Hello From the Other Side. . .

Hello . . . It' me . . . I was wondering if after these ten months you'd still be reading.

Yes. Hello from the other side indeed.

So yeah. It's been ten months since I've written to you, and I promise it has been for good reason why I've been away. Teaching took a lot of my time, as it usually does, and I met a plethora of amazing people last year who have kept me busy. I spent most of my writing time simply editing the final draft of the novel, and I went home for the holidays. That's simply the overview--let's dive deeper, shall we?

I had amazing students last year and they really helped me to learn so much more about education. I've found that I become better when I simply ask questions and listen to my students--at all ages, they are truly brilliant and are honest in how they feel about their lives. I have always been fascinated by peoples' stories--who they are, why they are, where they've been and what they will become. I love it! Perhaps thats one of the reasons why I listen to so many story based podcasts (This American Life, Snap Judgement, etc). I love those snippets of human existence--especially for the connection found through stories. I recently discovered Alec Baldwin's podcast entitled "Here's the Thing." I really like his podcast because he interviews really interesting people (celebrities, policy makers, writers, etc) and has real and open conversations with them. Plus, hello, it's Alec Baldwin--King of voices!

Speaking of stories (Nice transition, eh?), I FINISHED IT! I FINISHED THE BOOK! Okay. Sorry. Yes, so I finished the novel I've been writing for four and a half years. I completed it on December 31st--as was my deadline and I would be remiss if I didn't thank Holly (h. Anne Stoj) for her help on the final part. I was struggling (as all writers do) with how to end the first book and while having lunch, I finally figured out how the book was supposed to end. Through this whole process, I of course have to thank Ben Hauser, Lee Rose, Jeff Yu-Cho, Mee Joo Rose, Dan Ryu, Marilyn Rose and Bill Hauser for their guidance and expertise in this. It's been quite a journey of self discovery that was not without a lot tears and gritting of teeth.

Writing a book is not easy--and anyone who says otherwise is either selling something or fooling themselves. It is a journey that many never finish, but when you do, you realize how greatly you have dared and you hold your head high yet low enough to remain humble. It's like nothing else I have ever felt--and before I finished this book, I would have never imagined it would feel this. I assumed I would feel relief, resting in the fact that it is done. But quite the opposite. I feel invigorated. Now it's just a last run through of grammar spot checking and making sure the plot flows. I'm excited to think about how I will move forward into the next book, but I am still happy about enjoying the time that I have to write to you here.

I realized a few things while writing this book--and if I could give you unsolicited advice, it would be to make sure you have a support system. Fill it with writers as well as readers. Lean on them and support them too. Now that I finished the first book, and before I go into writing the second book, I am going to make more of an effort to find other writers in the expat community and really make some strong connections. There is a writer meet up that happens in Seoul every few weeks so I plan on being more involved with that group to bounce off ideas and be a resource to them as well. You never know were inspiration will come from--you just have to put yourself out there and work hard to make something happen.

All in all, 2015 was a year of strides for me, and I hope it was for you as well. I feel like 2016 is going to be even more exciting and i'm excited to see what I will write in each month/chapter. ^~^

Happy 2016, my dear readers! Love and Light to you all!