I Have Returned!

Well, I’m back in Korea, and am beginning another year of teaching. The familiar sights and sounds inspire more comfort than nostalgia. There were some large prints of photos on the wall, coming out of the arrival gate in Incheon International Airport, and two of them were of islands off of Tongyeong. Seeing them made me smile. Oddly, it feels like home.

         I’m now in Gimpo Airport and am waiting for a jet that will bring me to Busan, where I will meet my recruiter, Alistair and drive to Changwan. The only thing threatening to spoil my mood is the nagging voice in my head telling me that I’m getting older, and that I should be starting a career back in Canada, instead of fucking around down here. I turned 30 years old two days ago and now that I’m in Korea, I’m suddenly 31.

         Despite these pestering thoughts, I know all ready that I may be here for at least 2 years. I’ve decided to get braces while I’m down here, and figure it will be better to complete the treatment before I come home. I’m guessing that it may take longer than a year. I’ve also been considering trying to pay off my student loans completely in the next two years…which is possible, but it won’t leave me with much in my pocket after those two years are up.

         On the bus between airports, I had the thought, that I shouldn’t have been in such a hurry to leave Tongyong in the first place. After a bit of a reflection though, I remember how I felt at the end of my contract, and I needed a break. Nevertheless, I’ve been lazy these last few months, and I am looking to forward to being busy and engaged in something again.

         I think more than anything, I’m looking forward to having my own space again. Living with my last roommate was good for the most part, but we were sharing a space about the size of an average bachelor suite. It was tough to concentrate there because Nick was in the habit of playing video games during the day, and the TV dominated our tiny common area. At night he was usually at work, and I got into the bad habit of playing video games for hours on end in the evening.
         Well, it’s time to start fresh, yet again, and I am very much looking forward to it. I am happy however, that this time I will already have some friends in the area when I arrive. Here’s hoping it’s a good year!