back of my hands as a moisturizer. 

3. Entertainment 

I have learned that having something to occupy you during a flight makes the time go by faster. I usually download a good book onto my Kindle prior to the flight. And I obviously browse through the movies/shows available on the plane. 

4. Snacks 

Hunger + motion sickness = AWFUL. Trust me, I know from experience. So I try to bring with me a few snacks, candy, gum. (Mints or gum helps with motion sickness.) 

Hope these tips help! Happy flying! 

Cambodia in my heart

Long time! It has been too long. Despite my new years resolution to blog more, I haven't done a very good job at it. 

Since ringing in the new year, I have been settling into my life here in Korea, traveled to Cambodia, gotten sick (with a trip with the emergency room), had a few dinner parties, lunched with my aunt, welcomed my parents back from a long trip. 

But of all that, Cambodia has been on my mind and in my heart. 

Prior to going to Cambodia, I had watched the documentary, Nefarious and was heartbroken at the realization of the prevalence and severity of human trafficking.  In preparation for our trip, we watched a documentary called The Pink Room. Having my eyes opened to child sex trafficking left me with a heavy heart and a fear for what I would see and feel in Cambodia. I went to Cambodia with a heavy but expectant heart but I had not been prepared to be blown away. And to utterly fall in love with the country. 

Cambodia. A country that has captured my heart. 

Here's a photo-log of the trip (warning: it's going to be a long one!) 

I went with a team of 16 members from back "home". I was eager to be reunited with friends from home and was especially glad I was able to host them for their layover in Seoul. It felt like a dream to have all of them here in Korea. 

All crowding over the wifi password

Reunited and it feels so good! 

포장마차-style 

After a 6 hour flight, we landed in Phnom Pehn International Airport and made our way to our hotel. 

Arriving at our hotel late at night

Day 1 (Saturday) - After arriving late Friday night, Saturday morning, we had breakfast, got ready and headed out to visit The Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng to learn about the history of Cambodia and the Khmer people. (The Killing Fields are a number of sites in Cambodia where mass killings occurred and where people were buried by the Khmer Rouge regime. Tuol Sleng is a site which was a former school that was turned into a prison and interrogation center.) 

Daily ritual: breakfast at the hotel = 2 sunny-side eggs + 3 toast + coffee 

Tuk tuks: our mode of transportation

Choeung Ek aka The Killing Fields

A very tourity moment

We had lunch at Daughters Cafe, a favorite spot for the team. The cafe is a beautiful respite and the food is delicious. 

Khmer iced coffee!

Tuol Sleng 

Day 2 (Sunday) - We visited a local church. Vibrant, welcoming, overflowing with love and joy. 

Tuning in

Days 4-5 (Tuesday and Wednesday) - We partnered with a local organization called Hard Places Community and during the mornings, our team prepared various stations on different children's books (Charlotte's Web, The Giving Tree, The Very Hungry Caterpillar just to name a few). We told them stories, taught them songs and did activities with the children at Punlok Thmey. 

Prep time! 

"Not a box!" 

The Very Hungry Caterpillar 

The Giving Tree

In the afternoons, we dispersed to various locations throughout the city for Kids' Club with HPC. 

One of the days, a few of the team members and I decided to go out during the evening hours. We were shocked by the contrast of day and night in Phnom Pehn. Light and dark. The same exact riverfront where we had play games and sang songs with the young children, at night, became a flashing signboards 

"Dark is light you. Depths are height to you." 

Day 6 (Thursday) - We had Soccer Club with the kids from the centers. 

That afternoon, after returning from Soccer Club, the staff of HPC surprised our team with a farewell party! We were overwhelmed by their love and generosity and I will never forget that day. 

Day 7 (Friday) - We worked with another organization, XP Missions and we visited a small village in the slums. We played games with the children, jumped rope with them, made balloon animals, did face-painting for them, sang songs. Some of the team members went around the village and took family portraits and were able to print the photos for them. 

