Woodenfish China 2014 ～

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: justify;">So...what have I been up to until now? Nothing much, really. I am busy with university courses (Japanese and Psychology), teacher training and teaching (free) German classes. I'm also putting together all documents for my application at Yonsei university in Korea. </span>Plus I've started reading many books about Zen Buddhism, mainly <i>Thich Nhat Hanh</i> and <i>D.T. Suzuki</i>'s works. These days I try to live in a more mindful way, which means that I try to enjoy the present and not overshadow certain moments with worries about the future or memories from the past. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Today I received the confirmation so I can finally announce other cool news:</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">This summer I will spend 1 month in a Chinese Buddhist Temple.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="http://studio-lacosta.ch/blog-pix/everyday/2014-3/woodenfish2014.png" /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>The Woodenfish Project</b> or <i>Humanistic Buddhist Monastic Life Program</i> as it is called, offers the opportunity to live in a buddhist temple, attend lectures about Buddhism and experience various cultural aspects of traditional Chinese arts. It also includes seven-day <i>silent meditation retreat</i> and a cultural tour to <i>Wutai Shan</i>, one of the 4 Sacred Mountains in Chinese Buddhism.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> I'm super looking forward to this unique experience and hope it will feed me both intellectually and spiritually. It also seems to be at <u>a great timing</u>, right after graduation and before my fresh new start in Korea.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The application is still open until the end of April so if you're interested, check their site for more information: <a href="http://www.woodenfish.org/hbmlp" target="_blank">http://www.woodenfish.org/</a></div> </div>

Woodenfish China 2014 ～

So...what have I been up to until now? Nothing much, really. I am busy with university courses (Japanese and Psychology), teacher training...

Happy Horse Year ～

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> For the first since she returned from her long Japan Trip I met up with <a href="http://www.nekoblog.ch/" target="_blank">Nekochan</a>. We had thought about the possibility of cooking together and coincidentally our meet up just fell lunar New Year's eve. I just realized it the very day itself so I hurriedly prepared <a href="http://www.laurita.ch/2012/01/happy-dragon-year.html" target="_blank">my yearly <b>倒福 sign</b></a> to post on the door. Today marks the start of the <b>Green Wooden Horse</b> so I decorated the sign accordingly.</div> <img src="http://studio-lacosta.ch/blog-pix/everyday/2014-1/cny2014-1.png" style="display: none;" /><img src="http://studio-lacosta.ch/blog-pix/everyday/2014-1/cny2014-2.png" /><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>I proposed making gyoza/jiaozi/mandu</b> because it's one of the traditional food prepared in China during Lunar New Year. Nekochan was a bit skeptical about the expense of making them but I was able to convince her since <a href="http://www.laurita.ch/2012/02/winter-sickness.html" target="_blank">I'd already prepared Kimchi mandu</a> a while ago. So we bought groceries in our local Asia store, mixed all the ingredients and started making our own gyoza.</div> <img src="http://studio-lacosta.ch/blog-pix/everyday/2014-1/cny2014-3.png" /><br /> <img src="http://www.chinesezodiac.org/images/horse.gif" /><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The gyoza making turned to be an entertaining activity because we kept telling each other funny stories. Although we had two packages of Gyoza skin we used them all and ended up making some cabbage rolls too. After cooking we proudly declared our creations as delicious, even Nekochan's bf said they were great. Super proud!</div> <img src="http://studio-lacosta.ch/blog-pix/everyday/2014-1/cny2014-4.png" /><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> After cooking we went on a huge camwhoring session but since that part is very, very image heavy (yup, we were enjoying ourselves) I'll reserve it for a separate entry...</div> <img src="http://www.stayeastanglia.com/images/stars/AA/2_rosettes.gif" /> <img src="http://www.stayeastanglia.com/images/stars/AA/2_rosettes.gif" /> <img src="http://www.stayeastanglia.com/images/stars/AA/2_rosettes.gif" /> <img src="http://www.stayeastanglia.com/images/stars/AA/2_rosettes.gif" /> <img src="http://www.stayeastanglia.com/images/stars/AA/2_rosettes.gif" /><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> My Korean friends seem to be puzzled by the reversed luck sign, I kept explaining that <i>I am not a Chinese character noob </i>but that it's Chinese custom to hang up the <b>reversed luck (倒福)</b> sign as a wish for l<b>uck to come (到福)</b>. For those who aren't convinced yet, in Korean it's called 도복 and in Japanese <span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; text-align: start;">とうふく</span>. Google it! =P</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEi0SYw-ibOJb1vgNR1_7KSQWqwYeBt0O7pB10RukP8cJKXi1vMCrsEiq7Y3uCpYSSwVwyY2NPqy5ygWuIkANpay9CYIbZ2z61f0IuhTXI6xV67IXQ40LeoS3qvX0f3lAsJH6VNqWUk08w2-dTsfSDdl50bHVjuK0KwMnCiLrX1y=" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://studio-lacosta.ch/blog-pix/everyday/2014-1/cny2014-1.png" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">Wishing everyone a prosperous new year! </span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;">Hope all your wishes come true~</span><br /> <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">新年快樂，馬上有福</span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="http://montsegur2008.unblog.fr/files/2010/02/chinois078.gif" /></div> </div> <!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2Fstudio-lacosta.ch%2Fblog-pix%2Feveryday%2F2014-1%2Fcny2014-1.png&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEi0SYw-ibOJb1vgNR1_7KSQWqwYeBt0O7pB10RukP8cJKXi1vMCrsEiq7Y3uCpYSSwVwyY2NPqy5ygWuIkANpay9CYIbZ2z61f0IuhTXI6xV67IXQ40LeoS3qvX0f3lAsJH6VNqWUk08w2-dTsfSDdl50bHVjuK0KwMnCiLrX1y=" -->

