A Few of My Favorite Things

In just a few short days, Teaven and I will pack up the last of our bags and hop on an airplane headed for the good 'ol state of Texas. I really can't believe that we've been here for a year and a half, and it's finally time to move home.

I wanted to take some time to document a few of my favorite things about Korea. There are so many.

Public Transportation

      

                                        

Seriously, it is so easy to get from one place to another in this country. I really wish it was this way in the US. AND not only is it easy, it's so cheap. We can take a taxi just about anywhere we need to go in our city for less than $5. Awesome

Coffee Shops

And, boy, are they in abundance here. We have at least 5 (probably a lot more) within 500 meters of our academy. Teaven and I are fond of sitting at a coffee shop for hours just talking (sometimes working). And I'm super fond of grabbing a cup of joe before work. Yum.

Seasons

Korea is a beautiful country, and it's even more accentuated by the vibrant colors during the seasons (well, minus winter). Growing up in Texas, I never truly got to experience a season other than summer. Let me tell you, Texas is missing out. Coming to Korea, I loathed fall. like, seriously, steamy passion hate. Leaving Korea, fall jumped up to possibly my favorite season. I still hate the cold that comes all too quickly here, but I will miss the beautiful snow.

Medical Care

We've been seen by dentists and doctors here for numerous reasons. On each occasion, the process was so quick, easy, and cheap. Also, it's really easy to just pop by a pharmacy and get a number of medicines that normally would not be considered "over-the-counter" in the US. We don't have insurance, and that hasn't caused a problem one bit. I love it and wish the US could mimic it. 

Food

Granted, this one is mainly for Teaven, since I've found I'm not too fond of Korean food. There are some things I love, though, like Korean BBQ, kimchi jjigae, cake, and several other things. But Teaven loves the food, and he will miss it greatly. 

Our Students

The students here are awesome. Well-behaved (for the most part), funny, and usually quite studious. Well, okay, as studious as kids get. I know teachers are supposed to have their favorites, but you're lying if you say you don't have a handful of favorite students. You know, those students that just find a special place in your heart? I've got several, and I will miss them. There've been a few students who Teaven and I would agree that we'd pack 'em in our luggage if we could. lol

This just got real...

Holy moly is time flying by!! I can't believe that there are only 2 weeks left of the challenge! And, even more so, I can't believe that means we are leaving the country in 3 weeks. Can you say crazy?

I'm determined to make these last 2 weeks count. My weight loss so far has been mediocre. I'm losing, but not as much as I should be, in my opinion. If I push really hard, and actually do what I'm supposed to, there's still a possibility that I'll reach my goal. So, Teaven and I are going to push each other to make the most of it before we get back and go shopping for our new, smaller wardrobes. SO excited to hit the stores. You have no idea.

Today we hit the teens in our countdown. 19 days. I can't believe what that means. You know when you're counting down to something and it just feels like a day doesn't take much off your countdown? Well, it's not like that anymore. Each day that passes, I feel a little more pressure to get things done and a lot more excitement that it's gonna be here before I know it.

I've started making my lists, and Teaven and I have Friday off this week to get some things done. He's going to the doctor to get his toe fixed before we move back to America, where medical expenses cost an arm and a leg. Seriously love that about Korea. Such awesome medical care. I'm going to get my hair done, and then we'll start the long-awaited for process of packing and deep cleaning our apartment.  So much to do, and I'm just so darn excited for this new journey in our lives.

Week 6

Here we are, entering Week 6 of the 8 Week Challenge. Can you believe we've been through 5 weeks already?

This past week was pretty good. I lost but feel like I am still pretty far from reaching my goal... and I feel like the time just keeps shrinking away. I've had a minor setback with running. I've got some type of problem with my right knee that makes it really hurt when I run. So, I'm taking a couple weeks off of running to see if that helps and only doing workout videos at home. I'm nervous it'll slow down my progress some because running is such a good workout for me, but I'm not going to let it stop me.

