Three years away

The further one goes, the less one knows. – Lao-tzu

Three years ago today, I left the USA and moved to Germany, which is where I lived for 2.5 years before moving to Seoul this past February.  This anniversary marks not only three years since I've left the US, but also three years since I graduated university and three years since David and I ended the long-distance part of our relationship. 

Despite all the changes that have taken place the last three years, one constant has been my partner David, who has absorbed all these challenges with me day by day in both Germany and Korea. So even though I've been away from the US, it also feels like I can say I've been home for three years now, being able to be closer to my now-husband, getting to know him better and living a more 'normal' day to day life with him.

Originally, I thought a weekend trip to Busan would be the best way to celebrate the occasion, but as the date drew nearer, I realized it wasn't more travel that I desired.  There is actually very little I need right now to feel content.  So, this weekend will be a normal one, or as normal as life abroad can be.  We're planning on hitting up the Seoul International Book Fair at the Coex and Sunday will be a Korean soccer match at the World Cup Stadium (tickets courtesy of the art teacher) and celebrating here in Seoul.

..:*끝, Ende, the End*:..

Sweaty at the top of Jirisan Mountain, the second tallest mountain in South Korea.

Chopsticks and Spaghetti

Korea. It's all about doing something new.  Like eating spaghetti with chopsticks like I did today at lunch. Comparing my life from Germany to Korea, seems like night and day.  The city, the people, the job, everything feels different.   Here are some of the biggest differences I've seen so far.

1)  What I love, love love so far about Seoul -- the city is always alive! Those Saturday afternoon mental run-throughs to make sure I have everything I need for Sunday is no longer necessary.  Sunday--everything is open and all the shops are open late, 9pm, 10pm.  Some shops (more like massive block long malls) are open all night, from 10am to 5am the next day. I feel like I've been given an extra day on the weekend.  So awesome.

 2)  My job here still involves teaching English as a foreign language, but other than the language part, it's totally different from the freelance lifestyle I had in Germany.  My commute is, get this, only FIVE minutes from my house.  Five minutes!  Those long 1.5 hour commutes for 2 hour lessons are long gone.  Also, I'm co-teaching with two Korean teachers and that helps a lot, the pressure isn't all on me, all the time.  The material I'm teaching is a lot simpler too--which, can be dull at times, but my co-teachers are fantastic and I'm really happy with where I am work-wise.


3.  On another note, I stick out a lot here.  I'm white, and people see that I'm a foreigner immediately.  Gone are the days in Germany when I could walk down the street and people would just assume I was German (at least until speaking to me).  I haven't had too many strange encounters, as Seoul is a city, so a bit more international and people are more used to seeing foreigners.  Although did have a man try conversing with me from across the street while waiting for a stoplight.  He then proceeded to cross the street and walk with me on my way to school to practice English with me.

4.  I feel like a whale here.  The women are so tiny.  All the clothes I have to buy here have to be large or XL. :(


5.  Fruits and veg are out of this world expensive.  Expect a post about this soon.

To be honest, I've been holding back on posts, not because I don't want to write, there's just too much to say.  I'll try to be better with it in April.

Until next post.