It won't be long now.

Last week was my third time back in Seoul and I am still discovering new sights, sounds, smells and experiences.

One, the crazy temperature drop. Sub-zero temperatures are not friendly but I think I am slowly getting accustomed to it.

Two, the tourist restaurants. This time I went on a tour package and for our meals, we were sent to Korean restaurants that served only tour groups. Even outside of Singapore, I couldn't get away from PRCs.

Three, the ginseng museum and beauty product showroom built only to fleece tourist dollars. Only the not-so-savvy would buy so many boxes of ginseng capsules and beauty product gift sets.

Four, the way I am able to always get my way if it is a reasonable request and I am firm enough in asking for it. We didn't follow the tour group much, and that resulted in us being able to avoid queueing in the cold for three hours for no SuJu merchandise. We also managed to have another free day which we used to visit Garosugil (which we have not seen enough of the last time we were here) and to rest well before Super Show 4.

Five, the way I am getting more and more confident of staying in an unfamiliar place alone. I spoke a lot more Korean this time. I also managed to used the time the tour guide gave us to shop to instead visit other places that were more interesting.

I think I've cleared about half of the sightseeing spots in Seoul but I am always ready for more. This time we got to see N Seoul Tower in the night. We also got to visit Cheonggyecheon (Cheonggye Stream) - we walked along it as well as visited the Lantern Festival.

The only disappointment was Lotte World. It was way smaller than I thought it would be and we weren't very interested in the rides. We took two very safe rides. There were tons of teenagers on dates there and if I were to be asked out on a date to Lotte World, "No," would be the last word I would ever say to that guy.

Six, how I wish Starbucks in Singapore served in "short" and not only "tall" and "grande". Seriously, it would allow me to have coffee in the noon!

Seven, how much I love taking my time and not having to rush here, there and everywhere. I like being busy, but I also like being able to be busy on my own terms. Mok Eun aka Mr. Stable (kya kya) made me see that I must continue chasing my dreams. Even if I get scared and even when I lose faith, I must search for my courage and not let myself down.

And right now as I am writing this, I am wishing against reality that I will not be going back to my hotel in a while to start packing my bags. I want to stay at Coffee Girl, enjoy my cake and watch the world go by. I want to stay in Seoul to start a new life and carve a new side to my identity. I want to stay here and now, away from the prison that my passport calls home.



But I must return. It is the only way to move forward. I need to go back so that I can continue to take small steps forward for myself and for the ones I love.

So once again, goodbye Seoul, for now. Please wait patiently till I get to say again, "Goodnight Singapore, Goodmorn, Seoul."

Love always.

PS Super Show 4 review + photos coming soon. Again, don't hold your breath.