As time goes on, I adapt to my surroundings so things become normal. Cultural differences aren't really something that surprise me anymore which doesn't mean that my life isn't constantly interesting and full of moments where I walk away and am not quite sure what just happened. I find myself expecting those moments to happen every single day.
Here are some reflections of where I'm at right now:
1. I will never, ever get used to being starred at. Sometimes it's humorous and other times it's weird and innocent. Other times it's awkward and I want out of the situation as fast as I can. Every funny/awkward/cultural moment that I have is amplified when people's attention is instantly drawn to you.
2. Sports Day is coming up May 1st and all the public elementary schools are preparing and practicing for it. When we think of Sports Day, we think of playing sports outside for fun for en entire day with no school. No, no, no...they rehearse for about a month and the parents come to watch. They practice routine dances and all the sports are coordinated. There's tug-a-war with over 25 kids on each side followed by school relays. I don't teach at a public school so i'll just creepily be watching from my apartment...don't worry, it's fine!
3. It's different having a catastrophe happen in the States and not be there in the States. While the chase for the bombers in Boston was going on in the middle of the night, it was happening as we were getting off work and eating dinner. So we followed it in real time and got updates as they happened. It was interesting to see how the news conflicted each other and some media would release details then retract their statements.
4. Today I bought a plane ticket back to America...and I paid way too much for it so we're not going to talk about that part of it. It was weird to be already looking for a way back to america. Even though I miss people, I'm not ready to come back. I'm so thankful I can be there for my sister's wedding, but it's strange to go back and forth to such different lives.
5.I've been challenged to live intentionally while here in Korea. I think that anywhere you live it's easy to fall into the norms and not be effective in the place you live and the lives of people you see every day. A lot of times people think that moving to another country simple means that you're making a difference and being effective. The truth is that no matter where you live, you can get used to normal life and fall into bad habits. So, as life here seems to reach a new normal, I've been challenged to do what I came here to do. That means being disciplined and taking life seriously...
The suicide rate here for high schoolers is really high because of the pressure to do well in high school. It literally affects their entire life. So, I had a realization last week that if one of my students committed suicide, I would have a really hard time with it. I'm a teacher and so I contribute to that stress. So, I've decided to be super intentional about being encouraging to the students. They have enough people in their lives telling them they don't work hard enough or to work harder.
6. I can read Korean...very very slowly but it is happening folks! I'm like a kindergartner.
7. I have the travel bug...I know, it doesn't take very long, but I have spent the last couple of weekends traveling just on short trips. In the summer, foreigners spend every weekend traveling and seeing parts of Korea and places close by...so, many adventures to come.
8. I have been able to see my friend Lindsay who teaches nearby. We went to visit here in the city of Pohang a couple of weekends ago. It's a big city and so there were a lot of foreigners around. I realized that I really enjoy people not understanding what I'm saying. I think that subconsciously my commentary on my surroundings has gone up and they are things I wouldn't necessarily say if everyone around me could understand.
This is a snapshot of my life here in Korea! Enjoy!
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