I've got to admit, it's getting better....

Things are looking up. I had written a post on feeling homesick a few months ago, and for a while now, I've been meaning to write an update. As far as the homesickness goes, things are getting better. In fact, I don't feel even the slightest twinge at the moment. Of course, I miss people - lots of people - but I wouldn't say I feel homesick.

I've been sick for the last couple of weeks (but feeling much better now), and my computer was away, getting fixed, or so I thought. (Long story, I'll spare the details). So, what did I do? How, oh how, did I fill the void in my life that was the absence of my laptop?! Well, I read a lot of books. Without the temptation or distraction of a machine (aka the internet), I found myself nesting quite comfortably in my tiny, old, paper-thin-walled apartment, kickin' it by myself, and reading. Oh, I listened to my hand-held battery-operated radio too. I also wrote - I mean really wrote - with a pen and paper (gasp!) - something I haven't done in god knows how long. It was nice.

Looking to get more involved here in Seoul (and in the present moment of my life,) I responded to a job ad I found online. It was placed by a start-up website much like Yelp (where people can write reviews on restaurants, places, services, etc). They were looking for review writers. I got the job. So I've been writing reviews for this website based in Seoul. I don't get paid much (about ten bucks an article) but I get the opportunity to go to some places I wouldn't normally, get some practice writing, and, most importantly, get published on the web. You can see some of my reviews (click on the 'culture' section) here: http://seoulreviewer.com/ So far, I've reviewed Gyeongbokgung Palace (the biggest royal palace in Seoul), Deoksugung palace (a not-so-big royal palace in Seoul), Insadong (a traditionally and super cute shopping/eating/gallery area in Seoul), the War Memorial of Korea, and, my favorite, the Seodaemun Prison History Hall. 5 reviews in 3 weeks: not bad at all, I say.

In my attempt to push my writing to the next level (meaning, getting paid to do it), this is a very good step. I feel quite lucky and very fortunate to have found this opportunity. It's good progress and I feel very good about moving forward. I mean, who doesn't enjoy progress? There's much, MUCH more I must do, however, if I want to advance to the point where I'm earning a living by writing. But, like so much else, accomplishing something is simply making up your mind to do it and then taking the necessary steps forward to attain it. So that's what I'm trying to do with the writing.

Professional progress is one thing, personal progress is another. And, because I am who I am, I like making both types. I also like and need to reflect on the progress I've made, or conversely in some instances, note my lack of progress. This reflection (in my opinion) is good for everyone to do! Personally, it helps me in my overall growth as a human being. It's pretty basic knowledge, but looking back and thinking about where I was, what I went through, and where I am now, has helped me see the things I have accomplished. And who doesn't enjoy a nice sense of accomplishment?

So, this year, I've realized something very important about myself. I always knew how good  it felt to complete a goal or check off an "item on the list," so to speak. But I guess it didn't actually dawn on me what this really means. In other words, I knew how it felt to accomplish something, but never thought about why it felt good. I never gave the phenomena a name. Again, pretty basic knowledge here, but, put simply, I feel good when I set a goal and complete it. I know there are many, many people who operate this way. They are motivated and they are driven to complete tasks. Be it a 10k run, building a gazebo in the backyard, or going back to school, accomplishment feels good. And so, my reflection and mantra for today and for this year in Korea is simple: to remember how good it feels to set a goal for yourself and then to do it.