Somehow, amazingly, all our bags are packed and we're just minutes away from checking out of our hotel to head to the airport for our flight back to America. I really wanted to take a minute before we leave Korea to reflect on our two years here. I really am quite sad to leave. I've really come to love living here, but we are very excited for this next stage in our lives which will see us moving to Utah so David can get his MBA at BYU.
David and I both felt that we needed to come to Korea. Soon after we arrived here, I got the impression that my purpose in being here was to learn to love the people of Korea, and Asia in general. And I really have. I have come to love the people of Asia, I have loved the countries I have visited here--Korea, Taiwan, and China--and leave with a great respect for Korean culture, language, and history.
Before moving here, I didn't really care much for Asian history, art, or languages. I much prefered American and European cultures. I won't say that I don't still prefer Europe (because I probably always will) but I've been amazed at how much I do love Asia. Which is a very good thing, because David wants to come back to Asia to work and live someday. Now, I know that I can gladly and happily live in Asia. I'll probably stalk Asians now, right along with David.
I'm grateful for the chance I had to tutor some adorable Korean children and teach them English. They made me love Koreans. I am grateful for the friends we made here--Korean and American--who I will miss tremendously. I am grateful that Zara was born here (I think it's so cool that she gets to say she was born in Korea) and I am grateful that I learned how to be a mother here. I have learned a great deal here. I think you can always be learning and growing, but I feel that I've grown in leaps and bounds here. It's truly amazing.
And now, because we have to go check-out of our hotel, I'll leave you with this beautiful video of the city I have come to love:
David and I both felt that we needed to come to Korea. Soon after we arrived here, I got the impression that my purpose in being here was to learn to love the people of Korea, and Asia in general. And I really have. I have come to love the people of Asia, I have loved the countries I have visited here--Korea, Taiwan, and China--and leave with a great respect for Korean culture, language, and history.
Before moving here, I didn't really care much for Asian history, art, or languages. I much prefered American and European cultures. I won't say that I don't still prefer Europe (because I probably always will) but I've been amazed at how much I do love Asia. Which is a very good thing, because David wants to come back to Asia to work and live someday. Now, I know that I can gladly and happily live in Asia. I'll probably stalk Asians now, right along with David.
I'm grateful for the chance I had to tutor some adorable Korean children and teach them English. They made me love Koreans. I am grateful for the friends we made here--Korean and American--who I will miss tremendously. I am grateful that Zara was born here (I think it's so cool that she gets to say she was born in Korea) and I am grateful that I learned how to be a mother here. I have learned a great deal here. I think you can always be learning and growing, but I feel that I've grown in leaps and bounds here. It's truly amazing.
And now, because we have to go check-out of our hotel, I'll leave you with this beautiful video of the city I have come to love:
Seoul Time Lapse 2011 from Oh Choong Young on Vimeo.
Good-bye Seoul. I know I'll be seeing you again someday.
