Expecting the Unexpected.

As we get older and have more experiences, we learn new lessons--gradually of course.  One of the lessons I have learned, time and time again, is that life is full of unexpected moments.  No matter how much we try to prepare ourselves for any and all situations, we'll always get thrown a curve ball that takes us by such surprise that we can in no way bat it away, but rather must take the strike instead.  Or, in some instances, that curve ball is just what we needed:  to get a home run, an unexpected but much enjoyed home run.  My short time in South Korea has only proven my point further. 

----------Sunday-------------

Take for instance my experience on Sunday. I woke up late, then ended up unexpectedly Skyping with my friend Marcos. Marcos always seems to have the ability to be encouraging and lift my spirits at just the right moment.  I love him for this and many other reasons. Though my conversation with Marcos was great, it made me late for my plans (or lack of them) to explore Korea. It was worth it, of course, but when my friend Graham showed up and wondered when we were leaving (Eeeeekkkk, I wasn't ready) I realized that the unexpected events in my life affect other people too.  At the last minute, we chose a temple name, googled the subway and bus info and went on our way, hoping we would end up somewhere worthwhile.  

An hour later, we were here...

Now, I wish I could describe how incredibly beautiful this place was.  However, I believe the English language (along with my own mind) lacks the ability to provide words elegant and meaningful enough to fully convey this experience.  I apologize in advance for my inadequate depiction and descriptions....

It was one of those moments that you know will afterwards feel as if it was a dream--unrealistically incredible.  It was a cool, lightly breezy evening.  The waves were crashing against the rocks with power and grace, which was blended only with the light sound of quiet Korean voices.  Accompanying the sound, was a strong structural contrast of hard, solid rocks with fragile ancient temples.  The details were impeccable--colorful designs, massive gold Buddhas, and delicate paper laterns. All of these things blended together to make one of the most beautiful and serene environments I have ever been in.  All of this, again, was experienced due to a series of unexpected events. 

-----------Monday-Wednesday---------------

After an incredible weekend, it was difficult to get myself out of bed and embark on a full day of work--ugh!  The Koreans asked me if we had an English word for when it's Monday and you feel crappy because you DON'T want to be working.  I had no response because, well, it was Monday morning and my coffee intake was at 0%--point proven that every culture feels the same way about Mondays!! Anyways, after finally having some coffee, I was able to pep up enough to teach my well-planned (so I thought) lessons.  However, nothing went as planned!  The higher-level students were too advanced for their lesson and the lower-level students didn't understand a lick of what I was saying.  I had failed! Given my personality, I am not good with failure.  I sometimes expect perfection out of myself (I know, an unrealistic expectation, but just the way I am).  Rather than the failure being punishment, I get quite down on myself about not being able to succeed--I'm my own worst enemy/critic (insert cheesy 90's Lit song that has no correlation).  Yes, I am aware that teaching a 45-minute lesson to a class of 40 students who don't speak English is not an easy task. However, I didn't EXPECT my attempt at it to go so wrong! Ugh.  Feeling (excuse my language) shitty about myself and my abilities as a teacher, I moped home, defeated.  

Thankfully, I have AMAZING FRIENDS!  How my friends made my week less crappy:

• On Monday night, at kind of the last minute, I met my friend Alex to go look at guitars.  To make a long story short, an hour later we both left with brand new, amazing Korean guitars! (Completely unexpected!)  We messed around with a few while we were there, but we both found one that hit the right chord (haha, corny, I know) for each of us.  I always said I'd never buy a colored guitar, but when I started playing this black one, I knew it was the one.  It's solid wood, smooth, has a natural tone, etc. etc.  Thanks goes to Alex for being patient with me and letting me tag along on this adventure.  Also thanks to the shop owner's son for speaking clear English and adding a bunch of extras/goodies!

• On Tuesday night, I was really feeling down about my lessons--trying to re-do them and again, feeling defeated because they didn't go as planned. That's when my Superhero friend Graham stepped in. He messaged me a link, and when I clicked on it, the following picture of Hemingway came up. This was unexpected, but EXACTLY what I needed. :) Uh, I have the BEST friends!!

--------------Last Thoughts--------------

So, as my week has proven:  you should always expect the unexpected (quite redundant, yet true).  When you're sitting at your desk and notice the Korean teacher fast asleep on her computer beside you, don't be surprised.  When you meet a random foreigner near the crosswalk who offers you some vitamins, don't be surprised.  When your co-teachers gives you homemade rice cakes with honey and they taste like heaven,don't be surprised.  Or, when things don't go as well as you built them up in your head, don't get too down about it--instead, let the unexpected push you to learn, do better, and enjoy how unpredictable life is.  When put into perspective, if things had gone as planned, I'd be in a committed, unhealthy relationship right now while still living in Ohio rather than living my DrEaMs...

Last year, around this time, I was sitting on a beach in Busan, South Korea with my friend Adam.  It had taken us all day, sweating through 2 sets of clothes, to find the beach.  When we finally got there, I remember discussing how incredible it was, and how I'd love to come back again, for a longer period of time, but I didn't think it would ever happen.  Now, I go to the beach in Busan, South Korea every weekend, because it DID happen!!!!

So, DON"T be afraid of the UnExPeCtEd!!!!  Expect the unexpected, and do it with open arms! You may be surprised what can happen :)