Wednesday, January 2, 2008

My Future Rests in the Hands of Fed-Ex

Yesterday I went to Fed-Ex and shipped my paperwork to Korea. It will arrive at the school on Thursday, so I will have a definite departure date within ten days from then. At last!

There's a lot left to do, but at least the hardest part is over. Well, technically the hardest part will be actually living overseas for a year, but you know what I mean. The hardest part of getting there is over. What a great way to start a new year!

I've thought long and hard about what to make my New Year's resolution for this year. I know it's kind of corny/silly to make resolutions, but at the same time, I think making practical, non-shallow ones can be a good idea. So I'm not resolving to lose weight (although it would be wonderful), get a man (don't need one), or make a lot of money (with a history degree?!).

My resolution this year is be non-judgmental and to learn as much as I can about Koreans and their culture/customs. I resolve not to look down on aspects that to me are odd, but instead to accept and attempt to understand. In short, I resolve not to be an ugly American.

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"Passage—immediate passage! the blood burns in my veins! Away, O soul! hoist instantly the anchor!
Cut the hawsers—haul out—shake out every sail!
Have we not stood here like trees in the ground long enough?
Have we not grovell’d here long enough, eating and drinking like mere brutes?
Have we not darken’d and dazed ourselves with books long enough?

Sail forth! steer for the deep waters only!
Reckless, O soul, exploring, I with thee, and thou with me;
For we are bound where mariner has not yet dared to go, And we will risk the ship, ourselves and all.

O my brave soul!
O farther, farther sail!
O daring joy, but safe! Are they not all the seas of God?
O farther, farther, farther sail!"

~Walt Whitman, "Passage to India"