Two Worlds Collide

 Well it finally happened. My dear friend Kim Dearing finally arrived in Korea. I grew up next door to each other, and we have been best friends since the age of 7 when we met on a soccer team that dad was coaching. Our families have always been close, and have seen each other through it all. I was giddy all day when I was getting ready to see Kim. It was weird when we met up, it was almost like I didn't know how to act. I hadn't thought about how it would be to have my old life collide with my new life. I have a routine, and a way of doing things, and staying happy and sane throughout the day. I think it was so different than I thought it would be is because she isn't here to visit, She is here to teach in a town about an hour away from me. This means that she needs to start figuring out her own routine, and way of doing things over here. It is so neat that we are able to have this adventure together. Of all things, here we are together. I am lucky that she is here for the holidays.

I took her to a Norabang (singing room) for her first night out. We went out for dinner with Aidan and then went and played darts (I destroyed the competition), and then we went and sang our little hearts out.

 One of the million nice things of having Kim here with me, is that she understands when I complain about just how cold it really is!

 I brought her out to meet all my teacher friends. Below we have Habiba, James, JP, Nicola, and Greg

 Nicola and I at Greg's house for his birthday. This girl has really helped me over here. She has very quickly found a place in my heart

 Kim and I bundled up trying to keep warm!

 Out for a day of Christmas shopping with Kim in Insadang. It was an outdoor market, so it was freezing!

 Korean dancers/drummers/performers

 And of course....Pickle! She reminds me so much of Toaster

Say Thanks

Korea. There have been many moments over the last few weeks where I have not wanted to leave. I love where I am. I am thankful for my life.
From the begining to now. I may not have always been thankful, but as I reflect on my life, and my present life I am so grateful. My family has loved me, even when I made it hard for them to. My family has provided me with more than I deserved, and set me up with opportunities that have made this life possible. My family gave me my education, gave me strength, courage, and most importantly gave me love. This applies to my whole extended family. Sometimes I am afraid to tell people about my family because I am afraid I will jinx it. My sisters are my best friends, and my brother (whether he likes to admit it) is one of my favorite people. My parents taught me so much about life, and honestly I am grateful for the way I was raised. I was raised with very strong morals (even if I ignore them from time to time). I used to blame a lot of my problems on other people, especially my parents. They didn't do anything wrong.....I believe with all my heart that they are incredible parents, and I would be lucky to turn out to be half of the parents they were to me.
I am thankful for the people I have met here. We have become our own little family. The relationships built in the time I have been here are stronger than I could have imagined. We had our own Thanksgiving, so I was able to enjoy all the delicious foods from back home.