(*Photo Cred: Audrey Lee for Featured Image, “Candid Frustration”)
I’m not quite sure how to approach today’s blog. This week has been one for the books.
When Preparation Can’t Prepare You
Moving to a new country is such a unique and amazing experience and one that I am fortunate to do for a second time. Landing a new international teaching job is exciting and brings relief, especially in today’s economy where our student debt is higher than ever. I am so grateful for both of these opportunities in my life.
On the other end, I am frustrated, exhausted, and feeling bamboozled. When signing a contract, it’s important to read it carefully, ask questions, and then ask more questions if things still aren’t clear. Sometimes you do this and it’s still not enough. Surprises bounce at you every time your head turns and then you realize, we’re not in Kansas anymore Toto – we’re on an island within an island, on the other side of the world. I’m chalking some of this up to valuable life lessons, and some of it to…well, I don’t yet know to what.
Leaning on Gratitude
With that being said, here is a list of things I am grateful for right now, as well as some pictures from Saturday’s excursion to Gwakji Gwamul Beach and Jeju-Si, when some of the other dons and I escaped from campus for a day. Oh, and of course, cheers to the start of Naismith Basketball Camp. I think this is the first time in 14 or so years I’m not there getting up to shenanigans, burning on shaded docks, and guiding our campers in the mirth of team and community, camp life in the magnificent Canadian outdoors, and basketball, the best sport of all.
Gratitude List:
- Moms (especially mine – she’s the ultimate!)
- My boyfriend – your support and love is simply awesome
- Family – Don’t worry, I’m safe and will fly home if North and South can’t stop their squabbling. Also, keep the email updates on life back home a’comin’!
- Friends at home and abroad
- Food (nomnomnom) – especially when it’s not spicy caf food 24/7, though my Kimchi-a-Day isn’t as painful anymore…almost
- Small things that make you happy, like finding cider when you never thought you would (see below)
- New experiences
- Week one is done, thank goodness. For that I am extremely grateful.
