Haven't had the time to update because I've been really busy. With studies, mainly, and also going out with people. Haha.
I'm doing well here. My studies are a joy and I really look forward to school every day. And every day, I write a diary entry in Korean and it really, really, really helps my writing to improve. Speaking-wise I think I'm improving too, albeit slowly. In short ... everything's peachy on the studies front.
Living-wise ... it's ok. I lead a very mundane lifestyle in this exciting city, believe it or not. A typical day after school is lunch at home, then homework for a while until food coma takes over and I nap till dinnertime. After dinner, I continue doing homework and revision, and if I have time I'll look at the next day's work. On a less mundane day I study at a cafe near school with my HK friend, or I meet up with either my host dad or my Korean friend for dinner. Sometimes my classmates ask me out for dinner too. Just 2 days ago we went to eat samgyeopsal near school. Samgyeopsal is fatty pork belly and halal me actually ate quite a bit! Well, not to be rude by not eating but also coz it was rather delicious, like extra fatty bakwa or something. I know a few people who would love this. Haha.
And to make my life here easier, I've also purchased a few items that will make packing for home a tad more difficult than I'd expected:
1. rain boots, and heavy ones too, because the rainy season here is no joke. They were cheap though, haha. I got them from this Forever 21-ish shop called 8 Seconds.
2. an iron ... my goodness. My latest, proudest purchase!
3. a spanking new pot from Lotte Mart coz the 5000-won pot I got from Daiso was utterly ruined by my own hands. Oh well.
Seoul far seoul good! I'm really enjoying myself here, and seriously considering the possibility of completing Level 6 here, which, according to my calculations, would take me just almost a year if I don't "deprove" and continue from Level 3. My parents are supportive and I'm really keen about it, but we'll see.
Hey Linda
ReplyDeleteFound some time today to read your entries. There is quite a bit of stuff you wrote I could identify with - the happiness of walking alone through some simple beauty of trees-lined path; the happiness of being a student in a class; the welcomed stress and joy of doing h/w, studying for exams; the joy of living alone (not quite what you wrote but I can sense that!!!); the satisfaction of being able to communicate in a foreign tongue and be understood (I'm thinking of my broken kunming dialect and the even more broken French I spoke when I was in Europe in 2005)....
As for your desire to continue the pursuit of your interest, you know I will be the one person who understands that desire!!! I still have not given up my dream of learning French - which many see as not that urgent a need or nor useful in any way, like you said - not going to advance my career - wait, what career?! hahaha..It is, in other words, exactly what you said it is - an indulgence!!! Yet, yet, how many people get the chance and financial ability to pursue his/her interest in learning something. Many who has the opportunity has no money and many who has the money has not the interest (in language in your [our] case)...There may be quite a bit to weigh out in deciding, nonetheless...but you have 4 months...but do start praying now, I will do the same for you, and see how the Lord leads - this is not outside of his guidance nor his interest.
love
p