November 2018: On Routines and Wonder

Okay, to be totally cliche, how has it been almost four months?

Like, I know everyone says that. I know basically every adult says that about literally any amount of time. But still, uh, how??

So life in Korea, four-ish months in. Well, for starters, I've steadily fallen into a routine. I know I said that after about a month in, but I really feel like I've adjusted. I've overcome the culture shock, and it no longer feels like a vacation but just, you know, my life.

The thing about routines is it provides both comfort and monotony. It's so nice to go to work and just come home and relax, feeling like my apartment is my own space, knowing where and how to get what I need, feeling familiar with my surroundings. After months of traveling and spending time around people, I really cherish weekends where I can sleep in and stay at home. Going to the grocery store isn't an adventure in translation issues and confusion. My apartment is stocked and cozy (just bought a little Christmas tree!).

But a routine also means you're not wide-eyed at everything anymore. For example, I remember in Italy, there were these Roman ruins on the way to school. The first time I saw them, I spent ten minutes staring, committing the pillars and layout to memory, trying to reconcile these two-thousand-year-old remnants with modern Roman life. How many people had passed these ruins?

But, of course, my host mom and other Italians paid little mind to them. I mean, they passed them every day. It was just routine. I remember thinking, how can these people walk past this amazing monument every day without a second glance?

After six weeks, I was the same. I would hurry on to school without a second glance at those ruins.

It's not that I didn't appreciate them any less. It's not that I still didn't think they were absolutely marvelous and inspiring and a reminder of the people who lived before us--you just can't stay wide-eyed at everything for months on end.

It's similar with me and my life in Korea now. For example, there's an old traditional estate right next to my school, and I still think it's gorgeous and unlike anything back home, but most days my eyes don't even register it while I'm trying to get to school.

So I'm in that routine. It's not that I'm any less grateful. My brain has just processed the new, unexpected, different things, and I've adjusted to them. This isn't good or bad, it's neutral. It's to be expected, really. I bring this up just because it's a reality of living someplace. I find comfort in it. I'm not running around getting shocked and overwhelmed by every new stimulus anymore. Thank god.

But how is work going? What's school like?

First, I feel way more confident with teaching. I know my kids' levels now, I know who's high level and who's low level, and I know what words they'll pick up on. I know what kind of games they like, what'll fly and what won't. I teach at two schools, and I know how their learning styles and classroom dynamics differ. I feel more comfortable playing and teasing them, and I know their sense of humor (toilet humor. They adore toilet humor.)

As for my coworkers, they baby me less and I'm expected to lead more of the lessons. I also teach two supplemental classes alone, and we're halfway through it. I'd never taught 3rd-4th grade before and their lower levels and shorter attention spans threw me, but now I expect it.

So that's work. But how's regular life?

Well, I've been shopping for clothes less. The initial shopping mania from first arriving in Korea was due to both the dropping temperatures and the accessible, amazing fashion. I am now prepared for the cold (and have adjusted pretty well) and feel like my wardrobe is stocked just fine.

I've also been eating out less. My friends and I don't meet up as much as we used to--which isn't hard to say because the first month we ate together almost every single night. So slowing down on that was kinda necessary for my wallet. I cook at home more, and I've been spending my money on building up my pantry instead of eating out.

My apartment really feels like mine now, not just a dorm. The only real issue with it is there's horrible mold in the entryway, but bleach and dehumidifiers keep it in check. I should keep the windows open, but the air quality has been bad lately, so that's a no-go.

The air thing is actually a big adjustment that I didn't have when I first got here. About 3 weeks ago, the air got bad. Everyone was coughing and wheezing, wearing face masks, and while this is totally common in Korea, for me the whole day felt like Al Gore descending from the heavens to say I told you so.

Anyway, I go to a Kpop dance class twice a week, which is a great way to work out and get out of my comfort zone.

What about money? Any travel plans?

I go to Seoul about once a month, and I always love it. Buuuuut now I need to start saving, because I'm going to Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam in January so I definitely gotta work on that.

Money is going towards Grown-Up Business. You know, finding a dentist, getting a haircut, figuring out my bank stuff (I'm still trying to get my remittance stuff handled but that's cause I'm being slow).

Are you gonna make a video this month?

Ehhhhh. I actually didn't record much this month. I have vague plans to make an apartment tour but you know, I actually still gotta do it.

So all in all, do you like it? How's life in Korea?

I still love it. I think we're out of the honeymoon phase, so it's not sheer excitement and fun 24/7, but like I've been saying, that's normal and expected and totally all well and good.

I do think seasonal depression is hitting me/going to hit me harder this year since it's dark so early and it's colder than what I'm used to. In addition, I think I'm dealing with a lot of post-grad anxiety. Student loans have kicked in. I'm asking myself, what's next? I've spent 22 years having things planned out for me. There's always been a trajectory. School, college, find a job. I've got my whole life ahead of me which is, of course, you know, awesome and totally cool, but also overwhelming.

I'm a bit off the traditional path (which I guess would be vaguely defined as getting an office job back home) and I'm debating how much further off that path I want to go. I mean, I don't have to have the answers now. But it's hard not to think about it anyway.

I'm not homesick much, but holidays are hard. Thanksgiving was hard to be away from home. Christmas, I know, is going to be painful. I've never, ever been away for a Christmas.

Feel free to ask questions if you've got any! I'm off to play Sims and go see Bohemian Rhapsody.