I am very sorry that I have been neglecting to update these past couple months! Ever since coming back from Singapore, I have been busy with work or trying to find a muse to write stories. In doing so, I have three months worth of Month in photos to do, photo posts on Singapore, and posts on the trips I have been on with Seoul Hiking Group. All in All, I have so much to write about and I am trying to use Picasa to upload photos easier and that has been anything but easy. If anyone knows of a much more friendly format for me to use to upload photos onto the blog, I would appreciate it!
I am doing really well right now and we are halfway through our Spring Term. I have a lot more kids than before, around 75 or so which is a good increase from winter where I had about 60 total between my 13 classes. I am also looking into if I want to stay another 6 months or longer. I really have NO plans on what I want to do after this year besides attending grade school eventually. Yet with the news I've been reading about the economy I am not so sure I am ready to return. It is really unbelievable to me that I have been here for 7 months and that I only five more monrths in my contract.
I have so far done four trips with Seoul Hiking Group, seeing a very great part of the Southern end of the penisula and doing a lot of hiking along with that. I am really enjoying these trips and have been meeting a lot of swell people from them. The weather has been gradually getting warmer which has been woderful and seeing all the cherryblossoms come out has made me miss being home and seeing nature come back to life there.
Here is my quick update and I hope that in the next couple of days to get my Singapore trip posts all squared away so they can be uploaded!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
February 23rd Day 09: What seems to be lacking currently for your true happiness right now?
Day 09: What seems to be lacking currently for your true happiness right now?
True happiness is something I feel every one is striving for. We are always working towards being happy yet it never seems like it is ever reached. I feel that I am keeping myself from being happy because I think of what others would prefer. I don't really put myself first most of the time and it does hinder my judgements.
I feel stuck by some decisions I have to make and I don't like either choice. Making a pro and con list isn't helpful and weighing the lesser of two evils results in the same confusion. What I want to do and what I should do are very conflicting.
Where my focus should be is on where I want to be in a year. Do I still want to be where I am right now? Do I want to be back in the states? Do I want to be in a different country? I don't really know right now.
True happiness is something I feel every one is striving for. We are always working towards being happy yet it never seems like it is ever reached. I feel that I am keeping myself from being happy because I think of what others would prefer. I don't really put myself first most of the time and it does hinder my judgements.
I feel stuck by some decisions I have to make and I don't like either choice. Making a pro and con list isn't helpful and weighing the lesser of two evils results in the same confusion. What I want to do and what I should do are very conflicting.
Where my focus should be is on where I want to be in a year. Do I still want to be where I am right now? Do I want to be back in the states? Do I want to be in a different country? I don't really know right now.
Friday, February 10, 2012
February 10th Day 08: What led you to where you are right now?
Day 08: What led you to where you are right now?
Last year in January I was going through a really hard time. I had ended a relationship and was feeling very lost and uncertain about my future. It wasn't that I thought my relationship would have led me to all my happiness, but when it ended, I realized that I had spent so much time being so unhappy with it and losing my best friend that I was confused about what I wanted anymore. I didn't know where I was heading and I wasn't sure where to turn. Probably why my relationship wasn't working out as well because I didn't know if it was what I wanted any more too. I also was already making my parents' lives miserable by being miserable with moving in with them and living in a state I knew no one and I had not spent that much time with the people I now miss terribly. I had not been a good friend and I had not been very good to myself.
I started thinking about what it was that I had wanted to do and my mom reminded me that when I was in high school I had said I wanted to travel in my life and I wanted to go places. Well, being single, in my twenties and no real commitments any where, I decided that I would research different teaching programs abroad and see if I could get a job. And obviously I did. Once I figured out that this was where I wanted to be, things got better. I was happier, I felt better about myself and I was generally a better friend(I'd like to think at least). I went out more and did more things with friends. I was nicer to my parents. I dated new people. I got back together with my boyfriend eventually. I was happier and I was in a better place.
And I'm back to where I was a year ago. My job contract is only for one year and I KNOW I need to figure out what I might be doing in a year from now. Am I going to stay in South Korea for another 6 months? Or am I going to move back to the states and not have a job for a while and wait a year till I go to grad school? Should I start looking into another country to move to and work there?
These things bother me because I still do not have a clear idea of where I am heading in my life and it affects my psyche.
