One More Day

As I sit here waiting for music to download I thought I would write a quick entry. With just one day left in the United States before the big move to Korea, I imagined I would be very stressed yet I feel a sense of calm (of course this may change in the next few hours as I continue packing). Over the last several weeks I have spent time with family and friends, met my mentor, slept, shopped, and learned to use the video chat feature on Skype. I have also tried to imagine what my first days in Seoul will look and feel like--I believe I got my first taste of this yesterday.

Last night my mom, friend, and I went to a nail salon for manicures and pedicures. As I sat back and enjoyed being pampered, I took note of two nail technicians talking back and forth. After five years in the classroom I have developed a special gift that is both a blessing and a curse...I hear every conversation that takes place in a room regardless of its proximity to me (and usually in far more detail than I'd like). As I listened, I quickly figured out that I could not understand a word of what was being said. In this circumstance it was easy to dismiss what I heard because I knew that I was not being invited to participate in the exchange--in just a few days, however, this will become a reality for me on a daily, perhaps hourly, basis. I can imagine there will be many moments of confusion and downright frustration as I begin to explore a new culture with a complex set of social rules and an entirely foreign language. Inevitably I will become frustrated, exasperated, and disheartened. On the flip side, I get to have the incredible opportunity to explore a country, and learn about a culture and its people, from the inside. What little I have seen of the world has been done as a tourist, but I will soon be able to consider myself an ex-pat (and a resident alien:)).

As I wrap up this post and prepare to head to bed here's what I know and hope for:

-I will miss my family and friends terribly...but I will find comfort in knowing that I will see you all again in just 5 short months!

-I must learn to break out of my comfort zone more so I can thoroughly experience the adventure that is to come!

-There will be many highs and lows during the first days and weeks of my life abroad and when these occur I will acknowledge them, cry when necessary, get in touch with friends who have done this, look to my new colleagues for support, and tell myself that this is a normal part of living in a foreign land (isn't self talk wonderful?)

-I will observe, listen, and learn everything that I can in hopes that this experience will help me figure out what it truly means to be a global citizen.

Well, enough for now. I will write again about my first impressions when I arrive in Korea!