Taking the Leap: Adjusting to Busan

So apparently, as I've been told by numerous people, you eventually reach a point where you think. "Oh no, what am I doing here?!"

While my sentiments aren't quite that strong, I have been feeling lately a little bit home sick. I've been here for 3 weeks, and the novelty of this foreign country has started to wear off, and reality is setting in.

Realization number 1: I'm in a country that speaks and interacts in a language I don't know.

Realization number 2: I'm by myself.

Realization number 3: I'm forging my own way.

That's the biggest shock to my system, the whole "forging my own way" thing. Yeah. I actually pay bills now. I pay for insurance. I pay for education (albeit merely language lessons, but still). For the first time in my life I am actually completely, entirely, and inescapably responsible for myself. All of myself, not just the "what I want to do" parts. It's a little on the stressful side. Of course, I know that eventually I'll settle. As time passes things will be more familiar, easier to handle. I'll know some of the language, I'll know my way around, I'll know more people. Slowly but surely I will start to feel like a part of this place. But right now I feel like exactly what I am, an outsider. I'm standing out in the cold, tapping on the glass, looking in on a scene that I don't understand but still desperately want to be a part of. No one can let me in, I've got to let myself in. Unfortunately I don't know where the door is and I'm too afraid to move anywhere to go find it.

I've got my shyness factor to battle with. Sure, I'll move over to the other side of the world all of the sudden, no problem. Getting here doesn't take that much gumption, staying here certainly will. I'm usually quite reserved, so new things initially intimidate me unless it comes to something I know I can do properly. If I know I can do it, then you better watch out! I'm comin' through!

Take this for example: Martial arts is something that I've always been interested in, but have never tried. Why? Well because it's completely outside of the realm of things that I've done. It's like jumping off the high dive for the first time. You're up there, and you're thinking to yourself "I really want to do this!" but you're also thinking "I'm going to throw up I'm going to throw up I'm going to throw up." For me, I either need to be encouraged to jump, or just pushed right off. But since there's no one here to do either of those things for me, I need to learn how to encourage myself and just take the dive. Good luck to me, aye!

In other news, I've finally tried those nifty little wall-sticker things. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to get them off once they were on, but they're made to stick just right and come off when pulled. No damage to the wall beneath it. Well, even if there WAS damage to the wall beneath it, it wouldn't matter in this apartment. The walls are already partially demolished.

Must also buy curtains.

On to Business

Thank you to the Korean Language Institute for Foreigners (KLIFF) for offering legit language courses in the Busan area. Classes are offered at both PNU and a location in Haeundae. Visit their website here for information.

Alright, it's about time for me to straighten up and get out of this little apartment and into the beautiful day!

I hope all of you are thriving wherever you are.

Oh, and of course,

HAPPY EASTER! He lives ya'll! He lives!

Psssshhh, come on. You know you wanna rejoice a little. Do a little dance or something.