Life This Week in South Korea: October 30-November 5, 2023
MONDAY, OCT 30
I’m so tired.
Finished my class essay, for better or worse. Had tutoring. Went to class. Went to the market. Rested at Starbucks with a new favorite drink (only here, not in the US), Grapefuit-Honey Iced Tea. I’d pick that over McDonald’s sweet tea any day. And if you’ve been following for awhile you know that’s really saying something! Lugged three large bags of groceries home.
TUESDAY, OCT 31 aka Halloween
Not so Halloweeny here…but one of my sweet classmates brought in candy for everyone. I didn’t see any costumes or anything. And there are no children on campus so I wouldn’t know if trick-or-treating is going on out there in the world. I suspect not.
STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY.
WEDNESDAY, Nov 1 – WHOA.
NOVEMBER?? Sheesh.
I feel like every waking moment this week is spent on studying for Friday’s test and preparing a presentation – 300+ words (Korean ones) on “my favorite place to travel (that is not my hometown and is not Korea),” along with a powerpoint presentation AND we need to memorize it to present in front of the class on Friday…ON THE SAME DAY AS A TEST.
THURSDAY, Nov 2
Dribbled oily red stuff down the front of my shirt Had dinner by myself at the mini-emart next to my building (the one with the “veranda” ha ha). Not exactly sure what I had…but it was very yummy. Went home. Spent 2,964 hours trying to memorize tomorrow’s presentation. I was an idiot and made it way too complicated, used too many words I’m not familiar with ugh what is wrong with me.
FRIDAY, Nov 3
After the stress of (failing) today’s test and bumbling my way through the presentation, my friend and I went to a tutoring session together. I’d asked Jun if we could have just like a “conversation” session…as opposed to learning and practicing new grammar points. So the three of us met at Starbucks and had fake conversation, ha ha…but it’s good practice for me to have to a) understand what someone is saying (the worst for me) and b) think relatively quickly on how to respond (the worst for me) in actual sentences that make actual sense.
After tutoring we walked (walk walk walk) over to Kondae (the super busy restaurant/bar area) to a place my friend had tried and wanted to go back. She wanted nengmyoen, which is an icy cold noodle soup they eat a lot here when it’s hot out. I wanted meat. I always want meat. We were rushed through dinner as the place was closing (ridiculously early for that area on a Friday night but WHATEVER) so that was sort of an odd experience.
SATURDAY, Nov 4
An unintentionally quiet day at home…trying to make plans…the internet was against us…so it was like 6pm before we finally met up and headed out on our evening’s adventure…which was Chyeongsam Stream, which used to be a highway and has been converted into a streamside walkway like a park…and then to Myeongdong Night Market where all the street food lives.
I could LIVE on street food.
I had a Korean hot dog, which is essentially a corn dog on a stick, but they do a lot of other fancy things with potatoes and cheese and sugar, etc. This was a relatively simple one, just dog and mozarella cheese. Then a little a later I had some pork on a stick (put anything on a stick and it will be 10x more appealing). I wanted watermelon in a cup but that’s a hard walking item…I also wanted a cronut, coconut grilled shrimp, and a giant toasted marshmallow and foot high ice cream cone…but those will have to wait til next time.
Of course our phones were failing us so once again we walked a quarter mile in one direction then turned around and walked a quarter mile in the direction we just came from, lather rinse repeat. I really don’t get what the problem is. I need to get a Korean cell phone plan within the next two weeks (my travel SIM card time is about up), I haven’t pulled the trigger yet cuz I’m still deciding if it’s time for a new phone and if it is if I want a Korean or a US phone. A Korean phone on a Korean phone plan might be The Ticket to functional internet here. But..there are some “Korean phone things” I’d rather not have if I’m going to be here as long as planned. So, phone decision unmade, phone plan undecided on.
SUNDAY, Nov 5
Guess what I did today? MOVED! AGAIN! Ha Ha.
I just changed rooms in the same building…I can’t remember if I talked about this in the last post but I did NOT take the “lease” room with kitchenette and washing machine. It was very small, unfurnished, and dark. I might do small unfurnished dark if it was $400/month. But this was $750/month + utilities + $4000 deposit and one-year lease. So I opted for the slightly larger, bigger window room for $90 more a month than I’d been paying. And I really like it. A WINDOW! With a VIEW! And WESTERN EXPOSURE! This all makes me very happy. Also, double the storage, a cell phone holder in the bathroom (haha), heated floors, a fridge that’s considerably colder than my previous one AND internet that doesn’t go out at least once an hour.
