Intentional - Authenticity - Critical Thinking - Connoisseur
Hello, my name is Amy!
I am starting this blog after living in South Korea for two years and being deeply inspired by the entire country, before returning to the United States where I am now.
The experience of living in Korea left me wondering how America can be so different from everywhere else and why it seemed intentional that the best parts of life in Korea, and other places, (people everywhere, walkability, a strong sense of culture, cheap nutritious food at convenience stores, things to do and see everywhere I look) simply CAN NOT be found in America. They aren’t here, even by accident, and I had to know why.
I have created These Good Ole Days to (1) provide an outlet for my thoughts on the current car-centric, lonely, fast-paced, and expensive life condition that America has created.
To detail the information that I have found from researching as to:
What the differences are, What are planning and new urbanism; Why each are the way that they are, Why we should care enough to do better; and How we can change- by uncovering knowledge that we should have inherited from past generations, and building on our past with what other countries are currently doing successfully.
I hope individuals like me and communities find this website and it helps them learn about this topic and encourages them to want more from their locality.
And (2), I am finishing up my Business Administration degree and I want to use this site to give me credibility in the planning and design field by providing some proof of my independent research, knowledge, and communication skills.
I most definitely do not have all of the answers, or think what I share here is the only way to design places for humans, I just want to provide the information that I have found on ‘other ways’ so that they can consider it and do with it what they may!
Scroll down to see some principles I live by ↓
Inspired by South Korea
Living in another country changed my life. I was so amazed by every little thing and how it differed from the US.
The people: their friendliness and courteous-ness, how well dressed and put together everyone is even in their ‘off-duty’ outfits, and how everyone seems to strive for the best down to the last detail- from their home life, to their work lives.
The way they live in cities but also in villages/towns: everything is close together and easy to walk to, convenience stores are everywhere (even multiple within a single block) and sell real food for around $2-4, communal eating is the standard, and public trashcans don’t exist but the streets are still always clean.
I’ve said it, and I have heard other people say the same: the country feels like a country-wide amusement park, which I think comes from its walkability, safety, beauty (people and places), the abundance of entertainment methods, being able to walk or take trains/subways to travel easily and cheaply around the entire country (absolutely no need for drunk driving, just drunk sitting)
I can go on and on, if you are interested, feel free to head here as I share more about what I experienced in Korea!
The most important concepts, on which I live my life…
Authenticity
Critical Thinking instead of Criticism
Don’t Throw The Baby Out With The Bath Water
similarly, Take The Good and Leave The Bad
Each Of Our Individual ‘Rights’ To Do ____ Impose Opposite Duties On All Others.
French: “Bon Vivant” means: “Good ‘Liver’” Being Good at Living Your Life
It’s All About The Little Things
Beauty Matters
People Are One Of The Most, If Not The Most, Important Things In Your Life
Forgive, and Give People The Benefit Of The Doubt, Often.
Don’t Keep Sticking Your Hand Into A Fire That Continues to Burn You
The Art of Being Prepared is Important
Whatever You Choose To Do, OWN IT
Schedule and Guard Free Time in Your Week for Yourself, and To Lend To Others When They Need You.
Italian: "Dolce far Niente" means: "the sweetness of doing nothing," the pleasure one gets from being idle
There is Always a Balance to Be Had
Be Intentional
When You Really Listen to People, They Become So Interesting That You Can Hardly Stand It.
Conflict Delayed is Conflict Multiplied
Make The Best Out Of Your Current Situation, Intentionally
