A day in My World

Welcome to my little corner of the world in Seoul.  I've decided that today I am going to take you on an adventure.  You will be joining me as I venture out to Namsam Park.  It is beautiful out, a high of 18 degrees Celsius, the flowers are beginning to bloom, all making it a perfect day to visit my favorite nature area.  Let's go!  Are you ready?

  

Just walking down the street, we can already see the amazing trees in bloom!

 We start off by taking the bus.  It's either a 20 minute walk, or a 5 minute bus ride to get to the subway station, and as I am eager to get to the park, we are going to take the bus!  (They're not as scary as I once thought.)

A few stops later, we arrive at the subway station!  We are taking line 4 today, riding it for about 30 minutes, and will be getting off at Myeongdong.  

Wow, 28 minutes fly by super fast here! ;)

Now we're at Myeongdong, one of the big shopping districts in Seoul. But no shopping for us today!

We take off, heading away from Myeongdong and towards the large intersection.  It's an area my Mom says reminded her of New York.  What do you think?

I love this building most personally.  The architecture is a style I have always found to be quite beautiful honestly.  Though sadly this type is virtually non-existent in Korea, as their architecture styling leaves much to be desired.

We walk around the corner, up the hill, and towards the park.  Are you excited?!  You should be!  (This is the view facing /away/ from Namsan Park, the path we just walked up)

Now there is a cable car we could take, but where is the fun in that?  We are here for the nature walk, and the line is super long, so today we will pass. 

 Making our way to the trail head, we see more trees and flowers in bloom.  I love this weather, and my feet are itching to get going!

Here's the sign for the park.  How's your Hangul/Braille?

I get walking and immediately spot a cute little dog I know my friend S would love!  This is for you girly!

There is a giant walkway where only people can go (a nice rarity in Seoul, where scooters and even cars sometimes are allowed on the sidewalks), and lovely bushes lining the side.  I also immediately spot a small pond off to the side- you have to enjoy the little things, right?

Though I don't know what these little flowers are, but I love them!  Yellow is my favorite color.  :)

No more gentle rolling walkways, now we're going to climb up these stairs.  There are stairs, stairs, and more stairs!  Are you ready?  Here we go!

But wait!  Before we even start, I see a little bug struggling on a step.  I pick him up and move him to the side so he doesn't get stepped on.  He's barely the size of my pinky nail!  Bugs are supposed to be fuzzy right?  Can't help but wonder what he is...

We reach the first rest area, and just as is the Korean style, there are "work out" machines here to use!  Haha!  And azaleas! These flowers remind me of home, as we have a few of these flowering bushes back in Fl on our property. 

We will be going up there!  Have you caught your breathe?  We're about to begin the hard part of the walk, with about a 20-30 minute straight stair climb.  Come on!  :D

The hike is worth it though, with amazing views of the city along the way:

And the old fortress wall lines our walk too.  Something I always thought was so neat to see!  (I plan to hike the trail along the old fortress wall before I leave.  Maybe that's what I'll do next weekend.)

Peaking through the trees are some of Seoul's large buildings reflecting the setting sun.  I love the way they look, I couldn't help but find it beautiful.  What do you think?

We're getting close to the top now.  The cable car is near by!

Just before reaching the open area of N. Seoul Tower, there is a nice sized look out for us to enjoy.  It is far less crowded than at the tower, and offers a really great advantage of the city!

We finally made it!  We are at N. Seoul Tower!  A major hub for tourists, it offers one of the best views of the city.

 Now N. Seoul Tower is also famous for one other thing: Love Locks.  And boy!  Does N. Seoul Tower have love locks! 

The sides of the entire area are simply COVERED in love locks!  It's a bit crazy, and very ridiculous at times.  I didn't stay long, as the crowds bugged me and I wanted to get back to nature.  But it was a nice stop over on our little hike through the park.  :)
Everybody say "kimchi"! ㅋㅋㅋ (<- Korean for lol)

 We continue on our way down the hill.  Yay for no more stairs!

