I arrived in South Korea on Wednesday, February 17, 2010. I taught English in two elementary schools in Seongju County, home of the yellow melon, until the end of February, 2011. I lived on the west side of Daegu, near Keimyung University’s East Gate. During my year in Korea, I traveled to 6 Asian countries and all over Korea. Now I have left Korea and am teaching English in Nizwa, Oman (a nomad in the land of nizwa).
Me at Bomun Lake in Gyeongju, South Korea ~ April 2010
I was an English major many moons ago at the College of William and Mary, but my high school teaching career was short-lived. I was a banker and stockbroker for 12 years, and then I was a stay-at-home mom for 15 years. During that time, I explored interior design and wrote the first draft of a 480-page novel and numerous short stories, none of which has been published. The novel has only been seen by my own eyes…it needs major revision. In 2006, I went back to school, attending George Mason University. I graduated with a Master’s degree in International Commerce & Policy in May 2008. I did 3 internships (yes, I was the world’s oldest living intern!!), one at the Office of UN Political Affairs and one at the Office of Protocol at the State Department. I applied for too many jobs to count after I graduated, and then did yet another internship at MSI (Management Systems International) for 9 months. They never offered me a permanent position, so I applied to teach in Korea…. the rest is history. I craved adventure in my life…. and here I am:-)
If you’d like to follow my adventures in Oman, please visit me at a nomad in the land of nizwa. 🙂 Hope to see you there!
catbird in korea 
Just stopped by to say hello and thank you for your visits and comments to my blog. Your life looks much more exotic than mine. 🙂
You’re welcome Robin! I really do love your blog and look forward to reading it every morning. Your pictures are amazing. Your writing reminds me some of Ann Beattie, one of my favorite authors, and I just feel peaceful when I read it. About my life being exotic, sometimes it is, but most of the time, even though I’m in a foreign country, it is pretty mundane as well. What I like about your blog is that you’re able to find the beauty in the mundane. I’m inspired now to do the same in my everyday life here in Oman. By the way, this is my Korea blog, but I now have a blog for my time here in Oman (I’ve been here since September 2011): http://www.catbirdinoman.wordpress.com. I hope you’ll come visit it sometime! Take care, Robin….
I love that you are out there speeding your light with all of these children and exploring the world at the same time. Good for you! Keep doing what makes you smile 😀
Thank you so much!! I’m no longer in Korea now, but in Oman, so if you’d like to see my new blog it’s http://www.catbirdinoman.wordpress.com. If your travels take you to this part of the world, I’d be happy to have you as my guest. Just let me know! Happy travels, Traveling Gypsy… 🙂
Oh fun! I’ll check it out and will be sure to let you know if I wander to that part of the world! Same goes for you. If I’m ever not traveling and you want to visit the east coast of the states I’d be happy to have you as a guest. Have a great day and Happy travels 🙂
Cathy, I’m speechless. To say you don’t let the grass grow under your feet is an understatement! Wow! I have to go see your other blog. I have no idea where Nizwa is! Thank you for stopping by my blog today and leaving a comment. I really appreciate it!
Thank you Margie. I love visiting your blog; I always get inspiration from your beautiful photos! Nizwa is in Oman, next door to Saudi Arabia, in the Gulf. Come visit sometime… 🙂
Haha, how about tomorrow?
You’ve accomplished so much in your life! I am so inspired to do the same…thank you for sharing your story. It makes moms like me feel excited about what the future holds!
Thank you so much Ameena! I never thought I’d be doing this even 10 years ago. Sometimes it’s a lonely existence, other times each day is filled with adventure. I’m glad I’m doing what I’m doing overall, but of course it means I have to give up a lot of other things!! The future holds endless possibilities!!
You are one tuff woman to keep track of!
I’ve tagged you. Feel free to play along or just ignore it. I know they take time to put together!!
http://ceeslifephotographyblog.wordpress.com/2012/04/25/ive-been-tagged-and-i-want-to-play-along-today/
Thanks Cee for thinking of me! I just did a “Tag you!” thing on my Nomad in Nizwa blog and it took forever!! Especially once I had to pick the bloggers to tag; my internet connection is so slow that adding each link took an eternity. It was fun to read your answers and your questions though!!