Unless something unforseen happens, I’ll be here for the next three months, through the end of the second term, and then I’ll re-assess. I’ll have a better idea by then of whether I’m continuing on here with school/student visa, or whether the plan needs to change. But so at least for the winter I’m close to school in a comfortable place. WITH A VIEW.
The End.
Lisa
Thank you for taking us along on your journey! Each week sounds better than the week before – you sound more confident! You got this!!
bettyewp
Thanks, Lisa. Some things are definitely getting better. Hopefully next term class won’t be AS stressful.
Maggie
I’m really enjoying hearing about your adventures, Bettye. The food all looks so amazing!
bettyewp
I love trying all the food – even things that are basically “the same as anywhere,” are different. I’ve already got a thing in my head that certain things “taste Korean,” I just don’t know what that taste/flavor is. There are so many things I still want to eat here!
Penny
Oh Bettye – what an adventure you’re having. It’s a huge learning curve, isn’t it, when you realise how foreign and different other countries are. Go for it, you’ll learn so much more than just the language! And that view is great, especially at night.
bettyewp
Oh how I love the view. A view. ANY view, ha ha. For so long I’ve had useless windows…windows that were too small, that were too high, that were obstructed, etc. I still (and will always) long for the window in my dream Seoul apartment, but I’m coming to terms with the fact that that will probably never happen for me, so…given that, I’m pretty happy with this window. You’d laugh at how many times every day I just go stand by it, looking out. When I get in bed, I can see the tops of those tall apartment buildings with like the round light things on top. When I wake up in the morning, the buildings are bathed in warm moring light. I’m actually getting light streaming into the room, which I’ve missed. I’m taking stupid pictures again of like the sunlight on the wall above my pillow and sharing them on Instagram. I’m sure some people are like why are you posting a picture of your unmade bed? And I’m like oh you’re so missing the point. So yeah, pretty happy with my window.
xoxo
Jodie Filogomo
I agree with Penny. The experiences that you are having our priceless.
Even the frustration with the phone is not something you’d ever think about but make such a difference in your daily activities.
And the learning oh my gosh it’s been so long since I’ve had to study study study like that. It’s probably very good for our brain.
Xoxo
Jodie
bettyewp
Funny (not so funny) story…when I was like 38 I felt like my brain was already slipping…I was struggling with retaining information I’d heard or read, I was having trouble with comprehension and following even the simplest directions…so (among other reasons), I decided to go back to college (I had never completed my bachelor’s degree back in my 20s cuz my father died blah blah blah), thinking this “mental exercise” would help whip my brain back into shape.
NOPE. All it got me was a student loan I will die with…my brain is more useless than ever.
I mean, maybe I’d be EVEN worse if I was not continually trying to learn new things, but…
xoxo
Christine
Glad things are getting better! I too love following along on your adventures. Don’t be hard on yourself – what you’re doing is major.
bettyewp
Thanks, Christine π
It’s hard not to be hard on myself…when I see others around me figuring things out, picking up the language, etc…SO QUICKLY. I know I;m not supposed to compare myself to others but….it’s like I’m constantly dead last in the race…and I’m working so hard but it just doesn’t feel like it’s making any difference…at least ot fast enough.
Ooh, this is turning into a pity party, ha ha. THE POINT IS…I’m here and I’m trying my best…
Marian
I am happy to hear that you seem to have a friend…or several friends. While it is very hard to be in your circumstances where everything is so new and you are stumbling around, you often write that you are studying, dining and going on outings with someone. May I ask, are these friends from your class? Where are they from? What has brought them to study in your program? Are there any other Americans? Do you feel different from your classmates? Sorry…lots of questions but I am curious about your social experiences. Because friendship is everything when you are far from home.
bettyewp
Marian, these are all excellent questions! So good, in fact, that they have prompted a whole blog post about the people I have met here – why, who, how, etc.
So…you’re going to have to wait juuuust a little bit for the answers – μ£μ‘ν©λλ€! Sorry!
Thanks for the blog post idea π
Tina
WoW!! I am amazed at your courage to make such a life altering change. I’ve been reading your posts and asking myself if I would do something similar?? After thinking hard on this, I decided probably not—I would need a safety net of some sort. I would have connected with some kind of US group–ex-Pats, missionaries or ANYONE who was American before moving there. I’m not as brave as you!! But I am cheering you on!
bettyewp
Brave? Stupid? Maybe not so far apart, ha ha.
