As I have come into round two of a familiar lifestyle that was so foreign a year ago, I find I am still getting to know Korea and am discovering firsts even now. Has the honeymoon come to an end though? In some ways, yes. The fascination of riding the subway has diminished some for this small town Arkansas girl. The last few times I've been on it, I've found myself irked at the cultural norms that are present on the subway. The pushing and shoving that goes on unapologetically- it's starting to get on my nerves.
A few weeks ago, I went to a festival that I enjoyed last year with some first time visitors after I'd raved about to them. So many times in my life, I've found that doing something for the second time does not compare well to the first occurrence. I've had to tell myself in the past that the two instances are going to be highly different and not to compare them. Well, I didn't do that when it came to this visit. The lantern festival I got to go to last year was a lot of fun and showed me a peek into some of the Korean culture I was getting to know. This year, apparently everyone in Seoul wanted to go to it the night I chose to take some first time visitors. There were so many people-it was wall-to-wall people. Imagine a deadlocked highway during rush hour, but this was with people. There was no moving.
I nearly had a panic attack and all enjoyment of the evening dissipated like the wind. Our group got separated, but managed to find something besides the near panic attack feeling to focus on.
The best thing happened this past month- my best friend came to visit me in Korea. Sometimes it seems like a dream that she came all that way to see me, but it DID happen!
Mid-October she'd joked about coming and of course I did not think it was a crazy idea of coming, but she KEPT talking about coming and bought the tickets. The days went so slowly until she arrived, but they did come and SO DID SHE!
Our first of many pics together over the fun days we had.
On the mountain was a museum called the Alive museum with pictures we could be part of. We had a little bit of fun with these.
Looking at these pictures now, I still can't believe she came. She's the best. One of my coworkers said they couldn't think of a friend who had come to visit someone here in their time in Korea. Di is pretty awesome like that. So thankful she came. :)
THANKSGIVING
First Thanksgiving in Korea. Last year, I got to go to Taiwan for the weekend and visit some other Beans. This year, I stayed in Korea and had two different celebrations. One with the small group at church; another with some coworkers. Both were on an American base though, which was kinda funny.
the church gave us selfie sticks to embrace our inner Asian haha.
November has been so quick and it's coming to an end in a few hours. I'm ready to be home and see my parents, siblings, and friends. Please keep me in your prayers! God is still in the business of stretching and challenging his children. I feel those growing pains keenly.
thanking God for each day,
Rebecca
R2
