I've been hinting that I still have thoughts floating around in my head about Korea, but I haven't had the mental energy to sit and actually put those thoughts to words. It has sort of been a right of passage for bloggers who leave Korea to type a list of top 5 or 10 things you will miss and NOT miss about being in Korea. I think I'll just make a list of random thoughts. Some good about Korea and some that make me thankful to be in the good ol' US of A.
1. Many people said the one thing they do NOT miss about Korea is the driving. I gotta admit, I kinda liked it. I liked being able to go through red lights on some random back road when I didn't want to wait. Let's face it, the traffic isn't any worse there than in DC...I'm just sayin'...
2. I don't miss the speed bumps every 30 feet on back roads.
3. After about a week of being home, I realized I still take my shoes off as soon as I walk in the door at someone's house....it just seems right now.
4. I love walking outside and finding GRASS. I love the smell. I love the feel of it on my feet. I love to watch Adeline run and play.
5. I miss my huge, long, deep, and wide kitchen sink.
6. I don't miss the open drains....pee u!!!
7. The smells in general are just a lot better here....trust me, 'nough said
8. I really liked my daily life in Korea. It was so easy to find community, and we met some wonderful people there. I miss my friends....but then again, a lot of you already moved...and we always have the bloggy world. :o)
9. I am so happy to be reunited with my friends HERE. I guess I'm just happy anywhere where there are people who I love and who love me.....
10. I miss my book clubs. Here is a picture of one of them (small attendance that day). I read a lot of great stuff...and some not so great. Still, there were good discussions and my reading horizons were stretched to read things I wouldn't have picked up on my own. Yes, Gretchen, I know you want this picture....
11. I will miss Patrick's work schedule. We had more family time than we ever had and probably ever will have again. I know not many wives there can say that, but shift work was great for us.
12. I miss Patrick.
13. The purses...yeah, they were fun....
15. Korenglish...always good for a laugh.
16. Having signs in English that make sense...priceless.
17. Watching Adeline with her grandparents brings me so much joy....and I know they are thrilled beyond words to have us here.
Our house was packed up Monday morning. Patrick is living in a hotel on base for three nights. He will soon be in my arms again (Thursday at 3:20 pm to be exact). We still need to sell our car...pray. Patrick may need to give POA to someone else there if we don't sell it in the next few days.
In summary....it was a good year. We are glad we went. We are glad for the experience of living in another culture and being able to travel in a short amount of time to other cultures. A year was enough. It is good to be home...
15 comments:
Here's my list:
- I love that you opened the world of Korea for those of us who don't leave our hometown.
- I love your spirit of adventure and determination.
-I love that you got me into using Skype.
-And most of all: I love that you and Adeline are home. And that Patrick is almost on his way home!
Heidi
I enjoyed this list. I've heard a few of these things from Andy too.
If driving in Korea is anything like driving in DC, I don't want to do it! I lost several years of my life from the stress I went through, driving 1 hour in Washington DC!
Ha, Mari's comment cracks me up. We are from the same small town area and driving is never an issue. I lost years off my life driving with my kids in Dallas and Chicago.
Thanks for sharing your life with all of us. It was a learning experience for sure.
I am most happy for your parents getting that precious little girl back in their arms. My biggest fear in life is not having my grandbabes close by.
Yea!!! Book club picture! It is a good one. I will probably put it on my blog, so that will be a duplicate for you. :)
I love your list and agree with everything. Korenglish....so fun! Who would have thought we would miss that???
I Loved your list. I can't believe in just 5 months I'll be writing mine! Where is the time going!?! I have yet to buy a purse.... I have a lot of shopping to do in the next 5 months. :)
I can't wait to smell freshly cut grass again, either!
I'm SO glad Patrick is coming home on Thurs! YAY. What a reunion that will be!!
I'm so happy for your Mom and Dad, too. I can only imagine how much they have loved having you and Adeline there.
What a sweet list. I am sure you aren't done processing this adventure yet. It will take time, but I do sense that you are glad you had this experience. Good and bad.
ahh reflection...always good for the heart! the speed bump thing, i'd go crazy on that one! and taking your shoes off when you walk thru the door...can you show me how to teach my sweet boys to do this!!?
i'm sure you miss it and will always have a peice of korea in your heart. i'm glad the biggest peice of it will be home to you soon.
hang in there!
I thought this list was refreshing!
I miss you guys, but I'm happy for you and your family and the new chapter you're starting. The phrase "bloom where you're planted" is fitting for you! I believe you have the ability to make any place fun and exciting!Life truly is an adventure :)
That was very fun to read about it. I am sure with any experience there are things you completely miss and things that you can't wait to get away from! I felt that way in our brief time in NY. That felt like another country entirely too! :-) Thanks for sharing!!
What a relief it will be to have Patrick back this week! Your year in Korea sounds like the experience of a lifetime. What memories you'll have to share with Adeline when she's older!
YEAH for you hubby coming home soon!
I love how you shared Korea with all of us. Your adventurous spirit and positive attitude were reflected in all you showed us. I loved it!
What a great adventure this past year has been for your family.
Hey, you can come on over to my house any time. Ever since I had the carpet cleaner here in June I've been absolutely anal about having everyone taking their shoes off when they enter the house. It's such a pain.
There's one down side of your coming home - I miss getting blog hits from South Korea. It made me feel so world famous, ha, ha!!
Thanks for sharing a bit (well, actually a lot) of Korea with us during your 10 month stay. I admire your sense of adventure and willingness to try all sort of new things. Just stay put for awhile now so I can see you more often!
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