Current location: Seoul
It has past forthnite since I’ve landed in Korea. Forgive me for not updating da posts as da past few weeks been too occupied for an adjustment. Well 2 b honest, not dat bz ever since my vacation epiphany has preventing my arses from engaging in any activities apart from sleeping, eating n eating and attending 항국 classes (hey, @ least dere’s one serious thing ere I do, peeps). It is also not 2 say I’m finding myself hard 2 re-orientate myself from being a full-time student in Japan to a full-time tourist n part-time 항국 student in Seoul. I think I’m easily adapted to new environment considering da level of flexibility, tolerance and liberalism dat I have. –ngeeeeeeeee-
@ 1st, I held a serious reservation on Korea n da Koreans. I faced few difficulties on my early days of arrival. For instance, despite been telling my apartment owner (they call it 하숙 here) on my arrival time @ da place, he was out n made me waiting in cold 4 1 hour. Luckily one of da rentees was kind enuff 2 ring him asking his whereabouts n he immediately rushed back. Kamsahamnida.
I also thot n still holding a perception dat da peeps ere r less considerate n so blatant. Every time my shoulders been hit hardly while strolling on a busy street, I can never expect dat person will turn back n offers an apology. Instead they will just walk off as if nothing happens. Contrary 2 my previous 6 months in Japan, even a slight contact wud render 2 people to nod down and apologise. It made you even want 2 apologise 2 another although its entirely not ur fault who caused such pokes. But dun expect da same courtesy ere in Korea.
This does not mean I’m saying they r rude. They aren’t in fact (in a way). Its just dat sumtimes, a society is meant 2 b less considerate naturally. I can understand dat cuz I myself come from a society more or less da same picturised da Koreans (in certain aspects, its even worst).
Another situation, while I hardly heard ppl honking on da road (while I was in da UK and Japan) ere I am nearly immuned 2 it. Sumtimes I wonder why cant ppl juz b lil’ patient n try 2 understand other road users? Cars cud juz break down, u cud b daydreaming seeing its still red while it’s already GREEN, or u cud juz loose ur focus when u r on da road. But I guess, as long as I’m not driving I dun bother dat much.
Now cums 2 da +’ve sides n I think it dilutes da previous points I’ve raised b4 – in a way.
Koreans r a loving n caring society. Because they are honest 2 wat they feel, they dun hesitate 2 express it 2 others. Many young couples (n old too) r seen 2 b affectionate by da romance blossoming in their relationship. Holding hands, whispering, laughing, smiling and teasing each other r everywhere when u r on public which appear 2 feel how strong their loves are. U r bound 2 feel dat love is all they need 4 a day, fearing dere will b no tomorrow. N I find dat sweet n brave. Not many av da guts 2 express their feelings 2 da other party in public. It takes a strong motivation for u 2 tell da world dat, hey-we-r-in-love and we truly enjoy each other.
And as usual, I am left alone 2 ‘sightseeing’ dis romance while I’ve no one important in my life now. Lonely as I am, still, I feel happy 2 c happiness in other ppl eyes.
Da Koreans (in my observation) r caring too. Dis leads 2 my personal experience encountering with PJS (no names, OK) working as student affairs executive @ my skewl. From da very beginning of our meeting, he welcomes all my queries n demands wif a smile, n open hand. Dere was once I needed 2 enquire about 영산 (Yongsan), da biggest electronic town in Korea. Since I wasn’t quite sure on its whereabouts, PJS printed out da map n directions (coloured printed summore!) n on top of dat taking his time 2 explain it 2 me until I understand. In fact, he insists me 2 ring him if I got lost or having problems on da day. N dat day, he is supposed not 2 work n cud leisurely spend time on his own.
Another example wud b a middle-aged 앚어찌 (uncle) who happens 2 b my neighbour. While he speaks very little English and I replied in very little (incorrect) Korean, we got along very well. He bought me some cookies n biscuits upon seeing me enjoying em so much. Once he paid a visit 2 my room 4 a chat n volunteered 2 check on my 쑥제 (homework). I know he cud be lonely staying in his room (his family is in 부산 (Busan) and he will go back 2 his hometown in weekend. But while dere r many others Koreans staying 2gether wif us (whom he can communicate very well) its me dat he spends his after-office time wif. It made me feel dat I’m part of his family.
A housekeeper (whom I call her 앚움마 (auntie) will always greet me when I’m back from skewl. She is aware dat we hardly understand each other but she keeps on being passionate in talking 2 me. She taught me how 2 use da rice cooker n microwave.
SERIOUS NOTE: Its not dat I’m so stupid 2 use those electronic stuffs k. But since everything is in 항국, u wont expect me 2 know every single word.
@ times, she gives me drinks. Soft drinks I mean. Da thing dat touched me is – working as a housekeeper wif dat lil amount of earnings, she still av heart 2 make me feel comfortable living in da apartment. And I’m being treated nicely despite a high-thick barrier between us. 감사합니다 앚움마. I’ll spell ur name in my prayers.
So I guess, all da gud sides av erased da bad ones. N I’m glad dat my days in Korea r filled wif many unexpected beautiful things. Da more dat I discover da place, da more belonging sense I feel. Albeit, my IUJ mate Jordan is right by claiming – “dun get upset wif lil things go wrong, but give urself more time 4 it 2 make it right n 2 discover more nice things around u in Seoul.”
@ dis juncture, he is rite!!!
Annyong peeps!
PS:
I 4get 2 mention 1 important discovery. Statistically, out of 10 peeps I bumped to on da street, 9 r pretty gudlooking. And Im not kidding, for godsake! Dis applies 2 both 여자 (gurls) and 남자 (boys). I say, da Koreans r naturally hawt – which never disappoint me eyes in enjoying God’s creation … U’rrrrrrrrrite ZI!
