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lastat06513
Joined: 18 Mar 2003
Location: Sensus amo Caesar , etiamnunc victus amo uni plebian
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 Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2005 7:34 pm Post subject: 10 years on...what's next? |
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I ended 2005 like everyone else in Seoul- packed on the streets of Jungno, hoping to see the Boshingak Bell being rung (got little view though packed like a rotten sardine in a second-rate can).
Then the bell rang and the fireworks went off and then it hit me- I'm here only for another 20 days....whoa! 
In August, it would have marked 10 years (on and off) in Korea. A somewhat milestone in my life. During my time here, I have seen everything that Korea has to offer the average person; food, sites, stories and people.
I am leaving this country, not bitter (totally) but not happy either- just numb.
I have tons of stories, memories and experiences that have changed me forever.
Can anyone truly leave and forget about Korea?
I highly doubt it.
Will I ever return to the Land of the ever-increasing yawn?
Maybe.
But it makes me look, with anticipation and apprehension, at what life holds for me back home in the states.
What lies ahead?
I don't have a f^kin' clue... |
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bellum99
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Location: don't need to know
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| Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2005 8:51 pm Post subject: |
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| I wish you the best. Ten years is a long time to be in Korea. I hope you are leaving with lots of money as well as memories. |
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SPINOZA
Joined: 10 Jun 2005
Location: $eoul
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| Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2005 9:04 pm Post subject: |
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Well I wasn't in amongst the Jongno masses. I took a bunch of my male students gaming locally. I stupidly promised to do so a few weeks ago, but it's all good.
Why are you leaving Korea? If you haven't got a f-ing clue what you're gonna do, why bother? Korea is a paradise for western folks who haven't a f-ing clue what they wanna do. |
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Mr. Pink
Joined: 21 Oct 2003
Location: China
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| Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2005 11:25 pm Post subject: Re: 10 years on...what's next? |
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| lastat06513 wrote: |
Will I ever return to the Land of the ever-increasing yawn?
Maybe.
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I am curious why you think this country is ever so boring? I have been here nearly 10 yrs myself and I don't find it boring. What I find boring is the routines of life...wake up, work, go home, relax, sleep, rinse and repeat...
This year (yes I can FINALLY say that) I will be making changes so that my routine isn't so boring. But if you think Korea is boring, go live in a small town in northern Canada. That experience will definately open your eyes to constant yawning. |
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Ya-ta Boy
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: Established in 1994
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| Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2006 12:03 am Post subject: |
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I have been here nearly 10 yrs myself and I don't find it boring. What I find boring is the routines of life...wake up, work, go home, relax, sleep, rinse and repeat...
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I'm with you, Mr. Pink. I've been here just over 10 years. The routines of life are boring, but they go with you wherever you go. It's the rest of life that makes it interesting, and Korea still offers me that. |
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SuperHero
Joined: 10 Dec 2003
Location: Superhero Hideout
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| Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2006 2:35 am Post subject: Re: 10 years on...what's next? |
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| Mr. Pink wrote: |
| I am curious why you think this country is ever so boring? I have been here nearly 10 yrs myself and I don't find it boring. What I find boring is the routines of life...wake up, work, go home, relax, sleep, rinse and repeat... |
Amen brother! |
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VanIslander
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Location: Geoje, Hadong, Tongyeong,... now in a small coastal island town outside Gyeongsangnamdo!
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| Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2006 3:04 am Post subject: Re: 10 years on...what's next? |
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So let me get this straight...
You were bored for much of the ten years? you're partly bitter and definitely not happy with your time here?
(man, i hope you saved up a ton of money  )
and you have no plans for after you leave? and you might return?
rough |
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Bee Positive
Joined: 27 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2006 5:46 am Post subject: Re: 10 years on...what's next? |
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| lastat06513 wrote: |
I ended 2005 like everyone else in Seoul- packed on the streets of Jungno, hoping to see the Boshingak Bell being rung (got little view though packed like a rotten sardine in a second-rate can).
Then the bell rang and the fireworks went off and then it hit me- I'm here only for another 20 days....whoa!
In August, it would have marked 10 years (on and off) in Korea. A somewhat milestone in my life. During my time here, I have seen everything that Korea has to offer the average person; food, sites, stories and people.
I am leaving this country, not bitter (totally) but not happy either- just numb.
I have tons of stories, memories and experiences that have changed me forever.
