NEXT STOP, ASIA!
Okay, sooo first, let me start off with an apology. I'm sorry for slacking on this blog. BUUUUUT, I've been super busy with, well, life. And here is why:
After travelling alone for 2 whole days, spending over 20 hours in the air, cluelessly hopping on foreign busses with non-English speaking drivers, and smelling like a dehydrated donkey, I found myself dropped like a hot potato in front of a hospital with nothing more than 1,000 won, my dead phone and two HUGE suitcases. I was told a man, that will not be named, would be waiting for me at Haeundae Paik Hospital to take me to my new home. I spent the duration of my flights (yes, flights is plural. Three to be exact) conjuring up potential scenarios of being kidnapped, smuggled into Thailand and forced into human trafficking. I finally woke up to an aggravated bus driver cursing me in Korean and tossing my suitcases on the curb. I assumed I had arrived... Just my luck, my employer was nowhere to be found. It was at this moment, I questioned my entire life and decision to move to South Korea, alone.
Now lets rewind about 3 months prior. 2015 has been a literal r o l l e r c o a s t e r for me. I've experienced the highest of highs, the lowest of lows, new places, have ended many toxic relationships and, in turn, built the most valuable relationship of them all - with myself. I've been told I'm a drama queen, and I could agree..sometimes. But, this is one of the most dramatic things I've done. I needed change...
I had just graduated university in June, and instead of feeling free, I became extremely anxious and obsessed with planning my life out. After weeks of searching future career paths online, I realized that I spent waaaaay more time on tripadvisor and studying my globe than anything else. I needed to get out and experience a new way of life. Long story short, I managed to score a full time position as a teacher at a hagwon (a private school) in South Korea. My contract is one year in length, SALARIED may I add, and ultimately serves as a golden ticket to travel Asia AND make money.
It's been about 3 weeks since I've arrived and I am already falling for Korea. I've ate way too much gimbap for my intestines to handle, sang drunk karaoke at odd hours of the night at a Noraebong, binge drank Soju like the Koreans (this shits only like $1.50!), and most importantly, became acquainted with my cute ass students (I exploit their cuteness on Snapchat - brxdy). South Korea is b e a u t i f u l, the culture is one of a kind, and I feel like I'm living in a video game half of the time.
Gwangali Beach, Busan, South Korea
Although I'm super busy settling into my new apartment (first time living completely alone, am I grown!?), adjusting to my new teacher lifestyle and familiarizing myself with the curriculum, I've made this blog a priority and will be posting weekly content on life and working abroad. To anyone who has debated working abroad and/or teaching overseas, DO IT! Try new things, leap out of your comfort zone and LIVE LIFE, Dora style.
Feel free to shoot me questions on my "Ask" page and I can answer FAQ's in a new post. AND, check in every Tuesday and Thursday for new blog posts.
Peace & Love, Stay positive; xo.
Busan Firework Festival 2015