On this day, January 16th I will...

Exhale. Let go. Move forward.

Today marks the end of a journey I never expected to take.

Twelve courses.

Thirty-six credits.

Fourteen months.

One hundred and forty papers.

Countless textbook pages.

Numerous discussion posts.

Twice as many discussion responses.

Thousands of words.
and Zero debt later.

I've always "done school" well. And this master's program was no exception.

I read. I posted on time. I finished assignments. I poured my heart and soul into research and the crafting of words onto pages and within presentations.

But being a "good student" has always stressed me out.

I don't always know how to find that perfect balance of not becoming so engrossed by studies that I forget to take time for things that I love and the re-juvinate me. And although I believe I grew a lot in that respect specifically while simultaneously growing in professional knowledge, passion and ability present myself as an educator, I'm indescribably anxious to move forward.

to let go of this season.

to exhale that experience.

and to  inhale the next.

The end couldn't have come at a better time.

Less than a week from now, I'll be exploring foreign lands with the man who continues to capture my heart. And that is indescribably re-juvenating. I'm anxious to breathe it all in, to live it up and to never, not even once, think about reading a chapter, writing a discussion or finishing an assignment before going to explore one new thing.

This feels good.

(Typed having still coursing through my veins the rich flavor of a coffee latte made by the sweet barista of Joony Pie Cafe who unkowningly assisted my celebration by offering the most delectable homemade cheesecake free of charge on this day of celebration!)

Schooled

The following is the compilation of a couple days thoughts, a way for me to process through things and in no way reflects my current state of being...I'm sooo incredibly happy here and in the teaching field. I just need to process through some things.

So much has been running through my poor little head.

I've really been yearning to have time in this place. This blog. Another blog. A Journal. My bed.

I just want to understand what's going on around me.

My 'catch phrase' in Korea has become:

Living here is easy, it's working here that's tough.

Cultural norms are a lot more noticeable in our work environments

Education is a field that is loaded with it's own cultural norms

Nearly everything I believe regarding education is challenged here.

Discipline is viewed differently

Assessing and testing is viewed differently

Challenging students is viewed differently

Purpose of teaching is viewed differently

Equality and Justice are viewed differently

And one more thing, Obama has NO idea what he's talking about when he says America should look to Korea's education system for inspiration. That's a load of crap. From my vantage point anyway. (Just needed to get that off my chest).

I miss working in a school environment where every teacher was devoted to offering the best education possible for each individual student. I miss having co-workers who trusted me, my ideas and things I wanted to try with students. I miss students who were free to show the full range of their emotions, to struggle with learning, to succeed in small things and receive huge celebrations.

I don't miss restraining students. I don't miss being hit, kicked or bitten. I don't miss understanding the hierarchy and pompous personnel's attitude's about my position and abilities.

As I work in education and pursue a Master's Degree in Education, I realize two things:

I'm passionate about this work.

This work will never be all that I dream it could be, it will disappoint.

I'm just learning to be ok with that.

To understand my drive and my passion in context of the world. In context of other drives and passions. Because here's the thing, maybe I could make education everything I want it to be in my educational situation, but then I couldn't have a marriage I'm amazed by, look forward to having children to serve and live life with, be intentional in friendships, cook and bake as I desire (and need), etc.

I'm okay with these passions of mine and I'm learning to be okay with the limits the world puts on those passions coming to full fruition.

I have a long way to go. But having this place to let it out, it's comforting in a way. A way to better understand what's going on in my head and my heart.

(Typed while...drinking nothing? Not during the second go around anyway and frankly, I don't remember the first go at things)

Coffee Shop

I hear the sounds of
Kings of Convenience
About 4 minutes from our front door
at the OEC Coffee Shop.
I LOVE it -- the music and the coffee shop.

My favorite drink
is the Green Tea Latte

As I begin a Masters program
and continue to seek a peaceful place
to read
write
think
I will, I believe, become a regular.