Last year in January I was going through a really hard time. I had ended a relationship and was feeling very lost and uncertain about my future. It wasn't that I thought my relationship would have led me to all my happiness, but when it ended, I realized that I had spent so much time being so unhappy with it and losing my best friend that I was confused about what I wanted anymore. I didn't know where I was heading and I wasn't sure where to turn. Probably why my relationship wasn't working out as well because I didn't know if it was what I wanted any more too. I also was already making my parents' lives miserable by being miserable with moving in with them and living in a state I knew no one and I had not spent that much time with the people I now miss terribly. I had not been a good friend and I had not been very good to myself.
I started thinking about what it was that I had wanted to do and my mom reminded me that when I was in high school I had said I wanted to travel in my life and I wanted to go places. Well, being single, in my twenties and no real commitments any where, I decided that I would research different teaching programs abroad and see if I could get a job. And obviously I did. Once I figured out that this was where I wanted to be, things got better. I was happier, I felt better about myself and I was generally a better friend(I'd like to think at least). I went out more and did more things with friends. I was nicer to my parents. I dated new people. I got back together with my boyfriend eventually. I was happier and I was in a better place.
And I'm back to where I was a year ago. My job contract is only for one year and I KNOW I need to figure out what I might be doing in a year from now. Am I going to stay in South Korea for another 6 months? Or am I going to move back to the states and not have a job for a while and wait a year till I go to grad school? Should I start looking into another country to move to and work there?
These things bother me because I still do not have a clear idea of where I am heading in my life and it affects my psyche.
February 9th Day 07: What is a fear you have continued with you that you have not let go of?
Day 07: What is a fear you have continued with you that you have not let go of?
The fear of not disappointing my family and friends. This goes back to Day 3 and what I had said there. Yet continually to delve into my own psyche I know that if I disappoint them I will disappoint myself more. I do not like the idea of not accomplishing something wonderful in my life. Not pushing myself to the fullest and living my life with what I want to do. But also staying true to myself and who I am with my values and beliefs. I hate when I feel like I jeopardizing what I want for what others want or changing to suit some one else.
I fear not doing something because I fear what the result will be if I do it.
The fear of not disappointing my family and friends. This goes back to Day 3 and what I had said there. Yet continually to delve into my own psyche I know that if I disappoint them I will disappoint myself more. I do not like the idea of not accomplishing something wonderful in my life. Not pushing myself to the fullest and living my life with what I want to do. But also staying true to myself and who I am with my values and beliefs. I hate when I feel like I jeopardizing what I want for what others want or changing to suit some one else.
I fear not doing something because I fear what the result will be if I do it.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
February 8th Day 05: Something in life that gives you balance.
Day 05: Something in life that gives you balance.
So, I skipped five on accident, so Day 5 and 6 should be switched around.
Something that gives me balance in my life is my family. While at times I can be self involved or overly critical of myself, they are my best support system. They also bring me perspective on what is important for myself and my life. My parents are incredibly supportive of my decision to have come to South Korea to teach even if it means that they wouldn't be able to see me for a year or less. They support my decision to go to grad school and (if I can get into the program and make it) be a writer. Or a teacher. Or anything I want to do in my life, as long as it makes me happy.
I try and focus on what makes me happy by also thinking about what would make them proud of me. I try to live up to what they taught me and what they see for me in my future. They want me to be happy and sometimes we may disagree on what that is, but I know they mean well. I know that just want me to do what is right for me.
My family balances out my loneliness and they make me feel loved. I appreciate their support while I am here and the messages I get from them. My mom will remind me that I need to take care of myself but I also need to let loose so that I don't go crazy in my apartment.
I miss them a lot too.
So, I skipped five on accident, so Day 5 and 6 should be switched around.
Something that gives me balance in my life is my family. While at times I can be self involved or overly critical of myself, they are my best support system. They also bring me perspective on what is important for myself and my life. My parents are incredibly supportive of my decision to have come to South Korea to teach even if it means that they wouldn't be able to see me for a year or less. They support my decision to go to grad school and (if I can get into the program and make it) be a writer. Or a teacher. Or anything I want to do in my life, as long as it makes me happy.
I try and focus on what makes me happy by also thinking about what would make them proud of me. I try to live up to what they taught me and what they see for me in my future. They want me to be happy and sometimes we may disagree on what that is, but I know they mean well. I know that just want me to do what is right for me.
My family balances out my loneliness and they make me feel loved. I appreciate their support while I am here and the messages I get from them. My mom will remind me that I need to take care of myself but I also need to let loose so that I don't go crazy in my apartment.
