When I initially applied for the job to teach English here in Korea I thought that know matter what I would be home for Christmas in December, and then in February for one of my best friend's wedding. I had never in my life not spent the holidays, let alone Christmas without my family and just automatically factored it into my travel plans that I would be home with them all for it.
Then I arrived in Korea. Met all the other teachers in the same program here and mentioned I was going home for Christmas and it was like being at summer camp when I was a little kid and saying something like "I miss my mommy," because all of their reactions were like "what? you're actually going home?" and so on. I quickly was like "oooh, I mean maybe" haha so much for standing up under peer pressure but I got the drift quickly and realized a true year abroad means a year abroad to experience it all, even the holidays away from home.
As time went on I began to think maybe I would spend the holidays here with all my new friends who literally became instant family when we arrived cause we only had eachother and did everything together. I wanted to spend the holidays here not because of what others had said but because I wanted to do it for myself and knew I would be home in February anyways for the wedding so I should take advantage of my time here while I can.
Well just as Thanksgiving came and went so did Christmas.
5 of us including myself decided we all wanted to spend Christmas eve, Christmas morning and Christmas day together so noone would have to be alone for it. We booked a room at this very nice hotel called The Grande Hotel in Busan Beach about an hour from here. We requested an ocean view and booked a fancy dinner reservation at the restaurant there so we could have a delicious Christmas eve dinner.
Every year as far back as I can remember my family has prime rib and lobster every Christmas eve, so I knew no matter where I was I would want the same meal here, and so that's what I got! It was one of the best meals I have had yet in Korea, but still did not compare to the way my dad cooks his lobster or marinates the prime rib.
My friends and I all did secret so we could all exchange gifts and open presents Christmas morning. Of course everyone had figured out who had eachother and one of my best friend's Alex who I came to Korea with ended up having me and got me Dior perfume I had been wanting to get.
We had all dressed up for Christmas dinner, had some red wine, holiday cookies sent from home, hot chocolate, and had a big hotel room to hang out in after, but there was no English Christmas movies on!! That was the one thing missing besides family. We all woke up Christmas morning to one of the most beautiful views outside of our hotel window. The sun was rising over Busan beach and it was a breath taking sight. I was filled with so many different emotions at once I couldn't decide if I was so happy to be experience this or so sad that it wasn't snow outside my window.
All in all, I couldn't have asked for a better Christmas away from home. It made me realize that no matter where you are in the world it's who you're with that really matters. I had a wonderful Christmas with my best friends in Korea. We did the best we could to make it feel like home, but nothing can replace the feeling of home. We all went back to my friend Alex's on Christmas day to watch movies, eat dinner and just all be together for it. I returned home around 12: 30 a.m. later that night to Skype my family on their Christmas morning. I was absolutely exhausted by then, but I think that's when it sank in. They were all together and there was snow on the ground there. The house was decorated and even miles and miles away I could feel the Christmas spirit there. It felt like Christmas there, and it only felt like some strange Korean holiday here. Although Koreans do not really celebrate Christms they try their best with putting up Christmas lights and making the streets festive, but it's just not the same as the feeling of Christmas at home.
I was telling my friend Alex I am so happy she was here with me for Christmas because she is like family to me. I am also so glad I experience my first Christmas away from home because it truly made me appreciate the true meaning of Christmas, and that's to be with family. No matter where I am in the world for the next 50 years, I will always be home for Christmas.
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