ONE YEAR..... (one week).... MARK!!!

I couldn't believe it, the other day Scott turned to me and said, "happy one year!" And I, of course, like a girl went to our relationship and said, "(ha) Honey you are off a few there!" And he said, "No idiot!! (not really, but it was implied in the tone) Happy one year in KOREA!!" I had known that it was coming up and that it  would be right after our vacation, but I hadn't really  thought about it. For one year of our lives we have lived in a foreign country!! And we're still here!! 

I remember starting this blog with some hesitation... "Will people even read it!? Or will it just be me and my mom reading this?" "Am I going to be any good at this 'blogging' thing?" "Will people even want to read my stupid blog?" "Will I have anything significant to even really say - that is worthy enough of going out there on the worldwide web?" -- Such a self-debate over a stupid blog...

...And then I did it! Which, I'm really glad for! I know at some points I sounded so excited with my life and the littlest things were so amazing me - And then there were times that I was frustrated, had it up to my ears with Korea and about to tell this experience to 'shove it up its nose!' -  But I have it all documented. My feelings, my experiences, my highs - my lows... everything (nearly at least.... these blogs can be a lot of work sometimes!) 

Reading back on my posts, I was so worried about 'boring' my audience that I didn't even think about how this would be for ME  to look back on in 1 year - 5 years - 10 years (or however long "Blogger" will allow me to keep this thread) and be able to live through myself as a 23/24 year old who took that leap and landed on her feet in a foreign land... Well it might have been a tuck and roll stumble to my feet, but FEET none-the-less!! 

In the beginning of this blog, I had told myself that it would, hopefully, in some way, help someone along the their own journey. But I really think that it helped me just as much to be able to get my feeling out - share my experience - live in the excitement that was/is my life here so that I could always have this as a sort of 'diary of my days in Korea'.

So, that is my synopsis of my blog thus far. It is not award worthy, nor is it going to be something that everyone NEEDS to keep 'checking back on' as to not miss something. But I do hope that people can see the growth that happens in one year. And if you are making this dive into a new world, that you find comfort in the idea that we all have those moments. And those moments ALWAYS get out weighed by the moments that you will always remember as defining the person that you are inevitably going to become while living here.

Thank you to EVERYONE that has been there to support me in the past year!! I never knew just how many people I had in my corner until this all -- and for that, I count my blessing - each and every one of you!!  In those moments, I had a great support team and you all, also, made me recognize what great experiences I was having, even at those little expenses of frustration and bout of homesickness. I could have never done it without you all and ... of course, Scott. ***That man deserves a metal for staying with me - he has definitely seen me at my worst - but I think we have had a lot of best together over here too!***

Now for my list:

TOP TEN THINGS I NEVER WOULD HAVE DONE IF I WASN'T LIVING IN KOREA ~

NUMBER 1: Owned an illegal pink, flowery scooter with which I have joined a gang of other pink scooters to wreak havoc on this island together. 

NUMBER 2: Visited 3 new countries in a matter of one year. 

NUMBER 3: Made so many new and amazing friends from all over the world - while finding out how great my true friends are back home! 

NUMBER 4: Eaten live octopus, caterpillar larva, squid, seaweed (in any form, including: crunchy bits and soup), pork tenderloins...DOG! 

NUMBER 5: Visited the largest city in the world -- TOKYO

NUMBER 6: Spent 9 glorious days laying on the white sand beach of Boracay - labeled top ten beaches IN THE WORLD by CNN!!! 

NUMBER 7: Gone to SO MANY festivals..... ever in my life will I go to SO MANY festivals, as I have in this past year and the upcoming 6 months.  

NUMBER 8: Been able to only work >30 hours a week .... TEACHING!! Where I am not expected to d any outside work for.... but I do *some habits die hard*

NUMBER 9: Seen a cockfight with my own two eyes. 

NUMBER 10: Become such a cheerleader for America. Going abroad and representing my country (who most people have their own .... very VOCAL.... opinion on) has made me such an American. I'm proud of the many good things that we have accomplished and I am the first to admit that America isn't perfect, but it's my home and I will always be proud of the red, white and blue! .... And of course the black and gold!!! GO HAWKS!! 
Love always, 

C