One Year In, One Year to Go.

Well, for those of you reading this now that on Saturday the 12th I will celebrate me 1 year anniversary for being in Korea. What most of you may not know is that I have decided to spend another year abroad here in Korea. There are many reasons for this. Some of them are very good reasons to stay, and others are not as good. However, the decision being mine, and mine alone I decided to stay.

Good Reasons:

1. The economy. Plain and simple, things still are really bad for the United States economy. This is effecting everything from Universities to food prices, to health care. Wait that's a debate we're not going to get into on this post. Simply put the economy is still a mess and I have a decent job here.

2. The Job Market. This one is tied to the economy, but honestly it is another animal altogether. The current job market is horrible for people with a BA. In fact the job market is horrible right now for people who have their MA. School districts are still firing teachers to make the budget work. When there are cut backs like the ones California is going through, who is going to actually hire teachers. Most the teachers I know who have graduated recently have not been able to find jobs.

3. My friends. I have met some wonderful people here in Korea. We have had some wonderful times together and I honestly think that this past year has been one of the best in my life. It has been filled with hardship and happiness. I am not ready to end this chapter of my life, and I think that I still have work to do here.

4. Money. My school is giving me a raise and giving me a really nice bonus to stay on. I'm not going to argue.


Not so good reasons:

1. The motorcycle. I only bought the thing back in June. It would have been tough to purchase it for only two months and then have to sell it.

2. Ease of the Job. I mean I could actually look for a job that is exceptionally challenging, or I can continue my job here. Make no mistake this is not statement that I am lazy, but more a statement of the fact that I am able to teach here, while I probably would not be able to teach back home right away. The job is also pretty easy.

3. Food. The food here is actually really delicious. I'm even digging Kimchi now. I honestly will miss the food when I do head home to the United States. As weird as it sounds I know that I will find myself craving Kimchi Chigae or Kalbi Tang (Kimchi Soup, Beef Rib Soup). I maybe even find myself craving Bo Shin Tang (Dog Soup).

4. Students. The students are really well behaved. I have one or two students whose behavior remind me of students from back home. One or two out of 700. Any teacher would kill for that ratio.

5. Principal. My principal absolutely loves me. In fact he's trying to get me to commit to even longer then my next contract. Don't worry I told him that I'm more then likely heading home at the end of my next contract. I might extend it a little bit so that I head home to coincide with the start of a new job or school term.

6. Volleyball. Where else can a 6 foot tall white guy who can't jump actually play on a competitive Volleyball team. Not only play, but also be one of the key players. I mean seriously, I can't jump, anyone who has seen me try knows this.

7. Medical Insurance. I didn't have it back home.

8. Being away. It's nice to be away from home. It really does make me treasure things when I am back in the United States. I know that I am really looking forward to seeing my family when I go back in October.