 Again we find our walk is running parallel to the old fortress wall.  Love it!  ^.^

Isn't the walk beautiful?

After a short time, there is a nice overlook.  I ask a cute Korean couple to take my photo.  Loved the sun setting in the background!

Just a bit down the road is a gate with a dirt trail.  Let's take it and see where it goes!

Look at this!  Reclined chairs in the middle of the forest!  Haha!  Only in Korea!

 Hey!  I found the trail again!

 The sun is beginning to really go down, and it is simply beautiful, don't you think?

 Walking along, I saw this tree, and just fell in love.  Stunning!

Oh my word!  There is no one on the path!  No people!  Do you have any idea how RARE it is to not be surrounded by people in Seoul!  I was really really excited!

See!

 Can you get over how beautiful the trees are in bloom?  I can't!

And look at the way this path curves, with both the yellow flowers and white blossoming trees!

 I was one happy girl!  ^.^

 Now, be careful getting close to the trees, don't step on their cute little purple flowers!

 Look at these beautiful giant ones too!  Oh wow!  How I love the large, silky white petals!

 Down the path is a large grove of trees.  Just look at this, an entire area full!  It makes me want to sit and lay there all evening.

 The sun is going down though, so we should begin making out way of the park.  Say goodbye for now.

Take a look at a better map of the park.  This is some of where we walked today.  :)  Mostly the east side, as I like that area more.

Across the street, we are able to look out over Seoul.  We can see the city coming to life at night.  It's rather magical, don't you think?

 The lights and colors of a city in the evening are some of my favorite in the color spectrum, and no other time of day shows them off so elegantly.

Making our way down the road towards Noksapyeoung, we see a bar called "The Library".  I think this would be my kind of bar!  Haha!

Tonight I am feeling noodles, so we will stop at one of my favorite places for dinner.  A little restaurant called Bao.  I think everyone should be capable of enjoying a meal by themself, don't you?  There's something fundamentally important about being comfortable alone.

After dinner we head back to the station.  It's time to make our way home- I have some work for grad school I need to get done, and it's beginning to get late.  We came all the way from the other side of the tower, which is lit up a vibrant shade of blue in this photo.  Man, we walked far today!

Inside Noksapeyoung Station, I always love to look up.  The design here is really neat and fun to look at.  (The two grey things you see that go in to the middle are escalators from the bottom view.)

And time to head home now.  We're in for a longer ride this time, but that's okay.  I have the book I'm reading right now, and won't lie when I say I'm thoroughly enjoying it!  

Just remember: 

If you follow your feet,

you will always end up right where you belong.

 <3

I hope you enjoyed this trip with me today, and were able to really feel everything I felt.  This was a day in my world, living here in Seoul, South Korea.

Until next time,

All my love,

Rita

Tranquilidad

You know those quiet moments after a hurricane has passed?  The silent one, when the rain has finally stopped, the lightening and thunder ceased, and the tornadoes are gone?  When the birds come back out and begin to sing, water drips from the pine needles, and the world is quiet?  Waiting, as if everything is holding its breathe to see if this peace is real, or only temporary before the next wave hits?  That is what I am going through now.
The past few months have been difficult for me.  I've been going through some hard times, all very personal to be honest, and not things I care to get into publicly. What I am willing to say is that I believe I have made it through finally, to the end.
I was sitting at work, the first rains of spring hitting my window, and found myself humming in happiness while preparing my lesson plans for next week.  It was hard for me to figure out why, when I realized that it was because I felt at peace.  In my mind, all I could think was that I was supposed to be sad or upset, after everything I had just walked through recently.  Yet I wasn't.  My heart rejoiced, and I allowed myself to float in the beautiful peace I felt in my heart.  It felt good.
Do you know that feeling?  Have you enjoyed it yourself?  I hope so . . .
I think my favorite singer's new song captures it perfect (he just has a way with words, and I have loved every song he has produced yet). Take a listen:

