I'm so excited to be going home! :) Honestly, I can't believe it's already been a year! I can't wait for face to face catch up time with friends and family - hugs, home cooked meals, AMERICAN shopping! I think I'll probably eat Mexican food everyday! and macaroni and cheese. and hummus and pita chips! :)
This visit home stirs up a lot of emotions - I've had some time to reflect, and think back to where I was a year ago - embarking on this journey, uprooting my life - leaving a job, selling my car, and making a decision which at the time seemed crazy, picking up everything I knew and changing it, leaving my dog at home, friends and family at home, and moving to South Korea - a place I knew very little about - and knew a grand total of 1 person! :)
And now, a year later, Pohang has truly become my home. I've made amazing friends that have become like family here - that I know I'll stay friends with even after Korea. I've learned a tremendous amount about myself. I've grown. I've seen and experienced things I never could have back home. I got 2 new stamps in my passport. I've embraced a new culture, learned a little bit of Korean. Dove into a new career - having a business background and transitioning to teaching has been quite eye opening for me! :) I've maintained and grown friendships from home thanks to Skype, email, and facebook. I'm still amazingly close with my family. And even met the man of my dreams :) Who would've thought I'd have to come all the way to Korea to meet a curly blond hair'd, blue eyed, camouflage scooter driving Canadian.
And with all that reflection about the last few years, the corporate job I didn't enjoy and moving to Korea - I can honestly say - I. would. not. change.a. thing. I wouldn't trade having that job I didn't fully enjoy - because had I not done that, I wouldn't have had the courage to move to Korea. Had I done it reverse - traveled first, then gotten a job. Maybe I would have cut this experience in Korea short, feeling like I needed to get back to the "real world". But, now I'm okay with living abroad because the "real world" and real world stresses are always going to be there. I quite enjoy this no strings attached lifestyle at the moment, not forever, but for now it's just what I need :)
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| August 12th 2010 - First weekend in Korea: tried live octopus |
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| Leigh and I at the airport - pre USA trip! :) 8/1/11 |
:) Next time you hear from me - I will have eaten enough Mexican food to last me a year, have an all new American wardrobe! Be bubbling over from quality time with friends and family AND have Sadie (my adorable terrier mix rescue puppy) with me!!!
xoxo Em!