I miss them a lot too.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
February 7th Day 06: Something that excites you and fills you with joy.
Day 06: Something that excites you and fills you with joy.
The new possibilities of what being in South Korea will do for me. The new places to see that I would never have the chance to see if I hadn't taken this journey. The new people I am meeting and learning from. It really does excite me knowing that there are so many different opportunities for me out here that never would have happened if I had stayed in the states.
It is amazing how different things are here and what I am learning from the people I am meeting and just observing in a different culture. I would not say that Korean culture is better than the US or other western countries, but it gives a different perspective on a lot of things. I definitely do not agree with the sexism here and how a lot of women are treated.
I am excited by everything I get to do and see here and what I will learn while I live in South Korea.
The new possibilities of what being in South Korea will do for me. The new places to see that I would never have the chance to see if I hadn't taken this journey. The new people I am meeting and learning from. It really does excite me knowing that there are so many different opportunities for me out here that never would have happened if I had stayed in the states.
It is amazing how different things are here and what I am learning from the people I am meeting and just observing in a different culture. I would not say that Korean culture is better than the US or other western countries, but it gives a different perspective on a lot of things. I definitely do not agree with the sexism here and how a lot of women are treated.
I am excited by everything I get to do and see here and what I will learn while I live in South Korea.
Monday, February 6, 2012
February 6 Day 04: Something that is part of your routine that you enjoy.
Day 04: Something that is part of your routine that you enjoy.
I enjoy my Sunday evenings, soon to be my Saturday morning or Sunday morning, cooking times. During the week I have little to no energy to make my dinner and I am getting sick of Ramen here, so I try to cook something different every week. I bought a bunch of rice when I first moved to South Korea and I am just now getting through the second bag of rice. I'm hoping one of these weekends I can go to the foreign food market in Seoul and buy my replacement carb, Quinoa, which also has protein and would be great for replacing both rice and pasta from my diet. It also tastes yummy!
Anyway, I really enjoy this time because I can just turn on some music or watch a movie while I prep and make everything. Depending on what I am making, if it's just my rice/pasta, meat, and veggie routine I've been doing, it will take about 2 hours for everything. I have been pretty boring, I typically buy every week or every other week two bell peppers, an onion, garlic, meat and if needed a sauce. It is also incredibly relaxing for me to do this. Especially when I am stressed out or upset about something. It allows me to vent and get my frustrations out all at once.
I haven't given myself a very strict routine while here because of how flexible a lot of my time seems to be. I'm staying up later, waking up later, and being less and less productive on the weekends. The cooking on the weekend is about the only thing that is always set in stone and done. I try not to waste too much food during the week so this is something that keeps me only buying what I need every week and what I will eat too. I also tend to be more responsible with my money knowing that on Sunday or Saturday, I'll be buying my food for the next week and I only have this much money to buy that much food with.
Oh the beginnings of adulthood!
Allison
I enjoy my Sunday evenings, soon to be my Saturday morning or Sunday morning, cooking times. During the week I have little to no energy to make my dinner and I am getting sick of Ramen here, so I try to cook something different every week. I bought a bunch of rice when I first moved to South Korea and I am just now getting through the second bag of rice. I'm hoping one of these weekends I can go to the foreign food market in Seoul and buy my replacement carb, Quinoa, which also has protein and would be great for replacing both rice and pasta from my diet. It also tastes yummy!
Anyway, I really enjoy this time because I can just turn on some music or watch a movie while I prep and make everything. Depending on what I am making, if it's just my rice/pasta, meat, and veggie routine I've been doing, it will take about 2 hours for everything. I have been pretty boring, I typically buy every week or every other week two bell peppers, an onion, garlic, meat and if needed a sauce. It is also incredibly relaxing for me to do this. Especially when I am stressed out or upset about something. It allows me to vent and get my frustrations out all at once.
I haven't given myself a very strict routine while here because of how flexible a lot of my time seems to be. I'm staying up later, waking up later, and being less and less productive on the weekends. The cooking on the weekend is about the only thing that is always set in stone and done. I try not to waste too much food during the week so this is something that keeps me only buying what I need every week and what I will eat too. I also tend to be more responsible with my money knowing that on Sunday or Saturday, I'll be buying my food for the next week and I only have this much money to buy that much food with.
Oh the beginnings of adulthood!
Allison
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