To leave everyone with the same sense of peace that I feel, I want to share some of my favorite ocean photos I've taken during various trips, mostly the Philippines, but also one from Taiwan.  The ocean holds powerful qualities for me, filling me with joy, a sense of tranquility and oneness with the world.  It is where I feel infinite, and always long to escape to when things get hard in my life.  If I could jump in a car and drive to one of these beaches, I sometimes think my life would be so much more peaceful.  (though if I'm being honest, any degree of nature in this labyrinth of concrete and steel would help me really) 

Tomorrow I will be waking up early, packing away the last of my kitchen things, and cleaning my apartment.  For the fourth time in three years, I am changing apartments, and by the end of this year, I will have moved another two times.  It's nice to learn that I am getting better at packing, and aside from my book cases and bedding, only have two suitcases and two boxes honestly.  There are books I have to get rid of, along with old clothes I no longer wear, but that's minor stuff.  As silly as it sounds, I am very proud of this.  Ever since my first year here, I've really honestly loved and strived for the idea of the simple life with few possessions.  Granted I fail usually, but it is a continuous work in progress.  And let's face it, moving frequently keeps the items you are tempted to buy to a minimum!
Graduate school is going well.  I completed my first paper for one class, received praising remarks and a pretty good (8/10) score on the paper as well.  My other class, which is a special projects class, means I get to research anything I want and write a research paper on it.  In the beginning, I was experiencing a lot of difficulty with it, and feeling overwhelmed.  I currently have three physical books, a stack of research articles from other classes I will be reusing that is nearly as tall as my hand, 18 pdf research articles, as well as a doc with links to about 10 online books/newspaper stories, etc I am using.
Okay, so I may have gone overboard on the research aspect . . .
Anyways!
I found myself struggling to incorporate my various ideas I am researching into a coherent paper, and knowing where to start.  After floundering for a short while, I finally was able to kick out about 1/3 of my paper over two days!  Nearly half is cited and sourced too, which makes me feel great!  It is not even close to polished though, and has a long way to go.  But!  I am not even one month into my three month semester, and have a full 9 weeks before my deadline.  I feel good! 
This semester of grad school has been incredible so far, and mostly because I took back the power it held so tightly over me the past two semesters.  Instead of allowing the stress, nervousness, and frustration I continued to experience rule over me, I choose to allow my graduate studies to flow more harmoniously with life.  If I wake up and find that I am unable to focus, I decide to do chores or errands that require my attention instead.  If I have a great morning and find my attention is rock solid (like today), then I kick ass reading grad articles and knock out two or three in just two or three hours!  It has helped, and I find that I am able to still accomplish everything just fine, as life has a way of balancing itself out.
Sitting here, 12:30 at night, I must force myself to try and rest my weary eyes before the long two days I have coming up before me.  Sometimes when I think about all that I have to do, look within and see myself carrying stress from a workload far heavier than most, I wonder why I would choose to do this.  I could easily dump some of these requirements, walk away from the expectations, cut ties with the people or situations which cause me pain or struggle.  Yet I never do.  The reason is always the same:  I don't want to.  Speaking to myself, I always say: Oh, come on Rit, be honest- you wouldn't want life to be easy.  You always prefered the challenge.
And it's true.
So with that note, I leave you dear friends.
Matthew 11: 28-30
Rita

Korea Count Down

In just over 4 months I will be departing from the land of kimchi, chop sticks, and k-pop.  Though this is something I have wanted for a long long time, it is still hard for me to digest that it will really be happening.  Korea has become my home, where my family of friends are, and the life I have struggled and fought so hard to create.  This is where I have gone through life changing events, grown more than I knew possible, met some of my best friends, and learned more about education/teaching, particularly in South Korea, than I knew possible.  As a way to stay positive about my ending time in this small peninsula, I am approaching the remaining time here bucket-list style.  What have I done, and what do I have left that I want to do, before I leave?  So with no further ado, here is my Korea list!

