African Girl in Asia

Hair Update! Final Chapter (Outcome) So I’ve been transitioning...

vuyolin — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 03:35:46 -0400

Hair Update! Final Chapter (Outcome)

So I’ve been transitioning for the past 12 months in Korea. I wanted to stop using relaxers and deal with my natural state of hair.

While on this journey - on my blog - I spoke of the experience and my reservations. Mainly because of the maintenance part and the hectic work schedule I had. I’m really not devoted to hair and the patience is a struggle.

But after a year, I finally am weave free, and this is the result. I guess I thought it would be a disservice to myself if I never completed this chapter on my hair journey with a final entry on this blog. Since it’s all documented here.

Still in the adjustment period. Must say, not too shabby. Not too shabby at all . It’s good to challenge yourself and do things you thought you weren’t capable of.

I am glad I did complete, at least, this particular ‘things to do before 26’.

Before I set off on my next journey and bid this part of my love...

vuyolin — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 20:43:00 -0500

Before I set off on my next journey and bid this part of my love farewell..

I really wanted to share this video.. I just love gypsy and cultural intergration. Amazing how certain things can move you beyond reason.

I believe we all are connected in some sort of way .. And we have this moments. these moments which remind us of the past. Moments which shape and define your future self. Moments in which we love. Moments of dispare. Moments that keep moving and changing.

We keep moving to the next moment. Where we can connect. Or maybe fail to do. You should take something from every moment we have.

‘Cos these moments are precious..

I will keep moving and loving and Living.

And i thank the past few moments I had on this land.

Keep these moments and allow future ones to gain.. Thank you for this moment.

Can’t believe gone are the days when I’m...

vuyolin — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 07:37:34 -0500

Can’t believe gone are the days when I’m subconsciously aware of my teeth when people wanted to take a snap of me.

I can smile now - without a second thought.

After a year with my dentist, can’t believe it’s over.
But I feel a new.
I can smile anytime, every time without ever having to cover my mouth.

Sadness follows not my smile no more.

Just so thrilled. Beyond. Blessed. At least I completed one of my things to do before 26 :)

African ? Or Asian?

vuyolin — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 09:29:07 -0500

African ? Or Asian?

I would really love to be honest about ..this.. ethical dilemma I have.. As an African in Asia.....

vuyolin — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 01:25:00 -0500

I would really love to be honest about ..this.. ethical dilemma I have..

As an African in Asia.. Mainly Korea it has penetrated tones under my skin.

I don’t know how to tell you

But I hope you read between the lines.

Weird how being different in a sea of sameness conformity can.. set you adrift.

I hope i can tell you about it.. Maybe read between the lines.

Maybe I’ll come to share.

I have a list.. of things. Things that can be easily bought. Maybe buy me cheap happiness.

If I have a market, should I not acquire this things.

That could belong to me. Might make me happy.

Will I regret it if I do - not do.

But maybe happy will mean different when i’m in different. But being different in different might not. So why not make different in same different and be different.

I hope you read between the lines.

Farewell African Girl in Asia

vuyolin — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 21:20:00 -0500

Farewell African Girl in Asia

Throwback from my first group trip in SoKo. Festivities....

vuyolin — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 07:20:40 -0500

Throwback from my first group trip in SoKo.

Festivities. Bright eyed. All things new. So long ago.

Photo

vuyolin — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 07:04:30 -0500

Adventures in Jeju (Winds, Snow and Pork)

vuyolin — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 06:36:06 -0500

So this was my last trip in SoKo. I had the opportunity to go to Jeju with the Department. As you know already, nothing is that simple in my life. I was the only foreigner who was invited to go, meaning the rest of the group of 200 were Koreans I didn’t know. It was going to be interesting.

I’ve heard so much about Jeju. People say it’s the best part of Korea. Actually most couples go there for their honeymoon. And I got to go all expenses paid for 3 days.

I love flying. My dream job was to be a pilot. But my height and weight was against me. So was super excite to fly… but the take-off must have been my worst g-force experience ever. I usually sit over the wing, so I didn’t get why this time round it was so bad.

So the tour reminded me of those Chinese tourist bus experience I would see in Vilakazi Street in Soweto. People are always in a bus. Stop 1 hour. Look, take pictures and bus again. Eat. Bus.Next location. Bus. It was like that for 3 days. So much packed-in and little time to chill and enjoy yourself. But i guess this is what a tour packaged trip is like. I’ve never been on one like this before. We usually do the wing-it-backpackers type of deal with my friends.

We did many a things, but my Highlights were:

Go-karting, Horse-riding, Sliding down the slopes, trampolining Maze challenge, and .. yep. that’s about it.

