A Strange Native in a Native Land
After 3 weeks stateside, I’ve been back in Korea for just over a week. When I got back, I hit the ground running!! Suffering from jetlag and extreme humidity and heat exhaustion for most of the time, I’ve still managed to teach a bunch of 12 year olds for a week, power through 2 Zumba classes with no windows or air conditioning, and start an all new endeavor in teaching bootcamp in the park, and now look at me! Writing a new Chronicles e-mail for once!! Wow.. seeing all of you must have inspired me!! Well, either that or the 8lbs. that safely attached itself to my arse while I was home (almost completely gone, I might add) Whoohoo!
It was great being home and seeing everyone (with special props to the most adorable little niece in the world and 3 very intelligent and active nephews), there will never be enough time in the world to spend with you! I wish I had time to see more people and do more things, but I feel like I was able to cram a lot of stuff into a small space. Even my addiction to Zumba was not lost on Indiana soil. I was blessed with the lovely and talented Missi Cross, who even let me teach a few classes with her amazing students! It was a new experience teaching fluent English speakers! Thanks so much for that opportunity! (wish I got a picture with you guys). If you find your toe tapping or your hips swaying when you turn on the radio and you just GOTTA DANCE, head out to New Pal and get your grove on with Missi.. she’s too fun!
I logged a lot of miles in the three weeks I was home (Evansville, Rockville, Louisville and Canada) but the quality time I got to spend with everyone was so worth it! I love having people in my life that no matter how much time passes, it’s as if we just saw each other yesterday. This time around, I broke a record of time spent apart with a friend from my freshman year at IU! 18 years had passed and it was just like yesterday. I can’t move on without thanking all of you who let me use and abuse your homes and sanctuaries while I was there. I hope to return the favor to you one day!
I know now that I have acclimated too much to Korean culture because there were a few things that I caught myself (or others caught me) doing. (Chewing food loudly being the worst of them all! It wasn’t until my last week in Indy that this was pointed out to me by my trusty sidekick. Sorry if you all experienced that without my knowledge. Know you know what it might be like sharing food in a Korean restaurant! You’re welcome. -ugh, how did I pick up one of my pet peeves??) I didn’t even realize some of the things I’ve adopted until I didn’t do it at home, like throwing food in the compost and not the trash; taking my shoes off in the house; pushing my way into the front of the line instead of waiting, a slight head bow to service representatives and clerks, paying with two hands or touching my elbow when I pay.
In case you are wondering, yes, there are some things you can totally forget how to do, things you may not even guess, things that my 5 year old nephew could probably do if put to the test. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a complete ditz; these things came back to me quickly, just not gracefully. The first time I had to pump gas was on my first leg to Canada, I’m sure I looked like a fugitive trying to steal gas. I imagined the attendant had his hand resting gently on that emergency button, preparing his monologue for channel 6 news in his head the whole time I was fidgeting with the gas cap and looking around the pump area awkwardly trying to figure it out. I also never thought I would feel unrefined while ordering food at [insert fast food restaurant here]. My mind was racing with questions from the moment I stepped up to the cashier; what is culture appropriate way of asking for a full meal with drink and fries included? Set? Combo? Meal? I can ask for Diet Coke now? Wait, there are 20 other options? You mean I can change my fries to a salad or a baked potato? What is this? The Cheesecake Factory? Too many choices, brain overload! Don’t even get me started on these new, high tech coke machines. That didn’t make me feel reverse culture shock, that just made me feel old and inadaptable to a futuristic society. Crazy kids and their new fangled gadgets!
Yes, I realize some of you have just lost a little bit of respect for me, there were definitely times that I felt like a total dope and like I had to relearn how to be a functioning adult and American! It’s a sign that it is time to move on; which is exactly what I plan on doing in February.
The plans are tentative at the moment, so I won’t go into detail, but they do involve South America. Length of time, location and vocation are all still in the planning stages, but I will keep you posted, I promise.
I hope you are all enjoying the beginning of school season and the ever approaching wonderful weather of fall!! I miss you all and hope to hear from you!
It was great being home and seeing everyone (with special props to the most adorable little niece in the world and 3 very intelligent and active nephews), there will never be enough time in the world to spend with you! I wish I had time to see more people and do more things, but I feel like I was able to cram a lot of stuff into a small space. Even my addiction to Zumba was not lost on Indiana soil. I was blessed with the lovely and talented Missi Cross, who even let me teach a few classes with her amazing students! It was a new experience teaching fluent English speakers! Thanks so much for that opportunity! (wish I got a picture with you guys). If you find your toe tapping or your hips swaying when you turn on the radio and you just GOTTA DANCE, head out to New Pal and get your grove on with Missi.. she’s too fun!
I logged a lot of miles in the three weeks I was home (Evansville, Rockville, Louisville and Canada) but the quality time I got to spend with everyone was so worth it! I love having people in my life that no matter how much time passes, it’s as if we just saw each other yesterday. This time around, I broke a record of time spent apart with a friend from my freshman year at IU! 18 years had passed and it was just like yesterday. I can’t move on without thanking all of you who let me use and abuse your homes and sanctuaries while I was there. I hope to return the favor to you one day!
I know now that I have acclimated too much to Korean culture because there were a few things that I caught myself (or others caught me) doing. (Chewing food loudly being the worst of them all! It wasn’t until my last week in Indy that this was pointed out to me by my trusty sidekick. Sorry if you all experienced that without my knowledge. Know you know what it might be like sharing food in a Korean restaurant! You’re welcome. -ugh, how did I pick up one of my pet peeves??) I didn’t even realize some of the things I’ve adopted until I didn’t do it at home, like throwing food in the compost and not the trash; taking my shoes off in the house; pushing my way into the front of the line instead of waiting, a slight head bow to service representatives and clerks, paying with two hands or touching my elbow when I pay.
In case you are wondering, yes, there are some things you can totally forget how to do, things you may not even guess, things that my 5 year old nephew could probably do if put to the test. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a complete ditz; these things came back to me quickly, just not gracefully. The first time I had to pump gas was on my first leg to Canada, I’m sure I looked like a fugitive trying to steal gas. I imagined the attendant had his hand resting gently on that emergency button, preparing his monologue for channel 6 news in his head the whole time I was fidgeting with the gas cap and looking around the pump area awkwardly trying to figure it out. I also never thought I would feel unrefined while ordering food at [insert fast food restaurant here]. My mind was racing with questions from the moment I stepped up to the cashier; what is culture appropriate way of asking for a full meal with drink and fries included? Set? Combo? Meal? I can ask for Diet Coke now? Wait, there are 20 other options? You mean I can change my fries to a salad or a baked potato? What is this? The Cheesecake Factory? Too many choices, brain overload! Don’t even get me started on these new, high tech coke machines. That didn’t make me feel reverse culture shock, that just made me feel old and inadaptable to a futuristic society. Crazy kids and their new fangled gadgets!
Yes, I realize some of you have just lost a little bit of respect for me, there were definitely times that I felt like a total dope and like I had to relearn how to be a functioning adult and American! It’s a sign that it is time to move on; which is exactly what I plan on doing in February.
The plans are tentative at the moment, so I won’t go into detail, but they do involve South America. Length of time, location and vocation are all still in the planning stages, but I will keep you posted, I promise.
I hope you are all enjoying the beginning of school season and the ever approaching wonderful weather of fall!! I miss you all and hope to hear from you!