I'm determined to make these last 3 weeks count. Winter really gets to me. All this dreary, cloudy cold weather has me wanting to stay bundled up all day long. If it wasn't for Christmas, I would really loathe  winter. I'm not a big fan of cold weather, and I really look forward to getting back to Texas' warmer temps. I mean you people are still wearing shorts some days, right? Ridiculous. I think I'd die if I walked outside in shorts right now.

Our countdown to going home has passed the one month mark, and now each day that passes gives me a mini heart attack when I realize how close we are to leaving. There are so many mixed emotions that come with a big change like this. But that's for another post (which I promise I will write soon).

This week I'm going to forget all my setbacks. I'm going to lay aside my constant worry about how I want to look and focus on making healthy decisions.

Source: myfitnesspal.com via Toni on Pinterest

Sweet Jesus

God is so sweet to you. These words from a dear friend really touched me today. It's so true. God has blessed Teaven and I so much.

We are really feeling the big transition that is coming. We really started feeling it when we told my parents about our "early" arrival and even more so when we found out that new teachers had officially been hired to replace us. It's all becoming so real that we're moving back to America and probably never going to see this place again, our first home together. This last month here is really going to be bittersweet.

Last weekend, Teaven and I had the pleasure of seeing one of our friends from America in Seoul. It was so refreshing to talk with someone from back home. We had a great time with Kat, only wish it could have been longer!

We met up with her and headed to Gyeongbokgung Palace. This was probably one of my favorite places we've been to in Korea. It was absolutely gorgeous. I was so disappointed that the weather was so nasty that day because the fall colors surrounding the palace were so breathtaking. 

Then, we headed to Itaewon for dinner and shopping. We were there for Halloween weekend, so naturally, we had to by these cute headbands. We ate at a delicious Indian restaurant, then walked around shopping for souvenirs. At one point, a man came yelling down the street about how people need to know Jesus. Then he pointedly looked at the three of us, and said, "Do you love Jesus?" When we all nodded and said yes, he quickly replied, "Good. See you later in Heaven." and walked away. We all agreed that anger probably isn't the best tactic, but his parting line was hilarious!

During our time together, the topic was brought up about how Kat's house in Killeen would be available to rent this month. When she offered it to us, we were both a little taken aback. Could this be a God-thing? (of course!) Up to this point, our plan was to go back and live with my parents until we could find something more permanent.   The only drawback of that plan is my older sister and her kids are currently living there as well while their house is being built in San Antonio. So, Teaven and I would be taking up space that really wasn't there. Isn't it amazing how perfect God's timing is? After some prayer and consideration, Teaven and I felt that this was the direction God was taking us (and if definitely doesn't hurt that her house is gorgeous!) We are so thankful for her generosity and truly blessed to have been able to spend time with her!

So, you see? God has been sweet to us. When I feel that sudden inkling of worry or doubt creeping into my mind about this move, I am sweetly reminded that he is in control. He has already provided so much for us, and it seems that he likes to give us these surprises to remind us that he will continue to do so. 

8 Week Challenge: Week 3 Reflection

Well, here we are entering week 4 of the 8 week challenge! I can't believe we are almost halfway finished! I did not have such a great week, especially compared to the awesomeness of last week. Towards the middle of the week I started feeling sickly and we had a busy weekend. I know that's no excuse, and I didn't eat terribly. It was just one of those weeks where I wanted to give my brain a break from the constant weight-loss mindset. I feel like a lot of my thoughts are directed towards my health, and I just needed a little break. Do you ever have moments like that?

In other news, my jeans arrived. You know the ones.. the beautifully made jeans with the single digit size on the tag. Yup, they're here, and they fit like a glove.

