아... 힘들다.

좀 많이 힘들다.

First few steps in Korea

I've been in Korea for 6 days now. The majority of my time has been spent with my mom's side of the family. Grandparents, a lot of aunts, and what seems like a lot of cousins but I guess it's only because I've been constantly surrounded by two 3 year olds and one 5 year old who cry, and talk, a lot. They surprisingly like me a lot and are apparently asking my whereabouts if I am not in their vicinity! That never happens with me and little kids haha. Apart from those 3 youngsters, there are two older boys (almost high school and middle school) whom I can actually hold conversations with and often times find myself watching basketball on Korean ESPN discussing different players. (My boyfriend would be proud!)

I haven't started tutoring English or interning yet as the Lunar New Year is approaching on the 26th. It's a big holiday here in Korea and Asia and the roads and department stores are packed with cars and people shopping for gifts to bring to their relatives. Everyone is eagerly awaiting the long weekend that is to come.

As for my current living situation, I'm residing in Suwon, a city just outside of Seoul, at my grandparents' condo. Suwon is where my mom was born and grew up - but the large courtyard house with dozens of rose bushes and green lawn she always told me about is nowhere to be found in Suwon or Seoul these days. Everyone lives in high-rise condos/apartments and stores with neon signs are busily packed into small blocks.

My grandparents' condo is very spacious (almost too spacious for just the 2 of them) with 4 rooms. I think they're glad that they have another person walking around and making the place a little more lived in. :)

My room, The living room at my grandparents' place

My favorite day in Korea was this past Sunday when I went to church with my grandparents. I went to the church my mom used to go to since she was a little girl and also where she was an accompanist for the church choir for 10 years since middle school. Eventually my parents got married in the same church. The last time a lot of the older church members had seen me and my parents was when I was 3 months old and when my parents were about 24 years old. (Right before we moved to Chicago.) Everyone couldn't believe how much I had grown, including this man below:

The doctor who delivered me on July 2nd, 1988! He said I was one of the first babies he delivered. :)

They rebuilt the church in a new location, but I could feel the magic of being surrounded by people who witnessed my parents get married a little over two decades ago.

Today I got measured and chose fabrics for my very first bespoke hanbok. (No more borrowing Mom's!) It was an interesting experience but I'll write about it once I actually pick up the hanbok.

Love,

SK

Flying to Korea!

Goodbye America, I'm off to the motherland today.

Hello Seoul and grandparents and family and more family and kimchi and busy busy streets!

Preparation

I am currently in the midst of preparing all the necessary documents to obtain a visa from the Korean Consulate... and I don't know what I would do if I didn't have my mom! The website made it look pretty simple for me to get a long-term visa that would allow me to work in Korea if I chose to for up to 2 years... but there are so many documents that have the most complicated Korean words I've ever seen in my entire life. I had to get a family registry document mailed from Korea, officially renounce my Korean citizenship which makes me feel a little weird, oh and my mom has to do everything with me because I'm under 22? We are currently scavenging the house for yet another document that proves something else.

I'm actually not even supposed to be able to get the specific Korean-American visa (F4) that I want because I'm not 22, but the consul happened to walk by and took a look at my situation and I'm in the clear! At first I tried the "but I'm 22 in Korean age" thing, but it doesn't matter if you're considered a 1 year old at birth when it comes to applying for visas, I guess. Go fig!

My flight is on Wednesday the 14th and I'm finally in LA trying to get a visa! Busy busy!

---
Before I go, fellow Boston resident dreamecho (dream echo, not dream-e-cho as I used to pronounce it before hehe) tagged me to share 7 random tidbits about me. Here they are!

1.    I'm currently in my longest relationship to date (almost a year! 11 months) and am a very happy camper.

2.   In my opinion, I think Chicago, IL is the prettiest city in the United States. Especially at twilight or at dusk.

3.   I'm very sensitive to sound. I cover my ears before I cover my eyes when watching a scary movie!

4.   I like to eat pieces of a cake or pie, not small individual sweets. I like the fact that it is almost always shared (unless suffering a horrible breakup I suppose) and that it is a part of something bigger.

5.   I think Anthony Bourdain's demeanor is always very amusing

6.   I was a blogger on Xanga since 2000 and recently moved to Blogspot.

7.  My left pinky is slightly longer than my right from years of playing cello.

I want to tag...

The fabulous twins at Between

Christy at Christ in a Song

Lyds at Lydia Bedelia

Odj who will fly you away with Rocket Pinkerton