Home Is Where the Heart Is...Where Ever Home May Be

Well, I'm officially back in the homeland. After an interesting 18-some-odd hour journey, I am once again surrounded by all things familiar. I expected a lot more culture shock than I'm receiving at the moment, but I'm sure more is yet to come as time goes by.

I had been warned that upon returning home, I might feel, simply put, underwhelmed. I might miss the food, or the cheap drinks, or the ridiculously easy to navigate subway. I'm not sure if I feel that way just yet, but I do have to say that I'm feeling quite the opposite of underwhelmed.

The whole time I've been gone I've been busy squeezing every ounce of cultural experience out of my stay in Korea. What I forgot to keep in mind is that no matter who you are or where you go, life goes on without you. Within 24 hours of stepping foot on US soil, I found out 3 of my friends are currently pregnant, a baker's dozen are getting married, and everyone and their mother has bought a home.

I feel completely overwhelmed. I feel like every hour I could burst into tears. I just wish people could stop growing up for just 10 minutes so I can catch my breath. Don't get me wrong I am incredibly happy for everyone and excited about the lives ahead of them, I'm just curious why I don't feel any of those same things.

I've already been told that I'll probably be different, and people can see me being satisfied with life by myself. Is that an insult? Am I really going to be a crazy cat lady? Because I was just joking about that, it's not really a good look for me.

I feel somehow left behind from this whole "movement". I never know what I'm going to do next or where I'll be, even for a week. I always felt I was too young to be making any sort of complicated decisions. Now it seems there is this tremendous pressure to be serious and get my life sorted out. I need long term goals...I need to say the word "finances" a lot...I need to take multivitamins.

I'm not cut out for this.

Upon returning home, I went straight to Valparaiso, Indiana...my home town. During my time in Korea, my childhood house that I grew up in, was sold. So coming back was ...well...uncomfortable. I'm still not really able to cope with losing the home that shaped me.

I got to see all my family, attend my sister's wedding reception, and enjoy some home cooked food. My family was none too happy that I became a vegetarian, considering they planned a bbq for my welcome-back party. Woops.

The lack of culture shock in Indiana was made up for when I went back to my second home, Chicago. The melting pot that's been home to my college years and young professional life brought me back to an American reality. It seems no matter how hard I try, I can't fight the butterflies I feel everytime I come up from the subway stairs and step into the rush of people, music, and high hopes.

I'm constantly finding something I've forgotten with my time overseas. PayDay candybars, anything that cooks in an oven, electrical prongs, single family homes, chipotle, real mexican food, TARGET! The list goes on...

I wanted to wait a good amount of time before posting my last update, simply because I didn't want to write something based off my first reaction. Now, I miss Korea. I miss the people, as crazy as they may have seemed. I miss my students tremendously. I am sending them a care package soon. I miss the food, I miss the music, I miss the shopping. I came back to America and sadly I felt that we could learn A LOT from that tiny little country I called home for the year.

I've been interviewing and getting prepared to start the next chapter of my life. This experience on my resume actually has given me a leg up over other applicants. I'm living in the city and for the first time, viewing it with adventurous and open eyes.

I encourage anyone that's thinking about taking the trip to seriously, DO IT. This experience has forever changed the way I see the world, and the way I see myself. It's not all going to be easy, but it will all make sense when it's over. Thanks for all the kind comments and followers. Stay tuned for my next blog, to be posted soon.



-C

The Last Hoorah: Jeju Island

What better way to spend the last week in Korea than on white sand beaches or a volcanic mountain top? Jeju Island, called the Hawaii of Korea, is a short 45 minute plane ride away. We booked rooms at a hostel and for once in my life, I packed a weeks worth of clothes in a carry on bag.

We stepped off the plane and all I could think to myself was "holy hell, I'm in an oven". It was humid like I've never felt before and it was just plain hot. So, we didn't waste any time and hit the nearest beach.


The beaches in Jeju are amazing and they are all different. White sand, black sand, volcanic rock, port-side, or in a theme-park. One thing they all had in common: clear, clean, warm water. A big upside from the dirty Han River.

relaxing, right?

When we weren't soaking up the sun or watching the Koreans wade around, fully clothed, we were exploring the natural wonders Jeju has to offer. For example, the hallobang. Sure, it just looks like an orange with an outie bellybutton. But under that peel is sweet deliciousness. It's like orange, pineapple, and banana all in one. A-maz-ing.

ugly, but delicious

We went on a day tour and our first stop was Sunrise Peak. A volcanic crater, draped in fog, and covered in exotic flowers was picturesque to say the least. I think I lost a couple pounds on the way up, but the view was worth it. I couldn't capture the crater well due to the fog, so you'll just have to climb it yourelf to find out.

that sign says danger, by the way

all the tourists hiking away

We visited a folk village, where 13,000 Koreans still live, carrying on the traditions of decades past. We also learned about the women divers of Korea. Diving 10 meters below water in nothing but a cotton onesie and a plastic face mask, these women supplied all the shell fish and sea critters the island had to offer. They still dive to this day.

amazing view over the water

We roamed through the lava tubes, created by the volcano's erruption millions of years ago. It was freezing inside and absolutely beautiful. I picked up some lava rocks for souvenires.

B in the lava tube

The biggest wonder of the island is Hallasan, the volcano that created Jeju. It is the tallest mountain in Korea....and being a big talker, I said I would climb it. However, when the alarm went off at 5:30am, I was a bit less enthusiastic. Luckily, we beat the heat and managed to climb to the top in 3 hours. The last hour was monumental...something out of a movie. We walked straight into the clouds, it started to rain, the wind howled, and I swore I had stepped into some Lord of the Rings remake.

on the way up

almost to the top

happy dance in the clouds

The top, where the lake inside the volcano can be seen, was not able to be seen, thanks to the heaping white puffs of cloud. Fortunately I was still elated to climb that beast of a mountain that I didn't really care. The 3 hour hike down was painful. So we ordered pizza and relaxed on the beach the rest of the day.

beautiful Jeju flower

We just got back to Seoul today. Double checking my bags and taking care of last minute business. The flight leaves tomorrow at noon, and thanks to the lovely time change, I arrive in Chicago on the same day, at 2:00pm. Bring on the jet lag.

I will be sure to post again, after arriving in the US. I'm sure it's going to be strange re-adjusting. Hoping for a safe and easy flight...

-C