happy may!

i'm a tad bit late on the "happy may!" part, but it's been a busy busy end of april/first couple weeks of may. the DMZ was awesome and humbling (as is everyday in korea) but i also learned some things about the history of north and south korea. there's a lot of pain, blood and tears shed because of this division and it seems like reunification will never be possible. but, that was for sure a once in a lifetime trip and i even got to go through one of the tunnels that north korean soldiers tried to build to seoul, but they were obviously unsuccessful. it was a great trip.

i've lately also been staying in my city on the weekends instead of going to seoul. i used to be able to do the 10 hours of traveling in 2 days every weekend for the first 9 months, but now, it's just too much. it's weird that i use my weekends to relax because my weekdays are so packed of me being out all day. it's a good change since now i'm not tutoring at my aunts place anymore. it was kind of burdensome to go every single weekend and tutor girls that didn't really want to be tutored. now i can just do whatever i want every weekend. :)

i've been thinking a lot about circumstance and how it shouldn't change the way i live. my circumstances and surroundings have changed drastically since i've gotten here, and i shouldn't let that affect how i live my life as a person and as a christian. it's like, all of a sudden and for the first time in my life i have a large amount in my bankaccount (with much to spare), but should i let that circumstance change my spending habits? it's a blessing to be making the money that i do, so i shouldn't be dropping 300,000 won every weekend just to go shopping or clubbing or whatever. you know? yes, circumstances have changed for me, but does that mean that i have to change along with it? but, at the same time, i'm not saying to not soak in what this country has to offer to me because if i have an amazing opportunity in front of me, i'm obviously going to go after it--and i have and will continute to for the last 2 months (so weird, 2 months!). it hasn't been an easy thing to do; the whole not changing with the circumstances...because korea's culture is very in your face and it's so hard to fight certain things, especially with outter appearance and where my money actually does go, but, other things, like clubbing and drinking, is so easy. it's been a battle, nonetheless, and i've seen many many people fall as a casualty, but i refuse to let circumstance change who i am in Christ. it's a daily fight, and i'm waiting until the day where i don't have to fight it anymore. in other words, i can't wait until i'm home!

it's already mid-may. i'll be home at the end of july. so closeeeeeeeee!
10 weeks.