Unwritten

A chapter is closing in a lot of people's lives here in Korea, and quite a few chapters are also beginning. You see, the new teachers have just arrived and many old teachers contracts are ending. Today was a workday where we had to set up our new classrooms for our new Kinder classes, and the new teachers were off doing training most of the day and the teachers who were leaving were making sure everything was settled and finished before they made their exit. The teachers who were staying, like myself, also were setting up their classrooms and organizing our desks, etc. 

I went upstairs to check out my classroom one last time before 5:30 rolled around and we could go home. I heard the bell ring and headed downstairs, and to my surprise saw many tear filled eyes in the office. With all the excitement and business of the week I forgot that this would be a sad moment for many teachers who were not staying at LCI academy any longer. One teacher had been there for 3 years and when he said goodbye to our boss her eyes filled with tears. I could tell she was embarrassed to have this kind of reaction but it was extremely endearing to see how much she cares for her teachers.

I have to admit, I sat there and watched for a minute, surprised, touched, and excited for everyone in the room. You see, those who are leaving have such amazing opportunities ahead of them and although the tears may flow now, its only a matter of time until a smile fills its place. The new teachers, who were mostly unaware of the emotion in the room due to deep concentration on the curriculum they were trying to learn, also have amazing opportunities around the corner. They may be completely overwhelmed at this moment with the culture shock of being in Korea and the demands of being a teacher here, but when it all starts falling into place they will see that they made a wonderful choice moving to Korea. Their journey has started. And for those of us, like myself, who are 6 months in, feeling comfortable and confident, we get to be the veteran teachers now. We are no longer branded as new and total morons as far as teaching in a foreign country goes. People will come to us for advice.....that's kind of an awesome feeling! We are more familiar with the culture, the city, the school and know our way around the block. The future is bright for us as well and we are diving right in with no cares or worries.

The pages are turning, chapters are being closed and new ones are being opened. What will they entail? My Mom used to tell me she loved Natasha Bedingfield's song "Unwritten" because it was perfect to listen to when going into a new adventure or starting a new chapter in your life. Well here we go again...

I am unwritten..... can't read my mind......I'm undefined
I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand, ending unplanned!

No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
 
Today is where your book begins,  
The rest is still unwritten....

~Natasha Bedingfield