FFF (10)- Being Thankful

Fact:  One would think with the tensions rising here in South Korea, that I'd want to get the heck out of here without more ado; however, I'm not ready to leave so those damn North Koreans better settle down.

And with Thanksgiving in the air, I've realized that I have so many things to be thankful for while here in Korea.  With that said, here are all of the reasons I'm thankful to be in a potential war zone.

I am thankful for:

My little piece of America.  Having Brandon here has been more than a blessing.  Not only do I have an amazing person to come home to at night, but he and the military has provided a lovely pad with 3 bedrooms and more space than I know what to do with.  Furthermore, they’ve provided an abundance of American food, so those little cravings that all the other teachers have, I'm lucky enough to fulfill them whenever necessary.

The friends I've made here.  We’re all in the same bucket.  We all miss our friends and family, crave cheese, wish we fit into Korean clothes, and need someone to vent to every now and again.  Thank God we’ve got each other.  Whether it’s a romantic meeting on a bridge, a late night bubble bath, or a disastrous hike up the tallest mountain in the whole entire world, there’s nothing that will bond people closer together than isolation on a peninsula with an unruly Northern neighbor.  I realize how blessed I’ve been to meet all of these people who will truly come and go all too soon, but I promise that I’ll hold up my end of staying in touch.

My co-teachers. Although sometimes frustrated with their lack of warning (such as today when, with one hour left of my work week, my co-teacher retracted the fact that she didn't want me to review with the first graders next week.  Instead, I've been asked to compile a review session, in one hour, for first period Monday...), they are amazing teachers, who speak nearly perfect English.  I’m thankful that I don’t have to interpret what they’re saying on a daily basis and that I don’t have to eat lunch in the bathroom.

Everyone back home. Thanks for sending your love and concern.  I miss you all dearly and I promise that I'm safe.  I have Brandon and his military intel to keep safe from any North Korean antics.  If something does happen, I’m on the second plane out of Korea.  Also, don't listen to the news stations back home- they exaggerate everything.  No one here is freaking out- life is going on like normal.  Once/IF they do, I'll let ya know!

For a once in a lifetime opportunity.  Although it is quite possible to endure such a job in your later years, most would say it’s nearly impossible.  With a family and a life established in one place, it’s rare to find anyone over the age of 30 here.  I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to take a break in between schools (Elon and nursing school), and teach my least favorite subject in school (but shh… my students don’t need to know that!). 

The chance to travel.  With winter vacation rapidly approaching, I’m getting super excited to venture through Asia.  I’ll keep you posted on my travels and hopefully be able to share some amazing stories with pictures to depict the adventures.

My readers.  Of course I have to be cliché for a minute and thank my readers.  Honestly, as much as I don’t notice it now, when I have all of these accounts to browse through in my later years, I’ll be so relieved that I had a few faithful readers to encourage me to posting new adventures.

And for some simple things that typically go amiss throughout your day:

-SKYPE!

-that I’ve steered clear of all crazy Korean drivers and have not been hit by one yet

-my cheap lunch (about $2 a day)

-the adorable Korean children that stop to say hi just because I have curly, blonde hair, and round, blue eye

-the adorable Korean children

-fleece-lined tights

-Kimchi jiggae (my favorite Korean meal)

-an amazing transportation system

-sticky rice

-the DMZ

-our heat fan!!!

-my English/Korean dictionary (my life savor)

-blogs

-my blackberry (not having one here in Korea has made me appreciate the technology of the crackberry)

THANK YOU AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING!