It’s crazy to me how fast these first two months home have
gone compared to my first two months in Korea.
I remember this time last year so clearly. I wasn’t sure I was going to make it through
the year. There were a few dates I would look forward to each month to help me
actually get through the month: the 19th
being the date I arrived in Korea to mark another month complete, the 25th
being pay day, and of course the 1st to show that time was passing. I went from that the first couple of months to
sitting here now missing Korea more than I knew I would. This past year was emotional, hard, lonely,
joyful, fun, encouraging, and one of the best years I’ve had. I still feel the need (because I was going to
do this before I left) to make a list of the things I’m going to miss most (and
already do!). The top eleven (because I couldn't pick one to take away) in no
particular order:
1. Friends
This is hands down one of the best reasons to travel and
also one of the hardest when it comes time to leave. I met some amazing friends in Korea. Not only was it so cool to meet people from
all over the world and get to learn from them, but it was awesome to be able to
share such a unique experience with them.
One of the toughest parts in coming home was saying all the “see ya
laters” before getting back on the plane.
These are the people that understand exactly what I’m saying when I
mention Seomyeon, the pizza lady, shabu-shabu,
Gwangalli, Angel-in-us Coffee, RICC, etc.
We’ll always be connected and we’ll always be sharing this experience
and I love that.
2. Shabu-Shabu
Delicious three course meal.
How could I have not liked this the first time I went? I blame that on the work dinner and not
knowing what was happening. I’m ready to
go back; I’m sure the lady at the restaurant is Seomyeon is wondering where
I’ve been. I’m only sort of kidding.
3. Subway
I don’t miss being stared at on my ride to wherever it may
have been, but I do miss the convenience of having the subway right there. I love being able to drive again, but the
subway was great too.
4. Coffee Shops
There are coffee shops literally everywhere. I'm not exaggerating when I say I could walk to about 20 different ones within five minutes of my apartment. Going to a coffee shop was a usual thing my friends and I did after we'd meet for dinner or something. I've always loved meeting for coffee here at home, so of course I loved this about Korea. It was nice to take the time to sit and talk, especially with friends who were also away from home, doing the same thing, and understanding all that this experience entailed. Coffee chats are a part of my favorite memories of Korea. And I brought of a bit of Angel-in-us home with me.
5. Hiking
I miss having mountains around! It was awesome to be able to hike around
Busan. So peaceful.
6. Socks
You can find socks everywhere in Korea. Laid out on the sidewalks, in trucks on the
street, the little shops in the subway, etc.
And they’re all so cute and so cheap. I
stocked up on socks that’s for sure.
7. Hwamyeong
This was my home in Busan and I think it was perfect for
me. I liked that it wasn’t the busiest
area and it had a lot within walking distance of my apartment—bank, post
office, restaurants, coffee shops, Lotte Mart, movie theater, Jen…pretty much
anything I needed!
8. Noraebang
When I first got to Korea, I never wanted to go to the
noraebang because I would never do karaoke in real life. And by real life, I mean in front of a bunch
of random people. With the noraebang,
though, you get your own little room with just your group of friends. It’s the best idea ever. And they are everywhere!
9. Korean BBQ
Yet another delicious meal.
I would take the pork or beef and roll that
in a lettuce leaf with white rice, onions, whatever else. I better stop talking about it because I’m
really going to want some. It’s so good.
One of my favorite memories of Korean BBQ is from my last
night in Korea. A group of us were there
for dinner and I brought two bags full of random things to give away to my
friends who weren’t leaving (or leaving quite yet). I was standing at the head of the table and
would hold up an item and they would say whether or not they wanted it. There were a couple things they played rock,
paper, scissors for (which is a typical Korean way of figuring out who gets something or who has to be the one to do something no one wants to do). But it was perfect
to help me get rid of my things. I
happened to have one little pack of five Oreo cookies and the lady working at
the restaurant wanted them. Of course I
gave them to her and she was so happy!
Then a couple minutes later, we saw her walking around and giving all
the employees around her an Oreo. It was
super cool because that’s how they are; they love to share. I just love that story and love that it was one of the last things I saw
in Korea. She was walking around with
this giant smile on her face because she got a cookie and got to share the rest
with her co-workers. Not selfish at all but wanting to share them. Something I think is important to think about.
10. My Park
I think this is a given since I dedicated an entire post to
the park near my apartment. Aside from
my friends, I have to say I miss the park the most. This was the perfect little escape for me to
go run and think and be encouraged.
11. Adventure
Going to Korea was an adventure in itself, but there are so
many places I got to go and things I got to do while I was in Korea that I am
so thankful for. And outside of Korea, too.
I’ll always remember the beauty of
Indonesia and the kind people in Japan.
More times than I can count, I was pushed to do
things I wasn’t comfortable doing and pushed to grow in so many ways this past
year. None of that would have happened if I didn’t go after this dream of mine
to teach abroad somewhere. Despite the
rough time I had at the beginning, I wouldn’t change anything. Not even the hard days. It’s so important to go after the things we want to accomplish, the things that
are on our hearts. We only live once and I think that's how we should be spending our time—encouraging ourselves and encouraging others. It's amazing what can be accomplished by truly believing you can do something. I am so thankful to have spent a year of my life in Korea and to now realize there is nothing I cannot do.