I think eating the Jeju dream pork every 3 hours killed me. The luxury of eating it, faded away after the 3rd restaurant trip.

I had to really use my solo travel inner struggles to get through the trip though. Being that everyone spoke in Korean, I was the only foreigner and my co and I had a LOT of awkwardness towards the tail end of the trip. Who knows what was happening. Being asked about the weather, age and relationship status has come to be the norm for me. Still feels uncomfortable. Not sure whether i will feel normal over the next few months when people don’t ask me those questions when I first meet em.

G** I hope I won’t ask people those time of intrusive questions. But it’s a cultural thing you have to adjust to.

All in all. Everyone agrees that Spring or Summer is the best time for Jeju Island. We missed the blossoming flowers and envied warm weather. The most interesting part was going to one of those wax museums, and seeing a really horrendous version of president Nelson Mandela. I think it would have been better to keep him out of that. I did though, like that there was a lot of South African reference in the Peace Museum. The only African country to be there.

A small group of us got to fly back ahead of the pack. I enjoyed that part. Got to spend some time with one of the guys I’ve been working with over the past few weeks leading up to the evaluation tests. He just never had enough stamina to muster speaking to me. And with out his friend and others lurking around we got to chat quite a bit. And that Asiana landing was kinda rough there. Not sure what was going on with them that week. Was my worst take-off and landing with them. Both at Gimpo Airport.

At least I got to finally see Jeju and say I was there. I was grateful for the opportunity and being the first foreigner to be invited. I’m glad i challenged myself and went out of my comfort boxed. Traveled alone without my friends and knowing there would be a language barrier.

Jeju is a must see for all people travelling to Korea. Make it a week long event over the summer or spring break. They have a world natural wonder and I’ve never seen any volcanic remnants before I got to go. Eat their famous pork, but in moderation. The island itself reminded me of home. They had regular houses and that homey relaxed vibe. I wish I had the opportunity to go and see the pleasure park (adult stuff). But since it was a work trip I guess I couldn’t do that. I woulda totally gone to see that - the closest I’ve been to was the Penis Park in Samcheok last year. Penis explosion ^^,

morrisloyaltran: Miguel - Sure Thing Now this is my favorite...

vuyolin — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 07:27:00 -0500

morrisloyaltran:

Miguel - Sure Thing

Now this is my favorite Miguel song. Miguel live in Jozi 1 and 2 of March.

There is no way I wanna miss this treat.

I’d love him to perform: Don’t look back, All I want is you, Do you, Vixen, Adorn, Gravity, The Girl with the tattoo, Lotus Flower Bomb (if there is a way for him to do that one).. It’s endless.

Yes I am a fan ^^, If only I could twist a friend’s arm.

Ghost portrait. Something out of the 20s. She. Me. Her. Pic Me.

vuyolin — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 11:48:00 -0500

Ghost portrait. Something out of the 20s. She. Me. Her. Pic Me.

Dog sitting this past week. I miss my bunny so bad now.. Bwee...

vuyolin — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 01:54:00 -0500

Dog sitting this past week.
I miss my bunny so bad now..
Bwee bwee mommee misses you :(

24 Month, 24 Hour, Figments of L-O-V-E (ICU)

vuyolin — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 09:00:00 -0500

I see you. You found Me. I see you.

You see Me. How about the time I knew you felt that way for me. How about the whole forbidden cultural attraction. I see you. You see me 24 Months.

I want to have fun. I want to enjoy chingu Buddha’s Birthday. How about the time you didn’t wanna let me go, how about you tricking me. You know I can’t lie. Why did you remember. don’t text me. You want to see me.

How about I’m African. I’m exotic. You see me.

You can’t get enough. You want me more.

Let me be. I don’t want your type to see me. How about the 8. Do you remember that song? I still do.

You see me. I changed. You like me again. You want me but you don’t want me. I see you. I want something else.

I just want to see my friend. Have fun memories before she leaves. You see me. You can’t speak to me. But you want to be with me. I love how you kiss me. How about the way you fought the other Korean guy for me.

You love me? When. You’re so sweet.

You call me all the time. You love me? How. You don’t mind the barriers. I love how enduring your want for me is.

I see you. You see me. You smile all the time. I see you. 24 months fermenting attraction. Don’t get near me.

You’re so sweet. I’ll come see you. You love me. I must.

Who is that. I see you. Blue Jeans he’s so sweet. Will you take me to see love. How about the time he was sacred to see me. How about the time you told me we could be a better match. How about the time we spend all that time. No. But I see you. Why does love not come see me.. I see him. How about you taking me all over town telling me your dreams and history. You see me. I see you.

Illusions. Was it the allure of my eyes. I see you. I will never see you again. But He wants to see me. We can’t. I will see you.

