Made it to Korea

Each seat had a personal screen where we could "watch movies" or the news or something. The flight crew also posted a GPS of the plane and our flight along with information on our speed, local time, destination time, etc. It was written in English, Chinese and Korean - I think. 

Getting ready to cross the International Date Line!!! (I think this is where I lost my May 31, 2009 but I'm not entirely sure.)

I guess at 36,000 feet it's pretty cold outside. 

This picture is just for fun. Most everything on the plane (magazines, instructions, etc.) was in Korean and some Chinese. But on the back of our seats, they posted both. 

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Well, I have landed in Korea and leave for Beijing in 4 hours. The flight was so long but only slightly uncomfortable. I slept for what I thought was at LEAST 8 hours, only to wake up and find out we weren't even half way over the ocean. They gave us dinner last night on the plane and then breakfast again this morning but my internal clock is all screwed up. I'm trying my best to just be on China time and not even think about what time it is in the states. But overall, the flight was fine, no problems and I'm glad to have both feet back on the ground - at least for the next few hours. My connecting flight to Beijing should only be about 2 hours, so that will feel like a piece of cake compared to the last 13. 

More pictures of Santa Monica

I LOVE Marina del Rey ... too bad I'd never make enough money to live there. 

I guess this is another little "borough" like Marina del Rey, Malibu, Santa Barbara, etc. But I didn't get to see it. It's right down the hill from Loyola Marymount University. 

Loved this mural - Create Art, Not Violence. I think it's perfect, especially in this day and age. 

As I was walking down towards the water and the pier, I passed this guy who was doing sketches. Above is one of Catherine Zeta-Jones (quite possibly one of my favorite actresses in Hollywood). While I was tempted to buy it (yes, I'm impulsive) I merely settled for a picture. I guess I can say I saw CZJ while in Cali, although it wasn't her in person. :)

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I've been to Santa Monica before but it was something like 7 years ago - probably before I really appreciated it. This time, I feel like I soaked it up. I only wish I had an extra week to spend in LA to explore some more. 

Santa Monica

Fun architecture - reminds me of Miami with the bright colors. 

The Santa Monica pier

Santa Monica Blvd.

Sailboat on the Pacific Ocean

La mer

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Today I had time to kill during my 14-hour layover, so I took the bus ($1.50 roundtrip) to Santa Monica and the pier. The weather seemed pretty cold for California - about 65 degrees and windy. But it was still nice to see the ocean. People looked at me weirdly because I was in long pants, my fleece and carrying my huge pack everywhere, but it was still fun! I just love California. Everyone is so chill and has their own style. I also love how eclectic the architecture and culture is. I may need to look into grad schools out here...

Chicago to LA pictures

The international terminal at O'Hare - I was actually considered a domestic flight since I have a layover in LA, so I didn't need to go to this terminal. Nor did I need to be at the airport 3 hours early. But alas, we showed up bright and early at 6am.

This was hanging in a corridor at O'Hare - we saw it as we left the international terminal and walked to the domestic airlines side. Yay for Shanghai!

Me with my pack, getting ready to leave for LA.

Looking out the airplane window over canyons. I doubt it's the Grand Canyon but I really have no idea. It was AWESOME though. There was SO MUCH of it - it seemed to last forever. Very cool. 

Chicago/Los Angeles

These were how close our seats were at the Cubs game! And we bought the tickets at a discount, too!
Go Cubbies!
Sep and me at Navy Pier last night for the concert.
Sunrise over Chicago seen from my friend's apartment window. AMAZING. 

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Sep and I had a GREAT time in Chicago yesterday. We saw a Cubs game and had fantastic seats! We explored the DePaul campus a little, ate at a really good Thai restaurant, and then hung out at Navy Pier that night to watch the band my friend works for. In all the fun, it did turn out to be a LONG day. I don't think we got to bed until about 12:30. Then we were up at 4:45 this morning to get me to the airport. Ugh. I'm tired, hungry and LA is grey - it looks surprisingly a lot like Michigan (unfortunately). 

So I'm at the airport now (I had to pay for internet - stupid Los Angeles) trying to figure out where to eat and if I should catch a bus to Santa Monica, Venice Beach and Hollywood...? We'll see. I'm not feeling very inspired right now but it would be more amusing than sitting in the airport until midnight when my flight leaves for Korea. 

Team blog

Our team leader Cathleen has just created a team blog for us. Apparently, we will take turns updating it while we're in China - so if you're interested in reading about the trip from my teammates' perspectives, you can read the blog:

http://gieuchina2009.blogspot.com/

This blog will remain my personal blog and I will update it daily (internet access depending). 

More coming soon!

Love,

Morgan

Other GIEU blogs to follow!

Friends and family, 

As I connect with some of my classmates who are abroad on other GIEU trips, I am finding out they post blogs as well! Their blogs are slightly different than mine as they post a group blog and mine is individual, but if you are interested in the goings on in Vietnam and Indonesia (that's all I have so far) you should check them out! Veitnam has posted pictures and Indonesia is just fascinating! 

Vietnam: http://2009gieuvietnam.blogspot.com/

Indonesia: http://gieuindonesia2009.blogspot.com/

I'm leaving for Chicago tomorrow with Sep. It looks like we'll be seeing a Cubs game in the afternoon, maybe some shopping on Michigan Avenue, a ferris wheel ride on Navy Pier and a local, hip bar with my best childhood friend who's hosting us. What more could we ask for in Chicago for a day?