Living My Expat Dream.

Written by Bessie about Korea, Republic of. Feelin' happy

It's taken 8 months, but I've realized I'm living my expat dream. 

The biggest reason I decided it was cool for us to take the leap & move to Korea to teach was because I wanted to try setting up life in somewhere totally foreign.  Sitting around the table last night with our friends for Kyle's 30th birthday I realized we'd made it.

We've made cool, really interesting friends that all like to live outside of their comfort zones too.

Places and things that were totally foreign to us like turning down back alleys in Seoul and the smell of cooking silk worm worm larvae make sense to me now.  All the sounds and neon lights don't seem so foreign to us, it's sort of home.

We've moved past survival and now we're living a pretty solid life on the other side of the world.  It feels pretty good to become the person I'd wanted to be.  a citizen of the world.

« Kimchi Galore!

Getting Naked at the Jjim Jil Bang »

If you like this post, then pass on the karma:

Tweet

14 Comments

Don't be shy, tell us "hi"

• December 06, 2009

  Paul

  

  Kyle is 30!?

• December 06, 2009

  Donna

  

  Sounds like a great Birthday for Kyle and you! Happy 30th Kyle!

• December 06, 2009

  Rachel Z

  

  This post makes me so VERY happy, Bessie! Many congratulations on the breakthrough. I feel so much better now picturing you way over there. (And I still can't wait for you guys to come back to my comfort zone!)

• December 06, 2009

  Dan and Susan (aka susandan)

  

  I sooooooooooooo much admire the decisions you two have made, and the masterful way you have implemented them! Your lives are, and will continue to be, enriched beyond those of ordinary mortals (i.e., folks who never leave home).

• December 07, 2009

  Bessie

  

  Thanks! We'll always appreciate having you two as models!!
  
  Ordinary mortals, haa haa. :)

• December 06, 2009

  mumsie

  

  Way to arrive (with steadfast determination!!) at this point in your lives! :) Congrats!

• December 07, 2009

  Bessie

  

  Thanks thanks thanks! There have definitely been ups and downs, but achieving a goal like this definitely makes it worth it!

• December 06, 2009

  DADDIO

  

  Sung to the tune of "Old Man River":
  
  "Old Man Kyle ... That Old Man Kyle ... He must know somethin'...
  But don't say nothin' ... He just keeps rollin' ... He keeps on rollin' along.
  
  He don't plant tators ... He don't plant cotton ... 'Cause them that plants 'em ...
  Are soon forgotten ... But Old Man Kyle ... He just keeps rollin' along.
  
  You and me, we sweat and strain ... Body all achin' and wracked with pain ...
  Tote that barge ... Lift that bale ... Get a little drunk ... And you land in jail!
  
  I gets weary ... And sick of tryin' ... I'm tired of livin' ...
  And scared of dyin' ... But Old Man Kyle ... He just keeps rollin' along!
  
  Yes Good Old Man Kyle ... He just keeps rollin' along!"
  
  Happy birthday Good Old Man! Warmest regards..........
  
  
  

• December 06, 2009

  Anne Kellogg Reed

  

  YEAH for living outside your comfort zone and sticking there until the zone is expanded! You two are such an inspiration. Thinking about you and sending belated birthday love to Kyle! xoxo

• December 07, 2009

  Bessie

  

  It's been a slow process making so many foreign things comfortable, but it really is now. Funny how well you can adapt when you want to. Hugs!!

• December 07, 2009

  Wendy

  

  Congrats! That's so exciting. I'm glad you've been able to process it all in such a positive way!

• December 07, 2009

  DADDIO

  

  Awesome collection of photos from school and the wonderful side trips in Korea. Solid new relationships with teachers, friends, students, parents and neighbors. Side trips taken and planned to other Asian countries fairly close to Korea to add to the photo journal. Your hard work and dedication have bloomed like the flower fields in Japan. Your love and Kyle's love are evident in all that you have accomplished. May the Lord continue to Bless and Keep you.

• December 09, 2009

  Barbie

  

  Getting used to the neon lights, huh? Maybe Vegas should be your next adventure. We are a world of our own here! Hahaha

• December 10, 2009

  Kristine

  

  So proud of you guys for the life you are creating for yourselves. Such amazing stories to share for years and years. Thank you for sharing your journey with all of us "ordinary mortals". :) Keep 'em coming! Love you guys and miss you!

Leave a Reply

Name

Email (will not be published)

Website (optional)

Email me if Bessie or Kyle respond to this comment

Note: All HTML will be removed, including links

Submit

Let's be friends.

Us in a Nutshell...

We're silly and adventurous, computer geeks and yoga peeps.

Point us towards cheap eats and a place to sleep, and we just might call it home.

We've been on the road 1467 days, traveled 113,376 miles and volunteered 1,448 hours.

Contact Us >>