The bad thing about having ‘some-ting’ in your brain is that you never can tell when a headache is just a headache.

But this one’s been going on a good few hours now…so yeah, I have no clue.

All I know is that my head hurts, I desperately need to go to sleep & I don’t want to even think about the possibility that the mega headache that lasted 3 weeks could be back with a vengence.

I’ll just close my eyes & dream of waves.

Korean rest stops are a completely different experience from American ones.

There are food courts (serving both fast food & sit down meals), musicians, peddlers, coffee shops, convenience stores & even clothing stores.

Back in September I did a quick post on the zen garden & electronic toiletswe found on the way to Silleuska.

So when we took the trip to Jebu I had decided to do a quick video of one - pushing every button filming what it does.

But unfortunately there weren’t any electronic toilets at this one.

There was, however, this man.

A Chinese brush artist who had set up his table, painting script on the spot.

His work was absolutely beautiful – so fluid & precise.

He had a translation hand-out. But it only translated from Chinese to Hangul (Korean).

There wasn’t a single won amount listed anywhere – so I had no idea how much he was asking for them.

Plus, not knowing what exactly I’d be purchasing…I was a little hesitant. Especially given that only the Korean men were fascinated with his work. Not a single woman (other than me) crowded around his table.

So I’m guessing these weren’t phrases detailing everlasting love or the joys of motherhood. Shoot – they could’ve been dissident political rants for all I knew.

But I only had all of a few seconds before I had to get back on the bus anyway.

I had spent too much time waiting in line for the bathroom.

But I managed to snap a picture (much to horror of all the Korean women around me) of this one’s main feature…complete with koi fish.

[low tide at Jebu Island]

Tomorrow I hop a bus to Seoul for more bloodwork.

The Neurologist finally called back this afternoon to let me know that the hold up was finding a lab…any lab…that could run the test for Scrub Typhus.

But all the stars have finally aligned & now it’s my turn to contribute to the never-ending “let’s-test-her-for-this” process.

For those of you just tuning in, I have ‘some-ting in my brain’.

I’ve known for two months now, but no answer as to what that ‘some-ting’ may be.

Like the boat I’ve been stuck out here in the middle of all this uncertain mud - waiting for the emotional tide of an official diagnosis to come in so that I can finally plot a course out of here.

But I’m stuck…I’ve been stuck.

Stuck in the mud & muck and yeah, sure…from time to time it’s easy to close my eyes & forget it’s there.

But it IS there.

Surrounding me. Surrounding every decision I make.

I can’t take one step out of this freakin’ boat without getting in it.

And this blood test tomorrow is another step towards an answer – an answer I’ve been waiting for.

So why do I feel so afraid?

[don't answer that]

I’m going to go close my eyes now.

[humor me - play the video]

Welcome to Jebu Island!

Ahh…now isn’t this nice?

Relaxing on the beach, sand between your toes, sunshine on your face…

and nothing but the sound of the rolling waves to keep you company.

I’ll give you a moment to let it all sink in.

[a soft voice calls out]

“You’re drifting a-waaaayyy from the cubicle…
no ringing phones…no urgent emails…just you & the waves.”

Ahh…serenity. You there yet?

I’ll give you another moment.

Maybe if you put your iPhone down, you goof.

Yes, I know it’s amazing that there’s a signal all the way out here – but we’re here to relax, remember?

Besides it’s low tide right now so everyone is digging for clams.

Dig if you want….I want to head over to those big rocks while the sea floor is still exposed.

I guess when they say ‘low tide’, they mean ‘low tide’.

Look at it.

That mud stretches forever.

Let’s head this way…

I’m glad there’s not a whole lot of people here today…it makes it nice.

At home all this would be over-developed with people jam-packed everywhere.

That part of America I don’t miss.

Oh, but watch your step…

The path right here is made completely out of shells & it stretches all the way to the rocks.

Look at all of them…

…clams…mussels…snails….

Huh…I wonder what that is blooming up there?

It’s pretty whatever it is.

You can head around back with Eric, if you like.

I’ll just gonna chill out here for a minute.

I want to find some pretty shells to take home & enjoy the peace and…

["EEEEE!!!!!", a girl screams behind me]

What the…?!

Oh.

The tide’s coming back in.

And it looks like she’s not too happy at the thought of ruining those platform wedges.

Come on, really?….Platform wedges on the beach?…Who are you trying to impress?

But Eric says we better hurry – it’s coming in fast.

If we don’t head back now we’ll be stuck out here.

And as much as I would love to be stranded on an island for a few days – I’d rather be on one that’s not quite this deserted.

Ahh. Check it out…that would be who she’s trying to impress.

Wow, it did come in fast, didn’t it?

I wish we could’ve stayed out there longer.

I didn’t grab any of those smaller rocks that had all the little barnacles on them.

Fudge it.

Oh well…I’ve got to get back to exploring the rest of the main island,

…and you’ve got to get back to work.

[don't hate]

Come back whenever office life gets overwhelming & you need another moment of Zen.

Edited 5/01/10: I’ve submitted this post to a blog I stumbled on not too long ago & fell in love with. It’s called The Inspired Room & they’ve done a post on how to decorate with memories from special places. Which reminds me I still have yet to take pictures of all the beautiful shells we found.

Just home from Jebu Island.

We had a great time & took loads of pictures.

Getting out in nature always renews me & lately the woods where I walk the dogs hasn’t been cuttin’ it.

They’re somewhat tainted now to think that’s possibly where this whole medical saga began.

But for now I’m sun burnt & exhausted…and yet content to leave the pile of dirty dishes, loads of dirty laundry & overflowing dining table of junk to sit in all their squalor.

I waded in the Yellow Sea today & I am renewed.