Getting Settled

"So, how are things over there?"
I've been asked that question many times in the last six months and it seems that each time the answer is a little different than the last. It is really hard to believe we've actually been here for half a year, but there are days when it seems like we've been here forever. I have found that I am out of the honeymoon phase now. The newness has worn off and I'm starting to see the "uglies". This is not a fun stage to be in, and I hope it passes before too much longer.

Seoul is a fun city and there are tons of things to do here. Actually getting out and doing them is another matter. I have found that I feel much more secure when I'm out with a buddy. It is very intimidating to be a blonde "round-eye". I really stand out in a crowd! I rode up to see Eric on the train one day - it's 1.5 hrs each way - and I was the only blonde in the car both ways. It has made me have a new appreciation for foreigners in the states!! I will definitely be more compassionate upon our return. Korean is a very difficult language to learn and to speak. Jake is taking Korean in school and is doing great, but it is hard to "teach and old dog new tricks". Mr. H, who cleans and helps out in the house once a week, tries to teach me words and phrases, but I can't seem to retain anything. It is very frustrating not to be able to understand the written word to even try to sound it out. It can make you feel very isolated. Fortunately when the Olympics were held in Seoul, many of the signs were changed to have English and Hangul so you can read it, but still not pronounce it. I'm sure I sound hilarious with my southern accent trying to speak or sound out words.

Korean culture is also interesting. It is based very much on honor, respect and not shaming anyone. The people here do not express emotion very much in public, but it is said that they will hold things in until they explode all over some poor soul. I don't want to be around when that happens. They are also very status conscious. Up where Eric is, he is big man on campus. But down here, I am lady nobody. It can get a little discouraging for me and I try not to get resentful or feel like I am entitled to something, but it happens sometimes. I don't get resentful towards Eric, but I do get resentful towards people down here who seem to have an "in" and are able to get things done, when I am stuck spinning my wheels. An example is that I can not get someone to come fix my laundry room, but I higher ranking person is moving in next door to me and they are getting their whole house redone. As Emma would say, NOT FAIR!! I think it is something that I'm just going to have to come to accept, even though I don't like it. It does grate against my nerves though.

On the up side - my house is finally in good shape. I have a friend who has given me some great ideas and has taken me to a great painter who does some beautiful work and I've purchased some pictures that are a little less masculine that the military prints we had all over our house in NC. I don't feel like I'm surrounded by men anymore!! I also found that the plants and flowers here are a lot less expensive than in the states, so I have more in my house - and they make me happy. I love the fresh flower markets and love the different orchids that are around. I guess my house has a slight asian slant now. It will be fun to see how it all comes together once we get our stuff out of storage again. I've also done some painting inside - I have a fire place with a cinderblock hearth that has been painted over at least 30 times and I got some terra cotta glaze and ragged it. So the color scheme is looking kind of Tuscany. I feel very comfortable at home. Thank goodness! I really enjoy my orange sofa with the gold swirls on it!! Oh, the joys of government furniture. You get to try out things that you never would have otherwise!

I think that I have settled in pretty well compared to some other folks who got here about the same time as me. I don't HATE it here, but I don't think I would want to live here forever. It gets a little wearisome being around so many people who are unhappy with where they are, and I think it wears off on me every so often. I find that I get the blues more often than I used to. No fun. Perhaps I need a "Happy Light!!" HA!

As Eric and I were talking about our changes in attitude he summed it up pretty well. The newness has worn off and now we must get on with the routine and continue to make it interesting. It's a daily challenge.