Happy Horse Year ～

For the first since she returned from her long Japan Trip I met up with Nekochan . We had thought about the possibility of cooking togeth...

My Korean Dream ～

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <img src="http://studio-lacosta.ch/blog-pix/everyday/2013-12/headerkorea.png" style="display: none;" /><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> As this year is slowly coming to an end my new plans have taken concrete form and are approaching with every passing month it's time to officially announce my new project! </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://studio-lacosta.ch/laurita-chan/rotblauweinen.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://studio-lacosta.ch/laurita-chan/rotblauweinen.gif" width="60" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Remember <a href="http://www.laurita.ch/2012/09/life-changing-decisions.html" target="_blank">my last post about the future</a>? </span>It was only 1 year ago and I was so insecure with all the possibilities but my life was so much different than now because I was also including my (then) fiancé in those plans since I wanted to move abroad with him. ( ‾ʖ̫‾)</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Many things changed. </span><br /> My new plan is none of those I listed last year, I made a completely new plan. After visiting Korea 2 times, this summer I finally fulfilled my wish of going to Summer School in Korea for 3 months. It was a super hot summer (even the locals were complaining) but I never got sick of Korea or the food or the people and when I had to leave in September I felt like I had just warmed up and the best (refreshing) season was yet to come, I also felt bad leaving my class at Yonsei University behind, studying Korean was such an enjoyment... </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> So I've decided to pursue a Master's degree in a completely different field (let's leave the exotic languages aside, shall we?), most probably it will be <b>international trade</b> at Yonsei University's <i>Graduate School of </i><i>International Studies</i> and combine it with my dream of living in Korea for an extended period of time. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">It has become a new dream, <i>my Korean Dream</i>.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> I am aware that I sound like a Kpop fanatic who fantasizes about their dream country Korea (sorry to my readers who are such fans!) and I really want to deny that impression: I've lived in Asia (China) before. I've cohabited for years and had marriage plans with a Chinese guy. I don't idealize Asia and know all of the challenges that I'll be facing but still I really want to do it. I go as far as saying that if I'm able to find a good job or/and find a serious relationship and don't experience any opinion-changing trauma after my 2 years of studies there I could also imagine settling down there. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <i><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">~ Flashback Start ~</span></i></div> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://studio-lacosta.ch/laurita-chan/lovechina.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://studio-lacosta.ch/laurita-chan/lovechina.gif" width="65" /></a><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Learning Chinese</b></span> was my father's idea and became a hobby in my childhood. During my teenage years and many short travels to China I'd already started fantasizing of leaving Europe and staying in Asia. I decided that I wanted to study Sinology (mainly to be able to live in China for a year) when I was 16 and <b>that became my driving force</b>. I breathed Chinese culture through extensive lecture of historical novels and watching Taiwanese dramas all night long and listening to Cpop on my way to high school. After starting university and studying like mad during the first year <b>I received a scholarship from the Chinese government</b>. Thus I was able to fulfill my <i>teenage dream </i>and live in Beijing for a year when I was 20. Thanks to my studies I was able to go there but also due to my studies I had to come back to finish up here. After meeting my Chinese fiancé and making plans<b> I was ready to move to China</b> but in my recent travels I found that the changing society and specially the pollution had become a big drawback for me. Now without my Chinese fiancé I feel less inclined to settle there. Still, I really love the country and want to visit there frequently. There are so many places in China I still want to discover and so much yummy food to