Day 8 (Saturday) - Our last day was a "free" day. Some of us started it off by going to the Russian Market for noodles for breakfast. I had been wanting to try it all week so I was excited to finally get to. 

To those who supported our team, thank you. Without your support, we could not have gone. 

To my HPC brothers and sisters, you are an incredible group of people. You are such an inspiration and encouragement to us. 

Cambodia, you are in my heart and in my prayers. Hope to be back soon. 

Resolutions

With each passing year, I find more meaning in ringing in the new year and having the opportunity to start afresh, to take a look back and give thanks but to also look ahead with renewed anticipation.

And I find myself reflecting even more about what I want to focus on this particular year being in a new country, in a new year. 

I spent my New Years Eve with family here. I was especially eager to be reunited with my grandmother and greeted her with a big bear hug. We reminisced on the past, my relatives telling me how much I have changed and how they didn't imagine Y & I would find ourselves living here in Korea! We exchanged our hopes and wishes. We enjoyed dinner together intermingled with glasses of red wine and topped it all off with a delicious cheesecake to celebrate my grandmother's birthday. 

On New Year's Day, we invited my relatives to our place. We had 떡국 (dduk gook - a Korean dish traditionally eaten on New Years), played 윷놀이, made california rolls for dinner and then went to watch a movie altogether (one that I bawled my eyes out in... it's a good thing we took a picture before the movie). 

I cherish these moments. The laughter, the tears, the conversations, the silence. And look forward to many more moments like this. And with that, I share with you my resolutions for 2015. 

A new year, a new season

Long time! I can't believe it's already been over two weeks since I arrived here in Korea. It was a whirlwind getting here. Let me just say, packing up your life is not easy, physically but mainly emotionally. I found myself getting tearful at the most unexpected times but I embraced even those tears as part of the "journey". Thanks to the help of many friends, I was able to pack up my things, say my goodbyes and got myself on a plane. 

Accompanied by my beautiful passport case (thanks Y!) and Tina Fey's hilarious and insightful Bossypants 

Seoul, the city that truly never sleeps

After 20+ hours of travel and a bout of motion sickness, I was thrilled to get off that plane and to be reunited with my husband after two months of being apart. He greeted me with a cute sign he had made. With my three heavy luggage bags, we arrived at our new (and very empty!) apartment! 

The husband had a big bowl of 육개장 waiting for me at home! 

They say, Home is where the heart is. And my heart is where my family is. But with my family so far apart, my heart has been torn. When I was in the States, I missed my parents and my husband. Now that I'm in Korea, I miss my brother, my babies (Laila and Emmy), my friends and my church. 

The first few days here, I think my body was not yet ready to admit that I was no longer in the States and it only craved American food. So the first day, I had a sub sandwich. And then the following day, I had eggs benedict at brunch. 

First weekend in Korea? Brunch, of course. @Suji's in Itaewon 

Date night with the husband. Tacos @Vatos in Itaewon. 

Though I miss "home" while I try to make this new place my home, I am choosing to embrace this new season and make the most of it. The next weekend here, Y and I took the train down and made a trip down to my parents'. It was a relaxing and refreshing time full of good eats with my parents. 

Snow covered fields in the countryside 

My mom's sandplay therapy room 

Food, glorious food. 

Interestingly enough though, we weren't able to spend Christmas with family. Christmas isn't as "hyped up" here in Korea as it is back in the States. But regardless, we spent Christmas Eve with my cousin and her kids and we spent a meaningful Christmas going to a joint service and walking around the heart of the city. 

With my unni

The packed streets of Myeongdong on Christmas day!

Yesterday, I was able to reconnect with my good friend J from college. We talked about how it's funny that it's easier for us to meet here all the way in Korea than when we are both on the East Coast! Good friends are such treasures and I cherish these moments.

Having some bingsoo in Korea is a given. 

A brisk walk with J&J along the Hangang

Thank you for your patience while I got settled in. You can look forward to many more adventures! 

Merry Christmas

I apologize for having been MIA as of late but I promise to get back into the swing of things here in Korea. But for now, in the holiday spirit, I want to wish you all...