"Try everything and regret nothing."

It’s already the middle of January, but I figure now is as good of a time as ever to reflect on the past year.  I would say 2013 was life-changing and I wouldn’t have experienced it if I didn’t follow my heart, pack my bags, leave my dog who was battling cancer, board a plane (even though at that point I was scared beyond measure), and move around the world (to a country I’ve never been to) all alone.  Except, I haven’t been alone.

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

When I graduated from college, I tried for two summers to land that full-time teaching job but came up just a bit short a few times, and although that was upsetting, I now realize it wasn’t meant to be.  I needed to come to Korea.

I learned how important it is (as cheesy as it may sound) to actually go ahead and follow your dreams.  I’ve wanted to go abroad again and even though Asia was never on my mind, the opportunity was there and I went for it.  Throughout this past year, sometimes I’d be walking down the street and think, “I can’t believe I’m actually here.”  Sometimes I’d stop at that and move on.  Other times I’d think about it for a while and realize everything I would have missed out on if I had stayed home and maybe done what was expected—sub for the year and try again next summer.  Although that is one option and one that is certainly okay, I chose to listen to that nudge in my heart and actually go.  And why not?  I have my whole life to be home and working. I’m still so young, still 24 once I’m home again.

Although this is an experience I’ve always wanted to have, I had my fair share of ups and downs.  I had a hard time the first four months.  I completely skipped over the “honeymoon” stage, the first stage of culture shock, and immediately began wondering what in the world I was doing.  It was lonely at work because everyone spoke Korean, obviously.  It was lonely in the grocery store simply because I couldn’t find things I needed and failed at attempting to ask for help.  It was lonely at home because when it was a perfect time for me to talk to someone back in the states, everyone was sound asleep because it was often the middle of the night there.  I learned a very important lesson in those months and that's how important it is to rely on Jesus and go to Him first and foremost.  He is the only one who can truly give us what we need; we just have to ask.  Just as the devotional says in the picture above, my journey in Korea truly has been one of profound reliance on Him. 

I remember the last day of orientation when we got our packets stating which school we would be working in.  This would determine where we would be living, if we would be near the friends we made the past week, if I would have somewhere to go running, and the list went on and on.  I was so nervous to actually open my envelope, but I remember thinking, “It’s okay.  God’s already taken care of it.  He knows exactly where I need to go.”  And that was so true.  Overall, I’m pretty happy with the school I was placed in, but more importantly, God provided me with what I needed outside of the work day.  I made a friend who lives in the building next to mine who I now refer to as my big sister in Korea.  I also live just a five minute walk from an awesome park along a river for me to go running.  If I didn’t have that, I know I wouldn’t have gone running along the streets.  Going for a run is great for me, aside from actually getting some exercise in.  Of course I’m thankful for the awesome church and many friends I have throughout the city, but it’s been a blessing having these things right here in Hwamyeong, where I spend the majority of my time.  It’s what I needed.

Once I got over that four-month-long rough patch, things were great.  I went to Indonesia, Japan, Jeju Island, Seoul, out and about around Busan, didn’t sleep much, learned to read hangul (or at least I try), and made awesome memories with the friends that I am not at all looking forward to leaving.  It’s like I blinked and all of a sudden it’s January and I leave Korea in just over six weeks.  I was given so much to be thankful for this past year, so the good does help to outweigh the not-so-good.

The morning of New Year’s Eve brought along some news that completely broke my heart.  I knew it would come while I was away, but I was also holding on to a bit of hope that my sweet dog would be there when I got home.  My family found out Logan had cancer just weeks before I left for Korea.  I instantly wondered how I was going to leave knowing that the vet gave him 4-6 months and I would be gone for 12.  He’s been a part of my life since I was in 5^th grade and truly the best dog I could have ever asked for.  I like to think he tried to make it for me to come home because he made it 11 months, not 4 or 6.  My dog was such a fighter, and although sometimes I kick myself for missing out on more time with him and wonder why this had to happen the one year I was away, I have to trust that it was best for me this way.  I’m certainly not looking forward to that aspect of going home, but I’m glad that through FaceTime Logan knows I didn’t forget about him.

I normally wouldn’t go into this much detail, but I would miss out on half (or more) of this experience if I didn’t reflect on it and think about what I have learned.  Like I said before, if I didn’t answer that itching travel bug I had, I would have missed out on seeing more of this beautiful world, meeting friends that will continue to be my friends once I leave, learning more about myself and changing in ways that I think are positive, and most importantly, realizing that I’m never alone because if God has set something on my heart for me to do, He will come along with me. One of the notes that stuck with me the most out of the many cards I got before I left came from my cousin, Josh.  He said, “Try everything and regret nothing.”  And I’d say that’s some pretty good advice.

