Repatriate Me!

14 years is a long time. In my time in Korea I’ve seen people come and go and that’s the nature of being an expat in Korea. The longer one is here the more difficult it becomes to make new friends because you know that they are going to leave before you do. In my experience the average western expat in Korea stays less than two years.

Here is a tribute to my current list of friends, the ones that I will miss the most. It’s hard to say good bye, but my time has come and I just wanted to let you all know how much I’ll miss you guys.

Going left to right and top to bottom a tribute to the best friends a guy could ever have.

Gary T. A pillar of faith and not afraid to tell you when you’ve been an ass. Strong willed, funny and loyal to the end. One of my two best friends.

Duane H. The person I have spent the most time with in Korea other than my wife. The most helpful and giving person I know – a carnivore, with a penchant for cooking vegetables, but claiming to not like them. A gamaphobe, but still with the same girl after more than 10 years. A sarcastic, wise cracking, funny man, but still the nicest guy. A man of polar opposites and my other best friend.

Shelley C. The only woman on the list and my coffee-mate. I’m really going to miss our Sunday morning coffees at Caffe Bene and walking around Hongdae looking for new independant coffee shops.

John McD. My conference friend. John was a loyal reader and commenter on my teaching blog until I closed it down after 5 years. Enjoyed seeing him at the KOTESOL conference every year, talking on skype and the phone. Wish you didn’t live so far away.

Dave J. The youngest guy on the list and my newest friend. Always ready to help with a little bit of code or give an idea about a project. An Apple enthusiast but not a kool-aid drinker. And he takes great photos too.

John M. Self professed Doctor of Boobology. The only funny man I know who can repeat the same jokes over and over and over and over and over and still be funny. Also going back to Canada this summer – looking forward to comparing your experience to mine. Hope to see you one day in Victoria.

Danton F. My longest friend in Korea. We met in 1999 while working at the Korea Herald. Danton is the only friend still in Korea to have attended my wedding. Fully fluent in Korean (translation and interpretation) Danton is always willing to help his friends.

Bill M. The Pastor at my Church, all round good guy. He married me and my wife, baptised my children and has been there every Sunday for us. We’ll miss you.

Paul S. One of the best guys to hang around with. A great teacher and an even better family man. I wish we’d had more time to hang out, but we live so far away.

Dan L Another great friend – we attended Sogang Korean Language school together, had many galbi dinners together and Dan is the best Scrabble player I know – he wins at least 80% of our games. Sorry I’m going to miss your wedding next year – all the best in your future with your lovely bride.

Doug M A connisseur: of single malt whiskeys, of beer, and of tv shows. Thanks for introducing me to single malt Whiskey’s I can never drink anything else again. Will miss our 8am coffee’s up on the fourth floor of the Humanities building before classes begin. Looking forward to pictures of the house you’re building in the Saskatchewan bush.

Kevin D. He’s A newfie and that says it all, but Kevin was a great organizer of events for teachers and friends and also the carver of the Turkey’s I cooked at my home. Best of luck in your move to Goose Bay Labrador this summer – I expect a place to stay when we come to visit you in a couple of years.

To all of my friends who made this list and those who didn’t, I want you all to come and visit me in Toronto. THere’s a steak on the Bar-be-que, a beer in the fridge and a sofa for you to sleep on. Come and visit. Will miss you all a lot.