So, some of you might know that I just made a Facebook page as Elena Giselle the blogger, where I can post pictures and snapshot sort of comments and things, since my camera and phone will not communicate with my laptop at the moment. I also just put up a YouTube video as a sort of thing to combat people missing me... I realize that this idea sounds cocky and self- centered, but I received some heartfelt messages, and I did it for the people. The point to this as an introduction is that you can find the pictures from all the things I have been doing on my Facebook page.
On Saturday i went to my host brother's soccer practice. He was amazing in the practice game, scoring both the first and last goals as well as a couple in the middle. It begs to be said that any stereotypes of Asian people fall apart as soon as you are sitting in a group of Korean mothers yelling in their sons' soccer game. It was really nice to get to feel like a part of the crowd, since the rules and attitudes of soccer do not change with the countries you visit. Today was interesting. I guess that no news is good news, right? I filmed and edited my YouTube video, finished the last 5/6 of the seventh Harry Potter Book and got through 2/3 of a great book on the current political situation in terms of China and wars in the US. I forgot about lunch because I was busy taking a nap, and by the time I remembered, it felt too uncomfortable time- wise for me to go out of my room to eat something. So, I went out for a walk that ended up with me at a bakery, where I bought something to eat. Tonight I also did my English tutoring, and my host brother was just not having it. He was whining and complaining, and my host mom got incredibly angry with him, it was almost scary, especially when she hit the pencil he was holding out of his hands. Friday Recap: My host mom somehow managed to find us tickets to see In the Heights for the equivalent of ten US dollars per person. This is incredible, since they usually run a lot closer to 100. She actually called me with the good news while I was at work, and I ended up doing two silly dances at work that day, because the Seattle Seahawks won against the San Francisco 49ers, and again when the news about the tickets came through. The point is that I am kind of struggling with finding a silver lining right now, since culture shock for me feels more like "culture sick" if you know what I mean. If any of you have any words of wisdom, happy thoughts, or anything like that, please share them with me in the comments section below! Stay strong, lovelies! Elena Giselle :D
1 Comment
Mom
10/26/2015 06:44:34 pm
On the culture sick, the advice we got during PC training in Africa way back in the 80's still rings true. When you start feeling weird, get out and about, we were told. Walk around your village or town or neighborhood. Smile at people who stare at you and bow or give the peace sign or whatever friendly gesture is appropriate there. Practice your greetings and your two words of the local language on shopkeepers and trees and passing cars. Next time practice your three words. Then four. Culture shock gets better if you get out of your house. It does pass, really. And when it does, you will find yourself becoming Koreanized, no longer a tourist. Part of you will be Korean and it will stay with you forever.
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Elena Giselle
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December 2022
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