My adventures in Korea

Feb. 26, 2015

I am currently sitting at an internet cafe in Incheon Airport, patiently waiting for 2:00 to role around so I can check in and begin the journey home. 

Yesterday, I said goodbye to my school, my co-workers, and some friends. It was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. I didn't realize just how much I grew to love my little town and the people in it. It still hasn't really dawned on me that I am leaving Korea, even as I type all of this from the airport. Have I just numbed myself? Maybe I just don't want to deal with how much leaving my home away from home will hurt. 

I stayed at the airport jimjilbang last night, Spa on Air. It was alright. Small, but very clean. I reserved a private sleeping room for the night. Even after a year of sleeping on the rocks that Koreans call beds, I underestimated just how hard it would be to sleep on that "bed". I was up until 1:30 this morning from how uncomfortable I was (but also in part due to the ridiculous late night text conversation with Caitlin). I also woke up multiple times during the night. I woke up for good at 9:30 and had a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that it was morning due to the lack of sunlight in the bath. Now, after a nice shower, I am up and basking in the natural light coming through the airport windows.

I haven't eaten yet. I did get a smoothie from the Jamba Juice here, but it is gross and unsatisfying. I may get a snack, but I'm holding out for the treasure trove of American fast food places in the terminals. I know my last meal in Korea should be Korean, but I have not had a Subway sandwich in over a year, and I just can't bring myself to wait a couple more days for one. 

Thought I am really sad about leaving Korea behind, I cannot wait to be home with my family and my dogs. I am extremely excited about my first meal with them. My mom and aunt are cooking up some delicious Cuban home cooking. That's enough to keep me home for a good long while.

It has been exactly one year since I arrived in South Korea. 

I've just gone through and read my very first posts from orientation, arriving in Waegwan, and starting at Dongbu Elementary. So much has happened since those first couple of weeks. Scared, excited little me so ready to take on a full year in a different country.

Next Thursday, I will get on a plane and leave Korea behind. 

Goodbye kimchi. Goodbye cute little apartment. Goodbye Waegwan. Where am I going to get a cheese donkas at 2 in the morning? Will I ever find a suitable replacement for the lovely ladies at my local kimbap place? (No.) Who am I supposed to eat dinner with if Cait isn't around? (My new upstairs neighbors (my parents) will have to do.) Will America ever catch on with delivery services? Who 's going to bring me my fried chicken or jjajangmyeon whenever I order it? What is it like to live in the US? I've completely forgotten....

I will go home to my family, my boyfriend, my friends, and my dogs. 

I will have a real kitchen to cook in, with an actual oven. I can bake again. I will have immediate access to Mexican food. There will be the kind of variety in grocery stores that I am used to. Old people won't shove me around on the streets just because they can. I'll have my car. GOOD BEER. AMAZING WINE. Normal Pizza. In-N-Out. Garlic bread WITHOUT SUGAR. Clothing in my size. TARGET. 

Yeah, okay. Maybe going back won't be so bad.

Feb. 17, 2015

Feb.10, 2015

Jan 31, 2015

New Years 2015

Geoff and I went up to Seoul his last few days in Korea. To ring in the new year, we walked around Myeongdong and tried as many street foods as we could. As midnight approached, made our way over to Boshingak, the giant bell they use to ring in the new year. It was freezing, and there were no fireworks. Kind of a let down. 

New Years Day was spent trying to brave the cold (only to give up and seek refuge in a Coffee Bean for two hours) and having lunch at an amazing little pho place in Hongdae.

Dec 16 to Dec 30 2014

Geoff visited again! Here are pictures of us doing cute Christmasy couple things like real Korean couples would during the Christmas season.

Jan 29, 2015

Sept. 2014

Lotte Department Store in Seoul gets away with selling avocados for about four bucks a piece.

Fall is here and it has made my walk home from work a little prettier.

Last week I did a Halloween lesson for 3rd and 4th grade and showed them my Tony Stark costume from last year.

They now call me Iron Man-teacher.

Oct. 4-5, 2014