After 320 days—and a lifetime of new experiences-- we are on our way back to Radburn. To say that I am feeling bittersweet is an oversimplification. There are too many emotions all at once.
This year was so much more than I could ever have imagined. I am filled with gratitude for being able to live here. After months of lockdown in New Jersey, we got to live in a vibrant city where every day meant a new adventure. Even mundane activities like grocery shopping and restaurant reservations were new and a little exciting. I gained a new appreciation for Asian cultures and for all we can learn from them.
I am grateful to the wonderful friends we met here. Thank you to our friends in the expat community for welcoming us into your circles and showing us a different way of living. Thank you to our Korean friends for sharing your lives and families with us and making a city on the other side of the world feel like our home.
I’m excited for many things at home. I can’t wait to hug all the people I love, to wake up to the beautiful Radburn parks, to manage the business of my life in English.
My new goal is to find ways to incorporate new adventures into everyday life. It might mean saying “yes” to things I would have said “no” to before. Or taking a class in something new. Or finding all the hidden gems in New Jersey. Maybe I’ll even try being a morning person! (Radical, I know.)
Perhaps the most important takeaway from this year in Korea is how lucky I am to travel through life with Phil. Not everyone has a husband who says, “let’s spend a year in Korea.” His openness to new activities, his ability to laugh when things go wrong, his support in the tough times and his “let’s go out and do something interesting” approach to each day are just a few of the many reasons I love him.
Thank you all for following along on my blog. It has meant so much to me to stay connected with you, to share my experiences, to read your comments. I can’t wait to see you in person!