So it's come to this...

I currently have a week left in Korea. Seven days. 160 hours. 9600 minutes. It's nothing, especially considering I have spent the last year of my life here!

Korea and I have been very much in love and it will be hard to let go. We began with a lofty summer romance when I was swept off my feet, the magical crisp autumn where we were still so very much in love. Then came the brutal winter where Korea was either cruel and malicious or cold and unresponsive. It was a hard time for both of us. But the beautiful springtime brought cherry blossoms which exploded from the tree branches and we learned to overcome our differences and truly work together.

A year may not seem like much, and I suppose it isn't. A blink of an eye in the scheme of things. However. Currently to my set of eyes it seems like a very long amount of time. Having been here a year means that 4.5% of my current life has been spent in Korea. Before I came to Korea I had never lived more than an hour from my hometown. Just a small town girl living in a lonely world. I was looking for adventure and I found it. Taking the leap to live in Korea has been the boldest decision of my life.

My mind's a-jumble at the moment. I can think of so many wonderful times I've had living in Korea and I'm getting a little verklempt!

Harry Potter and the Deathly 헐-ows

Last night, us group of Jochiwon teachers-- Maryam, Kimberly, Rebecca and myself-- went to watch the final installation of the Harry Potter movie franchise. And we got to see it a whole day and a half earlier than our friends back home! 헐.

Of course I dressed up. Of course I cried. Of course there was a nerdy discussion about the differences in the book following the viewing.

And of course, when Voldemort sliced Snape's throat, my Korean movie neighbor went "헐".

헐 = hull = frequently used in to express mild shock in Korean slang

http://www.italki.com/answers/question/79215.htm

Remember that time I saw Harry Potter? And remember that time I lived in Korea? That, children, is what I will remember most of all.

Nearly-Year

I spent the last weekend with the kindest Korean family I have met in my stay here. They melted my heart last November when I joined their family adventures in Gwangju and continued the tradition thusly.

I wish I could describe the warmth I felt being invited into their home, playing board games, eating delicious samchuk, cheers-ing makgeolli, sleeping on a giant mat on the floor with everyone..

They also took me to Woong Island near Taean, where we skipped rocks, searched for tiny crabs on the rocks, ate watermelon on the beach had an hour-long mud fight and went swimming in the water to wash off our clothes. It was simple, beautiful, and perfect.

Within the past two months, I've had a spell of rotten luck in Korea. My ribs breaking. The discovery of not having health insurance. Being denied vacation because of sick leave. Losing a generous cash prize for my students due to a initial name error and subsequent arrogance. Rotten luck. Events which have clouded the truth about my feelings for this country, this experience, this life I have lived.

I love it all. I am extremely fortunate to have been granted this life. My decision to come to Korea is still regarded in my heart as a personal best. As for the unfortunate, I have only become stronger and wiser. It's been an amazing nearly-year. The most profound, adventurous, exciting one yet. Why on Earth would I want to change it?

Cheers again.