I had a good day today!! So, I figured I better write about it.
It might just be because of the place I'm in on my roller coaster, from my attempt to go for a jog (which lasted 6 minutes before my knee decided it was time to stop) or the fact, I actually got a good night sleep that last couple of days... but I didn't want to shot anyone today, so I consider that a good, heck...great day! :)
Last week on Monday, my phone decided to stop working. Why? I have no idea. I went to the dealer to ask them. After a conversation of them only speaking two English words, no and ok, ok...they tell me the problem is with the phone, it's dead and wont charge... solution: call service. Really? What is service going to do over the phone? This is typical Korea. How are they going fix my phone over the phone? That's why I came here, the actual phone shop. The phone dealer people proceed to give me a number. I ask if this service-uh speaks English, They respond, ok, ok, ok... aka doubt it. I give the number to my co-teacher Adeline and ask if she could call and find out what I need to do. She calls and tells me they close at 6pm (I work till 630) and gives me a map of the service center closest to the area...something that the phone dealer guys could have done. Anyhow, I go on my lunch today expecting a mass amount of people and someone who speaks no English that gives me a very noticeable sigh when they see that the next customer is me. To my surprise, I was the only customer and she welcomed me, with still, no English but she didn't have the "oh god" look on her face. After only a few words she new exactly what I was talking about (or so we will find out to tomorrow) and after she takes my phone somewhere she tells me 1 hour, but I tell her I have to pick it up tomorrow. ...which again only took a few words and gestures. Mission complete!
I can not tell you how satisfying it is to have something work out in Korea. The simplest of tasks turn out to be your worst defeat. I think I have done more research via internet while here in Korea then I ever did through my whole college career. No joke.
Anyhow, moving on. After work, I rode home on my bike not having to slam on my brakes for any reason. Not for someone stopping mid-stride, not for a group of people linked arms that cover the whole width of the sidewalk, not for any other biker or scooter, not for the mass amount of people at bus stops staggered just enough to where you have to get off your bike and walk through because they wont move, even if they look straight at you, not for people who are clearly walking on one side of the sidewalk that you go to the other side to avoid them, only to have them cut you off at the last second....I could go on and on but you get the gist. I even didn't have to stop at crosswalks... It was purely amazing!!!
Later, I went to the street market to buy some vegetables. The man who I bought mushrooms from, laughed at me for my Korean, English, and Konglish mix of words that I chose to use when I pointed to the mushrooms trying decide how to ask fro them. I finalized my answer to "mushrooms du-gae Ju-seh-oh!! After that he decided to teach me how to say mushrooms, which entertained the lady two stalls down. How do you say mushrooms, you ask? I already forgot. Kong-gae-nee, maybe?? I don't know...if I can't see it written down, there's no way I'll remember it! Besides the veggies, I found a cheap 6,000w skirt that I can wear to work, You may find that weird but my clothing options are quite slim. I hated clothing shopping in the States and in Korea, it's 400 times worse! Anyhow, I tried it on at home and even though it gives me a muffin top from the beer/bugolgi and lack of kimchi gut I've managed to form, I don't even care... I'm quite satisfied with my purchase!
What else.... Oh, after I told my co- teacher that I wanted a signed paper from my current insurance carrier stating that they will in fact be extending my coverage after August 23rd and my new contract state the same thing. My Director gave me the new contract....I'm still waiting to get the one from the insurance carrier but at least it's a start.
All in all, you probably read this thinking, and this was a good day, because??? Let me tell you, these days, I take the little things and hold on to them. I have become the go to person for medical advice. As depressing as it is, it's something, right? I couldn't tell you how to order something at a restaurant but I could tell you where to go if you need medical attention, where's the closest hospital, which ones speak better English, what to expect when you go.... I can tell you what OTC drugs they have at the pharmacy and how to ask for them. I have an array of medical shit I've acquired in my apartment, to scared to throw it out, incase I have to use it again. You'd think I was an 80 yr. old women with all the crap I have!
4 months, 26 days
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