I DO follow several ex-pat groups on Facebook…but because online communiities can be so…uhm…let’s just say, people online don’t always take into account that there is actually another human being reading their comments (ie, they can be a little cutting and insensitive)…I have only asked a few questions there, when I was really desparate for help. And then, some good people came out of the woodwork and were very helpful. One I met in person, she actually traveled about an hour by train to go to real estate offices with me and look at an apartment where the realtor didn’t speak english. We keep in touch sporadically, we actually had lunch plans this past weekend but they were canceled…it’s hard with us both being busy and living far apart…but I feel like she’s there if I really needed help with something.
And, because I’m a ridiculous person who lives in fairy land, ha ha, I honestly felt like the couple of blogger/IGers (expats in Korea) I follow would be a resource (unbeknownst to them) for me in an emergency. Ha. That sounds crazy, right? A STRANGER was my safety net? But really, when I think about it, if one of YOU came to Korea and were stranded or in trouble in some form or another and you reached out to me, I would absolutely go try and help you. Not that *I’M* much help, but at least you’d have A Person.
Thanks for the cheering!
Kelley
Hello! Iβve been following your journey. But I think I missed why you are taking this journey. Iβve seen a few posts on BTS. Was the band your motivation to move to South Korea? Are you there permanently? And, not to get too personal, but are you retired? How are you making a living? It sounds as though you will be there for awhile and it truly seems so exciting. I applaud you for doing it and definitely getting out of your comfort zone.
Just trying fill in some gaps. I really enjoy your updates! Kelley
bettyewp
Hi Kelley! You can read the short version (ish) here https://fashionschlub.com/2023/07/25/spoiler-alert-im-moving-to-south-korea/ – the trip has really been over two years in the making. Yes, BTS, kpop, and kdramas were like the gateway for me to South Korea, a country I knew literally nothing about three years ago. But from being introduced to the country in 2020 via music and television, I began learning the language and history and just really developed a strong feeling about this country. Their history is pretty incredible, and I’ve only touched the surface in learning about it. So while BTS played a big part in introducing me to the country, they are not why I’m here, ha ha.
Yes, I retired in July. So I’m collecting unemployment, which feels like monthly magic to me – like SURPRISE HERE’S A BUNCH OF MONEY FOR NO REASON! Obviously I’ve paid into it all my life by working, but…it just seems so amazing to get money now for NOT working. And it’s not a lot, I retired at the earliest possible age – 62. But by moving to another country I am able to afford to retire this young and still be able to live well. “Well” is a relative term – we have all our bars.
Thanks for your comment and I’m glad you’re enjoying the updates!
My plan was to be here for two years on a student visa…but I’m struggling so much with school that I’m not sure I’ll be able to stay that long…and there’s no other visa I qualify for at this time – except a tourist visa that allows US citizens to stay in the country for 90 days at a time, but not more than twice a year. Visas are pretty interesting things – I never knew ANYTHING about them because I’d never traveled or thought about moving outside of the US. I have a running list of countries I can stay in on tourist visas and afford rent+life, etc, so if/when I need to leave here, I know all my other options.
Chris Jargowsky
Your writing is amazing and your journey is truly unreal, many do not ever venture outside their comfort zone. You are doing a phenomenal job at life, dont knock yourself. I mean basic necessities are different than we are used to, electrical outlets, bathroom set ups, food, phones, the language. You need to literally think of every word and every direction, that must be mentally exhausting. You can do this, while there may be some brain fog, you are intelligent, imaginative, and a very strong woman. Whatever happens, most would have not even considered an adventure of this magnitude. Itβs impressive, be proud of what you have accomplished. Love ya
bettyewp
WHY YOU MAKING ME CRY AT THE PCBANG, CHRISSY?!? Ha ha.
Yes, so many things are different! People keep mentioning “culture shock,” and that’s not quite it. I feel I knew pretty much what to expect by way of cultural differences – as silly as it sounds, watching 1,793 kdramas over the past three years really helped with that (!). It’s more the…technical aspects of life – as you said, the (freaking) electrical outlets, the different appliance wattages (voltages?), the showers, the “don’t put toilet paper in the toilet” dictums, the American phones not wanting to cooperate on Korean soil, etc. You really nailed it, Chrissy! Those are the day-to-day sometimes debilitating challenges.
Tonight we went to the laundromat. That was a whole experience in itself. I was always a little intimidated at the American laundromat…and now all the signage was in Korean, I had to figure out that you need to buy a VIP card at the kiosk and then use THAT at the machines…and that you need to tap the card on the card reader multiple times to add time to the dryer so you don’t haveto keep getting up every 3 minutes to re-start the machine. How long did it take us to figure THAT out?? Ha ha. And it’s just those (seemingly) simple activities that can be so frustrating and intimidating. Everything is new, everything is The First Time…most things are The First Time for like the first five times. It wears you down π
Thanks for understanding. I know you’ve got my back!
XOXO