Girlish Charm

I mean what are you supposed to do when you see two Korean guys on a jet ski but say, "HELLO". Luckily, the two of us were the perfect amount of people for the two jet skis ;)

"Christina...look over there. What do you think?"

"Looks like we have to go over."

"Yea...you're right. Let's go"

Now, I didn't think we had to pretend we were drowning, but I thought it would add a nice spin to what we were attempting to do. Arms floundering and Christina's screaming did the job. You should have seen the looks on these guys' faces. Before "rescuing" us, we saw both of them light up their cigarettes on their jet skis in the middle of the water!! Korean men love their cigarettes.

When they motored near us we spoke English in really loud voices. Then I switched to the little Korean that I know, "같이 가요" gatchi gayo, or together let's go. I saw them nod. Yes!! we're in.

I hopped on the back. There's no more talking at this point. It's just the sound of the engine. HOLY SHIT! We jetted off so fast. I couldn't stop laughing and screaming simultaneously. My chauffeur (that's right, I called him my chauffeur) was also laughing. He first went around in a circle a few times then created a multitude of waves. After that, he went perpendicular to all the waves he created. We got some serious height. I wasn't sure if he was trying to actually fling me off the back or if he was going fast to have me hold tighter. I leave trying to figure that out up to you guys.

Some of the other foreigners (French, German, American) we traveled with were still at the beach. I caught a few of them standing up and I'm sure they were jealous! Mission accomplished. Well both missions... It wasn't just about the jet ski ride, it was about looking cool in front of everyone else. haha.

I can't lie. I had to use my girlish charm.

7/11 Storage

The note reads:

Hi Sam, ^,^

I'm Hyemi. Did you enjoy your camping in Ha-dong? I'm so sorry about return your clothes lately. I regret that we couldn't meet. Thanks so much your kindness and see U soon. ASAP!! ^.^

Ps. Maybe I'll go to Africa Togo for working in 2010.7-2010.8. Every prepare (company, my parent's assure...) is completed, except University's asure. So, I waiting university's asure until next Mon. I hope that I can go to Africa. Every prepare will finish, I'll contact to U.

The main part of this note is the following: I'm so sorry about return your clothes lately.

I let Hyemi borrow a long-sleve shirt and shorts after we went swimming in the river in Ha-dong. We had been trying to meet for a few days. Finally, she called and the conversation went something like this:

"Sam! This is Hyemi. Do you remember me?"

-"Yes, of course I remember you."

"I am moving my trash to another apartment"

-"?? ??. Do you mean you are moving your things to another apartment?"

"Ah, yes my things. Anyway, I leave your clothes at the 7/11 near your apartment. Just call me when you get them."

-"Umm...are you sure it's ok to leave them at the 7/11"

"Yes, it's ok."

-"ok. I will talk to you soon."

Normally, I would have panicked. But this is Korea, so I don't have to. When I got back from the beach I walked into the 7/11. "안녕하세요. 옷 있어요?" "Hello, do you have my clothes?"

There is a 2 second pause from the cashier and then he reaches to the side and hands me a bag. Thanks guy. Not only did I receive my clothes no questions asked, there was some Hershey kisses and a canned coffee awaiting me as well along with the note. I love Korea!!

Surprisingly Wonderful

You know that kids don't see you as a threat when they start touching you...

I was eating dinner with my friends when a nice family sat down at the table next to me. All of a sudden out of the corner of my eye I see a tiny hand floating towards me. Then, with one deft movement, BAM! She poked me! I turned my head and smiled and she smiled back. What a cute girl. I scrunched my face a little and she copied me. I had my own tiny Korean monkey.

I decided to take it further. I took my glasses off and put the circles of my hands to my eyes. She was a wonderful apprentice. I wanted to take it one step further. I turned my hands so my palms were against my face. My forefingers and thumbs were touching to create the circle. My other three fingers were resting on my cheeks. My little Korean monkey girl tried in vain to do what I was doing, but she couldn't. Her effort was a valiant one nonetheless.

After her failed attempt I decided it was time to eat my food. I turned away and continued talking with my friends and that's how our relationship was... surprisingly wonderful ^^

Get these men in Korea off me!

The last thing I wanted to do was talk to someone at a bus stop while I was waiting in vain for a friend to come visit. I wasn't sure of what time the bus would come so I ended up waiting outside for over an hour. I had a cheeta print scarf on and huge sunglasses trying to be incognito... and guess what, it didn't work.

This tiny Korean man came up to me and put out his hand for me to shake, "annonghaseyo" (shake) "annonghaseyo". I was hoping this would be the extent of our conversation but I knew that accepting the handshake meant more. I just didn't know how much. After the handshake the man went for the hug. I saw him open up his arms after I confirmed that I was American. I put my hands to his chest and pushed him back saying, "NOoooooo". He said something maybe to the effect of, "I thought Americans did this." I just said I don't hug people I don't know.

Then for the next 2 minutes (which is hell of a long time) we stood there standing and staring at each other on and off. I didn't know if I should run away. Contemplating it seemed like the right thing to do, but I was determined not to miss my friend's bus. So, I stood my ground. Luckily, or so I thought, the guy put his hand out to say goodbye. I figured he was trying to make up for his awkward beginning.