1. DMZ tour
This is something everyone in America asks, "Isn't that so dangerous?!"  There is such a large degree of misunderstanding in regards to this area of South Korea, and while I do grant that you can't be stupid here, and need to both respect and understand the significance of what the area really represents, it is much safer than everyone expects.  It is also, surprisingly, a huge wildlife area.  Seeing all of the letters, ribbons and photos of the torn families, or North Korean citizens who have been abused by their government, makes for a both solemn, and eye opening, opportunity.  Going here was an amazing experience, and I am very grateful for it!

2. Namsan Tower

At the heart of the city, literally, lies a tall tower on a hill.  This is Namsan Tower, or N.Seoul Tower, and if ventured to on a (too rarely occurring) clear day, can grant you a view of the city that few other areas can.  (I know, I've looked.  Though Bukchon Village does grant another of the city that rivals Namsan, and is both less crowded, more peaceful, and a great deal more romantic as well).  More than once in my time here have I gone to both the tower, as well as the park on the other side of the small mountain/hill to enjoy the nature area.  With beautiful flowers spring through fall, lovely water ways, and a good workout hike to the top, I honestly think this is one of my favorite relaxation spot in the city.

3. Jeju Island

Wow!  Talk about a must-see for Korea!  This is hands down the one thing I push people who visit Korea to see, if they have time to go anywhere outside Seoul!  Though I didn't have long there, I really did enjoy the quiet, beautiful, unpolluted and relaxed nature of this island. Hiking up Mt.Hallasan was hands down the BEST hike I have ever experienced, and would do again in a heart beat!  The view from the top, along with the view /of/ the top of the old volcano, was breathtaking.  It was still, quiet, and I felt close enough to touch clouds that floated by overhead.  Being there was like being on another plane, and such a great adventure! 

While there, I also was able to see my third natural wonder of the world, something I won't lie, made me really really happy!  I cannot wait to go back in June!!!  It's going to be amazing!

4. See the cherry blossoms in Gyeongju

My first spring here, a friend asked if I wanted to go to Gyeongju to see the cherry blossoms.  As we don't have these much famed flowering trees in Florida, I jumped all over her offer!  Ever since that trip, I have made a point of visiting this city each spring as part of my attempt to view these elusive and beautifully fragile flowers in April. Biking through the oldest city in all of Korea, underneath trees that drop petals on you like gentle snowflakes, breathing in the first winds of spring that nature ushers in, always brings me such happiness.  I plan to go back for my last spring this year, and cannot wait.  Even if I miss the prime weekend again, I won't care.  It is worth it.

5. Sockho
Though not originally on my list, my coworker went on a whim one weekend, and inspired me to visit this small ocean side city.  When I finally did, rather suddenly and spontaneously as is my fashion, I didn't regret it.  This beautiful, salt filled air, quiet, slower paced, and friendly city would leave any ocean loving soul happy too.  Home to Mt. Seoraksan, a sight that leaves one with a thrill in their heart to see, is a place any person could fall in love with.  I know I did.  It is my hopes that I can go back with my friends for hiking and a beach day. 

6. Hike various mountains (To do: Mt. Seoraksan and at least part of the old city fortress wall)

Hiking is something that is not available where I am from, as I am from a flatter than flat place.  When I heard that Korea was full of mountains, and Seoul was surrounded by them, I got so excited!  Upon arrival, I found the air much dirtier than I anticipated, and this has lead me to be less than eager to hike in it to be honest.  When I have though, I have never been disappointed.  From little mountains like Mt. Inwangsan, to large ones like Mt. Dobongsan, the journey up is hard, challenging, and exciting!  Coming down posses just as many challenges though, and usually I start kicking myself at this point, asking what the heck I was thinking.  I also find my once solid legs have turned to spaghetti under me!  But being me, I laugh off all of my falls and silly tumbles going down, thanks to my overly joyous, nature-filled, and exercise induced mood I have been put in.  I aim to hike at least Mt. Seoraksan before leaving, as that is the one mountain Korea is most famed for.

