Friday, August 26, 2011

Well, well, well, how quickly one year has passed

Here I am sitting in my almost empty apartment on my last night in Suji. It was just over one year ago that I stepped foot into this box they call an apartment. Nervous and terrified, I slowly settled into life here in Korea. It seems crazy to me that a year has passed so quickly.

My last day at work was bittersweet. I have had a great year there and have fallen in love with so many of my students. They are the greatest kids around! On the other hand, the job was long and I was/am burnt out, so it was a  nice relief to be finished!!!

My homeroom class on my last day! Going to miss these kids like crazy!
Tomorrow morning I head to the Incheon Airport to begin the 33 hour journey home to Fredericton! I am excited to see my friends and family but also sad to leave Suji. I have made a lot of great friends here over the past year and even though I am returning to Korea in a month, it won't be the same living somewhere else! 

With that said, I am off to bed, long days of travelling lie ahead! Until next time!!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

The end of a chapter..

Well well well, it seems time just keeps flying by. Here I am, less than three weeks away from the end of my contract in Suji and I am a wreck of a million different emotions. This year has gone by like the blink of an eye and time just keeps slipping away. As the days go by, I realize more and more how much I am going to miss my kids. They are some of the happiest, most well behaved children I have ever worked with and I can't tell you how many rough days have turned into great ones because of their smiles and giggles.

A few of my favorite kiddos

It's funny, when I first embarked on this journey last year, I was sure that this experience would leave me more self aware and give me direction in my life. The jury is still out on that, but I can tell you a few things I have learned during this adventure. 

1. Kids will always make you smile, even if you don't feel like it.
2. Toilet paper is a luxury. 
3. Charades is not a game, it's a way of life.
4. It is possible to be lonely in a country of millions of people.
5. Koreans are some of the friendliest people on the planet. 
6. Adjummas do not watch where they are going, ever. 
7. Spicy food is delicious, but also spicy on the way out. Beware. 
8. Asians do not all look the same.
9. Good friends are the answer to any sad day. 
10. Soju is the devil. 

I am still learning new things everyday and I am sure I will have more for you next time around. For now I am off, with only a few weeks left, they will be filled with packing, job searching and spending time with friends before I jump on a plane bound for the Great White North!!