Not Home For the Holidays

Not being home for the holidays this year made me realize how much I will appreciate these times with family and friends once I'm home again.  Although I missed being home and it was odd not being there for the traditional Thanksgiving dinner when Grampy comes over, dinner out on Christmas Eve before church, big family Christmas party at Grandma's, lounging around on Christmas Day, or ringing in the New Year with my friends, I certainly enjoyed the holidays with my friends who have become family here in Korea.

Halloween

They don't celebrate Halloween in Korea, but several of my students remembered and came up to me giggling and saying, "Teacher, trick-or-treat!"  Of course I gave them candy and bought more for the kids I had to give a "raincheck" to.  My fault for not being prepared!  That weekend, Laura and I dressed up as cats.  With Laura being involved, there was no question that's what we would be.  We're used to being stared at pretty much on a daily basis, so we found the number of people who stopped and blatantly stared at us quite funny.  We rocked it.

Thanksgiving

Western style meal.  So good.  And they gave me a giant piece of apple pie.

After church on December 1, everyone stayed for our Thanksgiving dinner. Not only was the food really good, but I was also glad to have the chance to celebrate Thanksgiving.  After the meal, a group of us went ice skating for a while and grabbed coffee at Starbucks.  (This is when I learned they don't have the peppermint mocha, my favorite holiday drink.)  It really was a great day--one of those that I won't forget.

Christmas

My Daiso (only the best dollar store ever) Christmas tree!  I never quite finished decorating, but I decided this would do.

Being sick and away from home, it didn't exactly feel like Christmas.  I got sick and missed work on Monday.  Tuesday, I went in for an hour and a half and left after I realized I couldn't even talk.  With Tuesday being Christmas Eve, I didn't even make it to church that night. Christmas Day I woke up feeling better and joined these guys in the picture and headed to the Harrison's, a couple from our church.  They invited us over for brunch (blueberry pancakes, eggs, bacon, cinnamon rolls, mmmmm!).  We also had a stocking exchange where we each brought something to put in everyone's stocking.  I didn't stay very long because I wasn't feeling as great as I thought, but I was thankful to be with everyone for at least a little while.  Once I made it back home, I stopped by Jen's for just a bit and opened the few presents my family sent me (and my mom sent her one as well).  We're celebrating Christmas when I get home in March so that I didn't have to mail everything to them, but my mom still wanted me to have something to open here!

New Year's Eve

After what was one of my toughest days in Korea, I wasn't necessarily in the mood for New Year's Eve, but I knew I should be with friends.  We all went to Dave's apartment for dinner. Afterwards, we started checking things off our "bucket list."  Basically we had a list of silly things to do on our way to Thursday Party where we counted down to the new year.  One of those being a freeze flashmob (or whatever we called it) and another being singing Christmas carols in the subway.  The second picture was seconds before 2014, while everyone at home was just getting started with the day.  I know that I'll be looking forward to the holidays at home again, but I also know I'll think back to this year and be thankful for the memories I made.

Thankful Heart and Apple Pie

It’s Thanksgiving and although I wish I wasn’t sitting at my desk at work but sitting with my family around a table full of food that has never sounded so delicious (especially some apple pie), I’ve been reminded several times today how much support I have back home.  Whether it was the simple tweet, card in the mail, or email I responded to today, I was reminded of how blessed I am to have such wonderful people in my life.  I’m writing this post three months until the day that I leave Korea.  For a little while there, I wasn’t sure I was going to make it, but I’m already nine months in.  I said several times when I left that I wouldn’t be able to do this without all of the support I have at home and that is so true.  The excitement and encouragement from so many people was the extra push I needed to keep going and to know that the day I about cried because I couldn’t find butter or the weeks it took to understand how to recycle all of my trash (which really is quite a process) were going to be worth it.  And the simple hellos I get from people at home just checking in are my favorite. 

My sister likes to remind me how big of a deal it was that I just got up and left her.  I mean, that is slightly true.  I ditched her for a whole year (and missed the trip to Atlanta for her 21^st birthday), but even though I got up and moved around the world (and missed weddings of friends so important to me), I have more support than I could have ever asked for.  Even from the people who didn’t like Plan A (move to Korea, obviously) and really wanted me to come up with a plan B. 

