In the last post I wrote all about what we would miss when we move back to the states. This post is the flip side of things - what we won't miss and what we are looking forward to.
What we will NOT miss:
-crazy drivers and a complete lack of roadside courtesy...I may have adapted to this...hope I don't get a ticket when we move back!
-smog/yellow dust - blech.
-being too far away for a visit to family - Skype is great, but in person is better.
-relying on sign language at times for simple requests and conversations. I DO wish I had been able to have a more involved conversation with our building's cleaning ajumma. She was always so nice and happy to see Michael.
Random things we look forward to back stateside:
-seeing and hugging family!
-being in the same time zone (and day) as most of our friends...although the two days of birthday was pretty awesome.
-cream in my coffee at a restaurant - I am not a fan of the ever popular Americano (black coffee)
-ground turkey (since there's a poultry embargo in Korea due to bird flu in the US...did you know?)
-shoe shopping in a store - Women's size 11 is not a size you will find in Korea...
-a larger sized oven that fits more than one thing in it at a time, so I can more easily cook a large meal...like a turkey and green bean casserole!
-NY bagels, fresh that morning.
-being able to spend a few hours in a book store like Barnes and Noble (this is mainly so Rob can sit and read graphic novels till his heart's content).
-getting our stuff back. We will effectively be living out of suitcases for 2 months...that's going to be something we will definitely be happy to say goodbye to!
Things that will take a bit of time for us to adjust to:
-not having to say thank you in Korean (kamsa hamnida!)
-not having to greet anyone in Korean (annyeong haseyo!)
-thinking in US dollars versus Korean won
-having to pay tax and tipping - if an item says it is 1,000 won here, that is how much it is. And you do not tip in Korean restaurants or other establishments.
-hearing English all around us
-driving everywhere instead of walking or using public transportation
-shaking hands instead of bowing (I anticipate more colds in our future)
My friend Amy wrote an article for Korea Ye that covers the last section a bit -
PCSing Back to the US from Korea: You Can’t Go Home Again
We are off on our last adventure to Jeju Island. I'll write that up afterwards, but then the Korea blog will be done.
So for all those back home - please be patient with us as we make the transition back. Living in Korea has changed us and we hope you've enjoyed following along on the adventure.
안녕히 계세요 (annyeonghi-gyeseyo) Goodbye; Stay in peace.
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