1st Anniversary

Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes,
Five hundred twenty-five thousand moments so dear.
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes.
How do you measure, measure a year?

In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.

In five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure a year in the life?

[...] How about love? Measure in love.

At the risk of being utterly cliche, the above lyrics to the song "Seasons of Love" from Rent have been running through my mind over the last several days. I guess the significance of completing a full year of living in Korea has been weighing on me, especially now that I've officially begun Year Two.

I had hoped that by yesterday (September 18th) I would've sufficiently organized my thoughts and compiled a list of key learnings, highlights, and lowlights to mark my one-year anniversary. Alas, I've gotten behind in doing so. However, I will say this:  it's been a tremendous year, and I've learned a ton. I think I've grown up quite a bit, and there's still loads to do in that realm, which makes for an exciting upcoming year.

God has been faithful, and He's blessed me beyond measure. Among the many gifts He's bestowed:  never forsaking me (I haven't really ever felt lonely here) and placing people in my path with whom I can talk cultural differences, food, love, and baseball. Thus, wouldn't you know, to commemorate the first year and ring in the new, I found myself celebrating with friends at a baseball game followed by a hearty Mexican dinner?!

Here's to a fruitful year ahead.