Getting the Hell out of Dodge.

Well we leave tomorrow. So soon! It's finally starting to hit me. Actually, it hit me weeks ago, but for the past few days I've been in denial. Last night was our going away party. One of many. But everyone was so sad and talking about the usual leaving things you talk about. It just didn't feel real. It felt like another birthday party. I've had 4 going away parties in Korea but in each one I knew I was coming back. Anyways, it was a fabulous party, and we were given a scrap book from Scott and Claire of our time together which was adorable.

Today we went for lunch with Scott and Claire, said some more goodbyes to some friends, had a Korean lunch and headed to Insadong to do some last minute shopping. It only started to hit me a couple of hours ago that I'm actually going. We were going to get all fancy and go out for dinner but we just didn't have the time or energy so opted for dalk galbi, which is never a disappointment. Mike is at his place doing his final packing. Tomorrow we will find a bunch of things I'm sure we forgot to do, we'll have our final lunch in Korea and then it's off to the airport.

Anyways, I have a cold, which I'm sure is just because I'm so rundown and stressed. I'm sad. Korea has been my home (and a good one) for 4 years. I'm sad to leave friends that are great but I know I will probably never see in person again. There is a good thing about having friends from all around the world though: free places to stay basically EVERYWHERE. I'm leaving, but I'm coming home to good people, too. And eggnog. Let's not forget the eggnog.

Preparations for Home

5 more days? Insane. Friday night my school had a going-away party for me. It was great. Dalk Galbi followed by singing in the Norae Bang. Saturday I went out for lunch with a really nice Korean family that I've gotten to know. I went shopping in Insadong afterwards with Heather and Mike. Sunday Mike and I went to Lotte World where we went ice skating and shooting in the range. REAL bullets.
Leave it to Korea to mix something dangerous with something cute.


I think Angelina looks better this way!


Oh Merry Christmas!

This is Heather and I with the family. They took us to an amazing traditional style restaurant outside of town. The father knew the owner and we got special treatment including a tea ceremony.


He was also an artist.




The boys fought over the games on my ipod for awhile. It was cute!


The procession of food never stopped. Seriously. But it was awesome!


I have so much packing to do and errands to run. I have no idea how I going to get it all done. And I just know I'll forget something important. Like my passport. Or luggage. Or Mike.

Cheers! I'll be stuffing my face with kimchi until I see you!

Happy Birthday to ME!

My birthday this year was GREAT. Tons of cute cards and gifts from the kids. Mike made me pho and satays, got me a cake made from brownies and I was given a new ipod nano. It was all great and left me feeling loved. On Saturday we bummed around the city having Christmas coffees, shopping and walking. We went for Bulgarian food and then met up with a bunch of friends in 신촌, an area of town that is really fun. It was really cold outside so we spent most of it in one bar that takes requests for music.

This past year overall was pretty great:

• Mike and I had our first official Christmas together. I had my first Christmas tree.
• We went to Vietnam together to celebrate our first anniversary.
  
• I got really good at my job (at least I think so!) and became a decent teacher.
• I lived in one of the best cities in the world.
• We discovered how awesome staying in a pension is.
• Made some amazing friends.
• I went to Thailand again.
• I went to Cambodia and was blown away. It was also the first trip I have taken alone (save Korea) to another country.
• I made a post-Korea plan.
• I did some extra university courses.
• We went to Jeju-do!
• I made some health related goals and reached them.
• I made plans to return to Canada.
• I hiked mountains and saw a lot of old things.

So I only have 2 weeks left. I am starting to cope a little better with it. I remember my life so far in chunks as to where I was at the time. For example, I was really sad when high school ended but then Western happened and that was way better than high school. I was devastated after university finished but then I went to Korea which has been so amazing. I am hoping that life continues on this track. A few things that I have to do before leaving Korea:

• Pack (duh!) but also mail home a box filled with Korean candy, tea and soju.
• Go to Lotte World and shoot a real gun. Because I can!
• Go to Insadong and pick up some souvenirs. For me this time! I have given everything away so far. I want some decorative chopsticks too, damn it!
• Have a going away party with work and friends.
• Eat as much Korean food as I can.
• Close bank and pension accounts.

Ok, so that's it for now. I'm feeling pretty positive today. I think it's the snow and Christmas music. However, be prepared for a sadder entry sometime in the near future when I actually come to grips with leaving.