I want to have fun. See my friend go. She loves to have fun. I love Koko. I need to breathe. I see you. Wolves surrounding me. How about when I slapped you and you cursed me. How about when you gave me your shirt because I felt cold. How about when you kissed me. Times we spend by the stairs, when you did not catch my fall. How about when you picked me up and made my heart skip a beat. How about the moonlight catching your smile. I see you - you want to see me.

I see you. You see me. I smile you tell me I’m sprung.

Why is she drunk. Let me help her. I see you. You see me. My heartbeat. You send me texts. I don’t want you. You want me. I don’t want you. Don’t see me.

You want me. I love you. I will see you.

You see me. I don’t see you. 24 month love.

We love to laugh. You love to lay your head on my torso love me playing with your hair. We love to laugh. Don’t lie to me. You want me. I see you. I see I can’t be with you. You want to see me. I can’t see you. You hurt, you don’t want me to help you. You don’t see me. I don’t want to see you.

You can’t forget me. I see you. You can’t see me. You want me. It’s just figments. Autumn LA leaves is where you belong. You can’t forget me. But I can’t see you.

I don’t want 12 month 24 hour L-O-V-E

I see you. You see me. 24 month love

You’re so sweet. How about when you surprised me at work. How about when you told be about your plans and how you would serenade me. How about when you took me to the summit and when you held my hand.

I see you. Don’t fight me. You see me.

I have to leave. Don’t fight me. See me? I can’t see you.

How about when you sent me a text. Told me you loved me. It’s been me always. No. You’re my best friend. Don’t ruin we. I can’t see you. You can’t see me. You want to see me. You want me. Don’t choose me. I can’t see you.

I see you. You see me. 24 month love.

You love it when I help you. You can’t. I can’t. I love your eyes. I see you 24 month love.

How about the time you said you love me. You want me to come back and be with you. You see I’m the one for you. How about when you told me you have loved me forever and you want me to be with you when I get back.

No. I can’t see you. You don’t see me. Not seeing you.

How about the time the OX met the Rabbit over the Snake. You miss me. You want to see me. Come see me. Don’t fight me. You fight me. You want to see me. I don’t want to see you anymore. I’ll always see you.

I see you, you see me. We love to spend 24 month time. It’s almost the end.

How about the time when we went on the trip. I see you. You see me. I see him. He sees me. Did he see that. We see too much. How about when you walked away. I see you. You see me. Why did you fight to see me not see you. What did I see? We can just see. 24 month love. Did I see too much. You don’t want me to see.

Will I see you. Will you see me. I don’t know but I don’t think I’ll see.

How about when you texted me. You missed me. You want to see till you can’t see me. I must think about seeing you. Is it my dark skin you want to see. You want to see me not be your fantasia I can’t let you see me. Why do you want to see me. I don’t want to see.

How about the time you promised me cows. But I don’t think I want you to see me.

Remember when I thought I will never see you again. We did not want to see each. I see you. You see. You come to say bye. I see you. I will forever not see you again 24 month love. You see me say you’re been glad to have seen me.

I see you see me. You always want to see me. I always see you. Will you want to see me again. You were figments of love. I don’t want to see you. How about the time you always want to see me. Stop. But I see you. I like to see you. But I don’t.

Who knows what I will see in the next 24 hour love. Who will see me. Who will want to see me. Who will I want to see. But for now I see you.

Rihanna ft Future - Loveeeeeee I can sing along to this song...

vuyolin — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 07:33:06 -0500

Rihanna ft Future - Loveeeeeee

I can sing along to this song all day.

Love.

Love and affection.

All I want.

I’m a simple kinda G ^^,

Norebang Wedding to go

vuyolin — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 07:23:00 -0500

This was a fitting title ^^, for my first and probably last Korean Wedding experience.

Norebang = Karaoke in Korean

My my my, was there a lot of singing. T’was something out of a fairytale wedding book. I’m being for real. Everything perfect and on display. It felt like a show.

Back home, I mean i haven’t attended one too many wedding but I know enough to know it’s like a 3 day ish affair. On the day, it lasts the whole day. But this was different.

Glad, my friend Karin invited me to her friend’s wedding. Bless them for getting married and giving me a change to finally attend one.

So we first went up to the wedding hall. Multiple weddings were happening at the same time. It was like a hour before our couple’s wedding (well damn - I can’t believe I never got their names - but then again no one ever bothered to tell me like it wasn’t important to know). The guy was the main guy my friends came to ~~support~~ see. He was all dressed with a permanent smile next to his parents shaking everyone’s hand. I felt anxious for him, dude was speaking in speed and just wanting to keep a straight perfect continuum. It looked like a job. Kinda.

