Chrissy Renae

Somehow I managed to make all of this:

look like this:

Before I left I kneww I was taking too much, but by that point it was a little too late to back out. I was a couple pounds over in every bag, but the check-in lady was super nice and let it slide.

At the airport I said goodbye to Erik (who kindly drove me), a goodbye that has to stretch me through the next 2 1/2 years without him!!!! I think I’m in denial about how long that really is. Yuckkk.

Before I went through security Erik captured my final American moment. The stereotypical peace sign was definitely requisite to begin an Asian adventure.

Bye America.

It’s official.

I AM GOING TO SOUTH KOREA

I’ll be living in small town north of Seoul called Yangju, which also just happens to be like 20 miles from the DMZ. Ummmm awesome? I ended up being placed at an elementary school, which at first got me pretty nervous. But the more I think about it, the more excited I am, because what is cuter than this?

This is a picture straight from my school’s website. Too adorable.

I leave in exactly one month, and I really just can’t wait.

If you’re curious about where Yangju falls on the map, just click this link. More updates about that later, I just had to let you know that it’s for REALS!!!

I got to go home to Washington for a full week and it was just fabbbbbbbulous. We had a Barnes Family Reunion, complete with boating, running with cousins, delicious food, and lots of FIREWORKS. It was really great to see everyone (it’s been yearrrrs for many of them) and catch up on things. I feel like I’m always really awkward about big family gatherings and just turn into a weirdly. I feel like I always put off this bored/aloof aura and people think I’m a brat or something? That may or may not be true, but I’m always really self conscious about it. I think that ends up making it worse and I seem like a biggggger brat.. so i should probably figure out how to overcome that issue. Regardless of my “auras,” I did have a really great time and loved seeing everybody!

I also got to spend a couple of days at Kindl and Jason’s new house, and it was a great little vacation– exactly what I needed. They are some of my oldest friends and I’m so lucky to know them.

This guy showed up too…and I didn’t complain.

Ian also brought Mel and Capitan, and we all had a great lil weekend together.

Overall, successful weekend. Deer Lake is the greatest!

Vegas was fabulous. It was fast and perfect. Quick and slow. Busy and empty. Just as a trip should be. We laid out Saturday and then went and toured the city and gazed at all the hotels. We stayed at the Sahara and then walked down the strip to all the main hotels. Turns out it was quite the journey and we walked many many miles over the course of the weekend. In the evening we hit up JET, the swanky nightclub at The Mirage. It was pretty happenin. Sunday we slept in and then laid out all day and soaked up some much-needed sun rays. Got a bit burnt, but it was definitely worth it. All in all, an A+ trip. And I just LOVE my girl Janessa, so it’s always refreshing partying it up with her. Here’s a bit of eye candy to show off the good times…

I’m headin to Vegas for the weekend with my girl Jan…. stay tuned for some hot updates. Buffets, bright lights, naked people, 90 degree weather. I think we’re in for a nice little getaway.

I spent Easter weekend down in St George with Whitney and her family. They were so nice to me and I had a great time. I’ve driven through St George a million times on my way to Las Vegas or San Diego, but never really spent much time there. It’s such a desert, but it’s the pretty kind of desert where the rocks are vividly red and there are still green spots. Saturday was unfortunately rainy, but it was nice to just hang out with a family. The dynamics of family interaction are quite different than those of a house of five girls, so it was fun even just to sit and watch. Her family is great. Her Dad also taught me how to bowl on the Wii, so now I’m like a professional. I had never played a Wii before, but I’m pretty sure I am now hooked.

On Sunday we went on a big hike on the outskirts of town and it was gorgeous. The weather was great and it was good to get out and be active. Sunday dinner was delicious of course, and then we jumped in the car to head back north. It’s only 3 hours away, but it was really great to get out of town for some new scenery.

Every time I’m in a big city I feel right at home so I think it’s just meant to be. Even just wandering around and staring at people and things keeps me occupied all day. I spent last week in San Francisco and loved every minute of it. I was there on “official business”, so time was split between work and play. But even the work part is not so bad. My only complaint is a sore knee from so much standing.. but I’m sure it was good for my legs to get some action.

Rather than just blabber on about it, I’ll just show you WHY I LOVED IT SO MUCH.

[caption id="attachment_24" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="fabulous architecture"][/caption][caption id="attachment_27" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="ghirardelli square. "][/caption][caption id="attachment_29" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="and biking across it"][/caption]