Testing Out Airbnb. . . A step-by-step analysis updated live

UPDATED!!!

Seoul, Korea. . . Here I come!

Yes, I am returning to this country of my heart in June, where I get the opportunity to stay for almost 3 weeks.  I will be studying in Kyoto and Tianjin, but I get a little time in between.  After scouring the airline prices, it is definitely cheaper to fly to Korea and hang out there in cheap housing rather than fly back and forth to the US.  Plus, I’m dying to go back!

However, since I am a very cheap student (did I mention I was cheap, as in uber, uber cheap?) I am looking for someplace to stay in Korea for the duration.  Last semester I stayed in Chungmuro, but that hotel is way too expensive to stay in without school loans helping to cover the cost.  On the other hand, I liked being in that area of Seoul, so I think I’ll try finding something in the nearby vicinity of that dip in the Han River.  

True Friendship

Friendship is hard to depict and hard to define, but these two were a great example  They were laughing and joking with one another, and I couldn’t help but capture it on film. They seemed like great kids.  To be so close to each other, content in each other’s company, and comfortable around each other is a truly amazing gift.

Panda!

I had a really awesome experience today! I was coming down the mountain of fushimi inari and saw a little critter run past me in the woods. After I described the fur, tail, and legs to my professor, we looked it up. I actually saw an incredibly rare Red Panda in Japan! Apparently this is really, really rare to see on in the wilds of Japan. Cool! I didn’t get a picture of him (he ran past too fast for me to get it), but here is what they look like. He was HUGE! And furry

Getting a Chinese Tourism Visa (for US Natural Citizens)

US Passport

For someone who wants to work in China after graduation, I have to admit, I’m none to desperate to run through the whole getting a Visa thing again any time soon.  I mean, oh my word, that was a total disaster from start to finish.  Since the process outlined on their website is a heck of a confusing mess, I failed to realize that it would end up taking me weeks to get my Passport and Visa back. I literally only got it the day before my flight; and that was after calling my senator who called higher-ups who called higher-ups to track it down and then stopping the postal services to grab ahold of it. What a mess! In the hopes of helping clarify the process for some other poor soul

Taking to the Skies

Flew Chicago to San Francisco today on the first leg of my trip and I love this picture of the skies. Click on the picture and it will take you to the others I shot

Off I go!

Hooray!

I officially leave Iowa City for the Chicago airport sometime tomorrow.  My mom is driving me up there (no point in leaving a car there for 3 months) and then coming back.  Since the drive is so far, we’ve decided to stay in a hotel overnight since I have to be at the airport at 3:30 a.m. on Friday.  I have to say this whole thing has been horrible (Chinese Embassy lost my passport, resulting in three six-hour trips up to Chicago in a week during final exams, etc.) but I am so happy it is finally getting underway.  I did learn a lot during the process, so I’ll upload some of the tips in the next few days.  Wish me luck!  I’ll start posting again here in the next week or so as I arrive in Japan.  Praying everything works out perfectly!

Tata!

 

 

What Multiple-Choice Answer is your least favorite?

Okay, Monday I officially have one of the great dreaded Multiple Choice question exams.  While I may have totally rocked out on Undergrad MP?s, Law school exams are killing me.  Thus, in the name of procrastinators everywhere, I ask you: What is your least favorite multiple choice answer?!?

7 Foot Floating Head

7 Foot Floating Head

0_0. . . 

Mom, Dad, guess what I found!  This is seriously a story to be told. LOL

Psy(chology): Not the True Korea

The Singer Psy

Take a moment and go check out this article: “Psy’s new track ‘Gentleman’ Banned in South Korea.  Yep, that’s right Psy has made another video.  Brings back traumatic memories of a certain song being stuck in your head for days when every radio, club, restaurant, and Wal-Mart was airing it.  

The first video “Gangnam Style” was so popular, it drove searches for South Korea through the roof.  I was living in the Gangnam (aka Kangnam) area when the song first came out. Previously, when friends asked where I was, I had to explain carefully where Korea was; trying to explain “South” Korea usually was more than they cared to get.  But suddenly, everyone know where the country was. Korea was popular, the entire nation

How to Install Line (A step-by-step guide)

Line is a kind of messenger system, like Skype only it’s not based out of the U.S.  It’s kind of a weird cross between Twitter, Tumblr, and Skype really, you’ll find pictures, chat message, phone services, and you can join in on live chats as well. Anyway, a bunch of people have been looking for directions on installation, so here you go!

GETTING “LINE” DOWNLOADED INITIALLY

You can try just searching for “Line” in your smartphone app store.  It usually brings it up as the first or second result.  It’s a green button that says “Line.”  Just remember, you have to set it up on your smartphone/I-Pod before you can put it on your computer.  Line requires it.

1. Go to the official Line website at line.naver.jp/en/

 

• Click theGreen “Download” button.  You will have to set it up on your ipod/iphone/smart phone before you can install it on the computer.  I put it on my Ipod, so I went through the Iphone process.  I’m assuming it is similar for other mobiles.

 

• Click the Green button for your mobile choice.  It will take you to I-Tunes for Apple products and GooglePlay for Android products, ditto for the other app programs.  From now on I’ll approach it from the I-Tunes version.

• Once it locates “Line by NAVER Japan Corporation,” click the Blue “View in I-Tunes.”

• Off you go to I-tunes where you download it like any other app and transfer it over onto your I-Pod. I’ll upload a post soon on how to do this if you don’t know how. Open the Program on your Mobile Device.

 

This is what the app looks like

 

1. Now, you will have to enter in an email address and password (Keep these, you’ll need them to install it on your computer).  Then go through the other set up processes, this will include your profile fic, username, terms & conditions, and verification.  The Phone number should  be something you’ll get text messages on since they send you a passcode for human verification purposes.  Enter in the number from the text message when it asks.  Once it is installed, you’re good to go here.
2. To install it on your computer go back to the official Line website at line.naver.jp/en/
3. Click the Green “Download” button and pick your computer.  Download the file, enter your email address and password when it asks, and you are set!