But I needed to come here.  I will be thankful for this experience for the rest of my life.  There’s so much to learn when you’re taken out of the surroundings you call home.  I have learned an incredible amount about myself and so much more—what I never really appreciated at home but now look at in a much different light, what I miss about teaching at home or have learned to appreciate because it is so different here, and the importance of enjoying time with the people around you (and pets in my case) when you are with them.  Not only has Korea taught me quite a lot, but this experience has also given me friendships that I know I will always have.  Even though I’m three quarters of the way through the year, sometimes I can’t believe I actually made this happen.  I couldn’t be more thankful for this year or for the quick hellos and how are you doings from home because they really have made a difference.  Not to mention the great friends I've made in Korea (especially having one of them as a neighbor) who have also played a big part in that.

As for Thanksgiving, the workday is almost over and I don’t have any special plans for dinner, but I’ll be eating some turkey and apple pie (and obviously so much more) on Sunday with the church family I’m so thankful to have here.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Snapshots

A peek at what I've been up to the last couple months:

 Baseball!

Typical shenanigans.

Sunday afternoon hangouts. 

Birthday celebrations.

Noraebang.

Softball tournament in Daegu.

Champions!

My favorite plane ride- so pretty with the sunset and lights from the ships below.

Flew to Jeju Island with Katrina for the long weekend!

Lantern Festival in Jinju.  Made our own lanterns and sent our wishes off in the water.

Running through the park on a rainy day.

Jen's birthday!

Of course Jen's birthday celebration continued the next day with an ajumma picnic in the park while also joining in on some Korean games!  Hilarious.

Quick trip to Seoul.

Seoul Tower.

Pop Song Contest

Busan Fireworks Festival

Middle school bucket lists.

I can't believe November is almost here.  Time is flying by and I can definitely say I've been enjoying my time.  It's quite bittersweet realizing how close February actually is.  It took me quite a while to fully adjust to living here, but now that I have, I'm trying my best to embrace it.  And I think I'm doing a pretty good job.

I Love Japan

I can't believe I almost missed out on my trip to Japan.

Before coming to Korea, there were a couple places I knew I wanted to travel to while I was here. Japan was never on the list.  I don't know why.  I had nothing against Japan.  There just wasn't anything I had in mind that I wanted to do there.  When my friend Jen asked (or more like told me) if I wanted to go to Japan, I kept shooting down the idea.  One was because I didn't want to spend more money on another trip quite yet and the other was because Japan never made that list.  It wasn't until after my trip to Bali that I decided to book those tickets to Tokyo!  I wanted to travel again.  I didn't want to go home and think about that one time when I could have gone to Japan but didn't.

We had three days off this week for Chuseok, a holiday in Korea similar to Thanksgiving, which gave us a five day weekend and plenty of time to travel to another country.  My travel buddy and I were off to Tokyo for four days.

After what seemed like a never ending subway ride from the airport to Asakusa, we finally made it to our hostel (my first hostel experience, by the way) around midnight.  The most important thing to note is that we spotted a Denny's on our walk to the hostel and had no problem deciding we would go there for breakfast the next day!  Man, I have missed real breakfast food.  It was delicious.  And we may have gone there again two days later.

After Denny's on Wednesday, we walked around Asakusa for a bit and spotted a market and the Tokyo Skytree.  I didn't buy anything at the market but wish I did because I didn't have another chance to buy souvenirs except for a tiny shop in the airport that didn't have exactly what I was looking for.  Nothing I can do about it now, though.

Market

Skytree in the background and me hating taking pictures by myself!

We had some more time to kill so we found some parks to walk around and Starbucks to get the caramel frappe I love before heading over to the sumo wrestling tournament.  There's a two week long tournament that takes place in September, so of course we had to go!

Sumo!

Delicious dinner!  Soy sauce pork & vegetable ramen.

Thursday we took a break from the typical sightseeing/exploring and after grabbing some Mister Donut for breakfast, we headed over to Tokyo Disneyland. Because why not go to Disney?!  So fun.

Splash Mountain

Driving on the right side of the car and apparently not paying attention.

Once we left Disney, we headed off to the second placed we stayed:  a capsule hotel.  We figured we had to at least try it since we were in Japan.  We ended up really liking it except for the bathroom.  We had our own little space to sleep, but as far as the bathroom went, it was like jjimjilbang style (a public bath house in Korea that I never plan on going to), so I definitely chose the wash my hair in the sink option in another room full of sinks.

The next morning, we were up and ready at a decent time so Jen asked if I wanted to go to Denny's again.  "Is that even a question?" of course was my response!  After some more pancakes, we were off to Hakone, a town with views of Mt. Fuji!  It was about a 90 minute ride on the express train and then another 40 minute train ride to a cable car which finally took us to the ropeway, but it was awesome.  We could see Mt. Fuji from the ropeway and then also on the lake cruise.  It wasn't as visible as it is other days I would assume, but I'm still glad we went.  My favorite was the ride back on the ropeway because the sun started setting.  It was gorgeous.

