A Sudden Change of Heart

For as long as I can remember (which actually isn't that long at all) I have had my mind set on staying a second year in Korea. I love this city and the adventures are endless. But I am finding myself asking if that is all truly worth it.

Before coming to Korea, I thought I had it all figured out. I was career driven and on a good track. But putting the life I was living on hold for a year has really opened my eyes to a lot of things. Was I really that happy? Was having no life of my own but that of my job really all that gratifying? For the first time in years, I am able to have a social life and a private life where my work stays at work and I don't have a cell phone glued to my hip, ringing at all hours of the night and day. Where I'm not driving a car with my knees, two cell phones in each ear, and my file in my lap. I am able to make plans for the weekend or go on vacation at a almost a moments notice. All of the luxuries a less demanding job allows.

So for months I've been set on not returning to the states. But now, I fear I may be making career suicide. A one year break in my career is easy to explain, but I would imagine a two year break makes me seem less marketable to a potential employer per say. So the circles I've found myself talking in, since my surgery has left me unable to move around quite as much, have led me to the decision of leaving the country. Now the question is will I leave right when my contract ends or will I stay and extend 3-4 months in preparation of coming home? There is a lot of money to be saved and a lot of things I want to try and fit in before my time is up. And now that there is an expiration date on my life as a Korean citizen, I'm feeling a bit stressed and overwhelmed.

So many choices and decisions to be made. Where should I go next? What job should I try and get into? With an unstable economy and a shocking unemployment rate, I'm not exactly looking forward to what lies ahead. All I know for sure is that wherever I go and whatever I do, I am starting completely over... and I kind of like that idea! Here's to turning a new leaf and hopefully finding happiness!