All good things must come to an end
And then it was over.
As shockingly fast as it started, our year in Korea is now over. It's hard to believe. So many experiences, so much fun, so much we've seen. We've met so many fantastic people that we hope to stay in touch with, and eaten so many things we never would have considered edible in the past. And to top it off, Steph and I still like each other! Who knew?
Looking back at our year, Steph and I would whole-heartedly recommend this experience to anyone who is finding themselves reading this post. All you need is a love for kids, a sense of adventure and an open mind, and you'll have a great time. It probably wouldn't hurt to have a strong stomach as well! So many things we have learned in this year...things we never though of, like; That you can exhausted and in bed at 8:30, that you can communicate solely through a hybridized set of charades, petting stray dogs is a good way to start the day, that even if something makes no sense, it may be the best way to do things, 15 hours of school isn't healthy and that you can the Korean people are amazingly kind and hardworking people.
As we head back to our family and friends in Toronto, we look back (as everyone who has been here does) at what we love and dislike about Korea:
Things we will miss:
Things we probably won't miss:
If you want to follow any of our future experiences, check us out at "The Thought Pile". Stay happy and healthy!
As shockingly fast as it started, our year in Korea is now over. It's hard to believe. So many experiences, so much fun, so much we've seen. We've met so many fantastic people that we hope to stay in touch with, and eaten so many things we never would have considered edible in the past. And to top it off, Steph and I still like each other! Who knew?
Looking back at our year, Steph and I would whole-heartedly recommend this experience to anyone who is finding themselves reading this post. All you need is a love for kids, a sense of adventure and an open mind, and you'll have a great time. It probably wouldn't hurt to have a strong stomach as well! So many things we have learned in this year...things we never though of, like; That you can exhausted and in bed at 8:30, that you can communicate solely through a hybridized set of charades, petting stray dogs is a good way to start the day, that even if something makes no sense, it may be the best way to do things, 15 hours of school isn't healthy and that you can the Korean people are amazingly kind and hardworking people. As we head back to our family and friends in Toronto, we look back (as everyone who has been here does) at what we love and dislike about Korea:
Things we will miss:
$3 meals that are healthy for you.
Walking to work
Having no car
$5 cab rides
School lunches
Surprise days off
Yudal Mountain
Temples in the most unexpected places
Cheap buses everywhere, and are always leaving "right now"
Extra classes
Random kind acts from Koreans
Being called "beautiful" simply because you are tall
Getting "servisa" at every store you go to (free hemming at the dry cleaners, freebies at the corner store...)
The 9 puppies on our way to work
Celebrity status
Almost 3 months vacation
Naju Peaches
Nene chicken
The lady at Kimbap Nala
The folks at our gym
Random "Have a nice day!"s coming from someone biking past you
50" TVs in the classrooms
Random gifts from strangers
Great friends going through the same things
$5 bottles of Gin
Being sheltered by your obliviousness
Absolute freedom and endless possibilities
Things we probably won't miss:Giggles (It's what Korean kids do when they are uncomfortable)In order to really close the book on this experience, Steph and I have agreed to finish "The Dumping Hole" once and for all... like a finished project. So this is the last entry.
Camera phones and their gratuitous use (Always pointed at us)
Pointing
Skate (still not sure why people eat it raw)
Uncertainty
Being away from family and friends!
Almost being run down on the sidewalk
Mistreated dogs
Fame without the fortune
Not being able to "blend in"
Transientness of the foreigner population
If you want to follow any of our future experiences, check us out at "The Thought Pile". Stay happy and healthy!
Labels: closure, ESL, going home, South Korea, Teaching
posted by Brent at 3:44 p.m.
6 Comments:
We'll miss you! See you in Canada sometime guys!!! xoxoxo J
Thank you for everything. It was great to get to know you both.
We'll always have Singapore....
xoxo
Virginia
Brent - I really enjoyed reading your blog. It's made it seem like you're not so far away. Korea's loss is our gain and we can't wait to have you back home.
Love Kate (and Erich)
NNNNNNNNNNnnnnoooooooooooooooooo
You can't finish the blog.... it's like that great novel that you just can't put down coming to an end. You want it to go on and on!
It's been a great experience meeting and hanging out with you guys. Thanks for being a part of my great Korean adventure.
Take care guys and I'll see you some time in Canada (maybe on my round the world trip?)
:)
Hey guys,
It was great meeting you and hanging out with that the few times we did in Korea... wish I got to hang out with ya's more...
Take care and keep me posted on what's new with you both. Ya never know, maybe we'll bump into each other in Canada someday...
Love April :)
During my very short stint in Greece I very much did not miss my car.
Upon my return to the states I very much miss being able to use my two feet to go here and there.
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