I absolutely canNOT believe we have spent a year in South Korea. Okay, it's only been 11 months.. but that counts, right? Everyone said this year would fly by, but I never expected it to go this quickly. I can't believe all of the amazing experiences we have had and all of the friends we have made. This year has been more exciting and educational than any of the years before it. Sitting here on my very last night in South Korea, I am realizing how much I will miss this place. We've called Songtan, South Korea home for the last year. We lived together for the first time here. We celebrated our first Christmas together and wedding anniversary here. We got a new dog here. We made AMAZING friends here. Don't get me wrong, I am SO excited to be back in the United States where all of our friends and family are, but I will miss it here. Leaving tomorrow will be very bittersweet. I'm sure in a few months we will be sitting in our new home and thinking, "Gosh, I miss Korea!"
For my very last #mysokolife blog post, I am going to recap the last year. I'm going to relive all of our awesome experiences, month by month. This post is mostly for me, so I can remember all of the things I've done. All of our amazing memories. However, I truly hope you will enjoy it too.
For my very last #mysokolife blog post, I am going to recap the last year. I'm going to relive all of our awesome experiences, month by month. This post is mostly for me, so I can remember all of the things I've done. All of our amazing memories. However, I truly hope you will enjoy it too.
May, 2014
I remember being SO excited to get to Korea, but so nervous. I was excited because I had been 1000 miles away from Drew for the past 9 months, and we FINALLY got to live together!! I was nervous because I was moving to a different country, on a different continent, where they spoke a different language. AND I was basically going by myself; without assistance from the Air Force. People told us I wasn't welcome at this base. They said non-command sponsored people, like me, were a burden to those that were "allowed" to be there. I was nervous about finding a place to live! I was nervous about EVERYTHING. But I took a deep breath and hopped on a plane.
It seriously feels like last week that I cried in the airport when I saw Drew. When we shared a hotel room with our (would be) CRAZY upstairs neighbors. When Rooney and I went for runs at 3am because we were SO incredibly jet lagged. When I searched for an apartment. When I didn't know my way around base or around Songtan! I cannot believe all of this happened almost a year ago.
It seriously feels like last week that I cried in the airport when I saw Drew. When we shared a hotel room with our (would be) CRAZY upstairs neighbors. When Rooney and I went for runs at 3am because we were SO incredibly jet lagged. When I searched for an apartment. When I didn't know my way around base or around Songtan! I cannot believe all of this happened almost a year ago.
By June we were completely moved into our apartment, without all of our household goods, and starting to get very comfortable with our new home. We were exploring as much as we could and trying all of the new foods! I went to Spain for two weeks, and when I got home, I started my job and we went on our first Realty Family trip!
July consisted of sightseeing and exploring our new home, making lots of new friends, stabbing myself in the hand, celebrating my birthday, and having surgery! Still can't believe I stabbed myself and ended up in a Korea hospital!!
August, 2014
In August, the weather was SO hot and humid it was almost unbearable! Despite sweating wherever we went, we explored as much as possible. We ventured to Seoul for the first time. We went out with new friends. We got a pool! We toured the Korean War Memorial Museum. Rooney turned 2! AND we started school!
September, 2014 | |
In September, it started to cool off and we could start keeping the doors and windows open again! With no more trips to the Emergency Room, we were able to really take advantage of our days in Korea! Exploring, field trips with the girls, fun with friends, and our first of many trips to Suwon!!!
October, 2014 |
October was still warm, but the evenings were getting cooler! The leaves were changing and it looked beautiful outside! I was finally working full time after recovering from my stabbing incident! Drew and I watched the girls overnight for the first time! We had our very first family photos taken too! There were a lot of little moments in October.
November, 2014
Novemburrrrrr. Finally, it was time to break out the coats and sweaters! No snow yet, but it was getting pretty cold! We celebrated our first real holiday away from our family, but we were able to spend it with our awesome friends. A lot happened in November. Some of our favorite memories happened during this month!
December, 2014
December was a hard month for us, as we were extremely homesick. We did our best to celebrate Christmas in Korea with all of our favorite family traditions from home. It wasn't the same, but we made it work!! Our first Christmas together is something we will always remember and a memory to cherish. Oh, you know... we also celebrated one year of marriage!
January, 2015
Hello, 2015! A new year full of more new experiences. This meant less than 5 months left in Korea and we were quickly realizing we needed to start going on more adventures!
In February we said goodbye to more friends, we traveled as much as we could, and we enjoyed our time in this wonderful country.
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March, 2015
In March, the weather finally started to warm up and it was beginning to look like spring! We explored as much as we could, because I booked my flight and the realization that our year was almost over hit us.
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April, 2015
My last 25 days in Korea! Talk about a busy time. We dealt with packing and moving out. Drama with Drew's orders. We put an offer on a house in Virginia, which was accepted, and started the process of being first time home buyers! I still worked full time. We adventured as much as possible. AND for some reason, we planned a mini vacation right in the middle of it all!
And that brings us to right here and now. I'm 11 hours away from being in the air. Sitting in my completely empty apartment, reminiscing on the last year of my life. There have been ups and down. New friends and lost friends. Lots of soju. Hellos, goodbyes, see ya laters. Sweat, blood, tears. Laughter. Memories that will last a life time. I could not have been more blessed than I was this year. I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity I had to come over here, to a completely new "world" and immerse myself into the culture. I hope to come back to Korea, but nothing is guaranteed in this crazy Air Force life. So if we never return, at least I know I had the time of my life this go around. I am so glad I was able to share it with all of you.
Annyonghi kyeseyo, Korea. Stay in peace.
Annyonghi kyeseyo, Korea. Stay in peace.