A Year Later...

With autumn upon us, I find myself coming back to the weather, scents and experiences I first had when I came to Korea.  On most days, it’s hard to believe I’ve been here for over a year, but when I look back on the opportunities I’ve embraced and the strange way life can circle back to the beginning, I’m reminded of just how long (and meaningful) the journey has been so far.

Over the past year, I have…

…completed a full contract at a hagwon (truly an accomplishment, given the many fallen comrades at Wonderland) and acquired a new, fantastic job teaching Canadian curriculum to my very own Grade 3 class.

…traveled to Malaysia and Japan –blogs on those topics will be retroactively posted in the near future.

Ms. Malaysia?

…looked at the physical division of North and South Korea, and heard the undying hope for reunification (best expressed by my 8 year-old student who aims to rectify this issue by becoming the UN Secretary General).

Korean Demilitarized Zone --a completely unreal (and somewhat haunting) experience.

…witnessed the unwavering respect for elders, who have seen the country grow from third-world rubble to developed-world status in half a century.

…grieved the loss of a close friend, pushed past the shock and sadness that comes with sudden tragedy, and held on to her fun-loving spirit.

My co-teacher and first Korean comrade, April. <3

…met incredible people with passionate beliefs that challenged my perspective, inspired me to pursue my deepest desires, or both.

Gargling a tune for a twisted Jenga team point. 
Sometimes friendship means sacrificing your dignity and sometimes it means spitting on your friends face.

... almost burned down an apartment. Oil fire + water = explosive disaster!

…played on a baseball team, and was a right-field all-star when I wasn’t bench warming.  Although my most memorable contribution to the team was camping out on the field to save it for game day.

#8 for the Wolfhounds of the SBL
(Seoul Baseball League)

#8 at 5am

…learned conversational Korean and developed bowing habits –I’m a bit afraid I might not be able to shake that when I arrive home.

… developed a stronger appreciation for my life in Canada and the things that I really care about like family and friends, manners and Swiss Chalet.

...and ginger ale!

… ooh-ed and aww-ed at the fireworks of Everland in a vast crowd that could surprisingly (and easily) outnumber any audience at Sarnia’s Canada Day display.

…drank hot cocoa in a giant igloo, alongside massive snow sculptures of Ms. Pots (from Beauty and the Beast), Davy Jones (from Pirates of the Caribbean) and the late, great Steve Jobs.

Snow and ice --everything was frozen, including my ba-donka-donk.

…recognized the importance of patience, whether it is needed in a kindergarten classroom, a packed subway, or a disorganized adventure trip.  Note: yelling “this is the worst f****** day ever” is not the right approach to expressing your dismay, no matter how hungry you are, especially when surrounded by strangers.  It makes you look and feel like a completely ridiculous person.

(even more ridiculous than a blow up Hello Kitty on the subway)

…gained companionship in serendipitous, small-world situations that can only be explained by some kind of divine design.

A truly beautiful view with three truly beautiful people.

                                            
…acknowledged the delight in squirrels because they aren’t nearly as common in other countries as they are in Canada.

…learned to be adventurous with my eating because the look and smell of something isn’t always in direct relation to how it tastes.  Sometimes food smells awful and looks awful, but tastes delicious.Sometimes food looks and smells delightful, but tastes nasty.  Sometimes something looks nasty and smells awful, and tastes exactly how it looks and smells, like in the case of silkworms.

Fun fact: every food venue --even ice cream vendors at an amusement park --have these kind of faux-food displays.  There is actually a huge market for creating plastic food for display cases all over Korea.

…began to overcome my fear of heights via sky lifts, cable cars, suspension bridges and mountain peaks –slowly, but surely –but, I still can’t imagine bungee jumping in a foreign country, or any country for that matter. 

From the top of Gwanaksan --Mount Gwanak in Gwacheon.  Jason and I are both crouched on opposite sides of a very steep rock to make this picture possible. If I hadn't already started sweating on the way up the mountain, I definitely would have at this point.

…embraced the joy, excitement and goofiness of children –which is quite possibly the most rewarding part of my year in Korea.

This is Peter Parker.  Although he was originally named "Peter" he insisted on being called Peter Parker.  He would also run around, scaling the walls and flicking invisible webs out of his wrists.  Of course, because he was THE Peter Parker. 

   
… lived life day by day, suspended in the mystery that foreign language and unpredictable schedules naturally create.

September 2012: Spicy potato on a stick is still yummy!

September 2011: Spicy potato on a stick is yummy!