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 .
