Two years ago today (December 13th), Zach and I landed at the Incheon Airport to start our journey. We honestly did not know where it would take us or how long we would be gone. Yes, we would miss friends and family, but we had/have each other and that could get us through anything! In those two years, we've taught in South Korea and China. We've traveled around Korea and Beijing and even had a long weekend in Japan. We've wanted to visit more places but our time will come for that to happen.
I honestly can't believe we've basically been away for two years. I say 'basically' because last year around this time, we were home for about two months before leaving for China. However, those two months felt like we were on vacation instead of living in real life.
So, what's next? We are constantly asking ourselves the same thing. We know one thing's for sure - our current contract doesn't end until the end of August. So we are here until at least then. Yes, that's right, I said 'at least'. Sorry to everyone who got their hopes up thinking we were coming back home. I have to be honest; Zach and love what we are doing. Yes, we might complain about co-teachers and students, the education system, or even everyday life, but who doesn't complain every once-in-a-while? The majority of our time is spent being very happy and content. Our dream is to be re-hired in August to stay another year.
However, that may prove to be a problem. There has been talk the past couple of weeks that Busan public school jobs for foreigners will be cut drastically. Just when we found a place and job that we love, we may have to leave. This makes us really sad and very uncertain about our future. Yes, we have eight months left, but we pretty much have to start planning for our next step starting now.
Because of the unknown with our jobs, we have made the extremely tough decision not to take a vacation this winter. We are given 10 working days paid vacation to take a trip in the winter, but we will not be traveling anywhere. Instead, we will take the 10 days paid vacation and stay in Korea. We may travel to Seoul just to have a mini get-away. This was a very hard decision to make because we wanted to go to Southeast Asia. One of our goals when we started this journey two years ago, was to see as many countries as we could. So far, that hasn't happened. But, it will - I promise!!!! Another reason it was such a hard decision is because I worry about what other people will think. I actually worry about that a lot and I have to learn to stop worrying about that so much. It doesn't matter what others think. Zach and I are leading the lives we want and we feel that this is the more financially responsible thing to do right now.
So, this is what we are thinking for next year.
1. Our ideal situation is to be able to re-sign and move into our own apartment.
2. We love Busan and would be willing to teach in a hagwon (not ideal).
3. Do a one-year masters program in the UK.
4. Try to get a job teaching in the Middle East. (We wouldn't go anywhere dangerous; we wouldn't put our lives at risk.)
We just are not ready to go back home. We are not even remotely thinking that we want to start a family, now or in the future.
Well, if you have any suggestions, we would love to hear what you have to say. I know you (family and friends) want us to come home but please do not give that as a suggestion. That is definitely not something we are ready for! Sorry.
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