The sky was bright blue that day.

“Busan, here we come!” Sunny cheered loudly as we boarded the van.

We were all set, everyone with their luggage filling the back boot. Mine might have been the smallest of them all. I had only one backpack, and that backpack was the one I had since the moment I came to Seoul.

I looked up at the sky.

Time to clear my mind, I said to myself right before I stepped inside and closed the door behind me.

The drive took almost seven hours, depending on the traffic. Sunny napped two times, while Hyoyeon snored all the way. I might’ve been the only one that stayed up. Yoona was chatty as usual, till she fell asleep as well. And soon everyone drifted off to dreamland, all except for me.

I kind of wished that Krystal was there. But she was too busy. Jessica had invited her in the beginning as well, but to prepare f(x)’s comeback none of the members were allowed to go anywhere for fear of any delays it might cause.

In the end I fell asleep as well. I woke up probably an hour later to the permanent stop of the van—and the sound of the ocean. I pulled myself away from Yoona’s shoulder and sat up to look out the window. A vast pool of bright blue water went on from miles and miles.

Somebody yawned and it was Tiffany. “Man, how long did I sleep?” she wondered. She followed my gaze and we both stared at the ocean outside that was just a few feet away from us. Quickly, she yelled out, “Girls, wake up! Wake up!”

Everybody opened their eyes, but Hyoyeon was still snoring away till Sunny punched her in the arm, waking her completely from her dreams.

“What, what? Where’s the fire?” Hyoyeon hollered as she frantically looked around.

“More like where’s the water,” Sooyoung said. “Take a look at it!”

The girls all plastered their noses against the window and me and Tiffany were immediately cramped in-between. But none of us cared. We were too busy gawking at the wide, blue ocean before us to feel a thing. Suddenly it was as if I was back home in California—the bright sun, the blistering heat. And the sounds of the waves crashing on the shore.

What a beauty.

We all hurried to check into our booked vacation house near the beach, and once we settled there was no more waiting. The ocean was calling us.

I dug inside my backpack and hurried to find a suitable attire. I was throwing my clothes all over the floor, but all I had were jeans and T-shirts. I so didn’t plan for this.

But just in luck, there were a pair of denim shorts deep inside. Better than to run under the sun wearing pants and a sweater. The girls were already changed into their swimsuits and carrying a bunch of floaties. I wanted to giggle but kept it to myself. They seemed so into it.

“TO THE BEACH!” Sunny boomed, holding her fist up, and everyone else cheered as we got on our feet and ran.

But it wasn’t just the beach that made our day. Afterwards we headed down to the central market, practically roamed about like a bunch of crazy tourists, and all eyes were on us the entire time. Whether it was because they saw Girls’ Generation there or because of the way we were acting. Either way, I couldn’t deny I had a good time.

Sooyoung decided to put away take-outs and finally get some real meal time. So, to the fish market we went next. The dinner for the night was soondubu jiggae, dakjuk, and our beloved dukboki for the side dish. Sooyoung will be the cook for the day, while Hyoyeon will be the helper (sort of.)

My job? The chopper. Plainly means I’ll be cutting up whatever that’d be needed.

And Sica?

“Heck no am I going to cook,” my beloved older sister quickly said before anyone could say anything.

Well, that was it for the group of chefs tonight.

The others rested in the livin