The Last Time

The last few months have literally flown by and tonight I will board a bus that will take me to an airplane that will take me to China. There...I will board another flight heading home - California. Oh, how I have missed home SO much. And my family. And my friends. And my bed. And a clothes drier and a dish washer. And more food options other than Korean. And understanding the language. And not being stared at...or talked about. I look SO forward to running into my mom and dad's arms and seeing everyone at home and feeling the comfort of home. I absolutely cannot wait....

Korean Burn

Upo Wetlands

Dongwhasa Temple

Reunion

Jinju Lantern Festival

Halloween 2012: Alice and the White Rabbit

Work Halloween

The first class I ever taught. :) Still adorable.

Goodbyes

But now...let me tell you some of the things I am going to miss dearly...with all of my heart:

I'm going to miss the amazing friends I have made.

The incredible people I had the honor to know.

My little apartment.

Independence.

My fabulous Korean Co-Teachers. 

Teaching - I will miss teaching!

My students - the adorable, crazy, hectic and incredible students.

Monday Farmer's Markets.

Not knowing the language - so learning.

Being stared at - and talked about.

Living alone.

Walking everywhere.

Traveling with ease. -- also, easily accessible public transportation.  

Going downtown on Saturday nights and dancing the night away until the morning.
Working later hours  -  and sleeping in.
Speaking and Reading Korean.
My favorite little places across town: The people at the Orange Shop, Soup Place, Sandwich place, little corner shop, and Starbucks have made this life SO much easier.
Having weeks for sleeping and weekends for exploring with little to no sleep.
Having friends from all over the world - where Ireland, Canada, South Africa and England can all sound so normal to me.
Growing accustomed to this world.
Children bowing to me.
Korean Springs and Falls.
Long walks with wonderful conversation.
Watching my students learn.
Watching myself grow...
Being in awe of the world I live in. (I know this will come back soon!)
And so on...

And finally, the last thing I learned in Korea:

55. I learned how to be me. Just me. :)


Thanks for staying with me this year - you all make me who I am. I love you all.

See you in America.