August Rush

August rushed in faster than I ever expected. It's hard to believe that I've been adventuring for a whole year. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to follow my dreams and come half way across the world to teach English. I have tried my best to capture my experiences through my writing along the journey, but find it so difficult to really express everything that I have learned over the past year.  I have met wonderful people and made lifetime friendships. I've been to places I had never dreamed of seeing. I've inspired students to continue learning and to always dream. I've learned a new language (although still a little rusty). I've deepened my understanding of another culture.  I've realized that age really is a state of mind and that no matter where you are in life- it's exactly where you should be.   I've done all the things I love to do-- all on my own. Teaching English in Korea has been the experience of a lifetime, and I will never forget the memories created here.

There are so many things I will miss about Korea, and of course a few things I won't.

Top 5 Things I Will Miss About Living in Korea

1. Anywhere you want to go in the city  is less than a 10$  taxi ride away. From Downtown Daegu, my apartment is a 6 $ cab ride away.  You can't beat that when you're out and about on the town. 

2. Meeting and talking with just about anybody.  All the ex-pats here, are just that... ex-pats. Doesn't matter where you go or who you bump into, there is always a perfect conversation starter for the still singles out there.Making new friendships or skinships is pretty easy.

3. Korean snacks and treats. I'll miss the mandu, and the bibimbap. You'll get a satisfying meal in Korea for under 6$. You'd never find that back home, unless you're doing a drive through.

4. Bars don't close (although this may not be such a good thing). For those of you who know me, I love to dance the night away, and when the music is great-- you'll often have trouble dragging me away. Drinks are cheap, a solid cocktail will run you about 4$ and you can even take them to the street, no questions asked. 

5. Being busy every weekend. Exploring the city and beyond. Learning about Korean culture and experiencing life as close as you can. Korea has a lot of to offer, and I will miss the hustle and bustle of life in the city.

Top 5 Things I Won't Miss About Living in Korea

1. The obvious language barrier. Having to say the same word over and over with a  different pitch, with still no results. Pulling out the cell phone dictionary or pocket translator just to get down the street, gets old really fast.  The obvious, I am a foreigner and do not speak Korean look- and yet the person continues to rant off in Korean as if you understand.

2. The Korean Ajumas (elderly women) who punch and elbow their way through the crowds and have an overall lack of personal space. They will knock you over if you don't stand your ground. 

3. The fishy smells that waft about the city. I don't really have a strong stomach, and absolutely hate fish- but for some reason no matter where you walk it hits you right in the face. 

4. The overall lack of following any speed limits, red lights or pedestrian crosswalks.   I've been nearly killed in a taxi (twice) as the cab exceeded speeds of 80 KM in a residential area. Motorbikes don't stop at red lights, and dodging is just another form of walking around here.Furthermore, people on the street don't hesitate to just walk right into you.

5. The head nodding and cut off conversations. Koreans generally don't close a conversation, so you're left hanging either on the phone or in person. They generally finish with a head nod, or a " Neeeeeeeee", which after a few minutes of standing there, you realize the conversation is over.