Farewells and Hellos

It’s official! I have been living in Korea for a little bit over year now! I cannot believe that it has been a year already and that I have one more year left in Korea. I have had a wonderful year of exploring, growing and enjoying life in Korea.

Now that the year has come to an end it was time to say good-bye to some of my close friends that I had the opportunity to get to know and the friends that made this past year extra special. It was weird seeing them pack up and getting ready to move back to Canada when I was still staying for another year. I am so thankful for the time that we had together and am excited cause now I have an excuse to go to Canada and visit them!

So here is a shout out to Katie and Krista. I wish you girls the best on your adventures in the future. To Katie with pursuing school or work doing something you love and are passionate in. To Krista and Hyeon, that you have a wonderful first year of marriage and that you also pursue your passions and dreams. I will come visit you all soon! ^^ 

Even though I had to say goodbye to my friends from orientation I had something to look forward to also. On August 13, 2013 my BEST FRIEND moved to Korea! A little background: Mandy and I have been friends for about 6 years now. We met during our first year of University. On paper we should not be best friends at all, we are total opposites but maybe that is what makes it work. We both know that we are crazy in different ways but that is what we love about each other. Through University and so on, I always knew I was moving to Asia, I would bring it up all the time and told everyone to prepare for when that day actually happened. As a good friend, Mandy always supported me and encouraged me to pursue my dreams. We would always talk about when we grow up and where we would be. I was always going to be in Asia somewhere and she was going to be in Oregon somewhere (most likely her hometown). After University I had a few speed bumps and almost gave up on pursuing Asia. During that time Mandy got the opportunity to go to YWAM (Youth with a Mission) for 6 months. When it was time to say our farewells, I was still not pursuing to move to Asia. We both thought that I would still be in America when she got back in 6 months… Well, that is not what God planned for me. So when Mandy was in Hawaii doing her schooling, I was preparing to move to Korea. It was a bittersweet decision because I was excited to move but sad to not have my Bestie with me during this big decision and knowing that I wasn't going to be able to see her for a year and a half. When Mandy was in Africa, I was flying to Korea to start my new life over here for the next 2 years. During this past year we would try to Skype at least once a week and kept in contact even though we were across the world from each other. After Mandy got back from her YWAM trip, her heart was opened up to Africa. She fell in love with the people and Country and knew that she would be back one day. She also was opened up to traveling and seeing the world.

When I was still in Oregon and she was in Hawaii 

When I was in Korea and she was in Hawaii after she got back from Africa

We still knew how to have fun through Skype

So during the year she was back at home and I was in Korea, I would continually joke with her that she should come to Korea. I never thought she actually would, but I wished she would. One day during our Skype conversations, Mandy mentioned that she applied to teach in Korea. I was so surprised and so excited. The thought of her coming to Korea and living with me for a year was unreal. Fast forward to now and my dreams came true! I am living in the same Country, town and apartment complex as my besite! It has been so great to have her here. I didn't get to go home during my summer break and will not get to go until I move home next August but I was able to have a piece of home here with me. I can already tell that this is going to be a completely different and exciting year. I am so happy to experience this part of my life with my bestie. When we go back home in a year I will have had someone who has shared this big moment of my life with me. I am so lucky!

The day we were reunited in Korea after a year and a half

My favorite: coffee dates with my Besite

Shout out to my Best Friend: I love you more than you know. Thank you for moving to Korea to be with me this next year. I seriously do not know what I would do without you here. (Be more of a mess than I already am! Yikes! haha) I am so excited to spend this next year with you and explore the World (or Korea). This is going to be an epic year that we will always remember and tell our children and grandchildren. Thanks for being my Bestie middle name twin!