During the past few weeks, a few fellow expats and I have talked about how much we love Korea and how different our lives are now and how we may never leave. Sure, there are things we hate/can't stand/never understand/loathe about Korea, but it doesn't over shadow the fact that our lives pretty much rock here. Allow me to explain...
1. Stress
Before moving to Korea I would get, what I like to call, stress headaches. During 2nd period, with my most ridiculous class, I would rub my temple, feeling the oncoming sharp pain of stress. My sister expressed her concern/annoyance with these headaches one day, "Jennifer, you always have headaches!"(There wasn't much concern.) I didn't want to be one of those whiners who always ache and groan. I started to worry that maybe I had a tumor, but I was too scared to go to the doctor.
Two months after coming to Korea I got a headache. I had failed to drink anything but coffee all day and when I reached for the ibuprofen I stopped and thought, "holy crap I can't remember the last time I had to take ibuprofen for a headache. When was the last one?" I couldn't remember. I don't have them anymore. My job and life in general are less stressful. I'm not surrounded by the politics of public education, financial problems, or
2. Money
Money has always been an issue. I'm not rich, nor did I grow up rich. I knew how to budget and how to be frugal, but at the end of the month I was always scrapping the bottom of the fridge for something to eat. I had student loans, car payments, bills, rent, and other things to pay for. There were those terrible moments when I had to call home and tell them I needed help. I am a prideful creature, what can I say.
Now, I don't have a car to pay off, my rent is free, my phone bill for three months was $60, I paid $8 for a haircut, and I survived my first two months on $1000. I'm embarrassed at how much money I have in the bank right now. Not that I really own it. I'm still paying off grad school, so a large chunk of money is sent home each month, but even so, I'm not worried about money. It's the first time in my life since moving out of my parent's house where I am financial stable. Even as a teacher, I had a summer job to make things a bit easier. Did you hear that America? As a PROFESSIONAL I still had to have a summer job as if I was some college student. Sad I tell you.
3. Health
Koreans are pretty healthy. It's no wonder with fast food restaurants not littering every corner. The entire country thrives on being physically active and eating good food. Every time I'm out with my co-workers or Korean friends and we have Korean food they don't hesitate to tell me how that particular item I'm eating is good for this or that. Now it's not scientifically proven and some I don't believe, but I do know it's not bad for me. It isn't covered in butter, oil, and reeking of calories. If it wasn't for bakeries and coffee my weight loss would be much more significant. Damn that sugar.
Also, if you become ill, whether it be a head cold or a hospital stay, it's going to be cheap. On a recent visit to Seoul my friend became so ill that we went straight to the ER. After 20 minutes and $11 we were out of the hospital and pharmacy and my friend had no pain. Fantastic
Quite often I compare the US to Korea either in this blog or in my own thoughts. Sometimes the US wins, sometimes Korea wins. It goes without saying that there are "hating Korea" moments (i.e. crossing the street), and the next entry might be on what is frustrating me at the moment. Maybe I'll get food poisoning from all that healthy food. Who knows. The point of this blog and many more entries to come isn't to pit the two countries together to find a winner. I enjoy showing the differences between them and the craziness that I encounter. I think the point here is maybe to show how I took a chance and dove into the uncertainty. I won this time. I made a good decision.
So, how many of you are packing your bags now?
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