1st Year Anniversary in Korea

25 February 2011 marks our 1st year anniversary of our arrival in Korea. Since I arrived here, this is a constant question lingering in my mind. Did I made the right decision to grab this scholarship opportunity?

Well, everyone who are seeing my Facebook will say yes! Because I seem to be enjoying my time here with all of my activities happening here and there, receiving awards here and there. But is it really like that? Well, yea, I do have a lot of activities outside and most often than not, I am outside because I get more from the outside.

I get to meet people with genuine hearts and intention. I get to meet Seoul City Mayor, Pohang City Mayor and even the President of this country because of the activities I am into. In addition, Philippine Embassy to Korea is also very supportive with our needs. Aside from the Korean big politicians I have met, I was able to meet Former President Fidel V. Ramos, Senator Angara, of course Ambassador Luis Cruz, Apostolic Nuncio to Korea Osvaldo Padilla, Dr. Emely Dicolen-Abagat, and etc. That is how grand and important my outside activities are. But after all, my existence here is for me to get something from the inside. Where is it? Well, yea, I do get something out of it - headache, white hair, and probably to become a professor? but its just not me to be one. Okay, it is my fault because I was the one who decided to be here. So what am I saying...? Not all good opportunities are indeed good and one may not get the good directly from it but rather from indirect ways.

After all, I am able to realize tons of things with my decision to come here. More on how to be human! a real one. Life lessons are here and there. That is what I learned and through these I get to know and understand people more. How a mind with certain motives can think and with what things can make situations ridiculous and complicated! =) How all of the cultural, social, emotional and spiritual aspects, whether similarities and differences can still be a difference after all.

Its a mind game. Its a matter of you accepting it or not that makes it a difference. Its a matter of you being genuine with what you do or not.

Of course, I have also met some people without high positions who are just a regular worker whether foreigner or from the Philippines, they taught me a lot and these are the things that I learned indirectly!

So I guess I still have to thank the original purpose for having me in this place! :)

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to see the real world! :)