I got Seoul!

Hey friends and family!

I arrived safely in Seoul just last night. I'm staying at my mother's friend's house until the 30th or 31st... I'm not quite sure yet.

Today, I'll be meeting family friends at 2:00PM and then I'll meet up with Hye Jin unny at 6:00. She's going to stay the night. Tomorrow, we're going to visit our friends at the Korea National Sport University. I'm really excited for that because so many of Korea's top elite athletes come from that University. BUT... when it comes to female recurve archery, Keimyung University always does much better than KNSU. (I think I've already developed quite a bit of school spirit!)

So, I'll be taking the subway to get around today. You may not know this, but the Seoul subway system is simply incredible! I used to think Toronto's TTC was pretty awesome but MAN, I was wrong. In my opinion, we have a lot of ground to make up when it comes to public transportation. When you're in Seoul, all you need is a public transport card and you're good to go. Chances are there's a subway station so close to your destination that the furthest you'll have to walk is a couple blocks.


click to enlarge

The thing is, you'll have to carefully plan your way through the spider web-like routes.

I will catch up with you in Daegu! Love you!

-v.

Happy New Year!

I've been incredibly tired since coming back from the ski and snowboard trip. I took a bunch of pictures and even took some video of my friends going down the slopes but haven't had a chance to put it all together in one easy-to-watch YouTube video. So, I guess it's time for a good ol' fashioned BLOG... with typing! ahhhh!!!

Training today was... AMAZING! My coach and I started to focus more on the right side (drawing side) of my technique and it's amazing how quickly everything came together. My shots felt so smooth, like slicing through a warm stick of butter!

Oh, I forgot to mention this a couple of weeks ago. But ever since my January 5th (The Aftermath) video, we have been running 10 laps and weight training every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It became a regular thing! Gosh, it's no wonder why I have such a huge appetite. My roommate calls me her little pig.

Monday, the 26th, is 설날... (seolnal) or Lunar New Year. It's comparable to Christmas in North America. So for the New Year, we get a one-week holiday!

After practice tomorrow morning, I'll be going to Busan, where I'll stay with my relatives until the 28th. Then, I'll meet my roomate, Hye Jin unny, in Seoul (the capital of South Korea) where I'll visit my mom's friends as well as some archery coaches I know at the Korea National Sport University (KNSU). This is actually the school of one of my favourite archers, Im Dong Hyun. It's too bad he graduated in December because his coach promised me that we would meet. I guess I'll just have to wait until the tournaments roll around in March and April.

When I get back, I will very busy posting pictures and videos from our ski trip, time spent with family in Busan, and my time in Seoul with family friends, Hye Jin unny, and friends at the KNSU.

Take care and I will talk to you soon! =)

A quick (and very boring) update!

See you in a couple days!

Fun times! =D

Here's a pretty cooky (head 가 빙빙) video. We work hard but we have fun too.

Jang Hye Jin

So it has become a little difficult making videos. I think I'm running out of ideas. But from now on, I'll just make an update when I have something to update about. haha makes sense, I guess!

Shooting has been very good. I can feel that my body is adapting to the huge number of arrows we're shooting everyday. I'm getting a lot stronger very quickly and my shot is much easier to execute.

So this may be my last video for a while. The last thing I want to do is to make a boring video. But be sure to check back soon because there's always something new and I'm sure I'll have ideas in the near future.

The Adventure

Today, we went hiking up a mountain with the Dongbu High School boys. It was very difficult and quite steep but the feeling of accomplishment was worth it. I am VERY tired right now and I should probably get to bed.

zzz...

see ya!

p.s. the video quality is very low. If you'd like to, you can watch the video in high quality by clicking on the YouTube image on the bottom right corner of the video. You'll be redirected to YouTube, where you can click "watch in high quality" under the bottom right corner of the video.

January 9, 2009

So this week has been pretty 정신없어 and my mind has been all over the place. So here's a very scattered video with a bunch of pictures and a short clip of my form. It'll probably be the last clip of my form that I post, though.

I'll have to make another video sometime this weekend because... tomorrow, we're going on an adventure! You'll have to wait and see what kind of adventure it is!

Hope you're all doing well.

Vanessa.

The 6th of January

Here's yet another video, probably my last one for just a few days. I don't want to over-do it.
Sorry, the photos are from last week.. I haven't been taking many photos this week.

Two birds, one stone.

Video #1: My Morning Walk

(There's a glitch later on in the video.. the sound stops)



Video #2: The Aftermath




So, I have internet in my room now! I'll be able to post regularly. But I still haven't decided what "regular" means. Everyday? Maybe every other day. I think I'm posting a lot lately because everything is still so new to me. But I don't know if I can make interesting videos every other day for the entire time I'm here.

hmmm... I'm so happy I have internet now! YAHOOOOO!!! The world of the English language is infinite through the beauty of the World Wide Web!

Appa, Umma, Stephanie Unny, and Princess Ellie:
I miss you. But I'm having the time of my life. Thank you for this amazing opportunity. I can't say thank you enough, but I'm sure you know how much I appreciate everything. I'll be saying thank you forever.

Archery friends:
WHATS UP!!! I hope you guys are all shooting well and enjoying the winter break. Specifically to Alana, I'm using your strings very well and Melissa, everyone loves the t-shirt! JD, I'm taking unbelievably detailed notes... and to the Arcands, I have absolutely everything I need...thank you! I hope you have a very happy birthday, Crispin. Sorry I can't mention everyone... but know that I'm always thinking about you all. Let's all make 2009 a year of awesome shooting!

23:
See you on the blog!

It's been... ONE WEEK!

Wow, I've been updating a lot, eh? It's just been so hectic and crazy, that I want to tell everyone all the details. This video was from yesterday.

I think my posts won't be so frequent when things start to settle down. Not that I don't want to post frequently, I just don't want to talk about things that aren't very important or interesting.

Stephanie Unny, I miss you very very much. I miss Appa and Umma and Ellie too! Thank you for being the best sister ever and supporting me through everything. I hope my bed is sufficient as your second (or third) closet and I hope that you realize you love my out-of-tune singing. I tried to do handstands for you! Miss you and love you! <3