Off to Seoul

I can't believe the day is finally here!!  In less than 24 hours I'll be heading off to Seoul to start a whole new life and I can't wait.  I'm so excited to live in a new country . . . especially one that is culturally so different from the U.S.  A lot of people have been asking me if I'm getting nervous or scared and I can honestly say that I'm not scared at all.  I can't wait to get there, meet my students, move into my new apartment, and explore the city.  I'm looking at this next year as a total adventure . . . I feel like I'm a little kid following a map, looking for my buried treasure.  I have no idea what I'll find at the end of the road, who I'll meet, or where I'll have travelled, but I can't wait for all that this next year brings.

I thought going away to school in L.A. was exciting, but this has no comparison.  Going to an out-of-state school was great for me at that point in my life.  I was ready to meet new people, participate in the California lifestyle, and soak up the sun on the beautiful beaches.  I don't think I would have been ready, at 18, to move to a place where I couldn't just pick up the phone and call my parents.  A 15 hour flight is a much bigger deal than a 2 hour flight.  Not to mention, the 15 hour time difference that will make phone calls and skyping a chore to figure out.  But, now, at the ripe old age of 21 (haha), I know I'm ready to be completely on my own.  I'm preparing myself for the culture shock and for the fact that I will no longer blend in with the many other California blondes.  Instead, no matter where I go, I'll clearly stand out as a foreigner.  But, I'm hoping that my blonde hair will help me meet new people and experience Seoul in a unique way.

I have two HUGE bags that I'll be checking, plus two additional carry-ons.  Once I land in Seoul, someone from Adventure Teaching will be waiting for me with my name on a sign (I've secretly always wanted to be picked up at the airport from someone holding a sign with my name - too bad I won't be swept off in a limo to a chic hotel with a comfy king size bed in my pent house suite).  He'll then take me to my apartment where I'll meet my boss, Kim, so we can go over my work schedule.  I'm really excited to meet her!  I'll have the weekend to get settled and then I go into work on Monday with Tayla, the current English teacher at my school, so she can start training me for the next couple weeks.

Thanks for all your well-wishes and your support!  I'll miss you all and I hope that you stay in touch.  Please feel free to comment on my blogs, e-mail me (hmccoy11@gmail.com) or skype with me (hmccoy11).  Lots of hugs and kisses!