life waits for no one

Many decisions have been made, plans finalized in the last week or two.  Here is my 2-3 month outlook.  Still counting down each and every day (30!) until Mom and Dad get here for my summer vacation.  we have made plans to go to Jeju-do (Jeju Island) Jeju is considered the "Hawaii" of Korea.  It is an island that is directly south below the peninsula.  I really cannot wait to show them my life here, including such joys as meeting my kinder kids, eating at my favorite foods/restaurants, experiencing my ability to speak a little Korean (VERY litttle - or in korean - chogum) and actually read it no matter if I know what I am saying or not, and seeing the beauty in this country. Another countdown going is 70.  There are 70 days until the end of my contract (meaning the last day of work) and 71 days until Asia tour 2010 starts with Mike.  We plan to visit China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. VERY EXCITED.  definitely plan to hit up the beaches. much relaxing will be had. And the last countdown that has begun is.... my return to the United States! I have a flight booked to Minneapolis landing on October 5th :-) 104 days and counting...

I am writing this about 2 weeks shy of my 1 year anniversary of arriving here. And I guess I've been feeling just the slightest bit sentimental.  I'm sure it's because the group of people I came with are all leaving, leaving me behind. I will be there for all the new teachers to arrive, I will be on my SECOND! year of teaching. WOW. never thought I would be here, where I'm at now. I have enjoyed every step of the way and really am going to miss my friends/co workers when they leave.  The experience we had together was special and unique in its own messed up, crazy, fun, wild, and hectic way. Hence the title of this post.  As I have learned about life thus far through high school and onto college and now behind, it continues without you NO MATTER WHAT - your classes, your students, your mess of a desk, your good AND of course bad days - ALL left behind you. However, the memories you have created and made in your past will be with you forever and will help mold you as a person, shaping your life, while the future holds so many new, exciting memories to be had.