The Six Month Mark

Not too long ago Korea and I celebrated our six month anniversary (hey, there are people out there that celebrate their pets birthdays. Allow me this at least). Six months... half a year... how is that even possible?

As cliché as it might sound- the time has flown by. I've seen two whole seasons here in Daegu. I've celebrated holidays and a birthday. I've closed out a semester and started a new one. And it still feels like I just stepped off the plane. Well... not always. In the past 6 months things have started to become familiar. Things that confused or bothered me before, just don't anymore.

Here are just a few examples:

Why yes, yes I am fascinating and amazing!

So remember that post about staring? That one lamenting the feeling of always being watched and examined. Right, well funny thing about that.... It seems that being the center of attention can kind of go to your head.  Somewhere along the line I've gone from "why do they all turn when we walk into the restaurant?! Must run away!" to "Well hello there. Why yes, I'm the foreigner that will be eating at this fine establishment. Nice to see you all!" 

I'm not going to say that it doesn't still bother me sometimes. When I walk into the coffee shop and get the head to toe scan from the group sitting by the counter I still prickle a little. But on the flip side there are the girls who stop to tell me I'm pretty. The baristas that tease each other about their pronunciation when one of them tells me the total in English. The little kids who wave with big smiles and yell "Hello!" when they pass me on the street. The group of guys at the bar who finally work up the courage to say something in English to us before they run out the door in embarrassment.  The high school students who suddenly start using as many English phrases as they can with their friends on the subway... seriously, the list goes on.  And like I said, it goes to your head. What happens when I finally go back home and I'm just like everyone else? Who's going to say hi to me on the street just because?

I'm really good at pointing

Going to a restaurant was about the most terrifying thing when I moved here. Would they speak English? Would I be able to read the menu? What if I don't know what to order? It was scary. But after plenty of success (ok, and some failures) going out to eat is hardly a big deal. Yes, it still helps to go in groups. But I'm pretty good at pointing to pictures or, worst case scenario, close your eyes and point to something written in korean on the menu... it usually turns out pretty tasty... usually.

Who needs personal space?

My first few weeks of using pubic transportation were a bit up and down. I really like buses. I'm not sure why I enjoy being able to hop on a bus and watch the city go by. It's a thing. I like it. But, along with the comfort of zoning out on a familiar bus route comes the hustle and bustle, jostling and pushing of lots of people going in the same direction in a small space.

When I first moved here there were times when I actually missed my stop because I couldn't push my way through the crowed of people packed like sardines on the subway. Sometimes I would walk just so I could avoid the rush of high school students heading home on the buses.

However, somewhere in the last 6 months I've gone from "excuse me... um, I need to get by. no? ok never mind..." to "Elbows out! Coming through!!" Ok, I'm not quite as vicious as that sounds but you get the point. Being so crammed into a subway that I accidentally keep brushing the ass of the guy in front of me (FYI- it's always a good idea to get your hands at shoulder level before you are pressed into the masses... maneuvering after that is a bit tricky) doesn't really bother me anymore. The old ladies pushing me out of their way to get on the bus first, I just brush it off.  It's all part and parcel of getting around here. And sometimes I still get those empty buses on the way home were I can blissfully zone out and enjoy the ride.

Lunch Time
I've mentioned before that I enjoy the break that meals in the lunchroom can bring during the school day. That still holds true, but this month I have noticed an interesting phenomenon that has started to occur... I eat my lunch... all of it... and enjoy all of it....
When I first started eating Korean lunches I would usually sit down with a plan of attack. How I was going to eat everything, even those things I didn't like. Yes, sometimes it took a plan to get through lunch. But now? I don't even really think about it. Either the lunches have changed or my taste buds have adapted to life here as well... is that a thing that happens?

Six months.

Six months since I've...
... seen my family
... driven a car
... baked cookies
... taught a math lesson
... made a proper home cooked meal
... worn shoes in my apartment

But I think I'm ok with that. There are lots of things I miss about the States. But, Korea, I think we're still getting on pretty well. I'm looking forward to another six months. And after that..... ?

Kpop Song of the Week: PSY- Korea

Yes, that's right, he sings other songs. Crazy I know...

Anyway, go Korea!