7. Experience Buddha's Birthday in Busan

As every foreigner in Korea knows, this is a must do thing while living here.  As a person who greatly dislikes doing something, just because others say you should do it, I avoided going to Busan on Budha's Birthday my first year here.  My second year here though, I gave in and went with a friend.  Boy, I could not have been more mistaken about it!  The lanterns were amazing to see at night, and beyond beautiful!  The crowds were definitely worth the hassle, and I would go through it again with zero hesitation.  Being a beach loving person anymore, I also find that being able to sit on the sand during the day, for as long as I like, is amazingly relaxing too!  Because it is still crowded and noisy at times, Busan is by no means a perfect city.  If you have the time, I do recommend visiting though.  Especially on Buddha's Birthday. ;)

8. See the bamboo forest down south (appears to be happening in May)
Bamboo, forest, what more needs explaining? "The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man." ~Unknown

9. See the garden of Morning Calm and Glory
This is a garden I heard about during my first year here, and saw photos of on a friends fb page.  I have wanted to visit since then, but been unable to, or put it off for numerous reasons.  As soon as May hits with spring flowers, I plan to visit, come hell or high water!  >.<

10. See the Tripitaka Koreana
As a fresh newbie, less than a week off the boat, er, plane, in Korea, I was told about this amazing written work by a wonderful Korean woman at orientation.  Unlike most people I suspect, I was enthralled by the idea that this amazing work held, and have been curious to visit the remote temple that houses the largest piece of writing in the world.  I hope to visit some time before I depart, though I am not sure when yet.

11. Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace (also the palace gardens)
I will not waste time trying to explain the beauty I find in the palaces here.  Having visited them in every season, I still love the amazing details.  Just look for yourself and decide.

Winter

Spring

Summer

Summer

Fall

12. Photograph my favorite neighborhoods (Gangnam, Itaewon, and overland pedestrian walks at night time still need to be photographed)
As a personal project, I take pleasure in occasionally walking through my favorite neighborhoods and photographing them.  I explore every nook and cranny, trying to not only get to know the area intimately, but also through the view of my camera lens.  I haven't had the opportunity, or time, in almost a year to do this, but I hope to photograph at least two more neighborhoods before I leave.  I know this sounds silly, a bit loner-like, and boring to most- but I enjoy the experience of not just living and visiting a place, but really /knowing/ it, inside and out.

13. Spend a day at the beach with my friends
As a beach loving kind of girl, this is simply something I want to do as a means of having fun with friends, another memory I can add before stepping on that plane.  Looks like this may be happening in June or July, once the water is warm and grad school crazy has ended.  :)

14. Swing dancing in Seoul
As of January this year, I have been swing dancing for about five years. I find it strange and exciting to think that I can now consider myself a fledgling old-timer!  Especially when I consider that half of my swing dancing life has been spent in this large city.  Though I have experienced difficulties in dancing in a foreign city when I was born and raised in a US one, I have enjoyed my nights dancing here.  Seoul is, undeniably, the largest swing dancing city in the entire world.  And their dancers, though lacking that creative spark I love so much in foreigners elsewhere, are still amazing on the dance floor and some of the best in the world.  I am honored to be able to call Seoul my swing dance home.  (Sadly I have almost zero photos of me dancing here, but that is okay.  The memories will last for many years in my mind!)  I've danced in the following bars:
Swing Bar
Boogie Woogie
Acuavit (Old - Latin Plus One)
Fiesta I
Happy Bar
Bounce Blue (Old - Lindy Club)
All That Swing
Sky Grand Ballroom
Swing Time
Big Apple
The Savoy
RingoPop
Swing Zoo
The Holic
Step Bar
The 1st

15. Go to as many museums as possible
As an unabashed nerd, I will fully admit that museums make me extremely happy!  Museum hopping with friends has become a favorite pass time of mine!  Though more often than not, I find myself at least somewhat disappointed or underwhelmed by the exhibits or artwork on display, I still enjoy the day of romping around the city.  I've been to all the major museums so far, I have a few smaller and fun ones left I hope to go to with friends again later this month or next month still!  Fun times indeed!

