I only have 3 more days left in Korea and I'm using them to make sure that I say bye to everyone that I'm most going to miss. Leaving feels -- well, I'm honestly feeling too much to explain. I am so happy to be seeing my family and friends from home. Here, though, I've made so many friends from all around the world. I wonder what's the likelihood that I will see them again. I don't want to think like that but I've always been the kind of person who has to think about it all, not just the parts that I like thinking about.

Packing is going well, though it could be going better. I need to further condense. Yet, I'm ready to go. I have to make Monday and Sunday count. These are my last days to really say bye. I'm going to revisit my favorite places, take more pictures, and then rest for the Tuesday morning flight out of Korea.

I do plan to come back in 2014. I haven't shared this detail with my parents but they'll deal just fine. What I really want to do after graduation is work and travel. Maybe start in Asia (Japan) and work my way West. Only figuring out how to do this is tricky. 

2012 has been such a big year for me. It's been a great year. It's ending marks my last Fall semester ever as an undergraduate student and the ending of my Korean adventure. The future seems so...broad. Clearly, I'm scared but positive. I have plenty of pictures that I've taken of friends, the DMZ, palaces, food, etc. I hope it keeps this experience all the more alive for me when I'm back in the USA! 

 
 
 
 
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The statues that are outside the memorial show so many elements about the Korean War: the pain, the determination and will for survival, the desperation, the fear, and simply human resourcefulness.

Directions to the memorial are as follows: Go to Samgakji Station and take Exit 12, Subway Lines 4 and 6. You'll have to cross the street, depending on which exit you take. The walk is about 7 to 9 minutes if you're walking at a stroll-like pace. Address: 29, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

The grounds of the memorial are more than impressive. I can't even describe the feelings that I was hit with by actually just looking at the memorial the dozen of times I passed by it, so you know I can't describe what it feels like when I was actually there today on the grounds and within the building itself. There are so many things that I can write about this memorial but I only have to say this: Please, no more war on this peninsula ever again.

 
 
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lotte World is an amusement park that is pretty amazing. So, you take the Line 2 subway station, until you get to Jamsil. Exit at Jamsil and take Exit 3 to Lotte World, you can't miss the signs. When you're walking throughout the subway station to get to the outside park itself, you can't help but notice what other Lotte department stores, restaurants, or just stores unto themselves that are in the vicinity. It's nearing Christmas so everything is well lit and simply beautiful. You walk for about 5 to 10 minutes and then you see the outside park. Don't make the mistake like I did and go on a weekend (Saturday). You will wait in lines forever; yes, there are even longer lines in the INDOOR Lotte Amusement park facility. Adults are charged 15, 500 KRW. Students, I think, get in free but I had no way to prove that I'm a student. Whatever. You get on the rides, enjoy the food and other shopping that you may do. It's really great! I felt like a child getting on the rides and I definitely plan to go back on a weekday to just be a big kid for a single day.  

 
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This is South Korea during the fall. My home in South Carolina also has a beautiful fall season but not quite as picturesque as this. This park is the park you see before one enters Lotte World, the OUTDOOR amusement park. Fall in S. Korea (starting in November) is very cold to the point that it's chilly due to powerful winds. If you get a good scarf, some earmuffs (or a hat will do) that covers your ears, and some gloves, you'll survive. Also, layer your clothes. I find that I can't do much sight-seeing in November because the weather is mostly over-cast, though some days the sun will come out only for it to rain again. It rains and rains and rains in Incheon. Coupled with the wind, it's not exactly pleasant. Since I live in Incheon next to the sea, we experience sharp, powerful winds that seem to freeze one's soul. Just to remind you, it's only November. When you do get sunny days in November, no matter the cold, go out and do some sight-seeing. It always makes me feel better.  

 
 
 

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    I'm Courtney Priester. As you probably know from my home page, I've never been anywhere before in my life. This is a new venture I'm extremely excited about.

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