Halfway

6 months. 6 whole months. This is how long I have been in Korea right now and I cannot even believe it. To think that my contract is half over and that I have truly established a life here. Recently I find that I often "forget" that I am in Korea. Obviously I do know that I live here, however, it now has become my regular life and seems quite comfortable most of the time. I have established friends in and outside of my city, taken a vacation to Thailand, traveled around Korea, and made an attempt to learn the language. 

I feel this halfway point is a good time for reflection on my time here and to begin thinking beyond Korea (if I do leave.) I cannot begin to tell you how many new foods you try without question when living in another country. Sometimes I ask and other times I just say ok and eat it because that's what's for dinner. Ha! I have been able to meet  people and make from friends from across the globe, especially Germany. I never dreamed that moving to Korea would provide with a good opportunity to practice my German but it has and I am thankful for that. I also have been doing alright at learning Korean. Here is where my conversation skills can go for now: Hello, goodbye, Where are you from?, What is you job?, What is your name?, I would like this, How much does that cost?, Ordering food, Using this and that, random classroom vocabulary, and a few other things. Now this may not seem like much, but I am quite happy of my accomplishment thus far and will continue to study Korean. Lastly, being here has only add fuel to my passion of travel and other cultures. I hear stories from other expats about their travels all over the world and I am instantly inspired to plan my new adventure, job, or trip.

After Korea. What a thought! I do love being in Korea, however I miss teaching music and being immersed in it each day. On the other hand, my students at this school are awesome and I enjoy teaching them..... but I am teaching them English. Then my mind wandered to the thought of working as a music teacher at an International school, but most of them require 2 years experience, which I do not have yet. This leaves me with about 3 options: renew my contract with my school and stay another year, leave Korea to travel for a bit/go home and return to a new job in another city in Korea, or just go home sub until I can find a teaching job. Since I am not keen on settling in the USA just yet, I believe one of the first two options will be the most likely. With that, I don't have to notify my current job about renewing until I have 3 months left on my contract. Right now I have not a clue which one I will pick.... and that's just fine with me.