As I've said before, I'm not crazy about the cold. Yes, I'm from New England, but no, I don't really ski, so winter for me is about the first magical snow (just one please, that's enough) and then of course the oh so mature Christmas countdown. Sometimes January and February can leave me in a kind of funk. But this really hasn't been the case in Korea.
This year I didn't dread January. Maybe it's because I spent the beginning of the month on the beach in Thailand. Or perhaps it's my Korea bucket list I am excited to complete before leaving in March. It might also be the awesomely optimistic and adventurous people I have met in my travels.
A few Sundays ago I pulled myself out of my cozy apartment and rallied a few friends to meet downtown and try a 'healing bar' I had eyed advertisements for a few nights before while waiting for the bus. I couldn't think of anything better to scare away the gloomy and cold end-of-weekend-blues. The funky cafe was tucked away on the top floor of a quiet building. The name intrigued me most. "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice!" My friends giggled as we ascended the stairs toward a sunny and healthier state.
Although the cafe was empty and one lone worker eyed us curiously, we made ourselves at home and took time carefully deciding which fruity/vegetable concoction to try. I chose a pomegranate based drink while my friends chose mango and avocado. We ooed and awed as the juice bar worker simultaneously produced all three drinks at once. As the blenders purred and spun brightly colored liquids around it instantly felt like a summer day in Uijeongbu.
Sometimes you have to get creative. Winter is here to stay, and I know I don't love it but it also makes me appreciate summer that much more. You have to stay creative and curious during the winter months. And make sure you recruit outgoing companions to stick with you throughout. Plus, having my two friends with me at Beetlejuice allowed me to try two other delicious juices. Who knew avocado could make a fantastic drink?
Devan Meserve, a New Hampshire native and St. Lawrence University alum, decided that after two successful post college years living and working in Boston she was primed for exploration beyond the East Coast. With encouragement from friends and family and Aclipse’s expert advice she landed an instructor position with Chungdahm April English. Devan is loving life in Uijeongbu: she is continuously impressed and entertained by her young students and spends her free time following Anthony Bourdain’s advice, “I’m a big believer in improvising and getting lost.”
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