December 10, 2002
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Happy Tuesday, everyone!
Well, actually, I'm feeling rather down today, as I have been since Sunday or so. Weekends are dangerous for me, since they allow me the leisure of thinking about things I'm too busy to dwell on during the week. So Sunday found me pondering my current situation, my immediate and distant future, and the various stresses that are at play in my life right now.
Through reasons I won't get into right now, my wife has just agreed to teach at a school about 1/2 an hour from here. For those of you who have been following our escapades, have no fear that we've given in to the lure of illegal work -- she'll be volunteering. What's frustrating is that she doesn't want the job, she should be getting paid (but won't, since that would be illegal and we won't do it), and it'll use up a lot of her time. It's 15 hours a week or so of teaching, but spread out over a lot of hours away. She'll have to commute early every morning, and get back around 5pm or so...
What all of this comes down to is that we're too nice by far. Again, I won't go into detail, but it should be clear that the current situation is not one which benefits us in any way. We're doing this to help someone out, even though it's their own stupid fault that they're in the situation. She'll be working there until they can bring in a new teacher, which will probably take around 2 months. 2 months of free work, unpleasant work, that she should be getting paid for, for a stupid reason.
Sigh.
The other big thing that's stressing me out is her plan after she gets through this stupid teaching period. Before we decided to come to Korea, my wife really wanted to do international volunteer work. Unfortunately, that meant raising the plane fare and expenses herself, which was impossible in Corner Brook. But now that we're here, it becomes a real possibility. I would love for her to be able to take part in one of these projects, and I know that it would mean the world-and-a-half to her. If she decides to, I'll support her wholeheartedly. But my problem is that it means she'll be away from me for 3 months or more. Even back in Canada, surrounded by friends and family, that would be tough, but here in Korea, with no friends and no family, I think it's going to be very difficult indeed. If nothing else, she's the only native English speaker within a half hour drive of here...
Anyhow, I don't mean to bum anyone out. I'll figure all of this out, but it just feels kind of heavy right now. I'll write something a bit more upbeat tomeorrow, or at least soon. Maybe
We shall see.
Take care
-Justin-
Comments (6)
I know how that is - being in a foreign country and missing the sound of your own language. I was in South America for four months a few years back and even though I love the language and liked being there, it did get for a while where every English speaker was instantly my best friend.
I remember the day I walked into the house to find McDonald's hamburgers and french fries spread out around the table (we didn't eat out much there). I remember it being the most beautiful sight to me, whereas normally I didn't even like McDonald's!
I think everyone is burned out right now. That seems to be the general consensus from reading blogs. I'm done in too. Stay strong, my friend.
Don't worry Justin. It's not as if you're a constant whinger... you're aloud to offload every now and then. You'll get through it!
I hope things work out ....
Well, I'm seeing some positive here. When you are stressed and annoyed about life, it makes me happy, because it prompts you to do amazing things. Okay, I don't know if you realize that you seem to be missing the point here. Let me elaborate:
Dude, you can't want to be of service, and then complain about the way your opportunity manifests itself. Maybe this unwanted venue will open up new and amazing venues. You never know.
Besides, it's not like you're down on your luck or anything out there. See the positive for what it's worth is all I'm trying to write. I mean you one-uped your situation from how it was in Corner Brook, right?
You concentrate on stupid stuff and life is just going to pass you by constantly. You'll be 80 and won't even know what hit you.
I love you guys but get over it. What did you expect, to be received by thousands of english speaking receptive people, eager to open themselves to your service and teaching? It doesn't work like that. If you're a good person, people naturally suspect that you are a mark. And you've always got to work harder to get anywhere, because the world is set up to accomodate assholes and law breakers.
Nice guys finish last. You knew that long before you signed on to the "Nice People of the World Club."
I commend Crista in taking an individual stand to pursue order. She has demonstrated this activity before, and you both have to realize what an incredible impact that taking such responsibility can have on people. I saw it before with the whole student loan Harlow issue.
There is a transformative power flowing through you. It must be discovered for what it is. Go with the flow. I am confident that the two of you, as intelligent and resourceful as I know you both to be, can not only get through this, but turn the whole bloody circumstance a complete 180 degrees to your favour.
"True reliance is for the servant to pursue his profession and calling in this world, to hold fast unto the lord, to seek naught but his grace, inasmush as in his hands is the destiny of all his servants."
With much love and hopefull encouragement, Byron
I can offer you some cheese to go with that whine.
It's okay to whine once in a while. Honestly...
I remember feeling very alone and isolated while I was in Germany on a student exchange. I can't imagine how I would have felt if I had been married at the time, and my spouse had to travel for long periods of time. I think it would be devastating.
Still, it sounds like such a marvelous opportunity for Crista. I hope you're able to work things out.
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