In just a few short hours, I’ll be boarding a plane, taking off for Fukuoka, Japan. This is what is called a “visa run.” Basically, I’m going over to get my work visa for the next year.

One summer. Three vast, new places. Life is funny.

I moved to Atlanta, Ga. earlier this summer to stay with my sister. Took a crap job. Got offered a better job in Seoul, South Korea. Now, here I am. One month into my stay in Korea, I’m leaving for Japan for a couple of days. My tourist visa has now expired.

One summer. Three countries. Life is a bit funny sometimes.

Needless to say, I’ve been a bit lost all summer. Learning and coming to appreciate new homes, then packing up and leaving. Not to mention that I left my five-year home of Auburn, Ala. And I loved that place.

Chuseok is coming up soon. Friday’s our first day off work for this major Korean holiday. I don’t have any travel plans since I don’t have much money at the moment. It should give me a few days to recuperate and get my bearings.

I’ve had a long, twisting, turning summer. A few days of downtime is probably what I need.

I’m off to catch a plane.

I was thinking about that quote a couple of weekends ago (I know, I should’ve been blogging since then). I was homesick. It took a couple of weeks, but I felt it. Really, I just didn’t have anything to do. I was sitting around my empty apartment on the weekend, waiting to do nothing. I’m over it now though.

It’s probably common to be a little homesick sometimes. If I only had a few more of my things, it would be easier. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m enjoying Korean culture. There are some things I miss.

• Milk that doesn’t taste like it’s going to be sour tomorrow.
• Good hamburger meat (ground beef).
• Wal-Mart (Even though I hate what they’re doing to the Mom-and-Pop stores, I’m a Wal-Mart addict).
• Oly and Smeagle (my cats).
• Of course, I miss family, but I’m used to not seeing them for months at a time.
• Clothes drier.
• American football.

There are a few other things I miss, but these are the main ones. I really miss football. [insert sad Justin face]

Back to the original quote. I was thinking about that line because I wanted to go home like I’ve never wanted to go home before. Alabama, my home.

I think I have this ideal vision of what home means, but that home doesn’t exist. At least not anymore. I haven’t truly been home (Highland Home, Ala.) in the last five years. It’s definitely a part of me. Much of what or who I am has been shaped by that place. But, I’ve changed since then. That’s why they say you can never go home again—it’s not because home is different; it’s because you’re different.

A different person. Home is that place as you remember it. Home is a memory. Memories are in the past and will forever be there.

Part of it is my dreams. Since I’ve been here, I’ve had the most vivid dreams of things that have happened and things that never happened. But, they all come back to Highland Home and Auburn, Ala. Those places. It’s a bit freaky how vivid my dreams have been. (Maybe it’s because I’ve been reading Stephen King’s Dark Tower series.)

So, about South Korea—I’m living the dream. Sometimes, I have to sit back and tell myself, “I’m living in a foreign country.” I’m living the freakin’ dream. “L-I-V-I-N.” I have to reflect on that thought for a few moments.

And guess what? I love teaching. It’s quite possible that I’ve found my calling (other than writing the great Southern American novel, of course).

I love the culture here. People are generally a lot nicer than Americans. Emphasis on a lot. I will start taking Korean language classes this Friday. So, wish me luck. Also, I’m flying to Japan next Tuesday and Wednesday to get my work visa, which is very cool. After that, I’ll have the USA, Mexico, South Korea, and Japan crossed off on my “countries visited” list. (Okay, so the USA doesn’t really count.)

As a side note: one of the reasons I haven’t blogged as much is because of electrical problems. My plug converter doesn’t work well with my computer. So, I have to charge up my computer battery, then get on the computer, which gives me a limited amount of time. I use most of that time to keep in contact with others through e-mail, messenger, MySpace, and Facebook. I hope to find an adapter soon, so that I can keep my computer powered all the time.

Maybe I’ll upload some pictures soon. Until then, have a good night or morning or afternoon—wherever you are.

I’ve enjoyed the school so far, but I won’t mention much about my actual work here on the site because I know people have gotten fired for blogging about work in the past. Nevertheless, I’m enjoying it. If you ever do want to know more details about my work, which is teaching Korean children English, you can just ask in the comments and I can e-mail you.

So far, I’ve enjoyed South Korea. Sure, after a week, I’ve felt a little homesick. But, I’m sure that’s more to do with not being able to call everyone I’m used to calling. My cell phone was like a drug, and I’m feeling some of the withdrawal pains now.

The language barrier is a little rough, but as long as you can figure out the money system, it’s easier to get around. I’ve really got to learn my numbers.

