So the receptionist at the school I work at speaks very little English, and I don't speak a lick of Korean yet somehow we get along wonderfully. We've had dinner together a few times now. She said (and this is through a translator mind you) that she was very shy to speak English around me but would like to be friends. Okay. That's pretty easy. And its pretty easy running into a couple of American girls at the market who decide I can spend the whole day with them to kill time. Awesome. Definitely a random and 
welcomed encounter. I started the day determined to see something and have a pleasant outing and the Lord certainly blessed my effort. There's an instant mutual bond between people when they run into each other in a foreign country. I had my first real Korean adventure which gave me a better outlook on things, as did being in good hands. I hope to have the confidence to pursue relationships and experiences. That's not something I have been very successful at in the past. God is pushing me, but not without some places safe to fall.
A week in Korea; no Internet and thus, this incredibly delayed blog. I have never been more out of my element than I am now. Fear is an emotion I am pretty familiar with, but I don't recall experiencing it at this magnitude before. Suddenly I am second guessing everything, mostly about myself-my knowledge, my choices, my characteristics, my abilities. Having never been on my on before I sure went all out to do it. I will admit to a meltdown; well, more like three of them. Frustration is the other feeling which I have to stand against; when things aren't going my way, and I just want to throw the towel in. There are deffinitly going to be stuggles, but I think there may be some very rewarding things as well. I am already having to rely on the Lord more than I have ever been forced to; and to be perfectly honest, my relationship with God has been faultering, mostly out of laziness. I am going to have to trust Him working inside me and through me, and actually take charge of things, take initiative. I have already learned much about myself, so there must be tons I don't know...
This is what packing for a year away produces - an overwhelming mess. I wasn't even really sure where to start, thinking I'll never need this, I'll maybe need this, I could use a lot of that, what if this just sits and takes up space. It's not like I'll never be able to use or see this stuff again, but its not like I'll be able pick up the same thing while I'm overseas either. I have a feeling my luggage isn't going to be perfect. I just hate asking myself, "Why did I bring this and not that?" Drives me nuts I tell ya. I'm almost there though. Its taking me a couple of trial runs and weigh-ins, and conversations with other people but I should be pretty good. So what do you for sure take with you when you're moving away for a year?
1.a stack of t-shirts, a couple stylish but mainly ones you don't mind sweating in, or staining or ripping holes in the armpits.
2. pants of various color and thickness for all seasons.
3. at least two pair of good tennis shoes, in case you need to book it across the border.
4. a sweat shirt and and two sweaters
5. you're camera and journal for obvious documentation.
6. for the Asia region, a waterproof jacket or poncho as there's a rainy season.
7. I Love Lucy DVDs for those long flights.
welcomed encounter. I started the day determined to see something and have a pleasant outing and the Lord certainly blessed my effort. There's an instant mutual bond between people when they run into each other in a foreign country. I had my first real Korean adventure which gave me a better outlook on things, as did being in good hands. I hope to have the confidence to pursue relationships and experiences. That's not something I have been very successful at in the past. God is pushing me, but not without some places safe to fall.
