A day in the life of soojini in Seoul
"I forgot my phone so I had to go back home and get it; I'm on my way there now" --reads my text. 9am in the morning. The text was to my pseudo-boss at the place where I intern. People for Successful COrean REunification (PSCORE--google it ^^) is the name of the organization. It is an awesome place to be a part of.
My six layers of clothes effectively insulate me from the icy chill as I step out of my parkville. Countless cars drive from left to right before my eyes, and I join in their current and walk parallel to them, towards my bus stop. A ten minute walk.
My bus number is 571 and my bus stop is at the other side of the road. I stand waiting at the crosswalk with dozen others on each side. Being uneasy from the delay (can't live without a cellphone here), I groan inwardly when I see my bus number 571 arriving while I still wait to cross the road. Another 15 minutes of waiting...
The air is crisp with just the right humidity, but it's mixed with cigarette smokes and foul odor of unknown origin which I can sniff once in a while when I pass over a ditch. Ugh. But it passes away quickly. The bright sun light spilling from the blue cold sky makes up for the temporary unpleasantness. For some reason I feel utterly alive, alive today.
I read from my brilliant choice of a Korean book called, "Memory Technique." I feel safe reading a Korean book because I wouldn't be drawing attention to myself as much as I would if I read a book in English. I am just like one of them. I smile here and there when I agree with the book and am glad to know some of the discoveries made by the authors (it was collectively written--Japanese university press)
The bus comes, I hop on, and tap my wallet on the "T" board. The "900" displays in red e-ink. I continue my reading, amused and smiling, thinking, and simply enjoying this 30 minute ride to the Omokyo station.
"다음 정류장은, 목운 중학교 입니다" annouces the bus, and I stand to tap my wallet once again right before exiting. A whiff of chill air numbs my face once again as I step outside the bus. I walk straight, head down to avoid the wind. I tread down the long stairs, wondering whether I should take out my hands from my coat pocket or not, because it may be dangerous to be defenseless if I ever slip and fall. While I'm still deciding, I arrive and my thought wanders to the displays inside the tunnel as I walk on the flat escalator.
I climb up the stairs at exit number 8 and head toward the PSCORE office. I see so many sign boards, as usual, perhaps ten or twenty of them on tiny and skinny buildings, competing for attention. I walk inside the building, climb up the stairs until I reach the 3rd floor. I enter the office. Welcoming greetings and smiles pour out unto me. My spirit feels even more alive and healthy. Being a part of a kind and caring community is a beauty in life itself.
******beep*****
... I must go to Kangnam and work part-time as a 1:1 tutor of three students. My endearing PSCORE staffs and I go have a quick lunch. Lately my level of affection for people has increased and continues to grow. I realize I love people. And why? That I am not entirely sure. Because of Something special about and in them, perhaps?
During lunch I hear from the professor of how the rebellions and strikes in the Middle East against tyranny is making the NK government nervous. Even the Chinese government. Freedom of speech and press! We determine our own best interests ourselves! Besides, even within communistic society there are still the top-notch wealthys as there are the dirt poors. Human hearts are too weak and devious; can't rely on them alone. Need reasoning and accountability by the public mass. Let the public decide for themselves.
I say my "thank yous," "good-byes," "see you tomorrow," and once again cringe through the icy wind, walk down the stairs and hop on the Seoul metro. The same book is on my lap; it only takes 40 minutes to reach Hanti Station. I arrive in my part-time workplace, 학원.
I have fun teaching, tutoring, joking awkwardly, laughing uncontrollably (5 seconds), and befriending my tutees. 초등학교 5한년 학생 둘, 중1 학생 하나. 중1's English is brilliant that I grow nervous preparing for her grammar tutoring class. I learn so much from the grammar textbook. My tutee comments how Americans don't use proper grammar. I agree and say that if you want to hear correct English, you gotta go to England for it.
We say our good-byes, and I greet my familar friend named chilly wind as I walk towards the subway station. Even at 10pm many people roam about. The 2nd subway line (the green line) is still packed with people! I read my book about Memory. It talks about the importance of using your brain via reading and other brain storming activities. Brain has an endless potential, so keep on digging for knowledge.
It's 11pm; my six layers of clothing are still in effect so I decide to walk home. I cross the big road and comes the narrow pathway that looked very creepy on my first day of passage. Eyes sharp and aware, I walk and observe the few people walking towards me, ahead of me, behind me, and with me.
The lady carrying a bag of grocery walks briskly at my pace. Could it be her? I feel completely safe. Could it be the long day and the night time? I am bemused and I start singing:
Let what we do in here, fill the streets out there; let us dance for You, let us dance for You.
I whisper and then I sing, without shame, disregarding what the lady may think of me; like a drunk person I sing my heart out, though softly in the quiet neighborhood:
ALL OF MY LIFE, and nothing less,
I offer to You, my righteousness
* * *
And I'm madly in love with You, and I'm madly in love with You...
