The Black and Blue Butterfli

I spent most of today all alone. It wasn't that bad without LaChoi. I wanted to get lost on my own pace so I could figure out where things were. I think I still need a couple days to really let it sink in. I still end up wandering around for a bit before I find where I'm supposed to be.

But more importantly, being alone in a culture I've only seen through a computer screen did me some good. I was able to connect with myself. Half understanding the language, and just depending on myself and probably most likely God to get around toned down the distractions so my head was clearer. Which resulted in discovering the symbol that will represent my artist side for the rest of my life.

It's not something new, I've always had it pop up in my life in random places. Clothes, drawings, all sorts of things. I didn't realize I was probably meant to be a butterfly. I was always thinking of fantastical creatures to represent me, like a dragon or a pheonix even. And I've always loved dolphins, too. Despite that, I think the butterfly couldn't be exempt from the options.

Here's how it happened:

While I went back to Noriteo park, the Seoul Fringe Festival was running on full speed as ever, apparently. Booths were set up everywhere, selling jewelry, shirts, accessories. It was great. There was some really neat stuff. I went around to scope the scene first before settling if there was anything I could want. Or, I could have started the present gathering for everyone back in the States right then. Since jewelry was abundant, there had to be something there I would like. Sterling silver, and everything!

I waited until something really called out to me. Since I had just recently gotten a cellphone, I decided a cell phone charm wouldn't be a bad start. After an hour or so, something finally caught my eye. I saw a little black butterfly cellphone charm. Really pretty. I will take pictures of what I talk about soon. In my limited Korean, I asked how much it was, etc. and the lady vendor showed me a set of earrings and necklace that also sported the black butterfly. The butterflies had flower designs painted on them, and it was different on each piece of jewelry. She asked to put the cellphone charm on my cell, and I liked how it looked. Eh, the prices were all pretty expensive, but I thought, what the hell, I'll just get all three. Total was 49,000 won which in US dollars is around 46 or 47 dollars. Yeah, I know, right?

But my gut told me it was ok, and that I should. After I paid for the items, I walked away pondering why it felt like I should. And that's when it clicked for me. It was my symbol.

Every artist and illustrator out there has a personalized something that represents them, whether it be an animal, an inanimate object, anything. It's the pictorial signature of the artist. It's a simple something that should be made effective enough to represent the artist for the rest of his or her life, and I personally think it should be taken seriously. Some artists knew what their symbol was from the beginning, while others, like me, needed to keep searching for it for awhile. I think it has to do with the level of artistic maturity.

Here's the kick: I totally wasn't even thinking that hard about choosing my artist symbol, much less right at that spot. I just always knew that I had yet to really decide on one. But at that moment, when I saw that butterfly charm intricated with blue florals...it was like a reminder. I walked away from the vendor wondering if this could really be it when I walked past another booth selling Tshirts, and as soon as I saw that white shirt with a black and blue butterfly for a graphic print, I was sold. More about this particular shirt in the next entry.

I decided on the black and blue colors. Blue has always been my favorite. Black...I don't have a definite answer for that. But it flows with how it goes already.

Black
Blue
Butterfli

Yes, I meant to end the butterfly with an "I" instead of a "Y." Why? The I means "I." Personal Pronoun. Mine. And right there, is the rhyme.

Lol.

I didn't meet LaChoi until much later. Around dinner time. Until then, I worked on how the butterfli would look with my name. How I would sign my paintings and illustrations and such. Where the colors would go. Artistically, it was a productive day.

Despite, being a little frustrated with the current situation between LaChoi's plans and mine, I'm grateful to her. Even though, honestly, if she was in another country for the first time where I'm supposed to host her and help her out, I wouldn't be doing what she's been doing to me. But that's beside the point. Just goes to show how much I really wanted to be here to be able to put up with being completely alone on the second day in a country I've never been to before.

So to finish off, here's what I've already promised to provide here online:

Pictures of my adventures
Videos of my flight
Sample drawings of the Butterfli

Now in order to do all that, it would be most helpful if I can find one of those universal convertors for foreign plugs and outlets.....my laptop has run out of battery. >.<