Pretty odd that the first place I end up working a "normal" job is halfway around the world from my "home."

I've pulled in way more hours than I should of during my first week, but I'm feeling oddly at peace. I don't feel tired (well, besides a physical fatigue that'll set in after teaching for 8 hours a day...) ... and I feel so happy that I am blessed enough to have this job.

It's an inexplicable feeling, but I feel like I'm doing something worthwhile. I really care about my students, and seeing their scores improve (although I am fully away that it's probably not my teaching methods that are directly attributed to the rise in scores but more hours put in at home) ... really makes me feel happy. And today one of my students came to talk to me after class about her worries on the SAT (!!!!). I'm earning their trust, and that is such a wonderful teacher. I'm a mentor. Wow. How I've grown...

It also feels nice to work in a small business, where I can talk and interact directly with the owner. It doesn't make me feel bad that I'm neglecting my own deeds.

I've never liked Uni much because it's such a selfish task. The quest for self-knowledge. Sure, that's great, but I've seen too many students become way too self-absorbed in their own studies and things (of which I am totally guilty over the past three years), that it feels so nice, for once, to be at the service of others.

Like I've said before, my never-ending quest is to constantly discover more about myself through my experiences (... speaking of self-absorption, har har...), and this experience so far has totally been what I needed. Dealing with a new country in a place where my language skills are not as good, with new customs ... and a different 'way' of doing things is so wonderful. Being alone has also been a blessing ... a lot of "alone" time to ponder things, and not being tempted to be sucked into the Korean drinking culture. But yeah, self-growth. I feel like I'm going to be a changed person when I get back...

The permanent staff at the school are women (the owner, vice president, and the secretary) ... and that has also been a great blessing. For some reason, I feel like they work harder and treat me with more respect than a man would treat me... not really sure what exactly it is ... but it's just a better situation. Thank goodness I came to work here.

My Korean is getting better, and I'm starting to "get into the rhythm" of the Korean lifestyle, so things are going so smoothly.

I feel at such peace. It's so nice.