It’s official: I’ve been blogging for one year!! On this day, December 1st, 2019 I launched this blog with five posts to begin sharing my experiences as an English teacher living in Korea. Cheers to blog number 44. Wanna know what I am most grateful for? My global readers! They represent over 40 countries. You’ve been with me during this entire journey. Your comments, likes, shares, encouraging words and curiosity motivated and inspired me to share more meaningful content. Thank you so much…
Nothing beats the journey of understanding yourself and the world around you. This fall, Cherry and I celebrate one year in Korea. Though she came to Korea from the Philippines as a missionary, who also teaches English and I came from New York as an English teacher, we share something in common: a beautiful journey of self, people, and cultural discovery…
I can’t believe I can see clearly without my glasses! I just couldn’t let 2020 end without striving to have 20/20 vision too. I’ve been wearing high prescription glasses since the first grade and contacts throughout college. I wouldn’t have ever imagined I’d become a teacher in a country where LASEK/LASIK is safe, affordable and common. If you’re considering laser vision correction surgery, you may want to consider coming to South Korea. It may be one of the best decisions you ever make…
As I reflect on my first year in Korea, I am reminded first and foremost that God gives us the strength we never knew we had. I learned so much about myself and life through all the highs and lows. This experience has been the biggest life adjustment I’ve ever made. In the process of adjusting, working as a teacher, and trying to make a normal life for myself in Korea, I learned these six important lessons…
Within a few hours of landing in South Korea, you’ll notice many things that differ from your home country. There will be noticeable differences in daily life, dining culture, workplace and social habits and customs. What you won’t realize immediately is, the longer you live there, the sooner the “new” habits and customs will almost become second nature…
Moving from New York to South Korea to become an English teacher has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. As the one year mark approaches, I marvel at my milestones, accomplishments, and the lessons I’ve learned. Despite all this, it has also been the most challenging year too. It’s normal to face challenges when adjusting to a new culture and lifestyle…
Living in a foreign country, adjusting to a new lifestyle and culture has its ups and downs, not to mention being away from family and close friends. And now we’re living in the midst of two global pandemics: covid19 and racism. While one – covid19 – in recent months has globally disrupted everyday life and claimed the lives of people all over the world (may their soul’s rest in peace), the other – racism – though it has been a deep rooted issue for centuries, in recent months countries like the United States and the UK have experienced heinous acts targeting people of color (may their souls also rest in peace and may justice prevail). And that, my friends, was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Experiencing any of these situations can start to take a toll on a person’s mental health…
A sedentary lifestyle, sitting for long periods of time without physical activity, is a sure way to put on weight and increase health problems. Add an unhealthy diet to the mix and the effects double…
Happy New – nope. Nine days into the exciting start of the new year I received my first message in a group chat about the coronavirus…
The fall and winter season is an exciting time until one morning you wake to water droplets on your windows…
Of all the churches I’ve been to, my experience in Korea has been the most different…
If you’re like me, a bug of any size freaks you out. Then how are you living in Gangwon-do, South Korea you might ask? In this blog post I’ll share a few ways I’ve tried, and still try to get rid of bugs in my apartment…
No one day is ever the same. Yet the sun always rises and sets everyday. We have a constant week day: Monday through Friday. Tuesday always follows Monday, and Friday, Thursday. In the same way, I’ve develop a pattern since living here in Korea. What is a typical week day like for me…