Sketchbook Doodle 2x2

So I realized the other day that it had been quite some time since i'd uploaded anything onto my youtube art account, so I started recording some of my sketchbook doodles.  Here's the latest, which is of Sailor Pluto/Setsuna Meioh, who is the solitary guardian of time.  She stands alone at the gates of time, protecting the portal.  I used the song " Dust to Dust" by The Civil Wars, which you can purchase on iTunes; support the artist!  ...support both artist ;)

The Vien Quang Buddhist Monastery and where I got jacked up by a caterpillar

So, suffice it to say, South Carolina has a lot of surprises, although Vlad insists that this is so close to North Carolina that it really shouldn't count, but regardless;  in Clover, SC, there is a fabulous Buddhist Monastery called the Vien Quang Buddhist Monastery that is open to the public for prayer/visiting, and you know we went.

They are still in the process of building on the grounds, but the location is beautiful, and a lot of care has been put into the temple and surrounding area.  All of the statues have plagues written in Vietnamese on them, as well as providing incense to burn.  Many had fruit and various other offerings set up around them, and it was absolutely beautiful to see.

The base of the main statue at the front entrance.

We parked, paid our respects, and began to wander the grounds, stopping at each temple to admire the artistry and care administered to each.  I wish I knew more about this particular branch, but it made me feel nostalgic for Siam/Siam Reap, in tiny little ways.

Vlad said they had already added a lot on since the last time he had visited, which was apparently during a festival, and you could see them working on various other temple spots along the way.  I'd be interested in returning here once I visit him again, to see the progress/changes that have been incorporated into the site.

New friend that I scared on accident.

We found a bench beside one of the temples and sat for a while.  As with the rest of the trip, the weather was really nice and it was just very peaceful to relax out there.

I also found one of my old friends, from when I used to live in North Carolina!  I have no idea what these guys are actually called, but I used to call them Wooly Bears, and believed they told the weather.  If they were mostly brown, it was warming up, but if they were mostly black, it was going to stay cold for a while.   ...I frankly have no idea where that theory came from, but there you have it.

  There was also a bee that decided to buzz by us at one point, making me jerk my hand (and Vlad throw his water bottle into the water, which he then had to retrieve) and the caterpillar actually bit me.  I don't think i've ever been bit by a caterpillar before, so this was new.  It turned into a big red bump that is still on my finger, nearly two weeks later.

Just some more photos from the complex~

Hiking in South Carolina...or was it North Carolina...or was it all along the state line -

So I recently got home from seeing a good friend of mine for the first time in five years, and it was absolutely fantastic.  We hiked in three or four different locations, which is always an automatic win in my book.  He lives close to the state line, so we kind of crisscrossed our way around parks.  

The swing bridge that Vlad tried to bounce me off of.

The first park we went to is Anne Gables park, which had a cool little swing bridge, donkeys, and old cabins that had been relocated a few feet to their final resting places.  Sounds dramatic, eh?  The hiking wasn't very arduous, but it was a nice little way to spend a few hours. They also had several other fall related things going down, such as a corn maze, hay rides, and things of the such, but we circumvented all of that and wandered down the trails.  If I remember correctly ( we went to so many parks)  this place offered various camping locations, as well as canoeing on their little pond.

The beginning of misdirection.

 We ended up wandering around various spots that weren't really marked on the trails, which was kind of fun/ny.  At first it was on accident, but then it more or less turned into a " ...well we've come this far" sort of thing.  Sound logic, I know, but we wandered quite a bit of land that was not marked on the park map, and yet still part of the park trails.  I don't know what happened, really, we ended up using litter as markers and I quote, " na, cause I remember that tree" as guide markers.

 We spent one of those nights chillin' at a park after dark, lookin' at the stars and listening to a coyote howling in the distance.  It was a really cold night, so the sky was super clear, which was awesome because it enabled us to see all the stars.  I was looking for shooting stars but never saw one.  Guess I looked around too much.  The coyote was really cool to hear, although he sounded really lonely.  We heard one respond, but he sounded way far off and in the distance, and only answered him back a few times before it faded into silence, with just the one calling out by himself.  It was kind of sad to listen to, really.

The other park we hiked a good deal at was Crowder's Mountain, which was by far my favorite hike of the four we did.   This park is in North Carolina, in the Gastonia area.  I haven't heard great things about Gastonia, but I do know that I love this mountain, and I loved this hike.  My opinion on the surrounding area remains uninformed personally.

  This hike was more strenuous than any of the others, but nothing too bad, honestly.  The path we took was one of the harder ones, and as a result we only passed three people, with you basically just crawling over rocks and walking across open gaps in some areas, but it was a whole lot of fun.

