Time flies...it's June!!

So much has happened since I arrived here in Korea and so much of it seems trivial to me now, but every time I tell someone about it I am asked if I am writing this down. My witty response is, they are memories I will never forget…but since you are not here to make and/or experience these memories with me then I need to put them on paper to share them.

As many of you know I was terrified to come to Korea. It was the most “logical” option for me at the time, in all honesty it was pretty much the only option for me because let’s face it there isn’t a lot of opportunity going on in the states these days. I was blessed to have my best friend, Savannah, who literally handed me tissues as I threw up next to my car after my going away party with two of the most important women in my life. As I was sitting there eating with Sam and Sav all I could think was “what in the hell are you doing?” I was even more blessed to have my parents, two people who have shown me that I can do anything in the world and that they will support me in it no matter what, who basically said, “we’ll miss you, but there is nothing here for you, so go.” So, I went.

It has been three months today since I arrived in Korea. So much has changed in how I see the world. For a girl born and raised in a relatively small town in Northern California, I thought I had gotten out and seen things, I have fluttered all over the US over the years and have been very privelieged to see a lot of the country.
But that’s what the world was to me…the country…the United States of America. I mean don’t get me wrong I knew there was a world out there and I knew that I wanted the opportunity to explore and travel it, but I was never sure if that would be anything more than a pipe dream.

Then I lost my job and I needed to find a job. Google “Teaching jobs in Korea” and you will be amazed at how many hits you get. Not only how many hits you get but how little is required of you to actually teach English in another country, not to mention the fact that they pay to get you here, pay for your housing, and cover half of you medical insurance (which let me mention, leaves you paying a mere $37 for a year of medical coverage).

I graduated with my Masters in late December and realized I had no clue what to do with my life. There were no jobs and nothing really promising to look forward to in the states so I figured I would do some research on teaching overseas. I arrived in Korea on March 2nd and this new phase of my life began.

I’ve always had a pretty solid idea of who I was and my friends have always complimented me on my level of self-confidence. The truth is though I was never really sure who I was or if I liked who I was I just didn’t think there was anything that I could do to change it so I just accepted it and went with the flow. Korea has been my version of rocking the boat…and you know what I’ve realized. I know exactly who I am and I like it. I’m not a party girl. I’m not a drinker. I don’t need crowds to make me happy. I’m a quiet woman that doesn’t need to be the center of attention to be happy. I don’t need parties, to be honest I’m not a big fan of them. I’m not a drinker, I can drink and I can hold my liquor better than most…but the truth is that I don’t like it. I don’t get anything out of it. However, I am the woman that loves to travel on her own and do her own thing because I like to be in control. I love getting on a bus and spending the day or the weekend just wandering around. I love just spending a day by myself laying on the beach reading a book and listening to music.

Now that I’ve done my inspection on my self personally since I’ve been here let’s update you on what’s going on in Korea and how things have been.

First let me start off by saying that there has been a lot of added tension and stress here in Korea with the North and South Korea conflict. As most of you know North Korea has been found at fault for sinking a South Korean Navy ship which led to the death of almost 50 South Korean sailors. North Korea is denying having anything to do with it, which is pretty much expected, but things are getting more and more tense between the two countries. I did not have a lot of knowledge about the North and South Korea conflict before I came to Korea, but I have found that it is a war that has basically been “on hold” for the last almost 60 years. Everyone is hoping and praying that nothing comes from this most recent incident.
Summer is officially here in Korea…and let me tell you it is FRICKING HOT. Not only is it hot, it’s humid and for a girl that was born and raised in Northern California, I’m not used to humidity.

I have been able to explore Yonggungsa Temple in Busan twice. It is an amazing Buddist Temple that is built on the cliffs of the Sea of Japan and it is absolutely amazing! Highly reccommended for anyone that makes it to this side of the world, if you are or are unaware of the Buddist religion you will find it amazing. Hundreds of pictures are posted in my photo albums.

I have made a couple of day trips into Busan to simple lay on the beach and read a book, which makes me happier than just about anything.

This weekend I went with some friends to the 23rd Sand Sculpture Contest….I have never been more amazed by sand in my life. It was absolutely amazing and something I will never forget. Also tons of pictures posted in my albums.

I took a day trip to Pohang which was an interesting opportunity to get on a bus and go to the East side of the country and experience the sea and the beaches. I have found a beach closer to home that I like much better, but it was well worth the trip.

I finally am feeling like this is home, I have a routine and I love to wander around and just take pictures and see a country that I never would have had the opportunity to.

I have just booked a week long vacation to Malaysia. I will be traveling with a friend through Malaysia for seven days and am very excited about seeing a country that to be very honest I had never even considered going to. I also have two trips planned in the next few months to Japan and China. I am very excited to be able to explore this side of the world.

I have made a couple of great friends in the time that I have been here, the kind of friends that I know will be with me for the rest of my life and that is something I am very grateful for.

My job is going great. I have a great group of kids that I get to play with everyday and talk to and teach them about a country that I love and call home. It is great to watch them learn and see them figure out the sounds and words that we are teaching them. They are such smart little kids and they work so hard to learn English it is a bit scary to me how much time they spend studying because I am used to a different world.

I will update more as I have the time but I plan on being pretty busy throughout the summer.

Anyone that wants to check out my photo album at http://picasaweb.google.com/ewilder22/NotAllWhoWanderAreLost?feat=directlink

Sending everyone my love from this side of the world.