A Love Letter

I have never been good as expressing myself with words (as you all very well know), and since I am terrible with emotions in person, this is the best way I can say what I want to say.

Dear Korea, Inje, people of Inje, and everyone I have met during my year in Korea,

I love you. I love Korea, I love Inje, I love the people. I love all of you.

To Korea, you're the best. I love your people, food, culture, lifestyle, everything.

To my students who will never read this, thank you for pissing me off, making me laugh, making me angry, letting me teach you, and making me miss you and care for you way too much.

To my boss who has been like a mother to me, thank you. I couldn't have asked for a more caring and generous person to have as my boss. Having you as my boss has changed my life for the better in Korea.

To everyone I have met in the past month, you fucking rock. You are all amazing and as unfortunate as it was to meet you with such little time left, I am so glad. (Canoe trip people and everyone I met at Min's cabin over Chuseok, this is for you).

And finally, to my Inje family, thank you. Thank you for being my friend, my brother, and my sister. Thank you for going to Jjokki Jjokki with me, drinking cojiganmeks, eating at Kimbap Cheunguk, dealing with me, reminding me that my jokes aren't funny, laughing at my "punny" jokes, consoling me, letting me confide in you, noraebang nights, and thank you for being you and letting me be me. (Well that was cheesy). But seriously, Inje peeps, thank you, I love you.

Saying goodbye to my Inje family was one of the worst goodbyes I've ever had to make. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world having met all of you. Handing over my ARC card was another emotional journey where the immigration lady probably had her doubts about letting me through.

I am now sitting at the Incheon International Airport, Gate 26, crying, surrounded by a bunch of permed elderly women, waiting for my flight to Myanmar. I'm so excited for my travel adventures I'm about to embark on, but my adventure Korea will forever be etched in my mind.

Goodbye fuckers, goodbye Korea, I love you, it's been a trip. (Apologies to my parents for swearing.)

"Enjoy life."

Goodbyes, Episode 2

I said it before, and I'm saying it again. I hate goodbyes.

Recently, we've had three fellow expats leave Inje in the past month due to finished contracts, and the very first Korean friend I made has left to go study in Hungary for five years. Depression slowly seeping in.

Hah, jokes. But seriously, it's the sad circle of life for teachers in a foreign country. On the bright side, at least you get to meet really cool new people who are the replacements! And, as you meet fellow teachers from all over the world, not only can you count them as friends, but also as couches to sleep on during future travels.

In a slightly related note, my 6 month mark is today...

Goodbyes

I hate saying goodbyes. No matter who it may be directed to, even if its just a short good bye, I do not like them.

I've been here for exactly three months now and in those three months all three teachers I have started with have left. I'm starting to realize that teaching here is an odd cycle of Hellos and Goodbyes. As contracts end, people either move back home or move to another city to teach. You have to say goodbye to those who become your close friends and family here, and those who may never see again. At the same time you also say hello to new people who you will become close with... until your time comes. Weird.

This is my sentimental thought of the day.

On a happier note, it's Friday! Last day before break! I'm going to Seoul tomorrow for New Year's Eve! The next morning I am flying into Bangkok to begin my Thailand/Laos vacation for 2 weeks! WAHOO!