Its easy to prepare the details of leaving the country when you have a list in front of you, but there is no way of preparing for the emotional roller coaster of saying goodbye.
The good-byes have begun, and something tells me its not going to get any easier. I hate this part.
I know that change is always hard, and to truly make great strides there will be some pain involved. Just ask Lindsay Vonn, who right this second just won her first Gold Medal, while having agonized over injuries, previous losses and had "given up everything for this." I'm no Lindsay Vonn, but I sure understand sacrificing for success.
Thank you to everyone, especially my family, for helping me to believe in myself and that anything is possible.
Its going to be really hard to not have you all around, but I know you're still in my corner.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Its really happening...I'm going to Korea!
After last week's disappointing news that the jobs were filling quickly, I was pleasantly surprised when I checked my email on Monday.
The title of the email: We got for you a placement!
Ha, English teachers are still in demand.
Almost immediately, I sprung into crisis mode wondering if now that I had a job, would I take it? There were suddenly a million reasons why I wanted to stay home, comfortably miserable: Trouble, my super rad apartment, meeting new people and potential love interests, nothing has to change. Though there are a million reasons to stay, there are two million reasons to go.
I consulted friends, the Buddha and myself for answers. All resounded in the same answer: you have to experience life, not wonder about it. So, I signed my contracts, FedEx'd them today, and that's all she wrote. This train has left the station, and its plowing into Incheon City on Feb. 28th 2010.
Holy shit.
When I arrive, I have no idea what to expect. Will there be anyone at the airport to meet me? Will I immediately start teaching? What is safe to eat? NO IDEA.
I am beginning to look forward to inspiring the youth of Sinha Elementary in any way I can. Until now, I had never considered teaching elementary school kids, but I find myself thinking about language as a child again--and its fun! Remember all the word games we played as children, never quite realizing how much we gain from simple tasks?
It will be a grand adventure to be in Korea, almost alone. In a suburb of 2.5 million people, and a bus ride away from one of my closest friends, I don't think isolation will have an easy time creeping in. It will, but it doesn't have to stay long.
I now anxiously await my Visa number so the process can be complete. This involves the arduous drive to Seattle, which I am not pleased with. There, I will go to the Korean Consulate and become a real ex-pat.
Waiting for the phone to ring.....
The title of the email: We got for you a placement!
Ha, English teachers are still in demand.
Almost immediately, I sprung into crisis mode wondering if now that I had a job, would I take it? There were suddenly a million reasons why I wanted to stay home, comfortably miserable: Trouble, my super rad apartment, meeting new people and potential love interests, nothing has to change. Though there are a million reasons to stay, there are two million reasons to go.
I consulted friends, the Buddha and myself for answers. All resounded in the same answer: you have to experience life, not wonder about it. So, I signed my contracts, FedEx'd them today, and that's all she wrote. This train has left the station, and its plowing into Incheon City on Feb. 28th 2010.
Holy shit.
When I arrive, I have no idea what to expect. Will there be anyone at the airport to meet me? Will I immediately start teaching? What is safe to eat? NO IDEA.
I am beginning to look forward to inspiring the youth of Sinha Elementary in any way I can. Until now, I had never considered teaching elementary school kids, but I find myself thinking about language as a child again--and its fun! Remember all the word games we played as children, never quite realizing how much we gain from simple tasks?
It will be a grand adventure to be in Korea, almost alone. In a suburb of 2.5 million people, and a bus ride away from one of my closest friends, I don't think isolation will have an easy time creeping in. It will, but it doesn't have to stay long.
I now anxiously await my Visa number so the process can be complete. This involves the arduous drive to Seattle, which I am not pleased with. There, I will go to the Korean Consulate and become a real ex-pat.
Waiting for the phone to ring.....
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Just Gotta' Get out of This Place...
The news came down today. I didn't make it in the first round of hiring in Korea.
Why does it seem that getting to Korea is so much easier for others? I've jumped through all the hoops, been patient, and still this is the outcome. I suppose the lesson in all this is to relinquish all control of my own destiny.
There is still some slim chance that it can work, or I can just start over again. I'm just so tired of starting over again.
Why does it seem that getting to Korea is so much easier for others? I've jumped through all the hoops, been patient, and still this is the outcome. I suppose the lesson in all this is to relinquish all control of my own destiny.
There is still some slim chance that it can work, or I can just start over again. I'm just so tired of starting over again.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Welcome to my life
Hey all!
As promised, I'm starting a blog to document my travels, and all the drama leading up to them!
I'm still waiting to hear back from Korea as to where and when I'll be placed, so check here for all the detailed news. I'll still be posting things on FaceBook and emailing you, but this will be my new go-to in keep you all informed.
Join me as West goes East, the roller coaster ride is just beginning!
Talk soon!
West
As promised, I'm starting a blog to document my travels, and all the drama leading up to them!
I'm still waiting to hear back from Korea as to where and when I'll be placed, so check here for all the detailed news. I'll still be posting things on FaceBook and emailing you, but this will be my new go-to in keep you all informed.
Join me as West goes East, the roller coaster ride is just beginning!
Talk soon!
West
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