Mt. Fuji in the background.

Mt. Fuji on the right.

Finally, we were off to Shibuya on Saturday, another part of Tokyo.  There were two things we wanted to see there:  the statue of Hachi and the famous crossing.  If you've seen the movie Hachi then you'll know the dog that I'm talking about.  A good but sad movie (based on a true story) and the dog is amazing.  There is a statue of him in Tokyo in honor of his story.  I had to get a picture with him!

Hachiko

The traffic lights at the famous intersection next to Shibuya Station all turn red at the same time, so people are crossing from every possible direction, yet still no one bumped into me (I'll get to that later).  Of course one thing I spotted was the giant Forever 21 sign, so after crossing we headed into the six story Forever 21.  We have one in Seoul, but I have yet to go to Seoul.  This could have been dangerous, but I only bought three things (a new purse, tank top, and leggings).  I could have been in there all day, but I had a plane to catch!  Whenever I make it to Seoul, going shopping is definitely on my list of things to do.

Shibuya Crossing

The saddest part of our trip was heading back to the airport.  Luckily I got a window seat on the plane, though.  It was so pretty with all of the clouds below us and to add to that, a little bit into the 1 hour and 40 minute flight, Mt. Fuji was poking through the clouds!

Looked even prettier from the plane!

One reason I love Japan is because the people are incredibly kind and friendly.  This is probably what I will remember the most from this trip.  We have several stories where people came up to us and asked if we needed anything or even to give a gift.  Here's a little glimpse:

1.  After the sumo tournament, a lady came up to Jen in the bathroom, handed her a box and said, "Please use."  Hesitating for a second because we weren't sure what was happening, Jen took the box and thanked her.  Once we went outside, she opened it up and there were two of these cups in there.  The box had sumo print all over it, so we assume she bought them there.  Maybe this very kind lady wanted us to remember our trip to Japan?  I'm not sure, but it was so thoughtful.  And because Jen is so nice, she gave me one of them.

2.  After eating dinner, we were walking down the street but decided to go somewhere else, so we turned around quickly and started heading the other way knowing where we were going.  A guy stopped us to ask if we needed help finding anything because he saw us turn around.

3.  We were walking around one of the areas we stayed in one night and stopped to take a picture of something.  We were there for a few minutes and a guy got out of his van and came over to ask if we wanted him to take our picture.  Turns out that wasn't what we were doing, but it was so nice of him to check on that for us because no one else was around.  He didn't have to get out and do that.

For the stories we have when we were the ones who approached someone, they were always so happy to help and smiling along the way.  There were quite a few other things I noticed from the trip and I think a lot of this stems from their kindness.  The stories also show some (maybe a little unfortunate where Korea is concerned) differences I've noticed between Japan and Korea.

1.  No one stared at us.  Not walking down the street.  Not on the subway.  At least we didn't notice it.  I had just commented a few days before going to Japan that I would like to have one day in Korea where I'm not stared at on the subway.  It was so nice to be "left alone."

2.  No one bumps or runs into you (like I mentioned at the Shibuya Crossing).  This amazed me because I've gotten used to being pushed out of the way or hit and no one acknowledging that they feel bad for doing so.  In Japan, they waited patiently for people to get off of the subway before they walked onto the train.

3. Everyone was very orderly when walking up or down the stairs and standing on the escalators.  Check out this straight line on the left so that people can actually walk up on the right if they are in a hurry!  Well done, Japan.

4.  Things close early at night or early compared to Korea.  People aren't out late and probably at home with their families or sleeping (making is less likely to be worn out I'd assume).

5.  I was impressed by everyone's English.  Anyone we talked to was able to understand us and help us out right away (except for one guy but that's only one guy!).

6.  They show their individuality--hairstyles, clothes, tattoos, piercings.  I loved seeing that.

I think it's apparent that I can go on and on about this trip.  And to think that I almost didn't go...I really would have missed out!  I owe a big thank you to Jen for bugging me until I booked my tickets.  Not only is she a great friend that I made in Korea, but she's been a great travel buddy too.  She was so right about Japan.  I may not have wanted to spend more money so soon, but there is so much to gain from traveling and experiencing new cultures.  Despite the differences I just mentioned between Japan and Korea that I have experienced, I am so glad to be living in Korea this year and to have the opportunity to see other countries along the way as well.  Whether the cultures are difficult to ease into or refreshing, there is always something to learn and take away from them.  I couldn't be more grateful.