PROLOGUE
Its a cold Texas winter evening in February when I make a decision to venture out and leave my home. In a matter of a few weeks and with the help of my friend, I get a job teaching English at a private academy in Seoul, South Korea. They book me a one-way flight and next thing I know, I'm scurrying my way to the airport at six in the morning with two large suitcases and my family catching up behind me. I'm standing in front of security check wiping tears with my mom while my teenage brother and 21-year old sister stay strong for me. They tell me that its going to be good, that its going to be awesome. My pastor dad hugs me and prays for me in person one last time. Its a gesture I will never get tired of and one I will miss dearly. In the twenty-three years I've lived in the US, I've never left their side long term. I get myself together and I'm on my way to the terminal. Four months have passed. Its a rainy day in July and I'm getting a head count for my students when I realize that I'm counting with my fingers the way the Koreans do: folding the thumb in first, then the index finger, and so on. During the first few months, I was literally in a winter wonderland, considering the fact that I was still wearing "rose-colored glasses" (or kongggakji, as the way Koreans call it). But that slowly began to fade when all the hype became normal, and it eventually turned into a lifestyle. -
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Grace LeeHi! I'm from Fort Worth/Dallas, Texas and I'm currently teaching English in Seoul, South Korea. I'm a gyopo/ second-gen (Korean born in America) blogger and I write about travel, fashion, community, and teaching. I love Jesus and all glory goes to Him.
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