Saturday, August 19, 2006

Home again, home again....jiggity-jig!!

AMAZING!! A whole year has come and gone since I arrived in Korea August 17th, 2005. As I write this final installment (probably), it is Saturday, August 19th. My contract ends tomorrow and I wing my way to the True North, strong and free on Monday, August 21st....leaving at 7:35 p.m. and arriving in Toronto at 7:45 p.m. the same day.....funny how that happens! :)

Much has happened since I last wrote in this BLOG, the most memorable of which was my 2 week summer vacation.....1 week in Sardegna, Italy and 1 week in the Greek island of Lefkada.

I met and got acquainted with several new friends from Italy, Greece and England with more adventures to come.

This year has truly been a highlight in my life so far. My life has been enriched by the people with whom I have come in contact over the year. I cannot say enough about the Korean people and their INCREDIBLE kindness, generosity, care and compassion for making a foreigner feel welcome in their land. They are too numerous to mention but they know who they are when I say....."I love you one and all and will miss you terribly. Please come to visit in Canada and I hope to see you again in Korea sometime."

Since returning from vacation, I hit the ground running....arriving just in time Monday morning August 7th to start teaching 2 weeks of English camp. As always the children were enthusiastic and NOISY!! (more so the second week). What do they put in these kids ricecakes....YOWZA!! We had a 'special guest' for a couple of days who added a regal touch to the camps.

Today was the last day and after school I sent 2 more boxes home (I hope they arrive safely) and then went out for lunch and a beautiful scenic drive with one of my English Town co-teachers Josephine and a neighbour lady and her son who live in my building. Josephine came to my apartment last night and virtually did all my packing for me. I would still be there Monday morning, crying, totally overwhelmed if it had not been for her. Thank you Josephine. You are a lifesaver!!

Tonight will be final laundry and clean up in the apartment. Tomorrow another co-teacher Kim, Kwang Soon will pick me up and take me into Gwangju to stay overnight so as to be able to catch the bus to the Incheon International Airport on Monday morning for a 5 hour bus ride.

Where has the year gone? Ahhhhh.....memories....a year I will never forget and will "dine out on" for years to come (to quote a very famous politician!!)

There may be one more installment....not sure. Haven't decided whether I will continue this BLOG when I return....or start another one.

Anyway, thanks for tuning in!!! Ciao, yassoo, arrivederci....Canada here I come!!