Part of me wants to be really disappointed in myself for the week that I had, but sometimes it's just so hard when I know I reached one of my BIG goals. I can wear a size 8, people. I still can't believe it at times, and I'm scared I'm going to go back to America and realize it was just a fluke. Ah, well, that's just my insecurities coming out. I told Teaven the day I got them that I don't usually get really proud of myself, but knowing I reached that goal made me SUPER proud. I did it. I accomplished what I set out to do, and it just reminds me that I can do this. No matter how hard I make it seem, I got this. 

So, I'm going into this week remembering this:

Surprise!

I know. I know.

Once again, I've failed to post my weekly update on the challenge on time. But thankfully, this week it is not because of a discouraging number on the scale. In fact, I was feeling great last week, and I just knew I would see a good number on the scale!

And guess what, I did! I lost 1.7 kilograms this week, which is totally awesome! However, I'm psyching myself into thinking that it's just too good to be true and my number next week will be worse. Just goes to show that you should not trust your emotions. I swear every week I'm either really positive or really negative. Maybe I should get this under control. But once again, I am going to push forward no matter what my emotions tell me. Sure, a nap sounds better than a run, but I will definitely feel a heck of a lot better after a run.

Anyways, all that to tell you the real reason I am so late in writing this post. You see, Teaven and I have been keeping a secret (and before I go any further, no, I'm not pregnant) from my family. We were planning on continuing to keep this secret, but certain things have happened that made us feel it was the wisest decision to tell them now.

And, they were shocked!

What's the secret, you ask? Well..... Teaven and I will be boarding a plane on December 8 to head back to Texas for good. We're going home and could not be more thrilled about it. PLUS.. We get to spend Christmas with our family, which makes it that much sweeter.

At first, we were hesitant to tell my family. I mean, we'd been keeping this secret since May, and the prospect of showing up at my parents' front door unannounced was sooo appealing. Can you imagine their faces? But now that we've told them, I feel good about it. I can now blog about all the things we are experiencing as we are working towards another big move. I don't imagine the cultural transition being as easy as one would think (but that's for another post).

So, now you know. My 8-week challenge doesn't end in time for my mom to send me a box for Christmas. It ends in time for me to fly to America and going shopping in all those wonderful stores I've so greatly missed for a year and a half.

Only 6 weeks left in the challenge! Can you believe it? That means I'll be in Texas in 7 weeks.

Here's how we told my family:

8 Week Challenge: Week 2

To my avid and faithful readers (there's bound to be at least one or two of you out there),

I am so sorry I have yet to post about Week 1 of the Challenge. We are now into Week 2, and I must say, I think I avoided this blog on purpose. Mainly, because I am an excellent avoider when I don't want to face something I don't like. And, to be honest, I did not like this week's results.

And, even now, I'm avoiding finishing this blog because it feels much easier just to give up and say, "What's the point? I'm just gonna eat that PB&J I want so badly right now."

But then I realize, that's why I'm here, that's why I started this challenge. Not to give up after the first week, but to keep going EVEN WHEN I DON'T LIKE IT.

And, to be honest, I found myself wanting to workout at times. Running is still somewhat of a challenge, and even more so because I've found myself with some type of knee injury this week, but I still enjoy it and love the way it makes me feel. I even worked out each day over the weekend. That never happens. NEVER!

Food is my problem. It has been and probably will continue to be my problem. I'm horrible at counting calories. I'll do great for a couple of days and then eat something that I deem is too difficult to find the caloric value for. So, I give up. I'd much rather stay in my innocent little world where I think I'm eating the right amount of calories (when in reality, I've gone over). There we go, avoiding again.

Unfortunately, avoiding doesn't work. Never has. Never will. And that's why I'm here to tell myself to STOP IT!

I could make an excuse that the number on the scale wasn't what I wanted. I could say I have an injury and can't workout. I could say, "What the heck? I've already gone over my calories, why not just eat that PB&J?" I could give you every excuse in the book.

But I'm not going to. I'm going to push forward and not let that inner fatty take control. I am capable. I am willing. I am persistent.