Yesterday I spent over 250 bucks to ship my books back to the states–and those weren’t even all of them. Today I put down 175 to send back random knickknacks, ranging from USB cords to half-finished scarves to paper fans from Kyoto. They should arrive in mid-January.
After much deliberation, I’m giving most of my cardigans and purses to the school so they can “sell” them during their annual Market Day. It will take all my willpower to part with my hot pink handbag. Not that I would ever carry that thing around the land of Uncle Sam, anyway.
I’ve found that a lot of stuff that I bought in Korea would never be worn in the U.S.–long shirt-dresses (over pants!), bright tote bags, sparkly blazers . . . the only thing I can see myself wearing are my silver and green heels, and that’s only if I pair them with something low-key. I was surprised to see my fashion sense shift during my stay here, and even more surprised to see it shift back once I started to pack my suitcases.
So yeah, I’m giving/throwing most of my clothes away.
Monthly tests, monthly syllabuses (those I haven’t started), presents for the kids/teachers, packing . . . and I’m leaving tomorrow.
No sleep.
And this just in: Two bloggers met me, and were understandably underwhelmed. In my defense, I’ve been having bad hair days. That zaps my mojo.
Cute hipster Bonnie Conquest takes me out to Hongdae.
Despair over how beautiful K-boys are with Amanda.
Also, spent Saturday night with the girls in Itaewon. I’ve finally accepted that the ‘won was my hood. Yeah it’s dirty and you come up with all these strange characters. Yet I drank there, I fell asleep in its seedy clubs, I binged on Thai and Indian cuisine, spent way too much money on books and even spent the night at a run-down love motel (cramped next to a condom dispenser!). I’ll remember it fondly, and with a tad of embarrassment.
Tomorrow is my last day. I will only teach the kindergarten classes, and I said farewell to the elementary students today. Received a few gifts (my supervisor told me not to tell the students I was leaving, but a few found out), took photos and exchanged emails. The hours passed by in a haze–I didn’t even tear up. Maybe because I’m so exhausted and have so much more to do by tomorrow afternoon.
Something doesn’t feel right. I have everything sorted out, everything’s scheduled and I’ve said good-bye to all my friends. But something’s wrong, something’s lacking, and I can’t put my finger on it.
Those damn K-boys!!
Ahhh, sigh. You’ll be back. And we’ll hang out more then. Good luck, good trip! I’ll email you, Pia! Have a great Christmas with your family!
travel safely. And have an excellent Christmas if I don’t speak to you.
Thanks! Happy holidays to you, too.
That’s a lot of books! I probably spend $250 to have all of my 5-6 boxes sent home. But that was by boat, which still only took 6 weeks to get here, compared to the 2-3 months quoted.
Have a good time back home. Hopefully we’ll see you back in Korea.
May the force be with you, Pia
Happy Holidays.
Hey, I said you were cute. And you are.
Yeah, my fashion is SO different when I’m abroad. Basically the standard is lowered, eclectic and more colourful.
If you were in Daegu, I would totally take that hot pink handbag off your hands.
I just threw one in the trash that my predecessor had kindly left for me.
Yeah, hot pink handbags aren’t that chic in Cali. But I refuse to give up on my hot pink iPod.
See, Jane, this is why we should have met. I would have given you my purse!