Here's To Life

Well, this has taken a while to get to, but we're back. It seems as if there is some alien force preventing us from blogging lately with the internet being down at our hotel, and then being down at our new (temporary) home, and then being down at surrounding family members' homes as well. So far, so good, and it seems as if we are back in business (minus the pictures). Now that we are back in Canada, we've had time to reflect on our 6 month sojourn in South Korea. What an experience. While it is true that our last week left something to be desired, now that we are no longer sick and freezing we can look back with fond memories. We have close to a thousand pictures of our trip, (most of you have seen them all) and each time I look at them it pulls at the heart strings just a little when I realize that the experience, the people we met, and the country we called home are now a thing of the past, never to be revisited (at least there are no plans so far; except Stephanie and Malachy, we are holding you to that trip to Ireland!). While there were bouts of homesickness, a year's stay would have been a piece of cake and part of us, while we are glad to be home, is definitely sad at the unexpected shortness of the trip. One of the questions we are most frequently asked is "Are you glad you did it?" and the answer is, without a doubt, YES.
It seems a little strange to be writing about this now. It is the first week of February and most of you reading this have already heard everything we have to say about our trip. I definitely wanted to get to this sooner, but life (and I'll admit, a lack of desire to finalize this) got in the way. Loads have happened in the few short weeks we have been home. We have both been offered new jobs and we have found a great place to live, all in a new city. In keeping with what is uniquely us, we will be settling down into somewhat of a normal existence in somewhere new, making new discoveries and new adventures. We both love the feel of the city we will soon call home, the urbanness of it. Not as blue collar as one place and not as farmland-ish as another, just perfect for us (we think). I am aware that a lot of family members secretly wish we were settling in closer to home but bear in mind that our second choice was Vancouver.
There will definitely be adjustments but we are looking forward to the unknown. If living in Korea has taught me anything it is that our marriage is stronger than anything life throws our way and we are just two people absolutely meant to be together. The best part is we never get sick of each other. We have worked together since we met, lived together for half of that time and had six months where we only had each other to talk to, literally spending every moment of every day together (and don't forget about those three days in a car, alone, and we still got married!) We are more than aware that not every couple has what we have and we are truly blessed with what we have been given in each other. OK, enough sap.
Once we get in our new home on March 1st, and have consistent access to the internet and photograph software, our Konbae blog will continue to grow for those of you interested. Please stay tuned. The adventure never ends no matter what country we are in and we will always raise a glass and say "Here's to Life."