One day shy of one month

Tomorrow is the day. The day I thought would never come. It is the one month mark of leaving the US. The 16th of August seems like it was a year ago, not one short month. I remember the days when a month seemed to fly by at the speed of a day, or even a moment. The weeks go quickly now, but the weekends last forever. It used to be the opposite. I would spend the whole week thinking about how long it was taking to get to the weekend. So many things to do, places to go, sleeping to be done. Now I hardly have time to blink and it's Thursday. But then the time between Friday and Monday seems like an eternity. Probably because there are less things consuming my time. Even with the hectic-ness of teaching and being a missionary-type, I still have endless hours where I am just sitting. Or sleeping. And strangely it is in these times that I find myself missing the week with its hectic schedule. What is wrong with me? I am probably becoming a Korean.

So what have I learned in this month of Korea?

• I have learned to watch my back whilst walking on the street. (cars will run you over)
• I have learned to sleep on a rock. (also known as a bed?)
• I have gotten used to not understanding ANYTHING being said around me. (its actually kinda nice)
• I have learned to walk everywhere. (always)
• I have learned how to navigate the subway system with almost perfection. (not ease)
• I have learned to appreciate my umbrella. (it did finally stop raining. A Korean miracle.)
• I have learned to just eat rice. There is no sense trying to fight it. It is not going away.
• I have NOT learned how to enjoy Kim chi, in any form. (ever, for any reason.) (gross)
• I have learned where the cereal isle is in E-Mart. (a grocery/department store extravaganza)
• I have learned how to bow, all the time. When in doubt, just bow. (seriously)
• I have learned that the noise is not going away. Embrace the city. (or it will eat you)
• I have stopped being so overwhelmed with missing people. (YOU)
• I have learned how to nap several times a day and then still go to bed and sleep.
• I have learned to jump into and out of elevators. (the doors do not have sensors. they will crush and destroy you)
• I have learned to always repeat everything I say twice, at least.
• I have learned to always repeat everything I say twice, at least.
• I have learned that it is completely acceptable to stop in the middle of the sidewalk and take a self-portrait. (just watch out for scooters)
• I have also learned it is acceptable to stop in the middle of the side walk and take pictures of other people on the sidewalk. (even if you don't know them)
• Smart people take the bus, stupid people try to drive their own cars. (no parking)
• The smell of fish is normal for a sunny morning. (try not to puke in the street)
• I have learned that if you are a little old woman you can wear anything you want. ANYTHING. You can also sit on the sidewalk and peel veggies, smoke or just hang out with your friends.
• I have learned that 10,000 won really doesn't go very far. (neither does $10)

Too much? Maybe. But if there is one thing I have learned, more is better!!

Korea is growing on me. Hopefully this will continue to be a positive trend, not something unfortunate like having a tumor growing on me.

Love to all!!

Michelle