2013 - My year in Korea

Today marks the end of what has been one incredible ,  life changing year . I am struggling to comprehend how quickly this year has flown by .This time last year I was  feeling overwhelmed   and unsure of  what lay ahead of me .Trying to pack my life into boxes along with  deodorants, tampons  and rooibos tea  bags. Now , one year later I
look at how this year has turned out and I can honestly say with confidence that  this year has been the most incredible life changing year of my life.

If I had to list all the amazing encounters that I have had  , all the  memories that have been made  and what this year has taught me   , this post would be longer than the entire  Harry potter series. However ,  there are a few  things that I do feel need  to be mentioned as they are the reasons in particular that have made this year so incredibly special.

 The Convent 

First and foremost my incredible school. As I have said many times before I truly believe that being placed at this amazing school is thanks to God.  I cannot explain just how blessed I have been to be at this school.
Apart from my school being known for the incredibly delicious lunches I have been fortunate enough to work with amazing students and teachers .
My students have become more than just  the girls that I teach . They have become my friends . My Co teachers  have become more than just work colleagues, they  have become my mentors and friends . I could not have asked for a more beautiful working environment .  I have indeed been very spoiled  and blessed at this school .


There is one person in particular that deserves special mention . She  has become so much more than a co teacher ,  she has become my mentor and one of my closest friends in Korea. I have never met a more hard working  , dedicated teacher in my life .
She deserves a medal   not only  for all that she takes on at the school but for putting up with me and my never ending drama . From helping me plan holidays , to paying bills  and  even driving me to Ulsan on her Birthday to sort out my ARC card , she has truly been amazing. We have shared so many happy times together and I have finally found someone who takes as many picture of flowers and insects as me ! Yay!  It has been a privilege  and an honor getting to know this very special person

Friendships 

This year has definitely   been the year where my number of Facebook friends has increased dramatically . yes , I know one shouldn't  base their  friendships on how many friends they have of Facebook but still . This year started off with   7 Saffa girls leaving on  a plane together , feeling overwhelmed and dependent on each other for the challenges that lay ahead. Little did we realize that  a couple of months later we would not be depending on each other as much and would in fact form many new friendships.

One of the greatest gifts that I have been given this year is the opportunity  to  meet new people ,  not only from Korea but from all over the world.Living in a small city like Gyeongju  makes it very easy to stick to the expat teachers click ,however clicks have never appealed to me .
I believe that one of the most important aspects of  living in another country is getting to know the local people and to make an effort to make new  friendships.I have been fortunate enough to have this experience. One  of the greatest things I have learnt this year is that friendships have no limits . Age is  but a number ,distance means nothing and cultural differences are what keep friendships interesting. Some of my closest friends are either 10 years older than me or 5 years younger than me.



 I have been welcomed and embraced by an amazing,  incredible group of  young missionaries .Celebrating    
Christmas night  with them . eating home made food and playing games made me feel like I was part of a family . I have so much respect for them.They have given up 2 years of their life to spread the word of God. They are true gems!

 Another person that I have been blessed two meet is Emily Wang  , Angel Emily as I call her. Who would have thought that a friendship could blossom from meeting in a bar right ? Coco's bar seems to have this amazing ability to do that though. Emily comes from China and is one of the most soulful people I have met this year. Her faith in God and artistic talents are really something to be admired.She is a ray of sunshine in my life and my angel !

There are so many more people that  I could name and list that have a special place in my heart but these deserve mention because they are friendships  that come from different backgrounds . They have welcomed me with open arms , embraced me and supported me and for that I am eternally grateful.

Traveling

I think one of the greatest gifts that this year has given me is the opportunity  to travel and meet new people .Not only have I been able to explore the beautiful country of

Korea and Jeju Island but my dream of traveling South East Asia has become a reality. In July I was fortunate enough to go to Taiwan  with my fellow Saffa friends . 

We met the most awesome people from all over the world and despite the distance they are friendships that are still going strong today! 2014 shall begin with a holiday to Cambodia and Vietnam with my   best friend . Celebrating my Birthday in these two beautiful countries will no doubt be an amazing experience .