  There were a couple of spots along the way where you could just chill out on some open rock face of the mountain, and have a great view of the surrounding area around you.  One day, I want to go back up there with glow in the dark chalk and draw all over this one gap, and wait for it to get dark.  That would be legit, and the art nerd in me would be hella pleased.

One of the various sitting areas that I climbed out 

There are several different trails you could take in this park, but we hiked along the Crowder's Trail, to Rocktop trail, and then looped around to take a different segment of Crowder's Trail back down to the lot.  Supposedly this is a free camping area as well, meaning you can set up camp in any area you like so long as you don't destroy the area.  This would be fun to do.  We also discussed doing a really long hike which starts in a different park, and then connects through, but we stayed up ridiculously late the night before and yeah, that just wasn't happening.  Next time though.  Next tiiiimmme.

Top of Crowder's.

 I was vaguely surprised to see the number of people once we actually got to the top of Crowder's, but there were enough places to sit where you weren't just surrounded by them.  Turns out, theres a relatively easy access path (or maybe I should say comparatively)  coming up the other side of the mountain, which we took part of on the way down.  It had steps cut into it, and thats were most of those people came up through.

Yoooo.

It was cold.

I was really happy we did these hikes, as the woods in Florida don't really cater to the type of hiking I enjoy.  The weather was perfect, the hike was awesome, and I got to spend time with a friend I haven't seen in forever doing something I enjoy.  If I lived in this area of North Carolina, i'd apply for a job at this park for sure.

The Color Run: Happiest 5k on the Planet! and another item off the bucket list.

I ran my first official 5k yesterday, and I'm fairly certain that The Color Run couldn't have been a better choice as far as breaking into the sport goes.

The Color Run is a 5k that mimics the look of the Indian festival, Holi.  Holi is an amazing celebration that takes place the day after the first full moon in the Indian month of Phalguna (early March.)  Now, as a young child, I saw photos of Holi and was immediately fascinated.  It just seemed like the most amazing thing to me, to see all these people throwing the color around and up into the air.  As an adult, I learned that Holi was a festival to celebrate the return of Spring, while also commemorating various events in Hindu culture.  One day, I hope to be around for a proper Holi celebration, as the more I learn about it and its cultural meanings, the more I can appreciate the act.
However, since I am in Florida and have no means to see the celebration properly, I signed up for The Color Run, as a way to experience the color aspect, and an excellent starter for my first official run.

Happiest 5k on the planet!

Someone inform Bradley.

Since the race was in Orlando, we had to get up at 5 am here to get there, get parked, and everything sorted.  Luckily, I had gone the day before for packet pick up (this also counts as Check In for those of you unfamiliar with the process) and had scouted out the parking and general area, which proved to be QUITE helpful, as there was construction going on around The Citrus Bowl that we were able to bypass on the actual day of. 

So, quick over view for those of you reading this who are new to the game like I was: Packet Pick Up was held at a Sports Authority in this case, and went super quick.  We showed up, I brought my ID and a release form to pick up Bradley's, along with our confirmation codes.  They didn't look at that, but I'd rather have it on me just in case they weren't able to find me by my ID for some reason.  They gave me my bib and directed me to another stand where I got a bag for both of us.  Inside each packet/bag was a t-shirt, a head band, some temporary tattoos, pins to secure your race number to your shirt, a wrist band (that you apparently put on for yourself at the event, although no one was checking this as far as I saw), and a color packet for the big color party at the end of the race.  It was kind of hard to hear in here because they had the speakers set up really close, but between those two tables, you got your stuff.  They had another booth set up where you could buy some official Color Run gear if you wanted.

Of note:  There is no where to store what you bring with you to the event, so rock that fanny pack or bring a bag that you're willing to run with, cause there is no storage.

Bradley and I making our way to the starting line.

Once we parked and wandered in, my pre-race anxiety transformed into ease and excitement.  There was music playing, a group run warm up party going on from the stage, as well as some various vendors (give-aways) set up.  There's also multiple stands set up again for those who are doing packet pick up that day, with signs saying PACKET PICK UP/CHECK IN.  Know that Check In is what you did when you picked up your packet prior to the event (if thats what you did), so theres no need to go over there for race day check in.  They also have a booth set up selling the official gear again if you pined away over it all the night before.  There's also a few chances to randomly win things for free, as they're tossing bags, hats, fanny packs and the such from the start gate as you run through, as well as from the stage/color party area at the end of the event.  They also are tossing out TONS of color packets here to really make the event fun, so no stress if you got a little excited and opened your packet before the event.  Just know, you gotta have some grabby hands if you're gonna catch yourself a packet.  

