ROOTS DOWN!

Today something wonderful happened!

In August this summer, I had put some of the broken branches of my Pachira Aquatica tree —one of my living space's inhabitants since coming to Korea— into a glass of water after they broke off while I was cleaning. Once in a while I checked whether the branches would start growing roots or not. I know it's possible to propagate plants and make them grow roots after they are put in water, such as mint and many other room plants. 

After many months without any visible result, I didn't check anymore but kept on refilling the glass of water, since the leaves were still very green. 

And today!!!! Today, I was wondering why those branches are still green and when I checked the water, I surprisingly saw these long roots sprouting out. I already know I'm a sucker for plants and nature in general and I also know it sounds silly, but I felt really HAPPY! Something has found the power to root down despite initially having no big chances of survival! It was as if that plant was me, after coming to Korea: empty handed without even knowing Hangeul, building everything from scratch, and slowly starting to put down roots and be able to survive in a harsh and competitive environment. 

People, similar to plants, have this great ability: to grow roots and build new life even with nothing but the basics! Cheers to all those learning how to survive in whatever circumstances encountered!

My qumquat tree, which I have been growing from seed right after coming to Korea, is still doing well. However, I have given up all hope on ever seeing fruit on my little, super slow growing tree. After receiving my love, I can't believe you only grew 20cm in the past 3 years and half!!! :O My coffee plant needs a lot of water and is steadily growing bigger but probably won't bear any beans either!

How wonderful life is, when you're...

able to keep plants alive!

Many plants have come and left... these are the die hards/sole survivors of a student's life and travelling!

My room is always sunny. Will miss this place a lot after moving in February! 
ㅠㅠ

Although I decided not to really celebrate Christmas this year, I still got a gift from my Secret Santa! Thanks to a very special person! Miss you, Jiyoung! Hope our paths will cross again this year, girl! :)

ADIEU 2014, WELCOME 2015!

It's 2015, a new year and time for some intro- and retrospection!

2014 was the year of many first times! First time being held back at the Airport for passport problems (Gosh, wrong information on the embassy's website!!!); first time real solo travelling without any planning! Not a good idea but glad it all turned out well in the country of mango, white beaches and everlasting rice fields; and the first time having year '88 friends announcing they are expecting babies. Yep, it has officially begun!

In the meantime, I've finished my coursework. So, what's left now is 'only' that thesis, which seems to be a (very) long project. Again, some good friends have graduated and left Korea. Miss you both a lot, Lili and Luis! We will meet again fur sure, hopefully this year!

I was happy to be reunited with my family and friends in Belgium and Ireland this summer, after two years of no homecoming. A lot has changed in the city where I grew up and studied. Still, somehow it felt as if I had never left. My cat is already 14 years old but active as never before. It made me believe that cats do have multiple lives!

And I finally kept my promises and visited long time friends, who I failed to meet again in the past 8 years. Thank you so much Denise, My and Huong for proving that friendships can overcome time! 

Another great year spent in Seoul, with ups and downs, but always with the support of my lovely friends. Thank y'all! Let's make 2015 another great year in Kimchiland! 

Love, Lara

Last year's 2013 in retrospect! :)

Looking back at how 2013 was for me, I would say it was unforgettable in many good and bad ways! This year I was able to (re)meet amazing people while travelling to Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and Indonesia. Many of these people have left a lasting impression within me and some have also become really wonderful friends. I like living in Seoul and I'm grateful towards the people who have always supported me. I've become very much accustomed to the Korean way of living (even the spicy KIMCHI!), in a way it makes me somehow a little nervous when thinking about having to leave in the end. However this doesn't mean I haven't missed home! It's a cliche, and therefore it bears some truth: the longer you stay away, the more you come to realize what is important and what is not. How you may turn it, having family and friends who support you unconditionally might be one of the most important things in life. And some of the friends I held very dear have either left South Korea, drifted away, or have left without a warning... Having family and friends to miss, isn't it a bittersweet feeling?! In the past year, my Korean has improved, however I feel frustrated since it's not good enough and it will never be... Forgetting (for a second) about the struggles of writing decent papers in Korean, I agree that the Korean language is amazing, not only because of its richness in sounds and expressiveness but also because of its level of difficulty! Hopefully 2013 has brought y'all plenty of amazing memories to cherish and I hope 2014 will be even better! Cheers! x Lara