 Korean  culture 

One of the best aspects of living in Korea has without a doubt been learning about Korean  history  and culture. Asian culture has always fascinated  me  and I have fallen in love with  Korea .  How lucky I am to be living in the  in the historical capital of Korea ! The city that is known for its rich history .  Although there are aspects of  Korean culture that I do not  always agree with or aspects that have taken me a very long time to accept , I truly do love this country . Hard working ajummas in the rice fields , men stumbling around with their bottles of Soju , voices in the norebangs that can be heard on the streets , Kimchi that you can't escape ,  coffee shops  on every street corner with with most
hilarious English plastered onto the walls and  the abundance of tombs and temples that are found all over Gyeongju , these are just a few of the things that make this country the special place that it is .

Seasons in Soko

Coming from Cape Town I have always been incredibly proud of our weather. 4 perfect seasons as many people would say. The weather in Korea has been a challenge for a poor capetonian like me who is used to lovely hot but not humid summers and wet but not bitterly cold winters. Having said that I have a whole new appreciation for the seasons and have fallen love with the season in Soko.

Despite the fact that Korean winters are bitterly cold and that I cant feel my fingers and toes on most days , the  snowfall that has created a white winter wonderland around the country is truly a breath taking sight and has made the icy cold weather that much more bearable. 

The Spring this year in Gyeongju was beyond breathtaking. Endless streets covered in  the most delicious looking cherry blossoms.  Giant trees of white and pink flowers that resemble clouds.  Spring  in  Gyeongju really is magical. 

Summer , by far has been the most challenging season for me this year. The humidity was beyond bearable and as pools do not exist  in Korea , unless you are perhaps living in a pent house in Gangnam  , Haundae beach in Busan became the famous hangout  for the  summer.

 

Autumn or fall as they call it here has been the most exciting  and surprising out of the seasons . I never used to care much for Autumn in South Africa and perhaps its because the  autumn colours were never that magnificent.

Here in Korea it has been sensational.Cycling to school during autumn was just beautiful. I felt like I was in a painting. Being surrounded by the  vibrant colours of red and orange made it impossible to not feel happy.

          Magical Moments in Korea 

I have had some really rocking times this year and have found myself in some strange crazy situations . These have all made this year a memorable and eventful one.  Here is  a list of just a few of them .

Jumping and dancing around in giant animal outfits  in the rain at music festivals

Being on Korean Tv for the  famous    Korean    Music show 7080

Celebrating  Easter at an Indian Holi colour festival on Busan beach.

Busan film festival

Gangnam styling in Gangnam at one of the biggest clubs 

in Asia, club Ellui 

                       

30km midnight walks in Gyeongju  in my  rabbit onesie.

                                       
The beautiful Seoul 

Lantern Festival.

 Being serenaded by  Peppertones , my favourite

Korean indie band at their acoustic gig in Gangnam

Daegu and the many crazy nights in Club Monkey
                                           with Raf                                            

                                        

 

Busan Christmas tree festival        

        Spending St Paddys in 

       an actual Irish pub in the

       famous  Korea the famous 

       Wolfhound

These are the moments that have touched my heart 

and added value to my life in Korea .

Volunteering and falling in love with every single child at theUlsan  Orphanage

 Temple stay at the famous

 Haeinsa temple with my co teacher.

      

 Hiking the magnificent

mountains of Korea

            

    Exploring Jeju  Island and conquering  the tallest

                                      mountain in Korea !

Putting up the Christmas

tree at school with all my students.

Attending the memorial mass for Madiba  in Seoul.

What I have learnt

As I have said ,  this year has been an incredible year  and  I don't think that  it could have gone any more smoothly than it has.This year has taught me a lot about myself . It has taught me the value of having family. Being so far away from home over the Christmas season has been incredibly challenging.  It has taught me how to be tolerant  and respect  things that I may not necessarily agree with . I have learnt how important it is to get to know the people and embrace their culture. I've learnt that it is never too late to try something new. I've learnt that as Westerners we are incredibly selfish and  that we need to learn the Asian  art of giving . I've learnt the importance of having faith in oneself even when you want to give up ,  but most importantly I have learnt to have faith in God. This year I put my entire life in his hands and in return he undoubtedly gave me one amazing year in Korea .

My only hope for next year is that he continues to watch over me and bless me as I enter a new school and a new year in Korea .