16. Tour tea fields
For my first birthday in Korea, I didn't really know anyone.  As a way to treat myself, and hopefully make new friends, I signed up for my first trip within Korea.  We went hiking down south, then toured some tea fields the next day.  It was an amazing trip, and though I wasn't with very close friends, I had a wonderful time.  The tea fields of Korea are a bit famed, at least within the country, and something I think every foreigner living here should see.  Tea is such a huge part of the culture, and to see where and how they are grown is a great learning adventure!  I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to see them, and would love the chance to see more again in other countries.

17. Go to a dog/cat cafe
Pretty sure this is self explanatory!  :D

That is about it for now!
Thanks for reading, and feel free to share any must-do/see things you would suggest for Seoul/Korea too. 
Always,
Rita
리타 마리

Wonder

 

My hagwon is very special- I am required to read and teach about Newberry Medal winning books to kids.  For this, I love my work.  I have read some boring books, to be sure, but I have also read some amazing books as well.  One of those amazing books is called Wonder by R.J. Palacio.
Over the years I have read countless books.  If I had to make an estimate, I'd have to guess vaguely that it is somewhere above 400 or 450 (assuming around 25 books a year, and that I started reading on my own at 8 years old).  Though to be honest, it's probably way more than that.  In all that time, I have never read a book like this.
There have been stories that moved me to tears, swept me off my feet, carried me away to the past or shot me forward to the future.  Taught me about economics, psychology, or history.  Granted me a view of what the world would have been like with one or two key changes.  In all of those books, this is the first to touch on a topic I've never known another author to- and for that reason, I am recommending it to you.
Let me explain my background a little to you, so that you can understand why it stands out so much to me.  I am from a family of four: my mother, father, brother and myself.  Everything about my family was normal (my parents worked, my brother and I went to school, we had a house with two dogs, a cat, fish, I was in girl scouts, etc), except for one thing.  My brother is mentally disabled.  I don't mention him much, simply because I am a very private woman and believe it is no one else's business basically.  I am also extremely protective of him.  Though I've improved greatly, when younger, all the way up until college honestly, I would become very upset and angry at those who made "mentally retarded" jokes, and it took an ex and two very dear friends, J and K, to help me learn to not take it so personally.  Although other familys with children who are disabled do exist, most of them only have one child to speak of.  I know, I've met many of them over the years at my brothers private schools he attended, or at volunteering with the kids.  Though I never felt alone as a sibling to a mentally disabled brother, it has remained a part of my life many don't understand. On the few occasions I allow the topic to be talked about, I usually end up getting the pity look.  Folks would nod their heads like they understand, and say how sorry they are.  Or how hard things must have been for me and my family.  It frustrates me.
When I picked up the book Wonder to read for work, I didn't know what it was about really.  It became obvious pretty fast that it is about a kid, August, who has some facial deformities, with the main story centering around his first year at a real school.  It was a dull read at first, moving pretty slow, and I have to say I wasn't too impressed.  Then the section written from August's point of view ends, and we are introduced to the same world from his sister's point of view.  Reading her first page made my heart start beating fast and attention become tunnel-like.  I couldn't believe it- the first ever book where a character has to process and deal with being the older sibling to someone with special needs.  It was overwhelming at first.  Not everything that happens for the sibling, Olivia/Via, is the same for me, but much of it is.  The way that the family revolves around the brother August, how genetics is something she will one day have to worry about, feeling guilty for wanting to have a normal life away from her brother, knowing and being unable to help when your brother has to fight against being aware that he is different from others, feeling pure anger towards those who would and do make fun of kids with disabilities- it hit close to home in a way no story ever had before.  There are books out there about every topic under the sun, and maybe I simply hadn't taken the time to look, but I have never come across another story like this one.  I have to tell you, it felt good to be understood, and to understand where this character, Via, was coming from. 
Wonder is not the best book you will ever read, and it probably won't change your life.  It will though, help you understand a world that many people are still afraid of.  If you would like to know what it is like to be someone with a disability or physical deformity, how different life is for the entire family, and for siblings like me, read this book.  It will grant you a very rare glimpse and give you a small fraction of an idea of the world that other people live in.
If you do read it, let me know what you think.  I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Always,
Rita

