For those of you who have never experienced Korea before, you might not fully understand what I'm going to write. But for those lucky few, more specifically males who might read this, you'll know what I'm talking about....its the frustrating sensation of falling in love 20 times a day. How is this possible, you might ask? Its called the subway sensation (and I'm not talking about Jared and his subway diet...) Yesterday, after shopping for a nice professional winter coat, I decide to brave the 7pm "just-finished-rushing-to-the-subway-to-get-home" crowd; otherwise known as mayhem. However, on the subway, its nearly impossible NOT to fall in love with the women here. Sure, its a surface, appearance related type of "love", if you could call it that. But in reality, are not most relationships first based on this type of "appearance love?"
Now, I know that the girls I work with have a different term for this type of "problem," as they put it....they call it "Asian Fever".....call it what you want, but whatever it is, when I'm "cured" after i go home, i dare say that in my small hometown, I'm going to miss riding the subway.... Oh, and by the way, I'm open to any criticism that will possibly arise from this; instead of seething and saying something to yourself, comment on it....^^
Onto other less important issues.....
Packing to go home after one year in Korea? It sucks. But what could be worse, you might say? Try packing after spending almost two years in Korea. If there were a dictionary type of book for all the words that are superlatives for "suck", then I'd be using it right now. For those of you coming to Korea, or who are here right now, I have a few tidbits of advice....in no order of importance.
1) Don't buy books. I know this might be hard to accept, but if you buy books, don't get attached to them- you'll pay a minor fortune sending them home.
2) For each article of clothing that you buy, find something that you don't want anymore, and find a clothing deposit box to dump it in, or better yet, give it to someone else. Nothings more impossible than staring at a closet of clothing, and trying to think of how to fit all of those clothes into what must certainly be shrunken luggage (I swear it wasn't that small when I came to Korea.)
3) Start packing early. I didn't, and that's why I'm procrastinating my packing now....I'm scared it won't all fit^^
~
Onto the last little tidbit of advice for those who are relatively new to Korea, or those thinking of coming. I've never had friends like Koreans. This is no shot against my Canadian or American friends, but Korean friends, at least the ones i have, seem to have something about them. If you're trying to make more Korean friends, keep with it; they're a hard nut to crack. However, once they trust you, you will be hard pressed to find more loyal friends who will give whatever they can to help you.
Well, I really should get back to packing.....take care all,
me
Oh - a handy post-script - I updated my book list and music on the side - I've been busy buying books (d'oh!) and reading a lot since I'm not working right now - feel free to check them out. As for the music, check out the "Rescue Me" original soundtrack; its quite enjoyable. Another favourite is the newest Snow Patrol album, "Eyes Open" - another solid listen. Enjoy^^