It's always the little things that make up the big picture, like this. I've completed eight months and I have four to go. Recently, I've been thinking a lot about what it's going to be like back home; things I'm looking forward to, things I'll miss. The things I'm looking forward to are mostly people and the ease of living and convenience of getting the things I need, but the missing area has been a big thought, too. I'm going to miss cooking delicious, tasty galbi, and getting "service-uh" when I buy many things at stores. I'm going to miss the cheapness of things and not having to tip. I'm going to miss being able to talk on my cellphone when I'm stories underground or behind a building, and having lightning fast internet. It's going to seem weird when people back home try to be discreet about checking themselves out in a mirror or a passing reflective surface, and then get embarrassed because you caught them. It might take me some time to figure out if a couple walking together is in a relationship because a1.) he won't be carrying his girlfriend's purse and b2.) they won't be wearing matching shoes/sweatshirts/complete outfits. I might think Americans are the sloppiest dressers I've ever seen and wonder why women aren't doing everything in heels. I'll wonder why no one is staring at me like I'm going to do something amazing/crazy at any moment, and think it's so bizarre when people get offended because I'm staring at them (though I learned today that the turn around and stare is something only done to Westerners and that older Koreans wouldn't stare at the younger generation - racial prejudice? genuine interest? old age? I'm not sure which one). People might think I'm strange when I bow in entering and leaving a place. I wonder how many times I'm going to slip up and run/walk on the left side of the sidewalk and say "Shilyehamnida" ("Excuse me"), or answer "nae" in agreement or "anio" in disagreement. I'm going to miss all the hand holding and the affection towards same-sex friends in public. KIMCHI!! WHAT WILL I DO WITHOUT KIMCHI (and bibimbab and chamchi kimbab)!?! I always thought it was crazy how people said they were going to miss kimchi so much when they went home, but man! I'm going to miss it oh-so much; it's oh-so tasty! And my little babies, my heart hurts already thinking about saying good-bye to their sweet faces. I'm going to miss all these things and so much more, I'm sure I'll continue to add to the list, in fact I know I will.
The reason I've been thinking about this more is that my good friend, Andrea, has less than two months left, and another friend, Sophie, just left. There's so much I still need to get in while I'm here, and I am so looking forward to the month or more of travel (dependent on job things back home - I really want this one position, but if I don't get it then I can have longer to travel, so either way I think I'll be able to make due in the happiness department), and while there are so many things I'm going to miss and things that I know will seem strange to me like, "What?! Why is this uncooked grocery store meat refrigerated and not being scooped into bags?" and "What do you mean I have to leave the bar at 2am?" I'm going to miss those rowdy-staggering through the streets drunk on soju businessmen Monday through Friday. There are also a lot of things I look forward to: thick yogurt, seedless grapes, a variety of APPLES!!!, peanut butter cups and gum that isn't flower flavored/doesn't dissolve in your mouth, riding my bike without worrying that I might be hit (even on the sidewalk), breathing fresh air, and being able to read and understand signs that tell me how to get from here to there.
All in all, I'm excited to see what the next four months will bring, and I'll do my best to continue to share the stories with you. -- The weather was perfect for our picnic the other week, and I still haven't shown you photos of when I was Santa Claus for my kids, so there's at least two things to write about. I went to a ballet in Seoul last weekend, and this weekend I wore the penguin at a World DJ Fest, so two more. In the words of Mrs. C I'll "just try" for you. (Here's hoping these aren't just words and that they'll turn into words... for you to read.)
Hope this finds you happy and healthy!
The reason I've been thinking about this more is that my good friend, Andrea, has less than two months left, and another friend, Sophie, just left. There's so much I still need to get in while I'm here, and I am so looking forward to the month or more of travel (dependent on job things back home - I really want this one position, but if I don't get it then I can have longer to travel, so either way I think I'll be able to make due in the happiness department), and while there are so many things I'm going to miss and things that I know will seem strange to me like, "What?! Why is this uncooked grocery store meat refrigerated and not being scooped into bags?" and "What do you mean I have to leave the bar at 2am?" I'm going to miss those rowdy-staggering through the streets drunk on soju businessmen Monday through Friday. There are also a lot of things I look forward to: thick yogurt, seedless grapes, a variety of APPLES!!!, peanut butter cups and gum that isn't flower flavored/doesn't dissolve in your mouth, riding my bike without worrying that I might be hit (even on the sidewalk), breathing fresh air, and being able to read and understand signs that tell me how to get from here to there.
All in all, I'm excited to see what the next four months will bring, and I'll do my best to continue to share the stories with you. -- The weather was perfect for our picnic the other week, and I still haven't shown you photos of when I was Santa Claus for my kids, so there's at least two things to write about. I went to a ballet in Seoul last weekend, and this weekend I wore the penguin at a World DJ Fest, so two more. In the words of Mrs. C I'll "just try" for you. (Here's hoping these aren't just words and that they'll turn into words... for you to read.)
Hope this finds you happy and healthy!
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