Pink! First check point.

So!  The race started!  People walking tended to stay to the right side, people jogging on the left, and the middle was sort of a free for all.  Thankfully it didn't rain on us, and the clouds provided a nice over cast that kept it from being too hot (oh Florida.)  Some locals came out and were waving and cheering along the path, which was nice.  The cops were all cheering and high fiving people along the way as well.  The check points came quickly, as a 5k is only 3.1 miles, but they were exciting and spaced far enough to keep the motivation going.  It was like a little pepper-upper when you see the colored banners and tunnels coming up.  

It was also pretty cool to see the color clouds.  The Color Runner volunteers know to aim low when people are going through, but you are going to be running through what is basically corn starch, so I recommend glasses and/or a bandanna.  If you're asthmatic, I also recommend keeping your inhaler ON you, especially if you go to the color party at the end.  I did manage to get a little of this in my eyes towards the end, and its not the most comfortable feeling, but was cleared up pretty quickly by some water.

Speaking of water, there was only one water station on the run, marked with green banners, but for such a short run, it was plenty. There are also plenty of trash cans provided SO PLEASE FOR THE LOVE ALL WHAT YOU FIND HOLY, USE THEM. They are, however, passing out plenty of water bottles once you come through the finish line!  The one I got was nice and cold, and I saw TONS of them lined up for passing out.  There's also a station near the finish line to get the loose dust blown off of you.

Since the Color Run is not a timed event, it was really light hearted and easy going.  Saw lots of costumes and smiles, people of all ages and fitness levels participating.  To me, it seems like the perfect event for people who aren't really hardcore runners but who have always wanted to give the whole thing a shot.  I'm really glad it was my entry race into this sort of activity, and while there are no medals (some people seem to only run for medals?), the whole experience is more than worth it in my opinion.

Bradley and I after the Color Party.

The Color Party at the end was a fun way to finish things off, just watch for flying packets as they tend to be attracted to peoples faces.  This goes down every 15 minutes, I believe, so even if you miss the first one, they're doing this in waves as people come in from completing the event. It's worth going to, and its also worth watching from afar.  Its pretty amazing to see all the color go flying in the air, and a completely different experience both in and out.

 Some general notes:

• Running on a treadmill and running outside are two completely different experiences, so know that.  However, running on a treadmill is still a great thing to do if you can't get outside.
• Bring a towel, and maybe even a wear an undershirt to change shirts before you get in your car.  When I jumped in the shower, it looked like I had run the whole thing in a bikini and not a full shirt and pants.
• The Blue color seems to be especially clingy.
• While its lots of fun and I enjoy changing the shower water color every time I take a shower, I think next time I will be running with a hat on.
• Also be prepared with a scrubby or something for your shower after this event.  Your whole body will be in need of some 'exfoliating.' 
• I recommend proper running shoes.  I heard lots of people saying their feet really hurt, and every single one of them were just wearing casual tennis shoes.

Go into the arts. I’m not kidding. The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven’s sake. Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possibly can. You will get an an enormous reward. You will have created something.

— Kurt Vonnegut 

Spreading the love

So, I have this notebook that I keep, and in this  notebook, all the people who matter to me have a page with their name written on the very top, and on their page, I write all the wonderful things that I think and love about that person but never tell them.  

Its a little project I started in order to force myself to really examine the thoughts I have about the people in my life, and my relationship with them. As I sat there looking at the names of all these people, who mean so much to me in various ways, I started to wonder how often I actually say any of these nice things to them.  Its so easy to insult someone, or make a snide comment, or just get lost in the negativity of the small things that bother you day in and day out about a person, that I think we lose sight of the fact that people need to hear the nice things too.  Even if we think them and truly feel them, if its only negative/sarcastic comments that roll off the tongue, I think we're cheating ourselves and them of feeling that happiness and security that comes with knowing you are valued.  I'm not saying profess your undying love, but that so often we just assume ' they know', and maybe they do, on a level, know that we love them, but whats the harm in saying it?  If you've ever been involved in a program, think of it this way:  Have you ever had a coach or instructor that ONLY told you what you were doing wrong, and eventually it felt so exhausting and tiring, and as if you weren't doing anything right at all? This is what its like in all your daily interactions. It comes in all those sighs of exhaustion, the eye rolls, the small moments of annoyance because we're familiar and things that we'd perhaps over look with another person, we allow to bother us.  Those sarcastic comments add up when they're the only things that come out of your mouth, and slowly but surely will beat a person down.

sayinggoodbye.org

Perhaps its a bit too early and i'm a bit too tired to try to phrase these thoughts properly, but I was thinking back on how from the very beginning, we're kind of groomed by society to not show affection as openly as we do negativity.  Brass, loud actions of aggression are supported ( think how sports/athletics are celebrated, for a general example) whereas things that involve expression are often cut out of programs, slashed in the budget, and just not as celebrated (art, theater, music programs)...  from as early as elementary school, a classic form of teasing is "ooOoooOoo, you like so and so!", as if finding someone enjoyable is a bad thing.  Again, i'm perhaps too groggy to try to really explain how these are all connected but i'm hoping that me getting these thoughts out are at least getting it rolling in other peoples heads.  Imagine how different a nation we would be if we valued the arts just as much (at least!) as we do our sports programs. 

