Introduction to My Random Self

It feels right to be starting this blog right now.  I've started many blogs but pinning me down to one niche is problematic for me.  And that's what the blog gurus recommend.  I started to lost hope that despite a love for writing, if I had to stick to just sharing one part of my life and write the life out of that topic, that would be just too sad for me. And I tried, but that didn't motivate me for long...  I started and stopped.  Started and stopped.  Until I thought, okay, I have to be true to myself.  In life and in my writing about my experiences and interests.  I know how random this will make my blog and that this could possibly drive some readers crazy!  They will hate that they never know what I'm going to write about or share and if there is anything interesting and beneficial for them within it.  I'll be the first to admit I ain't for everybody.

I get that and I can only apologise.  I apologise because that's exactly how I'm going to write this blog. I might write about where I'm travelling today, then write about something I'm cooking, baking or knitting tomorrow.  On another day I might get right up into my feelings about life topics and my interactions with people in my life.  I'm a plus size woman and this affects my health and enjoyment of life so there will times I want to show off my plus size fashion finds and at other times I'll want to talk about the struggles. I'm a born again Christian so there will be times I want to share about my faith.  Random stuff you see.  That's why I've named my blog the way I have.  Random Ria.  Hi, I'm Ria. Nice to meet you.  If you're still reading, thank you so much!  Thank you for choosing to stick with me for a little while and checking out my blog.  Like I said I'm not for everybody but I totally appreciate any support people choose to give by reading and trying to understand my blog and me through my blog!.

Today, in my introduction post I'm writing to say that I am super excited to share that I plan to move to South Korea, pandemic permitting, in the Summer of 2021!  Why is that news? You don't know me yet, but I'll tell you. I'm a huge fan of South Korean culture and the people.  As I turned 40 some years ago I stumbled across Korean Drama, and I was hooked!  Now, the weird thing is this is something that young people were doing at the time, I think the craze is called Hallyu, but I was a woman in her 40s!  It made no sense! But something about the story lines, the portrayal of the culture really spoke to me and I loved it.  Fast forward to Fall 2019 and I got to travel to South Korea for my birthday.  One would think that the reality would bring me down to earth about my curiosity of Korean culture.  So many people warned me that life there would not be like in the dramas.  And it wasn't...  It wasn't like in the Korean Dramas, to me it was better!!!  I felt like I really wanted to spend more time soaking in culture and learning the language but only had 3 weeks.  I run a start up so I had work to do.  Then Covid hit and  changed everything!  I remembered that I had a desire to travel and live in South Korea for a short time.  Not so short it was a holiday but not too long either.  I thought about becoming a digital nomad but I couldn't find a legal means for doing that in South Korea.  

I then also remembered that I was looking to pursue PhD studies.  It's a long story about my education and this is something I'll share in another blog post one day.  Butt let's just say it is one of my life goals.  I completed my Masters degree in 2018. My Masters experience was challenging.  I knew I was capable but the relationships with my lecturers was not like it had been in my undergraduate studies and by the end of the course I had haemorrhaged all the confidence I had built up over the years after suffering chronic low self esteem prior to doing my undergraduate as a mature student.  I'd done so well in my Bachelors.  I can't tell you why some of the lecturers went out of their way to be 'awkward' and that's the nicest word I can find for whatever that was, but I felt maligned....  It impacted my performance and I barely made it! But rest assured I did.  So pursuing my PhD was scary.  I wasn't sure if I had what it took anymore...  But my two years out away from studying and running my start-up showed me that I was wrong and that I more than had the ability.  And you know what they say... Feel the fear and do it anyway!  Covid is terrible but global pandemics, I have learnt, have an ability to reveal to us what is important in our lives.  Getting my PhD was something I really wanted and I wanted to fulfil a promise to my late father.  So it came to my mind in this year and at this time days after I literally turned 49 that I would apply to study my PhD in South Korea!  I thought it would serve both of my desires to get my PhD and soak up Korean culture.  

But then I needed two recommendation letters.  I didn't feel confident to ask my postgraduate lectures because of that 'awkward' feeling and I had lost touch with all but a few of my undergraduate lecturers.  I was afraid of the rejection...  But I really wanted this so I reached out to two of some of my favourite undergraduate lecturers and held my breath....  They were awesome!  They both said yes!  I am ecstatic!  I'm taking a break from writing a proposal writing this blog but I have begun my proposal and I am researching South Korean universities in the capitol Seoul to apply to. I will then make my application fully after I find a supervisor.  I prayed and thanked God because those two recommendations were nothing short of a miracle.  I hope they are the first of many miracles.  Because while I am excited at beginning this life changing journey, there are so many hurdles like financing my plans, my older age, the research itself within South Korea, the move from my beautiful city London which I do love, and all that comes with a decision like the one I have just made.  I'm plus size, black and will be a 'foreigner' in this homogenous culture but I can overcome that I think... I am learning Korean now as well and the thought of going excites me each day!   I have some serious challenges with this, but I really need this life change right now and feel ready for it.  My mental health needs it.  I'll miss my family like crazy as I have never been too far from them my whole life but I think I am excited for the personal growth this experience will bring me.  I'm single right now so the timing is perfect and I feel it makes it possible for me to be able to do something in my life like this right now praise God.  

I wanted that to be the very first thing I share with you any readers out there.  You probably feel I'm nuts!  And I don't blame you.  If you are a praying person, please remember me in your prayers, I'm definitely trying to make sure I pray and ask God to guide me on this journey.  It's a big feat and I don't know if I will make it but for some reason I find comfort in sharing it out there with you all.  I'm taking you on this journey with me.  I hope you don't mind.  I won't share just about this though.  Don't worry.  I have much to share about my other interests as well.  Currently I' clearing out my balcony garden which I started during the lockdown.  I can't wait to show you the pics! Random.  That's me. Welcome.

Ria xoxo