June: Reflections on the Past 10 Months

As I was telling my dearest daddy, I had my first real pang of sadness that I am leaving Korea soon the other day. I was sitting at my desk watching my students laugh and do a worksheet together, and I realized just how much I love my job...the country...the food...the people. There are so many wonderful things about this country. I love how everything is so much cheaper here. For example, the health care system rocks here. I was horribly sick last week. I lost my voice and had this awful cough. I couldn't breathe because I was so congested. My counselor, Catherine, went to the pharmacy with me so that I could get some drugs. I got a few different kinds and it only cost about the equivalent of $4. Amazing. Tonight I went out to dinner with Tiffany and Marina and our food cost about $20 altogether. For three people. Again, amazing.

But that's not the only thing, obviously. There are so many endearing qualities about living here. Walking around Suwon Station at midnight, and everything still being alive and active. People sitting outside at the street vendors' tables, eating and laughing together. I love the little stores where you can buy the most outrageous clothing. I've been picking up random shirts that have either awful English on them or funny American things. For example: I bought a t-shirt for $5 that has Obama's face on a bottle of Chanel perfume. It's ridiculous, but amazing.

I think there's a glimmer of a possibility that I will move back to Asia someday, even if it's just for one more year. I'm trying not to think about the future too much because it's intimidating. I have no idea where I'll go after I finish up my degree at MSU, but I'm more open to the idea of coming back here. I don't think I'd live here permanently. I've really missed my family a lot this year, especially my dad and Ben, and I don't really like going a year (or 8 months) at a time without seeing them. Skype is great, but it's not the same. I've missed my friends a lot too, of course-- but being away from my family has been the hardest part.

In other news, work has been good. My new schedule is awesome, and I love maybe 99% of my students. They frustrate me at times, but it's not as bad as last month. Ironically, my former students (the demon children, haha)-- or so I'm told-- "loved me" and "miss having me as a teacher." They run down to my classroom every day and scream "MELISSSSSSSSAA TEEEAAAACHER!" Yikes. Children are so strange sometimes...they act like they hate you and then you find out they think you're the bees' knees. Whatever.

My dear Tiffany is leaving in three weeks which I am SUPER bummed about. She's become such a dear friend to me. It's going to be weird being here without her. After she leaves though, I only have 7 weeks left in Korea. Weird weird weird.

That's all for June. Love you all~!