I’ve tried Korean barbeque, Korean pizza, and various cabbage-type things (I actually enjoy cabbage now, who knew?). However, I haven’t been eating as much since I’ve arrived, which may not be a bad thing considering how much weight I’ve gained in the last year.

My first week has been a little overwhelming—learning a new job, language, culture, and city. Even though it has been been overwhelming, I’ve enjoyed the experience thus far.

I plan on updating with some pictures at some point, and becoming a more frequent blogger also. Now that I’m settled in, I’m sure it’ll be easier.

I haven’t had any anxiety attacks or anything of the sort yet, although I did feel a bit nervous earlier yesterday morning around 8 a.m. or so. I’m sure it’ll all hit me when I get to the airport. Then again, I might not get that nervous. I’m excited. Sure, I’ll miss my family and my two cats and my stuff, but I feel like I’m getting a blank slate—a chance to start living my life. Plus, after two months of waiting around for this to happen, I’ve had a little time to accept that my life is about to change. I’ve made my peace (or whatever) with what’s about to happen.

I had a thought that was a bit funny to me today—it’s about my mom and grandmother. They keep telling me they wish I would just stay (even though they want me to be happy and…). But, it’s so weird how I’ve been told my entire life to “go do something with your life” or “go be somebody,” then I’m told “don’t go” when I actually am going to do something. Just a thought. I realize everyone means well.

I’m pulling an all-nighter tonight though. My flight leaves at 6:35 a.m. That means that I need to be at the airport by 4:30, which means I have to leave by 2:30 to make it on time. Since my parents are driving, I’ll probably take a nap on the drive up there. I’m sure I’ll get a little sleep on the 14-hour flight from Dallas to South Korea.

I’ve packed Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows—I’m halfway through it right now. Since I might finish it, I’ve also packed Stephen King’s The Gunslinger (Dark Tower series). With a computer and an iPod also, I’m sure I can keep my mind occupied when I’m not sleeping.

Basically, I just wanted to put in one last post before I left. Some final words. I’m ready to go see what this thing’s all about.

I’m not exactly sure where to start, but I’ll come out with the big news first. I’m going to Seoul, South Korea to teach English for a year. Yes, pretty big news.

I had somewhat of an epiphany today. I was leaving my grandparents’ house to visit my mom and younger siblings when I passed a sign in someone’s front yard that said “Happy 90th Birthday!” A few miles down the road, there was another sign that read, “Slow: Funeral Zone.” It was easy to notice that one family was celebrating life and the other death. This doesn’t deal directly with where my life is, but it gave me a feeling that I needed to feel—I need to start living my life.

Living life has sort of been my theme lately. “L-I-V-I-N.” I always think of that line from Dazed and Confused when I say “living life.”

Let’s get back to the story at hand. A few months ago (when I was graduating from college), I happened to apply for a job through G’Day Korea. At this point in the job application process, I was pretty much applying for anything and everything. I basically told myself that it looks cool, but I’ll never get it. However, I applied anyway. Two months later, I got a call for an interview. Now, I’ll soon board a plane and my world will change forever.

Aside from the “big” news, I worked as a vendor for Storelink (a retail group under The Home Depot) for six weeks in Atlanta, Ga. My sister got me the job. Actually, two hours after being hired for that job, I got the call for an interview with G’Day Korea.

I’ve seen the Georgia Aquarium, toured the CNN Center, and attended my first Atlanta Braves baseball game. I’ve learned to hate Atlanta traffic and appreciate the traffic back home because I can make a 30-mile drive quicker than a 10-mile drive in Atlanta. I’ve read more than 10 books, which I plan on reviewing at some point in the future. I’ve knocked out a few new TV seasons on DVD (I’m totally addicted to 24 now).

I could continue listing things I’ve done this summer, but it wouldn’t amount to much compared to the upcoming trip to South Korea.

A few details about my trip:
The school is located in Seoul, South Korea.
I’ll teach for a year with an opportunity to renew.
I’m leaving in the next few days.
I’ll make decent money and my rent is free.
As far as I know, I’ll teach 7-12-year-old kids.
I’m excited and I’ll keep regular updates about my life here on the blog.

There’s no way I can tell you what to expect in the coming months of my life because I don’t know what to expect. I don’t have all the details, and that makes me feel a bit relieved. I feel like I’m about to embark on the greatest adventure I’ll ever have. I’m ready to take that first step on my journey into the unknown. I can only hope that it exceeds my expectations.

Until next time (whether from South Korea or Alabama, which I hope I’ll have time to blog before I leave)…