It seems like ages ago that I stepped onto that plane bound for Incheon International Airport, much longer than a year, but what a year it has been. In certain respects it has been a really challenging year, but challenge is good. It forces us to deal with issues and find solutions. Before I even considered moving to Korea I scribbled down a few things that I considered important to me. One thing that continually came up was the desire to travel.
So when the opportunity to come to Korea arose, the ability to travel and see a different part of the world definitely played a big part in my decision. Not only have I spent a year in Korea, but Gina and I were able to go to Vietnam and Cambodia in the winter, and I just returned from Thailand. It only whet the palate to see more of this amazing planet.
Another major factor in my decision to move here was stagnancy in my professional life. I loved so many parts of my previous job and was very comfortable there, but at some point I was going to have to move on, and I was not sure where that step would take me. Coming to Korea bought me some time to figure that out, while also providing that opportunity to travel and grow personally.
I still haven't figured out where my life is going, but I'm much more comfortable with that now than I was 12-15 months ago. Taking a step back opened the door for me to examine what is really important, and doing that from another country allows you to see what things about home are important. In my case, there is very little that I missed that I didn't have here, but what I did miss (people) was very important.
One note of advice for others considering living abroad: don't try the long-distance relationship thing unless you have to; it's really, really hard. On the bright side, in my situation my relationship definitely improved and strengthened over this year, but it was a challenging time and full of its ups and downs.
Being away also made some things easier. It wasn't simply a product of being away, but I made more gains this year in fitness and general health than the previous couple years combined. It's been about five years now since I made a strong commitment to working out and changing my diet. Many changes have been gradual (i.e. dropping soda, etc.), but this year I made some significant improvements. One major factor was time. I had a lot of free time to learn more about fitness and nutrition, and I took advantage of it by doing a lot of reading and trying some new things. Much of it was the coalescence of previously known information, like a light bulb movement. Sometimes you just have to be exposed to things multiple times for them to sink in, but I'm really grateful for the steps I've been able to make in that field. It also helped me discover that fitness and nutrition is something that I'm really passionate about. I should have noticed it much earlier, but it never really clicked for me. I'm not sure that I'll pursue a career in either of those fields, but it's something I plan on checking out.
That wasn't the only area I delved into deeper. I also read more books this year than probably the last two years combined. I finally started knocking off some of the classics that I always meant to read, and that's something that I plan to continue working on when I get home. Reading consistently makes me at least feel like I'm learning something, and usually, I think, that's the case, even if it's only stretching my vocabulary a bit.
I think most of the improvements I've made in my life I should be able to transition back stateside. Some will be harder than others, and of course whatever job(s) I get will have an impact on some, but I'm optimistic. However, there are many positives about life here though that I will miss.
I'm going to miss (in no particular order): the instant smile that graces my face so often when kids light up when they see me, the public transportation system, the relatively carefree life, loads of free time, the food, co-workers and friends and the ability to take bi-annual, amazing vacations.
I already touched on the benefits of free time and a low-stress environment, but I'm really not sure if I can place a value on the smiling thing. I noticed it so much throughout the year, whether it was my students or kids I interacted with on the street. So often I'd be in a bad or sub-par mood and a short interaction with students would force a grin to my face.
I know one thing I'm really going to miss is the transportation system. I understand why Wisconsin and much of the US doesn't have good public transit, but living in an area that does makes you appreciate it so much. I love living in an area where practically everything I need is within a 10-minute walk, and if something isn't that close I can grab a nearby bus easily or walk five minutes to the subway station. I don't miss having a car one bit, and I actually dread the search for one, and more so the cost of not only the car but insurance and gas, when I get home.
On the vacation front, I hope to continue that as a priority, but I realize that vacations of the sort I enjoyed this year probably aren't in the cards for a while.
There is a lot to look forward to, too. I'm very excited to come home and be reunited with friends and family. I'm really looking forward to having an oven to cook with again, and it will be nice to have access to the ingredients needed to try out so many of the new recipes I stumbled upon this year. And, most importantly (just kidding, really), I'm coming home just in time for football season and the finish of baseball season! Although I will miss watching games in the morning and having the rest of the day free to do something else.
