Happy (Halfway) Humpday Haiku #53

The Time

Three hundred sixty

Five days. Fifty-two weeks. One

Incredible year. 

            One of my favorite quotes comes from a movie called "The Shawshank Redemption." The lead character, Andy Dufraine, contemplates his time spent in prison after being wrongly accused of murdering his wife. As he examines the role he has played in helping countless others as an inmate, he realizes he is not free to live the life he wants. At this point he tells a friend, "you either get busy living, or get busy dying." This would be akin to 90's cinema's "carpe diem" Regardless, I have found them to be wise words to live by.

            Today marks my one year anniversary in Korea. It feels that I have simultaneously spent more and less time here. I can remember arriving in Seoul and failed to see my recruiter who was supposed to meet me there. I remember my first Wednesday on the job, when my director called a staff meeting and verbally berated us for doing inadequate work. I remember the first time one of my students asked me how I was doing that day. I remember the half dozen occasions when a student finally recognized and was able to read a word. I remember waiting for my visa to arrive doubting whether I was actually going to be heading to Korea. 

            And then I remember in October 2013, when a friend took the time to tell me that my plans for Korea were inspiring. I remember these things and I am reminded that this year will go down as one of my best. I will always remember the kindness of the Daegu Gaelic Football team, the warmth and hospitality of my Korean coworkers, the smiles on each of my students, climbing up to a buddhist temple in the side of a mountain, getting peed on by a monkey in Bali, being able to spend such a wonderful time with new friends, and sharing these experiences with my girlfriend. Lots of living was had this year. Gonna try and make next year busier.