Back on the Homefront

Well, I made the venture to Korea over a year ago and I made the venture back to familiar territory. I've been back in Canada for about 7 months now and it feels like I've been back for much longer than that.

It took awhile to get back into the groove of things here. It felt different. It was similar to the feeling I felt when I first arrived in Korea. It felt like I was integrating my life into a foreign country even though this is the place I grew up. I came back to my home country and suddenly, even though I've been thinking about and missing home for a year, it doesn't quite feel like what I thought it would feel like. I don't know if that will make sense to anyone. Yes, seeing your family and friends is fantastic. Yes, the food is amazing. Yes, I can hear English all around me. Yes, I can go to the doctor by myself and know that she understands what I'm saying. However, it's like I left a life behind in Korea and that made it difficult to find myself here. So, I spent a couple months moping around and thinking about what I'd left behind.

With all that out of the way, I have found my place again in Canada and I feel 100% better. What makes my journey back to Canada even better was that I was able to bring back this:

Most of you have met him, but for those that haven't. Meet Jong-Sung. I met this great guy in Korea and we've been dating for over a year. Surprise! Despite our difference of citizenship, we have a lot in common including Canada. Jong-Sung spent many years studying in Canada and is continuing his studies in Canada again. Yay!

Diane is going home!

That's right folks. I'm heading home. My flight is booked and payed for. I'll be flying out August 31st at 9pm and arriving in Toronto August 31st at 9pm. Weirrrrd! Can't wait to see everyone. Can't wait to eat some delicious food!

Hope all is well.

I was anticipating a good night out in Seoul lastnight. My friend Eun Young, some of her friends, and I were going to go out for drinks and dancing. We decided to get some Spanish food for dinner before heading out and we had to walk down a narrow, car-lined road. I noticed a car coming up behind us so I moved over but I guess Mejeong Poon didn't notice. I tried to pull her out of the way but the car HIT her! You hear of this happening a lot in Seoul but I hadn't experienced it yet! She was bent over crying and holding her ankle. The driver of the car must have been slow or something because he was just standing there. As my friends tried to figure things out with the driver I kinda just stood around and wondered what was going on. haha. The benefits of not speaking any Korean is that you don't have to get involved in situations like this. Her ankle was scraped, bruised, and swollen. They decided she should go to the hospital to get it checked out. We took the dude's phone number and then went to the hospital. She got her ankle x-rayed. The driver of the car was called to come and pay for her hospital bills. He arrived with his boss. Apparently he was a valet parking attendant at a fancy restaurant. Once the hospital bill was paid for the manager of the restaurant invited us back to enjoy some free Chinese food and wine. Sweet. So, after a car accident and 2 hours in the hospital we were able to start our night with some fantastic food.

Smells

I'm happy to report that according to a taxi driver I do NOT smell bad. Thank you. In fact, apparently I smell pretty good. So good that he felt the need to spritz himself with some cologne in the car. It's well known in Korea that foreigners usually smell pretty bad to the Korean nose. They say we smell like old cheese. Mmmmm. I don't though. Hurray.

Thank you Mr. Taxi Driver.

Hello...

I just finished teaching a group of 100 students from the islands surrounding Incheon. They don't have the opportunity to practice their English as much as the kids that live in the city. It was an interesting week. Although their English ability is really low they tried hard. After spending four days with them I can tell you one thing -- they know how to say hello. I heard about a million hellos and their variations this week. Everytime you pass a student in the hall they say hello, hi, or hey. After awhile I can't say hello back anymore. I just smile.

Thanks for all the comments folks. It's good to hear that people actually read this thing.

Not much is happening in Korea. I've been a little down lately about my job. It's a routine and everyday is the same thing. I either have students at my school for 4 days where I teach the same lessons everytime we have students, or we don't have students for months at a time and I sit around and think about what else I could be doing elsewhere.

My friend, and partner in crime, Jen is leaving Korea on June 17th. In less than a month I will be in a foreign country almost completely alone! It's kinda a scary thought. I'm going to miss Jen being next door to me. I'm going to miss having a familiar person from home that knows me and can relate with me. I will probably have a 55 year old New Zelander move in and really what do I have in common with a person I can't even understand. Seriously, I can understand a kid that barely speaks English but a New Zelander -- I have no clue what they are saying. They speak English but I need a translator. I will be okay though. I've become quite the independent person since moving away. It feels good.

I'm going to a soccer game tomorrow. I have to wake up at 6:30am ON A SATURDAY. It should be fun though.

Oh yeah, watched Blades of Glory tonight - dumb movie. I don't recommend.

Peace!

Cured

To the two people that read this (Mom and Sarah) -- don't worry! I'm cured. I fought off the last cold. I feel a-ok.

The sun is shining. Summer is on its way.

I have to start teaching next week. That sucks. Really sucks. Have I mentioned that I hate my job right now? Yeah, pointless job.

Anyway. That's all.

Peace.