Homesick

Recently I spoke with my mum about my dislike towards my current job. Only...after speaking with her I began to really think about my job and everything - mostly why the last seven months haven't been the best.

When we came back to Korea for our third year, I was down. I blamed this on just leaving my family and friends but after a month it wasn't any better. So I assumed it was because it was winter (we all know I hate the cold). Our apartment was the best either which added to my initial dislike.

Finally warm weather arrived! We changed apartments too. Things were good for a little bit but then it struck again. That feeling of "blah" to which I stuck to the town. Visiting any other town is a pain because we aren't on the subway line (by the way, love subways - Come on America!). I don't like buses - motion sickness - so it sucks. Also, making new friends is hard for me. I know I make it look easy ;) but, really, I have a difficult time connecting with people. I always assume people are going to screw you over in one way or another but you can't have that attitude here. It's been a personal challenge to alter my mindset in an effort to make friends and I've succeeded (somewhat). I'm grateful to have met such wonderful people here.

My most recent complaint has been work. There is some uncertainty to my job which does cause a little stress, it isn't the cleanest work place I've ever been in (after working construction, I shouldn't complain!), I don't care for the ages I'm teaching, and I've learned that I am not an evening/night worker. But those are all small things. I get paid on time, my boss is fantastic, my coworkers are polite, and my hours are less than the last two years I've worked.

I've finally come to the conclusion that the reason I've been down isn't because of the town or the people or the weather or my job. It's because I'm finally feeling that thing that most people felt their first year in Korea.

  Homesick  

It took two and a half years for me to finally feel homesick.

Two and a half years.

Why am I writing this? Because it makes me feel better to put it to words. We have five months left in Korea and I'm not going to waste them. I'm going to accept that my job is fine, the town is great, the people are wonderful (which they are, we continue to make phenomenal friends), and the weather (as my mum would say) "is what it is".

BUT I will be looking forward to living stateside for a little while. We do plan on continuing our traveling after Jacob finishes college but it will be nice to be able to visit family more often, see my niblings (haha!) grow, hang out with old friends randomly, and be in the loop on the comings and goings of America. Oh and Jacob is looking forward to the abundance of Mexican food. Icarus looks forward to having sprawling lands to explore and a yard to run around in (safely).

Here's to enjoying our last (for now!) year in Korea!