My students!
Even though they drove me crazy most days, I miss my students (middle school kids). It took a while for me to get used to them, and for them to get used to me. As I settled into who I am as a teacher, I think the students settled into that as well. I began making my own lessons based on ideas I had, and tried out new tactics in the classroom. All of that worked, resulting in more enjoyable classes for the students and I. My relationship with them grew as a result, and there began to be more smiles and "love you" exchanges. Still, I had to face the reality that I was leaving them. I told them at the beginning of April, and they were not happy about it. Over the next few weeks, I received many "I love you"s, "I will miss you"s, hugs, and even tears.
Lunch Security (mainly to keep students from sneaking off); They always gave me a good laugh as a I walked by.
Punishment!
Ninja Summer Camp (although I may have made them look like terrorists, lol)
More punishment (they don't seem too upset eh...)!
Random video (basketball and ping-pong)
I had a variety of friends while living in Tongyeong, and I will miss spending time with them. Although the heavy drinking lifestyle is not for me, I will miss the expat community. I had fun times with the foreigners in my city from game nights to basketball to just hanging out. I also had a few Koreans friends, with one in particular, that I will especially miss using Korean/Konglish with and playing basketball with. During my time in Korea, I attended an English service at a Korean church. I will miss the services with the English speaking community there. Being a part of that service definitely helped to keep me afloat spiritually during my time in Korea. Overall, I am very thankful for the friends I made while living in South Korea.
My friends and family(America)!
Despite what I just said above, I'm so happy to see and spend time with my friends and family at home. I missed them a lot during the year overseas. Only a few people, including my mother, knew when I was coming home exactly. It has been fun surprising people! Over these last few weeks, I've had time to hear about what's been going on in each of their lives. I've gotten to tell them about some of my experiences, and how I feel I've grown as a result of my travel. Although my interactions with everyone feel fresh and in some ways different, they also feel like picking up where things left off. I plan to enjoy this time I have with them as much as possible!
Korean Society:
There are definitely some things I miss about everyday living in South Korea! Just today I went to the movies and paid $5 for nachos ALONE. In South Korea, I paid about that much for nachos and a drink! The ticket was less than 8 bucks too! Even though I love having my car back, I am getting tired of paying for gas already. lol. I liked just using the bus and walking in South Korea. Really, I just miss the overall cheapness of living in South Korea. Food was cheap, whether eating out or staying in. Traveling was cheap, whether traveling to a city close by or a city 4 hours away. Bills were even cheap, with the bill for my apartment at one time being less than $80! Safety was also big over there (I saw little kids walking home alone!) There was definitely some easy living to be had in South Korea.
Where I ate a lot of my lunches!
The owners (mother and daughter)
So good!!
American Society:
Although I've only been back for less than two weeks, I have really enjoyed being home. I have enjoyed seeing the different ethnic groups again. It has been very refreshing. I have enjoyed everyday conversation. It is great to be able to speak and be understood with just my words again. No more made up sign language! It has even been nice just to watch TV again. Also, I have been eating a lot of the food I have missed overseas (and subsequently making sure I work out). It definitely feels like I've just picked up where I left off here as well.Overall, I really do feel like I've grown as a person over the past year overseas. I had a variety of experiences, and learned a lot along the way. As far as the mission mindset that I had going over, I feel that I did live that out through my involvement in the English service at the Korean church that I attended and through just "living it out" (with some good private talks). With all that being said, I've come to terms with leaving South Korea behind. I am glad to be home, and look forward very much to my next journey.