Overall, it was a fantastic year, but I'm ready and excited to come home. I met some great people, made some fantastic memories and became a better person. I have few regrets, and no complaints.
So when the opportunity to come to Korea arose, the ability to travel and see a different part of the world definitely played a big part in my decision. Not only have I spent a year in Korea, but Gina and I were able to go to Vietnam and Cambodia in the winter, and I just returned from Thailand. It only whet the palate to see more of this amazing planet.
Another major factor in my decision to move here was stagnancy in my professional life. I loved so many parts of my previous job and was very comfortable there, but at some point I was going to have to move on, and I was not sure where that step would take me. Coming to Korea bought me some time to figure that out, while also providing that opportunity to travel and grow personally.
I still haven't figured out where my life is going, but I'm much more comfortable with that now than I was 12-15 months ago. Taking a step back opened the door for me to examine what is really important, and doing that from another country allows you to see what things about home are important. In my case, there is very little that I missed that I didn't have here, but what I did miss (people) was very important.
One note of advice for others considering living abroad: don't try the long-distance relationship thing unless you have to; it's really, really hard. On the bright side, in my situation my relationship definitely improved and strengthened over this year, but it was a challenging time and full of its ups and downs.
Being away also made some things easier. It wasn't simply a product of being away, but I made more gains this year in fitness and general health than the previous couple years combined. It's been about five years now since I made a strong commitment to working out and changing my diet. Many changes have been gradual (i.e. dropping soda, etc.), but this year I made some significant improvements. One major factor was time. I had a lot of free time to learn more about fitness and nutrition, and I took advantage of it by doing a lot of reading and trying some new things. Much of it was the coalescence of previously known information, like a light bulb movement. Sometimes you just have to be exposed to things multiple times for them to sink in, but I'm really grateful for the steps I've been able to make in that field. It also helped me discover that fitness and nutrition is something that I'm really passionate about. I should have noticed it much earlier, but it never really clicked for me. I'm not sure that I'll pursue a career in either of those fields, but it's something I plan on checking out.
That wasn't the only area I delved into deeper. I also read more books this year than probably the last two years combined. I finally started knocking off some of the classics that I always meant to read, and that's something that I plan to continue working on when I get home. Reading consistently makes me at least feel like I'm learning something, and usually, I think, that's the case, even if it's only stretching my vocabulary a bit.
I think most of the improvements I've made in my life I should be able to transition back stateside. Some will be harder than others, and of course whatever job(s) I get will have an impact on some, but I'm optimistic. However, there are many positives about life here though that I will miss.
I'm going to miss (in no particular order): the instant smile that graces my face so often when kids light up when they see me, the public transportation system, the relatively carefree life, loads of free time, the food, co-workers and friends and the ability to take bi-annual, amazing vacations.
I already touched on the benefits of free time and a low-stress environment, but I'm really not sure if I can place a value on the smiling thing. I noticed it so much throughout the year, whether it was my students or kids I interacted with on the street. So often I'd be in a bad or sub-par mood and a short interaction with students would force a grin to my face.
I know one thing I'm really going to miss is the transportation system. I understand why Wisconsin and much of the US doesn't have good public transit, but living in an area that does makes you appreciate it so much. I love living in an area where practically everything I need is within a 10-minute walk, and if something isn't that close I can grab a nearby bus easily or walk five minutes to the subway station. I don't miss having a car one bit, and I actually dread the search for one, and more so the cost of not only the car but insurance and gas, when I get home.
On the vacation front, I hope to continue that as a priority, but I realize that vacations of the sort I enjoyed this year probably aren't in the cards for a while.
There is a lot to look forward to, too. I'm very excited to come home and be reunited with friends and family. I'm really looking forward to having an oven to cook with again, and it will be nice to have access to the ingredients needed to try out so many of the new recipes I stumbled upon this year. And, most importantly (just kidding, really), I'm coming home just in time for football season and the finish of baseball season! Although I will miss watching games in the morning and having the rest of the day free to do something else.
Overall, it was a fantastic year, but I'm ready and excited to come home. I met some great people, made some fantastic memories and became a better person. I have few regrets, and no complaints.
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