Mommy, Care Package Juseyo?

In the almost 10 months I've been in Korea, there hasn't been too much that I've missed with the exception of family and friends of course! Over the course of the summer, I would have loved to get my hands on some Boca Vegan-friendly Burgers and couscous. I would have loved to walk into a grocery store and accidentally stumble upon giant Portabello mushroom caps and real cheese under the price of $20.00 per ounce. Even non-perishable things like undergarments larger than an A cup would have made me fall over with joy. But all in all, nothing I couldn't live without.

But now that the weather is changing yet again, I find myself being more nostalgic and craving more of those chilly/cold air items. With Thanksgiving only days away, I find myself racking my brain on how I can get or make my Mommy's sought after Pumpkin Roll or even bake a delicious homemade apple pie with my non-existing oven. Knowing the inevitable, I have tried to change my focus on more realistic items. For instance, how incredible those Christmas wrapped miniature peanut butter cups and Andies Candies that good ol' Mom always has stocked in little candy dishes all over the house this time of year would taste. Although Korea is full of Starbucks Cafes, a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte (that is non-existent in this country) would really hit the spot in so many ways. Creamer for my coffee that I am now used to drinking black and real life ground coffee beans instead of the instant coffee I now consume would be almost magical.

I found myself thinking about all the things I would potentially love to have from back home if I had them at my disposal; the things I've done without for the past 10 months. Then that brought up another question. It seems as each day passes, I am leaning more and more towards staying in Korea for another year. As I am planning to visit home in between contracts, what things will make the cut and what things won't? Before I know it, I'll realistically have to make those decisions and it's not something I'm looking forward to. On the bright side, I know what I can expect when packing a year's worth of belongings into a few small suitcases. But at the same time, that same knowledge could also hurt me. Without a doubt, it's something to at least ponder.