The end

Well, I think it's time to put this thing to a rest (maybe obviously, since I haven't written in a while). There really isn't much to write about. I'm pretty much just waiting for my job, this AmeriCorps position as a resident services coordinator at a low income housing development, to start in a couple weeks. I had my first driving lesson a couple days ago (yes, it was scary). I've been cooking some simple Korean food (or trying to).

Last night I admitted to a friend that my experience in Korea was something that I valued a lot, but it wasn't that much fun while it was happening. But I guess life is kind of like that. I certainly wasn't expecting my year in Korea to be an exotic vacation of some sort, and it wasn't. But I would do it again, if I could go back in time, and all that. There are definitely no regrets, except that if I knew then what I know now, I probably would have done it better.

I've saved these posts to my computer now, though I'll probably leave this site up indefinitely. No reason not to. Maybe some stranger will come across it and have a good read.

Anyeong.

haves

I have a job, and a car, and I just went out for a big, tasty Korean dinner and then watched a movie with friends in my new apartment. Life is good.

Now I just need to register my car, get car insurance, get a driver's license, officially apply to live in this apartment, and officially finish applying to this job by getting all the paperwork that AmeriCorps needs in. And stop sleeping 10 hours a night (residual jet-lag?).

But still, I can't complain. I have a month until my job starts and everything seems to be falling together. I sort of feel like I'm waiting for something bad to happen though, some creeping melancholy. But I'm going to enjoy this month, while some of my friends are still available, before they move away or start classes again.

hmm

I feel like I should post but I don't quite know what to say. People here keep asking me if I'm feeling culture shock, and the obvious answer seems to be both no and yes. Yes, I was actually surprised to get off the plane and see signs in English, to be able to understand idle conversations that I overhear. It's shocking how diverse the bay area is, people of all different shapes and colors and styles. But also this is home, and it isn't too strange to me. Though I feel like in some ways the brunt of the culture shock should be over, I know that I'm still adjusting, and I'm sort of just going through the motions.

It's been really good to see my friends here, and my family. It's sort of amazing that I'll be moving into a new apartment I've never seen in a new neighborhood, tomorrow night. And more people I haven't seen in over a year to see again. I'm looking forward to it.