Friday, August 29, 2008

So I'm really sorry about not updating....
Between the three blogs that I've been trying to keep up with, the crazy hours of an English instructor and the insaneness of getting use to a foreign country, I just haven't had the time to keep up with this thing. I have to admit, after this I most like won't update here much. Catch me on my LJ for the most recent updates. It's mostly a friends only journal, so you'll have to add me to see most of the posts... (www.roxey20.livejournal.com)

Life has changed so much for me since I came to Korea. I am literally not the same person I was when I stepped off the plane 10 months ago. It's crazy to look back at where I was and see how far I've come. I feel so much more comfortable with myself and much more confident. I know what I want in life, and I'm no longer afraid to take risks, whether professional or personal. Life has so much more freedom now.

There have been many firsts here in Korea. First hangover, first black out night, first cigarette, first apartment, first love, first heartbreak. I'm not proud of some of the things I've done here, but I've realized that they are all apart of the growing up process and becoming an adult, as well as discovering who I am and who I want to be.

I've learned that I can't let my conservative background keep me in a prison of guilt. I finally feel like I am an adult and I am independent. I can take care of myself now, though it took some bumps in the road to get there. I know my limits, but yet, I know that there is nothing that can stop me from doing what I've set my mind to do.

Teaching has been great and enjoyable, but not without its pains. Namely, starting my work day at 6:45 am and ending it at 9 pm. Or the perverted ahjussis who like to hit on their young, American teacher, or trying to become my "sugar daddy". (Bleh, so gross.) But a lot of good has come from teaching Berlitz. I've learned so much about global business and been able to put aside some money, as well as making good contacts for future jobs. In fact, it's because of one of my students that I was able to land my new job. A public relations consultant for a small, but international PR company here in Seoul. The hours are much better, as well as the pay, however as part of Korean culture, I'll have some nights of staying out late drinking with clients and co-workers to look forward to. Oi, I hate going out on work nights, but if it's part of the job I have no choice. Besides, entertaining seems to be one of my gifts...

I start on Oct. 1 and move into my new apartment with my new roommate on Sept. 22. Or, well, technically he moves in the last weekend of September, I suppose. I was lucky and managed to land a nice, large 2 bedroom apartment in Konguk University for about $700/mo total. I didn't really plan on getting a roommate, but the opportunity came up to help my best friend, so I went with it. Besides, he cooks, so how could I possibly say no. (The lower rent also helps...though the insanely high security deposit is still a bitch...)

I still haven't done much traveling around the country or even outside the country because of work, but the company is sending me on a business trip to Paris in October and potentially to the Philippines in the near future, so I'm not complaining. Plus, roommate and I are thinking about a trip to Singapore next spring to visit an old college buddy of mine, if he's back in the country.

I can speak a lot more Korean than when I first got here and I'm integrating myself into Korean culture more and more the longer I stay. (One-on-one Korean classes have really helped.) I love it here. Seoul is home and at the moment I couldn't possibly imagine living anywhere else.

Well, that's all from me, folks. It's getting late here and I have to work tomorrow. (Yes, I know. It sucks working on Saturdays. I can't wait to leave that behind...)

Annyong, my friends!!!
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