As the story has it, one day I headed to the opposite side of the globe – the Flipside. I arrived in Korea February 16th, 2005 and thought I’d do a year, then leave. I was wrong. I stayed, launched my first company, Flipside Fitness, and then opened Korea's largest boxing club, Hulk's Boxing (now called Hulk's Club).
After 11.5yrs in Korea, I then picked up one day and returned to Toronto, Canada. But then I left again.
Now I live in the Philippines where I am the CEO and head coach of Empowered Clubhouse, the Philippines' first and only boxing clubhouse exclusively just for women. I also am the founder of the Lil' Sistas Project, CEO and designer of Slay Gear and Baa Baa Black Sheep .Ph.
3 comments:
Hello Amy, I have been reading your blog for awhile now but this is the first time I have made a comment.
Right now I am in Canada for the holidays and I will be returning for my second year of teaching in Seoul. I relate to your site for a variety of reasons..........firstly, I too have fallen in love with Korea, just as you have. It was my intention to only stay for one year but sure enough (for whatever reasons) I am venturing back there. Also, I have a Korean boyfriend..........
It breaks my heart to hear your story about what happened to you. I can't imagine what it would feel like to be there and experience what you are going through -- especially being away from your family and friends from back home.
Be true to your heart girl!!!!!
Anyways, just wanted to say 'hi'.
Hey Jennipal,
Thanks for showing interest to my homepage and leaving a comment. It's ALWAYS really cool to see who's out there paying attention.
Thanks for the words of motivation too.
I'm glad you like Korea and are coming back for a second year. I'll be starting my third year in March.
So... looks like I'm not the only Canadian girl who loves Korean men...ㅋㅋㅋ. Good stuff. I suppose you can definitely relate with regards to various cultural differences that add "interest" to the relationship... both good and bad.
Yes, it's true... I'm going through a hard time right now. I've dated various guys in the past but never have loved any man like I loved Ryan. I can honestly say that he's the one man I never doubted my love for and unconditionally loved. Even now, things suck and we've been fighting lots, I still love him.
Unfortunetly, I can't do it anymore. His move to Seoul was really hard but him staying here and continually fighting is just as hard.
Ahhh... drama!
Hey Amy.............me again.
So I just finished reading your entire blog, which took me about 2 days (perhaps I have too much time on my hands). And from this I have concluded that you are extremely busy -- not only do you teach full time, but you workout and train, hang out with your friends (like everyday), dance, run up and down your stairs, have heart to heart converstations with you femi Korean friends, write books, study Korean, have frustrating discusions with students who's children are being bullied, go out and see things, take massive amounts of pictures, blog (and make it look nice).........list goes on -- so basically from this I have concluded that you must NOT SLEEP, I mean there is no other way.
Anyways, despite it all I find you to be an interesting girl and I enjoy what you have to say. I will be sure to leave comments on your site because I know how excited I am to read what other people have to say on mine. And perhaps I will even sign your guestbook (since you dropped enough hints in your blog.........hehe).
Your relationship with Ryan reminds me of my ex in Canada (my first and only canadian bf whom I dated for 4 years). And despite all the hardship at the end of the day I walked away still loving him (and do to this very day). I walk away knowing that he did not give me what I needed and I find peace in that because we should never compromise......And good for you for doing the same. Although the pain you feel now may be overwhelming and it might seem easier to run back, it is only a matter of time before you can step back and re-evaluate what has happened. And that is the best part..............knowing that you gave it your all, you hurt, your heart got stomped on and broken into little pieces, you loved, you FELT, you grew, you learned, it's all part of being human and yes it does suck. But it is these things that will make your next relationship even better and stronger. Hold the good memories dear to your heart, and be proud of the person you are. Okay sorry for the pep talk, I am sure you didn't need to hear that.
And yes I love Korean guys.................I don't know what it is about them but they just get me (i think my mom is scared, because she also told me not to come back married, just like yours). To that I replied............"marriage is a patriarchial institution that oppresses women", okay I wasn't that mean but I most definately don't see myself getting married............ever.
You look so happy in your pictures with your students............of all the things I miss the most in Korea it is definately my kids (students), since they are my family away from home.
Alright, I better head to bed before I write a book and you decide to never talk to me again.
Take care and good luck!!!
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