So...yeah. I don't have a nice little bow to tie this up with, just some thoughts.  I'm trying to actively work on this though...sharing my thoughts with those that matter to me.  So far its really weirding people out, which is both amusing and just going to show that my thoughts are correct on this, starting with family.

In which I climb the peak and am on top of the (very tiny) world

So, recently I got to go back to Antelope Island,
which is easily one of my favorite places that we've discovered on these business trips.

While driving along the Island.

\

If you're ever in the Salt Lake City region of Utah, I highly recommend taking the short drive out to Antelope Island.  It's a state park about 30 - 40  minutes out, depending on traffic and how well you listen to your GPS.  

Photo from up near Buffalo Point. 

Some quick information for those of you unfamiliar with the spot; its an island out in the middle of a lake, accessible only by driving down a narrow, two lane causeway that spans the gap between the mainland and the island.  During low tide, you'll see tons and tons of birds just scattered along the shore line on both sides, however, and this is a personal favorite, if you get there early in the morning, there will be a thick layer of fog that blankets the road, lending itself to the spirit of adventure that drives so many down this road to begin with.  Once out there, you will have the option to hike, bike, ride horseback, boat, view wildlife and visit the one of 'the best places' to experience the Great Salt Lake on the beach side.  All of that is amazing in and of itself, but here's the real catch: The Island is populated by a herd of Bison ranging anywhere between 400 and 600 strong, depending on what time of the year you visit.  On top of that, there are the more elusive Antelope, for which the island is named, as well as Bighorn Sheep, Mule Deer, and a variety of birds and reptiles. For a fee, you can book a morning of horseback riding at the Fielding Garr Ranch where they'll take you out around the island, climbing the mountain, looking for buffalo, and seeing some amazing sites as you ride side by side. 

This Bison decided to linger for quite a while.

This year when I went, it was much warmer than it has been in the past, but still quite enjoyable.  In the past we have hiked much of the Island, in one case even getting stuck on a rock for a while when part of the herd we were watching decided to stop on the path down.  

Waiting out some Bison in the morning fog.

The herd will also get relatively close to the cars, which is pretty awesome when you're wanting to see them.  Naturally, and this should go without saying and yet I find so often that people surprise you when it comes down to 'common sense', the Bison are still wild animals, and just like any other living thing deserve to be treated with respect, so don't honk your horn or shout and holler at them.  I for one don't believe in 'unprovoked animal attacks', so be aware of how close you are and what the animals around you are doing.  That being said, its a pretty awesome thing that you can observe these amazing animals so close, and in a setting that brings you back to a pioneer feel (as much as paved roads and cars can manage.)

There is a small fee for accessing the park, and the horse back riding is an extra expense should you choose to do that, but for the most part, everything else is free.  There is a food option out there, over by the guest center (which includes a museum with information about the island's past and the animals you can encounter there), where you can also get some pretty fun souvenirs.  In fact, one of my favorite posters in my room comes from there.

There are tons of areas to stop and go hiking for those of you who like to wander around by foot.  I myself recently sprinted up to the top of Buffalo Point, where I had a solo view of the island and lake around me.  From the various spots that i'd wandered, the incline tends to be pretty steady, so I don't recommend it for people with knee issues or unsteady footing.  I do recommend proper shoes (perhaps even ones that go up your ankles, given the terrain) and having a sweater on hand, as you'd be surprised at the temperature changes throughout the day.

While coming down from my solo throne on Buffalo Point.

Utah has constantly impressed me each time i've gone out there, and while I hope to keep adding more 'dots to my map', Antelope Island will remain a constant for me as one of my favorite places to visit

when in the area.

While on the ride, we stopped to enjoy the view for a spell.

In which I volunteer at Camp Boggy Creek

Hello again!  It has been a while since i've last posted on here, things have been incredibly busy, but I wanted to share with you a little about my experience volunteering again with 

Camp Boggy Creek.  

