I have discontinued my blog from last year. Although there were moments of good cheer and considerable growth, it was the worst year of my life. I approach this year with a clean slate, and embark on the adventure with a clarity that was notably absent last year.
If you'd like to visit my old blog, http://www.koreasmiles.blogspot.com/, please feel free to send me an e-mail or leave a comment and I will be happy to provide you with the password.
It's been a few months since my last post, so following is a brief wrap-up of my last few months in Korea.
I somehow managed to accrue an amazingly supportive group of friends. Besides the mates that I originally journeyed with, I have developed intensly loyal friendships with a small group of Canadian girls. With this fellowship- Troy, Tremendous, Danger, Hannah, Charlotte, and Sarah- I endured and even thrived in my last few months. It is because of them that I am able to undertake this challenge again.
Saying goodbye to my students was upsetting. I become agitated just remembering it, so I'll bypass this topic.
Troy was genial enough to recommend me for a job at his school, and after meeting with his manager and directors, I signed a contract for a position beginning September 1. I'm excited (and somewhat nervous) to be working with Troy, and slightly apprehensive about moving to the outskirts of town. However, the positive aspects outweigh any hesistation that I have. I'm looking forward to teaching again and am relieved to have many rookie mistakes behind me.
The last few days in Korea were challenging, to say the least. My school didn't pay me until right before the bank closed on the last day that I was in the country, I tried to get travelers checks from two branches and ended up frustrated and in tears at both (resulting in my carrying around thousands of dollars in cash for several weeks), I had to be out of my apartment the day before I left which was somewhat of a logistical problem..... luckily the guy I was (am?) dating is very patient and pretty much carried me along.
Entertainment wise, it was, of course, the good life. I won a 20,000 won bar tab at a karaoke contest (I'm unsure if this was due to good singing or just because I'm so freaking hot) and came in 3rd in a cocktail making contest. There were only 4 entries, and the losing entry had every type of alcohol that Curt could find in it, but still, I didn't lose. It was a proud moment. I saw Transformers and it was so beautiful, I actually teared up several times. I of course spent some time at the nori-bong and went dancing a few times with Tanysha. Not to be forgotten were several girls nights involving varying amounts of alcohol, food, and nudity.
I've said it before and I'll say it again- Korea is extreme. Experiences and places are either supremely awesome or wholly abominable. People will either give you the shirt off of their back or they will cackle with glee while they twist the knife in your back. My feelings echo this- I was ecstatic to be returning to people that I had missed and certain comforts of my native land. However, I was distressed to be leaving my friends and students, and to know that I was returning to a new neighborhood and a new school.
Even given the misery and anguish of the past year, I would do it again in a heartbeat. Well, I'd skip a few parts. But the lessons learned and the friendships created are invaluable and besides, I do love the soju. Mmmm, soju.
If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them. Henry David Thoreau
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