Time on My Side

Funny thing about having all this time on my hands--I actually have time to write an entry for my blog. Interesting how that works out. It's also interesting that after sitting down and having a good heart to heart with the child within who has been feeling so without, I've got some pleasant news to report. I've seen a real positive difference in my demeanor and attitude the past few days.

This morning was like a breath of fresh air for me. Today is a public holiday, in that it is general, local election day here and nearly everyone has cancelled lessons and the like and is off work (or at least the school teachers are) so Steve has gone to Busan and I am here just hanging out. But before dropping him at the bus stop this morning, we sat down, just like so many mornings before, and ate breakfast at the table, looking out the window. Only this morning was different for me.

As I looked out the window at the familiar sight of the mountain standing opposite our building, I smiled to see a sight I haven't seen since my early months here in Korea. As I almost mindlessly stared out the window I realized that the tops of the mountains were hidden from view in a damply comfortable blanket of thick fog this morning. This was one of the sights I so enjoyed when I first arrived in Korea. You see, we have fog in Kansas. But not like this. There is something mystical and magical about being below the fog and watching it move. Seeing it hang, cling to the trees, the mountains, the world that stands above you. At least it is for me. And I found myself smiling at the sight of the grey mist of usual gloom that hung in front of me. I enjoyed the remainder of my breakfast and took Steve to catch his bus.

I had donned my rain boots this morning, so when I came home, instead of going inside, I took advantage of my waterproof gear and the lovely weather (lack of wind and the sun trying to poke its way out through the clouds) and took a stroll in the water on the beach. With the water lapping at my ankles, safely, warmly, and dryly tucked inside their waterproof coverings, I lazily moseyed down the shoreline and found myself smiling at all the sea shells scattered at my feet. Then I soon found myself doing something I haven't done in my time here in Korea, living near the beach. I was picking up the unusual shells! After walking the length of the beach, I had successfully collected quite a handful and scared or at least greatly disturbed the seagulls that were gathered along the way.

I made my way back to my apartment, cleaned off my shells, made some calls home, did some dishes, and in general just enjoyed the feeling of lightness and calm that I've been sitting in all morning. Looks like all this time on my hands turned out to be time on my side after all. Happy hump day, beach combing, chilling at home, day to me.