In case you didn't know, Camp Boggy Creek is an amazing camp located in Eustis, Florida, that is free for children with serious illnesses to attend.  They host both camps throughout the Summer weeks, as well as " Family Day Weekends", which are 3 day weekend events where the whole family can come and participate in activities.  For the Summer Camp weeks, the weeks are split into specific groups, so that they can provide and meet all the medical needs for those children.  

The session I have volunteered with for the past two years has been the Blended Camp, where children with Asthma, Spina Bifida, Kidney, Transplant and Craniofacial attended.  The camp is split into age groups, which are divided by 4 colors (Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow) and then divided into 4 cabins per color (2 for boys, 2 for girls.)  The detail and care put into these sessions are truly incredible, allowing children the place and opportunity to behave as children, and not worry about their illness or what others might think of it.  

For the past two years, I have been in the Blue group.  Each cabin has its own theme, something that the counselors and the camp play up and support site wide.  

This year, my cabin were called

 The Fireflies~

Chalk art I drew to welcome the girls to the cabin on arrival day.

The Blue Cabin  this year (and last, so maybe its consistent) were the youngest group, so our age group ranged between 7 and 9 years old.  It was fantastic.  The thing with young groups (and to be honest, this camp in general)  is that they just get so into the spirit and will buy what you sell them, so we were all about The Fireflies, and the idea that you shine solo, but as a group and a team, you shine the brightest.  We really emphasized team work.

A shot of the camper side before arrival.

 Some of the basic activities that we did throughout the week included Archery, Horseback Riding, Cooking, Arts and Crafts, Woodburning, Nature Barn, Boating and Fishing, Swimming, Theater, and more.  The kids all rotated through these activities as the week went, and got to select them for special projects and time frames.  Then there were camp activities with things like Aquatic Activity (some might call it a water fight, but they would be wrong, as there is no fighting at camp), a Banquet, a Dance, and what is called the Silly Olympics (or Silly Os.) 

 The Silly Olympics are a high light for the kids as its a time where they can paint on their counselors, or put pudding in their hair, or maybe even sling cold oatmeal at them.  They also get to roll through spaghetti on a slip'n'slide sort of set up.  Its all very messy, but very fun, and afterwards the fire department comes out and creates a river of water basically for the kids to run through on their way to the cabins. 

Little Acts of Kindness jars that we had in the girls room
for them to leave messages for each other.

This year, we also had a spectacular firework display take place, where the whole thing was basically like a grand finale.  The kids loved it, to be sure.

Due to the nature of the camp, I can't post photos of the children, obviously, but I had an incredible time there and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to volunteer at an incredible facility.  Everything there is donated, from the pool (Sea World) to the gym (Orlando Magic) to the Theater (Universal Studios), and so much more.  So much care and attention has been put into this camp, so if you know anyone who would benefit from going here, either as a camper or a staff volunteer, please recommend it!  They are always welcoming volunteers, especially male volunteers! 

Something that really meant a lot to me was that every single child I had as a camper last year came up, found me, and gave me a big hug.  I had wondered if they would remember me or not, so it meant a lot to me that they saw me and greeted me so enthusiastically.

The kids are hysterical, and I know, as cliche as it sounds, that you go there expecting to have an impact on them (even if its just making their life easier/more fun) and instead you walk away just as changed yourself for having attended.   No matter what group you end up volunteering with, I promise you you're going to learn just as much from them as they will from you.

“You’ll need coffee shops and sunsets and road trips. Airplanes and passports and new songs and old songs, but people more than anything else. You will need other people and you will need to be that other person to someone else, a living breathing screaming invitation to believe better things.”
Jamie Tworkowski 

Just some things we noted about staying overnight at the Jeju Sauna:

• While i'd recommend leaving electronics at home as its the perfect place to just unplug, I also understand some people have to have their cell phone, computer, or DS with them depending on who you are, so do know that there are plugs around.  I'd suggest bringing an extension though, if you have multiple things to charge, as the availability of the plugs is kind of first come first serve. 
• That being said, there is free wifi should you bring your phone or laptop.
• Hair dryers, shampoo, and conditioner are provided, as are basic things like a razor, tooth brush, lotion, hair spray and 'towels.'  Tampons and bathing suits available for purchase.
• If you plan on sleeping there, bring ear plugs and a sleep mask.  The sleeping room fills up quickly so you may end up looking for a place to sleep within the common room or one of the saunas, and don't think the "Sleep Room" will provide you total peace and quiet.  Some people don't seem to care if their children run in and out between 2 and 3 am while shouting and playing.
• Mats are provided for sleeping, technically speaking only one per person, but i'd recommend bringing your own yoga pad or something for extra cushion.
• Bring a pillow as well, because the ones you use in the sauna are not going to be agreeable for overnight slumber.
• Budget for a massage if you're wanting one.  They're not outrageously priced, but they will catch you off guard if you're not prepared and are watching your money like moi. (Prices are on their website.)
• The fitness room is huge, with bicycles, treadmills, and elliptical provided.  There is a mirror wall along one side, and plenty of room to do Yoga or Pilates.  Bring your own mat and running shoes though.
• While I can't speak for other service providers, Sprint does not get a lot of bars in there, and my phone just seemed to eat up battery trying harder to GET a signal than actually having one.
• There is no special menu for breakfast.  What they serve is what they serve. 
• Lockers are provided, but don't think full body lockers.  These are your basic, gym locker room style lockers, if not just a smidgen smaller in the width department.

