Finals Week

I had four finals on my last week in Seoul. I HAD FOUR FINALS! One on Tuesday, two on Thursday, and one on Friday, to be completely honest with you, I lost all hopes in my classes after the midterm week. As long as I don’t fail I’m fine!

I mean come on I leave on Saturday (December 21, 2013), so it is only natural I go out every night of this week! It was the last week and studying hard for 2 or 3 days for a class I haven’t listened to a word in will not make a difference in my grade in my classes.

Basically, we always kept it very casual the whole time staying in Sinchon. Causal drinking is the name of the game! We drank in all the hofs that we could around Sinchon! All the flavored soju and Makguli! These are Korean liquor, so it’s like a cultural experience… Isn’t it? Most of the time, it was small groups of people about five to seven people every night from Monday to Wednesday. As the days went on and got closer to the departing days, the conversations got sadder and the places we casually go to got more special and intimate. We all know how much this trip meant to all of us and how special these people are to each and every one of us.

Wednesday was special. My cousin, Sung, came to Korea! It was brief seeing him for lunch, but having a little bit of family over was what I needed. Later that day, Kyle, Eljay, Francis, and I went for a swim in the Olympic pool in Korea! It wasn’t a long swim because we took our sweet time getting there, but it is another one off my bucket list, so I’m happy. After the swim, it was another night of drinking, but not just any drinking. It was Boys’ Night! Time to turn up! A detour stop at the street food market Francis knew about and ate there, but I got a little sick afterwards. Best cure for that I guess is soju! It was a night I felt tested our loyalty and friendship of the boys! I am really happy with all the boys and the boys who came out to Boys’ night!

The next day, Thursday (December 19, 2013), the greatest cap off to our trip, it was a birthday party. If you read any of the previous posts, it is clear that we get crazy and buck wild for birthdays. For me, it was much more special; it was Yujin’s birthday! Yujin has been my buddy for this program, and she will remain a special person for the rest of my life! She’s helped me, and I have helped her, and it was fantastic celebrating her birthday. We started with our unveiling of our Secret Santa before dinner. I got the greatest gift ever! Christina (my Santa) gave me Christmas shorts, which are something I talked to her about without knowing she was my Santa! I wanted them because I am going to be somewhere hot for Christmas, so why not! (and hey gurl! I wear that shit everyday!)

After the exchange was over, we headed out to Ashley’s for dinner! Unlimited wine and a buffet, how could this dinner go wrong? All of us were taking pictures and getting together and cheering and eating and drinking, and when we got to a good place in our drunk meter or they closed so we had to leave, we headed out to Hongdae via subway singing Christmas carols for one of our last nights of partying together. We were on our way to (wait for it) Cocoon! There were several detours on the way though, we stopped by Ho bar for a birthday shot for the birthday girl, and we went by to M2 in hopes of free cover, but no gold. I’ve been meaning to go to Cocoon for a long time so it was awesome to go. It was great, but we felt we weren’t drunk enough yet, so we got our wristbands and left for a hof. I arrived a little later with Sung (He joined me for this mess). By the time Sung and I got there, the food was out and the drink we on the table! After couple drinks, someone thought it was a good idea for a nice sentimental moment. This is bad. We talked about the experience we had in Seoul and what it has meant to us, and next thing you know, we all ended up in tears. As each person went down the line to talk no one could hold it in, except Catherine. (Bahaha) I remember crying in Papa Francis’s arms because I was just way too sad about leaving my family. We solidified that we are not just friends here, we are a family, and I believe that with my whole heart! When the waterworks was over, it was time to kill Cocoon. I left everything on that dance floor, and I think it is safe to say everyone did too. All the feelings of leaving, grief, sadness didn’t matter to me at that moment. What mattered to me is that I am here in Korea with a special group of friends who love me and that I love, and we are doing what we do best together!

Most people left us at around 4am, but Yujin wasn’t done, so neither were Sung, Kyle, and me. we stayed out with Jager Bombs and gin and tonic. Came home at 6am, and my last final was in 4 hours.