Tribe of Stinson – Living In South Korea

A Story To Tell

I think I’m starting to not lose my mind anymore.

Huh?

Well,  it’s just that I noticed the weird Asian apartment buildings are not bothering me so much.  That’s important, because they are really ugly and if I’m not noticing them,  it means I am adjusting.

Culture shock goes through predictable phases.  The honeymoon phase is when everything looks new and wonderful and exciting.  The next phase is when you get disgruntled  easily and even feel like your life may be in danger.  Panic attacks are common and depression becomes a way of life.

Yep… That been me for the last 7 months.

Then finally you hit acceptance.  Life goes on and you feel settled in to a routine.   I have a routine.  I just don’t like it most days.  But I don’t feel like my head is going to fly off my shoulders anymore.  I have learned how to shop on the local economy.  Going out to Korean restaurants feels normal.   I have learned to drive alongside some of the scariest drivers on earth and not die. 

All good things.  So I think I am in the acceptance phase.

But I still am hoping that our family will get an opportunity to move to Seoul.  The magic land of wide grocery aisles at the commissary.  The shelves overflowing with an abundance that we just don’t get here at Camp Humphreys,  a chapel service that has great music,  lots of after school programs for the kids,  plenty of museums and cultural activities, and more.

The crazy thing about me wanting to live there is that I turned it down the first time I was in Korea.  Like a crazy woman,  I thought I wanted to live at Camp Humphreys.

I never knew what I was asking for.

I have a story to tell you about it,  come back and I’ll tell you the rest.  It’s full of drama,  regret, tears,  and fervant prayers.

Tags: culture shock