Basically, treat it as if you're going to go for a slumber party old school style, just short of rolling up your sleeping bag and onesie.  We brought along a little tote with stuff like clothes, sketchbook/books, hair brushes, etc, but small enough to fit into a locker.  I think my tote was one of those vinyl bags from The Fresh Market if that gives you any idea of size.

In which we partake in a Girls Night Out

May or may not have hit up the children's section first thing at the High.

So, for the past several days I have been staying with my friend and her boyfriend in Atlanta in between business trips.  She has been coming home really really stressed for the past several months from both personal and professional issues, so yesterday, we took advantage of her half day at work...

So done.

In the morning we went to the High Museum of Art, which was pretty cool to go through.  There was a lot of statues, some Monet pieces, a Norman Rockwell painting, and of course, the main exhibit, Vermeer's painting The Girl With the Pearl Earring (along with several other Dutch painters.)

Chrissy and I at the High.

We kind of side eyed some of the modern art exhibits while enjoying others, but I won't even get into the headache that is so often Modern Art.  Some of it was pretty cool though, and thought provoking, which was nice.  

Don't even get me started on some of this Modern Art.

After the High, we went to Mellow Mushroom to get some pizza.  Did you know that all of their crusts are Vegan unless you order it gluten free?  They also offer Vegan cheese options, so you can have a party there, basically.  I was super happy to get myself some pizza because i'd been smelling it off and on for the past two weeks and after a while, you just kind of want some pizza yourself.

And then! As if the day couldn't get any better, Chrissy and I packed over night bags and headed off to the Jeju Sauna and Well-being Center!

Now, Chrissy and I had come here before on a previous visit, however it was sadly only for a few hours.  After that first trip, we both knew we'd have to make at least, AT LEAST, a day out of this place.

The sauna is open 24/7, all holidays, and for our age range is $25 per 24 hours.  It houses 7 different saunas, multiple spa options including full body scrubs, acupressure, and foot massages; there is a wet spa section (nude area), an Olympic sized salt water swimming pool, a fitness center, and if all that wasn't enough, you also have a nail and hair salon on site.  Add to that a banging Korean style restaurant (with your classic american go-to food options for the less adventurous) and a specially designated sleeping area, and its just one of the best ways to unwind that I can possibly think of.

The view of the main room from the stairs outside the Fitness area.

Certain parts of the spa are sectioned by the sexes, with the wet spa and herb-bath areas located within the locker room areas.  The wet spa is an enforced nude only area, so if you're wanting to enter this area, be prepared to bare all to god-all. One good thing about this, no one seems to care; theres no awkward staring or leering (not that you'd expect it) and the awkardness of nudity lasts for maybe five seconds before you find yourself eyeing that hot tub and no longer caring.   In this area, there are showers (shampoo and conditioner provided in the lovely Honey Almond scent), hot tubs of varying degrees, and some basking lights, which was kind of funny to me.  Towels are provided, but they're kind of tiny, and by kind of I mean they're totally tiny.  They're more like face towels, or maybe hair wraps.  The term 'towel' might actually be pretty generous.

On to the saunas, which were my personal favorites (aside from the eating area.)

Inside each sauna, mats are laid out, with the option of pillows, blankets and sleeping mats available in the common area just prior to entering.  Each room has also been carefully designed, which makes the overall experience pretty wonderful.  

First there is the Jade Room, where we tend to start off at as it is set at the lowest heat setting.  As it says on the sign outside the door, the Jade Room is made from imported Korean jade stone, which, combined with the dry heat and the bags of Chinese herbs hanging around, is said to not only increase metabolism, but also improve circulation as well as help with arthritis.   Along the ceiling, green and red stones ( I say stones because i'm not sure that they're both jade) are arranged to form flowing lines, with the red culminating in the center in the shape of a giant diamond.

