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Published: December 11th 2007
Falll colors at At GuinSa Temple
The red color of the trees is nothing like i have ever seen before.
Absolutly beautiful.I have been gone officially now from the USA for over a year. What can I say? Well, in one years time I have been to eight different countries and have been living in Korea for almost one year. I think back on this year and can’t believe what I have experienced. At first I thought I was going to live in Thailand and that was not the case, realizing that money was too much of an issue. So I figured I would travel some before heading to Korea. On and off buses and trains…I traveled Southeast Asia. Seeing each country’s uniqueness and meeting people from all over the world. I have met some incredible people who continue to be good friends. I have seen amazing things as well as horrific ones. I have experienced fear for my life and then I have never laughed so deeply at points.
I remember when I arrived in Korea, so disorganized…. well not organized at all… about all I did was buy a plane ticket. I arrived in country with no plan in the middle of winter. Can I just say that was very stupid! However, after many break downs and my mother’s support…
At GuinSa temple
This temple is the headquater of the Chonte, a sect of Korea Buddhism. It includes about fifty buildings I sorted things out. And now I am still here and it has been almost a year.
Enough of the recap and I know it has been awhile since I have done a blog. So the pictures are from many months here. And what an experience Korea has been. How do I even express? Well a simple common occurrence is that whenever I enter certain places (like restaurants… I receive a few reactions. For example, the other day I went and got a pizza, and when I walked inside laughter broke out and I saw girls running away, only to leave one girl to help me. She uses some English and we both make gestures so I can place my order. It is rare when someone will approach me and try to talk. I do get stared at a lot, pointed to, and probably talked about. But you get use to it. I have become accustom to this, and only on certain days does it really bother me.
So it is really hard to be part of the culture. Because when I have my own time I prefer to spend time with people in my situation….expats. Where the
stress of basic living is hard enough that when its time to be social I rather be with people who can speak English. Is that so wrong? Anyway, the friends that have made here have been great where we have become a small family. They have come and gone, and that has been a challenge in of itself.
On a whole I have enjoyed my time here. Teaching has been such a rewarding experience. I have seen my kids grow and learn English so well that when they fight, they can make fun of each other in English. And even when I am having a hard day, they seem to understand, and will come up to me a give me a hug. They have improved so much in 10 months time…I am so proud…and I still can’t believe it could be my teaching skills. And its not, they have very supportive mothers. Their favorite game is old maid, which was sent to be from the states (thanks mom). It is hilarious to watch them play this game. They will laugh so hard, that sometimes it will be hard to finish a game. I have to admit teaching kindergarten can
be such pure entertainment.
I am heading to NYC for Christmas and absolutely cannot wait. To see my family and meeting my niece is just…fantastic. I wish I could see all of my family and friends, but a week only allows me so much time. I love you all and thanks for all of the support in the past year.
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Jeff
non-member comment
This is the best yet
I really liked your blog post, it shows a lot of what your day to day life is like..., how cool.