Yes I'm madly in love with You,
Yes I'm madly in love with You...
..... ......... .
My six layers of clothes effectively insulate me from the icy chill as I step out of my parkville. Countless cars drive from left to right before my eyes, and I join in their current and walk parallel to them, towards my bus stop. A ten minute walk.
My bus number is 571 and my bus stop is at the other side of the road. I stand waiting at the crosswalk with dozen others on each side. Being uneasy from the delay (can't live without a cellphone here), I groan inwardly when I see my bus number 571 arriving while I still wait to cross the road. Another 15 minutes of waiting...
The air is crisp with just the right humidity, but it's mixed with cigarette smokes and foul odor of unknown origin which I can sniff once in a while when I pass over a ditch. Ugh. But it passes away quickly. The bright sun light spilling from the blue cold sky makes up for the temporary unpleasantness. For some reason I feel utterly alive, alive today.
I read from my brilliant choice of a Korean book called, "Memory Technique." I feel safe reading a Korean book because I wouldn't be drawing attention to myself as much as I would if I read a book in English. I am just like one of them. I smile here and there when I agree with the book and am glad to know some of the discoveries made by the authors (it was collectively written--Japanese university press)
The bus comes, I hop on, and tap my wallet on the "T" board. The "900" displays in red e-ink. I continue my reading, amused and smiling, thinking, and simply enjoying this 30 minute ride to the Omokyo station.
"다음 정류장은, 목운 중학교 입니다" annouces the bus, and I stand to tap my wallet once again right before exiting. A whiff of chill air numbs my face once again as I step outside the bus. I walk straight, head down to avoid the wind. I tread down the long stairs, wondering whether I should take out my hands from my coat pocket or not, because it may be dangerous to be defenseless if I ever slip and fall. While I'm still deciding, I arrive and my thought wanders to the displays inside the tunnel as I walk on the flat escalator.
I climb up the stairs at exit number 8 and head toward the PSCORE office. I see so many sign boards, as usual, perhaps ten or twenty of them on tiny and skinny buildings, competing for attention. I walk inside the building, climb up the stairs until I reach the 3rd floor. I enter the office. Welcoming greetings and smiles pour out unto me. My spirit feels even more alive and healthy. Being a part of a kind and caring community is a beauty in life itself.
******beep*****
... I must go to Kangnam and work part-time as a 1:1 tutor of three students. My endearing PSCORE staffs and I go have a quick lunch. Lately my level of affection for people has increased and continues to grow. I realize I love people. And why? That I am not entirely sure. Because of Something special about and in them, perhaps?
During lunch I hear from the professor of how the rebellions and strikes in the Middle East against tyranny is making the NK government nervous. Even the Chinese government. Freedom of speech and press! We determine our own best interests ourselves! Besides, even within communistic society there are still the top-notch wealthys as there are the dirt poors. Human hearts are too weak and devious; can't rely on them alone. Need reasoning and accountability by the public mass. Let the public decide for themselves.
I say my "thank yous," "good-byes," "see you tomorrow," and once again cringe through the icy wind, walk down the stairs and hop on the Seoul metro. The same book is on my lap; it only takes 40 minutes to reach Hanti Station. I arrive in my part-time workplace, 학원.
I have fun teaching, tutoring, joking awkwardly, laughing uncontrollably (5 seconds), and befriending my tutees. 초등학교 5한년 학생 둘, 중1 학생 하나. 중1's English is brilliant that I grow nervous preparing for her grammar tutoring class. I learn so much from the grammar textbook. My tutee comments how Americans don't use proper grammar. I agree and say that if you want to hear correct English, you gotta go to England for it.
We say our good-byes, and I greet my familar friend named chilly wind as I walk towards the subway station. Even at 10pm many people roam about. The 2nd subway line (the green line) is still packed with people! I read my book about Memory. It talks about the importance of using your brain via reading and other brain storming activities. Brain has an endless potential, so keep on digging for knowledge.
It's 11pm; my six layers of clothing are still in effect so I decide to walk home. I cross the big road and comes the narrow pathway that looked very creepy on my first day of passage. Eyes sharp and aware, I walk and observe the few people walking towards me, ahead of me, behind me, and with me.
The lady carrying a bag of grocery walks briskly at my pace. Could it be her? I feel completely safe. Could it be the long day and the night time? I am bemused and I start singing:
Let what we do in here, fill the streets out there; let us dance for You, let us dance for You.
I whisper and then I sing, without shame, disregarding what the lady may think of me; like a drunk person I sing my heart out, though softly in the quiet neighborhood:
ALL OF MY LIFE, and nothing less,
I offer to You, my righteousness
* * *
And I'm madly in love with You, and I'm madly in love with You...
Yes I'm madly in love with You,
Yes I'm madly in love with You...
..... ......... .