After that is the Charcoal Room, which just may be my favorite.  Its a noticeable bit hotter than the Jade Room, but nothing overwhelming.  All around you, the ceiling and walls have been covered in blackened logs of charcoal, which lends a nice scent to the room when combined with the bags of Chinese herbs.  According to the pamphlet (available at the front counter) the charcoal helps absorb toxins, increasing circulation and stimulating the sweat glands to release the build up of toxins within your body.  Now, I don't know about all that, but I sure like to think so, and if nothing else, laying in the room is very relaxing.  

Next room down is the Baked Clay Sauna, which is a degree both hotter and larger.  I look a look at thermostat in there and was amused to see that it was marked at 137 degrees, plus heated tiles. (And yes, I took a picture, because my god.)

The Clay room has an interesting design in the sense that it reminds me of gazing at a lizard, or perhaps the desert floor, except not with the dry cracks of a parched landscape and more with the grace of a potter's hand, where the clay has been overlapped in such a way that the build up of texture carries your eye around the ceiling and into the center.  This room is advertised as a bit of a miracle worker, with the Korean "red baked clay" dilating peripheral blood vessels, bringing relief to tight muscles, increasing circulation, eliminating waste products, and delivering rich blood oxygen to depleted muscles, thus by flushing out impurities and releasing dead skin cells for better looking and more refreshed skin.  I'm not personally sure how much oxygen rich blood got itself coursing while in there, but I can certainly say that after a heavy work out, once properly hydrated this room would feel absolutely amazing to lay in.  Even without the heavy lifting, I could feel my muscles unwinding as I lay there.

Theres an Ice Room, decorated with rocks to resemble snow, complete with penguins.  I personally don't linger for too long in this area, but its a nice little break from all the heat and with the shift in temperatures, causes your skin pores to contract, giving you the look of smaller pores.

Those four are lined up against the far wall, while out in the middle of the common area, these next three exist within individual huts.

The first one, and closest to the wall grouping, is the Gold and Silver Sauna, which is lined and covered in, you guessed it, Gold and Silver.  Its said to have positive effects of nerve stability, poison counteraction, and neurosis.   In here, they've taken the design and formed something of a sun burst on the ceiling, exploding down the curve and onto the walls.  The bits of red stone mixed in always reminded me of arrows.

Me inside the Gold and Silver Room.

Next is the Rock Salt Room, which is the biggest of the three, with a very organic flow to the inside once you enter the little door up front.  The salt is everywhere, from the walls to the ceilings, and you can smell it when you enter.  This room is large enough to warrant little port holes, which are a nice addition, and break up the organic movement of the room.  "Surrounded by pure crystal rock salt, you will relieve stress and tension.  The Rock Salt Room strengthens your cardiovascular system' as well as increases blood circulation, flushing out impurities, and releasing dead skin cells. 

The last room is The Jewel Room, which certainly lives up to its name.  Surrounded by semi-precious stones, crystals, and amethyst, its hard not to feel relaxed and renewed while laying in there.  The stones have been shaped into scenes from nature, with trees growing up the side and a giant amethyst star bursting across the ceiling above you.  These stones are said to have great healing and calming powers, and with the lights sparkling off all the tiny little rivets, i'd be inclined to believe them.

I cannot attest to the body scrubs or massages, as I had not budgeted for those and therefore did not get one ( although you can bet your butt I will be getting one next time), however, let me tell you about the glory that is the Korean Restaurant on the premises there. 

Open entering, you are given this little wrist bracelet (although I wore mine around my ankle) that has your locker number and key on it for storing.  The bracelet also comes with a round little electronic on it, which will more or less function as your credit card while in the spa, to be paid in full upon exit, so think of it as opening a tab at a bar.  So, at the dining area, they have about 20 different Korean dishes available for your eating pleasure, all with pictures and descriptions beneath them.  They're also very filling, and generally large (especially the Korean rice cake one!) so sometimes its worth ordering just one first, and sharing, and then seeing if you're still hungry afterwards.  They also have a small variety of typical American style dishes, which includes cheese sticks, chicken fingers, and salads.

Chrissy and Jenni both agreed that these were more or less the  greatest.

  I encourage you to be adventurous though; the food there is seriously amazing, cooked on the spot, and so so good.  There's also a selection of desserts, including Patbingsu, which I tried for the first time yesterday, sans ice cream.  Again, its huge, but was very good, if not a bit of a treasure hunt, which was kind of exciting.

Patbingsu! Don't be fooled though, there are more layers underneath.