Hard feelings aside, I took his hand. I mean we're all trying to figure out where we stand in others' cultures. As soon as our hands met this guy went for the hug again. So quickly that he got one in and ran off! And this wasn't the ass-out type of hug. This was the "hey I'm really, really happy to see you" type of hug.

I stood there stunned. "What the hell was that," I muttered to myself. Deciding whether I should run after him or not, I decided that would be a bad idea. Maybe that's what he was baiting me to do. He probably would have fell down willing, letting me land on top of him.

Creepy bus station people. What am I going to do with them?

Sweating it out

It slowly swayed to the floor when I took a walk outside. After staring at it, I was transported to a time in middle school when the same thing happened. I heard a rumor once about me. Some people said that I was trying to stuff my bra. They spotted a tissue near me on the floor on a few occasions.

Those tissues weren't for that purpose. I was so angry that that was the rumor. I used the tissues to put under my arm pits to try to deter my uncontrollable sweating! I am still using this technique now... I just need a way to stop them from falling out.

MAC attack

The elation I feel is uncontrollable. I try to maintain composure as I carry the big cardboard box to my desk. I remember I have a box cutter in my drawer. Luckily, in Korea these are not considered weapons like they are in New York. I take it out making sure to savor the sound of each click as it draws nearer to a usable point. I slowly, deliberately cut the tape; the white tape that indicates that someone at customs has already seen what's inside. The pain that someone has viewed my Mac only stings for a second.

The first cut is difficult. Something is holding me back. But the next cuts are beautiful. Like a surgeon with a scalpel my precision is just that- surgical. The excitement is growing and growing. I open one side and peer in to see a clean white box. The handle is facing me. I reach in slowly and pull out my treasure. Just the box makes me smile. Online I'm chatting with a friend...

Antoine: im excited for u!!

me: do you remember the way you felt when you got your macbook?

if you do describe it to me

Antoine: i was in total awe

like my computer problems would be forever solved

Sent at 3:15 PM on Thursday

me: I just want to become immersed in MAC

i want to speak the language. I want to feel the POWER!!!!!!!

I open the box. It's absolutely beautiful. The sexy, shiny silver with the symbol that has become known worldwide. It's so cold. So strong, but so cold.

me: IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL!

it feels cold...it needs love to warm it up (and a power cable) but mostly love

Antoine: LMAO

My teachers surround me. They are looking in awe. I tell one of them, "Just touch it." I grab her hand and place it on the notebook. She is feeling what I am feeling. The excitement jolts through her body because she sees how happy I am. "Whoa," she says. And like that we are all in love. "Turn it on," another co-worker pleads. My insides are torn. I want to do this by myself at home. I don't want to share the POWER. But that's what power does to you, it makes you selfish. I don't want to be selfish. Against my initial instinct I take the plastic off. I turn it on and BAM! The colors, ooh the colors.

English is the language selection and I am now experiencing more colors in different languages flying at my face. Everything is so clear. Languages I have never read, never spoken are appearing and disappearing but I know what every word means. It means welcome. Though in Mac language it means so much more. It means come in and enjoy the ride. I means welcome to a new world where everything is one. It's like what Paulo Coelho says in The Alchemist, "I learned that the world has a soul, and that whoever understands that soul can also understand the language of things..." I have entered into the Mac world.

I understand the Mac soul and therefore all the languages!! Now, if I can just connect to a wireless signal...

Sports Day

Now I better understand Mario Party and Mario Kart. I used to wonder where the Japanese got their ideas for the games. I am extrapolating a bit, but after witnessing "Sports Day" at one of elementary schools in Korea I can relate to what is in the game.

If you ever play battle mode in Mario Kart the point is to be the last man driving with some balloons intact. Each player starts out with 3 balloons. The goal is to pop the other players' balloons while driving around a course. Well, I saw this but LIVE!

There were two lines of students. Each student standing had a balloon tied around his or her foot. To make it more interesting the bigger students had the carry the younger students on their backs. At the sound of the fake gun team1 had to pop all of team2's balloons by stomping on them. I had a really good laugh watching the kids.

Another game that is played in Mario Party is a type of fishing game. You fish for things instead of fish. The teachers constructed a "box". It was a wheelbarrow wrapped with a huge blue tarp. You had two lines again. This time it wasn't the students. It was the students' grandparents. So you have all of these old Korean people in two lines. One person got a fishing pole with a non-dangerous hook at the end. They had to use the fishing pole and go fishing in the "box". You all remember how that was constructed... So in goes the first pole and viola! The grandfather hooked a bottle of oil! I know he was thinking, "Yes, just what I wanted!"

The next grandmother to go hooked a multitude of sponges. Wooohooo! Hold on to your pants. After each "catch", the grandparents returned to their respective lines and passed the pole down. I saw a small bag of rice come out, some vinegar, hand towels, a small pot. This was the best fishing day ever for these old folks. They were sweating in the sun, but I know deep down they were happy fishing for prizes.

The best part is tug of war. I think I'll just let the picture speak for itself. If you have trouble seeing...yes that is a grandmother holdin' it down on the end. This is to all the 하라보지's and 할모니's out there. Work it!