SMALL SUCCESSES
Do I flush toilet paper down the toilet? How does the garbage system work? How do I turn on the fan? Where can I buy undershirts?
Anyone who has experienced living in a foreign country understands the importance of celebrating every achievement. No matter how big or small.
Successfully immersing myself into Korean culture is going to take one little step after another. I plan to celebrate every one.
Even though I have traveled extensively, I have never actually lived and worked in a country where English was not a dominating language. Everything in Korea is in Korean.
Duh.
I knew it would be, but reality did not fully sink in until I was on my own. I feel like I am learning to walk again.
Finding my way to the grocery store, or figuring out how to run a washing machine by pushing a bunch of random buttons calls for celebration. Rejoicing in such tiny triumphs will help me not only survive, but thrive.
Do I bow to everyone? Do I make eye contact first, and then bow? Do I bow to the same person every time I see them throughout a day?
Still so many questions, but I have learned a lot.
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I had the same revelation with my machine. The exhiliration I felt after finding the winning combination of buttons didn't last long though. The reality sunk in that I didn't remember what I did... until next time washing machine.
ReplyDeleteHAHA! Aaron. So glad I'm not alone. Thankfully, my co-teacher just gave me a visual translation. It's incredible. I'll have to show you.
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