So yeah, the night was amazing.  We met up with a friend, and just relaxxxxxeeeddd.  Time seems to fly while you're in there, and we all slept in the sleeping room (albeit to varying degrees of 'sleep') and enjoyed our time all morning until past noon.  We went swimming, we ate good food and just enjoyed ourselves, with no stress about outside expectations or time crunches.  Even if the saunas didn't do all the amazing things they're said to do, even if there were no massage or body scrub options, just having an area to go and unwind like that as got to be healthy for you, and something I highly recommend for any and everyone.

I'm going to make another post about over night recommendations (things we learned after we got there) but for the time being, this is it.  I had an amazing time just relaxing, being lazy and splashing around with these ladies, and I'm pretty sure Jeju's gonna be some place we've got to hit up every time in in Atlanta from now on.

Yay for wonderful people!

"To the artist, there is never anything ugly in nature."

Just wanted to put some thoughts out there about camp...

Although the first day had random moments, it was fun to roll through with the kids and get to know them and their interests.  As time has gone, the kids are coming in much more excited and ready to create, ready to think differently and to get their hands dirty.

Its fantastic to see!  At first, it was funny to watch as they gauged you and tried to determine what type of person you were, reading the atmosphere as the camp went and seeing what the deal was.  I watched them watch each other as they talked, silently remembering each others names and debating if they wanted to compliment each other, and now they're just tossing out compliments left and right, engaging each other with stories of their mornings during the Amazing Things activity, and talking about their outfits.

When I was working on the space captain, it really made me happy to hear the kids all coming up with ideas, excited about camp and enjoying their time.  Yesterday, one of the girls kept saying that camp was fun, over and over, and haggling with her parents about how much longer they could stay after they came to pick them up.  A couple of the kids were talking about it again today, saying how camp was great and how awesome it would be if they stayed there all day instead of just half the day.

I can't fully express how happy it makes me to see them enjoying their time, and just turning on their imagination and crafting ideas out of nowhere. I remember going to extra art sessions after school in Elementary school and loving it; painting Morning Glories and experiencing new materials like charcoal and chalk pastels.  So now, to be on the other end, helping cultivate that passion and talent in others makes me really happy~

I know these words are all over the place, I haven't thought much about how to properly phrase it, but I think the sentiment is there.

Forest floors and paper mache!

Boom!

So this morning's group was focused on making our own forest floor~  We talked about the different things you see when walking through the woods, all the different leaves and sticks, bugs and worms and critters.  They then proceeded to make their own, focusing on a birds eye approach and what its about.

Hard at work!

While those dried, we spent a little bit outside, playing games of Simon Says which someone turned into Following the Leader.  We also threw some glitter on the Forest Floor projects, as the girls were all talking about Fairies and which ones existed (they all agreed that the Tooth Fairy was real) and which ones didn't.  We talked about where Fairies might live, what they would look like, and what their houses would be like. It was fun to see them all be so creative with the concepts they were coming up with.

During snack time, the girls all ran around outside with Ice Pops and stayed in the shade (it got into the 90s today.)  We came back in and proceeded to draw on construction paper, which we then folded and turned into fans. Some of the girls made cases for their fans, designing those as well. 

Looking at some flowers we found outside.

The second group worked on paper mache, which was both fun and super messy.  We took some lemonade and milk jugs, cut doors out, and got to layering!  It was interesting to do, as I haven't done anything like this since high school, so I was right there with the kids while watching Mrs. Nathan, even asking them a few questions and letting them show me how to do it. 

Digging in!

During the "Amazing Thing" drawing time in the beginning, I started doodling my space pirate idea, which got the kids asking what I was drawing.  I told them the general idea, and was saying that I was still working out the details. What I had so far: Space pirate, who captains a ship and sails them into nebulas, collecting the star dust and the adventures it took her on.  Then I started asking them for suggestions, asking about what the ship would look like; would it look like a traditional pirate ship, or would it look like a space ship? Maybe a blend of both?  How would she collect the nebula star dust? 

With their help, we figured that the ship would LOOK like a tall ship, but be made out of metal/futuristic material, with the jets on the sides, and the sails would collect the dust from the nebulas.  The Captain herself would have some sort of rocket boosters in her boots, which she uses to fly out and ahead to collect stuff personally. Her necklace would be a gem that'd project a sort of helmet/air bubble for her, and her sword would glow.

Some of them were asking about what other stories I was working on and I told them about the Russian Fairy Tale i'm working on, explaining to them about Baba Yaga and her tree house.  This was all while we were steady working on our paper mache mugs, talking in between about what kind of house they would be, and what looked like what.  Mine turned out to look like a duck, which, once i'm done putting layers on it, i'll either paint like a duck or a swan.  I'm not sure which one yet.  Once they're done, i'll be sure to take a picture and post it up here~