Forget All Your Wishful Thinking and Do Something Practical with Your Life

My friend Caitlin reminded me of a fortune cookie I got when we were in college together. It was our tradition to meet for lunch every day, eat as much starch as possible, and end the meal with the ever present fortune cookies. One afternoon, mine read, "Forget all your wishful thinking and do something practical with your life." I was horrified. How could a fortune cookie be so cruel? Caitlin, always the true friend, jumped into action, tore the already small paper into tiny bits, and threw it away. I have tried to spend the rest of my life defying that fortune.

Just over a year ago I packed up all my possessions, left some of them in the kind care of friends and parents, and took the rest with me to Korea. I am not entirely sure it was a practical thing to do, to leave all my friends and family and move to a new continent. My reasoning seemed right, I needed a job, they have a job, this is a good decision. But really, if I had tried, I could have found a job at home. That would have been the practical thing to do. Instead, I wished to be elsewhere. I had dreams of adventure and new places.

I am starting my second year in Korea now, and plan to be even less practical. I will continue to learn a language I will have little use for in the States. I will find a way to visit more countries without saving very much money (because I just want to spend my money on travel anyway) and maybe I will sky dive.

Fun with Google Translate

I was sent this message through the school's instant messaging service:
백두산 천지기운을 받으시고 2학기 신나게 출발 합시다^^

Here is what it translates into, per google:
Mt cosmic energy will not leave the area or two semesters fun ^^

Needless to say, that cleared everything right up. Praise be to Mt.CE!

Coming Home

In a few hours I will be boarding a bus to Incheon Airport. From there I will fly to Osaka and then on to San Francisco. I am nervous and excited about the prospect of going home. Nervous mostly because it is only 7:42pm and my bus doesn't leave until 1am. Will I make it to the bus on time? What if I fall asleep? Did I pack everything? Will there be enough room on the bus when I get there? I really, really hope I don't fall asleep. And that I packed everything.

I am excited to see my friends and family again. It has been over a year since I have seen some of them. I will be spending about 10 days travelling around the US and the rest of the time with my parents. I can't wait to eat some non Korean food. I can't wait for some Mom cooking. I can't wait for some fun with my friends. It has been a hard week and I need the diversion.

Getting there is going to be tough. The bus ride to the airport takes about 5.5 hours. From there I have at least 3 hours at the airport, assuming the flight is on time. Then a 6 hour layover in Osaka. I wish I had either more time, or less, in Osaka. I am not really a patient person and the waiting will be tough. It stresses me out.

There will be things I miss about Korea while I am gone. I will miss my Korean friends, the foods I like, and the places I go. I will miss the constant buzz of the cicadas, and my morning and evening drums and bells from the temple next door. But, I will be back soon, so hopefully they will still be here when I return. The heat and humidity is welcome to stay away upon my return.

I guess I should have something to eat and hop in the shower. I still have about 4 hours before I want to leave for the bus, and I have to recheck my luggage as well.