eat! </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="http://studio-lacosta.ch/blog-pix/everyday/2013-12/chinapast.png" width="600" /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> On the other hand this year<span style="color: #e06666;"> <b>I visited Japan for the first time</b></span>. I'd started my passion for Japanese things   when I was about 12-13 and started drawing in Manga-style. I watched Anime and bought Manga and learned about Japanese culture. <b>But I never considered myself a <i>Japan Fan</i></b> because back then Visual Kei was super popular and I never got into JRock or dreamed of marrying a Japanese guy like many German girls in my online Manga/Anime community. S<b>till, I kept my passion for Manga and Japanese culture</b> and in my twens I also started getting interested in Japanese Fashion. I wore general Asian fashion and Lolita clothes, tried some Gyaru style and even Mori Girl. I tried wearing wigs and false eyelashes and colorful contact lens (I failed TT). I bought and downloaded Japanese fashion magazines and read them like a bible. I also scanned my own Gothic Lolita Bible. <b>Recently I've calmed down but I still consider Japanese fashion styles my favorite</b> and Japanese culture intriguing. When I visited Japan and discovered not only the prevailing Kawaiiness and food that was great plus the friendly and helpful people but also nearly went mad with the available fashion. In my opinion  Korea doesn't lack many things I need (except for chocolate), but I think Japanese fashion has much more variety so I definitely plan to take shopping trips to Japan! Also I only visited the Kansai area and I'm eager to discover many more places in Japan.</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="http://studio-lacosta.ch/blog-pix/everyday/2013-12/kansai2013.png" width="600" /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <i><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">~ Flashback End ~</span></i></div> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://studio-lacosta.ch/laurita-chan/rotblauwink.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://studio-lacosta.ch/laurita-chan/rotblauwink.gif" width="80" /></a></div> <br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Korea and its language did not only reignite my passion</span> (the one I also used to have for China) but it is also perfectly situated between the other two countries I'd love to explore more. <span style="color: #3d85c6;">To me it seems like a dream being 2-3 flight hours away from either China or Japan</span>, being able to eat lots of yummy Chinese food or go shopping in Japan. On the other hand I remember I was perfectly content while i was in Korea. I ate Korean food pretty much every day, all day and I didn't get sick of it, no, I kept having cravings for Korean food. I only started discovering the country and making some new friends. Applying learned words outside class gave me sensational feelings of success. After some beers I held conversations about couples or Korean society and theories in Korean while still being a complete beginner, <b>I just didn't feel any shame and speaking Korean was a delight. </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e06666;">❤</span></span> I also really liked Yonsei University and the teachers and it being a top university just added to its positive points. I want to go back. As fast as possible. But at the same time I still don't have a profession, so I decided to go for further (and more useful) studies. I hope to be able to both study and have a part-time job (maybe as a German teacher) while experiencing the <i>real</i> Korean life. </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="http://studio-lacosta.ch/blog-pix/everyday/2013-12/korea2013.png" width="600" /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Actually I shouldn't feel the urge to list any reason for my decision.</span> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> It's just the way it is and I want to follow my heart. But I think everything I wrote down might bring my decision nearer to you, didn't it? Thank you for bearing with me. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">❤ </span></span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">Do you share a similar dream? What are your dreams?</span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">❤ </span></span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">Which ones have you realized? Any u</span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">pcoming ones?</span><br /> <span style="color: #134f5c;">...btw do you like my new animated <i>laurita</i> mascot? </span></div> </div>

My Korean Dream ～

As this year is slowly coming to an end my new plans have taken concrete form and are approaching with every passing month it's time ...