Tuesday, December 12, 2006

The First Scary Posting

As my time in Korea is nearing completion, I am in a reflective mood. There are many things to say about Korea. My year in Korea has been one of the best experiences of my life; I have learned so much about myself and about Korean culture. I have grown as a person and like the personal changes that I have gone through. I now feel confident to travel all around the world. I wouldn't change my time in Korea at all.

I have gotten to know so many wonderful people from all around the world and I want to keep in touch with them; that is why I have created this blog. I hope that you will read it and comment. To all of my Korean friends: thank you for welcoming me to Korea and helping me to understand Korean culture and traditions. You have been such a valuable resource. I hope that you will all visit me in USA someday. (Just let me know when you are coming!)

To all of my non-Korean friends: thank you for sharing the wonders of Korea with me. You were there during the great, the good, the bad and the ugly. We shared so many laughs and smiles.

I was talking with Paul on the subway today about Korea (as we often do). I was talking about if I have any regrets about my time in Korea. I don't so much have regrets as I have some wishes.

*I wish that I would have traveled to Busan and Kyungju.
*I wish that I would have learned more Korean (mostly to impress family and friends back home)
*I wish that I would have traveled on the pink and yellow subway lines.
*I wish that I would have taken more pictures.
*I wish that I would have listened to more Korean music and seen more movies.
*I wish that I would have explored most of the stops on the subway system (I have an unfulfilled plan)
*I wish that I had a few more months here

I am sad to leave Korea, but I am excited to see family and friends that I have not seen in a year. This has been the first time living away from home, so it is time for me to reconnect with everyone and everything that I have left behind. I am filled with bittersweet emotions. Korea is home. USA is home. I will miss Korea with all its color, noise, crowds and energy. I am never bored here. Thank you friends!

Quote: I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.
-from Albert Einstein

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

you did good job!!
Am I the first one remain the comment?hihi
I hope you will have wonderful rest time in KOREA..
I'm gonna miss you~

It's suki.

Anonymous said...

Katie it's Jeff here and I'm glad to hear you are doing well in Korea. Nina, Devin and I can't wait until you come back to tell us about the time you spent overseas and the stories you must have to tell. Keep up the good work & talk soon!

Anonymous said...

The other Dordel cousins, chimming in here...
We look up to you in all your travels, and hope to touch base with all the cool experiences you have had. Kelly says Hello, and can't wait to meet you.
Dan, Cheryl, & Kelly.

Anonymous said...

Hi katie
I can leave comment right now.
At first time, I couldn't find it.
Now I'm so happy :)
oh, I'll have to finish my work in an hour!
See you tomorrow.

Alex. It's your student ;)

Anonymous said...

Hey what's up budy I'm bruce ^^

The best thing I have done in buchun since I came here is that I register your class. kk I hope our relationshiop will be continue after you return to your home