December Snippets

We had quite a few events and activities in December, but it was a different feel than in the US. Christmas in Korea is comparable to the American Valentine's Day (and, for you trivia lovers, Christmas is the best day of the year for condom sales in Korea), so there are far fewer reminders of this religious/materialistic holiday than we've been used to at home. But, rather than drone on about our activities, I have instead written some pithy summaries inspired by Hint Fiction (stories in 25 words or less) to give you glimpses into our month.









"Our goodbye hugs to beloved international students revealed their joy-filled connection to this strange place.  And the revelation that they saw us as parental figures.  Ouch."



















"The world-renowned engineer-turned-college president offered Christian wisdom to audiences, while his secretary sent a different message with her eye-catching shopping bag."

"The Korean cafe charged extra to drink among the wandering dogs.  Workers doled out discipline with squeaky hammers and wiped up wastes while we happily petted and sipped."

"Grocery shopping resembles hunter/gathering methods to score familiar foods amid aisles of mysterious products.  We assume vegan stances in the petting zoo portion of the deli."

{Note: I hate the strong fish smell near the grocery store's meat counter, but I always enjoy what I think of as the petting zoo portion of our visit. Lots of shallow  buckets hold crabs, eels, and baby octopuses, which are fascinating to watch - and they watch me, as well, sometimes turning color and darting away or gracefully reaching out a tentacle. I'm wondering if I can buy them as pets....}

"We cherish the reminders of home from our artwork and skype calls, but the discount candy store gives immediate gratification."







And some summaries without photos that give you more hints into how we spent December:

"Being hospitable is as easy as keeping the house tidy and seasonally decorated; extroverts are happy to bring food, wine, and cheer.  And when they don't stay too long, even the introverts are happy."

"Learning Korean as an adult is like chasing a train: you make plenty of progress, but you never catch up and look fairly foolish in the attempt."

"Students everywhere abandon their less-loved items at year's end to the joy of divers; Americans dump their school supplies, but Koreans dump umbrellas and shower shoes."

"Episodes of "Double Divas" inspires a mother-daughter outing for proper-fitting lingerie in a country where push-up training bras are standard fare."

"Nick's love of international students lands him a headmaster ring of responsibilities for their recruitment, housing, and education.  The family expresses its pride with worried faces."

And to end with an embarrassing moment:

"Obediently singing the carols from the typo’d slides still didn't prepare worshipers for my Christmas reading of the little Bethlehem babe, raped in his blankets."

Ouch.