Monday, December 31, 2012

Thoughts for the New Year...

January 1, 2013

It has been a long time since I last posted and so many things have happened! I am not even sure where to begin! The thing about blogging is I have a problem with trying to catch up when I get behind, then I am soooo far behind that catching up is impossible. So, with this new year comes a new post and, hopefully, more regular updates!

This journey started in Summer, 2010. When I came to Korea, I planned on staying one year, then returning home. When that year came to a close, jobs were difficult to come by back home, so I made the decision to stay in Korea and took a position in Suwon at a university where I teach English to young adults. I can honestly say, I love my job! It is rewarding and challenging and different every single day. Again, when taking the position at the university, I was uncertain as to how long I would stay. Now, the longer I stay, I find it more and more difficult to even imagine leaving! I mean, I have wonderful friends, a fantastic job, a beautiful apartment, a loving boyfriend, and a good, good life here. On the other hand, I greatly miss my friends and family back home, but it all seems to come down to this one thing: a job. 

The Ever-Present Question
"When are you coming home?" I swear, I get asked this at least twice a week if not more! The answer is simple. I have no idea. I know I will be in Korea until at least the end of 2013, and it is highly likely I will stay another year beyond that...maybe longer. Honestly, I really just don't know. It is hard to compare my job now and my lifestyle to my counterparts in the States. While my life is not a bed of roses and far from perfect, it is comfortable and relatively stress-free. 

Why I Stay
While it is not always easy living in another country, there are many perks that I do not have in the USA. While living in Korea, I can travel to other countries relatively cheaply, I am experiencing cultures I have only read about in textbooks, and I am providing an avenue for my sons to experience life outside of the United States. My oldest son, Brandon, has visited Korea twice and seen things he has only dreamed about. My youngest, Bryan, lives here in Korea with me. We vacationed in Taiwan last summer and he is making international friendships that will last a lifetime. My boys are learning to respect people from all walks of life and they try to understand cultural differences and respect those differences. It's so fun to watch them experience life this way!!

Thoughts for 2013
As we move into 2013, I hope that my experience in Korea continues to be positive. I never imagined when I came here almost two and a half years ago that I would have the experiences I have had. I have met some amazing people from around the world and now have friends in virtually every corner of the globe. The decision to move to Korea did not only affect me, but also my family. Fortunately, it was a good decision and has been a remarkable journey for me and my boys. I hope that you will find the curiosity rising in you and you, too, will do something a little crazy this year. You never know where you may end up and the adventure that awaits you!

Happy New Year!