Things have changed so much in the past few days. I hate goodbyes and August has been a month full of them. I’ve left my adopted home for the sands of the Middle East. Korea taught me many lessons and gave many gifts. I learned the value of adaptation and patience. The value of looking at things through a different lens and applying insights gained. By the end Korea felt at the same time familiar and unknown, the more I learned the more I realized that there was still yet even more to learn. I’m thankful for my friends, both Korean and Western, without whom my time would not have been so memorable. From late nights in the Noraebongs to peaceful early mornings on mountain trails, they were all better for the company I kept. I’ve always believed it’s not the places you go, it’s the people you take with you along the way, and in that regard I’ve been blessed. To all my friends, thank you guys so much. There is another who also deserves my thanks and gratitude.

We met back in university where we shared some classes together. We’ve been together now for over 10 years. To K I should say thank you the most. You always believe in me and you more than all others have made the past 5 years so great.