Stalking
My stalking skills were getting a little bit rusty, so I did a little searching and found at least five more new FB blogs.
Scccccoorrrreeee.
Winding Down
Long time, no see.
I think the fact that I had so many topics I could write about ended up stopping me from writing. I just didn’t know where to start. My year in Korea is quickly winding down. In fact, I would guess that at least half of the FBers are already back in the States. Last weekend, we had a FB farewell party on the base in Seoul. The night before, I stayed in Cheonan and saw Ocean’s 13 with premium seating (think love seats and a free drink). Anyway, after finally finding the place, the base was a real trip–hinting at what going back might be like. To shortly sum up the weekend, Seoul was just a blur of allergies, chai tea lattes, shopping, eating, seeing friends, and saying goodbye.
Now I’m back in the host city, obsessing over what to buy for gifts and what the purpose is for going to Seoul with my host family this weekend? Does it really include host grandparents? I don’t know. But when will I start packing? When will I even have time to think? Tomorrow I’m having a farewell lunch with some teachers and the VP and P even though I usually don’t come to school on Fridays.
My students are giving me mixed feelings. For some of them, I will shed tears of joy as they leave my classroom for the last time. As for others, the thought that I will probably never know what the future holds for them makes me sad. But, it seems to me that in the big picture, I am one in a seemingly endless stream of ETAs and that they will gradually fade from my memory once I resume my “old” life in the States. Regardless, they unknowingly helped me through my year here. I want to make sure that my readers know that I didn’t hate my year in Korea. I did find it extremely challenging, but it’s not something I regret nor would I give it up.
Today is July 5th. One year ago, I started my journey with my 2-hour flight to O’Hare in the late afternoon. In some ways, it seems so long ago but I also ask myself, “has it really been a year?”
Next Thursday, three students in my 2-4 class are going to rap in Korean for me. Could I get a better going away gift? I’m not sure. . .
