To Korea on our 1 year annivesary

My dear Korea,

I love you, but I think we need our space. This isn't a breakup, just a "break."

We've had our good times and our bad. I think we've both changed over the past year and now is a good time to spend some time apart to reflect. Lets face it, we've been around each other nearly 24/7 for almost the entire past year.

You know I'm not ready for a permanent arrangement--that was never part of the deal. Nevertheless, when I spent some time with Taiwan and Japan you became jealous (especially Japan). Don't you remember how much I missed you though?

You have to admit that there is a big communication problem. I've been trying to learn your language, and been trying to teach you mine, but lets face it, we often don't understand each other.

I was talking with Moon, yes the one to whom I've been elicitly teaching English. She asked why I wanted to leave you. I was shocked. Call me a mama's boy, but I long for my motherland. America (Migook) is far away and I long to be back.

I prepared a short list of the things I miss:

• relative anonymity
  
• speaking English however damn fast I want to speak it
• the Dollar
• seeing proper English on signs
• English newspapers
• trips to Wal-Mart at 2 in the morning
• sidewalks not covered with women selling fish and lettuce
  
• people that I look up to (literally not necessarily figuratively)
  
• Mexican food (and Taco Bell too)
• rednecks
• not being giggled at when I walk into a store
• kids not coming up to touch my arms because their hairy
• personal space
• not being bumped into and pushed around
• other bearded men

Let's face it, there are things that you can't offer me. Give me a month to gather my thoughts and clear my head. I'll be back, I promise. Please understand.

Love,

Joshua