This may come as a huge surprise for some of you, but I am officially heading off to Korea in 5 days. I'll be moving to Bundang, which is aprox. 30-60 minutes outside of Seoul, Korea, to teach English for a year. Even now it's still hard to believe that I applied and accepted the position only 4 weeks ago. Since then I've spent my time scramming for a work visa, shopping/packing (you'd be surprised what NA essentials they don't have there), and visiting with friends and family.
While I wish that I could tell you that they last 4 weeks have been smooth sailing, they have been anything but that. I suppose, that when I was a college student, I never truly considered the time and money it would later cost me to collect transcripts,etc...from 3 differnt colleges across CA. I also selfishly refused to send my original college diplomas over to Korea when applying for my working visa. Instead I opted to have photocopies of them notarized. However, in the process of sending numerous courier packages to the Korean Consular, both my passport and original diplomas seemed to vanish. Of course, I only learnt of their misplacement on tuesday of this week, exactly a week before my departure. Thus, I spent this week scramming to the passport office, declaring my current passport as lost, and applying for a new one. Thankfully, I've been reminded that sometimes money = power. Thus, while it cost me another $120, I've managed to get myself another passport just in time for my deparure.
I'm currently both excited and nervous for what lay ahead. I'm excited for what will be an opportunity of a life time, to experience another culture, to travel, and to teach. But I'm also nervous. Even though I've trained for this, I still feel completely inadequate about it at times. What will it be like when I get out there? Will I actually know what I'm doing, or will I fail miserablely. I'm also saddend to be leaving. I'll be leaving both family and friends behind. I'll be missing weddings, and funerals, my home country, the high's and low's of those whom I care for the most. Yet, even through the rollarcoaster rides of the last 4 weeks; taking one step forward, and another two steps back, I can't find it in me to pass up this amazing opportunity. God has been amazing through it all, carrying me when I truly just wanted to give up, picking me up when I've smacked into yet another wall and collapsed to the ground. There is no other explaination for the events over the past several weeks, for the constant falls and pick-me-ups, other then God walking me and those around me, through this. If only I could truly express in words what this journey has been for me thus far, and the adventures, which are bound to continue.
While I've been unfaithful and irregular in the past, I will do my utmost best to keep this blog updated over the next several months. I hope that you will remember me in my absence, and join with me on the adventures of life. I'm certain that there is much to be learned, many tears to be cried, and many joys to be had.
God Bless,
Jennine
3 comments:
I'm praying for you Hun! Hang in there and keep us posted!!! Love ya! Marla Faith
Hey Jennine, You'll do great! Don't worry! A friend of mine was in Korea a couple years ago, and she really liked it there, I'm sure you will too. love ya lots and you'll be in our thoughts and prayers!
i know things are going great for you right now... and i know a year away seems long and in a way it is... but it'll go fast, and you'll survive it no matter what challenges come your way (take this from a girl who's going onher 5th year away from home). My advice- be smart in keeping in touch with family and friends, you'll need them when you do return. But also dont cling to home... take ahold of every expereince that you can- it's a once'n'a'lifetime thing. You only get your first year away from canada once.
enjoy and trust God. That's my advice.. in every situation you face, both good and bad... turn to God. He's the only one who is with you whever you go, sees all the things you do and feel... trust!
and enjoy :)
ps- if you need anything... im only a email away
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