Can anyone truly leave and forget about Korea?
I highly doubt it.
Will I ever return to the Land of the ever-increasing yawn?
Maybe.
But it makes me look, with anticipation and apprehension, at what life holds for me back home in the states.
What lies ahead?
I don't have a f^kin' clue... |
Leave Seoul and come on down to Busan.
You'll swear that you've come to another country. It is that much different, and that much better.
OK, so I'm only speaking from five years' experience incountry (half of what you have), but please, if you've haven't tried Busan, do consider it.
It's warmer here, generally.
People are so much more open to dealing with foreigners that I can hardly believe it. Been here six months now, and I'm still finding it so much more foreign-friendly that it almost defies belief.
When I first came to Korea, going through a recruiter, I insisted that my job be in Seoul, and as close to the center of Seoul as possible. I wanted to avoid small-town misery at all costs, and maximize my potential for enjoying a cosmopolitan lifestyle.
Little did I know that it's SEOUL WHICH IS PROVINCIAL AND BACKWARD, while Busan strives mightly to be counted a true world city.
Come on down to Busan and discover a Korea which you didn't know existed! So much better than Seoul in every possible way that you'll thank God every day for your good fortune in having relocated down here.
I do, anyway. You will too, I suspect.
BEE POSITIVE |
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Homer
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| Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2006 5:53 am Post subject: |
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Leave Seoul and come on down to Busan.
You'll swear that you've come to another country. It is that much different, and that much better.
OK, so I'm only speaking from five years' experience incountry (half of what you have), but please, if you've haven't tried Busan, do consider it. |
Gotta agree here 
Been in Busan since 1997 (did a year in Seoul too).
As for the boring life comment lastat, that feeling will hit you everywhere you live unless you do something about it. As Mr. Pink said, routine of life may bore you, perhaps it is not the country. You should indeed try to go and live in a small town in Northern Canada (or where ever you are from) for 10 years and see if that does not bore you to tears...  |
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lastat06513
Joined: 18 Mar 2003
Location: Sensus amo Caesar , etiamnunc victus amo uni plebian
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| Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2006 6:33 am Post subject: |
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Hehehehehehehehehehe.....
I used the term "land of the morning yawn" as a political epitaph to explain how korea yearns for international recognition, yet failing on an epic scale.
Korea has been anything but boring. If you look closer at my post, you will read that I will carry tons of memories and stories that can fill about 15 volumes of stories chronicling on somewhat mishaps and adventures I have had while in Korea.
As for money, thats MY secret, a gentleman NEVER tells, hehehehehehe.....
I had this talk with my parents last night when I talked to them about why I am coming home.
I guess I want to prove I can make it there.
I did so well here during the 5 years I was a teacher (I think most of you know that I was a soldier in Korea for 4 years prior to getting out and becoming a teacher), that I think that I might hold myself back the more I stay here. I know I can stay and get good jobs if I want to, but I think it is time for me to go back into the world.
But if it is like most people that go away, I will most likely be back here in a few years again. But I know the next time I do come back to Korea, I'm not going anywhere. |
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Jacobbm
Joined: 24 Nov 2003
Location: Location, Location...
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| Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2006 6:45 am Post subject: |
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| lastat06513 wrote: |
I think it is time for me to go back into the world.
But if it is like most people that go away, I will most likely be back here in a few years again. But I know the next time I do come back to Korea, I'm not going anywhere. |
Best of luck. See you in six months. |
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jajdude
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2006 6:53 am Post subject: |
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Busan, the place to be? Hmmm. Have to give that a thought for the future. Meanwhile Seoul and nearabouts are familiar.
Anyone else suppose Busan has the upper hand on Seoul as a good place to be waygookin? |
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Ya-ta Boy
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: Established in 1994
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| Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2006 7:06 am Post subject: |
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I think it is time for me to go back into the world.
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If this is what you feel, then this is what you should do. (I'd quibble about your use of the phrase 'the world', but I'll let that go.) |
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Homer
Guest
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| Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2006 7:47 am Post subject: |
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Good luck to you lastat! 
But why "back in the world"? When did you leave the "world"? |
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itaewonguy
Joined: 25 Mar 2003
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| Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2006 7:49 am Post subject: |
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| Can anyone truly leave and forget about Korea? |
can anyone truly live somewhere for 10 years and forget their time? |
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