Tuesday, April 26, 2011

All Our Yesterdays

I have now been living and working in Korea for approximately eight months.

When I came, I signed a contract for one year.  If I stick to that original plan, then there are fewer days ahead than there are behind.  However, that no longer looks to be the case.  I can't believe how quickly the time has flown by.  I am really enjoying the people and the country.  I've met some amazing people, both Koreans and ex-pats.  Still, because the time has gone by so quickly, I find myself wanting to stay longer.  Therefore, I am writing this entry to inform my friends and family back home that I have officially decided to renew my contract with the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education for a second year.

What has brought me to this decision?  A number of things, actually.  First, one of my goals in coming here was to explore areas of the world I haven't seen before.  I've always had a desire to visit many countries, a desire that hasn't been fulfilled yet in my life.  A friend that I met here has now declared that she has been to thirty countries before the age of thirty.  I'm twenty-eight, and I'm nowhere near reaching that number, nor will I be able to in the foreseeable future.  As of now, I've been to a grand total of seven countries.  Yes, that's right: seven.  I definitely have some catching up to do!

My second reason for wanting to stay may not come as a surprise to many people.  I've met someone: a wonderful person by the name of Shelby Martin.  She has made my time here truly special, and I feel that I'm not ready to end that time soon.  I honestly don't know that I would have lasted this long without her here.  She has opened my eyes to new experiences, and seeing the world through her eyes has made me appreciate it all the more.

Even though I've decided to remain for another year, I realize that the time is still flying by.  Even with my decision to extend my contract another year, having completed eight months means that my time here is one third done.  I don't know about you, but that blows my mind!

I don't know when I'll be able to return home for a visit; like I said, I would like to use the time I have here to explore places I haven't been.  I miss all of my friends dearly, and I hope that we will all remain in close contact. I love you all, and I hope to see you all again soon!

All my best!