Preparing to Let Go

As with many new transitions in life, everybody loves to discuss the good, but nobody is willing to mention the bad.  This is true for when you turn 18 and can start driving, when you turn 21 and can start drinking, and when you move away from home for the first time to attend college.  It is also true of the life I have chosen to live for the unknown future: being an expat.  One aspect I was never aware of, that no one mentioned and I didn't have the foresight to read about, was how hard and often I would have to say goodbye to those I have come to love and cherish.  I never knew that every few months, there would be someone new to let go.  A person I had only really begun to know, but that had become part of my social network, support structure, and dear friend.
While talking with a friend a long time ago, we were discussing this very topic.  They shared a magazine article they had read while on a flight somewhere that analyzed the differences between friendships back home and friendships overseas.  In a home country, on average, you have an indefinite amount of years (theoretically) to get to know someone, and develop a friendship.  You can take years to become close and get to know someone.  (With this, I believe many people are hesitant to push the friendship too fast, in fear of appearing needy.)  In comparison, generally the opposite is true for expatriates.  I know for me, I have found friendships develop at a much different pace entirely.  We know that there is a clock hanging above our heads with a count down that will start at some point.  Though it is not always known when, every person is aware of its existence.  Therefore, when we meet a person who we connect with, enjoy their company, and have fun with, we are not shy about contacting them right away to hang out every single weekend, or propose the idea of having a weekly dinner for example.  Within only two or three months, for those that I have genuinely hit it off with, I find that they become one of my best friends here fast.  It takes months, instead of years, to develop a close bond where we share everything, and we allow them to view us at our worst and weakest points.
Now granted, this is simply from my point of view, and it is one coming from an introverted and very shy women.  I have always been slow to trust and open up to others, so my perspective will be different from some of my friends who hit things off much faster than I do.  But, for me, the speed at which things work in Korea, as compared to the United States, is one I find truly shocking and a wonderful difference.
With this though, comes the aspect that I discussed earlier, of saying goodbye.  It is always hard to let go, though for me it seems to become more difficult the older I get.  Possibly the main reason is that with the friends I have developed here, they are people who have shared an experience with me that only other expatriates will understand.  Sometimes they are even from other countries (such as my friend S, who is from South Africa), which adds to the difficulty of letting go.  I never know when I will see them again, and that fear reduces me to small, curled up bundle crying my eyes out the night they leave.  Time eases the pain, and technology reduces the hardship of staying close.  I email, facebook, kakao, skype, google +, and tango with everyone I love as often as I realistically can, and stubbornly refuse to let the friendship wither away.  More often than not, if the other person cares as much as I, the time differences and physical space do little to diminish what we shared.  It is not the same though, and never will be till we are laughing and sharing together in person again.
Tomorrow I will depart for Incheon International Airport, sitting side-by-side with one of the best friends I have made during my time here.  He is one of three people that I meet within the first month of moving here who still remained (for those of you who are counting, I've been here 2 years and 4 months now).  We met randomly, purely by chance, with fate obviously working hard to ensure that we stopped and talked that day.  I am the last person he will see, and I feel beyond blessed and loved that he wants it that way.  When I have to walk back on that train, look up, and see in the glass that I am alone this time, it will be beyond hard for me.  It won't be the end, and it is never goodbye forever . . . but the pain, the unknown forever separating me from a person who I love, care for, and have shared so much with, reminds me how real, true, and deep the connection is.
I may not know when life will bring me together with every friend I have made here as an expat, but I know I will see them again someday.

Hello.
Goodbye.
Welcome to the expat life.

Always,
Rita