A Difficult Decision

You know that I’m always thinking about self-improvement and being the best version of myself. The pandemic has given me plenty of time to ponder where I’m at in life and where I want to go next. After careful reflection, I’ve decided to make five significant changes in my life, including an extremely difficult, life-changing decision.

This isn’t easy. But I’m ready to share and feel like you, the readers, who have been so special to me during my time in Prague, deserve to hear it.

1. Let’s start with the big one. This August, I will be leaving Prague and moving to Seoul, South Korea. I’ve signed a contract to teach at a high school for the next two years. I’m excited! South Korea appeals to me because it gives me a chance to have a brand new experience in a culture that is much different from America or Prague. When I took tae kwon do lessons a few years back, I dabbled into Korean customs and enjoyed learning about them. Plus, the financial security that South Korea brings is appealing for obvious reasons. I’ll be making nearly double the money I make now, and with student loans, that’s kind of a big deal. I’ll be forever grateful to Prague and the Czech people for taking me in and making me feel at home. I’ll miss the friends and students I’ve met over the past two years. But I’m confident that this is the best decision for me. It’s time for a new challenge and a new chapter. International Mike is about to become even more international. By the way, beginning in August, the name of this blog will be “Seoul Searching: My Journey to South Korea.” I also considered “Mikenam Style,” but it just didn’t sound right.
2. When I set foot in the South Korean capital, I’ll look at bit different. I recently bought glasses and plan on wearing them all the time. For many months now, I’ve been dealing with migraine headaches, and my doctor recommended blue light glasses. I hate the way I look in glasses, but I need to get rid of these headaches once and for all so I can be healthy and be the best version of myself for my new students in Seoul. This, too, wasn’t an easy decision, and it will take some getting used to. The crater in my bank account will be a reminder of that. But I hope you will all like the new look. I’m not posting a picture because I want you to see it in person and not spoil it for you!
3. The glasses aren’t the only change to my appearance. I’ve also decided to grow a beard. It’s coming in nicely. You see, I’ve been told for years that I have a baby face, and most people are surprised to hear that I’m 31 years old. I want to look more mature, which I think the glasses will also help accomplish. My dad has always had a beard, so I figured I’d try it out. If I don’t like it, I can always shave it. Again, no pictures–you’ll have to see it for yourself in person. Plus, I really hate selfies, especially selfies in the mirror. Selfies in the mirror at the gym are just repulsive. Moving on…
4. I’m not the only one moving to South Korea. I recently adopted a dog. His name is Honza. He’s a German shepherd. He’s one BIG boy. Yep, Honza’s coming to Seoul with me. I’ve already made all of the arrangements with the airline and with my host family in Seoul. It’s going to cost me a good bit to get him there, but we can do it! You’re probably thinking–“Mike, why get a dog now if you’re moving halfway around the world?” Well, I wanted something that will always make me remember Prague. I know that when I’m in Seoul, I’ll have some long, lonely days. It will be difficult for me to make friends at first. I’ll look at Honza and have a friend, while remembering the good times and people of Prague. The name “Honza” is a Czech nickname for “Jan,” a very common male name here. Jan is similar to John, so it’s kind of like a John/Jack thing. I’ve always thought it was a cool name.
5. Building on the theme of needing some change, I’ve decided to root for some different sports teams. I’m from New York, so it’s time to stop being weird and root for some New York (or at least Northeast) teams. In baseball, I’m changing my socks from white to red and becoming a Boston Red Sox fan. Like I said, I want to root for New York-ish teams. I can’t stand the Yankees, and the Mets are the Mets, so, yeah, Boston it is. In hockey, I’m kicking the Sabres to the curb (should’ve done that a long time ago) and becoming a Pittsburgh Penguins fan. I briefly rooted for them as a small child, so it’s not totally new. Yes, the Sabres are a New York team, but are they really a professional New York team? I’ve had it with the Sabres’ ownership. They’ve lost a fan and will probably lose many more with the way they’re running the franchise. Moving from the bottom to the top, the most gut-wrenching thing to do was to give up my Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan card. They gave me a great thrill at a time in my life I really needed one, but I want to make this a wholesale change. So my new football team? The Philadelphia Eagles! I love the passion of their fan base and think Jalen Hurts is fun to watch. Randall Cunningham and Donovan McNabb were players I looked up to when I was growing up. The other options? The Bills, with the same ownership as the Sabres? Eww. The Patriots and Bill Belichick? Absolutely not. The Giants and Jets? No and no. So Philly it is. Fly, Eagles, Fly! Do you think they have any Eagles-themed bars in South Korea? I guess we’ll just have to find out.

I realize this is a lot and may take some time for you all to process. You’re welcome to send me any questions that you may have. I suspect the first question I will be getting is a simple “Why?” Why am I doing all of this?

I’d be happy to answer. Why am I doing all of this?

Because I wanted to prank my readers with a great APRIL FOOLS’ joke.

That’s right–everything I typed above is 100% false (except for the part about the Sabres having terrible ownership). For me to move to South Korea, I’d have to move back to the States first to get a background check, and then, I’d have to wait four months for that background check to clear. And even if I could get in, I’d never bring glasses, a beard, or a dog. I’d be the ugliest, dorkiest person on the planet if I ever wore glasses. I don’t have time to maintain a beard. I’m allergic to most dogs. And yes, I’m a firm believer that you stay with your sports teams through thick (the Bucs) and thin (the Sabres).

I apologize if I gave anyone a heart attack. But I thought that after my recent deluge of serious mental health blogs, it was time to have some fun.

I think I got you guys good.

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