Change can be good...

but having everything changed all at once can be a bit trying, even for me. We all know I tend to fly through life by the seat of my pants, and that "plan" is a four letter word. But there comes a time when even I feel overwhelmed by it all.

Some time this month - though I don't know exactly when - my current live-in boyfriend will be leaving. His ship will, quite literally, sail - once it's completed. He will be away for pretty much the next 9 months. Unfortunately he has had very poor experiences with long-distance relationships in the past and is rather gun-shy about trying again. This is compounded by the fact that neither of us know where we will be in 9 months - and whether it will be feasible for us to live near each other at that point. So, big question marks on the love-life front.

As for me, personally, I'm at the point where I'm done with Korea. I've had my experience of living in a completely foreign culture, and it's definitely made me grow as a person. I've had incredible times and horrendous times here, and learned so much about human nature and about myself. Now I want to continue this experience in a not-quite-so-completely-foreign culture where I can easily buy good cheese, chocolate and wine. So, I'm ready to leave. But where do I go?

I'm not interested in living in Canada again. At least not for now. Part of this is fear of my financial past catching me, but mostly it's because I know what Canada is like, and I want something different. I'd really like to live in Ireland and spend some time exploring that half of me. I haven't spent more than 3 weeks in the country of my birth since I was 5. And I'd like to live nearer to my Dad and get to know my extended family. But Ireland is expensive and other than family, I don't know anyone there.

I'd also like to live in France, but I only know a few people there, and they live in Paris - I'd rather live in Lyon or along the Mediterranean. I also am not so great with French, which will make it harder to find work.

The only thing I know for sure is that I'm going to apply to the distance ed course in Journalism, since it's more affordable than an on-campus course. And if the Korean won would go back up, I'll have more than enough for tuition. At least for this year.

So what do I do? Live in Ireland or France? Stay in Korea to make more money? Bum with my brother in Wyoming? Move to a beach in Thailand??? See... so many question marks...