We went downstairs to get our lunch. We sat next to randoms. It’s not like one section is reserved for the bride and groom and they are there also eating with us. No. Since there were like 4 weddings during the same time slot it meant we were siting probably with groups of people from other weddings too. I’ll give the food a pause.

But it gave me a chance to converse with Patrick. The infamous expat who used to live in my town before my time. Cool Kiwi guy.

It felt so rushed. Everything. We get to the hall and it was a little tiny to accommodate all the guests who came, so most people ended up standing. Maybe they didn’t expect a large turnout. But in the back there were constant convos going on. I don’t know how the bride and groom kept their composure, because if it were my wedding, you all will shut the hell up and watch me and mine ^^, have our moment this time. … Please …and Thank You.

But it was so sweet how the groom sang from his heart begging the bride to come out. I swear i could feel the passion and love oozing from the tips of his white gloves. It was so magic. I wanted to get lost in the moment. Later on another guy sang them a love song too. And another song played for something else. It was like a show. Two people who loved each other coming together and it just made my heart all jiggly and warm.

Then it was over and tons of picture were taken and people had to go so the next wedding could start. It all felt procedural. The entire thing must have been less than 2.5 hours long. But it doesn’t take that long to show people how much they want to be together. I guess that wasn’t the point.

I only hope the family got time to mingle at some after thing and relax. Talk about stuff. You know, the simple relaxed kinda stuff. I wish them all the best and..

Thank them for music

Thank them for letting me be a spectator at their show of love.

Being lost in love and all this right.

Bless em..

Such an African Babe.. Can’t beat that.

vuyolin — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 06:42:00 -0500

Such an African Babe.. Can’t beat that.

Dancer: Paige Fraser (via Christopher Reed 2011 Bryant...

vuyolin — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 06:37:42 -0500

Dancer: Paige Fraser

(via Christopher Reed 2011 Bryant Park)

Girl Fly..

One last contact...

vuyolin — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 06:36:06 -0500

Last night I dreamt I saw my grandparents. I was so happy and instantly filled with grief.

I knew I only had moments. To speak to my granddad. One last time. I had to see him.

I wailed like I never before. Wailed like a baby. I miss him. But I have a moment with him one last time.

Turn around, it’s me. Why are you running. It’s me.. Your favorite granddaughter. Her. Me. Why won’t you turn around and look at me.

I cried so hard I woke up. The dog was wining close to my bed.

It was so sad. I miss him. The thought of going home and not having one of my grandparents there haunts me. It won’t feel like home.

mcgeeds: A-fake-tionate. Childish Gambino – Heartbeat This...

vuyolin — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 06:24:08 -0500

mcgeeds:

A-fake-tionate.

Childish Gambino – Heartbeat

This is so corny.. But this song takes me to visuals of:

Black and White

Slow Motion

Running

Girl/Boy/Love

Push and Pull Attraction - Yearning

Reminds you of anyone?

Update - Hair Journey

vuyolin — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 06:12:00 -0500

So for the past 10ish months I’ve been on a semi hair journey. I say semi because most of that time I have not actually managed my un-relaxed hair, while it’s covered by braids or weaves during its transitional period.

This time around I elected to take out my twist braids, which took 11 hours then put in crochet braids. My hair lady was kinda lazy, and since she knows how much I too hate the chair-sit decided to put in tracks in the back, while the crotchet part was in from.

I was shocked beyond scared when i saw my hair. I mean my face was so exposed it looked so weird. It’s not like my hair styles usually covered my face, it’s just that a curly type of hair-do really brings a lot of focus on your facial features. Scary.

I have since warmed up to the style. It looks more natural and homey now that it looks oldish. I wanted a change and went for a curly type of protective style.

She used Sensationnel Too Deep Wave (I think). It sheds a lot and when I first got it, it was too shiny. I wanted more of a Solange or Kelis type of look, so I was unhappy when it came out so shiny and fake looking. I also hate how i can’t really wet this hair which is proving to be a problem. It’s snowing and we need a lot of heat and head wear, my hair gets wet from snow storms. It’s a challenge and it’s only been a month. Sigh. I can’t take it out this early since I paid so much for this hair. So next week I’m going to brave washing it. Crossing Fingers.

My Own Hair? Well it’s pretty long now (shoulder-length when stretched) and I think I might give my hair a break. While I’m at home for a while I’m going to try and bond with it. Right now it’s a huge fro and I need to give it time, and myself time to get used to it. I can’t wait to be free.

The only reason why I was braiding and weaving so much was because I work full-time and you know how Koreans are on looks. I would have had to deal with all the stares and feeling so self-conscious about it while trying to transition. I’ve never looked after my own hair. But now most of the women in my family don’t put chemicals in their hair which is a huge motivator.